Innholdsfortegnelse for Complete Guide to Christmas 2016 i Ideal Home

Okay, I admit it; I’m a planner – I always have been. I am Queen of Lists in our house, always ready with notebook and favourite pen to hand. I’d argue this desire to be organised is not control-freakery, but about making sure we enjoy every moment, especially at Christmas time. Because, of course, Christmas isn’t one day – it’s a whole string of events and celebrations involving different people. I love the run up – buying gifts, doing something special with my girlfriends, enjoying a bit of festive cheer with my neighbours – and I don’t think any of us ever outgrow the excitement of Christmas Eve! I’m a big fan of those spontaneous days between Christmas and New Year, too; days filled with long walks with friends, pub…

1 GLASS HOUSE Tap into the terrarium trend for a centrepiece with a difference. Fill with miniature floral arrangements and baubles to give it a Christmassy twist. 2 DIY WREATH Tie herbs into a wreath for a great decoration that’s practical as well as pretty. Choose hardy herbs with woody stems such as bay and rosemary for long-lasting results. 3 LEAFY COLLAR Add colour and texture to a pillar candle with a collar of foliage, secured in place with florist wire. Cover the ends with ribbon for a neat finish. 4 FILL A TROUGH Take a relaxed approach to table centres by laying colourful moss and woodland foliage in mini troughs or a row of loaf tins. They’ll be easy to move from the table when more space is needed…

LONG-LASTING COLOUR Red berry wreath, £60, Linea range, House of Fraser FOR A RETRO TABLE Festive Family placemat, £3.95, Dotcomgiftshop ONE TO TREASURE Santa tree decoration, £3, B&Q CUTE AND KITSCH Vintage glass-dome decoration, £15, The Contemporary Home ALPINE INSPIRATION Vintage wooden sledge, £99, Nordic House TRADITIONAL STYLE Starry Night Christmas stocking, £14, Sophie Allport PAPER MAGIC Christmas tree, £3.75, Acorn & Will BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL Red and green bauble, £3.99, Dobbies Garden Centres FESTIVE CLASSIC Guard nutcracker, £12, Matalan SEEING STARS Mini cracker, £8 for four, George Home A CHRISTMAS COMFORT Christmas tapestry cushion, £12, Next STRAIGHT FROM SANTA The Sidney sack, £17, The Handmade Christmas Co range, John Lewis…

“Our building is tucked away in a courtyard, so it’s an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The apartment’s layout was a big draw for us. It’s on one level with a long corridor, so we could see the children would have lots of space to play. ” Catherine Turner lives with her husband Jonathan Eaton, and their children, William and Emilia. Catherine owns an online bicycle store and Jonathan works in pharmaceuticals. THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom apartment in a 19th-century Haussmann block, in the 7th Arrondissement of Paris.…

Pink has been the rising star of the colour chart for the past year or two, with Rose Quartz named ‘colour of 2016’. It’s all about soft, chalky shades – think of dried plaster or the colour of calamine lotion. So soft are these shades, you can use them as neutrals, bringing warmth to shades of cool grey, or as a stylish accent with caramel and gold tones or striking dark green or teal. BOUDOIR CHIC ‘Pretty in pink’ it may be, but the mood-enhancing effects of this colour are soothing, nurturing and calming, making this the perfect choice for a bedroom. Not ready to commit to rosy walls? Don’t worry – the bed is such a dominant feature that adding new linen can completely transform the feel of a…

Easy know-how Experience vouchers and gift memberships are a big trend this year – our favourites include the National Trust and Art Fund THE PERFECT GIFT Subscribe to Ideal Home from only £24.99 – that’s a great saving of 49%! Call 0330 333 1113 and quote code CDT6 or visit magazinesdirect.com/  CDT6 WATCH A VIDEO OF HOW TO MAKE FAVOUR BOXES AT housetohome.co.uk/christmas…

