Innholdsfortegnelse for 2023 i The Christmas Magazine

Can you tell us a little about Layered Lounge? With an entrepreneurial father, it was always my desire to start my own business. Having renovated several properties in London, a passion for interiors developed yet I always found it difficult to source pieces with which to furnish them. It felt like there was a distinct lack of affordable good quality items with a design that was modern but would stand the test of time. So Layered Lounge was initially launched in 2017 with a local friend, Lou. We ran the business from our dining room filling every nook and cranny of the house with stock but went our separate ways in 2020 as she decided to focus more on her family. We remain great friends and she is a regular…

If you’re already thinking about your festive décor themes this year you’ve come to the right place – we’ve got four amazing trends that cover the classic good looks of a traditional Christmas, a beautiful winter wonderland, Nordic chic and beautiful brights if you fancy a modern edge TREND 1 ENCHANTED FOREST Whimsical and wild, the enchanted forest trend is lush and extravagant. The tree can be large and full, with metallic gold baubles, swags of eucalyptus and oodles of fairy lights in warm gold. Pop in some tactile cushions in emerald velvet and why not go the whole hog and hang some forest style wallpaper? TREND 2 THE ULTIMATE CLASSIC CHRISTMAS Love the timeless appeal of a good old classic red and green scheme? Then this look is for…

A few decades ago, we really only had the choice of a real tree from a local grower or garden centre. Now, there’s many varieties of faux that look so real and do you opt for pre-lit? Flocked? Or do you still love the wonderful scent of a real tree? Our guide will give you some inspiration on what to choose and how to make it as festive as possible. A CLASSIC ICON A tree isn’t complete without a tree topper, this stunning angel is made from paper with gold detailing. A SNOWY FINISH One of our favourite style trees is a flocked design – they come complete with a snowy effect that won’t melt on your carpet! The look is different as it’s a more subtle than a standard…

Christmas brings much joy to all, but with it also comes increased risks for our pets. From festive food and drink to decorations and even gifts, our homes harbour a myriad of potential hazards for pets at Christmas. With over half of the country owning a pet, the UK’s leading emergency vets, Vets Now, sees cases spike over the festive season – with cases up by over 120% in 2022*. To help keep pets safe and owners in the know, the expert team at Vets Now has shared some top tips to pet proof your Christmas. Whether you are a cat or dog pawrent, read on to stay informed about hidden hazards of Christmas – to ensure an accident-free festive season… FOOD AND DRINK Christmas is a time full of…

As we approach the most wonderful time of the year, we have curated a delightful collection of recipes to make your Christmas celebrations truly exceptional. Within these pages, you’ll find a cornucopia of culinary delights, from traditional festive feasts to modern twists on seasonal classics, all selected to ensure that your gatherings with family and friends are filled with warmth and delectable dishes. Food is a big part of Christmas, but it’s not just about the recipes. It’s about the shared moments, the laughter around the table, the memories created in the kitchen, and the love that goes into every meal. We hope that the next few pages will inspire your festive menu, create tasty new traditions, and bring you closer to the ones you love. So, without further ado,…

Serves 6 Time: 1 hour INGREDIENTS • 900g floury potatoes, cut into small chunks• 3-4tbs olive oil• 3-4kg whole turbot• 4 sprigs rosemary• 50ml apple vinegar• 25ml cider vinegar• 90ml extra virgin olive oil• 2 cloves garlic• 3tbsp capers, patted dry• 250g spring greens, shredded METHOD 1. Heat the oven to 200°C, fan 180°C. 2. Put the potatoes into a pan of cold salted water. Bring to the boil and simmer gently for a couple of minutes then drain and return to the pan over a low heat to dry, then fluff up. Tip into a roasting tin, toss in the oil and roast for 30 minutes. 3. Put the turbot into a large roasting tin and tuck the sprigs of rosemary inside and underneath. Toss the potatoes and move…

