Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Annual Read along 2023

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Hello all, it's nearly that time!

For anyone who has not already had the pleasure, the annual Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles read along is a real time annual MN tradition.

The book begins on 1st November, however there are a couple of chapters of preamble. That's why I thought I would start thread one now, so that we have time to prepare and fully appreciate Nigel in All His Splendour come 1st November.

Some of us already have the book. For anyone who doesn't, it's a challenge to see of you can pick up a bargain. WH Smith has come up trumps in the past, as has ebay. A rare and precious charity shop find is the holy grail and adds a certain special-ness that simply extends that warm, fizzy Nigel feeling (and some well earned smugness)

I shall make a post each day and we can share our thoughts and feelings on the days recipes, sentiments and indeed Dear Old Nige himself.

Note: Reading by candle light can be particularly enjoyable. Cire Trudon may be one of Nige's candle of choice, but it's somewhat pricey. We don't discriminate against other less expensive brands - even if they are NVN (Not Very Nigel)

Pull up a chair and a cosy blanket and join in.

This is such a nice idea! I read the CC a few years ago and was just thinking the other day I would read it again this year, so would love to join in :)

It's come round fast!

Or NVN - Not Very Nigel 🤣

Yes, most definitely NVN!

Thanks for this 🎄. I've got the books but now have the audio book too. So looking forward to Christmas this year. We all had COVID last year on Christmas day and so everything was postponed until New Year.

I bumped into Nigel once in London but would never intrude on his privacy so just left him be. I do like his garden ❤️

I love his garden, and his home. So tasteful.

He's lovely handwriting too!

This is precious. My mum got me my copy too.

Yes, so glad this is back. Have dug out my copy and will start tonight.

@HughCanoe I saw Nigel a few times near an old workplace, I didn't say anything either just gawped and muttered to myself about the Chronicles!

I've made several of the recipes and spent some time in Fortnums last week sniffing all the Trudon candles - this makes me sound much posher than I am. Luckily for my bank balance I didn't love them.

I joined last years thread, fully intending to read along. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with cancer a couple of weeks later. All ok now 🤞, so I’m really looking forward to this years read along.

I lurked last year as I had young babies, but would love to join this time round. Such a lovely, festive read!

Ah @LillianGish you might be onto something there with keeping the dust off, even if they don't serve any other purpose!

I have just bought myself two small Yorkshire Candle Co candles for all of £12 from a little "local showcase" type shop (although they're not really shops like Boots etc). I didn't know they sold them in shops. Very pleased with my purchases - a coffee one, and Fig & Bramble. They didn't have any of their festive ones yet but I usually get those at the Christmas market anyway. I just couldn't bring myself to spend almost £30 in Bath & Bodyworks for a candle 🙈

Thank you all for the kind wishes, what a lovely corner of MN this always turns out to be.

@LillianGish is the Trudon candle all its cracked up to be?

Hello friends 👋 Thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior and @LillianGish for welcoming us back. This thread is like a virtual Christmas landmark, and it gets us in the mood in the run up to the festive season. I'm glad you have stared it for us as my head is just not tuned into November or Christmas yet - this is a nice nudge 😊
I can't wait to read the descriptions of winter in his book - so evocative. I've never actually made a recipe out of this book yet but even just reading along with you all on here is enough to get you in a festive mood. 🌲

It’s lovely isn’t it, @Whatliesbeneath707? It’s one of my favourite things about the lead-up to Christmas. I’d actually managed not to notice that we’re almost at the end of October, so this thread was a good reminder for me too!

I love my candle @LaviniasBigBloomers! DH bought it for me and got the Nigel approved Carmelite, which is slightly mossy and earthy (or ancient stone walls in the shade of cloisters and convents with silhouettes of nuns according to the blurb 😂) It was a ridiculous extravagance and I could never have justified buying it for myself. On the other hand it's supposed to burn for 55 to 60 hours, which works out at approx 1.5 euros per hour, so considerably less than a takeaway coffee and it is, without a doubt, the perfect accompaniment to the Christmas Chronicles read-along. I hope this thread is just what you need. I remember it was my ultimate comfort read last year - almost better that the Chronicles themselves.

hello! Please can I join? Though I need to buy the book!

Yes please! I got the book from the library last year but then everything went a bit pear shaped home wise. Have downloaded it to kindle now so looking forward to joining in!

Woo I have Nov 1st marked in my calendar for this very reason. I've made a few of the earlier on recipes so am keen to try some of the ones that I didnt get around to. I've also made notes in the book itself 😮

I’m in too
I started last year but for some reason stopped
can’t afford fancy candles but will burn something nice but cheap .!

Hello everyone. Well this is fortuitous as I’ve just made my Christmas cake shopping list from TCC (whilst burning a special dyptique feu de bois candle). Would love to dip into this with you.

Hi all 👋🏻 got the book last year. So excited it’s this time again!

I have just installed Audible and downloaded the Christmas Chronicles (I have the book but realised that, come bedtime, I'm too tired to read. Tested it out on my way to work and back (1 hour round trip) and have had to rein myself in lest I charge full speed to December before we even get properly started!

This thread has started my countdown to Christmas. Thank you OP!
I first read this book last Christmas cuddled up with my dear little dog. She heartbreakingly died in August but reading the book again and following this thread will be a cosy joy and bring back so many memories of her, a log fire and Nigel.

@KrazyboutKillian have a look at The Yorkshire Candle Co I mentioned upthread. I buy two of their festive scents every year & the only one I've ever not been 100% happy with picking is the Amaretto Nog - it's not very strong compared to the others.

They do free delivery over a certain amount, the smallest ones are usually two for £12 and burn for around 20 hrs.

Ooor, Home Bargains (very hard not to call it Homely Bananas, as it is known here 🤣) do a bargainous gingerbread one for about £3 usually. That's about the size of a large Yankee & has a really good scent throw - if you like that sort of smell, obviously!

Too late for me to start reading now - just walked dd1's friend home but this thread, and Poncetastic, and wandering looking at the Christmassy things coming out in shops has put me right in the mood for the festive season now 😊