Places offering Christmas Day lunch with refundable deposit?

LEJC

How much deposit do the eating places actually require?

I would actually hesitate a guess that its probably a lot less than you might imagine.

We have eaten out on christmas day for so many years I cant even remember the last one we cooked at home....
Have a look at places like Marstons pubs,and greenking...they are chain pubs with a homely feel and I am pretty sure open on christmas day.
The deposits are usually small I cant remember how much we have paid in the past but £5 pp seems to ring a bell....you would only lose that if you had to cancel the whole booking and as others have said whatever happens you will need to eat that day so I think you should still book.

For us eating out on the day happened as a result of something not too dissimilar to your situation....we lost our relation 2 days before but continued with the day as planned and have subsequently continued it as a tradidition in their memory....some times we even go away...just because its christmas it doesnt mean that you have to celebrate it a certain way because thats how everyone thinks you should celebrate.

Wishing you all the best.

TeamPlum

Just to throw a different slant on it, why not let her take you away, as she wanted to?

Admittedly I don't know the circumstances, but she'd not forced to have deteriorated by then, and it'd be nice to her to have a future event that she's really looking forward to, rather than a crappy meal in a toby carvery.

hazyjo

Personally, I'd delay booking as long as you can. Maybe talk about Christmas, give her something to look forward to, but 4+ months is very optimistic so I do think you need to arrange something that you can all continue with if she's no longer with you or is in full time care. I know we're all different, but do you all want to be doing something separately or not going out if she's not able to go? Maybe arrange something in one of your houses - that's something you can still do. She may not even mean all she says - many terminally ill people still talk as though they're going to be around for years.


if she's still with you and up for it, she will be needing a shedload of rest - and I really can't see her wanting to get ready and go out to a restaurant (let alone away).


Lost my dad to a brain tumour - I feel your pain. He battled cancer for 6 years in various organs, but was gone within a month of brain tumours being diagnosed. (They'd said he might have four months with radiotherapy but that wasn't the case, and he was pretty much bedridden for most of that month.) We spent many Christmases with my dad barely able to finish his dinner without needing to go back to bed as he was feeling so rough, and he was just in comfy clothes and didn't want to worry about what he looked like.


Hugs,


Jo x

Alice_Walker

TeamPlum wrote: »

Just to throw a different slant on it, why not let her take you away, as she wanted to?

Admittedly I don't know the circumstances, but she'd not forced to have deteriorated by then, and it'd be nice to her to have a future event that she's really looking forward to, rather than a crappy meal in a toby carvery.

That's not nice. A Toby Carvery might be "crappy" to you, but if it works for beckstar and her family then it's perfect. This isn't about having the best food in the world, it's making memories with loved ones.

OP if you do go to a Toby then explain the situation beforehand, they might be able to find you a quiet corner or just make sure it goes as best as can be.

You might be pleasantly surprised by the kindness of strangers. Some friends got married on boxing day because she was very poorly, and the local Rotary found out and were brilliant. Obviously a wedding needs different things, but you may find a restaurant owner at the group will be able to help you out. It's certainly worth asking.

Kaye1

A lot of places won't refund because they will lose a lot more if you don't turn up.

For example, if there was 6 of you at £50 per head, and you cancel with a couple of days notice, they lose £300 plus what you would have spent on drinks- if they can't fill your places.

So they keep all the deposits to try and offset the loss.

Harsh for you but it is business.

However, my brother used a company last year that delivered all of the Christmas dinner in trays and ready to cook- meat, stuffing, everything. It was all organic and excellent quality. Not the same but it may help in your sad situation. All the very best of luck.

sheramber

We went to a local chinese restaurant one year. No booking, just turned up.

[Deleted User]

I've got to say I've never had a nasty meal in a Toby Carvery.., I've had them in pubs, including one watery yukky mess for Xmas dinner (I have no idea how they had the cheek to charge so much for what was basicallly a school dinner).

I wonder if your MIL might enjoy being fussed over, and relatives might actually enjoy doing the fussing (instead of the other way around)? If your MIL has died, I can't think of a better way of celebrating her life.., doing Xmas dinner in memory of all the good times spent with her. Only one condition, every one has to tell a story of time spent with her that made you laugh.

warby68

As you have said your budget can flex to high-end, could you not simply take the hit on the deposit if you have to ? You might find its around £10 a head, less for children which is not too bad. Our local independents are in this price bracket with the final meal around £60/£70 so not bottom end. Also deposits are sometimes not required until some kind of cut off point - say late November. This might help too.

What about considering a luxury cottage as an alternative - she gets to take you away but its home from home if she's still struggling and still a possible no pressure escape for the family if bereaved (although its quite late actually for this type of Xmas booking)

Fully refundable deposits rather defeat the purpose unfortunately.

Detroit

Unless money is tight, I personally would not let what, in the scheme of things, is a trivial matter, dictate my plans.

In the circumstances, I would plan whatever i thought best for her and the family, in the event she is still here.

To be allowing a matter of a potentially lost deposit to dictate your options seems to me a shame.

In the event she is no longer with you for Christmas, you may find the loss of the deposit doesn't seem that important when it comes to it.
You may even find the restaurant refunds you as a gesture of good will if you are cancelling due to a death.

On the other hand, if she is with you, it would be nice to go to a place of choice, rather than a compromise based on the deposit issue.

Separate issue, but is she receiving PIP or Attendance Allowance? If not, this should be applied for, as a terminal diagnosis results in an automatic award of high rate care component. The claim is processed very quickly if made under special rules.
If money is an issue, this may help.

Sicard

Have you ever been to a Harvester before...?