Timing of Christmas Day lunch

R

Rose65

Well-known Member
Location
United Kingdom
What IS all the messing about I have endured over many years when we had Christmas lunch at relative's houses? We were invariably absolutely bored and starving when eventually the meal came together at some vague hour like 4pm. What kind of time is that!

In our house we eat this most special feast promptly 1pm, I time everything exactly to that. It means by 2.30pm everyone is fed, relaxing, ready for our monarch's speech, then we open presents. Plenty time to rest, wash up the enormous amounts, guests in our case leave by 5.30pm latest and we prepare for an evening of relaxation.

So what is the timing of it all in your Christmas?
 

When it's ready :) Usually about 3pm.

We open presents early! As soon as everyone is up and dressed. Dressed is optional. We all arrive (Typically 8 of us) at our daughter's house mid day on Christmas day so we're already there :) We usually leave Boxing Day afternoon-ish.
 
How long can it take to throw a small salad together and heat a "Hungry Man Dinner" anyway? Or open the packet of Hershey's Zero-Sugar chocolates to sneak out a few as dessert?
 

At our home it was Christmas day dinner. It was at 4pm cause we had to wait till my brother and his wife's children woke up from their naps.

Without them, we were up early 8-9am drinking champagne(me and sis) and opening presents.
 
Rose65 said:
What IS all the messing about I have endured over many years when we had Christmas lunch at relative's houses? We were invariably absolutely bored and starving when eventually the meal came together at some vague hour like 4pm. What kind of time is that!

In our house we eat this most special feast promptly 1pm, I time everything exactly to that. It means by 2.30pm everyone is fed, relaxing, ready for our monarch's speech, then we open presents. Plenty time to rest, wash up the enormous amounts, guests in our case leave by 5.30pm latest and we prepare for an evening of relaxation.

So what is the timing of it all in your Christmas?
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Very erratic. It depends on the weather and the tides. All being well we go for a walk on the beach and dinner will be ready when it's ready - usually late afternoon. What kind of time is that? It's Dinner time - a good dinner, though hardly the most special . We don't watch TV till the evening and then we usually watch "The Muppet's Christmas Carol" and drink a toast to the Solstice and the sun.
 
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We're celebrating Christmas 2 days early due to one son has to be at the in-laws on Christmas Day as they have a large family. I'm happy about that so there is no rushing. Be at his house at 11am and out by 2pm. We're all taking a plate, it will be cold meats, salads and my special Trifle, which everybody loves. Hope the weather is not too hot as we have had shocking heat over the last few days.
 
All of our Christmas's were spent with hubby's family from early morning until late that evening. It was always a happy day, there were people there that had no where to go. We used to tease that they dragged people in off the streets.

It was a big breakfast with MIL screaming at the boys to stay out of the kitchen until she was done. They were in there stealing bits and bobs along the way. Dinner was prime rib with all the trimmings. There was one brother/son who was big on salt. He always had his own salt and pepper shaker set at his plate. I was the girl who could eat my weight in yeast rolls and butter. What's more I didn't deny it, just give me the bread!

These days I spend Christmas alone. I want my son and his family not to worry, to have Christmas with their child. Make their own traditions. We were always up and out early, sometimes the son leaving behind his new toys.

I get up, have some hot tea or cocoa, fix breakfast. The dogs always get eggs with cheese and some bacon or sausage. I may take a nap. I always fix myself a nice dinner, filet mignon, sometimes with a lobster tail or a shrimp coctail. Of course there is always the hot homemade yeast rolls. Then crank up the gas fireplace and watch Christmas movies.

I think this is the best way to do it so no one gives up anything they want to do.
 

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