First time attempting Xmas dinner!

[Jelly101]

This year will be my first year cooking christmas dinner in my own home. Previously, I have always had Christmas dinner at my mums house. However, this year me and my partner bought our own house, and intend to have a family Christmas in our own home with our baby son.

The only problem is, I'm not too good at cooking. I know the basics, but a lot of things which I have attempted to make in the past have failed miserably.


I know the basics, but if anyone has any tips to share I would really appreciate it

[StubbleTurnips]

Lonny your post made me for us it's custard that never goes right on Christmas Day. We Always have a back up ready made available.

[WiIdfire]

Veggies can be prepared the day before, eg carrots cut up and stored in water, sprouts peeled, etc.
Aunt Bessies yorkshire puds.
Ready prepared sausage with bacon round.

[Thumbcat]

My top tip would be to forget about the starter and have some nice nibbles/ready made canapes instead. I find the last 20 minutes or so of doing the Christmas dinner a bit fraught and not having a starter means that I can just concentrate on getting everything ready at the same time. I bring the canapes out about an hour before lunch is due. At that time everything is still ticking along nicely in oven and it also wards off any hunger pangs if lunch turns out a bit later than planned.

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

Milk never thickens under pressure Stubble Its like a law of actual physics or something.

I also picked up the M&S leaflet the other day and am seriously considering their party pack deal... £100 for more or less everything. My turkey and veg box was that on its own last year.

[DragonsCanHop]

There is 5 of us for Christmas day (2 adults, 3 Tweens)

Breakfast is a choice of stocking chocolate or/and bacon croissants.

Lunch is starters of soup or salmon and prawns with sauce and brown bread.

Christmas dinner is later which makes it easier for all.

I make the gravy a few days before, prep all veg on Christmas eve and leave in the garage in water.

On Christmas morning I pop down and heat the oven whilst DH makes tea and croissants. I take gravy out of the freezer and prep the crown and make the Yorkshire batter.

I boil pots whilst DH washes up and puts away breakfast.

Crown beef goes in whilst we have breakfast and finish Christmas morning.

Let meat rest under foil and tea towels.

Have easy lunch

Tidy up together

Potatoes in, timer set for stuffing and pigs for the oven and veg for the steamer.

15 minutes before pots are ready heat a Yorker tray - put pots on the bottom shelf to heat tray, add batter to hot oil and finish ast 15 minutes on a high ish heat.

Carve the meat whilst the Yorkies are in and start to reheat the gravy during this time.

I only add sliced meat to plates and the rest goes on the table for people to take what they want.

Forgot to say I set the table on Christmas eve.

Wine and smiles help