Innehållsförteckning för Festive Special 2021 från Chat Specials

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you. This month, we have lots of incredible stories that we know yule love. Brady absolutely loves Christmas (pg14), but is always looking to save a buck. By creating a savings pot and cooking in October, she is the super savvy Christmas Queen. Here with her top tips, she’s on a mission to help you, too! The festive period is busy for most, but this month, we speak to three small business owners about their plans for the season ahead (pg40). From sentimental gifts to family-fun activities, these businesses many be small, but they sure are mighty. We all know a dog is not just for Christmas, but the festivities can offer a comforting home.…

1. Create a Christmas savings pot! Dedicate any amount of money you can each month starting from January and store it away. It helps tremendously when Christmas time comes around. Use it for food shopping, gifts or days out. 2. Get yourself a Christmas planner or an Excel sheet. You can make gift idea lists, keep recipes inside, Christmas card lists and inspiration pages. It’ll help you manage and keep track on what’s left to get. 3. Start prepping for Christmas dinner early. I bought my turkey from the butcher in October and it’s stored away in the freezer. I’ve grown potatoes and carrots in the garden this year and you can easily prepare these in the freezer ready to use for Christmas. Or keep an eye out in your…

Leading side to side and stretching my body ready for my dance show I couldn’t wait to get going. I was 13 at the time and I spent as much time as I possibly could swirling and leaping around. Dance was my passion – in particular Modern and ballet. I had my lovely pink leotard and tights on but I quickly popped to the toilet before it was my time to shine at a show near where I live in Pennsylvania, USA. Unfortunately, I was greeted with a surprise while I was in there. My first period. ‘Oh no,’ I said. ‘Great timing.’ Thankfully, due to being taught sex education I knew all about periods and was ready and prepared to start at any time. Grabbing the spare pair of…

One More Christmas at the Castle by Trisha Ashley £14.99, WATERSTONES Elderly widow Sabine knows this will be her last Christmas in her beloved home, Mitras Castle. Determined to make it just like the ones she remembers from her childhood, she employs Dido Jones of Heavenly Houseparties to help with the big day. Dido is enchanted by the castle as soon as she steps through the imposing front door. And as the big day approaches, her feeling of connection to the old house runs deeper than she first thought. But when the snow begins to fall and Sabine’s family arrived at home – including Dido’s teenage crush Xan – tensions rise around the castle’s future and long-buried mysteries begin to unravel. As past secrets come to light, can this still…

There is nothing better than waking up on Christmas morning in a perfect pair of matching PJs! Update your bedtime wardrobe with these super cosy and luxurious sets. You could even ask for a pair to be waiting for you underneath the Christmas tree – that’s only if you have been nice! Get a pair of matching PJs for the whole family! Satin PJ sets can make really great Christmas gifts Mix and match PJ bottoms and tops for endless night time looks. Avon has been trying to build a better world for women for 135 years and wants to encourage people to come together to help end gender-based violence this season. Snuggle up, whilst supporting a great cause, with Avon’s Star & Moon PJs, made with 100% cotton. Purchasing…

Smiling down at my baby girl, my heart swelled. ‘Rueben, this is your little sister,’ I smiled. I looked on proudly as he gave her a gentle kiss on her chubby cheeks, and stroked the mass of dark hair on her head. He was such a good big brother. Reenie-May had been born on 1 July last year, weighing a healthy 6lb, and Rueben, five, was obsessed. I was a single mum to them, and they were all I needed. ‘Put her in this,’ Rueben said, giving me the Minnie Mouse babygro he’d picked out for her. ‘She’ll look lovely,’ I smiled. Reenie-May had a bit of jaundice when she was born, but otherwise she was perfectly healthy. I wasn’t used to baby girl bits She passed her newborn checks…

