Am I allowed to talk about Christmas sweaters? I’m 63 and these were not ever a feature in my childhood nor even my children’s. They have now become a thing, and obviously totally naff. These are not something I wish to spend money on, but are sort of obligatory at the village pub, office drinks (I work for Oxford University not Vogue). Sainsbury’s have some really cute ones- just buy a size or 2 bigger than you are and look they reasonably chic over SweatyBetty leggings- (I not totally naff). I bought 2 for £35!
Well I’ve already parboiled and frozen the parsnips (tick!) the Jamie Oliver gravy will be done in next few days - bizarrely my planning list is now focussing on music and playlists for the big day, I have Nigellas Christmas Kitchen from Spotify so far plus Michael Buble a bit of a must, any other recommendations?
So far have bought myself 2 candles from La Montana-one candle has made my whole house smell amazing; such great value. I clicked on the link to buy a chocolate lobster-no lobster, but just ordered a new winter coat from The Hambledon 15% off! Must refocus on present shopping. Fabulous suggestions here for inexpensive(ish) luxuries.
Thank you and aren't they good? She (Cassandra from La Montana) used to work in high-end fragrance in London before relocating to Spain and doing this - she really knows her stuff.
Update: Jane Lovett emailed me last night re the frozen potatoes and said: "re the roasties, do give them a go cooking from frozen sometime. Strangely they are far crispier than cooked from un-frozen. I’m told it has something to with moisture evaporating while in the freezer, which produces a crisper result. Obvs I’m no scientist but sounds plausible to me! Weirdly they take less time to cook too… ".
This is so great, India. Best money I spend is for your Substack! I am wondering if you'll ever do anything on rugs...desperate to find a new, cozy living room rug and I feel like I've been looking for years. xoxoHappy Christmas
So many rugs. In particular, I am looking for a Nancy Myers-esque neutral rug for my living room in 2x3 - but soft and not scratchy like so many jute rugs, and not too dark and yellow-ish. I would love a cozy pattern but I think neutral is better for me so I can do different, colorful pillows.
P.S. - I ordered the de Mamiel winter face oil from your book and I find myself LOOKING FORWARD to bedtime to put it on again. Thank you.
Thanks so much for this India... I sort of had a lot of these ideas swirling chaotically in my stressed brain... but to have them presented in a calm and cohesive way is an absolute game changer. I might go as far as printing the list out, so I can have the small win of ticking things off!! Thanks again.
Thank you - I know exactly what you mean about swirling. Usefully to have it all down in one place I hope. I print too, otherwise gets lost among thousands of bookmarks despite best intentions.
Enjoyed reading the tips - love the idea of using a car as an extra fridge! And I will be freezing the gravy and parsnips. In addition to the excellent turkey tips, and I cannot remember where I first read this, but I’ve done this for years - cook the turkey upside down initially ie breast down. The reason is that all the fat on a turkey is on its back, so as the turkey cooks, it melds down through the meat keeping it beautifully moist. Turn it over for the final half hour/ 45 mins to ensure the breast is golden. The only disadvantage of this method is that the breast meat gets a little squished, but worth it. Bronze turkey has a very large cavity so cooks a lot quicker that you’d think - meat thermometer as suggested is vital to ensure it doesn’t overcook. Happy Christmas all.
I always do this for guests (also books and slippers and toiletries), having had a friend tell me a frankly piteous story of going to visit relatives in Canada who seemed never to serve a proper meal and kept saying things like 'oh I'm not hungry, are you darling, let's just pick at things' and she and her daughter had to go on a midnight mission to a gas station to buy biscuits which they then consumed secretly in their room. The horror of being in someone else's house and not being sure when food might appear left an indelible impression on me.
My God, the horror. The thing of 'I'm not really hungry, are you?' really resonates from various visits to people's parents houses when I was young. So hard to say 'Actually I'm feckin STARVING' - miserable. Also it was always (this would be 80s) rake-thin women who ate one yogurt all day and did aerobics.
Love the idea of using the car as a second fridge although rather more practical in the country than a city although you might argue who would break in to steal roast potatoes? (Answer: probably me)
Everyone should read Jilly Cooper’s How to Survive Christmas- it is hilarious and also, because Jilly is so wonderfully U, unwittingly witty. This is a great book for the guest room.
Am I allowed to talk about Christmas sweaters? I’m 63 and these were not ever a feature in my childhood nor even my children’s. They have now become a thing, and obviously totally naff. These are not something I wish to spend money on, but are sort of obligatory at the village pub, office drinks (I work for Oxford University not Vogue). Sainsbury’s have some really cute ones- just buy a size or 2 bigger than you are and look they reasonably chic over SweatyBetty leggings- (I not totally naff). I bought 2 for £35!
That is a bargain! I can't say they were ever a feature of my youth either - so far I've managed to resist but it's only a matter of time.
Well I’ve already parboiled and frozen the parsnips (tick!) the Jamie Oliver gravy will be done in next few days - bizarrely my planning list is now focussing on music and playlists for the big day, I have Nigellas Christmas Kitchen from Spotify so far plus Michael Buble a bit of a must, any other recommendations?
