Following a strict gluten free diet doesn’t have to mean missing out on the festive fun and feasting. With a little forward planning, and some smart switches, you can eat, drink and be merry with your family and friends this festive season, without compromising your gluten free diet and risking a return of your symptoms.

Here are our Twelve Tips of Christmas, covering everything from parties to puddings, wines and spirits to sweets and snacks:

1. Think about your drinks – from popping the fizz at a party, to snuggling down with a brandy by the fire, wine (including sparkling wine) and spirits are all gluten free. That festive favourite, Baileys is also made with ingredients that don’t contain gluten. Cider is fine on a gluten free diet, but you should avoid all beers, stouts, lagers and ales.
2. Pick n mix your sweets – a tin of sweets is traditional for most families and you’ll often find one in the office this time of year too. The good news is that many of these are fine for coeliacs. The Christmas classic Quality Street is gluten free, as are Cadbury’s Roses and most Heroes (except the little double decker). You can also munch on Matchmakers without worrying.
3. Easy entertaining – many of the standard seasonal party snacks, such as sausage rolls and mince pies, are unsuitable for a gluten free diet. But don’t worry; if you’re creating a party buffet, you can easily find gluten free party food in most supermarkets. You can even create your own gluten free sausage rolls or really impress your guests with our Gluten Free Sausage Roll Wreath with Baked Camembert.
4. Get the party started – if you’re visiting friends and family, let them know in advance what you can and can’t have, or better still, take a small selection of gluten free snacks with you so you don’t feel like you’re putting them out. (Remember to keep these completely separate from the rest of the buffet to avoid cross contamination).
5. Make and bake your own – rather than scouring the shelves at the supermarket, why not get really festive and bake your own seasonal snacks and buffet food using the amazing gluten free recipes available on our website. Try our stunning Gluten Free Sausage Roll Wreath with Baked Camembert, or our new Christmas sparkle range, including Gluten Free Sticky Toffee Pudding Baked Alaska and a fabulous Gluten Free Festive Pie, perfect for using up those leftovers.
6. Get ready to go out – if you’re going out to eat, perhaps on a company Christmas meal, make sure you contact the restaurant well in advance to organise your gluten free dishes. Most restaurants will be happy to accommodate special dietary requirements if you give them plenty of notice.
7. Festive movie munchies – watching a festive film together is one of the highlights of Christmas, so make sure you have plenty of gluten free snacks on hand. Our sister brand Schar have a wide range available. Many crisps are gluten free, but always check the label in case coatings or flavourings contain gluten. Plain fruit and nut mixes are usually gluten free too, but if they’re flavoured or coated you should check the label carefully.
8. Dazzling desserts – our delicious gluten free chocolate log recipe filled with dark chocolate and delicious Chantilly cream makes a great centrepiece. You can also go for a taste of tradition with our Gluten Free Christmas Pudding recipe, or you can try something brand new with our exciting Gluten Free Sticky Toffee Baked Alaska.
9. Brilliant breakfasts – festive breakfasts are always extra special, so add a touch of style with our gluten free croissants, the warming winter flavours of cinnamon and raisin bagels or some deluxe Danish style cinnamon whirls.
10. Dazzling Christmas dinners – when it comes to the main event, unprocessed meat and veg will all be gluten free, so you can pile your plate high. You’ll need to plan ahead with a gluten free stuffing mix though (most standard stuffing contains breadcrumbs), and watch out for store-bought roasties, as some contain flour to crisp them up. Check the labels carefully on gravy mixes, or why not make your own with the meat juices, water from your vegetables and a splash of festive port?
11. Perfect puddings – no festive feast is complete without a flaming Christmas pudding. You can buy gluten free puds in most supermarkets, but with three different mouth-watering pudding recipes on our website, you can really impress your guests by serving your own Christmas pudding creation.
12. Classic cheese boards – a cheese board and a glass of port is the perfect way to finish Christmas dinner. Most cheeses are gluten free, including brie and blue stilton, but watch out for the fancy ‘novelty’ cheeses you get around Christmastime. Check the label to ensure none of the added ingredients contain gluten. You’ll also find a wide range of gluten free crackers in most supermarkets, or if you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can try our Glutafin Crackers, Mini Crackers or Crispbread.

It’s good to know that you can still enjoy the festive season to the full, even if you’re following a strict gluten free diet.

We hope these tips help you to have a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

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