Jab joy Finally, some good news – a study funded by Cancer Research UK found that the HPV vaccine is cutting cases of cervical cancer by nearly 90%. The majority of cervical cancer are caused by the HPV virus, and research shows the jab has proved to be life-saving. In the UK, girls are offered the vaccine between the ages of 11 and 13, and it has been offered to boys, too, since 2019. Since the vaccine can only prevent infection, not get rid of it, the jab is aimed at teens before they are sexually active. The study followed a group of girls who were vaccinated in 2008. The students, now in their 20s, showed an 87% reduction in cervical cancer. Shake it off! This new protein shake is…

The system used by the Peruvian Incas to measure time was based on the time it took to do what? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Sweeper = Room + B = Broom. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the answer. Sweeper Wake up Feeling sorry Of the sun Seer’s cards Vagrant Speak Cache Exposed Reliance Be buoyant Your answer __________________________ ANSWER Answer: BOIL A POTATO…

There are many myths and legends behind the Christmas wreath – some say it represents the crown of thorns Jesus wore on the cross, and the red berries symbolise his blood. Hanging a wreath invites Christ into your home. Others believe wreaths originate from Ancient Rome, where they were hung on the door to represent victory – and some say they trace back to German folklore. But wherever they come from, the Christmas wreath is now as much of a festive staple as a tree or turkey. There are all sorts of wreaths available to buy – some traditional, some quirky – but there’s nothing more fun than getting stuck in and making your own. Deemer Cass, Christmas tree and decorations expert at Fantastic Services, shares his top tips on…

JOYEUX NOEL! Nothing makes for the most extra-special Christmas like an indulgent, sophisticated afternoon tea. This year, check out the new Festive Terrasse de Noel – an afternoon tea pop-up with an al fresco winter terrace, overlooking the chocolate-box streets of Covent Garden, from luxury French tea emporium Mariage Freres. Instagram lovers will be in heaven as they head inside the store’s picture-perfect Salon Prive, transformed from a Parisian parlour into a bejewelled Christmas wonderland. With boughs of holly, twinkling lights and a roaring fire, as well as reindeer and even a snow cannon, this is one you won’t want to miss. Tuck into a three-tiered stack of festive treats – which almost look too good to eat! Enjoy smoke salmon tartare, cheesecake domes, melt-in-themouth scones and festive Christmas tree-shaped…

Pushing soggy cereal around my bowl, my mum Michelle* looked at me. ‘Are you OK, love?’ she asked, concerned. ‘Mmm-hmm,’ I replied, not meeting her gaze. Then the doorbell rang, and I froze like a rabbit in headlights. As Mum went to answer it, I heard a familiar voice and I felt a knot in my stomach. ‘Where’s my Baby Doll, then?’ my dad Gordon, 29, said. Mum and Dad had split when I was just six months old. Now I was five and they shared custody of me. I spent my weeks with Mum, 22, and my stepdad Michael*, 25. They were the happiest times. ‘What did you do at school today?’ Mum would ask as we tucked into dinner. They were always so interested in how my day…

Don’t be afraid to mix and match! Red and green are complimentary colours Emerald, olive and khaki… Green looks amazing with all skin types and hair colours. Wear a dark green for a sophisticated winter fit! Scarlet, crimson and ruby… If you’re going for a statement pair red with gold detailing to really give you a festive feeling outfit.…

Smart shopper! Use Amazon’s price compare app to see if you’re getting the best price for your Christmas pressies. Estella, Huddersfield Cracking idea! Pack ornaments away in egg cartons, they have a place to rest and you can easily label the box, too! Lesley, Devon The frozen one Freeze fruit in ice cubes for a great addition to Christmas drinks! Vicky, Kent Chip off the block Create your own festive stamps by carving a potato, they are cheap and a great activity for the kids too. May, Margate Budget spending Buy cheap packs of Christmas cards in the January sales and keep them for next year. This means there is one less thing to buy next year! Susan, Torquay Don’t rye over smashed glass! If you break a bauble and…

Splashes of Crimbo all around will get you in the mood! Give your bedroom a festive makeover, too!…

