By C.W. Cameron

For the AJC

Nigella Lawson’s distinctly relaxed approach to cooking spills over into her advice on how to make the holiday season manageable. Author of seven books, host of cooking programs on the Food Network and the BBC, Lawson’s watchwords are “stress-free,” “do-ahead” and “abundant,” and she is brimming with advice on how to entertain family and friends in an intimate, relaxed and comfortable way.

Her newest book, “Nigella Christmas,” was just released last month. The book tour brings her to Atlanta on Thursday for a reception and program hosted by the Atlanta History Center. The event will be a party, featuring recipes from Lawson’s book and one of the cocktails as a signature drink.

In a recent phone interview from her home in London, Lawson shared her thoughts about visiting Atlanta and surviving the holidays.

On Atlanta:

“It seems like such a dynamic city. On the one hand, there’s such a gracious feeling, and on the other hand, so much music is going on that gives it a kind of pumped-up, dynamic, buzzy edge. It’s alluring. There’s the charm, but there’s also the business.”

On the similarities between and English and a Southern Christmas:

“Both cultures are very vested in tradition. Christmas is often about bringing out the same decorations and serving the same dishes year after year. I do think it’s both very English and very Southern to be slightly wanting that roasted chestnuts and flickering fires thing at Christmas.

On gift giving:

“I think it is completely ridiculous going out to a shop, spending money that is more than you might want to spend because you’re so rushed, buying something that someone doesn’t really need. Make a chutney, make some vanilla sugar, a spiced salt, it’s not that difficult. You’re going to be buying your groceries anyway. It’s less stressful to be chopping and stirring in the kitchen than waiting to find a parking place in the shopping mall somewhere. Although I suppose my children would never speak to me again if I cooked them something for Christmas rather than bought them something. Lots of people would welcome something from your kitchen.”

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Meet Nigella Lawson

7 p.m. (6 p.m. reception) Thursday. Tickets are $40 for Atlanta History Center members and $45 for nonmembers. Price includes sample appetizers, signature cocktails and an autographed copy of “Nigella Christmas.”

Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta.

404-814-4150, www.atlantahistorycenter.com