Being prepared in case of shortages

[GoldStarAngel]

We have an artificial tree. I have wrapping paper and sellotape and stocking gifts all sorted plus some potential big gifts just in case that I will roll over for birthdays if we can get what they ask Santa for nearer the time. I also have bought crackers and tree chocolates. Not concerned re Turkey as any roast dinner would do. What else haven’t I thought of that I might be sad not to have if there are shortages?
(Caveat - I know of the shelves are bare then Christmas is the least important thing, and o know that we are lucky to be able to afford this in advance)

@Mantlemoose

If everyone is healthy and well it's just another day. If you need all these other things theres something missing. The fact that a post was created about it says a lot.

Give over

We've still got stuff from last year, DD has to work Christmas day and boxing day and they were supposed to come up until NYE, but it never happened. I've bought a present for everyone except DS1 and DSiL.Yesterday in Tesco they had Pringles sizzl'n on a 2 for 1 offer with clubcard. We've also bought all the ingredients for after eight vodka .

I think we've a turkey in the freezer because it's too big for 3. TBH I think we could do Christmas tomorrow if we had to.

I am rapidly losing tolerance for sanctimonious twats and there seem to be quite a few on this thread so far.

Christmas symbolises lots of different things to different people and trivialising their worries about it is dickish to the extreme. You might not feel it's important and that there are other things to think about but for many, it's the focal point of those bigger worries.

People are entitled to worry about something that is important to them and do their best to mitigate any issues. I'd expect lots of people are preparing early for family celebrations this year because of bigger issues like the massive rise in heating costs etc. Stowing away bits and bobs makes perfect sense in those circumstances.

Anyway, I'm not sure we'll do much extra prep to be honest. We're not going down the traditional route this year and will need mostly fresh stuff. Like others, I am tempted to make sure I have some bacon in the freezer to make pigs in blankets if necessary.

If Christmas happened tomorrow dds would have gifts. We've had years where I did the full shebang roast and others where it was pared back. Its just depended on our circumstances that year. Ive done shopping Christmas eve for reductions on a tight year and we had pizza one year when I had an operation the week before Christmas.

The only things I will start to pick up are the few free from bits as these sell out even on a normal year. And pop tarts as dds have had these every year since they were tiny and its the only treat they would be sad at missing.

As long as everyone prioritises the important things and doesn't go crazy there will be enough to go around. Consider whether you really need so many different treats rather than a few selected ones. Think about gifts, is it necessary to exchange token chocolates, wine and gift sets with people you don't know well enough to choose a thoughtful gift.

@Mantlemoose

If everyone is healthy and well it's just another day. If you need all these other things theres something missing. The fact that a post was created about it says a lot.

Thing is, not everyone is healthy here. It's possibly our last Christmas as a family. So I intend to plan and stock up. Hope that helps !

@Cravey 💐

I am rapidly losing tolerance for sanctimonious twats and there seem to be quite a few on this thread so far.

Quite. I really struggled with MH going from 9 months of being housebound ( twin pregnancy ain't fun at times) then immediately into 18 months of lockdown. Last Christmas was lovely as I was almost forced to relax, but I wasn't mentally up for a lot of what I'd normally do. I know a lot of people like this.

This year, I feel a lot better, and being able to get ahead, and planning is a big part of keeping relaxed and happy. Christmas is a huge thing in our family. Has been since I can remember. Different events, and traditions, that aren't materialistic, or about stockpiling presents. And the potential shortages and nationwide disruption can very easily affect activities, and general planning for what's important to us.

People need to remove the sanctimonious sticks from their arses with this "if you and your family need anything more than your health and wealth, then there's something wrong and not what Christmas is about". It's so boring and transparent.

So in the most festive way possible, why don’t you fa la la la la off to AIBU where I’m sure everyone will welcome your judgement?

@Sn0tnose bravo

Honestly why do so many of the Christmas threads on the flipping Christmas board attract so many total miseries. Clear off with your negativity and enjoy your beans on toast on the 25th if that’s what you want to do.

Christmas isn’t just another day to me and I’m very glad it’s not. I’m a practicing Catholic and it’s a really important and fun time of year.

As long as I can get my tree (fresh), turkey (fresh and no room to freeze it as I have the world’s smallest freezer) and can go to Mass a couple of times I’ll be happy. I’ve bought most of the presents for my nieces and they’re the only children I buy for, wouldn’t be a massive problem if I couldn’t get presents for the adults.

My baby has just been diagnosed with IUGR so I’m more worried about her being born too early and being kept in hospital with me sent home. It’s my first baby and I hope I’m still pregnant and just stressing about the perfect ornament placement on my tree!

I'm not worried at all. I never have very grand plans for Christmas, but I'm certain there'll be enough treats in the house to make it a special time. I made the Christmas cake today, actually, so that's one box ticked already. One of my children has a Saturday job in the butcher's shop, so no worries about getting the essentials for Christmas dinner

Having older children takes the pressure off, of course. We don't need to create any magic and they'll understand if we just can't get something.

If everyone is healthy and well it's just another day. If you need all these other things theres something missing. The fact that a post was created about it says a lot.

I don't need any of these things, but its a fun day and nice to spend it doing traditional things and so if I can buy a pack of mince pies and a couple of gifts now rather than in December why does it matter? What exactly is missing from my life because I would prefer to have turkey on Christmas day rather than whatever is available last minute?

