Perfect Christmas Dinner

[CountryLady]

So what's it to be?

Last year I had a goose but only two hatched off successfully this year and we're keeping them.;)

The year before I had a turkey for the first time.
Prior to that for about five years or so it's been quorn roast (O/H doesn't eat meat).

What do you have and what makes it special?

Do you get together with family?

Do you celebrate it at all?

[Redstart]

Last year I said as atheists we shouldn't be celebrating and as only husband and son were there and never seemed to notice what I did, I didn't bother as much as usual. Result? I hated it!

So, on Christmas Eve it will back to the big traditional buffet with a meat platter, a cheese platter, a chilli cheese ball, a vegetarian paté, salads and trifle.

For Christmas dinner there will a white damask tablecloth, shining silver (epns) cutlery, crystal glasses, individual candles (one per diner), a centre table decoration with candles, trails of ivory and sequins scattered over the tablecloth and the meal will be served after dark, and will be candle lit.

I'm also going back to lots of Christmas decoration, and for the meal there'll again be turkey and all the trimmings, trimmings that will go with the mushroom strudel and vegetarian gravy that I plan to make for my vegetarian daughter and her Panamanian boyfriend.

Apparently he is really looking forward to a family Christmas as he hasn't had once since he was a little boy (his paprents divorced and he went with his dad). So I'm really going to make an effort. I just hope it snows while he's here - he's never seen snow. If not we're going to take him into the Alps.

And in future years if there is only me and the two men, I have learned my lesson and the decorations and special table and Chritmas meal will be done for me!

[Redstart]

I've twice edited the above and twice the original has remained and the edited version has disappeared.

[Healing Hands]

Wow, Mandy can I come for Christmas!

Last year I cooked the Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, I did a Goose instead of Turkey as Turkey is not really one of my favourites. It did not go down to well with my step-father as he like all the traditionals Christmas trimmings. On Christmas day we went to my daughters and we had a great big Buffet with all the cold meats again it was different for my step-father, but the rest of enjoyed it. It made a change.

This year I do not know what is happening apart that my eldest daughter will be entaintaining her in-laws this year, and as my other daughter has just got married we have not really talked about it.

If I spend it at home I know doubt I will have my mother and step-father over and I will cook Rib of Beef. Oh dear my step-father will not like that but hey ho it is me that has to spend time in the kitchen!

Christmas is not an easy time for me really, I would really prefer to go away, but I cannot keep running away every year. So I do try and make some sort of an effort.

Do not long now, someone said Christmas is about 12 weeks away!

[CountryLady]

Indeed Carolyn, can we both come please Mandy?

We've had some rubbish Christmases the last few years and I want this one to be GOOD.

[Oola]

I've twice edited the above and twice the original has remained and the edited version has disappeared.


I'm guessing you pressed the 'save' button on the edit?

Strange, it's worked for me lately. I'll try editing this post and see what happens. Let me know if it's still not working....

add: edit edit edit edit

edit: yes working for me

[jazzactivist]

Mmmm! These Christmas dinners sound nice. We never have a traditional British Christmas meal, as it seems just like a fancy roast dinner, plus we don't like turkey or goose. I was raised in South Africa with a BBQ (braai) for Christmas lunch, and my other half doesn't mind so long as the food is good. When we first got together we started our own tradition of cooking and eating festival dishes from a different country each year. We have been together for 19 years, so are running out of countries to try. However, this year we are going for Turkish food, so any suggestions welcome. I do always make a trifle, though, as we love it so much, and opt for a different flavour each year to tie in with the Christmas starter, main meal and dessert.

[eleanor2]

i have only cooked christmas dinner once in my 28 years marraige. i just can't bear the thought of cooking on christmas day. went mum in laws for about 25 years. which she loved.cooking is a pleasure to her. daughters and daughter in laws. the other day d i law said what are you doing christmas day. i said coming yours i hope.i cook for them every week.so i got my invitation for christmas day. i do do christmas day tea for everyone.

