DH has invited a friend for Xmas dinner...and they celebrate Xmas on the 24th

[Eastie77]

I am sitting in front of my computer and am not sure if I should laugh or cry.
My DH is not English but has lived here for 7 years. He is from a country in Europe where they celebrate Xmas (i.e. have the main meal etc) on Dec 24th but he is fully aware that in the UK this happens on the 25th. We have been planning our Xmas meal for a couple of weeks now and went out yesterday to do all the food shopping.

Today DH had to work in the morning and I was WFH for half a day. He sent me a text at around 3pm to ask if it was ok if his friend D (also from the same country as DH) came round this evening for something to eat. I replied 'yeah sure, can you pick up a few bits from the supermarket for him to eat and I'll get some beers for him rom the office licence" (I'm 4 months pregnant and struggling with morning sickness etc so didn't want to have to make anything from scratch)

DH returned home at 6pm and proceeded to have a shower, chat about his day. After about 30 mins he casually asked when we were going to start cooking. I asked if he'd picked up the bits from the supermarket and he looked confused and said he thought we already had everything, i.e. the food we bought yesterday (Salmon, Turkey, Chicken). It turns out he had invited his friend round for their equivalent of Xmas dinner since back home they celebrate with a big meal on the 24th. I am flabbergasted at the stupidity of DH - sorry I know that sounds bad but I just don't understand him. He KNOWS we celebrate on the 25th, he returned home to a spotless kitchen with no signs of cooking so why did he think we would be preparing the Xmas dinner tonight? The friend (and his girlfriend I have now discovered) arrive in 45 mins and I feel so embarrased. They assumed they would celebrating their equivalent of Xmas this evening and I have some beer and light snacks to offer them. DH has gone to the one remaining shop still open around here - a Turkish mini market - to get some bits and bobs and 'rustle up a meal' but I feel mortified.

I heard him on the phone to his friend laughing about the 'misunderstanding' and I know I should just chill out and laugh it off as well but I do not understand how this has happenend!

Laugh it off, get a takeaway. This will be your hysterically funny 'cultural differences' story in years to come, a la 'do you remember the year when....'

Why should you feel embarrassed? It's not your mistake - your DH is the one who has cocked up.

If he and his friend can see the funny side, you should try to too. Have a nice evening

It doesn't matter.

Have a nice meal and enjoy the company.

Your husband knows the date. I reckon he's pulling a fast one

Oh gosh don't worry for a single minute
Introduce him to the British tradition of the Christmas Eve Chindian and relax

I wouldn't worry. It sounds like one of those things where everyone thought their own version of implicit but didn't make it explicit.

How is it going?!

Merry Xmas all:) The friend and his girlfriend arrived, my DP (sry used wrong acronymn he is my partner not hubby yet!) couldn't find anything suitable at the mini-mart so he and his friend made a pasta dish with whatever they were able to find in the cupboards which was actually really nice so all turned out well but I still felt seriously embarrassed!! The friend and gf brought elaborate cakes etc for dessert and were clearly expecting a big meal. I sat on the sofa while the cooking was going on and tried to explain Eastenders to the non-Emglish speaking girlfriend:) DP swears he had no idea we eat main meal on the 25th here - how that is possible after living here for several years I have no idea - because he has never spent Xmas day in England before (last year we were abroad). Men!

I dont understand why you didnt plan to make a meal on the 24th and the 25th

If thats what your dh does you should continue esp as your having a baby together

Like the others say it sounds like a genuine mistake and something to laugh at in the future.

Can I just ask why you are watching soaps when you have guests (GF)? Sounds a bit strange to me - but each to their own I suppose.

Over here (non-English) too, we actually do two big meals.
A fish meal on the 24th and a meat meal on the 25th.
I guess you'll have to go that way too. :)

Still, they were not upset and all was well. It will be a good story for years to come. :o

I have a feeling your dp may be from the same country as mine :)

We do 2 christmas celebrations, like lueji above, we do the traditional fish dishes on the 24th then the English version on the 25th.
It makes more work but we both respect each others traditions.
It must have been a bit awkward but it was your dp's fault not yours.

I don't understand the question? Did you and dp not discuss your plans for Christmas eve & day meals? He could equally post similar to you: "dp knows my tradition is to celebrate with a big meal on 24th but all the food we bought has been earmarked for the 25th" mind you inviting guests over at 3pm is unreasonable, esp if you pg.

I'd have cooked the salmon you bought :-)