It may seem early, but the countdown to Christmas has begun with many supermarkets like Marks & Spencer already unveiling their full festive menus, complete with the star of the show, the turkey.

Whether you're a seasoned Christmas chef or hosting for the first time, now is the time to get ahead and save yourself the pre-Christmas panic.

M&S's turkey selection is available for pre-order through its Food to Order service. This means you can book and pay for your Christmas dinner, along with any other delectable treats, well in advance of the big day, ensuring a hassle-free holiday feast.

Come Christmas, you can skip the busy supermarket queues and simply collect your order. The service, which kicked off on Tuesday, 26 September, will remain open until 11 December, subject to slot availability.

With 20 turkey options to choose from, M&S caters to various tastes and budgets. Prices range from £31 for the Oakham Turkey Joint serving 6-8 people, up to £110 for the Free-Range Organic Pembrokeshire Bronze Turkey , which generously feeds 8-10.

If you're aiming for a traditional Christmas centrepiece, a whole bird is the ideal choice. It offers guests a variety of succulent turkey meat, including juicy breast meat, crispy legs, and fall-off-the-bone wing meat. Plus, there's plenty of meat for Boxing Day leftovers.

However, if you're pressed for time or oven space, consider a turkey crown. Crowns require less cooking time compared to a whole turkey and are compact. They are perfect if your guests prefer the lighter taste of white breast meat.

M&S offers glazed or stuffed turkey crowns for added flavour, and they've been slow-cooked for hours to ensure exceptional taste.

M&S's menu extends beyond traditional turkey options, also offering an array of meat-free and plant-based dishes. These include stuffed vegan turkey joints and creamy pies, to cater to various dietary preferences.

If you're looking to diversify your festive menu, consider M&S's British boneless three-bird roast, easy-to-cook beef or pork joints, or chef-developed, responsibly sourced fish dishes. These alternatives are sure to impress your guests.

In addition to M&S, other supermarkets also have their turkey offerings ready for order. Waitrose offers a range starting from £27.80 for a Small Whole Turkey with Giblets to feed five. At the other end of the price range is the No.1 Large Free Range Dry Aged Bronze Whole Turkey for £128 to feed 12.

Sainsbury's provides options starting at £12.72 for the Grove Fresh Turkey that serves 6-8 people, with prices going up to £101.83 for a Norfolk Black British Whole Turkey , designed to satisfy larger gatherings of 13-17.

So, with the festive season just around the corner, it's time to plan and secure your Christmas dinner delights.

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