Planning ahead means you can avoid that last-minute rush and those dreaded “out of stock” signs. Spreading your food shopping and prep over a few weeks also makes the run-up to Christmas dinner much easier. And best of all, you’ll enjoy a calmer Christmas Day with less peeling, chopping, and kitchen chaos. A win all round!

Your freezer is your best friend during festive prep. A few smart buys now will save you time and money later.

• Turkey – up to 12 months

• Gammon joints – up to 4–6 months

• Beef joints – up to 12 months

• Pork/chicken – up to 6 months

• Sausages + bacon – up to 1–2 months

Top tip: Freeze before the use by date and label everything clearly so you know what you’ve got.

Up to 1 month before Christmas. Get these bits prepped and put away:

• Pre-prepped veggies like parsnips or parboiled roast potatoes

• Yorkshire pudding batter or ready-made yorkshires

• Sausage rolls ready to bake from frozen

• Pigs in blankets wrapped and frozen ahead of time

All these freeze brilliantly and taste just as good on the day.

A few simple habits keep everything tasting its best:

• Portion food into handy amounts

• Use freezer bags or airtight containers

• Push out as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn

• Let cooked food cool completely before freezing

On Christmas Day, you’ll be grateful for everything you prepared in advance: no piles of peeling or chopping, just simple assembling, reheating, and enjoying. You’ll have more time with family instead of hovering over the oven, and you’ll have less waste and far less stress. In the end, it’s all about making the day feel special, not stressful.

So why not start now? A little freezing and planning today can save you time, money, and a whole lot of Christmas dinner panic. Here’s to a relaxed, organised, and stress-free Christmas, may it be your calmest one yet!