Three super simple ideas to make Christmas entertaining even easier.

1. Christmas mess

There's no such thing as a failed pavlova – it's just an opportunity to make a Christmas mess, a festive spin on the Eton mess. To make, smash up a failed pav (or meringue pieces) into rough pieces. Whip a jar of thickened cream until soft peaks form. Arrange the meringue, thickened cream and fruit (berries, tropical bits and bobs, maybe even some jam or coulis) in some fancy glassware, and pretend you'd meant to make an Eton mess all along!

2. Festive frozen cubes with strawberries

To create healthy frozen ice cubes that'll make even a glass of water something special, take a punnet of strawberries, hull and cut in half, before popping into an ice cube tray and freezing. Pop the ice cubes out of the tray and into a glass, top with sparkling water and serve.

3. Easiest prawns ever

Arrange whole prawns in a single layer of a glass roasting tray. Add a handful of aromatics – dill, lemon and garlic cloves are good – and cover with boiling water. Allow to stand. By the time the water has cooled you'll have perfectly poached prawns every time.

These tips featured in the Good Food Christmas television special on Nine.