Christmas Day Lunch

[Tilly2]

Our local Wetherspoons is doing a four course Christmas Day lunch for £24.99. My husband thinks it's a good idea to go there 'to save me the stress of cooking for six people.' Actually, there's more to it than that. It's the stress of having certain people in my home for a whole day. (Arrrgh!)

In the past, when we were both working, we all went to a posh local pub/restaurant which charged £60.00 per head and we paid for everyone. We can't afford that any more and our relatives cannot afford to pay for themselves.
It just seems like a bit of a come down to me. Has anyone been to a Wetherspoons for Christmas Day?

[Psybbo]

Tilly, I really feel for you. Book Wetherspoons and tell them that's what you will be doing for future Christmas Lunches. You could be lucky (or unlucky) and the meal be poor so those people may decide to break the tradition themselves! But you must insist that thats what going to happen from now on. Enjoy your Christmas Dinner on Boxing Day xxx

[Tilly2]

Thanks everyone for your support and feedback. These are not people I despise. They are family members, some of whom are really tiresome, especially if you're with them all day.

If the food is awful, then it's a good excuse to leave early and go home.

[888sally888]

I have a dread of Xmas too - I fell out with my sister but I know my mum will make such a fuss if we dont all spend xmas day together. Am so dreading it and would love to do what I want!

[murraymints]

this year because of my dad's condition and the fact that he is due chemo on the 22nd..we are having christmas at mum's instead of going out as we usually do...so I am ordering everything from M&S it is all prepared..just pop it in the oven..also my birthday so will be spared the embarrassment of happy birthday song in front of folk !!!

[magsmay]

Tilly -why do you feel you need to spend all day with them. Tell them dinner is at yours at say 1pm -send really nice invites stating dinner at 1pm arrive 12 for cocktails -or something like that. THEN.....tell them you are invited somewhere and must leave the house at 4pm -sorted! They may also be grateful they don't have to spend all day at yours -I know that sounds bad -not meant like that just sometimes everybody at a family function does not want to be there including the 'unwanted' guests!

[pizza]

f.a.o.murraymints,sorry to read your comment about dad's chemo puts it all into perspective, best wishes to you and yours x

[pizza]

That is a good idea from magsmay because you are obviously a nice person Tilly and would feel guilty not having these relatives round on Christmas Day x

[murraymints]

Thank you Pizza..one day at a time !!!

[pizza]

You're welcome x

[boxtops]

personally, I wouldn't go to Wetherspoons - the only time we were out for Christmas (not there), we had a very inferior meal because the staff are run off their feet getting so many people served at the same time. We also like to spread our meal out - it can last well into the evening!

What will you do when you've eaten, tilly? I'll bet they all trek back to yours.

Go away - do something different for a change - you need to break the pattern