The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2025

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Hello all, it's that time of year again!

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 Christmas Chronicles (Notes, stories and 100 essential recipes for midwinter) book begins on 1st November, however there are 25 pages of Introduction. That's why I start the thread one now; to allow time to prepare and fully appreciate Nigel in All His Splendour come 1st November.

Some regulars to the thread already have the book. For anyone new, it's a challenge to see of you can pick up a bargain. Vinted has come up trumps in the past, as has ebay. A rare and precious charity shop find is always a bonus. Don't forget, you can also listen along to Nigel's dulcet tones via Audible.

I shall post daily and we can share our thoughts and feelings on the days recipes, sentiments and indeed Dear Nigel himself. Observations of nature and the seasons are also very welcome.

So welcome to old friends and new, and don't forget that reading by candle light is particularly enjoyable. Cire Trudon may be one of Nige's candles 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, light a candle, grab a cosy blanket and join in!

Thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior this thread is going to be much needed this year

I've lurked on here for a few years (popped up for a little bit last year) and always look forward to this. I'm so ready! Thanks for setting this up.

I have the Nigel Chronicles at the side of my bed all year round to dip into ,

Same edition but not signed sadly ,

I must get my copy out and do it properly this year.

Yay! My favourite thread of the year. Thanks @RainbowZebraWarrior x
Will have to do a recce on the candle situation. Quite fancy a diptyque or Trudon candle, but my budget is more like St Eval.

Lovely idea I'm just in the mood for this year. I've got it from abe books for £7 plus 2.99 postage. Happy :)

I mean to join in every year but this year will be the year. I bought my book a couple of years ago and have barely looked through it, to my shame

I’ve been here in previous years. Goodness knows what I was called then, possibly the first thread?
His lumpy baby bread (Stollen?) and red wine pickled quince are now staples in my repertoire.

I’m struggling with my quince though- I think I’ve been discarding too much for being bruised as it’s such hard work preparing it.

The downside to this is the overwhelming desire to go to Christmas Markets in Germany.

Lovely to see familiar names and new names.

A quick note on 'expectations' I think we are often critical of ourselves if we don't keep up. At this time of year particularly, there's usually a lot of plates spinning for most of us. Please don't put too much pressure on yourselves, or think that everyone else is keeping up and you aren't. It's OK to dip in and out. It's OK if you get behind. It's OK to lurk. There are a few points in the book where there's a couple of days of breathing space, so to speak. As in, it is written in diary form, but there isn't always an entry each day.

Having said all of the above, I do believe it's important to carve at least 20 to 30 minutes a day out for ourselves. Taking a breather, lighting a candle, and reading just a couple of pages of a book is beneficial for all of us. It definitely shouldn't feel like an additional stress. This is why I love the Audible version as I can just press play and listen for however long I have and usually press pause a few times when I'm inevitably interrupted by DD

I'm lucky as I'm semi retired and have quite a lot of spare time these days which is why I'm happy to host this thread.

Anyway, enjoy the journey 😊

Also de-lurking, and looking forward to following and maybe posting!

I lurked last year and will half-lurk/half join in this year if that's ok!

Pulling up some comfy seats around the fire, lighting a nice candle and waiting for people to arrive with snacks, tales, or just to sit and take it in.

So looking forward to reading along. It's grim here today - torrential rain

I always mean to join this thread, I love reading it. This year is my year!

The weather here is beautiful. The house smells lovely from the quince. I’m having to work hard at not being stressed about the jars and bruising on the quinces. Nigel always looks calm. I don’t. 😁

I’ve lurked for a few years as I love Nigel! I received The Christmas Chronicles for Christmas last year, so will hopefully be able to read along this year. I read the introduction earlier this week!

I should have start yesterday as it was very autuminal, whereas today we have glorious sunshine.

I’d love to join this year. I bought the book in 2022 to do so and haven’t yet succeeded. This is the year! Candle of choice (because it was in the cupboard) is Christmas spice.

Thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior - this is very much needed! Cannot wait to light my St Eval Inspiritus candle and dip back into the CC with you all x

That looks glorious! Like sunshine in a jar

I’ve been waiting for this thread to appear! Thanks @RainbowZebraWarriorI got a Vinted bargain last year thankfully.

Hello @RainbowZebraWarrior and everyone! I quit MN for ages...as I'm wont to do every so often...but here I am again, because it's not autumn/winter/Yuletide without Nigel and all of you.

Looking forward to it. We've had the first whisperings of autumn in the air.

Thanks for the thread @RainbowZebraWarrior I'd like to join you please - I bought CC for my DH three or four years ago (he collects anything Christmassy, book-wise) and every year I suggest we sit down together in the run up to Christmas, taking turns to read to each other.

Unfortunately, we've been too busy with renovating a house, selling it and starting on a new (old!) one since then and - whilst we still don't have a finished kitchen or decorated snug to sit in - I'm going to make the effort this year. Just need to dig out a suitable candle!

So looking forward to this I was a first time joiner last year - will dust off my book! Autumn is my favourite season but has been a bit of a rubbish one this year for various reasons looking forward to the start of November now and this lovely thread. Currently on the sofa getting over Covid and nursing my lovely DDog who had a nasty accident with barbed wire so plenty of time to read the intro just what I need right now! Thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior for the thread. Inspired by your candle making on last years thread I've booked a December workshop for myself and DD at a local national trust to make beeswax candles 😊

Ooh, candle making! I used to do that. Lovely. I’m currently trying to dig out my mojo for knitting and crocheting. It’s lovely having indoor hobbies for the winter- especially home making ones like candles!