Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2022 i Woman's Weekly Living Series

Welcome to our favourite magazine of the year. We love putting our heads together and dreaming up the makes, bakes, knits and craft projects that combine to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. This time of year doesn’t have to be an expensive dash to the shops, with a little care and imagination, it can be handmade, affordable and all the more magical for it! Inspired by our beautiful cover, I’ll be whipping up a batch of our special gingerbread biscuits to give to my family and friends this year. I can’t promise they’ll be as perfect as the ones cooked up by our clever food team, but it’s the thought that counts! From everyone at Woman’s Weekly, have a wonderful Christmas!…

Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED: PICTURE ✶ 28-count, white evenweave, 28x31cm ✶ 6x8in white frame ✶ Cardboard ✶ Pencil and scissors PADDED BAUBLES ✶ 28-count, white evenweave, 15x15cm for each ✶ Gingham backing fabric, 10x10cm for each ✶ Thin gingham ribbon, 20cm for each ✶ Stuffing STITCHING THE CHARTS 1 Each coloured square on the chart represents one cross-stitch worked over one block of fabric threads. The colour key shows the colour of thread to be used and the number of strands to be used for each symbol. 2 Bring the needle to the right side through the lower left-hand side and insert it in the upper right-hand side, forming a diagonal stitch. Bring the needle to the right side at the lower right-hand side. 3 To complete an individual…

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS CAKE Ditch the dull and channel your inner artist with this cheeky spin on a classic Christmas cake decoration. SERVES 20 PREP 2 HRS ✶ 1x 20cm rich fruit cake ✶ 800g marzipan ✶ 75g apricot jam, warmed ✶ Icing sugar, for dusting ✶ 800g white ready-to-roll sugar paste icing ✶ Edible food gels, black, brown, purple and pink ✶ Gold and silver dragées You will need ✶ Christmas biscuit cutter, small paintbrush, cocktail sticks, fondant smoother 1 If using a homemade cake, put it upside down on a board so the top is flat. Roll half of the marzipan into a long sausage and use it to plug the gaps along the bottom. Use a fondant smoother or palette knife to ensure the marzipan…

HIGH SPIRITS Jaffa Cake Vodka Cranberry, 700ml, £27.95, mastersofmalt.com From the makes of Jaffa Cake gin comes this new addition to the family. With big bold orange and cranberry flavours, it’ll be an instant hit this Christmas, great in a Cosmo or On The Rocks. Bloody Shiraz Gin, 500ml, £35, Waitrose and Partners Like a sloe gin but better! This little beauty from Australian gin masters Four Pillars will be your go-to aperitif. Just add ice and a splash of tonic, happy hour sorted! Tesco Finest Salted Caramel Cream Liqueur, 700ml, £12.60, Tesco For the Bailey’s fans, this is a lovely twist – sweet caramel spiked with sea salt in a rich double cream and Irish whisky base, it’s delightful over ice or in a boozy hot chocolate! BRILLIANT BUBBLES…

COCONUT CHICKEN SKEWERS Marinate the chicken for these moreish skewers 24 hours ahead for fuss-free assembly on the day. MAKES 12 PREP 15 MINS COOK 10 ✶ 1tbsp Thai red curry paste ✶ 5tbsp coconut cream ✶ 6 skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips ✶ 100g desiccated coconut ✶ 5tbsp sweet chilli sauce You will need ✶ 12 bamboo or metal skewers 1 Mix the curry paste with the coconut cream. Stir in the chicken, then leave to marinate for at least 2 hrs or ideally overnight. 2 Thread the chicken onto the skewers and sprinkle over the coconut. Arrange on a foil-lined tray. 3 Heat the grill to high and cook the chicken for 4 mins each side, turning until cooked through. Serve with sweet chilli dip on the…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS Finished hat circumference approximately 46.5cm/18¼in. MATERIALS 1 x 100g (100m) ball of Rico Design Essentials Super Super Chunky (50% wool, 50% acrylic) in Cream (001). Pair of 10mm (No. 000) knitting needles; 1 x 13cm Rico Design fake fur pompom in Fuchsia. TENSION 9 stitches and 12 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over stocking stitch, using 10mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; st(s), stitch(es); tog, together (decrease by working as many sts together as stated); ss, stocking st (k on right side and p on wrong side). NOTE You can make a large yarn pompom instead if you prefer, using oddments of double knitting weight yarn in a contrast colour. Yarn amounts are based on average requirements and are therefore approximate. Instructions in square brackets are…

