From mini, sharing and crumble topped mince pies to celebration cakes, bundt cake, mini Christmas cake squares and novelty reindeer yule logs, the focus for this year will very much be on traditional Christmas products with fun and festive spirit included.  

Utilising mixes and products used throughout the year will help manage budgets effectively. Craigmillar’s Rich Celebration Cake mix which produces traditional, rich fruit cakes for Christmas, Sponge Cake mixes in plain and chocolate and Marvello Premium cake margarines for use in mince pies ensure high quality products are achieved throughout the season and can then be used for every-day ranges.  

Seasonal indulgence is also a key trend and this is easily achieved through Christmas range flavours, products and toppings. Three themes affecting people’s choices will be ‘pleasure and celebration’ - food and drink offer joy, comfort and other emotional connections through preparation, presentation and consumption. ‘Justified value’ will also be important as the cost-of-living increases there will be a focus on value at the festive period. Thirdly ‘Inspirational convenient choices’ including food and drink will always be central to home entertainment.

The classic festive flavours of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, chocolate, orange, sticky toffee and clementine will be important as well as seasonal dried fruits in cakes and natural foliage such as holly and berries feature in decorations.  Chocolate, hazelnut, vanilla and strawberry are the nation’s favourite flavours and should be used across ranges to ensure products appeal to all.  

Novelty children’s products are always popular and will continue to be so this year.  Gingerbread biscuits and shortbread decorated with seasonal reindeers, snowmen and elves should form part of ranges.  Snacking/food browsing is also a feature of the holidays. Craigmillar Plain and Chocolate Cookie mixes can be baked and frozen then defrosted and decorated with seasonal themes for all ages. Using mixes that are used all year round will help with managing budgets and costs as new ones don’t have to be bought in.