Christmas Q&A Part Two: Gifts, Boundaries, Sourdough & Festive Planning (Ask Me Anything)

18 Nov

This week’s Ask Charlie is part two of my Christmas Q&A, answering your Instagram questions and a few extras that dropped into my messages - thank you so much for sending them.

I talk about how I’d spend Christmas Day if I were on my own, how to make it feel special rather than lonely, and the simple November jobs that make December calmer - from batch cooking and freezing to a good declutter before the tree goes up. I also cover stockings and gifts for teens and adult children, keeping Christmas on budget, setting boundaries with in-laws and tricky relatives, and how we keep church at the heart of our day without everything feeling chaotic!

There’s plenty of food chat as always: how far ahead I prep things, how I handle Christmas in a holiday house, and why sourdough can be kinder on the gut, with my Sourdough Masterclass there if you need step-by-step help.

I show you my Christmas Recipe Planner and my Christmas & New Year Planner and explain how I use them to plan menus, shopping and budgets. I also answer some personal questions about the children, the dogs, boarding school, and why I won’t be doing a full house tour.

If you’d like to hear the full answers (and a few stories along the way), pop the kettle on and come join me.

Love, Charlie x

Christmas Cake Video: https://youtu.be/krJZ2Q8r9W4

Ask Charlie Products (Ad/Own Brand)

Christmas Recipe Planner: https://www.askcharlie.how/shop/p/product/ask-charlie-christmas-planner

Christmas & New Year Planner: https://www.askcharlie.how/shop/p/product/ask-charlie-christmas-new-year-planner-wirebound

Sourdough Masterclass: https://www.askcharlie.how/askcharlie-sourdough-masterclass

Shop my book Through The Seasons: https://www.askcharlie.how/shop/p/through-the-seasons-with-ask-charlie

You're invited to my Book Launch Evening: https://www.askcharlie.how/shop/p/through-the-seasons-book-launch-evening-ask-charlie

Come to my special Wreath-Making Workshop with Charlotte Johnston: https://www.askcharlie.how/shop/p/wreath-making-workshop-with-charlotte-johnston-ask-charlie

Take my 'Guide To Christmas' Online Course:

Original Course: https://www.askcharlie.how/the-ask-charlie-guide-to-christmas-2025