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Kirstie's Handmade Christmas - Season 13 Episode 1
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00:00But as someone who finds it very hard to chill out at Christmas, this year I'm hoping to ring the changes.
00:06We all want to make this the most wonderful time of the year.
00:10How about we give up trying to make it perfect?
00:12I mean, there's something quite sweet and droopy about having the wings down low.
00:17Daisy! Forget about the trends, create your own traditions, and embrace everything you love about Christmas.
00:24This year I'm highlighting the joys of a spectacularly sticky ham.
00:30I like everything, everything to have a bit more spice.
00:33I'm giving present wrapping the personal touch.
00:35And then to finish it off, a little cut of wobble.
00:39Oh yes, look, that looks really smart.
00:42And I'm throwing a homely, hassle-free Christmas party for friends and family with heavenly handmade treats.
00:49You shouldn't have to cook food you don't like or spend money you don't have.
00:53They're designed to be made with things that you might already have at home.
00:57Be inspired.
00:58Literally, I kid you not, the world's your oyster.
01:01You can do anything you want with this.
01:03Oh my God, look at that.
01:05So it superheated the bauble.
01:06Yeah, telling me.
01:07Indulge yourself.
01:09That is going to basically chill you out from the get-go.
01:13This is a good way to spend a day.
01:17This is about you and doing Christmas your way.
01:20That was a joy.
01:22Everyone knows I'm a sucker for a Christmas tree.
01:40Over the years, the crafters in my Christmas tree competitions have made every type of tree bauble imaginable.
01:46From metal mini-masterpieces to Bollywood baubles, via the candy cane forest, they've all blown me away.
01:53It's quite staggering, Ellie.
01:56It's just a sort of candy-coloured yarn fest.
02:01I don't think you can have too many tree decorations.
02:04So today I've invited potter Adam Johnson to help me add raku baubles to my collection.
02:09A craft involving pottery and fire, and you don't need a big kiln.
02:15What's not to love?
02:18Adam, I am so pleased you are here.
02:20This ball looks so great.
02:23In a few minutes, you're going to be a raku potter.
02:27Well, that I don't believe.
02:28Are you ready to cook some clay?
02:29I am so ready.
02:31Yes, absolutely.
02:33Raku is an incredible Japanese pottery-making technique
02:35that creates unique finishes on pieces fired at high temperatures.
02:40And, believe it or not, Adam has pioneered a way to do raku in a microwave kiln
02:45that you can buy from around £20.
02:48So this is a really exciting thing, the microwave kiln, isn't it?
02:52Because for a lot of us, pottery was off-limits unless you had a kiln,
02:57and that's quite an expensive piece of kit.
03:00Also, where are you going to put it?
03:02Exactly.
03:03And now micro-racu is something that I've kind of got into a way
03:07so we can share it with everyone,
03:09so the world can start doing pottery at home.
03:11I think that's remarkable.
03:13Adam has come prepared with his clay slipcast baubles.
03:16But you can buy these online from specialist shops,
03:19though check that they are microwave-safe.
03:21Pop the bauble in the kiln and the kiln in the microwave
03:23and we're ready for raku round one.
03:26And just assume that everything's hot.
03:30And watch me, I've got heat-proof gloves.
03:31Yeah, no, no, I'm not.
03:31So, at this point, if you'd like to put some glasses on.
03:34Right.
03:34And then when I take this off, it's going to be a red-hot bauble.
03:37Right, OK.
03:37Inside it, I'm going to pop the bauble over here.
03:39OK.
03:40And then you can choose feather or pug hair.
03:42Right, OK.
03:43Which one should we start with?
03:44Feather.
03:44Feather.
03:44I'm feeling sorry for the pug that's lost all that hair.
03:47Maybe take a few.
03:49I think we're going to call this technique the tickle of the feather.
03:52Please do be assured that no pugs or birds
03:55were harmed in the making of this Christmas bauble.
03:57What I'll do is I'll just take this off first and you can...
03:59Oh, my God, look at that.
04:01So it superheated the baubles.
04:02Yeah, telling me.
04:03As it cools down from...
04:05It was probably 1,000 degrees when we took it out because it was glowing.
04:07Whoa.
04:08So we want it to be about 300 degrees.
04:11Oh, oh.
04:12Yeah.
04:12I like this.
04:14This is a good way to spend a day.
04:19I'm being super careful under Adam's expert supervision,
04:22but you will want to follow the safety guidance that comes with the kit
04:25and wear gloves when advised.
04:28Wow.
04:28Beautiful.
04:30I'll pop it here and you can see that the clay in the cool one is a lot whiter.
04:34Yes, that is beautiful.
04:36Really nice contrast.
04:38You can use any type of feather to create the classic smoky markings.
04:41Other carbon-rich materials like sugar or hair work well too.
04:47And for those who prefer a bit of colour,
04:49Adam is showing me a second version of Raku that I've never seen before.
04:53We'll create our own glitter by making rainbow baubles.
04:57Oh, my God, those are amazing.
04:59And every single one's totally different.
05:01What's the name of this technique?
05:02So this is called rainbow Raku.
05:05How do I make one of those?
05:06We have a Raku glaze.
05:08OK.
05:09So this is essentially glass as a dust form within a lovely soup or gravy.
05:16And when we paint that onto the bauble and get it to a thousand degrees,
05:19it's going to turn into this lovely coppery glaze.
05:23So let's get you a bauble.
05:24There are several different Raku glazes available which create beautiful metallic finishes.
05:30We begin by painting the first coat.
05:33I'm going to grab the kiln out of the microwave
05:35and then we're going to use the residual heat from the microwave to dry the pot.
05:44Once dry, a second coat is applied.
05:46It's dried in the same way and then into the microwave it goes.
05:49So, what next?
05:52We've got nine seconds and then when the microwave beeps,
05:56I'll take the kiln out.
05:57Yes.
05:57And if you'd like to, you can get the bauble off the platform
06:02and pop it onto the sawdust and then it will burst into flames.
06:06We then cover it and inside the tin, inside the pot, there's no oxygen.
06:11So we call that a reduction atmosphere.
06:13And what you do when you check it is you flash the oxygen back on
06:16and that's when you get this kind of cloud
06:19so it all changes from green up to copper.
06:24Promises, promises there, Adam.
06:26You are promising a lot, dear.
06:29So it all depends on the way that we do it.
06:31But I feel like you've got it down.
06:33I am so excited about this.
06:34It's a well-painted one.
06:35Pracked and ready to make rainbows.
06:37One, two, three.
06:40Put it on.
06:43There we go.
06:44Wow.
06:47How long do we leave that there?
06:48Maybe three or four minutes.
06:50So it's got a cool down from 900 degrees,
06:53which is when it was glowing, down to about 300 degrees.
