Food Glorious Food

I'm like M0nica - our Christmas changes very little year to year. We have a few chats about what we fancy eating and that's about it. We rarely watch live TV so don't see the adverts, and ignore most of it in store as well.

I think over the years we've just learnt to blank it out - Christmas, Easter, Valentines, Halloween, birthdays, anniversaries, Mother's Day, Father's Day, pink elephant day - and don't even notice most of it.

It's advertising for heaven's sake! No one has to buy this stuff or do what the actors are doing on them.

Buy food you want or like. Have the kind of Chrsitmas you like. Spend money or don't.

These choices are ours to make...

I'm a bit confused by it all on the TV adverts. Does anyone have a big table like that. There are only 4 of us for Christmas dinner. For the first time in living memory we are not having a whole turkey largely because last year I always dropped it coming out of the oven, so its a turkey without legs on. DH is not happy. Neve mind eh. DH has made the pudding as usual, I have made the cake also as usual. I dont know that I'll be buying too much else except - wine and cheeses.

My Christmas shopping list changes very little from year to year.

About 20 years ago when it was getting out of hand and we seemed to be eating Christmas left overs until Easter. I went through my shopping list and reduced it all to absolute basics. I now have it listed and filed online, so that i just need to get it out and review it November.

I have yet to see any Christmas ads, our television is in store with the rest of our effects, but all will return before Christmas, but in previous years I have found those tables spread with lots of brown food made me feel quite ill, not only does it all look revolting but one knows that most of the food on display will be flavourless, with the texture of wood pulp.

Sago. UPF ? I'm guessing, Ultra processed food? Is that an accepted TLA

I cook from scratch except for buying the odd pudding from Cook when I can't be bothered with the faff of making something. Their chocolate torte is delicious. I've bought a Christmas pudding this year as we're home for a change and I've got some friends coming. The family aren't keen on it so I've bought a smallish one. I've never made a Christmas pudding. I'm still dithering over whether I'm doing turkey or beef, it's one day we're out on boxing day then away for 4 days. Perhaps I should do a beef wellington? Who eats all the extra food that's bought for Christmas?

I don’t get it, who buys all this UPF rubbish?

Yes of course we eat more at Christmas and there has to be a few treats but it’s not difficult to make a few dips and canapés.

I buy a side of smoked trout, make pate, mince pies, florentines Parmesan biscuits, dips, I always have mini Yorkshire puddings in the freezer to fill.

It’s a lot cheaper than all the stuff advertised on TV.

I reckon my lot could scoff £50 worth of M&S canapés in 1 sitting.

Was saying just the same at the weekend. Trying to do my Christmas food delivery order taking forever as there's so much choice.

Which on the one hand is a good thing I suppose, but on the other hand - well - I really just want a pack of 6 mince pies but there seems to be about 10 different packets to choose from.

No, I feel the same. This year I’ve noticed myself only giving a quickish glance to what’s on the shelf and walking on.