Vanilla Butter Biscuits.

The countdown to Christmas is either joyous or drairy. We have such a conception nowadays that Christmas should be this and this and that, that most of the time we are missing the importance of it which is simply the gathering around a table and to catch up with one another after a long year. Of course a good Meal makes it a celebration.

Around my Christmas table: Tyn-Tyn, Randolph, James and Nat-Nat.

But this is it, the Meal is a gift in itself: You are able to feed someone else apart from yourself. You are able to give your time, energy and the best food to people you love to show them that you appreciate them, love them a great deal of a lot. Of course to make it special it goes with all the trimmings...

 Roast Turkey.

So we can not eat the decorations ... but sometimes we can: a Christmas Dinner, Meal, can be a culinary adventure and a Feast for all Palates. If we speak in reasonable terms it is that we need to please and catter for everyone on that day to ensure that your Guests do have an enjoyable moment. By that I mean to ensure that everyone have their dietery needs dealt with. It may means more time in the kitchen but it also may mean more care. And Care + Love + T = TLC...

Salmon Mousses wrapped in Cucumber ready to be served.

One main factor is you can spread your wings like a dove to reach the satisfaction of many. In normal time, not now with the Pandemic of Covid 19, it could be spreading the festivities over three days with a Dinner on Christmas' Eve, an extended Lunch/Meal on Christmas Day and a Boxing Day Dinner. The advantage of it is to not have a large amount of Guests which your oven would not be able to cope with. It is about managing a crowd with a Kitchen plan, although I have two ovens, a large stove, a grill, a microwave and a steamer ( I sound like Margot in the 'Good Life') however it is better to catter for five to six at a time rather than a dozen or more.

Christmas festivities can be tactically challenging however anyone can put some sort of order into the mix like John Bercoe in the House of Parliement by bellowing: 'Order'.

In this little way, it is more intimate and everyone has the time to speak properly or shall we say more in depth to one another. The matter of time here also is crucial. The end of the year festivities is a time when we can gather up but also make sense of what did happen during the past twelve months. It can be a self assessment which could be good or challenging like the loss of someone dear which is not there any longer but who would have been there at your Christmas table.

Jacqueline Du Pré Roses. Side by side through all weathers.

Therefore if we do three gatherings around your table, three days in a row, six by six including you and your alter ego or without counting yourselves: four Guests at a time, you will have your twelve Guests during the festive season. The benefit is that all will be merry and happy but also that every event will be a manageable feat/feast for one single person to do... 

This is of course if you want to deliver the food yourself rather than relying upon others to deliver Christmas at your table. It is a I am still here statement.

Spreading over a few days also allows you to deal within your means to have the unexpexted Guest. It is a tradition that if you are being slightly lost in France that everyone should have a little spare food for someone else, you, a little warm corner at the table for one to pick oneself up and carry on upon their journey. It is called the spare Soup. It feeds those in need of comfort, sympathy and friendship for a night or for more.

 If you were Marilla would you accept Anne with an E at your table? Christmas is all about compassion. Spot one of your friends who will spend Christmas alone if not for you.

In term of spreading time but also the number of guests over three days around Christmas, there is an opportunity to spread also the courses to eat every day. This doesn't necessarily involve too much of extra time of preparation but can give you a longer chance to interact with the Guests.

Christmas times is when we cheer one another properly after a long maybe arduous year.

If we are drawing a plan for each day, it will be thus (give or take): Canapés and Cocktails first. Then secondly the pre-Starter served at the table with Champagne. The Third course as per say is the Starter. To follow suit is the Fish Course. It could be served straight afterwards with a small palate cleanser and a little pause which allows everyone to talk fully again but also give you time to finish off or put the last touches on the Main Course.

 The Main Course has essentialy got to be a tasty show stopper. Above is Mapple glazed Ham. But it needs to be served surrounded by all the trimmings to make it a proper Feast.

The Main Course is the standing out piece in the centre of the table which will fill anyone's belly up. Usually afterwards everyone is fairly full. However no one will say no to the Dessert/Pudding. I must confess that I did a disastrous pudding during one Christmas which is almost legendary. It did taste nice, it did but it also looked like a pile of shit on a dish. I was forced to serve my big fat mistake but anyhow we always learn from our mistakes.

My most calamitous Christmas Pudding... At the very least it made people laugh and smile.

Last but not least there is the Cheese course with either strong Spirits or Coffee... I like Port with my last bite of a Christmas Feast. Then it is a wrap up and time to say Goodbye and to go to bed eventually.

The Cheese arrived for Christmas time... We will have a board this year to enjoy.