1 Natural beauties One Day Christmas Course, Tallulah Rose Flower School, Bath (01225 425998; tallulahroseflowers.com ) Create a gorgeous wreath and winter garland. Date: Friday 2 December Price: £150 (includes materials, tea/coffee, mince pie and a glass of fizz) 2 IT’S A WRAP Creative Christmas Gift Wrapping, More Pretty Things, various locations and dates in South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and Derbyshire (01226 492770; moreprettythings.co.uk ) Master some pro giftwrap techniques to give presents the wow factor. Find out how to wrap awkward shapes such as bottles, make gift bags and tie beautiful bows. Price: £70 (includes materials, drinks and a light lunch) 3 THE GOLDEN TOUCH Gold Gilded Glass Baubles, West Dean College, West Sussex (01243 818291; westdean.org.uk ) Learn how…

MINIATURE FRUITCAKES £19.95 for 500g, Bettys This trio of cakes includes an iced fruitcake, a ginger and walnut cake with a fruit topping and a spiced fruitcake finished with marzipan. 12-MONTH MATURED CHRISTMAS CAKE £16 for 1.6kg, Sainsbury’s Laced with French cognac and matured for a year, this cake is covered with gold lustre icing. HAND-DECORATED GOLDEN HOLLY CHRISTMAS CAKE £18 for 1.4kg, Marks & Spencer An all-butter fruitcake with brandy and almonds, topped with beautiful, shimmering soft-icing decorations.…

You can’t resist the temptation to use this classic Christmas look somewhere in the house. From a traditional wreath on the front door to a majestic twinkling tree, it’s all about celebrating a special magic that only comes once a year. Nostalgic charm is a big look this year, inviting us all to get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy the celebrations. MAKE IT FUN The good news is, you really can’t overdo this look – for this theme, more really is more! Get the vintage decorations down from the loft, then add in extras that will surely be new favourites for years to come. Choose traditional colours, such as red, gold and green, for baubles, accessories and cushions, and don’t forget those all-important Christmas jumpers! Add plenty of sparkly…

FULL HOUSE A family favourite complete with 100 bingo sheets. We love the retro-style number cards, featuring classic bingo calls, such as ‘17: dancing queen!’ 4+ players, suitable for ages 8+. Family bingo, £10, Marks & Spencer TAKE THE STAGE With 140 cards featuring 700 instructions, this dramatic game will keep everyone entertained. 4+ players, suitable for ages 10+. Ridley’s Games Room classic charades, £7.96, Amazon.co.uk JOIN THE DOTS Beautifully tactile, this sleek domino set made of polished wood with brass insets has traditional good looks. 2+ players, suitable for ages 5+. Monroe domino set, £44, Artisanti ON A ROLL This stylish backgammon set rolls up to travel with you, with the checkers stored safely inside a zipped pouch. 2 players, suitable for ages 12+. Ted Baker backgammon…

Pomegranate & sloe gin sparklers Serves 16 (two rounds of eight) Takes 10min 250ml sloe gin, chilled • 250ml pomegranate juice, chilled • 3tbsp pomegranate seeds • 750ml bottle Prosecco or Champagne, chilled 1 Put a dash of sloe gin, a splash of pomegranate juice and a few pomegranate seeds into each of eight Champagne glasses. Slowly top up with Prosecco or Champagne. Repeat for a second round. Gorgonzola biscuits with quince & chicory Makes About 24 Takes 25min, plus chilling and cooling time FOR THE BISCUITS • 150g Gorgonzola Piccante • 100g chilled lightly salted butter, cubed • 100g plain flour • 1tsp wholegrain mustard • ½tsp coarsely ground black pepper TO SERVE • 75g quince paste (membrillo) • 1 bulb of red or white chicory, trimmed and sliced 1 Finely chop or crumble 50g Gorgonzola, then…

FULL BORDEAUX Château Coufran 2004, £16.99, Majestic This mature red has a soft but full feel, combining gentle bramble and ripe plum flavours with smooth tannins – a good partner for firm cheeses. CRISP WHITE Leyda Valley Sauvignon Blanc, £6.99, Truly Irresistible range, Co-op A premium Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, this is full of fresh limes, gooseberries and grapefruit, with herbal and grassy notes. It’s a great price, too. PASS THE PORT Vintage Port, £20, Taste The Difference range, Sainsbury’s Rich and intense, this full-bodied port from Portugal’s Douro Valley complements more mature hard cheeses and Stilton beautifully. SWEET TREAT De Bortoli Reserve Botrytis Semillon, £7, Morrisons A delicious dessert wine, with echoes of citrus, peach, pear, nectarine and honey and attractive oak aromas. A delicious partner for strong blue cheeses.…

