The mince pie first appeared in the Middle Ages. Back then it contained actual minced meat – such as mutton – in a large manger-shaped pie that represented baby Jesus’s cradle. However, Oliver Cromwell deemed Christmas gluttonous, so he banned mince

Makes 4Ingredients100g unsalted butter2 leeks, white part only, slicedSalt and freshly milled black pepper, to season 100ml chicken stock50g plain flour400ml semi-skimmed or whole milk125g smoked cheese, grated500g cooked turkey, shredded200g roasted vegetable leftovers, chopped¼...

Whether it’s pampering, gourmet food or presents from Santa, every member of the family will get their wish at Rockliffe Hall, an 18th-century mansion in the northeast’s Tees Valley. There are festive two or three-night breaks over Christmas where

London takes on a magical air of sparkle at Christmas time, from the twinkling lights of Trafalgar Square to Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. Dukes hotel in London’s Mayfair has a Christmas Family Sparkle package, which is ideal for taking in London

Tallinn in Estonia has a picture-perfect one in the medieval Town Hall square featuring everything from fine knits to roast pork. Three nights at the Kalev Spa costs from £359 per adult and £98 per child (www.balticholidays.com). The Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark, has a l...

The Dorchester Hotel, LondonChildren visiting The Dorchester hotel in London during December can indulge themselves at the Sweet Emporium situated in the lobby. Filled with giant twirl lollipops, chunky candy canes and retro classics including flying saucers, it is closely guarde...

children are fractious children. Give them a run in the park and let them throw stones in the river. You'll have the whole place to yourself, as all the other families will be busy killingone another indoors.• Keep diversions handy. Christmas crackers

hat. Use the writing icing to pipe dots down the front of the snowman to look like buttons. Make as many snowmen as you need to create a lovely winter wonderland. To display, lightly dust the snowmen with icing sugar.Annie Rigg is author of Christmas

for Midnight Mass is provided and a screening of the Queen's speech will take place in the hotel's cinema. Prices from £594 for a family of four. Visit www.coworthpark.com for details.    Read more...Christmas in San CassianoEgyptian winter sun

This is my mother’s excellent Christmas pudding that’s based upon the British royal family’s sumptuous recipe. Like all Christmas puddings, it’s best made a month or so before the big day, as the taste improves as it matures. Makes 2, each serving 8