Anyone planning anything a bit different for this year?

[TwoBigNoisyBoys]

Just what the title says really…every year I have my kids, my partner, my parents, my sister, nieces, and their partners and kids for Christmas Day, when we have a big roast and lots of presents. It’s lovely but SUCH a lot of stress (for me! I do all the cooking for 10+), and as my parents are in their eighties now, I do all their gift shopping, too. So…We’ve decided this year that we’re not doing presents, other than for our own kids. Instead we’re going to concentrate on the (hopeful!) joy of spending time together. I’m also not doing a big roast, and instead we’re having a luxury buffet, with cold meats, salmon, lovely salads, gorgeous puddings etc. so I can lay the lot out and leave them all to it! I’m hoping the lead up, preparation and day itself will be a lot less work for me, and we’ll ball enjoy it just the same. Anyone else changing things a bit this year?

This sounds fabulous - love a good buffet.

my sister and I alternate Christmas but it is a lot of work and we help each other out but I might suggest this. We can have turkey another day!

I’ve got a vision of the buffet table with lots of wooden boards, white china, and a red red tablecloth with greenery and tartan ribbon artfully placed!! In my head it looks fabulous! Going to have a ham, side of salmon, cold chicken, potato salad, a red lentil and beetroot salad, hot bread rolls, sausage rolls (probably a couple of pizzas for the kids! They’ll have to go in a different table so they don’t ruin my aesthetic 😂) and some decadent puddings, including my famous Black Forest trifle 😋

Yes, because a neighbour died who has an adult child with special needs who we have known for over 50 years. Who although would not be alone over Christmas, (the child of the former neighbour) will be welcome around our Christmas dinner.

Sounds lovely OP. That’s a lot of work you’ve been carrying being host. My Mum used to have a 2-1 rule. She’d cook 2 years in a row then on 3rd year family would need to pay for her and us all to go out. She was delighted when I took over! Folk forget how much work it is for the cook, who often then needs to give a medal 🥇 to those who clear up.

I’ve done it for 24 years! Had one year off during Covid, but other than that, I’ve hosted and cooked for between 10-15 people every year. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always enjoyed it but I’m quite tired now, and would like to a bit more of a rest. Also the expense is phenomenal…the family offers to chip in, but it’s still a lot of expense and time. Plus the ‘no presents’ thing is going to make my life a hundred times easier, as I do pretty much all of my parents shopping and wrapping too. So hopefully it’ll be a lot cheaper, easier and nicer!

We’re opting out entirely and heading to an all inclusive in the sunshine.

We having 1 roasting tin with Lidl roast potatoes and carrots in, 1 with pigs in blankets and chicken wings and microwaveable red cabbage. DH will make and freeze the gravy beforehand. Frozen canapés for starters.
So traditional-ish but as simple as possible.

We’re off on a beach holiday.

We’re always at my parents (DH’s don’t celebrate Christmas), so after 10+ years of being nice to my strange uncle and irritating aunt he wants a change. It’s not totally what I would have chosen, but I’m actually really looking forward to it.

Well it’s not Christmas without the turkey for me! This year we are thinking of going to my son’s (23) house by the sea. He works retail so has to work Christmas Eve and then back the 27th, as we live a ferry ride away that means he arrives late Christmas Eve and leaves Boxing Day, so we decided to go to him! Challenge is his kitchen is a 2m length of cupboards and sink and stove/oven. Tight is not the word - minuscule! His total work surface is about 18 inches max. It desperately needs renovating too. His bathroom is gross - the ancient toilet has stains you just cannot shift and I’ve scrubbed the tiles myself and it’s a losing battle. It’s due to get a makeover in the New year.
But I’m imagining brisk walks along the beach, pub lunches by a fire and cosy evenings watching films (mind you we’ll only be there three days). My DD (21) cooked last year, wonder if she’ll be up to the challenge this year?

Good grief OP. No wonder you’re needing a bit of a rest. That’s incredible. Family are so lucky you were the one creating the magic 🪄 ✨ for so long. Your new approach sounds lovely too.

I’m sure it’ll look great
you could have a kids table with one of these trains

Currently under review - it’s just a good photo!

Ooo have you tried the lidl roast potatoes before?

I would have to add stuffing and sprouts

@TwoBigNoisyBoys
my kids themed food train photo has now uploaded you could have pizza and other bits on another table x

I wish!
This thread has reminded me that it’s our turn to have my 93 year old father here for dinner so four hours of the day will be spent driving to collect him and then take him home again later. It’s never a fun day.
When I say it’s our turn, the only years that it hasn’t been in the last 25 were during lockdown and then last year when he announced that he was going to spend the day with my sister and her husband.
I only asked him and my mother once and then the following year when I asked what their plans were my mother said that she presumed that they were coming to us.

I did 'toy' with the idea of going away somewhere cold for Christmas but then I came to my senses! Staying home!

Started to book some Christmas activities this week so I'm a happy girl currently! 🎄

We've changed things up over the past few years and its worked well for us. Essentially we've always been at home just the 5 of us - with typical present frenzy and lunch. The kids are grown now and we've essentially had an afternoon / early evening buffet running after a mega breakfast. We've also started going out on Xmas Eve early doors and had our sit down roast then.
We don't get invites or have to do any visiting these days as relatives have all passed on.

Time to try going away full stop I think, but budgets don't really allow.

The Lidl deluxe roast potatoes are really good. We might stretch to sprouts but I've vetoed stuffing. And bread sauce.

We always do this too, last year we went out to eat a late lunch and I think we may again this year as it was fun and zero cleanup! Then home for pudding and one extra gift I keep for the kids at night.

My sister usually hosts everyone but this year we are going out. 10 of us and three babies x

Not sure what yet but since DC were born I've always made the traditional Turkey dinner, not doing it this year. Takes so long to prep, cook, serve for the kids to maybe pick at a piece of turkey. Maybe go out, maybe have a buffet. We've done a north pole breakfast previously, santa crumpets, pancakes, bacon and loads of fruit etc etc on christmas eve which went down really well. Wondering about going big on that maybe mid morning then just picky buffet mid afternoon

Sounds lovely OP. We actually changed things up a few years back during the covid restrictions. We now spend a week at the coast with our children and go out to lunch at a local pub with a play area for the kids. It’s great and really chilled, we love it

Definitely do this - for me Christmases with young children around are the best - their excitement, the magic , it’s all so wonderful and you only get to do this for a few years. Lots of time for full dinners with all the trimmings as they get older and stay in bed longer giving you tons of time to get everything ready if Christmas Day

I’m intrigued by the Black Forest Trifle - would you mind sharing recipe please ?

I truly admire your kindness and example of the Christmas spirit. I hope you have a very peaceful and lovely Christmas.