Hi, I have been growing potatoes in large buckets and large plastic plant pots for 2 years now. Dustbins are perfect, the bigger the container the more room the potatoes have to grow, just put some drainage holes in the side or in the bottom. I use any multipurpose compost to grow them in.
As for potatoes for Christmas, your potatoes will be ready for harvest in October but you can keep them in the dustbins under the soil for harvesting at christmas.
Heres a link which might help you.
http://fothergills.co.uk/en/content/...-potatoes.aspx
Regards
Tracey