THE GRASMERE HAMPER, £59.99, LAKELAND A Cole’s Christmas pud, brandy-butter popcorn, gourmet chocolate, cheddar-cheese twists and blackcurrant curd are a few highlights of this beautiful hamper packed with luxurious treats. DUCHY ORGANIC HAMPER, £100, WAITROSE This hamper is packed with 16 foodie favourites, including classic teas, preserves, biscuits, all-butter shortbread, Christmas pudding and ales – all organic, all delicious. THE YULETIDE HAMPER, £250, DAYLESFORD This top-quality hamper includes an organic smoked ham, Scottish smoked salmon, Christmas pudding, Daylesford wine, and all manner of pâtés, chutneys and cheeses.…

Smoked haddock, pancetta & Gruyère tart Serves 8 Takes 1hr 10min plus chilling time 350g ready-made shortcrust pastry, rolled out to a 36cm x 12cm rectangle • 350g smoked haddock, skinned • 150g pancetta, cubed • 1tbsp olive oil • 4 egg yolks • 250ml double cream• 175g Gruyère, grated 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/ Gas 6. Line a 36cm x 12cm greased tart tin with the pastry, trim the edges, then chill in the fridge for 30min. Remove from the fridge and blind bake for 20min, then set aside to cool. Reduce the oven to 170°C/340°F/Gas 3. 2 Poach the smoked haddock in water for around 10min or until it’s just cooked. Meanwhile, fry the pancetta in the oil until crispy, then drain on kitchen paper. Mix the egg yolks and cream, and…

Ruby red punch Serves 12-15 1 bottle of red wine • 4 cinnamon sticks • 8 star anise • 400ml ruby port • 400ml vodka • 1ltr soda water • 3 tangerines, sliced Pour two-thirds of the bottle of wine into a pan, then add the cinnamon sticks and star anise. Heat gently until very hot but not boiling, then remove from the heat and leave to cool. Pour into a punch bowl and stir in the port, vodka and remaining wine. Top up with soda water and add the tangerine slices. Serve at room temperature. Stilton & cider bakes with parsnip chips Serves 8 Takes 55min 1kg small parsnips, peeled • 3tbsp mild olive or vegetable oil • 300g Stilton • 250ml strong cider • 200ml single cream • 2tbsp finely chopped parsley • 1tbsp finely chopped thyme, plus…

Snowflake saucers YOU WILL NEED  Disposable plastic tray • PVA glue • Balloons • Crocheted lace doilies • Paintbrush • Glass tealight holders 1 In the tray, mix a dollop of glue with a little water to thin it to the consistency of single cream. 2 Blow up a balloon to medium size and support it by standing it in a glass, tied-end down. Place the doily on top of the balloon and check that it fits nicely to give a gentle curve. 3 Using a brush, evenly coat the doily with a layer of the thinned glue and leave to dry. 4 When the doily is dry and feels firm, pop the balloon and pull it away from the inside of the doily. Sit a glass tealight holder inside the doily saucer. Tealight trim…

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR Getting out of the house – even if it’s just for an hour – is akin to hitting the reset button. Expectations and excitement levels can run high at this time of year, while patience takes a bit of a tumble. Stepping outside gives everyone a chance to pause, find some space and let off steam, returning home refreshed and revived. Find local walks to download and print at walkinginengland.co.uk…

Simple styling Realistic fake trees make an impressive main or second tree. Invest in the best you can afford with lots of branches for a full look THE PERFECT GIFT Subscribe to Ideal Home from only £24.99 – that’s a great saving of 49%! Call 0330 333 1113 and quote code CDT6 or visit magazinesdirect.com/  CDT6…

