write a 1000 word blog post on the best and worst Christmas sandwich in the UK
The best Christmas sandwich in the UK for 2025 is the M&S Turkey Feast, praised for its perfectly balanced festive flavours, while the worst is the Starbucks ‘Tis The Season Sandwich, criticised for lacking taste and festive appeal[1][2][3].
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### Britain’s Festive Sarnie Obsession
Come November, supermarkets and high street chains across the UK unleash a wave of Christmas sandwiches, each vying for the title of festive favourite[1][4][5]. For many, these limited-edition sandwiches embody the flavours of the season—turkey, stuffing, bacon, cranberry, brie, and sometimes surprising twists. Whether pack-lunching on a budget or indulging in gourmet treats, the annual race to crown the best and worst sandwich is a cherished part of Britain’s run-up to Christmas[1][6].
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### How Are Christmas Sandwiches Judged?
Reviewers and food writers typically assess Christmas sandwiches on several criteria:
- Festive flavour profile: turkey, stuffing, cranberry, and trimmings should be harmonious and evocative of a classic Christmas dinner[1][6].
- Texture balance: fresh bread, moist fillings, and the right crunch.
- Ingredient quality: from meats to sauces and novelty additions, taste and freshness matter.
- Value for money: price relative to portion and satisfaction.
- Presentation: nothing worse than a limp, uninspired festive sarnie[3][1].
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### 2025’s Festive Standouts: The Best
#### M&S Turkey Feast
Year after year, the M&S Turkey Feast remains the benchmark for Christmas sandwiches, and in 2025 it continues to impress[1][7][4][3].
- Layers of juicy turkey, herby stuffing, smoky bacon, and well-balanced cranberry sauce.
- The bread is soft and fresh, complementing thick slices of stuffing seasoned with sage and pepper.
- At £4, it’s not the cheapest, but scores a perfect 5/5 for balanced flavours and indulgent Christmas spirit[1].
- This sandwich consistently tops taste tests and delivers classic festive satisfaction.
#### Ole & Steen Festive Mushroom Melt
For plant-based diners, Ole & Steen’s Festive Mushroom Melt earns rave reviews in 2025:
- It’s rated 5/5 for texture and taste: crispy, cheesy, and impressively moist inside[1].
- Vegan cheese and premium bread make it a worthwhile luxury, albeit at £7.95, it’s a splurge for sandwich fans[1].
#### Booths Festive Feast Sandwich
Booths’ Festive Feast clinches high marks for its variety—turkey, spinach, bacon, and chutney in generous layers, with no overwhelming sweetness from sauces and plenty of fresh, peppery elements[1].
#### PAUL Brie & Cranberry Baguette
PAUL’s classic brie baguette is a vegetarian treat, balancing creamy brie, crunchy sprouts, veggie stuffing and sweet cranberry sauce with great bread[1].
#### Aldi Eat & Go Turkey Feast
Aldi gets solid marks for price and taste with its classic turkey-bacon-cranberry Christmas sandwich. It’s affordable, well-layered, and the wholemeal bread and crunchy bacon are highlights, though textures could be slightly improved[1][7].
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### “Room for Improvement”: The Worst
#### Starbucks ‘Tis The Season Sandwich
Despite festive branding, Starbucks’ offering disappoints in 2025[2].
- Reviewers highlight a lack of stuffing flavour and struggle to find it even when pulling the sandwich apart[2].
- Smoked bacon is considered too fatty, and the spinach—while fresh—isn’t enough to save a non-festive feel.
- For £4.45, the sandwich is neat and plentiful in chicken but ultimately fails to hit the Christmas notes—rating just 1/5 for blandness[2].
- While everyone loves a neatly packed sandwich, Starbucks falls short on the key festive flavours, making it the least tempting choice this year.
#### Tesco Turkey and Trimmings Sandwich
Tesco’s offering weighs in as another disappointment:
- Reviews cite turkey-heavy filling but complain about dry bread and a lack of bacon and sausage—a “bitty” experience which lacks the comfort and indulgence you expect from a festive sandwich[2].
