Tabla de contenidos para December 2025 en Prima UK

Welcome to your Prima December issue! It’s been so lovely putting it together, bringing you as many ways we could think of to make this run-up to the big day as helpful – and as special – as possible. Christmas means so many different things to so many of us. It’s an important Christian celebration, of course, but also a time for each of us to choose how to enjoy it – whether it’s by bringing family together or just making the most of quiet reflection. Our real-life stories in this issue share that mixture of feelings. For author Emma, this year will represent a sense of triumph and survival (page 48). For Carol, it will be a reminder of new connections (page 29) and for Dana and Melinda, it…

Black magic If the invite says dress to impress, this is the outfit for you. A billowy, taffeta maxi skirt is a real showstopper, which we’ve paired with this stand-out sculptural bodysuit for added drama. If you want to keep your arms covered, a crisp white shirt or elegant cashmere sweater would look equally as chic. Cinderella-style shoes ensure you shall go to the ball. Gold rush This fabulous gown oozes movie-star glamour and will bring the magic to every special event. With a sweeping pleated skirt, metallic shine and a dramatic backless design, it’s time to get ready for your red-carpet moment. Fine wine This season’s rich berry tones are perfect for festive dressing and wearing the shade top-to-toe adds a stylish edge. A sequin skirt is a wardrobe…

‘Childhood Christmases are different for everyone, but for me, every year was the same. After the presents were unwrapped, I headed straight to my best friend Isobel’s house next door. As an only child, it was the highlight of my day to be able to share and open presents with her and her two sisters. I loved my adoptive parents, Roderick and Kathleen, but I’d imagine how special it would be to have siblings of my own like Isobel did. I’d always known I was adopted but that was all I knew. My parents never told me anything about my biological family and I’d dream about who they might be. In my best fantasies, I imagined I was a stolen baby princess, who would be found and restored to the…

Whether it was listening to his BBC Radio 2 show while doing the ironing, welling up at ITV’s For The Love Of Dogs or laughing at his character Lily Savage’s witty monologues, we all felt like we knew Paul O’Grady. But there was one man who truly did: his friend, Malcolm Prince. The pair’s first meeting was at Broadcasting House in London in 2003, where Paul had been booked to present a two-part radio documentary for his pal Cilla Black’s 60th birthday. Paul’s reputation as sharp-tongued Lily preceded him. ‘To be honest, I was wary,’ Malcolm admits. But the Paul he encountered was very different. ‘Dressed in a smart suit, he arrived at Studio 1H to record the script for the Cilla documentary a little worse for wear: he had…

Lying weakly on my sofa, trying to smile through my pain, I watched as my wonderful family created Christmas around me. I was in agony from head to toe following a stem cell transplant that doctors hoped would save my life, but I was determined that I wouldn’t ruin the day – one that had always been my favourite celebration. So, cuddling our dog, Lola, a toy poodle, I listened to my grown-up kids in full flow in the kitchen. There was the eldest, Jordyn, 28, in charge of the main course, her sister, Jade, 23, on desserts, my mother-in-law, Irene, bringing me hot-water bottles, while my fiancé, Jim, played the banjo for Sonny, our 10-year-old boy. All five children in our blended family, including my son, Adam, 22, and…

You service your car every 6,000 miles or so. However, if you’re like most people, you probably only pay attention to the needs of your body when bits and pieces start breaking down. As you know, taking preventive measures will pay off with a better quality of life later on. That’s why we’ve put together these simple home assessments – to help you find out how some key parts are faring – and some advice about what to do with your results, too. Of course, make sure you have any NHS health tests you’re offered, and if you have specific concerns about any symptoms, do see your GP. Here’s how to TEST YOURSELF How healthy is your spine? THE TEST Sit straight in a chair, hands on your shoulders. Gently twist…

TIME TO SPARKLE Q I don’t have any parties this Christmas, how can I add some sparkle for more casual meet-ups? A For many of us, the Christmas season means family lunches, sofa-bound celebrations and relaxed catch-ups with friends. So what do you wear when you want to get festive without going overboard? You could try a satin top with tartan trousers, a Fair Isle jumper with a flared skirt or sequin trousers with a chunky knitted cardigan. A combination of daywear and party-wear styled with flashy accessories will ensure that you feel suitably fabulous. OUTFIT 1 OUTFIT 2 OUTFIT 3 COMFORT AND JOY! Yes, the humble cardigan can take you into cocktail hour, too! This season, cardis have gone from humdrum to head-turning with sequins, bows and embellishments. Glam…

