We all know that Christmas 2020 is going to be an unusual affair. With a limit on the number of people and households allowed to celebrate together, our shopping baskets may look a little different this year. We all have a lot on our minds at the moment and none of us should have to stress over what to buy for Christmas dinner.

But now that we have greater clarity over the new government rules for festive gatherings, many of us are thinking about what to dish up on the big day.

So, whether you are buying less than usual, or keeping calm and carrying on, we’ve put together a guide to all the award-winning supermarket products carrying the RSPCA Assured label this year to help you choose and to have a Christmas that is fairer for farm animals.

Smoked salmon

Co-op Irresistible beech and oak-smoked salmon

Is there a more glamorous or indulgent way to kick off your Christmas morning than with 

smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and a cheeky glass of fizz? How about award-winning, higher welfare RSPCA Assured smoked salmon?

In this year’s Christmas food taste tests, Olive and BBC Good Food both crowned Co-op Irresistible beech and oak-smoked salmon as the best of the best. It was also picked out as one of Good House Keeping’s top ten salmon products.

Good House Keeping, which awards points out of 100, included seven RSPCA Assured smoked salmon products in its top ten list;

Two products that made it onto this list were also recognised by BBC Good Food (Tesco Finest Scottish smoked salmon, Highly Commended) and Woman and Home (Tesco Finest Smoked Scottish Salmon With Whisky).

And if you prefer trout to salmon, Woman and 

Home recommends Co-op’s Irresistible Scottish Smoked Loch Trout with Whisky & Honey.

Turkey

Lidl Deluxe Silver Slate Turkey

Up to two-thirds of us will have turkey this Christmas according to the British Poultry Association. But due to the new rules, demand for small turkeys is expected to be high, and availability may be limited.

However, if you’re hoping to serve turkey, smaller birds are not the only option for small gatherings. Turkey crowns (the breast meat with the legs and wings removed) are also a good choice if cooking for fewer people. Alternatively, you can buy a medium or large turkey as usual and plan ahead to ensure the leftovers are not wasted.

So, which turkeys have taken home the “crown” this year?

Pork

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Pork, chestnut & bacon stuffing parcels

What meat-eater can resist stuffing at Christmas? There are some really interesting options available this year, and the bite-sized stuffing parcels make a great starter or snack, even if you aren’t serving the turkey to go with it. 

Good House Keeping declared these RSPCA Assured stuffing parcels the best of the bunch this year; Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference 

Pork, chestnut & bacon stuffing parcels (pictured), and Lidl’s Whisky and Orange Stuffing Parcels.

Co-op Irresistible British pork & truffle pigs in blankets

Pigs in blankets have become something of an obsession in the UK at Christmas, and retailers are getting increasingly creative with their offerings. Again, one of the many great things about pigs in blankets is that they make a great snack, starter or side dish. So, which RSPCA Assured products pigs in blankets picked up 

the awards this year?

Tesco Finest Crackling gammon joint with maple and bourbon glaze

If you are thinking of opting for a pork main this year, Olive and BBC Good Food both agree that the best gammon joint available is Tesco’s crackling joint with maple and bourbon glaze.

Our picks

Hopefully, that gives you a taste of the range of award-winning items to look for this year. But there are plenty of other amazing products featuring the RSPCA Assured label that for one reason or another were

overlooked! 

None of the Christmas food awards seems to have a savoury pie category, for example! So, to make sure you don’t miss out, we’ve picked out some of our top pies and party food items.  

Taste the Difference Turkey, bacon and chestnut pie

We all have our own Christmas traditions, but for some of us, the winter break would not be complete without a tasty pie. Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Turkey, bacon and chestnut

pie looks delectable - and could be another option for including turkey in your festive feast without buying a bird, if that’s what you’re looking for. 

Sainsbury’s also has a festive pork, chicken and stuffing layered pie topped with cranberry, which sounds delicious!

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Salmon and pesto tarts with sunblush tomatoes and samphire

Another category slightly overlooked by the Christmas taste tests was “party food”.

And while we know that no-one will be having a “party”, that doesn’t mean we won’t need some yummy nibbles for those in our Christmas-bubbles to enjoy.

Here’s a selection of tasty looking RSPCA Assured labelled party food that we think everyone will love;​

If you're buying meat, fish, eggs or dairy, don’t forget to look out for the RSPCA Assured logo!

And if you need recipes to help with your big day, scroll right.

We hope you have a wonderful festive season, whatever you do this year. 

If the kids are bored and climbing up the walls, we also have loads of fun Christmas Challenges to try (with supervision)! From eggbox decorations to blindfolded cookie decoration and hot chocolate making, there's something for everyone to do. Share your creations and tag us on Instagram using the hashtag #12DaysOfChristmasChallenges 

12 Days of Christmas Challenges