Lennox Hastie is a chef with a way with words. As well as offering us readers an insight into cooking, he also writes beautifully about the process of feasting. His words this week sum up how many of us feel about Christmas, I'm sure. "The festive season calls for a ­certain kind of magic, doesn’t it?" he writes. "The kind that comes alive not just in decorations or gifts, but around the table with your loved ones. As always, the key to a successful gathering is balance: being able to enjoy good food and drink without spending the day in a culinary panic. The aim is to create dishes that dazzle but can largely be prepped ahead, leaving you more time to enjoy it all on the day." Find Lennox's three beautiful Christmas recipes below, each of them a showstopper.

Also, it's party season, so get into the spirit of things with Bec Vrana Dickinson 's fun and bubbly cocktail recipes. They are new takes on old favourites and promise to get you into the swing of the season. And, as a bonus this week, we've included our list of 60 of the best gift ideas this Christmas to help you find the perfect present for your family and friends.

Happy (festive) cooking, cocktail making, and shopping!

Cellar director John Lehmann selects three beautiful New Zealand pinot noirs for a super six deal that will save you $50. Details here.

Maggie Beer is often described as a national treasure, rightly so. That said, the epithet makes her uncomfortable. "I t makes me look around. I’m not gone yet! As long as they call me a cook and not a chef!" she tells The Weekend Australian Magazine's Jessica Clement this week. Maggie is recovering from a serious fall and discusses her recovery, Christmas cooking and a whole lot more in this insightful interview here.