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Quality Street, trifle, Bagpuss, a real tree… This week, we bring you a whole seven pages of amazing ways to rewind to Christmas past (see page 51), so here are some of my own memories and other ideas to help you to have a very Happy Kitschmas. Christmas Eve Eve involves watching a Christmas film in our pjs. On Christmas Eve, we get out the board games, make sure there are mince pies for our post-lunch walk, and while room sprays may not be nostalgic, the smell of Christmas is, so even if you just put satsuma peel on your radiators (I’ve been doing that for years!) it doesn’t need to cost the earth and the wonderful, nostalgic scent puts a smile on everyone’s face. SAVE: Baylis & Harding The…

The Corgi link to the British Royal family has ever been thus – at least while Queen Elizabeth II was our monarch… But now it seems that with a new King Charles and Queen Camilla dynasty, comes a new dog breed – the Jack Russell terrier (doesn’t get more British than that, does it?!) The Queen, 77, is currently mourning her beloved Beth – her pet Jack Russell who was put to sleep a few weeks ago. It’s believed Beth, who had been with Camilla since 2011, had an untreatable tumour. In a social media post, Buckingham Palace said: ‘A sad farewell to Beth, the Queen’s much-loved companion from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home who brought such joy, whether on walkies, helping on official duties or curled up by the…

The king of wild design, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, 59, has a new string to his bow – he’s now the designer curator for Rangeford Villages – retirement homes where people can relax in style! We caught up with Laurence, who lives in Gloucestershire with his wife Jackie, their two daughters and their families, in a stunning mansion house, to talk growing old disgracefully and getting ready for the festive season. Hi, Laurence! How do you go about getting LLB towers ready for Christmas? Well, I believe all lilies should be gilded, of course, but it’s always a bit difficult for me – Christmas is the time for bringing in colour and light and brightness – and we’re already there! But my personal thing I like to do is to use a…

Opening up the bag, I took out pieces of felt, poked holes into them to thread through the dowling before glueing it – and various pompoms – in place. Then we’d affix it to a wooden stand my husband Peter had made. The little felt Christmas trees were simple but effective. I’d cut up the felt in January and February, then, throughout the year, I’d make these trees while watching telly. They were just one of the craft items we made and sold, with prices starting from £1 for a lucky dip festive decoration, to £20 for a customised item. I’d always enjoyed crafting, but this was my way of giving something back to a cause close to my heart…. My mum, Gene, was an avid knitter so perhaps crafting…

Wreath pavlova This decadent, fruity dessert is perfect after a rich Christmas meal. Meringue-making can be a little intimidating, but the tips below should help to avoid any panic and will result in a perfect pavlova. You can also make the pavlova base well in advance, so you have it done and ready to go on the day. Prep time: 1 hour 20 minutes, plus cooling Serves: 8 FOR THE MERINGUE 4 egg whites FOR THE SAUCE 150g raspberries (fresh, or frozen and defrosted) FOR THE TOPPING 300ml double cream YOU WILL NEED hand-held electric whisk or stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment 1 Preheat the oven to 140°C fan/160°C/gas 3. 2 Draw a wreath shape on a sheet of baking paper or baking parchment (not greaseproof paper) using a…

SAGITTARIUS 23 November – 21 December It’s all about boundaries, Sagittarius. With Mars turning retrograde, it will be easy to let things slide and to bury your head in the sand, which can lead to an emotional and financial mess. Set yourself limits in everything you do, from spending to the way others treat you, and stick to them. You’ll be so glad you did! CAPRICORN 22 December – 20 January Mars shines a spotlight on old relationships, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you should welcome them back with open arms. Think more about what you can learn from your experiences, and the mistakes you don’t want to make again. That way you’ll clearly see whether they were right for you, and the best way forwards. AQUARIUS 21 January –…