The Easy Peasy Baking campaign, launched by UK Flour Millers, aims to make baking simple for everyone! And these festive recipes use everyday ingredients that you’ll have at home during Christmas time. You can find more Easy Peasy Baking recipes and information on the campaign over on the Fab Flour website (fabflour.co.uk). BAILEYS PROFITEROLE STACK MAKES 36 PROFITEROLES YOU’LL NEED: • 100g butter, cut into 1cm cubes• 250g water• 140g plain flour• 4 eggs• 600ml double cream• 200ml Baileys, split into two batches of 100ml• 200g dark chocolate HOW TO DO IT… 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan). Put the butter and water into the saucepan, and heat over a medium heat until the butter melts and it comes to a boil (around one minute). Turn off the heat…

Unlike many areas in Canada, the region of Greater Victoria in British Columbia doesn’t traditionally get a lot of snowfall. But in December 2017, the residents of Oak Bay had woken up to carpets of thick white snow. Sisters, Chloe, six, and Aubrey, four, were thrilled. They were spending the lead up to Christmas with their dad, Andrew Berry, 43, and the rest of the time with their mum, Sarah. As Chloe and Aubrey played out in the crisp snow on Christmas Eve, it must have seemed magical. Their parents Andrew and Sarah had met back in 2009. They split four years later and started to co-parent. Aubrey was bright and popular and had played Angel Gabriel in the school nativity that year. Confident and outgoing Chloe had just got…

I was out walking Freddie, my white Maltese pooch, when I felt a familiar twinge. Oh God, not again. Bursting for a wee, I looked around the park for a toilet. But since the pandemic hit, all the public loos had closed. Crossing my legs, I ran home. Even though I felt desperate, when I sat down on the toilet, nothing came out. Just the burning, stinging sensation I’d come to dread. I’d always struggled with urinary tract infections (UTIs) but it had become worse after going through the menopause. Over the years I’d discovered ways to manage it. Drinking a lot of water helped, but when there were no toilets around or I was going on holiday, that wasn’t practical. I’d tried all the home remedies – cranberry juice,…

Browsing an animal rescue centre online, my heart completely broke. I’d always loved animals, and the thought of any being neglected or abused was too much to bear. I wanted a dog of my own, but I was waiting for the right time. But as I scrolled, one pooch caught my eye. ‘Look at her,’ I said to my mum Ali, 63. ‘How could someone treat a poor little dog like that?’ Penny was a little Jack Russell terrier, around eight years old. As I read on, I discovered she’d been dumped on a train station platform in December 2020. ‘The poor thing,’ Mum said. ‘So close to Christmas, too,’ I said, sadly. She had been in a terrible state - she was covered in sores and scrapes, and had…

Just for FUN FILM AND TV 1What did Ness do at the end of the Gavin and Stacey 2019 Christmas special? a Held a toast b Cried c Proposed to Smithy 2 In Mean Girls, what song do The Plastics perform their dance routine to in front of their school? a Santa Baby b Jingle Bell Rock c All I Want for Christmas Is You 3 In which children’s classic is it ‘always winter but never Christmas’? a Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire b The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe c The Golden Compass 4 What year was Elf first shown in cinemas in the UK? a 2003 b 2010 c 2015 5 In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone what did the Dursleys give Harry for…

Gold covered steak may have hit the headlines this year, but what about pork pies? Well, a northern chef, Gareth Mason, 33, created his own take on Salt Bae’s menu with Lancaster-inspired dishes. Gareth covered his signature Whist Pies in edible 24-carat gold leaf to mock Nusret Gokce’s ‘ludicrous’ menu that sets customers back £850. As well as his pies, Gareth’s makeshift menu includes gold-wrapped chips, bacon and gold sausage butties – not to mention a 24-carat carrot. ‘We’ve got the traditional Lancashire dishes covered in gold for a fraction of the price you’d pay at his restaurant,’ Gareth says. Instead of £850, Gareth charges just £12 for a pie and pickle platter at the Absolute Bar and Bistro in Westhoughton, Bolton, where he is head chef. Despite wrapping his…

