We will be closing our door and shutting up shop on the 23rd December so that from Christmas Eve our staff can enjoy a well-earned break with their nearest and dearest.

We love the meaning of the Danish word 'Hygge' (pronounced 'hoo-ga') which encompasses the feelings of cosy contentment and well-being from enjoying the simpler things in life, and we will all be aiming to add as much hygge as possible to our festivities! Think snuggling under quilts on the sofa, with candles burning (or even better a log fire) and some tasty food and drink.

We asked each member of the Ray Stitch team what they were most looking forward to doing this Christmas...

RACHEL:

I love entertaining and have a big extended family who will all be popping by at various times. Food and drink are very important....

Mulled Apple Juice Recipe:

1 litre of good quality apple juice

Peel from 1 orange cut into strips

1 cinnamon stick and 3 cloves

Simmer all the ingredients together for 10 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse, and the gorgeous smell to spread around your home.

ZOE:

As well as spending time with my family and eating ALL the food, I am really looking forward to having the time to curl up on the sofa with a good book. There really isn't a better way to spend a dark chilly evening. Top of my list is The Golden Thread by Kassia St Clair - a fascinating social history which uses the different fabric and its' uses to look at human creativity and civilisation throughout the centuries.

ANA:

For me, Christmas is all about coming together and celebrating with delicious food, and although the main meal is great, I love the meals using the 'leftovers'. Bubble and Squeak is a firm favourite on Boxing Day, with cold meats and pickles - yum! And I always end up making a variation of Turkey Noodle Soup in the days after Christmas: this can be tweaked with whatever you have in your fridge and it makes me feel warm inside, especially if I'm a little under-the-weather.

Basic Turkey Noodle Soup Recipe:

1 litre of chicken stock
4 small carrots peeled and chopped
140g medium egg noodles
200g ish shredded, cooked turkey
200g frozen peas
1 bunch spring onions

Bring the stock to the boil and add the carrots. Boil for a few minutes and then add the noodles. Simmer for 2 more minutes. Add the turkey and the white parts of the spring onions, simmer for 1-2 minutes making sure the turkey is hot. Ladle into bowls and garnish with the green parts of the spring onions.

Things to add if you have them: coriander, ginger, a squeeze of lime, or any other veg you fancy.

ROSIE:

I have spent the last few weeks making gifts for my friends, so I am looking forward to doing some selfish sewing and knitting over the Christmas break!

TESSA:

I will be doing a lot of travelling over the festive period so I will be using the time to catch up on some of my favourite podcasts. My recommendations would be Fearne Cotton's Happy Place, in which she talks to guests about ways to find joy in the everyday and Thread Cult, which although hasn't released a new episode for some time has such great previous podcasts that it's worth catching up on.

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We would like to thank everyone who has shopped online or in person with us - we appreciate every purchase, especially in a world with so much choice available. We are very grateful to our customers, our talented tutors and makers, and all the fantastic and inspiring speakers who helped to make this year so wonderful. Thank you all!

We have lots of plans and ideas buzzing in our heads for the new year, but for now, we would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a new year full of creativity and positivity x