Tabla de contenidos para December 2017 en NEXT

I’d like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas Hosts with the most One year I wrote an editorial about how I don’t find Christmas stressful. When I arrived at my sister’s for the big day, she wasted no time taking the mickey out of me; of course I don’t get stressed, she pointed out – all I ever have to do is turn up with some wine. Finding a car park at Westfield St Lukes is hands-down the most worrying part of the whole festive season for me. Another year I mentioned in an editorial that having small children means I need to pack away my perfectionism when decorating the Christmas tree. Again, I arrived at my sister’s to find one raised eyebrow and the question, “Perfectionism?” It’s true,…

The chances are, your best memories aren’t about stuff but the time spent with each other A few years ago, my family and I moved to the outskirts of the city, and set about enjoying a much calmer way of life. Letting go of unnecessary clutter and adopting a simpler style of living, I found myself with more time and energy to appreciate family, friends and the small pleasures in life. Since making this shift in lifestyle, I’ve become very conscious of just how overwhelming the festive season can be, and how easy it is to get caught up in the craziness of it all. In the build-up to Christmas, there’s all kinds of advertising trying to convince us the best kind of holiday celebrations involve more – more presents, more…

Jade Temepara walks into the kitchen of the Christchurch-based café and cooking school she opened just over a year ago, hands dirty with soil. She’s just been digging fresh vegetables out of the gardens that surround Kaˉkano Café & Cookery School so she can teach a fermenting workshop this evening. The former New Zealand Gardener of the Year, Ellerslie Flower Show medal winner, gardener and food educator is flush with excitement. It’s just another day at the office for Jade. But for Jade and her iwi, this place is more than an office. It is the hub of their community and a space that, as a culture, will help Maˉori reclaim their food security. You only need to speak to Jade for a few minutes to know she is a…

THE SEDUCTIVE ‘50S PASTEL POUT Brigitte Bardot’s smoky eyes and cult-status nude lip is a smouldering makeup look that continues to inspire. Steal her seductive nude lips with Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Bare Affair. Revlon Super Lustrous™ lipstick in Bare Affair, $25.00. PRETTY IN PINK IN THE ’60S The doll-like beauty of Twiggy defined 1960s makeup. Emulate this still-modern look with full lashes and a pretty pink lip using Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Coralberry. Revlon Super Lustrous™ lipstick in Coralberry, $25.00. GLAMOUR LIPS OF THE ’90S During the era of the supermodel, Cindy Crawford redefined the power lip with lipstick in statement-making shades of red. Recreate this sexy lip with precisely applied Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Bombshell Red. Revlon Super Lustrous™ lipstick in B0mbshell Red, $25.00.…

‘MY EARLY LIFE WAS LIKE A POSTCARD – I WAS SENT AROUND FROM ONE STRANGE PLACE TO ANOTHER’ To say life has been tough for Quin Tang would be an understatement. From growing up in communist China where her mum was killed by the regime, to walking out of a difficult marriage with her two young children, to surviving the 2011 collapse of the CTV building in Christchurch, Quin has had her fair share of hardships. Yet, despite all that she’s kept going, gaining four degrees, writing a book and turning her role in life into one helping others as a mental health clinician. And this year she has been recognised as one of Ziera’s six Unstoppable Women, out of more than 4000 entries. “I was totally surprised to find…

SLICK CHICK The ponytail will never go out of style so tame tresses with this super-sleek do. 1. Blow-dry your hair straight with a large paddle brush. 2. Once your hair is dry, section strands and use your flat irons to smooth over hair until it’s poker straight. 3. Apply strong-hold gel in small sections from roots to tips. 4. Choose your parting, then comb hair back smoothly and secure tightly with an elastic band. 5. Hide the rubber band by taking a small piece of hair from your ponytail and wrapping it around the elastic. Secure that piece of hair with a bobby pin. 6. Finish off your chic style with a generous spritz of high-gloss hairspray. SOFT SIDE If soft and elegant is your style, look no further…

Hormones are vital to many of our body’s processes – and not just the ones in our reproductive system. From sleep to weight to stress, they play a big part in our general wellbeing. We often talk about the need to balance our hormones, but how well do we even understand how they work? We give you the rundown on the major hormones in your body and where they’re found. WHAT ARE HORMONES? There are around 50 different hormones in the human body, most of which are produced in the endocrine system. These chemicals are then released into the bloodstream, and go on to activate certain cells. While they help to control a number of tissues and organs, hormones also play a major role in most body functions, including sleep,…

