How to Prepare for Three Days of Food Disruption

The Government’s new "Be Ready" campaign is encouraging households to take simple steps in case everyday services are disrupted by an emergency such as severe weather. 

Its advice to be prepared for three days is about coping while support reaches those who need it most. It is not a warning that food shortages are expected.

For That’s Food and Drink readers, the practical message is straightforward: make a modest plan, use food your household already enjoys and build up supplies gradually. 

The Government advises checking your cupboards first, then picking up an extra item or two during normal shopping trips. You don’t need to buy everything at once or clear shelves.

Start with the food you already eat

Choose food that lasts without refrigeration and can be eaten without cooking. Tinned fish, meat, beans, vegetables and tinned cheeses are useful options, alongside crackers, oatcakes, dried fruit, nuts and long-life snacks. 

Tinned or pouch foods can make quick meals, while long-life milk and juice add variety. Check labels and choose things that suit your household’s tastes and dietary needs.

Think about how you would serve the food if the cooker, kettle or microwave were unavailable. A tin of beans might be useful, but only if you have a safe way to open and eat it. A manual tin opener is a small item worth checking.

The official checklist suggests bottled water too: three litres per person per day for drinking, with more needed for cooking and washing. That means 18 litres for two people over three days. Store it safely and rotate it as needed.

Plan for everyone at home

Remember food for babies, pets and anyone with particular medical or dietary requirements. The Government’s checklist also highlights ready-to-feed formula, nappies, essential medication and pet food. If you rely on regular prescriptions, request them in good time.

If a power cut happens, keep fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible. The UK Chief Medical Officers say a fridge may stay cold for around four hours; a full freezer may keep food frozen for up to 48 hours, or 24 hours if half full. Their emergency food advice also says to use chilled and defrosting food first, and to take particular care with food for babies, older people, pregnant women and anyone with a weakened immune system.

Also, keep torches and portable lamps at the ready, making sure they are fully charged or have sufficient batteries to hand. Candles and matches are also a good idea.  

Finally, check dates and replace items every six months. A few familiar foods, gradually added to the cupboard, can make an unexpected disruption less stressful, and can be used in everyday meals if the emergency never comes.

Your Christmas Emergency Plan How to Stay Calm When Weather, Food or Power Go Wrong

Christmas should be about warmth, generosity and togetherness, not stress, panic or last-minute disasters. 

Yet every year, festive plans are disrupted by things that are entirely predictable: bad weather, spoiled food, power cuts, illness or closed shops.

At That’s Christmas 365 and That's Food and Drink we believe that a truly joyful Christmas isn’t about perfection, it’s about preparedness. 

A simple emergency plan won’t dampen the magic. It protects it.

1. When Christmas Weather Turns Against You

From snow and ice to flooding and high winds, the UK’s winter weather can quickly disrupt travel plans and deliveries.

Festive emergency essentials:

Shop a little earlier where possible

Keep salt or grit by paths and doorways

Have torches, batteries and candles ready

Charge phones and power banks in advance

If you have a generator make sure you have fuel for it and that it still runs

If guests can’t arrive, a smaller or postponed celebration still counts as Christmas.

2. Food Emergencies: The Silent Christmas Threat

Discovering spoiled food on Christmas morning is a heart-sinking moment... and a common one.

Reduce the risk by:

Checking fridge and freezer temperatures a few days beforehand

Defrosting freezers well in advance

Labelling leftovers clearly

Keeping shelf-stable backups like tinned vegetables, gravy granules and long-life cream

A calm fallback meal beats festive panic every time.

3. Power Cuts and Broken Appliances

Christmas places huge demand on ovens, kettles and hobs, just as winter storms increase the chance of outages.

Plan for the worst:

Have at least one non-electric cooking option (used safely)

Prepare food that can be served cold if necessary

Keep a thermos handy for hot drinks

Know how long your freezer stays cold if unopened

Christmas dinner doesn’t need to be hot to be meaningful.

4. Illness, Injuries and Sudden Changes

Festive flu, stomach bugs and minor accidents have an uncanny sense of timing.

A simple festive safety net includes:

Basic first aid supplies

Easy-to-digest foods

Flexible plans and smaller gatherings

Video calls for family members who can’t attend

Christmas doesn’t disappear, it simply adapts.

5. When the Shops Are Shut (And You’ve Forgotten Something)

Once Christmas arrives, there’s no popping out for essentials.

Before Christmas Eve, double-check:

Bin bags

Foil and cling film

Washing-up liquid

Toilet roll

Batteries

Pet food

It’s always the unglamorous items that cause the most stress.

Unless, of course, there's a genuine 24/7 supermarket attached to a petrol station in your area. Google search beforehand. One Christmas several years ago we realised that we had no wine to go with Christmas dinner. I took a five minute walk to the nearest petrol station supermarket and returned, triumphant, with a couple of bottles of wine.

A Christmas That Lasts All Year Starts With Calm

At That’s Christmas 365, we celebrate Christmas in all its forms, perfect or otherwise. An emergency plan doesn’t mean expecting disaster; it means knowing that if something goes wrong, you can still enjoy the season.

Because Christmas isn’t about flawless timing or picture-perfect meals.

It’s about warmth, kindness and making the best of what you have.

And sometimes, the most memorable Christmas stories begin with, “Well, everything went wrong…” — and end with laughter.

Honouring Our Heroes on Emergency Services Day (999 Day)

Every year on 9th September, the UK pauses to recognise the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of the people who keep us safe: our ambulance crews, firefighters, police officers, coastguards, and volunteer responders.

