What do you have for Christmas Eve dinner?

[Tapster]

I want to start a tradition in our house. My Dad's parents used to cook pork chops (he's spanish) but I don't feel like more meat. I'm thinking fish stew with prawns and mussels - luxiourious but quick to prepare.

Any other ideas? Got to finish my Ocado order tonight.

herring, potato and beetroot salad is traditional in our household

The last few years we've had crispy duck - relatively easy (I just roast duck legs) and buy pancakes, sauce etc from Chinese grocers. A bizarre tradition but something everyone in the family will eat.

Fish stew does sound good though - and a good contrast to the meat-fest the next day.

Chinese takeaway - ALWAYS

Little mess, little washing up.... stress free!

Always a family occasion too - me, DH, the kids, dad, DB and SIL

This year we are having Roast Butternut Squash and Bacon soup with homemade bread. I had it at a friends and thought it would be perfect for a stress-free Christmas Eve before all of the excess!

takeaway- usually chinese! give the dishwasher a chrimbo break.

Fish stew sounds lovely. I'm making a psh fish pie - my 91yr old Grandad will be here along with the rest of the family (me, DP, sis, DS, M&D ) & I don't think he'd eat the stew otherwise I'd copy you. Wsa thinking it'll be quick and easy to make and can be done in advance and should suit the wide range of fussy eaters I'll be catering for! was going to do dips to start with and fruit salad for after.

We always have Santa pizzas which are little muffin-based pizzas with different coloured peppers and mozzarella making a Santa face.

And we have a yule log.

Dds are now 11 and 9 but still unable to eat very much at all on Christmas Eve due to excitement. That does them. I get in some M&S snacks to bulk out the meal for dh and I as we are not quite so excited.

Indian take away - always - and again on new years eve.

We usually do a candlelit tea of fruit toast, crumpets, more toast and cake. I nearly always forget to think about a proper meal at some point on Christmas Eve until it's too late.

In fact, apart from Christmas Dinner, I usually forget to plan any meals for about 10 days around Christmas.

homemade soup and crusty breAD.
MUSHROOM THIS YEAR i THINK

For the last few years we've always had fillet steak, jacket potatoes and salad.

We always eat at either my parents or PILs; PILs this year.

I've never had any type of christmas eve tradition, I like the crumpets, toast and cake idea though.
This is only the second christmas dp and I have been together and last year was really hectic so we are starting all christmas traditions this year.
I want as many as possible

Only real Christmas Eve tradiition we have is that DD has new PJs/nighties for Christmas Eve, left magical under the tree whilst we are out. And before bed we leave out a drink and something for FC too.

Chips from the chip shop down the road!
We go for a walk on to look at all the lights in town/peoples houses and pick food up on the way past. We very rarely have food from the chippy so its a nice treat.

shameful but after a notorious Christmas Eve when our oven broke down we have a tradition of take away pizza

after being banned from Perfect Pizza last year I think we may go upmarket this year and get them from Ask or somewhere

We always have a buffet of some sort but it HAS to involve extra mature cheddar, so sharp that it's like glass across the roof of your mouth, Garners red cabbage, Yule log and homemade mince pies eaten warm with cream.

we have a party on xmas eve, so its party food all the way