Innehållsförteckning för FESTIVE SPECIAL 2019 från Chat Specials

We absolutely love Christmas at Chat , and our gift to you this festive season is a magazine packed with real-life stories and plenty of seasonal inspiration. Despite being about ready to pop, nothing Sarah (pg10) did seemed to encourage her baby to make his entrance into the world. That was until an indulgent chicken and ham pie got things into motion and brought her the best gift ever. Mum Victoria (pg36) knows her baby Remember to look at our guide to the hottest shows and pantomimes you won’t want to miss this month (pg22), and get busy in the kitchen with our delicious mushroom recipes (pg42). Look out for some cheeky Christmas cocktails (pg47), and don’t miss your Chat January Special, on sale 27 December. Happy Christmas!…

Lesley Reynolds, 53, Cornwall As I watched my son Jacob, then eight, race around the BMX track, I cheered him on from the side lines. ‘Put more effort into pedalling,’ I told him. I couldn’t help but give him some tips for tricks I’d seen. ‘If you know it all, why don’t you get involved?’ joked another parent. I just laughed it off, but when I got home that night, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I loved watching and was desperate to give it a try. Jacob had gotten into BMX racing earlier that year in 2013, on a cub scouts trip to Cornwall BMX Racing Club. He’d never ridden a BMX bike, but he begged me to have a go. He was layered in protective clothing and was…

Sarah Hirst, 34, North Ferriby As we walked around the Sainsbury’s frozen aisle, I admired all the delicious food on offer. ‘What do you fancy for dinner?’ my husband Steve, 36, asked. ‘For once I actually don’t have any cravings,’ I laughed, stroking my giant bump. ‘Give it time,’ Steve winked. I was now two days overdue with our second child, and for me not to have any weird food cravings was a miracle. Waddling alongside Steve as he pushed our son, Seb, now four, in the trolley, we went up and down the aisles, browsing for something to hit the spot. ‘Ooh, pie!’ I pointed excitedly. ‘I told you you’d want something sooner or later,’ Steve laughed. He was right. I knew right away that the rich buttery pastry…

Maxine Scott, 60, Perthshire Picking up my phone, a worried woman begged for my help. ‘We’ve found a baby deer on the road,’ she wept. ‘She was soaking, so we brought her home to warm her up. Can you help us?’ Me and my husband Andrew, 55, had been running Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre in Perthshire for ten years, so we regularly received these types of calls. With our combined love of animals, over the years, Andrew and I nurtured the likes of lambs, baby goats, and even poorly hedgehogs back to health. She made my heart melt We’d seen a lot of sick animals over the years, but when I went to collect the baby deer, I was shocked. She was tiny – no mother deer would have left her…

Stephanie Wigglesworth, 37, Aylesbury Stirring a steaming mug of hot chocolate, I added a spoonful of sugar. ‘It’s Christmas, I can get away with a little extra sweetness,’ I winked to my mates. It was December 2011, and I was enjoying a good natter with my fellow Army wives at our local coffee shop. Our men were all stationed at RAF Wittering, Cambridgeshire, and we loved nothing better than meeting up for a good chat. I loved the camaraderie of being a military wife. I’d been an Army brat, too. With my dad in the services, we’d moved around a lot, and now, I was doing it with my husband, Gary. Wherever Gary and I were stationed, I always made an effort to get to know the fellow wives. The…

Can I restrain myself? Q I stopped drinking a year ago because it was getting out of control. This is the first party season I’ll face and I’m so daunted. I feel like I’m going to fail. Mary, Derby A Congratulations, not just for stopping drinking in order to look after yourself, but also for recognising ahead of time that this year’s party season may have its challenges. Think about how far you’ve come: 12 months without alcohol is a great achievement that shows real self-control. You can get through this party season with a determined mindset and some help from friends and trusted colleagues. Think ahead and treat yourself to a special non-alcoholic drink that you could bring along – have it in a wine glass so you feel…

Jean Copestick, 74, Birmingham I strung up the last string of tinsel and stood back to admire the sparkling winter wonderland we’d created. ‘Isn’t it beautiful, John? It’s like another world,’ I said, turning to my husband, who smiled proudly, already adorning his Christmas jumper in October. We’ve always been obsessed with Christmas. It’s one of the things that bought John and I together. We grew up in the same town and met at school when we were 10. Although we moved to different secondary schools, we found each other again and got secretly engaged at 16. It was so exciting. It’s always been like that with John, nothing’s done in half measures. So, when we got married at 18 and moved into our first house, I knew our love…

