Last Christmas wasn’t exactly the big festive blowout we were counting on thanks to a fresh lot of restrictions just in time for Yuletide. Merry Covid Christmas everyone.

Whilst the rest of us made do with office gatherings on Zoom and low-key Christmas Day plans bubbled up with a couple of households – as per, ya know, the rules – Downing Street (cough, allegedly, cough) partied like coronavirus didn’t exist but the less said about that shambolic bunch, the better. Hey, it was their party, they can lie if they want to.

This year, we’re determined to have our Christmas cake and eat it, feasting, gifting, hugging (hopefully), and making up for lost time with all the cheese and wine. We hope the wrong dishonourable folk at Number 10 enjoy their bundle of coal this year. We stand with Santa.

In the final part of our Christmas At Home With series, it’s over to Team Zoella to share how we’ll be making the most of the holiday season after a year of cancelled plans and tiers aplenty. From what we get up to on Christmas Eve to the cocktails we’ll be sinking and the tv specials we can’t wait to slob out in front of, here’s how the Zoella team will be celebrating Crimbo 2021!

Lareese says

Favourite Family Tradition…

We nearly always get Christmas pyjamas from my mum which is something I look forward to every year. More recently, I’ve adopted my boyfriend’s family tradition of a twist on the dirty Santa game, so famous by now it’s simply called ‘The Game’ amongst both our families. We buy scratch cards and boujie perfume (we’re talking top-tier gifts alongside a few random stocking fillers. My most random gift being a grout pen. YAY) and it all gets very competitive. It’s a highlight of the day!

Delicious thing to eat…

Some sort of melty cheese number like a brie en croute or brie and cranberry parcels from M&S – they’re banging.

Christmas tipple of choice…

Usually I love to sink a few glasses of Ridgeview Bloomsbury, my favourite wine from a local vineyard, but as I’m booze-free this year, I’ll be sticking to some kind of elderflower spritz or Nozeco so I can still raise a glass and enjoy a good toast to Crimbo.

Something you’re hoping to receive…

I’ll be over the moon to receive a few books!

Decoration you’ve had the longest…

My mum’s probably well shot of any clay creations from our childhood haha. I tend to buy a few new ones each year so they’re all a fairly modern mix of H&M, The Range and garden centre bits and bobs.

Where you’ll be spending Christmas this year…

We’ll be piling around my sisters for the traditional all-you-can-eat feast. I’m SO ready to relive all the wedding memories, she tied the knot on 4th December so fingers crossed she’ll have some of the professional photos back by then for us to look at <3

Favourite part of Christmas…

So. Many. Things. I love the warm familiarity of the season, the gentle pace, the animations, the food, the lead-up, the lights, the smells and of course, the opportunity to spend the whole day with family. Those moments don’t come around very often and the older I get, the more gratitude I have for this time of year, simply for the excuse to hang out with my favourite weirdos.

The time you eat your Christmas Lunch…

We tend to graze all day, have a little prawn cocktail starter around 2pm with a little gap for games, films and Queenie’s speech, then the main event usually kicks off around 3ish. Last year we were plating it up at 6pm because someone (read: my sister) went ham on the beers. An iconic hostess if you ask me.

Christmas Eve plans…

It’s always a pretty chilled affair at home, swaddled in something elasticated. We’ll usually have some picky bits for dinner like a festive grazing board or cheese and crackers in front of a roaring fire. I’ll almost definitely be roped into helping my boyfriend wrap his gifts at circa 9pm because he’s the ultimate last-minute Larry.

Christmas day attire…

Bury me in my Daily Sleeper PJs basically. They obliterated my savings so you bet I’ll be getting the wear out of them.

Christmas TV special you’re most excited about…

A Boy Called Christmas and Never Mind The Buzzcocks – purely for Daisy May Cooper.

Favourite Christmas Song…

Fairytale of New York, it forever reminds me of singing and dancing with my parents and my sister at home when we were little.

Danielle says

Favourite Family Tradition..

Watching Miracle on 34th Street before we go to bed on Christmas Eve, we practically know the whole thing by heart and it honestly never gets old. I think it’s wrapped up in the tradition that we’re always together, no one ever goes on holiday over Christmas it would be unheard of in our family!

Delicious thing to eat…

It’s gotta be picky bits before Christmas lunch, you can’t stop me from housing the pigs in blankets, salmon blinis and a baked brie!

Christmas tipple of choice…

I usually choose a cocktail to make on the day, in the past, we’ve had Pornstar Martinis and Amaretto Sours. This year I think I’m going to start on the classic fizz and home make some fruit purees for Bellinis and then I might make sure we’ve got everything for Espresso Martinis to pick us up in the afternoon!

Something you’re hoping to receive…

Honestly, I much prefer to give gifts I LOVE buying gifts for people, so having my family be really pleased with my choices will be the gift! Although I know I’m getting some white boots from my Mum that I can’t wait to wear.

Decoration you’ve had the longest…

In my house, I only started decorating this year! So nothing specifically new, but at my parents’ house, they have loads we made as children and this picture of me in a silver bell from about 15 years ago.

Where you’ll be spending Christmas this year…

At my parent’s house in Cornwall, it’s quite the trek from Brighton so I’ll be heading down there on the 19th of December.

Favourite part of Christmas…

I think the build-up to the big day, everyone arriving and the excitement levels rising!

Time you eat your Christmas Lunch…

We tend to go quite late, after gifts and breakfast then party food we’re not really hungry until 5ish so it’s more like an early dinner.

Christmas Eve plans…

We usually go to the cinema on Christmas Eve so this year I think the plan is to see the new West Side Story, which we’ll probably end up singing the whole way home.

Christmas day attire…

I made a last-minute order for this snazzy dress from H&M and sent it straight to my parents, so who even knows if it fits!

Christmas TV special you’re most excited about…

A Boy Called Christmas, Never Mind The Buzzcocks Special AND the Harry Potter Reunion (there’s just too much)

Favourite Christmas Song…

Andy Williams – It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Charlotte

Favourite Family Tradition…

I don’t think my family will be offended in me saying that we have a bit of a dysfunctional set up so traditions are a little sparse around our parts- just dishing out a slice of Christmas realness for you all! Over the past few years though it has become a bit of a tradition for my sister and I to head to my Dad’s house on Christmas Eve and play Monopoly and Cluedo with some drinks, pizza and Christmas tunes in the background. It’s not necessarily a classic Christmas affair but it’s something I always look forward to now.

Delicious thing to eat…

Veggie meat substitutes are a topic of hot debate but I honestly love a Quorn Roast and devouring the remainder of it in a stuffing and salad cream sandwich (don’t judge) on the days after Christmas too.

Christmas tipple of choice…

Prosecco on TAP.

Something you’re hoping to receive…

I’ve struggled to think of what I want this year but I do hope I get Red (Taylor’s Version) on Vinyl. Surely someone in my family has been paying attention to me talking about it nonstop since its re-release?!

Decoration you’ve had the longest…

Almost all of ours at home are ones I remember since childhood, but I also have some salt dough decs a friend made me as part of a Secret Santa gift a few years ago that I’m always surprised are still going.

Where you’ll be spending Christmas this year…

At my mums in Cambridge with just my sister and nan. Told you it was a small affair!

Favourite part of Christmas…

I love Christmas morning as the day feels filled with optimism and we open presents straight away which is always so lovely. I like waking up knowing I have the whole day ahead of me to enjoy, and sometimes by the evening, I get in my feels after too many wines so I need to try and keep it together this year!

Time you eat your Christmas Lunch…

Normally around 2pm I reckon. I live for the Christmas evening buffet of snacky bits and leftovers so there needs to be enough time in between for my stomach to somewhat make some room for more.

Christmas Eve plans…

Head to my Dads as per and then I’d like to go to the pub actually so possibly see if any of my friends are up for it?!

Christmas day attire…

I’ve just bought a gorgeous new black mini dress from Collusion on ASOS that’s pretty timeless and sooo flattering- it’s also a smock style so loads of room for food! I’ll probably add a sparkly headband and for sure make it festive with a red lip too.

Christmas TV special you’re most excited about…

Strictly babbyyyyy!

Favourite Christmas Song…

Underneath the Tree, Kelly Clarkson is always up there as a fave.

Holly

Favourite Family Tradition…

Playing cards with my whole family including nan because I always win (I cheat) and shouting at my brothers for speaking with their mouths full. It’s not Christmas if there isn’t at least one row.

Delicious thing to eat…

It’s never not going to be pigs in blankets. Even when I say I’m cutting down on meat I can’t resist. Give me the mini pre-made Tesco ones and I can demolish a good 3 trays before the Turkey is served.

Christmas tipple of choice…

It’s going to be bucks fizz all day long, gotta speed it up but no slowing down.

Something you’re hoping to receive…

A fuck load of hugs. After last years shambles, I will be hugging everyone I can get my mitts on. And hopefully a bottle of Christmas gin.

Decoration you’ve had the longest…

I have a china bauble with my footprint on it from my first Christmas at 22 days old, so a 28-year-old decoration!

Where you’ll be spending Christmas this year…

At my mum and dads with my brothers, nan, uncle, cousins and some more extended family will pop in and and throughout the day.

Favourite part of Christmas…

Giving gifts, I have got people some corkers this year. I love getting presents but definitely more of a giver than a receiver. My family deserve the world and I try my best to make them feel as loved as possible by putting a lot of thought into my presents.

Time you eat your Christmas Lunch…

It’s always planned for 1 but we usually end up eating around 4 and half the food is cold. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Christmas Eve plans…

Go to the pub, pints, sing carols and have awkward conversations with people I haven’t seen since last Christmas Eve. You’d think ‘we should meet up’ would get old but apparently, it doesn’t.

Christmas day attire…

We open our pressies in jammies and then get full glam to go for a dog walk and dinner. I’ll be wearing a dress and heels and trying to manoeuvre a muddy golf course is all part of the fun.

Christmas TV special you’re most excited about…

It’s always Eastenders. I don’t even watch it anymore and I’m still so excited to watch

Favourite Christmas Song…

The Pogues, Fairytale of New York, I go to a pub every Christmas Eve and they play it as it hits midnight.