Known as Emergency Services Day (999 Day), it’s not just about saying “thank you” it’s about showing our appreciation in practical, heartfelt ways.

Why 999 Day Matters

The UK’s emergency services are always there when we need them most, often working under immense pressure, at all hours, and sometimes in dangerous circumstances. From the paramedic who arrives at your door in the middle of the night, to the firefighter who rushes into a blaze, to the police officer keeping our communities safe, their work is nothing short of remarkable.

Image courtesy of Steve Bulley & Pixabay

On 999 Day, we’re encouraged not only to reflect on their contribution but also to consider how we can give something back.

How You Can Show Your Support

1. Host a Community Tea Party

Few things bring people together quite like a proper British tea party. Invite friends, family, neighbours, or your local community group to share tea, sandwiches, and cakes, while raising funds for emergency service charities. Many organisations, such as The Fire Fighters Charity, The Ambulance Staff Charity (TASC), and Police Care UK, rely on public donations to provide vital support for the wellbeing of emergency staff and their families.

Encourage guests to make a small donation, and perhaps hold a raffle with donated prizes. Not only will you raise funds, but you’ll also strengthen your local community spirit — something our emergency workers value too.

2. Deliver Cakes and Treats to Your Local Station

Nothing says “thank you” quite like a box of homemade cakes or biscuits. Consider dropping off a traybake, cupcakes, or even a hearty loaf of banana bread to your nearest ambulance station, firehouse, or police station. These small gestures remind frontline workers that they are appreciated, and give them a much-needed morale boost during long, tough shifts.

Image courtesy of KTTrainer & Pixabay

3. Organise a Charity Bake Sale

If a full tea party feels too much, why not keep it simple with a bake sale at work, school, or your local community centre? Proceeds can be donated to national charities or even directly to local emergency service teams’ chosen causes.

4. Create Thank You Hampers

Band together with neighbours to fill a basket with goodies, tea, coffee, biscuits, fruit, or even energy bars. Delivering these to local crews is a touching way to show you care.

5. Raise Awareness Online

Not everyone can donate money or bake a cake, but we can all help spread the message. Share information about 999 Day on your social media platforms, highlighting the work of emergency services and the charities that support them.

Sometimes a kind word or public recognition can make a bigger impact than we realise.

A Day to Give Back

Emergency Services Day isn’t just a date on the calendar. It’s an opportunity to unite communities and remind those who look after us that we see their efforts, and we care. 

Whether you’re brewing up a pot of tea for friends, baking a batch of scones, or delivering biscuits to your local station, your kindness will be deeply appreciated.

So, on 9th September, let’s raise a teacup to the men and women in our emergency services, the everyday heroes who answer when we dial 999.

Party Panic Averted! How to Put Emergency Plans in Place for Your Next Event

Whether you're hosting a garden barbecue, a milestone birthday bash or a festive gathering, parties don’t always go to plan — and that’s perfectly normal. 

But a bit of advance preparation can save the day if things do take a turn. From weather woes to unexpected dropouts, here’s how to create solid emergency plans so your party keeps going without a hitch.

1. Have a Back-Up Venue or Shelter

If you're planning an outdoor event, especially in the UK where the weather is famously unpredictable, make sure you have a wet-weather plan. This might be:

A gazebo or marquee in the garden

A space indoors you can clear and dress up

A last-minute booking option at a local hall or pub

Even a few parasols or umbrellas can be a game-changer during a sudden downpour.

2. Food & Drink Contingencies

You don’t need to cater for double the guests “just in case,” but you do need a plan for food emergencies:

Have some frozen party food on standby

Keep a list of local takeaways that can deliver quickly

Pre-agree with a local deli or supermarket for emergency platters

And always double check that dietary needs are covered in case your original caterer cancels or fails to deliver.

3. Guest Dropouts and Unexpected Plus-Ones

People will cancel. Others may bring unexpected guests. To manage the numbers:

Overestimate your food and drink a little

Have a few extra chairs and plates on standby

Keep games and activities flexible so that they work with any group size

4. Power Cuts and Tech Fails

If your event depends on music, lighting or digital presentations:

Fully charge Bluetooth speakers and phones the day before

Have a power bank or two handy

Make a party playlist downloadable and accessible offline

Consider a few unplugged backup games — charades, trivia, or cards never go out of style

5. Health & Safety Essentials

Someone cutting themselves on a broken glass or a child getting too close to the BBQ can put a dampener on any gathering. Prepare by:

Having a first aid kit clearly accessible

Ensuring someone present knows basic first aid

Keeping children and pets away from cooking areas

Making sure torches, spare batteries and a phone are nearby

6. Clear Communication

Let guests know what to expect. If you're moving the party indoors due to weather or changing venues last-minute:

Use a group chat or WhatsApp broadcast list

Have your phone fully charged and ready for calls and texts

Print or post a sign at the original venue with the new location details

7. Emergency Entertainment Kit

Sometimes the music flops, the garden games sink in mud, or the magician doesn’t show. That’s where your emergency entertainment comes in:

A stash of board games or card games

A quiz you can host yourself

Printed activity sheets or crafts for kids

A couple of go-to party games that don’t require equipment (like “Would You Rather” or “Two Truths and a Lie”)

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to expect the worst — but being ready for hiccups makes you a hosting hero. Your guests won’t remember the minor drama; they’ll remember how seamlessly everything still came together. With a good emergency plan, your parties will be less stressful and more successful — whatever life (or the weather) throws at you.