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!

I'm from Somerset originally, and the first smell that springs to mind wouldn't make for a nice candle 😂

I am getting there! My CC turned up, and I've started reading the introduction (right before child 1 had a massive tantrum and sent a load of plants flying by slamming the door) and I have ordered a candle (I wasn't going to bother - I'm not a candle person but I do like fire light and candles are the closest I'm going to get to that for the foreseeable). Now I know I can listen - at least to the intro - on spotify I have found it and will listen later.

Candle-wise, I've gone for this, in fir: https://www.pottcandles.com/collections/choose-your-standard-pott/products/christmas-standard-candle Hope it will be ok, because as I say, not usually a candle person.

Oh, and, @KittyRannaldini - you're fooling no one - you will definitely buy more wool before your stash is used up 😂 (no judgement - I have made the self-same promise to myself many times - and never kept it. But I do have lots of amazing yarn). I'm about 1/8th of the way through my first Christmas jumper and have two more to do. Two of the three have to be finished (as I don't have other presents) so it's not looking great for my sleep (I'm a S L O W knitter).

Holy crap 😱. Also they need to find a better translator, the Englaih name for this scent is Ancient Stone Walls, where as an accurate translation would actually be Damp Old Walls. Maybe I should send them my CV.

Never mind Cire Trudon...what about Nigel's very own candle collaboration/creation! What was it, £200 or something?

The Feast one from last year? I'm still trying to find one of those. It was a very fleeting collab that he had with Perfumer H. £180 IIRC

I've just happened upon this much more afdordable option on ebay. It can be personalised with anything so this is just an example. It's a pretty decent 300g for the price (although the candle itself is vanilla scented which may not suit all) The beauty for me though is that I would refill it again and again. I'm tempted for myself, but moreso for my DD who loves Autumn (and its her birthday in 3 weeks)

ETA it's 150g / 30 hrs burn time

Exactly so - though I seem to recall an interview with him in the Financial Times at the time saying he had a horror of commercialism (or words to that effect), causing DH to choke on his cornflakes. I did make a pilgrimage to the Perfumer H shop in the Marais last year to sniff said candle which from memory was pleasant, but unremarkable. None of the staff in the shop seemed to have a clue who Nigel was, but they thought it wonderful that I had made a special trip (and there was certainly no pressure to make a purchase). The fact that his entire Feast range seems to have sold out says it all I suppose though DH has never forgiven him and is now less tolerant of my Nigel love.

OK, I am going to drag things down, I shall pop into TK Maxx at the weekend and find the right scent although I am currently burning my way through a delightfully orange scented candle.

And, the actual physical copy of the book arrived this morning, but I did iron to the Audible copy last night, just a pile of PJs for this evening... Thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior This thread is a real delight.

Got my copy at the ready. Can I join in?

I am hopping onto this thread as it all sounds very wonderful! I purchased the book last year, inspired by this thread but didn’t get far due to various reasons.

this year, I’m hoping to find some time and space to enjoy the book and the thread.

Also spotted the book is on Spotify premium so have downloaded that for some nighttime listening. I will no doubt snooze through great chunks of it but I will no doubt fill the gaps as I read through the book itself.

The apricot brandy and turkey fennel meatballs are sounding very appealing.

I have to admit to thinking that Nigel himself really belonged on the Poncey Christmas thread! But I'm staying here as you guys do Nige better than Nige. ;)

I took the DC today for a tourist walk through our nearest city, past some "damp old walls", and along the river.
We've spent approx 6-8 hours a day outside, these last 3 days. It's been a much needed antidote to school (for them and me!)

I have the last of the apples from the garden to preserve. Have made apple butter, Christmas chutney, apple and quince jelly, apple cake, apple crumble, apple and bramble jelly, and pickled apples.

I have 1 batch of Boxing day chutney left to make.

I've just bought some St Eval Winter Thyme candles from Vinted. Quite excited!

You might be close to me then Mummysandwich. They are local (ish) to me but no shops nearby.

Derbyshire Dales here. Very touristy part of it sadly! Lovely place but April to October we are inundated with tourists and October is the dogs worst months because of the fireworks every weekend (if you know, you know lol)

Oh - and my DH never approves if a candle but I just ignore him lol.

So book is on its way. Candle is chosen. Drink will be with red wine or hot chocolate dependant on the mood that takes me.

Next big question- do I read in silence or is there a recommended play list to read along to?

This thread is my ultimate comfort read - almost more so than CC itself. To be honest though - eyewateringly expensive candles aside - Nigel’s approach is the antithesis to going out and buying loads of new stuff - he’s more about treasuring what you have. His house is very pared down and almost monastic in its simplicity - he actually inspires me to chuck stuff out rather than acquire more. More importantly he has taught me to really relish winter, embrace the darkness, snuggle up against the cold, cosy up by candlelight and enjoy all that the season has to offer - dreaming of Christmas markets and snowfall rather than winter sun. I love that line in the introduction about the season turning in the space of an afternoon and thought about just that as I sat on a cafe terrace last night after the theatre with my gloves on, enjoying the golden light that glows from the windows like a Russian icon on a museum wall.

Absolutely agree @LillianGish I sat and read it last night and it was so calming and “cleansing”. Particularly for our current sadness. Loving that photo.

@WeMeetInFairIthiliendid the walls smell nice? 😂

@Frenzi Matlock Bath by any chance?!
I’m in Staffordshire, on the border with Derbyshire. For some reason everywhere I’ve lived has been edge of a county - previously
on the Surrey/Berkshire border.

@LillianGishthat sums it up so well. I’m really trying to lean in to that feeling of contentment and finding the joy in simple things, and making the most of what I already have rather than accumulating more. It’s cold and drizzly here today so will enjoy putting on some lovely socks which I normally save ‘for best’ to walk DDog and having a cup of camomile tea when I get back rather than (another) cup of coffee.

This is the nicest thread on Mumsnet and I'm very happy to be here! I'm loving all the photos.

It's NVN and probably belongs on Style and Beauty but I found the most perfect winter coat yesterday - it fits like a glove, wasn't too expensive and makes me feel like Claudia in the Traitors - I don't watch it but I love her clothes. Like most people I'm trying to watch the pennies and not buy things I don't need but if something makes me feel that good I think it's worth the money - I'll call it a bit of winter self care!

Hello everyone, I'm really enjoying being on this thread 😊.

I've got my eye on a couple of troughs in the garden to tidy up on my break at lunchtime today, followed by a cup of miso soup. It is quite a grey day here.

I have noticed that Nigel makes me reframe cold grey winter days, instead of something to avoid, I definitely get back into recognising the value of spending an extra half an hour outside each day. Pre Nigel I would have some lunch, sit down and read the Times. Then the daylight would be gone and I'd finish work and think I'd like to spend half an hour in the garden but I can't, so I'd sit down and read the Times 😂.

In the spirit of CC I am making a version of this salmon and sprout dish for dinner, I love sprouts, absolutely love them. I rarely stick to a recipe though, I think I will use pancetta and shallots and serve it with baked potatoes with a bit of creme fraiche.

I did-well remembered-on a care farm. I LOVE it!

I’ve got the Derbyshire candle from Hime Counties candles-(I’m originally from the Peak District-I grew up quite near Chatsworth which was the luck of my life)-it’s a lovely candle and I also loved the packaging. I’ve got one for my SIL for her 50th too

Heheh yes that made me chuckle at the time, and again today!

I think he sometimes loses touch with just how out of touch he is...but I don't hold it against him.