Living Fires

How to Host a Fireside Valentine’s Date Night

Wouldn’t it be grand to escape for a romantic Valentine’s weekend or even just a date night? Don’t worry, we have the ideal solution for you to get away from it all without travelling anywhere. With just a little planning you and your loved one can be cosied up in the snug, comfortable setting of … the lounge.

What better than an evening at home? After all, staying in is the new going out. Imagine, the soft warm glow and heat from the fireplace where logs burn and crackle, a picnic set out for two on the rug and Marvin Gaye softly playing in the background, it’s enough to warm any heart. Or imagine a fireside table set for two, far away from the noise and bustle of everyday life, ready to simply enjoy one another’s company. Afterwards retire to the sofa as the embers die down and chat the night away. Read on to find out how to create these dreamy settings in your home and escape for an evening to remember.

Set the Scene

Nothing says date night quite like a table set for two. Shuffle the furniture about and set it up at the fireside if you can, fold up outdoor furniture is great for this. Go all out and use a table cloth, cloth napkins and placemats. A candle in the centre mimics the fires glow and creates a focal point between you as you’ll obviously want to be gazing across the table into each other’s eyes!

If you’re in the mood for a more relaxing and cosy evening, then make space in front of the fire and set up a picnic area. Picnic dates give you the perfect opportunity to enjoy each other’s company in a quiet, informal setting. Place a thick, warm blanket on the ground to sprawl out on and plenty of cushions for comfort, select soft colours to keep the mood relaxed. Pop your picnic basket or box (even an emptied, upturned drawer works!) in the centre to create a low-level table to set your drinks and food on and well, you could be in the meadows. A vase or pitcher filled with fresh flowers will add to the atmosphere as will mild scented candles, you don’t need to pluck petals from roses to make it romantic. If you want to add in some fun options for after dinner entertainment, why not include your favourite card game or poetry book in the setup, this is a date night after all!

Prepare the Food

A home cooked, three course meal may say ‘I love you’ however, with many of us working at home and juggling home schooling too, time is of the essence; not many of us want to be slaving over a hot stove for hours on end! So why not order in from your favourite takeaway or treat yourself to a dine at home kit. Many restaurants are now offering DIY oven meals, ready to heat up at your convenience, or ingredient packs to make your own at home, from burgers to tacos, roasts to pizza, your local businesses have valentine’s dinner sorted! Mimic restaurant vibes by serving on warmed plates, clearing the table between courses and serving with sparkling water alongside your choice of beverage.

If a more relaxed setting suits your relationship then try these ideas to create the perfect indoor picnic date night. A glass of burgundy, a giant platter of cold meats and cheeses to nibble at the fireside are guaranteed to set the mood. Can you even call it an indoor picnic if a cheese board isn’t involved? Spruce up your grazing board with almonds, red grapes, blackberries, figs and olives. Add in some dips, artisan bread and crackers and the evening is yours.

Every meal, seated or picnic, should end with a bit of sweetness. For a perfect date night create something to share, from a giant cookie to a warm loaded brownie with ice cream, there’s nothing more fun than a spoon battle over the last mouthful!

The Atmosphere

Silence can be golden if your house is constantly bustling and loud, but softly playing background music or a playlist from a shared experience such as a concert will make the evening more memorable.

We’ve said it before but in case you missed it, candles. Eating by candle light instantly adds to the romantic atmosphere. It enhances the mood and will make you feel like you’ve gotten away from it all.

Remember to have everything prepared and within easy reach for your evening so you don’t need to get up and down to grab anything every few minutes. The fewer distractions during your date the more time for romance!

Activities

If you feel like your evening might need a little added extra than why not try out one of these activities together:

Go through old photos. Cue the nostalgia, pour a glass of wine and reconnect as you take a trip down memory lane.
Play a video game. Grab a controller and playfully challenge your partner to a game, retro games are always a win! Mario anyone?
Build a jigsaw together.
Turn up the tunes and share a dance.
Create your own wine tasting experience or order one in for the evening.
Plan a dream trip together. We may not be able to travel just now but that doesn’t stop you planning for one day in the future.

A perfect date night comes down to two things, relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. Everything else is a bonus. Be thoughtful, be kind and most importantly have a giggle.

