Innehållsförteckning för Christmas 2015 från Chat Specials

Every Christmas I feel insanely jealous of fellow animal lovers with cute snaps of their decorated pets, like ours on page 31. If cute babies are more your bag though, feast your eyes on Lorna’s twin treats (p8). But spare a thought for poor Shelley (p4). At Christmas she can’t help dwelling on her double tragedy… the murder of her granddaughter and her son. On a happier note, Karen (p54) went from a 27st pudding to lose over 8 stone! Settle down with a sherry and enjoy Yuletide recipes, days out and great gifts. And grab the Very Best Of Chat, on sale from 7 January. Merry Christmas! • Some of these stories have appeared in Chat before…

Looking at the snowy scene in the festive photograph, I smiled. My neighbour Russ's horse Daisy loved pulling the kids' sleigh at Christmas. Not long now, I thought. It was about 5.30pm on 16 September, as I looked out at my own eight horses. My hubby Curtis, 38, and I looked after Daisy when Russ went away. Then a phone call from Russ broke my thoughts. ‘Chantelle, I need your help!' he stammered. ‘Daisy's fallen down a hole.' ‘We're on our way', I replied, jumping into our truck with Curtis. Soon, we saw Daisy's head, poking out of a four-foot crater in a field. Her legs were jammed. Exhausted, she'd been digging, and pulling with her front feet - trying to escape. A vet gave her some calming…

As Barri spoke to me, his face lit up. ‘I’m going to ask Rachel to marry me,’ he announced. My son Barri White, 21, and Rachel Manning, 19, were just perfect together. Barri was my eldest. A loving, adventurous boy. He’d fallen for Rachel 18 months earlier. Me and my hubby Roy – the kids’ stepdad – adored her, too. ‘I’ll propose on Christmas Day,’ Barri told me. But first, we had another occasion to celebrate… My 40th birthday! On Saturday 10 December 2000, I threw a 1970s-themed fancy dress party. Barri had white flares and Rachel was stunning in white boots and an electric blue wig. When Roy and I headed home, all the youngsters set off for Chicago’s nightclub here in Milton Keynes. It wasn’t until Monday that…

You start dreading Christmas Day in case there’s an EastEnders- style reveal in the family… You only wear your glasses in a wonky style like Morecambe and Wise You’ve been warming your vocal chords for Christmas Top of the Pops for months now You cry when you walk across a bridge because it reminds you of It’s A Wonderful Life Like Del Boy and Rodney you and your other half insist on dressing up as Batman and Robin for a party It snows and you're 100% certain you'll soon be walking in the air with a snowman At dinner, you insist everyone listens to your speech – you’re the queen of this house after all! Instead of Santa, you dress up as the Holiday Armadillo like Ross in Friends You…

Mostly A: Quality Street Whether it’s handmade presents or making your own Yorkshire puddings, you love to go the extra mile at Christmas, and really do believe in quality – which is why a big tin of lovely choccies are perfect for you. Mostly B: Matchmakers Whether you’re making sure you’ve got the right person the right gift, picking out the perfect cranberry sauce for the turkey, or hanging mistletoe over two friends who you just know are perfect for each other, you’re definitely a matchmaker! Mostly C: Humbugs Or should that be ‘Bah humbugs’?! While some people find Christmas the most magical time of year, you’re not convinced. In fact, you wish it would end soon so people stop going on and on about it! Mostly D: Celebrations For…

If you’ve ever fancied being a writer but don’t know where to start – here’s the answer. For the past twenty-six years The Writers Bureau has been running a home-study Creative Writing course that teaches ordinary people how to write, get published and earn an extra income. ‘Most people can be taught to write for publication,’ claims Susan Busby, Head of Britain’s largest writing college, ‘as long as they want to write, are willing to learn and put in the time and effort required. Our students prove that. They come from all walks of life and have very different educational backgrounds. Yet, after studying with us many will see their name in print for the first time.’ The Creative Writing course offered by The Writers Bureau covers all genres –…

Mum and Dad were splitting up. And I shouldn’t have been surprised. ‘It’s time for a fresh start,’ my mum Suzanne, 50, told me. ‘But what about all the good times you’ve shared?’ I said. ‘Sammy,’ Mum said. ‘I’ve only been pretending to love him.’ It was October 1999. I’d just turned 18 and had finished school, while my older sister Kim had already left home. Perhaps that was the push Mum had needed. When we were kids, Mum and my dad Leo seemed like the perfect couple. Mum was a dead ringer for the actress Goldie Hawn. ‘And I think Dad looks like Jack Nicholson,’ I always said. They were forever cracking jokes, laughing. But, over the last few years, the happiness had been replaced by rows. They were…

