Hi, have you used up all your food leftovers yet?

I imagine the sweets and chocolates are a real temptation if you can't have them at all. Personally, I keep a 'treat box' throughout the year, where I store any chocolates or sweets I acquire. This stops me feeling tempted, as I know that they're in MY box and won't be taken by anyone else, so I feel no need to eat my fair share quickly. For me, it's a case every Sunday of taking a bath and eating a maximum of five small chocolates, or two treatsize bars. Fortunately, I've been able to add all of those Christmas goodies to my box, and my boyfriend certainly hasn't minded helping me out with them either! Other treats, that won't last being stored in a box, I tend to take to work and offer up - there are always people who want the things I can't have or don't particularly like.

As for the Christmas turkey? My boyfriend left me in charge of the Christmas shop this year, but said he wanted a big turkey. Asda only had extra small left, so I bought two. Then, it turned out, even the extra small would be big enough for both of us, so the second (our back-up turkey) has been in the freezer since. Last night, it made its way to our sink to defrost. I can't wait to eat that tonight!

I made sure we didn't go overboard on shopping this year, so the leftovers were minimal. My son and partner had 2nd christmas dinner at suppertime on christmas day, so that dealt with the remaining roast beef, tatoes, veggies, etc. The christmas pud was demolished by Boxing day. Everything else (mince pies etc) was put in the freezer to be taken out when needed, so there's various yummies for New Year stashed away. Perhaps your boxes of chocolates would be handy during the coming year as Birthday presents, or thank you gifts as and when necessary. No harm or shame in 'recycling' gifts (I recall a discussion on this not long ago).

Oh my Lillie you really are the darling of the 'waste not want not' brigade! Full marks for that!

Personally, I hate throwing away any food as apart from it being a simple waste, it is expensive and it makes me think of all those much less fortunate to have it to waste in the first place. I am a master of 'mix and match' any leftovers and would love to see a series of TV chefs exploiting this for fun and economy.

As for unwanted boxes of confectionary or biscuits, have you ever thought about passing them on to elderly neighbours or old folk living on their own, possibly via Age Concern? Agreed, easier to think about than actually do. And of course you don't want to offend anyone in the process. But I just think that gifting such things in an organised manner to old folk would be so nice. Boxes of confectionary and biscuits can be so 'uninviting' to many of us yet so welcome to people that simply don't get them or could never afford them.

My Christmas hamper I won in a compy is still crammed to the gunwhals and am munching on it even as we speak/write/blog/post.
>;o)