To ask about Christmas magazines

[5foot5]

I know I am being U really, because:
a. it is only October so weeks yet until Christmas, and
b. those glossy Christmas magazines are always a load of rubbish and a total waste of money.

However, the same thing happens every year. I see the magazines towards the end of September and I sternly tell myself it is far too early and they are really not worth it anyway. Then as Autumn creeps on they keep grabbing my attention from the magazine stands until finally I weaken and buy one. And it turns out to be the glossy pile of crap I knew it would be really but couldn't resist.

So, given IABU to even contemplate frittering money away on one of these, but knowing I probably will at some point, can I ask anyone who has already indulged which one might be the least worst this year?

I am not in the least interested in fashion tips to sparkle at the Christmas party, but I do like making things and cooking and baking and any interesting or novel ideas for decorations.

Sometimes they are wrapped in plastic so you can't do that

I can’t remember for sure which thread it tends to be on (might well be the poncetastic one mentioned above) but I know there’s usually a few posters around this time who buy and review to help others to know which ones are worth the price.

As I said, if you get the thread moved I’m sure more people will answer and let you know which ones are good this year.

I am not unfamiliar with Pinterest,though I often find you go round in a bit of a circle clicking on things you like the look of in order to find the instructions and then being in somewhere you don't expect.

But, as with the post above about apps, it isn't something you can touch and smell

Thank you. I will go have a look

Won’t be buying any at a fiver plus a pop.

The Christmas GH and Woman and Home are my pre-Christmas comfort blankets. Usually full of the same crap but hey, it’s Christmas crap!!

So excited about getting GH Christmas and Woman & Home December editions!! Then it’s properly time to light Christmas candles and hibernate in front of a log fire 👏

Bloody love working from home when the decorations are up 🤩

Christmas GH is my fav! My birthday is at the end of November so I get one wrapped up from DH. Many a happy hour planning the things I'll make & cook, which I never do!

I bought one last year and put it away with my Christmas decorations so I can re-read it this year, thought I'd do it again this year and maybe next so I can have 3 on rotation until trends change massively

You must get GH Christmas. I tried to resist and it was futile but honestly, I think it's amazing. Really lovely recipes and I'll look at it lots of times before Christmas.

This is what I do! I've got about half a dozen that live with the Christmas decs and each year they come down from the loft and I have no recollection of ever reading them before. Saved myself a fortune.

I must admit this is usually the one saying buy me buy me louder than any of the others.

I buy them every year, and I keep the previous years ones, I’ve got 3 years worth now

Me too! Only time I ever buy magazines!

I don't buy magazines any other time (though I did buy one for going on holiday this year) .
I used to buy them all : GH . W&H, Prima ,Red, some of the house type ones .

Now its just GH and the GH Food (which i have already )

Early November is GH time .

A request to everyone who buys. In January, instead of recycling or chucking, please would you take them to a charity shop? I can’t justify £5 plus but would happily pay £1 and put them in a drawer for next Christmas (I’m not bothered about “last season” 😁)

My last years GH and GH Food are in my bathroom (where they live , they don't come out of there so no Eurgh Gross moments)
Once they get replaced they will get recycled /bin as no-one would want them.

I've just found a copy of the December 2021 Lady Magazine which I treated myself to and never read ( lots of stressful stuff going on last Christmas so hopefully things will be better this time round)
Anyway I've really enjoyed it and will definitely look out for it again this year - just an alternative suggestion to GH

The Booths Christmas book came out yesterday. Not a magazine obviously but it's free and beautiful

I do this and really look forward to it.
It's the only time I ever buy magazines. It's my own peaceful little Christmas tradition that doesn't involve anyone else.
I'm easily pleased 😁

Oh yes....Christmas GH and W&H, a mug of hot chocolate laced with Baileys and a mince pie......alone! Complete bliss 😊
Just ordered some M and S Christmas food for the first time. I pick it up on 22nd December at 8am!

I used to buy all the Christmas magazines every year for food, decoration and gift ideas.
Spent a fortune and was always disappointed. I have never found a gift suggestion in a magazine yet. I don't need 20 pages on how to cook Christmas dinner, with over complicated sides. Very occasionally I found a single new recipe I might make. Took me too many years to kick the habit. I decided to use the money for buying a new Christmas cookbook each year, second hand if possible. Much better value. And now we have Pinterest for a much broader range of craft/decoration ideas.

@Ihaveamagicwand , I regularly have The Christmas Eve Nightmare, where it’s about 4 pm on the 24th and I suddenly realise that I haven’t bought any presents, or a tree, or anything.

I have a huge pile (around 30 or so) from previous years. I haven't bought one since lockdown severely impacted our finances. Luckily I've never been able to bring myself to throw them away and every January they go to bed in a box of their own in the loft with the decs.

I think they span over 10 years and to be honest the recipes are the same.

I used to love buying that first one early November, usually GH or W&H to start with. Now I get the Christmas tingle when DH unexpectedly brings the whole box down from the loft whilst I'm out one day and the rest of the family (DCs) finally allow me to put the Christmas music on whilst indulging in a 2hr bath surrounded by White Company Winter candles with my pile beside me.

You're right OP, you've got to be able to hold the paper, see the ruby/golden pictures as big as they were intended to be seen. Online versions just don't cut it.

This year's GH is fab. I can't really put my finger on why, it's just a really good edition this year. I also got the Country Living Christmas, for the first time, and it's rubbish.