Makes about 35 Time: 1 hour INGREDIENTS For the buñuelos • 300ml whole milk• 100g unsalted butter• 1 star anise• 200g plain flour• 4 large free range eggs• 1ltr vegetable oil for frying• caster sugar to serve For the blood orange cream • Finely grated zest of a blood orange• 250ml blood orange juice• 75g caster sugar• 300ml double cream METHOD 1. Make the blood orange syrup. Heat the zest and juice in a small pan with the sugar. Cook over a low heat to melt the sugar then increase the heat and bubble until you have a luscious syrup. Set aside to cool. 2. Heat the milk and butter with the cinnamon and bring to the boil. Still over the heat, remove the star anise then add the flour…

SPONSORED BY Add a bit of cheer to your sofa with a cute festive cushion! If you have a Cricut™ machine, you'll find it easy to cut intricate shapes in no time. Otherwise, you might find it easier to stick to more simple outlines. YOU WILL NEED • Fabric• Tape measure• Scissors• Pins• Sewing machine or needle and thread• Yarn• Iron-on vinyl or fabric and bondaweb• iron or Cricut EasyPress™• Embroidery threads• Embroidery hoop• Optional: Cricut machine STEP 1 Cut a piece of 102cm x 43cm fabric. Find the centre point and add whatever adornment you'd like to the cushion front, making sure your design doesn't extend beyond 30cm square. I chose to cut a design from iron-on vinyl with my Cricut machine and embellish with hand embroidery, but you…

Wishlist toys Dinosaur and unicorn toys are big on the animal front, traditional buys such as jigsaws and games are back, as well as practical gifts with a sustainable slant. But it’s not all about nostalgia, with interactive and robotic toys also hotly tipped for this year. Curlimals will be THE big buy for younger children, sensory, interactive, animals including bears (£29.99), hedgehogs (£19.99) and penguins (£22.99) that talk, sing, light up and respond to touch. Created by Golden Bear Toys – the people who brought you In The Night Garden characters – MD Barry Hughes says: ‘Curlimals hit shelves with a bang in summer 2022; we saw unprecedented sales and held the top three spots for Amazon’s hottest new releases.’ Pooping Puppies (£19.99) and Smitten Kittens (£14.99) are also…

After you’ve worked out how many friends and family are coming and the turkey’s ordered, you can relax a little and enjoy adding those final flourishes to your home. A festive door mat, cosy throws and a Christmas themed cushion or two will give your home a fabulous all-encompassing theme for the run up, the big day and the countdown to New Year. GIVE YOUR KITCHEN SOME LOVE Our kitchens really do become the heart of the home at Christmas and often get neglected when it comes to decorations. It won’t take long – we promise! All you need is a touch of green foliage, some red and green ribbon and a few decorations you can hang up or place in groups on the worktop. SEASONAL CHEER Pop your usual…

If one (or more) or your Christmas guests suffer with food allergies or intolerances, it can often feel worrying as the host to ensure that you provide adequate snacks and a delicious meal that they can enjoy with confidence. There are many food allergies and intolerances, so be sure to check with your guest about the exact ingredients you need to avoid, as being lax here could cause severe illness. The first this to do is gain a good understanding of your guest’s allergy or intolerance and its severity. Many people with intolerances will happily eat a certain amount of the ingredient in question, and some will even ‘brave the bloat’ to simply enjoy a good Christmas meal with loved ones. However, those with true allergies – such as nut…

ON OUR COVER! Deluxe eucalyptus Wreath, £175, Layered Lounge…

Serves 8 Takes 1 h 30 min INGREDIENTS For the roast • 400g canned lentils• 1 red onion• 2 cloves garlic• 200g cashew nuts• 200g cooked chestnuts• 2 tbsp olive oil• 3 tbsp soy sauce• 2 tbsp yeast flakes• 1 tbsp vegetable stock powder• 270g vegan puff pastry For the sauce • 2 shallots• 1 clove garlic• 4 mushrooms• 2 tbsp olive oil• 2 tbsp cornflour• 2 tbsp soy sauce• 150 ml plant-based milk• Salt• Freshly ground black pepper METHOD 1. For the roast, drain the lentils, rinse and drain again. Peel and finely dice the onion and garlic. Coarsely chop the cashews and chestnuts. 2. Heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion and garlic until softened. Add the cashews and chestnuts and stir-fry for about…