06:56We've got three minutes in which I need to ask you
06:58when you first did pottery.
07:01After I graduated, I got run over by a car.
07:03Oh.
07:03So I know I'm saying it with a smile.
07:05I was in a wheelchair for 18 months
07:07and clay was actually one of the things
07:10that gave me that little win every day.
07:12So I'd sit down and I'd make something with clay
07:14and I'd just have that little moment of like,
07:17I've made this.
07:18I've done something with my day.
07:20Wow.
07:20The transformational power of crafts
07:22never ceases to amaze me.
07:25Waiting over and it's time to lift the lid
07:28on my rainbow raccoon.
07:29Under there, the bauble,
07:31we don't actually know how hot it is,
07:33but we want it to be a temperature
07:34where the glaze changes.
07:36So it will be very coppery.
07:37Yeah.
07:38And as soon as the oxygen hits it,
07:40it's going to try and go back to green.
07:41Yeah.
07:42Like verdigris.
07:43Yeah.
07:43But we want to stop it in the middle,
07:44which is where we get the rainbows.
07:46So when I take the tin off,
07:47if you're prepped with the tongs,
07:49you can grab the bauble
07:50and if it's changing very fast,
07:53get it in that water.
07:54Right.
07:54That's called quenching.
07:55So are you ready?
07:56Yeah.
07:59Yeah.
07:59It's beautiful.
08:05Yay.
08:07It's a good one.
08:08It's lovely.
08:09Christmas magic.
08:12Five minutes later.
08:13Super.
08:13So actually now,
08:15it's ambient and ready to be ribboned.
08:20Oh, thank you, Adam.
08:21Oh, it's beautiful.
08:25That is one of the best first baubles I've ever seen.
08:29You're just being nice.
08:31That's not a joke.
08:32That's absolutely phenomenal.
08:34It's got everything.
08:35You've got all the colours from copper down to green
08:38and you've even got a bit where you can kind of see
08:40where the oxygen's hit it.
08:45Perfect.
08:46That was a joy.
08:50Adam has blown me away.
08:51Two miraculous mini-marfles for my tree
08:54and all from the microwave.
08:59Top of my Christmas list this year
09:01is spending more time with family
09:03and the people I love.
09:05And the eagle-eyed superfans among you
09:07will recognise this familiar face.
09:10Over ten years ago,
09:11my goddaughter Daisy,
09:12with her sister Stella,
09:13taught me how to make paper bunting.
09:16What's the theme of the bunting for Christmas?
09:18Oh, sleighs.
09:19Sleighs, of course.
09:20And the outcome really did slay.
09:22That, girls, you did it with red.
09:25Red, yep.
09:26Oh, my word.
09:28Oh, my word.
09:32I'm thrilled with my Christmas edition
09:34of the bunting.
09:39Daisy might have grown up a bit since then,
09:41but her love of paper crafts hasn't waned.
09:44And this time she's teaching me
09:46how to make joyous paper angels.
09:47All those left-over Christmas cards
09:50that don't belong in landfill,
09:52Daisy has a crafty solution.
09:54Daisy!
09:55Hello!
09:58So, I'm so pleased you've come back.
10:00I've returned.
10:01You have returned.
10:02My grand return.
10:04Slightly older.
10:05None the wiser, though.
10:06This might be one of the most simple,
10:09inspired, inexpensive,
10:11personalised presents I've ever seen.
10:13Grab your old Christmas cards,
10:15photos of friends and family,
10:17some split pins,
10:18and all the decorations you can find,
10:20and you're ready to go.
10:21You have some little Christmas cards
10:23in front of us.
10:24Yes, okay.
10:24And you want to pick maybe three,
10:27I'd say.
10:27Three Christmas cards.
10:28With varying colours,
10:29varying patterns.
10:30Okie dokie.
10:31One card will be for the body,
10:33one card will be for the legs,
10:34and one card will be for the wings.
10:37Cut out shapes for the body,
10:39wings, legs and arms.
10:41Daisy's made me a template,
10:42but you can go freestyle if you prefer.
10:44No need to strive for perfection.
10:46Embrace the comedy in this craft.
10:49I put the feet on at the same time.
10:51It doesn't have to be
10:51particularly anatomically correct,
10:53but there we go.
10:53Well, that's a good job
10:54it doesn't have to be anatomically correct.
10:56Yeah, correct, Daisy.
10:56Because it's far off.
10:58I think there's a charm
10:59to Christmas crafts, though,
11:01that they can be mismatched.
11:04Now we're ready to arrange
11:05the body parts before assembling.
11:08Yours is really good, Daisy.
11:09I'm going more for pasta necklace
11:11than modern art.
11:13Next, use a scalpel
11:15or something else sharp
11:16and a cutting mat
11:17to make a small hole
11:18where you want to attach the pieces.
11:20Insert the split pin
11:21and secure by spreading
11:22the prongs at the back.
11:25Your wings are higher up
11:26on your body,
11:27which also I think
11:28is better than me.
11:29I mean, there's something
11:30quite sweet and droopy
11:32about having the wings down low.
11:35Daisy!
11:36I can't believe you just said that!
11:38Whether you end up
11:39as a fallen angel
11:40or a celestial cherub,
11:42once everything is attached,
11:43it's time to find
11:44a face that fits.
11:46There's a little surprise in here.
11:48Oh, Daisy, let's see.
11:49We have my cat, Couscous.
11:52Oh, my God.
11:53Here he is.
11:53Couscous!
11:55We have, let's see.
11:57We have you.
11:58You've got me.
11:59Brilliant.
12:00Another one of you.
12:02Oh, thanks, Daisy.
12:03These are both very old photos.
12:04I'm very flattered.
12:06Where are the pictures
12:06of you, Daisy?
12:07And, oh,
12:10well, I seem to have
12:11suddenly become Phil.
12:12Phil, oh, no!
12:14I want one with you on!
12:16Oh, no, but we've got Couscous.
12:17So what does one do?
12:18Cut around?
12:19Yeah, cut around the face.
12:21I mean, you could even go to town
12:23and mix and match faces a little bit.
12:25You could mix and match, yes.
12:26Cut out the eyes from someone.
12:28Whoever you choose,
12:29be it human, animal, or both,
12:31attach with a glue stick
12:32and voila.
12:34Oh, that looks amazing, Daisy!
12:36I haven't glued it yet, but...
12:38Oh, my God, Couscous really works.
12:39Cats work better than people on angels.
12:42I know.
12:42And there isn't a Christmas craft
12:44in the land that doesn't benefit
12:45from a sprinkle of glitter
12:47or a flurry of pom-poms.
12:49So we're going to town.
