The Essential Christmas Countdown Planner – 3 Weeks To Go

How much of last weeks to-do list did you accomplish ? Hopefully you are feeling in control and ready for this weeks list.

• Deck The Halls. Everyone knows it’s bad luck to leave your decorations up a minute beyond 12th night – January 5,  but there doesn’t seem to be an exact date for setting them up, any time from December 1st  to Christmas Eve works.  Our family has always adhered to the 1st December or a day or so later. That’s when all the household decorations go up, the tree comes a little while later, as we always have a real one.

• This week confirm all your plans for Christmas Day, so you know how many people you are catering for, and who is bringing what dishes. If you’re going to someone’s house, make sure you confirm you are coming, and what food you are bringing.

• This is your menu planning week.  Make sure you delegate tasks. Sure, you may be hosting, but that doesn’t mean you need to be cook, bar tender, and master of ceremonies all at once. Christmas is one time when it is definitely OK to ask for help – but be specific with your requests,  it’s so much easier for everyone.

• Christmas is all about being with the people you care for  – it shouldn’t be a performance, so keep it simple, this is not the time to step out of your comfort zone and trying  Masterchef  manoeuvres.
• Keep an eye out for specials on alcohol and soft drinks and non-perishable foods and start stockpiling. The more you can purchase and store ahead of time, the less arduous the shopping will be during Christmas week. On-line grocery shopping, delivered to the door is a godsend here.
• Make sure you book your delivery slot NOW

If you’re doing turkey for a crowd, get two smaller birds instead of one big one – they’ll cook more evenly and take less time. If you can, cook the turkeys in a covered BBQ, in a disposable foil container, which leaves the oven free for everything else. To calculate the size turkey you will need, allow 300g per person and up to 500g if you want leftovers.

A Christmas Menu

I don’t stray far from the classics for our Christmas Dinner, it’s about celebrating traditions, albeit with a few new twists.

For the complete list of Christmas menu ideas  CLICK HERE

I start with breakfast, something light and not too filling, to have after all the fun of early morning pressies.

Then mid-morning it’s coffee, mince pies and maybe a glass or two of Classic Eggnog before a late lunch.

A Light Breakfast

Chilled juice, fresh mango or fruit salad

Egg & Bacon Toast Cups (can be partly prepared the night before, ready for the oven)

Croissants with selection of jams

 A Late Lunch

Salmon Gravlax with Horseradish Creme Fraiche, served with Champagne

Seafood Platter of  king prawns and oysters, with Aioli and Limes – it wouldn’t be Christmas without them !

Turkey Breast Fillet with Cranberries & Pistachios,  Red Currant Sauce and Cranberry Relish

Glazed Leg of ham (watch the video)

Crispy Roast Potatoes  (do these days before & store in the freezer)

Green Bean Pea and Mint Salad with Marinated Feta

Roasted Beetroot and Kumera Salad with Pancetta & Watercress

Christmas Pudding with Brandy Anglaise

Pavlova Meringue Roulade with Passionfruit

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Here are the quick links to the other articles in this series:
Week 4
Week 2
Week 1
3 Sleeps to Go