Edible Vancouver Island November/December 2023

8 Enjoy a winter market There is such an abundance of craft fairs and markets throughout the holiday season. Christmas markets are always filled with creative vendors who create one-of-a-kind items that make wonderful stocking stuffers. I always discover the most amazing edible gifts at fairs, from homemade chocolates to spicy chutney, jams, jellies–and, my favourite: traditional Christmas cake. I stock up on these artisan goodies and give them as hostess gifts or keep them to share with guests who seem to come nightly to our home during the holidays.

10 Top Things to do this Holiday Season

1 Host a good old-fashioned fondue dinner + games night Bring out some tried and true board games or play a round of holiday-themed charades. Or, if you want to mix things up from a classic fondue but still indulge in a lot of cheese, I suggest enjoying a Swiss inspired raclette feast–our editor Danielle wrote a delicious article on the art of raclette in our Fall 2022 issue. 2 Create an epic holiday outings calendar Put on some music (I love American jazz pianist’s Vince Guaraldi’s 1965 album, A Charlie Brown Christmas), make some homemade eggnog (find a recipe in our Holiday 2022 issue) and gather 'round your fireplace or table with your loved ones and brainstorm all the fun things you want to do this holiday season. Our Field Notes and Destination Greater Victoria event listings are filled with great ideas. Then mark your calendars! 3 Bundle up and go for a winter walk Do a little forest bathing, or, if your winter walk takes you to the beach, pause for a few minutes and sit on a piece of driftwood or on a blanket and breath in the crisp sea air. If there has been a recent windstorm (as there often is at this time of year), gather a few fallen greens for your home. I love to put them in a big outdoor vase by my front door–it makes for a festive entrance. Make sure you reward yourself with a cup of hot chocolate or warm apple cider when you get home from your walk–find some libation inspiration on page 8.

4 Hand-write a Christmas card Write some words of encouragement to someone this holiday season and deliver it with some homemade cookies. There is something so precious about receiving a handwritten card and a box of delicious cookies in the shape of Santa, adorned with sprinkles and melted chocolate. I love scouring the local Christmas craft fairs for one-of-a-kind cards and finding the perfect ones for my friends and family, and filling a box with shortbread cookies I have made with my mom’s vintage cookie cutters always brings me so much joy.

5 Take a short holiday road trip Winter is a great time to explore Vancouver Island. An escape to Chemainus and Ladysmith is magical; you can take in the Christmas play at Chemainus Theatre, see the famous holiday lights of Ladysmith, indulge in the world-famous cinnamon buns at Old Town Bakery and enjoy a beer flight at Riot Brewing Co. craft beer. Or take a family field trip to Cowichan: check out the Island's biggest private light display at Merridale Cidery, enjoy a wine tasting at one of the many wineries in the region and do some Christmas shopping at the Duncan Farmers' Market. 6 Make a big pot of soup to share On a cold, wet, Sunday afternoon, make a big pot of soup or chili and then divide it into a few containers to share! Our Veggie Pho from our Sep/ Oct 2023 issue is a great way to use up all those winter veggies, or our chili recipe from our Jul/ Aug 2023 issue is a crowd pleaser. I love dropping off these tasty winter care packages to friends, and often add sourdough, corn bread or a bottle of wine or a candle (and of course, a copy of Edible Vancouver Island). I don’t know who gets more joy from this gift of food–the people who receive it or me. (I think me!) traditional door wreath, it’s so much more fun to be creative with friends. Be inspired by our wreath article in our Holiday 2022 issue and have everyone bring over their favourite greenery, berries, flowers and festive swag. Of course, a wreath-making party would not be complete without some nibblies and festive beverages. Our mint cookie recipe (page 16) pairs beautifully with the scent of fresh greens. 7 Host a wreath-making party Whether you make an edible wreath or a

9 Plan a fun and festive movie night Find the perfect slow cooker comfort food recipe–mine is the Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder from our Winter 2020 issue–and plan a holiday movie night. (This is the one night I will let my family eat in front of the TV!) There is always a debate about which movie we will watch, but once we decide, we fill our plates with food and gather round the screen and watch Elf or It’s a Wonderful Life for 10th time. It feels like a night off from cooking, since I do most of the prep in the morning, and I love the feeling of just chilling in front of a good movie with comfort food and family. Visit a few vintage stores Take to the vintage shops to pick up a few new platters, plates or items you can use to set your holiday table. Over the years, I have collected old fashioned holiday plates, funky green goblets, a few dozen ruby red French stemmed cocktail glasses, vintage Christmas ornaments and many charming red, green, gold and silver bowls, platters and jugs. I love the art of tablescaping, especially during the holidays, and both this issue and our Holiday 2022 issue are great places to find articles for holiday table inspiration. Karen Elgersma can be caught playing Christmas music as early as November 12th, when she also starts her holiday dreaming, scheming, and planning. She does make some time during the season for her day job as the owner of Edible Vancouver Island and Karen Elgersma Media–while sporting a Christmas sweater.

48 NOV/DEC 2023 EDIBLE VANCOUVER ISLAND