12:50If you were an angel,
12:52how would you want to dress?
12:53And obviously you want
12:54all the sparkles, all the pom-poms.
12:56I'm going to give myself
12:58some red shoes.
13:00Look at that.
13:02Dorothy's shoes.
13:03They worked brilliantly.
13:05They've worked so well.
13:07The shoes are great.
13:08To be honest,
13:09we could go on
13:10for absolutely ever.
13:12But I think we've got
13:13to probably say
13:15that we're stopping.
13:16Couscous and Daisy
13:17and me
13:19and better me.
13:22What a joy
13:23to spend time
13:24crafting at Christmas
13:25with one of my favourite people.
13:27And luckily for me,
13:28Daisy and Paper Couscous
13:30are both hanging around
13:31for my party celebrations.
13:33MUSIC PLAYS
13:35This year,
13:45we're doing Christmas differently,
13:47letting go of the stresses
13:48and strains
13:49in favour of a homely
13:50handmade Christmas.
13:52Everyone knows
13:53that for children,
13:54sometimes,
13:55it's more the wrapping
13:57and less the present.
13:58So,
13:59we thought we'd embrace that.
14:01Paper artist,
14:02Sammy Quinn,
14:03is a grandmaster
14:04of copious clever tricks
14:05with paper
14:06and she's here
14:07to teach me
14:07how to create
14:08the most incredible
14:09animal gift boxes.
14:11I think what's nice
14:12about these makes
14:12is they're designed
14:14to be made
14:15with things
14:15that you might already have
14:16at home.
14:17You don't have to go out
14:18and buy any sort
14:18of specialist kit.
14:20Start by wrapping your box
14:21with coloured paper.
14:22I've customised mine
14:23using a rubber stamp
14:24and acrylic paint.
14:26Everything that you're
14:27sticking down now
14:28isn't going to be
14:29on display.
14:30So,
14:30we're going to add
14:31quite a lot of decoration
14:32to these boxes.
14:33Right.
14:34Okie dokie.
14:34OK.
14:35Most things will be
14:36sort of hidden.
14:38Try not to be a perfectionist.
14:40How did you know?
14:42My orange box
14:43will become a festive fox
14:44and Sammy's plain brown box
14:46will be transformed
14:47into a reindeer.
14:49We are going to take our paper.
14:51Yeah.
14:51We've got our template
14:52and we're going to draw
14:53round
14:55the various
14:56shapes.
14:58Cut circles
14:59for eyes
14:59and noses.
15:01Face,
15:01eyes and nose
15:02go on with glue
15:03and already
15:03they are coming alive.
15:05Next,
15:06some rounded triangles
15:07for Foxy's ears.
15:09I'm just going to do
15:10a little score mark
15:11in his ears
15:12and this is just going to
15:14create a little tab
15:16so that we can stick
15:17those onto the box.
15:18Bend the tab over
15:19and Foxy's ears
15:20just need a 3D flourish
15:22before they're stuck on.
15:24I'm just bending
15:24my ears a tiny bit
15:26just a tiny bit
15:27of a pinch up top.
15:29I'm going to start
15:30composing my reindeer
15:31as well at the same time.
15:33I've cut some little
15:33slits
15:34into the paper.
15:36Oh, yes.
15:37And then when you
15:38pull those up
15:39it just adds
15:40another little
15:40layer of texture.
15:42Feathery look, yeah.
15:42Exactly.
15:43Sort of gives that
15:44illusion of fur.
15:45I'm going to use
15:46some of those
15:46double-sided foam tabs.
15:47Yeah.
15:48You can just stick them
15:49bang in the middle.
15:51And then that gives you
15:51a floaty feel.
15:52Yeah.
15:52Adds a little bit
15:54of depth.
15:55With the faces
15:55coming together
15:56it's time to bring
15:57some Christmas joy.
15:59Now what we can do
16:00we've got a pen
16:02is we can go in
16:04and give them
16:05a little bit
16:07of a facial expression.
16:09So giving them
16:09a little smile there.
16:11And what's a fox
16:12without a bushy tail?
16:14I've cut out a brown
16:15almost oak leaf shape
16:16as its base.
16:18So you've
16:18yes I saw that
16:19so you've folded that.
16:21and that's how
16:22we're going to attach
16:23our tail to the
16:24sort of side.
16:24One side a bit
16:25taily and then
16:26the other side a bit
16:27straight but with
16:29the flap out of that.
16:30With the flap.
16:30And then that means
16:31we can attach that
16:31into the side of the box.
16:33What we're going to do
16:33is we're going to add a little
16:34bit of embellishment
16:35to our tail.
16:36So I've cut
16:38these little
16:38sort of fluffy shapes
16:40and then we're going to
16:41start at the top
16:42and I've cut them
16:42in the two tones.
16:43You can start in that
16:44sort of top area
16:45and then sort of
16:46layer them down.
16:47Absolutely.
16:48Different shades of paper
16:50create visual interest
16:51and Sammy's got a cunning tip.
16:53If you were really
16:54trying to elevate this
16:55you could use the edge
16:56of your scissors.
16:57You can curl some of them up
16:58so that when you're
16:59sticking them down
17:00you've got even more
17:01sort of texture.
17:02Adds another level
17:03of dimension.
17:04There you go.
17:05Now it is definitely
17:06looking more
17:07taily
17:08and less
17:08autumnal
17:10leaf.
17:12Next we heat Foxy
17:13up with a
17:13sprightly scarf
17:14using two strips
17:16of red paper.
17:17We're going to
17:18fold that one
17:19in half.
17:20Yeah.
17:20So this is going to be
17:21sort of the tail
17:22of the scarf.
17:22Oh I see, I see.
17:23So we're going to
17:23fold that in half
17:24and then that's going
17:26to loop
17:26over the top.
17:28Right.
17:28Just like that.
17:30I didn't stick
17:30on my tail
17:31too tightly
17:32so I can glue
17:33the scarf
17:33around the box
17:34and tuck it
17:35under the tail.
17:37Trim to the
17:38right length
17:38and then cut
17:39slits on the end
17:40to create
17:40a little fringe.
17:42Meanwhile
17:42Sammy gets busy
17:43with 3D ears
17:45for Rudolph.
17:46I'll just show
17:47you the little
17:48reindeer so
17:49I've got the
17:49shape for his ears
17:50and I've just
17:51cut a little slit
17:52into the bottom
17:52of the paper
17:53and then we're
17:54going to just
17:55use a bit of glue
17:55and then we're
17:56going to fold
17:57it round
17:58and it's going
17:59to create
17:59this sort of
18:003D ear.
18:01Finally
18:02every festive fox
18:03needs a hat
18:04and this clever
18:05one is rather
18:05regal.