Do they help? I’ve been taking loads of vitamins to ward off a winter cold. Do they actually work? Amy, Carlisle. Maintaining a strong, healthy immune system is one of the best ways to defend yourself against common bugs and viruses. Unfortunately, there is not ‘one’ secret ingredient to a strong immune system but rather a combination of nutrients. Whilst you should ensure that you’re consuming a balanced diet to obtain a rich mix of vitamins and nutrients, taking a multivitamin supplement during winter can help bolster your immune system whilst ensuring that you have the right combination of nutrients to help your body fight infection, should illness strike. Pain relief I get terrible joint pain in the colder months. What can I do to help relieve it? Lesley, Aberdeen.…

1 A 10-minute workout Cramming in an exercise class or going for a run are often out of the question when our calendars are filled with Christmas parties or last-minute shopping. But if you’re short on time this December, try squeezing in a ten-minute workout at home. They’ll keep you active without compromising on all the festive fun. 2 Snack sensibly With so much temptation at Christmas, it’s easy to snack on naughty treats all too often. Whether it’s at work or at home, chocolate and cakes are everywhere. Treat yourself every now and then but try to have healthier snacks on hand, such as dried or fresh fruit. Nobody will even notice that you’re missing out. 3 Shop off the pounds Don’t do all your Christmas shopping online –…

Michelle Mundt, 33 from Glasgow Hand-in-hand with my new boyfriend, I confidently walked into my family’s New Year’s Eve party. I’d only been with Scott Howell for a few weeks, but he was the one for me and I was sure my family would love him, too. We’d met on Tinder, but we hit it off right away and he was amazing with my now ten-year-old daughter, Lucy*. And if Lucy liked him, I was convinced that Mum and Dad would, too. Of course, Scott was nervous. He’d never met any of my family and now he was meeting everyone – in one night. So, he had a few drinks for Dutch courage, but instead of becoming the confident funny self, that I had grown to know, he became lairy…

Sara Reader, 53,Cheltenham Looking from the outside, I had the perfect life. A good marriage, a good career and a perfect home. I was in a good place, but then suddenly, everything fell apart. I had a nervous breakdown and was sectioned under the Mental Health Act. I had no idea what had happened or why, but I just couldn’t take the pressure of life anymore. My world completely fell apart, but thankfully I had my family there to support me. My now ex-husband, my daughter Natalie, my parents Joan and Allen, and my brother Keith – they were all there, helping me get better. I knew it was where I was meant to be When I was discharged, I had to see a regular psychiatrist. I really struggled to…

Snack happy A new study has found that as a nation we’re consuming more than 92.4 billion calories in snacks every day. The research commissioned by Great British Apples found that our snacking choices are racking up a huge number of calories, with the average Brit now binging on 10,000 calories a week outside of meals. A simple swap to an apple could help us save up to 106 calories each time! Do puzzles cut your risk of dementia? Completing puzzles has long been thought of as a way to keep the mind active and help stave off dementia, but new research suggests that it doesn’t just apply to those in their twilight years. Scientists now believe that doing puzzles even from a very young age could help slash the…

Melissa went missing on Boxing Day and then a body was found in the creek It was their first Christmas spent together as a couple, and although Melissa Sowders, 26, was missing her children, she was building a new future with Jason Sanford, 26. Her loved ones had never seen her happier. As the couple visited family and exchanged presents, Melissa was also carrying the ultimate gift – she was two months pregnant with Jason’s baby. Finally, Melissa could see a new, better life ahead of her with a man she loved. Once her divorce was finalised from her estranged husband Matthew, 28, she’d be free to start again. It was a festive mystery Melissa and Matthew had met at school and married young. They had four daughters ranging from…

Sue Burton, 62, Strood, Kent With the presents unwrapped and the turkey scoffed, Christmas was well and truly over for another year. It was December 2017 and my fiancé, Nick, 45, and I had had a lovely festive break and we were now busy getting back to reality. ‘I’m just sorting your PPI claim,’ Nick shouted from the study. ‘Ok love,’ I called back. ‘I’m just going downstairs to have a cigarette.’ I’d first met Nick back in 2006 when he was doing some gardening work with a friend near my house. We got chatting and he agreed to do some work for me the next day, but I didn’t hear from him. It turned out that he’d fallen out of a tree! ‘I must admit I was a bit…

