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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:
sashh · 23/12/2022 10:13

Do you what you and your kids want and will enjoy.

anyolddinosaur · 23/12/2022 10:13

Your house your choice.

OnLockdown · 23/12/2022 10:14

Jinglebellrocks · 23/12/2022 09:13

We love Christmas Dinner in our family so party food just wouldn't be a suitable replacement. If you aren't bothered and prefer the party food you should go for it, it's your Christmas day and what ever makes you all happy, is the important thing.We have the party food Christmas eve which works great as means left overs for nibbles on Christmas night if needed.

I also have young children and don't spend all day in the kitchen. I prep everything on Christmas eve, doesnt take long and i wish i'd done it ages ago! I stand the fresh veg in cold water in the fridge over night. I roughly chopped some pots, part cook them and toss in tray with all the seasoning, duck fat etc and stick wrapped in fridge. I prep the pigs in blankets (reserving 2 slices of bacon) caramelise some onions, stick, halfed oranges, garlic, onions in a bowl and wrap in fridge. i cook the swede in microwave and mash, all ready.
On Christmas day I don't need to chop a thing. Turkey gets throw in with the bowl of garlic orange onion and seasoning thrown on and the bacon id kept aside from the pigs in blankets. Then I chuck in a bought pork sage and onion stuffing, the pigs in blankets I've made, Aunt Bessie's frozen parsnips with abit honey and black pepper added, the pre prepped roasts. The veg gets steamed in some hot water. The onions gently warmed and gravy sorted. It's no different to making a load of part food and sandwiches. I get to laze around with the dc and it's just a case of setting timer for the oven and veg.

Some people's idea of "doesn't take long" is not mine 😂 This sounds exhausting!

Mrsjayy · 23/12/2022 10:15

I heard a guy in Tesco yesterday saying they were having a Chinese take away , I thought good for them sounds lovely. Op don't listen to them and have a lovely Christmas.

Original poster
thelifeoofme · 23/12/2022 10:16

UWhatNow · 23/12/2022 09:52

YANBU for the reasons you’ve stated and yes, do anything to get by on Christmas Day. But I think YABU to deprive your children the experience of a traditional dinner which is kind of goes with the whole thing, like it or not. Dc might ‘prefer pizza’ but when they realise that everyone else has roasts and have silly jokes at school about hating sprouts they’ll feel like they were different. But you could do that boxing day or Christmas Eve or another day instead. It doesn’t have to be on the day itself.

Do you honestly believe they'll be upset that everyone else has a roast when they don't like eating it anyway? It's like being upset that everyone else is drinking when you're t-total?

OP posts:
Togoodtobeforgotten · 23/12/2022 10:16

You do whatever you like why do you worry so much about what other people say?

Mixedupkids · 23/12/2022 10:17

Are those calling you all sorts of the ones with different opinions going to come over and cook Xmas dinner for your “deprived” children? No they won’t. If they do.. then what a result!

otherwise enjoy the day how you want to! If I had my way I’d order a takeaway and I didn’t even cook last year and won’t be this year either! Overrated roast dinner and who even really likes Turkey? Like if it was that nice why only have it once a year??

LucyFox · 23/12/2022 10:18

For me, some of my biggest childhood memories are of Christmas dinner and it’s an integral part of my day now as an adult - but you do you! If you don’t want to cook a roast, don’t cook a roast.
However, if you do want a roast, could you adjust your day somewhat to allow you to spend less time in the kitchen? A huge amount of prep can be done Christmas Eve and presents can be staggered throughout the day (even as children, some of our presents waited till after lunch)

Parker231 · 23/12/2022 10:18

There is nothing which states what has to be eaten for it to be classed as a Christmas Dinner - it’s whatever each family wants - there is no right or wrong.
We’re having our Christmas dinner at the beach - sandwiches, dips and crisps- will still be a Christmas dinner in the same way as others have a turkey roast.

Hellybelly84 · 23/12/2022 10:19

Do it however you want. Party bits sounds yummy! The kids wont care-yummy food, presents and a Mum who isn’t stressed out.

Dissuadepersuade · 23/12/2022 10:19

Do whatever you want, there's no set rules for what you have to eat.

