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We don't have M&S anymore in France, I used to get English food there when I lived in Paris, long ago!
Just me and OH and kids this year so I am cooking, I am afraid to say that if I want an English-y Christmas then it's DIY. The Xmas pud is made already, and the fruit mincemeat. There is the apple and quince cheese to go with the foie gras, which I will make on the 22nd to eat on the 24th. Might do a cake for visitors but my lot are not too fruit cake. Maybe do a goose this year, with fresh veg, duchess potatoes and homemade gravy.
We do the 24th at night, in French tradition so I might do fish for that, and then the cooked dinner on the 24th. So nothing out of any catalogue, I am afraid to say!  About the only shop bought thing will be some chocolates!

Does French have their 'main' Chritmas celebrations 24th as well..like may other European coutries.
Finns do that..'we' open the pressies 24th and our Christmas dinner is then too.
In our house hold..we do everything in 24th and repeat it in English style 25th.. ;D..but I'm NOT cooking all the food twice.. ::)..just low key the second time round and plenty of warming up stuff.
Too keep this post in theme..never had any M&S food...

Another homemade Christmas here. We have boeuf bourguignon on Christmas Eve since it more or less cooks itself and allows me to make the mincemeat pies and mulled wine for later in the evening. Up at 6 on Xmas day to get the turkey in the oven then back to bed for a couple of hours before getting everything else started.

I like M &S food but for us half the fun of Xmas is everyone mucking in with the preparations, with carols playing and glasses of wine.

Quote from: antipodes on November 07, 2011, 10:24:19
We don't have M&S anymore in France, I used to get English food there when I lived in Paris, long ago!
Just me and OH and kids this year so I am cooking, I am afraid to say that if I want an English-y Christmas then it's DIY. The Xmas pud is made already, and the fruit mincemeat. There is the apple and quince cheese to go with the foie gras, which I will make on the 22nd to eat on the 24th. Might do a cake for visitors but my lot are not too fruit cake. Maybe do a goose this year, with fresh veg, duchess potatoes and homemade gravy.
We do the 24th at night, in French tradition so I might do fish for that, and then the cooked dinner on the 24th. So nothing out of any catalogue, I am afraid to say!  About the only shop bought thing will be some chocolates!

M&S are back in Paris on the Champs Elysee and are planning 'food only' stores around France.

If you don't like cooking, or aren't confident,don't want the hassle, etc.etc.etc., then M&S or Sainsbugs are excellent I reckon. But boy! Yes, they're expensive for what they offer (speaks a cook) but I don't knock them and most certainly wouldn't turn my nose up and dig out a home-made sanch if I went along and this was what was on offer as an alternative ;D I've not looked at the catalogue but I remember taking one of my laydees (a M&S and Sainsbugs shopper) to S's once. Trawling the aisles with her was a real eye opener for me, seeing the sheer range of goodies there are there. But...always at a price :( More than my pension could afford on a regular basis).......

My daughter is a M&S & Waitrose shopper but every Christmas it's "Mum, can you make me some mince-pies & sausage rolls please?"

Quote from: djbrenton on November 07, 2011, 11:13:37

M&S are back in Paris on the Champs Elysee and are planning 'food only' stores around France.

Oh that's quite cool! but 400k is a long way to go for English tea and those nice chicken pies they make  ;D ;D

Goodlife, yes French do Christmas on the 24th. They either open the presents on the 24th in the evening or 25th in the morning. I do it strict English way when it is at my place, presents are opened on 25th! Not that any of my lot believe in Santa anymore  :'(
French Christmas is a big meal on the night of the 24th, often going until 1 or 2 in the morning. Typical dishes are foie gras (of course) or seafood such as oysters, scallops, crab etc although sometimes my mother in law makes home made terrine which is very tasty. Then they will have a main course which could be some kind of bird, or also beef roast or game such as venison or guinea fowl etc.  Big cheese platter of course. Dessert is a yule log, either cake type or ice cream type. Washed down with good French wine, naturally!!!

I like the idea of boeuf bourguigon though!!!  One year i did a Swiss Fondue! That was fun and not much work! We were all full as boots afterwards, I just did salad with it and then icecream! Helps to drink a good chilled Alsace white wine, then it just slips down, chortle.
Now you can see why I have had to go on a diet again this year!  But to be fair, with French diet I have no cholesterol and excellent blood pressure  ;D ;D

Wish my kids demanded my cooking :D

They like my Shepherds pie and my roasties. ;D

I am a school dinner cook really,meat potato and veg.

My mum used to make mince pies on Christmas Eve,like rocks they were and mine not much better ;D

I was back in M&S today.   It is my OH who is a dedicated M&S Shopper.  He likes their Oranges at 59p each also their grapes.  I cannot stop him going in   ;D ;D ;D
Our Nieces husband was responsible for all M&S turkeys up until last year.  He was up and down to Norfolk checking on their  quality as they were growing.  The family including us were all treated to Turkeys at Xmas,  turkeys which didn't quite make the weight and quality.    He is now working in a Biscuit factory which supplys the supermarkets including M&S.   So, our freebies are now Biscuits of all kinds.   ;D ;D

ooohhh you are lucky Carol ;D