A Very Vegan Christmas: Enjoying Festive Dining Out Without Compromise

Christmas is a time for delicious food, good company and festive celebrations.

 And whether you're a committed vegan, experimenting with plant-based eating or simply fancy something different, there's absolutely no reason why you shouldn't enjoy a wonderful Christmas meal out.

Not so many years ago, being vegan at a Christmas restaurant gathering often meant being offered a sad looking salad, a rather uninspiring plate of vegetables, perhaps accompanied by a baked potato.

Thankfully, times have changed!

Restaurants, pubs, hotels and cafés across Britain are increasingly recognising that vegan diners deserve the same exciting, imaginative Christmas menus as everyone else.

A Christmas Feast Without the Meat

Forget the idea that Christmas dinner must revolve around turkey, beef or goose.

Today's vegan Christmas menus can feature delicious centrepieces such as mushroom and chestnut Wellington, butternut squash and lentil roasts, festive vegetable pies and beautifully presented nut roasts.

Accompaniments might include rosemary-roasted potatoes, maple-glazed parsnips, braised red cabbage, Brussels sprouts with chestnuts and rich vegan gravy.

And let's not forget dessert!

Vegan Christmas puddings, chocolate tortes, sticky toffee puddings and dairy-free cheesecakes can provide a wonderfully indulgent conclusion to your festive feast.

Book Early and Check the Menu

One of our most important pieces of advice at That's Christmas 365 is to book your Christmas dining arrangements as early as possible.

This is particularly important if you require vegan options.

Although many establishments now offer plant-based Christmas menus, the choice can vary considerably.

Before booking, check whether the restaurant provides a complete vegan festive menu rather than simply one alternative main course.

Remember to ask about starters, desserts, sauces and accompaniments, too. 

Some seemingly innocent dishes contain butter, cream, cheese, honey or other animal-derived ingredients.

And if you're booking a Christmas meal for a large group, make sure everyone's dietary requirements are communicated clearly beforehand.

Christmas Drinks Deserve Attention Too

Did you know that not every wine or beer is vegan?

Some alcoholic drinks are produced using animal-derived fining agents

Fortunately, vegan-friendly wines, beers and spirits are widely available, so there's no need to miss out on a festive toast.

Make Everyone Feel Welcome

Perhaps the most important consideration is ensuring that nobody feels excluded from the Christmas celebrations.

Whether you're organising an office Christmas party, a family gathering or a festive reunion with friends, choosing a restaurant that caters properly for different dietary preferences demonstrates thoughtfulness and consideration.

And here's an idea: why not try a vegan Christmas meal yourself?

You don't have to become vegan to appreciate beautifully prepared plant-based food.

You might even discover a new festive favourite!

At That's Christmas 365, we believe Christmas dining should be about bringing people together, sharing wonderful food and creating happy memories.

And whether your Christmas dinner features turkey, tofu or a magnificent mushroom Wellington, what really matters is enjoying the occasion together.

Here's to a delicious, inclusive and very merry Christmas!

That's Christmas 365. Celebrating everything wonderful about Christmas, every day of the year.

Book Your Christmas Meals Now. Before It's Too Late!

Christmas might still seem a little way off, but if you're planning a festive meal with family, friends or work colleagues, there's one important job you really shouldn't put off any longer: booking your Christmas restaurant or pub meal!

With Christmas Day just two months away, popular restaurants, hotels and pubs are already taking reservations for their festive menus. 

And if you leave booking until the last minute, you could find that your favourite venue is completely full.

Whether you're organising the annual office Christmas party, a family get-together or a relaxing festive lunch with friends, making arrangements now could save considerable disappointment later.

The Best Dates Go First

It's hardly surprising that certain dates are particularly popular.

Friday and Saturday evenings throughout December are especially attractive for company Christmas parties, while Sunday lunchtimes are often favoured by families wanting to celebrate together.

Larger groups can face particular difficulties because restaurants have limited space for big tables.

If you're organising a meal for ten, twenty or even fifty colleagues, waiting until November could mean discovering that your preferred venue simply cannot accommodate everyone.

The earlier you book, the greater your choice of dates, times and venues.

Don't Forget the Family Christmas Meal

Christmas dining isn't just about office parties.

Increasing numbers of families enjoy getting together for a special meal in the weeks leading up to Christmas, particularly when relatives live some distance apart.

A restaurant meal can be an excellent way of bringing several generations together without leaving one unfortunate family member responsible for all the cooking, washing up and clearing away.

Grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren can enjoy spending time together while somebody else takes care of the food.

And let's not forget that Christmas Day itself is an exceptionally popular occasion for dining out.

Restaurants and hotels offering Christmas Day lunches may require reservations months in advance, so anyone hoping to enjoy a traditional turkey dinner without cooking it themselves should investigate availability immediately.

Company Christmas Parties Need Careful Planning

For businesses, the annual Christmas meal is an opportunity to thank employees for their hard work throughout the year.

However, organising a successful celebration involves more than simply reserving a table.

You'll need to consider dietary requirements, accessibility, transport arrangements and whether the chosen venue offers suitable options for everyone attending.

Some establishments require deposits or advance menu selections, particularly for larger parties.

It's also worth checking cancellation policies before committing company funds.

Remember that not everyone drinks alcohol, and providing attractive alcohol-free alternatives is an important part of making celebrations inclusive.

Look Beyond the Traditional Christmas Menu

Although turkey with all the trimmings remains a festive favourite, Christmas dining offers considerably more variety.

Indian, Chinese, Italian and other restaurants can provide wonderful alternatives to traditional British Christmas fare.

Indeed, choosing somewhere different might become the beginning of an enjoyable new family or workplace tradition.

Some pubs and restaurants also offer excellent value festive lunch menus during weekdays, potentially making them more affordable than weekend evening celebrations.

Keep an Eye on Your Budget

Christmas is already an expensive time of year, so it's sensible to establish how much everyone is comfortable spending before making reservations.

Check whether the advertised price includes service charges, drinks and any extras.

A seemingly inexpensive festive menu can become considerably more costly once everything is added together.

Booking early also gives families and colleagues more time to budget for the occasion.

Don't Leave It Until December!

There's something wonderfully enjoyable about sitting down to a delicious Christmas meal surrounded by family, friends or colleagues.

The festive decorations, seasonal music, cheerful conversations and anticipation of Christmas all help create a special atmosphere.

But none of that can happen if you cannot find anywhere with a table available!

So gather your family, consult your colleagues, agree on a suitable date and start contacting your favourite restaurants and pubs.

Because the best Christmas celebrations begin with a little forward planning, and the best tables won't stay available forever!

And remember, here at That's Christmas 365, we believe that Christmas should be about making happy memories, not discovering that every restaurant in town is fully booked!