Planning your feast for the big day
With less than four weeks until Christmas, now is definitely the time to start planning ahead for the big day. If you haven’t already.
From a traditional festive feast of roast turkey to Boxing Day buffets to finger food in front of Christmas Day TV to catering for last-minute guests, there’s a lot to think about but Lakings has got everything covered. So, relax. Cool your heels and settle into our top tips for keeping a calm head during the ensuing seasonal mayhem. For the best meats and ingredients for your Christmas dining, look no further.
Tip 1: Plan your menu in advance
Start by planning your Christmas menu well in advance. Decide on the main dishes, sides, and desserts you want to prepare. Knowing exactly what you need will help you create a detailed shopping list and avoid last-minute rushes.
Tip 2: Pre-order your festive centrepiece
We offer a pre-order service for our turkeys, which can save you a lot of time and stress. By pre-ordering, you ensure that you get exactly what you need without the worry of items being out of stock closer to Christmas. Consider ordering traditional Christmas meats like turkey, ham, or a beef roast, and have them delivered or reserved, ready for pickup in-store.
Tip 3: Stock up on freezer and pantry essentials
To avoid multiple trips, buy your meat in bulk and freeze them until you’re ready to use them. Our sustainably and ethically produced products are known for their quality and freeze well, ensuring you have top-notch ingredients on hand when needed. Don’t forget to check our pantry section – we have a range of condiments like mint, cranberry or horseradish sauce, ready-made gravy and a wide selection of cheeses for your after-dinner cheeseboard.
Tip 4: Create a shopping list and stick to it
A detailed shopping list is essential for staying organised. Break down your list into categories (meats, vegetables, pantry items, etc.) and ensure you include everything you need for your planned dishes. Sticking to your list will help you avoid impulse purchases and ensure you don’t forget any crucial ingredients.
Tip 5: Online shopping
Lakings offers an online shopping option, allowing you to order your meats from the comfort of your home to any address across the UK, using DPD’s next-day temperature-controlled meat delivery service. You tell us your preferred day from Tuesday – Saturday, and we’ll have the DPD driver text (or email) you an hour time slot on the day.
Tip 6: Prepare some dishes in advance
Many Christmas dishes can be prepared in advance and either refrigerated or frozen. By doing some of the cooking ahead of time, you can reduce the workload on Christmas Day. Meats like roast gammon or turkey can be pre-cooked and then reheated, while casseroles and desserts can often be made a day or two ahead.
Tip 7: Delegate tasks
If possible, delegate some of the shopping and preparation tasks to family members. Assigning specific responsibilities can help distribute the workload and make the process more manageable. This way, you’re not handling everything on your own.
Tip 8: Stay flexible
Despite your best planning, things can sometimes go awry. Stay flexible and have backup plans in place. If a particular item is out of stock, be prepared with alternative options. Keeping a calm and adaptable attitude will help reduce stress.
By planning ahead, using the convenience of pre-orders and online shopping and staying organized, you can make your Christmas food shopping a much smoother and more enjoyable experience. This approach ensures that you can focus more on enjoying the festive season with your loved ones and less on the stress of holiday preparations.
