My family are breaking with tradition when it comes to Christmas dinner this year. We're eating out. I know this sounds absurd but as the person who's cooked Christmas dinner for the whole family for the past few years, I feel gloriously spoiled at the thought of not having to do it this year.
Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't enjoy cooking Christmas dinner. In fact, it's the kind of cooking I most enjoy – and not just because no-one bats an eyelid if you shut yourself in he kitchen with a bottle of Prosecco all to yourself and insist on being entirely exempt from all forms of parenting while you cook up a storm.
Yup, I love everything about cooking Christmas dinner, from poring through my cookery books and searching online for the ultimate way to disguise Brussel sprouts, to the sense of satisfaction that comes when you dish up a feast to a table full of appreciative, smiling faces.
But due to a recent house move, I'm not in a position to offer to host the whole family for Christmas this year. It's a rented house and besides the fact that there's not really enough room for everyone to spend the day relaxing as I'd like, I'm also not convinced that the oven is up to the job. Last year I had a double Aga – I'm not sure a two-shelf electric oven can compete when it comes to feeding a party of eight.
So we've pushed the boat out and booked ourselves in for Christmas dinner at our local hotel. There'll be five courses, a view of the beach and a visit from Santa for the little ones. I have my reservations about whether it'll live up to Christmas dinner at home, of course. I'm conscious that we'll have to take the bar bill into consideration rather than stocking up on my usual six bottles of each from Aldi.
And it's not exactly cheap – we're talking £50 per adult and not much less than that for kids. That's a fairly hefty price tag for one meal when you're a family of five. But at this point in the festive season I am pretty confident that it's going to be money well spent. I'm so glad I don't have to worry about booking my online grocery delivery slot this year, and I reckon we might even end up saving money when you factor in all the extras that I'd inevitably end up adding to the 'big' Christmas shop. I'll still stock up on all the treats we'd normally have in the house throughout the festive season, but I'm not missing agonising over what size turkey to order or whether to boil or bake my ham.
Best of all, I am looking forward to spending Christmas morning relaxing with the kids and a glass of bubbles instead of frantically dashing around the kitchen.
What's your view? Do you eat out on Christmas day or do you think Christmas dinner isn't the real deal unless it takes place in the home of your nearest and dearest? Leave us a comment here or come and join the conversation on our Facebook page, and don't forget to take part in our poll.
I have to agree with Tracy C, people are just getting lazy and opting for eating out, this in turn takes other people away from their families to serve and work on days that should be spent at home with their families.i cant imagine those people having to work get that much more money for having their day ruined.Happy xmas everyone.
no,no,no,no No. Love the hustle ( or should that be hassle) and bustle of doing it all fresh on Christmas day. Going out is impersonal. It's overpriced ranging from £70 - £185 per head. And not to mention the poor staff who have to work, unless of course they don't have anyone and would rather work. Paying over the top prices for average food. No thankyou.