Panic stations! It's nearly Christmas! And since Christmas pretty much revolves around food, don't you think it's time to start thinking about what you're going to be cooking for the family this Christmas?

Of course, there's turkey. The staple meat of the festive period. And don't get me wrong – a well cooked turkey is amazing. However, it is a tradition and not a rule, so if you'd prefer to have duck, goose, beef, nut roast... curry... go for it!

Here in Colchester, we have a couple of excellent butchers, Frank Wright & Son, and Millins of Tiptree who have the iconic turkey, as well as high quality beef, lamb, pork and game.

Plus Millins of Tiptree is the perfect place to go if you've got family visiting over the holidays and you don't have the time or energy to cater for them all. There's a great 'take and bake' selection, which includes pies, chicken ready for the grill, sausage rolls, scotch eggs and full meals such as cottage pie and lasagne (perfect for those days when you can't face cooking AGAIN!)

And No. 85 Coffee Shop has a mouthwatering range of cakes, flapjacks, muffins and shortbread that will go down a treat with both kids and adults. Plus, as long as you give them a few days' notice, their party platters are perfect for large gatherings, stocked fill of mini sausage rolls, drumsticks, quiche, pork pies, wraps, cold meat and pork pies. There are also sweet platters available.

For more information about recommended Colchester butchers, please click here.

Please click here for further details about No. 85 Coffee Shop.

Fish!

No, not in the least bit traditional, but who cares? If you want fish for your Christmas dinner, you should go for it! Of course, you may not want to eat a whole lobster with all the trimmings but what about a dressed salmon or seafood platter?

If you're in the mood for something a little fishy this Christmas or New Year, speak to The Little Fish Company; with its own shop in Kelvedon near Colchester, it's the perfect place for the freshest fish, sourced from local fishermen in local waters as much as possible.

Please click here to find out more about The Little Fish Company.

Get someone else to do the cooking!

Cooking isn't everyone's cup of tea. So why spend what can feel like days in the kitchen when you could go out and get someone else to cook for you?

Recommended restaurants and pubs in and around Colchester include Mussi's Cafe Bar and Restaurant, The Stockwell and The White Hart Inn.

However, we do have it on good authority that The Stockwell is fully booked for Christmas Day itself so don't leave sorting your plans out any later or you may be disappointed. And remember, most of these restaurants are open right across Christmas and New Year, so if you're thinking of having a get-together with friends or family, you don't have to end up blowing up the kitchen and leaving your house looking like it's been ravaged by a bear – book a table at one of Colchester's finest eateries!

Please click here for more information about Mussi's Cafe Bar and Restaurant

Please click here for more information about The Stockwell.

Please click here for further details about The White Hart Inn.