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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think party food is tacky and tasteless?

192 replies

Fudgeycake · 17/12/2023 21:15

Every Christmas the supermarkets really push all that sort of beige finger food (bung in the oven stuff) as if it's delicious and what everyone wants? M&S and Waitrose offerings this year look vile, eg. mini prawn toasts, feta popcorn, chicken doughnuts? Does anyone really love this food?

I think this type of food is really outdated, bit tacky, doesn't look very appealing and mostly pretty tasteless? Some of it is quite expensive too. I'd rather just do a cheese board and some nice breads, meats, chutneys, pickles etc. Aibu? What do you have for your Christmas buffet/party food?

OP posts:
Peridot1 · 17/12/2023 21:17

Agreed. I fell for it a few times but we never really enjoyed it. Bread and cheese and crackers etc is much nicer.

Birdkin · 17/12/2023 21:17

I love a bit of party food (though I’m vegi so I like my beige meat free), honestly stock up each year when it’s cheaper. I just like a selection of nibbles 🤷‍♀️

DGPP · 17/12/2023 21:18

Why do you care - just don’t eat it if you don’t like it? I hardly think M&S food is tacky. We actually like this food on a buffet once a year at Xmas. And we also have hams, bread and a cheese board

ghostyslovesheets · 17/12/2023 21:18

well it's a good job you aren't legally required to buy it!

We have a fair bit of beige in our Christmas Eve buffet - plus meats, olives, nice cheese - but we like crisps, pork pies and cheese bites!

DD1 insisted on a charcutier board this year - and has now announced she's working and then going clubbing (after also begging me to take her to church!).

BunnyBunnyJabberJabber · 17/12/2023 21:19

I love a prawn ring and anything in breadcrumbs.

peppermintcrisp · 17/12/2023 21:20

Yes it is vile...although I have just eaten a 12 piece dim sum selection and it was indeed a disappointing 15 minutes.

Creational · 17/12/2023 21:20

I know it's naff but I love it! Would much rather have that than meats and pickles. But I suspect I have fairly immature tastes.

switswoo81 · 17/12/2023 21:20

I equate this food with a lot of takeaway food. Sounds great looks lovely and then blah.

AhBiscuits · 17/12/2023 21:21

I think you're right. There is a place for fancy sausage rolls though, not those vile tiny ones that puff right up.

Candycurrantbun · 17/12/2023 21:21

I could live on party buffet food. Throw in some crisps, cheese and dips and I'd rather eat that than Christmas dinner.

jc12689 · 17/12/2023 21:21

The cool thing about shops is that you don't have to buy stuff you don't like. Clearly you live your life on a higher plane. Ignore the food you don't like and leave it for the proles to go with their cheap gin.

mynameiscalypso · 17/12/2023 21:22

Oh I love it! Some of it is a bit OTT but we had some delicious feta, squash and sage quiche things tonight from the M&S party food range.

NancyJoan · 17/12/2023 21:23

Agree. M&S included. Greasy, salty, tasteless. And expensive.

Saggypants · 17/12/2023 21:23

I love beige finger food but it's my own guilty (or hungover) pleasure, I wouldn't put it out at a party.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 17/12/2023 21:23

Depends on each item tbh. Good prawn toast is lovley, but bad cheap stuff is just like fried bread with sesame seeds on top. That said, I've found I need to spend a fair bit to get nice stuff so its a rare treat for us when we do buy it!

LindorDoubleChoc · 17/12/2023 21:26

Well huge amounts of it seem to get sold every year, so obviously not everyone agrees with OP.

Mangolover123 · 17/12/2023 21:26

Love a bit of party food. Over cooked washed down with copious processco.

OnlyCorrect · 17/12/2023 21:27

Hard agree! But I don't really like any convenience/ready meals so it's not that different from the rest of the year, just 'party food' displays instead of 'meal deal offers' in those parts of the supermarket I swerve anwyay.

Greenpolkadot · 17/12/2023 21:27

AhBiscuits · 17/12/2023 21:21

I think you're right. There is a place for fancy sausage rolls though, not those vile tiny ones that puff right up.

Aarggh. Those damn things..not even a whisper of a sausage..
Give me a decent three inches any day..

orchardsquare · 17/12/2023 21:27

I kind of agree but don't mind a bit of it mixed in with other stuff. I like things like devilled eggs, tuna / egg mayo / cheese open cobs, nice cold meat, pasta salad or rice salad, quiche, baby jacket potatoes, delicate English salad, maybe a cheeseboard etc.

Bonjovispjs · 17/12/2023 21:27

Love it, have been using up stuff in my freezer over the last few weeks so I can stock up with party food 😋

Treesinmygarden · 17/12/2023 21:28

Everybody's different!!

Alarum · 17/12/2023 21:28

The problem is that party food peaked with the Iceland Prawn Ring, and retailers have struggled to emulate its majesty ever since.

Frasers · 17/12/2023 21:29

Lucky you op. You get choice, you can buy and eat as you please, no one will force you to consume markies canopies 😂

RatatouillePie · 17/12/2023 21:29

Mmmm satay chicken and sesame prawn toast. Love it!!!