Wood Fired American Pancakes – A Recipe for Your Pizza Oven

What’s better than hot, freshly baked pancakes? Ones from your pizza oven of course! This easy recipe is sure to be a winner this Pancake Day!

Whether you’re a fan of chocolate spread and raspberries, syrup or lemon and sugar, these American style pancakes are the ultimate thick and fluffy staple to build your stack of dreams.

What You’ll Need:

150g plain flour
1 level tsp baking powder
½ tsp fine seasalt
30g caster sugar
220ml milk
2 eggs, separated
30g melted butter

A large, heavy bottomed, high heat frying pan or girdle
Two mixing bowls
A whisk
A ladle

Method:

Fire up your pizza oven to optimum temperature and allow to cool to around 210°C or a ‘3 Mississippi’ for those in the know, keep the door off. Alternatively, you can use the residual heat of your oven the morning after a pizza party.

Then, put your flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a bowl and whisk in the milk, egg yolks and melted butter to get a smooth thick batter.

Whisk the egg whites until they are at the soft peak stage and fold them into the batter.

Put a large, heavy duty, frying pan or a smooth griddle in the oven and let it heat up.

Pop in a small piece of butter and wipe it around the surface of the pan. Add a large spoonful of the batter to form a pancake about 10cm wide to one side of the pan. Put in another spoonful of batter so you’re cooking 2 pancakes at once.

Once little bubbles start forming on the top of the pancakes, flip them over and cook until the other side are golden brown and the pancakes have puffed up.

Take them out of the pan and keep them warm (wrapping in a hot, clean dish cloth works well) while you cook the rest of the batter. Wipe the pan out with a little extra melted butter on some kitchen paper before every batch of pancakes.

Serve and enjoy!

Serve with:

Lashings of maple syrup with either fresh fruit or crispy bacon.
Berries, yoghurt and honey
Bananas and chocolate spread
Layer with jam and cream – Who needs scones?!
Icecream – We love this combination of hot and cold.
For a savory twist, feast like royalty and top with smoked salmon, a soft-boiled egg and slices of avocado.
Try adding a large handful of fresh blueberries to the batter before cooking.
Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the batter and serve with caramelised apples and a dollop of clotted cream.

How Will Eco Design 2022 Regulations Affect You?

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction with misleading information filling the media regarding the future of the wood burning stove industry. To help you we’ve outlined the facts about the new Eco Design 2022 Regulations and how these will affect your home fire.

Contrary to media reports, all stoves are not to be banned, the new limits on emissions align new products with the world we exist in today and permits us all to continue enjoying the back to basics tradition of solid fuel heating appliances, responsibly.

Put simply, in a bid to further reduce the impact heating appliances have on our environment, the bodies that govern our industry (DEFRA, Stove Industry Alliance and HETAS) have introduced stricter guidelines concerning efficiency levels and particulate matter by which a multitude of appliances manufactured after 1st January 2022 and sold in the UK (and Ireland) must adhere. These will be known as Eco Design 2022 Ready.

The primary areas of focus for the Eco Design directive are reduced particle emissions, lower Carbon Monoxide emissions and improved efficiency levels through better fuel standards and sustainability. Local councils will also be handed greater power to enforce the Eco Design Ready Scheme in their region.

So, will your existing stove be legal after 2022?

Yes. The Clean Air Strategy does not say there will be a ban on the use of existing wood or multi-fuel appliances, nor do you need to modify your appliance. Recommendations however are that you should only burn quality dry “Ready to Burn” wood or quality smokeless fuels.

Assuming you are a responsible stove owner with a HETAS certificate and using only fully-seasoned approved fuels, then you will not be affected by the new regulations as it will only concern stoves manufactured (and subsequently, purchased) after 1st January 2022.

You may wish to consider improving your existing stove with the installation of an electrostatic filter (this pulls the particles from the exhaust fumes before emitting into the atmosphere) and ensuring that you book in a minimum of two chimney sweeps a year.

Will I still be able to purchase fuel for my stove?

Yes. However, from early 2021, the sale of wet wood and coal will have been gradually phased out. You will no longer be able to use these fuels for domestic combustion. Coal and wet wood are two of the most polluting fuels – by restricting home use the government hopes to lower air pollution. The plan is that all wood sold for domestic use in volumes of less than 2 cubic metres must have a moisture content of less than 20% by February 2021. Sales of bagged house coal will be phased out by February 2021 and the sale of loose house coal delivered direct to the customer will end by 2023. All manufactured solid fuel will have a 2% maximum sulpher limit and a smoke emission limit of 5g per hour.