BROWN-PAPER PACKAGES Papel paper tree decorations, £15 for four, Nkuku range, Amara GLASS WONDERLAND Snow globe decoration, £25, Marks & Spencer ROUGH WITH THE SMOOTH Stoneware jug, £14.99; mug, £7.99; both H&M TEXTURE FOR THE TABLE Grey felt placemat, £15, House of Fraser FOR A FEEL-GOOD GLOW Chimney lanterns, from £12 each, The White Company SOFTLY DOES IT Kudo faux-fur cushion, £35, Furniture Village SNOW-KISSED FINISH Flock pre-lit downswept 6ft pine tree, £180, Very SUBTLE PATTERN Geo dinnerware, £40 for a 12-piece set, Next NORDIC KNIT Fair Isle knitted stocking, £30, The White Company WEATHERED WOOD Wooden advent house, £35, Next INSPIRED BY NATURE Tree bark crackers, £32 for four, Hedgehog SILVERY FOLIAGE Snowy eucalyptus wreath, £40, Snowshill range, John Lewis…

1 WARM WELCOME Add baubles to your front-door wreath for a flash of colour. Tie them onto lengths of thread and hang above and below your wreath – groups of odd numbers work best and is the stylist’s favourite trick. 2 GO FOLIAGE FREE Create all out shimmer and sparkle by replacing the traditional foliage garland on the mantelpiece with a mix-and-match display of beautiful glass baubles. Give it a focal point with a star or wreath and add height with candles. 3 PACK A CASE Bags, boxes and mini suitcases make a creative base for a display. Mix baubles of different shapes, colours and finishes, using dots of Blu-Tack to secure them in place if necessary. 4 HANG A WREATH FROM THE CEILING Bring a sense of occasion to…

‘ I love to balance antique furniture and modern pieces against a muted backdrop ’ We relocated from London to Paris seven years ago for Jonathan’s work. Decorating a rented home is common in Europe, where properties are often let without any fittings in place. We had to decorate this apartment from scratch. A clutter-free environment creates calm. I’m a bit of a minimalist. Our family mantra is to have out only the things you love and need most – everything else can be stowed away. We have large fitted cupboards in every room, so the things that are stored are still accessible. Muted colours make for a soothing backdrop. We’ve painted the walls in soft whites and pale greys to help highlight the apartment’s architectural features. I wanted…

1 TEAM GOLD WITH CHOCOLATE For a sophisticated and luxe table setting, partner glossy gold with shades of brown and brass – from rich and dark chocolate hues to soft latte shades. 2 A TOUCH OF GLAMOUR A stunning Art Deco-inspired wallpaper in gold is the perfect backdrop for an upscale drinks area. Ornate candle holders, a vintage cake stand and gold-leaf wreath will make sure this look is timeless. 3 PLAY WITH NATURAL LIGHT A window can act as a frame for a large-scale festive display. Hang a branch in the window so that it’s silhouetted by the light behind, drape white fairy lights on the frame and add decorations in gold to twinkle in the light. 4 LAYER UP TABLEWARE Gold chargers under white plates will mirror the…

More Home Comforts (£20, Quadrille) Buy James Martin’s book at the special price of £15 (including mainland UK p&p) by calling 01256 302 699 and quoting code JI9. The Violet Bakery Cookbook (£20, Pavilion) Buy Claire Ptak’s book at the special price of £16 (including mainland UK p&p) by calling 01206 255777 and quoting code IDEALVIOLET. Bee’s Brilliant Biscuits (£12.99, Pavilion). Buy Bee Berrie’s book at the special price of £10 (including mainland UK p&p) by calling 0141 306 3296 and quoting code CH1971.…

STAR SUPPLIER Butcher Donald Russell (donaldrussell.com) has been supplying the Royal Household and Michelin-starred restaurants for more than 40 years. Its Ultimate Christmas Box, £98.50, contains a 5kg bronze turkey, sausage meat, bacon, pigs in blankets and a Mosimann’s Christmas pudding. Order by 21 December. GOOD CATCH Enjoy fresh seafood delivered to your door the next working day from award-winning Yorkshire fishery, The Whitby Catch (thewhitbycatch.co.uk). Check out the hampers – the Whitby Lobster/Seafood hamper contains a whole lobster, prawns, cockles, mussels, crayfish tails and tiger prawn tails for £34.95. Order by 22 December. WILD THING Rick Stein, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Jimmy Doherty are all fans of The Wild Meat Company (wild meat.co.uk), which sells free-range game birds, venison and rabbit from the Suffolk countryside. The Family Three Bird Roast…

