Table of contents for 2019 in Simply Christmas

It’s never to early to start thinking about Christmas! Having the time to ponder and prepare for the busiest of seasons is a joy in itself. Think about what you love most about Christmas and make sure there’s more of it this year – whether it’s a large gathering or more one-to-one time with a friend, a big lights switch-on or a traditional carol service, a fun family day out or a cosy meal at home. Everything you see in this year’s Simply Christmas has been hand-picked to inspire and help you, from decorating and gift-buying or making, to cooking and baking. There’s a whole 52-page magazine packed with recipes for Christmas day, dinner parties, festive entertaining and more. And if you need a nice cup of glögg and a…

Classic red and green, nature-inspired, quirky animals in party hats… whatever your style, we’ve got lots of ideas for decking your halls this Christmas. Then, to help you make traditions both old and new, check out our pick of fun family days out, Radio Times’ top ten festive sitcom episodes of all time and BBC Countryfile’s guide to the best UK destinations to find a coveted white Christmas. And if you’ve ever wondered how the Royal Family celebrate, we look behind the scenes to find out about joke presents and late-night charades!…

Silicone moulds are one of the best inventions to come into the kitchen – they’re easy to wash, non-stick, go in the freezer or the oven and available in a wide range of designs. We’ve come up with five great ways to use silicone moulds this Christmas… MINI FESTIVE CHOCOLATES INGREDIENTS • 40g good quality chocolate of your choice• A handful of dried cranberries• Loosely chopped whole almonds 1 Break the chocolate into pieces and place in a bowl or jug that’s suitable for using in the microwave. 2 Microwave on medium power, 30 seconds to one minute at a time until smooth and melted, stirring in between. 3 Pour carefully into each mould, filling up to half way. 4 Pop one or two dried cranberries and a halved almond…

YOU WILL NEED A selection of Happy Fabric iron-on vinyl: Happy Flex – olive green, light green and brown Happy Glitter – gold, white, silver, fluoro pink, red, orange and blue Plain sweatshirt Greaseproof paper Pen & scissors Iron (with a two dot/150°C setting) Star or circle punches (optional) Printable template HOW TO MAKE THE JUMPER 1 Down the tree template from http://bit.ly/xmas19_templates and cut out the shapes to act as stencils. 2 Place the vinyl shiny side down and draw around your stencils onto the back of the vinyl. Cut your shapes out using scissors (fig A). 3 For the glitter decorations, peel off the plastic protective layer on the vinyl and punch out star and circle shapes. 4 Pre-press your jumper with an iron to remove all creases…

Whether you’re hosting the celebrations for the first time or you’re looking for some fresh festive inspiration, this guide will help you get your home suitably seasonal! With advice on picking a new décor theme and welcoming guests to celebrating in a more eco-friendly way with alternative trees and simple food swaps, the next five pages will give you plenty of ideas for trying something new. And when you’re done, grab a cuppa and read about how interiors company Gisela Graham London prepares for its busiest time of the year……

Whether your guests are coming for cocktails and canapés or staying a week, a few simple touches will help them feel happy and at home. First of all, creating a welcoming atmosphere is key. Fill your home with the unmistakable aroma of Christmas with a pot of mulled wine on the stove, ready to serve in steaming cups when people arrive. Eli of Eli Interiors (@eli_at_home) suggests offering guests a seasonal snack to help them get in the festive mood: “I like to serve a ‘posh’ hot chocolate with squeezy cream and marshmallows, with little Christmas tree shortbread biscuits,” she says. If you live in a small space, don’t invite more people than you can comfortably accommodate, or your guests will end up feeling cramped and unable to appreciate all…

1 SPICED PARSNIP SOUP Silky poppadoms and funky crisps. Serves 4 | 50 minutes INGREDIENTS • 800g parsnips• 1 onion• 2 cloves of garlic• 5cm piece of ginger• Olive oil• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds• Garam masala• 200g red split lentils• 4 uncooked poppadoms• 1.5 litres vegetable stock• 4 tablespoons natural yoghurt• 4 sprigs of fresh coriander 1 Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/Gas 4. Put 2 parsnips aside for later. Peel the onion, roughly chop with the remaining parsnips (keep the skins on) and peel and finely grate the garlic and ginger. Place the parsnips and onions in a large pan over a medium heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until dark golden, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and ginger, then scatter…