- At £3.40, value seems reasonable, but the dry texture and uninspiring taste let it down.
#### Sainsbury’s Festive Chicken Wrap
Sainsbury’s Christmas wrap is healthier than others but lacks festive character—akin to a standard chicken and bacon wrap available year-round[2]. The stuffing flavour is subtle, and the experience falls flat for those chasing robust Christmas flavours.
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### Middle of the Road: Honourable Mentions
- Asda’s Festive Feast: meat-heavy and generously layered but sometimes falls apart, making it messy to eat[2].
- Co-op Irresistible Turkey Double Dip n Dunk Wrap: innovative “dunk” format but divisive—loved by some, tolerable for others[1].
- PAUL Turkey & Bacon Christmas Club: appeals with its unique bread and hearty filling, but the overall effect depends on individual taste[1].
- Greggs Vegan Festive Lattice: nice meaty texture for plant-based eaters but not as memorable as the top scoring options[4].
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### The Takeaway: Festive Sarnie Shopping Tips
- For the classic Christmas sandwich experience, head to M&S, Ole & Steen, or Booths for reliable taste and seasonal satisfaction[1][7].
- For those on a budget, Aldi’s festive offering is both affordable and enjoyable[1].
- Avoid Starbucks and Tesco if you want Christmas in every bite—they miss the mark on festive flavours this year[2][3].
- Don’t forget high-street gems like PAUL—more expensive, but their ingredients and signature breads bring something special to the festive meal deal scene[1][4].
- Try new formats for fun—the Co-op “Double Dip” wrap and Asda’s “Three Little Piggies” are innovative, if slightly messy[1][4].
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### Conclusion
Christmas sandwiches in the UK are a joyful and competitive tradition, with supermarket and café chains battling to win over hungry shoppers each year[1][2][3]. In 2025, the M&S Turkey Feast is the clear winner, beautifully blending all the essential festive ingredients, while Starbucks’ attempt falls short of the holiday magic. With new vegan and vegetarian options gaining traction, there’s a Christmas sandwich to suit every taste and budget—provided you know where to shop and what to avoid. Happy festive munching!
Citations:
[1] Best Christmas sandwiches to buy in 2025 - M&S, Aldi and more https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/news-trends/best-christmas-sandwiches-taste-tested
[2] I tested 12 festive sandwiches – winner was a hearty Christmas ... https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/31605519/taste-test-12-christmas-sandwiches-aldi-starbucks/
[3] The best and worst Christmas sandwiches of 2025 - Yahoo https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/best-worst-christmas-sandwiches-2025-060000064.html
[4] This year's top Christmas sandwiches | This Morning - ITVX https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/this-years-top-christmas-sandwiches
[5] London's best Christmas sandwiches for 2025 - Hot Dinners https://www.hot-dinners.com/Features/Hot-Dinners-recommends/best-christmas-sandwiches-london-uk
[6] The best and worst Christmas sandwiches of 2025 - The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/taste-test/best-christmas-sandwiches/
[7] I tried all the Christmas sandwiches in shops - Aldi's festive twist is a ... https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/37282267/aldi-festive-sandwich-1010-best/
[8] Best supermarket Christmas food to elevate your festive dining in 2025 https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/christmasgifts/best-christmas-food-supermarket-food-to-order-b2857279.html
[9] The Telegraph - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TELEGRAPH.CO.UK/posts/-i-actually-found-that-difficult-to-swallowmore-than-200-million-christmas-sandw/1264422599065703/?locale=af_ZA
[10] Rating the new Tesco Christmas Sandwiches. Rating outta 10 | https://www.facebook.com/GrumpyNorthernFoodie/videos/rating-new-tesco-christmas-sandwiches/1300746848032563/
[11] Video - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TELEGRAPH.CO.UK/videos/-i-actually-found-that-difficult-to-swallowmore-than-200-million-christmas-sandw/1360672992327877/
[12] The best & worst of high street Christmas sandwiches https://www.thecourieronline.co.uk/the-best-worst-of-high-street-christmas-sandwiches/
[13] First Christmas Sandwich Review of the Year - TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@temp_tation/video/7571179873981435158
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