WITH December 25th just 43 days away, it appears that it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
With shops all over the high-street now full to the brim with festive buys, the countdown to the big day is firmly on.
But with all things from minced pies and festive flavoured crisps, to canned pigs in blankets and turkey pasta, if you’re wondering which new and random supermarket buys to save or splurge on, you’ve come to the right place.
Whether it’s sweet or savoury, a snack or a lunch time main, seasonal treats have become an annual tradition.
As a result, Abigail Wilson samples a selection of the newest and most random buys from supermarkets to find out which ones really are Christmas crackers - and which you’ll want to avoid.
Heinz recently launched a limited edition Beanz Pigs in Blankets for the festive period, and as a huge baked bean lover, I knew I had to give it a try.
With Christmas all wrapped up in a can, I was intrigued to taste the unique tinned dish, but I can safely say, it is not for me.
Whilst the beans were nice, the canned sausage was quite frankly disgusting and incredibly cheap-tasting.
For me, I want large pigs in blankets, bacon wrapped around good quality sausage, but this is nothing of the sorts, and was enough to leave me gagging.
I’m a huge lover of seasonal sarnies, but often turkey and stuffing just gets a bit same old same old.
So if you’re looking for something festive, but with a twist, you’ll need to try this delicious breaded chicken, pickled slaw, cranberry chutney and gochujang mayo sandwich from M&S.
Not only was the chicken soft and succulent, but the slaw, cranberry and gochujang combination was one I don’t want to forget.
Move over dry and boring turkey, as this M&S buy is sure to be a winner this December.
With more and more festive-flavoured wraps hitting supermarkets, I was intrigued by this ‘Let It Spice’ buy.
But if you ask me, Christmas is not about curry.
Whilst the curry wrap is all about tucking into Christmas leftovers, this is one I’ll be leaving in the Asda fridge aisle.
I’m a fan of turkey and trimmings, but the curry sauce was far too overpowering and certainly didn’t get me in the festive mood.
If you’re bored stiff of Christmas sandwiches, this turkey feast pasta is one you’ll need to try.
It comes with a cute little pot of gravy and I have to say, it was much, much nicer than I thought.
Aside from a few grizzly bits of meat, the pasta was cooked perfectly and the flavours were delicious.
With stuffing and bacon to top it all off, the generous amount of toppings and super creamy sauce is one I’ll be eating over and over again this year.
Calling all cheese fans - you won’t want to miss these mouth-watering camembert, chilli and honey crinkle cut crisps from Aldi.
For just £1.15 for a share bag (or a bag for yourself if you’re feeling peckish), these middle-aisle crisps are super affordable, and not to forget, delicious.
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You can say goodbye to standard flavours of cheese and onion or ready salted this season, as these crunchy crisps are some of the tastiest yet.
But if you can’t handle spice, be aware, as these Aldi crisps pack a punch!
Pigs in Blankets are a must on my Christmas dinner, but when it comes to Pigs in Blanket flavoured crisps, it’s a firm no from me.
I had high hopes for these Tesco Finest crisps, but in my opinion, there was nothing ‘fine’ about them.
If you’re a lover of Frazzles, these might be alright for you, but if it’s meaty sausage you like, these aren’t going to leave you impressed.
The very fake bacon-y taste didn’t tickle my tastebuds, so I’ll be sticking to the real deal this season.
But if you’re someone who drowns your Christmas dinner in gravy, these crisps are just the thing for you.
I was initially somewhat apprehensive about turkey-flavoured crisps, but I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
Whilst this festive snack is not too overwhelming or overpowering, it’s great for adding to your picky bits platter on Boxing Day.
It often feels like Christmas decorations and products start appearing in stores earlier each year.
Retailers typically begin to stock Christmas items well before the holiday season to capitalise on early shoppers and to extend the buying period. Here are a few reasons why it might seem like Christmas bits are out earlier this year:
Extended Shopping Season
Retailers aim to extend the holiday shopping season to maximise sales. By putting out Christmas items earlier, they encourage people to start their holiday shopping sooner.
Consumer Demand
Some consumers prefer to plan and shop for Christmas well in advance, so stores cater to this demand by stocking holiday items earlier.
Marketing Strategy
Early displays of Christmas items can create a festive atmosphere and build anticipation, encouraging people to get into the holiday spirit and start spending.
Competition
Retailers compete to attract customers, and being the first to display holiday items can give them an edge.
Supply Chain Considerations
Given recent disruptions in global supply chains, stores might be putting out Christmas items earlier to ensure they have enough stock and to spread out the demand over a longer period.
