If you were home alone (ish) this Christmas ...

[Dollarydoos]

...with two small children (who don't really like roast dinner), what food would you prepare?

I've got puddings sorted, but pondering on what else to do. Can't really be in the kitchen for hours. Been suggested we go out but that's just one of the meals, there's a whole lot of feasting over the festive period! Noone here to tell us no so don't need to stick to the traditional. But that seems to have overwhelmed me with options 😂 Having a think or it'll be fish fingers and potato waffles!

WWYD?

Indian takeaway

My kids really loved pigs in blankets when they were little! that was a big part of Xmas for them.

My 8 year old daughter had a lovely time making marzipan fruits one year (it was lockdown in fact) which we then stuck on a cake. Alternatively sausage roll making or mince pies.

We often go to theatre (used to be kids theatre, which is less expensive) or cinema. Morning showings of children's films are often really good value. There's a new Paddington,

Also, films on the sofa with home made pop corn.

Board games (teen son still passionate about these).

Lego construction.

Christmas markets.

Carol singing/ Christingles/ dress up nativity services for littlies, if you like that.

It's always just been me and dc here so we do what ever they're favourite meal of the time is. Now they're teens/young adults they actually do most of the cooking as I'm disabled and struggle. Over the years for Christmas lunch we've had Mexican, all day breakfast, pie and mash, roast gammon/chicken, Toad in the hole. I've always taken the view if I'm cooking I'd rather they all enjoy it and it not be wasted.
I also do nibbles tea on Christmas day and boxing day and they just help themselves.

sorry, diverged from the food there.

If it's was my choice it would be fish fingers and chips (those McCain gastro ones) followed by a Birds trifle.

Me, DP and DS(8) here - we have a carpet picnic every Christmas. I do half a turkey crown and freshly baked rolls, plus basically whatever is in the Christmas party freezer section that looks tasty, and a stuffed crust pizza. Low effort and means I spend my Christmas Day out of the kitchen as most can be prepared in advance.

DD hates roast dinner so I've done a Korma before but largely I do a buffet and we graze all day, crackers cheese, nice ham etc in the evening.

It's your day, too so if you enjoy cooking something proper then do that, but if you'd rather be with the children playing then prep it before hand maybe lasagne or cottage pie and heat it up. You can still have crackers and wear silly hats and have christmasy sides to make it more seasonal.

I would make it fun and let them each pick whatever they want for Christmas dinner. Literally anything as long as it's within your budget.

@Dollarydoos

What are their favourite foods, OP?

Could you stock up on the things they love to eat, whatever that might be (within reason!)?

I'm thinking Alphabetti pasta in a tin, Billy Bear sausage, Cadbury Animal/Freddo Biscuits etc.

What do they love to eat?

When mine were little we did the bits but not the mains. So pigs in blankets, roast potatoes (or even smiley faces, if that’s your thing). I had Brussels sprouts because I like them! More focus on the bits they like with added festive cheer so crackers, Christmas decorations on cup cakes, having tea in the living room with candles lit and lots of getting them to help make things or add the Christmas decorations.
Even now when they argue who is going to cook the roast dinner, it is still Christmas Eve tea and the cheese straws, star-shaped spice biscuits, jam/mince pies that we all associate with Christmas

What are your favourite foods. My dc liked things they could build themselves eg make pizzas (from scratch or buy bases/cheap margarita ones and add toppings) but favourite of all was tacos ... soft tortillas, mince with taco seasoning, sour cream, grated cheese, salad, guacamole or chicken with peppers fajitas instead of mince or black beans if veggie. Put all in separate bowls and they get to put them together.

On Christmas Eve we typically have lasagna, salad and coleslaw as I can make ahead, including the fussy people variants (one vegan, 2 vegetarians)

Only downside to skipping the roast is no leftovers for bubble and squeak

@AllTangledUpInTinselAndTiaras This was my first plan, let them choose! But they're 5 and 3 and have no idea what they want or like 😂The 5 year old shrugged and then enthusiastically said SWEETS!!!!, the 3 year old followed up with CHOCOLATE! She loves the idea of chocolate, but if she's ever actually given any she doesn't eat it. We had chocolate croissants yesterday and she picked all the 'yucky brown stuff' out.

@TheSquareMile they don't seem to have any 'faves'. They have firm dislikes (DS5 despises anything pasta based and not a fan of potatoes or a roast (though would eat most elements of a roast separately), DD3 preeeeeeeetty much hates everything that isn't plain pasta, cereal or cream cheese. But she'll eat it if DS is or if I cajole her so I still cook a range and offer her everything). Means I have a pretty wide range of choices tbh, might as well cook stuff I like. Have fallen into a bit of a rut day to day, so thought I'd come on here in search of inspiration!

I like the fancy fish and chips idea @Needmorelego , and the mexican @Onetwothreemisstwo123 as that's my personal fave :) plus a spicy, calorie filled takeaway for mum one night when they're in bed @Maddy70 !! The floor picnic would also go down a storm I reckon, thanks @PrincessPeache otherwise in general having some stuff cooked ahead ready to go/things from the party section is a good shout.

And pigs in blankets will definitely feature, thanks for the prompt @Gunnersforthecup !!

Oo DIY pizza and tacos is great! There's a bakery near here that does pizza base 'balls' so you roll it out and do all that at home. Really delish! Great idea.

Ah yes I guess they're a bit young for that.

Assembling their own pizzas would be fun!

I was coming on to suggest make your own pizza. Could get them a little apron/chefs hat as a gift each too so they can feel the part!

Me and my wife are probably having our first one just us. We eat completely different foods. Literally think spice living vegan versus beige autistic diet. Were just getting party food to graze on all day eating when we like. Probably including some sweets!

@Pieandchips999 why aren't you having pie and chips ?
😂😂😂

Pasta in a tin! 🤷‍♀️😝Weird suggestion for Christmas

😂😂😂

I don't even like pie and chips much 🤣 I was cooking for my wife who does at the time and needed a new username 🤣🤣

Not when there are no rules and small children involved! 😁

Whatever you fancy, what’s your favourite dinner?

I was going to say let the children choose their favourites, but they really are too small to do that.

So do something easy, without much prep or clearing up, what about one pot lemon chicken with orzo, several recipes pop up if you google it, some with peas & spinach, some without. Easy to make, quick to cook. Easy to eat for little ones, and for the one who isn't too keen on pasta, just keep calling it orzo, and hopefully they will eat it up!
The indoor picnic is a great idea, that will be such fun for them! Christmas films with an "interval" for ice cream are always popular too!

@Carnationstreet7 I love pasta in a tin. The Heinz ones that are characters on toast. One of my favourite meals !
I'd rather eat that on Christmas day than a traditional Christmas dinner - because there's nothing on a traditional one I like - except maybe some pigs in blankets.

Make sure you have something you like too. It's not just about the kids. Are you going to be happy with waffles and fish fingers? Personally I would do simple version of a Christsmas dinner and get some things ready made. A small joint of meat instead of a turkey. Make some alterations to include things they like, eg chicken nuggets instead of turkey for the kids etc.