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Christmas

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

Original poster

Not to have an actual meal on Christmas day?

74 replies

Broodywuz · 20/08/2023 15:54

So inspired from a post on another Christmas thread I've been thinking about Christmas Dinner. Last year was the 1st year we've done it home ourselves and plan to do this from now on, only myself, DH and 2 DC, ages 5 & 2. Last year i did a big picky breakfast around 10am which then sat out to nibble on, and full works 3 course Christmas Dinner 4pm. It was nice but DC didn't eat a huge amount probably because of all the chocolate they'd consumed and we have roast dinner most Sunday's so it didn't feel like that much of a novelty, we were also so full after that we didn't really enjoy pudding and just wanted to sleep after. This year I'm wondering about still do the picky breakfast but rather than a proper turkey dinner, have 2/3 small starters throughout the afternoon then nice nibbles for the evening. Anyone done this? Do you think it be a let down for christmas day?

OP posts:
Annaishere · 20/08/2023 16:00

It’s fine Christmas dinner is just a throwback from the old days when food was scarce so it would be more special

LadyKenya · 20/08/2023 16:09

Who would it be a let down for exactly? If your husband is okay with it, go ahead.

ChuckMater · 20/08/2023 16:13

We have Christmas at home just the four of us now OP. DC same age as yours. We have a Christmas dinner on Christmas eve then nice buffet picky, throw in the oven type bits Christmas day. We've done it the past 2 years and it works much better than a full Christmas dinner on the day.

AndTheSurveySays · 20/08/2023 16:15

We each have whatever our favourite meal and pudding is. There are only three of us though so it's not much faff to do.

mondaytosunday · 20/08/2023 16:32

I'd not leave the breakfast out to pick on, limit the sweets til after dinner snd have a proper meal. But Christmas dinner is one of my favourite meals of the year, it wouldn't be Christmas without it. If it's not yours, do what you like.

NoTouch · 20/08/2023 16:33

Why does the word "picky" used with food on here always make me want to 🤮 - always think about picking noses, spots and scabs! Never heard it used with food in RL.

Anyway, we have moved away from full Christmas dinner and all the trimmings that make it so much effort to a very nice bit of meat that we wouldnt normally pay that much for. Something like a large beef fillet or sirlion roast, then m&s daulphonise potatoes and a bit of veg including sprouts. Stick in oven and no hassle.

I will make pot of soup for starter/through Christmas, buy a selection deserts, and make the mandatory Trifle (because it reminds me of a favourite bit of my childhood Xmas)

OldandTired66 · 20/08/2023 16:45

We used to have pizza for Christmas dinner when the kids were young. They weren't interested in a massive roast dinner. We would have that on Boxing day when wider family were invited.

EnglishGirlApproximately · 20/08/2023 16:46

We don't always have Christmas Dinner, we all discuss and make what we fancy. Some years that's been the full dinner, other years we've had Lasagne or curry, or even party food. DP has to work on boxing day so we aim to make it as relaxing and enjoyable as possible.

Original poster
Broodywuz · 20/08/2023 16:46

*@ChuckMater That's a good idea, could do turkey and all the trimmings Christmas eve then at least we've still had it. I never know what to have for dinner on christmas eve either, feels like it should be different from the normal.

*@mondaytosunday I wouldn't say it's my favourite meal but I do agree, I'm a bit worried it won't feel like Christmas without a proper Christmas Dinner.

OP posts:
cocksstrideintheevening · 20/08/2023 16:48

We did m and s party food, cheese, charcuterie etc and grazed all day. Won't do it again. It was actually more work than a roast dinner cooking canapés throughout the day and juggling oven space / cooking times. And I really missed bubble and squeak on Boxing Day!

continentallentil · 20/08/2023 16:52

Well you could but alternatively just don’t let them have chocolate all day, and maybe cool down on the amount of breakfast?