1 PUPPY LOVE Susannah Constantine did a big social media reveal of her new baby last week... Meet her new dog, Inga! The 62-year-old captioned her post, ‘Uh ho. This is what comes from spending a bit too long on Pets4Homes. Meet Inga, a chocolate and tan working Teckle. She’s the calmest, sweetest, greediest little bean...’ 2 Who wowed the crowd? These actresses all looked radiant in red! With Sharon Stone, 66, in a strapless mosaic dress by Tony Ward paired with a cape adorned with silk flowers. Also looking timeless were Nicole Kidman, 57, in a floor-length gown by Balenciaga and Julianne Moore, 64, stunning in a draped dress by The Row. Sharon Stone wows the Torino Film Festival crowds, in a sizzling-red dress and silk cape…

‘One thing I can’t bear to do, especially publicly(!) is dress up. I hate it and when I was on Loose Women, it would wind them right up that I’d always refuse to ‘do’ Halloween or put a ballgown on for the Oscars’ show. But, when it comes to being an elf, you can’t get me in that costume quick enough! I did it willingly in front of millions for Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. In fact, I begged them to let me be one on the game where mostly Z-list celebrities dress up as elves and play musical toadstools to win prizes for viewers. It was actually Dec’s mum that fixed it for me as she was a Loose Women fan and I’d said on the show that…

LESLEY LUXURY FACE OIL Liquid gold for the skin, oils like marula, rosehip and argan work beautifully for most skin types, leaving the complexion hydrated and glowing. It’s that little dose of indulgence that everyone loves, especially in Winter. If it’s usually the one skincare product you don’t splash out on, make sure someone else does for you! Manuka Doctor 24K Gold Face Oil, £8, is well priced. CLASSIC PERFUME A beautiful fragrance, when chosen well, is a treasure. Classic perfumes like Chanel No 5 or Guerlain Shalimar are elegant, memorable and still unbeatable in quality. This is one gift that never goes out of style. It’s a very personal gift so explore what the recipient already wears and stay in that lane. My favourite is Clarins Eau Dynamisante, £42…

LET THERE BE LIGHT Quite recently I received a request to turn on the lights by someone I didn’t know very well, So I immediately asked: ‘Where? In your sitting room? Has there been a power cut?’ But no, the request was for turning on lights in the outdoors – in Folkestone – and would I oblige? Well, I was thrilled. Thus far, I was a ‘light turning on’ virgin – and immediately set about choosing a festive outfit that would most suit such a task. This turned out to be a coat (not red) but at least I found a green scarf and borrowed a glass of wine from someone on the day, to look extra seasonal. Luckily, I persuaded a kind helper to find me a fairy wand…

Christmas starts in the first week of November in our house. It’s my absolute favourite time of year. People talk about the stress that the festive season brings, but for me it’s all joy. I always grab onto it early to stretch out that happy vibe for as long as I can. I loved Christmas growing up in the Eighties – the tinsel, the coloured fairy lights and the Only Fools and Horses Xmas Day special on the telly. Mum would chuck all the decorations on the tree – even the dodgy ones we made at school. No one had colour-coordinated schemes to match the decor back in those days. Houses would be overloaded with clashing colours, and plenty of glitter and baubles that families had collected for years. The…

Delve into the world of @emilywelchstyle on Instagram! Her home is filled with festive fun and certainly inspires us followers to go all out this season...…

‘Got your outfit sorted for the party, Lyn?’ Lyn glanced up from her computer screen, ‘I have indeed. Have you?’ Rachel pulled her phone from her pocket and tapped at the screen before thrusting the image of an off the shoulder red dress in her face, ‘What do you think?’ ‘I think you are going to look the business in that!’ ‘Thanks, I’ve got shoes to match.’ ‘Great. I’m looking forward to it.’ ‘It’s going to be so much fun,’ Rachel said, pushing her phone back into her pocket. ‘I’m sure it will be, I enjoyed it last year.’ ‘This year is going to be even better, the venue is amazing.’ ‘Hope that guy from logistics isn’t hovering around with his mistletoe again though!’ ‘Who? Wyn? It’s only a bit…

