Isn’t it funny and not funny “ha ha” how many of us have Christmas memories of completely stressed mothers and grandmothers? Or fights caused by people already being stressed by all the cooking and pressure for perfection, like @IMNOTSHOUTING mentioned her friend had for her whole childhood. I know in my childhood, there was a Christmas disaster almost every year, and we were supposed to laugh about it in the future, but on the day of, when there was screaming and maybe tears, I surely was NOT feeling the Christmas spirit.
I think if our mums and grand mums had the money and opportunity, they would absolutely have done what you’re doing. Also, remember, this is NOT the way it’s “always” been, even though I know @SillyOldMummy is making a joke. The World Wars changed everything, but before them, over one million people (1.27 million in 1911 - that’s only a little more than 100 years ago) worked in domestic service. They weren’t all working in Downton Abbey! Many were working as cooks, even “kitchen girls,” for middle class families. Women took on traditional “men’s” jobs during the wars and didn’t go “back into service” afterwards, and it changed things dramatically. So the stress of trying to plan, prepare, and execute a huge holiday meal being done by just one woman who doesn’t cook professionally is still a relatively new, and it appears for many a stressfully shite, concept. Especially while she’s maybe working outside the home the rest of the time and having Christmas be one of only two real rest periods per year (along with maybe some summer holidays).
No one who ordered from Cook or the like should feel guilty at all. And if some want to make nine-course feasts from scratch and it makes them happy, have at it - good for them, too. Everyone does what’s right for their family.