Let’s talk about December, the month where a Terry’s Chocolate Orange somehow counts as fruit because it says “orange” on the box, and where eating one mince pie a day feels festive… but eating three starts to feel like a personal plot twist.

It’s completely normal. Christmas has a way of turning the kitchen into a snack-adjacent zone, the fridge into a lucky dip of leftovers and the days into a loop of “Shall we just have a little something?” every 45 minutes.

And somewhere in the middle of all this, you’re still trying to keep things vaguely balance without becoming the person who says, “Let’s have something lighter,” because absolutely no one wants that energy in December.

The good news?
Balance doesn’t mean swapping the chocolate orange for an actual orange (very brave if you do). It just means using a few small, realistic tweaks that keep everyone feeling good and let the festive treats stay fun.

Here are the swaps that actually make a difference, the kind that fit real family life.

Veg First, Everything Else After

This is the easiest, most effective December trick:
Serve the veggies first.
That’s it.

When roasted carrots, sprouts, peas or parsnips hit the plate first, the balance takes care of itself. Kids often eat what’s put down first, adults feel pleasantly smug, and the rest of the meal feels more grounded.

Bonus: it buys you time while the “tasty treats” are still finishing in the oven.

Choose ‘Make Life Easier’ Over ‘Make It All From Scratch’

December comes with enough admin.
If the bagged salad, pre-cut veg or ready-made cranberry sauce saves you 20 minutes, that’s a win.

Lean into convenience that reduces pressure.
No one at the table will say, “Excuse me, was this homemade?”
And if they do, that’s a January conversation.

Swap Grazing Chaos for a Snack Station

Festive grazing is practically a December sport.
But constant grazing → no one is hungry at mealtimes → dinner becomes negotiations.

Try a simple swap:

• Put out a small plate of fruit, crackers, nuts or cheese
• Tell everyone, “If you’re hungry, go there”
• Close all the other snack doors

It keeps the joy without the chaos and cuts down on the “Is there anything to eat?” parade.

Add One Extra Veg to Anything Festive

Not a whole salad bowl.
Not five new recipes.
Just one extra veg.

Examples:

• Add peas to mac and cheese
• Throw broccoli on the side of a roast
• Stir diced mushrooms into stuffing
• Add spinach to pasta and sauces

Tiny change, better balance.

Swap Big-Shop Chaos for Three Simple Lists

Walking into a December supermarket without a list is its own Christmas challenge.

Instead, use three small lists:

• Essentials
• Christmas Day
• Snacks

It reduces impulse buying, forgotten items, and the moment you discover you’ve bought four types of cheese but no potatoes.

Give Drinks the ‘Half and Half’ Treatment

No need for fancy mocktails.
Just alternate festive drinks with water or fizzy water.

It keeps energy steadier, moods calmer and the afternoon slump away, and no one feels like they’re missing out.

Putting a jug of water on the table makes hydration happen without effort.

Swap All-or-Nothing Thinking for the 80/20 Approach

Christmas is not the month for food rules.
It’s the month for enjoying what’s special and keeping the everyday stuff just steady enough.

Aim for:
80% your usual meals
20% festive extras

That’s balance.
Not perfect, just sustainable.

If December’s feeling full… I’ve already got ideas waiting for you

You don’t need a food overhaul, just a few small swaps that fit your real life and your very real December calendar.

I’ve popped some quick festive recipes and shortcut-friendly plans in the app.