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!

@TaupeRaven Have they read the JRR Tolkien, Letters from Father Christmas... a set of his letters to his children complete with little watercolours that he did... I think it counts as fiction, as the letters come from Santa. If you have enough time, it is a lovely read to be done with a pot of coffee or tea and a plate of freshly baked sausage rolls and mince pies.

Nice to see you back @GlomOfNit. Why not take inspiration from Nigel to get rid of stuff rather than acquiring more? I find he's very good for that - no need to buy anything else, sort through what you already have to find the things you really love and commit to getting rid of some of the clutter to let the best bits shine. Start by creating a little Nigelesque corner - maybe just an armchair with a cosy throw and a little table for a lamp and a candle where you can snuggle up and read a chapter. I think Nigel would have no problem with a slight whiff of damp - indeed he would select a candle with a whiff of old stone and moss with the intention of creating that very vibe, so you are already halfway there.

Oh my word, I can’t believe it’s time again. Thank you @RainbowZebraWarriorfor starting the new thread and the great idea on the audiobook. I have a few credits on audible so have purchased. It will be nice to listen to Nigel on the dark drive to work.

@TaupeRaven I wasn't sure if you were asking for book suggestions or other activities, but if it's the latter, what about making some Christmas decorations together - bunting, garland, tree decorations, something like that?

It WILL all be ok!
I would think Nigel has the resource to get a man in to deal with his damp and cracks and doesn’t think of them much more than that . Mere mortals must faff about with DIY etc. Deal with one issue at a time I would-and see where you get to. Nothing is going to happen if it’s not done by Christmas-just stick some fairy lights over the worst bit and ignore it I would x

A very Monday-ish Monday here, not feeling great (I think it's lingering COVID fatigue) and plodding through work, but cosied up for the evening now catching up with all your lovely photos etc. Picked up these very seasonal wax melts at the weekend and have the November Nights on the go - which is strangely the smokiest of the three (I can't work out what 'Fireplace' actual smells of) - along with the gas fire on for a little while for a nice glow.

I've been dipping in and out of your thread over the last few days. I'd never heard of Nigel Slater or his Christmas Chronicles before last week (!)
But you lot have sold me on it!
It's a very good friend's birthday and I thought about getting him this book and a few other related items. He doesn't drink but I imagine he'd love a very quality candle (he likes the finer things in life!)
Anything else you guys can think of as a kind of hamper-esque present? And any candle suggestions?

Hello @GlomOfNit please also consider the point of view of a person seeing your living space as not cluttered but homely, eclectic, artistic and full of love.

Nigel’s damp cracks. The hidden side of aestheticism. Like the magic kingdom worker having a crafty fag round the back of Cinderella’s castle.

Thank you so much @RainbowZebraWarrior and @piscofrisco 😊 Just out of sight, things look slightly less cosy nook/more building site 😆

@GlomOfNit I do hope your roofers/builders/plasterers turn up as planned next week! Fairy lights over any unfinished bits as suggested by @piscofrisco sounds like something I shall be adopting if our boiler fails to be fitted and we're still using our makeshift tap come the big day!

Most wonderful occurrence today; senior dog, who is 16.5, insisted on coming on the pre-school dog walk. He’s rarely up for it now but he refused to stay put and waddled out enthusiastically if arthritically. True I carried him most of the way but junior dog (who is 10 so not that junior) and I really miss him on our walks (junior dog has to stay on lead until we’re a good 0.75 miles from house otherwise he legs it home to senior dog). It was just joyous to have him with us. Also caught up with CC while listening to the radio version of Yes, Minister. It’s been a good day.

Thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior for setting this up again. I’m delurking to say this will be my 4th year doing this. DH bought me a Trudon candle for my birthday as a result of me chuntering about Nigel and his candle cupboard. I haven’t lit it yet and just keep sniffing the box 😊. Really looking forward to seeing what everyone else on the thread cooks as we progress towards Christmas.