1 CRANBERRY AND ROSEMARY TEAR-AND-SHARE LOAF Make this fruity loaf the centrepiece of your party food. Pairing sharp cranberries with aromatic rosemary, this warming dish is then shaped into a Christmas tree to give it even more festive flavour! INGREDIENTS • 500g strong white bread flour, plus extra to shape• 7g sachet (or 2 tsp) easy bake instant yeast• 1 tsp caster sugar• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to shape and serve• 150g dried cranberries, roughly crumbled• 1 tbsp flaky sea salt, plus extra to serve• 4 medium rosemary sprigs, leaves chopped, plus extra to decorate• Balsamic vinegar, to serve 1 Put the flour in a large bowl and make a well in the centre, then add the yeast, sugar and 300ml warm water. Let it sit…

Whether you’re a traditionalist who insists that Christmas dinner isn’t complete without turkey and sprouts, or someone who loves to mix it up with new recipes each year (smoky bean and monkfish stew anyone?), we can all agree that food and drink is a hugely important part of our Christmas celebrations. So you’re in for a tasty treat this year with a 52-page magazine that’s stuffed full of 48 festive recipes! Eat, drink and be merry Split into sections covering Christmas Day, dinner parties, cheese, party bites and sweet treats, Simply Christmas Food & Drink is a truly scrumptious collection of recipes that’s sure to inspire all of your seasonal meal planning, from the big feast on 25 December to canapés and cocktails served at your Christmas party. “Food and…

BURNING BRIGHT This pine cone candle looks so realistic – it’s the perfect thing to add a touch of woodland magic to your festive décor. £12.95, www.nordichouse.co.uk GOOD WOOD We love the rustic bark finish of this majestic reindeer almost as much as we love his smart Christmas bow! £5.99, www.dobbies.com FOREST FRIENDS A length of twine provides a suitably rustic finishing touch for these ceramic animal tree decorations. £1 each, www.wilko.com NATURE’S BOUNTY Set the tone with a stylish front-door flourish. This starburst twig wreath is a real statement piece! £37.99, www.tch.net SUPER CENTREPIECE Bring the outdoors into your home on Christmas Day with a leafy candleholder to decorate your festive table. £12, www.sainsburys.co.uk TREE-MENDOUS Available in three sizes, this natural bark tree ornament can be brought out each…

Princess Anne is said to have one year given Charles a leather toilet seat which is so comfortable that he now travels with it. Back in Harry’s bachelor days, Kate Middleton bought him a ‘Grow Your Own Girlfriend’ kit. In 2017, Meghan is said to have bought a singing hamster on rope for Her Majesty – a present that was just as popular with the corgis as with Her Majesty! Signature candles, by luxury British body and home fragrance house Lilou et Loic (www.lilouetloic.com) are given as gifts to friends and associates by the Royal Family. Diana didn’t quite nail the ‘silly’ brief on her first christmas with the Royals and allegedly bought everyone cashmere sweaters and mohair scarves. Staff who work for the Queen are given a Christmas gift…

1 The Good Life – Silly, but it’s Fun (1977) When the Leadbetters’ Christmas order fails to show up, they face the prospect of wearing homemade paper hats and playing party games with the Goods. Can snobby Margo put her social pretensions to one side and muck in with her self-sufficient neighbours? David says: “If you can’t beat them, join them. So Margo learns in this episode where the Leadbetters cease hostilities with the Goods, even if she has to wear a hat made from the Daily Mirror.” 2 Friends – The One with the Routine (1999) Monica and Ross go all-out to get on camera when they’re invited to be in the audience for a filming of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. David says: “Friends always delivers at this time…

Whether you focus on a trend, colour scheme or shape, theming your Christmas decorating can make for a memorable experience. It also helps the celebratory atmosphere flow from room to room, so your guests and family will feel festive wherever they are in the house. Creating a festive theme is actually easier to pull off than you might think, even if you don’t have a fabulous, Instagram-able home or a style blogger waiting in the wings. Pinterest is a never-ending source of inspiration, and you’ll find interiors blogs aplenty to delve into. You can also involve the kids by asking them to draw or describe their ideal Christmas, and choosing decorations in the colours and shapes they go for. The focus for your theme should be the hub of the…