[SummerSkye]

We always have a traditional christmas dinner, turkey, chicken, pork and all the trimmings followed by Christmas pudding. We eat cold meat for what seems like forever afterwards. The table is always beautifully set and decorated, even if we are spending the day without family or friends. It is still a special time for us.
This year however we are spending the holidays with my middle daughter and her family. We are all excited, she is planning everything down to the last minute detail. I have purchased a vintage nativity set (E Bay) and am looking forward to having it displayed as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.
If I could have one Christmas wish it would be for World Peace and Understanding and that everyone could know a world without war and famine.

[Healing Hands]

Hi Jenniferu, we do tend too get away from the meaning of Christmas these days. I always do try make sure that we do not forget what Christmas is really about.

[Pippa]

I cooked Christmas Dinner for my family plus parents for over 30 years so having a break now. I love decorating with greenery and putting up fairy lights but quite happy for someone else to cook or even go to a hotel for a meal. I prefer Boxing Day with cold cuts, walks and log fire, Christmas Day is an anti-climax for me - I guess we are all different.

[eleanor2]

world peace would probably bring about no more famines.cliffy sings a lovely christmas song.about this subject.can't remember the words as usual.

[CountryLady]

Jazz your ideas sound really interesting. As there's only the two of us maybe we might do something similar. It would certainly be different.

[Oola]

Last year my Festive season was appalling. Could have been worse, but it really sucked that 'festive feeling' out of it for me.

I was working in retail at the time and had to work until 7pm on Christmas Eve. Being the run-up to the huge day-after-boxing day say, it was absolutely manic. On Christmas Day itself I dropped into my parent's for half an hour or so before driving 80-odd miles down to Kent to spend the day with Rich's family - the first time I had been away from my own immediate family at Christmas. I did really enjoy myself there though...however the next day we had to drive back as I was starting my shift at 5am on the 27th, and then after that apart from being allowed my birthday off (31st Dec) I had to work normal hours. Luckily as I wasn't doing delivery I didn't have to work new year's day, but it still sucked completely and I have sworn that I will never EVER work in retail again like that over Christmas. It really ruined it for me.

I'm hoping that this year will be a vast improvement. I've always wanted to do something for charity too...my old head of year teacher at school used to galvanise us all by making us bring in new, decent food to make up packages to give the residents of the old people's home up the road from our school. The residents were delighted with the packages that arrived - proper Christmas puds, treats, tins of food etc. I wish I could find something local like that to do again. I'm not very good with talking to new people, but if I'm with others I find it much easier. I think it's just practice!

[Katelb]

What lovely wishes SummerSkye and I'm sure most people hope they come true.Christmas dinner sounds good too.
Not sure what we shall do this year,but I think it will be either roast Goose,or twin roasts of Beef and Pork followed by christmas pudding etc, and of course the epns silver comes out and the table is festively dressed.Daughter and husband are coming to join us but there is every possibility that the day could be dissrupted if she goes into labour! Christmas this year could be fun!

[sunflower]

Last year I worked for weeks to make the best Christmas ever, as we had a homeless girl living with us and had invited a girl from Germany who was having difficulties at home.
We all had a wonderful time, and everything went according to plan. I'm so glad of this memory because this year has been a difficult time and I feel apprehensive about planning anything, even a week in advance. I have'nt even written in my garden journal this year. However, I am planning to pluck up courage and make my Christmas cake next week.

[franbee]

Haven't a clue what we'll be doing, this is the first year that both children are living away from home with partners, so if they decide not to come to us for Dinner, we might have beans on toast! Fran.

[SummerSkye]

Fran we haven't had our children with us for years because of time and distance but I still make it very special for us. Yes it does look a bit sad with just two place settings but even that is a blessing when we consider how many sad and lonely people spend Christmas totally alone.
P.S. I love beans on toast at any other time.

[franbee]

I'm sure they'll all turn up sometime during the holiday, so we'll have Christmas dinner then.
Fran.

[Redstart]

Fran: we went from a family of five plus grandparents to just husband son and me and I thought it would be awful the first time it happened. But it wasn't - no tension, no sibling rivalry, it was a really relaxing and pleasant festival. So don't worry - open your presents, spoil yourselves, make you and your husband a lovely meal, have a good bottle of wine and make the most of doing exactly what you want to do and not the rest of the family.

[franbee]

Thanks for your replies, we're not really a couple of saddo's, it'll be alright on the Day. Fran.