Maddie

Favourite Family Tradition…

It’s all about the kids, isn’t it? Seeing their faces light up as they leave mince pies, milk and a carrot for Santa and watching their amazement when all that’s left is the crumbs the next day. The whole magic of Christmas is those little moments of joy.

Delicious thing to eat…

I don’t think you can beat pigs in blankets at Christmas.

Christmas tipple of choice…

Got to be the Champagne or bucks fizz

Something you’re hoping to receive…

A full nights sleep and a lie-in would actually be a Christmas miracle

Decoration you’ve had the longest…

My dad has these god awful old cracked red baubles strung up together that he insists on putting on the tree every year. Saying that, I do think I’d be a bit sad if they weren’t there even though they’re ancient.

Where you’ll be spending Christmas this year...

We will be celebrating the first few days with my family and the second half with our family in Cornwall.

Favourite part of Christmas…

I love all the silly games that come out and just generally being around family is what it’s all about for me.

Time you eat your Christmas Lunch…

Usually around 2ish, so many moving parts it always takes longer than you think!

Christmas Eve plans…

Father Christmas on his sleigh is coming to the village to wave to the children.

Christmas day attire…

As a child, I used to stay in my PJs as long as I possibly could but my grandma always made me change into something smart before breakfast, she was very traditional. Nowadays I’m usually a smart/casual hybrid with comfy leggings and a nice top.

Christmas TV special you’re most excited about…

100% the Harry Potter reunion, I can watch the films on repeat this time of year so I really can’t wait.

Favourite Christmas Song…

Pogues Fairytale of New York, it’s a classic

Darcey

Favourite Family Tradition…

Every Christmas Eve at my Dads we all gather together after our annual Christmas Eve dinner and read “The Night Before Christmas” as a group, this book has been passed down three generations now so it’s really special.

Delicious thing to eat…

My Grandpa always does a really good spread of evening food which I think I prefer more than the actual Christmas dinner, you can’t beat picky bits!

Christmas tipple of choice…

Probably a glass of Prosecco or Champagne (depending on how extra we are all feeling).

Something you’re hoping to receive…

Must admit I am hoping for an Apple Watch this year and I may have bought an Apple Watch and a matching phone case in the Black Friday sales too with high hopes of receiving it… Ha someone take my bank card of me asap.

Decoration you’ve had the longest…

Hmm, I think probably those ones you make at school out of felt which you put a little Christmas wish in and give to your parents, they still make it on the tree’s (multiples as my Mum and Dad both still put them up on their own trees haha). If anyone wants to know I didn’t wish for anything remotely heartfelt at the age of 6, I asked for a pink Playstation.

Where you’ll be spending Christmas this year…

So I’ll be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my Dad, Step Mum and her family. Then Christmas Day I’ll drive to my Mum’s to spend it with her and that side of the family!

Favourite part of Christmas…

Definitely, the build-up to Christmas, like the week before is always so fun with all the excitement, wrapping gifts and seeing all your family! Without sounding too bah humbug, Christmas Day usually leaves me feeling a bit deflated, the pressure for it to be amazing usually makes me so anxious, so this year I need to try and chill. I’m sure some people relate!

Time you eat your Christmas Lunch…

Fairly early I think at about 12:30pm or 1pm, I know some people eat it much later.

Christmas Eve plans…

Off to my Dads and Step Mums for a big family meal that we do every year and some drinks!

Christmas day attire…

I’ll be wearing something fairly simple, thinking leather trousers and a burgundy jumper for a festive feel. I have however recently bought a diamanté bag which I’ll 100% be bringing, sparkles are as festive as it gets!

Christmas TV special you’re most excited about…

I genuinely never really watch any Christmas Specials, but I will be watching The Big Fat Quiz of the Year!

Favourite Christmas Song…

Last Christmas by Wham. Explains why Last Christmas is my fave Christmas film too!

Pinnies on people, it’s time for the main event: Christmas Dinner.

Prepping your festive spread for the big day should be fun but feeding the family often becomes the most daunting part of the day, stuffed with family barnies, raw Yorkshire puddings (because of course, you turned the oven off) and lumpy gravy disasters.

To ensure you don’t get caught up in the stress of it all and enjoy the festivities sans the sprout showdown, we asked our favourite culinary gods of the internet, otherwise known as chefs, to share their foolproof tips for a Michelin star level Christmas feast!

From the secret to fluffy but crispy spuds to the golden rules for cooking a perfectly succulent turkey or no-beef wellington and the common mistakes us mere mortals make, here’s how to leave your guests saying ‘hats off to the chef’ this Christmas.

Luke Catleugh

Luke’s taste in food is just as good as his taste in fashion! His recipe reels will have you drooling away, so we couldn’t wait to see how he does Christmas! Follow Luke on Instagram here.

Prep-wise, what do you take care of in the run-up to save us time on the day?

I am a huge believer in failure to plan, then plan to fail. However, especially after last year with everything changing so last minute, it truly doesn’t matter what you have on your plate, it’s more-so who you have around you.

Having said that, we do tend to peel/chop as much as we can the night before. Christmas Day is always such a blur, so the less time spent in the kitchen the better. These things you can do on the 24th:

• Peel your spuds and leave them in water overnight. Saves SO much time.
• You can also peel and chop your carrots and parsnips, par-boil them and wrap them on a baking tray ready to roast.
• If you are having meat (we don’t as I am veggie) it’s always a great idea to prep your turkey or meat the day before. Add any seasonings or stuffing and chill overnight. Don’t forget to bring your meat out to room temperature before cooking.

Sprouts are always pretty divisive. Have you got any trusty recipes or ideas to make them more likeable?

Sprouts have ALWAYS divided opinions in our household. I used to hate them with a passion and would try to hide them under the table or feed them to our dog. However, that was until I discovered a roasted sprout. Absolute game changer! My failsafe method is to blanch them in boiling water for 2 minutes and then submerge them in iced water to stop them cooking. Then simply halve the sprouts, add them to a roasting tray drizzled in olive oil, rock salt and cracked black pepper. Roast them for 20 – 25 minutes at 200 degrees/180 fan. You can stop there, or for a festive kick add some torn sage leaves which have been drizzled with oil to stop them burning 5 minutes before they’re done. Gorgeous!

What’s your ultimate Christmas Day starter?

My Mam makes a MEAN cheese soufflé, it’s rich and indulgent. In recent years however, we haven’t bothered with starters as the main is where it’s at!

What about presentation – does the aesthetic matter?

I think we eat with our eyes, but I am a big believer in that you can hide a multitude of Christmas cooking sins with a well-decorated table. I love a table-scape! We tend to put everything on the table if there is room and folks can just dig in and help themselves. That way, people can have as much oras little as they want. Pomegranate seeds and sage leaves add a festive sparkle to any dish to finish!

No Christmas dinner is complete without…

Before I was vegetarian, pigs in blankets, without a shadow of a doubt. Now, I’d have to say a roast potato. Potatoes are life.

What makes for the best fluffy on the inside crispy on the outside roast pots?

There is an art to roast potatoes and everyone does them differently. Some good tips I have learned:

• Cut your spuds on an angle, this gives better surface area for texture
• Cut them different sizes, but not too small or they will disintegrate
• Boil them in salt and a 1/4tsp of bicarbonate soda. This helps with the ‘fluff” until just softened.
• Leave them to steam once drained and fluff them in the colander before adding them to the oil
• The hotter the oil, the crispier the potato. We use olive oil but I know traditionally you’d use goose fat.
• Turn them regularly too!

What are you having as your main meat or alternative this year?

The past few years we have done a nut roast and it has always gone down a storm. This year, we are going for a mushroom, spinach and chestnut wellington for a change.

Let’s talk sauces. What’s the key to a great homemade cranberry or bread sauce?

Bread sauce is completely unchartered territory, however cranberry sauce is my go to! My Nana used to make a gorgeous cranberry sauce and she used to add a splash of port for good measure. She always said, the earlier you can make it the better the flavour gets. What makes for a 10/10 gravy? I am a northerner, so gravy is our thing! If you are a meat eater, save your cooking juices from the roasting of the meat and add that to your gravy. Depth of flavour is super important in gravy. I start with a base of onion, then add a good red wine and vegetable stock. I then stir in some cranberry sauce and a dash of balsamic vinegar. Leave it on the hob on low so the flavours have chance to develop. Cornflour will be your saviour if you have a thin gravy!

Thinking of the veggies, how does one level up their humble carrots or parsnips?

We always glaze our parsnips in honey and mustard. It’s an age old tradition. The mustard always has to be wholegrain. Last year, I tried fennel seeds and maple syrup on my carrots and instead of roasting them I fried them in a pan. They were gorgeous!

Talk to us about the cheese board situation – any pointers for layout, what needs to be on there and what can we do away with?

Cheeseboards are a thing of joy! I love them and you can go as overboard as you like. It’s Christmas after all! I think as long as you have 3-4 cheeses, a good robust cracker and some fruit, you are onto a winner. A classic cheddar is a crowd-pleaser, a creamy brie or a roulade will add flavour and a blue for those who love it. I think simplicity is key. Make sure you have more crackers on hand and plenty of cheese knives.

Have you got any Christmas Eve foodie traditions?

We always used to make hot chocolates before bed. As we grew up, we were allowed to join the adults and add a splash of whiskey or Cointreau for a festive touch. That would be the last thing we had before we went to bed.

Does the perfect time to serve up your Christmas dinner exist?

Absolutely not. We used to have our Christmas dinners SO early as kids, but it’s a much more relaxed affair now. I think everyones Christmas is different and special so enjoy it when it’s all ready!

Three sides you wouldn’t be without…

Roast potatoes, Sage and onion stuffing, Braised red cabbage!

If you could only have one festive dessert?

It has got to be a mince pie. I know so many people don’t like them but I just think they fully encapsulate Christmas. Always warmed and with a huge dollop of brandy cream. Delicious!

