Movie recommendation

A Boy Called Christmas
Starring young Henry Lawfull alongside Maggie Smith, Kristen Wiig and Joel Fry, A Boy Called Christmas is already promising to be one of Netflix’s biggest Christmas releases of 2021. Adapted from Matt Haig’s bestselling novel of the same name, the festive fantasy follows Nikolas as he sets off on a journey to find his father who’s searching for a village of elves called Elfhelm. With Blitzen the reindeer and a pet mouse to accompany him on his magical adventure, this heartwarming film is one for the whole family to enjoy (preferably with a hot chocolate and a platter of Christmassy nibbles to munch on).

Podcast recommendation

Christmas Past by Brian Earl
We know loads about Santa, but what about Mrs. Claus? What’s her story? We absolutely love mince pies – but why do we only eat them around Christmas? And seriously – what’s the deal with Christmas ghost stories? We can’t be the only ones who’ve pondered about the backstories to the Christmas traditions we cherish so dearly – and that’s where Christmas Past by Brian Earl comes into play. From Christmas firsts to facts, year-round history, forgotten fiction, roundtables, interviews and most of all, Christmas cheer, the Christmas Past podcast keeps Christmas going 365 days a year. And never shall you ever have a Christmas conundrum again.

Cookbook recommendations

For the vegans: Vegan Christmas by Gaz Oakley
With over 70 scrumptious vegan recipes for the festive season, Vegan Christmas, by chef, author and YouTuber Gaz Oakley (aka the Avant-Garde Vegan), is a must-have when it comes to cooking up a flavour-packed vegan spread. From party food favourites to a show-stopping lunch served with all the trimmings, dairy-free puds including vegan versions of pavlova and the traditional Christmas pudding, ideas for Boxing Day leftovers and even a completely vegan cheese board, you’re in for a very merry Christmas indeed.

For the sweet-toothed: Baking for the Holidays by Sarah Kieffer
Baking sweet treats is one of our favourite festive pastimes and, if you, like us, love nothing more than dusting off the apron and getting the rolling pin out, Sarah Kieffer’s utterly charming Baking for the Holidays is the cookbook you knead (ahem!) this Christmas. With over 50 anyone-can-do-it recipes including, pear-almond Danish bread, triple chocolate peppermint bark and hot chocolate cake, this sweet cookbook also makes a wonderful present to gift your fellow sweet-toothed friends with.

For the serious cooks: The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater
Nigel Slater’s The Christmas Chronicles is more than just a cookbook – with notes, warming stories and wintery recipes, it’s a personal story of Slater’s fondness for all things Christmas – from its fables, folklore and of course, its food. Covering everything from cakes and baking, mincemeat and puddings, vegetarian suppers, roasts, crisp winter salads, main course, soups, pickles, chutneys and more, there are over 100 recipes to experiment with this Christmas.

For the bakers: Advent by Anja Dunk
Count down to Christmas and fill your kitchen with the aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove with Advent by Anja Dunk. In her latest cookbook, Dunk celebrates the lead-up to Christmas with over 100 classic German baking recipes. From edible tree decorations to a fragrant gingerbread house dripping with sweets and icicles, the 2021 release also features stunning linocut illustrations, vivid photography and a fairy-tale feeling within its pages. This clothbound volume is a must-have for any cookbook collector.