Christmas Magazines - any recommendations.

[5foot5]

It happens every year at this time. The glossy Christmas magazines appear on the shelves and I find myself tempted to indulge. And every year I tell myself "No, they are just a glossy waste of money". But every year at some point I succumb, kidding myself that there might be at least one useful snippet I could use. Then I spend an evening leafing through the magazine only to conclude "Yup, complete waste of money"

So I found myself lingering over them this lunchtime and wondering about treating myself to one. So then I thought I would ask the wise mumsnetters if they have tried any of this year's yet and would they recommend?

[UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername]

Don't do it. I'm a year ahead of you in the 'glossy waste of money' process and I'm not getting any this year. It's just advertising and stuff that you could find for free on Pinterest.

[CornishMaid1]

I don't buy new ones (although do have Good Food mag so will get one that way). I just pack a couple of the better mags I've bought away with the Christmas decorations and then flick through when I get the decorations out.

Not much changes with the classics and there were some decent recipes in my Good Housekeeping Christmas magazine 4 or 5 years ago! Gives me the same excitement but saves the cost.

If you don't want to do that, check out the Good Food website as they have top many Christmas recipes on there.

[Peridot1]

I bought the Ideal Homes one. Waste of money. Just regurgitated same old same old.

Not buying any more. Although I do like the Good Housekeeping Xmas edition. Might see if I have a previous one in my stash. I’m sure it won’t be much different.

[Tobebythesea]

I do the same and put some magazines in the Christmas box that goes in the attic.

[Autumnfresh]

Join your local library and see them all online for free.

[Sniv]

I got suckered into buying one last year and felt like an absolute mug when I realised that I'd paid my actual money to read a catalogue of adverts. It was literally just glossy pages of shit to buy, like the Boots catalogue but with worse production values. I honestly think the free magazines from Co-op, Tesco etc in December were better.

I will stick to my Christmassy books this year.

[PaperWhiteDaisy]

I love Christmas Good Housekeeping. Signed up for the subscription someone posted on here. £9.99 for 6 months subscription and it included a lovely hardback Christmas cook book. Just need to remember to cancel subscription after haha

[BaconAndAvocado]

Christmas Good Housekeeping is the holy grail of Christmas joy and anticipation.

It's out on the 30th October.

I love their gift guide but don't believe I've ever bought anything from it!!
So pricey but pure consumer porn

[Deminism]

Oh I love a good themed mag

[5foot5]

So pricey but pure consumer porn

Ha ha, yes that sums it up doesn't it?

I think the message appears to be stay strong if you can. If you can't then Good Housekeeping is the least worst.

[Waitingforadulthood]

On another thread I read another poster who decided to buy a second hand Christmas book instead as it's cheaper and lasts longer than a magazine- with the added bonus of no adverts. I'm buying Jamie's Christmas (5.99 from ebay) and others on the thread recommended nigellas, hairy bikers and delias

[BaconAndAvocado]

Nigella's Christmas is essential Christmas reading here.

What have I ever actually made from said book? Hmm........

[BaconAndAvocado]

Oh bloody hell, I've just ordered Jamie's Christmas........

[ritzbiscuits]

I've got Delia's and Nigellas Xmas books, both great to browse each year!

Delias sausage rolls are the bomb!