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The 12 hacks of Christmas

Take the stress out of the lead up to Christmas with our helpful tips and hints.

Ham or turkey?

Get the main meal sorted

On the first day of Christmas – well, December - be super-prepared and pick up a frozen ham or turkey from your supermarket. That's one thing checked off your list!
Christmas dinner recipes


Nothing says Christmas like the piney freshness of a real tree.

Try these tips to help it last up to six weeks.

  • Choose a healthy-looking specimen that’s stayed out of the sun, with plenty of flexible, green needles.
  • To keep your tree from drying out, wrap it for the trip home to prevent wind damage, re-cut the trunk as you would cut flowers, and immediately plunge it into enough plain water to cover the base.
  • Trees get thirsty so you’ll need to top it up regularly.
  • Finally, place your tree away from direct heat and sunlight.

    • Clean out your fridge

    Check the use-by-dates of sauces and dressings; you’ll be thankful of the extra space on the day. Stock up on extra containers for the inevitable leftovers.  

    Sending Christmas cards?

    If you’re sending Christmas cards or gifts, do it sooner rather than later. For domestic mail, NZPost’s target is up to three working days; international can take anywhere from one to 10 working days, depending on how it’s sent and where it’s going. 

    Presentation is everything

    Wow your guests with tabletop trickery – serve desserts in a wine or cocktail glass instead of a dish; make the most of eye-catching but easy-peasy stunners like the frozen cherries atop this ice cream cake.  

    Easy entertaining recipes


    You don’t have to be a master-chef to wow your guests with stylish and tasty dishes.
    Go for simple recipes that make the most of fresh, seasonal ingredients – some of these are so easy that you won’t even need to turn on the oven!

    Easy entertaining dishes

    45 mins +
    Serves 4-6

    Summer ceviche
    35 mins
    Serves  8

    Cottage cheese and asparagus tart
    10 mins
    Serves 8

    Caprese salad with creamy mozzarella
    15 mins
    Serves 12

    Cheesy pastry twists

    Easy entertaining dishes

    Make it easy on yourself

    You don’t have to cook everything from scratch. Wherever you can, substitute store-bought ingredients, like pre-made meringues and fruit cake mix, that will take the pain – and hours of your time – out of Christmas prep. 

    Christmas baking

    A week before Christmas is the ideal time to get the kids baking and decorating cookies. Use them as gifts or turn them into tree ornaments that will last for years with three coats of varnish.

    Table setting

    On the night before Christmas … set the table. Simple, cost-effective decorations include a length of green garland snaking its way down the table with fairy lights or baubles, a silver tray filled with candles/tealights and foliage, pine cones or needles, a glass bowl filled with vintage ornaments, or copper fairy lights in a large glass vase or twinkling down the length of the table. 

    Getting the perfect pav

    Every family has their go-to recipe for the perfect pavlova – as well as stories of when it didn’t turn out quite right! Not to worry: if the worst happens, blitz the berries, mash the meringue, whip the cream and call it an Eton mess. 

    Santa's (and your) helpers

    Give each guest something to bring or do on the day, such as a simple green salad, pouring the drinks, entertaining the kids or carving the turkey. This will help you manage your time better and take the stress out of being the host.    

    What do to with all those leftovers?

     
    With a heavy meal behind you, now’s the time for some lighter options. From muffins for visitors, to picnic ideas at the beach, we have you covered for the lazy, hazy days of summer.

    10 mins
    Serves 2

    Double egg and ham wrap with herbed yoghurt
    50 mins
    Serves Makes 12

    Ham, cheese and courgette muffins
    20 mins
    Serves 4

    Turkey quesadillas
    5 mins
    Serves n/a

    Lemonade ham bag
    1 hour
    Serves 4

    Roast meat salad
    20 mins
    Serves 4

    Roast vegetable and couscous salad
    35 mins
    Serves 4

    Chicken and prawn jambalaya

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