From the dark circles under my eyes and the general levels of exhaustion demonstrated by my friends on the school run I can tell you that it's not long to Christmas.
I'd like to tell you that right now my kitchen smells of home-baked goods, richly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and that as I bake the wine is mulling on my baby blue Aga.
Sadly the Aga only exists in my dreams and on a very optimistic Christmas list for Santa, and frankly it's all I can do amidst parties and performances to throw oven chips and frozen things into my oven.
However, I have a cunning plan to ensure any guests (unexpected or otherwise) have no idea that all I really want to do is sleep til 2016. I have stocked my cupboards with lots of tasty treats which i can pull out at a moments notice to retain my "good hostess" crown.
Take Asda's Extra Special mince pies for instance. I can pop these into the oven for a couple of minutes or even remove them from their foil trays and stick them in the microwave and Hey Presto! the house smells like Christmas and we get to enjoy a warming tasty treat. You might want to buy a few boxes though as they are very more-ish!
Serve them with the divine Rum Chata for top hostess points. What do you mean you've never heard of Rum Chata? Ditch your usual creamy liqueurs - this one is Christmas in a glass!
Rum Chata combines Caribbean rum with real dairy cream, vanilla and cinnamon flavours in an elegant bottle. It's good for 6 months after opening and you don't have to refrigerate it, although I do so I can sneak the occasional shot glass of it as an evening treat and I like it cold.
It's 15% alcohol and would work brilliantly over ice-cream, in coffee or straight up!
Prefer bubbles? Asda have that covered with their Extra Special Louis Bernard Champagne- extra special but still at an affordable price.
Serve it on Christmas morning with 1/3 glass fresh orange to 2/3 Champagne for a celebratory Buck's Fizz (also called a Mimosa) or on New Years as a Barbotage - just add a dash or brandy and a splash of Grand Marnier. Or simply pour into a flute and enjoy it without adornment!
The great thing about Asda is in many stores you can buy Christmas food, party outfits, Christmas jumpers, drink and pressies!
Got a foodie to buy for? How about this gorgeous Extra Special award-winning Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan) cheese set. It's Asda's Deluxe Edition, beautifully boxed complete with a cute serving knife. Even your turkey carbonara made with leftovers will taste better with a few shavings of this over it!
Check out your nearest store or visit the website for more inspiration along with Christmas opening hours and details about delivery and click and collect options. Here's hoping we all have an Extra Special Christmas!
Disclaimer: I was sent the food items above for the purposes of this review. Views and opinions remain honest and my own.
I'd like to tell you that right now my kitchen smells of home-baked goods, richly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and that as I bake the wine is mulling on my baby blue Aga.
Sadly the Aga only exists in my dreams and on a very optimistic Christmas list for Santa, and frankly it's all I can do amidst parties and performances to throw oven chips and frozen things into my oven.
However, I have a cunning plan to ensure any guests (unexpected or otherwise) have no idea that all I really want to do is sleep til 2016. I have stocked my cupboards with lots of tasty treats which i can pull out at a moments notice to retain my "good hostess" crown.
Take Asda's Extra Special mince pies for instance. I can pop these into the oven for a couple of minutes or even remove them from their foil trays and stick them in the microwave and Hey Presto! the house smells like Christmas and we get to enjoy a warming tasty treat. You might want to buy a few boxes though as they are very more-ish!
Serve them with the divine Rum Chata for top hostess points. What do you mean you've never heard of Rum Chata? Ditch your usual creamy liqueurs - this one is Christmas in a glass!
Rum Chata combines Caribbean rum with real dairy cream, vanilla and cinnamon flavours in an elegant bottle. It's good for 6 months after opening and you don't have to refrigerate it, although I do so I can sneak the occasional shot glass of it as an evening treat and I like it cold.
It's 15% alcohol and would work brilliantly over ice-cream, in coffee or straight up!
Prefer bubbles? Asda have that covered with their Extra Special Louis Bernard Champagne- extra special but still at an affordable price.
The great thing about Asda is in many stores you can buy Christmas food, party outfits, Christmas jumpers, drink and pressies!
Got a foodie to buy for? How about this gorgeous Extra Special award-winning Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan) cheese set. It's Asda's Deluxe Edition, beautifully boxed complete with a cute serving knife. Even your turkey carbonara made with leftovers will taste better with a few shavings of this over it!
Check out your nearest store or visit the website for more inspiration along with Christmas opening hours and details about delivery and click and collect options. Here's hoping we all have an Extra Special Christmas!
Disclaimer: I was sent the food items above for the purposes of this review. Views and opinions remain honest and my own.