We always recommend burning kiln-dried hardwood or properly seasoned hardwood that has had two to three years of drying time. You can of course still gather your own unseasoned wood, but must ensure it has had time to season and again has a moisture content of no more than 20% before burning.

Why should you consider an EcoDesign 2022 Ready stove if you’re looking to install or replace a stove?

What can be better than making a difference now and start personally contributing to a proposed reduction in UK carbon emissions by two million tonnes per year? By purchasing an Eco Design Ready stove, you unlock the full potential of a modern, highly-efficient wood burner with up to 84% less particulate emissions than older stove models (SIA research). You cut fuel costs and reduce your carbon footprint on the planet too whilst continuing to enjoy all the benefits you love from your wood burning stove. You can even dispose of your old stove responsibly through the nationwide Stove Scrappage Scheme.

You can read more about what Eco Design Ready means here

Incorporating a Multi-sided Fire in Your Home

Today, more than ever, the function of a fire or stove in a typical home is to create vital warmth and a calming, centralised, atmosphere. The enticing glow of a fireplace is a defining element of many home living areas. The most common locations for fireplaces and stoves are lounges, kitchens, bedrooms and increasingly in home offices too. How do you choose the best place for your fireplace? What if you want more than one?

The Answer: Multi-sided fires!

To get the effect of having multiple fireplaces while meeting their budget, many homeowners are now incorporating multi-sided fires or stoves. There are several types of fire that provide multiple faces and they’re ideal for opening-up homes or dividing up large living spaces with a striking centrepiece.

A multi-sided fireplace has one firebox, the chamber where fuel is burned, that is open on two or more sides. It’s this configuration that allows you a to view the flames from one room into the next. A show-stopping design feature, multi-sided fires are often used as a divider to help define spaces within an open layout; a great way to break up space while sustaining visual and light flow between two areas.

However, like most things in life, there are both pros and cons to this type of fireplace worth considering whilst planning to incorporate a multi-sided fire in your home. For instance, if your property has a full-sized living room and kitchen area with the fireplace located at the end of the living room, most of the heat will be lost before it even reaches the kitchen. But if the fireplace is located between the living room and the kitchen, it will function as an efficient dividing wall while delivering heat between the two separate rooms.

A great point in these fires favour, is that multi-sided fireplaces are safer than many other kinds of fireplaces due to the sturdy glass enclosing the flame. This is particularly ideal if you have small children in your house.

Multi-sided fireplaces are usually located between two full-sized areas. By doing so, the heat is evenly distributed compared to a traditional hearth placed against one wall. With conventional fires, the heat can cluster up in one area rather than radiate throughout the entire space.

If you’re planning to place a multi-sided fireplace on a floor-to-ceiling divide, then you must ensure that you are utilising proper wall supports. Remember that without correct supports, the fireplace could collapse anytime.

Our highly skilled team are on hand to discuss what structural adjustments you may need to incorporate your dream fire. Contact us today to discover if a multi-sided fire is the statement piece you’ve been looking for.

Great Fireside Activities for the Winter Months.

We’ve racked our brains and scoured the internet and put together 8 fantastic fireside activities to shake up your evenings this winter. Entertaining ideas to enjoy in the comfort of your own home, in fact, fun has never been easier! So, get set and get planning for an evening around the fireside and get ready to make memories.

Cook

Sounds simple but eating around a fire is something we’ve done for years and you don’t need to be outdoors to enjoy it! Cooking is an all-time favourite campfire activity and now it’s set to become your indoor fireside favourite too. Roasting marshmallows for s’mores is only the beginning of fireside cooking activities to enjoy, and if you don’t have an open fire consider using a small burner on a safety mat.

2. Sing

Singing isn’t just for campfires, bring the tradition indoors to your fireside! Choose to go acapella or add a guitar, harmonica or whatever else you may have. Make your own rules and just go for it! Why not show off your musical talent with a karaoke night? Enjoy the chance to sing around the fireside to your favourite tunes. A karaoke evening is among the easiest activities to plan. Whether you choose to use a karaoke machine or simply an app, your living area will become an area of entertainment and delight. Set up a stage and position chairs or blankets accordingly. Grab some bar snacks and it’s an open mic night ready to go. Take your activity to the next level by choosing a theme such as 80’s music and go all out with fancy dress to match. Half fun is in the preparation!