Cheat’s fig, apricot & almond pudding Serves 12 Takes 30min plus overnight soaking 300g jumbo raisins and sultanas • 100g glacé cherries, left whole • 100g dried apricots, roughly chopped • 150g dried figs, roughly chopped • 75g blanched almonds, roughly chopped • Zest of 1 lemon • Zest of 1 orange • 50g stem ginger, chopped • 100ml orange juice • 75g breadcrumbs • 1tsp mixed spice • 100g dark muscovado sugar • 150ml brandy or Calvados • 100g self-raising flour • 2tbsp cocoa, sifted • 150g butter, coarsely grated • 3 eggs, beaten 1 The night before, put all the fruit, almonds, zest and stem ginger into a large bowl. Stir in the orange juice, breadcrumbs, mixed spice, sugar and brandy or Calvados. Mix well, cover with clingfilm and leave to soak overnight. 2 The next day, mix in the remaining ingredients. Grease…

Easy know-how Stick with much-loved traditions, but shake a few things up each year to make each Christmas unique and memorable THE PERFECT GIFT Subscribe to Ideal Home from only £24.99 – that’s a great saving of 49%! Call 0330 333 1113 and quote code CDT6 or visit magazinesdirect.com/  CDT6…

Roast turkey with lemon, parsley & garlic Serves 8-10 Takes 3hr plus resting time 375g butter • 1tbsp olive oil, plus extra to drizzle • Zest and juice of 2 small lemons, plus 1 lemon, halved • 3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed, plus 1 head of garlic, unpeeled and halved horizontally • Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley, leaves only, chopped • 1 free-range turkey, about 5-5.5kg • 2 onions, halved • 6 bay leaves • 8 rashers of smoked streaky bacon 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/ Gas 7. In a bowl, season the butter, then add in the oil and mix well. Add the lemon zest and juice, crushed garlic and parsley. Mix well to combine. Remove the giblets from the turkey cavity, then season the cavity well. Stuff with the onions, lemon halves, garlic…

Sweet tooth or not, Christmas desserts are tempting to us all. At this time of indulgence, pull out all the stops – introduce spicy, wintery flavours into your puddings with cherries, figs and prunes for treats that will see your guests save room for seconds. Try one of these delights to sweeten up your Christmas Day menu. Chocolate cherry bombe Alaskas Makes 8 Takes 1hr 15min plus cooling time FOR THE CAKE • 250g plain flour • 60g cocoa powder, plus 1tsp for dusting • 1tsp baking powder • 1tsp bicarbonate of soda • 190g caster sugar • 190g dark brown soft sugar • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten • 125ml buttermilk • 1tsp vanilla extract • 1tbsp brandy • 125g unsalted butter, cubed • ½tsp salt • 8 scoops white chocolate or vanilla ice cream FOR THE CHERRY COMPOTE • 400g…

Scandinavian style really comes into its own at Christmas and it’s easy to see why – white interiors filled with light, natural materials that connect to the great outdoors and the twinkle of candlelight with its welcoming glow. Relaxed, intimate and full of joy – make it your go-to look for festive entertaining this year. ALL IN THE DETAIL This look is easy to create and works well for formal and more relaxed dining. Painted furniture in white or a pale dove grey is usually at the heart of the scheme, but a white linen tablecloth also makes a great base. The trick is to layer up the look with texture. Felt placemats, patterned chargers and artisan-style embossed plates are the perfect additions. Weave in some festive twinkle with glassware,…

1 PREPARE FOR BAD WEATHER You can’t guarantee that it won’t rain, hail or snow, but you can make sure the outdoors stays outdoors with a good doormat. Make it a festive one, such as this star doormat, £22 from Garden Trading. Dedicate a space to use as a cloakroom, ideally with a hanging rail and plenty of hangers to make it easy to reunite coats and owners at the end of the evening. 2 Put plush decs With the Christmas decorations already up, you don’t need to go overboard but it’s always nice to have something extra for a party. Bunting, oversized paper decorations and giant pompoms in white or metallics are perfect for the season. Hang them in the hallway, on top of mirrors, and over a buffet…

