Kirstie's Handmade Christmas

I find its difficult not to remember a comedy sketch with actress/impressionist Deborah Stevenson as a pitch-perfect Kirstie Allsop intervening in a fire-brigade rescue from a burning house. "Kirstie"'s urgent intervention was to contribute a hand-crafted leaded glass window panel with, in large red letters, "Fire!". in the centre. The joke was how seriously Kirstie takes craft and how oblivious she is to doubters or smirkers.

But seriously, what a delightful seasonal and educational tv series which reflects her real enthusiasm and refusal to accept second best anywhere. The contributors are very well chosen - both for their creativity and skills as well as their engaging personalities. The atmosphere is relaxed and happy, entirely missing thankfully is the extreme reality TV tension and agonising delays in announcing winners and losers. The diverse contributors appear relaxed and proud both demonstrating and talking about their very different crafts, It's beautifully set both internally and externally apparently in Blenheim Palace.. KIrstie confesses how much she enjoys Christmas and she contributes greatly to our enjoyment too.