Advent - new beginnings and Christmas Dinner suggestions.

bluenose1

Savvy_Sue said:

But I do have a family which is particularly averse to wearing the hats; doesn't want to hear the jokes; and rejects any 'tat'. Which is why unless I see some Really Good ones Really Cheap on Christmas Eve, we'll do without. 

I did find a nice tablecloth with robins on in Sainsbury's, only £3. Not a complete Scrooge ... 

Your family sound like my family, least ways two of my grown up sons and my husband, otherwise known as The Grinch
I will be cooking a full Christmas dinner  for seven, which includes my sister, her adult son and teenage daughter. I have a list but inevitably things get that hectic I stop using it part way through. Cooking is a chore to me so can’t say I am looking forward to it, I actually prefer leftovers on Boxing Day as much more relaxed.
Am rather envious of my friend and her husband who are going to a local restaurant for Christmas dinner.  

Was introduced to bread sauce 25 years ago by my MIL and that is a firm favourite with us all, I had never had it before. 
Dessert will be a home made sherry trifle and some shop bought chocolate cake etc. 
Then feet up and some Christmas TV.

jennystarpepper

We are abroad for about the 10th year, we also went away throughout the lockdowns.  We don't like anything with dried fruits but do love a turkey dinner, Yule log and a box of after eight's. I don't have family and the ones I'm related to by marriage are happy we go away, money in put in a card and they are happy with that, although the first time we went away the ones I did cook for did announce my Christmas dinner was the best (with a quick flash of disappointment, but that was their stomach taking)! 

We have a set of battery flashing Christmas lights we take and hang up, advent calendars, along with a bag of Christmas chocolate.  I will have my book by the pool Christmas day and maybe a curry Christmas night or whatever we fancy.  

I do not miss the commercialism of today, it's not as in your face in other countries, for me it's about being happy, having time with someone you care about and relaxing.  

Have a great Christmas everyone, what ever you are doing.

Organgrinder

Presents bought. ✅

Food bought. ✅

Drinks bought. ✅

Cards sent. ✅

Gravadlax made. ✅

Just need to wrap presents and apart from cooking Xmas dinner, I'm done. 😃

MarzipanCrumble

I stress so much over cooking Christmas Dinner (it shld be in caps) - I wish I didn't.   Thanks for this thread because next Christmas I think I will tweak to cause less stress. 

Organgrinder

MarzipanCrumble said:

I stress so much over cooking Christmas Dinner (it shld be in caps) - I wish I didn't.   Thanks for this thread because next Christmas I think I will tweak to cause less stress. 

Dead easy for me this year. 

Turkey is the longest thing, but it's just a small one so dead easy. 

Then roast potatoes to be done, roast parsnips and carrots. Red cabbage to braise with apple and cinnamon. 

Final things. Turkey out to rest. Starters in air fryer (scallop gratins), Yorkies in for last 20 mins along with pigs in blankets and stuffing balls.

Dessert is a Christmas cheesecake as we don't really like Christmas pudding.

Breakfast will be the homemade gravadlax on sourdough with dill and mustard dressing.

The evening, a charcuterie board plus cheese and crackers.

And definitely no king's speech!

Katiehound

Red cabbage a la Delia can be made several days before as it keeps well  and can be frozen too) you can even make it in the slow cooker

Organgrinder

Well today the gravadlax will be ready. It's a 48 hour cure, so just a few more hours to wait.

Have done a whole side so will be eating it all week!

Organgrinder

Missing that nonsense is essential. Why ruin what should be a lovely day?

What next? Standing to attention when the anthem plays? 

Organgrinder

Ah the IoW, last outpost of the British Empire. 

uralmaid

Oh dear. I wish the Royal Family good health and happiness but haven't got the time to be sitting down at 3pm to watch his speech. Much more important stuff to do. Each to their own but it is a bit of an antiquated idea. The idea of standing up when the anthem plays is also.  All that time wasting won't get the finishing touches to the Christmas meal done or the canapes served - can't do either of these whilst standing to attention and tugging your forelock