My Christmas Bush

While a trimmed Christmas tree hung with lights is a traditional symbol of the season, for me it is my redcurrant bush that best evokes Christmas. The bright red berries against the green leaves are so Christmassy, and for the last forty years my bush has provided this colour.

So long ago I planted it and waited for a couple of years for the first fruits- less than a cupful. But as the bush grew so did the crop. We always ate the berries straight from the bush, but soon there were enough for all sorts of things. I made redcurrant jelly, redcurrant syrup, redcurrant chutney, summer puddings, muffins, and crystalized redcurrants to decorate the Christmas cake.

Some years there were enough for two families, and I would invite a friend to pick berries with me. It was pleasant break from the Christmas rush for both of us. One year when times were hard I sold the surplus to buy Christmas treats we could not afford.

When I moved to the country I brought the bush with me. It was hard work for my son and me to dig it up, but I'm so glad we did. I keep it more compact now. I still eat the berries straight from the bush and freeze a few for tossing in the dish when I'm roasting chicken breasts. Some years I make redcurrant and ginger chutney. The rest I share with the birds.

It is lucky this season that the hail that damaged the leaves did not ruin the fruit.

It is Christmas Eve here now. I wish you all a very happy Christmas.