M&S Christmas food - what a disappointment !

[Nearlyadoctor]

Had an email from M&S this morning with the Christmas food online catalogue, and three things we normally order aren't there this year.
Christmas saver menu - whole meal to include turkey, veg, dessert, cheeseboard etc ( not that I would have chosen this again this year)
Venison with red currant sauce, which was going to be our Christmas Day meal - tried it last year for New Year and it was amazing.
Game Pie - always features in our Boxing Day buffet.

What a disappointment - back to the drawing board!

[Kirriemuir]

I don't think I will be ordering this year. The fish starters look amazing but there are only 3 of us at home, not 10!

[Stiddleficks]

This was going to be the first year e used them having heard such good things but I'm really disappointed, anywhere else that you can pre-order it all?

[sglodion]

We preordered from morrisons last year. I was very impressed.

[Onehellofaride]

Why haven't I got this

[Nearlyadoctor]

Have you got a Sparks card? Think it was an early preview before tomorrow's launch?

[Ineverpromisedyouarosegarden]

I have always thought it's horrendously overpriced for what it is and I say that as someone who food shops there regularly.

[NotCitrus]

Try COOK or Waitrose - I'm sure Cook have all those, though their prices are more takeaway/nearly restaurant rather than ready-meal. Their stews are wintertime luxury for me.

[Davinaaddict]

I was disappointed as well. They did an amazing sausage roll ring that I've bought for the last 2 years which doesn't appear to be there. It was fab for Boxing Day We've got extra visitors this year so I was really looking forward to splashing out a bit. Guess that won't be happening now.

[Nearlyadoctor]

I'd forgotten about the sausage roll ring dd liked that one! I rang to check that it was the entire range - I think they've been a bit short sighted getting rid of the seasonal saver, but what do I know!

[Nearlyadoctor]

Davina just looked again - is that not the garland?

[CiderwithBuda]

Sainsburys? Got their brochure and flicked through it. Looked like some nice stuff.

[Davinaaddict]

Ooh, have I missed it? Better go have another look!

[Davinaaddict]

I'm either completely blind or just a bit thick as I still can't see it! I might see if DH can go round picking up the brochures on his way home tomorrow - for some reason I prefer looking at a good brochure than online when it comes to Christmas

[Nearlyadoctor]

First item under pies and pastry.

[Nearlyadoctor]

christmasfood.marksandspencer.com/the-orignal-sausage-roll-garland/p/p60064463

[Humidseptember]

Venison with red currant sauce, which was going to be our Christmas Day meal - tried it last year for New Year and it was amazing.

^^ sounds delicious what a shame

[northender]

The Booths Christmas order book is out soon!

[HungryHorace]

Tomorrow for Booths!

I agree re M&S. Hope Booths doesn't disappoint!

[Davinaaddict]

Thank you Nearly! I only got the options of Starters, Mains and Desserts on th eking I had Now to investigate more!

[Davinaaddict]

On th eking??? On the link that was supposed to be!

I've never heard of Booths before

[gaggiagirl]

I'm really looking forward to the Iceland Xmas brochure. Iceland have upped their game lately. The triple cooked beef dripping chips from there are heavenly.

[Blueisthemagicnumber]

Don't know about redcurrent sauce, but it is really easy to roast venison, just treat it like beef, and use port in your gravy.

[CherryAlmond]

Didn't see this thread. I have just taken a look and won't be bothering this year either.

[ClashCityRocker]

Yeah we've taken a look and are unimpressed.

We normally get our turkey breast joint from there but they've changed the sizes and the only one that's the right size is stuffed. Dh can't cope with stuffing, particulalry not some of the more exotic ones.

The desserts seem very 'meh' for the price too - no real wow factor, and if I'm spending over a tenner on a shop bought dessert, I want a wow factor!

The seafood stuff looks good but the portions are just too big. But there doesn't seem to be as much choice of meats as in previous years.

Turkey and ham are coming from waitrose now I think. We've had them from there before and they were decent.

[Palomb]

I normally go with sainsbo's but I've seen the M&S offerings and the way the meat has been photographed this year is so unappetising! It's almost like is isn't meat but just a 'product'. It reminds me of an Argos catalogue.