Original poster
Broodywuz · 20/08/2023 18:53

Yes I think if we scaled back the breakfast and maybe eat dinner earlier so the kids aren't grazing before hand. Although I actually loved the big breakfast, so much fun things you can do with fruit/pancakes etc when the kids are so small.

OP posts:
Original poster
Broodywuz · 20/08/2023 18:55

*@cocksstrideintheevening I did wonder whether I'd actually land up just giving myself extra work, knowing me I would probably go way over the top with party food/nibbles and spend the whole day prepping it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Broodywuz · 20/08/2023 18:56

Thanks for the replies, interesting to here what others think

OP posts:
snugglyblanket · 20/08/2023 20:11

You do what works for you & your family. If that's skipping the roast dinner completely in favour of something different then why not? Just because it's tradition doesn't mean you have to do it. I wouldn't do "party" food though, it often ends up more work than it's worth.

The big breakfast sounds great, my DC would much rather a fun treat breakfast than a roast dinner!

We love the big roast but we eat it on Christmas Eve instead. Plenty of leftovers to eat on Christmas Day then, requiring minimal prep work. Means we get to spend our day with the DC.

DragonFly98 · 20/08/2023 20:14

We have had a buffet for the last ten plus years it's so much better, no time away from dc in the kitchen and the kids prefer it. We have a Christmas dinner at a local restaurant a few days before Christmas with just the older dc who actually enjoy a roast.

bumbledeedum · 20/08/2023 20:15

We didn't bother with a traditional Christmas dinner last year when our were 1 & 3, I didn't want to spend chunks of my day in the kitchen rather than enjoying time with them. Was much more enjoyable, less stress and less clean up. Can't imagine we'd go back to a roast now.

veryberrypericherry · 20/08/2023 21:50

We're doing a buffet lunch this year. It's always me in the kitchen and there's probably going to be 10 of us again this year I've compiled a list of buffet items and everyone will be asked to bring something.

It'll give us much more time to spend with each other with any luck.

ShowOfHands · 20/08/2023 22:46

It's your Christmas, do what suits you (just don't refer to food as picky 🤮).

I couldn't have Christmas without the traditional dinner but I've friends who have pizza and others who have takeaway and they love it.

Original poster
Broodywuz · 21/08/2023 19:09

Thanks everyone, I think we'll try no traditional meal this year and see how it goes.
Those who said they have buffet lunch/dinner, what sort of things do you have?

OP posts:
SummerEnding · 21/08/2023 19:23

I can’t believe posters are suggesting limiting chocolate on Christmas Day, isn’t it the one day everyone can eat what they like?

Badbadbunny · 21/08/2023 19:33

We stopped having "Christmas Dinners" years ago, and no one cares. It's a very outdated, old fashioned notion from decades ago when food was scarce and it was something really special.

We stopped because it's too much faff and ruined what should be a special day where we can actually do things we want to do.

TammyJones · 21/08/2023 21:21

We have a simple breakfast then me and dh pitch in together cooking traditional Christmas lunch for between one and two.
We use easy cook everything.
Frozen roast's potatoes etc (though we do have fresh carrots and spouts).
So we don't spend that much time in the kitchen.
Dh washes up.
After lunch it's a free for all on the chocs.
No choc till after lunch as the kids would be totally hyper.
This seems to work best.
We done Christmas lunch at an Indian which was amazing.
Found going out for meal Christmas Eve did rather fill us and make Christmas lunch a little less special.

Mindovermatter247 · 21/08/2023 23:13

It’s your Christmas you can do what you want… we have a roast because that’s we’ve all ways had and we love the traditions at Christmas. Even when the kids go off and have their own families… we will still have a roast. The kids love the traditions and I like to think they’d carry them on. Every family is different. Do what’s right for you.

FannyCann · 21/08/2023 23:18

I live Christmas food, but it's a matter of what you live.

Friends once forgot to pick up the turkey so they had bangers and mash and a long family walk. One of their daughters sadly died age 14 and they are a very close family and said it was more special simply being family together.

Something like that does tend to put all the Christmas hype into perspective.