Write up: Christmas - A Jolly Good Time
Sat in an office for my final stretch of corporate life I found myself indulging in endless conversations about Christmas. It became undeniably clear that people are always openly curious about how others choose to spend it. For most, it is a time wrapped in tradition and nostalgia with each of us having our own seasonal rituals that are performed year on year.
Personally I am a sucker for Christmas and have always loved what it stands for in my household - a time filled with endless feasts, wine and time spent around the dining table. So now that I have recovered from the worlds largest food baby, I feel compelled to share what really makes this season such a special one for me.
Starter: Countryside Community
Growing up in Norfolk I am fortunate enough to be a part of a community of friends who love coming back home to the countryside for Christmas. This year was no exception to that as festivities kicked off at Lundy Green Farm with a Shoot hosted by The Rodger family. A family who year on year bring their community together, inviting them into their home and allowing us to experience what they are all about - a family who undoubtedly personify Ubuntu. This Christmas Shoot really is a spectacle that is so quintessentially English, that it is like featuring in some kind of BBC time period drama.
The day kicks off at 9am with an introduction and a somewhat witty safety briefing. A quick shot of Sloe Gin initiates the start of the activity before being split into two trailers; the Beaters and the Shooters. The Beaters armed with large white flags that create a thunderous clapping sound, and their dogs, are responsible for driving the game towards the shooters, encouraging them out of the crops, hedges and woodland. Any birds shot on the day are then taken to the local Butcher. It’s impressive how well the Game Keepers and Farmers know the land and consequently execute the day; I soon learned that the Game Keeper, Bob, has been working with the Rodger family for sixteen years!
Throughout the day you are reminded that this is a social occasion despite the local boys joking that ‘there is no having fun on a shoot’. The day is full of regular meet ups and endless banter with ‘Elevensies’ being the first of the day. A selection of drinks are on offer to warm you up in more ways than one; home made mulled mine, Norfolk Nog, Sloe Gin and Prosecco Cocktail as well as lots of chocolate treats. Lunch later arrives at just the right time offering the opportunity to warm your hands up around a hot cuppa and to fill your bellies with hearty home made food including sausage rolls, soup and snacks. The perfect combination for a day spent out in the cold countryside.
Post lunch it’s back into the trailer and off to the last few rounds on the farm. Jumping at the chance to get a front seat in the tractor, I had the pleasure of catching up with a friend and appreciating the wholesome feeling of being at home amongst my favourite people.
But the day doesn’t stop with the end of the shoot. In fact it continues to delight, with a trip to the local pub, carol singing, and a spectacular display of fireworks that mark the start of our Black Tie evening in the country barn with a full sit down dinner and endless amounts of cheese and wine.
Mains: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
When it comes to our actual Christmas; everything centres around our food. Endless bouts of gluttony. For years it has been tradition to bring together a group of families who love to eat, laugh and celebrate around our dining table. The house is transformed and decorated, ‘creatively directed’ by my Mom who has been collecting the most beautifully quaint decorations for over 20 years, and the table is set in line with the yearly theme.
In our home we have learnt that the main feast needs to take place on the first evening that all of our friends and family come together (Christmas eve opposed to Christmas Day) - cooked by the hosting family. With our more informal evening being on Christmas, cooked and hosted by the visiting guests. Previous years have proven that the over excitement of seeing one another at such as jolly time can often lead to very sore heads on Christmas day and therefore require a much more laid back approach to our evening festivities.
Continuous Cheers’ing and appreciation of the occasion seasons the evening nicely. Singing, games and dancing are always a welcomed part of our seasonal ritual too.
This year we chose to give a close up and personal view of our 2018 Christmas Menu, prep and delivery which can be found on Ubuntu Food’s Instagram Story Highlights via the button below
Dessert: Reflections & Affirmations
Coming out of the Christmas season and having the space and time to reflect, I have found the sweetest dessert of all is the absolute affirmation that it is the people in our lives that create richness around the table. For my community of people, food is but an ingredient to the unity that we experience at this special time. No matter where we find ourselves throughout the year, Christmas is the one time that we get to come back home and spend time invested in the people we love most.
In this way the Christmas Feast is a reoccurring motif in our yearly calendar; creating a space and time in which people can selflessly share with one another, indulging in conversation and enjoying the merriment that happens throughout. This year we made the decision to only give one gift in a Secret Santa exchange so as to not distract us from the purpose of this time of year. A new tradition in our family that has marked a true understanding of what Christmas really is all about.