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Our bumper December issue is a celebration of all that we love about a traditional Christmas – cheerful food, gorgeous decorations, quality time with friends and family, as well as time just to stop and take a breath – so put your feet up and enjoy the journey through our pages.

If like most of us you haven’t yet had time to plan your festive fare, take a look at Rachel Green’s suggestions for a selection of delicious canapés (page 52), which will not only impress your guests, but are easy and quick to make – ideal for impromptu parties, or just to nibble on through the day!

We challenged Dominic Franks to come up with some vegetarian recipes for an alternative Christmas table centrepiece (p.56) and he certainly delivered with his stunning Rustic Vegetable and Stuffing Wellington, proving that veggie dishes can be just as festive and tasty as traditional meat-based favourites.

Steffie Shields shares some ideas for natural, indoor Christmas arrangements (p.20), while Hannah Benson, who has launched her first business venture, Hannah’s Flowers, guides you through creating your own festive wreath from everyday foliage found in our hedgerows (p.116).

Talking of seasonal celebrations, our Taste of Excellence Awards Evening proved a night to remember as nearly 200 guests came together at The Drill in Lincoln to enjoy an event packed with excellent entertainment, thanks to This Is Queen, fabulous food, dancing and camaraderie as award-winners and runners-up in the 14 categories were recognised for their outstanding achievements. Check out all the action and fun from the night in our special 31-page awards supplement which begins on p.59. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who helped make this such a memorable occasion.

Always a favourite festive tradition is a visit to the panto, so I caught up with Kerry Katona, who is looking forward to returning to New Theatre Royal Lincoln as Ugly Sister Botox in Cinderella, alongside her daughter Lilly. As a former member of chart-topping girl band Atomic Kitten and winner of TV’s I’m A Celebrity… Kerry remains one of the most recognisable faces in showbiz. Find out what drives her on to try and be the best she can be, on p.28.

Wishing you a very happy Christmas from everyone at Lincolnshire Life.