Katie Pix

Katie’s recipes are quick, easy and always filled to the brim with laughs! Her latest Food Flix series has Katie recreating the most delicious eats from well-loved films and TVs, and of course, recreating the costumes too. Follow Katie on Instagram here.

Prep-wise, what do you take care of in the run-up to save us time on the day?

In all honesty, we do very little forward-prep when it comes to Christmas dinner. Everyone’s assigned their various tasks (even grandma’s made to roll her sleeves up) and we all get stuck in on Christmas morning. It gathers us into the heart of the home and takes the pressure off any one person to get it all done. But things like sauces, the gravy and vegetable sides can all be happily prepped and ‘finished’ on the day. A great way to do it if you also have limited hob and oven space. 

Sprouts are always pretty divisive. Have you got any trusty recipes or ideas to make them more likeable?

Sprouts are sensational. If you’re eating sprouts and they evoke an unpleasant odour rather than a delicious taste, you’ve overcooked them! They’re essentially tiny little cabbages and relish being tossed through butter, generously seasoned and even served with chestnuts and bacon. Shred them up, fry them off with a dusting of nutmeg and cinnamon and give them a chance!

What’s your ultimate Christmas Day starter?

We love to go retro – prawn cocktail, melon and prosciutto or smoked salmon mousse with melba toast. Christmas is a time to indulge in nostalgia and it’s these dishes that help us revisit that wonderful feeling of Christmas every single year. 

What about presentation – does the aesthetic matter?

Absolutely! We eat with every one of our senses. Whether Christmas time or a mid-week meal in January, we almost always enjoy a plate of food more if it looks inviting. I’m not suggesting your crockery makes the difference but taking into consideration the balance of colour certainly will. Have you got some bright orange carrots and cherry red cranberry sauce alongside your ultimate beige delights? 

No Christmas dinner is complete without…

Pigs in blankets. And if you give Tom Kerridge’s ultimate pigs in blankets a try, you will absolutely agree with this statement (unless if you’re vegetarian, of course!). Juicy pork sausages wrapped in black pudding and crispy streaky bacon and glazed in a sticky cranberry and honey sauce. OOOOUFF! 

What makes for the best fluffy on the inside crispy on the outside roast pots?

1) Par-boil your potatoes in unseasoned water until they are just about to fall apart. 2) Lightly shake them in a colander to rough up the sides. 3) Allow them time to steam dry. 4) Use beef dripping or goose fat and make sure it has rendered first. 5) Add some rosemary and garlic about 10-15 minutes from the end and season upon serving. My mouth is watering. 

What are you having as your main meat or alternative this year?

We get a Kelly Bronze turkey every year – the best of the best – and a side of pork belly. Bring on the meat sweats. 

Let’s talk sauces. What’s the key to a great homemade cranberry or bread sauce?

Take your time. Allowing flavour to infuse and mature is game-changing when it comes to sauces. For example, let the milk in your bread sauce prep infused with cloves, onion, bay, peppercorns and nutmeg for all long as possible before adding the breadcrumbs and finishing it off. 

What makes for a 10/10 gravy?

Use your trimmings! Vegetable peelings, giblets and meat scraps can all be merrily roasted off and added to your gravy. Be sure to really mash them into the sauce before pouring it through a fine sieve to get the most flavour from them. Texture also makes for a game-changing gravy. Making a cornflour slurry will help add a velvety, thick viscosity to your gravy without having to panic about measurements. 

Thinking of the veggies, how does one level up their humble carrots or parsnips?

Cook carrots vichy-style. It is a French cooking technique where you cook the carrots in water, sugar, star anise and butter to make an outrageously festive glaze. And no parsnip is complete without a drizzle of honey and sprinkle of sea salt. 

Talk to us about the cheese board situation – any pointers for layout, what needs to be on there and what can we do away with?

Hold my butter knife… I’m going in.

It may be controversial but there should be 3-4 cheeses. Any more than that and there’s too much for the palate to enjoy. So with such a reserved number of cheeses, it’s important to include different styles, textures and flavours. Now, put away your packet of sandwich cheddar and don’t you DARE buy pre-sliced, it’s time to treat yourself and your taste buds with a sophisticated lineup. A soft cheese (often my lightest flavour option), a hard cheese (like a gnarly, tangy cheddar), something blue (can’t go wrong with a stilton) and an alternative cheese (something really special). I always like to buy straight from the cheese counter, not only to get a perfect size and shape for my table but to have a natter with knowledgeable cheese specialists.

If you’ve chosen your cheeses well, you shouldn’t need nor want to lay on too many additional flavours, but a lovely chutney and seasonal fruits and nuts not only offer new textures, they are colour to an otherwise beige cheeseboard canvas!  As for the crackers, it’s a minefield – the purist’s water biscuit, the classic cream cracker, the crumbly oatcake, the savoury digestive, classy charcoal squares, sophisticated crispbreads… But, there’s really no need to go mad! Blue cheeses go best with something a bit sweet and soft cheeses with a crisp, light cracker, but something neutral should work with everything.
It’s called a cheese BOARD for a reason. Grab yourself a beautiful hunk of wood and go wild. No need to be too strategic in how they are laid out. Often the ‘scattered’ tactic makes for a sumptuously rustic look. By bundling it all onto one plate, you also play a part in the true sentiment of Christmas – sharing. Reaching over one another, grabbing a slice and clashing knives on the stilton makes for a lot of loving interaction.

To help people know where to go, number your cheeses with little flags – guiding your guests from mild to strong – you need to start mild so you can actually taste each one as you go. Cheese is happiest wrapped in greaseproof paper, or even tin foil, so unpack and re-wrap it once you get home if you need to. In the grocery store, most cheeses (unless they’re vacuum packed) are kept cold in a refrigerated section, so it’s logical to assume that cheese should be served cold. However, cheese is at its best when served at room temperature, so remove it from refrigeration at least a half-hour before serving. If you have a large piece of cheese, only take out what you intend to serve.

Have you got any Christmas Eve foodie traditions?

Homemade pâté. It’s the first thing I make with my Dad when I head home for Christmas. We’ll often open up some ‘picky bits’ alongside but otherwise hold ourselves back from anything resembling a full dinner to mentally prepare for the feast to come!

Does the perfect time to serve up your Christmas dinner exist?

Yes – when you’re hungry! Christmas traditions should come with an asterisk to say *unique and applicable to you and your family* as we’re all so different, but I think this rule applies across the board. We are often up early in the Pix household, opening presents and tucking into smoked salmon and scrambled eggs alongside our Cadbury’s selection boxes.

By the time we’ve polished off a few bottles of bubbles we are slowly starting to get washed and dressed and lunchtime has been and gone. Our Christmas dinner starts at 3pm. Primetime to leisurely indulge, play party games and take full advantage of the perfectly timed post-Christmas-dinner lethargy around 5.30pm with a sofa nap. 

Three sides you wouldn’t be without…

Cauliflower cheese, Vichy carrots and red cabbage. ( I don’t think I’ve answered a question more speedily). 

If you could only have one festive dessert?

Bread and butter pudding made with leftover panettone and slathered in a thick vanilla custard. 

Madeleine Shaw

Madeleine brings an element of health and wellness to all of her foodie content which is always welcome over the Christmas period! Follow Madeleine on Instagram here.

Prep-wise, what do you take care of in the run-up to save us time on the day?

I always pre-make my Yorkshire pudding batter in advance and freeze it so that it is already ready for the day. I also make a homemade cranberry sauce that lasts all Christmas.

Sprouts are always pretty divisive. Have you got any trusty recipes or ideas to make them more likeable?

I absolutely love brussel sprouts, which for some people may seem ridiculous. But I truly believe if you don’t like them, it’s because you have been doing them wrong. I’ve rustled up mine with some maple syrup, roasted sweet potato, dried cranberries, pickled cabbage, pecans, coconut flakes and almond butter. WITH, a delicious miso dressing…. Now, if this doesn’t convert you, I don’t know what will

What’s your ultimate Christmas Day starter?

I love to make a grazing board and smoked salmon blinis as it gives a lot of variety and you can keep going back to them.

What about presentation – does the aesthetic matter?

Of course, it always helps to eat something that looks appetising and colourful as we always eat with our eyes first, I think the addition of fresh herbs or pomegranates are great at Christmas to add on top of dishes but we always know what we are getting at Christmas and it tends to never disappoint even if sometimes it is a little burnt!

No Christmas dinner is complete without…

Honey roasted vegetables!!

What makes for the best fluffy on the inside crispy on the outside roast pots?

It’s all about the shaking of the potatoes before you put them in the hot oil before roasting.

What are you having as your main meat or alternative this year?

I love a mushroom wellington. As there are a few different dietary needs with our families we tend to have a great mix of meat and veggie options to cater to all. 

Let’s talk sauces. What’s the key to a great homemade cranberry or bread sauce?

Maple syrup for the perfect refined sugar cranberry sauce.

What makes for a 10/10 gravy?

The juices from the roasted veg and meat – you can’t beat it.

Thinking of the veggies, how does one level up their humble carrots or parsnips?

Smothered in cinnamon, nutmeg and garlic or of course the honey-roasted veg.

Talk to us about the cheese board situation – any pointers for layout, what needs to be on there and what can we do away with?

I have never been a huge fan of cheese so I always do a vegan grazing board and this goes down a treat. With lots of dips, crackers, dried fruits and nuts.

Have you got any Christmas Eve foodie traditions?

I love to eat some fish the day before a heavy Christmas day – usually something light and fresh like my Pomegranate Glazed Salmon.

Does the perfect time to serve up your Christmas dinner exist?

No, I think the key is to let the day flow, sometimes things are out of your control so just enjoy every moment.

Three sides you wouldn’t be without…

Yorkshire puddings, roasted potatoes, Brussel sprouts 

If you could only have one festive dessert?

It’s got to be a perfect Christmas pudding or some gluten-free mince pies.

Christmastime, mistletoe, and wine! The Christmas period is all about soaking up the festive vibes for as long as possible and making memories with family and friends, even if said memories do involve a communal effort to make Uncle Peter feel better about the fact that you had to staple two paper hats together to fit his one head. 

