Escape through your phone this holiday

Listen, watch, read

I use my phone a lot during the Christmas break. I am not ashamed of this. Because I also read a lot of books and catch up on several weeks of newspapers I feel like the balance is evened out a bit.

As the main cook during the holidays but also a mother I use my phone as a quick and quiet distraction from the madness.

Here’s what I’m doing

PS, you can read my latest blog post here

Listening

I love podcasts and audiobooks during Christmas and New Year. Listening to a podcast while preparing the Christmas dinner is heaven to me.

This year I listened to Kirsty Young’s podcast — shamelessly named Young Again — with Nigel Slater, as I assembled a trifle from his Christmas cookbook. I love that man.

Now Spotify offers audiobooks I find myself listening to lots of random autobiographies, including Miranda Hart’s latest. I wouldn’t call myself a fan of Hart’s comedy but I love this new direction she’s going in. Her latest, I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest with You, delves into her years with chronic illness and how she dealt with it. I predict in a few years time she’ll leave comedy and move into the world of self help.

I always look forward to the Christmas Day edition of the Adam Buxton Podcast

Watching

I love TikTok, though I use it in a slightly unusual way in that I just stick to the people I follow. I don’t allow myself to even venture into the For You page.

Here are my fave TikTokers —

Aimee France — I love baking and I love watching people bake. Aimee runs a successful cake business from her home kitchen. She is a nice quiet presence in an otherwise offensively noisy app

Magic Grandpa — a grandpa, doing magic tricks. Lovely

Fiona in the Wild - Fiona is a wild camper. From the comfort of my bed I love watching Fiona battle the elements while lighting a little camp stove

Polly Pocket Studio - lots and lots of Polly Pockets. Heaven!

Julia Guesmia — Julia gets her makeup done at the worst rated salons. It’s an addictive watch. Full length versions of the videos are on YouTube and yes I watch these too

Kait Park — Kait’s videos, imo, are the best on TikTok. Well edited, shot & paced. Though the rate in which she updates makes my head spin. I’m several videos behind and it’s only been a week since I last looked I swear

Gnoch Gnoch — like Kait Park, Nguyen is a master at editing. Her travel vlogs are the best on TikTok

She’s on a Budget — Phem is a mother of three and graciously lets us into her life. Every single day. I find her videos so comforting. I often fall asleep watching them (I mean this as a compliment!!!)

Reading

NYT Cooking (paywall)— not sure if this counts as reading but I honestly couldn’t live without this food site by the New York Times. I pay £8 a month for the pleasure and can safely say I use it several times a week. This intensifies during the Christmas period where I literally lose myself in recipes. My kitchen is currently littered with printouts from the site.

What are you listening to / watching / reading over the festive period? Do let me know! Also, if you listen / watch /read any of the same things, tell me!