Countdown checklist

Sharpen all your knives well in advance. It makes preparation and carving so much easier.

Clean and sort the fridge and freezer to make space for Christmas food. Deep-clean the oven and barbecue.

Do a pantry clean and give canned food you don’t need to a charity for their Christmas drive. Order your ham or turkey. Make your cake, pudding and other baked goodies. Create a menu, make shopping lists and shop around for bargains. Prepare stuffing, vegetables and salads, where possible. Keep, covered, in the fridge.