WE have a special Christmas eve dinner, special christmas breakfast, lunch and dinner.

We have Christmas lunch late on Christmas Day and it is always amazing!

Never heard of charging family for Christmas lunch… How ridiculous. I’d never accept an invitation to a family Christmas that I had to pay for. I’d certainly not invite people and charge them either. Very rude and selfish. Everyone puts in time and effort to prepare a meal.

We have Christmas lunch on Christmas Day and couldn’t imagine it any other way.

Nowadays families are split all over the place, this year more than ever. We do a Xmas Eve sea food, and then a turkey and sides on Xmas day. Simple, and easy. It can be stressful

Many of my friends from international backgrounds have Christmas Eve/dinner celebrations. We always have Christmas lunch (hot) and dinner (leftovers) or visit with friends. Last year, we enjoyed Xmas lunch with friends (not family). It was so much fun, more relaxed, less expectation… but a full lunch that blended into dinner. We expect to do it again. Christmas celebrations with extended family (or mine) have been so traumatic, I’ve chosen to be kind to myself and our family and to do it in a way that works for us. It’s time we enjoyed Christmas celebrations.

Our Christmas has always been a casual affair. We work out who will bring what so all I usually have to do is put the turkey in the oven. We basically have the turkey with salads. The guys would go outside and play cricket with the kids while the women set up the table. After everyone has finished eating the men and the kids would clean up, put the dishes in the dishwasher and then we’d all enjoy the rest of the day. The meal at night would be whatever was left from lunchtime.
Also I would never charge family for the day. If I was going to be charged $ to go somewhere for Christmas, it had better be a swanky restaurant.

I can understand where she’s coming from but in the same token you can still do most of the prep work a couple days before. We do a special breakfast and then a big dinner so there’s plenty of time to socialise in between.

We used to always do Christmas day, but we are doing Christmas eve this year. I think I will like it better. Back in Canada (where I moved from 25 years ago) I had Catholic friends that had their big meal on Christmas eve after they went to mass. I have also had other friends who always did Boxing Day. I don’t really think it matters. You do you, you know?

As long as I can remember Christmas Day celebrations can mean a day of raught, anxiety and for some a feeling of losing control.
It’s a bit of a mind over matter issue and particularly after this year a “Celebration” is in order.
For us we have a set time for Lunch and we all bring something to add to the meal and for Dinner it’s a more relaxed affair and we are there for others who couldn’t make Lunch due to other family commitments. It seems to work well. I hope your Christmas is special for you too.

We tend to just catch up with the family on whatever day they are free. Have lots of cold meats for a smorgasbord along with lots of salads. Then we just go with the flow.

I don’t cook anything (other than eggs for salad) on Christmas Day. I cook all meats on Christmas Eve during the day and then on Christmas Day have a “smorgasboard” cold meat and salad foods where everyone helps themselves. Have done this for years and everyone enjoys it. Most Christmas Days are too hot for cooking and hot food anyway!!

I would disappointed if my family moved it but a lot of Europeans do this they celebrate Christmas Eve

We are super easy going with this. We will have a Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve or even Boxing Day. It all depends what day suits our family best. I don’t see the big deal

We do Xmas dinner on Xmas day to spend time with the kids during the day and have a relaxing time. But I think you should just do what suits you and your family

Each to their own I say, do what is best for your family

• • 
  • • mom93821 replied
    • 07 Nov 2020 , 11:32 am

  ---

  Exactly! Christmas is a time to unwind and relax and to not feel any pressure.

Absolutely do what’s going to make you happy! Christmas is best spent with children. Whilst we still do Christmas lunch, I no longer cook a chicken, ham and turkey. Now I cook one and the others come from the deli. Make it simple and enjoyable

I wouldn’t charge guests. It takes away from the feeling at Christmas. If all parties agree. Move the date though why not

I can see the logic, but can see it would cause a ripple effect if it’s always been on Christmas day, and at a loss if this was the assumed day for extended family to get together. I think charging is wrong, and one couple who did enjoyed numerous hospitality events at others’ houses throughout the year that didn’t charge them.

Moving christmas lunch seems quite reasonable to me.