18:06start with a
18:08rectangle of paper
18:09cut into long
18:10strips on one
18:11side and short
18:12strips on the
18:13other.
18:14You cut a strip
18:14of paper and
18:15then you're going
18:16to stick it
18:16and if you line
18:18it up with one
18:18edge you'll notice
18:19it's too big on
18:20one side
18:21purposefully.
18:21And I'm going
18:26to use my ruler
18:28and my scalpel
18:29and I'm going
18:30to make a very
18:31light score mark
18:32here and what
18:35this will mean
18:35is that we can
18:37bend these bits
18:38backwards.
18:39Right, okie doke.
18:40And then to make
18:41the hat we're going
18:41to just put the
18:42paper on the
18:43rubber and we're
18:44going to put a
18:46hole in the centre
18:47of each of those
18:48tabs.
18:49Do you want to
18:49give that a go?
18:50And it'll all make
18:51sense while we're
18:51doing this at the
18:52moment.
18:53I have every
18:54confidence, Sammy,
18:54that it's going to
18:55make sense.
18:56Every confidence.
18:58Holes made, we
18:59loop it around,
19:00attach the tab and
19:01it's starting to
19:02take shape.
19:03A split pin is the
19:04key to forming
19:05the dome shape.
19:07So we're going to
19:07push that pin
19:08through one of those
19:09holes.
19:10You have to push
19:10it quite hard but
19:11that hole sort of
19:12acts as a bit of a
19:13guide.
19:13Yeah.
19:14And then we're
19:14going to take one
19:15from that side,
19:15push it through,
19:16one from that side
19:17and keep
19:17alternating.
19:18Okey-doke.
19:19And you'll see the
19:20paper will naturally
19:21want to sort of bend
19:22in and sort of allow
19:23it.
19:23You see at the
19:23moment it's bending
19:24out.
19:25That way.
19:25Allow it to bend
19:26inwards.
19:29Genuinely would not
19:30have thought that
19:30that was as easy as
19:32it was.
19:33That really works.
19:35Very simple,
19:35isn't it?
19:36Really, really
19:37simple.
19:38And then to finish
19:39it off, a little
19:40cut of waffle.
19:42Oh yes, look,
19:43that looks really
19:44smart.
19:44I'm going to do
19:46it a little
19:46jaunty.
19:48I'm going to do
19:49it a little
19:49jaunty and slightly
19:51to the one side
19:53like the other.
19:53A very stylish
19:54fox.
19:54Yes.
19:56You know what,
19:57Sammy?
19:58That is quite the
20:00present, isn't it?
20:02Foxy might look
20:03Christmas ready but
20:04Sammy's reindeer still
20:05needs some final
20:06flourishes.
20:07Pink pom-poms
20:08give him some
20:09lovely rosy cheeks
20:10and no reindeer is
20:11going to be chosen
20:12to pull Santa's sleigh
20:13without impressive
20:14antlers.
20:15What can I do to
20:17help you?
20:17So we are going to
20:18make some little
20:19antlers for our
20:20reindeer, so I've
20:21already made one.
20:22Okay.
20:23And they are made
20:23very simply, again,
20:26one of our
20:26templates, which I
20:27have then used to
20:28cut out of some
20:30cardboard.
20:31Yep.
20:31And what we are
20:32going to do is we're
20:33going to wrap those
20:34in some simple
20:36twine.
20:36Okay.
20:37Start from the
20:38bottom.
20:38If we put a little
20:39tiny, tiny dot of
20:40glue.
20:41Yep.
20:41here, just so we
20:43can glue it down to
20:44start.
20:45Yep.
20:45And then you're
20:45just going to go
20:46round and round and
20:47round and round until
20:48you've got it covered.
20:49Okay.
20:49Great.
20:50And then while you're
20:51doing that, so for our
20:53reindeer, I thought it'd
20:54be really nice to make
20:55him a little woven
20:56chest.
20:57So I have a little
20:58rectangle of paper.
21:00Yep.
21:00And all I have done is
21:02cut lines every sort of
21:04half a centimetre.
21:05So you've made your own
21:06little loom.
21:07My own little loom,
21:08exactly.
21:09And sort of left about a
21:10centimetre at the top
21:11there, or half a
21:11centimetre at the top,
21:13so that the pieces don't
21:15fall apart.
21:15And then I've got sort of
21:17strips of paper, so
21:18little bits of gold,
21:20bits of magazine cut up.
21:21That is really nice.
21:22Little bits of red.
21:22And then we're going to go
21:24in and out very simply
21:27with the paper.
21:29And I'm just going to
21:32stick down the edges of
21:35the last bit of paper
21:35that I've woven in, and
21:37then that will stop
21:38everything from
21:39unravelling.
21:40While Sammy's woven
21:41reindeer chest looks
21:42effortless, I'm getting
21:44in a tangle with twine.
21:45Oh, no.
21:46Oh, no.
21:47It's OK.
21:48Oh, no.
21:49Who knew that this was
21:51the hard bit?
21:52Not entirely sure how
21:53I've managed to
21:54balls this up so
21:55spectacularly, but what
21:57is a reindeer without
21:58his twine antlers?
22:01Luckily, star anise
22:02and a hot glue gun hide
22:03a multitude of crafting
22:05sins.
22:06Sammy makes two little
22:07paper triangle props
22:08to hold up the antlers,
22:10and it looks like
22:11Rudolph will be
22:12pulling the sleigh
22:12after all.
22:13The result is
22:14absolutely lovely,
22:16but actually, it's
22:18the fun of doing
22:21this, partly.
22:23You know, someone's
22:24going to see this
22:25present and be
22:25absolutely delighted.
22:27that was really
22:29good fun.
22:30Let's put it this
22:31way, you could have
22:31a lot of fun going
22:32on playing with this.
22:33You could.
22:34You know, the world's
22:34your oyster.
22:37Thank you very much.
22:37No problem.
22:38Pleasure.
22:41So, on to the next
22:43step for my Christmas
22:44party, the food.
22:46Perfect on the big
22:46day and a total treat
22:48called on Boxing Day,
22:50the ham is a
22:51festive all-rounder.
22:53Fifteen years ago,
22:54Phil and I learned
22:54how to cook the
22:55perfect traditional
22:56ham.
22:58Hello, little
22:58hammy-hammy.
22:59Mmm.
23:01And, being a creature
23:02of habit, he's very
23:04generously sent me a
23:05ham every year since.
23:07But this year, I'm
23:08tearing up traditions
23:08and delving into the
23:09spices and flavours
23:10from one of my favourite
23:12parts of the world,
23:13the Caribbean.
23:14So, I've invited
23:15long cook and content
23:16creator Daniel Grant
23:17to teach me how to make
23:19one of his family
23:19festive favourites,
23:21a sorrel-glazed ham.