How would you sum up The Girl from Munich? The coming of age story of Lotte, a patriotic young German woman from a privileged family, living in the Third Reich during WWII. Lotte begins to realise all is not what it seems when the tide of the war turns against Germany and she begins to question everything she believes to be true. Lotte is based on your German grandmother. What did she tell you about the war? The story that made the greatest impression on me was the one from her final days of the war, when she and her boss fled through the countryside on foot. They were trying to keep away from the Americans, who would arrest him if they were found. They slept out in the open…

Recipes Rich chocolate fruit cake 2 x 425g cans seeded black cherries in syrup 1 cup (150g) raisins, coarsely chopped ¾ cup (120g) finely chopped seeded dried dates ½ cup (80g) sultanas ½ cup (95g) finely chopped seeded prunes 1 cup (200g) dried figs, chopped finely 1 cup (250ml) marsala 1 cup (120g) pecans 185g butter, softened 2 tsp finely grated orange rind 1¼ cups (275g) firmly packed dark brown sugar 3 eggs 1¼ cups (185g) plain flour ½ cup (75g) self-raising flour 2 Tbsp cocoa powder 2 tsp mixed spice 100g dark eating chocolate, finely chopped GANACHE 200g dark eating chocolate, coarsely chopped ½ cup (125ml) cream 1 Drain cherries; reserve 1/3 cup syrup. Quarter cherries and combine with remaining fruit, ¾ cup of the marsala and reserved cherry…

This year, we enlisted talented designer Bridget Daulby to help create our Christmas advent calendar cover. Bridget started working at NEXT five months ago and was quick to show her illustration prowess. For this project, she used a technique called digital painting, a form of freehand painting. Don’t be fooled by the ‘digital’ – it’s done on a computer but requires great skill. The cover took 20 painstaking hours to complete – and the result is stunning, as we’re sure you’ll agree. » WWW.BRIDGETDAULBY.COM…

Gift of kindness This year the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, together with the Salvation Army, celebrates 24 years of helping those in need. With more than 682,000 people currently living in poverty in New Zealand, the appeal is once again asking for your support this festive season. To date, the Appeal has collected more than 420,000 gifts for families. Kmart NZ country manager, Jason Picard says, “We’re proud the Appeal has become a long-standing Christmas tradition for many Kiwis.” You can help by placing a gift under the Wishing Tree at any Kmart store nationally, or you can give online. For more, see kmart.co.nz/wishingtree. A VOLLEY GOOD SHOW Grab your sunnies, your straw hat, your best summer frock (maybe, a brolly too). It’s ASB Classic time again, and the January…

Wendy Petrie 1 NEWS PRESENTER My first Christmas since... starting marathon running This year I took up running. One of our daughters is a swimmer, which requires 4.45am wake-ups three times a week. I figured while she’s training, I might as well do something useful too, then after a few longer runs, I thought, ‘Why not do a marathon?’ There’s so much involved in running a marathon and a lot of science behind it. I’ve learned what the body needs to run 42km, all about my heart rate – and I’ve discovered compression tights! Some weeks are demanding, especially when you need to get a 30km run in on a weekend, but I’ve enjoyed pushing myself and becoming stronger for it. People say a marathon is all about…

MARIA HOYLE CHIEF SUB-EDITOR I love the design of this tote, handmade in Kenya for Karen Walker by Artisan.Fashion, an organisation that creates work for artisans in marginalised African communities. It also doubles as a stylish puzzle – guess which bits are made of car parts, taps, padlocks and cows’ horns? Mujer tote, $125, Karen Walker. ARTIA SIMAMORA DESIGNER I’m a fan of flowery outfits and I love this top because it’s fun, festive and in an eye-catching pattern. I’ll wear it to a range of events – from Christmas or New Year’s parties to brunch with my friends. Belladonna cropped blouse, $169, Ruby. LOUISE THOMSON CREATIVE DIRECTOR Every year I like to treat myself to a new pair of sunnies and these are my pick this summer. I love…

