Christmas, a time of twinkling lights, festive decorations, and the warmth of loved ones gathered around. It's a season that invites us to indulge in the joy of giving, the magic of tradition, and the pleasures of the table. In this feature, we'll explore the art of celebrating Christmas with the mantra "Eat, Drink, and Be Merry." Now we love a bit of bookish inspiration here at LoveReading, and to help you get your Christmas into full swing, here is a selection of books that would make perfect gifts for the seasoned party-goer, or will help you plan the most delightful of drinks, and festive merriment that will make your Christmas season truly memorable.

Whether you raise your glass to the season with a chilled glass of fizz, embrace the nostalgia with a frothy cup of eggnog, garnished with a sprinkle of nutmeg and a cinnamon stick or like to get creative with holiday cocktails like spiced mulled wine, peppermint martinis, or hot buttered rum, these books will give you tons of inspiration.

If you are looking to choose a thoughtful gift for the wine lover in your life, we have some perfect Christmas gifts selected here that any wine enthusiast would love to see in their stocking.

Which Wine When offers brilliant wine matches to the food we eat every day. This is for anyone who loves a glass of vino but still finds themselves standing in the wine aisle making panicked decisions about what to drink based on special offers, a vague memory or a nice-looking label. Which Wine When will turn even the most down-to-earth meal into a magical combination of what's on your plate and what's in your glass. Don't wander the wine aisle without it.

And of course we must mention the world's best-selling annual wine guide. Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book is the essential reference book for everyone who buys wine. Now in its 48th year of publication, it has no rival as the comprehensive, up-to-the-minute annual guide.

Books can be fantastic gifts for beer lovers, as they provide opportunities to delve into the rich world of beer, its history, culture, brewing techniques, and more. Whether the beer enthusiast in your life is a seasoned homebrewer, a craft beer aficionado, or someone simply looking to expand their knowledge, there's a beer-related book out there for them.

Beer: A Tasting Course is a beautifully produced, and accessible guide to tasting beer, with a distinctive style-by-style approach to navigating the world's favourite alcoholic drink.

Develop your palate and become your own beer sommelier. Crack open this book and enjoy a series of guided tastings of more than 50 different beer styles - from smoked black lager to sour-fermented wild ales, triple green-hopped IPAs and cask-matured barley wines.

Travel through time and across the globe to grasp the on-going story of beer, its heritage, and innovation. Learn how to pair beer with food and cook with it. But always return to what really matters- that miraculous glass of cold, liquid joy.

Choosing a book as a gift for cocktail lovers is a great idea, as it allows them to explore new recipes, techniques, and histories of cocktails. Whether your recipient is an aspiring mixologist or just enjoys sipping on expertly crafted beverages, there's a cocktail-related book out there to suit their taste.

We love the new Corner Shop Cocktails by Olive Martin, it's a one-stop-shop for all your favourite cocktails. Covering all the classics, this book ensures you never again have to traipse from store to store searching for pricey syrups, unnecessary garnishes and hyper-specific components that you'll probably only use once. Instead, Corner Shop Cocktails eliminates all the fuss by using easily sourced, versatile ingredients to make inventive yet delicious drinks. Cost-conscious and convenient versions of all your favourite drinks, with clever hacks and easy swaps - yes please!

We highly recommend The Encyclopedia of Cocktails, a lively A-to-Z compendium of the notable drinks, bartenders, and bars that shaped the cocktail world and produced the vibrant spirits culture we enjoy today, from two-time James Beard Award-nominated author and New York Times cocktail and spirits writer, Robert Simonson.

To see the best cocktails the world has to offer, check out World Cocktail Atlas, and you'll set yourself on quite a ride. Arranged by region, the recipes take you on a global tour: in Europe sip on a White Negroni or a Greek Sidecar. Travel the length and breadth of the Americas with a Reverse Manhattan, Mezcal Paloma and Tiki Espressotini. Journey around East and Southeast Asia with a Tokyo Mary or Soju Orange Seoul. Cool down with a Moroccan Mint Orange Julep or Malawi Shandy. And evoke memories of sun-kissed holidays with an Aussie Beachcomber, Fijian Flirt and Tahitian Vanilla Punch.

And finally, for all you coffee lovers out there, we have to mention How To Make the Best Coffee At Home by James Hoffman. A great book for the passionate coffee aficionado who savours different coffee varieties, brewing methods, and enjoys the coffee culture. 

Christmas is a season that invites us to indulge in the joys of life. As you "Eat, Drink, and Be Merry," remember to savour the moments, the flavours, and the traditions that make this time of year so special. Whether you're sharing a festive meal, clinking glasses, or embracing cherished customs, may your Christmas be filled with warmth, love, and the magic of the season.

Cheers!

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