2 Weeks to Go: Start Putting Things in Place

Christmas is getting closer now, but there is still no need to rush.

This is the week to quietly get some of the practical things ready, so you’re not searching, cleaning and organising at the last minute.

A little preparation now makes the final week much easier.

Gather the table things

• Clean and polish the silver, if you’re using it.
• Check tablecloths, napkins and other table linen. Wash or press anything that needs it.
• Bring together your crockery, cutlery and glassware.
• Gather your serving dishes, platters, jugs and serving utensils and keep them together.
• Check your drinks and other non-perishable items and make a note of anything still to buy.
• If you’re entertaining outdoors, make sure the things you’ll need are ready.

Put a small paper label in each serving dish with the name of the food it will hold. It is a simple way to spot that three dishes are all relying on the same bowl.

What can I make ahead?

Now is a good time to look at your Christmas menu and ask: what can I make now that will make next week easier?

Read each recipe from beginning to end. Note preparation, cooking, resting, cooling and defrosting separately. Circle anything that needs overnight soaking or setting, and check that you have the right tin or dish.

Make only the components the recipe specifically supports making ahead. Some things freeze beautifully, others are better freshly assembled. Don’t assume that every sauce or salad will behave the same way.

Make what works for you. Freeze what freezes well. Buy what you don’t have time or energy to make.

Our Christmas Meringue Roulade is a good example of a dessert with its own freezing and defrosting instructions built in. Freeze-ahead crispy roast potatoes take one job off Christmas morning entirely, and both the Christmas pudding semifreddo and the chocolate ripple log are made well before the day.

Once you’ve done these things, leave them alone. There is still plenty of time.

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