THE ESSENTIAL FOOD SHOPPING LIST

Some of these things can be bought in advance of the Christmas ‘Big Shop’. It doesn’t include everything, but will give a good starting point.

Drink

Bottle of Sherry or Port (keep granny quiet)
Cava/Sparkling wine/Champagne
Crate of beer (get something a bit fancy)
Several bottles of wine
Mixers – coke/lemonade (always buy supermarket own brand) and fruit juice.
Spirits of your choice
Freshly ground coffee & Posh Tea (don’t forget the milk…)

Festive Nibbles

Mince pies
Chocolate log
Biscuits for cheese & dipping in posh tea
Fancy crisps & nuts
Enormous tin(s) chocolates
Satsumas & dates
Cheeses
Tins and jars: Some of its for Christmas and some is for the meals either side)
Chestnut puree
Baked Beans
Tinned tomatoes
Corned Beef
Curry sauce

Christmas dinner

Smoked salmon, avacado & dill mayo (prawn cocktail is SO 70’s)
Soup (fresh)
Turkey (meat of your choice…or nut loaf)
Gammon/Goose/duck
Vegetables (inc masses of potatoes)
Sausage meat, chestnuts and stuffing mix
Pigs in blankets
Brussel sprouts (it’s tradition)
Oxo cubes and granules for GRAVY! (and sauce ie horseradish/bread etc)
Yorkshire puds
Christmas pud and brandy butter (or clotted cream)
Christmas cake
Mince pies and clotted cream

Other stuff

(because the world might end while we’re watching the Wizard of Oz!)
Tin of tuna/salmon/… spam!
Mayonnaise
Bread / crumpets
Butter
Bacon
Eggs
Cheese (Spoil yourself!)
Cereal
Pasta/rice
Preserves
Fromage frais
Assorted veg

Extra meat and fish for other meals

Cooked meats for sarnies
Smoked salmon
Chicken breast
Mince beef
Pork chops

Frozen

Fish Fingers
Frozen mixed veg
Frozen peas
Potato wedges
Ice cream
Battered fish portions

Inedible

Wrapping paper (use tinfoil – it’s cheaper and you can recycle it)
Freezer bags
Batteries
Crackers
Decorations
Christmas tree chocolates
Vouchers for last minute panic presents if you forget someone