The Case For Not Hosting Christmas Dinner

December 7, 2018

Christmas is a time for family gatherings, opening presents and creating memories with loved ones. It’s a great holiday (though as far as dads are concerned, it’s the second best out there). But there is one cheat that many parents are neglecting. One way to make the holidays even better is…to not host Christmas dinner.

This might sound blasphemous. Surely, dads relish the opportunity to carve up the Christmas ham, or dress up as Santa for everyone and hand out gifts to nephews and nieces, sons and daughters alike. But hear us out. Here is the case for not hosting Christmas dinner.

Less Stress

Now, we’re not saying you should go the “Chinese restaurant” route. You can still have Christmas dinner without hosting. Let an uncle or grandparent host instead, and you’d be amazed at how much less stress you have. Sure, you can’t lounge around the house all day, you’ll have to get up, gather the family, and travel somewhere else for your dinner, but that is a lot less work than having to prepare your house for a dozen or more people.

No Cooking

This can also double as a “less stress” for moms out there, though for those chef dads who have mastered cooking beyond the grill, and even know some nifty cooking hacks, this applies to them as well. Cooking for your family can be a rewarding experience, but outside of a barbecue, cooking for a lot of family is a lot of work. When you just have to prepare a side, or buy a few pies, instead of planning an entire meal, you’re going to have a much happier Christmas.

No Cleaning

This is a huge one. The mess left behind after a Christmas dinner is incalculable. There will be so many glasses and spare plates littering the house that the mere thought of cleaning them all can set you into a panic. But can you imagine? A Christmas when you don’t have to clean? It’s a gift. A true gift.

You’re Free To Be Lazy

And here is the final benefit of Christmas away from home. Yes, you have to get somewhere at a set time, and you have to drive or, more likely, get someone willing to only have a glass of wine to drive everyone home. But when you’re hosting Christmas dinner, you are running around, making sure everything is in place. As a guest, you have no such worry. There is one host, but many guests, so you’re free to sit back, splurge on hors d’oeuvres, and alternate between beer and egg nog. It’s a truly special way to spend a holiday.