BEST EVER GINGERBREAD RECIPE This simple recipe is the only one you’ll need for all your gingerbread craft needs. It bakes crisp and strong, making it perfect for everything from tree decorations to more elaborate assemblies like gingerbread houses. MAKES ABOUT 16-20 GINGERBREAD BISCUITS PREP 10 MINS COOK 10-12 MINS ✶ 100g salted butter ✶ 3tbsp golden syrup ✶ 50g dark muscovado sugar ✶ 50g light muscovado sugar ✶ ¼tsp bicarbonate of soda ✶ 1tbsp ground ginger ✶ 1tsp ground mixed spice ✶ 225g plain flour You will need: ✶ festive cookie cutters (optional) 1 Melt the butter, golden syrup and both dark and light muscovado sugars in a pan over a medium heat, stirring until smooth. Sift in the remaining ingredients, then mix thoroughly to form a soft dough.…

PRESERVED LEMONS Shake up your preserving game with these salty, tangy lemons (the same trick also works with limes). MAKES 2 large jars PREP 20 mins, plus three weeks' resting ✶ 10 unwaxed lemons, ideally organic ✶ Fine sea salt ✶ 8-10 bay leaves ✶ 2-3 tsp peppercorns You will need: ✶ 2 large preserving jars, large enough to tightly fit the lemons 1 Wash jars in hot soapy water, rinse thoroughly. Make a cross incision on the lemons, three-quarters of the way down. 2 Sprinkle 2tbsp salt in the bottom of the jar. Stuff the lemons with more salt, then layer in the jar with the bay, peppercorns and more salt. Press down on the lemons so they fit snugly in the jar and the juice rises to the…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS Approximately 11cm/4¼in wide across palm when flat; to fit an average female hand. MATERIALS 1 x 50g (104m) ball of King Cole Merino Blend DK (100% wool) in each of French Navy (025), Scarlet (009) and Tiree (3801). Pair each of 3.25mm (No. 10) and 4mm (No. 8) knitting needles. TENSION 23 stitches and 26 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over pattern, using 4mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; st(s), stitch(es); ss, stocking stitch (k on right side and p on wrong side); tog, together: tbl, through back loop of sts; rep, repeat; rem, remain(ing); Ny, French Navy; Rd, Scarlet; Te, Tiree. NOTE Yarn amounts are based on average requirements and are therefore approximate. Instructions in square brackets are worked as stated after 2nd bracket. RIGHT…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS Approximately 22cm/8¾in high. MATERIALS 2 x 50g (105m) balls of Stylecraft Naturals Organic Cotton (100% cotton) in Gypsum (7168), 1 ball in each of Flax (7187) and Buttermilk (7174) and a short length of double knitting yarn in each of Brown and Red for facial features. Size 3mm crochet hook; removable stitch marker; washable toy stuffing; pair of tweezers (to help with stuffing); length of narrow ribbon; short length of silver or gold embroidery thread; tin of starch spray. TENSION 21 stitches and 25 rounds, to 10 x 10cm, over double crochet, using 3mm hook. ABBREVIATIONS Ch(s), chain(s); dc, double crochet; dc2tog, double crochet 2 sts together to decrease thus: [insert hook in next st, yrh and pull through] twice, yrh and pull through all 3 loops;…

VALUE BUY The Best Mince Pies, six for £2.25, Morrisons The filling is delightfully boozy. Rich and indulgent, our team were particular fans of these warm with a dollop of cream. Buy two boxes and save £1. EVERYDAY GOURMET No.1 Brown Butter Mince Pies, 6-pack, £3.50, Waitrose & Partners Brown butter brings a wonderful nutty flavour to the pastry and the sprinkle of sugar on top provides a welcome crunch. The flavour is true to a traditional mince pie but with an extra luxurious edge. BEAUTIFULLY BOXED Biscuiteers Luxury Frangipane Topped Mince Pies, 6-pack, £15, biscuiteers.com Like a Christmas bakewell these frangipane-topped beauties come perfectly packaged in a decorative box. If you're looking for a festive gift for your party host, these are a real treat. HANDMADE CHARM St Clement's…

Difficulty level PATCHWORK DECORATION YOU WILL NEED: ✶ Patterned fabric scraps ✶ Silver cotton fabric ✶ Twine ✶ Velvet ribbon ✶ Stuffing ✶ Cutting mat ✶ Quilter’s ruler ✶ Rotary cutter ✶ Scissors ✶ Matching thread ✶ Hand-sewing needle NOTE: Use ¼in seam allowances throughout and always sew with fabrics right sides together. 1 Using the cutting mat, quilter’s ruler, and rotary cutter, trim the patterned fabric scraps into 1¾x5in rectangles. For one tree, you need two rectangles. Cut diagonally across the rectangles. Remember to cut in opposite directions on each colour, so the triangles pair up. 2 Cut the silver fabric into 1in strips. Then cut into four 6in strips for the sides and two 4in strips for the bottom of the tree. 3 Pin one 6in strip…

