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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Christmas cakes/biscuits hand-baked by neighbors..unreasonable to throw away?

128 replies

Feminine · 22/12/2011 00:34

I do not like eating hand-baked goodies from the neighbors...at all Wink

Every year, masses and masses is given to our family for the Christmas season.

I haven't seen their kitchens nor do I know if they wash their hands etc, I would prefer to know they are clean before giving them to the children.

This is possibly totally irrational and un-kind, I just can't do it though.

Reading it back I look vile ...I know Blush

Would you eat baked goods, not really knowing the source?

AIBU to just slide the whole lot in to the trash?

Actually, I would like to be told I am...there is so much, the children are eyeing it up even though I thought I had hidden it from them

OP posts:
Bogeyface · 22/12/2011 00:56

The fact that this is a neighbourly tradition says to me that you are actually likely to get better and more hygienically baked goods than if you bought them.

No woman wants to be the one who handed out the crappy mince pies!

maras2 · 22/12/2011 00:57

I know that you've accepted that YABU.But think on.Some people would be delighted to have neighbours that spoke to them let alone made lovely Christmas treats.

Original poster
Feminine · 22/12/2011 00:58

maybe I just don't like American sweeties Grin

I wouldn't mind mince pies bogey

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 22/12/2011 01:00

Sweets are boiled sugar....boiled... operative word!!!

One of my best mates lives in CA, and she is forever baking and receiving baked/homemade stuff.

This week was a gingerbreadhouse.

Original poster
Feminine · 22/12/2011 01:00

maras2 good point.

I will truly miss the friendly-ness here.

I am a Brit stuck in a teeny tiny mid-western town ...I had to ask, I'll be home next year.

OP posts:
MrsRhettButler · 22/12/2011 01:01

I contracted food poisoning after eating food given me by a neighbour.

YANBU

Original poster
Feminine · 22/12/2011 01:02

but here, squeaky a lot of them are made by fiddling about with icing/pretzels and whatnot Grin

I am going to give them to the kids BTW... I'm not really a cow.

OP posts:
SnowFunIntended · 22/12/2011 01:03

Take them to the homeless shelter, they'd be thrilled.

confuddledDOTcom · 22/12/2011 01:23

Sugar boils way above the boiling point of water so well and truly sterilised!

I made fudge for my eldest's teachers (double for the class teacher as it was her last day) and Tiny's nursery. I sent three flavours in and for the nursery they were in different boxes per flavour, when I picked her up they'd been mixed up so they could go to each class and I was I wasn't allowed to tell them that there was anything but carrots in. Eldest's class teacher said she'd eat it when she got home. I'd be upset if I thought that anyone would throw it especially as I'm addicted and didn't eat any of it

SnowFunIntended · 22/12/2011 01:27

They may well be boiled and baked, but people still touch them when they cool down, probably having just picked their nose or scratched their bum, the cat probably had a lick while the items were cooling on the shelf too. Xmas Grin

flamegirl77 · 22/12/2011 01:38

Do you eat in restaurants?

Original poster
Feminine · 22/12/2011 01:43

flamegirl restaurants have to have a certain standard of cleanliness...

We sometimes eat out. I understand what you are getting at.

snow see...I'm not the only one who wonders...Grin

OP posts:
startail · 22/12/2011 01:44

YABtotallyU
As the owner of a far from immaculate kitchen, that manages to turn out food that has never made any one ill, I suggest you get a grip.

squeakytoy · 22/12/2011 01:50

Restaurants may have to have a certain standard.. yep....

May.....

May not actually adhere to it...

I am probably your worst nightmare... I dont take any notice of "use by" dates... I have plants in my kitchen, the dog wanders in and out, I cant guarantee I wash my hands every time I touch something.. in fact I know I dont..

But in 42 years, I have never had flu, never had food poisoning, and never had any other germ bourne illness, that I know about...

I have also worked in pubs and restaurants, as well as food distribution centers, and seen the reality of what goes on in the kitchens.. like I say, heat kills germs... be thankful for that! Grin

youngermother1 · 22/12/2011 01:52

If you are worried about after they come out of the oven - why stop at home-made goods, everything is handled by someone.
How many of your neighbours are ill?
Get a grip and eat them.

two4one · 22/12/2011 01:57

I don't object in principle but I do think most people are nowhere near as wonderful in the kitchen as they think they are (loving cooking is not the same as being good at it) and baking is the best example of this.

Original poster
Feminine · 22/12/2011 02:03

I am not germ phobic ...I am not like this with anything else.

I don't use hand sanitizers etc...( and being in the US) that is quite a big feat.
You don't sound like my "worst nightmare" squeaky
being a little that way myself.

Just Wondering about these Christmas goodies, thats all Grin

DS8 is tucking in to the caramel pop-corn as I type.

I am liberated and feeling free!

OP posts:
kickassangel · 22/12/2011 02:21

Fem - whereabouts are you? another brit in the mid west here.

I bailed on the local cookie exchange this year - just way too much sugar being consumed already.

I'm a teacher, though, so get quite a lot of shite homemade goodies. I must have a cast iron stomach though, they've never made me ill.

Original poster
Feminine · 22/12/2011 03:55

I'm in Indiana :)

You know the kind of goodies I'm talking about then? Wink Grin

OP posts:
TeaCider · 22/12/2011 06:06

Nope, not after seeing pet hairs jauntily stuck under the clingfilm of one plate of baked stuff I was given.
I love baking and am very clean but would never bake for work or neighbours etc. as have a long haired cat, imagine if one of his hairs found their way into my goodies?!

It makes me feel a bit queasy when dc bring baking home from school, but I let her get on with it. I often pretend to have a bite and encourage her to eat it up. Double standards, but I don't want her to develop my fussiness if I can help it.

Had a ramble there but I do admit I am probably too fussy. YANBU. Xmas Grin

ContraryMartha · 22/12/2011 06:15

Oh yes TeaCider. Bad, bad memories of when DD brought handmade bread home from school.
I love the fact she learned about yeast, baking and other important stuff. Did not love the fact that every snotty kid in the class had a go at kneading.
Stuff of nightmares.
I pretended I ate it after she went to bed.

coldwed · 22/12/2011 06:16

YANBU at all. I don't even eat from colleagues (especially if I know they have pets)

wonkylegs · 22/12/2011 06:46

I 've worked in a bakery many moons ago .... You may want to rethink your attitude to thinking that all bought goods = fantastic standards, homemade = dodgy. Yes there are regulations but they are often 'upheld' by poorly paid kids who couldn't give a monkeys.

OhThisIsJustGrape · 22/12/2011 07:01

I wouldn't eat it, no. I know that's unreasonable but there you go.

I don't eat anything the children have made at school either, although I pretend to.

I have ishoos, I accept that. But at least my hands are clean Grin

runningwilde · 22/12/2011 07:11

Homemade cake is far more hygienic and better for you than factory made shit where people who work there might deliberately spit in the ingredients

Yes... I'm trying to freak you out Wink

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