The key to stress-free entertaining is forward planning and we are here to help you plan your Christmas entertaining every step of the way with our Countdown to Christmas. In this blog post you’ll find handy shopping lists to make sure you have everything you need well in advance.

Christmas entertaining

Nibbles to make ahead: Jess TJ's sausage rolls, Beth's easy chocolate truffles, Matt's mince pies

Be ready to host guests at short notice by keeping the following in your kitchen throughout December (note homemade chocolate truffles will keep easily up to a month if stored in the fridge). Mince pies and sausage rolls can be popped straight into a warm oven from the freezer so you have piping hot homemade nibbles available within the hour:

Christmas Day dinner

Forward planning helps to keep Christmas Day stress-free. Write down your menu on a piece of paper and make a list of everything you’ll need to have to hand in the kitchen. You can buy many of these items now. Our top tip - you can buy lovely quality thick paper tablecloths and napkins to change the theme of your table each year:

  • Christmas crackers for the table
  • Disposable paper tablecloth
  • Paper napkins
  • Large foil turkey roasting tray
  • Extra large baking foil (to cover the turkey)
  • Turkey baster
  • Kitchen timer
  • Adequate supplies of salt & pepper
  • Cooking oil/ duck fat
  • Brandy to set light to the pudding
  • 🎶 Radio for Christmas carols 🎶

Flexible entertaining/dining

Why not bake Vicky's gluten-free mince pies to keep in the freezer

Everyone is welcome at Cookpad's Christmas table! Make sure you ask your guests if anyone has any food intolerances or allergies (e.g. gluten-free, dairy-free), or lifestyle requirements (e.g. vegan, keto or vegetarian). Items that may be useful to keep in stock over the festive season:

  • Gluten-free gravy granules
  • Ingredients for gluten-free mince pies (to freeze)
  • Gluten-free plain flour
  • Dairy-free baking margarine
  • Erythritol (keto substitute for sugar)
  • Egg replacer (such as Orgran)

🎄Don’t forget Cookpad is here to help you plan a stress-free Christmas. Join our Countdown to Christmas and let’s get ahead together! You can also open our Advent calendar every day in December, find out more here 🎄