TOWER OF LONDON Located in the moat and set against the magnifi cent fortress, the Tower of London ice rink is one of the most stunning settings and is ideal for lunchtime skating, after-work gatherings, romantic dates and weekend afternoons. Beautifully illuminated after dark, it also makes a spectacular night-time destination. The Ice Bar & Café provides a welcome place to warm up after your skate, too. • Tickets from £11.70 • towerofl ondonicerink.co.uk ROYAL PAVILION, BRIGHTON Following the huge success of previous years, the winter ice rink returns to the iconic setting of Brighton’s Royal Pavilion. The beautiful rink accommodates up to 250 skaters per session, with penguin stabilisers for younger skaters and a learners’ area. Whether you’re a skater or not, everyone is welcome to enjoy delicious food…

AMARETTO CRANBERRY SOUR COCKTAIL SERVES: 2 YOU’LL NEED • 4 x 25ml shots amaretto • 2 x 25ml shots cranberry cordial (undiluted) • Juice of 1 small lemon (about 2 tbsp) • Ice • Orange, fresh or dried cranberries (to garnish) HOW TO DO IT… 1. Pour amaretto, cordial, lemon juice and British Lion egg white into a cocktail shaker. Add a few handfuls of ice and shake for 20 seconds. 2. Strain into two small glasses filled with cubed or crushed ice, shaking out the creamy foam. 3. Garnish with orange and cranberries and serve. TIP: For a non-alcoholic version: swap amaretto for 2x 25ml shots almond syrup and 4 x 25ml shots fresh orange juice ESPRESSO ZABAGLIONE SERVES: 5 YOU’LL NEED • 4 medium British Lion egg yolks…

Ashley Wilkie, 40, from Kirriemuir, Angus Cradling my newborn daughter Caitlin for the first time, I was totally besotted with her. She was absolutely perfect, and I hoped to memorise her tiny little features forever. But as I held her in my arms, I noticed something unusual. ‘Why does she have 12 fingers and toes?’ I asked the doctors. ‘It’s just one of those things,’ they explained. But my husband Liam, 36, and I were a little bit worried. Shortly after, we were passed on to the hospital’s genetic team, who diagnosed Caitlyn with polydactyly – a condition that means you’re born with one or more extra fingers or toes. ‘Is there anything else wrong with her at all?’ I quizzed the doctors. ‘No, she’s totally healthy,’ they reassured. ‘We’ll…

Santa paws You wouldn’t even recognise Sammie with this Christmas hat on! All that’s missing are his elves. Rosie, Bristol Winter walk There’s nothing better than getting some fresh air after eating our body weight in food! Alan loved it too! Mollie, Clevedon Puppy dog eyes Someone can smell our Sunday lunch cooking in the oven! Poor Willow! Lily, Portishead Puppy love Prince loved his Christmas present last year! This is him taking a nap with his new teddy after a long day of excitement. Helen, London…

Nicola Coyle, 46, Mansfield Kneeling down in front of the cage, I took one look at the big, puppy dog eyes in front of me and my heart instantly melted. ‘Aww, you’re so cute,’ I cooed, wiggling my fingers through the bars as the dog wagged her tail excitedly. I was volunteering at a kennels in Rotherham, Yorkshire, when a beautiful, border-collie cross caught my eye. ‘That’s May,’ the vet said to me. ‘She’s come to us from the pound, she was in a terrible state.’ I’d always been an animal lover, but I was especially passionate about dogs, and whenever I got some spare time between my shifts working as a nurse, I liked to help out in different rescue centres. With a busy job and two children at…

FILM AND TV 1 Who accidently killed Jamie Mitchell in the 1998 Eastenders Christmas special? a Martin Fowler b Grant Mitchell c Mel Owen 2 In the 2003 film Elf, what world famous building did Buddy’s father work in? a The Statue of Liberty b The Empire State Building c Bloomingdale’s New York 3 What is the name of the dog in the 2000 hit film How The Grinch Stole Christmas? a Max b Milo c Matt 4 What song did Hugh Grant dance to in No.10 in the 2003 film Love Actually? a Wannabe by the Spice Girls b All I want for Christmas is you by Mariah Carey c Jump (For My Love) by the Pointer Sisters 5 Which character punches Dave in the 2008 Christmas special of…