The Essentials

• Christmas preparation

  • Choosing the Christmas bird

    Tips on buying the best bird possible for your festive table.

  • Nigel Slater's shopping list

    He's checking it twice... stock up for all your festive holiday meals

  • Edible presents

    Make something delicious for your friends and relatives this year and beat the credit crunch.

  • Children's Christmas

    Keep your kids occupied in the kitchen making cookies, cakes and edible presents.

  • Christmas baking

    Fill your house with the warm scent of cakes, mince pies, muffins and more.

  • Christmas cake

    Your cake will rise above the rest with tips from master baker Dan Lepard.

• Christmas Day

  • Cooking turkey

    Keep the turkey tasty and safe with our helpful guide to roasting the seasonal bird.

  • Turkey and goose recipes

    Get inspiration for the big birds of Christmas - try these new twists.

  • Allergies

    Cater for those with food allergies without compromising on Christmas favourites.

  • Stuffings and trimmings

    Embellish your meal with the best side dishes, and escape the horror of grey sprouts.

  • Cooking leftovers

    Cold comfort food - turn the remains of the big day into a banquet fit for kings.

• Other festive feasts

  • Canapés

    Become a party legend and a canapé master with recipes from professional caterers.

  • Hanukkah

    Celebrate the Jewish festival of lights with gifts, games and lots and lots of latkes.

  • Hogmanay

    Prepare to celebrate Hogmanay in Highland style - with a feast and a wee dram.

  • Party food

    Get your gourmet party groove on with sexy, yet throughly well-planned, nibbles.

  • The perfect party

    Check out our checklists to help you part with the potential preparatory panic at your parties.

  • Recipes for young cooks

    Impress your mates with your cooking chops or give your folks the night off cooking.

• The big ingredients

  • Cranberries

    Capture the brilliant colours and tart taste of the bouncy, bonny cranberry.

  • Stilton

    Break out the port, raise your glass and toast one of England's greatest cheeses.

  • Smoked salmon

    Find the best varieties of this classic fixture of festive feasts, a cure for the winter blues.

• Drinks

  • Party drinks

    Choose the most useful, versatile and exciting variety of beverages for your party.

  • Christmas wines

    Treat yourself to a quality holiday tipple by splashing out on some special bottles.

  • Christmas bubbly

    For parties or dinners, find your perfect festive fizz with our guide to cava, champagne and more.

  • Christmas cocktails

    Make pleasing punch, mull a winter warmer or mix an expert nog with our cocktail advice.