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Turkey tips and timings for Christmas dinner

Turkey tips and timings for Christmas dinner

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I always love writing this Christmas Eve round-up post every year– I’m sure I say pretty much the same thing every year, which is don’t panic! It’s just a big roast dinner, but it’s worth reminding you that it’s your Christmas too, so enlist everyone to help, and do as much as you can before the big day. Here, then, without further waffle, are all my top turkey tips and timings for Christmas dinner. If you’re catering for a couple of vegetarians or vegans, I suggest doubling up on the stuffing (it’s delicious on its own, but you could even squish up some veggie sausages and add them into the mix).

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Vegan apple, red onion and chestnut stuffing

Christmas countdown: vegan apple, red onion and chestnut stuffing

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This vegan apple, red onion and chestnut stuffing (or dressing, if you’re American, as it’s not actually going to be stuffed anywhere) is my favourite stuffing recipe in the whole world. I gave up eating pork this year, so just substituted in the ground mushrooms instead, and after extensive taste testing by my resident veggies/vegans, we can confirm that it tastes just as delicious. It’s naturally vegetarian, and so easy to make it vegan by substituting the butter. If you’d prefer the porky original, though, it’s just here. We love it cooked in a buttered tin, so you get a big, crispy topped spoonful with your turkey (or instead of your turkey), but if you’d rather make yours a bit more delicate, it’s lovely rolled into balls and roasted. It also makes fabulous sausage rolls if you’re entertaining. I know it seems like a lot of butter (or plant-based spread, if you’re vegan), but it’s all sucked up into the ingredients and isn’t at all greasy, I promise.

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The big Christmas gift guide

The great big Christmas gift guide

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It’s that time again! I absolutely love creating this gift guide (this is my tenth year!) and every year I try and find something for everyone, although as my own kids get older, I naturally seem to do less kid stuff, sorry about that. I’ve tried hard to find gifts for every type of person that you might possibly have to buy for, or, y’know, to add to your own Christmas wishlist. You’ll notice from that I’ve applied my usual philosophy, which is that useful presents that can be used/eaten/drunk are so much better than ornaments or things that might not be to the recipient’s taste. I’ve also tried to include lots of sustainable pressies. So here <insert fanfare> is the great big Christmas gift guide. Enjoy!

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The perfect Christmas cocktail

I think we’ve discovered the perfect Christmas cocktail!

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Last week we were invited down to one of my very favourite places, the gorgeous Copper House Bar in Berkhamsted, for a cocktail making class with Belvedere Vodka. If, like me, you don’t really think you like cocktails, you might have been surprised to hear our host, Belvedere Ambassador and cocktail expert, Mark Tracey, tell us all about how cocktails have evolved. Mark mentioned that mixed drinks are now much more nuanced than they used to be, with less sugar and better ingredients like Belvedere vodka, not the neutral spirit that we normally think of, but with a more complex flavour that stands up to being mixed. We had such a fun night - I felt like I learned a lot, and it’s definitely made me want to try cocktails again, plus we inadvertently discovered the perfect Christmas cocktail!

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Our Florida Family Christmas - Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Christmas at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort

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I’ve been promising that I’ll update you all on our Florida family Christmas, and as I’ve got so much to tell you and I don’t want to miss anything out (I’ve had so many messages from people considering Christmas holidays at Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World) I thought I’d split it into a few different parts, with this first bit covering the journey and Christmas at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. This was a big ask as a holiday: we had a pretty varied age range, from young adults to my 78 year old Mum, and a lot of different bucket list items to tick off too. I got myself into a bit of a flap planning it all and in the end Jim had to sit me down and tell me to chill out a bit, as it was starting to look like a bit of a military operation getting everyone to see and experience everything I wanted. As it turned out, we had a lovely mix of relaxing and exploring, and there were loads of wonderful memories made. I’m not going to lie to you: six adults being together 24/7 for 10 days was never going to be 100% without stress, but although it was pretty tiring (and the weather wasn’t great), it was definitely one of the best holidays we’ve ever had.

