THE CHRISTMAS LUNCH BOXES

THAT PROMISE TO SAVE TIME

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CHRISTMAS Day is magical but for the designated chef it can feel like a military operation. Between the timing, the peeling, and the washing up, the most wonderful time of the year can quickly become the most stressful. This year, retailers are offering a lifeline. Aldi, Iceland and Sainsbury's have all launched prepacked boxes designed to feed a family of four with minimal fuss. But can it really replace the homemade heroics? And more importantly, are they actually good value? Cally Brooks judges them on price, taste, portion size, and the dreaded "faff factor".

Aldi's Ultimate Christmas Dinner in a Box - £29.95

Here's a nice mid-market option for those wanting fresh food on Christmas Day while still keeping costs down.

Complete with a slow-cooked turkey joint, pigs in blankets, honey-mustard coated parsnips, maple-butter coated carrots, roast potatoes and delicious turkey gravy, I was interested how this budget-supermarket version would compare to the real deal.

OVERALL WINNER

The Verdict: