Families come together once a year for that anticipated Christmas dinner which is only once a year. Preparing the Christmas dinner table may seem stressful and a nightmare to some but with good planning and ample time of preparation, your ideal Christmas dinner table can be pulled off.
Here is a list of tips to having a no-sweat Christmas dinner table:
Decide on the Christmas turkey
Whether you're too obsessed with preparing the perfect home-cooked Christmas turkey or too frantic enough on the holiday rush and you thought of cheating on the turkey, now is the time to decide.
If you opt for a home-cooked turkey, contact the nearest shop and make that order and reservation of your fresh turkey. Decide on a convenient time for pick up. You may also go for frozen turkey but keep in mind to thaw it at least 2 hours before you pop it in the oven.
Now, for those who doesn't want to stress over the Christmas turkey, you may want check out Asda's ready to roast turkey breast joint or Tesco's butter basted turkey breast joint with pepper sprinkle- each costs about £5.
Have the pudding in advance
A rushed Christmas pudding will just be a disaster when it's time to serve it on the table. A good pudding takes time to mature, so have it made in advance. In an article by About British Food, traditionally the pudding is made on 'Stir it up Sunday' the Sunday before Advent in November.
If you go for a ready-to-eat pudding, you might want to have a simple classic pudding by Asda packed with raisins for £1.89 or the exquisite Specially Selected Golden Topped Christmas Pudding from Aldi for £8.99.
Get the sauces done before the entres
Don't throw away the excess juices and crisps from your turkey. Turn it as gravy and dipping sauce for your fritters or set aside stock for gravy and freeze it. Most often, people tend to forget the sauces as they are running in between the main dishes.
Stock up the drinks and canned items
Get your wine, sherry port, non- alcoholic drinks and canned items stocked up weeks ahead to avoid the holiday shopping panic. Clear out your fridge and pantry cabinet and make room for the holiday essentials.
Take out all the fancy for your Christmas dinner set up
Check on your inventory of glass wares, table linens, silverwares, baking essentials,dinner table decor to make sure you've got everything you need on the big day. Sharpen knives, wash and dust through your old fancy and antique wares you only use during special events. Take everything you are to use in your Christmas dinner table set up and have it ready on one accessible place in the kitchen to save time in finding them during your actual preparation.
