The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024

[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 good few pages by way of introduction. This is why I start the thread now; so that we have time to prepare and settle in.

A lot 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.

I shall post each day and we can share our thoughts and feelings on the day's recipes and sentiments. It's particularly lovely to share any memories and personal traditions (as Nigel himself does)

Note: Reading by candle light can be particularly enjoyable. Cire Trudon may be one of Nigel's favourites but they are somewhat pricey. Share your festive finds here, even if they are at the cheaper end of the scale and possibly NVN (Not Very Nigel)

Pull up a chair, grab a cosy blanket, and light your candle of choice. It's that most wonderful time of the year!

I was just thinking earlier it must be almost time to read the CC intro

Thanks for the new thread

Hi all! Looking forward to the 2024 CC thread. Thanks @RainbowZebraWarrior for hosting.

I have only just twigged the typo in my user name! What a twit!🙈

Thank you for this thread. I must go retrieve my copy of the CC ☺️

I've just ordered a copy and keen to cosy up with the book and this thread.

I like Nigel slater & his Christmas collection are great 😋

I join every year & fall by the wayside, often even before the end of the introduction! But this year I've made A Plan! Mainly about getting ready for Christmas generally, but it might help 🤞🏻 CC is in the bookshelf next to the sofa and my St Eval tea lights are at the ready. I'm aiming to have a nice glass of something (probably very slightly alcoholic, as it seems appropriate but I can't parent with a hangover) and a short space of time all for myself. I'm very excited for all the cosy festive feels ❄️🕯️📖🥃

Thank you for starting the thread! My first year reading along; I'm going to listen to the audiobook on Spotify :)

Hello again :) I still have part of last year's Inspiritus candle left, but I've been sampling various St Eval candles all year and am currently burning their Bay & Rosemary, which is very autumnal. I also have Oak, which is lovely, but not very strong-scented. Can't wait to get started on Nigel (as it were). Dried apricots going on next week's shopping list!

Ah excellent - it’s that time again! Bring on the cosy.

Wonderful! Thank you for starting the thread @rainbowzebrawarrior

I bought a Glade apple and cinnamon candle this week, which is most certainly NVN, but the boys relate the scent to this time of year and get them in the mood for cosy afternoons and evenings! In my defence, I started doing this in my pre- chronicles era (before Nigel had educated me!) I did also buy some 'proper' candles last year, too, so best of both worlds?!

I’ve got out my CC. Looking forward to it.

My first readalong! I bought the book last year but too late to join in, although I did make the Christmas pudding. I’m looking forward to all things Nigel and NVN.

Thank you RZW for the thread. It will be my first year with a copy of CC.

Thanks @RainbowZebraWarrior for the thread - a treasured part of my lead up to Christmas 🎄

Hello and a hearty welcome to everyone who has checked in so far. I've just read back, and the word cosy really stood out to me as mentioned quite a bit. 😊

Sunset tonight here was 5 49pm, but will be 4.40pm on Sunday. No surprise really as obviously the clocks go back, but it does instinctively make us feel that we need to start to seek out warmth and comfort as we head into the dark winter months.

It was 10 degrees this morning on the school run, and 10 degrees at teatime. I felt really cold on both occasions, yet it was the same temperature at midday, but because the sun was high in the sky, it felt so much warmer.

Checking in. Many many scented candles at the ready!

Ooh, looking forward to this! Picked up a copy from Vinted for a few pounds

its been sat on my TBR shelf for an embarrassing amount of timeso count me in

My first year joining too, I managed to get a copy on Vinted and can’t wait to read along with you all! 🌲

With Nigelesque timing my new candle lighter arrived today. I am just tidying after dinner and fully intend to open the book tonight and begin my Christmas countdown

I bought a copy last year after reading a thread. Unfortunately it was mid November so I decided to hold off to this year. I was proud of my willpower at the time and I'm rather excited now.

I've been on the Christmas board for 7 years now and never done this..I will admit I'm not the biggest fan of Nigel slater BUT there's such a lovely flurry of excitement over this thread I'm going for it. And after 7 years of babies and breastfeeding on cycle (I have 3 little kids!!), t-totalling and giving up on all sorts of Christmas lovely bits as a result (although, yes, I do love my children very much.and they're totally worth it!) I'm going for it this year, and diving in. II'm going to have a go at making my old favourite whisky soaked Christmas cake, have an occasional quiet glass of wine and a read of this to get me in the mood. Hoping I can stick with it. Got my copy second hand on vinted 😊

I'm so excited about this thread. Copy at the ready. Plan to doodle on mine as we go and will buy some candles in preparation tomorrow.

Ready to start though I fear I will fall by the wayside with the cooking. Lurked on the pre thread but wasn’t able to join in really for family reasons and struggled to feel VN. Determined to find a few minutes a day to read CC with a candle and a blanket whatever other issues are going on in my life. Thanks @RainbowZebraWarrior do leading this and the previous threads