Have caused an upset!

Am I the only one who can see this from the young family's point of view?
No you're not merlotgran

I was trying to ensure they still had the Christmas dinner they were looking forward to but ensuring that goldengirl can enjoy the time with them too without being a kitchen slave.

It's all there waiting for you on the supermarket shelves. M&S even do red cabbage read to re-heat

You can always put it into nice dishes and pretend you cooked it all from scratch if that would make you feel better.

'How to Cheat at Christmas' by Gransnetters.

Re-reading the OP it seems that you have had these conversations with your DS goldengirl and that you suggested they came to you. Some men are not always good at picking up on what women mean - and some women are not good at stating how they feel.

I would keep to the arrangments and use whatever shortcuts you can, then hope to be invited to their house next year.
I presume they are rushing off because the other grandparents want to see the children too.

It’s NOT cheating to buy from M&S or any other foodie shop to provide a lovely meal for family. Why on earth should it be?

I hope you are able to find an easy, simple and happy solution goldengirl.

I was thinking of that very old book by Delia called 'How to Cheat at Cooking'

Thank you all so much for your positive ideas. I only learned today that the family instead of coming late morning as originally planned were coming early in the morning which was worrying me as it takes me a while to get going. They were then leaving around 2.30 to return home and entertain the inlaws. If they could stay a bit longer I could take my time and wouldn't have felt rushed but I appreciate they are rushing around too trying to please everyone. Hopefully it will all work out. I feel bad about it I must admit, partly I guess because I'm not on top form.

goldengirl cook the turkey and stuffing the night befor (or whatever you are having) and re-heat on the day. Prepare all the veg the night before and buy a microwave or cold pudding. Whatever you do try and relax and enjoy the company as it sounds as though the young ones are trying to fit in time with all the grandparents and to please everyone. Hope you have a good Christmas.

Thanks Crafting. If they come - and they are still very welcome - there will be 9 of us which makes a good party. It was fun last year but there weren't any time constraints and I was that bit fitter!!!

Just giving an update. DS contacted me today and suggested the family came over on New Year's Day for the whole day. I said YES!!! All is well and the children will benefit by having 2 Christmases - one with each set of grandparents. I'm so relieved - and I'm looking forward to it

Do be careful if you re-heat a whole turkey that it is piping hot all the way through - use a meat thermometer.

Was it Gordon Ramsay who said that his mother used to cook the turkey on Christmas Eve then re-heat it on Christmas Day and he was surprised none of them got food poisoning!

That sounds like a good solution goldengirl!

For 20 years my BIL catered for 300 on xmas day at his restaurant/ function suite. everything was cooked the day before. All the meat was sliced and put in gravy in the large oven tins and then in the fridges and then into the oven on the day.

Ah! sliced and put into gravy then thoroughly reheated.
I think Gordon R said his mother warmed the whole turkey again.