Does anyone else feel uncomfortable seeing all the Christmas food?

[tulips27]

I know it sounds crazy but now I have all this food, looking at it makes me feel really strange. Maybe it's because I've been so careful about spending on food this year, counting the pennies, not buying treats and expensive food, and now I've flipped and bought things that seem excessive and I can't switch off the guilty feeling.

I am grateful to have food, I do know what it's like not to have enough to eat. I just feel a bit strange.

Yes I know exactly what you mean, I really hate waste and feel like everything is tinged with sadness and anger at the state of the world. If I didn't have small ish kids, I would have skipped the presents and excess food this year, and volunteered with the homeless and in need instead.

I'm not feeling much like stuffing myself and celebrating, I feel like there is too much wrong to celebrate right now

Yes I was just saying this earlier. I don’t like the fridge being rammed and so much food everywhere. Makes me feel uncomfortable.

We are veggie and just eat normally, we bought two extra things, which was mince pies for him and a bottle of Bailey's for me. That's it. I'll probably make some stuffing for Sunday's roast dinner but really there is no need to go mad.

Will it all be eaten?

I have completely lost my appetite! For dinner I've had an apple, satsuma, clementine and tangerine. At least I think that's what they were, apart from the apple it was hard to tell.

We are at my sisters this year so we haven't done a big shop. Just the usual. It does feel strange this year I don't know why

I haven't bought a lot, so no. It is a waste of money because I'm tired of it by Boxing Day and just want a jacket potato with beans.

Probably for different reasons. I hate all the meat and animal products and having to listen to MIL tell me she’s gone to the butchers and got ‘’half the farmyard’ in her fridge/freezer. Turkeys and the term ‘pigs in blankets’ makes me feel sick.

Keeping mouth firmly shut though. 🤐

We’ve put more stuff in the food bank over the last couple of weeks. It’s been a hard year for many.

I think it goes without saying that if you’re not having guests over then you would just shop as normal with a few extras. Bit different when you are hosting.

Nope, looking forward to it all

Maybe if there's things with long dates, like puddings, choc, cake - put it away somewhere so you can stagger it into new year? Freeze other things like meat if you've bought too much. I feel apprehensive as Xmas food is all the stuff that I know doesn't agree with me - dairy and alcohol so cheese, choc, desserts, most alcoholic drinks (intolerant to sulphites) will make me feel under the weather for days after eating them. I think next year I'll not buy these things but you sort of almost feel pressure that it's what is the done thing at Xmas.

Yes, it makes me feel quite guilty and very anxious about the amount I’ve spent. I do use the olio app though so will pass on any food we don’t manage to eat to somebody who can use it. That makes me feel a bit less guilty but doesn’t help the anxiety!

The greed, over spending and fuss makes me sick. So much so I don't do Xmas any more. I think its obscene.
It isn't my idea of what Xmas is all about.

Nope, I'm careful all year and I managed what I've got without debt or help so we are going to enjoy it.
Despite virus and chickenpox in the house

Food is rarely wasted here and what doesnt get eaten usually goes in a compost bin. But we cut back this year and spent less on fancy food. There was less choice for guests but they still got fed.

Our food bank does well pre Christmas, I have a couple of bags ready to help restock them in January.

I buy less, never gone over the top

No, I’m looking forward to some treats.

I’ve been surprised how quiet my local supermarkets have been and still loads on the shelf so I think many people have cut back, we definitely haven’t gone mad this year, we aren’t entertaining so didn’t feel the pressure.

I know what you mean. But we suspect that this may be the last Christmas that my MIL (late stage Alzheimer’s) is able to recognise as Christmas, so I’ve tried to buy all the old familiar favourites so that the scents and flavours might spark a memory.

Next year, scrambled eggs on toast all round.

Some people go all out and some don't. I buy some extras like some buffet food and sweets and I'm making a few things but small amounts because I don't want to feel ill from too much food and I will if I make too much. For us it's a time for things we wouldn't usually have except for the Christmas dinner itself. We are veggie and that cuts back a lot on extra things.

For me the amount of alcohol people buy and drink worries me far more but I'm the child of an alcoholic so that colours my thoughts there.

I've done most of my shopping online or a few items here and there over the last 3 months so I've not seen trollies piled high. Queues outside the butchers today though.

There will be 4 of us for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and there's only so much we can eat.

This year I'm viewing Christmas as a week long activity because my dc only broke up from school today and there's been no chance to bake or make anything festive so far. Tomorrow we are baking as is our tradition on Christmas Eve.