Ways to help Mum? Ideas needed!

polkadot90

I tend to make all the little extras like bread sauce or a pudding. My mum is a bit of a control freak when it comes to christmas!

rufio89

These are great ideas about bringing 'bits'. I think the turkey is already ordered but I could turn up with bags of veg etc.

I really want to help with Christmas dinner but this is my Dads domain! He's such a control freak about his cooking (he is a good cook to be fair) that he doesnt even let people help peel the potatoes! I'm putting my foot down this year though and saying that anything that doesnt necessarily affect the cooking (peeling, chopping etc) is going to be done by the kids, then he can do all the "cheffing" by himself. After all, if he were a fancy chef, he would have a kitchen porter to deal with all that stuff for him!!

hopeful17_2

Just another thought, does your mum and dad actually enjoy preparing it all for you? Mine gets stressed but thrives on still being needed by us (we are grown up). Although they are probably glad you have all moved out lol you are still their babies and christmas is a time when parents love making it just perfect for the kids. imagine how many years your mum and dad planned christmas for you all hiding everything etc and now you have all moved out.
another idea is to give them a supermarket gift card to go and buy the big christmas shop. Put it in Their christmas card. or falling that take them out for Christmas dinner to a pub restaurant with all of you.
Can I also say having someone in the kitchen with me stresses me out even more as they tend to get in the way of my routine so perhaps your dad is the same?
I hope whatever you do that you have a lovely day together

moneysavingmumofone

Can you offer to look out for present bargains? They could give you a list of what they need to get and if you see it cheap let them know. I always look out for bargains for my mum and grab them if I have the money. How about offering to make table settings (pots of gold) or crackers, instead of it being to help them financially you could say something like you really want to have a go at making them? How about making dessert too, using the I want to have a go at making it excuse? Also not financially helping but still easing the strain, you could help to wrap presents? Im from a large family too (7 children) so know how much wrapping needs to be done! :eek:

Mojisola

We've always done the shared Christmas dinner and also have a tradition that the men clear up and wash and dry up.

scaredy_cat

how about doing the dreaded washing up after the dinner? so your mum and dad can have an hour or so relaxing?

wik

Just a thought.. are any of you there for the christmas eve?
Maybe Santa will bring some of his elves! and when your parents get up in the morning - the table will be laid, and the veggies and potatoes will have been peeled
Santa is very good at things like that
wik x