Christmas!!!

nublue

Hi all,

First of all an apology - couldn't see a thread on this on search but feel sure I can't have been the first to ask!

I have foolishly for the first time agreed to do Christmas day for my family! There will only be 8 of us, but this enough to bring me out in a cold sweat!

Add in the fact that I have lost my job recently but am also now trying to set up my own business I am now not only time poor, but now cash poor too...

I would really welcome any advice on buying cooking or anything else for christmas day lunch, I really am new to this, although I can cook a good chicken roast, so hope it's not too much harder!!!

Thanks

Leah

deb68_2

cant really help last year we moved our cooker was really knackard after having it yrs it would of cost us more fixing it than getting a new one
nope couldnt do that we went to a man up here by us that has lots second hand things in we got an old cooker for £50
its not a posh one its just a basic cooker quite old but has worked well for us for the ;ast yr,we also got beds and a sofa from him
isnt there somewhere near you that doeas things like that?or on freecycle maybe

we did think if couldnt get one we would get a camping stove
as long as we can cook for our kids its all that matters
we are saving for a new cooker but if this one still ok we will either keep it or give it to someone that in same situ we were
i hope you manage to get something
take care
deb

katieowl_2

Oh... can you ask them all to bring a course, or something towards dinner?

I'm never going to cook a turkey again, last xmas we cooked turkey breast roasts (the ones that were 2 for £8 in Mr T) and did it with all the usual stuffing and veg, and it was so much quicker and easier, it wasn't true. Plus the damn electric oven was only on for about and hour and a half, instead of the flaming hours and hours a whole turkey takes.

I sliced the meat up in the kitchen and delivered it to the table on a platter, which they all found perfectly acceptable, we're not massive fans of turkey for days after Xmas, and four of the five of us only like white meat.

But if you were to spot a reduced turkey joint or two going cheap BEFORE Xmas they will freeze perfectly

Kate

thenanny2die4

Firstly, don't panic! It really is just a roast dinner with, perhaps, a few more people round the table than usual.

Have a think about what you'd actually like to eat - it certainly doesn't have to be turkey. My in-laws decided to have stew and dumplings a few years ago as it was their favourite meal. Obviously it's nice to make the meal a bit special but you have no need to spend a fortune or wear yourself out.

If you were thinking of doing three courses, personally I wouldn't bother with a starter. Have some nibbles in bowls or, my personal fave, bruschetta topping (out of a jar ) on top of toasted slices of french bread which you've rubbed with garlic and drizzled a little olive oil over. It takes seconds and tastes fab. Christmas pud can be bought really cheaply and lobbed in the microwave. Two or three cheeses served with plain crackers and a bunch of black grapes looks lovely on the table.

The main thing is to make time to enjoy each other's company and, personally, I like to make a real effort with the table to make the meal really special.

You'll be fine, don't start tearing your hair out!

Sagz_2

Our family always expect to take something when going for Xmas dinner so don't be shy to ask! Divvy up who's bringing, pudding, cheese and biscuits, soft drinks, booze, nibbles etc. That way there will be masses of grub and you can concentrate on the main course - which is jsut a giant roast chicken after all

Good Luck - and enjoy yourself x

becs

Definitely don't be afraid to ask people to bring things they won't be in the least bit offended. I would assume that if they know your situation they would be offended if you didn't ask them to bring things. My brother on the other hand invited the family to stay for Christmas (3days) and carged everyone £85 a head! Not his best idea, would far rather have bought bits and pieces along with everyone else.

mmmsnow

becs wrote: »

My brother on the other hand invited the family to stay for Christmas (3days) and carged everyone £85 a head!

£85 for three days full board? Bargain!

kezlou

Depends I your doing a starter,main and a desert. how about this: Three course meal starter lentil and carrot and soup main full turkey leg £3.99(morrisons) small smoked gammon joint £2.50 (morrisons)
potatoes (for roasties and mash) £4.50 or a big bag
carrots,swede, broccoli (any veg)
gravy granules £0.28 , (morrisons) stuffing £0.15 (morrisons)
Yorkshire puddings (make loads as very filling)
desert maybe a trifle for afters, buy a jelly (£0.35), tin of fruit (£0.40) and a sachet of custard powder (£0.10) could do this the night before or on the morning itself.
I'm planning on buying the above this year myself, hopefully will have enough another meal. hope this helps

becs

Christmas eve night until breakfast day after boxing day. 6 people visiting so £510. He definitely profited as had christmas lunch on christmas day and a roast beef on boxing day and cereal and toast for breakfast! Just didn't like the idea of family paying to come at xmas. No objection to turning up laden with contributions though.

taxsaver

I have to agree with you Becs, I think it's a terrible thing to do if it hadn't been discussed and agreed beforehand.

I guess you'll not be going back in a hurry! If I were you I'd be tempted to invite everyone to mine this year and only charge your brother and his family.... prices are higher this year so must be at least £100 per head!

Beetlemama

Iceland for sure, we always shop at Iceland for Christmas, they do a turkey crown for about £12 that will feed them all and a glazed ham for £6 or £8 or something - they have the smaller versions there now you could buy two each of them instead:

http://www.iceland.co.uk/our-food/frozen-food/roast-from-frozen

Those sausages in bacon (about 12 in a pack?) so two of those for £2 each and then mixed cauliflower and broccoli (you can split it in to two when it's frozen if you want to put out a dish of each instead of having it mixed) at £1 a pack (two of) and frozen carrots and read and sprouts with chestnuts, can't remember how much they were but this is our standard Christmas dinner every single year. The only thing I do different is marshmallow sweet potatoes but that's because my husband is American. All the rest of it comes from Iceland.

Perhaps get a saver card now and stick on a few stamps every week. If you stick on £5-10 a week between now and Christmas you'll have between £45-90.00 on there, plenty enough to get all the above and puddings and sweets and that.


I get a new saver card right after Christmas and stick a stamp on religiously every week, and any extras I can afford. I am outrageously proud to say I have £46 on mine - first year we have managed to NOT spend it early at some point during hard times.