You break with tradition at your peril. Of course they will all tell you what a wonderful idea the snail fricassee was instead of roast turkey but they won't really mean it. Secretly they will hate you for trying to be a smart arse. They just want a big fat roast and some nice veggies followed by a pudding that smells like Christmas. They want gravy not jus.

But that doesn't stop us getting out all our old favourites and spanking new recipes for the umpteen other meals that form this long feast. And this month OFM has more recipes than you can shake a cracker at, from Donna Hay's elegant simplicity to the ornate complexity of those from Gordon Ramsay. We have lovely puddings from Bill Granger and a whole stir-up of good things from Simon Hopkinson to Good Housekeeping. Whether you are stickler for tradition or a culinary mover and shaker we have something to please everyone who lands on your doormat over the next few weeks. We also have our cut-out-and-keep list of everything you need to know about where to buy the best food this season. From the finest Christmas birds to award-winning farmhouse cheeses and organic veggies. We are including it early, so you have plenty of time to get your order in before everyone else does.

If holly berries just aren't your thing then how about the açai berry? Our own Andrew Purvis has been following the progress of the little berry that just may, with help from everyone's favourite juice people Innocent, be the saviour of the Brazilian rainforest. I know - another year another berry (last year it was the goji berry, the year before that the blueberry) - but if their feeling about this one is right it could make a real difference. And surely, there is no better time for that than right now.

Nigel Slater's Eating for England is published by Fourth Estate, £16.99