From eating the same dinner and playing the same games, to watching the Queen’s speech and forcing everyone out on a post-roast walk, the warm familiarity of our 25 December routines is what makes Christmas Day feel Christmassy.

Maybe you’re yet to find your family’s *thing* or perhaps 2020 threw a rule-of-six shaped spanner in the works and it’s time to forge new seasonal fun, from signed, sealed and delivered self-care rituals to festive tipples with the squad, we’re hoping at least a few of these ideas will make your spirits bright. And if you just so happen to come from a long line of Grinches, let this be the year their hearts triple, nay quadruple in size thanks to these wholesome Yuletide traditions. 

Whether you’re looking for all-out festive ideas or something with a subtle and tenuous link to Christmas but with a solid link to mirth, here’s 10 holiday traditions you can adopt as your own. You’ll be v pleased to read, eggnog didn’t make the cut – it’s been banished to the cupboard under the stairs where it belongs. 

1. Get yourself a new Christmas decoration to chortle & weep over in years to come

Nothing says tradition like a commemorative decoration you can pluck out the attic every year as your annual reminder that you once had a real thing for *drumroll please* excessively sparkly lobsters. 

From the cult ‘n’ classy Harrods bauble to space rockets, avocados, hotdogs and trad nutcrackers (or buttcrackers as they’re now known to Team Zoella thanks to a rather beautiful slip of the keyboard) there’s an ornament for every aesthetic from minimal through to novelty and picking one out each year brings silly amounts of joy. 

If you skipped decorations altogether last year and want to ensure you never forget the year when banana bread became our sole food group and even Santa was working from home, we can think of no better way to keep the 2020 mems alive than with these guys:

2. Nourish your soul with a seasonal feel-good read 

Part of the beauty of Christmas is that we can do whatever the figgy pudding we want. Getting up at 11? Sure, it’s Christmas. Indulging in a digital detox, well they wouldn’t have wifi in the stable now would they (in a bit TikTok). Slipping into a peaceful cocoon of pure, non-threatening fiction in lieu of leafing through Instagram until you’ve got a throbbing migraine – we love to see it. 

Selecting your book of the season will truly light up your soul with wide-eyed wonderment (times that by ten if it’s a distinguished gentleman bound in cloth) and bequeath you with plenty of reasons to stay at home in the loving arms of your weighted blanket. 

Unlike a night out where you’re coerced into shotting seven ‘Bucas despite appearing to be a grown up and counting down the hours until your feet can live in flat, heavenly peace once more, season’s readings always end on merry terms. If you’re looking for a recommendation, allow us to hard plug Mandy Baggot’s One New York Christmas. 

3. Break out the matching pjs for the family portrait 

‘Tis the bona fide trademark of Christmas, no? Presenting your dad with a pair of dorky candy cane stripe pyjamas – or even better, a onesie that is evidently *not* one size fits all – and arranging him in front of the tree + self-timer while he wonders what the Dickens is going on is wickedly entertaining. The best bit: he thinks all this fuss is for Tweeter (sic). Everyone’s a winner, most of all your now exclusively holiday-themed flannel pyjama drawer. 

4. Arrange A Girls’ Festive Brunch

Whilst we don’t have a remedy for the fresh hell commonly known as: trying to arrange a date that works for every woman you’ve ever loved in December, the girls’ festive brunch is the one social event that doesn’t require a Doddle intervention, namely because it’s a daytime thing. And daytime socialising is the preferable mode of peopling. Send round the pdf menus, get the pre-orders in and most importantly discuss whether this will be your party pj’s time to shine. Spoiler alert – it is. Feathers and setting spray at the ready, here come the girls. 

5. Go Christmas caroling 

Like karaoke but with etiquette and volume control, bursting into song with a crowd of strangers does weird and wonderful things for the heart, even if you are off-key for the entirety of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. It’s the taking part (and the mulled wine) that counts, even if it’s just amongst the neighbours you do your best to avoid for 11 months of the year. 

7. Cook something together

It simply wouldn’t be the season to eat, drink and be merry without a recipe cobbled together between blood-relatives and bezzie pals. Whether you decide on homemade mince pies, yule log, Christmas Eve cookies or a boozy clementine gin, nothing says Christmas like a pathetic feud over who’s hogging the rolling pin. 

8. Write a letter to your future self 

Christmas spirit doesn’t have to cost a bomb. Some of the most meaningful gestures come straight from the heart, with a simple handwritten letter ‘to you, from you’ being one of the most thoughtful gifts of all. As we gear up to sing all three words of auld lang syne for another year, now’s a great time to take stock, practise gratitude, and reflect on the last 12 months, and what better way to savour every peak and pit than by putting pen to paper and addressing it to yours truly. It’ll be nostalgic to look back on this pivotal moment in your life and see what you were thinking. 

Maybe you’d rather look ahead to next year, exploring what’s next for you, penning your aspirations for where you want to be or what you want to achieve by next Christmas and setting the tone for 2022 with some positive affirmations. Put it in an envelope, seal it with some gold wax – because no one deserves fancy stationery and elegant correspondence as much as you – and open it on Christmas Eve next year to see what whopping great big dreams came to fruition. Manifestation mode – activated. 

9. Watch your favourite Christmas movie 

If you’ve got to the ripe old age of adulthood (symptoms include waking up in the middle of the night worrying about the whereabouts of your birth certificate) and have yet to know your favourite Christmas movie of all time, what are you playing at? Peruse our definitive ranking of G.O.A.T festive flicks immediately and let the movie marathon commence. Psst! if you want an enduring classic, go for It’s A Wonderful Life, if you want a radiant and respectably dewy Jude Law, go for The Holiday. Better yet, gather round the warm glow of your devices and watch one a night between now and the big day. 

10. Start a puzzle / make a wreath 

Take it from us: avoid anything that resembles a 1,000 piece Dickensian house because it will ruin your Christmas, unless of course you consider yourself someone who is capable of not getting a piece stuck to your arse cheek and sabotaging the entire finale. It was a child’s scarf if you must know. 

Generally speaking, puzzling is a top-tier mindfulness activity, perfect for taking it down a notch ahead of social butterfly season. Whack on a Christmas movie in the background and time will fly by. Unless you’re sitting on the missing piece in which case you will pass away and wish you started a wreath instead.

If your Mrs Claus magic has been used to its full capacity this December and you find yourself left with the uncle/brother/father-in-law who has everything, look no further, we’re here to help! Because whilst some gift inspiration comes naturally, for the men in your life who have it all, securing a present that’s sure to delight is no easy feat. Spoiler: no-one actually wants another Lynx Africa set.

From luxe fragrances your S/O will smell divine in, whiskey glasses your brother’s guests will forever be admiring, to mug warmers Dad will be wowed by, there are gadgets and gizmos aplenty to fit the last minute gift brief this Christmas. With presents starting from as little as £9.99, consider this our gift to you this December…

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Disclaimer: Sandwich thieves are operating in this area. You have been warned. 

For the uninitiated (and point-blank deprived) the Moist Maker is a superior sandwich consisting of holier than thou Thanksgiving / Christmas leftovers. The only thing that’s disgusting about it is the name. And the number of burps you’ll be doing after you’ve eaten it. 

Nothing else competes. Not your Pret’s, certainly not your Tesco meal deals and not your Costas. It is a sandwich in a league of its own and earning your Moist Maker stripes takes a steady pair of hands and an even steadier appetite. After all, you’re not simply building a sandwich here, you’re building edible dreams. 

So, who died and made this Yuletide double-decker king, anyway? Well, Hovis died. You can’t be constructing a Christmas sandwich with any ol’ flaccid loaf occupying your bread bin. It needs to be big enough and crusty enough that wrapping your chops around it is something of an Olympic sport – like a slobbery game of Speak Out at Christmas. Maybe not the best parlour game in covid times but you get the gist. Basically, if your mouth looks relaxed when eating it, you’re doing it wrong. Throw another storey on there and come back to us when you’re going to take this seriously. 

Which segues nicely into the next point. Something else that sets this sarnie apart from the cheese and onion nonsense of the world: layers. Sublime appropriately hydrated, merrily drunk layers. Not so much that they’re dripping with gravy but just juicy enough that you can still identify its bread-based foundations. 

To hell with that underwhelming Boxing Day turkey sandwich everyone pretends to enjoy, cobbled together with the scraps of meat no one wanted the first time around and a knob of butter that’s probably not even Lurpak. This is 2021 and we deserve more than another serving of disappointment. 

Whilst the word ‘moist’ often causes a visceral reaction amongst all of us, the one place it can exist without the risk of being sick in your mouth is within the context of a Christmas leftovers sandwich. Only then does it become socially acceptable to utter such an adjective in the presence of your parents without losing a significant part of your soul in the process. 

Preface done – let’s get into the fillings and the assembly…

The Moist Maker origins

Truth be told, it’s the only origin story that matters this Christmas. The Moist Maker was made popular by the cult 90s sitcom Friends. It was the show that introduced us to The Rachel haircut, brought a whole new meaning to the word *seven* and introduced us to the concept of Unagi, but the best gift it ever bestowed upon us by a long stretch was the titular Moist Maker, Monica Geller’s (Courteney Cox) signature post-thanksgiving sandwich. 

In season five, episode nine titled “The One with Ross’s sandwich” we go on quite the ride with Ross, Monica’s brother, as he discovers that not only has one of his co-workers eaten his Moist Maker *audible gasp* but they didn’t even finish it, on account of it being ‘too big’ apparently. What a sad little life, Jane. 

Ingredients you will need:

• Artisanal bread  
• Seasonal veg (carrots, onions, celery and the like)
• Roast potatoes (if leftovers exist)
• Pork sausage meat / mince for the stuffing
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Fresh sage
• Fresh parsley 
• Fresh thyme 
• Orange juice
• Mascovado sugar
• Wine (optional but recommended)
• Cranberry 
• Turkey (sliced / shredded) 
• Garlic 
• Eggs 
• Turkey stock
• Plain flour 
• Brie 

The Turkey

We’re going to assume you’ve already cooked your turkey on Christmas Day because we just can’t fathom the energy it would require to make a whole Christmas feast for the sake of leftover sandwiches… but in the event that you haven’t and you’re wanting to make every component of the Moist Maker right this second (we take our Christmas hat off to you), butterflying your turkey is the way to go. Removing the spine, the neck and the wishbone and essentially splaying your bird out to flatten it and make it cook more evenly. 