GLOWING LANTERN If you’re looking for a quick and easy make that adds a touch of cosy charm to your home, then you’re going to love this project of turning a plain old glass jar into a gorgeous glowing lantern, complete with hand-painted Christmas trees. It’s such a simple technique, but the finished look is so effective, especially when you pop a little candle inside and see it all lit up! YOU WILL NEED: ● A clear glass jar● White acrylic paint● Paint tray● Paint brush● Cocktail stick or skewer● Tealight* TO CREATE: ❶ Take a jar and make sure the surface is completely clean and free of any adhesive left over from any labels. ❷ Add some acrylic paint to your paint tray. ❸ Using a thin paint brush,…

Choose from two different dress lengths or make a top, with an on-trend collar detail and an optional bow to finish. This flattering semi-fitted design comes with softly gathered full-length or ¾-length sleeves, making it a great style for colder days and a must-have for the season of celebrations. MORE INSPIRATION AT… prima.co.uk NEED TO KNOW SIZES 6-24 Sew a semi-fitted dress in two optional lengths, or a top, with a concealed side zip, a flat collar and an optional bow. FABRICS We’ve handpicked some fab fabrics to inspire you for winter styles, including luxurious velvet and elegant viscose. We used polka dot viscose from Lamazi with cotton sateen for the collar from Minerva for Option A, printed floral viscose from Lamazi for Option B and a rich bottle-green velvet…

WEIHNACHTS-APFELKUCHEN/CHRISTMAS APPLE PIE There is no equivalent word in German for ‘pie’, although there are traditional German bakes that have all the features of a pie. Very popular is this gedeckter apfelkuchen, which essentially means an apple tart with a lid. And a tart with a lid is, of course, a pie. The filling of this apple pie has taken inspiration from mulled wine. SERVES 12 • 1.8kg tart, sharp-flavoured apples, such as granny smith, peeled, cored and chopped• 50g raisins• 2tsp ground cinnamon• ½tsp ground cloves• ¼tsp ground mace or nutmeg• ½tsp ground allspice• 50g muscovado sugar• Zest of 1 lemon• 80ml red wine• 1tsp cornflour• 50g mixed peel• Icing sugar, for dusting FOR THE PASTRY • 350g plain flour, plus extra for dusting• 1tsp baking powder• 125g caster…

Best hotbrush Ghd Duet Blowdry 2-in-1 Hair Dryer Brush, £379 This styler takes hair from wet to dry at an impressive speed – and works on a range of hair types, too. Praised for helping to give a salon-worthy, sleek blowdry, it has temperature-sensor tech that ensures it maintains an optimum lower temperature of 120°C to help minimise damage to your hair from heat-styling. Best weighted blanket Oodie Weighted Blanket, £109 This snuggly weighted blanket was praised by the panel for its ‘velvety-soft feel’ and ‘perfect weight distribution’. It moulded to testers’ bodies nicely and was super quiet, too. It’s also available in three different weights to suit preference. Best LED face mask Shark CryoGlow Under-Eye Cooling & LED Mask, £299.99 With under-eye cooling tech and a treatment time of…

UK & IRELAND Go coastal in Cornwall Come winter, Cornwall’s creative, artisanal streak overflows in its festive markets. Accommodation is often less than half price, too. The Padstow Christmas Fayre (padstowchristmasfayre.co.uk) runs from 4 to 7 December, with appearances from chefs Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth. Stay at the Camel Estuary at 2 Quay Cottages in Rock (latitude50.co.uk/explore-our-properties/north-cornwall/rock/2-quaycottages) a ferry ride away. The Coastal Christmas Market at Carbis Bay (carbisbayhotel.co.uk/offers-and-breaks/coastalchristmas-market) is worth a look, on 6 to 7 and 13 to 14 December, with over 40 stalls daily. The market raises funds for Cornwall Air Ambulance and holds a fantastic daily raffle and a woodlandthemed Santa’s grotto. Truro also runs a Christmas Market (visittruro.org.uk) from 21 November to 24 December, and the Eden Project hosts the Cornwall Christmas Fair (cornwallchristmasfair.com)…

