Ready made Christmas food recommendations, please.

I want to get suggestions too for Christmas cake and pudding, though I don't eat it, ever.

There are usually reviews in the newspapers which can be useful.
I'm not making any either as no-one else eats it besides DH and me. Probably Waitrose or M&S but a plainer pudding as I don't like nuts or cherries in a Christmas Pudding.

I always buy one of the more expensive Puddings from Aldi. Usually around £8 or £9 and always very nice.

Aldi have received superb reviews for their Christmas products this year.
I think their mince pies came second to Waitrose among other supermarkets and most of their food was highly praised.
If only they delivered, but I suppose they would lose their competitive edge price wise if they did.

We have (already!) taste tested Aldi mince pies and enjoyed them .

A friend buys an un iced fruit cake, feeds it as she would one she had made and then ices it. Says always delicious no matter where the cake originates. I wish she’d told me before I bought ours ready iced from Waitrose. An unknown quantity until the first slice.

Aldi Christmas puddings are very good, IMO. I have to go to the next town to an Aldi but make the trip specially, and get one from their ‘Finest’ (called something else) range.

Costco Christmas cakes are amazing too. You couldn’t buy the fruit for the cost of them.

Lidl do the best Stollen by far (I get the ‘bites’).

I don’t use meat often as Mr Dog is vegetarian, but I do at Christmas, and always use Donald Russell. They do a slow cooked turkey crown that just needs heating up, which is a godsend when I have to do a veggie main, and two lots of anything roasted- the oven is always crammed. I had one last year and it was delicious. They also do individual stuffed chicken breasts which would be better for smaller numbers, but postage costs are prohibitive unless you hit their minimum spend, and I don’t recommend their cooked veg or ready meals to make up the difference. Their dessert range is good though, and it’s worth stocking up on things like sausages, as they are excellent.

Can anyone recommend decent crackers for adults? I don’t want to waste money on plastic tat, but nor am I looking to spend ££££ on gifts studded with diamonds

Forgot to say, Donald Russell is an online company based in Aberdeen.

Can anyone recommend decent crackers for adults? I was about to recommend some sourdough ones I bought in Waitrose, Doodledog! We've opened them already and will need another tin.

I made the Christmas cake and pudding a while ago. I'm looking out for a good ready-made nut roast to serve 6 now. We're not vegetarians, but a few of us like it very much. I guess it will need freezing?

I think that Doodledog was after crackers to pull 😁

You’ve reminded me of when I was queueing at M&S one 23rd December to pay for my turkey and a few bits. The piled-high trolley of the woman in front contained absolutely everything for Christmas dinner, from roast potatoes and gravy to trifle and custard - ready made/ready just to stick in the oven.

Her bill was eye-watering - yes, of course I looked! - but I had to admire her ‘sod it’ style!

Sainsbury's Taste the Difference 'Christmas Spiced Chutney' lovely, rich, chunky.

www.puzzlepost.com/product/house-of-games-christmas-crackers/
Doodle

Oreo

I think that Doodledog was after crackers to pull 😁

I got confused too wondering how you make a cracker from sourdough

Macadia

Oreo

I think that Doodledog was after crackers to pull 😁

I got confused too wondering how you make a cracker from sourdough

Yes! It's just I was too enthusiastic with an answer before I even got to the plastic gift bit. I did realise!

These are the yummy sourdough crackers!

We had always made out Christmas cake but last year, illness put a stop to that so we bought one from M & S and we were so disappointed. Therefore I wouldn't recommend theirs but I can't speak for any other stores.

Yes, I was after non-edible crackers. Sourdough doesn't have that satisfying 'bang', and the hats get soggy .

The quiz crackers look perfect, MissA. My children are very competitive, so an after dinner quiz will go down well (with the winner, anyway!)

Oh good.

Marks and Spencer Stollen is wonderful (if you like marzipan, which I do) because there's a lot of marzipan in each piece.

Thank you for all the replies! I’m laughing at the cracker confusion. 🤣🤣 I’ve just bought these crackers, which look nice. www.marksandspencer.com/8-christmas-crackers-red-and-gold-stars-design/p/hbp22592558#intid=pid_pg1pip10g4r3c4 I don’t think they’re made of sour dough.

I can shop at an Aldi and M&S which are located bang next door to each other so that’s very handy.

Donald Russell are near where we used to live so I’ve used them before. We also have local farm shops so I should go and browse there, too.

I did the Christmas cake cheat for years, after I stopped making them. Grab a square fruit cake from Tesco (Finest); soak in brandy and/or sherry for a month, then marzipan and ice and lie!! I don't like that fondant icing which they use - far too sweet and cloying, so it has to be royal icing all the way.

So few people could manage Christmas pudding, that I started getting the individual ones. Both Aldi and Lidl were very good and they could be whacked in the microwave for whoever wanted one! Not quite the spirit of the occasion but .......

I absolutely agree, Donald Russell are superb. It is remarkably easy to reach the limit for free delivery!! Too easy, in fact! Try their "taster" pies - the pastry is to die for - and we found that one pie was enough for two people. They also do small joints - plenty for two or two/three meals for one person. Could you join up with a friend and order between you?

Happy Christletops everyone!

Yes, I was after non-edible crackers. Sourdough doesn't have that satisfying 'bang', and the hats get soggy.
Don't get me started, or I'll "rise" to the occasion.
Sourdough is Holy Holy Holy though, so fits with Christmas. 😆

I absolutely agree, Donald Russell are superb. It is remarkably easy to reach the limit for free delivery!! Too easy, in fact! Try their "taster" pies - the pastry is to die for - and we found that one pie was enough for two people. They also do small joints - plenty for two or two/three meals for one person. Could you join up with a friend and order between you?
I have no need - I exceed the minimum easily too, but I don't live alone and have family at Christmas, so it's not difficult. I meant that recommending the individual stuffed parcels might not be sensible if people are looking for a meal for one.

escaped

Another thumbs down for M&S Christmas cake. Tasted burn’t and bitter.