Woman's Weekly Living Series December 2023

Published by IPC Media. Published 9 times per year the Woman's Weekly Living Series has issues daedicated to health, gardening, cooking and knitting, as well as seasonal specials.

It’s that most wonderful time of year – and the experts at Woman’s Weekly have brought you some brilliant ideas for you to create your own handmade Christmas. They’ve put their heads together to bring you gorgeous makes, bakes, knits and craft projects that combine to celebrate the true meaning of the season. And this issue proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune – it’s the thought that counts. I love this year’s cover story - pretty biscuits iced to make up a delicious Advent calendar (p8). What a perfect early festive gift for loved ones to help them start their Christmas countdown. From everyone here at Woman’s Weekly, have a wonderful Christmas!…

1 min

In This Issue

Made with LOVE

HOMEMADE GIFTINGCookery Orange-scented shortbread wreaths Make these pretty, edible decorations that are perfect for the tree or place settings at the table. MAKES about 25 biscuits PREP 30 mins, plus cooling and drying COOK 8-10 mins ✱ 125g golden caster sugar✱ 100g ground almonds✱ 300g plain flour✱ 200g cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes✱ Finely grated zest ½ orange✱ 2 medium free-range egg yolks✱ 1tsp vanilla bean paste, or ½tsp vanilla extract FOR THE ICING: ✱ 1 medium free-range egg white✱ 100g icing sugar, sifted✱ Green food colouring✱ Sprinkles or edible glitter, to decorate YOU WILL NEED: ✱ 10cm and 3cm fluted or straight biscuit cutters 1 Whizz the sugar and almonds in a food processor to a fine, sandy texture. Add the flour, butter and orange zest, then…

9 min

In This Issue

HANDCRAFTED Christmas

PATCHWORK HANGING BAUBLES Use offcuts of your favourite fabrics to give old baubles a new lease of life, or create brand new ones by covering polystyrene balls with festive material. YOU WILL NEED ★ Offcuts of fabric★ Fabric shears★ Paintbrush★ PVA glue★ Old baubles or polystyrene balls★ Sheet of newspaper★ Thin ribbon★ Pins (if using polystyrene balls) 1 Cut a selection of festive fabrics into small squares and rectangles. They don’t all have to be the same size, but it’s best if you use fabric shears so that you have neat edges. 2 Use the paintbrush to cover the fabric pieces with a layer of PVA glue, then stick on to the baubles or polystyrene balls. 3 Repeat, overlapping the fabric pieces, until you have covered the entire surface. Place…

3 min

In This Issue

Card TRICKS

HAND-STITCHED MOTIFS Stitched designs using metallic thread will ‘wow’ their recipients. YOU WILL NEED ★ Card blank★ Pencil★ Sewing needle and metallic thread★ Thin gold ribbon★ Gold adhesive gems 1 Choose a dark-coloured card to best show off the metallic thread. Lightly pencil on your design. Thread your needle with a length of metallic yarn, tying a knot at the end. 2 Starting on the reverse of the card, push the needle through the card and start stitching your pattern. Finish on the reverse with a knot and trim off any excess thread. Add any stickers, ribbon or gem embellishments to finish. CHRISTMAS DOOR A Kraft card and a Sharpie can create a striking design. YOU WILL NEED ★ Kraft card blank★ Pencil and black marker pen★ Eraser★ Wooden wreath…

2 min

In This Issue

Rudy the REINDEER

FINISHED SIZE: 30 x 24cm NOTE: Omit the bells if making the toy for a small child. YOU WILL NEED ★ Access to a photocopier★ Tracing paper and pencil★ 50 x 50cm square of caramel 3mm-long pile smooth cuddle fabric★ 25cm square of white 3mm long pile smooth cuddle fabric★ 10cm of 90cm wide beige cotton fabric★ 5cm square of red cotton fabric★ Two 9mm black toy safety eyes★ Red stranded cotton embroidery thread★ 1m of 10mm-wide red grosgrain ribbon★ Five 12mm gold bells★ Matching sewing threads★ Toy filling SUPPLIERS: 3mm-long pile smooth cuddle fabric, £5.50 for 50 x 75cm, billowfabrics.co.uk; 9mm black toy safety eyes, £1.40 for 10, 12mm jingle bells, £1.75 for 10, both bearbasics.co.uk MAKING PAPER PATTERNS On a photocopier, enlarge the patterns to 180%. Trace the…

5 min

In This Issue

In the sweet MIDWINTER

Best-ever festive Christmas cake A rich Christmas cake that’s traditional and achievable. The longer it matures, the better it will be! SERVES 20 PREP 20 mins, plus soaking and decorating COOK 4 hrs, plus cooling FOR THE CAKE ★ 100g glacé cherries, chopped★ 100g mixed peel, chopped★ 225g currants★ 225g raisins★ 225g sultanas★ 50g mixed nuts, chopped★ 1tsp mixed spice★ 2tsp grated nutmeg★ 10tbsp medium or sweet sherry, to give a good soak★ 250g unsalted butter, softened★ 250g caster sugar★ 6 medium free-range eggs★ 250g self-raising flour★ Zest of 1 orange and 1 lemon★ 2tbsp black treacle FOR THE DECORATION ★ 4tbsp apricot jam, warmed★ 400g ready-rolled marzipan★ 3 medium free-range egg whites★ 450g icing sugar★ 1tsp glycerine★ Gingerbread house, biscuits and artificial trees, to decorate YOU WILL NEED ★…

4 min