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24 Christmas disasters to make you feel better about burning the turkey, from poisoned guests to 7,000 acres of fire damage
Rough Christmas? Fear not, we have two dozen tales of how it could certainly get worse. Thank Kit Hesketh-Harvey.
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The nativity camels: Unbelievably clever, a tad greedy and undeniably festive
‘They know we’d never take them anywhere dangerous. They trust us so much.'
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Bubbly tips for the festive season: Drink British, ignore the silver spoon and abandon the coupe
Charlie Holland, head winemaker and CEO of Gusbourne, talks to Hetty Lintell about how and what to drink this Christmas.
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Gift ideas for those who love experiences
Experiences are the new kid on the block when it comes to Christmas presents, but their growing popularity is well-founded.
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The best mince pies in Britain 2019: Country Life's ultimate taste test
Mince pies maketh Christmas, but where will you find the very best? To save you the trouble, we’ve tried them all in the great Country Life mince-pie taste off.
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The Country Life Christmas message, by the Lord Bishop of Winchester: Jesus comes into our lives, our celebrations, and can inspire change
The Rt Revd Tim Dakin, the Lord Bishop of Winchester, writes a special Christmas message for readers of Country Life.
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The 12 party games of Christmas
The Twelve Days of Christmas land you with 12 days of enforced revelry. That’s 12 sub-sets of step-relations, 12 afternoons and evenings, 12 tailbacks on the M25. Kit Hesketh-Harvey suggests 12 games to keep you sane.
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Alan Titchmarsh: The best hyacinths and narcissi to bring flowers indoors at Christmas
Gardening writer and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh shares his tips on growing indoor bulbs to bring heavenly scents indoors at Christmas.
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The utterly inessential shopping list: 16 last-minute Christmas presents
What's that? You haven't done your Christmas shopping yet? Alexandra Fraser will help you put that right.
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How ham can be the real show-stopper of the Christmas table and where to find your one this year
At once sumptuous yet simple, a ham is an age-old tradition that for many is the real highlight of the Christmas feasting. Flora Watkins digs in.
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Curious Questions: Why on earth do we have Christmas trees?
In the middle of winter, we cut down fir trees, bring them inside and decorate them – then let them shed small, spiky needles throughout our homes. Why would we do such a thing? Toby Keel investigates.
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The utterly inessential shopping list: Christmas jumpers for two, and a rare chance to witness the £210 pencil sharpener
Forget about the big things. You can keep the necessities. Don't tell us about the must-haves. Alexandra Fraser takes a look at a few little luxuries which, in a world too full of strife and woe, will help ease your way through life with a smile on your face.
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The truth about Christmas carols
The composer and tenor Andrew Gant reveals the curious truth about some of our most beloved carols.
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How to make cranberry scones for a cream tea with a Christmas twist
You might think of scones as something for sunny summer afternoons – this recipe will change that.
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The Country Life Christmas message, by the Bishop of Gloucester: ‘The light shines in the darkness and the darkness of the present can never put it out’
The Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester, delivers our Christmas message this year, on embracing the hopes and fears of all the years.
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Why we still love pantomime ('Oh no we don't'...'Oh yes we do'...)
Corny, hammed-up, ritualistic – and yet Pantomime is still a hugely lovely theatrical format. Perennial pantomime villain Kit Hesketh-Harvey explains why.
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Why bobble fringes are the new tinsel this Christmas
Bobbles offer an opportunity to create a discreetly decorative look which is bang on trend this Christmas.
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The Yorkshire institution that sells 200,000 mince pies and 26,000 Christmas cakes each year
Tessa Waugh explains why Bettys, a Yorkshire institution founded in 1919, is the finest baker and confectioner in Britain.
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10 things you need to know about Operation Santa: How the Royal Mail helps Father Christmas reply to children across Britain
For over half a century, a secret room in a Belfast sorting office has housed a team of 'honorary elves' tasked with replying to the children who write Father Christmas to ask for everything from love to handlebar moustaches. Katy Birchall explains how it works.
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Six audiobooks for Christmas, from Dickens to the latest Booker Prize winner
For book lovers who never get the time to read, audiobooks can make a great present. We've picked out five fine options.
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‘It’s all about wonder and to look, to be able to ponder’ – the story behind spectacular nativity scenes
Each December, a newborn baby takes centre stage in Nativity scenes throughout the land. Julie Harding meets those responsible for bringing the Christmas story to life.