TV Call The Midwife Christmas Special This Christmas, Call The Midwife stretches from Poplar to Hong Kong, as the senior sisters embark on a mercy mission abroad in one of the most emotional specials yet. And there’s more joy: season 15 arrives in early 2026, plus a feature film and a Blitz-set prequel series also on the way. Coming to BBC One this December STREAM Goodbye June Kate Winslet fans, rejoice! She stars in and directs this gripping drama, blending messy family dynamics, grief and biting wit. Estranged siblings are forced back together under tense circumstances. With powerhouse performances and raw emotion, this one promises to break hearts and spark conversation on Christmas Eve. Coming to Netflix 24 December TV Beyond Paradise Christmas Special Kris Marshall returns as DI Humphrey…

STAR OF THE MONTH SAGITTARIUS 23 November to 21 December If you know it’s time to reinvent yourself, go for it. Reflect on what hasn’t worked this year, then imagine the version of you who thrives in 2026. What habits would that person keep? And what choices do they make? The 20 December New Moon powers you forwards with renewed confidence. Your New Year/New Me mantra starts now! CAPRICORN 22 December to 20 January The first half of December – if you’re not careful – could end up being your worst enemy. Just remember that everything you think doesn’t necessarily come true, and the things you worry about may not be worth stressing over. Go easy and give yourself a break – by Christmas, your mojo will be back. AQUARIUS…

CHRISTINA GEGGUS Junior writer ‘This year, I’m having a pre-Christmas “wrap and sip” evening with a pal. We’ll swap presents and do each other’s gift-wrapping, while chin-wagging and drinking fizz or tea, whatever we please!’ KAREN SWAYNE Features director ‘After our traditional Christmas lunch, I look forward to Boxing Day when my Thai husband, who’s a great chef, turns the leftovers into a delicious spicy green curry – including sprouts and parsnips!’ RACHEL LIDDLE Deputy editor ‘I buy myself a special sweet treat and squirrel it away in a secret spot! Five minutes with my favourite chocolate and a cuppa helps fuel me through a hectic day on the Christmas run-up.’ JO CHECKLEY Editor-in-chief ‘I like to escape the madness by going for a winter walk with my dog, Scamper.…

For many of us, Christmas is a time for getting dressed up – wearing something special or sparkly to celebrate in style. But for one group of friends, stepping out in their finest dresses isn’t just an annual event but something to be enjoyed and cherished all year round! This group of incredible women call themselves the Ballgown Blitzers, and they take pride in creating lavish and colourful outfits with the simple aim of having fun and making people smile. And while their finished designs might ooze luxury, amazingly they cost them next to nothing. ‘We’re all about glamour on a budget,’ says the group’s co-founder, Dana Forlano, 54, from London. ‘Everything we wear is upcycled. We grab bargains from charity shops and sites such as Vinted, then upcycle them…

1 Is there a way to include elderly relatives without having them to stay? Accommodating older family members while hosting your own children can be tricky, but psychologist Jess Baker, author of The Super-Helper Syndrome: A Survival Guide For Compassionate People, says, ‘Just because elderly relatives used to stay over every year doesn’t mean it has to continue. If hosting them isn’t possible, think about ways to bring them closer in spirit rather than physically. Could you plan a shorter gathering or create a ritual call on Christmas morning, when they feel included? Instead of a full overnight stay, invite them for the main meal. If travel is the issue, ask siblings or cousins to share the driving. If they live far away, consider asking other relatives to host or book…

IT’S TIME TO FREEZE More than four in 10 of us buy too much food at Christmas – but that’s a fast-track to wasting both food and money. Home food waste expert Kate Hall (thefullfreezer.com) is on a mission to get us prepping and freezing festive gravy, vegetables and sauces in advance. ‘If you have an excess of carrots or potatoes, or have some that might be heading for the bin, prepare them for Christmas and you’ll save time and money.’ Make space for them by doing a freezer audit now. Kate has par-boiled bags of potatoes, and blanched parsnips, carrots and sprouts. To be realistic about quantities, use the portion planner at lovefoodhatewaste.com. REDUCE THE WRAP If you’ve dragged the dregs of last year’s Christmas wrapping paper out of…

1 A perfect 10  Nails.INC 1 Step Gel It’s Topless Polishes, £8.99 each. Too busy for a manicure? Two coats of this gives an opaque, glossy colour that looks as professional as the real thing and stays chip-free for up to eight days. Try the shade Kendall for a vibrant pop of red, or the pearlescent Sydney for a natural, pretty finish. 2 Burning desire NEOM Christmas Wish Scented Candle, £40. If you gift a candle to someone this year, buy one for yourself, too; NEOM’s are always too good to miss. This year’s festive offering features a warming blend of tonka bean, cinnamon and mandarin, which really fills a room. 3 Lip-locked Sacheu Lip Liner Stay-N, £14. For lip colour that doesn’t bleed or budge through a buck’s fizz (or…

