Giles and Sue Live The Good Life

It's the season to be jolly, but is it really possible to enjoy Christmas when you're strapped for cash? Giles and Sue set out to prove that by using a few old fashioned handicrafts and an awful lot of enthusiasm, you can still put the merry into Christmas. They begin by making some very rudimentary home-made decorations, before calling in 70s Blue Peter presenter Peter Purves who tries to show them how to assemble the famous Blue Peter advent crown. They take delivery of two turkeys, one of which Giles is determined will end up on the table come Christmas day. And as they haven't got any cash, Sue joins a local knitting circle and knits Giles a very festive 70s inspired Christmas jumper. Celebrity cook Sophie Grigson pops over to help them with a spot of Christmas baking and Giles and Sue invite all the neighbours over for some carols. Meanwhile, away from the frugality of Tom and Barbara's make-do Christmas, Margo and Jerry enjoy some intoxicating cocktails and plan their Christmas with military precision. Giles and Sue wake up on Christmas Day to find it has snowed and, after a chilly spot of snowballing, they're delighted when famous cook Mary Berry turns up to prepare a scrumptious Christmas lunch.

Midway through their adventure, Giles and Sue question whether the rewards of a self-sufficient life could ever outweigh the hard graft. Things get off to a farcical start with the arrival of two very mischievous Gloucester Old Spot pigs and deteriorate even further as Giles and Sue try their hands at making their own wine and pickled eggs. To boost their vegetable supply, they decide to take on an allotment, but eventually have to call in Gardeners' World regular Joe Swift to help them tackle an infestation of thistles.