Christmas With a Picky Eater
- Picky Chefs
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
A Very Real Holiday Story
I spent three days planning the Christmas menu.
Not casually planning — planning.
Saving recipes. Debating side dishes. Convincing myself that this would be the year something magical happened.
You know the thought:
“It’s Christmas. Maybe they’ll surprise us.”
Reader, they did not.
I cooked. I roasted. I sautéed. I proudly set the table like a woman who believed in herself.
My child looked at the spread and said, very calmly:
“Is there bread?”
There was bread.
They ate one dinner roll. No butter. No crumbs left behind. Just quiet confidence.
The Commentary Section
At one point, someone gently suggested:
“Just have them try one bite.”
My child responded by staring at the ham like it had personally wronged them.
Another relative whispered:
“They’ll eat when they’re hungry.”
They were hungry. They chose bread.
This was not a phase. This was a decision.
What Parents of Picky Eaters Learn
Here’s the thing parents of picky eaters learn early:
Holidays don’t make food easier. They make it louder.
New smells
Different routines
Lots of people watching your child’s plate like it’s a group project
And while everyone else is focused on the meal, you’re doing mental math:
How much pressure is too much?
How do I keep this calm?
How do I enjoy Christmas without turning dinner into a standoff?
This is exactly why we built Picky Chefs — not to “fix” picky eaters, but to help parents move through moments like this with less stress and more confidence. If you’re curious, you can find it here.
So yes — we served a safe food.
Not because we gave up. Not because we don’t care. But because we care enough to protect the mood.
The Real Win
Did my child eat ham? No.
Did they eat stuffing? Also no.
Did they feel safe, calm, and included at the table? Yes.
And honestly? That’s the win.
Because picky eating isn’t solved by holidays, pressure, or speeches about gratitude. It’s navigated over time — with trust, patience, and a lot of beige foods.
If This Was Your Christmas Too…
So if your Christmas plate looked a little… familiar:
You didn’t fail. Your child didn’t ruin the meal. And one peaceful holiday dinner is worth more than one forced bite ever will be.
Merry Christmas from Picky Chefs —where we believe the goal isn’t a perfect plate.
It’s a peaceful one.
If this story resonated with you, Picky Chefs was created for families navigating picky eating with less stress and more confidence.
Download on the App Store (iOS)
Get it on Google Play (Android)
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