The woman & home Christmas taste tests are an annual event where our expert Test Kitchen taste test hundreds of food and drink products to find the best of the best in everything festive.
The 2021 winners have now been announced and our pick of the best Christmas food has been revealed for the upcoming festive season.
This year, like last year, the competition was tough, with numerous outstanding contenders for every category. Our expert panel of judges whittled down the entries to the creme de la creme of Christmas buys.
Discover the results from the 2020 taste tests below.
Best turkey
In true Christmas tradition, a golden, succulent turkey, cooked to perfection surrounded by your favourite accompaniments is just the best. Taking centre stage of your festive spread, it will provide you with a special meal on a special day. So, of course, you want to make sure that you buy the best! Whether you are feeding a crowd (lockdown rules permitting) or having a mini Christmas feast for two, here’s our pick of the best turkeys on the market.
Best vegan Christmas mains
Serve up the finest, festive, plant-based feast with these carefully selected vegan mains.
Best vegetarian Christmas mains
We’ve got your vegetarian Christmas sorted with our picks of the best free meat-free mains on the market.
Best Christmas Party Food
Best Canapés
Even when celebrating in a smaller group it's fun to have an array of party food. This year we have seen trends emerge for grazing platters and spicy flavours. Delight your guests with these splendid nibbles.
Best Christmas crisps and nibbles
We are on board in a big way with the truffle flavoured crisp trend. They are the perfect bougie nibble to accompany a glass of bubbles, but have you tried the latest fancy thing? Move over truffle, caviar is in town!
Best Christmas sweet treats
This was a highly contested category this year, our panel tried so many greats. But these six blew us away.
Best Christmas pudding
The proof is in the pudding, you will not be disappointed with these. All excellent choices for the finale to the festive feast.
Best pannetone
The classic Italian Christmas bread is becoming increasingly popular. We love it as a breakfast bread, but it's also a fantastic dessert and great with a cuppa. Contemplate using any leftover pannetone in trifle or tiramisu.
The perfect festive treat. These are guaranteed to convert even the mince pie scrooges out there.
Best ready-made Christmas starters
Because frankly, Christmas is already busy enough, save yourself the hassle of rustling up another course with these gorgeous ready to go beauties!
Best smoked salmon
It's a Christmas classic, great as a luxury starter or for fancy canapes. However, you plan on serving it, this lot gets our vote.
Best cranberry sauce and Christmas condiments
It's Christmas, pull out all the stops. These tasty sauces will elevate your meal.
Best Christmas desserts
Drop it all! These elegant desserts are designed to impress. But they taste as good as they look.
Best Christmas food gifts
Best food stocking fillers
We adore these cute tasty gifts, perfect as a little thank you to give to those who have helped you this year.
Best Food hampers
Really spoil them this year with these fabulously indulgent hampers.
Best food advent calendar
No longer just for the kiddies. Advent calendars are a lovely way to spoil yourself or your loved ones in the runup to the big day!
The best Christmas drinks
Christmas is a fantastic time to discover new drinks and indulge in some old favourites. At this time of year, there are many opportunities to raise a glass and toast good tidings. We have included a range of spectacular non-alcoholic options too for those avoiding the alcohol.
Wine to pair with Christmas dinner
Don't let your dinner down! If you're finding it hard to choose between them, any of these bottles could take pride of place at your festive feast.
Non-alcoholic Christmas drinks
There are now so many amazing No and Low options out there that's it's tricky to know which to pick! These are all great choices.
Best Christmas spirits
These festive spirits would all make magnificent gifts. We are enchanted with the M&S Light up Gin Globe, it's bound to be a sell-out this year. Our panel also discovered some surprising drinks this year, including our latest addiction: Figgy Pudding Gin!
Best Christmas Champagne and fizz
It doesn't always have to be champers, we were impressed with how many excellent English sparklings are out there. But this year the latest trend is swapping grape-based bubbles for an elegant cider at celebrations. These excellent festive fizzes are all brilliant.
Now all that's left to say, we wish you and yours a very tasty Christmas and a delicious New Year!
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