Reverse and hide the signs of discoloration Wrinkles Fine lines and sallow skin can creep up on us, so fight the signs of ageing with makeup that cleverly hides wrinkles and skincare that plumps, invigorates and hydrates the skin every day. INSTANT: SKINMEDICA HA5 REJUVENATING HYDRATOR, $310.50; AND REVLON YOUTH FX FILL + BLUR PRIMER FOR FACE/NECK, $32 The secret to younger looking skin comes down to hydration. Give skin the boost it needs with this super serum containing five types of hydrators that immediately go to work replenishing your skin’s hyaluronic acid. For an added boost to your everyday appearance, try Revlon’s blurring makeup primer – it temporarily fills in fine lines for a flawless base. OVER TIME: MURAD RETINOL YOUTH RENEWAL SERUM, $189 Treat deeper wrinkles with a…

New Zealand’s sun is notoriously fierce and skin damage is a real risk. Here, Dermalogica’s head of education, Caroline Parker, shares the best ways to protect your skin this summer. BEWARE OF THE RAYS There are two types of radiation emitted by the sun, and both can be harmful to our skin. “UVA rays are known as ‘the ageing rays’ as they are able to penetrate deeply into the skin,” Caroline explains. These rays damage the protein structures that give our skin strength and support. “UVB rays are known as ‘the burning rays’ as overexposure causes sunburnt skin. Exposure to UVB rays stimulates the production of melanin, the brown pigment that we know as a tan. A tan is the skin’s way of protecting itself from UVB rays.” Using a…

Women are born with all the eggs we’ll ever have, around two million. By puberty, this falls to some 400,000, and from puberty until menopause, only about 400 to 500 eggs will reach maturity and be released from the ovary. From 34 to 40, the number of eggs rapidly declines and ovulation may occur less often in the lead-up to menopause. This is known as perimenopause and it can start up to six years before menopause itself – which is the final menstrual period. Because of the way the female reproductive system works – with oestrogen and progesterone levels fluctuating according to where you are in your cycle – perimenopause is a time when hormone levels fluctuate rapidly. Menopause symptoms include longer, shorter or irregular periods, hot flushes and night…

Recipes Vegetables that roast well include potatoes, kumara, pumpkin, turnip, parsnip, whole carrots, beetroot, onions and fennel Roasted root vegetables 2 rosemary sprigs, leaves picked Small handful thyme, leaves picked 90ml ( 1/3 cup) olive oil 2 large beetroot, peeled and cut into chunks 6 baby carrots, still with some of their green tops, scrubbed 3 parsnips, peeled and cut in half 250g celeriac, peeled and cut into chunks 1 kumara, cut into chunks 250g pumpkin, peeled and cut into chunks 20g butter 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 2 x 420g tins chickpeas, drained 2 Tbsp berbere spice mix (see below) 40g (¼ cup) cashews, chopped Small handful parsley, roughly chopped 1 Tbsp sumac BERBERE SPICE MIX 1 tsp cumin seeds 4 whole cloves 3 cardamom pods ½ tsp black…

Sagittarius NOV 23 – DEC 22 RELATIONSHIPS Love planet Venus is in your birth sign from the 2nd onwards, with lively consequences for your social life. It heralds lots of romantic action for the Archer all through December. Partnerships and family relationships also come to the fore, and you’ll be expected to take the lead. There’s a virtue in persistence, but resist the urge to speak out too quickly. You’ll get your way in the end. MONEY With all the expenses that come along in December, when you feel the urge to splurge keep your focus on the home. You can make financial progress as long as you exercise a little restraint. Maybe it’s no more than taking a walk around the block before flashing the plastic. If you’re tempted…

My typical day… Every day is different for me! I live the life of a gypsy. Just yesterday, I flew into Wellington from Rotorua for several meetings, boarded a plane to Auckland for another meeting, then will fly straight back to Rotorua for another meeting. Then I’m in America for two months. Routine is important; I like to start my day with a black tea, I follow a ketogenic diet (low carbs, low sugar, high fats). I spend a lot of time negotiating contracts and creating projects for my new company, so evenings are consumed by signing off emails and chilling with my laptop and Netflix. Just finished watching Atypical, which was recommended to me by my 800 Words cast mate, Erik Thomson! Luckily, my cast mates from 800 Words…

