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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2025

1000 replies

RainbowZebraWarrior · 24/10/2025 09:48

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!

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2025
OP posts:
Thread gallery
236
DecktheHallswithCireTrudonSpiritusSancti · 26/10/2025 11:33

@AGreenWitch sorry, I haven't.

Frenzi · 26/10/2025 11:49

I am so pleased I found this thread. I havent seen it on previous years but I will definitely be joining in.

Just ordered my book (no bargains I'm afraid as I want to have it in time).

Is it written in a diary format with a chapter per day read?

I have a good array of candles. Do i need egg nog on the go whilst reading?

SheherazadesSeasonalNonsense · 26/10/2025 12:37

@Frenzi its not every day but the chapters are dated. And eggnog is never a mistake

HollyGolightly4 · 26/10/2025 12:59

There were some excellent candles in my local TK Maxx this morning - St Eval, Sand+Fog, Wax Lyrical. I settled on a sand and fog, winter pine one. My mother in law bought us one for Christmas last year and it was divine! Winter without being Christmas.

On a disappointing note, if convinced myself the nearby Oxfam would have The Christmas Chronicles. Reader, it did not 🤣

Nigellastwinklylights · 26/10/2025 13:16

@sbplanet damn you! 😉. I had promised my DH that I wouldn’t buy any Christmas decorations this year, but those are gorgeous and nothing says ‘Christmas’ like a Japanese frog ornament 😀

sbplanet · 26/10/2025 13:39

Nigellastwinklylights · 26/10/2025 13:16

@sbplanet damn you! 😉. I had promised my DH that I wouldn’t buy any Christmas decorations this year, but those are gorgeous and nothing says ‘Christmas’ like a Japanese frog ornament 😀

It seems very Scrooge, just waiting for the visitations, lol. A Christmas Carol is my very fave Christmas Eve watch. Oops sorry again if it's not a Nigel frog.

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2025
RainbowZebraWarrior · 26/10/2025 14:07

AGreenWitch · 26/10/2025 08:52

@RainbowZebraWarrior we visited Finland for the first time this year and it was amazing.

I don't want to divert attention from Nigel/thread purpose but this book, if you can get hold of a copy, celebrates the seasons. I also dip in and out of it more during the autumn/winter.

That makes me feel very determined to get booked up now!

That books looks fabulous! Any similar vibes welcome here. We are definitely not confined to Nigel. In the past, (from memory) these books have been recommended of a similar vibe. To me, there aren't enough of them out there!

Merry Midwinter

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/merry-midwinter-book-gillian-monks-9781783528424?sku=GOR010205491

The dead of winter

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/dead-of-winter-book-sarah-clegg-9781803511535?sku=GOR013972972

Advent

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Advent-Festive-German-Celebrate-Christmas/dp/1787137260/ref=asc_df_1787137260?mcid=8828b2de9deb3b35b888602f9e94622a&th=1&psc=1&hvocijid=16597798941377078039-1787137260-&hvexpln=74&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16597798941377078039&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9180859&hvtargid=pla-2281435177098&psc=1&gad_source=1

And this one, which has recently come out, The Christmas companion

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Companion-Recipes-inspiration-magical/dp/1526681579/ref=asc_df_1526681579?mcid=c85d1ee42b553fdea439b2b87147ce1e&th=1&psc=1&hvocijid=5784823923254594782-1526681579-&hvexpln=74&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5784823923254594782&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9180859&hvtargid=pla-2281435176618&psc=1&gad_source=1

Merry Midwinter

Celebrating midwinter is not about what you buy or how much you spend - it's about your attitude to life. Turn away from the frenetic consumerism of Christmas and rediscover the authentic and meaningful realities of this, the oldest and most precio...

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/merry-midwinter-book-gillian-monks-9781783528424?sku=GOR010205491

OP posts:
HannahDefoesChristmasHamper · 26/10/2025 14:10

sbplanet · 26/10/2025 10:01

Well I don't know if these are VN or NVN but the email from the BM made them all look fab. I particularly like the sari baubles, the cat and Cleopatra!
BM tree baubles

How very unNigel of me to misread The BM as B&M Bargains 😁

LillianGish · 26/10/2025 14:40

The clocks have gone back so it finally feels like the moment to crack open the Christmas Chronicles - I have Trudon Carmelite at the ready with a Diptyque Baies in reserve. This is my third or possibly even fourth year so I'm wondering if I can possibly find anything new to say, in fact I would love to see if there's a way of viewing the old threads in the archive which would be almost as fascinating to me as the book itself! I do love the intro which is the perfect way to launch into falling temperatures and shorter days, positively embracing the dark evenings. I'm off for a walk in the sunshine before cosying down after dark for some comfort reading.

RainbowZebraWarrior · 26/10/2025 14:50

LillianGish · 26/10/2025 14:40

The clocks have gone back so it finally feels like the moment to crack open the Christmas Chronicles - I have Trudon Carmelite at the ready with a Diptyque Baies in reserve. This is my third or possibly even fourth year so I'm wondering if I can possibly find anything new to say, in fact I would love to see if there's a way of viewing the old threads in the archive which would be almost as fascinating to me as the book itself! I do love the intro which is the perfect way to launch into falling temperatures and shorter days, positively embracing the dark evenings. I'm off for a walk in the sunshine before cosying down after dark for some comfort reading.

