As you’ve probably guessed, it’s my job to bring a Christmas Cake to the family gathering every year. This year I was a bit rushed as I had several orders to complete before we went away, but I found time to make some little penguins out of gumpaste and some sugarpaste Christmas trees covered in edible glitter. I used Nigella’s Christmas Cake recipe this year and covered it in marzipan and royal icing.

I also decided to have a go at making a yule log this year. I’ve made swiss rolls before but never a yule log. I filled and covered this one in dark chocolate ganache.

Some of you may know from Twitter that in August I went on a cruise to Norway and Iceland with my Dad and Stepmum. It was her first big holiday since her brain aneurysm and was quite a milestone. I took some of the photos and mementos from the holiday and made them into a scrapbook album for their Christmas present. My Dad was delighted (he even shed a tear or too). Please excuse the dreadful photos – it wasn’t easy to photograph!