23:23So, this is basically
23:24like a traditional way
23:25we do it in Barbados.
23:26Right.
23:27But also with, like,
23:28an English twist to it
23:29as well.
23:29Okey-doke.
23:30I cannot wait.
23:31I like everything,
23:33everything to have a bit
23:34more spice.
23:34Yeah.
23:35With the ham already
23:36boiled for a couple of
23:37hours in an infusion of
23:38cloves, spring onions,
23:39and thyme, we are ready
23:40to get seasoning.
23:42And like many great
23:43recipes, we are starting
23:44with garlic and ginger.
23:45What makes this step out
23:49as a Bajan ham as opposed
23:51to from anywhere else?
23:53I think it's the sorrel.
23:54Right, okay.
23:55And the sorrel adds
23:56that, the different flavour
23:57you wouldn't normally get
23:59in a traditional, like,
24:01British ham.
24:01And yeah, pairing it
24:02with all the other
24:03seasonings just brings
24:04out the sorrel flavours
24:06even more.
24:07Sorrel flowers are a
24:09must-have ingredient in
24:10cooking across the
24:11Caribbean at Christmas
24:12time.
24:12With their unique,
24:13tangy flavour, they are
24:15known for their
24:15health benefits and can
24:16be bought online.
24:18A lot of Bajan food
24:20has nutmeg, cinnamon,
24:22allspice.
24:22Yeah.
24:23These are, like,
24:23the staples in most
24:25dishes, scotch bonnet
24:26as well.
24:27So that's quite a large
24:28scotch bonnet.
24:29And what do you reckon?
24:30You've gone 40% on that?
24:32Yep.
24:33Yeah, I'd say about 40%
24:34and I've taken any seeds
24:35that are in there just
24:36in case.
24:37Heat level maximised?
24:38Next, we're upping
24:39the Christmas ante with
24:40the dry spices.
24:42So what's in here?
24:44We've got some cinnamon,
24:44some nutmeg,
24:46some allspice,
24:48a little bit of brown
24:48sugar.
24:49Yep.
24:49Some all-purpose
24:50seasoning and some onion
24:52granules as well.
24:53Then add olive oil,
24:55dark soy sauce,
24:56spiced rum and slowly
24:57pour in the orange juice
24:58to complete the flavours.
25:00That is so good!
25:03Pierce the ham with a
25:04sharp knife and then
25:05Daniel has a clever trick
25:07up his sleeve.
25:08Place the ham into a
25:09freezer bag,
25:10pour in the marinade
25:11and it's time to mush.
25:15Mess-free and guarantees
25:16that the flavour will
25:17melt into the meat.
25:19Am I mushing right?
25:21Yeah, that's perfect.
25:22And then that's going to
25:23seep in all those holes
25:24you've pierced.
25:25For extra flavour,
25:26this can be done the night
25:27before and kept in the fridge.
25:29Once you've mushed,
25:30place into a baking tray,
25:32score lines across the skin
25:33and add cloves
25:34for a festive flourish.
25:37Into the oven at 170 degrees,
25:40cooking time will depend
25:41on the size of your ham.
25:44And while the ham is cooking,
25:45we're preparing Daniel's
25:47special sorrel glaze.
25:48Put one whole chopped orange
25:50into a bowl
25:50with the zest and juice
25:52of another.
25:54How much ginger?
25:56Probably two thumbs
25:57worth of ginger.
25:57Okay, okay.
25:58Filing chopped.
25:59Two cinnamon sticks,
26:00a cup of brown sugar,
26:01eight to ten cloves,
26:03two tablespoons of honey
26:04and then this special ingredient.
26:07And now we want
26:07our sorrel leaves to go in.
26:09Right, okay.
26:11Weight-wise,
26:11what would you say?
26:13This is roughly
26:14around 200 grams.
26:16200 grams of sorrel.
26:17Yeah.
26:17Okey-doke, okay.
26:19Okay.
26:21Six cups of water.
26:22Six cups, okey-doke.
26:23Yeah.
26:23Okay, that's it.
26:25Yep.
26:25I love it when things
26:26aren't so difficult.
26:27I'm not sure I've ever cooked
26:28anything that looks
26:29more Christmassy.
26:31You're seeing the colour
26:32from the sorrel.
26:33It's immediately coming out.
26:35That sauce is going to be
26:36the most incredible colour.
26:38Simmer for five to ten minutes.
26:40Drain the liquid through a sieve.
26:42Then add your cup of sugar.
26:44Then back on the stove
26:45for another 30 minutes
26:46until you have
26:46a lovely thick syrup.
26:49Once the ham
26:49is about halfway
26:50through cooking,
26:51it's time to glaze.
26:53This glaze looks
26:54absolutely amazing.
26:56Those sorrel flowers,
26:57it's extraordinary,
26:58the depth of colour there.
27:00Yep, that's perfect.
27:02Is that perfect?
27:02What we'll do now
27:03is when we roast it again,
27:05we'll base it every,
27:06say, like, ten,
27:07eight to ten minutes.
27:08Right, okey-doke, okay.
27:09Just to make sure
27:10we've got plenty of glaze on there.
27:11Okay.
27:12Well, they say great things
27:13come to those who wait,
27:14and I'm certain
27:15my party guests
27:16will agree
27:16that Daniel's
27:17beijing ham
27:18is worth every minute.
27:20I'm all for
27:29lessening the load,
27:30but that's not going
27:31to stop me
27:31upping the ante
27:32on the glitter
27:33and the sparkle.
27:35And to search
27:36for more tree decorating
27:37inspiration,
27:38I've headed
27:39to one of my
27:40most beloved
27:40London spots.
27:42Behind me
27:43on Kenson Church Street
27:44is the Lacquer Chest.
27:45It's been around
27:46for 66 years.
27:48It's always been
27:49an inspirational
27:50shop for me.
27:52And when it comes
27:52to Christmas,
27:53their amazing
27:54vintage bauble
27:55rental collection
27:55is second to none.
27:57So I'm heading in.
27:58Hey, Nuts.
27:59Hello.
28:00How are you?
28:00Good.
28:02The shop is looking
28:03so Christmassy.
28:05It really does
28:06look fantastic.
28:07I'm looking for
28:08inspiration,
28:08so I was going to
28:09go and have a look
28:09upstairs.
28:10Yes.
28:12So here,
28:13the very top
28:15of the shop
28:16is where
28:17the fabrics
28:18and the ribbon
28:19and the vintage
28:21Christmas decorations
28:22are.
28:23And my late
28:25mother-in-law,
28:25Gretchen,
28:26once gave me
28:27a box of
28:28vintage Christmas
28:29decorations
28:29and it was
28:30one of the best
28:31Christmas presents
28:32I ever had.
