Christmas 2024

[RichA]

This year will be mine and MrsA's first christmas at home on our own in 27 years together.
We haven't really decided yet what to eat. We both love a properly cooked FR turkey but it'll be too big for just 2 of us. I'll probably pop into Waitrose a few days before 25th and pick whatever joint looks nicest. Obviously I'll be doing it with every trimming conceivable.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

My wife will do the cooking, I'm in charge of the prep and clean up. I spent years fighting against turkey but I've given up now. It's a red line for her . I don't dislike it, I just don't think it is particularly good and there are better options. Anyway, she does all the usual stuff and does it very well. She used to add salmon but I kept pointing out that no one ever that so thankfully that has ended now. 7 of us this year, in laws are coming as it is just simpler to have it at our house.

A mate of mine from years ago was a vegetarian, along with his parents, when there weren't many options. They used to go to Rusholme in Manchester, Curry Mile, on Christmas Day for their Christmas dinner. Indian restaurants were ahead of the rest of the UK when it came to veggie food at that time and so that was their preferred option. I admired their choice, but not sure I could carry it off.

 

[GB72]

Ordered a full rump and a fillet tail from iDevour (arriving today actually) so will be option of rump roast or fillet steak for 6 folks with yorkies, roasties and honey glazed veg.

Then my dad's home made Christmas pud with brandy butter or custard.

am all for brandy butter or custard on the Xmas pud but my partner has persuaded me that this year I need to try it with good clotted cream.

 

[GreiginFife]

am all for brandy butter or custard on the Xmas pud but my partner has persuaded me that this year I need to try it with good clotted cream.

Normally I'd say each to their own... but on this occasion, I can only say SACRILEGE!!!

 

[GB72]

Normally I'd say each to their own... but on this occasion, I can only say SACRILEGE!!!

She's originally from Devon so you have to let them off with their local idiosyncrasies

 

[D-S]

She's originally from Devon so you have to let them off with their local idiosyncrasies

Does that mean the cream goes under the Christmas Pudding?

 

[GB72]

Does that mean the cream goes under the Christmas Pudding?

I dare not even think about going into that whole debate

 

[RichA]

My wife will do the cooking, I'm in charge of the prep and clean up. I spent years fighting against turkey but I've given up now. It's a red line for her . I don't dislike it, I just don't think it is particularly good and there are better options. Anyway, she does all the usual stuff and does it very well. She used to add salmon but I kept pointing out that no one ever that so thankfully that has ended now. 7 of us this year, in laws are coming as it is just simpler to have it at our house.

A mate of mine from years ago was a vegetarian, along with his parents, when there weren't many options. They used to go to Rusholme in Manchester, Curry Mile, on Christmas Day for their Christmas dinner. Indian restaurants were ahead of the rest of the UK when it came to veggie food at that time and so that was their preferred option. I admired their choice, but not sure I could carry it off.

After a yoof of christmas turkeys cooked badly by my mother I thought it was overrated.
Then I had it cooked properly by MiL and realised that done properly it doesn't have to take 6 hours and is a thing of beauty.

 

[AmandaJR]

After a yoof of christmas turkeys cooked badly by my mother I thought it was overrated.
Then I had it cooked properly by MiL and realised that done properly it doesn't have to take 6 hours and is a thing of beauty.

It's the sprouts that take 6 hours.

 

[Imurg]

It's the sprouts that take 6 hours.

The longer you cook 'em the more gaseous they become........

 

[RichA]

It's the sprouts that take 6 hours.

Only actually discovered that I like sprouts a year ago. Again, cooked properly rather than boiled to death, like mum used to.

 

[AmandaJR]

Reminds me of when my sister's bf (to become husband) came round for Christmas Dinner. My Dad was a good cook and we always had our veg al dente. He asked her to ask him to cook his veg "thoroughly". So he literally got mushy mashed veg whilst we enjoyed our usual perfectly cooked ones.

 

[Beezerk]

Down at the in laws in Malvern as usual, the mother in law makes a mean Xmas dinner so I’m looking forward to it
Plenty of chilli flakes on top does it for me

 

[Don Barzini]

Guys and gals, today I come before you begging for some inspiration!

I am in a seven-way secret Santa with my family. Me, wife, my mum and dad, my brother and his wife and my auntie. Thing is though, you don’t have a specific person to buy for. Each man buys a gift suitable for a man, each woman buys a gift for a woman. At exchange, piles of presents go in the middle and you pick at random from the man’s or woman’s pile (obviously not your own!)

