I tried the M&S Christmas range - and two items were perfect

M&S' Christmas sandwich comes out on top every year - but what about the rest of their festive range? Christmas is on the horizon when festive sandwiches and snowman-themed snacks start appearing in local supermarkets. However, with Marks and Spencer unveiling their eagerly awaited Christmas food-to-go range, I felt compelled to try it out for myself - especially as a portion of the sales goes towards the Shelter charity. Every year, M&S's Christmas sandwich reigns supreme (in my opinion), and it's always a hot topic on social media.

This year, they seem to have really stepped up their Christmas game, which was music to my ears. Unfortunately, some items, including the Christmas Shawarma Wrap and the Christmas Sando, were already sold out due to their popularity, so I'll just have to use my imagination. Nevertheless, I sampled the rest of the range to give you an idea of what's worth adding to your basket and what's best left at the checkout - because let's face it, M&S products aren't cheap.



Black Truffle and Olive Oil Crisps I'm not usually overly concerned about crisps that aren't ready salted or my favourite Quavers, so finding a flavour that I really like is unusual. These crisps had the right level of crunchiness and the perfect amount of truffle flavour. I sincerely hope M&S decides to make these available all year round.

But be warned, they're very addictive, so sharing them could lead to disputes, reports the Mirror . 10/10 Very Merry Veggie Roast Wrap I was sceptical about this sandwich at first glance, given its unusual combination of butternut squash, spiced veggie balls and cabbage slaw. However, I can confidently say that even the most dedicated carnivores will find this sandwich delightful.

It has a distinct Christmas flavour, making it a great alternative to the traditional turkey and trimmings sandwich. 9/10 Gingerbread Milkshake While I'm not usually a fan of milkshakes, preferring iced coffee instead, I must make an exception for this M&S milkshake. It's incredibly smooth, creamy and enjoyable, with just the right amount of gingerbread flavour.

If you're in the mood for a sweet drink rather than a meal, this is definitely worth trying. 9/10 Turkey, Bacon, and Cranberry Sausage Roll I should preface this by saying that I'm not a big fan of cold sausage rolls. This one was decent; it had the expected festive flavours and the sausage meat was tasty without being overly encased in pastry.

However, I wouldn't choose it again when shopping, as there are better snacks available in the range. 6/10 Brie and Cranberry Sandwich I'm a fan of brie and sandwiches, but this combination didn't quite meet my expectations. The flavour of the brie was underwhelming - I anticipated it to be much more robust.

While it wasn't a terrible sandwich, I found the vegetarian wrap option to be more flavourful. I also felt that the cranberry could be replaced with something a bit more exciting. 5/10 The Christmas Club This is a chicken-based sandwich that's perfect for those who aren't particularly keen on turkey.

I'm a fan of club-style sandwiches (the extra layer of bread feels delightfully indulgent), so this was a winner for me. However, the flavours weren't very pronounced, and I felt it could have used an additional element, although I couldn't pinpoint what was missing. Overall, it was a tasty sandwich, but the turkey versions just edged it out.

7/10 Pigs In Blankets This is essentially a sausage and bacon sandwich with a festive twist - what's not to like? It comes with a delicious relish that ties all the flavours together beautifully. It was slightly salty, but if you're opting for this sandwich, you probably know what you're in for. This sandwich is a real treat, and I'm sure you'll love it if you're a fan of Christmas sandwiches.

8/10 Turkey Feast This sandwich is unreal and left me speechless. It definitely knocked spots off the other ones I tried. The combination of flavours was absolutely elite, and I would 100% choose this one over the others I tried because it was just so good.

I think what makes this one a head and shoulders above the rest is because of the stuffing. It's moist, so tasty, and makes the whole sandwich just taste so much nicer. This was my favourite by far.

10/10 Gluten-Free Turkey Feast Just the same as the Turkey Feast I absolutely adored, but on gluten-free bread, and I was actually pleasantly surprised to see that the retailer has really upped their gluten-free bread game. I think people often assume that gluten-free bread is dry and breaks off easily, but this one was actually really good. In the past, I've been furious at myself for accidentally picking up a GF bread sandwich because the filling sounded good, and I didn't realise it, but those days are over.

And it's great that there's a tasty option for people following diets with no gluten. 8/10 Turkey Feast Pasta I must admit, I've always been a bit sceptical of those who opt for cold pasta for their lunch. However, this delightful Turkey Feast Pasta has completely changed my mind.

From the pasta itself to the accompanying 'gravy pot', everything combined perfectly to create a real treat for the tastebuds. It may not quite match up to the Turkey Feast sandwich, but it's definitely not a food-to-go item to be overlooked! 9/10 King Prawns What could be more festive than king prawns with a Marie Rose sauce? All that's missing is some lettuce leaves and a squeeze of lemon to make it a proper prawn cocktail. As a big fan of prawns, these tasted just right - fishy in a good way (as sometimes supermarket prawns can be rather bland) and the Marie Rose sauce from M&S was spot on as always.

While I might not choose this if I were heading into the office, it's perfect for enjoying at home. 9/10 Cloudy Lemonade Cloudy lemonade isn't usually my first choice, but this Diet Cloudy Lemonade was surprisingly enjoyable. It was refreshing and would pair well with any of the salty sandwiches I've mentioned to quench your thirst.

Made with 'real lemon juice', you could really taste the difference. It wasn't overly fizzy, which I prefer, so overall it was quite pleasant. 7/10 The Original Very Chocolatey Munch Mix If you're a fan of the sweet and salty combo, then this munch mix is for you.

It's a blend of honey roast peanuts, milk chocolate raisins, green and red chocolate beans, white chocolate buttons and dark chocolate drops, creating a unique taste sensation. Despite not being a fan of raisins, I found that everything just works when you're crunching it all up together. However, be careful if you're pouring it all into your mouth.

8/10 Spiced Peanut Butter and Jam with Gingerbread Biscuits I've never had Peanut Butter and Jam (also known as PB and J in America), but I can confirm that it is a delightful combination that I was definitely shocked to see worked perfectly well. I was concerned that it'd be sickly sweet and not enjoyable, but the gingerbread biscuits dipped into the gloopy mixture just tasted perfect, and I adored it. It's something a little different if you're sick of chocolatey treats, but it still packs a satisfying sweet punch.

9/10 Mini Colin the Caterpillar Colin the Caterpillar cakes are a delight, but I've never sampled the mini version before. I must admit, it didn't quite hit the mark for me - it lacked the moistness and flavour of its larger counterpart. The Christmas-themed confetti topping felt excessive for such a small cake, resulting in an overwhelming crunch.

However, it's still a Colin, so it was delicious nonetheless! 8/10 My overall thoughts? The M&S food-to-go range offers something for everyone. They've done well to combine unique flavours and reintroduce proven favourites. It's also commendable that they're pledging a portion of the profits to charity, especially from a range that's bound to be popular.

After all, Christmas isn't just about indulging in tasty food and exchanging gifts with loved ones - it's also a time to help those less fortunate if we can, and M&S is doing just that. To explore the M&S Christmas food-to-go range, head to your nearest store..