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How the experts survive Christmas - from gift-giving to hosting and cooking

From never having enough glasses to finding it impossible to wrap gifts, here is every festive challenge sorted

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You can get through every Christmas crisis (Photo: Getty)
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As much as we would all like a perfect Christmas, it seems to be against the laws of the universe for it to go smoothly. It doesn’t matter that we go through great lengths to prepare. It doesn’t matter that we do so every year. There is always something that takes us by surprise: the fact our wrapping skills continue to be non-existent, for instance, or that we never have enough wine glasses, or space in the fridge, or that we manage to have one drink to many and say the wrong thing every single time.

But with a little help from our panel of experts, it is possible to have a (nearly) stress-free celebration. Just use their simple tricks for the most common Christmas conundrums…

The food

Ben Ebbrell – Chef and co-founder of Sorted Food

Ben Ebbrell, chef and co-founder at Sorted Food Supplied by Sophie Morris sophielouisemorris@gmail.com
Ben Ebbrell, chef and co-founder at Sorted Food

The timings of the Christmas dinner stress me out every year. How can I get it right?

Chefs operate on a system of mis-en-place in a restaurant, meaning “putting in place”, so make sure you have everything to hand. Do as much of that as possible in the day(s) leading up: plan a starter that can be made ahead, such as a chicken liver parfait or a spiced parsnip and cranberry soup. The same goes for dessert. This leaves you with brain capacity to focus on the main course. And even then: stuffing, gravy, peeling and par-boiling the spuds, prepping the sprouts… this can all be done in advance. Finally, make sure there are nibbles – simple things like cheese straws or nuts – so it doesn’t matter if dinner takes a little longer than you had planned.

I’m not a very good cook but have been tasked with the dinner – what are some simple cheats?

Add a dollop of white miso to your gravy, as it adds depth of flavour without any effort. Honey is ideal to add to a dish such as sprouts if you want it to colour up more quickly – just remember to offset it with a dash of vinegar too so it’s not too sweet. Also, buy some pre-made components that do a lot of the heavy lifting for you, such as festive flavoured ice cream which can become a supporting act to your mince pies, or sausage meat stuffing already filled with the carefully balanced spicing and seasoning.

We always have heaps of food left over – what are some ways to use it up which don’t feel boring?

Blend up a few leftovers (roast veg, turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce) and use that to fill cannelloni pasta tubes, cover with a little leftover gravy and lashings of a cheesy white sauce (made with leftovers from the cheeseboard).

Leftover pigs in blankets sliced up with shredded sprouts are great to add to spring onions and beansprouts in a stir-fried noodle dish. Or use the leftover turkey in a Mexican feast by making a mole sauce with some of the leftover nuts and chocolate and plenty of store cupboard spices. Serve in tacos with a few fresh ingredients.

Multi-ethnic group of family members including senior adults, mid-adults, and children all work together in a home kitchen to prepare dinner for family Christmas celebration. Christmas tree, holiday food items, and various decorations in scene.
Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be stressful (Photo: Getty)

I can’t stand Christmas cake – what are the best alternative desserts?

A pavlova is a real showstopper. Make a meringue ring and mull some berries or poach some chopped pears in wine and warming spices then let them cool. Both can be done the day before. Then to serve all you have to do is whip up some cream and plop it onto the meringue before spooning over your festive fruit.

No matter how much I plan, someone always turns up unexpectedly vegan. How can I ensure I’ll be able to feed everyone?

Avoid using animal fats (butter, goose fat, duck fat, dripping) when cooking your side dishes. Use olive oil when roasting roots and potatoes or sautéing sprouts and make the stuffing naturally vegan with mushrooms, lentils, chopped walnuts and dried fruit with plenty of fresh herbs and lemon zest. That way the only thing you have to have an alternative for is the centre piece and saves you having to plan an entirely different meal.

I need a whole extra fridge-freezer to fit in all our Christmas food – how can I make space?

Keep an eye on the weather forecast: often just outside on a balcony, back garden or the boot of your car is fridge temperature (below 5°C) at this time of year. Make use of that with things that are bulky but low risk, such as your prepared veggies or cans of drinks, keeping any food well wrapped up in a box that local wildlife won’t get to.

The drink

Christine Austin – Wine writer and drinks expert

Christine Austin, wine writer and drinks expert Image via Christine Austin
Christine Austin, wine writer and drinks expert

I want to choose wine that pairs well with most Christmas food. Can you recommend any good all-rounders?

Head to Tesco where La Vieille Ferme red, white and rosé wines are down from £8.50 to £7 until 31 December. The crisp, food-friendly white version goes well with canapés and starters as well as the main event, while the ripe, red berry fruit of the red is perfect with anything meaty. Rosé wine is good anytime and seems to bring springtime closer with each sip.

We have guests coming but I don’t know how many bottles to buy. How do you calculate it?

Allow around half a bottle of wine per guest. Remember that people drink more when they are standing up, so if you are offering drinks and then a sit-down meal, get them seated quickly, so the rate of drinking slows down. If you are having a big party, ask your local wine merchant whether you can buy the wine on a sale or return basis.

I want some nice fizz but not to pay too much for it – what should I go for?

There are many offers on champagne at present but some of the best flavours are Crémant. Try the creamy, delicious flavours of Classics No.12 Crémant de Bourgogne from Marks and Spencer; £12 in store and via Ocado.

My guests don’t drink – what are the best non-alcoholic options that still feel special?

Many people are choosing to cut down on alcohol and this has opened up a fabulous range of non-alcoholic drinks. One of the best is REAL Royal Flush, non-alcoholic sparkling tea (Waitrose £9.50). The cork pops like champagne and it has a gentle taste of peach and spice. This is grown up drinking without the buzz. An alternative is Kylie Minogue alcohol-free sparkling Rosé with hints of strawberry fruit (Tesco £6).

