Going out for lunch

[kirinm]

We are thinking of booking somewhere to eat for Christmas lunch as we could do without yet another stressful Christmas.

Who has done it and did you enjoy it?

(If anyone has any recommendations for SE London, they would be gratefully received)!

We did one year, but it meant we had no Boxing Day cold cuts and had to buy cold buffet things anyway, so cost more in the end.

I go with my dad late afternoon. Very untraditional but we go for an Indian meal
It's always delicious and the same people go most years so a big family atmosphere

One year I was struggling (tricky family situation with my mum), the waiter passed me a brandy as I was walking to the toilet

@kirinm

Which part of SE London would work best for you, OP?

Sort of zone 2 areas? Herne Hill / Dulwich / East Dulwich / Peckham / Greenwich - maybe a bit further out but I don't want to have to do a massive drive really.

I’ve enjoyed it when we’ve met people there who weren’t at our house to start with ( so three separate families meeting for a long lunch) but when I’ve just gone with the people who were already staying with us I’ve preferred to just eat at home. Also I like a few wines so someone else would need to drive.

I agree that the lack of leftovers for the next few days is an issue.
The one year we did it we bought a couple of meat joints, loads of bread, pickles etc anyway. Not really sure it was worth it.

I’ve been twice once for a very average yet overpriced festive meal and last year to a local Indian restaurant which served normal menu and prices - it was great. Went home for a buffet and games and met the wider family and the day was so relaxed and stress
free we are doing same this year

I would go somewhere where Christmas isn't culturally a 'thing'.

I don't see the appeal of a traditional Christmas dinner for 5x the price you'd pay if you had it the week before. Unless you can really throw money at it and go high end, I'd find a brilliant curry house or dim sum restaurant.

Friends of ours do this every year as neither side of the family want to cook for 10 people. It costs hundreds of pounds for one meal which is usually lower standard than on a normal working day.

The purpose of going out is to try and remove the stress - both before Christmas and on the day. Our lives feel so chaotic and we are desperate to try and do whatever we can do to make things feel easier!

Could you get it catered, @kirinm? I bet there are firms in London who would deliver the whole thing to your door, ready to dish up, and you'd still get leftovers. It might not even be more expensive than eating out.

I hadn't thought of that although think ours friends did that one year. Thanks for the idea!

Can I ask specifically what you find stressful about it?

We go for a curry every time.
Nobody here likes a traditional roast really so we have a CE buffet of everyones favourites and then brunch on xmas day and out for a curry around 2/3.
We go to the same place every year and its really nice, quite posh and they do a set menu.

We have a small flat which makes it fairly uncomfortable from the outset - I have a young DD and an older DS - he's a grown up so doesn't live with us but obviously comes for Christmas Eve / day but an extra adult in the house makes a real difference in terms of space. DD still needs entertaining, kitchen isn't massive, food takes hours. Can't get much time off work to prep for the day - will probably be working up to Christmas Eve.

I think there's also quite a lot of expectation that it will be fabulous which adds to the stress tbh. I know these things are quite normal but we have stressful jobs, no family support and hectic lives.

It's not specifically Christmas Day that is, on its own the cause of stress. It's just a part of our lives that adds to the stress. We can't opt out of working, we can opt out of cooking!

We went out quite a few times when I was a child. I loved it because it meant my mum and dad were present the whole day, rather than keep dashing off to the kitchen.

@kirinm

I was wondering whether a short hotel stay over Christmas would work for you, OP. It would be a proper break for you.

Something like this, but perhaps more local to where you are.

gonvillehotel.co.uk/christmas/festive-stay-packages