Christmas – the most wonderful time of the year is finally upon us. It’s the chance to abandon the chaos of our everyday routine and instead revel in the comfort and joy of precious family time.
From decking out our homes in festive lights and cheer to staying up late to leave Santa some homemade cookies and milk – what makes this time extra special is the way loved ones gather around to indulge in past traditions or craft entirely new ones.
Whichever way you are spending this magical time, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without delicious foods and customary treats like crumbly mince pies, moist fruit cakes and sumptuous roasts, all washed down with overly delectable desserts and warm, jovial tipples. (The new year resolutions are still quite some days away!)
Grace Stevens, award-winning TV chef, brilliant baker, and unapologetic Christmas lover shares some of her most cherished Christmas traditions, as well as a selection of her much-loved holiday recipes to help you celebrate the season with traditional trimmings, magic, and magnificence in abundance.
Grace’s top three ways to enjoy a memorable Christmas
- Choose to bake not buy
One of the first signs that the Christmas season has arrived in our home is the smell of freshly baked treats. In fact, the minute I start baking with cinnamon and ginger, my family knows that it is Christmas time, as these smells are synonymous with the festive season.
I especially enjoy making home baked gifts like shortbread biscuits, tarts, or pretty tea cakes. Not only do they taste delicious, but they are made from the heart and show the recipient just how much they mean to you. Even better is the fact that you can get the whole family involved, especially young children if you are baking for teachers and grandparents.
- Create personal traditions
Christmas time comes with a huge helping of nostalgia but over time this can begin to lose charm and perspective. Reinventing common Christmas traditions or putting your own spin on old favourites creates an intimate set of habits and rituals that are unique to your family, and which will bring a whole new meaning to the season.
Our family for example has dessert for breakfast on the 16 of December with steaming hot waffles and ice cream and lashings of runny chocolate spread. It’s our own little holiday tradition which we have done for years, and for us, fondly marks the start of the holidays.
- Don’t overload the schedule
It’s easy to want to do as much as possible during these precious few days that you have together with loved ones, especially if they are coming from afar. However, a few things done fabulously is way better than lots of things that are rushed.
Take time to make meaningful memories and don’t clutter the days with lengthy to do lists that will cause nothing but stress. Simple things like baking and decorating a gingerbread house can be so much fun if done with all the family (but just try and forget about the mess). Music is also a great way to get everyone loose and into the festive vibe, as is spending an afternoon doing absolutely nothing but rewatching your favourite Christmas movies. Remember it’s not what you do, but who you do it with that counts.
Grace’s top two indulgent Christmas recipes
- Crème Brulee
This delicious and simple French dessert is so perfect for the festive season as you can prepare it way in advance, which means more time raising a toast with your favourite people. Simply pour it into individual ramekins and refrigerate, and then only pull out and blowtorch the sugared top when you are ready to serve. I love to watch as everyone excitedly cracks through the glass-like crust – it always creates such delight.
- Pesto and Cheese Twist Bread
Having lots of family around means having lots of mouths to feed. This twisted bread is flavoured with basil pesto and Parmesan cheese and is incredibly moreish and addictive. Its versatility makes them a guaranteed hit at any Christmas party buffet table – be it a great showstopper snack, the perfect addition to a cheeseboard or the ideal pairing to a warm soup. Bake them well in advance and watch them fly out of the bread bin.
Grace Stevens - is an award-winning TV chef, guest judge on The Taste Master SA and cookbook author admired in equal measure for her skill and her sophistication.