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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater: Read Along Thread 2

421 replies

Dillidilly · 19/11/2021 01:15

Here's our new thread!

I'm having such problems with the site, please could someone post a link to the old thread for me?

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TheRealHousewife · 08/12/2021 09:11

Oh no I've fallen off the thread again and I'm so behind on my book 📖. Hopefully will catch up in coming days. I've been busier than usual although I always try to make time for a bit of reading. Sending festive greetings to all. 🎄

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Dillidilly · 08/12/2021 11:23

I'm loving today's pudding recipe. It reminds me a little of Scottish cranachan that my mum used to make.
You could definitely swap out the biscuits/gingerbread.

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Dillidilly · 08/12/2021 11:25

Everyone welcome here, @Plantsandpuddlesuits!

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StormyCornishSeas · 08/12/2021 20:53

Todays recipe seems really easy and not much too it. Defo one to bear in mind for a festive dinner party. Where you want to do something ahead of time for dessert

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Dillidilly · 09/12/2021 08:27

9 DECEMBER
The Christmas card

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Original poster
Dillidilly · 09/12/2021 08:32

Which reminds me, I need to write mine!
Has anyone else found they write fewer each year? When we were first married nearly 30 years ago, we sent about 50. Now it's under 20. Some reduction is sadly due to the natural sequence of things, but I think we definitely send far fewer to acquaintances these days. I think cards are gradually being replaced by festive emails and texts, which is certainly better for the environment I guess.

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Dillidilly · 10/12/2021 16:12

10 DECEMBER
Choosing the tree

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Dillidilly · 10/12/2021 16:20

With regards to our Christmas tree, I will be a massive disappointment to Nigel.
Through all the years of our children growing up we had a real tree. But last year I weakened and bought an Ikea artificial tree. I only hope Nigel would soften at the wonderful 'Charlie Brown' style sparse branches, which bring a slightly vintage look I feel.

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Savemesome · 10/12/2021 20:15

I have fallen behind! Too much of the reality of this time of year and not enough reading about the ideal version…
Going to catch up this evening

ExquisitelyDecorated · 10/12/2021 21:58

I'm a bit behind too, it has been a manic week. Hoping to catch up in the morning.

Nigel would like our tree (cut down by DS at a Christmas tree farm) but probably wouldn't approve of our multi-coloured lights and random decorations. Although a few have been acquired at Christmas markets and some are probably 25+ years old now.

Cards - still do a lot but am probably down to about 50 from 75 in recent years. Planning to do them while watching Strictly tomorrow.

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Dillidilly · 11/12/2021 08:42

11 DECEMBER
Decorating the tree and a lamb roast

From Monday, shall I do a week at a time, as people are getting busier in the run up to Christmas Day?

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Cantbelieve20 · 11/12/2021 14:51

Hi. Just come on to say thank you for this thread. I bought the book and have been reading along and enjoying the posts on here. Just caught up today after being laid low with covid, when I didn't feel able to read anything, and I now feel festive again and looking forward to getting out and about again on Tuesday. I know that CC will be an annual tradition for me from now on 🙂
It is a busy time but this thread has made me persevere as I refuse to read the comments until i have read the relevant chapter!

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Dillidilly · 12/12/2021 08:37

@Cantbelieve20 glad it's helped revive your Christmas spirit x

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Dillidilly · 12/12/2021 08:38

12 DECEMBER
A fine and fruity chutney

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Dillidilly · 13/12/2021 08:13

13 - 19 DECEMBER

I'm going to post a week at a time for now, as we are all getting so busy.

If you do post, perhaps you could include the Chapter in bold please so others can follow along?

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Claudethecat · 13/12/2021 12:28

Thanks Dillidilly. This thread has gone a bit quiet, I hope everyone is just busy. TBH my Christmas spirit has drained away somewhat the last few days, because of all the news about you-know-what. I am going to immerse myself in the CC later and hope it comes back a bit!

Cantbelieve20 you are almost free! Hope you are feeling better.

ExquisitelyDecorated · 13/12/2021 13:08

I'm still here but haven't read any Nigel since the 9th, been busy and just haven't had the sort of quiet moment you really need. I do keep finding myself thinking "what would Nigel do?" as I go about my Christmas preparations.