3. Tell ghost stories

Add some spooky vibes to your fireside by planning a ghost story night. Gather around the warmth of a fire and swap classic horror tales and personal favourites. A ghost storytelling session is hassle-free and easy to plan, and they provide hours of freaky fun for everyone. Sure, you don’t necessarily need to decorate for your ghost storytelling, but where’s the fun in that? Break out those Halloween decorations, tack up some fake spider webs, and have the storyteller wear a witch hat. Play a spooky soundtrack on a phone or small speaker to enhance the entire experience. If you love this idea but want something a little less Halloween, why not tell fairytales or read aloud your favourite poems? A simple storytelling game is to take turns to each add a sentence to a story you make up together, who knows how this once upon a time will end?

4. Quiz

A home quiz by the fireside is a great activity for all ages. Make some cocktails/mocktails, get out the snacks and make up a quiz (or there are loads of free themed ones online too)! Try and keep screens to a minimum so you can enjoy the ambience of the fire. Play in teams or all against one, if there’s just the two of you simply quiz each other in a battle of the brains!

5. Movie night

Enjoy the nostalgic feeling of the cinema by transforming your living area into a cozy theatre. Assembling your home cinema may be easier than you think (just reposition seats to face the tv or set out a big cosy blanket with all the cushions) and it will provide all ages with a unique, memorable viewing experience. Stick with a family-friendly Disney theme or add a hint of exhilaration with a marathon of classic horror films. To add some extra magic, give out movie ticket invitations and arrange a self-serve popcorn and candy bar. Make sure to keep everyone safe by using string lights to illuminate the way to the loo!

6. Games

Twenty Questions, Name That Tune, Would You Rather, Eye Spy – the list of great traditional games to play round the fireside is endless. Many games you might play on a car journey are perfect for screen-free, fireside fun and are guaranteed to get a good few giggles.

7. Wine tasting

There’s nothing quite like a glass of vino by a roaring fire, unless it’s several glasses! There are many fantastic companies now offering wine tasting experiences delivered to your door and hosted online. Bring the elegance of a fine dining experience to your own home, make this an opportunity to sample a plethora of wine selections and discuss their observations. Add a touch of class to your fireside evening with just a bit of planning and shopping, polish the glasses and why not get in or set up a tasting platter to pair with the wines. This activity requires very little preparation and cleanup allowing you more time to enjoy the experience and ambience.

8. Sleepover

Sure, camping makes a great summer outing, but why not camp out in the convenience of your lounge this winter? An adventurous spin on a traditional slumber party, and who can deny that a bathroom within walking distance adds a certain sense of luxury generally not afforded by other camping trips? No need to check your weather app or prepare your bug spray, simply get ready for a fun-filled night indoors! Many of the ideas within this list can be accompanied by an indoor campout. The best part about indoor camping is its simplicity. Grab your sleeping bags and pillows, that’s it, setup is a breeze. Once the sleeping arrangements are made, you’re free to relax around the fire with hot chocolate, win!

2021 Fireplace Trends

The fireplace, welcoming, warming, utilised and loved in many homes. The centerpiece of our living areas and focal point in our day-to-day lives.

In 2021, fireplaces promise to be a true symbol of comfort. An increasingly sought after element within interior design, this year will see fireplaces climb the charts even further as a home ‘must-have’. Modern fireplaces, with an increasingly subtle design, will become a core feature in the design of living spaces. In addition to adding value to houses, a fireplace can create a cosy heart to our home environments.

Here we take a look at the most stylish interior trends recommended by designers for the year ahead. This year is all about creating an atmosphere, utilising bold colour palettes and statement furnishings. Let’s start at the top;

Mantelpieces

A mantelpiece can be both a harmonious design element and an expressive accent. Interior decoration in 2021 will be much more environmentally friendly focused. As such, many natural elements will be used as a subtle nod to ecological spaces. In the year ahead, the following mantelpiece options are set to become relevant:

Modern: Expressive and laconic masonry, clean, strict lines, and smooth texture create a spectacular and mysterious unity with fire itself.

