I love love hearing about celebrations whether it be Christmas, Hannukah, any festival of Light., loved your tale made me all christmassy

Friend of mine honours her family tradition and does it all Christmas Eve. with presents in shoes. Love the handing-down of that

In my family the men are all "Humbug" and don't care that much ( although they are traditional about the importance of gathering together and love a Christmas dinner) So DD and I, well, we have to go to town to make up for it, the tree is up, the fairy lights are on, and all the christmas treasures are unpacked and reminisced over

Ive been crafting some stuff that has given me great pleasure and satisfaction. I also love to cook and there are several things, the New traditions I say - but they have been New for at least 12 years now the special sweet potato stuffing, the ham dinner, the baked risotto, roast lamb Boxing Day - that sort of thing. Mums crystal candlesticks on the table... silly crackers, Christmas eve tea with garlic prawns and skewers of chicken and satay sauce and obviously, turkey sandwich. Can not wait !

otherwise we are very quiet in the run up to the day ! I am hosting one very informal dinner with a deliberately chosen trouble free menu. All the food shopping will be mostly delivered ( wonderful supermarkets we have!!)

: challenges coming up that you
: would like help with?
:

yes please!

as often happens here, my "works do " is going to be in January or Feb, as everyone is busy in Dec They have decided it will be at the Italian restaurant. I shall be getting the menu in advance from there but Italian is a bit of a mystery to me. I am not a bit knowledgeable. Last time I had Italian I chose a trout with sage, which was delicious but a bit tiny So for a non pasta/rice/ pizza of any sort person like me, good hearty Italian options ??