Line a baking tray with foil, roughly chop some onions, carrots and celery to add onto the bottom of the tray. Position your turkey on a wire rack over the vegetables – the veg will catch any fat and prevent the turkey juices from burning. 

Season generously with roughly half a cup of salt and a tsp of baking powder for crispy skin perfection, then whack it in the oven for approximately 2 hours at 220 degrees. Rest for half an hour before carving. Always temperature check before consumption. 

The Stuffing 

After watching / drooling over many a YouTube video (thank you Babish), the consensus is a Moist Maker simply must contain stuffing and true to top-of-the-class Monica form, it’s gotta be homemade for it to meet M.M levels of stardom. 

As with all these subsequent steps, we pray you’ve completed them on Christmas Day and have all your ingredients conveniently chilling in your fridge because cooking all this lot on Boxing Day is not the one. Your PJs did not sign up for this toxic productivity.

Slice your artisanal bread, or crusty bread as it’s known in all circles, and then cut into cubes – you’re going to toast these hunks on a low and slow heat to make croutons. Spread them out across a couple of baking trays and put them in the oven for around two hours at 200 degrees. Bye moisture, bye. 

Take your sausage meat, add it into a bowl with 1 tbsp chopped sage, 1 clove of crushed garlic, salt and pepper. Mix it all together and sauté the pork on the stovetop. Remove the pork, drain and cool, leaving some of the fat behind to sauté the onion and celery. 

Add your aforementioned hunks of bread into a big bowl, now nicely toasted and transformed into croutons. Combine with the pork, sautéed vegetables, chopped fresh sage, parsley and thyme. 

Temper two eggs with a bit of warm stock to prevent scrambling and add to the bowl with the pork, veggies, herbs and croutons. Mix in with some more stock until it’s nicely saturated and you’re able to work it into a mass with your hands. 

Grease an ovenproof/casserole dish with chicken fat, transfer your stuffing and roast for 40-50 minutes at 190 degrees. 

The Stock 

For the gravy flavour to really slap, you’re going to need to use that turkey spine you chiselled out earlier to elevate your store-bought stock. Sounds grim, tastes sensational. 

Brown off the turkey pieces in oil before adding your veg. Throw in some roughly chopped celery and carrots and onion. Add in a handful of fresh thyme and 12 ish cups of stock and simmer for a couple of hours for a one-way ticket to “mmm is this homemade?”. 

When it’s reduced by about 4 cups, strain into a large measuring jug ready to make your gravy. 

The Gravy 

Add 4 tbsp chicken fat and 4 tbsp flour to a frying pan to form a light blonde roux to thicken your gravy. Slowly add in the stock and continually whisk until it forms a darker, smooth lump-free paste. 

The Bread

Size matters when it comes to the Moist Maker which means you will need to accommodate three pieces of bread, not two, not two with a thick crust, three whole slices of bread. We told you this was no ordinary sarnie.

The Cranberry Sauce

Technically speaking, you can use a jar straight from the shops, but in Monica’s world that’s Moist Maker sacrilege. 

Making your own calls for just three ingredients – 350g fresh or frozen cranberries, 250ml fresh orange juice (or water) and 200g light muscovado sugar. Cook down your cranberries and simmer all your ingredients together until it starts to look jammy but the cranberries are still holding their shape (you can also chuck in a cinnamon stick and a glug of red wine because f*ck it, it’s Christmas). Add a little water whilst simmering if needed. After about 10 minutes, add in 2 tsp orange zest and a pinch of salt if desired and you’re done. 

The Gravy-Soaked Layer (aka the money shot) 

The gravy-soaked layer is le making of this sandwich and the glue that holds the whole family together, ingeniously tucked in the thick of it all, flanked between the festive trimmings of your choice. 

Take a slice of untoasted bread, let it bathe in the gravy for a few seconds on either side, ensuring that it’s thoroughly soaked in the good stuff and dripping with thick Yuletide glee. Don’t come up for air before the 10 seconds is up. 

Assembly Time 

Toast your top and tail bread in the oven on *one* side, leaving the other sides untoasted for the safety and protection of the roof of your mouth. 

Grab your top and bottom bread layer toasted side up and spread over a layer of cranberry sauce. Follow with sliced white turkey meat on the bottom and a thin layer of stuffing. Grab your gravy-soaked layer and stack him atop the stuffing patty. Go in with more white meat, another layer of stuffing and then add your final piece of bread, toasted side facing the filling. 

In our experience, leftover roast potatoes don’t exist because they generally get eaten on Christmas Day, namely during the washing up witching hour but if you’re lucky enough to have some spuds left, you know what to do. Get them in there!

If you must have greenery, garnish your final layer with a few baby gem lettuce leaves and a healthy dollop of garlic mayo. 

All these layers and not one mention of cheese – the audacity. Well, of all the recipes we scrutinised, not one listed cheese as a Moist Maker dealbreaker… make it make sense! We’d sooner choke on a wishbone than support that. Chuck in some brie wherever you see fit. What else are we to do with that footlong cheeseboard running the full gamut of the kitchen?  

Now for the finale – slice your Moist Maker on the diagonal, never straight down the middle. Any sandwich worthy of a post this dramatic should be sliced diagonally for creative integrity. 

And there you have it, your Moist Maker 101. Equal parts art, equal parts science.

Love it or hate it, New Year’s Eve is on the horizon, and whether you plan on a lowkey event accessorised with takeaway pizza and supermarket Prosecco aplenty, or a night on the town instead, it’s certain that entering the new year feeling your best is something we all hope for from this controversial calendar event.

In the words of Taylor Swift, we’re feeling (20)22, and it’s okay if you’re happy, free, confused and lonely at the same time! It’s been a wild ride and regardless of your plans, celebrating the milestone of getting through another year of upheaval is something worth toasting to. Get those flutes at the ready!

See what Team Zoella plan to be rocking as the clock strikes 12, and let’s hold a moment of silence to manifest a Zac Efron style NYE smooch for us all. Amen.

Charlotte

My NYE plans this year are still a bit up in the air but if there’s one thing I can guarantee it’s that my outfit will need to be 11/10 to start the new year off right! I love love love this dress from Motel Rocks and although I am bound to be absolutely freezing, I think it’s worth it. I’ve paired it with some knee-high boots for a tiny bit more warmth and a classic black bag for a look that never gets old (imo).

Motel Rocks, RAMBAYA BODYCON DRESS, £44
Public Desire, LEXI BLACK DIAMANTE KNEE HIGH BOOTS, £110.99
JW PEI, Joy Bag – Black, £89

Lareese

NYE – it’s extra or nothing in my book, there is no in-between for me. I’m going to go for a black tux blazer and trousers because I know I’ll get the wear out of them as separates, then dress it up with all the glitzy accessories, from sparkly earrings, heels and a velvet hair bow to boot. More is more at this time of year!

ASOS, ASOS DESIGN tux suit blazer in black, £58
ASOS, Stradivarius wide leg relaxed dad trousers in black, £19.99
Nasty Gal, Sequin Notch Front Strappy Bralet, £35
Pretty Little Thing, GREEN GLITTER BAG, £24
Public Desire, WRAP AROUND DIAMANTE BOW HEELS, £69.99
New Look, Silver Diamanté Star Drop Stud Earrings, £5.99
Gigi & Olive, PALOMA BLACK VELVET BOW, £50

Danielle

If everything goes to plan I’ll be in New York for NYE which is SUPER exciting. I don’t have crazy party plans, just planning to bar hop and then go for my first meal of 2022 at Lil Frankie’s! It’s going to be absolutely freezing in NY so I’ll be heading out in jeans a jumper (with tons of layers) some heeled boots and this gorgeous faux shearling coat. I don’t know if I’ll be able to get hold of this Taylor merch for the big night but I REALLY want it!

Mango, Faux-shearling leather-effect coat, £139
ASOS, ASOS DESIGN farleigh ‘slim’ mom jeans, £28
ASOS, Ratings leather Chelsea boots in off white, £55
Matches Fashion, GANNI wool-blend beanie hat, £75
H&M, Wool-blend polo-neck jumper, £59.99

Darcey

Is anyone else in agreement that NYE is a strange night? It’s hyped up all through December but usually the actual night is… slightly anticlimactic. I do however like to get dressed up still and feel hopeful of having the best NYE ever ha. So I’ve gone for a pair of wide-leg jeans and a cute cami top with diamanté straps, paired with some clear perspex heels and a diamanté bag to match, I’ll wear an oversized black blazer over the top in the hopes it keeps me slightly warm!

ASOS, ASOS DESIGN 90s shoulder bag in pink diamante, £25
Mango, Strass tank top, £19.99
Mango, Pocketed oversize blazer, £69.99
ASOS, Wide Fit Hazelnut mid-heeled mules, £28
Mango, High-waist wideleg, £35.99

Maddie

I am fairly certain that it’s a night in with a takeaway for me and my husband this year, trying to convince family members to babysit has so far fallen very flat. To be honest, I don’t really mind, New Year’s out has never really gone that well for me and who’s to say getting dressed up at home and opening up your finest bubbles you’ve been saving can’t be just as fabulous! I’ll be honest the heels are a stretch but a special sparkly dress and tailored blazer combo is always going to make you feel great.

& Other Stories, One-Shoulder Sequin Mini Dress, £75
Office, Hailey Simple Two Part Sandals Black, £49
Zara, DINNER JACKET, £59.99

Holly

Who knows where we’ll be for NY at this rate but one thing’s for certain, SPARKLES (and crying)! Whether I’m on the sofa with mum or doing tequila in the club, I will certainly be dressing to the nines and when I’ve had one too many wines will cry about the past year, it’s tradition! Gold is ultimate party time and black because I am sophisticated.

