A stone’s throw from our new home is an amazing apple, strawberry and pear farm. The apple trees look so festive with their little red apples and blossoms and remind me of a Christmas tree, so our Christmas table is inspired by the apple orchard and blossoming trees. There are so many varieties of apples in New Zealand and they are so versatile, our menu included – Apple spice bundt cake, toffee apples, gingerbread cookies, apple pork and sage pies, freeform apple pie, apple and pomegranate jellies, goat and cheddar cheese-board with rosemary and nut crackers, washed down with champagne, rosé wine and apple cider. Luckily for us it is peonie season which we used with some apple blossoms for pretty flower decorations. Thanks to Tracey Sunderland for the food, Matthew Lewis for the drone shot, Michael Lewis for fitting it all in his car and for shooting with me and our friendly neighbour farmers. I just loved the simplicity and home made feel, which reminded me that Christmas does not have to be expensive and complicated. Our gingerbread cookies make the perfect gift, wrapped up in natural biodegradable containers. Our table was an old wooden door on trestle legs. The star is a wooden frame wrapped with shiny gold paper and tiny lights. Easy, natural and fun, we even had a curious chicken investigate and he felt right at home. Happy Christmas planning everyone – a month to go!
