Nigel Slater's The Christmas Chronicles

[Dillidilly]

I bought this wonderful book for my daughter as part of her Christmas present last year. Then I treated myself to a copy in the spring!
It's a fantastic book, full of stories, photography, poetry and 100 recipes for the Christmas season. As a hardback book with gold foil detailing it would even look gorgeous laid out as part of your Christmas decorations.

Each chapter roughly follows the days leading up to Christmas, and we've decided to read and share our thoughts about each chapter in the run up to Christmas, starting from late November if I remember correctly.

I thought it would be a lovely thing to share with someone you love. Currently £18.29 on Amazon.

Yes!
I've just ordered Kitchen Diaries 1& 2 from World of Books!

@Dillidilly I've got that little house glass ornament as well. I've got some absolute beauties and we will have to come back to this thread at Christmas so we can all show off our baubles and say "ooh" and "ahh"

Whelm, Amazon. I looked yesterday when reading this thread, nothing. The looked later and suddenly there was one.

I got this book last Christmas.
I knew I would love it because I always love Nigel's writing and I wasn't disappointed.

I found it helpful because it isn't a child focused Christmas.
My dc are now becoming teenagers and therefore don't want the full on child focused Christmas of the past and that left me a little lost.

@Dillidilly

I will definitely start a read along thread at the end of October, to give us all time to find our copies of The Christmas Chronicles, a seasonal candle, a throw and a cosy space where we can settle down to open the first page ❤

We'll be there

Came across this lovely thread this morning. The book coming tomorrow. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and memories around Christmas, had a really nice Sunday morning reading it.

I was growing up in what is now former USSR territory. Christmas was forbidden at a time, trees wouldn't go on sale before 27 December and one could get into real trouble if seen having tree up before the date. We were left with New Years eve instead, but since my parents made a decidedly half arsed effort to embrace "Father Frost", that Russians were forcing on everyone, I never believed in any magic man bringing presents. I was about 13 years old when I learned about Christmas and my first reactions was "Meh, why do we need Christmas when we already have New Years eve!".

Anyway, I do love Christmas and my 6 year old DD firmly believes in Father Christmas and miracles. I can't wait to join in on the read along thread later in the year!

Aw, Strawberry... Welcome aboard 😊

Welcome @Strawberryfield12

I couldn't wait for my birthday so have ordered a copy today . I will be with you for the read-along.

Thank you to everyone for making this such a lovely thread ❤

And Welcome to Christmas @Strawberryfield12!

Mine has arrived it is a satisfyingly heavy chunky tome .
It was a "used but good condition" , I am shocked to say I don't think they even opened the book !

I am planning to take it away next month when I'll have reading time (no TV or WiFi) and I might even make little pencil ntes on the pages (I'm sure NS does in his books )

I desperately try to not wish the year away… but this weather has me yearning for a bit of autumn chill.

It’s not cool enough here to get comfy for bed, there isn’t a breath of breeze to be had.

I’ve checked the kitchen diaries and Nigel has a preference for melon and fish in July.

It's one of my all-time favourite books

I love Nigel Slater - the Kitchen Diaries are also lovely but the CCs are the best. I really want to get his Greenfeast books next.

I follow him on Insta and just love his home, his lifestyle, everything...

You've all prompted me to order the Kitchen Diaries! I can't bring myself the read the Christmas Chronicles out of season - in fact it feels all wrong to me being on Christmas thread in July , but so glad I popped in.

I might reread the kitchen diaries. I was a bit meh about it when it came out as I wanted more recipes. I'm older and wiser now and the slow food/lifestyle is more appealing

I haven't got the book but did listen to his entire season of associated podcasts last Christmas - I'm not sure is he reading the book, or extracts, or just talking about the same things and adding in a few recipes in between, but it was lovely.

(I already have about 4 specific Christmas cookbooks so I can't really add another 1....my bookshelves are over full as it is).

@BiddyPop

(I already have about 4 specific Christmas cookbooks so I can't really add another 1....my bookshelves are over full as it is).

You caaaaaaan. I have 13 specific Christmas cookbooks. They are one of my indulgent pleasures.

@BiddyPop

I haven't got the book but did listen to his entire season of associated podcasts last Christmas - I'm not sure is he reading the book, or extracts, or just talking about the same things and adding in a few recipes in between, but it was lovely.

Thank you for this - I didn’t know he’d done podcasts. I’ve just found them on Spotify and will try to wait until Winter to start listening to them.

I have this one, Delia and Nigella. Plus a couple of children;s Christmas baking books. I need more shelf space...

The podcasts are lovely, he has such a relaxing voice.

@Geamhradh gosh I have never counted my Christmas specific cookbooks but I shall

@BiddyPop you caaaaan!!

I'm lying in bed with Covid, what a lovely idea to listen to the podcasts. I will do that!

How did I not know there was a podcast!

Here's my Christmas bookshelf.
Nigella and Delia come down onto the sofa in September. Nigel follows when his Chronicles begin.