A yarnbomb post box topper with a Christmas theme
Dear friends
I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! May 2026 bring with it health, happiness, joy, fulfilment and success. Happy New Year to all of you.
To a few of my friends who have had a difficult year, I hope that next year will bring healing, peace and happier times.
This short list is all about Christmas, with a heavy focus on Christmas food and cooking. However you celebrate, have a wonderful time. If you don't celebrate at all, may the day go well for you.
Christmas food
Georgina Hayden writing in The Observer gives useful tips on feeding the family at Christmas, including what to do the day before and cooking on the day: https://archive.ph/V4HY7
If you’re looking for a side dish for Christmas day which is seasonal but not just boiled veg, here is Nigella’s butternut squash with pecan nuts and blue cheese (you can use other squash or pumpkin, as available): https://www.nigella.com/recipes/butternut-squash-with-pecans-and-blue-cheese
Ishan Kolhatkar takes you through his step by step meticulous method for making roast potatoes. Even Nigella approves of the results. https://www.ishankolhatkar.com/food/roastpotatoes
A deep dive into roast potatoes by Eleanor Steafel (archived link to content originally from the Telegraph): https://archive.ph/MBAn2
This is Delia Smith’s recipe for Brussels bubble and squeak for the sprout lovers. But will you make it from the leftovers or make it fresh for the big day? https://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/occasions/christmas/christmas-whats-left/brussels-bubble-and-squeak
Christmas food inspiration from around the world from Olive magazine, from rum cake to won tons, from Russian honey cake to Burmese chicken pilaf: https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/collection/christmas-recipes-from-around-the-world/
If you want a Christmas roast with a bit more "ooomph", Kavey has shared her family recipe for Tandoori leg of lamb, which she recommends with all the trippings: https://www.kaveyeats.com/christmas-day-alternative-tandoori-leg-of-lamb
TV
The Residence
Benoit Blanc has a rival for the title of Greatest Detective In The
World; Cordelia Cupp. The latest Shondaland drama The Residence is an
inventive, amusing Whodunnit set in The White House. The characters are
highly individual; one might say eccentric. From
the exacting and particular victim, Chief Usher, AB Wynter, to Sheila
Cannon, who wishes the previous White House incumbents never left, to
Tripp Morgan, the President’s deadbeat brother, and Cordelia herself,
whose insights into sleuthing come from her beloved
hobby of birdwatching. Pop princess Kylie Minogue also makes an
appearance, proving she’s got a sense of humour.
Available on Netflix.
The Hack
Phone hacking at The News of the World newspaper triggered the Leveson inquiry and led to Rupert Murdoch withdrawing the Sunday paper despite its popularity. This irreverent drama with David Tennant, Toby Jones and Robert Carlyle in key roles will shock you if you don't remember all of the events and details.
Available on ITV player: https://www.itv.com/watch/the-hack/10a3293/10a3293a0001
Looking forward to Christmas TV
Guz Khan, more famous for Man Like Mobeen, has made a 1 hour Christmas
special called "Stuffed". For his character, Arslan, it isn't the
Christmas turkey getting stuffed: it's him. After receiving a bonus at
work, he impulsively booked his family a dream trip
to Lapland. Only to discover the bonus was paid by mistake and must be
paid back.
Here is Guz talking about it: https://www.theguardian.com/
Stuffed is on BBC iPlayer: Stuffed: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/
The Scarecrows’ Wedding
Betty O’Barley (Jessie Buckley) and Harry O’Hay (Domhnall Gleeson) are
the scarecrow couple in question, whose wedding plans are put at risk
when Harry plans a grand gesture at the last minute. Narrated by Sophie
Okonedo, this is a typically touching and funny
dive into Donaldson’s world.
The Scarecrows’ Wedding will be screened on Christmas Day, 3.10pm, BBC One and will be on iPlayer afterwards
The Night Manager (Series 2)
Tom Hiddleston returns after a long break as Jonathan Pine, the hotel
night manager turned intelligence agent, out to stop an international
arms dealer. The original series had betrayal, suspense and action and
an all star cast. I can’t say I know what to expect
this time around, but if they have kept up the quality of the writing, I
think we are in for a New Year treat.
The first episode of The Night Manager (Series 2) will be screened on
New Year’s Day, 9.00pm, BBC and will be on iPlayer afterwards.
Please note: as with every monthly Favourites List, all of these
items have been selected by me simply because I love them. I do not
receive any money, benefits in kind or other incentive for posting these
links or recommendations.
