Christmas is just around the corner and people up and down the country are wasting no time in stocking up for the festive period.

Food and drink play an important role in any family Christmas. Make sure you are suitably prepared, or prepare to face the wrath of disgruntled family members! It can be tough pleasing everybody. You can give it a good go, though.

The food side takes care of itself. A big turkey, plenty of potatoes and vegetables, pigs in blankets – you can’t go wrong with a traditional Christmas dinner. Dessert can be a sticky subject, not everybody is a fan of Christmas pudding. Play safe, provide a chocolate alternative! Buffet food will take care of the rest of the day.

The real headache comes with getting the alcohol in. Just how do you cater for a family of all ages? In my experience, you can’t go wrong with beer. A crate of premium lager would go down a treat.

Even people who traditionally dislike beer can be pleased. There is so much choice these days, there is no such thing as a traditional beer drinker anymore. More and more women are being enticed by fruit beers and attractively packaged lagers.

Foster’s Gold Beer uses its Australian background to give it a cool and funky image. Glamorous actress and singer Holly Valance stars in the television advert and almost sells the beer herself. The bottles are packaged in a way which appeals to a drinker of any age, particularly the younger generation. Even granddad’s head will be turned. Let’s face it, he will drink anything!

Don’t get caught short this Christmas. Stock up and grab yourself a crate or two of beer. Your increased popularity may even get you out of washing-up duty. Now that would be a Christmas treat!