The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024 Part 2

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Welcome all new and old friends.

The journey continues.

@RainbowZebraWarrior yum! smells beautiful!!! I hope the wc advent has yielded something non sneezy today. I had one of their candles a few years ago and had to regift about a third of it as it either made me sneezy or gave me a headache. I love a lot of their products but it was such a shame not to enjoy the full calendar.

Aww, @Bimblesalong it's so lovely to see that candle lit and being enjoyed.

Yes, I'm gutted about the WC Advent so far. DD asked me this morning why I bought it. I genuinely thought I'd like it. The Winter candle will be regifted to my Mum tomorrow as an extra present for her 80th from DD. I took a sneaky peek at a few other bits in the calendar, and it's a no from me regarding the pomegranet candle too. I do like the Fireside one, though. Seems we both have similar issues with certain scents. It's a bit like smelling a perfume on someone, but then it doesn't smell the same on yourself, or sets you off sneezing.

I'm enjoying the St Eval Inspiritus. There's something very church like about it. The cinnamon is there, but it's soft and smoky in a subtle way. The Winter candle perhaps has a bit too much clove for me.

Hope everyone is warm and snug tonight. It's going to be a cold one.

Pomegranate sets me off too (& Seychelles), although so far the winter candle is a long-term favourite. I enjoy fireside as well.

Inspiritus is lovely, sandalwood too.

Beautiful window @Confusedmeanderings. That sort of thing is right up my street. There is a village in Cornwall I think where all the houses do a windows for advent and light them up one by one. Such a lovely idea.

I'm having my traditional day of Christmas overwhelm today. A half decorated house, lots to do, work is busy, nothing to wear for my birthday dinner on Friday, moody teenagers, poorly dog, and dh moaning about his toothache. Going to take myself to bed early and watch Wolf hall from yesterday.

I did smile this morning at the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree-which put me in mind of Nigel-it's very Spartan again it seems

Oh @piscofrisco I'm so sorry to hear that you're feeling so overwhelmed. You've had a lot going on, and with Christmas on top, it's so easy to tip that balance. Sending gentle hugs to you and I hope you enjoy an early night and some Wolf Hall x

Also, didn't we have the same issue last year with the Trafalgar square Christmas tree?

I'm having a serious case of 'looking for the perfect candle that possibly doesn't exist' The Inspiritus one is lovely, but not my favourite. I had to throw an Anthropologie one out as, although it was lovely, the wick was too thick and it smoked like crazy. I feel like Roux in Chocolat when he says to Vianne of her chocolate offerings "it's good, but it's not my favourite" I'm mourning the Aldi Macaroon and Almond one that they don't seem to do any more. Maybe it's time to crack open the Diptyque.

Maybe it's time to crack open the Diptyque at the risk of sounding like Nigel @RainbowZebraWarrior, there may be something in that! I think you are getting to the nub of why there’s some justification in going for an expensive certainty over several cheaper imitations. My Durance tealight calendar owes me nothing because it was such a bargain, but if I’d had to pay full price I would have gone for a single surefire winner rather than gambling on a lot of unknowns. Diptique Baies and Trudon Carmelite are my own safe bets - a bit pricey, but long lasting so cost per hour is fairly reasonable and I still have the wax dregs of last year’s Trudon in a little silver pomander scenting the loo with its very enduring aroma.

@RainbowZebraWarrior I saw a macaroon one in our Aldi last week!!!!

@Seasidebubbles tue Pom Pom wreath is magnificent!! & @Confusedmeanderings your window must bring so much joy. I know when I was little I would have pretty much salivated over it 🥰

Can anyone help with any stocking filler ideas for my DD? She is 13 in a few days but I’m struggling for sticking fillers as she’s not interested yon makeup at all but also a bit too old for actual toys.

Hmm, let's think - how about these;
A bullet journal
Cute post it notes; I saw some cat shaped ones, but can't remember where!
Bubble tea sachets
Yoyo
Graphite pencils and a sketchbook
Slipper socks
Hair clips / scrunchies
Fahlo bracelet

@AgathaMystery stationery items always a good bet a nice set of highlighters maybe pastel ones and maybe an erasable ink pen? Agree with post it notes does she have a pinboard in her room? Little jar of novelty pins? Earrings - toiletries nice shampoo and conditioner - my DD was into ponies around that age I got her mane and tail shampoo and conditioner for her stocking one year - fun sparkly shower gel or the mousse types ones I think imperial leather do them. Always some chocolate bits and we also have a traditional of Percy pig sweets from M and S my two love them!!! Little game or Christmas novelty - would you rather type thing - sometimes Etsy do Christmas themed ones and you can get Christmas Pez sweets dispensers for a bit of fun x

@piscofrisco hope you had a nice relaxing evening and are feeling recharged today - I live in Cornwall I'm going to try and find the village with all the windows sounds amazing!!!! We are very lucky down here with lights both Mousehole and Angarrack are fantastic!

@RainbowZebraWarrior I absolutely love candles but my DH is very sneezy and struggles with some so I have to chose carefully - White Company this year have a Myrrh one which I sniffed in store the other day - didn't buy it but would have liked to!!! Hopefully you get one of those in your calendar and it's not too over powering. I bought a lovely Frankincense and Myrrh from the Exeter Christmas markets which is festive but not too strong - along with my NVN Candy Cane one which I am unashamedly enjoying!

