How do you have a M&S Christmas (food)

[NotMostPeople]

Last year a friend did Christmas day totally catered from M&S, she said it made the day so much easier she just had to open packets and consume yummy food. the thread about Waitrose delivery slots has got me thinking about Christmas and I wonder if M&S Christmas might be a good idea. I can't ask my friend as she not around at the moment but how does this work? Can you pre order all that you need or do you have to go and fight the crowds, are the shelves still full near to Christmas or do you stock up early and freeze? Is it worth it, is the food delicious? Is it earth shatteringly expensive?

[MissBeehivingUnderTheMistletoe]

They produce a catalogue and you drool pre order and pick up a couple of days before.

I'm a good cook but my Dad did the whole lot from M&S a couple of years ago and the difference in taste from home cooked was pretty minimal tbh. I did the same last year and it was bloody MARVELLOUS - no peeling, prep, stress, slaving over a hot stove etc. I spent the morning with the kids and family, opening presents and nibbling on M&S snacks then opened a few packets and shoved the turkey in the oven. There were leftovers but not mountains. From memory it cost about £20 per head.

[gregssausageroll]

They will have a booklet out in the next few weeks. October time usually. Place your order and collect on your chosen date. We use it for Christmas day when there is just the 3 of us but I cook other stuff on boxing day for 15 as marks would be very expensive! Yes, it can be expensive but it is all ready to go in the oven and I'd much rather be playing with ds or out for a walk.

[NotMostPeople]

Ah I like the sound of being able to enjoy Christmas morning instead of overheating in my frock.

[ELR]

It all looks nice but I love the whole Christmas cooking so for me it would ruin the day. I also think their turkeys are always really dry, I have friends who swear by it though so each to their own I guess. I think their puddings look amaizing though!

[CMOTDibbler]

We'll be doing it this year as we are going to take everything to my parents, and don't want to do more than reheat in their grim kitchen and it has to be transported an hour and a half away.
Looking forward to it

[ByTheWay1]

I find M&S food a bit grim - even Tesco do prepared veg in bags, nice frozen pigs in blankets, butcher prepares the turkey and stuffing- hubby peels the spuds.

I empty bags into pots or microwave, put stuff in oven, boil and roast spuds, make gravy - it is not rocket science, nor does it take much time... I don't get the M&S make it easy thing.... it has not been hard....

[housewife84]

M&S food is not grim! I do aree i would ot have a full roast dinner from there as i like homemade roasties and veg with homemade stuffing! But i love m&s its food is really goodbut i dont think all there stuff is as good as waitrose!

[girlywhirly]

I did used to get a turkey crown and various packs of frozen buffet desserts from M&S years ago, but always made my own stuffing and accompaniments. I remember that MIL got the garnish pack one year at hers and it was nothing special. For me, the turkey crown was more manageable size wise, (only a single oven) and also we used to get £40 M&S vouchers from work instead of a hamper.

These days and with a different DH we don't get any Christmas food from M&S except melting middle choc puds, especially the tiny buffet size ones.

I think that you can do less work on the day by preparing your own fresh stuff in advance and freezing, which is bound to be cheaper in the end.

[Dramajustfollowsme]

I did this last year as dh always gets vouchers from his work for Christmas. I did make soup for first course but it was all delicious. Can't wait for the catalogue to come out this year. Yum, yum!

[NoComparison]

It's especially good if you're having a few people round. When they ask what they can bring, you give them a couple of things from the M&S list

That said, homemade is better and you can do a lot of the prep beforehand so it doesn't have to mean all day in the kitchen

[oldraver]

I like the fact a lot of their food is oven ready and come in trays you dont have to wash

In the past I have had a stuffed duck that comes in a ready to roast tray, as do the roast)potaoes (I usually do my own but my Mum bougth two types of roasties once). The trimmings come in a tray as well.

I like that they have several types (and prices) of different stuff.

I do my own Duaphinoise and creamed parsnips which doesnt take long

[Mosman]

I wouldn't bother ore ordering it the que to pick up food is usually longer than that for those who have exactly the same in their trolleys and sail through the check out.

[Some0ne]

I'm a firm believer in doing things in advance and freezing them. Some good planning, a bit of freezer space and a timetable written out on the day, and you're sorted.

Nigella Christmas tackles the issue in very great detail if you fancy going that route.

[Babyrabbits]

I think jamie does a do it all the day before dinner!

I prep it all the day before. I do a large beef joint not a turkey on christmas day. I also do a big ham christmas eve.

The leftovers do boxing day feast for our open house just add some bits :-)

[LadySybildeChocolate]

Partly. Their three bird roasts are usually lovely, as are some of the puddings and party food. We ordered from Abel and Cole and Ocado last year though, and this year probably Abel and Cole and Ocado again.

[chocolateshoes]

anyone got any good ideas for a fish main course that could be prepared in advance for Christmas dinner?

[BiddyPop]

I usually prep everything the day before, so only have to put the stuffing into the turkey and actually cook everything on the day. I peel potatoes and keep in water overnight (I know you can parboil and freeze for roasting, but I never have freezer space) - and I've been peeling Christmas potatoes since I was 10. Carrots can be peeled and sliced and kept in water too, same with brocolli; onions and brussels sprouts are prepped but no water around them. DH makes the stuffing, while I boil the giblets and make the gravy.

I would get M&S for nibbly things for when we get in home on Christmas afternoon, and for entertaining on Boxing Day.

Last year, as my Mum had not made me a pudding (first time ever), I bought 1 in M&S, and it was RANK! I am going to attempt my own this year as it cannot be worse than that! (Being brave after 12 years of marriage).

[gregssausageroll]

I use M&S because I don't get home until 5 pm on Christmas Eve. I don't have the time or inclination to peel, chop and store veg at 8 pm on CE!