SPICED RUBY PUNCH All the flavours of Christmas rolled into an easy cocktail for a crowd. Serve at room temperature or iced, as you please. SERVES 15 PREP 5 MINS COOK 5 MINS ✶ Pour a quarter of a 750ml bottle of red wine into a saucepan with 4 cinnamon sticks and 8 star anise. Heat gently until hot but not boiling. Set aside to cool and infuse. Pour the cooled mixture into a large serving bowl along with 400ml port, 400ml vodka and 2 sliced tangerines. Add the remaining wine and top with 1ltr of soda water just before serving. Make 1 day ahead, up to the cooling and infusing stage. Strain once cooled to prevent the spices overwhelming the flavour and store in the fridge until needed. PER…

Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED: ✶ A4 sheet of felt in dark green and light green ✶ 2cm felt balls in green, light green and white ✶ Green embroidery thread ✶ Scissors ✶ Embroidery needle 1 Cut the felt sheets into strips measuring 10-15cm wide. Fold the strips in half lengthways and cut out rounded leaf shapes along the folded edge. Open out the leaf cut-outs to reveal a mistletoe shape. 2 Thread 1m of embroidery thread through the embroidery needle and knot one end, leaving a tail for tying into a hanging loop. 3 Begin threading the wool felt balls onto the embroidery thread, three at a time. In between the trio of felt balls, thread on a dark- and light-green felt leaf. Repeat until you come to the…

Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED: ✶ Rattan wreath base ✶ Spruce and pine ✶ Eucalyptus cinerea or ‘Baby Blue’ ✶ Eucalyptus parvifolia ✶ Sea holly or thistles ✶ Pine cones ✶ Two mini, silver baubles ✶ Florist’s wire ✶ Florist’s scissors ✶ Wire cutters ✶ 1m green velvet ribbon ✶ Buckets ✶ Flower food (optional) CONDITIONING THE FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE 1 Fill the buckets with some fresh water and add a little flower food if needed. 2 Remove all packaging and ties from the foliage and flowers. Snip away the bottom of the stems by about 5cm. 3 Strip any leaves from the bottom half of the stems, so that there is no foliage or flowers left sitting in the water. 4 Place the foliage and flowers in the buckets…

Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED: ✶ Access to a photocopier ✶ Tracing paper and pencil ✶ 50cm of 110cm-wide, brown cotton fabric ✶ 20x15cm rectangle of cream cotton fabric ✶ 4x4cm square of black cotton fabric ✶ 20cm square of pale-pink cotton fabric ✶ 30x20cm rectangle of medium-weight, iron-on interfacing ✶ 20x15cm rectangle of bonding web ✶ Black and cream stranded-cotton embroidery thread ✶ Matching sewing thread ✶ Bodkin or safety pin MAKING THE FACE 1 Press interfacing to the wrong side of the face. Peel the backing papers off the forehead and nose. Press the forehead to the right side of the face, matching the straight edges. Stitch the curved edges of the forehead with a close zigzag stitch. Press the nose on top, stitch the outer edge of…

TEAR AND SHARE CHRISTMAS TREE BREAD This savoury centre-piece makes clever use of some store-bought shortcuts – perfect for any festive buffet. SERVES 12 PREP 25 MINS, PLUS PROVING COOK 35 MINS ✶ 2 x 500g Ciabatta Bread Mix (we used Wright’s) ✶ Sprigs of thyme ✶ Small bunch sage, leaves chopped ✶ 8tbsp olive oil ✶ 125g butter with crushed garlic (we used Lurpak) 1 Tip the bread mix into a large bowl or the bowl of a freestanding mixer, fitted with a dough hook. Add 1tbsp thyme leaves and 1tbsp chopped sage leaves. Pour in 4tbsp oil and add almost all from 600ml lukewarm water. Bring the mixture together to make a sticky dough. knead by hand, or in the mixer with the dough hook, for 5 mins,…

Difficulty level FOR A 22X34CM HOT-WATER BOTTLE, YOU WILL NEED: ✶ 30x85cm piece wool felt in white ✶ A4 sheet of wool felt in grey ✶ 30cm thin silver grey ribbon ✶ Matching thread ✶ Embroidery thread in white ✶ Embroidery needle ✶ Scissors ✶ Pins ✶ 2ltr hot-water bottle ✶ Paper and pencil ✶ Ruler TO MAKE 1 Place your empty hot water bottle on a piece of paper and use a pencil to draw around the edge. With a ruler, straighten the lines at the neck. Add 2cm around all the edges of the hot-water bottle to create your front hot-water-bottle template. 2 For the two back templates, measure 28cm up from the bottom of the template. Draw a horizontal dashed line to mark this length. Then measure…