If you decide to make things at home to put in to gourmet food gift baskets and Christmas hampers you should make sure that the ingredients are fresh and prepared in the best possible way

A dessert spoon of sherry or rum can be a great way to add a kick to your Christmas cake. You should use one for every pound of fruit to be used and soak the fruit overnight. One interesting trick is to place a bowl of water in the bottom of the oven before you heat it up, as this will increase the humidity and will lead to the perfect cake for Christmas. Be sure to remove the cake in a room with a steady temperature and leave it to cool. Finally, you will need to wrap the cake in greaseproof paper and cover with tin foil before storing it in a dry cooled space to mature

If you are going with tradition and baking your own Christmas pudding then dont forget to add coins to the Christmas pudding, of course, care should be taken especially if children are going to be eating it and you should always tell your guests you put them in there. Coins can be added to bought puddings and these can be inserted gently once the pudding is cooked and turned onto a plate, dont forget to boil the coins for at least 3 minutes before using them and spread them to ensure everyone gets one to avoid disappointment.

A Christmas dinner wouldn't be the same without your turkey. I always do my utmost to make sure that it is cooked to perfection and that it is soft and juicy. Pressing a fork or sharp knife into the meat will tell you that it is cooked when the liquid that comes out is clear. When carving the bird, it is best to let it stand for around fifteen minutes before you start. Cut the dark meat before the light and remove the extremities by cutting between the joints with a knife where the bones meet the carcus.

There are some basic guidelines to cook the perfect Christmas turkey

Prepare your stuffing in advance and let it cool slowly before use

Make sure that you stuff the neck cavity of your turkey

To add some extra flavor to your turkey, cut and slice a few onions and place them in the baking tray and position your turkey on top. This will avoid your bird to go soggy and will add some additional nuances

Placing sliced oranges or lemons within the cavity of your bird before adding the stuffing will add some different flavors.

Make sure you season the skin of the turkey with salt and pepper and smear butter all over the skin.

Covering your turkey with streaky bacon halfway through the cooking process will really enhance your final taste.

Eggnog is a very popular drink at Christmas time and for many Christmas just would not be Christmas without having a bowlful of eggnog to warm and welcome visitors. Eggnog can be homemade and if so care should be used to warm, the eggs to 160f before use to eliminate bacteria or it can be store bought in cartons and you can add your own special touches when tipped into the bowl. Traditional eggnog contains alcohol but now can be bought in non-alcoholic forms which are suitable for children and for those who are health conscious then believe or not eggnog now comes totally egg free.

This is a great non alcoholic eggnog recipe. Separate the yolks from the whites of a dozen eggs and beat the whites. It then best to add a half cup of sugar while beating the eggs until the whites start to peak. You'll need to beat the yolks in a separate bowl until they are creamed and then slowly add 1 cup of sugar as you mix. Finally, take one quart of cream, beat until stiff and mix the eggs, cream and add a touch of vanilla flavoring. Pour the mix in to containers and leave it to set for at least 24hrs. Finally, serve in a large bowl and add a touch of nutmeg.

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