Countdown to 2026: A Festive Feast.

When it comes to hosting gatherings, people often divide into a pair of quite distinct camps: the ones that love doing it, and those who would prefer to do almost another thing. Being ready ahead of time is key, and finding a few tasty dishes to kick off the proceedings will delight your guests while you work to hold everything together.

Citrusy Smoked Paprika Almonds with Fennel

Zesty almond snack

These tangy, spiced snacks prove to be a excellent companion for the bright pink grapefruit mocktails listed further down.

Salmon & Ricotta on Buckwheat Blinis

Festive starter with blinis

A delectable celebration starter that can easily be adapted to present with a sweet topping for children.

Cardamom-Lime Grapefruit Mocktails

Vibrant non-alcoholic drink

These beverages are a zesty option to booze, but additionally serve as a tasty ingredient for a gin-based drink.

Juniper and Lemon Martinis

Classic martini cocktail

Handcrafted gin for a unique celebration drink, perfect for gifting or pouring at parties.

Slow-Cooked Shredded Lamb Shoulder with Red Onion Sumac Salad

Tender lamb dish

Revel in the praise of this show-stopping spread – no one will ever suspect how minimal preparation was involved.

Chocolate Tart with Spiced Cranberry

Decadent chocolate cranberry tart

In this rich sweet treat, swirls of spiced cranberry jam are cooked into a dark chocolate base for a flavor pairing that uses any abundance of holiday fruit to delicious use.

Susan Clark
Susan Clark

A passionate UK-based gaming journalist with over a decade of experience covering console and PC titles, specializing in indie game reviews and industry trends.