So glad you all enjoyed this recent vid. I'm helping Gaz go through some of the comments (1 day off means there's LOTS 😊) I have noticed some religion based comments that have caused some upset and being a food channel is not relevant in this forum. If you have a message to preach, please stick to the corrects channels/forums. All inflammatory comments will be removed as and when we come accross them 🥴. Thank you 👍

Don't know why, this reminded me of when we moved into our flat in 1992. We had a lovely elderly lady next door (Jane). It was three years later that we realised that she'd always spend Xmas day on her own at home. She had no children and her husband died several years earlier. So from 1996 and until she died in 2005 we used to invite her in and have lunch or dinner (and a few occasions breakfast because we weren't going to be home). We're a Muslim family and didn't celebrate Xmas. We'd always have to persuade her to come too, because she thought she was being a burden. But we had great times. Jane taught my mum how to make Xmas pudding (halal version) over the years and mum showed her how to make "Xmas" samosas.

If you knew my family, you'd see that me being on my own for Christmas is a blessing to be celebrated! 🤣

I love Christmas on my own. It's heaven. When I was married I had to spend Christmas in places where I didn't want to be, with people I didn't want to be with, doing things I didn't want to do! Now I do what I want. I cook enough Christmas dinner to last three days, get up when I want, have a beer when I like and watch what I want on TV. I keep getting invited by friends and family to spend Christmas with them, saying that no one should spend Christmas on their own. This isn't an act of generosity, it's a threat!! lol. Thankfully I'm able to put them off and spend a delightful Christmas Day and Boxing Day on my own, doing exactly whatever I want 😁😁 I do however feel for those people who are on their own and don't want to be. This is very sad and as for those people who are homeless and on their own, well, this is tragic. Really awful.

I live on my own since my mother died and i love it, my two sons are visiting in january and we will have some nice food. But after looking after someone with dementia for 8 years its nice to have some me time. So please dont worry i will be happy enough with a bit of chicken. Hope you enjoy your christmas and continue making these great videos,,,

Bless you, you made me cry. You are a genuinely kind hearted man. I lost my Mum to covid on the 8th January last year. I always spent Christmas with her and I will be alone this year. It's ok, I'm used to my own company. Actually it is people like you who make it ok, your words in this video are enough. Thank you

*Every Christmas, growing up, was the worst day of the year.* We had a mother who screamed at everyone because nothing was ever good enough. We would live in hope, dream, that she'd magically be different...and when next Christmas came, it would be worse than the last year. No one could take it and eventually she ended up alone. She is manic and can only be calm by herself. Meanwhile, I made it my life-long mission to create harmony, peace, and laughter at meals. I collect table settings, make an effort to decorate the table, etc. But the psychological and emotional pain is always there, returning once a year.

Gareth, please don’t assume all people who are on their own at Christmas are lonely or unhappy, I never am and I know a few others who feel the same as me. It’s a vastly overrated one day of the year.

It is warming to hear there are people like you with a kind and caring heart in these insane days where our 'leaders' are dragging us down into the stagnant slime with them.

What a kind and thoughtful message Gareth it was really touching to hear you say to look in on your elderly neighbour etc ❤ I’m a carer and lots of my people live alone. And have no family. It would mean such a lot to let them know that you are thinking about them. ❤

Gareth is a good bloke having empathy for those who'll be on their own this Xmas 🙁 food looks nice though 👍

Just to give you a flip side, this type of meal has really helped me, my husband has just had osphageal cancer and so is food limited, I have been buying alot of these meals for one from M&S which he can eat, not everyone is alone, I'm glad these meals are available, and not everyone loves the Christmas expense and hype. Xx

It’s not too bad being on your own at Christmas 😊 that looks really nice… I think I may get one in nearer Christmas 🎄 cheers Gareth xx

Hi all, will get to the comments after the Rugby, hope you're all well 👌

I love spending Christmas by myself. No being forced to eat too much, not having to watch old or noisy film, and being able to do what you want when you want. My family always invite me over for the festive season, but I love spending it at home with my cat. (PS For the past four years I have enjoyed a wonderful home cooked dinner with my dear neighbours.)

Don't be sad, lots of people either don't celebrate Xmas and some people actually like to send Xmas alone. My grandmother always did. She had an 'open house' on the 24th where she would put out snacks and drinks and have numerous visitors, but she really enjoyed being on her own Xmas day.