CINNAMON GANACHE FILLING INGREDIENTS • 250g white chocolate (highest quality available)• 10-15g unsalted butter• 130g whipping cream• Ground cinnamon• Vanilla essence (optional) EQUIPMENT • Microwave• Large bowl• Small bowl• Spatula (heat resistant)• Handheld blender• Glass dish• Cling Film 1. Break the white chocolate into small chunks, place into a large bowl with the butter. 2. Pour the whipping cream into a separate smaller bowl, place in the microwave and bring just to the point of bubbling. Pour over the white chocolate and butter and leave to stand for a minute before mixing until well combined. 3. If not completely melted, return the mixture to the microwave and heat in 10 second bursts, mixing between each burst. 4. Once completely combined, add ground cinnamon to taste, and if desired, a teaspoon…

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE OVER 60 TITLES TO CHOOSE FROM VISIT SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK/XMAS23CM OR CALL 01959 543 747 AND QUOTE ‘XMAS23CM’ Lines are open Mon-Fri 8.30am to 5.30pm. Calls are charged at your standard network rate. Offers available for UK customers only. Offers end 24/12/2023. The subscription will start with the first available issue after Christmas 2023. Prices correct at time of print and subject to change. For full terms and conditions visit shop.kelsey.co.uk/terms. To see how we use your data view our privacy policy here shop.kelsey.co.uk/privacy-policy.…

SPONSORED BY Follow this project to discover how to make these cracker crowns for your Christmas lunch. Not only are they much more attractive than the traditional kind, but you can reuse them each year! I used my Cricut™ machine to cut quite intricate decorations, but you could cut simpler adornments by hand. YOU WILL NEED • Thick felt• Thin ribbon• Fabric• Iron-on vinyl or fabric with fabric glue and fabric stabiliser• Scissors• Pencil• Optional: Cricut machine, Cricut EasyPress™ STEP 1 Start by cutting the hat shapes from the felt. You'll need to cut strips measuring 30cm x 10cm, then add a zig-zag edge to the top. You can do this by hand, or if you have a Cricut machine, you can type ‘Cracker hats’ into ‘Projects’ for your outline…

Entertaining this Christmas? Then ensure your home is welcoming from your front door through to your hallway. There’s plenty to choose from – beautiful wreaths for outside and in, fabulous animal shaped lights for the garden, lanterns galore and welcoming decorations for your hallway A CHRISTMAS WELCOME The first port of call is your front door, hang a pretty wreath, plenty of lights along your path or front garden and finish with some twinkling trees for a warm, glowy look. CREATE A FEATURE Made from faux rattan, this majestic stag head can work both outside and in. It has a choice of warm white and white light settings on a battery operated scheme that has timer options. These pretty lights can be attached so they hang down in front of…

Wondering what Christmas table scheme to choose this year? We’re sourced four looks to inspire you, from a berry theme with hints of black and a fabulously bright and fun design, to a cottage style and a layered organic look that has a sustainable edge. There’s definitely something for everyone this year! LOOK 1 ORGANIC ELEGANCE This look is wholesome and earthy, with vases of tree pine and homemade garlands on the table. Wood platters, gold accents and linen napkins. Keep it fresh with crisp white – a runner along the middle of a wood table, with white trees and candles will give it a classic edge. Tie ribbon round the napkins as an extra stylish touch. FANCY GLASSWARE There’s a bit of a trend for ribbing this year and…

Whilst life begins the day you are born, they say your fifties are when you finally decide to appreciate it. And for Liz Warner, it was the decade she decided to turn her back on her exciting career in media and TV and focus on philanthropic pursuits - co-founding the online store Different Kind. The business, which started in October 2021, showcases the most exciting and emerging ethical businesses and sells their products on their website. Their mission statement is to bring home the virtues of good that do good - with every purchase serving a purpose. ‘I struggled to find that balance between what I was doing and needing a purpose,’ Liz, 59, says. ‘Looking back at my early career, something was missing. I’ve led a lucky life but…

SHOPPING LIST ESSENTIALS Stock up your cupboards in advance and don’t be caught out on the day. You will need: • A roasting tin that’s large enough to cook your turkey or meat joint, along with additional tins if you’re planning more than one roast • Sharp knives for carving • Extra-large cooking foil • Tupperware containers for leftovers – an eco-friendly alternative to cling film • A steamer for your Christmas pudding – alternatively use a large saucepan with a saucer at the bottom • Cloves – vital for bread sauce, mulled wine and hot whiskies – cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger are also useful spices to have in your store cupboard this time of year • Fresh cream – great for desserts, sauces and Irish coffees • Extra butter…