28:34Can you believe
28:35there are decorations
28:36in the collection
28:36that are more
28:37than 80 years old?
28:38There's something
28:41particularly special
28:42about looking
28:43at something
28:43and thinking
28:44this has come
28:45out year
28:47after year
28:47after year
28:48after year
28:49and given
28:51real joy
28:52and I want
28:54to try
28:54and find a way
28:55to make
28:57something
28:57that has
28:59a bit
29:00of a similar
29:00feel to this
29:01just with
29:03that kind
29:03of extra,
29:05extra twinkleness.
29:07Is there
29:07such a word
29:08as twinkleness?
29:09I don't know
29:09but if there
29:10isn't,
29:10there should
29:10be.
29:12My mind
29:13is whirling
29:14with ideas
29:14and I have
29:15just the thing
29:16in my kitchen
29:16cupboard
29:17to create
29:18my version
29:18of these
29:19incredible
29:20vintage tree
29:20decorations.
29:22These are
29:22little reusable
29:23egg tart
29:24things and
29:25you can buy
29:26them online
29:26and they
29:27end up
29:28about 25p
29:29each.
29:29I'm using
29:30two different
29:30sizes of
29:31egg tart
29:32moulds.
29:33First off
29:33I'm gently
29:34pressing back
29:35the edges
29:35of the
29:35larger mould
29:36with my
29:36hands
29:37to make
29:37a slightly
29:38flatter
29:38shape.
29:39And then
29:40you take
29:41an old
29:41rubber
29:41and a
29:42barrow
29:42nothing
29:43complicated
29:43and you
29:46press
29:50through.
29:52There we
29:53are.
29:54This will
29:54be used
29:55to hang
29:55your finished
29:56decoration
29:56using ribbon
29:57or a
29:58sparkly
29:58pipe cleaner.
30:00Then
30:00literally
30:02I kid you
30:02not
30:02the world's
30:03your oyster.
30:04You can
30:04do anything
30:05you want
30:06with this.
30:07You can
30:07just go
30:07with one
30:08of these
30:08or you
30:09can put
30:10the smaller
30:10one inside
30:11and you
30:11can do
30:12it too
30:13like that.
30:14And then
30:15anything you
30:16want to
30:16put in
30:17the centre
30:17glitter
30:18old
30:19jewellery
30:20look
30:20what I've
30:20got here
30:21is some
30:21charity shop
30:22brooches
30:23brooches
30:23have gone
30:24right out
30:24of fashion
30:25they're ending
30:25up in
30:26charity shops
30:27costing very
30:28very little
30:28so I'm
30:29going to
30:29make this
30:29brooch
30:30at the
30:31centre
30:31of my
30:33design.
30:34PVA glue
30:35at the
30:35ready
30:35along with
30:36all the
30:36glitter
30:37and glitz
30:37you can
30:38find
30:38and you're
30:38off.
30:40Paint a
30:41layer of
30:41glue
30:41around the
30:42outside of
30:42the mould
30:43then pour
30:44the glitter
30:44on and
30:45off a
30:45few times
30:46and it
30:46will
30:46layer
30:46up to
30:47create
30:47a
30:47shimmering
30:48edge.
30:48right
30:50now
30:50I think
30:51we are
30:53fully
30:53glittered
30:55up there
30:55so I
30:56want to
30:57give this
30:57depth
30:58so I'm
30:59also going
30:59to put
31:00this
31:00pipe cleaner
31:02there
31:03use the
31:05same technique
31:05on the
31:06smaller mould
31:06this time
31:07putting glitter
31:07around the
31:08inside and
31:08outside
31:09for extra
31:10twinkle
31:10there's no
31:12getting away
31:13from this
31:13this is
31:14fiddly
31:14but worth
31:16it
31:16give that
31:18a bit
31:18of a
31:19sprinkle
31:21and a
31:23shake
31:24how are we
31:24doing so
31:25far
31:26there's just
31:27something so
31:27transformative
31:28about glitter
31:29more is more
31:31as far as I'm
31:32concerned
31:32so next
31:34I'm cutting
31:34around a
31:35sparkly piece
31:35of fabric
31:36to glue
31:36inside
31:37now obviously
31:39you could
31:39use a little
31:40bit of lace
31:41or a bit
31:42of paper
31:42or
31:43you know
31:44would
31:44literally
31:45anything
31:46if it's
31:47just hanging
31:47around
31:48and it's
31:49got any
31:49sort of
31:50glitter
31:50or sparkle
31:51to it
31:52use it
31:53just when you
31:55think you
31:55can't add
31:56any more
31:56bling
31:57it's time
31:58to add
31:58my charity
31:59shop brooch
32:00now
32:00some of
32:01the brooches
32:02you might
32:03want to
32:04take the
32:05backs off
32:05with pliers
32:06I think
32:08this one
32:09she says
32:10confidently
32:11probably
32:11over
32:11confidently
32:12will
32:14work
32:15if I
32:16just
32:16put the
32:18glue on
32:18and bung
32:19it in
32:19but this
32:20might be
32:21famous last
32:23words
32:23here's a crunch
32:25moment
32:26once the
32:31glue has
32:31dried
32:32thread
32:33ribbon
32:33or a
32:33sparkly
32:34pipe
32:34cleaner
32:34for
32:34hanging
32:35the
32:36thing
32:36about
32:36these
32:37decorations
32:37is
32:37that
32:38really
32:39is
32:39just
32:39the
32:39start
32:40you can
32:41go on
32:41adding
32:42bits
32:42in
32:42adding
32:43little
32:44other
32:44bits
32:45of
32:45embellishment
32:45like with
32:46the pipe
32:46cleaners
32:47other bits
32:47of ribbon
32:48whatever
32:49you want
32:50these
32:51wonderful
32:52little tin
32:52vessels
32:53are just
32:54the beginning
32:55of
32:56a joy
32:57in creating
32:58these kind
32:58of bohemian
32:59medallion style
33:00Christmas decorations
33:01my tree
33:02is going to be
33:03as twinkly
33:04as it's ever
33:05been
33:05we've got glitter
33:10and spice
33:10but let's not forget
33:12about sugar
33:12and all things
33:13nice
33:13Adam has come up
33:16with a fun
33:16and super simple
33:17air dried clay bowl
33:18to hold
33:19the wrapped
33:19sweet treats
33:20we all love
33:21at Christmas
33:21so I think
33:23it's really fun
33:24to make them
33:24all different sizes
33:25because if you look
33:26at a Christmas tree
33:27all the baubles
33:27are different sizes
33:28and I think that
33:29makes it feel
33:30very Christmassy
33:31it gives a lot
33:31of visual texture
33:32I'm going to start
33:33by rolling
33:34lots of sausages
33:35but making sure
33:36that each sausage
33:36has a pointy end
33:37who doesn't love
33:39a Christmas sausage
33:40and then
33:41time for the roll
33:42then it's clay
33:43roll
33:43curl
33:44repeat
33:44next
33:45line an ordinary bowl
33:46with a paper napkin
33:47and get layering
33:48I'm going to completely
33:50cover the base
33:51of this bowl
33:51I want all of these
33:53to go
33:53point towards
33:54one direction
33:55because I want it
33:56to feel like
33:57a flurry of snowflakes
33:58coming across the bowl
34:00coils in
