Prep Ahead for a Stress-Free Christmas: A Butcher’s Guide

Christmas should be about good food and good company — not kitchen chaos. Between last-minute shopping and guests arriving early, the festive rush can easily take over. The good news? With a little planning, you can serve a beautiful meal and still enjoy the day yourself.

Here’s how to get organised early - from ordering your meats to prepping sides and managing fridge space, so you can relax when it matters most.

1. Order Your Meats Early

The easiest way to take pressure off is to order your meat well before Christmas week. Our Online Meats team prepares and dispatches fresh cuts daily, but Christmas is our busiest time of year.

• You’ll get first pick of festive favourites like NZ Pork Champagne Ham, NZ Pork Belly, Angus Beef Rump Roast, and NZ Lamb Leg Roast.
• You can avoid the delivery rush and choose a delivery date that suits your fridge schedule.
• You’ll have time to portion, freeze, or marinate ahead.

Tip: Planning a big menu? Choose a mix of showstoppers and easy crowd-pleasers - for example, a Whole or Half Champagne Ham for the main table, paired with Swiss Deli Cervelas or Continental Franks for the BBQ crowd.

2. Make Space in Your Fridge and Freezer

Before your order arrives, clear out a shelf or drawer to store meats safely.

• Keep raw meat on the lowest shelf to prevent cross-contamination.
• If freezer space is tight, transfer ice cubes and frozen goods to a chilly bin for the week.
• Label each pack with its use-by date and cooking plan (e.g. “Ham – Christmas Day”, “Cervelas – BBQ Brunch”)

3. Prep in Stages: What to Do Days Before

Spread the workload out through the week so you’re not doing everything on Christmas Day.

4. Choose Cuts That Save Time

Some meats naturally make Christmas prep easier — and tastier.

• NZ Lamb Racks - quick to roast, impressive presentation.
• NZ Pork Belly - slow-cook the day before, crisp on the day.
• Angus Beef Rump Roast - tender and easy to carve.
• Angus Beef Rolled Topside Roast - Rolled and tied = consistent shape, even cooking, easier to carve.
• NZ Lamb Leg or Angus Beef Brisket – slow cook hero, low effort, full of depth.
• NZ Pork Champagne Ham – can be served cold, baked, or warmed for easy entertaining

5. Build a Festive Grazing Board

For casual celebrations or Christmas Eve gatherings, a meat and cheese platter adds colour and convenience.

Combine slices of Swiss Deli Salami, add cheeses, fresh cherries, grapes, and a touch of rosemary for a festive look.

Perfect when paired with crusty bread, pickles, and your favourite condiments - no cooking required.

6. Don’t Forget the Fresh Touches

Balance your table with light, summer sides - new potatoes, grilled asparagus, or a cherry and feta salad.

These can all be prepped ahead:

• Dressings and marinades last up to 3 days refrigerated.
• Fresh greens stay crisp if washed and sealed in paper towels.
• Fruit relishes or chutneys add colour and contrast.

Try pairing with our ham with a tangy mustard glaze or a cranberry chutney, and serve Swiss Deli sausages alongside fresh cucumber salad or roasted capsicum relish for a summery twist.

7. Let the Butcher Help You Out

Freshness is everything, and the last thing you need is a delivery delay. Place your Christmas meat order early at Online Meats.

Our meats are packed fresh, never frozen (except specific frozen lines), and delivered chilled nationwide. Every order is vacuum-sealed for maximum freshness and quality.

🎁 Wrap-Up: Enjoy the Day, Not Just the Meal

Christmas doesn’t have to be stressful. A few smart steps - an early meat order, a cleaned fridge, and a clear prep plan - mean you can enjoy the day instead of rushing through it.

Pour a cold drink, fire up the BBQ or oven, and make the most of the moment. After all, the best Christmas meals aren’t just cooked with care - they’re prepared with peace of mind.