dishes, such as stuffing, sausages, Brussels sprouts or homegrown local vegetables and roast potatoes, can be eased by local food stores.

The larger food stores will cook hams, turkeys, Christmas cakes, cassava and farine pies. The dishes can be picked up at a pre-arranged date so home storage space is not overrun.

Mr. Tredick Gorham, Supermart general manager, said his store starts planning for Christmas a year in advance and often starts ordering at Easter.

"Locals probably aren't aware of the range of food we prepare here in our kitchen,'' said Mr. Gorham.

He notices a growing interest in fresh, unbasted turkeys, still the most popular Christmas bird. "This is not just for health reasons, but because fresh turkeys have more flavour. The cook will have to baste the turkey in the old-fashioned way,'' he said.

The largest fresh turkeys can tip the scales at a mighty 26 lbs, according to the butcher at the Supermart -- a suitable bird for huge family gatherings. A more modest turkey weighs in at about 10-12 lbs.

Ms Cathy Pantry, Marketplace advertising manager, is also involved in purchasing. She described goose as a "unique item, reserved for Thanksgiving, New Year and Christmas'', and recommends placing sliced oranges under the skin to help draw out the fat and accentuate the bird's flavour.

Bermuda's major food stores are all stocked with sausage meat for stuffing and fresh and frozen English sausages, including chipolatas.

The Supermart will import game, such as pheasant and partridge, and goose to order. Pork roasts, the product of Bermuda-reared pigs, with crackling are also available from the store.

"Cassava and farine pies can be quite complex to make so to save time they can be bought ready-made from our store,'' said Mr. Gorham. The store's salad bar also offers cassava pies and a Christmas style lunch, available after Thanksgiving. The Supermart kitchen is also making favourites, such as Christmas puddings, prepared ham and turkey, cheese trays and hors d'oeuvres for parties.

All the irresistible seasonal goodies like pickled walnuts and watermelon, and North American dishes, like pearl onions in cream sauce, are in stock for the season.

At the Marketplace, "President's Choice'' gift packs are on sale. The store's bakery on Church Street is offering homemade cookies, and custom-made Christmas cakes, made at 24 hour's notice. Both Marketplace and the Supermart are offering gift certificates, fruit baskets, and cheese platters suitable for Christmas parties.

A popular seasonal gift are "President Choice'' 2.2 lb tins of luxury European biscuits.

Trimingham Brothers have a luxurious selection of gift boxes shaped as snow-decked houses, containing cookies. Top quality Californian dried fruits, such as figs and dates, and also nuts, are all also on sale to tantalise the taste buds.

The popular Guylian chocolate shells and truffles are in stock at Trimingham's.

Christmas ornaments are also a chocoholic delight. At Trimingham's traditional German handmade angels and reindeers are attached to chocolates, decorated with ribbons and lace.

Lovers of Christmas pudding will find all the food stores have plenty to choose from. Trimingham's stocks Walker's Christmas pudding -- "an institution'', according to Trimingham's buyer Mr. Michael Lewis.

Other Walker products include brandy butter and mincemeat.

"There is no meat,'' explained Mr. Lewis. "It is an old-fashioned term for the fruit and nuts.'' For children, Trimingham's has imported Advent calendars from Denmark, with a hidden temptation of a chocolate behind each window.

CHRISTMAS FEAST -- A mouthwatering array of Christmas delicacies available at the Supermart, including turkeys, cheeses, Christmas puddings and port, are displayed by deli manager Ms Debra Hayward, Supermart general manager Mr.

Tredick Gorham, and meat manager Mr. Phil Wragg.