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!

sorry to be a complete novice - what’s the book like, please? Am interested as love Nigel but wasn’t sure if its recipes or more of a novel. Sorry if i should be googling this!

I’m delurking and planning to join you this year. Thank you for setting up the thread @RainbowZebraWarriorand for the timely reminder to try to carve out a little bit of time for reading and candles over the coming months.

Oh yes, I was just thinking about this today! I may have already baked my first orange and poppy seed cake 😁

@Cymbalsimba it is a lovely book, beautifully bound, lovely photos and nice paper. Something you’ll love (my DD has already staked her claim on my book).

It is a nostalgic walk through winter, the British countryside, his childhood, life, folklore, recipes and general love of the season. I don’t cook hugely from it now as my DC are only here in reading weeks/holidays but I still enjoy reading it.

Thank you @AGreenWitch - I’m inspired to find a copy based on that.

It is basically a love letter to Christmas and winter. It starts on 1st November and there are entries for most days up until 2 February. There are lots of recipes too. It really is the loveliest book.

There’s a bit of a preview on Google @Cymbalsimba , 65 pages apparently.

Thank you to those who gave St Eval suggestions - I will keep an eye out!

I'm so sorry to hear you've had awful news today. I do hope you can find some small solace and comfort in this thread. Sending gentle hugs and thinking of you

Hello! I have the book (I've been ignoring it since buying it on publication); I have a new St Eval Inspiritus candle; I would love to join you.
Sadlly I'm away for the first week in November and my Christmas plans are still... fluid..., but I'll try to keep up and not just lurk. I think this may be just what I need. Excited!

I'm sorry to hear that. Hoping this thread helps a bit x

Thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior, I've come to bed fully armed.

Is there a particular inspiritus you’d recommend? I’m suffering decision fatigue between the advent calendar, night lights, tins and pillars!

This thread got me through a tough autumn 23, then I think I just lurked last year. So pleased to see it back again, thanks so much @RainbowZebraWarrior.

For the second year running I thought ...those candles can't possibly be as expensive as I remember them being, checked and...oh yes they can. Surely even Nigel isn't buying them now? I think I went White Company Winter last year and that worked for me.

Very much looking forward to sharing the long evenings in good company.

Yay! Joining in again.
My house and cooking are sadly NVN but I love CC for the pure escapism!

Pulls up a chair and settles in.....

I was so keen to join last year and delighted to find the book in Oxfam for £4.99. I didn’t join in in the end but will this year. Thank you.

Helloooo
Thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior for the thread and the care you take over rhem.

For anyone dealing with some of life's knocks I hope you find the thread comforting and restorative.

Just to echo that nobody is marking our homework and if fine to join in however you want to.

Last year, I'm not sure I opened the book but still enjoyed reading the thread.

This year will be my first as a non vegetarian after over 40 years so looking forward to trying more of the recipes.

@RainbowZebraWarrior Thank you for setting up this thread- really looking forward to this year- have a lot less time for any relaxation apart from sleeping so have got the audible book this year- so looking forward to Nigel’s dulcet tones through my earbuds. Also love your candles btw!

Yay! Love it when it's Christmas Chronicles time. I also use it as a prompt to start Christmas pudding making, so I'd better make sure I have everything I need. Many of you already know that my mincemeat 'making' is very speedy, so I won't worry about that just yet.

Sending warm hugs to those for whom life is not so good right now.

I’m already over invested, I thought of ‘paper white skies’ this morning as the sky began to lightened on the horizon.

I said the same to DS who I was driving to the train station - ‘alright Nigel’ was his reply 😂. My kids know me too well.

Don’t like mincemeat but hope that’s not a bar to participation!

I think it's purely just personal preference. Some posters have said in the past how they love a tealight as you can burn one each evening. I like something more substantial / pretty to look at, so I have the tins and also some lovely pots that they have done in the past. The gold dipped ones look beautiful and I keep meaning to treat myself.

Definitely not a bar to participation. Plenty of other festive recipes to enjoy. I don't like mincemeat myself much, but I quite like making it. I think it's a little bit like Nigella always says about making risotto. It's the comforting and rhythmic stirring. (I think she actually calls it mindless repetitive activity) 😊

Ohh I’m in !
love these threads , am nvn , but will light a candle ! I’m on the lookout for a rhubarb one , which I suspect could be VN .

St. Eval do a lovely wild rhubarb one. Weirdly enough, I've just seen one (in a tin) for £9 on Vinted. I think they are usually £15.

Also just seen someone has listed a signed copy of A Thousand Feasts for a fiver if anyone is looking for it.