Baby worries Q I'm four months pregnant and haven't touched a drop of alcohol. Am I being too strict? I'd really like a glass of bubbly on Christmas Day! Zoe, Cirencester A The latest guidance is clear that while the safest policy is not to drink at all during pregnancy, there is actually no proven evidence of harm from drinking a small amount of alcohol after the first three months of pregnancy. The maximum recommended amount of alcohol for a pregnant woman would be two units no more than twice a week. Drinking at or around the time of conception, in the first three months or to excess, can put your baby at risk of foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). This can cause a range of problems, from mild learning difficulties…

Awake at the crack of dawn, I was far too excited to sleep! Clambering out of bed, I raced into my parents’ bedroom. ‘Santa’s been!’ I yelled, jumping up and down on my mum Gina and dad Geoff’s bed. I was only 6 and couldn’t wait to tear open my presents! ‘You must’ve been a good girl,’ Dad laughed. Dad, Geoffrey Carter, then 28, was a welder. He worked hard to provide for me and Mum. That year, as usual, we piled over to Mum’s parents’ for a festive feast. Happy times. But that turned out to be my last Christmas with Dad. A few months later, Mum sat me down and explained she and Dad were divorcing. ‘But we both love you,’ she said. ‘And Daddy can see you…

INGLETON WATERFALLS Sure, Iceland has its geysers and hot water springs, but it doesn’t have a monopoly on stunning waterfalls. Need proof? Ingleton Waterfalls Trail in the Yorkshire Dales will take you on an 8km ramble past incredible scenery and lots of waterfalls, including the 14m-high Thornton Force. Look out for wildlife too! And when you’re tired from all that walking, hole up in the café with a bacon sarnie and a cuppa. • Visit www.ingleton waterfallstrail.co.uk for full details…

FILM/TV 1 Complete the title of this festive film from 2004: Christmas with the __? a Kronks b Kranks c Krinks d Krunks 2 Who was the winner of the 2015 series of The Great British Bake Off? a Flora Shedden b Paul Jagger c Ian Cumming d Nadiya Jamir Hussain 3 Which of the following is a new Christmas film starring Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt? a The Night Before b All Through the House c Not a Creature d Not Even a Mouse 4 Which actor played Harry Kennedy, who married the The Vicar of Dibley in a New Year TV special in 2007? a Dougray Scott b Jason Isaacs c David Tennant d Richard Armitage 5 What is the subtitle to the new…

Aries 21 Mar - 20 April You may find yourself spinning the festive plates in terms of your commitments as Yuletide races up, Aries, but your natural desire to support those closest to you is set to shine out once the Sun moves into your sector of responsibilities on the 22nd. In fact, Christmas Day can see you particularly attuned to the needs of others, though the needs of different generations may need some skilful handling. • Call 09058 171760 for your year ahead forecast. Taurus 21 April - 21 May  You may have found yourself feeling somewhat on edge at times this month, but solace has come from your ruler Venus in your sector of relationships. Use its harmonising energies to ensure the sweetest of seasonal celebrations. If you…

To do... If the idea of skiing or snowboarding sounds too taxing, try sno-tubing. Just fling yourself onto a rubber tube and shoot down the slope. • Approx. £9 per hour. Visit jnlbracknell.co.uk or call 01344 789002 for more information To buy... You don’t have to love Christmas pud to love these lip balms – the dinky little stocking fillers will keep your lips lovely and smooth and, most importantly, ready for that mistletoe! • Christmas Pudding Lip Balms, £6.95 for two, Dotcomgiftshop To watch... The reaction this little boy has to seeing Santa caught on camera on Christmas Eve is going to leave you with a warm glow. • https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=W6iAM9329lI…

Looking into my granddaughter’s chocolate brown eyes, my heart melted. ‘I love cuddling her,’ I confessed to my son, Nelson, on Christmas morning. ‘She’s absolutely gorgeous.’ Nelson was 17 and his girlfriend, Kristi, was 16 when Kati was born. School sweethearts, Kristi’s pregnancy wasn’t planned. An accident, sure, but Kati was no mistake. Still young, Kristi struggled with motherhood though. ‘Can you help me?’ she’d sob. Nelson tried, but was overwhelmed, too. A devoted grandma, I stepped in – changing Kati, cleaning and taking care of everyone. An angel, I fell in love with her more each day. Sadly, Kristi continued to struggle and her and Nelson’s relationship failed. ‘It’s not working,’ he said. ‘Kristi’s stressed.’ Then Kristi and her parents moved away with Kati, a 10-hour drive across Texas…

