Three good reasons to celebrate Christmas in a restaurant

Because Christmas is a beloved family holiday and because home and family go hand in hand, many people prefer to eat in on December 25th. However, there are several advantages to hosting your Christmas dinner in a restaurant.

Holiday shopping, baking and cooking, decorating the house... Let’s face it: hosting Christmas dinner is an honour, but it’s certainly no piece of cake! With the time that goes into making the meal, the stress associated with planning and logistics, and possible last-minute hitches, the happiest time of the year can sometimes be less than merry. What’s more, cooking for a crowd is something that professional chefs train for, and even with all the goodwill in the world, it's difficult to accommodate everyone you would like to invite. One solution is to celebrate Christmas in a restaurant, which allows you to treat loved ones to a wide assortment of holiday favourites with very little preparation – and for you to fully enjoy the festive season.

As you're about to serve the homemade foie gras that you've lovingly prepared, you realise with horror that your nephew recently became a vegetarian. That alone wouldn’t be a problem – if the next course weren’t a roast turkey with chestnut stuffing! In order to avoid such situations that are awkward and embarrassing for everyone, the Christmas dinner menu should take into account all your guests’ food ethics, dietary requirements, allergies, intolerances or simply personal likes and dislikes. This isn’t always easy to do, especially if Christmas is the only time that certain members of the family get together. But by selecting a restaurant that offers a large choice of holiday dishes, you can rest assured that everyone will fully enjoy themselves.

Each year, do you bring out your best china and make the same foods that – by some Christmas miracle – all the generations appreciate? While there is something comforting about all the traditions that contribute to a holiday atmosphere, a change of scenery and mood could make this moment even more special. Besides, it’s our loved ones that we want to see again, not just the old rituals! In a setting with special menus, restaurants add a festive touch to all their dishes big and small, and the ambiance in the dining room is always stunning. By booking a table in a restaurant that you frequent during other times of the year, you'll be able to see the servers in a new light. And if you’re travelling, this could be the opportunity to stay in touch with far-flung family members or to sample local specialities. Every region has its own holiday food traditions, and each city celebrates the season in its own unique way, from the crèches de santons in Aix-en-Provence to the famous Christmas markets in Strasbourg.

But if you find it too difficult to break with family tradition, know that you can order a holiday meal from many restaurants. This is an excellent compromise where you have all the advantages of celebrating Christmas in a restaurant while enjoying the privacy of being in your own home.