Christmas is one of the few times of the year where indulging in luxurious food is actively encouraged. Many retailers have already got their festive spirit on, through the various launches of Christmas Day items including succulent turkey crowns, mulled wine and flavoured hot chocolate.
One retailer that is said to go all out for Christmas is Marks and Spencer. They released their Christmas advert yesterday (November 2) and of course it includes their famous slogan 'This is not just food, this is M&S Christmas food'.
Marks and Spencer's festive food launch was covered in MyLondon by writer Jessica Battison. Here are her thoughts about the range including her favourites and what you may like to tuck into on the big day.
Marks and Spencer is synonymous with Christmas for me. It was a real festive delight to be invited to their showcase event, AKA, festivities on steroids.
Taking over Market Halls Oxford Circus, dazzling lights, festive florals and fake snow were in abundance. But more importantly, there were scrumptious snacks and decadent dishes to indulge in at every corner.
And all in the name of journalism (no other reason, I promise) I tried as much as I physically could. There ain't no party like a picky bits party.
Obviously, M&S put on an absolute bash. Mac and Cheese Bacon Bites (£7) popped into my mouth quickly with a cheesy smokiness that was gooey and satisfying, just not particularly exciting.
It is the kind of thing that's going to get your appetite going for something else. Very much the beginning of the buffet table.
But then, glistening under the hot lights, calling my name like the Star of Bethlehem, a wreath of golden brioche (£14 from Ocado). Glossed with a deep garlic butter and jewelled with rich dried tomatoes, the fluffy bread tore apart beautifully to dunk into its centrepiece; oozy, gooey, delicious camembert.
Washing away that nutty, milky taste, there was an array of festive tipples on offer. From a tart yet sweet blood orange and cranberry vodka (£18) to a personal favourite, mango and lime margarita using their special distilled tequila (£18), which is an ultimate party drink.
Obviously after a few party drinks I was back in for a few more party bites. And in no way were these little beauties particularly festive but they're certainly perfect for a bit of buffet fun: Pizza Gyoza.
As soon as I can get these in the shops, I'll be making a whole dinner of them. The little parcels burst with the welcome present of a gorgeous tomatoey, cheesy sauce.
They were basically like little pizza pockets but somehow better. The real M&S effect.
It wasn't just party food though, I even indulged in the Friends classic: The Moist Maker. Loaded with peppery and smoky pigs in blankets, herby stuffing and succulent turkey, the gravy soaked bread made for a whopper of a sandwich.
It almost made me feel hungover because that's the only time I can imagine having the excuse to scoff this magical monstrosity. Way more acceptable on the bakery section though was the Christmas Stuffing Sourdough.
It even just sounds delicious. Fluffy, spongey soft bread studded with herbs and cranberries, it would make those Boxing Day sandwiches next level (or the late night Christmas day buttie for when the hunger somehow reappears).
I might sound like a raving Christmas carnivore but I do like to be veggie at least a few times a week. Yet sadly, I was quite disappointed in the offerings for main dishes at the showcase.
That is except for the Potato Dauphinoise & Brie Pie (£8). It was like even fancier dauphinoise potatoes cuddled up in a buttery pastry.
Other than that though, the Vegan Beef Wellington (£15 for two) looked just as sad as it sounds. It had a thick unpleasant filling.
The Sticky Shallot Sprouts (£2.50) were not for me. Although I loved the umami kick, I just couldn't get past the taste of Brussels sprouts.
They smashed it on the meats though, of course they did. Slow cooked osso buco was intensely rich and melting.
Almost the kind of tender that evaporates in your mouth, leaving behind a red-wine soaked beefy hum. I'm not at all a fan of turkey normally but the slow cooked turkey crown with stuffing (£57.50-£75) may have changed my mind.
The succulent meat sang in the gorgeous gravy and was lifted by the pork and sweet cranberry stuffing as well as the incredible smoky, candy-like bacon. But my favourite item of the whole evening was probably the Choc Corn Wreath (£8 from Ocado).
It was just so addictive. Tripling up as a gift, a decoration and a snack (let's face it, multi-serving items are ideal at this time of year) the wreath of salty sweet popcorn was so damn good.
Toffee popcorn sprinkled in salt and bound by milky silky chocolate with hard snaps of candied chocolate. Immense.
I can just see my brother and I arguing over the last bites during our Christmas Eve film viewing. Sweet, then savoury, then more sweet, that's my epitome of festive feasting.
With a few flat-fallers, the M&S Christmas Collection was absolutely exquisite on the whole and I'm now actually excited for the festivities to begin. It certainly might not be the year for splashing out on everything but some of these items will absolutely be worth a little sharing treat.
