Get ahead of the game this Christmas with these tips

Not all pre-season prep is always necessary, but as the festive month can spiral into a whirlwind of present-buying, gift-wrapping and family planning, it's easy to drop the ball.

Avoid a last-minute panic a week before the big day by stocking up on a few basics that could end up saving Christmas.

We've put together a handy "festive toolkit" to help keep you out of the danger zone. It's a basic list of things that are easy to forget but will make everything a little bit simpler for achieving Christmas dinner success.

Toothpicks

Some of the easiest party nibbles can be speared with these guys.

From mini turkey or chicken sausages and chunks of cheese and pineapple, to vegan cucumber and hummus rolls or creamy cheese pinwheels.

Extra strong tin foil

There's nothing worse than pulling out the foil in a moment of desperation only to discover you are about to unravel the final few centimetres. Oh, the frustration!

If only you'd picked up that back-up roll of foil? Do it. Get stocked up and don't get caught out.

We recommend the extra strong stuff for covering large birds, either under or over, when the inside still needs another blast but the top is already crisp.

Baking parchment

This wonderful stuff is perfect for lining trays for mini pizzas, sausage rolls, mince pies and all those other irresistible nibbles.

It's also a wonderful way to minimise the washing up as the trays and dishes remain grease-free (if you throw the paper away carefully).

Cling film

An absolute necessity for covering sides, and then for sealing the goodness in tubs or plates of your leftovers for the next day.

Sustainable covering options are great but this time of year you might find you require a few extra. Have this handy roll tucked away just in case.

Plastic or glass containers

You can never have too many.

They are great for storing and stacking pre-prepped foods and/or leftovers, and you'll be glad for every one come hosting season.

Disposable foil trays

The ideal stand-in if you don't have enough metal roasting trays.

Mum wants mash, the kids want roast potatoes and you've been asked to roast off the veggies. Don't fret.

Throw one, two, or all of them in a few metal trays and get DIY roasting. The job will be done just as well as if they were in your fav roasting tin.

Freezer bags of all sizes

Waste not, want not. If you don't feel like a bubble and squeak the day after the main event, simply freeze any leftovers so they can be used at another time.

It's food that is still perfectly edible and can be turned into all manner of manners when you've caught your breath, recharged your batteries and had a minute to think.

Kitchen roll

Whether wiping little mouths, serving platter edges, or serious kitchen spills, this stuff is your best friend during these busy moments.

Have some fun and make it festive if you please, but Choithrams.com say go two or four-ply if you want things squeaky clean and mopped up in minutes.