Going out for Christmas Day lunch?

[ErlingHaalandsManBun]

Moved to a new area and we have a lovely gastro pub 5 minutes walk away offering Christmas Dinner.

I am seriously considering booking in for myself, my DH and our 20 year old DD as it will only be the 3 of us.

The thought of no cooking, no washing up, no day being taken over preparing lunch really really appeals to me this year.

Anyone done this or do this regularly?

Any pro's and con's?

Yes I’ve done it before. Good and not so good it is always ££££ and not all great.

Let someone else cook then I certain wouldn’t be overruled then also have to cook.

It wouldn’t suit us. Great that someone else does the work, especially the washing and clearing up! But I love being home and cooking for my loved ones, and we all love the leftovers, not having to cook (just assemble) for a day or 2. For us it’s an expensive option without the right benefits. But we’re all different and it sounds like you’ve thought it through and you’d enjoy it. Happy Christmas!

I've done it loads of times. But, now I live alone after DC leaving home, I order a meal in from a local hotel. Always fab!

Do it. Just know it probs won’t be quite as nice as home cooked but I’ve done it a few times and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere (except that time I went with a newborn, hated that)

The cost of a turkey nowadays and all the extras it doesn’t even seem that pricey of an option anymore

I've only done it once. My tip would not to take a midday booking. The atmosphere was a bit lacking but it was just starting to warm up nicely just as we were finishing and leaving.

I would do it and that sounds like a bargain.

We go out for Christmas Dinner ok Christmas Eve and love it,

It’s never appealed to me, I think the cost puts me off and I’d feel bad for the staff. However, there is a local Indian restaurant close to us that opens from 5-8pm on Christmas Day (for takeaways only) that our neighbours swear by that I may be tempted to try one year. You have to pre-order the day before.

Do it, it’s great. No effort or washing up for you. Staff generally getting awesome tips, etc, so happy to be there, no issues there. Buy in extra food for Boxing Day as you won’t have any left overs. We’ve also done Indian take away for Christmas - also awesome. Pick the restaurant carefully though, use one you already know is good, don’t take a chance on a new place. You don’t want shite Christmas food at ridic prices. Enjoy, whatever you decide.

Check they are not already booked up. Out local pub was telling me they are already full and have been for a few months! I was really surprised!

Sounds ideal as someone who's been cooking Christmas day dinners for what seems like forever. And the cost when offset against what you'd pay to DIY probably not so bad

I reckon it should be the cook who decides. Would they step in if you said you weren't doing it?

I used to do Christmas when both my parents were alive, just the three of us but we always enjoyed it. When my mum died my dad and I decided on Christmas lunch at a lovely local restaurant and did this for nine years. Now they’ve both gone, for the last eight years I’ve gone away with my cousin who is on her own too. We go to a hotel on the north Norfolk coast, we have three favourites, and we have a wonderful relaxing time. No pressure, just eating, drinking, lovely well wrapped up walks on the beach. No cooking, no clearing up it’s sheer bliss.

I too love turkey sandwiches so I buy a small M&S turkey crown, freeze it over Christmas and cook it when I return home.

Oh I actually love this idea. I could definitely do that.

I would absolutely do this!

Just booked our table for the fourth year running.

Theres 9 of us of all ages so too many to squash into one house for food and it’s hectic all day for me then.

I’ve had years and years of having the in laws and sil and her family Xmas day and it’s friggin exhausting.

gee years ago I decided it would be nice to try it and so we did it and had an awesome time.

food was fab,we weren’t rushed in or out,the staff were brilliant etc so that was it the new tradition.

I always have pigs in blankets,roast pots and a turkey crown over Xmas eve ans left overs for Xmas day night and Boxing Day along with all the usual that everyone loves but there’s absolutely no being stuck in the kitchen all day and missing out.

honestly it makes such a difference.

That type of meal would make me so happy!

It's often very very expensive and you're expected to tip a lot on top of that.

We've been out once. It was very loud.

Yes and no matter how good the food is on other occasions it’s never that great on Christmas Day. Plus you are having to eat their version of Christmas dinner. And worst of all, no leftovers!!
Since my DH passed away when my kids were small it’s been the three of us for Christmas unless we go abroad to visit family. Yes it’s as much work cooking for three as six, as much cleaning up bar the three extra plates. But I love it. We do it as a team. And I love having the leftovers to make sandwiches with later, and pick at.

We are doing that this year 3 adults and 1 child 2pm sitting

It also depends on what your children are like at a restaurant table.

Some have very limited attention for it so it would be rubbish if you felt rushed because the children have had enough.
If you've got kids who can be relied upon to enjoy a decent length sitting that's great.

X

sounds amazing. I would it under those circumstances. We don’t have anywhere that’s decent enough so i wouldn’t risk it. And wouldn’t want to drive anywhere.