Christmas table etiquette

We all do things differently. But despite popular opinion is there a right way and a wrong way to do something? Apparently, there is, especially at Christmas. We want to do things the right way to make sure we bring a sense of occasion to the proceedings.

Here are top ten tips for a proper Christmas lunch:

1. Pull crackers at the start of the meal and everyone should join in and wear the paper hat – avoid looking like a Scrooge.
2. Aim to sit down for a lunch – not dinner – at around 1pm. Or you could have the meal in the early evening. Avoid mid-afternoon.
3. Don’t worry about starters – dive straight into the main meal. Perhaps serve drinks – champagne, dry sherry or orange juice before lunch. Don’t over do it too early though.
4. When loading your plate, less is more. Don’t ask for seconds – wait to be offered.
5. Ladle gravy from the gravy boat, don’t pour it.
6. Put cold sauces such as cranberry sauce into ramekins with serving spoons – don’t put the jars out on the table.
7. Hot sauces, like bread sauce, should go in sauce boats and be ladled onto the side of your plate. Don’t dunk your meat. Spread the sauce onto your turkey.
8. Serve your Christmas pudding on plates not bowls.
9. Serve your pudding with rum butter, brandy butter or brandy sauce.
10. Warm some rum/brandy, pour over the pudding and serve flaming.

But above all, remember - it is supposed to be fun!