House of Fraser, URBAN DECAY Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner, £17
Boohoo, Glitter Envelope Clutch Bag and Chain, £12
Oasis, Long Sleeve Multi Coloured Sequin Top, £65
& Other Stories, Wide High Waist Cotton Trousers, £65

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Sure, summer weddings are irrefutably stunning but there’s a serious case for getting married at Christmastime and New Year. Case in point: snowy photo ops and hair & makeup that actually stays put. No heatwave, no hot mess.

Hardy winter flowers make transporting your bouquet that little bit easier (because nobody wants to be dealing with droopy blooms on their wedding day) and since most of the celebrations take place inside, you haven’t got to panic about one of your wedding guests wearing the gazebo-like a hat or swimming your way up the aisle.

If you get married close enough to Christmas, you’ll already have a perfectly dressed wedding venue and copious festive backdrop possibilities and we all know what that means – less money spent on foliage = more money to stick behind the bar for mulled wine and warm mince pies. Consider that reason enough to take your nuptials into the winter.

Then there’s the appeal of your dream wedding venue being: a) available and b) cheaper, such are the perks of going off-peak! Hello, bougie honeymoon fund.

If you’re soon-to-be tying the knot and on the fence about having a winter wedding, allow these happy couples to help you make up your mind.

Noelle Downing

What made you want to get married at this time of year? One of the nicest aspects of winter is the cosy ambience, flickering candlelight and roaring log fires. 

Danny and I both love and look forward to the fall/winter every year, so naturally, it is when we wanted to get married!

What was your venue like and how important was it for setting the tone for your wedding?

Where we got married was actually a custom venue. So everything there had to be brought in down to the toilets. Ha! So we really had to create an entire mood and atmosphere, which was a challenge I looked forward to!

What’s different about planning a winter wedding vs a summer wedding?

First and foremost, I had to worry about people being cold. So we had to pay for heaters to be running through the tent, and Pendleton provided blankets outside for the ceremony for the guests.  We also had a hot mulled wine station to keep everyone warm and cosy! Perhaps the biggest concern was it snowing since we rented a clear top tent and it would have made the material cave in / unsafe. So we kept checking the weather to be sure since anything can happen in upstate NY, especially in November!

Talk to us about the aesthetic. Did you stick to the seasonal theme?

I 100% committed to the seasonal theme. We got married on a Christmas tree farm so we really wanted to tie in the natural elements of the land. We brought Christmas trees from the farm into the tent and had them decorated with lights. For the ceremony, we had the seating arranged around some of the growing trees which made it feel really organic and nature-y. I also wanted to bring in elements that felt like you were having dinner in the Great Hall (Harry Potter) with the long tables and books scattered! It really did feel like the great hall under the stars!

Peak season prices are one very good reason to say I do in the wintertime! Did you save money by deciding to get married out of season? 

I wish I could say we did. However, since we did a full custom venue, we didn’t really save on much. 

That said, the holiday season can be a busy time of year, were most of your guests able to attend?

Since we actually got married a little bit before the holidays,  most guests were able to attend, but since it was a destination in some ways, meaning a lot of our guests didn’t actually live in New York even though we do, there definitely was more of a drop in guests than you would probably see with a normal local wedding. 

Flowers can also be tricky to get hold of over Christmas and into January, how did you find that process?

I really wanted our flowers and bouquets to mainly be from the Christmas tree farm so we were able to source everything from them pretty much. Think very simple with pine and a few white flowers! 

Another great thing about a winter wedding is the opportunity to layer up and create a dramatic look! What was your dress/suit like? Was there an outfit change?!

Well, really Danny stole the show with his maroon velvet suit, so as far as taking in the seasons he wins. But my dress was embellished with a ton of writing and beads (the lyrics to So This is Love with our names embroidered into it as well), so it was really heavy, and looking back I am so thankful that it was a little chilly so that I wasn’t too hot. I did have an outfit change with small velvet details on the dress. Everything felt super holiday magic, being finished off with my Jennifer Behr celestial pieces. 

One thing you do have to consider is that precious thing called daylight. How much did you have to factor this (and the weather) into your day and was the timing hard to coordinate? 

Luckily my wedding planner lives in the area, so she knew exactly when the sun would set and had been keeping an eye on it. We did the ceremony about an hour before that and took photos before guests arrived and thankfully we love night photos and implemented a ton of twinkle lights it into the tent, so honestly those night photos I still think of my favourite from the entire day.

Let’s talk feasting! What food and drink did you have at the reception?

For the first course, we had a delicious kale salad served family-style. Then for the second course, we had Neapolitan pizza for the tables, and we actually had our chef bring in a pizza oven special for this. Then for the following courses, we had our guests pre-select from 3 entrées – ricotta gnocchi, short rib, or scallops. For dessert, we had our wedding cake obviously, but we had 2 different flavours plus 3 different kinds of pie. When it comes to food, we really sacrificed nothing because we looove food!

What was your first dance song?

Longer Than by Dan Fogelberg

How did everything go on the day? Did you ever have any reservations about getting married in the winter?

Best day ever honestly. I don’t have a single regret.

Hard question but do you have a stand-out memorable moment from your big day?

So I think for Danny and I both, one of the most memorable moments was after we did the first look and we got about an hour to ourselves taking photos, but also really soaking in the last minutes left of being not married and kind of talking about our journey as a couple and how crazy it was at this day was finally here, and we were so giddy and excited and it’s honestly a memory I’ll never forget. 

If you were planning your wedding all over again, would you do anything differently?

To be honest I’m not a big regrets person but there’s truly not a single thing I would do differently.

Your best advice for anyone planning a winter wedding…

If you’re paying for it, you do you, and don’t feel bad about any decisions you make that other people might push back on. We didn’t invite kids/anyone under the age of 18 and I know some people may have been saddened by that but we really wanted people that had kids to maybe have their first night out that they had since having a kid. It was our day to celebrate our love and I am glad that I made the decisions that are best for us at the end of the day!

Camille

One of the nicest aspects of winter is the cosy ambience, flickering candlelight and roaring log fires. What was your venue like and how important was it for setting the tone for your wedding?

Where I’m from the winter is not usually that cold so I knew I wanted a venue that had an outdoor ceremony space and an indoor space for the reception. We ended up choosing a wood-panelled interior that felt cosy while still not being too rustic. It was super important to me to have a nice venue to provide the backdrop for all of our pictures. With relatively minimal decorations we were ankle to create a cosy yet Christmassy atmosphere.

Talk to us about the aesthetic. Did you stick to the seasonal theme?

I wanted our wedding to feel inspired by Christmas without being too overwhelming. So for the colours, we went with green, white, silver, and small pops of red here and there. We also put up Christmas trees behind our sweetheart table with lots of greenery and lights everywhere. One of our major nods towards the season was our guest book. We bought wooden ornaments and silver sharpies and had guests decorate and sign them with little notes. Now every Christmas we have a dedicated tree for the ornaments that our friends and families made at our wedding. I also set the dress code as “festive cocktail” encouraging guests to embrace royal toned winter colours in their outfits. 

Peak season prices are one very good reason to say I do in the wintertime! Did you save money by deciding to get married out of season?

SO MUCH MONEY! My husband and I got married on December 23, which was not only an off-peak time but it was also a Monday. I highly recommend this if you are planning a wedding on a budget because most of your guests can attend a wedding right before a holiday because they have those next days off, but wedding vendors often charge less not just because of the season and for weekdays. This can also mean you have full access to any vendor you’d like because they’re less likely to be booked by other couples.

That said, the holiday season can be a busy time of year, were most of your guests able to attend?

It sounds terrible to say, but we chose that date knowing that it meant people may not be able to come. I didn’t want a huge wedding but due to family obligations, I had to invite a lot of people. Out of the 250 people we invited about 100 were able to attend. This was better though because it was just our close family and friends.

Flowers can also be tricky to get hold of over Christmas and into January, how did you find that process?

We did all of our own flower arrangements and bulk ordered them from Costco. I also chose a lot of greenery with just a few flowers sprinkled in, so that made it easier.

Another great thing about a winter wedding is the opportunity to layer up and create a dramatic look! What was your dress/suit like? Was there an outfit change?!

My dress was originally sleeveless but I knew that I really wanted long lace sleeves so we were able to add a company under the dress to achieve that look. It had an all lace bodice and a ball-gown type skirt. I also had my hair styled to include flowers and greenery.

One thing you do have to consider is that precious thing called daylight. How much did you have to factor this (and the weather) into your day and was the timing hard to coordinate?

I think anyone who has an outdoor wedding stresses about the weather, but we made contingencies. If it was raining we were planning to move inside and if it was cold we had purchased blankers and rented space heaters to pass out to guests at the ceremony. We also stated on our wedding website that the ceremony would be outdoors so they should dress accordingly! The ceremony started at 5pm which meant that we had the last bit of sunlight for the wedding and a beautiful sunset for all the group pictures.

Let’s talk feasting! What food and drink did you have at the reception?

Our goal was a Christmas dinner type menu. We had butler passed around Hors d’oeuvres with mac n cheese balls and cucumber bites. Then for dinner, we went with roast beef, mashed potatoes, bread, and green beans. We had a semi-open bar along with hot chocolate.

What was your first dance song?

LOVE by Nat King Cole

How did everything go on the day? Did you ever have any reservations about getting married in the winter?

I had really tried to prepare myself mentally for something to go wrong, but I was so fortunate that nothing did! It was one of the most beautiful and peaceful days of my life. And more than one person told me it was one of the most fun weddings they’d ever been too, which made me feel very happy.

Hard question but do you have a stand-out memorable moment from your big day?

We got married outside on a property next to a big field. After we said our vows a bunch of cows in the pasture next to us started lowing so loudly the minister had to pause until they were done. Everybody laughed and it’s still one of my favourite moments.

If you were planning your wedding all over again, would you do anything differently?