Country: A raw wood shelf looks like a guest from the past and creates an atmosphere of leisure and tranquility.

Rustic: The neat brickwork with a polished wooden shelf symbolizes the harmony of natural materials and clean lines.

The Feature Wall

Fireplaces remain the heart of any home and there are many new and refreshing ways for decorating walls around them. Stone, a number one choice in recent years, is still in demand, but in 2021 many modern materials are rising in popularity – and all of them are environmentally friendly, durable, safe, and are sure to delight with an up-to-date texture.

Concrete. The use of large concrete tiles gives an industrial and a slightly harsh appearance – a great choice for fans of minimalism. Rugged-looking concrete walls combined with modern, light-colored furniture will be another big trend for 2021 and is a trend that promises to last a long time.

Metal. The incredibly trendy 2021 solution will be an excellent option for a loft or industrial interior.

Glass. Reflected flames endlessly flickering – what could be more mesmerising.

Tiles for Fireplaces

Harmony and safety, variety, and reliability are just some of the reasons that prompted designers to take a closer look at tiles as a beautiful finishing material for a fireplace. You will have a lot to choose from in the coming season with specialists offer many exciting solutions:

Ceramic waves. This exquisite tile relief sets the perfect interior rhythm. However, it should be borne in mind that this design requires simple and straightforward shapes and lines of the fireplace.

Glass mosaic. Glossy dark tiles give vintage fireplaces an ultra-modern and luxurious look.

Patterned tile. A clear geometric pattern on the cladding surface is one of the hottest trends of 2021, allowing the integration of bright colours and ethnic motifs into the interior.

Marble texture. A noble stone is equally suitable for a classic living room as well as for modern minimalism.

Pebbles. Pebble tile is the trendiest eco-decor of 2021. Use it as an accent for your fireplace or create a balance with the surrounding interior.

Décor and Furnishings

After several years being used in interior decoration, Scandinavian inspired minimalism starts to be abandoned in 2021. This year, you can bet on maximalism. With a much wider range of possibilities and the ability to combine various styles this year is about making your home your own. With this new trend, you will be able to use more interesting decorative objects that are neither standardized nor simplified. Think big and bold, reflect your personality in your surroundings and go for it!

Curved shapes will also be on trend as we strive to incorporate organic and natural forms within interiors. Irreverent furniture and decoration elements, from soft downy chairs to curved coffee tables, large reflective mirrors and statement art pieces will be a part of this.

Velvet will be a widely used interior decoration material by 2021. Vinatge upholstered armchairs and velvet ottomans or cushions are excellent options to make your home more elegant and trendy. Team this fabric with the seasons must have geometric and tribal patterns to embrace another major interior design trend of the year. These patterns will help bring different areas of the home to life and turn them into more fun and welcoming spaces.

Colours.

The return of the use of black will be one of the most prominent design trends of 2021. Widely used in both furniture, fittings and finishes as well as walls. At first we may think that using black on the walls is a very risky decision, but when used with clear contrast, black can even help to make the space visually larger.

Within the trend of natural and ecological elements arises the tendency to use earth colors. If in recent years, gray has been the most widely used color in interior design, by 2021 it will be the most grounded colors teamed with deep rich greens. Used either as the main colour palette or incorporated using vertical gardens and home plants in abundance. Being a plant lover has never been so fashionable.

Our Top 5 Fires for 2020

What a year it’s been! But we couldn’t say farewell to 2020 without a rundown of our top fires. We’ve spent more time than ever staying safe at home this year and the fireplace has stormed back into the limelight with designers placing extra emphasis on integrating beautiful and functional fireplaces at the heart of our living areas.

Our customers have been transforming their spaces across the country and its clear that you love gathering round the fire, inside or outside, just as much as we do.

No. 1. The Morsø Forno Outdoor Oven

Without a doubt, the Morsø Forno ruled the roost over the summer making it number one on our Top Fires of 2020 list. The ultimate pizza oven with more uses, resulting in more usage made this Danish design the most coveted outdoor oven yet. Let’s just say if ever there was an object that was the epitome of both form and function, this is it.

Guarranteed to ‘wow’ and not just because of its ultra-modern rounded design, the Morsø Forno helps you take cooking outdoors to a new level. The multipurpose outdoor oven and grill opens up the authentic pizza making experience so that anyone can taste the delectable flavours of traditional Italian pizza, and it certainly costs less than plane tickets to Italy!