Join our Christmas workshop Join us for our Made Club embroidery workshop to decorate mini stockings. Tickets are £20 and come with a glass of fizz and a goody bag. For this and more craft events, sign up to Made Club for £5 a month, using the code PRMONTH at madeclub.co.uk. CRAFT DATE FOR YOUR DIARY This Christmas, Cats Protection is inviting crafters to cosy up for a heart-warming and purse-friendly way to celebrate the season. Join the team for a joyful craftalong event and learn how to make a collection of cat-themed Christmas cards using the beautiful technique of iris folding. The Craft for Cats kits are available in two colour options and it costs £22 to sign up, with a minimum of £10 from every purchase going directly…

3 of the BEST SWEET DRINKS…

Line your table with your toadstool radishes to bring a woodland feel to dinnertime TAKE 15 MINS Radish toadstools So cute to look at, these radish toadstools are edible, too. Using a small, sharp knife, start by cutting the base off your radish, so the surface is flat and the vegetable can stand up. Cut away the flesh in quarters, leaving room in the middle for a thick stem. Finally, slither your knife along the top, with the blade scraping away circles of pink skin – the technique is similar to peeling a potato with a knife, but be careful to do so delicately, removing only a small layer of the pink outside*. Takes 5 MINS Place settings For a whimsical place setting, write the names of your guests in gold…

Hi Kelly! What was it like swapping interiors for the kitchen on Cooking With The Stars? I’m not really a cook at all, but at a Christmas party, after a few drinks, I was asked if I’d do the show and I said yes – then the reality hit. I can cook healthy food, but I’ve never been a ‘chef’. Still, I got through to the final, which was incredible. It was such a rewarding experience because I’ve spent my whole career in design – I started my business at 16 and I’m now in my 60s – and this was the first time I really taught myself to do something completely different. What did stepping into the TV kitchen teach you? That you can always learn something new. I’d…

Elaine was going through her Christmas drawer. She picked up the beautiful candle she had received from her eldest daughter last year, still in the expensive cream and black packaging. She opened the bag and took a sniff – gorgeous. It would make the perfect gift for her friend, Letty, who had downsized this year and was finding the change difficult. ‘Up to your old tricks?’ asked her husband, Dennis. ‘No tricks,’ she said. He had known about her Christmas drawer since, well, forever. ‘One day, you’re going to get caught out,’ he said. Elaine quickly replied, ‘It’s called regifting!’ Only for her husband to respond, ‘Until you gift it to the wrong person.’ That was never going to happen. Elaine kept meticulous records. ‘They are just too nice to…

Welcome to your fabulous Prima treats! Each month, we’ll bring you the very best discounts, competitions and giveaways from top brands, specially for our Prima members. If you have a Prima subscription, that automatically makes you a Prima member. Welcome to the club! This month’s highlights include the chance to win a pair of tickets to see the fabulous Don Quixote ballet on tour, a gorgeous Welsh seaside getaway and a luxurious Christmas hamper worth £250. These are just three of the rewards and competitions we have for members, and we’re updating all the time, so do take a look. All the details on how to log in to the app or find treats on your laptop can be found in the box to the right. There are some wonderful…

The last… BOOK I READ… Entitled: The Rise And Fall Of The House Of York, by Andrew Lownie – the murky tale of Andrew and Fergie, and their grim shenanigans. I read with my ears because it’s practical – I listen to audiobooks while I take my prescription drugs and put my face on, which all takes about 20 minutes. TV SHOW I BINGE-WATCHED… The Girlfriend on Prime Video. Robin Wright (right) is the potential mother-inlaw from hell when Cherry – archetypal working-class cuckoo in the nest – walks into her upper middle class family. It’s well acted and there are a lot of gorgeous homes. TIME I LAUGHED OUT LOUD… Yesterday I laughed when I thought my three-year-old grandson, Arlo, could read. He was watching Peppa Pig; when the word…

