Make it easy on yourself!

I mentioned in Coming soon … that the advertising for all your festive food requirements was imminent and so it is. If you wish you can order the whole lot, from your Christmas Day lunch, through to your party food and desserts too.

Balance is the key. An example – if you've decided that you're going to buy “party food” then choose carefully, browse and browse again – better still arm yourself with a glass of wine, or tea or coffee if you must, flag whatever takes your fancy with a post it note. Leave it be and then return to it the following day – just to be sure.

Whatever your choices make sure they all cook for the same amount of time and at the same temperature – unless of course you want to be tearing backwards and forwards from the kitchen to your guests getting grumpier by the minute. Don't forget to set your timer – preferably a small version that hangs around your neck – it looks like a strange necklace I grant you – you'll be glad you wore it.

Check out the ordinary supermarket deals. You'll find that they'll have good offers – another example or two – a selection of antipasti and smoked salmon. Great on two counts - they don't take up space and they should have good dates – don't forget to check.

Consider buying part-baked baguettes. They do not need to be frozen so don't take up valuable space in your freezer, once again check the dates.

It doesn't take long to bake a Camembert to go with the freshly baked baguettes. Note to self, make sure it's in a stapled container not glued – it will not be pretty and you'll be very cross!

Assemble your own prawn cocktail shots. If you've not got shot glasses I might even go so far as to suggest you invest – you don't have to spend a fortune and I've found them so useful for all sorts of stuff, from making individual puds to the prawn cocktail. You could even use them for alcohol too!

Here's what my most useful versions look like :

A shot glass if for all year round, not just for Christmas.

Next up is a canapé that can actually be a meatball or a burger too!