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Christmas leftover pie

It’s Boxing Day, which means it’s time for Christmas leftover pie!

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Well hello there! I hope you had a cracking Christmas. Ours was slightly delayed as we were all horribly jet-lagged and didn’t wake up until nearly 10.30 (a first in this house, I can tell you). We had a pared back Christmas after our big Orlando holiday and do you know what? It was probably one of my favourites. Presents were kept to a minimum, dinner was simply roast turkey and sides - no fancy stuff - and we spent the evening watching films, stuffing chocolates and eating a block of cheese. Heaven. But now of course, it’s Boxing Day, which means it’s time for Christmas leftover pie, one of our favourite meals of the whole year, and the best way to use up all those delicious leftovers. My Dad loved Christmas leftover pie (known as Boxing Day pie in our house), so we’ll be raising a glass to him when we tuck in (can you believe it’s a year?).

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Setting the table for Christmas with M&S

Setting the table for Christmas

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You know me, I’m all about making a big splash for Christmas. I was going to say it’s the time for getting out all your best china, but I use all my favourite stuff every day (what’s the point of hiding it away in a drawer?!), so this post is more about setting the table for Christmas, and adding a sense of celebration to the most important meal of the year. So whether you’re cooking for a crowd, or it’s just you and your family for dinner, here are a few ideas for setting the table this Christmas (I’ve even found stylish crackers!).

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A Magical Christmas at Disneyland Paris. Pic: news.disneylandparis.com

A magical Christmas at Disneyland Paris

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It’s been a bit of a whirlwind weekend for my pal, Mickey Mouse, as he’s been celebrating a very special anniversary - it’s 90 years since Mickey first appeared in Walt Disney’s iconic cartoon, Steamboat Willie. This weekend was also pretty special at Disneyland Paris, because as well as celebrating Mickey’s 90th with a celeb-filled party, and an enormous cake baked by Pastry Chef and Chocolatier Pierre Hermé, there was a special celebration to mark the opening of Disney’s Enchanted Christmas. If you’re thinking of experiencing a magical Christmas at Disneyland Paris, I’ve teamed up with Isango.com, the specialist retailer of tours, experiences and Disneyland Paris Tickets to bring you all the latest news this holiday season.

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The Christmas gift guide: beautiful and useful

The Christmas gift guide: beautiful and useful

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Here goes, then, with my first Christmas gift guide of the season. I’m so excited! Get the Bublé on! And - bearing in mind my winter self care promises - I’m going to stay true to myself and say - here goes - Christmas pressies can be horrendous. Oh, come on now, we’ve all been there: ugly jumper that you’ve gone ‘oooh, lovely!’ and worn religiously even though you hate it because you didn’t want to upset the giver, useless gadgets that you never used and DVDs when you haven’t owned a player since you got Sky Cinema years ago. I say it every year, but even when we’re embracing our inner William Morrises - I’m paraphrasing here - and having (or giving) nothing that we don’t know to be useful or believe to be beautiful, we need to remember that our idea of beautiful might be different to someone else’s. I’ve come up with a few ways to overcome the gift dilemma and I’ve teamed up with M&S to give you my top picks. Here goes, then… Read more

My top tips and recipes for Christmas dinner and beyond

My top tips and recipes for Christmas dinner and beyond

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I really enjoy writing this round-up post - traditionally my last one before Christmas. I probably say more or less the same thing every year (don’t panic! It’s just a big roast dinner), but as usual, remember that it’s your Christmas too. Grab a few willing helpers to make some Christmas cookies, or whip up some of my perfect frozen whipped cream hot chocolate and have a little prep-party on Christmas Eve (it’s amazing how much you can get done the night before). Need a little inspiration? Read on for my top tips and recipes for Christmas dinner and beyond: fresh ideas, old favourites and more!

