Make this Christmas one to remember
Christmas last year wasn’t anything like our usual festivities. We had to avoid seeing our loved ones, travel between cities was limited and the usual large get-togethers were strongly discouraged. Since then, nearly a year has passed, and the festive season will be here before we know it. As we’ve emerged from lockdown, a proper Christmas celebration finally seems possible, so it makes sense to want to make this year’s gathering a memorable one.
Many of us will be reuniting with loved ones who we’ve not seen much in the past year. Food is also a significant factor, as shortages on poultry farms last year made it harder to get our hands on our favourite traditional dinner of roast turkey. Now that we have better access to supplies, we’re desperate to enjoy a proper festive feast.
Here, we look at how you can make this Christmas one to remember.
Inviting guests
While many people have been fully vaccinated against Covid, it’s still possible to catch and spread the virus even after vaccination. Be especially mindful of children who could be carrying Covid but not displaying symptoms, particularly if you have elderly or vulnerable guests. It would be sensible to ask all guests to take a rapid flow test prior to coming to your gathering. This will improve the chances of containing the virus if your family or one of your invitees receives a positive result.
While it’s extremely exciting to have contact with friends, family and loved ones, don’t go overboard by inviting too many people to your event. It’s possible the Covid situation could change as we head into winter, and should that happen, restrictions or “bubbles” may be brought back in.
Choosing food fit for a feast
Plan your menu ahead of time to ensure you’re organised when the big day comes. It would also be smart to start gathering the supplies you’ll need now. Due to supply chain issues, you may struggle to get hold of certain festive foods, with turkeys being a particular concern. Prevent disappointment over missing out by stocking up in advance.
A wide range of supermarkets offer festive specialties, including Waitrose and Aldi, so whatever your budget you’re sure to find your seasonal favourites and maybe even some new specialities too. Try Aldi’s pigs in beds and for dessert, their white chocolate Christmas tree will go down a treat! Iceland is offering bacon-wrapped scallops and a veggie wellington, as well as an array of tasty puddings. You’ll also find plenty to choose from at Marks and Spencer, Asda, Tesco and Morrisons, including an assortment of vegan options to ensure everyone is well fed on the big day.
Decorating your home
Dig out your festive decorations and work out what else you might need to buy for this year. It’s easy to put away the Christmas décor in January and forget the fairy lights have stopped working or a box of baubles got smashed. Once you know what needs to be replaced or replenished, get it sorted sooner rather than later, as stocks often sell out by the time December hits.
Place greeting cards such as baby’s first Christmas cards somewhere where they can easily be seen together. A string of coloured and sparkly cards can help add to the festive atmosphere and enhance your décor as well.