While most of us start thinking about the festive season when the nights begin to get darker, Gisela Graham and the team at her eponymous company have had Christmas on their minds since they boxed up their own decorations at the start of the year. “Christmas doesn’t stop here!” laughs Gisela. “It’s always Christmas – 52 weeks of the year.” That’s a lot of mince pies… Decorating life’s special moments Gisela Graham London (GGL) is one of the most recognisable names in decorations, gifts and homeware. Its products are stocked in 3,500 upmarket gift shops, garden centres, museums and stately homes in over 45 countries around the world, including Kazakhstan, Japan and Oman, and each year its London showroom is transformed into a little piece of Christmas heaven for its…

1 For wow-factor but speedy gift wrap, use a calligraphy or brush pen to write names and sentiments straight onto plain paper, or create your own festive patterns. It will look amazing but only take a few minutes. 2 Keep a tub of biscuit dough in the fridge for easy and quick bakes to serve to guests (and make your house smell amazing!). 3 Wrap a few extra gifts in advance, such as fancy biscuits, chocolate and Christmas drinks, and keep them in a cupboard for unexpected guests or if you need to take something to a party. 4 Don’t try out a recipe for the first time on the day that your guests are coming – stick to something you know you can easily and quickly make. Try out…

1 CRANBERRY AND FIG BUNDT CAKES WITH GINGERBREAD ANTLERS If you're looking for a fun dessert to serve at Christmas, these mini fruit-filled bundt cakes topped with a set of gingerbread antlers are sure to put a smile on your guests' faces! INGREDIENTS FOR THE CAKES • ¾ cup (100g) sweetened dried cranberries• ¾ cup (110g) raisins• ½ cup (80g) dried currants• ¾ cup (150g) dried figs, chopped• ½ cup (40g) flaked almonds• ½ cup (125ml) brandy, plus 2 tablespoons extra• 150g unsalted butter, softened• ¾ cup (135g) light brown sugar• 2 eggs• 1¼ cups (185g) plain (all-purpose) flour, sifted ¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of (baking) soda, sifted• 1 teaspoon mixed spice• ¼ cup (60ml) milk• Icing (confectioner’s) sugar, for dusting• 24 sprigs lemon thyme, for decorating FOR THE GINGERBREAD ANTLERS…

5 things to do in OCTOBER CHRISTMAS CHOICES How do you want to spend the day - a big, full-on family feast or a smaller, more intimate celebration with just a few people? Deciding on what type of Christmas you want this year will then help you make other decisions about budgets, food and activities. BOOK YOUR TICKETS Christmas is full of opportunities for fun activities, but these can sell out really quickly. Avoid disappointed faces by booking any tickets you need in advance. GET CRAFTY It's a great time of year to show off your crafty skills - turn to page 43 to find lots of fun projects. Make sure you're realistic about what you can get made by scheduling everything into the next three months. BE BUDGET SAWY…

FEATHER YOUR NEST A swirl of peacock feathers offers an unusual and striking take on the traditional Christmas wreath. £47.99, www.tch.net ART OF GLASS This Ekiti garland is made from handmade recycled glass baubles, and makes for a glamorous take on the usual tinsel. £44.95, www.nkuku.com GOING FOR GOLD Set an extra-special festive table with this set of four gold leaf napkin rings – a simple way to add wow factor to Christmas dining. £28, www.audenza.com TIME FOR TEA (LIGHT) With its palette of glorious peacock shades, you can create a magical glow with this dimpled tealight holder. £10.50, www.giselagraham.co.uk STAG NIGHT An elegant deer dec will lend a touch of chic country style to any tree, especially when caught in the glow of your fairylights. £5, www.debenhams.com RED ALERT…

There’s nothing nicer than adding a homemade flourish to your celebrations, so we’ve selected a range of projects that crafters of all ages and abilities will love making. From 14 fab ideas for using your silicone mould cover gift*, to adding the handmade touch to your table or making a star-shaped wreath for the door, you’ll find lots of inspiration over the next few pages. Pictured here is a handmade wreath made using materials and faux foliage from Hobbycraft – why not make your own for a showstopping welcome? *Not available to overseas readers…

YOU WILL NEED Napkins Yellow fabric paint A potato Paper money wallets Brush pen or pen and ink HOW TO MAKE THE NAPKIN AND CUTLERY WRAP 1 Press the napkins and lay them out, right side up, on a flat covered surface. 2 Cut a potato in half and cut a grid into one of the halves, as shown, creating a rectangle in the centre. 3 Carve the surrounding edges away, leaving just the central rectangle at its original height. 4 Apply paint to the potato stamp, making sure the rectangle is fully covered, then begin printing a design on the napkins using the image as a guide. Work your way across the napkin. You don’t have to keep the prints in straight or horizontal lines – you can experiment…

