Opinion: Dining out on Christmas Day is gaining in popularity

It’s a Christmas move that was once regarded as unthinkable, but in our modern “anything goes” world, it’s gaining popularity, writes Gary Martin. VOTE IN OUR POLL

The tables are turning on dining out on Christmas Day. Travel back in time a decade or so, and the idea of enjoying Christmas lunch at a restaurant was regarded as unthinkable, unlikely and – possibly – unacceptable.

Fast-forward to today, and in our modern “anything goes” world, eating out on Christmas Day is trending.

There is something wonderfully traditional about a home-cooked Christmas meal. It is often where family recipes, passed down from generation to generation like precious heirlooms, come to life.

A Christmas meal at home is where Grandma’s cherished fruit trifle, your brother’s famous honey-glazed ham and your mum’s very own rosemary roasted potatoes outshine even the brightest star at the top of any Christmas tree.

In a home-based Christmas, the kitchen becomes centre stage to a heartwarming hub of activities, filled with inviting aromas, lots of great conversations and plenty of laughter. Of course, there is a lot of work involved. But it is the kind of labour that is laced with love and sprinkled with the spirit of the season.

Yet cooking for Christmas is not without its own feast of challenges. Nothing erodes the festive spirit quicker in some households than having to slave over the stove for days on end.

And once the last morsel is consumed, there is the aftermath to contend with: a mountain of greasy dishes, enough leftovers to feed three households for a full week but limited fridge storage and little energy to clean up.

It is why some of us have added a restaurant meal option to their festive season menus. Eating out allows everyone, including the hosts, to relax and enjoy the day, offers a real escape from the usual holiday routine and can infuse a sense of novelty and indulgence.

But dining out on Christmas Day also comes at a cost. The price of a restaurant meal on Christmas Day can hit your wallet harder than any shopping splurge to pack out the base of the Christmas tree.

Even if you are prepared to pay for a meal out on Christmas Day, securing a reservation at a popular restaurant can be as challenging as finding a parking spot at a shopping centre.

With Christmas Day fast approaching, have you entertained the idea of commemorating this special day with a meal at a restaurant?

Professor Gary Martin is a workplace and social affairs expert