SEND A NOTE Make light work of thank-you cards by sending them through Paperless Post, paperlesspost.com. There are plenty of pretty designs to deliver via email. TIME FOR TEA There’s nothing quite like a cuppa to give you that ‘ahhh’ feeling, so add some ceremony to your afternoon tea with the gorgeous Carrara range, from £18, Oliver Bonas, and make sure to include a saucer big enough for a biscuit or two. Back to nature A country walk is great exercise and boosts mental wellbeing, too. The practice of ‘forest bathing’ engages all the senses, from listening to birdsong to the crunch of leaves underfoot, encouraging a more relaxed state of mind. Similarly, the sights and sounds of water evoke an almost meditative state. Find walking trails and guided walks…

BRING HOME THE MAGIC When does Christmas begin in your home? Whether you buy your tree on 1 December or wait a little longer to dive into the decorations, give the event a sense of occasion. Dust off your favourite Christmas CD, bake some mince pies and gather those you love to help you start the season in style WINDOW DISPLAY Perk up windowsills and unloved corners with a group of cute hanging decorations BANISTER GARLAND Personalise a garland with fairy lights, gold-painted pine cones and baubles WOODLAND EXPEDITION Get the kids to collect natural decorations, such as pine cones, on a country walk TOP TREE Saw an inch off your tree’s base and stand it in water. Position it away from any radiators to keep it looking its best…

SPACE-SAVING DESIGN Gold tinsel slim 6.5ft tree, £30, Wilko PARTY PIECE Ice bucket, £35, Star by Julien Macdonald range, Debenhams OFF WITH A BANG Giant party cracker, £19.95, Rockett St George FOR A LAVISH TREE Gold bauble, £3.99; pine cone bauble, £4.99; both Dobbies Garden Centres DINE IN STYLE Soft gold cutlery, £160 for a 16-piece set, Nordic House PRECIOUS JEWEL Ostravia flower bauble, £5, John Lewis RAISE A GLASS Gold sparkle Champagne saucer, £4, By Sainsbury’s GATSBY GLITZ Hollywood cocktail shaker, £17.50, Marks & Spencer COPPER COOL Copper pyramid glass and iron candle holder, £12, B&Q GO FOR GOLD Jacquard weave cushion cover, £7.99, H&M TONAL TRIO Giant metallic paper fans, £30 for three, Talking Tables ADDED SPARKLE Gold Christmas tealight holder, £9, The Contemporary Home…

FILL WITH BAUBLES Aviary cage cabinet, £250, India Jane TABLE CENTREPIECE Medium hurricane, £60; sparkle bud branches, £12 each; all The White Company SOFT NEUTRAL Squirrel grey mohair throw, £99, Bronte range, Amara CHIC CURVES Mayfair ivory studded chair, £395, The French Bedroom Company LUXE FINISH Cotton velvet cushion in Plum, £35, Made.com ANTIQUE LOOK Baroque leaf metal large table lamp, £224, Artisanti STAR BUY Constellation mirror, £225, Laura Ashley TACTILE TOUCH Peacock Christmas decoration, £9, The Contemporary Home PAIR UP ON A MANTEL Light up Champagne mercury apothecary jar, £24, Alison Cork range, QVC DARK AND HANDSOME Painted console table, £365, Out There Interiors DECK THE HALLS White berry and cone garland, £35, The Contemporary Home…

SHINE ON Hide fairy lights under baubles in a dish for an instant centrepiece A HINT OF SPARKLE Beautiful white plates with gold detailing are perfect for a grand sense of occasion FAIRY TALE FOREST Group gold tree-shaped candles to create an enchanted forest scene…

1 STAMP IT OUT All you need to create this striking crisscross wrapping is plain white paper, a date stamp and a red ink pad. Set the date on the stamp to 25 Dec 2016, lie the paper flat and stamp in a long, straight line across the paper’s length. Leave a gap the width of the stamp between each date and repeat until you’ve covered the sheet. Then do the same across the width of the paper to create the grid effect. 2 DON’T FORGET THE TRIMMINGS Head to a haberdashery for some alternatives to ribbon. Pompom edging looks fun and is available in a variety of colours, or add some old-school glamour using lace trim – there’s a lot of choice on eBay. Fix them in place with…