You’d better sit down,’ I told my boyfriend, Junior Davies. ‘I’ve got some big news for you.’ Junior plonked himself on the sofa. Here goes... I pulled out a pregnancy-test wand – a positive one! ‘I’m expecting!’ I blurted out. Part of me was nervous, as we’d been together for less than a year and hadn’t planned a baby. But I needn’t have worried. As soon he heard, Junior whooped with joy and threw his arms around me. Junior was already a great dad to his two sons. And he was lovely with Lily, 6, my own daughter from a previous relationship. We decided we’d wait until after the 12-week scan to tell the children. But we had an even bigger surprise than we’d realised. At Colwyn Bay Hospital, after…

The smell of chestnuts roasting... The kick of brandy in a good mince pie. Carols playing and laughter ringing through the busy house I shared with my hubby Paul, 36, and our kids Amie, 13, Abbie, 12, Christopher, 7, and Lilly, 4. These all meant Christmas to me. It was just sad that while I’d seen my three older children’s delighted faces when they’d opened their presents, I could only imagine Lilly’s. You see, I’d gone blind when I was eight months pregnant. ‘What kind of mum can I be?’ I’d sobbed to Paul, when she was born. ‘If Lilly drops her dummy I can’t find it, if she kicks her blanket off, I can’t see where it’s gone.’ Feeding her, I’d aim for her mouth, only to stick a…

A Santa hat with trainers… very fetching! It was time to gather my brood for our yearly Christmas morning run. ‘Do we have to go?’ my son Neal moaned. ‘If you don’t go, you don’t get presents!’ I grinned. Crazy, maybe, when other families were still in their pyjamas and festive jumpers. My former, overweight self wouldn’t have been impressed either. But, after losing my mum Meta to lung cancer, my life changed. She’d always wanted to go to the Inca fortress, Machu Picchu, in Peru. But with her health faltering, she knew she’d never be able to make the journey herself. ‘Will you scatter my ashes there?’ she’d asked. ‘If that’s what you want,’ I smiled. That November, Mum went in to the Marie Curie Hospice, in Belfast. A…

Everyone loves a Christmas tree – the baubles, the lights, the tinsel... But I make them come to life too! Walking within 6ft of tinsel, it will jump off the tree and cling to me! And if I tried to turn on the Christmas tree lights they’d blow! It makes my family howl with laughter, but takes me back to the moment when my life changed with a bang! Looking for adventure, I’d joined the Army. It was the chance to make a difference. After training, I was posted to Fort Benning in Georgia, where I fell in love with Dave and accepted his marriage proposal. Then 23, after growing up in frozen Alaska, I wasn’t used to America’s steamy Deep South. After breakfast one morning, walking from my home…

Ding, dong merrily on high,’ played in my head on a loop. What a carol! What a season! I loved the festivities as much now as I had when I was a kid. The paper hats, party games and the lovely lunch with my hubby, James, 58, and kids, Martyn, 26, and Laura, 24. Just thinking about it made me smile… It was the season to be jolly and, before my family celebrations, I planned to spread a bit of happiness at Harefield Hospital, in Middlesex, where I’d worked as a senior echo co-ordinator for almost 17 years. Emotions in a hospital ran high. Anxiety, elation, sadness, fear… People went through them all. And I was lucky enough to be able to make a difference to patients and their loved…

Carefully folding the baby clothes I’d bought, I smiled. Maybe one day, I’d be pregnant again… For now, the tiny bonnets and booties were keeping me from starving. You see, when I was 22, I’d fallen pregnant accidentally. Neither me nor my then boyfriend were ready to be parents and I made the decision to have a termination. Straight after though, emotionally and mentally churned up, I developed a terror of throwing up. My mum found out I had emetophobia – a recognised fear of being sick. I couldn’t even eat in case I threw up – consequently losing four-and-a-half stone and looking terrible. Weighing just five-and-a-half stone, my periods stopped and I ended up in hospital. I told nurses I had to get better, or I’d never have kids.…

Another year, and I was giving my 6-year-old son Mackenzie another excuse. ‘I’m sorry, I have to work,’ I fibbed to him. It was December 2012 and, once again, I wouldn’t be at his school Christmas play. It broke my heart. But I was too fat to go. At a whopping 26st 13lb and only 4ft 11in tall, my size-38 bulk really showed. I was terrified parents would stare – or that I’d break a chair! Mostly, I was worried that Mackenzie would be taunted. It’d happened before. ‘Your mum’s a fatty,’ a boy once teased, when I picked up Mackenzie from school. So now my hubby Warren, 48, did the school run. And every December, he’d go alone to the Nativity. I hadn’t always had a weight problem. When…

