Creating a festive menu that delights every guest is an art and a science. Whether you're hosting a long lunch for a crowd or an intimate celebration, the key is to balance seasonal flavours, tradition, and ease with an element of surprise. This month, to help you in your Christmas preparations, we’re curating the ultimate crowd-pleasing festive menu – with all elements available at Chatswood Chase, to make prep blissfully convenient.

From the welcome drinks to a sweet finish, this menu promises to hit all the Christmas flavour notes (prawns, ham and plenty of champagne) while still feeling fresh, inventive and exciting. Read on for great recipes, as well as tips and tricks from retailers on how to make sure you secure the best produce during this busy season.

Welcome Drinks

The classic Mimosa is as delicious as it is easy, and the perfect way to start your day (other than presents) is with Bellenda Levis Extra Dry Prosecco DOC ($29, 10% off in a dozen from David Jones). Edit your proportions to match your guests preferences, but when in doubt ⅓ juice to ⅔ champagne is a festive pour, or flip the ratio for a lower alcohol version. For a playful, spicy spritz that’s tremendously festive, you could also mix up The Reindeer.

For an extra special champagne (or a gift you also get to drink), try the Laherte Freres Ultradition, a blend of pinot meunier and noir, and about one fifth chardonnay. Complex and savoury, this champagne is perfect alongside prawns and oysters but it’ll stand up against a bit of pork crackling, too ($130, 10% off in a dozen from David Jones). Want the drinks sans booze? Crack a NON 2 Caramelised Pear & Kombu 750mL ($29.95 from David Jones) with cardamon, star anise and clove. It’ll pair beautifully with everything on the Christmas table.

Starters

Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas in Australia without a seafood platter. Pre-order your prawns, oysters, and any other little treats that you and yours are fond of (Christmas sashimi!) from Astakos Fish Market. Operated by father and son team Michael and Con, they won’t send you to your in-laws with anything except the best and freshest seafood.

While you’re at Tongli Supermarket picking up miso and ginger (more on that below), grab yourself some mirin and rice vinegar, and mix up this zippy mignonette to dress your oysters.

1 shallot, finely diced

1/4 cup rice wine

1 pinch of sugar

1 tbsp dark or regular soy sauce

1 tsp toasted sesame oil

1 tbsp fresh chopped coriander

Mains

Whether you’re hosting five people or fifty, Christmas lunch is all about celebrating the flavours of the season and enjoying the company of those who matter most. When it comes to the perfect mains, why not try blending timeless classics with new flavours?

Riff on tradition with Donna Hay’s Apple Maple and Miso Glazed Ham. Get your ham from Quattro Deli (we recommend you order in advance), and pick up some white miso paste and ginger from Tongli Supermarket to finish the recipe. Don’t be scared of a dry turkey; grab a bird from Vic’s Meats and try one of these Ultimate Turkey recipes — or go with what you know and stick to a classic roast chicken. Whichever bird you choose, this Tandaco Sage & Onion Stuffing Mix is a delicious addition. Pick up a couple of packets while you’re at Coles for a last minute stuffing that everyone will enjoy.

Feeding the whole extended family? Make it pork, two ways, and pick up a porchetta to go with the ham. To ensure crispy crackling on the top of your porchetta, score the fat, douse with boiling water and use more salt than you think you need to (more on that here). And, for the vegans among us, Scoop Wholefoods has you covered with Daisy’s Christmas Nut Loaf.

Sides

Side dishes are the unsung heroes of Christmas lunch. Think crisp salads with zesty dressings, golden roasted potatoes and a tangy cranberry sauce (like this one). The beauty of side dishes lies in their versatility. Light and refreshing or indulgently rich, they can be tailored to suit traditional tastes or updated with a contemporary twist.

Always a Christmas table highlight are these classic roast potatoes, and they go with everything. A coleslaw is a great addition to any meal and it’ll last up to 5 days in the fridge, so it can be made ahead of time. Add some summery freshness with this green salad with goats cheese from Coles. If you’re vegetarian, or attending a potluck Christmas, why not contribute this joyful, delicious brussels sprouts pasta bake a la Nigella? Grab a fancy packet of pasta from Quattro Deli to elevate the bake.

Dessert

Desserts should be delicious, and show stopping too. Try something festive that can double up as a centrepiece for the table and be made ahead of time, like this Chocolate Cookie Christmas Tree care of Donna Hay.

If the classics are more your speed, serve up Nigella’s sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream, or try your hand at a pavlova wreath and serve dolloped generously with eggnog custard and blackberries.

Boxing Day

Pick up a bag of crusty rolls from Bakers Delight on your way out, for left-over turkey, coleslaw and cranberry sandwiches on Boxing Day.

If you’re short on time or just want to keep it simple, Quattro and David Jones have plenty of ready to go festive favourites available to preorder and pick up – think cold cuts, jellies and jams, choccies, bikkies and mince pies. Because don’t forget, people drop in unexpectedly during the holidays. That’s one of the lovely things about this time of year! It’s always good to have a few extra bits and pieces to share – and you’ll have to accept that you might be whipping off your apron to pour some drinks (just when you thought you had time to make the pies!).