The decorations are up, I have baked my first batch of mince pies and I spent the weekend wrapping presents – I am thoroughly in the mood for Christmas.

Whilst preparing this weeks Christmas themed new products round-up, my thoughts turned to Christmas food, naturally, and in particular to Christmas dinner.

According to a recent survey, 65 per cent of consumers said that they would be having more than two Christmas dinners throughout December, with seven per cent revealing theyd be enjoying five or more.

After counting mine up I found that Im among the seven per cent eating five or more. Between the office Christmas party and various dinners with members of both mine and my better halfs family, the number soon adds up.

Indeed, according to the survey results, 82 per cent of people are expecting to celebrate with family. Celebrating with friends (30 per cent) and the office party (20 per cent) were also high on the list.

As for festive tipples, research by Instantly has revealed that Baileys is the UKs favourite Christmas drink, both enjoyed straight by 54 per cent of polled consumers who drink spirits over the Christmas period and as Irish coffee or Baileys and coffee (87 per cent).

The research also finds that not only do consumers drink more over Christmas, but they also start drinking earlier, with 63 per cent admitting to the latter.
I fall into that group too!