Going out for xmas lunch

[HowManyDaysUntillXmas]

Have you done it?
How did you make it special?

It's been a very stressful year and am getting fed up of always hosting and the increasingly demanding inlaws.

So am going to suggest we meet for a posh pub lunch then head home and chill out with DH and the kids.

Has anyone done this? Was it fun?

I've never been a fan of going out for Christmas dinner. Often there are two sittings and you have a limited time to eat, so it isn't exactly relaxing. Secondly the cost of some Christmas meals is exorbitant. Who would be paying as that could cause issues in itself. But my cousin and her family do it every year quite happily so think about what would make you happy

Apart from the cost, I love it! The venue go all out to make it special and the atmosphere is always fantastic.

If you can afford it, definitely do it.

We have gone out a number of times - what surprised me was how many people went - hundreds. And that meant you didn't feel that cosy family feeling Christmas at home brings.

I think it really depends on budget. The more you spend the less likely you are to get budget crackers and mediocre roast.

This year we talked about hiring a hall and everyone bringing a dish - largely as there are so many of us now. That would give us family/cosy while still eating out.

I wish people would stay at home of Christmas Day. I have a dd who works part time in hospitality and her work gets greedy and has 3 sittings on Christmas Day, meaning she is out the house from 10am until 10pm which is crap. No Christmas Day on actual Christmas Day for us.

when I was younger my place of work(hospitality ) was only open 12-5pm with one sitting for Christmas dinner which meant I still got home to celebrate with my family at a reasonable time.

The advantages to me are that I get more time to relax and enjoy seeing family on Xmas day rather than slaving away in the kitchen and missing everything!

It’s worth every penny if you ask me.

This is why I could never go out on Christmas day, I'd feel terrible that the staff weren't at home. I come from a family where work has to carry on as normal on Christmas day, but there's no choice in that line of work, but with hospitality, I feel it doesn't have to be that way!

I looked up a couple of places near us £45 was the cheaper and that was a bog standard Christmas dinner or £90 for a more luxurious menu.

I cannot believe that these are worth it.

We did a couple of times and enjoyed it.

We've done it a couple of times but non traditional....a Mediterranean restaurant. Arrived about 4pm.
I never cook a traditional xmas dinner...or indeed have a traditional Xmas.

@HowManyDaysUntillXmas we've done it the last few years just wandered down to a local Italian. Decided to stay at home this year for a change but it was so little hassle with nothing to plan and could just chill all day

We booked a private dining room to ourselves at a nice hotel, stayed there for Christmas in a connected suite so it felt like we were at home all together, but without having to wash up.

Brought a few of our own things- an iced Christmas cake and lots of nibbles to have in the room so we didn't just rely on the restaurant and room service.

If you're going just for a dinner, find somewhere that decorates nicely. Having christmas dinner in a boring normal restaurant isn't as cosy

I once went out on Christmas and felt awful for the young people working there, when we went to the hotel we chatted to the staff and thankfully they had decided among themselves that anyone who celebrates Christmas got the day off, everyone else worked, so no one missed out!

We've never done it. I've looked but the prices are huge for a family and I just dont think it's worth it either for the food or the 'time off'. But then I dont have annoying family members who come round so maybe that makes a difference.

Only went once and it wasn't great. It was a small local restaurant and there was nothing wrong with the food but there was no atmosphere, mainly because they sat us upstairs and there was only one other table.

I like the idea of it as I cook every year - but getting somewhere that's got good food/atmosphere for a reasonable price is nigh on impossible (well, everyone's idea of reasonable price is different!)

We have done it twice. The first time was really wonderful - beautiful venue, good food, great service.

Last year was an absolute disaster! We were the last sitting and the kitchen had run out of most of the veg! Huuuuge waits between courses (of course I know it's busy, but it really was ridiculous), and the vegan meal wasn't actually vegan (and she was informed partway through the meal). The manager did give us some money off but it really took the shine off Christmas Day

I've worked as a waitress before on Christmas Day. I know it's busy, but this really was something else.

And to those who said they feel guilty about people working on Christmas Day, I've been on both the child and the employee side of things. As a child it was crap when my mum had to work on Christmas Day. As a young adult it was great working that day as the tips were amazing!

On balance, I won't be eating out for Christmas Day again this year, but somewhere like the first venue can really make it a lovely day :)

I love eating out on Christmas day. When I was a child we went out to a Chinese restaurant most years and it was really festive. Crackers on the table, Christmas music playing, lots of decorations.

I’ve hosted the last few years, but I have 3 kids. Two of them are young, one is a teen. I feel like I need a couple of years off.

Our local pub is where we’re heading this year and probably next. It’s very family friendly, the food is fantastic, it’s really festive so it’s a no brainer for us.

It’s £80 per head but i’ve been putting money away since January so we don’t feel it.

I can’t wait to be waited on with a Prosecco in hand.

We went for an Indian last year and are going for a Chinese this year!

We've normally always done it in the house, but as time has gone on, sometimes we just fancy a change. My DH and MIL are veggie, so the only meat would be cooked for myself, so the last few years I haven't bothered with turkey, only ham.

When we went to the Indian's, we each just took our mums, and the whole thing was £200, which is basically what we would have spent anyway, but the house wasn't in uproar when we got home. My DH does starter and dessert for Xmas dinner but I'm still stuck in the kitchen for ages doing the main meal usually!

This year for going to the Chinese, there'll be eight of us, with my sister and her family so more of the family which will be nice and doesn't put all the burden on anyone to host the full dinner.