A list of things that can be made for Christmas that taste better than shop boought

[bymoonlight]

I need a list of things I can make before Christmas that are worth the effort and taste better than shop bought.

So what do you all think about:

Christmas Pud - always make my own but wondering if shop is actually nicer.
Chutneys - any really good recipes you would recommend?
Bread sauce
Cranberry sauce
Pickled onions
Yule log - worth the effort
Christmas cake - Link to a good recipe?
Mince pies - do you buy the pastry? The mincemeat? Or make it all?

Do you think these are better when you make them yourself? Have you given up making anything and now shop buy as its easier/tastes better?

Anything else which is better HM than bought in a shop?

Love this thread!

Usually I make various chutneys in September/October, but didn't manage it this year. A few weeks ago I did a triple batch of Nigella's sweet chilli jam- have given this as Christmas gifts for a few years now and everyone loves it. I'm going to start making it more regularly so that I always have a stash of it.

I made chocolate truffles last year but they didn't make it out of the house . They were delicious and so easy. Apparently they're freezable too. I plan to make some more this year.

I do my own mincemeat- I'm not keen on suet though so I do a bbc good food recipe which uses butter instead. It is really worth the expense and it's very easy to make. I have a couple of jars leftover from last year but may make some more.

I do my own cranberry sauce.

I'm doing Christmas puddings for the first time this year- was meant to do them today but was too lazy so it'll be next weekend now...

I'm going to make some Scottish oatcakes as gifts as well I think. (And for us to have with masses of Stilton)

We make our own stuffings- well, dh does. He has a few different recipes- from bbc/bbc good food sites I think.

Mil does us a Christmas cake. Always amazing. She does them at the end of October I think, and feeds them regularly until Christmas.

Nigella's Christmas book is full of ideas. I need to have a look at it for inspiration now!

Does anyone make peppermint creams? I've tried and failed, they just never work for me, so if anyone has a foolproof recipe that'd be great!

Last year I made a Christmas pudding and also paid through the nose for a poncey Waitrose Heston Blumenthal Hidden Orange one.

Mine was better

Not going to bother buying one this year.

Agree Delia's classic (1978) Christmas cake recipe is the best.