Our favourite tips and tricks for Christmas dinner • Mix homemade food with shop bought buys to save a lot of preparation time on Christmas morning • Cook gravy, sauces, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and stuffing in advance, freeze and reheat on the day • Chop vegetables the day before and place in cold water before cooking on Christmas morning, or alternatively, parboil them ready for roasting • Invest in a steamer with multiple baskets for cooking veg and it will take up just one ring on the hob • For super moist meat, brine the turkey overnight in a bucket of water infused with peppercorns, sea salt flakes, cinnamon, cloves, mustard seeds, onions, ginger, parsley and orange juice. Then turn it upside down in the roasting tin so it…

A Amaura London amauralondon.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Amber Hue Candles amberhuecandles.co.uk Annabel James 0345 548 0210 | Annabeljames.co.uk Arran Sense of Scotland arran.com Asda 0800 952 0101 | asda.com B B&M 0330 838 9000 | bmstores.co.uk B&Q 0333 014 3098 | diy.com Bambingtons Bambingtons.com Barbour barbour.com Baylis & Harding baylisandharding.com Benjamin Moore benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk Bethany Duffy Embroidery bethanyduffyembroidery.com Biscuiteers 0203 954 6650 | biscuiteers.com Blood Monkey Gin bloodmonkeygin.com Bloom & Brew bloomandbrew.co.uk BrambleWood Soap Co bramblewoodsoap.co.uk By Allure Touches byalluretouches.co.uk C Carluccio’s carluccios.com Cartwright & Butler cartwrightandbutler.co.uk Charley Chau 0161 848 8702 | charleychau.com Cheshire & Wain cheshireandwain.com Chococo 01929 421 777 | chococo.co.uk Coffee Pod Creations coffeepodcreations.com Cox & Cox 0330 333 2123 | coxandcox.co.uk Cricut cricut.com Cutter & Squidge cutterandsquidge.com D Daisy Park 01769 579 077 | daisypark.co.uk DAYDREAMIN’ daydreamin.co.uk…

Serves 6 as a starter Time: 20 minutes INGREDIENTS • 4 tbsp olive oil• 25g unsalted butter• 500g wild mushrooms, torn• 1 clove garlic, finely sliced• 175g morcilla, chopped or torn into small pieces• 18 king scallops with roe• 1 tbsp snipped chives METHOD 1. Heat 2 tbsp of the oil and butter in a pan. When foaming, add the mushrooms and fry over a medium high heat until golden, then add the garlic and fry for a few minutes more. Season and scoop out into a bowl. 2. Add a little more oil to the pan and fry the morcilla until starting to crisp then return the mushrooms to the pan. 3. Put a clean, heavy-based pan over a high heat. Drizzle the scallops with oil to coat all…

Serves 6 Takes 3-4 hours INGREDIENTS • 2 large onions, finely sliced• 2 cloves garlic, finely sliced• 2 tbsp olive oil• 3-4 sprigs oregano, leaves stripped• 150g green olives• 1 x 2kg lamb shoulder• 200ml fino sherry• 150ml fresh chicken stock• 700g gigante beans (or 2 x 400g tins butter beans), drained and rinsed METHOD 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C, fan 180°C. 2. Put the onions and garlic into a roasting tin and drizzle with oil and scatter with the oregano and olives. Season the lamb all over and place on top. 3. Roast for 20 minutes then add the sherry and stock and cover and reduce the oven temperature to 160°C, fan 140°C and cook for a further 2.5-3 hours. 4. Uncover and add the beans and return…

Potato and Brussels sprouts croquettes with Parmesan cheese Time: 35 min INGREDIENTS • 125 g plain flour• ½ tsp salt• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper• 2 large eggs• 275g panko breadcrumbs• 900g mashed potatoes• 200g chopped, cooked Brussels sprouts• 80g grated Parmesan cheese METHOD 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C, 180°C fan, gas 6. 2. In a shallow bowl, stir together the flour, salt, and pepper. In a second shallow bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl. 3. Combine the mashed potato, Brussels sprouts and Parmesan in a mixing bowl, thoroughly mixing with your hands. 4. Take out generous tablespoons of the mixture and shape into croquettes. Roll in the flour, shake off the excess, and then dip in the egg to…