The versatility in uses means you can still eat out on nights where you want to enjoy the oven but are not in the mood for pizza. Plus, the Morsø Forno functions brilliantly as an outdoor fireplace when not being used to cook. A winning design for outdoor entertainment in the current climate and obvious an obvious winner our option.

Find out more here

No. 2. The Nordpeis ME Wood Burning Stove

The Nordpeis ME woodburning stove is breathtakingly eye catching and original. Demonstrating cutting edge Nordic design and technology in equal measure. Winner of Best Stove at the Built It Awards 2019, this stove makes it to number two on out Top Fires of 2020 list.

Few wood burning stoves offer so many inspiring fitting options, and the wealth of choice is testament to the ME’s versatile design. Choose from pedestal, steel log store stand, benches, or wall-mounted options – with stylish clear glass stands also available. There is even the option of a ceiling hung version, for a statement stove installation. Each mounting option transforms the ME, letting you choose the perfect combination for your home.

Find out more here

No. 3. The Stovax eReflex Electric Fire

Designed with the very latest LED technologies and offering a choice of stunning fuel beds, this innovative electric fire range lets you decide on the perfect ambience to suit your mood – with only your imagination to hold you back.

Consistently one of our most popular electric fires The e-Reflex makes it to number three on our Top Fires of 2020 list. Featuring state-of-the-art technology to produce undulating flame visuals, this is one of the most captivating electric fires ever created.

The eReflex range caters for everyone who is looking for a remarkable electric fire. Wall hung or inset models in fashionable landscape sizes up to 2 metres wide! Guaranteed to give any room the WOW factor, eReflex fires do not need a chimney or flue so they’re compatible with any home.

Find out more here

No. 4. The Flamerite Gotham 900 Electric Fire

Simple, understated and highly desirable! The Flamerite collection is new to our range of fires for 2020 and the Gotham 900 has jumped right in at number 4 to our Top Fires of 2020 list.

An inset electric fire with landscape proportions, the Gotham 900 allows the superb LED flames to take centre stage. The fire can be fitted completely frame-less for a minimalist theme or you have the choice of an optional silver or brass trim.

Find out more here

No. 5. The Gazco Sheraton 5 Stove

Available in gas, wood burning and electric models, this fire has soared in popularity this year becoming one of our best sellers and it’s easy to see why. Timeless design meets technical innovation combining stylish looks with high efficiency technology.

The Gazco Sheraton 5 features beautiful cast iron detailing designed and engineered in Britian. Coming in at number five on our Top Fires of 2020, this stove brings elegance and is built for year after year of service in your home.

Find out more here

How Does Santa Get Down The Chimney?

By the time the holiday season is in full swing, curious, knowledge-seeking children have lots of questions about Santa Claus and Christmas. How does Santa make it around the world in one night? Do reindeer really fly? Why do people keep giving us mince pies?

But the biggest, mid boggling, question of all? How does Santa get down the chimney? Can he even fit into a chimney? After all, the chimney flue isn’t that big, and Santa Claus is a jolly and plump, old fellow. Plus, his bag of toys is pretty big, even with the world’s best magic it couldn’t get that small, could it? Does he drop straight down, or does he use special climbing equipment? And what happens if you don’t even have a chimney? Does that mean people without chimneys don’t get any presents at all?

It’s a perplexing question that many parents struggle to answer but to help you out this season, we’ve investigated and discovered 3 very probable theories to help you explain.

No.1. The Alice in Wonderland Effect

This is the theory that Santa Claus has perfected the art of miniaturization or the ability to make himself small and the milk and cookies that children leave for him help him do just that. Santa adds a special potion to the milk that causes him to shrink in size, so he can go up and down the chimney. He carries a thermos that he can refill with milk at each house, so he always has milk with him while he’s on each house’s rooftop. Then when he wants to return to normal size, he shakes magic sprinkles on the cookies children leave for him and eats them to grow big. This process is similar to the “drink me” potion and “eat me” cake that Alice uses in Wonderland to make herself small and big.

