Large family? What food could I take 18 December 2022 at 10:49PM edited 18 December 2022 at 11:07PM in Old style MoneySaving 20 replies 2.7K views

Mayaboo

I'm visiting my daughter for Xmas and she's a very tired lady with 7 children and an excellent partner. She works part time and barely has a minutes peace. 

She's not even got time to message a lot of the time, so I'm asking you what foods - edit - offerings- I could take , as a mum that might be welcomed.
I'm taking a big box of chocs as she's suggested. Thank you, ladies.

diystarter7

Hi
Ask her and insist.

Enjoy. Happy Christmas

Mayaboo

diystarter7 said:

Hi
Ask her and insist.

Enjoy. Happy Christmas

She reads messages, but doesn't reply most of the time.
I understand.If I ask her things, she says , I'm at work I haven't even got time to think.

theoretica

Are you asking about Christmas day foods or more everyday?  My thought would be the sorts of things that take a lot of chopping or are best cooked for a long time.  Sauces - just add pasta. Home made fruit cake.  What were her favourite things growing up?  But will she have room in the fridge/freezer?

Mayaboo

No, sorry, I'm thinking about what dishes , or offerings I could take that she'd welcome.
Shes time-poor.Is it just wholesale mince pies??!!Trifles? I've got one night in a hotel before I get to her 

Brambling

It depends on her finances the kids may appreciate chocolate or treats but would she appreciate the money spent on groceries for example the fruit or veg brought? 

Personally if you're staying in a hotel overnight I wouldn't take trifle! 

Are you able to ask her partner what they need or like

Wicked_Lady

I'd cook something like a large cake/gingerbread/flapjack for a start.

Presuming you're travelling by car then you could take anything to help out. Maybe some nice cereals/fruit. If you know anyone with a Costco card then they do large trays of croissants/part baked bread products etc at decent prices.

Difficult to choose; day to day catering for a family of nine sounds extremely time consuming.

Longwalker

Give her a voucher for whatever shop she uses, and send it now so she can use it before Christmas ( e voucher )

maman

You could tell her to leave everything to you and you'll bring the complete Christmas dinner and other food for the day with you and cook it when you get there. A frozen turkey would defrost on the way/use a cool bag. Take advantage of the supermarket veg wars. 

All the extras like cheeses, pickles, crisps, chocolates, cake, nice biscuits can be eaten over the holiday or will last them into the new year.

Of course, it does depend on how much you can afford to spend. 🤔

Rosa_Damascena

I would take something that doesn't take up much space in the fridge or oven, and something that is going to occupy the kids. And if there are plenty of adults drinking, a magnum of Prosecco!

The best thing you could do is muck in with the clearing up.

Floss

Why not message her, give her 3 time options for "a quick phone call about what I can bring for Christmas" and ask. But before you call her, write down different options / questions like

Meat - have you bought it?
Veg - what veg will we have?
Pudding - would the children prefer a yule log? 
Chocolate/treats / biscuits - shall I bring some?
X/Y/Z meal while I am staying - I will cook so you don't have to, lasagne or spaghetti bol?

When I stay with my son & daughter-in-law I always take something and also cook at least once, buying or taking the ingredients. They don't have children & have more disposable income than me but that's not the point, it eases the burden of having a guest.