Christmas - As easy as possible please.

tattycath

I'm the 'martyr in the kitchen' again this year-like I am every year.
OH has suggested to kids that they all cook and give me the day off as I'm working every day apart from Christmas day-they were having none of it and one even said he was picking on them as said child had helped prep veg last year So I said - forget it I'd rather do it myself if they are not willing to help out-I don't want any of them to do it begrudgingly. I'd rather they all have an enjoyable day than be stuck in the kitchen when they'd rather not do anything.
Unfortunately I've done starters, main course and dessert for years so now when I suggest we don't have a starter I get-It's not Christmas without a starter. I suggested a joint of meat instead of turkey for a change and I got-it's not Christmas without turkey and all the trimmings mum. I'm not a fan of frozen veg so I do everything fresh. I prep the veg Christmas eve (when I'm not having to work). So not sure what's happening with that this year. I always cook my veg on the day, cook the bird on the day -so I have to be up early to get it all sorted if we're going to eat at a reasonable time.

Rummer

We cook for loads of people and I always try to make the cooking as relaxed as possible. Most things are prepped the night before and I have a wee note of times so that I know what to put on and when. Dishes are cleared straight into the dishwasher.

Pressies are wrapped in an evening with some mince pies and mulled wine to make it as fun as possible.

meg72

I just want to say, yes its hard work but please dont be in too much of a hurry to wish it away. I would give everything in the world to be cooking for the family I had. Just expected to go for dinner now.

kjmtidea

There are 6 of us and I prep everything the night before, all the veg gets put in the steamer, potatoes in the pot, stuffing made. Beef wellington will be made on Christmas eve along with the trifle and loads of buffet stuff too.

I lay out a tea towel next to the draining board and then everything can be piled up after it has been washed and I can quickly put it away later rather than someone drying it all up. Whilst one of us is washing, the other will be cleaning the sides and the table, putting stuff in the fridge etc. We have got it down to a fine art now!

I like your idea of going to the hairdressers on Christmas eve but I like to wash my hair every day so I will just have a quick shower and then tie it up in a bun rather than the usual blow dry and straightening, I won't be leaving the house so I don't need to worry about scaring anyone :rotfl:

tattycath

meg72 wrote: »

I just want to say, yes its hard work but please dont be in too much of a hurry to wish it away. I would give everything in the world to be cooking for the family I had. Just expected to go for dinner now.

I'm not wishing it away...it would just be nice to have some help, instead of everyone else having fun and me stuck in the kitchen all day...

bluenose1

Some really good time saving tips - thanks.
Though still going to use frozen sprouts as I can't tell the difference between fresh. Will have fresh cauli, cabbage, roast potatoes etc.

I don't enjoy cooking, so the least time spent in the kitchen the better for me. Will defintely prepare all I can on Christmas Eve.
My favourite time is when the Christmas Dinner is on the table and I know all the hard part is done.

Hope as far as possible all have stress free dinner. I keep telling my husband and kids - Christmas is for me as well. Typical, even though I work full time for some reason my husband thinks Christmas is for him to have a rest.
Don't get me wrong I enjoy christmas, just think all the family should give a hand without moaning.

tattycath

bluenose1 wrote: »

Some really good time saving tips - thanks.
Though still going to use frozen sprouts as I can't tell the difference between fresh. Will have fresh cauli, cabbage, roast potatoes etc.

I don't enjoy cooking, so the least time spent in the kitchen the better for me. Will defintely prepare all I can on Christmas Eve.
My favourite time is when the Christmas Dinner is on the table and I know all the hard part is done.

Hope as far as possible all have stress free dinner. I keep telling my husband and kids - Christmas is for me as well. Typical, even though I work full time for some reason my husband thinks Christmas is for him to have a rest.
Don't get me wrong I enjoy christmas, just think all the family should give a hand without moaning.

I wholeheartedly agree. xx

nearlyrich

I have done big Christmas dinners up to 20 I have never felt like a martyr or slaved away in the kitchen. It's all in the planning and after 22 years my plan pretty much works for a big or small Christmas dinner. I am "lucky" I have a large oven, two full size gas ovens and 6 burner hob plus a hostess trolley which makes life a bit easier. I have enough crockery. dishes etc so I am not constantly washing up in between. I do prep some dishes in advance, make soup as a starter and I buy the part baked rolls. I cook the meat and the veg on the day but I work out ALL the timings and set multiple timers so I don't have to stand in the kitchen watching the oven do it's job.

tattycath

nearlyrich wrote: »

I have done big Christmas dinners up to 20 I have never felt like a martyr or slaved away in the kitchen. It's all in the planning and after 22 years my plan pretty much works for a big or small Christmas dinner. I am "lucky" I have a large oven, two full size gas ovens and 6 burner hob plus a hostess trolley which makes life a bit easier. I have enough crockery. dishes etc so I am not constantly washing up in between. I do prep some dishes in advance, make soup as a starter and I buy the part baked rolls. I cook the meat and the veg on the day but I work out ALL the timings and set multiple timers so I don't have to stand in the kitchen watching the oven do it's job.

Please share your secrets.

nearlyrich

tattycath wrote: »

Please share your secrets.

I just write down everything that needs cooking and work out when it goes in the oven I get the butcher to write the weights on the meat and I use Delia Smith's timings for cooking everything. In DS Christmas Book there is an outline plan mine is based on this.

I always have more people turning up for a buffet tea so also need to fit in trifle making and other prep for this.

ENJOY :beer: