Period Living Classic Christmas is your essential seasonal collection of ideas and products. Filled with beautiful period homes to inspire your own festive looks and household traditions, along with the latest decorations, craft projects, recipes and unique gift guides, this book contains everything you need for the perfect nostalgic celebration. In addition, you will discover the best days out in the UK and beyond, from winter markets and festivals, to wonderful stage shows and pantomimes that are guaranteed to get you in the mood for the big day. To help you get organised during the build-up to 25 December, the book also includes a handy Yuletide countdown, to ensure you won’t forget anything to make this your best Christmas yet.
Editor’s Note
Period Living Christmas
Spirit of the season • Filled with vintage finds and family treasures, Spot and Charlie’s Welsh cottage offers a warm welcome to friends and neighbours, especially at this time of year
CHRISTMAS THROUGH THE AGES
Counting down the days • Nikki Holden has put her ingenuity and energy into renovating her family’s first period home, where everyone looks forward to finally being together at Christmas
SPRUCE THINGS UP • Before rushing out to buy your Christmas tree, give a thought to sustainability, then follow our advice on how to choose the best variety, and caring for it through the festive season
Pick of the trees
A warm welcome • Jillian Clark and Colin Arnold have reconfigured and extended their Victorian former gardener’s cottage to create a characterful and cosy home – perfect for a magical country Christmas
Deck the halls • Festive decorations are as much a part of Christmas as mince pies and Santa Claus, and creative decorative projects will get you in the yuletide mood as you work. Try these ideas to add some handmade seasonal décor to your home
Festive foraged makes • Craft Christmas adornments using natural materials to bring some of mother nature’s seasonal beauty into your home
Joyous paper trail • Create some beautiful, seasonal decorations using only a pair of scissors, some paper, and your imagination, inspired by these ideas from Helene and Simone Bendix
Christmas creativity • Floral and interior stylist Willow Crossley shares some of her favourite handmade festive makes
Midwinter magic • Clara Lidström celebrates the festive season exactly as she wants at her house in the country, using vintage-inspired decorations and creating new traditions
A COLOURFUL CHRISTMAS • Lizzie Houghton’s passion for William Morris designs and all shades of green make for a cosy celebration at the family’s characterful Cornish home
All is quiet • Nestled in the heart of a pretty Worcestershire village, this charming 19th-century cottage has been lovingly restored by Alison King and her husband Paul Varnon
A twist on tradition • Rather than the customary turkey and trimmings, consider cooking up some of these appetising alternatives for the festive feast, from sumptuous sides and mouthwatering mains, to delicious desserts
Mains • Revolutionise the main event with a contemporary take on the classic turkey centrepiece, or why not opt for an inspired roasted alternative?
Desserts • Indulge your sweet tooth over the festivities with these comforting and homely baked beauties, alongside or instead of Christmas pud
Celebrating in style • A love of European design and a penchant for antiques markets inspired Daphne and Gordon Dunn on their journey to create their home
Christmas days out 2024 • Seasonal shopping with stunning city backdrops, enchanting winter wonderland experiences for all the family, festive-themed light shows to dazzle and delight – there’s so much on this winter. Find some of the festive...