The festive season is upon us, and it’s time to start thinking about the main event – Christmas dinner. While Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, for those who are responsible for preparing and cooking the Christmas feast, it can be a daunting and stressful task. But fear not, because this article will show you how to plan and host a stress-free Christmas dinner for the whole family, leaving everyone feeling stuffed and in high spirits!
Start Early
Like anything else, it’s best to start planning early. Procrastination is your enemy when it comes to hosting a stress-free Christmas dinner. Begin planning by making a checklist at least a few weeks before. This will give you enough time to shop for the all-important ingredients.
Create A Festive Menu
Sit down and plan out what you will be serving. A menu will help you clearly see your dishes and decide if you will be hosting a 2 or a 3-course meal. Feel free to get creative with your choices and add some festive favourites. A traditional Christmas dinner consists of roast turkey, stuffing, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts. However, your festive menu may vary depending on the dietary requirements and the preferences of family members.
Making A Shopping List
When it’s time for the big Christmas food shop, make a comprehensive shopping list based on your menu and stick to it. Avoid last-minute dashes to the shops because non-perishable foods may be sold out. Plant your shopping trip earlier in the day to avoid the large crowds. Also, remember to order your turkey in advance.
Delegate Tasks
You don’t have to do it all on your own, delegating tasks to family members will help take the pressure off. Some can be responsible for appetisers, others for desserts and someone can help with setting the table and decorations. This will not only ease your workload, but also make everyone feel involved.
Prepare Food In Advance
Many dishes can be prepared the day before or in advance and frozen such as homemade cranberry sauce or gravy. Other dishes can be prepared on Christmas Eve such as chopping the vegetables and storing them in the fridge. Some households prefer to cook the turkey the day before and reheat it before serving it. Preparing food in advance will help you save time on the joyful day itself, spending less time in the kitchen and more time spending with family members.
Timing Is Key
When it comes to preparing any feast, timing is key. Plan your cooking schedule carefully. Work out when each dish needs to go into the oven and at what temperature. This will help you avoid last-minute chaos in the kitchen. Setting alarms for when each dish is ready will help prevent any cooking disasters. Don’t forget to also calculate the resting times for the meat before serving it.
Relax and Enjoy
Once the meal is ready, take a moment to relax and self-praise your culinary skills before tucking in. The biggest critic can be ourselves, so if something doesn’t go to plan, don’t stress about it! Your family will be sure to appreciate the effort, and even offer to clean up afterwards!
Have Christmas Dinner At The Lion Hotel
In the end, a stress-free Christmas dinner is all about preparation and organisation. While cooking a Christmas dinner for the whole family is rewarding, it is not for everyone. This Christmas, avoid the stress and hassle entirely and have Christmas dinner with us here at The Lion Hotel. We have carefully planned out our Christmas menus, so there’s something for everyone’s taste! Our Christmas Day menu is packed with festive favourites including turkey, beef, monkfish, pigs in blankets, stuffing, gravy, Christmas pudding, trifle and much more, followed by mince pies, petit fours, tea and coffee. We also have vegan and gluten-free options available.
Our Christmas Day 4-course feast starts at £95 per person. To book your table in our restaurant, please call our reception team on 0177 382 4033 or email us on enquiries@lionhotelbelper.com today. Limited spaces available, so book now to avoid any disappointment.