It’s the focal point of any festive gathering – but the responsibility of providing Christmas dinner can trigger monumental stress.
From securing the Brussels sprouts, crafting a timeplan and basting the turkey, it takes military–level planning.
Even working out when to buy all of the ingredients can cause a headache – as you don’t want any of the essentials to spoil before the 25th.
Now, an expert has created a handy guide that explains when each component of dinner should be bought.
And it turns out you can start purchasing certain items now, to help spread the cost.
‘As you can probably tell by how early Christmas food items appear in supermarkets, most can be bought well in advance without any issues,’ Katherine Pavling, head of product at online training provider Virtual College said.
While some products can be bought weeks in advance, you should hold off purchasing others until a few days before Christmas, she said.
If you’re struggling, this helpful graphic might put your mind at ease.
Buy now
Any items that can safely be frozen can be bought now, Ms Pavling explained. This includes the turkey, pigs in blankets and other meats – as long as you have enough space in your freezer.
Ideally, they will be left in their original packaging and frozen as soon as possible after purchase.
‘However, if you’re finding your freezer running out of room and need to split items up and remove them from their packaging, be sure to put them in freezer bags or kitchen foil to avoid odours from other foods and freezer burn,’ she said.
‘To keep food as safe as possible, your freezer should also be running at a temperature of at least –18°C, so it may be worth checking this before you stock up.
Any items that are tinned, jarred or dried, such as cranberry sauce, stuffing or gravy tends to have a long shelf life and can also be purchased now, she said.
‘These items can last for months if left unopened, so assuming you won’t be tempted to break into your supplies, these can be bought well in advance of Christmas Day,’ she added.
‘Just be sure to double–check that no seals have been broken in the lead–up, and if they have, check the label or box to see how much time you have to consume them so you don’t get caught out.’
Hard cheeses such as cheddar or gouda – staples for an after–dinner cheese plate – can be bought now, along with Christmas pudding.
Finally popular drinks such as wine, champagne and Baileys can also be bought weeks in advance. It’s best to keep these in a cool, dark place.
Buy two weeks before Christmas
If you want to get another essential ticked off the list, then potatoes are something you can buy a few weeks before the big day.
‘If you’d prefer fresh vegetables over tinned or frozen options, then how far in advance you should buy them can vary quite a bit,’ Ms Pavling explained.
‘Root vegetables keep for the longest if stored properly, with potatoes lasting around two weeks if kept in a cool, dark, and dry place.’
Buy one to two weeks before Christmas
Carrots and parsnips can last one to two weeks if kept in the fridge, meaning they’re another ingredient that can be bought in advance. ‘Again, keeping them in their original packaging is usually the best idea,’ Ms Pavling said.
For any vegetables stored in the refrigerator, she recommends using the crisper drawer to keep them fresher for longer.
Buy a week before Christmas
Love them or hate them, but Brussels sprouts should be bought about a week before Christmas to ensure they’re still fresh for the big dinner.
Meanwhile, a whole head of cauliflower can last up to 10 days if wrapped in tinfoil.
Buy a few days before Christmas
It’s best to save buying broccoli until a few days before Christmas, if possible, as it lasts for around three to five days in the fridge.
Finally certain meat or fish that won’t be frozen – such as a fresh turkey or cooked prawns – should only be bought or picked up in the final days running up to the 25th.
It comes as new research from Sainsburys reveals 61 per cent of Brits say they have previously forgotten to purchase essentials for the big day including condiments and pigs in blankets. The supermarket has teamed up with former England rugby player Joe Marler to release an audio guide for navigating the festive season – including initial prep like early food freezing.
