The holiday season is a time to gather with family, share laughter, and indulge in comforting festive treats. For expats living away from home, it can be a little bittersweet—especially when it comes to enjoying traditional Christmas recipes that remind you of home. Luckily, Kelly’s Expat Shopping has everything you need to bring the tastes of the UK and US into your Christmas celebrations, no matter where you are!

From the rich flavours of British Christmas puddings to the sweet, spiced aroma of gingerbread cookies, we’ve put together some of the best-loved recipes that will make your Christmas feel just like it does back home.

1. Traditional British Christmas Pudding

A staple of British Christmas dinners, Christmas pudding is rich, dark, and packed with dried fruit, spices, and a dash of brandy. It’s steamed to perfection, often served with brandy butter or custard.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mixed dried fruit
• 1/2 cup suet 
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup stout or beer
• 1/4 cup brandy (for the pudding and for flambéing!)
• 2 eggs

Method:

1. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Add the eggs, stout, and brandy and stir until fully combined.
3. Pour into a greased pudding basin and cover with parchment paper and foil.
4. Steam for about 5 hours until cooked through.
5. When serving, flambé with more brandy for a festive finish!

2. Classic American Roast Turkey with Stuffing

No American Christmas is complete without a beautifully roasted turkey, stuffed with a savoury stuffing mix. At Kelly’s, we have Stovetop Turkey Stuffing Mix available to take the hassle out of your holiday meal preparation!

Ingredients:

• 1 whole turkey (available frozen at Kelly’s)
• 1 box Stovetop Turkey Stuffing Mix
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup melted butter

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Stuff your turkey with the prepared Stovetop Turkey Stuffing.
3. Roast according to the weight of the turkey (about 15 minutes per pound).
4. Baste with melted butter and chicken broth throughout the roasting process.
5. Let the turkey rest before carving, and serve with mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce!

3. Gingerbread Cookies

These spiced cookies are a fun and festive treat enjoyed across both the UK and the US. Whether you’re cutting out gingerbread men or creating decorative shapes, these cookies are a holiday must-have.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 egg

Method:

1. In a bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
2. In a separate bowl, beat the butter, molasses, and egg.
3. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and combine until dough forms.
4. Chill dough for 30 minutes, then roll out on a floured surface.
5. Cut into shapes and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes.
6. Decorate with icing and sprinkles!

4. Mince Pies

In the UK, mince pies are synonymous with Christmas. Filled with a sweet and spiced mixture of dried fruits, sugar, and spices, these little pastries are the perfect bite-sized treat to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.

Ingredients:

• 1 jar mincemeat 
• 1 pack of shortcrust pastry
• 1 egg (for egg wash)

Method:

1. Roll out the pastry and cut into small rounds for the base and tops.
2. Spoon a little mincemeat onto each base, then top with a second round of pastry.
3. Seal edges with a fork, brush with egg wash, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes until golden brown.
4. Dust with icing sugar before serving.

5. Eggnog (US Style)

Eggnog is a traditional drink that’s perfect for Christmas parties or cosy evenings by the fire. Rich, creamy, and with a hint of nutmeg, it’s a drink that brings the warmth of the season.

Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup bourbon or rum (optional)
• Nutmeg for garnish

Method:

1. Beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. In a saucepan, warm the milk and cream, then slowly pour over the egg mixture, whisking continuously.
3. Pour the mixture back into the pan and heat gently until thickened (do not boil).
4. Let cool, then add alcohol if desired.
5. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and serve chilled.

Shop the Tastes of Home at Kelly’s Expat Shopping

At Kelly’s Expat Shopping, we’ve got everything you need to recreate those beloved traditional Christmas recipes from the UK and US. Whether you’re looking for British staples like mincemeat and Christmas pudding, or American essentials like Stovetop Turkey Stuffing, molasses, and pumpkin puree, we have you covered with all the ingredients to make your festive meals just like back home.

Not in the mood to cook from scratch? No worries! We also offer ready-to-go holiday treats, like pre-made eggnog, quick and easy stuffing mixes, mince pies, and Christmas puddings—just grab and enjoy.

Whether you're feeling like getting creative in the kitchen or prefer to skip the prep work, Kelly's has everything you need to make this Christmas extra special. Visit us in-store or shop online for all your holiday essentials!