MY English CHRISTMAS
Nigel Slater, author and food writer
Can you share a special Christmas memory from childhood?
When I was eight years old I climbed the ladder to the attic to get the Christmas decorations. When I opened the boxes, the mice had made the skeins of tinsel into glittering nests, and had eaten the chocolate Christmas decorations, leaving all the coloured foil wrappers behind. It was really rather beautiful.
What is your favourite tradition in your household ?
Decorating the tree. It takes an entire day. I start by getting out all the boxes of decorations down from the attic, then opening a bottle of champagne, putting carols on and slowly loading the tree with antique hand-painted glass decorations I have collected from Christmas markets in Vienna, Stockholm, Nuremberg and Cologne.
What is your favourite food at Christmas time?
Oysters. On ice, with nothing more than a very brief squeeze of lemon. Like champagne, they turn any moment into a celebration. occasion What is of your the ‘must season -attend ? ’ event or
An annual day of window shopping. I have a late breakfast in a favourite restaurant then go on a walking tour looking at all the Christmas windows. Bookshops are especially magical at this time of year.
What is the best gift you have ever received?
A Rimowa suitcase, given to me by my best friend. It has travelled with me