Budget is £15. Wife and I have no idea what to get. Parents and auntie are in their 70s, us kids are in our 40s. So it’s a difficult brief to get something that could be suitable both for a 70-something and a 40-something!

Auntie doesn’t like candles or body creams so that sort of thing is off the table for the woman’s present. My dad doesn’t drink much any more so alcohol is a no-no.

Wife and I are struggling for ideas. So….help!

PS. Don’t bother pointing out what a stupid system this is. All that will happen is that I will wholeheartedly agree with you! It was conceived a couple of years back by my mum and my sister in law as a way of still exchanging presents with each other but limiting the number you have to buy and the amount you have to spend!

EDIT. I did have the idea of just buying 15 quids worth of scratch cards and/or lotto tickets. Wife thought that was a good idea and says we should do that for both man’s and woman’s presents. Not sure if it shows a bit of a lack of effort though…?

 

[Neilds]

Guys and gals, today I come before you begging for some inspiration!

I am in a seven-way secret Santa with my family. Me, wife, my mum and dad, my brother and his wife and my auntie. Thing is though, you don’t have a specific person to buy for. Each man buys a gift suitable for a man, each woman buys a gift for a woman. At exchange, piles of presents go in the middle and you pick at random from the man’s or woman’s pile (obviously not your own!)

Budget is £15. Wife and I have no idea what to get. Parents and auntie are in their 70s, us kids are in our 40s. So it’s a difficult brief to get something that could be suitable both for a 70-something and a 40-something!

Auntie doesn’t like candles or body creams so that sort of thing is off the table for the woman’s present. My dad doesn’t drink much any more so alcohol is a no-no.

Wife and I are struggling for ideas. So….help!

PS. Don’t bother pointing out what a stupid system this is. All that will happen is that I will wholeheartedly agree with you! It was conceived a couple of years back by my mum and my sister in law as a way of still exchanging presents with each other but limiting the number you have to buy and the amount you have to spend!

EDIT. I did have the idea of just buying 15 quids worth of scratch cards and/or lotto tickets. Wife thought that was a good idea and says we should do that for both man’s and woman’s presents. Not sure if it shows a bit of a lack of effort though…?

What about the small hamper sets of chutney/biscuits/jams etc? Suitable for all ages

 

[Slab]

Bop It game. Don't care how old you are its still fun to watch ppl get confused on xmas day especially when they've had a few
still under 15

 

[GB72]

Simple games are good. I have bought a shut the box set for a few secret santas and it always goes down well. Otherwise the small hamper idea is good

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Guys and gals, today I come before you begging for some inspiration!


EDIT. I did have the idea of just buying 15 quids worth of scratch cards and/or lotto tickets. Wife thought that was a good idea and says we should do that for both man’s and woman’s presents. Not sure if it shows a bit of a lack of effort though…?

Do the scratch cards. As you say, it's a stupid system that is stressing you out. Why comply? Get the scratch cards, job done.

Maybe next year you can point back to this and suggest dropping it.

 

[Bazz]

Guys and gals, today I come before you begging for some inspiration!

I am in a seven-way secret Santa with my family. Me, wife, my mum and dad, my brother and his wife and my auntie. Thing is though, you don’t have a specific person to buy for. Each man buys a gift suitable for a man, each woman buys a gift for a woman. At exchange, piles of presents go in the middle and you pick at random from the man’s or woman’s pile (obviously not your own!)

Budget is £15. Wife and I have no idea what to get. Parents and auntie are in their 70s, us kids are in our 40s. So it’s a difficult brief to get something that could be suitable both for a 70-something and a 40-something!

Auntie doesn’t like candles or body creams so that sort of thing is off the table for the woman’s present. My dad doesn’t drink much any more so alcohol is a no-no.

Wife and I are struggling for ideas. So….help!

PS. Don’t bother pointing out what a stupid system this is. All that will happen is that I will wholeheartedly agree with you! It was conceived a couple of years back by my mum and my sister in law as a way of still exchanging presents with each other but limiting the number you have to buy and the amount you have to spend!

EDIT. I did have the idea of just buying 15 quids worth of scratch cards and/or lotto tickets. Wife thought that was a good idea and says we should do that for both man’s and woman’s presents. Not sure if it shows a bit of a lack of effort though…?

You're in the food territory there I think, don't need to worry about the right size or colour. With a budget of £15 you could get some really really good biscuits or chocolate.

 

[GB72]

First year that my exs family had a similar secret santa, everyone ended up with mugs. Mugs were banned as an option after that.