Christmas is a magical time of year, full of delicious food, family get togethers, children's excitement and something for us all to look forward to. But if you are dealing with allergies, especially in little ones, it can seem a daunting prospect.

Here are some tips from Nathalie at The Intolerant Gourmand to help you ensure a safe and reaction-free Christmas for you

• Prep in advance
  There are many free from ready-made food options available in the supermarkets to reduce the amount of work ahead. Alternatively, there are an abundance of recipes online that cater for most allergies from simple recipes to those that will wow your friends and family.
  
  
• Offer to host
  To keep cross contamination to a minimum, consider hosting family and friend get togethers at your house so you can be in control of ingredients used. If people offer to bring food, be clear in what ingredients are safe to use, or simply decline the offer.
  
  
• Be aware of your surroundings
  If you’re unsure, don’t be afraid to ask questions! It’s better to put your mind at rest than be worrying the whole time and be concerned of possible reactions.
  
  
• Read labels
  Allergens can be used in the most unusual of places, such as milk and egg in wine (yes really!) so make sure that you always check first!
  
  
• Enlist the help of someone you trust
  If you do need to make things from scratch, it can seem like a daunting task, so try to ask for help from someone you trust to take some of the burden!
  
  
• Take time out to enjoy the festivities
  This is the most important one of all! The Christmas season can be stressful without dealing with allergies. Make sure that you have time to relax and enjoy the festive period, and catch up with family and friends.