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. Im looking forward to joining in this year. I have just ordered the book.

I treated myself to a Cire Trudon candle last year. Massive disappointment. Doesn’t burn cleanly or evenly.

Very happy to join again…

Does anyone know where to get Christmas decorations like the ones on pages 11 and 12? I have another beautiful Christmas book that i used to look at with the kids when they were little which is full of christmassy pictures and these kinds of decorations feature heavily in that book. I have always loved them but never seen them anywhere. We usually buy one new decoration every year and i would love this year to get one like that.

Okay, I've seen this thread previously and have wanted to join. I think this might be my year. I'm currently pregnant after a long journey, so I feel like it might be the perfect activity!

If I get the audible version will I miss out on some of the joy?

Oh that's interesting to hear. Sorry that it was a disappointment and hope you find something better this year. I think we expect more (rightly so) when we pay more. I have an anthropologie candle that I paid about £40 for a few years ago and it smokes something terrible.

I know a lot of folk rate White Company. They have a brand new fragrance out, Tonka. The description sounds very Nigel Appropriate. If anyone is interested or plannjng a WC purchase, you can sign up for free to be a club member. You should get sent a 20% off code off your next purchase. I get sent discounts regularly.

I might love you a little bit now. I am reading a library copy of A Thousand Feasts at the moment and was just thinking that I really must get my own copy as it’s lovely, and such a good pairing for CC. And now I have a signed book on the way! Thank you!

Oh hurrah! I was hoping someone here would benefit from me posting when I saw it. Spreading a little Nigel magic already ✨️

@PrizedPickledPopcorn I also like the gold dipped ones and buy one of them every year. They don’t burn evenly though so I even them up with a hot knife when they really annoy me. I buy a lot though tbh, we have a mini candle holder and burn St Eval mini candles throughout the year, switching to winter thyme or inspiritus after the summer. The big gold dipped ones is good value, as is the selection box thing. If you sign up and use the app you get a discount code.

@Owly11 we buy at least one nice Christmas decoration every year too. The vintage style glass ones we’ve bought in recent years have come from local to us/family stately homes.

I'm in and poised to fondle my baubles in due course, even if they were a job lot from Argos 17 years ago rather than whittled by Bavarian peasants.

First time I’ve come across this but sounds right up my street. Will attempt to get hold of a copy. Have too much time on my hands since a life changing accident last December.

I’m following along too, we are moving house 130 miles away, but won’t go until after Christmas . Will enjoy our last Christmas in our current home.
thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior for your input on this and the other threads 🎄

Good morning all. It is a lovely clear day here at the moment after the deluge of yesterday.

Am I right in thinking Nigel writes about traditional Advent calendars? I have a feeling he disdains the chocolate ones. If anyone is interested, here is a lovely thread with lots of recommendations for the traditional ones:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/christmas/5431494-does-anyone-else-still-buy-themselves-a-little-pictures-advent-calendar

@HollyGolightly4 you get a different pleasure with audible- Nigel’s very calm tones delighting in the scenes he describes. We can share the pictures, to give you a hint. I’ll try and remember- do tag me if I forget!

@LibertyLily this morning I thought of you and your DH reading to each other. Such an VN thing to do, but but my DH is NVN and I can’t imagine it happening at all- it’s quite funny in fact. So I will satisfy myself with knowing that out there in the big world there are couples who read to each other!

Thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior for starting a thread on arguably the best topic on MN. I bought a copy of the CC a few years ago solely based on it and have spread the love by giving copies to close friends for Christmas.

I had the chance to sniff the Trudon candles at Liberty a few years ago and came away with something so calming and Christmassy; just right for setting the scene for something Christmassy.

Love this time of year!

Just placemaking until I have time to read the full thread. I've joined in under various names over the years and it's such a lovely thing to do. I managed to get the hardback at a bargain £5 a few years ago but have just surprised and delighted myself by discovering I've also bought the Kindle version at some point which is much easier for reading in bed ☺️

@HollyGolightly4 I also listen to the audible version in the car, it is just lovely.☺️

@AGreenWitch thank you! Will do some hunting around this season.

I have been contemplating buying this for ages and seeing this thread has pushed me to order it.

Will try to join in but life’s chaotic, so apologies if I don’t. Just wanted to say thanks for the push to buy the book!

I've been lucky in the past to grab some vintage ones from ebay. They are obviously very sought after and there's a lot of competition, but I got some that were virtually identical to the ones on that page (as I'd spent every year looking at them longingly) If you have a spare half hour sometime, it's worth a quick search and scroll.

@HollyGolightly4 I post any photos and an excerpt of the text from each entry, so you won't miss out. The Audible version does include a PDF of all the recipes too. I also like to listen whilst in bed as it's very calming.

Hello all, thanks for the thread.I am mostly a lurker, but will try to post when possible.
Just need to unpack my copy…have finally got around to having our floor laid, so the whole house is in complete disarray. Just need to clean up all the dust, decorate, move furniture back, then can settle into my favourite time of year!

Sending gentle hugs and hoping this thread provides some comfort this winter

My husband in NVN. Can I exchange him somewhere? I’d like one that would appreciate vintage Christmas ornaments, read to me, and not say ‘what’s that pong?’, when I light a candle.

Hello, I’d love to join too as I lurked last year. I have far too many Christmas candles after some enthusiastic sales shopping last year, but need to use up the very end of a St Eval Sweet Pea before I can start a new one. I also have last year’s St Eval tea light advent calendar which I’m looking forward to opening throughout December.