Maybe if people stop saying being alone at Christmas is 'sad' people won't feel that way. Many people find being around 'family' at Christmas and New Year a complete nightmare.

Don't be sad Gareth, you bring early Christmas cheer to us all with your light-hearted videos.

Glad you reviewed this Gareth. I’ve had the M&S Christmas dinner quite a few times. And yes I live alone. To be fair, I’m so glad M&S do it. Otherwise even a small turkey is far too much for even 2 people. It’s also good value too and pretty decent quality. So thanks again for the review.

I totally agree Gareth I lost my mum to cancer 3 days after Christmas so this Christmas is going to be the first one without my mum being around so I've decided to have my dad stay with me over Christmas as I can't bear the thought of him being on his own my heart goes out to people who are alone over Christmas so definitely give anyone who's on their own a call or even a visit hope your good lady wife and children are all ok and you are all good cracking video as usual and keep up the good work from joff

I read meters for a few years, before becoming an engineer. It was hard to believe how our pensioners are living in a first world country. I always took the time to have a conversation with anybody, and even doing little jobs for them - the amount of televisions I've tuned in, you wouldn't believe. I was always 'the nice lad with the pink beard.'

I'll be alone for Christmas, doesn't bother me in the slightest, I don't have to buy anyone a present, I can eat what I want, when I want. And best of all, peace and quiet!! 🎄

I worked on a Turkey farm 40 years ago Gareth, when hundreds and hundreds of them are gobbling it's hilarious. Geoff.

I am one of those people who will be on my own... That looks way better than the xmas dinner pot noodle I had last year.

I had a few Christmas days on my own and it didn’t bother me at all, got a few nibbles in, settled down and watched t.v and throughly enjoyed it. Also that dinner dosent automatically say to me that whoever is buying it is sitting having Christmas Day on their own. Yeah need to say I enjoyed my Christmas days with no hassle or pressure

i have had a single M&S Christmas dinner all alone but it was a treat for me would never have spent so much on a meal but it was a treat - lonely but lovely and i felt special eating it - had the choice to be with friends but would rather be alone than lonely in a crowd. don't make it sad - but always offer if you know someone who is facing a single Christmas x bless you for bringing this up and making people aware

Thank you for highlighting those that will be spending Christmas on their own, I will be one of those and my 3rd Christmas on my own, keep up the good work brother, another top notch video

It didn't look too bad when you put it on the plate but I think six quid is a bit steep for a microwave dinner! Thanks for another honest review 💜💜💜

Esca-pea and Turkey impressions - it’s not just any episode, it’s a Gareth episode 🤣

Followed you from the start and liked you but I like you even more after seeing how genuinely caring you were about people alone for Christmas (and any other time of year really). That looked like an okay Christmas dinner for 6 quid. Good review as always. x

I spend my year running around looking after elderly neighbours and friends with varying disabilities. I also now work for Aldi Gaz, Christmas is my day off!! Great video once again

Hi Gareth - M&S sell that gravy in tubs - ‘luxury turkey gravy’ it’s called - you just microwave it - my wife and I buy 2 tubs every year, and freeze one to have turkey at Easter too - it is lovely..!

Gareth, you're a man with a big heart! I, too, get that sad feeling when I see Christmas servings for one. I feel that when I see someone eating on their own in restaurants too. But I'm sure many are fine with their circumstances. At least there isn't the booze-fuelled inevitable family arguments to contend with! Love your turkey impression, and chuckle! Dinner looked good too!

Well said Gareth. I only wish there were more people as kind hearted as you in this world. You have lifted my spirits today

Thats a really great serving suggestion,i would never have thought of putting it on a plate

My mother was a district nurse/midwife. My dad was himself. Ex army, WW2. Mum never talked about her patients. It was the rule. However, she did mention occasionally about the person, not the patient. I had many Christmas’ with invited guests. Many of them, my mother’s patients. Good video, again!!