No.2. Science

Santa Claus uses the science of contraction and expansion. Michael C. LaBarbera, a professor of organismal biology and anatomy and geophysical sciences at the University of Chicago, believes that reducing the distance between molecular bonds could do the trick. There’s a lot of empty space between the nucleus of an atom and the electrons surrounding it, so moving everything closer together could potentially decrease the size of an object. The mass of the object stays the same, of course, so that may explain any loud crashes that might come from the fireplace if Santa slipped [source: University of Chicago].

But what about Santa’s suit? If he compresses his body to a small enough size to fit through the chimney, wouldn’t the suit just crumple into a pile since it isn’t a part of him? Santa’s suit would need to be threaded with carbon nanotubes. This would allow the suit to compress as Santa himself compresses. His belt would also be equipped with a grappling hook, making his descent into your living room a bit smoother.

To visualise and help explain this concept, try this experiment with your children. Gather a saucepan, water, some small-to-medium-sized eggs, a glass milk or juice bottle and matches. Fill the saucepan with water and boil the eggs for 8 to 10 minutes. Let the eggs cool and peel off the shell. Light a match and drop it into the bottle. Quickly, place the egg on the mouth of the bottle. Watch what happens. As you’ll see, it’s a good thing that Santa’s not an egg, but the concept is similar. Besides Santa has his fluffy red suit to provide some padding and his sturdy boots to help break his fall.

No.3. Magic

The most popular theory of all is that Santa Claus himself has magical abilities. After all, in the poem, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Moore, all Santa has to do to go up the chimney is to lay his finger aside of his nose and give a nod – and up the chimney he goes. If that’s not magic, we don’t know what is.

Whatever theory you believe explains how Santa Claus goes up and down the chimney, make sure his journey is easier by having your chimney professionally cleaned and ensure you fire is turned off or burnt out before bed especially on Christmas Eve! We’re sure Santa will thank you. And remember, if you don’t have a chimney don’t worry, Santa always find a way.

Santa using Magic to go down a Chimney with his Bag of Gifts.

How to Roast Chestnuts on an Open Fire

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire aren’t just the lyrics to the Christmas Song, made famous by the great Nat King Cole. They’re also a fantastic treat to make during the holiday season! Not only will they fill your home with an incredible aroma, but the actual chestnuts are fairly delicious.

Roasting Chestnuts over an open fire (or in the oven) is an extremely easy and great holiday entertainment idea, as well as a delicious snack. This step by step guide will walk you through the tools needed and how to roast delicious roasted chestnuts that will make you a holiday hero.

Step 1 : Buy Chestnuts

Fresh chestnuts best used for roasting have the shell on and usually found in the produce section of a grocers or supermarket. Farmer’s markets will likely have them as well.

Chef’s Tip: Buy the chestnuts as close to the day you are roasting them so they are fresh.

Step 2: Get The Tools Ready

If using the oven, the key tool needed for roasted chestnuts is a cast iron pan or roasting dish. If using a fire, which we highly recommend, these are some additional tools to make the roasting experience both easier and safe.

High Heat Welding Style Gloves – This is important to avoid burning hands when the fire and heat are several hundred degrees. Protect those hands!
Cast Iron Pan – A cast iron pan can handle the heat.
A Large Grill – Because the cast iron pan is heavy, in addition to having a handle, using a large grill is key as it helps to keep it stable.

Step 3: Prepare the Chestnuts for Roasting

Chestnuts are a soft nut surrounded by a hard shell. The nut has a fair amount of moisture and steams when cooking. To avoid the chestnut from exploding it’s important to prepare the chestnut for cooking over an open fire.

One side of the shell is typically flat while the other is rounded. Be sure the nuts are fresh and uncut when buying. Start off by rinsing the chestnuts in cold water. Score the flat side of each chestnut with a paring or serrated knife with an ‘X’. This should be deep enough to just expose inside the nut casing and to prevent them from popping too violently as the steam escapes. Only one side needs the scoring.

Step 4: Ready, Steady, Roast!

Start with hot lumps of charcoal or a good bed of hot embers in an open log fire.

Lay out just enough charcoal that the cast iron pan will set atop the embers on but not touch the handle. Setting a large grill for indirect cooking is an easy way to do this.

Put the chestnuts into a seasoned cast iron pan, ensuring they’re spread evenly. The scored side should be facing up. This allows the shell to absorb all the high heat first. Cover the pan before placing this over your open fire or in your oven. You can cover it with aluminium foil if you don’t have a fireproof lid.