YOU WILL NEED Gold metal star (we used a wire wreath frame from Dobbies, £9.99) Thin copper wire Artificial acorn sprig Artificial pine cone sprig Air plant Asparagus fern foliage Length of gold ribbon HOW TO MAKE THE STAR WREATH 1 Attach your acorn sprig to the bottom right hand corner of your star as shown. Secure by wrapping the copper wire around the star and stem. 2 Lie the pine cone sprig on top and again attach by wrapping the wire around the star and the stem. 3 Attach the air plant to the bottom right hand side of the star as shown, using the copper wire. 4 Add the finishing touches by tucking in the asparagus fern leaves so that they fall gracefully from the arrangement. 5 Hang…

As declared by Jo in Little Women, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without presents, but it’s important to be more mindful when it comes to gifting. If you’re struggling to decide on a gift for someone, the chances are they don’t actually need anything new. Ask yourself if they could do with something practical and if not, make them something edible, or donate to charity on their behalf. You can also buy from companies such as Ethical Superstore (www.ethicalsuperstore.com), which sell Fair Trade, eco-friendly and organic gifts. Rather than buying plastic toys, treat kids to gifts from companies such as Conscious Craft (www.consciouscraft.uk). Second hand gifts are a good option, too – it’s amazing what you can find in charity shops! Instead of adding to the mountain of wrapping paper that’s…

Seeing the look of anticipation and then happiness on someone’s face as they unwrap a gift is one of the loveliest things about Christmas. In this busy season, it sometimes can be tricky to find presents that tick all the boxes, but this year we’ve done the hard work for you and compiled a selection of thoughtful, stylish gifts for everyone on your list, including those with hobbies such as craft and gardening. And we’ve not forgotten the stocking fillers for the kids – and the big kids too – with a fantastic array of gifts under £10.…

1 GINGER BRINED ROAST TURKEY WITH PEAR AND POTATO GRATIN Add a fruity twist to your Christmas dinner with this delicious recipe from Donna Hay, where spicy ginger is used to brine the turkey, which is served alongside a stuffing and gratin both flavoured with pear. INGREDIENTS FOR THE TURKEY • 1 cup (175g) light brown sugar• 1 onion, quartered• 1 head garlic, halved horizontally• 2 cups (600g) rock salt• 1 cup (250ml) apple cider vinegar• 25g ginger, peeled and thinly sliced• 5 litres water• 1.25 litres dry ginger ale• 1 x 5kg turkey• 80g unsalted butter, softened FOR THE PEAR STUFFING • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil• 1 onion, finely chopped• 2 cloves garlic, crushed• 2 William (firm green) pears, peeled, coredand chopped• ⅓ cup rosemary leaves, chopped•…

Why do you think interest in cheese is growing? In the past 15 years, cheese has truly come of age. There has been a rise in specialty foods of all kinds and an emphasis on cheese shops and counters, making great cheese more accessible to the general consumer. Which five British cheeses would you include on a board? That's a very hard question - there are so many great ones! Definitely a clothbound Cheddar such as Ouicke's Mature. Then a soft, cuddly goat's milk cheese like Innes Log, which I consider comfort food. Plus a sheep's milk cheese called Berkswell, which has flavours of lamb chop and brown butter. I also like more pungent cheeses, so I'd slip in a washed rind Ogleshield, with its fragrant aroma. Finally, I'd choose…

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ONLY £12.99 EACH MARGARET SHERRY CROSS STITCH Stitch a cute scene, based on an original illustration – kit includes threads, aida and full-size chart! On sale September 5 A KNITTED NATIVITY All the yarn, needles and patterns you need to knit Mary, Joseph & Jesus, plus patterns for the whole Nativity scene! On sale October 15 CHRISTMAS CROCHET Hook 12 gorgeous decorations for your tree with this box set containing yarn, hooks and a 24-page pattern book. On sale November 19 GREAT GIFTS! BUY ONE FOR A FRIEND THIS CHRISTMAS GET YOUR BOX KIT TODAY! CALL 03330 162 138 ONLINE www.buysubscriptions.com/craftspecial UK calls will cost the same as other standard _xed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances (if…