We’re not into wine – what are some easy Christmas cocktails?

Welcome your guests with a Christmas-flavoured Negroni. Prepare your gin in advance with a mix of cloves, cinnamon and star anise, lightly toasted, then added to your gin. Leave for 24 hours, then sieve and use with your regular recipe of gin, sweet vermouth and Campari, poured over ice. Always garnish with a slice of orange.

Alternatively, many of my cocktail-loving friends are happy to drink a Mimosa made with orange juice and sparkling wine. Use Cava or Crémant for this, and for the non-drinkers, a non-alcoholic sparkling wine.

We have the whole family coming over and I don’t have enough glasses. What should I do?

Don’t spend a fortune on glasses that will clutter your cupboards for the rest of the year. Head to your local wine merchant such as Majestic and they will lend you glasses for free. You give them a deposit which is returned when you take the glasses back, washed and dried.

A guest has brought a nice bottle – am I meant to open it or is it a gift that should be saved?

Your guest has brought you a gift, so you don’t need to open it. However, should that guest come for dinner later in the year then consider opening it to enjoy it together.

I never like the drinks my mother-in-law serves – is it OK to take (and open) my own?

If mother-in-law is cooking your Christmas dinner, then why not volunteer to bring some of the wine for everyone. That way you can make sure it is the style you want, and she won’t take offence about your choice. Maybe introduce the wines as ‘something we discovered on holiday’. Alternatively, you could decide to go ‘dry’ and take along a bottle or two of non-alcoholic drinks, and so you won’t have to drink whatever mother-in-law has provided.

Hosting and etiquette

Liz Wyse – Etiquette adviser at Debretts

Liz Wyse, etiquette adviser at Debretts Image via Liz Wyse
Liz Wyse, etiquette adviser at Debretts

I’m hosting – what should I be most mindful of to ensure everyone has a good time?

You may well have your own notions about the perfect Christmas Day, but if you are marshalling a large, and probably disparate, group of people, they are likely to have their own ideas. For instance, you might have a scheme to play convivial family games but find that everyone else fancies the sofa and a movie. If that is the case, accept it. Being chivvied into activities that they don’t enjoy is a sure-fire way of creating bad feelings and tension.

I’m a first-time guest at my partner’s family home – how can I make a good impression?

If you’re positive, smiling and flexible throughout the day you will be a real hit. Always offer to help with the meal, but if you’re told to sit down, do as you’re told and don’t make a show of being over insistent. And for all Christmas guests, old or new, remember that if you are an irredeemable Scrooge, then don’t inflict your negativity on other people at Christmas time. You may not enjoy crackers, charades or sing-songs, and may prefer to snooze away the afternoon in front of the TV, but if you have accepted a festive invitation, that is not your prerogative.

Hosting Christmas is costly – how do I politely ask guests to chip in?

Most people will find asking guests for a financial contribution very awkward, especially at a time of year when generosity is prioritised. But in these straitened times, it’s quite acceptable to confront this issue head-on. You might find it easier to ask guests for actual contributions (such as the wine, Champagne, aperitifs, a cheese board), as opposed to money. Don’t feel that you must go into long-winded explanations about the expense of Christmas or your budget – that will make the whole transaction feel awkward. Just say, “I was wondering if you’d mind bringing some [insert here]? That would really be a great help”.

From proper knife-and-fork usage to how much to help or say thank you, I’ve no idea about appropriate etiquette. What’s the most important thing I should focus on?

The niceties of table etiquette are never the most important aspect of Christmas. Instead, focus on nurturing the elusive Christmas spirit: friendliness, warmth, good humour. So, put a smile on your face, be attentive to people’s needs, listen to what people are saying, don’t dominate the conversation, remember to say please and thank you, and the chances are that you will have a thoroughly good time.

Gifting and wrapping

Lizzie Scholes – Gifting consultant at professional present pickers needi.co.uk

With Lizzie Scholes, gifting consultant at professional present pickers needi.co.uk Image via R?ilt?n Doherty
Lizzie Scholes, gifting consultant at professional present pickers needi.co.uk

I’m terrible at wrapping – what am I doing wrong?

Take your time and don’t rush. Start by finding a flat surface to work on and ensure your paper is the right size for the gift that you are wrapping – too much or too little creates bulk or gaps which lead to that messy look. If all else fails, gift bags or boxes are your friend.

I want my wrapping to look special – what are some easy ways of elevating it?

Think about the type, colour, and style of wrapping paper you are using – the quality of the paper will really have an impact on how your gift looks. You can also elevate it by adding premade ribbons or bows. In addition, the likes of twine, dried flowers, or sprigs of greenery can make it look extra special.

Wrapping Christmas gifts
The quality of the paper will really have an impact on how your gift looks (Photo: Getty)

I’ve still not sorted someone’s present – what are the best last-minute gifts?

If you want to feel like your gift has been planned all along, personalisation and thoughtfulness is key. This could be anything from a personalised notebook to jewellery featuring their birthstone. If you’ve left it really last minute, then go online and find a subscription service suited to their likes and interests, a food or drink activity, or even something as even as simple as a voucher for where they get their nails done.

The in-laws often buy me a gift I don’t like and I’m terrible at pretending otherwise – any tricks for faking it?

Focus on the thought behind the gift. They’ve taken the time to choose something just for you, which is what truly matters, even if it isn’t perfect. Be grateful for the sentiment, and this will help make your smile more authentic.

And what shall I do with it?

One in five gifts ends up in landfill. Whether you save it for a friend’s birthday or donate it to a charity shop, there’s always a better option than throwing it away.

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