Christmas feels like it gets earlier and earlier each year. I would certainly know. I wrote my first article on the festive season (beauty advent calendars, to be specific) in July.
But even with months of mental preparation, it seems to creep up on us. Perhaps there's an element of denial as far as the admin involved is concerned. Or the thought that we have a while to consider it and so push it to the wayside until suddenly the big day is here and we have a long list of presents to buy and an empty fridge.
That's where the ES Best team comes in. Not only have we curated the top gifts that arrive in record timing - same and next day included - but the eleventh-hour food solutions too.
A turkey typically requires months of pre-ordering but there are some forward-thinking foodie labels who pack together everything you need to nail the festive feast in one almost ready-to-go bumper box.
These labels have saved me in the last few years. From Hello Fresh to Gousto, the all-included packs and easy-to-follow instructions make the preparation for what is, to many, the most important meal of the entire year a breeze.
No stress regarding timings. No need for constant basting. This is foolproof cooking for the novice chefs among us, but they are also ideal for the more advanced who just want to be able to actually enjoy the day. There are even restaurants providing pre-cooked boxes so there is truly no work involved to flex your hosting prowess this year.
You can shop depending on the size of your party and add courses, from starters to desserts.
Why stress when you don't have to? Shop the best ready-to-go Christmas meal boxes below.
HelloFresh Christmas
Customisation is the name of the game this year at HelloFresh. You can mix and match the sides, main, starters and desserts. Alongside the Rosemary Roast Chicken or Festive Roasted Beef, you get pigs in blankets and gravy but then the option is yours. Will you get the Crispy Roast Potatoes, Honey Roasted Roots, Nutty Bacon Brussel Sprouts or Balsamic Braised Apple Red Cabbage? There is also Brussels Sprout Mac & Cheese, Festive Mushroom and Fig Jam Wellington, Cranberry and Orange Glazed Chicken Breast, cheese and charcuterie boards.
For dessert, HelloFresh has called on Baileys to create Salted Caramel Cookie Bites and a Baileys Tear ‘n’ Share Christmas Tree that you can add to your order. But if you’re looking for alcohol-free options, Tony’s Chocolonely has you covered. The Pecan Pie Chocolate Cheesecake and Gingerbread Swirl Chocolate Brownie are incredible.
Delivery from November 30 to January 3. From £3.15pp.
Buy now, HelloFresh
Made in Oldstead Christmas Day Beef Wellington Menu
From award-winning chef Tommy Banks comes this all-in-one Christmas menu putting salt-aged Beef Wellington as the star of the show. The meal kit includes everything you need for 2 - 8 people - from amuse bouches to starters, mains and dessert courses. There are even three bottles of booze included to pair with each section. In short, everything you need to enjoy a restaurant-level meal, prepped by the experts and finished by you.
Delivery on Monday, December 23.
Buy now £180.00, Made in Oldstead
Abel & Cole The Vegan Christmas Feast Recipe Box
Rather than trekking around your local supermarket picking up various different components of your upcoming vegan meal, why not order it in one bulk? Abel & Cole’s Vegan Christmas Feast Recipe Box offers an organic selection of ingredients for a spellbinding feast. Two ready-made winter root veg and cranberry Wellingtons from Lodge Farm Kitchen, ginger and cardamom carrots and garlic and rosemary roasties are just a few of the tempting dishes included.
Buy now £120.00, Abel & Cole
Parson’s Nose Christmas Box
The butchers at Parson’s Nose offer some of the finest British farmed free-range meat, fish, and cheese with delivery across the UK – in some locations, there’s even next-day delivery.
The Ultimate Christmas Box packs the whole song and dance into one handy package. For 4-6, 6-8 or 8-10 diners, it contains a turkey breast, vegetables, turkey gravy and cranberry sauce. The turkey is sourced from a small family-run producer in Berkshire where the short supply chain guarantees the quality, while the Christmas Pork Stuffing is created in-house.
Buy now £165.00, Parson’s Nose
Farmison & Co Christmas meats and hampers
You can count on the online meat retailer, Farmison & Co to step up for the main event, offering local and sustainable produce to enhance the Yuletide celebrations come December 25. The brand opts for ethical practices to rear the animals and ancient farming traditions where quality is at the forefront. For ease, you can also have it delivered straight to your door.
This year’s offering was developed by Farmison’s own Michelin-starred chef, Jeff Baker with options like the Rare Breed Slate Turkey, The Wild Venison Wellington, Bourbon & Molasses Cured Beef Brisket Joint, Muscovado & Bitter Orange Cured Ham and our personal favourite, the Easy Carve Turkey Breast with Chestnut, Apple and Cinnamon Stuffing. There are different weights to serve individuals as well as 6-10 people.
You can add all the trimmings too, from stuffing balls to pigs in blankets as well as show-stopping centrepieces that are pre-cooked and ready to serve.
For everything combined, look to the hampers.
From £25.
Buy now, Farmison & Co
All In A Box Christmas Box
Christmas is all about the food but instead of spending the time stressing out in the kitchen, leave it to Roast in a Box to deliver the goods. Get your taste buds tingling with the two boxes on offer. One provides just the mains with the option for turkey, gammon, chicken, beef or a nut roast for one to 12 people, while the other offers a three-course experience with a starter; Christmas pâté, with bread and chutney or roasted vegetable chickpea pâté, with bread and chutney and a Christmas crumble dessert with vanilla custard. There’s add-ons too with canapes, sides, sauces and extra meat for good measure.
Buy now £59.00, Roast in a Box
The Cookaway Christmas Box
Get the whole family over for a world-class festive feast. Subscription-free recipe box service The Cookaway has curated one of the most extensive selections of dishes. The menu extends to Chateaubriand or Beef Wellington paired with side dishes like cabbage and pancetta, mashed potatoes and wine gravy.
There’s also the Canapé Feasting Box, which as the name suggests is packed with bitesize nibbles; blinis with smoked salmon, sesame halloumi bites with chilli sauce, prawn and avocado lettuce wraps and pancetta and fennel sausage rolls.
The boxes are available for two to five guests with two delivery options and you can add alcohol, dessert and chocolates to all.
From £48.
Buy now £33.00, The Cookaway