Easy know-how Put extra fun into baking day by inviting friends to join you in the kitchen. A recipe swap is a great way to discover new favourites THE PERFECT GIFT Subscribe to Ideal Home from only £24.99 – that’s a great saving of 49%! Call 0330 333 1113 and quote code CDT6 or visit magazinesdirect.com/  CDT6…

Clementine vodka Makes 1ltr Takes 20min plus cooling time 100g caster sugar • Zest and juice of 1kg clementines • 400ml plain vodka 1 In a pan, dissolve the sugar into 100ml water, then simmer for 3-4min. Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly, then add the clementine zest and juice. Stir well and set aside somewhere cool for 24hr. 2 Strain the clementine mixture into a large jug and add the vodka. Pour into small sterilised bottles and keep in a cool place. 3 To serve as a Christmas cocktail, pour 50ml into a Champagne coupe or flute, top with Prosecco and decorate with redcurrants. Mince pie fudge Makes 36 Takes 15min plus setting and cooling time 450g granulated sugar • 85g butter • 150ml semi-skimmed milk • 170g evaporated…

THE REVEAL DESSERT £12 for 500g, Finest range, Tesco An exciting alternative to the classic pud, with a salted-caramel sauce that melts the chocolate shell to reveal a brownie and mousse centre. RICHLY FRUITED CHRISTMAS PUDDING £5 for 454g, Irresistible range, Co-operative This traditional pud is packed with dried fruit, spices and nuts, resulting in a plump and moist pudding. PANETTONE & PROSECCO PUDDING £5 for 454g, Extra Special range, Asda A rich, moist pudding with a fruity topping of glacé orange slices and cranberries, plus a cinnamon sauce.…

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE Head to Chester Zoo’s Lantern Magic for a spectacular nighttime walk along a trail of animal-shaped lanterns. Open on intermittent dates from 25 November to 23 December. From £9 for children, from £10 for adults; chesterzoo.org. TAKE A MAGICAL TOUR The Winter Light at Waddesdon Manor takes visitors on a sensory journey around the gardens by dusk. 11 November to 3 January, Wednesday-Sunday, (except 24 to 26 December). £5 for children, £10 for adults; waddesdon.org.uk. FOLLOW THE LIGHT The illuminated trail at Kew Gardens has a light tunnel, fire garden, installations and a laser show, 23 November to 2 January, 5pm to 10pm. Tickets from £16 for adults, from £10 for children, free for under fours; kew.org/christmas.…

PLAN THE EXCITEMENT Christmas morning can’t come soon enough for the youngest family members. Save the big presents for later, but a stocking delivery overnight, containing a few games, activities and some healthy snacks should keep them occupied. Pace the day by briefing children on what to expect, popping fun notes into stockings as reminders SPECIAL DELIVERY Away this Christmas? Register with Portable North Pole ( portable  northpole.com) to receive a personalised message from Santa START A NEW TRADITION Give the kids their own cute festive decoration and add to their collection year after year KEEP THEM BUSY Draft in grandparents to help the kids with a treasure hunt. Leave them a chocolate coin with each clue THINK AHEAD Get the kids to open one present at a time…

With so many extras, planning is key WELL IN ADVANCE… Order your fresh free-range turkey. If, instead, you opt for a frozen turkey, a 5-6kg one will need about three days to thaw in the fridge. THE DAY BEFORE… Make the cranberry and apple sauce and refrigerate. Make the herb butter and use to stuff the turkey. Return the turkey to the fridge. Make the stuffing and wrap in foil, ready for the oven. Refrigerate. 6–7 HOURS TO GO... Bring the turkey to room temperature. 4½ HOURS TO GO… Put the turkey in the preheated oven. Baste and lay the bacon rashers over the turkey breast after the first 15min. Baste the turkey every 30min. Blanch the sprouts and keep them immersed in chilled water. Peel the potatoes and immerse…

