Welcome
Dear Readers
Welcome to the Christmas Edition of The House of Etiquette
In this edition, you will find festive guidance in Christmas Etiquette: The Subtle Art of Being Delightfully Considerate and reflections on stepping back with grace in Absence as Influence. Enjoy thoughts on film traditions in Christmas Films: The Dearly Departed, an interview with novelist Amelia Doyle, and a feature on magician Rob Hackett. Discover fragrance in The Scent of a Woman, the craftsmanship of Clare and Dan from CuanOr, a humorous tale in Confessions of a Social Climber, and a meditation on the everyday extraordinary in Georges Perec and the Infraordinary.
This year marks thirty years since our mum Nance passed away on Christmas Eve. The day now brings warm memories of the Christmases we shared. Nance (never Nancy) was 'Nana' to the grandchildren and loved any excuse to celebrate. Her humour, warmth, and generosity still shape our family. As our daughter said, 'Wherever we are, let's always try to make it home for Christmas.'' This edition is for you, Nance, with love and sparkle.
Christmas is about welcoming new faces, honouring old traditions, and creating new ones. Our table still holds my mother's prawn cocktail and trifle, now joined by Brazilian drinks, Mexican favourites, and Korean treats : a joyful blend of old and new shared with warmth and a touch of festive chaos.
We wish our readers a happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year. May the season bring warmth, reflection, laughter, and sparkle, and may your table be filled with delicious, joyful chaos.
If you'd like to contribute to the next edition, we'd love to hear from you.
With love,
Esther and Archie