Twenty twenty-one has been a challenging year for many people, but it’s time to put all of that aside and enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas lunch with your nearest and dearest. It doesn’t need to be elaborate or expensive for your guests to enjoy themselves. Here are our tips on eating, drinking, and connecting on Christmas Day.
Hot or cold – the choice is yours
Many Australians, heavily influenced by their English forebears have enjoyed a traditional roast dinner on Christmas Day with turkey, ham, roast vegetables, gravy, cranberry sauce, and more. But there has been a strong trend over more recent times to a Christmas feast more in keeping with our lifestyle and climate.
If you don’t mind slaving over a hot stove on a warm day, go ahead and roast your family feast. It’s a delicious way to celebrate the festive season.
But if you prefer a more relaxed approach, try a cold feast of fresh seafood, salads, ham and other easy to prepare dishes. You could even ask your guests to bring along their favourite dish to create a feast for everyone to enjoy.
Pair your drinks
Whether you’re enjoying roast turkey, or a cold seafood spread, you should have the appropriate drinks on hand.
Roast turkey pairs well with Pinot Noir because the subtle flavour of the wine does not overwhelm turkey, and of course Edenvale’s Premium Reserve Pinot Noir is a great alternative.
With a fresh seafood feast, try Sauvignon Blanc with its zesty flavours. If you’d prefer to skip the alcohol go with Edenvale’s Sauvignon Blanc which has plenty of flavour to complement fresh seafood.
Make sure you also have other options on hand for your guests like sparkling and still water, soft drinks, beers and more.
“Roast turkey pairs well with Pinot Noir because the subtle flavour of the wine does not overwhelm turkey, and of course Edenvale’s Premium Reserve Pinot Noir is a great alternative to the alcoholic version.”
Order in advance
To ensure you get the best quality food at a good price, make sure you order in advance with your local retailers. How far in advance will depend on the item. Many butchers will take orders for hams and turkeys at least a month ahead.
For fresh seafood, you could visit a fresh market like the Sydney Fish Markets the day before Christmas which operates for 24 hours leading up to 25 December. That way you’ll get the freshest product available and have lots of options to choose from.
Set your table
Setting your Christmas table in advance of your guests arriving can be a fun family activity. It doesn’t need to be elaborate or expensive. You might have some great foliage or flowers in your garden that can form a table centrepiece or decoration.
You can also re-use items year after year and store them away with your other Christmas decorations. It’s also a great day to use some of your best tableware that doesn’t see any everyday use. It is a special day after all.
Start a new family tradition
You might already have some family traditions on Christmas Day but if you don’t you can start some new ones. It’s a great way to involve children by asking them to contribute to a new Christmas tradition.
It might involve a family activity or expedition like a trip to the beach or a park. It might involve something special to eat or drink, like a special recipe that you only cook one day a year.
It’s a particularly nice way to welcome new family members or friends to your family group on Christmas Day. It’s also a great way to celebrate the diversity of your tribe of people.
“You might already have some family traditions on Christmas Day, but if you don’t you can start some new ones.”
Volunteer for a charity
If you don’t celebrate Christmas or find yourself at a loose end while everyone else is gathering with family, you could consider volunteering with a charity.
Some charities serve Christmas lunches or pack gift boxes for Christmas so make enquiries well ahead of time to see how you might be able to help those who are less fortunate.
Outdoor games
After lunch or between courses, encourage your family and guests to be active and enjoy the summer weather outdoors.
A game of backyard cricket or sport that your family enjoys is a fun way to get everyone involved. If you don’t have a backyard, find some space in a local park or beach.
If an organised game doesn’t appeal, then try a group walk around your local area. It’s a great way to connect with your local community, and take your dog along as well.
Enjoy alcohol-removed wine from Edenvale at Christmas
Enjoy the taste of premium Australian wine for Christmas, with the Edenvale range of alcohol removed wines. Edenvale is a high-quality, sophisticated Australian lifestyle beverage that offers the taste and full complexity of premium wine, without the alcohol content.
You’ll find select Edenvale varietals at Dan Murphy’s, Coles, Woolworths, and IGA, or you can buy your Edenvale directly from our online store or from one of our online retail partners – Sansdrinks, CraftZero, Brunswick Aces and Free Spirit Drink Co.