‘Plated’ Christmas dinner to transport

[CallOfTheRiled]

Hi. My elderly Father and Aunt (90/92) live about two hours away. They are unable to travel to us for Christmas Day, and their home is not big enough for all of us to go there. My partner and I will go to them for a Christmas morning brunch, then come home to celebrate Christmas with our family in the evening.
My dad won’t be able to cook a Christmas dinner, even if prepared.
Has anyone successfully made a Christmas dinner the day before, plated it, then left it to be re-heated later? Was it tasty? Any tips? Thanks.

Never done this but you could slice the meat and transport I gravy then heat in gravy so it's doesn't go dry ?

I am sure if you packed it in separate boxes picnic hamper style and assembled on plates when there it would be fine.

In a hamper/box flat in boot. With a box of Christmas chocolates/christmas cake for desset.

I would wrap the sliced meat in foil, put all veg, cranberry sauce etc. in firmly closed plastic boxes, gravy perhaps in a plastic bottle? - plate and warm up on arrival. Either in microwave, or on top of simmering saucepans of water, with a plate on top.

Thank you. It’s probably not ideal but these seem like the way to go. And good idea to take crackers too.

Could you make a Christmas Casserole instead - very similar ingredients but no risk of being dry or otherwise unpalatable because it's been sitting about, in fact a casserole would improve overnight. It's also just one pot that's relatively easy to transport and even easier to re-heat? And of course the crackers, cake and other bits and pieces that make the whole thing feel festive...

Put everything in tubs, take gravy with you to make when you get there

Put it all in a cool box, they keep stuff warm too, we often order a takeaway early and keep it for later to make sure we eat when we want to

Can you buy any ready made Christmas meals/roast dinners. That'd take the pressure off you.

Might be a bit late for this year, but for next have a look locally to them, there are many organisations that offer a free Xmas dinner to the local elderly, I often volunteer with one near me.

They have a big lunch together on Christmas Day for those who can get out, arrange lifts if needed to get there and back, & at the same time deliver a hot plate of food to those who are housebound. I am always amazed at how well run ours is.

www.thegoodcaregroup.com/news/amazing-charities-working-to-support-older-people-christmas/

Would they not be able to heat up a pre prepared Christmas meal from somewhere like Cook etc if you organised delivery of one.

Could you take them out to a local hotel or pub for Christmas lunch?

I've eaten many a reheated roast, it's fine but do make gravy fresh eg bisto best is convenient and tasty.

I would use the foil trays that come with lids if I really had to but I’d probably buy a cold bag, pre made mash, veg that can be steamed in the microwave so that you can quickly assemble them some sort of meal. You can buy meat in gravy that can be reheated in shops like Farmfoods.

I'd probably get the Cook one and prepare it for them while you're there for brunch and serve it up just as you're leaving. I think it will be much nicer than a reheated one.

Just plate it up, gravy in a jar/bottle then reheat when you get there. Reheated roast is fine and plating and covering with cling film should be more than sturdy enough for travelling.

We have done this before with MIL. You can either put the components in separate containers and plate it when you get there or transport it plated (other than the gravy!). If you do the latter, we have a square cool bag which stops the plates moving around too much. To avoid things on the plate moving around or getting crushed in a stack, you can either buy those plastic plate covers or use a coupe of small dishes/ramekins/egg cups to keep the upper plate from crushing the lower one.

Thank you for all the replies. We can’t really afford to take them out for lunch.
I looked at some of the ‘boxed/prepared meals and I’m not sure he’d manage the timings I’m going to visit next week. I think I will have a trail run with a simple roast dinner following your suggestions and see how he gets on.
Next year I need to be more organised and get one delivered. I appreciate all the advice.

When you get a roast takeaway it usually comes in a box like a pizza box. And a coffee cup with lid of gravy. You can then transfer it over to a plate.

You can just microwave the plate then for two mins or so

I love a roast and often take leftovers to work on a Monday. It doesn't take great when microwaved compared to freshly cooked but still very much edible and enjoyable! Gravy and cauliflower cheese are useful for keeping things moist.

I made a 'Christmas pie' last year for my parents for after Christmas and they loved it. Meat and veg in gravy topped with crushed roast potatoes (can add cheese if you want) in a microwave tub. Then reheat. All the ingredients, tastes etc of dinner but easier. Bit like a shepherds pie but festive.