34:01take another handful
34:02of clay
34:02and flatten
34:03using a rolling pin
34:04ready to cut
34:05with your cookie cutter
34:06of choice
34:07and I'm going to use
34:09and I'm going to use
34:09the snowflake
34:10for this one
34:10so
34:10just applying
34:12it to the clay
34:13and then
34:13pushing down
34:14with the snowflakes
34:16cut
34:17get your PVA glue
34:18at the ready
34:19to secure
34:19paint the
34:21top side
34:23only a little bit
34:24lift it up
34:26tuck it away
34:27in bed
34:27and that means
34:28that you're going to get
34:28a little peekaboo
34:29moment there
34:30more glue over the top
34:31and then layer up
34:33a smaller circle of clay
34:34and gently push down
34:35to secure
34:36continue layering up
34:38with coils
34:38and snowflakes
34:39on top
34:40if you push the coil
34:42down
34:43you get a nice bit
34:44of depth
34:44going on as well
34:45and that gives you
34:45a real visual texture
34:46leave to drive
34:48for at least an hour
34:49then get busy
34:50with acrylic paint
34:51reds
34:53and pinks
34:53with whirls of golds
34:55perfect colours
34:56for my Christmas party
34:57I've got lots of sweets
35:00and treats
35:01so you can put
35:01all the best bits
35:03of Christmas in there
35:04and this is a great way
35:05of making something
35:06from your heart
35:07and from your hands
35:08for a loved one
35:09thanks Adam
35:10I couldn't have said
35:12it better myself
35:12the presents are wrapped
35:15the decorations hung
35:16and with the ham
35:18roasting in the oven
35:19what I need now
35:20is an overindulgent pudding
35:22over the years
35:23we've had wreaths
35:24of feathers
35:24flowers
35:25furry friends
35:26but when wreath
35:28and pudding combine
35:30it's quite the showstopper
35:32when award winning
35:34chef Ravinda Bogle
35:35showed me her edible
35:36wreath three years ago
35:37I was blown away
35:38don't be put off
35:40by shoe pastry
35:40it's surprisingly simple
35:42I've got water
35:44going into this pan
35:45yeah
35:46and the idea
35:47is that you're going
35:48to basically melt
35:49butter
35:50and water together
35:52bring it to the boil
35:53so far so good
35:55so far so easy
35:56right
35:56yeah
35:57the idea then
35:58is just to dump
35:59in a whole load of flour
36:00that sounds like
36:02my type of baking
36:02once the dough
36:03starts coming away
36:04from the side of the pan
36:05leave it for 15 minutes
36:07to cool
36:07or add it to a stand mixer
36:09to release the steam
36:10so it cools even faster
36:12after a few minutes
36:14add your eggs
36:14one at a time
36:15so let's just have
36:17a look at this
36:18isn't it gorgeous
36:19look at that texture
36:20how glossy
36:21and smooth
36:22and silky it is
36:23the dough goes
36:24into a piping bag
36:25ready to create
36:26three circles
36:27on your baking tray
36:28glaze with some egg wash
36:30then it's into the oven
36:31at 180 degrees
36:32for 15 minutes
36:33then 160
36:35for a further 30 minutes
36:36once it's done
36:38leave to cool completely
36:39cut the top off
36:41and layer up
36:42condensed milk caramel
36:43and whipped cream
36:44dip the top
36:47in the chocolate glaze
36:48and decorate
36:49with seasonal berries
36:50nuts
36:50dried fruit
36:51and a dusting
36:52of icing sugar
36:53what a result
36:54it's nearly time
36:58to welcome
36:58my friends and family
36:59so I'm putting
37:01the final touches
37:01to my Christmas table
37:03the only thing
37:04that matches
37:04is the knives and forks
37:06apart from that
37:07everything else
37:10is just
37:13a mismatch
37:15but that's
37:17the way it is
37:19at Christmas
37:20perfectly
37:22imperfect
37:23it's almost time
37:30for our Christmas party
37:31I'm prone to terrible
37:33pre-party jitters
37:34but if there's one thing
37:36that's guaranteed
37:36to calm the nerves
37:37it's a Christmas cocktail
37:39and I want something spicy
37:41to go with my
37:41sorrel glazed ham
37:42mixologist
37:44Joelle Roach
37:45has come along
37:46to shake things up
37:47with a fiery
37:48coriander margarita
37:49it is the season
37:50to be tipsy
37:51after all
37:52what would you do
37:54if you were making
37:55a Christmas margarita
37:56burn off
37:57yeah
37:57chillies first
37:59chillies
38:00okay
38:01so
38:02if you muddle it
38:04a lot more
38:05then you'll get
38:05a lot more spice
38:06right okay
38:07so if you do
38:07a little bit of a muddle
38:08then you'll get
38:08a little less spice
38:09obviously
38:09so for me
38:10I always try to go
38:11to a small muddle
38:13and not too much
38:13because when it's
38:14too spicy
38:14you can't change it
38:15Christmas cocktails
38:16can never be
38:18too zingy
38:18if you ask me
38:19muddling done
38:20Joelle is adding
38:21his special ingredient
38:23add the coriander syrup
38:25now you
38:26always after
38:27made this coriander syrup
38:28yes
38:29yeah
38:29and
38:29this is made from scratch
38:30it's made from scratch
38:31yeah
38:31two day process
38:32yeah
38:33but you absolutely
38:34passionately believe in it
38:35I do
38:36you can buy coriander syrup
38:38online
38:38or make your own
38:39by dissolving
38:40equal parts sugar
38:41and water
38:41over a low heat
38:43add leaves
38:43or toasted coriander seeds
38:45and strain
38:46so then lime juice
38:4725ml
38:47okay
38:48and then the triple sec
38:50okay
38:5125ml
38:52so that's the little half
38:54it's homemade triple sec
38:55as well
38:55no it's not
38:56now you're showing off
38:57no I'm being serious
38:58it's homemade triple sec
38:58it is
38:59and then tequila
39:01yep
39:0150ml
39:02do you know why it's tequila
39:04why
39:05because you don't get a hangover
39:06that's what they're saying
39:08I'd love to believe that is true Joelle
39:11but experience tells me it's not
39:13fill the cocktail shaker to the top with eyes
39:15and we're ready to shake
39:17right hand
39:18yep
39:19left hand
39:20yep
39:20you're going to try and do it away from your face
39:23okie doke
39:23okay
39:23ice in the glass
39:30sieve at the ready
39:32pour
39:32and it's time to taste
39:33yeah you see
39:39honestly
39:41that's right
39:42that is so good
39:43yeah
39:45that is really good
39:46that is really good
39:48I mean our whole theme this year
39:50is about chilling out at Christmas
39:51and that is going to basically
