For the last few years, food writer and cookbook author Skye McAlpine has lived in a state of perpetual Christmas. She has baked countless festive dishes, revisited old traditions, and created new ones. The result is her new cookbook, The Christmas Companion: Simple Recipes and Creative Ideas for a Magical Festive Season, which offers recipes, stories, and hosting advice for the holidays.
“When I started writing the book, the thing that I felt like I wanted to approach with it is this idea that I think a lot of people find Christmas very stressful. It’s a magical time of year, but it can also be quite an overwhelming time of year,” McAlpine tells Vogue, adding: “Christmas has a way of shining a light on what’s missing.”
With that in mind, McAlpine set out to write a book that gave readers “support and inspiration” and “simple ways of making Christmas feel special, and getting in the festive mood,” she says.
Born in London, McAlpine moved to Venice when she was six years old and now lives between the two cities. She draws inspiration from both English and Italian culinary traditions in the book, with recipes like her panettone grilled cheese, which is a favorite of hers.
When it comes to hosting for the holidays, McAlpine’s top advice is simple: Try to plan as much as you can in advance, so that you can relax on the day. Be realistic about the amount of time you have, and don’t try to do too much. “It’s often easier, and, I think, chicer, to do more of one thing—just one massive brie or one massive chunk of parmesan, for example—rather than trying to do lots of different little things,” she says.
And there is one hosting opportunity where this approach really shines: Christmas breakfast. “Breakfast is a fun one, because I think it’s often neglected,” McAlpine says. “But actually, it’s a really nice way to host—whether that’s on Christmas Day or through the holiday season. And you can get away with doing something really nicely and simply.”
Though buns and baked goods can be labor intensive, you can prepare them in advance and put them in the oven in the morning to create that enticing smell and freshly baked feel with a little less day-of chaos. Hot chocolate candy cane sticks can be made days or weeks beforehand, and left at each place setting for a fun touch. And dressing your table up—think yogurt bowls full of chocolate coins, a basket of pastries, and a centerpiece of fresh fruit—can go a long way toward making your space beautiful and inviting.