We’re days before the Holidays start. Whether it’s Christmas or any other similar celebration or the New Year’s Eve, that doesn’t depend on religion anymore, people are maxing their credit cards, buying way too much food and try to show off, because … you’re supposed to.

We’ve had a very difficult year in my country too. Hundreds of thousands of people were fired, their bank payments are late and some lost their homes or the cars they bought on credit. January will come with more cuts and even less money for most people. And still, these days, it seems like we’re a country of Rockefellers. All the hyper-markets are packed with buyers who forgot shops are open most of the days (with 2-3 exceptions) and the much anticipated Apocalypse won’t come in 2011.

Still, they buy an entire pig for 2 weeks of celebration, as if the entire army will dine at their table. Tens of kilos of meat, all kinds of sweets and way too much drink for a normal family. Even with many guests.

The Christmas trees are super-expensive these days and the decorations also raise the cost for a “proper” celebration to some huge numbers. Still, people buy. Instead of paying their rates, they purchase all kinds of nonsense, instead of SAVING money, they spend it all, instead of settling for a less “royal” holidays, they max their credit cards and will have to pay for months to come just for the pleasure of being a king for a day.

In my families we had “proper” celebration, when we could afford it. When times were rough, we just ate something less expensive but still home cooked and enjoyed being healthy and together. For the past years I can afford a pompous celebration, but have chosen not to. Instead of splashing money for 1 week of eating till you drop, we chose to just enjoy each others’ company and cook something good, that we know we all love. The money we don’t spend can be used in summer, when we vacation somewhere.

So, instead of paying for a Christmas tree we don’t really need (we’re all grown ups) and trying to buy presents, when we actually have everything we need now, we use the money in the summer, when it comes to going to a nice place, preferably near the sea, to have 12-14 days of uninterrupted happiness.

Many of my friends are shocked to hear we don’t celebrate  “properly” and some have asked if we’re actually having financial problems. No, we just chose to lay low for these days and not spend in something we really don’t need. When we’ll have kids, it’s normal to reconsider and try to make the holidays beautiful for them. Right now, some excellent home cooked meals and being together make us happy.

How about you? Do you celebrate “properly”?

PS: Happy Holidays, BTW.

Let me start by saying I AM NOT A GOOD COOK. And I don’t like to cook too often. It should give you a good perspective over this, since, even if my skills in the kitchen still need a lot of improvement, let me tell you that, when I cook something, NO ONE can cook a tastier meal than me.

I’ve done “take outs” in my life, I’ve done restaurants, I’ve spent hundreds of dollars for all kinds of meals prepared by others. But, when it comes to an affordable, good tasting and healthy meal, I am the one. Here is why I think cooking our own meals is better than eating out:

1. Total control over the recipe

I’ve eaten BAD food in restaurants. Instant soup, instead of a normally cooked one. I am still trying to find a restaurant able to make me a SALAD that’s got a better taste than a sponge. And don’t get me started on pizzas.

When it comes to home cooking I am sure the ingredients are cooked perfectly. I don’t ruin the recipe, I am not in a hurry, so, if something needs to boil for 30 minutes, be sure it won’t stop at 25.

2. Best ingredients

Sometimes I am shocked to think of the ingredients in my take-out or restaurant food. I am a very picky person. If a salad is 1 day old, I am not eating it. I don’t eat onions that were cut more than 2 hours ago. I don’t eat ANYTHING that’s not perfect and fresh. No fruits that seem “beaten”, no bread that’s not fresh, nothing gone sour.

And when I cook, only the best ingredients go there. We shop for groceries frequently and choose the best vegetables and fruits. Meat is fresh, so is the milk, cheese or any other ingredient. Not to mention we don’t buy the cheapest merchandise if it’s not good. I don’t care about saving 2 bucks, if the butter is not top quality or the cabbages look as if they’ve fought in Vietnam. And of course, I sincerely doubt all restaurants can afford being this picky with their ingredients.

3. My meals are healthier

I am not a calorie-nazi, so don’t expect me to count everything that goes into my plate, because I won’t. But at the same time I do cook with good oil, I grill a lot, I stay away from some ingredients that will make my digestion a living hell. My food has a natural taste and I don’t use “chemicals” to make it tastier. Good, fresh ingredients make the difference.

4. The waiting time is similar

Most meals take 30 minutes / 1 hour to be cooked. Same is the waiting time in a restaurant. There’s few meals that require more efforts, so, in half an hour, with good planning and coordination, there’s already food on the table. Instead of waiting in a restaurant for someone to bother come take the order, get the food, take your money etc. you’re spending less time at home cooking the meal and cleaning the kitchen. Not to mention you can always get the family to help and this helps you bond. We do cook some meals together, we even make pizza at home, and these are amazing times. We talk and laugh, while working together to deliver a top meal.

5. Don’t forget the price

I haven’t forgotten it, don’t worry. If we talk about frugality tips and saving money, this immediately comes to mind: our home cooked meals, as good tasting and healthy as they are, also cost a fraction of the ones you can order in a restaurant. Even with my mania for super-fresh and tasty ingredients, our meals come cheaper than if we’d eaten them in a restaurant.

We’re saving money, eating good food and sharing some good times.

PS: I am not totally against eating in a restaurant, since we do go out sometimes, but it’s more of an event dinner than something we’d do weekly or, god forbid, daily.

How often do you “dine” in a restaurant? Do you also have any reasons to thing home cooked meals are better?

And now you’ll excuse me, I’ve gotta make the best pizza in the world