[sarajane]

On the 2nd day of the december festivities I have 11 for dinner.  I discovered last year to get ahead with roasties by parboiling, light covering of oil, freezing and then puttinginto oven for an hour (bit like aunt bessies).  I also made a cauliflower cheese, froze this and defrosted overnight before warming up.  Really made a difference in both time and washing up pans etc.

What tips do you lovely peeps have out these for getting ahead to make the days easier.  Sure you have loads.

[Mother-Hen]

Go out to dinner on the winter festival. No washing up, no cooking, no shopping. Sorted. Saves money in the long run 'cos you don't buy any unnecessary stuff that just get thrown away. We save through the year for the meal so it's not so much of a shock. Too busy milking cows to worry about all this festive stuff, we have been going out for lunch for a couple of years now and it makes so much difference to the day.

[Trillium]

We stick with the same foods every year as its what everyone wants. I have the frozen turkey thawing in the garage about 2 days before. All veg for the gravy drippings are chopped and in the fridge the night before. Carrots and tatties are in the kitchen the night before ready for my peeling assistants next day. My mother likes to bring dessert and I'm happy to let her; makes one less chore for me. Shortbread cookies are done at the end of November and ready to eat for Christmas. Fruitcake just needs to be sliced. Table is set the night before, same with the woodburner which is set up, ready to be lit in the morning. I buy our favourite wine and apple cider at least a week before and don't have the crowds to deal with.

[sunshineband]

A List is my tip.

and allocating jobs to others who will be there, on the list so you can see what you have to still do yourself 

and not leaving things til the very last minute either 

[Debz]

We have lunch with my two sisters and their families and mum and dad.  I usually do the dessert course, the younger sister often does a starter and the elder does the turkey and doings.  Mum cooks a ham and we all eat loads and no one has it all to do.  My fruit is soaking in booze for the Christmas cake which I will bake soon and I have already got the doings in for the Christmas pudding to cook on "stir Sunday".  I will have a wee look at my cookbooks soon and choose which desserts I am going to do but there will be a pavlova on the list.

[sarajane]

A bit more delegation it is then.  Eldest son can do his garlic mushroom starter and if I get out the small 1 ring camping cooker, he will not be under my elbow when he's cooking.