Christmas is a whirlwind of present-buying, food-ordering, gift-wrapping and party-going – and it’s hard to remember every last detail To help you out, we’ve drawn up a list of items that are easy to forget but will make things a little bit simpler come Christmas Day.
See our Christmas menu ideas for recipe inspiration, from a traditional Christmas dinner menu to our vegetarian Christmas menu and vegan Christmas menu.
We also have plenty of Christmas desserts, Christmas cakes and Christmas baking ideas.
Essential storecupboard buys for Christmas Day
These take-it-for-granted products are worth having on hand:
For keeping the big bird covered when you need to. Remember to make a ball out of your used foil before you bin it, that way it’s easier to recycle.
2. Butcher’s string
Every trusser’s essential.
3. Baking parchment
Perfect for lining trays for sausage rolls, mince pies and all those other irresistible nibbles. Buy a compostable version.
4. Reusable food containers
You can never have too many, great for storing and stacking pre-prepped foods and leftovers.
5. A labelling pen
Date it and name it, because it’s hard to work out what that frozen mass is.
6. A couple of new tea towels
If you need some.
Glamorous ingredients? Maybe not, but we’ll be grateful we added them to the list when the feeding frenzy begins
1. Eggs
Breakfasts and Boxing Day bubble and squeak taken care of.
2. Icing sugar
A sprinkle gives a festive frosting to any dessert.
3. Cheese and biscuits
The perfect snack when you’re too full for a full-blown meal.
4. Chutney
For all the leftover cold meats.
5. Vanilla ice cream
Allow to melt slightly and mix with leftover Christmas pudding for an easy dessert.
6. Frozen peas
Rustle up a pea and ham soup with leftover ham stock and gammon.
7. Mayonnaise
A potato salad or coleslaw make easy Boxing Day sides.
8. Puff pastry
Impromptu guests? Scatter ready-rolled with leftover cheese, slice and cook for simple cheese straws.
9. Sauces
Not just cranberry and bread, top up your tomato and brown for festive brunches.
10. Butter and self-raising flour
You’ve got the eggs, have these two to hand and you can always whip up a quick cake for guests.
Gadgets and kit for making Christmas dinner
Yes, we can manage without, but life is simpler with them…
1. Meat thermometer
The best way to ensure you don’t overcook and dry out your meat.
2. Gravy separator jug
A simple concept, this jug separates the delicious meat juices from the fat.
3. Food processor
Quick and efficient for taking repetitive ingredient-preparation off your hands, like shredding cabbage, slicing vegetables and blitzing sauces.
4. Roasting tin
An indispensable kitchen staple for making mains and sides.
5. Non-stick baking tray
Ideal for stopping messy spills from bubbling Christmas dishes.
6. Food warmer
Sadly hostess trolleys are no longer a high-fashion kitchen favourite but you can get a small heated tray for keeping all the side dishes warm.
7. An electric carving knife
Great for those who hate to carve, otherwise a super sharp carving knife is spot on. Get a big fork too to steady the bird.
8. Plate warmer
Perhaps a luxury too far but ideal for keeping you and your guests’ meals warm while you wait for granny to pass the carrots.
For more recommendations of our tried and tested favourites, visit our reviews section where you’ll find expert buying advice on hundreds of products.
So you’ve taken a look in our shopping basket – now, we’d like to know what’s in yours. Turkey aside, which must-haves will you be stocking up on for the festive period?
