We want to make your December as easy as possible, with a month’s worth of holiday recipes and tips. Follow this festive guide for a stress-free Christmas!
1st December
Order your meat from your butcher or buy a frozen turkey. If you are planning on buying a large turkey, don’t forget to check that it will fit in your oven and that you have a big enough roasting tin! Try this roast turkey with lemon, herbs and garlic recipe for a flavourful Christmas dinner.
2nd December
Start off the month on a sweet note with this homemade cardamom and pear cake to share with guests.
3rd December
This spicy pumpkin dahl is the perfect way to warm up on a chilly winter night — not to mention it’s suitable for vegans and full of goodness!
4th December
Buy all the drinks you plan to serve at Christmas now — they won’t go off and you have a better chance of getting everything you want when you shop early. Here’s some of our best advice for those serving drinks at their Christmas parties.
5th December
Write your Christmas letters and have the kids get their lists ready for Santa!
6th December
Purchase non-perishable foods, such as prepared cranberry sauce, nuts, cooking oils, frozen food and tinned goods for the Christmas feast. If you feel like something different this year, make your own herb oil with this simple recipe!
7th December
Christmas is a time of giving and sharing, and for some of us that means drinks. Homemade liqueurs can make the perfect gift this festive season and are a really special way to show your appreciation of someone.
8th December
Today is a great day to put up your Christmas decorations. Put on some festive tunes, get the family together and decorate to your hearts content. Making your own ornaments is a fantastic way to get in the holiday spirit — so why not give these peppermint ornaments a go.
9th December
Set aside some time today to wrap gifts, and don’t forget to label them!
10th December
Put on the kettle and curl up with these sticky ginger puddings with salted caramel sauce — yum!
11th December
Indulge in a luxurious hot chocolate, with all the trimmings. This is a real treat the kids will love!
12th december
Stock up on any needed kitchen supplies, such as dish soap, tea towels, extra serving dishes or cooking utensils.
13th December
Use up some cupboard staples in this curried vegetable and chickpea stew. Hearty veggie-filled comfort food, packed with goodness.
14th December
Make these gingerbread cookies with the kids and have fun decorating cute, festive designs. This classic Christmas cookie recipe also happens to be gluten-free!
15th December
You can make mince pies ahead of time and freeze them once they’re assembled and bake them from frozen on Christmas day.
16th December
These curried lentil pasties are a great dinner on the go, for when you’re busy running around doing your last minute Christmas present shopping.
17th December
Have the kids help make these crunchy chocolate peanut butter truffles to send to loved ones. Sweet and nutty and crunchy and smooth – what more could you want in a treat?
18th December
Today is the last day to post letters and parcels to Great Britain and Europe, if you want them to arrive in time for Christmas.
19th December
These turkey, stuffing and cranberry crackers are almost too pretty to eat… almost. They are the ideal canapés for a festive party or dinner.
20th December
This is the last day to post letters and parcels to the Republic of Ireland.
21st December
A quick cheesy fish pie is a great way to get your fill of fish before it’s turkey time! This easy,cheesy and gluten-free fish pie is the perfect recipe for the occasion.
22nd December
Clear out the fridge and cupboards to make room for new foods and plenty of delicious leftovers! While you’re at it, you might as well check out our handy guide explaining which foods you’re supposed to keep in the fridge and which are for the cupboard.
23rd December
Take the time today to decorate your christmas cake. Here’s 3 particularly adorable cake decorations to make
24th December
Put a fun twist on your classic Yule log to get you in the festive spirit this year. This salted caramel chocolate roulade is a must try!
25th December
It’s time to celebrate! Enjoy the day with the good food, great company and glad tidings. Kick Christmas off with a seasonal twist on the classic brunch cocktail, with these cranberry mimosas.
26th December
Enjoy the leftovers in this ultimate leftover Christmas sambo on St. Stephen’s Day
27th December
Sometimes you just need something simple, like this baked egg and chips. You’ll love this quick and easy one-tray supper!
28th December
Use up leftover cranberries and turkey by baking them in this delicious pastry plait.
29th December
Turn any leftover chocolates and biscuits you may have into something special, with this spectacularly festive chocolate biscuit pudding cake.
30th December
Try to give your body a rest from all the delicious festive food and eat something a little bit more nutritional, like this low-fat, low-carb Teriyaki salmon. This Japanese dish is so tasty you’ll be making it every week
31st December
Get in the festive spirit with these delicious spirit-filled cocktails. Oh, and Happy New Year!