Christmas dinner

[Daisy]

This thread is so interesting. Everybody has different priorities, different forces pulling them one way or the other, and such a lot of people have very complicated arrangements which must take ages to organise. I don't remember Christmas being this intensive when I was a child.

[Libra Gran]

No nor do I, cant remember my Mother ever inviting us for Christmas dinner.

[ZIZI]

Well we have an all change situation here, eldest son's wife insists we go to theirs as her sister has "withdrawn" her invitation in favour of her husband's family. Mmm bit of angst there methinks. So it will be us, Sadie, Joe, son, dil and her parents. We get on well with her parents so that is fine. We will nip to see Ben on the way over there. Then Boxing Day we are hosting everyone for breakfast and son or dil will drive my car back as we will get a taxi on Christmas night. Best not drink too much considering the early start the next day!

[Libra Gran]

Aw thats nice ZIZI a lovely day is forecast I think with the little people.

[WeeGranny]

We had planned to have all here on Christmas Day, but SiL has drawn short straw at work and will now be on duty. So everything is shifted to Boxing Day! Don't mind really as our past Christmases have seen us in Holland,Australia and the Middle East. All interesting in their own way! Sometimes we see family, sometimes we don't and we've often celebrated on other days. We've also been out for lunch several times, on our own and with family. I quite enjoy that especially if you already go to the restaurant throughout the year. Saves an awful lot of hassle and everyone can enjoy themselves and be part of it...unless you're the designated driver of course!

[ZIZI]

WG I am ALWAYS the designated driver as husband cannot drive due to an eye problem. At Christmas, if we are invited anywhere, I generally drive and then we pay a cab to get home. Usually costs about £25 for a journey that would usually be about £9 but that is fine. We also go with the flow as husband is often workng on Christmas Day. Hopefully usually an early shift so I can take him and collect him as no public transport runs (of course). I do miss the days when we had enough space for a huge christmas lunch table but, in a way, I dont actually miss all the work that went into it.........

[Grauntie Mag]

All are here on Christmas Day, both DDs and families, and a couple of extras who usually come so really they are like family. OH usually cooks the turkey breast on the bbq, nice flavour and it gives me more oven space. I find a glass or two of Tio Pepe helps with the cooking process. 🍸🍸
We all work well together, everyone mucks in.
Boxing Day has changed now, we used to drive to family in Kent for a great day with rellies we hadn't seen all year but as we've all got older the numbers have got smaller and we have called time now. We meet up before Christmas though, to exchange gifts and have a jolly lunch in a restaurant.

[Daisy]

GM - I'd never have thought of cooking the turkey on the bbq. I have thought about a glass or two (or more) of some tipple or other, and even though it doesn't help with the cooking process it means I don't worry about it so much! Both DSs and DILs are very helpful, but a lot of my DSs' help is devoted to keeping glasses topped up!!

Zizi - I hope your DIL1 and her sister haven't fallen out!

[Qwerty]

We have DD and family Christmas Day and DS and family Boxing Day not sure when we get a day off 🙄

[ZIZI]

Daisy not sure, husband spoke to her, does sound a bit odd though. I am staying well away from it, they are both quite highly strung especially the sister who is very airy fairy. I am never sure what planet she is on to be honest.

[Daisy]

Daisy not sure, husband spoke to her, does sound a bit odd though. I am staying well away from it, they are both quite highly strung especially the sister who is very airy fairy. I am never sure what planet she is on to be honest.

Staying out of it sounds like a good plan, Zizi! I hope they make up soon though.

[Shemadee]

Looks as if eating out is not going to be an option. All booked up and have been since June! Thinking about becoming a JW over Christmas!

[ZIZI]

Buy Christmas in from Waitrose or M & S............

[Daisy]

Looks as if eating out is not going to be an option. All booked up and have been since June! Thinking about becoming a JW over Christmas!

What about an alternative Christmas dinner - something like pizza and chips, eaten round the fire. In fact, I'm tempted, very tempted ..... It would save a lot of hassle.

[Elisi]

YES !!! Jean, YES !!!



I do not want the hassle

I don't do it, we go out or we go to DD or Step DD. If we were in Menorca, with Step DD 2, we would not have all this anyway it would be a simple day, and New Year would be greatly celebrated instead. So many years of working full time, and then gathering the clan and doing it all

NO |MORE

We hold Boxing Day come if you want, table is laden with goodies, in and out, lots of wine and ale, and mulled stuff. Pies from best butcher in Lincoln, salads and pasta, rice dishes with fish, smoked salmon and trout, small sausages, giant pickles, hummus and taramasalata. Fresh black bread, along with home baked white. Chocolate puddings, and mousse, baked flans, alcoholic trifles and fresh fruit and ice cream.

Then down comes everything to do with it all the next day !!!

Family come from Ely, from Edinburgh, from Cambridge, from London, from Bedford and some go home, others stay with us, and others go to a local BB and others stay with daughter. It's the best day because somehow it is getting to be all over and everyone is more relaxed.