Christmas Dinner List: How To Make Christmas Dinner Like a Pro

Possibly the best meal of the year (until you get to use the leftovers!), Christmas dinner is a big deal and there’s no point denying it. But with so many plates to juggle, it can be difficult at the best of times – let alone if you’re doing it for the very first time. Fear not. We’ve created the ultimate Christmas dinner list, so you can check off what you’ve done along the way and avoid the whole burnt turkey with rock-hard sprouts scenario. Want to know how to make a Christmas dinner properly? Get your Christmas dinner checklist in order with SPAR. Download our checklist here. 

How to prepare Christmas dinner pre-Christmas Day

Wondering how to prepare Christmas dinner? One of the biggest mistakes you can make while preparing your Christmas dinner list is thinking you can do everything else last minute. There are a few things you need to prep in good time first, so make sure you and your kitchen are well equipped with the following Christmas dinner checklist items.

Kitchenware

Even the best chefs in the world can’t cook without the right tools. From carving knives to measuring jugs, make sure you have the right kit with our extensive list of kitchenware for Christmas dinner ideas.

Cutlery and serving ware

Nobody wants to be eating chicken with a spoon, so make sure you have enough cutlery! (And remember, if you’re serving a starter and main, that means two sets of knives and forks per person.)

Other things to keep in mind when making your Christmas dinner checklist are gravy boats, wine glasses and serving bowls for the veg.

The Fridge

The bird needs to be stored somewhere. Fridge or freezer, make sure you’ve got enough space for everything on your Christmas food list. And if that means devouring the last of the ice cream, it’s a small price to pay. Worried about your fresh food turning rotten before the big day? Find out how to store food safely in our blog to avoid those last-minute issues.

How to make Christmas dinner like a pro: Your Christmas dinner checklist

Work out what you want from our Christmas dinner checklist and write down what you need – that way you can save yourself the hassle of having to decide when you’re out shopping! But what exactly do you want on your Christmas food list? Traditional Christmas dinner ideas may call for a certain type of meat or veg, but today there’s a lot of choice available. And you thought preparing for Christmas dinner was hard enough as it was!

Psst… no time to make that Christmas dinner list? We’ve created the ultimate Christmas dinner checklist for you – just download and go!

On the plate

Turkey or ham? Beef or lamb? And when it comes to veg, what do you choose to accompany your favourite Brussels sprouts – cabbage, broccoli, or both? From greens to roots, preference is personal, but just make sure you have enough to go around when planning your Christmas food list.

In the glass

Not to be outdone by the plate or by no means forgotten about, drinks can share centre stage when it comes to your Christmas dinner. From award-winning  SPAR Perlezza Prosecco to a fine selection of champagne – nothing washes down a traditional Christmas dinner better than a bit of bubbly. For a softer choice, our award-winning SPAR wine selection also has something for everyone.

Afterwards

Not forgetting the finishing touches to your Christmas dinner list, it’s always good to decide which dessert (or desserts!) you want to finish with. Whether you’re content with one or crave a selection to go around, SPAR’s selection of dessert recipes includes everything from apple crumble and mince pies to cinnamon rolls. Or, if you run out of time - pick up a pack of our Luxury Mince Pies - they won the BBC Good Food Taste Awarsds 2020. 

What now?

Still wondering how to make a Christmas dinner? It’s all about prioritising, so create your Christmas dinner list and work out what you need to do on Christmas Eve, as well as what can wait until Christmas day. Once you’re psyched up and prepared for the big day, remember that it’s all about timing and performance. Stick to the recommended schedule in our Beginners’ Christmas Dinner Checklist, and all should go smoothly.

And there you have it – a complete list of Christmas dinner ideas to ensure your day runs smoothly. Find everything you need when preparing for Christmas dinner in our downloadable Christmas food list above, and stay one step ahead this year. Check out our Christmas offers for more festive deals to make your first time hosting the holiday extra special. Sign up to our E-Newsletter for all the fun and festive information you need.