Did the Balducci Christmas Dinner, not bad, why would anybody do it from Scratch

[Anonymous]

Christmas and Thanksgiving are the two days a year that I actually like to cook. Now that my kids are teens and don't need my attention all day, I find that it's a long day with my parents and siblings (I have the only grandchildren). Don't get me wrong, I love them, but the topics can get quite repetitive, so I choose some new recipes with special ingredients I might not spring for on another day, and spend an hour or two in the kitchen. It seems less rude to disappear into the kitchen for an hour, rather than disappearing into the study with my phone or something, and usually the dishes turn out well.

Having said that, I'd rather spend the time getting one or two things right, so a Balducci dinner with a side or two from me, and a store bought dessert, would suit me just fine.

[Anonymous]

Cooking is a labor of love for me. I like to plan a menu my guests will enjoy, slice, saute, roast, and bake up a feast. My sister prefers to order in and reheat and while still yummy it feels a little flat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did the Balducci Christmas dinner,

I am wondering why people do everything from scratch when places like this exist? Maybe we would have swapped the pie with the pie gourmet in Vienna or maybe added a ham from honey baked ham. But what is the point of making everything from scratch?

You really can't wrap your mind around the idea that some people enjoy cooking? Really?

[Anonymous]

Why buy Balducci's when you can cook it yourself. Some friends and family travel from faraway places to eat traditional homemade fare. And some of us really enjoy preparing a holiday feast once or twice a year.

Oh and by the way, I made my own honey baked ham and it was delicious! Can't wait to use the ham bone for a hearty bean soup.

[Anonymous]

I agree OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Balduccii's is good for vulgar people with lots of money.

I can assure you my cooking is preferable to store-bought.

You sound awfully vulgar yourself.

Even people who like to cook aren't always in a position to do that, but still like to entertain at their homes. Places like Balducci's that offer take-out Christmas meals provide a useful alternative.

I'd also bet your cooking is not nearly as good as you like to think.

You undercut your entire argument with your bitchy last statement.

Who is the vulgar one?

You are vulgar, as was PP. Her assurances as to the quality of her cooking are just empty words.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pride of ownership, proof of love and labor, and less expensive.

+1 plus the tradition of our own family recipes. Cooking together with my family is my favorite part of the holidays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a number of recipes that are tradition in our family. It would be kind of awful to try and Balducci that away. Not everything is about convenience and money. Food is sentimental for a lot of families. The making of it, the kids helping and setting the table, the smell of it in the house while it is cooking, everyone having a favorite dish on the table that reappears year after year mainly for them etc etc.

Money being more accessible has helped us stress less about sales or price checking, hire someone to help us clean the house, bought us better ingredients and wine, and given us more days off for family the week of the holidays - but I don't think I will ever just buy a store bought holiday meal so I don't have to bother with it. Seems weird and detached to do that but that is just my take on it and I am sentimental about things like this. Maybe to some people food is just food?

+1 I totally agree.

[Anonymous]

Can't you just enjoy your Balducci's without needing everyone to agree with you that cooking is soooo stupid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Balduccii's is good for vulgar people with lots of money.

I can assure you my cooking is preferable to store-bought.

You sound awfully vulgar yourself.

Even people who like to cook aren't always in a position to do that, but still like to entertain at their homes. Places like Balducci's that offer take-out Christmas meals provide a useful alternative.

I'd also bet your cooking is not nearly as good as you like to think.

You undercut your entire argument with your bitchy last statement.

Who is the vulgar one?

You are vulgar, as was PP. Her assurances as to the quality of her cooking are just empty words.

Hahahahaha! Oh my god, you are a riot! Keep talking, please. So entertaining!

[Anonymous]

I like to plan, grocery shop and cook. Shrug. Balduccis is fine. Some of their bakery stuff is really quite good. But I can make better stuff for much cheaper. And I like to do it.

[Anonymous]

I cook just about everyday, and I have my favorite recipes, but for thanksgiving and Christmas we order our dinner. It is delicious, I get to try things that I would never make (too complicated or time intensive), and I get to spend more time with my family. I loved watching everyone open their gifts and I was able to help dd put her Barbie dream house together. After dinner we snuggled on the couch and watched a Christmas movie. It was great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did the Balducci Christmas dinner,

I am wondering why people do everything from scratch when places like this exist? Maybe we would have swapped the pie with the pie gourmet in Vienna or maybe added a ham from honey baked ham. But what is the point of making everything from scratch?

Because people enjoy cooking & baking, because when you make your own food you can control what goes into it, because it is less expensive, and because you feel pride in saying you made it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a number of recipes that are tradition in our family. It would be kind of awful to try and Balducci that away. Not everything is about convenience and money. Food is sentimental for a lot of families. The making of it, the kids helping and setting the table, the smell of it in the house while it is cooking, everyone having a favorite dish on the table that reappears year after year mainly for them etc etc.

Money being more accessible has helped us stress less about sales or price checking, hire someone to help us clean the house, bought us better ingredients and wine, and given us more days off for family the week of the holidays - but I don't think I will ever just buy a store bought holiday meal so I don't have to bother with it. Seems weird and detached to do that but that is just my take on it and I am sentimental about things like this. Maybe to some people food is just food?

Sounds old fashioned. I was a child about 30 years a go and thought it was annoying that we had to do all that instead of spend time with each other. I also hated having to eat things that were only semi good but since someone made them we had to pretend. There was a few good dessert items but everything else was good but not restaurant good. Also the prep work, cleaning, etc... It is a vacation not a time to do manual labor.

[Anonymous]

BTW , my mom was an amazing cook and did everything but never left the kitchen so I have idea who she is.