It’s all here… Everything you need to know for pulling off Christmas Dinner without any stress! If the prospect of cooking the biggest meal of the year for guests is getting a little bit daunting, fear not my friends. This Ultimate Christmas Plan is all you need!
What this Christmas Day plan includes:
What extra equipment you’ll need
A shopping list
A master timing plan
Tips for getting ahead
A printable menu for the big day
CHRISTMAS DAY PLAN
What’s the one thing we need to take out of Christmas Day cooking? STRESS! There is no place for panic at Christmas, and that is what this Christmas plan is all about making sure of.
I wanted to make a one-stop-shop for how to make it as smooth as possible and reduce overwhelm so you get to enjoy yourself, as well as feed hungry mouths. NO STRESS is the aim here, and to achieve that it’s all about the early prep so you’re not under pressure on the day.
All of the recipes have been tried-and-tested again and again, and designed with convenience, cost and crowd-pleasing in mind.
I have worked meticulously on timings (check out the Master Timing Plan below) and have taken into account hob space and oven shelf space at any one time.
Did I use a spreadsheet to calculate this? Yes absolutely as I am a Christmas obsessive..
Notes if you’re vegetarian:
- This year we have added in a new gravy recipe which is vegetarian and so delicious, even the meat eaters will love it.
- We have added in the option of a vegetarian main course.
- The recipe is linked below, you’d just need to adjust your shopping list and oven timings accordingly.
STARTERS
You could make all, or one or two of these, depending on what you fancy, budget and how many people you are serving.
They are all really simple but look impressive!
Prawn Cocktail Canapés
Christmas Canapés {Brie and Cranberry Bites}
Smoked Salmon Canapés
MAIN COURSE
All of the classics here, but made ridiculously easy, ready for your Christmas feast.
No Fuss Roast Turkey {with Easy Herb Butter}
Mushroom Wellington (Optional Vegetarian Main Course)
Easy Roast Potatoes
Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Chestnuts
Braised Red Cabbage {with Apple}
Cauliflower Cheese {Easiest Ever Recipe!}
The Best Stuffing Recipe {with Sausage & Apricots}
Make Ahead Gravy
DESSERTS
Don’t forget to leave room for afters to finish off the meal nicely!
Christmas Wreath Pavlova
Baileys Cheesecake {No Bake}
Slow Cooker Chocolate Orange Pudding
DOWNLOAD AND PRINT
THE CHRISTMAS DAY MENU
AND TIME PLAN
MASTER TIMING PLAN
So, I’ve worked out my timing plan based on never having more than 3 shelves used in a single oven at one time. You can download it in full here.
(If you only have 2 shelves, you can usually sit a grill pan type rack on the bottom of the oven to makeshift another shelf. Check the safety instructions for your oven though first!)
I thought I would show you my spreadsheet I used just to visually explain the timings:
The timings are detailed in the printable menu and time plan but this may be useful for you to visualise!
Shopping lists!
To try and make your life easier for Christmas lunch, we’ve come up with 3 shopping lists.
These have different sections which hopefully are self explanatory (look at both pages in the document!) Including items to buy for early prep and optional starter/pudding items.
Things to buy to make your day easier!
- Disposable tins – These ones from Amazon are ideal
- Meat thermometer – This is my favourite to use. Not the cheapest but always accurate
- Large tin foil roll – You can usually get this in all the supermarkets around Christmas
- Mandoline – I use this one for slicing
TIPS FOR GETTING AHEAD
PREP
Obviously prep prep prep ahead! This is your key to success here.
DEFROST IN TIME
Allow plenty of time for defrosting anything that’s frozen.
LOCATE KITCHENWARE
I like to get all of the serving dishes, plates, cutlery, glasses, candles, crackers out the night before (ideally I’d lay the table but we need to eat breakfast!) So I just stack them in the kitchen ready to go the next day. No hunting around on Christmas morning for a serving spoon.
DO WHAT YOU CAN
Many budgets are tight this year. Do not feel that you need to have a 20 course meal for everyone to have a good time. (Frankly, I’d be happy with a huge bowl of those roast potatoes – who’s with me?!)
FOOD DELIVERY
Book a supermarket delivery or click and collect order if you can. (Aldi Click and Collect I love you.) If you can buy some tin foil containers in advance, I really do think this is one occasion when they are worth it. What joy to limit the washing up on Christmas Day!
ENJOY YOURSELF!
And honestly, if all else fails and you can’t face any of the above – just buy ready made what you need to. No-one will notice and you need to have a good day too!
HAVE PLENTY OF LEFTOVER TURKEY?
Time to make my Leftover Turkey Curry! (After you’ve had a nap).
Let me know how you got on and what you thought of this plan in the comments below.
Also I’d LOVE to see your Christmas cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).
And… HAPPY CHRISTMAS! Remember everyone is there to be together, not for the food. I hope this plan eases the stress so you can relax and enjoy the day
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