@LibertyLily and @GlomOfNit solidarity in the face of builders. We are decidedly NvN as the house is hung all over with dust sheets. New kitchen started to go in today and I’m resolutely envisaging the finished room, rather than the amount of dusting with a shovel that will be required on the way!

I have lit a candle and am taking a moment with a hot water bottle. Our only water supply downstairs (apart from the sink in the loo) is the outside tap, so filling a bucket for washing up is an interesting process. Days until a working kitchen tap: T-11

I’ve just had a lovely 5 minutes labelling some of my jams and chutneys. The ones I’ve managed to not eat yet! I reckon that’s pretty Nigelish… I’ve never made chutney until this year and I can’t believe how easy and delicious they are! I’ve got lots of apples left so will be making some more. My mum has had a bumper crop and is desperate for me to use them up. The labels are from Sostrene Grene and were just right.

Welcome new joiners and previous lurkers. Great to have you on board.

Candle wise, @JG24 it really depends on budget. There's everything from Trudon to Diptique to £1 wonders from Tesco. If you want to spoil your friend, then Diptyque Feu de bois or the beautiful holiday edition of Sapin would be my go to. This year's offering comes in a gorgeous gold glass container. I took this photo in Fenwick today.

I had an email back from the library. We have a stall indoors free of charge on the Christmas Market weekend. I think this is largely courtesy of the fact that my Dad has been the council's go to for anyone who has had a swarm of bees for the past 40 years. Beats paying £300 for a stall outdoors, that's for sure.

It's so windy here tonight. Grateful to be indoors and warm and cosy that's for sure.

Thank you, that's really helpful, i'll have a browse of these and enjoy the rest of the thread

@JG24my finest gifting success was two beautiful cheese knives for my husband. I bought them 20 years ago and he never fails to thank me whenever he uses them. I think cheese knives would be a very Nigel gift.

I'm just settling down with a blanket and a book and I am delighted, nay ecstatic, to find that the Radio 3 mindful mix choral Christmas is back on BBC sounds. It is nearly 3 hours of gorgeous festive music. I think Nigel would heartily approve.

I've got a nice short week this week as I have some annual leave and DH and I are of to the Wye Valley for a long weekend to celebrate him entering the last year of his 50s. I am very much hoping for some candle sniffing in quirky shops and some ancient stone bothering at Goodrich Castle and Tintern Abbey.

@TaupeRaven how about poems instead of a book?

https://www.anasampson.co.uk/blog/christmas-poems-w3yck

I've made a loaf of buttermilk bread and finished one glove- lots of interruptions but still quite quick.
Going to put the last of the apples I've picked and a couple of quinces to cook for jelly in a moment.
I don't have a fancy house- fancy anything, really- it's a tiny council flat full of toys and accumulated junk; but it's lovely in autumn and winter with the curtains drawn and the lamp on. I got some lovely fragrance oil and I've got it simmering away in the corner.

Just finished making my Parkin. I am going to leave it for a couple of days at least to mature but had to have a wee taste to make sure I hadn't made a muck up. It's very tasty

We took DH's parkin to work, it had very mixed reactions (doesn't exist here), I thought it was lovely!
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who likes the Netflix fireplace, DH and DD think I'm mad when I have it on.
I too have a cluttered house, I try and keep the sitting room as nice as possible, lighting is key to get a cosy atmosphere (low side lights hide a multitude of sins, we very rarely have the big light on).
We also have a leaky roof and very damp walls, we just bleach the walls from time to time and mop up any leaks as they appear. We've still got a couple of years left on the mortgage then we'll be able to get the necessary repairs done properly. So long as you air your rooms for 5 minutes every day it's fine, loads of people are in a similar situation. Despite all this I LOVE our house (DH not so much 😅).

As in DH doesn't love the house, not I don't love DH 😂 DH is perfect!

I’m watching my favourite Christmas film A Christmas Carol the version with Albert Finney and Alec Guiness 😬

🎶 Thank you very much, thank you very much, that's the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for me 🎶

I also love the Alastair Simm version. And the Muppet version!

😃