It’s impossible to write about December and not mention the C-word. Now the silly season has officially arrived, I don’t seem able to stop saying it! I am casually dropping it into conversations at the school gate, on the phone to family, and in work emails.
Christmas.
I know many people like to get a head start on their shopping, but in our house all talk of Christmas is embargoed until 1st December. Then, I go all out!
I draw the line at fluorescent Santa statues, but love Christmas films, carol singing, mince pies, decorating the tree, shopping, gift wrapping, drinking fizz and dusting off the sequins for midweek nights out.
Usually, this time of year is also when our diary is packed full of trips to visit family, so I try to dedicate some time in November to catching up with friends.
When I first moved to the area, the only other person I knew here was my husband. So, in an effort to make new local friends, I joined the East Dulwich WI and met a group of incredible women * waves at Angela Burgess *
I met one of them for lunch last month at The Lordship, which was my first visit since its big refurb. The menu features hearty homemade dishes, which are locally sourced where possible. I had the pan-roasted hake with crushed Jersey Royals and it was absolutely delicious.
I caught up with a few others at a WI event hosted by Suzanne James at her premises on Barry Road. Sitting in Suzanne’s state-of-the-art kitchen, glass of wine in hand, Suzanne and her team showed us how to make a selection of impressive canapés for when entertaining at home. If you are looking for dinner party inspiration, I highly recommend visiting her website suzannejames.co.uk
The following night another good friend, Anna, who is currently the President of the East Dulwich WI, hosted a party at The Palmerston to launch her new business, House of Colour. Due to a diary clash with ‘the husband’ I wasn’t able to go along to support her, but Angela went and said it was a huge success. If you need to inject more colour into your wardrobe, then get in touch and say we sent you houseofcolour.co.uk/annagryce
Another great way I have found to make local friends is through your children! A different group of us got together with our kids to go to the Dulwich Sports Club fireworks. It was 5-deep at the bar and a nightmare to get in and out of the grounds, but the display was magnificent and made it all seem worthwhile.
With December now underway, I am thankful for all the festive shopping events over the next few weeks. Saturday 5th is a popular day for Christmas fairs with the East Dulwich Christmas Cracker on Lordship Lane and Northcross Road, Fairlawn Christmas Fair, St. Christopher’s Hospice Christmas Festival, Herne Hill Christmas Fair, Sydenham Gardens Christmas Fair and the Goodrich School Winter Fair, all happening on the same day!
I am also very much looking forward to the Dulwich Charity Lunch at The Palmerston in aid of Link Age Southwark, which not only raises much needed funds for charity but provides another opportunity to meet up with some of the wonderful people I mentioned above.
See you on the other side!
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