I’ve never bought mince pies for just myself. Like jokes and expensive wines, they’re made for sharing with other people. And because those people are your family, picking which mince pie to get can be complicated.
It’s not just about different tastes and dietaries: think of the pastries on a platter, mostly untouched, during present time, its sole purpose to carry on the Christmas tradition of just being there. Think of the aunt or in-law whose investment in Christmas is so great, any encounter with a perceivably nontraditional item is not just a cultural crime, it’s a personal attack. Or think about your own need to impress – anything obviously cheap could bring shame upon your house. And then there are the people you love most: like the gifts you’ve given them over the years, you’ll want these mince pies to be the best possible version you can find.