FireworkParrot · 13/12/2021 14:08

I'm here still! I've just sat down and read 10th to the 13th Dec as life got in the way and I find I don't want to read the book unless I have a quiet moment and can give it my full attention. Trying to read it with DDs watching Peppa Pig in the background just doesn't have the right ambience!

I was interested in the recipe accompaniment for the roast lamb being a white sauce with the addition of chopped spinach and butter beans. I'd have never thought of making something like that but it definitely seems like a cheap and tasty way of bulking out a meal.

I also write fewer Christmas cards each year. Sadly because some recipients have now passed away but also because I stopped sending them to people that I never heard from, either at Christmas or any other time. Christmas card writing is still going strong at DD1s primary school, she received more from her classmates than the rest of us put together!

We had the first slice of our Christmas cake over the weekend... I made it in September and we like to eat it throughout December rather than just around Christmas. It's very nice!

Idbemonica1 · 13/12/2021 20:02

Another one still here! Just got a bit behind with Nigel

Strawberryfield12 · 13/12/2021 21:00

I am here as well. Have been limping slightly behind Nigel last few weeks, but on my defence… we have taken DD to Lapland UK, have had few family birthdays, the tree is up… And I have made some of Nigel’s recipes. His banana bread with cardamom turned out lush, I never got on banana bread bandwagon during lockdown, but cardamom makes it special (I might have splattered vanilla custard on top as well). I also tried the roast duck this Sunday. Was nice, my favourite part was pearl barley stuffing with mushrooms, thyme and rosemary.

Was reading the chapter about choosing Christmas tree and I couldn’t help thinking “Imagine being a greengrocer in Highbury and having Nigel come round for the tree. Dissing perfectly normal trees because they aren’t perfectly symmetrical”. Who knew trees were growing on their accord and weren’t supposed to be samey like eggs from incubator?! 😄

Strawberryfield12 · 13/12/2021 21:04

Also, planning to make roast lamb with beans in bechamel sauce some time soon. Maybe this Sunday coming. I still need to decorate my Christmas cake, usually we are eating it during December but this year I am slightly behind with everything.

StormyCornishSeas · 13/12/2021 21:07

Sorry I've just caught up after the weekend. I've lost my appetite somewhat so skimming the recipes. However I have some comments about the tree and dressing it.

Firstly I think Nigel would hate that the Stormy house has a fake tree. Even if it is Balsam Hill and cost £££.

I disagree with him about unwrapping all the baubles and putting them on the floor first. I like unwrapping individually and finding out if I have a camel from Egypt or a piece of tat I made when I was 5.

StormyCornishSeas · 13/12/2021 21:08

@StormyCornishSeas

Sorry I've just caught up after the weekend. I've lost my appetite somewhat so skimming the recipes. However I have some comments about the tree and dressing it.

Firstly I think Nigel would hate that the Stormy house has a fake tree. Even if it is Balsam Hill and cost £££.

I disagree with him about unwrapping all the baubles and putting them on the floor first. I like unwrapping individually and finding out if I have a camel from Egypt or a piece of tat I made when I was 5.

Sorry December 10th-11th
sueelleker · 14/12/2021 12:14

@StormyCornishSeas

Sorry I've just caught up after the weekend. I've lost my appetite somewhat so skimming the recipes. However I have some comments about the tree and dressing it.

Firstly I think Nigel would hate that the Stormy house has a fake tree. Even if it is Balsam Hill and cost £££.

I disagree with him about unwrapping all the baubles and putting them on the floor first. I like unwrapping individually and finding out if I have a camel from Egypt or a piece of tat I made when I was 5.

If we put the baubles on the floor my husband would step on them-he did it with fairy lights one year, just after making sure they were all working!
FireworkParrot · 14/12/2021 13:33

I've just read December 14th and agree with Nigel that stockings should contain little treats. In our house stockings are filled by Father Christmas for my DDs (the presents under the tree are from family and friends.) They contain small gifts...this year some hotwheels cars, a small teddy, temporary tattoos, new toothbrush, gingerbread men, chocolate and a couple of other bits and bobs.