Get ready, ‘tis the season, not only for mince pies, but for house guests and gatherings, too! Home improvement retailer Wickes, and its team of experts, have pulled together a handy guide of easy but effective jobs to ensure homes are ready for festivities. 1. Recycle & declutter Chris Moorhouse, category director for Building, Garden and Décor at Wickes, says: ‘Consider recycling or donating any items that you no longer need. Shelves are also a great way of creating extra floor space and keeping a room tidy ready for Christmas day games.’ Shop Wickes’ extensive range of shelving options from as little as £2.50. 2. Replace the toilet seat! ‘Renewing a toilet seat is a quick and cost-effective way to impact the look of a room,’ Chris says. ‘A durable…

Katharine Hill, the UK Director of the national charity Care For The Family (cff.org.uk) answers your questions. Family reunion Q Recently I reached out to my sister, who I haven’t spoken to in years. I expected her to be open to a festive reunion, but she rejected me – again. I’m devastated. Rachel, Birmingham A That must have been hard for you. It might be worth looking again at the reasons that you haven’t been in touch for so long – was there an argument, or did you just drift apart? It could be that she still feels hurt if a disagreement took place. If you simply went your separate ways, she may have perceived that as intentional abandonment of the relationship. There may be other reasons. Also think also…

It was winter 2018, and me and my daughters, Sophia, 10 and Olivia, seven, were hanging up our Christmas decorations. We littered the tree with lots of glittery angels, elves and tiny little Santas. Mummy, can Christmas angels be Black?’ Sophia asked me. ‘Why of course they can,’ I replied quickly, as I looked at the white decorations on our tree and realised why she might have asked. Later than evening I scanned the internet trying to find any figurines that I could buy that accurately represented the Black community. Yet, the only product I could find was in America and the shipping cost was absurd! Why was an object so small, so difficult to find. I had to put a Black Barbie on the top of a tree as an angel…

Our must tries this month!…

Tummy troubles Q My husband always gets tummy trouble after eating rich food around Christmas – why is this, and what can he do? Keira, Derby A Christmas is the season to be jolly, but no one’s jolly when juggling an upset stomach! Rich foods are often high in fat, sugars and sometimes additives, all of which have a high chance of upsetting the gut. Fatty foods can slow down digestion, too, as they take longer to break down. The impact on digestion can include stomach pain, indigestion and altered bowel movements. To help with this, moderate the amount of rich food eaten, drink plenty of water with your food, and make sure your meals are primarily protein and fibre based. Sore scalp Q My scalp gets really dry in…

UTIs affect over half of women and 30% of men over 60 Bacterial cystitis is one of the most common UTIs in the UK, with around 40% of women experiencing it at some point in their life. Suspected UTIs are responsible for three% of all GP appointments in England, which could be as many as 10.2 million each year. Many women take multiple courses of antibiotics, but the symptoms keep coming back – this is because the bacteria in UTIs have become resistant to antibiotics in around half of cases. Uralix is a patent-pending, pharmaceutical grade herbal supplement that gets to the root of bladder infections, providing a solution that is 100% antibiotic free. It contains natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients, which remove the bacteria that multiply in the urinary tract…

Cradling my two-month-old son Rio as my daughter Myla-Mae bounced around excitedly, I smiled. ‘Look, Daddy’s nearly finished,’ I said, as we watched my husband Jon, 32, stringing up Christmas lights on the front of the house, and arranging light-up reindeer in the garden. It was December 2017, and we were all wrapped up warm for the big light switch-on. Myla-Mae couldn’t wait. At four, she was really starting to understand and get excited by Christmas, and it was so lovely to watch her bursting with joy. ‘Father Christmas will love it, won’t he,’ I said, smiling. She dashed over to help Jon with the finishing touches, but as she did, she slipped and fell on the grass. I went to go and help her, but she jumped straight back…