by TeresaFoodie » December 9th, 2017, 5:34 am
I too have an idea in my head of a perfect Christmas day feasting and the reality one!
Perfect would be a likened to when I was much younger. To avoid family squabbles about are we going to your parents or mine, me and my partner at the time spent every Christmas, just us together, at home. He ate meat, I didn't, so there would be a small turkey joint for him, nut roast for me, all the trimmings, and this would be eaten around 2pm, giving us enough time to get up, open his Christmas tips (he was a postman) and then crack on with our ritual.....the night before we would wrap twelve individual presents for each other, number them, pop them in a stocking and at random pick out a number and open the relevant gift on the hour every hour. One gift would be a miniature spirit which, no matter what time you pulled that one out, you had to neck. So that could be JD for breakfast! Christmas tunes in the background would be a must! We weren't too fussed about the Queen's speech but traditionally would end up watching it. Cats would get homemade turkey gravy. The table was something only really used at Christmas so out would come the tablecloth, loads of crackers, silly hats, photos, no starter, Christmas pudding with soya cream for me, brandy butter for him. Then in front of the TV. Usually Only Fools and Horses or The Royle Family. Nod off Invariably with a glass of port or sherry. Ah, thems were the days.
This year I have no idea what is happening for a variety of reasons. My family are a few miles away, I have no transport so rely on my Mum but she won't drive in the dark, and she has nowhere to put me up for the night, also my Sister is in a custody battle going on with her youngest over Christmas access so there are currently no fixed plans, so...i could end up staying here, in which case I would speak to my elderly neighbour who is going to be spending it here away from family on his own. He has been offered a church lunch through Help The Aged for £5 but has depression and has lived many years as a recluse. He doesn't socialise well. I do have a giggle with him so I could offer to go with him or cook some food here. I have my decorations up and Christmas music. I think this idea could work well and could help with his first Christmas ever on his own. I'd be happy doing all the cooking as long as we ate at around 2pm. I can see my family Boxing day, he can't. There would have to be loads of Brussel sprouts and port or sherry! And crackers!
Whatever happens, and as has always been the case for me, pubs will not be involved! I hate all that pre-Christmas lunch stuff in a boozer, but then a quiet pub with log fire and friendly dog walkers would be nice, but find one round here you'll be lucky.
So we'll see nearer the time!
I either win, or I learn