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What do you wear Christmas Day, actively hosting?

(41 Posts)
CanadianGran Thu 30-Nov-23 18:29:46

We have the family over for mid-day lunch on Christmas, the gang start arriving by around 11:00. Later in the afternoon friends will pop in for a drink and nosh.

Christmas day, I tend to dress not formally, but nicer than usual, but most of my items are sweater-dress or sweaters (jumpers to you!). I always end up getting too hot because I am doing a turkey dinner, and look a red shiny mess by the time I sit down.

I'm determined this year to find a nice blouse, but one that the sleeves can roll up. I do take my apron off by the time I sit for dinner.

Do you dress nicely, and what do you wear?

Norah Sat 02-Dec-23 14:22:34

CanadianGran Norah, that is a lot of cooking and hosting! You must be exhausted by New Years!

We've 4 children with spouse, quite spread in ages, they each have 2 children, with spouse, and those GC have lots of GGC one has GGGC. I also have siblings with spouses, children, GC, GGC and GGGC.

We used to have everyone at once, but it's chaotic unless a garden party. Much easier is a one daughter with spouse family of 15-24 each weekend during Advent. Easy food, no time consuming tedious sauces or gravy.

Susie42 Sat 02-Dec-23 14:08:09

I've managed to escape hosting Christmas for over 20 years.

Judy54 Sat 02-Dec-23 13:56:07

Something smart and comfortable. Usually a pair of crushed velvet trousers (with an elasticated waist of course) and a sparkly top and cardigan that I can take off if I get to hot.

CanadianGran Fri 01-Dec-23 20:37:56

Norah, that is a lot of cooking and hosting! You must be exhausted by New Years!

I find every year I put on a nice sweater, then get too hot with extra people in the house, plus the oven on. I have some new grey cords, so will look for a light top or blouse. I realize that is a gap in my wardrobe; no blouses really.

People here don't really do Christmas sweaters unless it's a themed party, then you have to make your own.

AreWeThereYet Fri 01-Dec-23 20:20:42

Always a dress, hosting or not. I put on something old instead of the dress while I'm cooking, then when we're almost ready to sit and eat quickly change into the dress. I have some bell earrings that only get worn at Christmas.

Doodle Fri 01-Dec-23 20:18:49

Hi Urms lovely to see you 😊👋

Urmstongran Fri 01-Dec-23 19:57:17

Hi Doodle! 👋

Doodle Fri 01-Dec-23 19:47:33

Our son and family hosted us last year in their new festive themed pyjamas. They looked great and we had a good laugh.

Witzend Fri 01-Dec-23 19:03:45

Usually dark blue jeggings with a Christmas jumper, but this year I’ve got some dark green, velvety trousers which I’ll wear with a red jumper. And the annual apron, since although I’m not officially hosting I’ll almost certainly be making gravy and doing other fat-splashy things.

AskAlice Fri 01-Dec-23 18:56:57

I've got some brown and black tiger print stretch fabric which is lovely and sparkly, and I'm tempted to make myself a wide legged lounge suit with it to wear on Christmas day. This year is the first in about 40 years that I've not had to cook Christmas dinner as my DD is hosting the family so I think I'll make the most of it!

Curlywhirly Fri 01-Dec-23 18:32:58

A sparkly black top and black trousers or I have a couple of black crepe fitted dresses that are not dry clean (so important if I am cooking - a couple of years ago I was lifting a ham out of the roasting tin and got covered in splashes of grease!). I am very fond of black, which luckily comes into its own at Christmas 🙄

Norah Fri 01-Dec-23 13:48:49

We host separate meals for each daughter, their spouse, their children (our GC), their spouses and children (our GGC) on a day near Christmas.

With 4 daughters and families the number of guests is near 90, we can't do that any longer at one go. Meals begin this weekend, they each select their own menu.

We select smart jeans and jumpers. We have our own Christmas lunch, at noon on Christmas, again jeans and jumpers, neither of us are too warm.

Oreo Fri 01-Dec-23 10:41:17

You look great Merlotgran warm and relaxed.
I’ll wear a shirt with velvet trousers as our small house gets overheated with relatives there, but we all try and wear the naffest jumpers we can find for Boxing Day.When I was growing up we didn’t celebrate Christmas much but always had a special meal for the main two days with family.Mixed Jewish and Christian family but non religious.

annodomini Fri 01-Dec-23 10:38:16

Warm but sparkly jumper and black jersey trousers. Pearls, of course. Most of the family favour the smart-casual look,

Doodledog Fri 01-Dec-23 09:25:08

Lovely cardi, Urms, and elf sweatshirt, Merlot grin

keepcalmandcavachon Fri 01-Dec-23 09:21:46

Black trousers and silky over shirt, though I'd really like to go all Margo Leadbetter and float around in a fab kaftan!

Pittcity Fri 01-Dec-23 09:18:53

Layers!
I wear a Christmas t shirt, a different one each year bought cheaply, with a red or green cardigan and jeans or smarter trousers depending on circumstances.

Redhead56 Fri 01-Dec-23 09:14:04

Breakfast in pjs Christmas jumper and leggings later I like a bit of sparkle adds to the occasion.

Doodledog Fri 01-Dec-23 06:47:51

I have a new burgundy velvet top for this year, which I will wear with black leggings (either velvet or ‘brocade’ ones - fancier than my usual plain stretch cotton ones, but old standbys whichever I opt for). The whole outfit is stretchy, washable and comfortable, so I won’t feel overdressed. Oh, and I’ll wear a statement necklace too.

MrsKen33 Fri 01-Dec-23 06:38:00

Probably a cashmere jumper and cords. Plain jumper and no Christmas, bells, trees etc. Plus silver jewellery and a big pinny.

Mizuna Fri 01-Dec-23 02:43:15

Going to son's, not cooking, so will wear a black and white tiered top (£2 in Asda's sale) with black leggings to match my new black leg brace. 😆 Usual ankle boots. Accessories: same home-made jewellery I always wear plus a hippy-style scarf plus grey NHS crutches to which I'll add some sparkle.

Whitewavemark2 Fri 01-Dec-23 02:12:13

Going to sons so not cooking, I shall almost certainly wear a long sleeved dress of some sort.

Boxing Day I am hosting so it will be a Christmas jumper I think, although I haven’t got one - I will have a Look in M&S. if not a lightweight sweater and trousers.

maddyone Fri 01-Dec-23 00:38:29

We’re going to son number one’s although son number two and family will be there too, and daughter in law’s daughter and family. As I’m not going to be in the kitchen I’ll probably wear either my velvet skirt or smart black jeans, and a nice gold batwing jumper I have in the wardrobe. I think. I’ll have to have another root round in the wardrobe before I make my final decision.

Summerfly Fri 01-Dec-23 00:09:51

That’s perfect Merlotgran.
Love the cardigan Urmstongran. Very chic. We’ll be going to DD’s for Christmas this year so as I’m not cooking, I’ll probably wear a sparkly top and black pants. It’s nice to dress up.

merlotgran Thu 30-Nov-23 23:58:35

Oooh! I really like that cardigan. Right up my street.

This is my entry for the family Christmas jumper competition.