For those of us on kitchen duty over Christmas, the festive period can be a blessing and a curse. Many Christmas recipes are a joy to make and we can experiment and indulge unashamedly in what we eat and drink, but let’s not forget that everyone’s favourite time of year can bring with it everyone’s least favourite things — tricky timings, multi-pan dinners and one too many sherries making everything just that little bit trickier. More than a few of us are kept up at night throughout December, haunted by the ghost of underdone turkeys past and cold roasties, fearful of what this year's festivities may bring.
This year is certainly going to be a little different than normal, with various tiers and lockdowns preventing almost all of us celebrating in the regular way. But even with less people around the table, eating and cooking at Christmas should be a joy, and with a little menu planning you can be ready to take it all in your stride. We have all the necessary recipes for the perfect Christmas dinner, along with all the other festive accoutrements you might need including Christmas biscuits, cranberry sauce, dinner party ideas and wickedly potent Christmas cocktails.
Looking to up your side dish game? We asked a whole host of the UK's best chefs for their favourites, and we've got plenty of recipes to browse if you're after a little Italian flavour this year over on Great Italian Chefs. Read on; from icing the cake to keeping stockings stuffed with edible gifts, our guides, recipes and menu ideas will see you through every stage of the Christmas season.
There are all sorts of tasty treats you can prepare in advance for Christmas. From your own cured salmon for Christmas dinner to jars of mincemeat that can be turned into some incredible mince pies, make the most of December and whip up some magic in the kitchen.
Making your own gifts might take a little longer than buying them all online, but they're the perfect way to show someone you care. Take a look at our favourite edible gifts for the season and create something full of love.
You've probably already decided on the centrepiece for your Christmas Day dinner, but the side dishes are where you can let your creativity run wild. We asked some of the top chefs in the UK to share their favourite festive trimmings, ranging from classics with a twist to deliciously leftfield creations. Take a look at them all and make the side dishes the star this Christmas.
Whether you're a vegetarian or vegan yourself, or simply have one coming round for and aren't sure what to cook – fear not! Our collection of festive meat- and dairy-free recipes will ensure it's a very merry Christmas for everyone around the dinner table.
Don't like figgy pudding? Ditch the dull dessert and take the time to craft one of these knockout festive treats, created by one of the best pastry chefs in the country.
For absolutely all our Christmas recipes in one place, take a look at our recipe collection – if you don't find what you're looking for in there, we don't know what to suggest!
Searching for an easy yet impressive festive canapé to serve guests this year? Look no further than Josh Eggleton's sumptuous scallop pops.
We might have some deep-rooted Christmas traditions in the UK, but every country on the planet has its own customs and dishes associated with the season. Learn more and inject some international influences into this year's festivities.
