When do you start eating the Christmas food?

[Darkvaddr]

Or “open the Christmas cupboard” as we call it in our house?

For us personally I clear space in one of the cupboards in October and I buy a few none perishables to add to it every week in the food shop including both snacks and drinks. This is firmly the Christmas cupboard and out of bounds to everyone. This helps us spread the cost out a little bit as when I pull it out before the big Christmas food shop i’m always shocked at how much I’ve managed to collect without seeing it hit the bank balance massively.

On the 19th next week I will do a “BIG” Christmas food shop, expiry dates permitting. I will probably have to top up the veg a bit closer to the day but Tesco is just down the road. I’ve just announced to the family the Christmas cupboard will be open from Saturday 20th so cheers all around. Silly tradition but something we all look forward to and have lots of snacks with a festive film. My friend is here and stated that she doesn’t allow her family to eat any Christmas food until Xmas eve.

Just wondering when you start eating the Christmas food?

Since the year our household got covid and lost our sense of taste for the entire Christmas period, we have eaten little bits of it as we have bought it - so we started early November this year.
The only thing we restrict is the alcohol and usually have our first drink Christmas Eve.

Not starting my Christmas food til the 23rd. I tend to go overboard if given the chance so I try and limit my fun food days!
I've even put my box of treats on top of the wardrobe and need a stepladder to get to it so I'm not tempted!

Amazed youve space for a dedicated cupboard! Brie Bailey and brandy laced cake from first weekend in Dec

errr I am currently buying a second lot of Christmas chocolate/pretzels/crisps, which was stored in a bag in my bedroom so no one ate them… I ate them. Otherwise it’ll be Xmas Eve

I do much the same OP, we have a designated Christmas cupboard. Actually, I had to find one this year as we moved in the summer and the kitchen is weirdly bad for storage. But I digress.

We've slinked a little out already, but sort of unofficially. Those maple fruit, nut and fudge bags that make xmas for me, a pack has been opened but I have more in reserve.The rest will be from next weekend.

Like you, there's always loads more than you expect. I reined it in this year as the past few years we've had hampers, champagne, panettone and chocolates as gifts from DH's work contacts in addition to what I throw in each week. We haven't has as much this year, don't know why, so I bought a pandoro this week. As there's only 2 adults and a preschooler a lot of it will be for visitors anyway which will be post Christmas day.

Just to add...my pre-schooler has already broken up as of Friday. A 3 week Christmas break at new nursery!!!! Need to check the wine levels...

We'll start eating Christmas food when my DDs come home, not that I know when this will be yet.

We don't buy in snacks, so I will be baking from Saturday onwards, and all our food will have a seasonal theme (ie no chilli con carne or pasta).

Usually about the 22nd or 23 rd depending on when 9 lessons and carols is in our local cathedral. Only because we have friends found afterwards for drinks etc.

Lidl have them.

Me and my sister werent allowed to till after dinner Christmas Day! Same for the tree chocolates.

I used to go mad but it all seemed a bit silly so I just stopped one year and no one noticed - the kids prefer their own usual food so it’s quite boring here - we don’t have Christmas food as such

Today. Its pissing 3, stormy, fire been burning since 2pm yesterday and were chilling.

need comfort

I’ll put it out on Friday ready for the kids when they finish school.

Don’t really buy any. Some extra cheeses to be eaten between Christmas and New Year but that’s it.

Probably around the 23rd when my DM arrives to stay.

I have a large IKEA bag with goodies in but I buy a lot less than I did when my DC were all at home or when we used to host the IL’s on Boxing Day.

I have been very tempted to start on the Pringles though

My family eat mince pies non stop as soon as they come out in the shops. I don’t like them but do eat chocolate oranges year round. We’ll have a special meal on Xmas eve and Xmas day but other that that don’t really buy anything special aside from loads of cheese for the Xmas tea cheese board which lasts a few weeks afterwards. What am I missing out on?

I've just had a slice of ice cream roulade Yule log - mango and vanilla
Delicious

Around mid to late August when they start appearing in the Supermarkets

I had some from aldi a few weeks ago

For me christmas will start next friday when my DH finishes work. However I did have a mince pie yesterday.

I’ve already eaten my way through 2 tubs of heroes and 1 tub of Celebrations 🥴

Christmas Eve- if we had opened up the chocolates , biscuits, crisps etc on the 20th there would be nothing left for Christmas1

As soon as the decorations up… maybe 1st December if we’re on target

Already on our second box of celebrations.

I went into our local Aldi yesterday - no joy whatsoever. I even got the assistant manager on the case and he checked. They never had any in at all this time, so they weren't even sold out. He was very helpful, but I came away empty-handed.

I think this may be the same tin I’ve cracked opened this evening. Love a quality shortbread biscuit.