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Festive gifts for a stylish friend with John Lewis

Festive gifts for a stylish friend with John Lewis

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You know that friend: she always looks amazing, even just in jeans, and of course she has a lovely, welcoming home, a gorgeous wardrobe and impeccable taste, and that all just makes festive pressie buying a bit - well - difficult! I came across this very dilemma recently when the lovely chaps at John Lewis asked if I’d like to do a pressie swap with the effortlessly stylish Sara, who writes the beautiful lifestyle blog, Notes from a Stylist. I mean, ARGH! Luckily, not only is Sara very lovely and friendly, but it turns out we also have lots in common: teenage kids, yummy food (bring on the roast dinners), a love of interiors, stationery, twinkly things, beautiful flowers and lovely smells. Of course, there are also things we don’t have in common: mostly the fact that I have no style whatsoever, which is why I was reading her blog and following her in the first place - to pick up some tips. So how on earth do you choose festive gifts for a stylish friend? Well…

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Weekend wishlist: scented Christmas candles

Weekend wishlist: scented Christmas candles

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I adore candles. When I’m writing, I’ll often have a scented candle lit next to me while I type. I find it quite soothing and I love filling the room with delicious scent, although I’ve had to stop leaving them lit around the house (let’s not mention that time I turned the entire downstairs loo black by leaving a Halloween Yankee Candle burning all night - yes, it had to be redecorated). You know I love everything about the autumn, and I always get excited to see beautiful new scented Christmas candles appearing online and in the shops. Here are a few of my favourites:

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A cosy cottage Christmas in Dorset. Gold Hill, in Shaftesbury, North Dorset. Pic: dorsetcottages.com

Holiday bucket list: a cosy cottage Christmas in Dorset

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One year, when the kids were small and we were still living in Ireland, our whole family came over to spend Christmas with us. I remember it as the most magical time: loads of fun and laughter, walks to the pub snuggled up in hats and scarves, the kids opening their presents together on Christmas morning… Years later, we still talk about our lovely family Christmas together, and one of the things we’ve considered is renting a cosy cottage somewhere and decamping as a family for the festive period. I’m thinking The Holiday but with considerably more people. So why am I hankering after getting away from it all? Well, here are five great reasons why we should all be having a cosy cottage Christmas:

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Christmas cake 2016

Christmas dinner: turkey timings and top tips

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So here it is, my very last post before Christmas! I’ve been writing this blog for 10 years now (I know!) and every year, I say the same thing: if you’re cooking the Christmas lunch - and getting stressed about it - remember it’s your Christmas too. I’ve got loads of tips here to make the day as stress free and laid back as possible for you, so you can enjoy your Christmas day with your family and friends. So find a quiet corner, Treat yourself to my perfect frozen whipped cream hot chocolate, grab a notebook, have a read through and take few minutes to make a plan. And remember, it’s basically just a big roast dinner, and this guide will help you do most of the work on Christmas Eve so you can spend as much time as possible with the family, and as little as possible in the kitchen on the big day!

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Gifts for the stylish man in your life: Tom Ford For Men Exfoliating Energy Scrub

The John Lewis blogger swap: gifts for the stylish man in your life

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I love a good surprise, so when John Lewis very kindly invited me to team up to choose a surprise gift for a fellow blogger, I was delighted. I was teamed up with the gorgeous Sam Squire, the uber stylish blogger behind mens fashion and lifestyle blog ImSamSquire. My boys are obsessed with Sam and particularly love his cool outfit shoots and I wanted to put together a really stylish mens grooming kit that would impress Sam, as well as give you a few last minute ideas for gifts for the stylish man in your life

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Christmas decorations from Next: lit metal letters

The kitchen decorating continues: Christmas decorations from Next

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Our new kitchen/diner space is finally finished, and I’m absolutely loving having another space to decorate. Let’s face it, the kitchen is where I spend most of my time, and having the tree and decorations in it has made the space even more special. If you saw our simply hygge Christmas dinner party (DO make that slow roasted lamb in sloe gin - it’s delicious), you would have seen some of the decorations. I just wanted to do a bit of a roundup and recommend a few things to you. If you’re doing your decorating this weekend, have a look at the Christmas decorations from Next. Honestly, they’ve got so many lovely quirky things - you won’t be disappointed

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