Two things: First- enjoy everything about being a bride-to-be. Have an engagement party, have a bachelorette party, make a big deal out of dress shopping. It’s easy to get stressed over everything, but this is all a once in a lifetime experience to get ready to celebrate your love for your partner. Second- if you have family coming into town from far away try to plan something simple so you can all spend time together if not before the wedding then maybe after. If I could do it again I would have planned a brunch for the next day to fully enjoy being surrounded by my friends and family without all the stress of the wedding coming up.

Tara

What made you want to get married at this time of year?

We wanted to get married on New Year’s Eve as we loved the idea of ending one year and starting a new one as husband and wife. We also liked the idea of the glamour of an NYE party wedding. 

One of the nicest aspects of winter is the cosy ambience, flickering candlelight and roaring log fires. What was your venue like and how important was it for setting the tone for your wedding?

We got married in a small and intimate venue.  We had lots of candles and low lighting to add to this mood. We spent a lot of time in the bar area with dimmed lights and candles on tables. We had sparklers at midnight as well which was lovely. 

What’s different about planning a winter wedding vs a summer wedding?

The days are obviously a lot shorter and it’s cold so the majority of our day was spent inside rather than outside. Our photographer worked with us to get the most out of the light and we had to keep as warm as possible during outdoor photographs. One way we did this was that my bridesmaids and I had faux fur wraps to keep us warm. 
Talk to us about the aesthetic.

Did you stick to the seasonal theme?

We didn’t have a lot of Christmas decorations, only at the hotel that my bridal party and I got ready at. We went for a glamorous theme with glitzy dresses and lots of champagne. We asked all guests to wear their favourite party outfit as opposed to traditional wedding guest outfits. 

Peak season prices are one very good reason to say I do in the wintertime! Did you save money by deciding to get married out of season?

The opposite! Getting married on New Year’s Eve meant that we paid a premium for the venue and the staff. 
That said, the holiday season can be a busy time of year.

Were most of your guests able to attend?

Being New Year’s Eve we found that most guests were happy to attend a party! We had a small wedding with only 40 guests and it felt very special to spend the day with just our favourite people. 

Flowers can also be tricky to get hold of over Christmas and into January, how did you find that process?

We had an amazing florist who worked with us to source flowers in our colour theme of pink and navy blue. We had a lot of greenery which added to the winter look. 

Another great thing about a winter wedding is the opportunity to layer up and create a dramatic look! What was your dress/suit like? Was there an outfit change?!

I had a sparkly Sophia Tolli Gown and my bridesmaids wore pink sequin, floor-length gowns. We wore faux fur wraps and I had a dramatic crystal headband that caught the light in the venue beautifully.
One thing you do have to consider is that precious thing called daylight.

How much did you have to factor this (and the weather) into your day and was the timing hard to coordinate?

We got married at 2pm and then went straight outside for photos. At this time the lighting was still good and the photographer was able to get some lovely shots. As the sun went down my husband and I went back outside or into darker rooms in the venue to get low lighting photos. 

Let’s talk feasting! What food and drink did you have at the reception?

We had canapés and Krispy Kreme doughnuts with champagne straight after the ceremony. We then had soup and roast chicken for dinner and a trio of desserts. As the wedding went on until after midnight we had a late-night buffet with cocktails in the evening. 
What was your first dance song?
“I knew I loved you” by Savage Garden. 

How did everything go on the day? Did you ever have any reservations about getting married in the winter?

We were worried about it raining but our photographer talked us through how he uses puddles to take stunning reflection photos. By the day of the wedding, we were almost looking forward to rain- but we didn’t get any!  
Hard question but do you have a stand-out memorable moment from your big day?
When the clock struck midnight and we were outside, toasting the new year and our new marriage with champagne and sparklers and all of our favourite people. That is a memory that will stay with us forever. 

If you were planning your wedding all over again, would you do anything differently?

Nothing! It was absolutely perfect for us. 

Your best advice for anyone planning a winter wedding…

Do it!! You may have less time outside in the sunshine, but you won’t get sweaty! And the time you would have spent outside, you can spend inside dancing!!  

Laura

What made you want to get married at this time of year?

It is my favourite time of the year. My husband proposed to me in December and we started “officially” dating in December. There was something about a winter wedding that I couldn’t pass up. 

One of the nicest aspects of winter is the cosy ambience, flickering candlelight and roaring log fires. What was your venue like and how important was it for setting the tone for your wedding?

We got married inside a post and beam venue in Canada called Temples Sugar Bush. It’s a maple sugar bush in the springtime and a wedding venue the rest of the year. 

There was a blizzard the day before our wedding so everything was covered in a fresh blanket of snow. That really upped the cosy vibe. We got married in front of the roaring stone fireplace amongst our friends and family. It was every cosy and love-filled feeling I could have hoped for. 

What’s different about planning a winter wedding vs a summer wedding?

Planning a winter wedding with reliable transportation for our guests was really important to us. Knowing that no matter the weather they would be safe. Other than that I feel like it’s the same.

Talk to us about the aesthetic. Did you stick to the seasonal theme?

We did! My mom made garlands from our families farm as the table runners, we had black lanterns and paper table runners with gold dots all over. During dinner, we played Michael Buble’s Christmas album. My flowers were deep reds, plums and pinks.

Peak season prices are one very good reason to say I do in the wintertime! Did you save money by deciding to get married out of season?

We did! We were married on an “off-season Saturday” but I wanted to get married in the winter anyway so it just felt like a bonus perk.

That said, the holiday season can be a busy time of year, were most of your guests able to attend?

Because of the snowstorm the day before the wedding a few guests were unable to attend. But all the most important people were there and that’s all I could ask for.

Flowers can also be tricky to get hold of over Christmas and into January, how did you find that process?

I really wanted peonies they’re my favourite flower. We splurged and had them shipped in from Europe. Other than those I think the flowers were all locally grown in greenhouses. 

Another great thing about a winter wedding is the opportunity to layer up and create a dramatic look! What was your dress/suit like? Was there an outfit change?!

My mom made me a shawl to wear around my arms. I was freaking freezing. I also wore my hunter boots because they were easy to slip on and off and kept my feet out of the snow. I wore my dress all night long, I loved it too much to change out of it! 

One thing you do have to consider is that precious thing called daylight. How much did you have to factor this (and the weather) into your day and was the timing hard to coordinate?

It wasn’t too difficult for us. We did our “first look” and bridal party photos before our ceremony.

Let’s talk feasting! What food and drink did you have at the reception?

Our venue had incredible food! We had maple bourbon chicken, salad, mash potatoes, carrots, butternut squash soup.. it was delicious. 

What was your first dance song?

Die a happy man by Thomas Rhett. But another memorable song for us was one of my girlfriends sang me down the aisle to Mean to Me by Brett Eldridge. 

How did everything go on the day? Did you ever have any reservations about getting married in the winter?

None, it was incredible, I recommend it to anyone who thinks it’s right for them! 

Hard question but do you have a stand-out memorable moment from your big day?

The ceremony was my favourite part, all cosy by the fire surrounded by our loved ones. 

If you were planning your wedding all over again, would you do anything differently?

The only thing I would do differently is to not have reception only guests. I would have loved for everyone to come for the whole evening! 

Your best advice for anyone planning a winter wedding…

My advice to anyone planning any type of wedding is to do what speaks to you, it’s one day you get to celebrate your love surrounded by the people who support and love you. Splurge on things that are important to you and don’t on the things that don’t matter to you. It’s your wedding, you make the rules.

Francesca

What made you want to get married at this time of year? 

We’re both quite ‘active’ people, we like games and things but the problem with Summer is the uncertainty over the weather so the next best thing was to go big on the party side of things and NYE is the best time for a party. Plus we liked the idea of just planning the whole thing and it being done within the year.

What was your venue like and how important was it for setting the tone for your wedding?

We wanted a fairly rustic, casual setting so chose a venue with a big barn for the ceremony and the party. We wanted a cosy atmosphere – everyone looks better in candlelight right?! So we went big on festoon and fairy light. The venue also had a big house attached which meant that a lot of our friends coming up could stay. The wedding was in my home town of Yorkshire but we live in London so all of our London friends were able to stay meaning we didn’t have to worry too much about transport on NYE which was another big win. 

What’s different about planning a winter wedding vs a summer wedding? 

Not having to worry about the weather. We knew it would be cold so planned for mostly indoor time. We didn’t need to have a plan A and a plan B depending on the weather which made things a lot less stressful! 

Talk to us about the aesthetic. Did you stick to the seasonal theme?

Yep, the groomsmen wore black tuxedos and the bridesmaids were in a deep red colour. My dress was had constellations that looked a bit like fireworks. The bouquets were very seasonal with more foliage than bright flowers. The table plan was a giant clock, there were confetti cannons, espresso martinis, sparklers, fire pits…

Peak season prices are one very good reason to say I do in the wintertime! Did you save money by deciding to get married out of season?

I think NYE meant we still paid the premium prices unfortunately.

That said, the holiday season can be a busy time of year, were most your guests able to attend?

I think pretty much everyone invited could attend; no one likes coming up with NYE plans right?!

Flowers can also be tricky to get hold of over Christmas and into January, how did you find that process?

We had a lovely florist so no problems.

Another great thing about a winter wedding is the opportunity to layer up and create a dramatic look! What was your dress/suit like? Was there an outfit change?!

My dress was from Pronovias and it was amaaaazing. It’s called Hidden Galaxy I think and was plain but with an open back with jewelled constellations. Nick wore a tuxedo and the jacket was a dark red velvet. We felt very fancy. After the first dance, I changed into a shorter, lighter, less white, sparkly number with trainers so I could dance. It also meant I could put an all-important bra on!

One thing you do have to consider is that precious thing called daylight. How much did you have to factor this (and the weather) into your day and was the timing hard to co-ordinate?

I think we were okay, we had great photographers who took advantage of the moody lighting!

Let’s talk feasting! What food and drink did you have at the reception?