That said, can you put a roast in the oven the evening before? I sometimes do this then I'm free the next day to do whatever or just make gravy and veg the next day.
Get your partner to do some of it so he sees how it feels.

GooseberryCinnamonYogurt · 23/12/2022 10:19

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.

Frozen veg don't taste the same as fresh.

I think this mum has got it right, spend the time with the kids not in the kitchen.

Chickpea17 · 23/12/2022 10:20

Doesn't sound wrong or right just do what works for your family

Fuwari · 23/12/2022 10:21

For all the reasons you stated, when mine were young I started doing Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. It’s a tradition that’s stuck into their adulthood, so again tomorrow I will be making our Christmas dinner. It works out perfectly as we still have the full dinner but then Christmas Day is totally relaxed and you can do a tasty fry up with leftovers!

dcadmamagain · 23/12/2022 10:21

It’s your family day - you do it however you want.

sounds perfect to me

PatientlyWaiting21 · 23/12/2022 10:22

I don’t understand why so many people, mostly women say they spend the day in the kitchen?! Doing what?? This is my fourth year hosting, all the prep happens today or tomo, Christmas Day things either need boiled or chucked in the oven!

LargeglassofRosePlease · 23/12/2022 10:22

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

We do too! I love cooking anyway but especially a roast dinner.

There is no way I could never not cook Christmas dinner for my family out of choice but that’s me. You do you and enjoy it. It’s your choice and your Christmas.

Original poster
thelifeoofme · 23/12/2022 10:24

PatientlyWaiting21 · 23/12/2022 10:22

I don’t understand why so many people, mostly women say they spend the day in the kitchen?! Doing what?? This is my fourth year hosting, all the prep happens today or tomo, Christmas Day things either need boiled or chucked in the oven!

Do you have twins?

OP posts:
Original poster
thelifeoofme · 23/12/2022 10:24

Fuwari · 23/12/2022 10:21

For all the reasons you stated, when mine were young I started doing Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. It’s a tradition that’s stuck into their adulthood, so again tomorrow I will be making our Christmas dinner. It works out perfectly as we still have the full dinner but then Christmas Day is totally relaxed and you can do a tasty fry up with leftovers!

So you cook it all & reheat the next day?

OP posts:
Original poster
thelifeoofme · 23/12/2022 10:25

Dissuadepersuade · 23/12/2022 10:19

Do whatever you want, there's no set rules for what you have to eat.

That said, can you put a roast in the oven the evening before? I sometimes do this then I'm free the next day to do whatever or just make gravy and veg the next day.
Get your partner to do some of it so he sees how it feels.

That's not a bad idea

OP posts:
NinjaWarriorCooker · 23/12/2022 10:25

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

It's Christmas, lighten up!

You do what you want OP, no one else's business!

Original poster
thelifeoofme · 23/12/2022 10:25

LucyFox · 23/12/2022 10:18

For me, some of my biggest childhood memories are of Christmas dinner and it’s an integral part of my day now as an adult - but you do you! If you don’t want to cook a roast, don’t cook a roast.
However, if you do want a roast, could you adjust your day somewhat to allow you to spend less time in the kitchen? A huge amount of prep can be done Christmas Eve and presents can be staggered throughout the day (even as children, some of our presents waited till after lunch)

I get it but Christmas Eve is spent with the family too doing activities & games

OP posts:
Mixedupkids · 23/12/2022 10:26

LargeglassofRosePlease · 23/12/2022 10:22

We do too! I love cooking anyway but especially a roast dinner.

There is no way I could never not cook Christmas dinner for my family out of choice but that’s me. You do you and enjoy it. It’s your choice and your Christmas.

Show quote history

This is exactly the point.. some love to cook for those they love and enjoy that.. others love to spend time with those they love doing things other than cooking..

it’s what works for individuals and your families that counts..

Start your own traditions..

RainyReadingDay · 23/12/2022 10:26

Do what you like for Christmas. My DC are both autistic and have specific requests for their Christmas dinner. DS wants a stuffed crust pizza which is fine with me. It means he will enjoy the day more and be relaxed rather than anxious about having to try and eat a meal he won't enjoy.

PupInAPram · 23/12/2022 10:27

You are 100% right. Your little ones will remember you being around on Christmas day, they absolutely won't remember not having the full Christmas Dinner. Buffet sounds much better for LO s anyway.