STAR EMAIL ★
Subject: Refreshingly honest From: Anon
Thank you for the ‘A modern family Christmas’ first-person piece [Nov, p98] and to Tom Barlow for sharing. It was refreshing to read at a time when TV and magazines are full of idealised family Christmases that hardly any of us can live up to.
My family includes divorce, bereavement and siblings in different countries, so I know what a stressful time it can be. With one-person households on the rise too, it’s good to reflect these experiences. People spending Christmas on their own should be able to celebrate with wonderful food and not be relegated to a ready meal.
There was excitement over November’s flexible cover recipe [p138] from reborn bundt tin fans
From: Kirsty I’ve had a bundt tin for several years (the Pine Forest one) after being inspired by a recipe in the book Nigella Christmas. Despite my best efforts following various ‘top tips’, I inevitably end up with at least one misshapen tree where the batter has stuck. With optimistic apprehension, my daughter Erin and I followed your double-butter-and-chill method and… success! We created a fantastic mocha bundt cake with a forest of perfect Christmas trees. We can’t wait to try out different flavour combinations.
From: Gemma My bundt tins had been relegated to the garage after multiple failures. I couldn’t find my most exciting one but I didn’t believe it would work, so thought any tin would do. I made a choc chip, Christmas spice and orange bundt – no booze, so my daughters (aged two and five) could enjoy it too.
Subject: Making the most of things From: Abi
I look forward to Debora Robertson’s article each month. December’s [p42] made me a bit emotional thinking back to last Christmas. It amazes me how people triumph in the face of tough times (Debora’s lack of roof and heating!).
Last Christmas my sister was due to host but caught Covid, so we went for New Year instead. We ate tartiflette, drank champagne and played party games – and enjoyed it so much we’re doing the same this year.
Subject: New traditions From: Liz Skingle
Clare Finney’s article on traditions [Dec, p94] struck a chord with me. This year my son and his fiancée were torn between three sets of in-laws wanting their company over Christmas. We came up with a plan B borne of “mistake, marriage, migration or a childhood memory”, as your article put it. It will mean a lot of travelling and organisation but will, as your article says in its conclusion, “still conjure up that sense of celebration, anticipation, memory, generosity and love”.
STAR PRIZE
This month’s star email
