I went with Mediterranean food. Jacksonville kind of rolls up the sidewalks on Christmas Eve, so I was not faced with a wealth of choices.
Domino’s and a trazodone.
We do Chinese (at a restaurant, not take away)…have for the last 10 years or so:)
And, since you didn’t ask, we do sushi for New Year’s Eve!
My roommate took me to dinner last night. We started with steamed clams, and had steak and lobster for dinner. And we each had a pint of Mac & Jack’s.
In the prehistoric ages, my Mom used to cook, what I don’t remember, but it made her very cranky and I was very glad when it stopped.
Some years ago, we stated getting Chinese take out and I was very pleased with this outcome.
For the last several years we have gone to a fancy restaurant Xmas buffet, and this is fine with me. I slightly prefer Chinese food than generic American holiday buffet, but the buffet at least ends at a certain point and doesn’t involve cleanup.
Oh shit, you said Xmas Eve. Didn’t realize, thought in my miniscule attention span is was actual Xmas.
Xmas Eve I go to what is effectively Xmas, on my Dad’s side of the family. This year we had a huge Sub, mac & beef, mixed veggies, garlic knots, deviled eggs, chicken wings (spicy). In the past there used to be some other entree that my Aunt cooked rather than getting a sub but I don’t remember what. We also used to have biscuits instead of garlic knots.
We did lasagna this year, with toasted ravioli (St. Louis people here), mini rye bread pizzas, salad, french bread etc. Buffalo chicken dip and spinach artichoke dip for starters. Last year I cooked and made baked pasta, we’ve ordered pizza before, sandwiches are common (get varieties of meats/cheeses/breads etc and let everyone make their own). We never do turkey/ham type dinners. It’s always more casual and always delicious and we make sure everyone is pleased with what is being served (which is why we had ravioli and mini pizzas, my dad is weird and doesn’t like lasagna. He is crazy, my aunt’s lasagna is amazing).
This is my mother’s side and we only have 12 people, and it alternates from my mother’s house and my aunt’s year to year. My father’s side on Christmas day…well we had about 50 people at my cousins’ house yesterday. We had 3 kinds of meat - 2 turkeys, brisket, a tray full of lemon chicken breasts, etc!