Charles Campion's Christmas food shop tips

The day when you can't face any more cold turkey is fast approaching so it makes sense to stock up on salamis, charcuterie and hams to liven up those sandwiches and have something to nibble on.

The Selfridges charcuterie counter puts on a magnificent spread — everything from various kinds of biltong, including the seriously hot "buffalo fire sticks" (£70 per kg), to Polish sausages such as the wiejska (£16.50 per kg) and some excellent terrines, rillettes and pâté. The duck mousse with cognac (£18.50 per kg) is very popular, as are the pork rillettes (£16.50 per kg).

Fans of Lina Stores will be pleased to know that it has emerged from its makeover pretty much intact. It sells great lardo di Colonnata (£15 per kg), salame Abbruzze (£26 per kg) and salame Milano (£24 per kg).

The German Deli stall at Borough Market has a range of great sausages from a meaty bratwurst (£3.90 for pack of four) to smaller bierschinken (£2.80 each, 200g). Then there's the zwiebelmeltwurst (£1.90 each, 120g) or the kalbsleberwurst (£1.90, 150g).

Having a decent chunk of ham to cut at is also a real treat. Fortnum & Mason stock Alderton ham glazed with vintage marmalade (£65, 2.25 kg), a decorated Wiltshire ham (£60, 2.25kg) or a Christmas ham, dry cured and glazed with Demerara sugar (from £75).

The wild card is supermarket chain Lidl, which has excellent packs of interleaved Jamon Serrano (£1.49, 100g) and Parma ham (£1.99, 90g). Also two 100g packs of smooth pork liver pâté for 69p! Astonishing value.

Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, W1 (0800 123400, selfridges.com)
Lina Stores, 18 Brewer Street, W1 (020 7437 6482)
Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, W1 (020 7734 8040, fortnumand mason.com)
German Deli Stall at Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, SE1 (020 7250 1322, germandeli.co.uk). Open Friday 12-6pm and Sat 9am-4pm.
Lidl.co.uk