Enjoy your puritan Christmas

On the basis that I have freezer space and people buying early spreads the demand and helps people who need/want to buy last minute (and frankly because I like to be prepared and therefore less stressed nearer the time - I have some work projects due to deliver in the run up to Christmas) I'm ordering a Turkey crown, pigs in blankets and a gammon joint now.

I've got just enough baking supplies to do my usual baking but nothing excessive (might freeze some butter). I don't buy a lot of snack food for Christmas anyway and we don't drink alcohol at home (maybe wine with Christmas lunch) so no worries about beer and baileys.

None of this is essential but it's traditional and Christmas is culturally important, at least it is at my house.

It's not just another day in our family. It's special and important. And the whole of advent is very busy.

Agree, Christmas is so very special for so many reasons, I hate it when miserable people say it's just another day...

@Ingleduh

The only consumables that make Christmas for me are pigs in blanket il get a pack of them premade for the freezer but otherwise I'm not doing anything different to usual!

Buy premade pigs in blankets early and freeze if you can. They are near the top of the list of things that there may be shortages of because of the labour involved and how they aren't a priority apparently.

Alternatively make your own.

But yeah. If this makes your Christmas, be prepared.

Tbh kids and I live in a small flat we never host because of this.

I usually take some soft drinks and a couple of bottles of wine to the host and give them some money if they request it.

I have bought a couple of boxes of chocolate and other than buying a few snacks for the dc and a small Christmas pud for me, I am not going to bother buying stuff that takes weeks to eat.

If everyone is healthy and well it's just another day. If you need all these other things theres something missing. The fact that a post was created about it says a lot.

I think it says more about you, to be honest. It takes a special kind of miserable person to come onto the Christmas boards, where people are (shock, horror!) discussing Christmas and spout a load of nonsense. If you don't like it, bore off!

Our first child is due late November so we've sort of cancelled the family Christmas. I'm getting in some treat bits and DH likes those sugary orange and lemon slices so have already got a box hidden in the house. I think pigs in blankets will be on the list, I'm sure they go well with a homemade Shepard's pie or what ever homemade pre prepped meal we pick from the freezer.

@Lizlou85

Our first child is due late November so we've sort of cancelled the family Christmas. I'm getting in some treat bits and DH likes those sugary orange and lemon slices so have already got a box hidden in the house. I think pigs in blankets will be on the list, I'm sure they go well with a homemade Shepard's pie or what ever homemade pre prepped meal we pick from the freezer.

😊 Exciting! My DS1 was born end of November so was a very fresh new little bean his first Christmas day.

Get everything you fancy from marks and Spencer or wherever, get ready meals, get freezer food. And then just be kind to yourself and chill out as much as possible!

Tiny festive babies are the loveliest, DS was baby Jesus at the nativity service

if there are shortages then (excluding starvation obviously) I'm happy to experience and live through it. Not planning to get any specific foods and drinks in, but I will stock up on a couple of new board games and jigsaw puzzles, and some crafty bits for us to do if there's another lockdown or we can'tget out for some reason.

I don't care about shortages for me - I'm happy to eat beans on toast (and probably eat it out of choice 3 times a week)

As long as Netflix is working I don't care

There are more likely to be shortages if people start stockpiling mince pies in September that they end up throwing out in January.
Christmas won't be spoilt if you can't get every last thing you usually have, just go with the flow.

I don't think anyone can tell you what you're missing OP, as it is all so personal based on individual family traditions.

The things that we wouldn't want to do without (other than tree and lights etc that are reused each year) are our usual Xmas dinner and sides, stockings, some tree gifts, crackers, Xmas pud, nuts in their shells, a cheese board, and endless Negronis. And part baked bread to cook fresh in the following days for leftovers sandwiches! That's what I'll be prioritising. We all prefer cheese savoury stuff, so bar the odd pack of biscuits or bar of marzipan, we'll have few sugary treats.
I always start putting food/gifts away as and when I see them or when they are on sale, so starting early isn't new for 2021. Today I bought some shortbread and Campari (bought the vermouth months ago on the last Amazon Prime day!) as it was on offer, and Christmas cereal for the DCs. Last week I popped into Lidl and noticed they had some of their frozen Christmas ranges in, so bought the Coquilles St Jacques as they are part of our tradition too as the starter.
In the coming weeks I'll add the turkey, bacon, and chipolatas to the freezer, and dried stuffing mix to the cupboard. When I see advent calendars I'll get those. Everything else edible will be bought fresh when we need it/can be made with things we always have in. We have crackers and wrapping paper left from last year. I am less organised than previous years with gifts, but have done ~75% of the stockings and 50% of tree gifts, again by buying when I see things on offer.

"There are more likely to be shortages if people start stockpiling mince pies in September"

That's not how it works.

Anyway, I'm heading to Aldi tomorrow for florentines and Christmas tree pretzels

@NigelSlatersXmasTaters

"There are more likely to be shortages if people start stockpiling mince pies in September"

That's not how it works.

Anyway, I'm heading to Aldi tomorrow for florentines and Christmas tree pretzels

Maybe quote someone fully before telling them 'that's not how it works'

I said
There are more likely to be shortages if people start stockpiling mince pies in September that they end up throwing out in January.

People panic buying things in larger amounts than they need, and buying stuff they wouldn't normally buy is precisely what results in shortages.

Not that there is a problem buying stuff ahead and spreading the cost and making sure you can get the Stolllen or Florentines that help you enjoy Christmas. But as we have seen this week with fuel, it can be the panic buying in much larger amounts that are not needed that can create shortages.