Your Christmas Entertaining Guide

The festive season is one of the most joyful (and busiest) times of the year. Whether you’re hosting a family lunch, a backyard barbecue, or a Christmas Eve dinner, the secret to a smooth celebration is preparation.

Here’s your month-out guide to staying organised, keeping stress low, and making sure your Christmas table is filled with crowd-pleasing dishes (especially those featuring delicious seafood).

1 Month Before Christmas | Start Planning Early

Finalise Your Guest List

Know who’s coming and when. Locking in numbers now helps you plan portions and choose serving styles.

Choose Your Menu

Christmas is the perfect time to hero seafood: light, fresh, and ideal for hot Australian summers.

Start selecting dishes now and consider a variety of:

• Cold platters: prawns, smoked salmon
• Barbecue favourites: jumbo prawns, salmon
• Festive mains: whole fish with herbs, seafood pastas, seafood paella
• Easy starters: panko squid rings, fish bites, crumbed prawns

Tip: Choose a few dishes that can be prepared in advance, so you’re not cooking everything on the day.

Pre-Order Your Seafood

Christmas week is one of the busiest times of the year for seafood. To avoid missing out, pre-order or schedule click-and-collect from your local supermarket or preferred fishmonger.

Tip: Choose versatile, high-quality products you can trust to cook consistently.

Stock Your Freezer with Staples

Build a “just-in-case” freezer stock of reliable seafood essentials:

• Crumbed whiting fillets
• Squid strips
• Mussel meat
• Seafood marina mix

These will save you if plans change, extra guests arrive, or if you need quick appetisers.

2–3 Weeks Before Christmas | Get Organised

Plan Your Cooking Timeline

Create a simple timetable for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day:

• What needs to be prepared the day before
• What can be cooked in the morning
• What should be done just before serving

This helps make hosting much easier.

Sort Serving ware & Decorations

Check you have enough:

• Platters
• Tongs and serving spoons
• Ice buckets
• Festive napkins
• Outdoor table settings

If anything is missing, now’s the time to buy or borrow.

Test New Recipes

If you’re trying something new, test it beforehand to avoid surprises.

1 Week Before Christmas | Focus on the Details

Final Food Shop (Non-Perishables)

Stock up on pantry items, sauces, seasonings, oils, and drinks to avoid the madness of Christmas Eve crowds.

Prepare Cold Seafood Sauces

Prepare these and refrigerate:

• Lemon aioli
• Chilli mayo
• Tartare sauce
• Fresh herb dressing

They’ll keep for several days and taste even better as the flavours settle. ;)

Plan Your Drinks Station

Self-serve drinks keep guests happy and give you more time to cook and enjoy the day.

2 Days Before Christmas | Prep for Success

Pick Up Pre-Ordered Seafood

Store everything properly on ice or in the coldest part of your fridge.

Marinate, Slice & Prep

Do as much as possible beforehand:

• Marinate fish
• Slice lemons and herbs
• Prep veggies for salads
• Assemble grazing boards (excluding seafood)

Christmas Day | Keep It Simple, Fresh & Festive

Serve Seafood Cold or Quick-Cook

Seafood really shines when it’s fresh and simply prepared. Think:

• King prawns with lemon wedges
• Barbecued whiting fillets
• Crispy squid rings with dipping sauces
• Fish bites for the kids

Lay Out a Build-Your-Own Seafood Station

Let guests build their own plates with:

• Fresh prawns
• Fish tacos
• Seafood salads
• Dips and condiments

Less plating for you and more fun for them!

Enjoy the Day!

With early planning and the right seafood essentials on hand, you can relax, enjoy your guests, and serve a Christmas feast to remember.