I have a whole load of saved ones - will go and dig them out
Sooooo helpful. AND I now know how to spell zhuzhing....
So far have bought myself 2 candles from La Montana-one candle has made my whole house smell amazing; such great value. I clicked on the link to buy a chocolate lobster-no lobster, but just ordered a new winter coat from The Hambledon 15% off! Must refocus on present shopping. Fabulous suggestions here for inexpensive(ish) luxuries.
Thank you and aren't they good? She (Cassandra from La Montana) used to work in high-end fragrance in London before relocating to Spain and doing this - she really knows her stuff.
Which fragrances? I’ve ordered Mistela and Three Kings 🎄
Update: Jane Lovett emailed me last night re the frozen potatoes and said: "re the roasties, do give them a go cooking from frozen sometime. Strangely they are far crispier than cooked from un-frozen. I’m told it has something to with moisture evaporating while in the freezer, which produces a crisper result. Obvs I’m no scientist but sounds plausible to me! Weirdly they take less time to cook too… ".
CRISPIER! I think I'm going to do it.
This is so great, India. Best money I spend is for your Substack! I am wondering if you'll ever do anything on rugs...desperate to find a new, cozy living room rug and I feel like I've been looking for years. xoxoHappy Christmas
Thank you so much and it makes me v happy to hear that. Rugs - what kind? Old rugs? New rugs? Big rugs? Little rugs?
So many rugs. In particular, I am looking for a Nancy Myers-esque neutral rug for my living room in 2x3 - but soft and not scratchy like so many jute rugs, and not too dark and yellow-ish. I would love a cozy pattern but I think neutral is better for me so I can do different, colorful pillows.
P.S. - I ordered the de Mamiel winter face oil from your book and I find myself LOOKING FORWARD to bedtime to put it on again. Thank you.
Ah yes, the Nancy Myers platonic ideal of a rug, I totally hear you. I will think. Delighted re face oil!
brilliant as always :)
deffo using my car as extra fridge space and as for Jamie Olivers gravy...its a game changer! I have 2 batches already in the freezer! Thank you India
That gravy is genius. Car is game changer too!
I love these posts. Also, your Christmas sounds utterly wonderful x
Thank you and thank you
Thanks so much for this India... I sort of had a lot of these ideas swirling chaotically in my stressed brain... but to have them presented in a calm and cohesive way is an absolute game changer. I might go as far as printing the list out, so I can have the small win of ticking things off!! Thanks again.
Thank you - I know exactly what you mean about swirling. Usefully to have it all down in one place I hope. I print too, otherwise gets lost among thousands of bookmarks despite best intentions.
Enjoyed reading the tips - love the idea of using a car as an extra fridge! And I will be freezing the gravy and parsnips. In addition to the excellent turkey tips, and I cannot remember where I first read this, but I’ve done this for years - cook the turkey upside down initially ie breast down. The reason is that all the fat on a turkey is on its back, so as the turkey cooks, it melds down through the meat keeping it beautifully moist. Turn it over for the final half hour/ 45 mins to ensure the breast is golden. The only disadvantage of this method is that the breast meat gets a little squished, but worth it. Bronze turkey has a very large cavity so cooks a lot quicker that you’d think - meat thermometer as suggested is vital to ensure it doesn’t overcook. Happy Christmas all.
I always mean to turn it upside down and never get round to it due to the heft of it - but I think that's very good advice, thank you.
Such a great list of fabulous ideas - I LOVE a biscuit tin in a hotel room but never thought of doing this for guests!
Thank you! There isn't really any context in which someone isn't going to be pleased to see a biscuit, I feel.
I’m a firm believer in biscuits for breakfast
I always do this for guests (also books and slippers and toiletries), having had a friend tell me a frankly piteous story of going to visit relatives in Canada who seemed never to serve a proper meal and kept saying things like 'oh I'm not hungry, are you darling, let's just pick at things' and she and her daughter had to go on a midnight mission to a gas station to buy biscuits which they then consumed secretly in their room. The horror of being in someone else's house and not being sure when food might appear left an indelible impression on me.
My God, the horror. The thing of 'I'm not really hungry, are you?' really resonates from various visits to people's parents houses when I was young. So hard to say 'Actually I'm feckin STARVING' - miserable. Also it was always (this would be 80s) rake-thin women who ate one yogurt all day and did aerobics.
Love the idea of using the car as a second fridge although rather more practical in the country than a city although you might argue who would break in to steal roast potatoes? (Answer: probably me)
Hahaha, yes, good point.
Everyone should read Jilly Cooper’s How to Survive Christmas- it is hilarious and also, because Jilly is so wonderfully U, unwittingly witty. This is a great book for the guest room.
Incredibly I've never read it! Thought had devoured every word she'd ever written. Will track a copy down immediately - brilliant idea re guest rooms.
Oh yes! Going to hunt my copy out
Love this!
Okay, this has swayed me. I'm going to do it. Thank you!
Excellent rec, thank you very much. Nothing worse than slimy smoked salmon. I also really like Lambton & Jackson.