Christmas is synonymous with feasting. Whenever there are festivities, food always plays an important part, and there is no more important time of the year than Christmas for lavish over indulgence. Over the centuries, different traditions and customs have been added and perhaps thankfully some taken away; the typical Christmas dinner in medieval times would have featured a roast swan or peacock, or a boar's head served with great ceremony by the chief cook, dishes which would not be particularly appealing to modern tastes and sensitivities.

Today, foods that have come to be associated with the observance of Christmas include the Christmas bird, roast turkey being the most popular; rich dark brown Christmas pudding served with brandy butter and decorated with holly and flaming with brandy, and with the added excitement of perhaps finding a silver coin in your portion; Christmas cake and mince pies.

The meal is normally served in the early afternoon and it is a time for a gathering of family and friends. A hearty plate of soup, Scotch broth is a particular favourite as a starter in Scotland; followed by the main course of roast turkey with trimmings of sage & onion stuffing; pigs in kilts (tiny roasted chipolata sausages wrapped around with streaky bacon); roast potatoes; carrots and Brussels sprouts. As a substitute for a Christmas pudding dessert, a sweet Scotch trifle may also be served.

Mince pies have been associated with Christmas since medieval times, when they contained minced meat, which was mixed with dried fruit and spices. They were made in the shape of a manger, sometimes with a little pastry figure of the infant Jesus on top. It was only in the 19th century that the meat was left out of the recipe, although beef suet is still included, and the mincemeat is made from dried fruits. It is an old superstition that it is very unlucky to refuse a mince pie when they are offered over the festive season.

Drink also plays a major role in the festivities. Mulled wine, beer and whisky toddies are popular warming Christmas drinks, but the most traditional is a wine based punch, which was historically based on a mixture of spices and beer. Het pint is an old Scottish drink of hot beer mixed with nutmeg, sugar, eggs and whisky.