There’s a particular moment each year — usually just as the air sharpens and the afternoons grow noticeably shorter — when Christmas begins to make itself known. At Primrose, we always feel it a little earlier than most. Perhaps because we're in a cold spot (!), or simply that we start thinking about the things we look forward to: the small rituals, the homemade treats, the return of seasonal comforts and the memories associated with them.

This year, we wanted to share not just what’s on our shelves, but what we love to do in our own homes as Christmas approaches; the English and German traditions that weave together, the recipes we return to, and the familiar rhythms that make December feel special.

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A Blend of Traditions We Love

All of us look forward to Heiligabend, the peaceful Christmas Eve celebration filled with twinkly lights, a simple supper and a sense of calm before the busier Christmas Day begins. It’s a tradition we treasure, even if the animals still need feeding the next morning!

Ilona’s favourite part of the season is baking Austrian Christmas biscuits — the kind that fill the kitchen with warm vanilla, toasted nuts and memories of baking with her Oma. Her forever favourite are Vanillekipferl, delicate crescent-shaped biscuits dusted with vanilla sugar. She makes them in generous batches tries very hard to share...sometimes.

At the same time, Jim and Gilla look forward to the joyful bustle of a big English family Christmas. Board games get played with rules nobody can quite remember, plentiful food and at some point a brisk walk squeezed in between meals and laughing.

These contrasts — the quiet German Christmas Eve, the lively English Christmas Day, the Austrian biscuits cooling on the rack — sit at the heart of our own Christmas season.

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Thoughtful Gifts That Don’t Cost the Earth

While Christmas at Primrose is never only about presents, we do love the gentle pleasure of giving something small and meaningful.

In the shop, you’ll find hand-thrown ceramics by Jo Rutter, beautifully simple pieces that make everyday rituals feel a little calmer. You’ll also see gifts by Share a Little Frankie, each one inspired by the charm of country life, along with artisan salts from the Dorset Sea Salt Co., locally made chutneys and charcuterie, festive chocolates and an inviting selection of organic and classic advent calendars.

They are small things, chosen with intention, and they make thoughtful gifts without stretching a budget.

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Leaning into Our Austro-German Side

In the café this year, we’ll be offering a few festive flavours that have become part of our own traditions.

There will be warming Glühwein, spiced stollen, and of course the timeless mince pie — because some things simply belong to Christmas, whatever your heritage.

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Simple Homemade Gifts We Love

When budgets are tight, homemade presents become especially meaningful, these are our favourites:

• A string of dried citrus slices on the tree (dry the slices slowly in the oven)
• A jar of chai tea blend (lots of recipes available online)
• A bottle of rosemary-infused oil
  

These all make beautiful, affordable gifts. Little bags of Vanillekipferl always feel special, and jars of salted caramel sauce — easy to make and full of seasonal comfort — are ideal for teachers, neighbours or anyone who loves to drizzle sweetness on winter puddings. See our favourite recipes below.

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Ilona’s Vanillekipferl 

Soft, nutty, delicately shaped and dusted with vanilla sugar, these biscuits are Weihnachten personified to me. They are wonderful to give as presents and even better shared over a cup of something warm...if you feel like sharing!

Makes: 35–40 biscuits
Preparation time: 20 minutes, plus chilling
Cooking time: 10–12 minutes

Ingredients:
250g plain flour
200g unsalted butter, cold and cubed
100g ground almonds (or hazelnuts for a deeper flavour)
80g caster sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or the seeds from half a vanilla pod

For the vanilla sugar coating:
100g icing sugar
2 tablespoons caster sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla sugar (or scrape in the seeds of another vanilla pod)

Preheat oven to 175°C

Method:
Start by rubbing the butter into the flour with your fingertips, or pulse everything together in a food processor until you have a sandy mixture. Add the ground nuts, sugar and vanilla, then gently bring the dough together. Wrap it and refrigerate it for at least half an hour to make shaping easier.

When the dough is chilled, take small walnut-sized pieces and roll them into short logs, curving each one into a small crescent. Place them on a lined baking tray. Give them a little space to spread.

Cook at 175°C for 10 to 12 minutes until they are just turning pale gold at the edges but still soft in the middle.

While they are baking, mix the icing sugar, caster sugar and vanilla sugar to make your coating. Once the biscuits are warm — not hot — roll them gently in the vanilla sugar and set them aside to cool completely. They keep beautifully in a tin for up to a week and often taste even better after a day or two.

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Salted Caramel Sauce

This simple recipe turns a few ordinary ingredients into a jar of golden, glossy sweetness — wonderful spooned over puddings or given as a handmade gift, or even eaten surreptitiously straight from the jar ;)

Ingredients:
200g caster sugar
90g unsalted butter, cubed
120ml double cream
1 teaspoon sea salt

Method:
Warm the sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until it melts and becomes a deep golden colour. Add the butter and whisk until smooth. Pour in the cream slowly, whisking as it bubbles. Stir in the salt, allow the sauce to cool for ten minutes, and pour into sterilised jars.

It keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks and can be gently rewarmed when needed.

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A Christmas That Feels Like Home

So as Christmas approaches, this is what it looks like for us at Primrose: a blend of English, German and Austrian traditions; biscuits cooling on the counter, handmade gifts wrapped with care, Glühwein warming in the background; and the steady rhythm of the farm beneath it all.

We’d love you to be part of it — whether you visit us for a thoughtful present, something freshly baked or simply a moment of festive calm.

Happy Christmas and Frohe Weihnachten!