“Christmas Recipes & Crafts” from Parragon Books offers a wonderful selection of ideas for the perfect homemade Christmas.

Christmas is a truly magical time of the year. There’s the crisp, cool bite of winter, the smell of pine needles, twinkling lights and, if you are lucky, even a few jingle bells jingling, too. And that’s just outside. Inside cosy homes everywhere, the smell of fresh baked mince pies and biscuits mingle with the scent of the freshly cut Christmas tree… this is the beginning to the introduction… isn’t it a wonderful way to put you in the festive spirit?

The cookbook is stuffed with everything you might need for a perfect Christmas feast. Starting with the morning meal like rich orange crepes or pain au chocolate cinnamon rolls, via starters, main meal, sides and sauces and of course a selection of desserts and baked goodies; there is even a chapter on Christmas drinks like eggnog, mulled wine or a hot brandy chocolate. And if you don’t fancy a rummage through the entire cookbook, simply open up to the Christmas favourites section where you will find 14 recipes which will keep you, your family and friends well fed through the entire day.

Each and every recipe is clearly presented, providing you with an estimated cook time, number of servings and of course the ever essential ingredients list and method; and you can see the final dish just to give you a rough idea what to aim for.

The last chapter of the book features crafts; there are 10 projects to pick from and they vary from stockings, snowflake cards to a Christmas wreath. There are even templates, which you can use to make your crafting project easier.

The book itself is beautiful. The pages are smooth and shiny and they feel very luxurious. Each recipe has a clear pictures and the food photography is lovely, it really makes you want to recreate it and devour as soon as it is ready.

I know that most of us like to stick to the old favourites when it comes to Christmas but if you are open to something new or in need of some festive inspiration, I can truly recommend this book.

Do you like to experiment and try new dishes this festive season?

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Christmas Recipes & Crafts
ISBN 978-1-4723-9253-4
Published by Parragon Books Ltd in 2015
Part of Love Food
Number of pages: 224
RRP: £15
Hardcover

*I received this book for free from Parragon as a part of my Book Buddy pack.
**All pictures in this post are from “Christmas Recipes & Crafts” cookbook.