You get what you pay for. When we moved house I moved my main shop from Waitrose to Lidl because Lidl was nearer. Bit by bit I am buying more items from Waitrose again because the quality is better.
I have never understood quite why M&S is held in my regard. I now have a smallish M&S to hand as well now. I have been less than impressed by their food. Yes, it isn't bargain basement quality food, but it certainly doesn't justify its reputation.
This Christmas, as always, all the meat will come from a farm shop. Organic free-range bronze turkey, sausagemeat, gammon joint and bacon from the same source.
Cake, mince pies (and mincemeat), pudding, turkey stuffing etc willall be produced in-house. DGD wants us to make our own raised pork pie this year. We did it once before, but it was time consuming