Nice one, thought it was a bit pricey but when you dished up and did the taste test I don’t suppose it’s too bad. Don’t feel too bad about ALL folks that are alone, some of em want to be, my friend lives on her own and says she gets dragged along to different family members houses each year, they won’t take no for an answer, she says she’d rather stay at home on her own + for the rest of the year she’s on her own so why does everyone insist you can’t be alone at Christmas, my mum is the same so we just make her dinner and take it round, She’s 88 and doesn’t want the mither, we do stay for a little bit though so it’s not the same as being totally alone. If I’m honest if I end up “on my own” in years down the line I’ll probably be the same, I don’t mind my own company at all - sometimes I crave time alone and always appreciate when I’m afforded some. Fabulous review, thanks x

Thankyou soo much for this review, I have always cooked and provided a Xmas meal for myself my husband and my next door neighbour ( now sadly passed at the ripe old age of 93) but seeing this review and both me and him indoors being pensioners and on our own on Xmas day, we’re going to have an M and S Turkey roast meal for one, each, hardly any washing up,just the right amount to eat with out that awful “ stuffed” feeling after we’ve crammed far too much down our gullets lol and no left over Turkey that we’d feel obliged to eat because we hate wasting food in our house. I’m really looking forward to a hassle free Xmas morning, once again I Thankyou 😉👍🐾🥰🐾🥰🐾🥰🎄

When I was nursing I worked shifts over Christmas for many years. This would have been ideal for me! Especially if I was on my own. Very thoughtful of you though Gaz to think of people alone at Christmas who may be feeling lonely. I always thought it was sad when elderly patients were in hospital over Christmas when we made every effort to get them home for a few hours on Christmas day but their family said no. 💔💔💔

I'm glad you're doing more with the air fryer. It works out so much cheaper than turning on a conventional oven. It also gives more of an appetizing finish than a microwave. Personally, if the original tray won't fit in my AF, I usually find something that does - a six or eight inch sandwich tin works for me 😎

Hi Gareth. I usually buy these. Last Christmas they were £5.00, gone up this year by a £1 I must say the M&S Christmas Dinner is the business. As I have previously said, no one does Food like M&S It's a 10+ from me 👍🏻👍🏻😁

Hi Gareth, I totally get the sadness about a Christmas dinner for one, but also these meals might be handy for people who are working Christmas day for example and may not be able to attend dinner with the family etc. There's always a purpose for these meals. But yes very sad to think of people who will be spending Christmas alone and not out of choice. Not to be the voice of doom but for some Christmas can truly be the very loneliest time. And with that said I'm off for a beer 🍺 have a good weekend Gareth 😊

Gaz, I’m alone this Christmas for the first time, I have refractory coeliac disease so I can’t even get a ready meal, but I’ll have a pint and some turkey and roasties and watch the tele but I’m happy 👍🏻👍🏻

I love Christmas day on my own... Completely stressless!

About a month ago in Lidl their chicken roast dinners were £1.78 - so you could buy three of those instead and have a feast! Personally though i do live alone and i'm not visiting family this year so i'll be attending a free christmas dinner at the local methodist church. They've been doing it for several years now and it's pretty well organised and they have a couple of good chefs directing everything. The local supermarkets donate all the food and the dinner caters for up to about 80 people with enough left over for many to take home an extra meal in a doggy bag. - Also at the moment i'm talking to the woman who runs the local community center about organising a probably fortnightly Sunday roast for perhaps 15 or so lonely souls around town. - We've also been organising winter 'warm banks' between the library, community center and local churches to cover every weekday so people can come in, keep warm, chat, and get a free coffee, soup and roll or bacon sandwich.

Hi Gareth. Thanks for the great video. That does look like a nice meal. More importantly, you have given me some food for thought. I am ex-military and have some ex-military mates who, like me, were medically discharged from service. All of us suffer from depression and two of my mates are alone. I need to get off my backside and call them and say g'day. Thanks again.

Potentially there are lots of couples that would get one each to save the effort of buying and cooking all those ingredients saves prep and cooking time saving fuel to sadly help them heat their homes, god bless ya 😘👍

Bless you mate, great chap, I feel the same. Everyone deserves company at Xmas, if not everyday 👍👍

It's way too complicated for an elderly person to bother with on their own , although you have made it look delicious! 😋😋

I love these videos, they help so much. Well done Gareth, absolutely brilliant 🙂👍🏻🏆

Better to be alone rather than amidst constant arguing and treading on eggshells. Well done M marks and Sparks xxx

I used to live alone (quite a long time ago now) and i used to dread the weekends because i knew that i when i went home on a Friday night apart from ringing my mum i would not speak to anyone again until Monday morning! In my family Sunday was always a big day and the centre would be the sunday roast! So i used to cook one only for me and then freeze most of it and have it another week! These days my other half is vegetarian and for years we used to do a sunday veggie roast, we stopped doing this probably 10 years ago because we got fed up with lentil loaf. We now have a Sunday curry or con carne eventually we will get fed up of that and move on to something else! But anyway i do buy the lidl roasts for one occasionally for myself and my mum does the same. But when i'm down my mums for Christmas we do the big roast thing ( there is only the 2 of us) and then i cut up the "leftover" meat and freeze it into mum size portions so that she can have a roast if ever she is on her own on a sunday. And if she wants turkey she can have turkey or if she fancies beef she can have beef or pork (depending what roast we did for boxing day).