One of the ironies of December is that feelings of festivity are few and far between. And as for peace, joy and goodwill to all – whoever wrote those carols has clearly never spent Christmas Eve fighting for a space in a Westfield car park. It’s not totally unexpected that Christmas features on the internationally recognised Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale. The psychological tool identifies it alongside death and divorce as an event causing levels of stress that can lead to illness. But why has a merry Christmas becomes less a given and more a remote possibility? Experts and statistics alike suggest our frenetic pace of life has to take a large part of the blame. The recent NEXT Report of more than 1000 Kiwi women nationwide revealed 55% of…

New Zealand has adoption agreements with seven countries through the Hague Convention, with New Zealanders able to apply to adopt a child from Chile, China, Hong Kong, India, the Philippines, Lithuania and Thailand. Each country has its own requirements for adoptive parents and their own adoption process. There are two key steps involved: the first is to be assessed so applicants can apply to be approved to adopt. Assessments are carried out by either the Ministry for Vulnerable Children or a private provider, Adoption First Steps. This process includes police and health checks, education and preparation programmes, interviews and Home Study Assessments, which confirm a person’s ability to care for a child. Some countries have criteria for the types of parents they’ll consider for adoption, including age, fertility status, marital…

Ferrero Rocher has been part of celebrating moments of togetherness since it began as a family business in Italy in the 1940s. From gifting choices for loved ones or colleagues, like the golden Ferrero Rocher Cube Gift Box or the impressive Ferrero Rocher Cone, giving and receiving a box of rich, creamy Ferrero Rocher chocolates is always a delight. This Christmas, create special moments for family and friends with Ferrero Rocher as your inspiration, and bring delicious creativity to the festive table with a beautiful Ferrero Rocher-topped dessert recipe and elegant crafted bon-bon table setting. Watch the eyes of your guests light up as you bring out these brown sugar meringues topped with Fererro Rocher. They’ll love the delicious crunch of the Ferrero Rocher wafer shell, the creamy filling and…

The modern Auckland Art Gallery was a fitting place to host the event It was a night to celebrate 30 inspirational women at our eighth NEXT Woman of the Year Awards in association with Elizabeth Arden. The modern Auckland Art Gallery was a fitting place to host the event which celebrated finalists who’ve made progress both for women and their communities across the six award categories. There were plenty of moving moments on the night, including two well-deserved standing ovations for equal pay campaigner Kristine Bartlett as the winner of the Community category and our 2017 Woman of the Year. This year’s awards were also marked with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement award, which went to businesswoman Theresa Gattung.…

1 IMAGAWA GOLD DRESS, $269,TURET KNUEFERMANN. 2 BIG FLOWER EARRINGS, $35, LOVISA. 3 HAVEN NECKLACE, $499, SWAROVSKI. 4 GLASS BEADS BY GREGORY LADNER, $40, SMITH & CAUGHEY’S. 5 BEAD NECKLACE BY STELLA & GEMMA, $52.50, SMITH & CAUGHEY’S. 6 BEADS & TASSEL NECKLACE, $20, LOVISA. 7 ISSY 3 SET CUFF (WORN ON BOTH WRISTS), $109, WITCHERY. 8 CONIAN SG BURGUNDY BRACELET, $299, DYRBERG/KERN. 9 DIA COCKTAIL RING (LEFT HAND), $16, COLETTE BY COLETTE HAYMAN. 10 SENCE SG BLACK TOPPER RING (LEFT HAND), $129; WITH RING 5 SG CRYSTAL, $59, DYRBERG/KERN. 11 GRACE SG CRYSTAL TOPPER (RIGHT HAND), $129; WITH RING 5 SG CRYSTAL, $59, DYRBERG/KERN. 12 NAVY METALLIC BOX CLUTCH, $120, DUNE. 13 FRANKLIN DRESS SANDALS, $260, MI PIACI.…

PERFUME PICKS THE NEW FEMININE Delicately sculpted roses house two new Valentino perfumes (50ml, $152), bringing forth a new feminine ideal. Valentina Blush combines orange blossom and indulgent praline, while Valentina Pink sidesteps convention with delicate yet seductive pink roses and strawberry. SIGNATURE SOPHISTICATION Embellished yet minimalistic, classic but contemporary, these mini bottles are inspired by one of Miu Miu’s iconic quilted handbags. Mini Miu EDP sparkles with earthy notes, while Mini Miu l’Eau Bleue is a nod to spring. Available in 20ml for $75 each, or $129 for the duo pack. WRAPPED UP Adorned with a sparkling sequin bow, the Viktor & Rolf Bonbon Limited Edition 50ml, $182, is all dressed up and ready to gift. This timeless, sweet scent is as enchanting as it gets this festive season.…

