This Christmas sees M&S Hempstead Valley celebrate its first festive season as a bigger, better and fresher store, following its summer transformation. The store features a greengrocer-style Fresh Market, larger Bakery and a frozen section that has quadrupled in size, as well as mini trolleys so the little ones can help with the weekly shop. The store is getting into the festive spirit with more than 170 tasty new creations on offer, helping make this Christmas your easiest and most delicious one yet.
Read on to discover M&S’s exclusive top tips for achieving a fuss free Christmas from Store Manager, Suzi Price …
- Preparation, preparation, preparation
I always make sure I place my Christmas food order as early as possible – this way I’ve ticked off a big job and knowing my Christmas dinner is all sorted really takes the pressure off. At M&S all you need to do is order online and we’ll have everything ready and waiting for you in-store. Just remember, if you want your food ready for collection between 22nd-24th December, you have until the 15th to place your order.
- Ready to go roast
There are over 20 things that our customers worry about when it comes to the Christmas turkey, so we’ve spent over a year creating the absolute fool-proof ‘Perfect Turkey’ – I promise it’s a real gamechanger, everything is done, no prep needed, simply pop in the oven for two hours – DONE! It doesn’t get easier than that and it serves up to 14 people, so ideal if you’re hosting a big party this Christmas.
- All the tastes and trimmings
For the first time this year, our customers can also host an entirely vegan Christmas dinner, from creative canapés through to decadent desserts, with some mouth-watering vegan pigs in “duvets” thrown in for good measure! Perfect when you’re catering for different family tastes and dietary requirements.
- Sumptuous showstoppers
Feeling under pressure is another issue our customers grapple with, describing the most wonderful time of the year as a ‘military operation’. They want the best of both worlds: Christmas food that’s quick and fool-proof to prepare and absolutely showstopping. Don’t go overboard; pick a few crowd-pleasing items that you know will go down well with your guests. Our firm favourites here at Hempstead Valley include the Sticky Toffee Trifle, ‘share and tear’ Brie en Croute and our Truffle Ketchup, which is certain to add a scrumptious twist to family feasting over the Christmas season.
- Dinner is served
Often, one of the biggest jobs on Christmas day is setting the table. There’s no reason that the festive table can’t be ready to go a day or two before. This also leaves you with time to get any last-minute bits and pieces you may have forgotten. Add some personality with our festive-themed kitchen and tableware, or get your groove on and make it a musical Christmas dinner with our Musical Fun Christmas Crackers, containing a bell, music sheet, hat and joke.
- A helping hand
Don’t take on the burden of preparing the perfect Christmas alone. From familiar faces to new recruits, we’ve created specialist roles to give our customers that added help – keep an eye out for our Greengrocer, Flowers Specialist and Wine Sommelier in store. They’ll be able to provide advice on anything from Christmas food and wine pairing, to what flowers best complement your decorations.
Also not forgetting that our store is the perfect spot to pick up Christmas gifts for the whole family – I’ve got my eye on a very festive matching pyjama set! Our best-selling Rotating Musical Shortbread Tree Tin is back too. The keepsake tin is an absolute steal at just £5 – not only does it play Jingle Bells time after time, but also contains mouth-watering all-butter shortbread trees.
M&S Hempstead Valley is located at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, Hempstead Valley Dr, Hempstead, Gillingham ME7 3PD and is open 8am-10pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am-4pm on Sundays.
