As the festive season approaches, Marks & Spencer has launched what might be the ultimate solution for solo celebrants: a complete Christmas dinner designed for one person. Priced at £10, this microwaveable feast promises all the traditional trimmings without the hours of preparation. But does it deliver on that promise?
What's Actually In The Box?
The M&S Full Christmas Dinner For One contains an impressive array of festive favourites:
- Roasted turkey breast with stuffing
- Pigs in blankets (two sausages wrapped in bacon)
- Roast potatoes
- Carrots and parsnips
- Brussels sprouts
- Gravy
- Cranberry sauce
Everything arrives neatly packaged and requires just 7-8 minutes in the microwave before it's ready to serve.
The Taste Test: Festive Flavours Under Scrutiny
The turkey breast proved surprisingly moist and flavourful, far exceeding expectations for a microwave meal. The stuffing added that essential herby note that defines Christmas dining.
The pigs in blankets were a definite highlight - properly crispy bacon wrapped around quality sausages that tasted authentically festive rather than processed.
Roast potatoes presented the biggest challenge, as achieving proper crispiness in a microwave is nearly impossible. While they lacked the golden crunch of oven-roasted varieties, they maintained a pleasant texture and potato flavour.
The vegetables held their shape well, with the Brussels sprouts avoiding that overcooked mushiness that plagues many prepared meals. The gravy brought everything together with a rich, savoury flavour that didn't taste artificial.
Value For Money: Is £10 Justified?
At first glance, £10 might seem steep for a single microwave meal. However, when you consider the cost and effort of buying all the individual components to make a full Christmas dinner from scratch for one person, the price becomes more reasonable.
The convenience factor cannot be overstated - no peeling, chopping, roasting, or washing up required. For those spending Christmas alone, whether by choice or circumstance, this meal eliminates the hassle while still delivering the festive experience.
Who Is This Meal Really For?
This product serves several potential customers perfectly:
- Solo celebrants who want traditional Christmas flavours without waste
- Key workers working over the festive period
- Students staying in accommodation during the holidays
- Anyone wanting a practice run before the big day
- Those seeking a low-effort backup meal during the busy festive season
The Verdict: Christmas In A Box?
M&S has largely succeeded in creating a convenient Christmas solution that doesn't compromise too heavily on quality. While it can't completely replicate a freshly cooked, from-scratch Christmas dinner, it comes remarkably close given the format constraints.
The standout elements were undoubtedly the turkey and pigs in blankets, while the vegetables and potatoes performed better than expected for microwave cooking.
For anyone facing Christmas alone or simply wanting to minimise kitchen stress during the busy festive period, this £10 meal represents good value and genuine convenience without sacrificing the essential Christmas flavours we all anticipate.