CHARM HER WITH STOW LOCKETS A charm locket is the perfect way to give a gift with a personal touch. Choose from one of Stow’s exquisite lockets and match it with a charm that represents something close to your loved one’s heart. All charms and lockets are finely crafted from sterling silver, solid gold and gemstones. Create a meaningful keepsake for someone special this Christmas. LOCKETS FROM $155. CHARMS FROM $33. VODAFONE SMART N8 NZ’S BEST VALUE 4G SMARTPHONE UNDER $150 The Vodafone Smart N8 offers solid performance and style at excellent value. It features a fingerprint sensor security, allowing immediate access to all your content with a single touch. Capturing and sharing holiday snaps never looked so good with the high-quality 13MP front camera and 5MP selfie camera. And…

If you need seven to nine hours of sleep each night but you are clocking less than six and can’t see your way of out of the newborn haze or mountain of work at the office, what can be done? The best cure for insufficient sleep is, of course, sleep, but in the short term Rush University’s Gemma Paech says caffeine and afternoon naps can help to keep mind and body functioning throughout the day. “With caffeine you can develop a tolerance to it so you want to use it strategically and only have it when you feel you need it as opposed to having it all the time,” she says. “Short naps of up to 30 minutes can also be beneficial, but they can make you feel groggy so…

ON THE NOSE Having a poor sense of smell may be a risk factor for dementia. A study of almost 3000 participants – published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society – tested their ability to identify five scents: orange, leather, peppermint, rose and fish. When the participants were followed up five years later, just over 4% of them had developed dementia. Compared to those who were able to recognise all scents, those who performed poorly had twice the risk of developing dementia. The other factors measured included age, ethnicity and health, and the participants’ cognitive ability. LIGHTER RISK BEING A HEALTHY WEIGHT YOUR WHOLE LIFE IS THE BEST WAY TO KEEP BLOOD PRESSURE IN CHECK,A STUDY CLAIMS, SAYING IT HAD A BIGGER EFFECT OVER 25 YEARS THAN, AMONG…

Book of the month The Last Hours Minette Walters Allen & Unwin, $37 It’s been a long time between thrills for Minette Walters fans. The British author rocketed to the top of best-seller lists around the world with her psychological squirm-fests like The Ice House, The Sculptress and The Scold’s Bridle. And then for the the past 10 years… diddly-squat apart from a 2015 novella called The Cellar. It turned out Walters, 68, had had enough of writing crime fiction. Thankfully, she hasn’t had enough of writing altogether. Thankfully, too, she had a publisher willing to take on the risk of a cash-cow author jumping the genre fence from thrillers to historical fiction. Yes, it’s a monster leap, but master storyteller Walters has made it with room to spare. The…

“It was great having all the Christmas menu sorted and ingredients supplied without the stress of trying to think of what to make and the dreaded big grocery shop. There were eight of us for Christmas lunch and we still had some left over next day, which was brilliant.” JO, WHANGAREI “My Christmas Food Bag was a fantastic feast and we enjoyed trying things away from our usual Christmas meal.” SIMON, AUCKLAND With the best, locally sourced seasonal produce and free-range, premium New Zealand meats – delight the family this year with My Christmas Bag. Presented with a special recipe booklet and step-by-step preparation plan from Nadia, choose from three delicious options this year including the new My Kiwi Christmas Food Bag. MY CHRISTMAS MENU ANTIPASTO PLATTER - Stracciatella with…

OH,THE PLACES YOU’LL GO It’s never too early to plan your next trip, and with Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel 2018’ list, the trouble will be deciding where to go. They list Chile, South Korea, Portugal, Djibouti, Malta, Georgia, Mauritius, China, South Africa and New Zealand as the top 10 countries to visit in 2018. The gold standard Hiking one of the Great Walks of New Zealand is a must-do over the summer, and a guided walk is a great option if you’re nervous about going on your own. Ultimate Hikes is happy to help, and you’ll be in safe hands, knowing they recently received a Qualmark Gold award for their guided walks on the Milford and Routeburn Tracks. ultimatehikes.co.nz Retreat yourself If you like luxury and seclusion, Put…

