While some of your Christmas groceries will need to wait until closer to the date, it’s important to plan ahead as Tamsyn Gregory, Farm Shop Supervisor at Lagan Farm Shop in Gillingham, Dorset, explains…
How early should we be starting our Christmas grocery shopping?
Now is a good time to start looking for those special items that will make Christmas extra special. Consider things like local chutneys which would create interest when you bring out the cheeseboard and be a talking point for visitors, along with local beers, wine and spirits, which are good to store up from October. They also make lovely presents.
How close to Christmas should we leave it to buy fresh ingredients?
Vegetables and meat are best left to the last week. It makes sense to order in advance and just pick up nearer the time, knowing you will be getting everything you want and avoiding the long queues! We will start taking Christmas Meat orders from October and people can pick them up right up to Christmas Eve.
What would be your advice for those who have limited space?
If you have limited space it would be best to buy as much as possible nearer the 25th December. Ordering in advance would definitely help with this and take the pressure off.
Is there anything you’d recommend buying early, freezing and defrosting for Christmas?
All of the fresh ingredients are available early and ideal to freeze, from vegetables and Yorkshire puddings to desserts. Christmas meat is ideal to freeze, and it’s worth having a joint or two in the freezer for unexpected guests.
Do you have any tips for those shopping for groceries on a limited budget?
Spreading the cost by buying a few luxury items each week helps. Also, look out for offers and put them away till Christmas. Adding a few locally made tasty products to your basic groceries can add a bit of luxury. Cooking from scratch and forward planning your Christmas meals helps.
Do you have any other great tips for Christmas grocery shopping?
To get that extra special homemade taste without having to do too much cooking, look out for local food fairs and Christmas markets. We are having a ‘Meet The Producer’ Day on the 20th of November, which is an ideal opportunity to see what local artisan producers are making and have a taste before buying.
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