Home
>
Foodlovers Food Talk
>
Topic
Foodlovers Foodtalk Forum
Christmas dinner - lots of work
Posted by Ali W
Christmas dinner - lots of work December 30, 2020 07:19AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 676 |
Our neighbour kindly asked us to join her family and friends for Christmas dinner. It was lovely to be included and I took a lemon cheesecake with blueberries to add to the table. Plus a bottle of French champagne I had been gifted at work - never had wine that came in a presentation box before!
She had ordered a dinner for 14 from one of the meal supply companies - it was all very nice however, according to the instructions she had begun cooking and preparing the day before, and was working all morning for us to eat at 3.00pm. She was so tired she struggled to enjoy her meal.
Which leads me to think....why? A simple pot luck would have been just as nice and everyone could have relaxed.
I dread to think what the “bag” cost.
Am I the only one to think that it just becomes too much at times and we need to put it in perspective. Surely it's about the people.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2020 07:21AM by Ali W.
She had ordered a dinner for 14 from one of the meal supply companies - it was all very nice however, according to the instructions she had begun cooking and preparing the day before, and was working all morning for us to eat at 3.00pm. She was so tired she struggled to enjoy her meal.
Which leads me to think....why? A simple pot luck would have been just as nice and everyone could have relaxed.
I dread to think what the “bag” cost.
Am I the only one to think that it just becomes too much at times and we need to put it in perspective. Surely it's about the people.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2020 07:21AM by Ali W.
Re: Christmas dinner - lots of work December 30, 2020 07:47AM |
Registered: 12 years ago Posts: 3,422 |
It sounds as if your neighbour is not an experienced cook, and didn't understand that it is really hard work to cook a meal for lots of people even when the ingredients have been supplied.
It is much easier to make your own plan well ahead of time, with emphasis on dishes that can be prepared up to three days ahead (e.g. trifle), and spend time making lists of shopping, preparation, storage of prepared dishes, serving utensils etc. One advantage of making lists and schedules is that potential difficulties will become more obvious, so the menu can be changed to avoid crunch points.
And yes, I imagine the "food bag" would have cost a huge amount.
It is much easier to make your own plan well ahead of time, with emphasis on dishes that can be prepared up to three days ahead (e.g. trifle), and spend time making lists of shopping, preparation, storage of prepared dishes, serving utensils etc. One advantage of making lists and schedules is that potential difficulties will become more obvious, so the menu can be changed to avoid crunch points.
And yes, I imagine the "food bag" would have cost a huge amount.
Re: Christmas dinner - lots of work December 31, 2020 01:46AM |
Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 607 |
Yes I agree, Ali - I think some people put themselves through unnecessary expense and stress at Christmas and somehow seem to think that they have to put on a huge production, cooking things that they are not familiar with and setting unrealistic goals for themselves. As you say, a shared potluck meal (or allocated dishes) would have been equally as enjoyable and would have spread the workload and cost.
It's a pity that your hostess could not enjoy her meal after all the work she did to provide it - I wouldn't be surprised if she has already decided that she will do it differently next year.
Regards,
Barbara Anne
It's a pity that your hostess could not enjoy her meal after all the work she did to provide it - I wouldn't be surprised if she has already decided that she will do it differently next year.
Regards,
Barbara Anne
Re: Christmas dinner - lots of work January 01, 2021 02:13AM |
Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 2,935 |
I hear you Ali...we are all different, spread the load and spread the enjoyment, is my philosophy, too.
It's not just the cost but also the actual work load. Some people just feel differently.
I saw TPANDAV mention of trifle. It has been years since I made one, although I love them..it seemed to take me forever to make one today, I must be so out of practice.
It's not just the cost but also the actual work load. Some people just feel differently.
I saw TPANDAV mention of trifle. It has been years since I made one, although I love them..it seemed to take me forever to make one today, I must be so out of practice.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.