Welcome to Day 8 of our 25 Days of Nostalgia series!

Today, we’re pulling up a chair to one of the most anticipated meals of the year: Christmas dinner. For many of us in the 80s and 90s, this wasn’t just a meal—it was an event.

Seeing as it’s Sunday, I figured this post would go down a treat for those of us who have just woken up from their post roast nap, or are eagerly speeding through the kids bed time routine, in the hopes of having some quiet time before the school rush kicks back in again (that was my plan, but I didn’t get them to bed until gone 9 as the storm kept tripping the RCD and bath time was pushed back two hours).

What went on a Christmas dinner table varied wildly from family to family, but one thing was certain: it was always memorable.

For me, as long as there were roast potatoes, I was happy. Add crispy chicken skin, pigs in blankets, and Yorkshire puddings (why anyone wouldn’t serve these is beyond me), and you’d win my heart.

Gravy, however, was a late bloomer for me—I wouldn’t touch it until my late teens. Instead, I committed the ultimate Christmas blasphemy: ketchup with roast potatoes. And yes, I’ve repented since.

Let’s take a nostalgic look at what went on a Christmas dinner table in the 80s and 90s, from indulgent feasts to questionable traditions and everything in between.

The Main Event: Turkey, Chicken, or… Whatever Was Handy?

The centrepiece of the meal was never really up for debate. Traditionalists stuck with turkey, but in our house, chicken was more our thing. Gammon occasionally made an appearance too, others had beef.

Regardless of the protein, my grandma ran Christmas dinner with military precision. Everything was cooked perfectly, from the crispy skin to the roast potatoes. I’d scoff down as much as I could before retiring to the living room to watch “Yr Injan Fach Fentrus” for the umpteenth time that holiday (one of the lesser known old Christmas movies).

Staying with my mum meant a more “festive” experience—she’d usually be full of “holiday cheer” by lunchtime—and my dad kept things simple with pre-made meals. No fuss, just reheated bliss.

For those who’ve always wondered “what goes on a Christmas dinner?” the answer is simple: whatever your family treasures most—whether that’s turkey, chicken, gammon, or beef mayhaps.

What Goes On a Christmas Dinner Plate?

The side dishes were the real stars of the show. Roast potatoes had to be crispy (with bonus points for those who cooked it in goose fat), and there was no skipping on pigs in blankets.

Yorkshire puddings were a non-negotiable (seriously, who doesn’t have them?), and stuffing came in sage, onion, or “whatever was in the packet” varieties.

Veggies were hit or miss—Brussels sprouts appeared, as did the broccoli, carrots, parsnips and peas but so did swede mash, which none of us kids dared touch.

My Cardiff Christmases included freshly trapped wild haggis (read more @ the Haggis Wildlife foundation), thanks to my Scottish grandad. Strangely enough, the haggis always reminded me of mici (a Romanian dish), I was adventurous at the time and loved it all and its presence always made the table feel a little more special.

Of course, redcurrent jelly and bread sauce were in abundance but I’d sheepishly ask for some mint jelly and another more heinous sauce to coat the driest of meats in…

Gravy Wars and Alternative Sauces

Of course, gravy was the glue that held Christmas dinner together for most people, I didn’t understand the hype as a kid.

Instead, I’d slather my potatoes with ketchup like some sort of festive outlaw. Now, I can’t imagine Christmas dinner without a proper thick gravy covering everything on my plate. To each their own, I suppose.

It’s funny to think about “what’s in a Christmas dinner” without mentioning the importance of the gravy wars—thick or thin? Homemade or Bisto? (I’m quite partial to “Bisto Best” and can’t really tell the difference between that and home-made when it’s disgustingly thick.)

Whatever worked to rescue dry turkey made the cut.

Christmas Desserts: Trifle, Pudding, and Chocolate Coins

When it came to desserts, it was all about indulgence. There was the obligatory Christmas pudding, often set alight with brandy (I couldn’t stand it and still can’t to this day), and a trifle so layered it practically needed scaffolding, but my god was it heavenly.