She’s always been refreshingly honest on Loose Women, but recently Denise Welch shone a light on the ‘rough time’ she has been having, as the Christmas celebrations begin in earnest. ‘I’ve just done a podcast and a big article saying how I’d been free for five years of clinical depression, but sadly the unwelcome visitor paid me another visit,’ she admitted. ‘I’ve not been well for a couple of weeks, and the reason why I’m glad we’ve alluded to it is because we do all of these things, like Britain Get Talking and It’s Good To Talk, and sometimes people find that it isn’t always good to talk for them.’ The Tynemouth native, 66, has spoken openly about her battles with depression in the past. The first time was after…

TOP TIP Grab a slinky statement shirt and refresh those festive threads!…

TOP TIP! Add an extra touch of sparkle by pairing a sequin skirt with a matching top or jacket. You can then mix and match the pieces to make your wardrobe work harder.…

TOP TIP! For more Christmas gifting ideas, subscribe to best’s FREE weekly newsletter at facebook.com/bestmagazine.…

Sitting at the table, surrounded by loved ones, Christmas hats on our heads and tucking into a festive feast, I felt content. Our blended family laughed and joked, our dog Archie waited patiently in the hope someone would accidentally drop some meat and that evening, my stepdaughter, Hattie, would be running her annual Christmas quiz for us. Christmas is about loved ones, about giving and being grateful for what we have, but it can be a lot of hard work if you’re hosting. It’s really easy to feel frazzled in the run up to 25 December, preparing a big meal for family and friends – and we often put pressure on ourselves to make it perfect. My mum, Marion, always made the best roast potatoes, especially at Christmas, and from…

TOP TIP! Don’t fancy a complete room transformation? A festive cushion and a couple of throws will work just as well.…

Tipsy orange trifle This trifle laced with brandy and sherry is a Christmas must! Hands-on time: 35 minutes, plus cooling and chilling. Cooking time: about 15 minutes. Serves 10 FOR THE TRIFLE 125g caster sugar FOR THE SPUN SUGAR, OPTIONAL 125g granulated sugar 1 To make the trifle, heat the sugar in a large pan with 100ml water, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Turn up the heat (do not stir) and bubble for 5 minutes or until amber coloured, syrupy and thick. 2 Take pan off heat and carefully add 450ml boiling water (the sugar will splutter). Add the jelly cubes and brandy and stir until dissolved. Set aside to cool completely. 3 Cut the peel off the oranges, removing all the white pith. Slice the flesh into 2cm rounds,…

SHOULD WE GO TO THE PARTY? My hubby and I have been invited to the neighbours’ Christmas party for the first time – but I think they are swingers! I’m not one hundred per cent sure of my theory, but I’m usually good with female intuition. I also think the wife has a wandering eye toward my man, which naturally makes me uncomfortable. I’ve not yet shared my thoughts with my own husband, so do we go along and see what the night holds? Ashleigh, Hatfield Tell your husband you have suspicions. Put him on red alert for any sign of swinging. Remember they say a clump of pampas grass growing in the front garden is a dead giveaway! Have a great time at the party but, the moment you…

She was early 60s, blonde, wearing a bright red dress and standing in a room full of people, clutching the lead of her anxiety dog. Asked why, her eyes filled with tears, ‘I tried to kill myself when I left the RAF,’ she said starkly. ‘I didn’t know what I would do – I’m not married, no children. It was my father’s life. My grandfather’s life, so I knew the life well and I was bloody good at it. I loved it. ‘I was in the Royal Air Force for 13 years. It was a privilege.’ Her name is Jennifer Jane Adams, or JJ as she prefers. The exhibition we’re attending is all of masks made by military. Painting the outside as the face they present to the world and…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES ACROSS 4 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 17 20 21 22 23 24 DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 13 14 15 16 18 19 What name is given to a triangle having two sides of equal length? The answer will appear in the shaded squares. Phone and online entries open 3 December 2024 until midnight on 20 December 2024. You must be over 18 and have the bill payer’s permission. †Calls cost 65p per min plus your telephone company’s network access charge, and should last no longer than 2 mins. Service provided by Spoke (0333 202 3390). *For full T&Cs see below. We will use the information you supply to process your competition entry.…

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