It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year-
A Low-key Christmas Part II
T'was the Night Before Christmas
A typical year at Aurina HQ looks a bit like this.
I always work Christmas Eve- it's such a lovely feeling sending off the last of our Christmas customers with bags full of goodies we just know their family and friends are going to love.
Then I'm driving home for Christmas!
A glass of bubbles on arrival. Friends already gathered. A glass or two more then it's off to our local little church, huddled up in the pews, keeping warm by the candlelight. A singsong and a catchup with familiar village faces. Then home to a late supper, (always fish) sending the kiddies off to bed with the warning that Father Christmas won't visit if they're not tucked up asleep, then, (and you guessed it) another glass of bubbles.
Last Christmas my brother-in-law made a simply gorgeous smoked haddock gratin! A real crowd pleaser!
https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/fish-and-seafood/smoked-haddock-and-cheddar-gratin/
For now, there's no knowing how different Christmas might be this year. Perhaps old traditions will be replaced with new. Drink parties over zoom, carol services online...
And talking of new traditions why not jazz up your glass of bubbles too? A Champagne cocktail can feel so wonderfully indulgent. Here's a few of our favourites:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/classicchampagnecock_84499
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/porter-champagne
Why not share them out from this fabulous Royal Elephant Lacquer Bar Tray!! A real showstopper!
It's Christmas morning! Perhaps you're leisurely enjoying a glass of bucks fizz in bed or maybe you've already been up for hours since three children started jumping on the bed begging to open 'just one present... please!!'
If it's your first-time cooking Christmas lunch perhaps you're already in the kitchen obsessing over the turkey, surrounded by vegetable peelings and contemplating calling mum for help already!
A firm favourite at Aurina HQ for bringing the troupe together are my Devils on Horseback. Gorgeously sweet dried prunes or dates wrapped in salty bacon! Enlist the kiddies' help in rolling them, bake and enjoy!
https://boulderlocavore.com/devils-on-horseback-appetizer/
We'll also definitely try making these super cute cucumber tree bites!
These charming Stoneware multi coloured plates are just perfect for those little pre-lunch nibbles!
Christmas Dinner
Maybe it's the Norfolk connection but Delia Smith is always my go to Christmas dinner Guru! We tend to follow her Traditional Turkey recipe but might try her Roast Turkey with American Apricot Stuffing this year to make a change! Looks yummy and is guaranteed success (apparently). What's not to love?!
For pudding you must trust the dessert queen herself- Nigella! Most kiddies aren't big fans of Christmas Pudding, so we whip up a Nigella Christmas Pudding to please the troops!
https://www.mydish.co.uk/recipe/8484/nigella-lawsons-chocolate-pudding-for-christmas-pudding-haters
2020 has been a year of rainbows: in living room and shop front windows as well as finding some rays of sunshine through all the rain that Covid has brought into our lives. I love the idea of celebrating that in this year's Christmas décor. I'll be decorating my table with our fabulous multi coloured Tapered Candles, as well as our very funky multi coloured tasseled placemats. We also have an amazing selection of colourful napkins- an explosion of colour guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone's face.
A huge predicted trend for Christmas 2020 is Luxe! And if most of us can only be with five of our nearest and dearest why not make it ultra-special?! Some of our six pack of luxury Crackers have already sold out already so don't miss out- I personally just love the Leopards in the Snow ones! If you think they're too beautiful to use as crackers, why not use them to decorate your home or tree?
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
From all of us here at Aurina, we thank you for your continued support this year and wish you and your loved ones a very merry Christmas!
With love, Aurina xx
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