Wonderful sentiments Gareth, as we get older we do appreciate that Christmas is a difficult time for some. As for the meal, even for a couple £12 is not horrendous for Christmas dinner.

Bless you,😊 Gazzer you are such a good guy for mentioning people that are on their own for Christmas. I like you a lot but I like you even more now.

The ready meal roast dinners come in handy if it’s only 2people together saves on meal prep and faff but also come in handy as back up if the main roast dinner gets burnt or spoils before cooking, they are also good for if unexpected guest turn up but they are good meals for everyone single or familys

You are cheeky with that pigs in blanket Gareth, but you are also a beautiful kind soul, thinking of others at Christmas. It looked delicious. Take care and God Bless you and your family Gareth. Love Debra xxx

Spot on Gareth 👍🏻M&S £6 , not too bad for price . If you are alone you may as well have a half decent dinner ? I agree , it’s sad , I could be back in hospital this year 😢 I won’t be alone , but I won’t be with family , till they visit 😮

Gareth you’re 100% pure entertainment…..don’t ever stop what you do!😂

dont be sad alot of people like to be by themselves.. I like to cook a Sunday dinner type meal but not every day of Xmas... these look ideal.

That was better than a John Lewis and M&S advert put together! x

Even sadder in America where you can get Christmas dinner in a tin!!!

Used to cook a Christmas dinner for my old next door neighbor Roma 87 she would always put 20 pound in an envelope through my letterbox in the evening and I would go back and put it back through hers x did it for about 7 years :) awesome video and review m8

My first alone this year Gareth but hey gotta make the best of it it's strange how life can change

I spend Christmas with 12 plus people and for the last 5 years I've cooked the meal....respect the message but sometimes i do get jealous of those who get peace and quiet 🤣......there is a difference between eating alone and being lonely ...

100 percent with you on the veg actually being cooked !

You’re too brilliant for words my friend. Thanks for your wonderful video. Can’t stop watching these videos. They always give me a smile.

Yes Gareth, i've been alone since 2015. Thank you for mentioning Loneliness at Christmas!!!

I'm quite happy on my own at Christmas. I wouldn't mind this expensive ready meal but will have all day to make a Crimbo dinner from scratch . Plenty of entertainment on TV and streams after saying hello to folks online. What would be sad would be if I couldn't afford it - and there will be some families who are together but who now can't afford to feed the electric or gas meter needed to cook in the oven for hours.

Aww it really brings it home doesn't it Gareth I hate to think of anyone alone at Christmas 🎄

Brilliant : this is a well-timed reminder to think ahead about others less fortunate. Probably it gets thought about at the last minute, but you have given us plenty of time to turn good intentions into action.

;Gives everyone in chat a hug and a back rub; As someone who lost their grand dad to terminal pancreatic cancer this year in Feb, and taking care of him for the last month and a half. I know how some people are going to feel about spending the holidays alone in a sense, literal or psychological. Just know this Nub says you're loved and appreciated. And don't ever feel shame to reach out to want to talk to anyone during the holidays. Sometimes conversation can mean more than most realize. May you all who don't have anyone this holiday season, just remember there's always someone to talk to.

Thanks for another great presentation. I think someone in the Marks and Spencer head office team really put some work in this meals development. £6 Yes but it did look good. I think I remember they did one some years back a bit more expensive but quite a lot of Turkey. I reckon that tray could gave got into my Halogen oven which is my third in many years. I rarely use my big oven. How can I say... You must have been a great postman. Such thought and care for others . Thanks.

Some of us who live alone do prefer solitude and I've spent the last 13 Christmases eating my Christmas dinner alone and I will be doing the same this year. I want no-one's pity as it is a choice I make. However, I would not waste my money on a meal like this. I enjoy cooking and I do make the effort to prepare myself a proper Christmas dinner with all of the trimmings. (No turkey as I cannot stand it - I much prefer a nice large, moist chicken that will give me a good 3 meals.) Not everyone who lives alone is actually lonely. Solitude can be a blessing to those who appreciate it.