If you didn’t have room for pudding, there were always chocolate coins or a Quality Street tin being passed around.

At my grandparents’ house, the dessert table often included shortbread as a nod to our Scottish roots. Trifle and ice cream were sometimes thrown in for the kids, but by that point, we’d usually filled up on pigs in blankets anyway.

What Is in a Christmas Dinner? The Calories Don’t Count

The beauty of Christmas dinner in the 80s and 90s was that no one cared how many calories they were consuming.

Seconds, thirds, and a generous helping of dessert were all encouraged.

Christmas Day was about letting loose and embracing the indulgence—especially for the adults, who happily consumed as much drink as they did food.

Do You Have Yorkshire Puddings with Christmas Dinner?

Absolutely, yes. Yorkshire puddings were an essential part of our Christmas dinner and, frankly, every roast dinner. They added the perfect balance of fluffy and crispy to the plate.

If you didn’t serve them, what even was your Christmas dinner?

Dreaming of a KFC Christmas

Being the KFC fan that I am, I’ve always wanted to visit Japan and take part in their festive “Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii“!

There’s something uniquely appealing about celebrating Christmas with a bucket of fried chicken. Who needs dry turkey when you’ve got crispy wings and secret herbs and spices?

One day, I’ll live that dream—and I’m sure my grandma would approve of the efficiency.

That’s All She Wrote

Christmas dinner in the 80s and 90s was so much more than a meal—it was an experience. From military-precision meals cooked by grandmas to chaotic-yet-charming spreads from mums, every table told a story.

The beauty of the era was the mix of tradition. What was on a Christmas dinner table wasn’t as important as who was sitting around it and whatever Christmas music was blaring in the background. (Though having roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, and Yorkshire puddings certainly helped.)

What were the standout dishes on your family’s Christmas table? Did you stick to tradition, or was there a wildcard dish like haggis that made an appearance? Share your Christmas dinner memories in the comments below, and don’t forget to join us tomorrow for Day 9 of our 25 Days of Nostalgia series!

• Day 7: “Love it Or Hate It: 80s & 90s Christmas Songs Every Millenial Will Remember“
• Day 9: “Dadblog’s Ultimate Christmas Quiz: Festive Fun for All Ages“

FAQ

Q: What goes on a Christmas dinner table in the UK?
A: A traditional UK Christmas dinner usually includes roast turkey, roast potatoes, stuffing, pigs in blankets (sausages wrapped in bacon), and vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, carrots, and parsnips. Some families also include extras like Yorkshire puddings, cranberry sauce, or bread sauce for added festive flair.

Q: How do you cook Christmas dinner without stress?
A: Organisation is key! Start with a plan: prep your vegetables and stuffing the day before, and ensure your turkey is fully defrosted (rookie mistake!). Use timers for different dishes to keep everything on track. Or, take the 80s and 90s approach—delegate everything to your grandma and simply enjoy the magic of military precision!

Q: What’s in a traditional Christmas dinner?
A: The staples include roast meat (usually turkey or chicken), a variety of roasted and boiled vegetables, crispy roast potatoes, stuffing, and rich gravy. Desserts often include Christmas pudding, mince pies, or trifle. Bonus items like pigs in blankets and Yorkshire puddings often sneak in, depending on family tradition.

Q: How many calories are in a Christmas dinner?
A: A full UK Christmas dinner with all the trimmings can range from 1,500 to 3,000 calories. But it’s Christmas, so calories don’t count—at least until January 1st!

Q: What do you drink with Christmas dinner?
A: In the 80s and 90s, choices ranged from a classic glass of sherry to family-friendly favourites like lemonade or babycham. Mulled wine, port, or a good bottle of red often took centre stage for the adults, unless they were more partial to their whiskey.

Q: What’s the difference between Christmas dinner and a Sunday roast?
A: A Sunday roast is the weekly staple, but Christmas dinner is the souped-up, festive version. Expect turkey instead of chicken, pigs in blankets, and a few extras like cranberry sauce, and Christmas pudding for dessert. It’s like your Sunday roast decided to wear a sparkly jumper and go all out!