Trust in love Designed by the Prince’s Trust, these stylish ‘Love’ Compact Stylers from Tangle Teezer do more than perfect your hair! A percentage from each sale goes towards this international charity to help build futures for young people by tackling youth disengagement and improving employability skills. RRP $34. For stockists and information contact 0508 734 466. Find your moment Elizabeth Arden White Tea is inspired by the simple pleasure that accompanies the first sip of tea. A musky-woody floral, this fragrance blends Italian mandarin, sea breeze accord, white tea extract and madras wood, and a trio of tranquility musks lead to a harmonious finale. For the woman who wants to immerse herself in the moment. ElizabethArden.co.nz. Unique probiotic Lifestream Advanced Probiotics Mood + Immune is a unique new product…

Rachel Brandon BLANK KANVAS CONCEPTS Interior designer, entrepreneur, and business owner. Four years ago I brought my love of beautiful items to life by opening Blank Kanvas Concepts in Wanganui.We have a mix of gorgeous gift items and home wares in store, people come from afar to see our offerings and many purchase online from all over New Zealand. I select every item personally so I know that my gift store has unique and stylish pieces to offer our customers. I oversee the running of Blank Kanvas Concepts while working fulltime in my Interior Design Practice. Making people smile is what we are all about and when customers purchase from us they always leave smiling. www.blankkanvasconcepts.co.nz Sarah Solaris THE VAULT NZ-made objects, jewellery, accessories and classic NZ art prints,TheVault has…

 Finally I’ve found a doctor’s waiting room that doesn’t make me feel that I need to go straight to hospital. Berliners are morbidly fascinated with their health and they go to the doctor as other people go to a film – i.e. any time they feel at a loose end. It’s quite usual to have to wait several hours on grubby seating surrounded by people who act as if they’re in their living rooms: sniffing, burping, scratching, and even farting without any trace of self-consciousness. No, I can’t date a man who wears sandals and baggy socks! Now, thanks to a tip-off from my stylish friends Ray 1 and Ray 2, I’ve arrived in an alternate GP universe. Gleaming parquet floors, a vase with elegant scarlet gladioli, bottled water, glossy up-to-date magazines.…

 ‘No surprises’ has always been a rule of mine, that and ‘Please do not introduce facts into the conversation’. Long have I loathed Candid Camera-style pranking (my pelvic floor can’t take a fright); ‘popins’ (when people come to your house without calling first and catch you being human); finding out your dad is a former Morris-dancing champion (I wondered what those bells were for); and worst of all, surprise parties. “Never throw me a surprise party,” I said to every boyfriend ever, except I must have forgotten to tell the younger man. Too busy deflecting his constant advances, or something. There were savouries and tomato sauce, and I loved it all so much I cried I hate being the centre of attention. No really. I’m a writer, we prefer to…

There is one sort of person who knows when their GST is due, and another sort of person who can immediately name their spirit animal. (A sloth, if you’re asking.) There are the sort of people who possess Vulcan chess mastery and the sort of people who have a knack of creating driftwood sculptures. Not judging. Then there are those practical go-getting type people, who find the external world, with all its chores and details and practical considerations their natural milieu. They can manipulate the complicated aspects of daily life like a haz-mat technician handling plutonium. Vogue editor Anna Wintour, when asked what her greatest skill was replied: “Decisiveness.” Spoiler: I’m in the other lot. That is, the ditherers and dreamers, who find even getting the washing done and deciding…

1. Four to six weeks shipping… I’m sure that will get here in time 2. These toys will spend 12 hours in the Santa Sack and the rest of the year cluttering up the house… 3.Should I just get the kids an iPad and be done with it? 4. Where do supermarkets keep the cranberry sauce? 5. Please let the Deutz be on special. 6. I’m not eating fruit mince pies this year, total calorie bomb. 7. Then again… carbs don’t count at this time of year. 8. I could never be friends with someone who doesn’t like Love Actually. 9. Aww, Alan Rickman, RIP. 10. Will the kids notice this is the same wrapping paper Santa used? 11. All this food and a new bikini... that’s a cruel combination. 12. I…