Countdown to Christmas: essential items to buy, cook and freeze for a stress-free holiday

There are eight weeks until Christmas 2025. You know what that means? Grocery and menu planning. 

Getting ahead now can save time, reduce stress and help you enjoy the holidays without rushing through shops or spending the entire festive season in the kitchen. 

With a little preparation, you can have your ingredients sorted, key dishes cooked and frozen, and your home ready for guests.  

Eight weeks to go: start planning

Begin by writing your Christmas menu. Whether you are hosting a large family lunch or a smaller gathering, a clear plan will make shopping easier. Think about what you want to serve - starters, mains, sides, desserts and drinks.

Once you have your list, take stock of what you already have in your pantry and freezer. Check staples such as flour, sugar, spices, baking powder, oil, butter and dried fruit. 

This is also the best time to start looking for deals on non-perishable items. Buy tinned goods, sauces, jams, pickles, drinks and any ingredients with a long shelf life.

By spreading purchases over the next few weeks, you’ll avoid the last-minute rush and manage your budget better.

Six weeks to go: stock the freezer

Many dishes can be prepared early and frozen. If you plan to make mince pies, sausage rolls or pastry-based dishes, prepare them now and freeze unbaked. They can go straight from freezer to oven when needed. 

Soups and stews also freeze well and make for easy meals when guests arrive or when you don’t have time to cook. Consider making and freezing a batch of chicken stock or vegetable broth - useful for gravy, stuffing and side dishes later.

If you enjoy baking, you can also freeze cookie dough, un-iced cakes and bread rolls. Wrap tightly in cling film and store in airtight containers to preserve freshness.

Four weeks to go: festive bakes and drinks

As Christmas nears, start your festive baking. Fruitcakes, puddings and biscotti can be made weeks in advance and stored in airtight tins.

If you prefer traditional Christmas cake, bake it now and feed it weekly with a drizzle of brandy or juice to keep it moist.

This is also the perfect time to make drinks such as homemade ginger juice. It can be stored in bottles and given as gifts or served on Christmas Day. 

Two weeks to go: shop fresh

With most of your dry and frozen goods ready, focus on the fresh ingredients - vegetables, fruits, meats and dairy.

Pre-order your turkey, ham or roast from your butcher to ensure availability. Some vegetables, like carrots and parsnips, can be peeled, chopped and frozen in advance.

Make sure you have enough foil, baking paper, cling film and storage containers for the busy cooking days ahead.

Also check your tableware, glasses and serving dishes - it’s better to find missing pieces now than on Christmas morning.

One week to go: final touches

The week before Christmas is for finishing touches. Defrost frozen dishes in the fridge a day before you plan to serve them.

Prepare dips, sauces and salad dressings and store them in jars. Wrap gifts, set the table and plan your cooking schedule so that everything runs smoothly on the day.