Pear salad with rocket, Gorgonzola and toasted walnuts Serves: 4 I Time: 20 min INGREDIENTS • 80g walnuts• 1-2 tbsp olive oil• 3 slices baguette; approx. 50 g each• 200g rocket• 2 pears; cut into thin wedges• 175g Gorgonzola cheese• 1 clove garlic• 1 tbsp runny honey• 2-3 tbsp cider vinegar• 2 tbsp walnut oil• Salt METHOD 1. Briefly toast the nuts in a dry frying pan then transfer to a bowl to cool. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and toast the bread until golden then cut or tear into bite-sized pieces. 2. Arrange the rocket on a large serving plate. Arrange the pears on top and scatter over the nuts and bread. Crumble over two-thirds of the cheese. 3. Crumble the remaining cheese into a tall…

SPONSORED BY As we start to think about the festive season ahead, it is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to our special Christmas Craft Magazine. We’ve been eagerly crafting away to bring you a treasure trove of inspiration. In these pages, you will discover a wonderland of DIY projects, from charming decorations to handmade gifts that will warm the hearts of your loved ones. You will also find sustainable ideas that make the most of vintage and naturally sourced items, as well as ideas for personalisation. I must say a huge thank to our sponsors, Cricut™, who have supplied a wealth of beautiful projects that can be made with or without the use of their machines – the hand drawn gift tags and festive cushion are at the top…

SPONSORED BY If you love a mooch round a charity shop or car boot sale you will probably have admired plenty of pretty vintage embroidered cloths and crocheted doilies but struggled to think of a use for them or visualise them in a contemporary setting. These projects might just make you reassess their charm and quality and give them new relevance in the modern interior. Make a simple wall hanging from an embroidered mat, or personalise a plainer piece with an initial made from buttons - in this case mother of pearl buttons from Granny’s button box. Both quick and easy to make, the projects can be scaled to suit the items you discover. Use a longer twig or knitting needle to hang the pennant from, or a greater number…

SPONSORED BY Whether you choose monochrome, brights or traditional, these tags add a treasured personal touch to your gifts. If you have a Cricut™ machine, you can design the tags then set your machine to draw and cut them. If not, you'll enjoy the process of drawing and cutting by hand. YOU WILL NEED • Sticker cardstock or card• Scissors• Twine or ribbon• Pens or a Cricut machine with pen and fine point blade STEP 1 Start by cutting circles or shapes from your card/sticker card. If you have a Cricut machine, you can add shapes to the canvas in Design Space™. STEP 2 Now choose your drawn design; I've gone for a simple wreath. Draw your design onto the card with pen. (Make sure you include space for a…

SPONSORED BY Here you’ll learn how to make decorations using craft items you'll probably have hanging around. Plus, it makes for an excellent activity to keep the little ones occupied! You could cut out shapes instead of letters, if you prefer. And use whatever yarn you have at home, or choose colours to match a theme. If you have a Cricut™ machine, you'll find it easy to cut intricate shapes in no time. Otherwise, you might find it easier to stick to more simple outlines. YOU WILL NEED • Thick cardboard• Yarn• Tape• Scissors• Pencil• Paint• Paint brushes• Sheets of newspaper or similar to protect your table• Optional: Cricut machine STEP 1 Start by laying the card sheets out on a protected table surface. Then get the little ones to…

SPONSORED BY A walk in the countryside or your local park, or a hunt around under the trees or hedges in your own garden will provide much of the material needed to make these delightful seasonal decorations. Supplement found items with artificial foliage, which could be harvested from tired decorations such as wreaths, garlands and floral picks. For the most naturalistic effect, match the scale of the inclusions to the scale of the creature you are using. Alternatively, you could turn reality upside down and have fun incorporating miniature plastic dinosaurs or giant bugs and critters to create fantasy landscapes that are sure to be a hit with younger members of the family. TOADSTOOLS YOU WILL NEED • Half an empty walnut shell• Twig• Glue gun and glue sticks• Secateurs…