A good cheeseboard will have a variety of tastes and textures on it, with hard, soft, blue and goat’s cheese all represented. Many supermarkets have a wide selection, but if yours is lacking and you don’t have a local cheese shop or farmers’ market, shop online at The Courtyard Dairy, The Fine Cheese Co, House of Cheese, Neal’s Yard Dairy, Paxton & Whitfield or Pong. Turn the page to see our best buys and put at least one from each category on your board. Just don’t forget the grapes and crackers… HARD CHEESES Cheddar Boasting a rich, earthy flavour, Montgomery is made with unpasteurised milk from the dairy’s herd in Somerset and is one of the last truly traditional Cheddars. European counterparts Try Ossau-Iraty, which has a delicate, nutty taste.…

OFF THE RACK British lamb Guard of Honour with whiskey and orange glaze, £17.50 per kg, Best range, Morrisons This lamb dish is an easy-carve main course for meat lovers, which gives 12 cutlets. The citrus crust is made with gluten-free breadcrumbs. CARVE IT OUT Venison joint with a Prosecco and cranberry sauce (925g), £20, Extra Special range, Asda The pork, blossom honey, bramley apple and cranberry stuffing sits below the dry-cured, oak-smoked bacon-plait topping, keeping the venison moist as it cooks. FRESH CATCH Clementine and cranberry side of salmon (570g), £12, Waitrose This side of salmon is garnished with sliced clementines, dried cranberries and chopped fresh parsley, and will add Christmassy flavours to an impressive main course.…

Easy know-how Fancy dress isn’t for everyone, but a dress code, such as ‘Christmas jumpers’ or ‘Seasonal sparkle’ adds to the fun and can be a great icebreaker, too THE PERFECT GIFT Subscribe to Ideal Home from only £24.99 – that’s a great saving of 49%! Call 0330 333 1113 and quote code CDT6 or visit magazinesdirect.com / CDT6 WATCH A VIDEO OF HOW TO MAKE A CENTREPIECE AT housetohome.co.uk/christmas…

Watermelon, cured ham & feta sticks Makes 28 Takes 15min 350g fresh watermelon • 14 slices of serrano ham • 200g feta cheese • Fresh mint leaves 1 Chop the watermelon into chunks, drain well and set aside. Cut the ham slices in half and roll up, then chop the feta cheese into 28 cubes. 2 Assemble by threading the melon, ham and feta onto mini skewers, interspersed with mint leaves, and season with black pepper. Make these up to 3hr in advance and keep chilled before serving. Indian spiced king prawns Serves 12 Takes 10min plus marinating time 350g raw jumbo peeled king prawns • 80g rogan josh curry paste • 1tbsp sunflower oil • Handful fresh coriander, chopped • 4tbsp mango chutney 1 Coat the prawns well in the curry paste. Marinade in…

THE PRIZE WINNER Scooping this year’s Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction, Lisa McInerney’s debut novel, The Glorious Heresies, offers a gritty insight into 20th-century Ireland’s underworld. (£8.99, John Murray Press) THE WHODUNNIT Set in the South African desert, The Satanic Mechanic by Sally Andrews sees the return of heroine Tannie, a cookery columnist with a penchant for solving mysteries, embroiled in another investigation. (£12.99, Canongate) THE PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER This year’s Girl on the Train , Keep You Close by Lucie Whitehouse is packed full of plot-thickening twists to keep you firmly perched on the edge of your seat. (£7.99, Bloomsbury)…

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1 Pullman Editions designs striking original limited-edition posters which capture the enduring appeal of Art Deco. Their posters feature glamorous winter sports, summer resorts & historic automobiles. Over 100 designs at £395 each. Call 020 7730 0547 or view & buy online at www.pullmaneditions.com 2 St Eval Candle Company is the home of beautiful, quality candles. Handmade in Cornwall, their Christmas range will make the perfect gift for candle lovers. Lovingly decorated by hand with gold detailing, these candles capture the true magic of Christmas. Tel: 01841 540 850 www.stevalcandlecompany.co.uk 3 Celebrate baby’s first Christmas. Personalised and beautifully wrapped, perfect gifts for babies and children. Next working day UK delivery. Worldwide service. www.babyblooms.co.uk Tel: 01454 272 474 4 Artisan Postboxes & Signs. Handcrafted from heavy duty cast aluminium by Artisans in…