What’s Your Favourite Christmas Food?
At the bakery, one of our most heated debates always revolves around food – and, naturally, Christmas food takes centre stage this time of year! This month, we’ve been chatting among ourselves about everyone’s favourite Christmas food items, and the choices are as diverse as they are delicious.
From mince pies to stuffing, there’s a huge variety to choose from. A few of us were debating whether regular or chestnut stuffing should claim the top spot. And as the song says, “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” – there’s something about that festive imagery that makes chestnut stuffing feel like the perfect Christmas side. So, I’m throwing my vote behind chestnut stuffing!
When it comes to appetisers, preferences vary widely. Some of us lean towards an elaborate charcuterie board, while others are happy with simpler snacks like Christmas-themed cheddar crisps or fresh fruit to kick off the meal. As a huge fan of salami and cheese boards, I’m always in favour of as many cheeses and meats as I can get my hands on! And for me, crusty bread is an absolute must – I’m not a fan of crackers, so the bread needs to be plentiful for the festive season.
Another factor to consider is the timing of your Christmas dinner. Some families enjoy an early meal, around midday to 2 p.m., while others prefer to sit down later, usually between 4 and 5 p.m. In the UK, the most popular time is 4 to 5 p.m., but it’s not uncommon for some people to leave it as late as 7 or 8 p.m. This timing can definitely affect the appetisers you serve. After all, you don’t want to overdo it before the main meal, but personally, I say there’s never such thing as too much cheese and bread!
One way to make Christmas Day easier is to prepare as much as you can the night before. Vegetables are a great option to prep in advance – they can sit in the fridge overnight and actually taste even better after marinating in spices. You can also prep your stuffing ahead of time, as it keeps well and can last long after Christmas Day has passed!
Finally, when Christmas Day rolls around and it’s time to cook, the kitchen chaos can sometimes feel overwhelming. But don’t panic! If something goes wrong, it’s not the end of the world – unless you let it be. Keep calm, carry on, and remember that the magic of Christmas is in the people you share it with, not in a perfectly executed meal.
So as Christmas approaches we will all hit the shops and start the gears turning. How are you doing Christmas day this year?
