Hoarfrost on the ground, the sky pale and clear and the air fresh, clean and invigorating. This is the beginning of winter, which Nigel Slater loves most of all seasons. And not only him, the months of coziness, stories, family traditions and festive meals are rightly considered the most beautiful time of the year. From November to February, candles are lit in the afternoon, the fireplace crackles, people like to eat well. In the middle of this cold period are Christmas and New Year's Eve. To heighten the anticipation of the holidays, Nigel Slater takes his readers to the Christmas markets in Nuremberg, Cologne and Vienna. He enthuses about the magic of Advent calendars and Christmas cards, tells of the Dresden Stollen Festival and Krampus, and provides insights into his own personal Christmas traditions. Of course, he also bakes, roasts and cooks: hearty dishes and warming soup.