Perfect paired with a turkey and stuffing sandwich, these crisps are sure to go in my basket when I next go to Sainsbury’s.
Whilst popcorn isn’t a snack I normally associate with Christmas, this sweet, sugar and spice popcorn is one you won’t want to miss.
For just a quid, this popcorn is super affordable and there’s plenty to go around thanks to this big bag.
The cinnamon and toffee flavour paired well together, but don’t worry if you’re not a huge fan of the festive spice, as it isn’t anywhere near as overpowering as I predicted.
If you’re searching for a festive snack that you can munch on whilst watching a Christmas film this December, this is just the thing for you.
Calling all mince pie haters - luckily for you, M&S has launched a festive treat that you’ll need to try.
Thanks to these Reindeer pies, you’ll be able to get involved with Christmas snacking, without having to endure the taste of mincemeat.
Percy Pig Sweets
Arguably the most iconic food from M&S, these gummy treats have become a beloved staple in British households and are often associated with the brand.
Colin the Caterpillar Cake
Another fan favourite, this cake is a popular choice for celebrations and has become a cultural icon in its own right.
Dine In for Two Deals
Marks & Spencer's extensive range of ready meals, particularly their Dine In for Two deals, offer gourmet meals at home and are celebrated for their restaurant-quality taste and convenience.
Gastropub Fish Pie
A luxurious fish pie packed with succulent pieces of fish in a creamy sauce, topped with mashed potatoes.
Chicken & King Prawn Paella
A Spanish-inspired dish with saffron rice, chicken, king prawns, and chorizo.
Cottage Pie
A comforting dish with minced beef in a rich gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes.
Butternut Squash Risotto
A vegetarian option featuring creamy risotto with butternut squash and sage.
Duck à l'Orange
Tender duck breast in a tangy orange sauce, perfect for a special dinner.
Macaroni Cheese
A classic comfort food with macaroni pasta in a rich, cheesy sauce.
Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon
A French classic with slow-cooked beef in a rich red wine sauce, with mushrooms and bacon.
Teriyaki Salmon
Flaky salmon fillets in a sweet and savoury teriyaki sauce, served with rice and vegetables.
Extremely Chocolatey Biscuits
These indulgent biscuits are covered in a thick layer of rich chocolate, making them a favourite for chocolate lovers.
Profiterole Stack
A show-stopping dessert featuring layers of choux pastry filled with cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce. Perfect for special occasions.
New York Cheesecake
A rich and creamy cheesecake with a buttery biscuit base, this dessert is a nod to the classic American treat.
Tarte au Citron
A zesty lemon tart with a crisp pastry base and a smooth, tangy lemon filling. It’s a refreshing end to any meal.
Strawberries & Cream
A quintessentially British dessert, featuring fresh strawberries paired with M&S's luxurious cream.
Percy Pig Dessert Sauce
Inspired by their iconic Percy Pig sweets, this fruity sauce is perfect for drizzling over ice cream or pancakes.
Chocolate Éclairs
Delicate choux pastry filled with fresh cream and topped with a glossy layer of chocolate. A timeless treat.
Trifle
A layered dessert with sponge cake, fruit, custard, and cream. M&S offers various versions, including the classic sherry trifle.
Madeleine Cakes
These delicate, shell-shaped sponge cakes are light, buttery, and perfect with a cup of tea.
These delicious pies are a 10 out of 10 in my books - the succulent brownie is to die for and the chunky but soft butter pastry is enough to make anyone drool.
They’re a great alternative for those who don’t like mince pies and will make the perfect after dinner snack.
But if you’re looking for mince pies with a twist, Asda has got you covered.
These sweet treats are filled with warming Scotch whiskey, infused fig mincemeat and finished with a spicy honey florentine.
The mincemeat was delicious, but in general, it wasn’t anywhere near as sweet as I expected.
But saying that, it was a nice twist on an otherwise somewhat boring festive treat, so if you ask me, you can’t go wrong.
Aldi are often bringing out new flavours of their Ballycastle Country Creams, and if you want to get into the festive spirit, their latest tipple is one to try.
If you don’t like Baileys Irish Cream, this isn’t the beverage for you, but this milk chocolate clementine flavoured drink gets a thumbs up from me.
It’s not too overpowering, unlike a lot of other orange-flavoured treats and in fact, the subtle flavour is spot on.
This affordable buy makes a great festive tipple and will be the perfect evening beverage after a fully-loaded Christmas dinner this December.
