We know, it’s November but let’s get serious here that means it’s almost Christmas! Christmas is fun, it’s time to chill with family and friends but it’s almost inevitable that you will be responsible for creating all this cheer!
Janie Smith, Culture Editor at Lady Wimbledon, is at hand with her Christmas help book choices which will leave you enjoying Jingle Bells rather than shouting Jingle balls to Christmas! Whether it’s entertaining friends, cooking for your vegan guests or getting your planning for gifts and cards sorted and ticked, she’s got you covered.
Vegan Christmas: Over 70 Amazing Vegan Recipes for The Festive Season by Gaz Oakley (The Avant Garde Vegan)
Vegan or not, every Christmas cook needs this exciting book crammed full of delicious crowd pleasing dishes from the king of bold flavours, Gaz Oakley. Vegans and vegetarians everywhere will have the best festive season with his fantastic alternatives to the traditional turkey and trimmings. Gaz talks you through the menus and the planning, from Christmas morning breakfast like Sweet Potato Waffles and Tofu Benedict, through to a show-stopping lunch with the likes of Ultimate Christmas Wellington, “Turkey” Roast and Festive Nut Roast Wreath served with all the trimmings: “No Pigs” in Blankets, Hasselback Potatoes and Fluffy Yorkshire Puddings – all rounded off with spectacular dairy-free puds including Boozy Tiramisu and Creme Brûlée Tarts. There are vegan versions of mince pies, Pavlova and the traditional Christmas Pudding with Custard, and even a “cheese” board for afters! And it’s not just about the big day: Gaz offers a supreme spread of party food for when you’re celebrating with guests – Mini Sausage Rolls, Sticky BBQ “Ribs” and Arancini, among many others, plus ideas for Boxing Day leftovers including Bubble & Squeak, Christmas Curry and Gyros.
Christmas Teatime: Celebrating with Afternoon Tea by Lorna Reeves
Why not try something different this Christmas? If you are a tea connoisseur, celebrate the season with a fabulous tea party or two!
Find a wonderful collection of ten beautiful yet easy to switch up table settings along with over 70 delectable recipes for scones, savouries and sweets. There are also tea pairings and a tea steeping guide so that you can select, prepare and serve the perfect pot along with your tempting lovingly made treats.
100 Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday by Kylie Taylor
Despite it also covering Thanksgiving as well as Christmas, this little book is a great help if you want to host the best Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner that will be the talk of your friends and family for years. Are you already stressed out trying to figure out how to make that happen? Then, worry no more! This book will provide you with helpful tips on how to have a stress-free Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
Christmas Organiser by Rachel Ellen
This is the loveliest of planners to help all you list makers out there plan for Christmas. It is a beautiful hardback book with an elastic closure and can be reused for at least five years. Once it’s full why not keep it for future generations in your family to see how Christmas was celebrated in the 2020’s?
There are useful sections including a Christmas card list, present ideas, festive feast planning, keeping family favourite recipes, a calendar and so much more. It also includes a handy dandy zip lock pocket and 2 paper pockets for all your receipts, magazine clippings etc.
It is the perfect planner for the perfect Christmas!
How to Prepare for an Autism Friendly Christmas by Emma Kendall
When you hear the word “CHRISTMAS”, do you hear sleigh bells jingling or does it set alarms bells ringing!? Being a parent to a child on the autism spectrum can be challenging at the best of times, but when you add a very busy season to the mix, full of confusing Christmas traditions, visual changes, social events, and disruptions to routine, it can become even trickier. Whether you’re making plans to visit family and friends, or having a quiet peaceful Christmas at home, there will be many preparations that need to be considered. The author is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and is a parent to an autistic son. She also holds a first-class degree in Autism: Special Education. In this book, Emma takes you through all the associated autism intricacies that are involved when planning and preparing for Christmas with an autistic child. She covers areas such as: Christmas misunderstandings and literal thinking, how Christmas can impact sensory perception, adjusting to Christmas routines, social demands, how to support your child in an educational setting, challenges associated with Christmas presents, choosing the perfect gift, Christmas planning and preparations, the Christmas aftermath, and much, much more.
At Lady Wimbledon we hope that you have a fabulous stress-free Christmas. Keep your eyes peeled for cosy Christmas reads to get you in the spirit of the season! I hope that you my selection of Christmas help books, please do join the conversation on social: @EyesOfLadyW #LadyWBookClub.
Written By: Janie Smith | Arts & Culture Editor
Instagram: @SW19Culture
Twitter: @SW19Culture
Email: cultureeditor@ladywimbledon.com
About The Author
Janie Smith
Janie Smith is a cup full of sass and the Culture Queen isn’t letting anything limit her. Whether she’s jet setting around the world or catching up on the latest shows she always has her ear to the ground.