to compromise on the turkey so we could have a big tree?

[loverofwine]

This year I've had to cut back a bit on excesive Xmas spending. DH and I not buying each other presents, ditching starter at Xmas meal, buying secondhand stuff for some of the kids presents etc. Its not mega budgeting and I appreciate we're still very lucky to have what we have.

Usually we have a happy turkey, bought from our brilliant local butcher. This costs about £60 which is a lot for one meal (tho always masses of leftovers), particularly one at which my brother in law complains about the turkey. So this year I went for a deeply unhappy supermarket one for not much more than a tenner. The 'saving' meant we could afford a brilliant, beautiful 7' tree which makes me feel happy and christmassy every time I look at it.

However I am now wracked with guilt. For buying an unhappy turkey and for potentially serving up a yukky Xmas dinner. Have got it soaking in brine a la nigella and will pimp it up bigtime with stuffing etc. But will we be able to tell?

I love the tree but was it worth it?

Well it's done - you can't return the tree and the chances of buying a happy turkey today is probably pretty remote. The ethics aside - turkey tastes pretty much like turkey whether it roamed free through a woodland paradise or whether it was raised in a cage, so don't worry that the meal will be worse. The meal will be fine.

Sad truth is someone else would have bought your unhappy turkey if you hadn't.

I don't really see how you economized though?

If you had stuck with a smaller tree and bought the shitty turkey, you'd have made a saving surely?

This way, you just exchanged one cost for another!

I don't think any turkey is happy at this time of year to be honest. And just think, if you're pimping it up to be delicious, it will be happy its like going from rags to riches

Nigella's brine will sort out any supermarket turkey and the leftovers will stay moistly delicious. Stop worrying, you did the right thing to go for the tree.

Yes Hintof I think I did. Just switched the lights on and we all went oooh and ahhhh for a bit.

Nb after half a day in brine the turkey looking plumper and less anaemic already.

its a turkey, even your happy one was probably pretty pissed off to be someones xmas lunch.

In general I think YANBU - the tree is up for a month, versus one frankly overrated meal and a few sandwiches/bowl of curry.

But I would share your angst re: sad turkey.

I tentatively say YABU (because there is not much you can do about it now). I always used to think turkey was a bit bland and pointless. And then we ordered an (expensive) organic one through our local deli a few years ago. It was 10 times nicer. We have never gone back. This is our 5th year of buying from the same farm.

I do try to buy as much "happy meat" as possible. I'm a reformed veggie and feel a lot healthier since I started eating meat again. However I would prefer it if the animals didn't suffer until slaughter.

Youre only assuming the turkeys are happy, what if they were bullied or not happy with the size of their beak?

Seriously I had lovely happy and lovely unhappy ones

Your turkey is unhappy? how do you know? Did you interview it?

boggled mind

WHen you taste it tomorrow (and how you feel as you are doing it) will give you the answer as to whether money saved on an "unhappy turkey" is worth is for you.

a happy turkey is dead also so not that happy is it seriously it is a turkey I am sure your unhappy turkey didnt want to die either, stop dithering and eat your dinner