There are various ways in which home cooks can make themselves well prepared for catering at Christmas, torontosun.com claimed.

It recommended that friends and family should be encouraged to try out their own festive recipes, or a dish that says Christmas to them, to help lighten the atmosphere.

The article also suggested that list writing is crucial at this time of year, as it will help ensure all the necessary cookware and ingredients are ready to be used.

Non-perishable items such as drinks and decorations should be purchased well ahead of the big day to ease the strain, the website recommended, with some items able to be borrowed from a party rental shop.

It was recently revealed that Pam Clarkson, a retired licensee from Rothwell, West Yorkshire, had taken on the task of cooking Christmas dinner for 93 elderly people from her local community.