To not do a Christmas food shop?

[ChristmasLightss]

I don’t have much money (£50 until I get paid on Friday) this is our first Christmas without my ex husband, we have been split for 6 months. My mum and dad have told me not worry as they are doing Christmas dinner and have lots of food in for us. I just feel like I should do a Christmas food shop. I am not feeling this Christmas at all it all feels really strange.

Don't look at the Christmas Fridge Threads

And if you don;t know what the CFT is .......don;t go looking !

Christmas and Boxing Day are just that 2 days. You will be at the fabulous Christmas venue of mum and dad this year, they have said they have stuff in and are happy to provide.
apart from that you have got the presents in.

your done. Stop worrying!

just make sure you have normal (can be cheap pasta etc) meals in to feed you and the children. Maybe get a tub of celebrations or something for you all to dip into if you can afford to and want to but otherwise YOU ARE SORTED!

Christmas was never a two week event before! It was 1 day with a couple of extra nice little things for the day before and after then that was it.

going by that you have fulfilled Christmas 🎅

well done! Now try to enjoy yourself!

OP Christmas is more than a fridge full of food. Play with your children and enjoy being with them. Watch Christmas films, bake cookies etc. They will love it. They don’t care what’s on the menu so long as they’re not hungry.

Have you got things like fish fingers and eggs in that you could use for meals until payday. If so you will be fine .A big shop is not needed .As a child I liked a more basic meal after the big roast. Enjoy the time with your family.

You've got plenty, and will have more after you've been to your parents.

You're not a failure at all! You've done everything you needed to do and you have money left over. That £50 is worth more in your hand than wasted on a load of food you don't actually want or need.

Tomorrow is a rest day. Take it easy with your children and do something cosy together.

Enjoy your Christmas! 🎄 🎄

(unless you meant that you actually want to get a few treats in? If so, get yourself something nice and maybe a little activity for your children to do. But keep some cash aside in case you need some before you get paid)

Of course it will feel strange this year. 💐 You'll probably feel it a bit more on the day when your children are excited about presents and you can see everyone else and do all the usual things.

Your kids remember you at Christmas. Not what they ate.

Trust me. If you've got £50 left when all presents are bought and wrapped you're winning.

Relax and have a good Christmas with your babies!

Eh? We’re well off but wouldn’t have a full fridge over Christmas if eating elsewhere. Why waste food?!
I wonder if this is really displacement and what’s making you feel discombobulated and low is the change in the family set up. You’re maybe feeling guilty that it’s not the traditional Christmas set up you were used to / or the idealised version on the Christmas card/ advert etc. But you’ll adjust and get happier. And you sound like a great mum. Your kids have you who loves them plus it sounds like lovely grandparents. Look forward and be happy.

It sounds like you've had a lot of change this year, it was always going to feel odd. You have a great Christmas planned for your kids, and a good support network round you on Christmas Day. Maybe start a new tradition with your kids?? Christmas Eve morning watching a Christmas film in pjs with pancakes or something else they'll love that doesn't cost a fortune! You're doing a great job, give yourself a break - it's your Christmas too.

I have the opposite issue of buying too much fresh food in my last food shop.
Because we've been out and/or snacking on crap instead of proper meals, and being hosted for Christmas, I now have to throw out a fair bit of food which won't last until we are back.
Bit annoyed with myself as I hate waste and I'm not very good at adulting and predicting this would have been what would have happened.

So keep your £50 and see where you are after Christmas, chances are you'll come home with leftovers!

I didn’t do Xmas food shopping for my own home for years because we stayed with our parents over the holiday and there was no need. I really wouldnt worry, maybe just get chocolate for boxing day though if your parents are like mine were you’ll be coming home with bags of biscuits and left overs

You've done really well you've got all your Xmas gifts bought. You should be congratulating yourself. Relax and enjoy the time at your parents. After Xmas you might be able to get a few bits and pieces in the sales with your £50.

I never do a big Christmas shop ever! I buy Christmas dinner and a few extra nibbles. People put far too much pressure on themselves aslong as you have food in for meals then you'll be fine.

Years ago shops would be closed for a few days hence stocking up on big shop there really is no need todo this now days.

You only need a xmas food shop if you are the one hosting surely?!!!

Sounds like xmas is already sorted OP! Relax and enjoy

@ChristmasLightss
How many meals do you have to have in your own home until Friday?
Just buy those in, we are at eldest DDs on Wednesday, so have done a normal shop with some treats, tbh so much food gets wasted over the festive so I have scaled back this year.

Go mad on the yellow stickers and see what you can get for £20 quid. Adjusting is hard after a break up. I put food in the fridge just so you feel it's still Christmas. You're worth spoiling. Apologies yourself a bit. And get a little cocktail mocktail and some nice snacks for TV in the evening.