It’s the same situation every year. Whether we like it or not, the person making the Christmas dinner can never truly enjoy their day. There’s the pressure of roasting a delicious turkey, the rush to get every vegetable ready at the same time, and the task of keeping it all hot.
We’re expected to manage this task alongside the other stressors of the day, whether that be children furiously opening presents, relatives getting in the way in the kitchen, or serving drinks to guests.
This Christmas, it’s time to adopt a new approach. Here’s a guide on how to enjoy a Christmas dinner with half the effort, stress, and fuss.
How to enjoy a Christmas dinner with half the effort
Skip the starter
More often than not, we fuss over elements of a Christmas dinner that aren’t completely necessary. Of course, it’s nice to put a little extra effort in, but that can be done with table decoration, drinks, and a stress-free ambience!
Give yourself one less thing to do and skip the starter. No one is going to go hungry – they’re about to enjoy your delicious main course. If a guest complains about their lack of a prawn cocktail or melon bowl, kindly suggest they contribute next year and each bring an element of the dish.
Skipping the starter allows you to focus on your delicious Christmas dinner, which your guests will thank you for.
Make it in advance
There’s no need to make every element of a Christmas dinner from scratch that day: plenty of the vegetables, side dishes, and even the meat can be made in advance.
We suggest peeling carrots and parsnips, chopping potatoes, and even prepping the Brussels Sprouts the day before. They can be kept fresh in the fridge by being wrapped in dampened kitchen roll.
To make things even quicker you could part-cook or blanch the veg, ready to be finished on the day. Without a doubt, cook your meat on Christmas Eve – it makes for a far less stressful Christmas Day and gives the meat its essential resting time.
Invest in a helping hand
If you’re still looking to serve fine food at a fraction of the fuss, luxury Christmas lunch meal kits can be the way to go.
The team at Indulge offers a meal kit which includes cocktails and canapes, a fish or vegetarian option of starter, and a three-option main course, with a huge variety of trimmings, including crispy roast potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower cheese, red cabbage, glazed carrots, special Christmas stuffing, and even Brussel sprouts with chestnuts and pancetta.
For dessert, your guests can indulge in chocolate mousse with gingerbread, clementine, and vanilla topped off with mulled wine macaroons.
These luxury meal kits are the perfect solution for those who want an extravagant meal without slaving away in the kitchen. Simply cook the pre-brined turkey (or vegetarian alternative) and heat the rest of the accompaniments up – what’s not to like? The meal kit will arrive on December 23rd, getting you fine dining ready in no time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, enjoying a delicious Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be a stressful and time-consuming affair. By following a few simple tips, you can reduce your workload and make the most of the festive season. Skipping the starter can save you time and effort while investing in a helping hand, such as a catering service or asking guests to bring a dish, can also ease the burden.
Additionally, preparing dishes in advance can save you precious time on the day and ensure everything is cooked to perfection. With these tips, you can enjoy a hassle-free Christmas dinner and focus on spending quality time with your loved ones.