Thank you for this and your many other reviews, and for having a heart for folk who will eat Christmas dinner alone.

gaz kind words said for all the right reasons and clearly heartfelt, some of what you said rings true for a lot of us living alone, the knock hoping someone might come to the door, they we me probably heard you, but you become so used to your own company that you avoid coming to the door, but its not all bad i have my dogs and every xmas i buy frozen roasties/yorkshires a chicken and pigs in blankets and lay it on a dinner plate for each one then trifle for afters, i know i sound stupid but watching them scoff that down makes christmas.

We always buy our stuffing and pig blankets from M&S at Christmas, they are always lovely and make my mediocre cooking seem much better.

Great review. And compassionate, well done. Lucky enough to say Ive only spent one Christmas alone when I worked for the Nhs in 2005 but I used to do myself a veggie Sunday lunch without fail so something veggie like this would have been really useful. But yeah, those instrucitons!!LOL

Totally agree...loneliness is a real problem especially after lockdown

It doesn't look half bad and nice one for mentioning being on your own at Chrismas, can me a lonely time for a lot of people.

ive spent the last 15 Christmas's alone... im obviously intolerable lol. but at least i get peace ;-)

Cut the potato container off and it will go in the air fryer. I’ve tried all the Christmas dinners and M&S were by far the best . 😊

Back again, we are waiting for money saving Christmas starter. Thanks for mince pies review. All this hardwork, makes Christmas shopping a breeze!

Sainsbury’s used to (and maybe still do) a roast beef Sunday dinner version very similar to this M&S one. It was only about 3 or 4 quid and when I lived on my own I used to enjoy it on a Sunday. When you live on your own you can’t be bothered with the faff of cooking a roast for yourself. That M&S meal looks decent in all fairness.

Saying that Gareth, turn it the other way many of us would be very happy having just having this meal for one, saves visiting those pesky relativise 🤣

Gareth, don't get too sad, my partner and I often have these "meals for one" at Christmas as we are often in our motorhome at Christmas and they are very convenient if you just have a microwave. Also, not everyone enjoys cooking!

This frozen meal looked fabulous and you proved that...Every bite you took was "tasty"...Merry Christmas to you.

Emotional review captain. Brilliant well done 👏. Been there but no story sorry well done captain 👏 👍

Having spent the last 6 Christmases on my own after a seperation, this year I thought I would do something different, so I'm off to Thailand for 2 months, I know what i'll be having for my Christmas dinner and it won't be bloody turkey lol

I am one of them, I don't celebrate christmas as no point when your on your own, truly is a sad time for a lot of people, but we don't moan we just put up with it. 😢

Thank you for highliting people on their own at Christmas and so glad you found your good lady xx

Gareth, really like your concerns for those that might eat Christmas dinner alone. Remember though, that a family of three could enjoy a lovely Christmas dinner with these, for £18.

Spent years alone at Christmas & love it❤😀

found your channel by accident a while ago.I love the reviews, no nonsense and you put a bit a humor with things to. keep up the good stuff and nice to hear that you and people are thinking of others on there own.

Hello Gareth my wife went to hospital boxing day 2021 and died on 5th January 2022. I will be on my own and will probably cook a small turkey and the trimmings I will raise a glass to her memory and the many happy Christmases we had together.

Hi Gareth love the review but love being on my own at Christmas watch what I want on TV haha, I always have a hot curry and rice for my dinner and I apple pie and ice cream for pudding as I hate Christmas pudding, and I have a cat 😺 called Tiny Tim love Kim xxx

Bless u. Few years ago asda did three course Xmas frozen meal for one. I never tried it but got to say this one looks decent. I might just go for that. I am on me own with my dogs but after decades of big family Christmas celebrations it’s now nice to sit back and do what I want to do and reflect back on good times. I love it. Thank u. You’ve just made my Christmas.

Well done Gareth bringing the option for a Xmas dinner for the price conscious solo person options certainly buying a small turkey option,only negative was a lack of gravy!!

Lmao when you first placed the pig in blanket on Santa my mind went to the same place as yours mate. I'm 31 but glad to know I'm not the only adult with that sense of humour 😂

I have been on my own at Christmas day for 30 years since I was 20

Hi Gareth thanks for an excellent review as usual.thoughts must go to the elderly and especially to people who live alone with the winter so close especially at the times we are experiencing at the moment have a great weekend.