Christmas recipe book - Delia or Nigella?

[castlelough]

If I was to purchase one of the above books in preparation for Christmas (never having cooked Christmas dinner before...) which one should I go for?
I'm not looking to veer too much from the traditional fare (for the first attempt anyway!)...
Thanks!

I love the nigella one, I cook from it all year round. Plus the pictures are lovely and get you in the mood.

Personally I always find Delia very reliable, and I love her Christmas book (white cover with red on). I'm not familiar with Nigella's though. Delia's braised red cabbage is lovely and very easy to do.

I see your braised cabbage and raise you a nigellas chestnut soup!

I have them, and love them both. If you want trad, go with Delia. It's exactly as you'd expect: very clear guidance to how to make 'typical' seasonal food.
Nigella's is a bit more 'fun', and the recipes are slightly less traditional.
2nd the Delia red cabbage. Now a must for Xmas dinner and it freezes really well so I am making mine this week!

Ooo, caerlaverock, that sounds lovely! Although dh was telling me earlier that apparently they'll be less chestnuts this year, due to the wet summer.

yes, i love them both too
delia's christmas cake recipe is brilliant (suits my oven in any case)
we cook nigella's cranberry cookies all year round.

I would combine the two

I'd go for Mary Berry - she's uber-reliable and her recipes are far less faff than Delia's.

We have the old Delia Christmas book and the more recent one with the white and red cover. They both have lovely recipes and very reliable.

Neither - Hairy Bikers Christmas book is fab.

Hairy Bikers???

I always imagine finding pubes in the hairy bikers food

Seriously- hairy bikers Christmas is brilliant, their countdown for the day is bang on and delicious, and their chrismas pudding is wonderfu . Great ideas for leftover turkey too.I havent got nigella or delias though, so can't compare.

I've never heard of the Hairy Bikers! Will have a google!

The white Delia one - her sausage roll recipe is fab

Found the Hairy Bikers Christmas at the library today!

Delia is easy to follow, but most of her recipes are available on her website so I'm not sure I'd bother buying the book. That said, I own a big Delia bible so cooked Christmas dinner from that last year.

But Nigella Coke ham is a Winwood Christmas staple now (recipe also available online ) so I'd be tempted by her too.