3 December

Mince pies and the shop windows of Nurenburg

The Christmas windows of Nuremberg are cluttered with the toys I never had. A tower of painted toy soldiers in hats; A badsman's cap in green and gold; A bearskin you want to stroke; A shiny, pointed pickelhaube; A marching drummer with braided red jacket qnd golden chinstrap; A barman in a gingham shirt, with a bowler and frothing Pilsner. A bearded man in an Amish hat. A mouse in a crown and a mushroom with a shining red cap. It occurs to me that a mushroom probably always wears a cap.

@LillianGish I love that little silver pomander. What a great way to get some lasting loveliness. You're absolutely right too, about going for what you know you love. I opened the Diptyque Biscuit last (Holiday Pastry) night and briefly took the lid off. I put it straight back on again, yet could smell its deliciousness from my dresser when I woke up.

@imp2007 there is a Myrrh product in the AC which I believe is a hand-wash. Hopefully coming up soon. Aah, my Mum and Dad's good friends lived in Mousehole (Fort Picklcombe) for years and they visited them there regularly. Wonderful place!

Gah! @piscofrisco I've been in and out of my nearest Aldi and they haven't had any in for a year. It's probably now just become an obsession rather than actually loving / needing to have the candle hehe.

@AgathaMystery I'll share a list of stocking fillers that I've got for my just turned 13 Yr old DD after the school run. She's not into make up either.

@imp2007 I think it was Calstock. Maybe it's in Devon actually!

@RainbowZebraWarrior I so nearly bought it as well. Had I, I would gladly have sent it you. I will call in this morning and see if they still have any. You never know!

@AgathaMystery these are the stocking fillers I've got 13 year old DD so far:

Positive Octopus &
Emotional Support Frog
(These are cute little knitted animals holding positivity slogan placards. From Amazon)
Merino wool cosy socks (Celtic and co. Use code KXMAS24 for £20 off any spend of £20 or more)
New water bottle for school
New packed lunch box
Favourite hard to find Japanese sweets
Bubble tea (from B&M and Sainsbury's)
Stationery; Sketch pads, washi tape, Pencils.
Body sprays (Sol de Janiero dupes from Lidl)
Toner and reusable wipes / cosmetic pads
Tube of Christmas cookies
"Bloody Love Crisps" personalised keyring from ebay
Personalised Glasses cloth with a photo of the cat on it from ebay
Some croc charms
Funny borderline offensive coaster from HMV
Funko pop chatacter
Hot chocolate and mini marshmallows
Heartstopper Calendar
Heartstopper Diary
Couple of little books
Small whiteboard
Funny slogan t shirt from her favourite show
Selection of bars of nice dark chocolate
Cashmere snood from my favourite seller on ebay

Still contemplating getting her: new ipad cover, uniqlo cross body bag, some daft Simpsons stuff and a refillable Deodorant.

@RainbowZebraWarrior tha k you thank you thank you. Just hit an inspirational brick wall here so this is great.

Presents wise we are more into experiences than stuff - simply because we live in a v small house & we don’t want/need anything. Her main Xmas gift is 2 tickets for her and her friend to go to London to see the Percy Jackson musical next month.

Lovely and crisp here today - I was first into clinic and it was all dark and I got to turn on the lights to the THREE Xmas trees we have in our waiting room. It’s like a grotto 😂

@RainbowZebraWarrior I found one! If you are happy to, PM your address and I will pop in the post-just as a thankyou for starting and maintaining this lovely thread x

Oh my goodness that's so kind of you! I feel all warm and fuzzy. What a lovely thought ❤️ I'll PM you now <does little happy jig> 😊

@AgathaMystery we have the same issue, tiny house which is already chock full, DD (18) that isn't into beauty products or jewellery, she is also getting Percy Jackson tickets, she has never grown out of those stories. She also usually gets things like stationery, bubble tea bits, a tube of Pringles, HP and Marvel merch, fluffy socks, tickets to shows are regular gifts for her (and me).

@piscofrisco that is so lovely of you and a very well deserved treat for Rainbow.

Can I have a little boast? For the first time ever I have constructed gingerbread houses that are staying up without internal scaffolding. And I did it without burning myself with molton sugar like last year. Blisters under your fingernails are not fun I think the secret was no "help" from children. They can decorate them though.

pictures pleeeeease

I'll just share this lovely little heartwarming story here.

I had a panic last night that I'd not got my Mum anything really 'personal' for her 80th. At about 8pm I happened across the lightbulb moment that she loves The Chase, but in particular the chaser "Dennis the Menace" (Darragh Ennis) I put a request in for a birthday video thinking I'd left it far too late. His lovely video popped into my inbox at 9am this morning. It's so lovely. It's really personal and he talks about his own mum, kids, etc and shares who else was born on the same day, but ending with her being most important. I jumped into the car and went round to hers, she was still in bed watching TV so I climbed in next to her and said I had someone on my phone who wanted to wish her happy birthday. She was absolutely tickled pink! Best birthday present ever apparently. He seems like such a lovely, warm man.

Also, tiny 2 bedroom bungalow here. Drowning in stuff, but can't really get experiences and events for DD as she can rarely attend due to overwhlem. Flipping nightmare.