Charlotte Mackaness doffs her paper hat to a cracking invention that makes each Christmas go with a bang.
Christmas
The best Christmas pudding and brandy butter recipes
The best Christmas pudding and brandy butter is a hard combination to beat. Don’t be alarmed by the lack of precision and for goodness sake, leave the supermarket brandy butter on the shelf. Both are best homemade, and remarkably simple, says Ettie Neil-Gallacher. (However, if you are short of time,…
6 best Christmas puddings for 2022. No stirring required
Preparing the festive feast can be stressful for even the most experienced country cook. So it’s best to know when to opt for shop-bought. If you missed Stir-Up Sunday this year and are still without the inclination to wield the wooden spoon, take your pick of the 6 best Christmas…
Skijoring – a thrilling sport to get involved in
The gates spring open. Twelve thoroughbreds surge forwards through a cloud of snowflakes, a gaggle of neon-clad skiers jostling in their wake as scrabbling hooves hurl snow pellets into the sky. A furlong later and the chaos subsides, the horses settling into a familiar racing pattern as they stretch out…
Who is the real father Christmas?
Folklore, religion and revelry have combined over the centuries to create the festive figure so central to our celebrations today, writes Ettie Neil-Gallacher
Continental Christmas traditions: Christmas, not as we know it
Many may be familiar with the French, Spanish and Italian festive customs, says Ettie Neil-Gallacher, but what about the more unusual continental Christmas traditions? If your festive guest list is looking rather depleted this year, then a goose is a perfect option for the main event. Follow our top tips…
Spiced pear and ginger sauce
Whether you opt for goose, pork, partridge or pheasant for the festive feast this year, ensure the table is groaning with sides says Philippa Davis. This spiced pear and ginger sauce pairs excellently with whatever is making up the festive feast. It can be prepared a few days ahead, and…
Brioche, fig, hazelnut and thyme stuffing
Even if the main event is a little smaller this year due to a depleted guest list, the table should be groaning with sides, says Philippa Davis. Follow this recipe for brioche, fig, hazelnut and thyme stuffing – plus our top tips on ensuring perfection every time. Why not try…
How to cook the perfect goose
With smaller gatherings this year, the larder might not be so outrageously full but the centrepiece should still be impressive, says Philippa Davis. A depleted guest list calls for the perfect goose, and here is how you should cook it. Being inventive with the leftovers is the best part of…
Cathedral choirs: sweet singing in the choir
The boy treble’s solo in Once in Royal David’s City, sounded in a darkened cathedral, is a truly special moment for many. The true start of the festivities commences with cathedral choirs, says Matthew Dennison. Send your festive missives by way of cards with proper country credentials, and support some…