Our food was incredible. As I’m from Yorkshire and Nick is a cockney, our caterers put together a Yorkshire/Cockney tasting board for the starter; Yorkshire cheese, pies, Yorkshire puddings and even some smoked eel pate. For the main, we served a big pork shoulder to one person on each table and it was their job to shred it using big claws, we gave them chef hats and aprons. We had that with a big potato rosti, some veg and lots of gravy! Dessert was a sticky toffee pudding followed by an espresso martini. We served pies, peas and liquor later in the evening but I think people were full!

What was your first dance song?

Can’t take my eyes off you by Frankie Valli played by our band.

How did everything go on the day?

Did you ever have any reservations about getting married in the winter?

No and looking back, I am so glad we did! It being cold outside meant everyone stayed inside and danced. Plus everyone was up for a party!

Hard question but do you have a stand-out memorable moment from your big day?

Hmm, that is difficult. I think maybe waiting to walk down the aisle, listening to the version of Bowie’s We Can Be Heroes is one. I’d listened to it so many times in the build-up that it felt surreal listening to it on the day itself. Then just generally dancing all night!

If you were planning your wedding all over again, would you do anything differently?

I would stress a lot less in the build-up!

Your best advice for anyone planning a winter wedding…

I would probably tell people not to sweat the small stuff, people don’t need activities to entertain them, focus on the music as people will want to dance. I’d also tell people to plan for everything to be indoors and if the weather is nice enough to be outside then that’s a bonus.

Listen to the playlist on Spotify here!

The Christmas spruce is twinkling, the lords are a-leaping and the scent of mulled wine and cinnamon has penetrated your nostrils with more gusto than a lateral flow. Here. For. It. There’s only one left thing to do: hit play on these catchy Crimbo earworms and be grateful your Spotify Wrapped has been and gone.

From the dulcet tones of Frank Sinatra to the modern Christmas hits from Ariana Grande and songs from the movies, here’s 100 Christmas jingles to fill your heart and your eardrums with festive spirit. Unless you work in retail of course, in which case you’d probably rather chew barbed wire than sit through another one of Mariah Carey whistle notes.

PS out of respect to Emma Thompson, this playlist contains no Joni Mitchell.

Songs from the Movies:

1 Christmas Is All Around – Billy Mack (Love Actually)

2 Walking In The Air – Aled Jones (The Snowman)

3 Where Are You Christmas – Faith Hill (The Grinch)

4 Carol of The Bells – Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych, John Williams (Home Alone)

5 Believe – Josh Groban (The Polar Express)

6 Somewhere in My Memory – John Williams (Home Alone)

7 One More Sleep ‘til Christmas – Steve Whitmire, Kermit (The Muppet’s Christmas Carol)

8 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Judy Garland (Meet Me In St Louis)

9 Maestro – Hans Zimmer (The Holiday)

10 Joy to The World – Aretha Franklin (Miracle on 34th Street)

11 Auld Lang Syne – Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis (Sex and The City)

12 Let It Go – Idina Menzel (Frozen)

13 What’s This – Danny Elfman (The Nightmare Before Christmas)

14 Baby, It’s Cold Outside (Zooey Deschanel, Leon Redbone)

15 Sparkle & Shine – Nativity, The Cast

Song from the Christmas Ads:

16 Somewhere Only We Know – Lily Allen

17 Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore – Bastille

18 Half the World Away – Aurora

19 A Little Love – Celeste

20 Adele – Hold On

21 Real Love – Tom Odell

22 Power of Love – Gabrielle Aplin

23 Together In Electric Dreams – Lola Young

24 Sweet Child O’Mine – Take by Trees

25 Your Song – Elle Goulding

26 All You Need Is Love – Katy Perry

27 Forever Young – Becky Hill

28 Love Is A Compass – Griff

The Party Bops:

29 All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey

30 Christmas Tree Farm – Taylor Swift

31 Merry Christmas – Elton John & Ed Sheeran

32 Last Christmas – Wham

33 Fairytale of New York – The Pogues

34 Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses

35 Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee

36 Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin’ Stevens

37 I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day – Wizzard

38 Merry Xmas Everybody – Slade

39 Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms

40 What Christmas Means To Me – Stevie Wonder

The Easy Listening Classics:

41 It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year – Andy Williams

42 White Christmas – Frank Sinatra

43 It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas – Michael Buble

44 Do They Know It’s Christmas – Band Aid

45 Driving Home for Christmas – Chris Rae

46 Silver Bells – Dean Martin

47 Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney

48 Little Saint Nick – The Beach Boys

49 Mistletoe and Wine – Cliff Richard

50 The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole

51 Sleigh Ride – The Ronettes

52 Step into Christmas – Elton John

53 Baby It’s Cold Outside – Tom Jones & Cerys Matthews

54 Silent Night – Bing Crosby

55 Frosty the Snowman – The Ronettes

56 Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon

57 I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – The Jackson 5

58 Feliz Navidad – Jose Feliciano

59 Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley

60 Mary’s Boy Child – Boney M

61 Thank God It’s Christmas – Queen

62 Cool Yule – Louis Armstrong

63 Winter Wonderland – Darlene Love

64 Rudolf The Red Nose Reindeer – Gene Autry

65 Little Drummer Boy – Bing Crosby

66 Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – The Jackson 5

67 Run Rudolph Run – Chuck Berry

68 2000 Miles – Pretenders

The Modern Ditties:

70 Christmas Lights – Coldplay

71 Snowman – Sia

72 Santa Tell Me – Ariana Grande

73 Underneath the Tree – Kelly Clarkson

74 Santa, Can’t You Hear Me – Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande

75 Christmas Calling – Norah Jones

76 Oh Santa! – Ariana Grande & Jennifer Hudson

77 8 Days of Christmas – Destiny’s Child

78 Mistletoe – Justin Bieber

79 Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells) – The Darkness

80 Abba – Little Things

81 Leona Lewis – One More Sleep

82 Kiss Me It’s Christmas – Leona Lewis, Neyo

83 Holly Jolly Christmas – Michael Buble

84 Like It’s Christmas – Jonas Brothers

85 Merry Christmas Darling – Christina Perri

86 Is This Christmas – The Wombats

87 Naughty List – Liam Payne, Dixie

88 It’s Not Christmas Till Somebody Cries – Carly Rae Jepsen

89 Somethin’ Stupid – Robbie Williams, Nicole Kidman

90 Stay Another Day – East 17

91 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Sam Smith

92 Christmas Is – Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus

93 My Only Wish This Year – Britney Spears

94 Cosy Little Christmas – Katy Perry

95 You Deserve It All – John Legend

96 Man With The Bag – Jessie J

97 Santa’s Coming For Us – Sia

98 The Christmas Song – Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello

99 The First Noel – Whitney Houston

100 Holidays – Megan Trainor

Listen to the playlist on Spotify here!

Ever wish you could up sticks, move to France and find a residence in a fairytale castle with 12 acres, a walled garden, an orangery and a moat? Same hun.

That’s exactly what engineer Dick Strawbridge and his wife Angel Adoree did on their Channel 4 hit series Escape to the Chateau.

“In the heart of the French countryside, a magnificent chateau sat uncared for and abandoned, until this intrepid British couple unlocked its front door, fell in love with its grandeur and embarked on an adventure to restore its former magic, uncovering its hidden history along the way.” It’s truly renovation tv gold.

From tearing down walls to designing their own heating system, Dick and Angel have transformed all 45 rooms since the start of the show in 2016. Now in its eighth series, the couple is currently building an iconic drinking den-meets-observatory in the attic with views of the sky and the stars. How’s that for a room with a view!

Christmas at the Strawbridges’ gaff is surely as festive as it gets so, before they hit the road for their UK-wide Dare to Do It tour, we caught up with the iconic duo to see how they deck the halls of their famous 19th-century chateau for the festive period.

Favourite Family Tradition…

Putting the Christmas tree up as a family with Christmas songs, mince pies and Port for the grown-ups! 

The most delicious thing to cook…

Mince pies is a family fave and tradition…but we also love a cooked ham over Christmas, and on Christmas morning, we love it on buttery toast with English mustard!

Christmas tipple of choice…

Eggnog!  But we do love a ‘vin chaud’. The kids enjoy a warm grenadine…which is like a hot Ribena!

Something you’re hoping to receive…

Hard one. We don’t wish for anything tangible. Having family time to just be together over the festive period is all we ever want…Arthur & Dorothy are different of course and they have just written their list to Père Noël!

Decoration you’ve had the longest…

Our oldest decoration is 10 years old from when Dick & I got together and came to France for our first real holiday. It was the moment we fell in love with France and decided to change our path together! We bought this decoration as a memory…and we cannot believe the journey it’s been on! Our tree is full of memories…we keep every decoration the kids make and it’s a delight putting it up!

Where you’ll be spending Christmas this year…

At the Chateau!

Favourite part of Christmas…

Stopping and seeing the children’s faces when they see Father Christmas has been!

The time you eat your Christmas Lunch…

Late afternoon, when it’s ready.

Christmas Eve plans…

It will just be the four of us, getting ready for Père Noël to come and snuggling in front of the fire with a movie!

Christmas day attire…

Christmas jumpers and a little sparkle.

Christmas TV special you’re most excited about…

We don’t get to stop and watch TV until the week before Xmas so no idea yet, but we do love to watch anything that has the kids in fits of laughter.

Favourite Christmas Song…

Bing Crosby – White Christmas 

“I will not be judged by you or society. I will wear whatever I want and blow whomever I want as long as I can breathe and kneel.” – Samantha Jones 

The words of an icon if we ever did see one, Sex and the City’s Samantha Jones is the definition of living her best life and we’re so here for it. If you know that sexy, sushi scene is the stuff your bestie, sister or partner’s, wildest dreams are made of, look no further for the perfect gift selection for the hot and horny people in your life. Is there anything more joyous to find under the Christmas tree than a vibrating box of pleasure? We think not …

Featuring Team Zoella favourites from Smile Makers, Love Honey, Knude Society and Womanizer, this edit of fun, fun, fun is one that can please a pal or serve both you and a lover, making it the perfect treat you can both make the most of. After all, there’s a long, hard, winter ahead. Do with that what you will.

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