This is your fourth or even possibly fifth year as I have hosted in 2023, 2024 and now 2025. You hosted or took over hosting in 2022 when the OP stopped posting and appeared to leave MN.

I have all of the threads saved and pinned. For one, it means that I can actually copy and paste some of the entries. It's also just interesting to look back. Just search for them and they should come up.

You're right what you say. I have a funny feeling that I possibly repeat myself a bit. I know I say the same thing about the sausage and beans dish each year! (And the Apricot Brandy!)

OP posts:
AGreenWitch · 26/10/2025 16:05

Thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior . I bought the Dead of Winter book last year, the others look very good too. I think it is a growing genre, which sort of turns back half a century and reminds me of the Almanac my grandparents always read. A local bookshop had a huge table full of similar books when I went in last month.

Headstand · 26/10/2025 16:43

I was lucky enough to get some quinces from a neighbour this weekend so have made an early start on things with Nigel's quincemeat and thought I would use up some sweet potatoes with the sweet potato bubble and squeak! Love this time of year.

RainbowZebraWarrior · 26/10/2025 17:31

AGreenWitch · 26/10/2025 16:05

Thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior . I bought the Dead of Winter book last year, the others look very good too. I think it is a growing genre, which sort of turns back half a century and reminds me of the Almanac my grandparents always read. A local bookshop had a huge table full of similar books when I went in last month.

Funnily enough, I bought my best friend an Almanac last year for Christmas in a fit of nostalgia. My local library is an absolute goldmine when it comes to books about nature, and I'm currently reading The Blackbird Diaries (I'm a keen birder) I feel like there's not enough dedicated to winter out there on Audible though, so I'm seriously thinking of starting a podcast.

OP posts:
AngelChoirsInstead · 26/10/2025 18:34

HollyGolightly4 · 26/10/2025 12:59

There were some excellent candles in my local TK Maxx this morning - St Eval, Sand+Fog, Wax Lyrical. I settled on a sand and fog, winter pine one. My mother in law bought us one for Christmas last year and it was divine! Winter without being Christmas.

On a disappointing note, if convinced myself the nearby Oxfam would have The Christmas Chronicles. Reader, it did not 🤣

Edited

Ooh, thanks. Might check out my local Homesense. I have seen Sand and Fog candles in the past, but wasn't sure if they were good or not.

Brightermornings · 26/10/2025 18:58

So whilst I was looking at the book links and seeing if fhey were on BorrowBox I came across Agatha Christie midwinter murder. No idea if it is any good I’ve got the audiobook downloaded.

Willow12345 · 26/10/2025 19:06

I always really enjoy Nigel’s Instagram page. As mentioned by @RainbowZebraWarriorhe is in Finland atm.
I’m attaching some of his photos for people not on Instagram.

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2025
The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2025
The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2025
The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2025
The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2025
Willow12345 · 26/10/2025 19:08

@AGreenWitch thank you for the Nordic Magic book recommendation. Looks a perfect browse under a lit candle x

AGreenWitch · 26/10/2025 19:33

You're very welcome @Willow12345 . It is a beautiful book, we try to spend a couple of separate weeks in Sweden every year, I bought it on one of those trips.

An almanac @RainbowZebraWarrior ! They are definitely making a comeback. I'm not a birder, but I am a conservation volunteer at a local nature trust and spend a couple of days a month helping (love it). A podcast is an exciting prospect.

I'm planning on an early night and finishing the introduction before I move onto another book.

Jabtastic · 26/10/2025 20:26

I've ordered this book now because of this thread!

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 26/10/2025 21:04

This could be an expensive thread to join 🤣

But we all like a bit of thrifted recycling too, I’m sure. We had our first proper maybe a frost last night. 3 degrees. And again on Thursday.

I love the seasonality of autumn- the colours, the cooking. I’m always desperate for that first pie or casserole after the summer of salads!

HollyGolightly4 · 26/10/2025 21:23

I really loved them @AngelChoirsInstead ! And decent price at £8.99 in there.

KittyRannaldini · 26/10/2025 22:23

Oh my brother asked me what I would like for Christmas- I'm going to ask for an almanac.

ILoveLukeAlderton · 27/10/2025 07:16

I’m sure it’s been mentioned before but for anyone who hasn’t heard of it I thoroughly recommend the As The Season Turns Podcast by Lia Leenderz the author of the Almanac. It’s a lovely gentle listen very much in the spirit of the thread.

RainbowZebraWarrior · 27/10/2025 07:34

ILoveLukeAlderton · 27/10/2025 07:16

I’m sure it’s been mentioned before but for anyone who hasn’t heard of it I thoroughly recommend the As The Season Turns Podcast by Lia Leenderz the author of the Almanac. It’s a lovely gentle listen very much in the spirit of the thread.

Thank you so much for this. I've just spent half an hour scrolling through Audible looking for something to listen to.

OP posts:
LatteLady · 27/10/2025 07:51

On the train to work and looking for a copy. Thanks so much for the thread @RainbowZebraWarrior. I am carving a slot out with my pre work coffee to stop the mindless scrolling.

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