Place the pan over the coals. Allow the cast iron pan to heat up with the chestnuts in the pan.

After 5 minutes, begin to stir the chestnuts. Stir occasionally for an additional 5 – 7 minutes or until the shells begin to split – the insides should also be soft. Over fire, roasted chestnuts will cook in 10 – 12 minutes if the shell is on.

Remove from the fire. Wrap the roasted chestnuts in a damp towel to steam them and allow them to cool. This makes them both less painful and easier to peel.

When cool enough to handle, remove the outer hard shell, then serve warm with a touch of salt and enjoy with your loved ones!

What do roasted chestnuts taste like?

Roasted Chestnuts will be soft, buttery, and slightly nutty. These mild flavored nuts have a lot of moisture and make for a nice chewy bite.

Finish with a good quality finishing salt for extra flavor, or some melted butter.

How to serve and store chestnuts

After roasting chestnuts, they are best served the same day as roasting. Simply place them in a dish, remove the shells and eat as required. Have an empty dish handy to collect the shells. The presentation is part of the roasted chestnut experience.

If they are not all consumed, then store in an airtight container and rewarm gently over a low heat with some butter or oil within two days. Because the moisture is cooked out during the roasting process, they don’t reheat well.

What else can you roast?

If you don’t love the taste of chestnuts, don’t despair! You can still get into the festive spirit (and make the most of your home’s open fire) by roasting other treats. Some options include fruit, marshmallows, seeds, and other nuts, such as pecans and hazelnuts.

Deck The Halls

It’s time to get ready for some Christmas magic and give your house that festive feeling. From the perfect tree to extra snug blankets it’s time to set the scene for a cosy Christmas at home.

We’ve put together some simple tips for every type of decorator, subtle to sublime, to make your fireplace and living room the heart festive activities and really bring the Christmas spirit to life at home.

The Tree

The true centrepiece of Christmas, adding a twinkle to interiors around the country and joy to our winter months. Remember, be careful not to place your tree too close to the fireside, whether real or fake they can pose a serious fire risk. Don’t forget to save space for a star (or your topper of choice) too! Pull the room together and mimic the topper as the key design feature of your mantle, star on top and a star in the centre, a classic and timeless choice.

The Decorations

Much like opening the first door of an advent calendar, the Christmas season officially begins when you start decorating. Coordinate or mix things up? Perfectly organized or creatively constructed by the kids? Following post lockdown interior trends, this Christmas is a time for self-expression and your decorations should be as unique as you are. Select ornaments, and even a theme, that reflect your personality and we can guarantee you’ll be sat admiring it for hours.

Go all out with bright, bold and vibrant colours, 2020 is the year when the rainbow became a worldwide symbol of hope after all! Neon stars, sequins and fun! Why not decorate your tree and mantel using ornaments in colour sequence? A quick and effective way to achieve the seasons number one look.

Keep it calm with a soft pastel palette, blush, mint and warm neutrals. A luxurious look that’s easy to create. Use artificial flowers and feathered birds to decorate, garlands, beads and simple drapes.

Chose quirky and abstract with fun, tropical decorations. Rich colours with plenty green and a hint of gold, team with decadent velvet, embroidered fabrics and jeweled ornaments. More is more with this theme!

Cool and classic. You can’t beat a snow theme in winter. Iridescent ornaments that sparkle, plenty gold or white lights and don’t forget the faux fur throw to transport you to Narnia.

On your tree, place a variety of decorations in and outside the branches to create depth and intrigue. Go lavish with lights. Dot your tree and mantel with twinkling lights for one of the most festive touches.

A few Extra Festive Finishing Touches

Deck the walls with Art so Jolly. Don’t forget the pictures! Print off Christmas photos from years gone by, frame your favourite carol lyrics or get the kids to create a portrait of Santa. A few festive images on the wall takes the decorating up another level and is sure to raise a smile or too.

Get your glow on with candles and diffusers to create a warm and relaxed mood. Inspire all the senses with warming scents of the season. Fill your room with notes of cinnamon, red berries and pine needles.

Cosy does it. Count down the sleeps until Santa arrives with seasonal soft furnishings. Soft blankets and thick fleecy throws in colours coordinating with your decorations invite you sit down and enjoy the moment. Deck the sofa with plump cushions, ideal for sinking into in front of the fire for a seasonal tale.