As a massive Star Wars fan, it would’ve taken an amazing Force to stop me exploring some of the new movie’s spectacular filming locations – I couldn’t wait to visit! How to get there? When you land in Iceland it’s like stepping foot on another planet, but fortunately the Nordic country is within much easier reach than Tatooine. Friends had warned me the place would be pricey, so I bagged a cheap deal by flying with budget airline WOW air. It’s less than a three-hour flight from London, but when I arrived at Keflavik Airport I felt like I’d landed in a galaxy far, far away. How was the weather? As the name would suggest, Iceland is cold – really cold. Temperatures can dip well below freezing in December, and…

Vanessa’s 6 BIG wins 1 Round The Clock £408 2 Round The Clock £3,032 3 Round The Clock £6,769 4 Emerald £1,563 5 Lounge £888 6 Lounge £6,652 TOTAL £19,312 I’ve enjoyed several lovely holidays in the past two-and-a-half years. And it’s all down to my wins at Chat Mag Bingo! In fact, you might remember seeing me in Chat back in 2012 – smiling out of the pages, holding up my two big cheques! Back then, I’d won £408, £3,032 and £6,769 in progressive jackpots playing Round the Clock bingo. That was a total of £10,209 within six weeks of joining! ‘I’ve never even won so much as a raffle before, and now all this!’ I’d gasped. To celebrate, I’d used my winnings to whisk my mum and my…

At 17, you’re sure you know what love is, aren’t you? I was. My boyfriend Robert Lee Burton Jr, 18, was perfect! Sweet, funny and charming. Then, after we’d been together a year, I started applying to universities. ‘You’ll cheat and leave me,’ Robert kept huffing. I tried to reassure him that I loved him, but Robert grew so jealous and possessive. Until finally… ‘This isn’t working,’ I told him, as I started my course at St Petersburg College. But Robert burst into desperate tears. ‘If you leave, I’ll kill myself!’ he threatened. ‘What? No!’ I gasped. ‘I’ll stay with you then!’ But it was hell. Whenever we saw each other, Robert was so paranoid, constantly accusing me of lying and cheating on him. If ever I tried to end…

On the slide I decided to try skiing shortly before my 30th birthday to prove I could do it. I managed to get a great last-minute deal, but the whole trip was a BIG mistake. My efforts made Bridget Jones look like a pro! I couldn’t cope with the ski boots on Tarmac, let alone when we got to the slopes. I managed to fall head first down a hole with my skis flailing in the air, and then had to wait for the instructor to help me up. Who knew standing up was so tricky? To add insult to injury, this was in front of some cool-looking snowboarders who’d arrived to take part in a competition. When I finally made it off the bunny slope, I was overtaken by…

Wilko Crackers Balloon Modelling, £10 for six, Wilko For something a bit different, these crackers will suit! In addition to the snap, gift and hat, there’s a balloon inside each cracker. Use the pump provided and make your own shape! Christmas crackers, £1 for six, Poundland These brightly coloured crackers will not only impress little Ôuns, but they’ll be a hit with your wallet too! Luxury Christmas Crackers, £10 for 12, Debenhams Not only do these crackers look lovely and sophisticated, they come with fab novelty gifts, including miniature playing cards and measuring spoons! George Home Musical Whistle Crackers, £6 for 6, Asda These really deliver on looks and noise! They’re sure to be a firm favourite – especially with the kids!…

1 You pull a cracker but there's no toy in there, you…  a Feel disappointed, you did so much research choosing the right ones b Spot someone across the table who’s got two, and play with one of theirs c Tell everyone, if you can’t have one no one else can d Get another round on the go for everyone 2 The kids decorate the tree and it looks terrible, you…  a Spend all night making it look right and tell them magical reindeer must have come to help b Put each of them in charge of a different section suited to their talents and get redecorating! c Aren’t surprised, that’s what Christmas is, a load of disappointments d Suggest that every day you can all…

Putting up the Christmas tree, cooking the turkey, watching the Queen’s Speech… All things I know I would have done on 25 December, over the years. Only problem was I couldn’t remember any of them! A few years ago I had an accident and have suffered memory loss ever since. While Christmas should be a time for making memories, I need my family to talk me through photographs, telling me what happened. When I initially came round in hospital, in 2013, my hubby John, now 53, explained why I was there. Although, of course, I can’t remember him doing it! He told me I’d been in a coma for 12 days in Tenerife, several weeks earlier, following a cycling accident. Doing time trials on our bikes was something we’d both…