Do you eat out on Christmas Day? [Day 10]

Hannah_Alumni

Apologies for this being a day late! 

For day 10 of the 12 days of Debates, I wondered what people's opinions on eating out are?

In my family, my brother and dad wouldn't mind eating at a restaurant or pub Christmas Day. But after working a short stint in the hospitality business I know for some it can be quite difficult.

I personally wouldn't want to eat out Christmas day. I think Christmas should be at home and I don't mind being the one to cook. Although others might

But I see the other side, that it's a lot of work if you have a big gathering.

What are your thoughts? 

66Mustang

I think, even though I am paying them a lot of money, I would feel guilty that others are away from their home and family on Christmas Day just so that they can serve me.

woodbine

From the age of 10 until I left home at 22 we always had xmas dinner out and usually the same place my mum and dad continued to do so until it got too expensive, around £60 each in 1993/4 from then on they came to us for Christmas Day but always brought the turkey and lots of drink.

Ada

If like private nursing you can choose to work. Then it’s ok. As I had no family I always worked Christmas n new year. I never was a new year party or pub goer. 

As much as I’m not a mixer.  I might quite like the atmosphere of a Christmas pub lunch. There is never a Christmas atmosphere in my home. 

Hannah_Alumni

I think there are many people who like to work Christmas Day. Who may not have friends or family, may not celebrate it, or maybe want to be able to help? I've seen many restaurants open for the homeless over Christmas. 

Like you @66Mustang I always feel that little bit guilty. I think there are those businesses that will treat their staff unkindly not matter the day / season. But I don't want to add to it on Christmas. I also don't want to be judged when I have a 4th pig in blanket

@woodbine It has gotten quite expensive! I had dinner at a chain restaurant who will be open on Christmas Day. It can cost me around £30-£35 with my part of the tip for three courses and drinks. For the same, where I couldn't eat two of the courses, it would cost me £80. I was quite shocked! 

66Mustang

It didn't occur to me that there are people who choose to work on Christmas Day, that is a good point. If you don't celebrate or are just not particularly festive I imagine it is actually quite an attractive day to work as you are probably on triple time or something? I remember my Dad having to go in for half an hour one Christmas and getting a whole day's pay.

Hannah_Alumni

@66Mustang My friend works as a midwife and her and a team member swap, so she gets Christmas off and my friend works Eid for her. And her team member loves it as I believe it's double time? But she also likes to tally Christmas baby names

But like working in a restaurant, none of the team I worked with wanted to work it at all. It was either work it or lose your jobs kind of mentality. I found another job and left. 

Beaver79

We go to my parents at Christmas. I have never eaten out on Christmas day.

Jimm_Scope

This year me and my partner are having chinese food, it's our first Christmas just the two of us. We've always spent it with my family before.

And for her, chinese food is a christmas tradition. In the states most chinese restaurants/takeaway places stay open, because they don't celebrate christmas. So many Jewish people get chinese food on Christmas day, since most people are off work and most other food places are closed.

Rosie_Scope

I've never been out to a restaurant for Christmas dinner and I'm not sure I'd want to. I quite like homecooked food, and my dietary needs make it difficult to trust anyone outside of my immediate family, especially on Christmas day. Getting poisoned isn't high up on my Christmas list!

But I can see why some people might prefer it. It must be a lot easier if you struggle with cooking for whatever reason, and maybe adds an extra sense of community to the day if you go somewhere around others

Sandy_123

No never on Xmas day, we cook to have plenty left overs for boxing day, so  no cooking on that day. If we ate out we wouldn't be able to do that. We like a,l the family from children up to be sat around the table at home.

poppy123456

No, i've never been to restaurant on Christmas day and probably never will. I've just found out today that my eldest daughter is off work Xmas eve and Day so we will be joining her, my son in law, his mother and my grandchildren for Christmas dinner. We will go over late morning armed with all the presents so the little ones can open them before we eat. It will also be lovely not to have to cook again this year.

csalt

My husband is registered disabled and is  not able to go out except by ambulance transport for hospital appts.
We shall be here at home today and have some Christmassy Wiltshire Farm Foods for lunch. Wiltshire Farm Foods have a huge selection and go straight from the freezer into the microwave.
I have chronic back problems so am not able to make good use of the oven anymore.
Sadly, our daughter doesn't speak to us any more. I find this incredibly sad as I honestly have not done anything to deserve it. We are in God's Hands.
Happy Christmas everyone.

MarkH75

I stay home with my lovely partner of 15 years and we have both just cooked and eaten a roast beef dinner. Beef wasn't great as was a cheap cut but veg was delicious and the leftover veg is going to become a soup for lunch tomorrow. 

Autism_at_40

I have eaten out on Christmas once with my ex and his family.  I didn't really enjoy it, it was very busy and expensive too.  

I've also worked in the hospitality industry, so know what it can be like.  I wouldn't want to work it.

I prefer being at home, you can control what you eat and drink, it's not as expensive and you can sit and watch a good film when you're done eating.