39:54chill you out from the get go
39:57I feel more mellow already
39:59my guests will be arriving soon
40:05so paper crafter Sammy
40:06has offered to show me a way
40:08to create a supersized statement party piece
40:10which has the wow factor
40:12without breaking the bank
40:13today we are going to make
40:16a decorative Christmas cracker
40:18which you can use as a centerpiece
40:20above a fireplace
40:20or you can put it on the wall
40:22Sammy has created a template
40:24consisting of two nonagon ends
40:27that's nine sided to you and me
40:29attached to foam board
40:31which you can get in most stationary shops
40:33or online
40:34then it's scalpel at the ready
40:35we're going to work around the shape
40:38cutting it out
40:38so we'll start on this edge
40:42so you always want to cut
40:43the outside of the line
40:45rather than the inside
40:46so that if you make a mistake
40:48you're not cutting into the shape
40:49that you're trying to make
40:50next make nine rectangles
40:53to create the barrel
40:54taper the edges of the rectangles
40:56so they can fit together easily
40:58and secure with parcel tape
41:00we've got a nice geometric barrel
41:04which will form the center structure
41:06of our cracker
41:07we are going to make two cracker pulls
41:10for either side of that barrel
41:12and what I have done
41:14is I have prepared a template
41:16you're going to have nine sections
41:18which are going to go around
41:19that nonagon shape of the cracker barrel
41:22Sammy has made a smaller tenth section
41:24to add as a tab for attaching
41:26line up coloured paper on the template
41:29secure with tape
41:30and cut with a scalpel
41:31the diamonds that we're cutting here
41:34when you have a sort of regular cracker
41:37it's where you'd probably see a bow attached
41:39or a piece of ribbon
41:40zigzags cut along the outside edge
41:43add a final flourish
41:44next bend the diamond shapes
41:46inwards at their center
41:47to form the cracker shape
41:48then attach both ends with glue
41:51it's beginning to look a lot like a cracker
41:54now we need to cut a piece of paper
41:56which is going to cover this barrel shape
41:59I've got a rectangle of paper here
42:02which I have cut to the right length
42:05score nine sections
42:08plus one extra for attaching
42:09fold and glue to the barrel
42:11next comes my favourite bit
42:14the embellishments
42:15strips of gold and pink paper
42:19finish off the ends
42:20Christmas snowflakes
42:243D stars and flowers
42:25and as many sprays of metallic paper
42:28as you like
42:29what a showstopper
42:31and all from some paper and foam board
42:34it's sure to blow the socks off
42:36my party guests
42:37party preparations are nearly there
42:41but one thing that is missing
42:43is finger food
42:44luckily Daniel has offered to make
42:46his special ackee twists
42:48a fresh take on the classic cheese twist
42:51first step process is to cut
42:53all of your veg
42:54you've got some red peppers
42:55with some onions
42:56get them chopped
42:58and get everything mixed together
42:59spring onions and garlic come next
43:02and my favourite Caribbean essential
43:04the scotch bonnet chilli
43:05we've got some all purpose seasoning
43:08we've got two tablespoons of that
43:09we'll add in
43:10two teaspoons of onion powder
43:12and two garlic powder
43:13more garlic
43:16who doesn't love garlic
43:18and finally the star ingredient
43:20ackee
43:20it's very key
43:22you want to rinse and drain it
43:23because it will have like a little
43:24aftertaste to it if you don't
43:25ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica
43:28and you can buy it tinned
43:29from most supermarkets
43:30give it a good mix
43:32grab your pre-made puff pastry
43:34and roll it out ready to fill
43:36don't leave this out for too long
43:38I use it straight from the fridge
43:40otherwise it gets too soft
43:41and then you can't fold it over
43:43and it gets very messy and fiddly
43:46just fold that pastry over
43:50push that down
43:57I don't want the filling to come
44:01squeezing out of the sides
44:03with a little bit of acid
44:04but nice and gentle
44:06cut into around 12 thumb-sized strips
44:10so as you can see
44:11that is our twist
44:13you're just twisting it now
44:14place down on the board
44:16and it's just as simple as that
44:19and just repeat
44:20space evenly on a buttered baking tray
44:24egg wash
44:24and into the oven at 190 degrees
44:27for 15 minutes
44:28perfectly puffed ackee twists
44:31I can't wait to try one
44:33it might sound bold
44:36but I think I'm almost ready
44:37to throw open the doors
44:38for my Christmas celebrations
44:40just a few last minute touches
44:43the joy
44:45is in
44:47making it
44:49festive
44:50not perfect
44:51just festive
44:53it's all about who
44:54you have
44:55not what you have
44:57and thanks to all my amazing crafters
45:00I have a flurry of new decorations
45:02with more sensational
45:03seasonal sparkle
45:04than you can shake a candy cane at
45:06there's just something
45:07so transformative
45:09about glitter
45:10couscous looks completely
45:12at home on the tree
45:13next to
45:14a better me
45:16Sammy's show-stopping cracker
45:19has pride of place
45:20on the sideboard
45:21and Adam's air-dried clay bowls
45:24really do hold the best bits of Christmas
45:26and to top it all off
45:28I have Daniel's scrumptious ham
45:29and his ackee twists
45:31did you make these?
45:33yeah I did yeah
45:33yes sir
45:34oh my god
45:34they smell amazing
45:35plus Joelle's spicy coriander margaritas
45:38to go with them
45:39cheers
45:39cheers
45:40without everybody chipping in
45:42and sharing the things
45:43they love to do at Christmas
45:45this party
45:46wouldn't be possible
45:47and I'm so pleased
45:49they're all here
45:49to share the joy
45:51remember
45:52Father Christmas
45:53doesn't do it all by himself
45:54he has a whole team
45:55so share the load
45:57delight in delegating
45:58craft when you can
46:00and call in the elves
46:01when you need to
46:02it's about connection
46:04not perfection
46:05being with those you love
46:07at a really magical time of the year
46:24and let it out of the year
46:38I'm so glad you're here
46:38when you're here
46:40You
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