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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

No Christmas dinner

252 replies

thelifeoofme · 23/12/2022 08:44

IM NOT COOKING Christmas dinner. I have twins & a 6 year old. There's no way im doing it. I've bought party food, pizzas, pigs in blankets, picky bits & I'll lay a spread on the table. We don't have a dining table either so it'll be a pick n mix - I've been called all sorts for this but I am SICK of spending Christmas Day in the kitchen when I should be with those kids.

Am I wrong or right? An awful mother?

Am I depriving my children of a Christmas dinner & that's whole dinner experience?

OP posts:
Christmascracker0 · 23/12/2022 08:47

I used to work with a lady who did Christmas dinner on Boxing Day for the same reason! On Christmas Day they had a fry up in the morning and picky bits in the evening. I think it’s a really nice idea when kids are young.

user1474315215 · 23/12/2022 08:47

I don't really understand why it's such an issue? If you buy frozen veg and ready made sauces there's hardly any prep involved and it tasted just as good.

Flapjack637 · 23/12/2022 08:48

The kids won’t be deprived! It sounds lovely and they’ll remember spending time with you and playing.
Plenty of time for Christmas dinners when they are teenagers and don’t want to leave their rooms.
You could always do the dinner another day, Christmas Eve like the Germans do I think, or Boxing Day? But only if you really want one.
Sounds like a lovely Christmas Day

TheYummyPatler · 23/12/2022 08:49

You are allowed to do Christmas however you like. There’s no law that you must roast some potatoes on Christmas Day.

Twinstudy · 23/12/2022 08:49

Sounds lovely to be. Who is calling you all sorts for it?

MotorwayDiva · 23/12/2022 08:49

In my opinion Christmas Dinner is for adults, young kids never want to sit for long, so s long as they are fed that's great.
We only have 1 child at Christmas so do a Christmas dinner do loads of prep before hand and our kitchen is family space so.still there.

tealandteal · 23/12/2022 08:50

As long as they are fed they will be happy, and if you’re not stressed you’ll be happier.

Original poster
thelifeoofme · 23/12/2022 08:50

user1474315215 · 23/12/2022 08:47

I don't really understand why it's such an issue? If you buy frozen veg and ready made sauces there's hardly any prep involved and it tasted just as good.

Because the last 5/6 christmases I've missed them playing with toys, opening presents & just felt like I've hardly been in there with them Xmas Sad

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 23/12/2022 08:50

Absolutely right.
We do croissants for breakfast as we never usually have them, so it’s special to mine.
Then I do a buffet including bake-at-home buns (again, special for my kids), cheeses, gammon ham, crackers, pickles, crisps etc.

Original poster
thelifeoofme · 23/12/2022 08:51

MotorwayDiva · 23/12/2022 08:49

In my opinion Christmas Dinner is for adults, young kids never want to sit for long, so s long as they are fed that's great.
We only have 1 child at Christmas so do a Christmas dinner do loads of prep before hand and our kitchen is family space so.still there.

That's nice! My house isn't big like that there's 5 in a two bed xx

OP posts:
Original poster
thelifeoofme · 23/12/2022 08:51

KangarooKenny · 23/12/2022 08:50

Absolutely right.
We do croissants for breakfast as we never usually have them, so it’s special to mine.
Then I do a buffet including bake-at-home buns (again, special for my kids), cheeses, gammon ham, crackers, pickles, crisps etc.

I like this idea!

OP posts:
LadyKenya · 23/12/2022 08:52

Do whatever suits you. It is not compulsory to do anything.

Original poster
thelifeoofme · 23/12/2022 08:52

MotorwayDiva · 23/12/2022 08:49

In my opinion Christmas Dinner is for adults, young kids never want to sit for long, so s long as they are fed that's great.
We only have 1 child at Christmas so do a Christmas dinner do loads of prep before hand and our kitchen is family space so.still there.

Yeh that's the other side of it, they never eat it just end up wasting it all & asking for something else anyway

OP posts:
wildseas · 23/12/2022 08:55

I used to do that for lunch when mine were babies and toddlers, and much preferred it to cook xmas dinner.
Posh cheese board, posh cut meats, nice crackers, crisps, olives, deli bits etc and then you have room for pudding!

DreamingOfAGreenChristmas · 23/12/2022 08:56

Do what suits you best, and what you most enjoy!

In our family we have always done Christmas dinner as an evening meal. Works well because the cooking doesn’t clash with peak present excitement and can be fitted in flexibly throughout the day.

Enjoy your day!

gogohmm · 23/12/2022 08:57

I find a roast is one of the easiest meals, also far healthier than party food. Buy frozen/ready prepped for ease

Elmo230885 · 23/12/2022 08:59

You do Xmas your way. It sounds lovely.

Parker231 · 23/12/2022 09:01

gogohmm · 23/12/2022 08:57

I find a roast is one of the easiest meals, also far healthier than party food. Buy frozen/ready prepped for ease

Why would you think about healthy food at Christmas? Most children will prefer pizza over a roast.

StrawberryWater · 23/12/2022 09:02

Sounds lovely.

Anyone calling you names should fuck off unless they’re willing to do the cooking themselves, but I bet they’re quiet in that front!

FrustatedAgain · 23/12/2022 09:02

Sounds lovely and the kids probably much prefer it. A massive roast isn’t a small childs idea of a treat really anyway. My 3 and 6 year old will eat hardly any of what we have for Christmas dinner. We do party food Christmas Eve they much prefer that.

Ameadowwalk · 23/12/2022 09:04

thelifeoofme · 23/12/2022 08:51

I like this idea!

Show quote history

so do I, as my oven chose yesterday to start cutting out - clearly something wrong with it. Fortunately I have not done a big food shop yet (it will be mobbed later, won’t it??).
Enjoy your Christmas thelifeofme and don’t worry whether you are doing it right.

hopelesslydevotedtoGu · 23/12/2022 09:04

Who is calling you "all sorts"?? Perhaps they can do the cooking!!

Christmas day can be enjoyed in lots of different ways. A big roast meal doesn't suit everyone. I agree I wouldn't want to spend the morning preparing food esp when my kids are young.

Outtasteamandluck · 23/12/2022 09:05

'Picky bits' 😂

Mumsnet top 10 of most hated phrases

seasidegirl83 · 23/12/2022 09:06

It's just me and my kids on Christmas day this year and I'm doing exactly the same as you! Chuck a load of food out and they can graze all day. Easier all round and no wasted food. Don't worry what anyone else thinks and enjoy your day!

Greensleevevssnotnose · 23/12/2022 09:07

We do a roast every Sunday it's the easiest meal if the week. Bung it in the oven and go enjoy yourself. That said you do what your family enjoys. There's no right or wrong way to have Christmas

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