Breakfast TV presenters are often the first people we see in the morning, but of all the glossy stars on our television screens, Kate Garraway never fails to make viewers smile. A stalwart of morning shows such as GMTV and Daybreak, she’s woken up the nation with her signature warmth and wit for over 25 years, and is currently riding high as one of our most beloved anchors on Good Morning Britain. Recently, Kate swapped the breakfast sofa for the Scottish Highlands in the very first celebrity edition of the BBC’s hit game show The Traitors, competing alongside a host of famous faces for a charity prize pot. She’s also been hard at work on a fiction book, which has proved therapeutic following the loss of her husband Derek Draper…

YOUR COUNTRY LIVING GIFT INCLUDES • Country Living delivered to their door, as well as on their mobile or tablet, where they can access previous issues, specials and supplements • Complimentary access to the digital edition of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday or The i newspapers, worth over £12.99 a month • Free six-month House Beautiful digital magazine membership when you join for a year • Country Living newsletter for the best home and garden ideas, advice on going greener and the latest on our Country Living Holidays • The Country Living 2026 calendar and diary (worth £21.98) • Gift Country Living for a year for £39.99 or try 3 months for just £1 • They’ll think of you every time their magazine arrives EASY WAYS TO JOIN Visit…

This festive season, step into glamour with Goddiva’s partywear collection, designed to make every occasion unforgettable. Embracing classic Christmas shades of red, wine, emerald green, gold and silver, the range features luxurious fabrics, including sequins, velvet, scuba crepe, jacquard and lace. From shimmering bodycon minis and elegant midi dresses, to sweeping ballgowns, mermaid-hem maxis and playful skater styles, Goddiva offers the perfect look for every celebration. Whether you’re dressing for your Christmas work party, a winter wedding or New Year’s Eve, Goddiva ensures you shine in style with timeless silhouettes and contemporary festive flair. HOW TO CLAIM To receive your exclusive 20% discount at Goddiva, visit goddiva.co.uk and enter the code PRIMA20 at the checkout between 29 October and 3 December 2025. TERMS & CONDITIONS Valid between 29 October and…

Oh, come all ye healthy Why Christmas pud is good (for you!) You may be surprised to hear that Christmas pudding can be part of a healthy diet. ‘Yes, it contains sugar, saturated fat and sometimes alcohol – especially if you pile on the brandy butter. But it also has some very redeeming nutritional perks,’ says Rob Hobson, registered nutritionist and author of Unprocess Your Life: Transform Your Family’s Health With Easy Unprocessed Meals. The dried fruit – raisins, sultanas and currants – are packed with fibre, potassium and polyphenols, which support gut health and add natural sweetness, he explains. Then there are the spices – cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. These are rich in antioxidants that help protect the body from oxidative stress and have anti-inflammatory effects. And if your…

Your bathroom habits can reveal more about your health than you think. From shape and shade to frequency, what ends up in the loo is your body’s daily progress report – and learning how to read it can help keep your gut (and the rest of you) in good health. Think of it as your body’s very own feedback system: when things are moving smoothly, it’s often a sign that your diet, hydration and digestion are on track. When they’re not… well, your bowels might just be trying to tell you something. WHAT IS CONSTIPATION? As food passes through your gut, the nutrients are absorbed, leaving behind indigestible waste – the poop. The food is pushed along by peristalsis – rhythmic, wave-like contractions that squeeze it along the gut. We…

FRAGRANT CHICKEN TRAYBAKE An all-in-one dish, this delicious aromatic chicken recipe is vibrant and full of flavour. SERVES 4 • 1 large aubergine, sliced into half moons• 2 peppers, deseeded and sliced into large pieces• 1 large onion, sliced• 3tbsp sunflower oil• 3 dried lime leaves• 1 large stick lemongrass, bashed• 3 large chicken breast fillets, each sliced in half• 2tbsp sweet chilli sauce• 150g baby spinach leaves• Small bunch Thai basil, chopped FOR THE FRAGRANT SAUCE • 400ml can coconut milk• 2tbsp Thai red curry paste• 2 garlic cloves, crushed• 2tsp freshly grated ginger• Juice 1 lime• 2tsp fish sauce• 2tbsp sweet chilli sauce 1 Preheat oven to 220°C (200°C fan) mark 7.  2 To make the sauce, mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.  3 Scatter the…

ALL £50 & UNDER Beauty & pampering ALL £50 & UNDER Sparkle & style ALL £40 & UNDER Little ones & teens ALL UNDER £40 For food & home lovers ALL £50 & UNDER For sporty types ALL UNDER £50 Crafty & creative ALL UNDER £50 Love the outdoors BUST-THE- BUDGET, OVER £50 Extra special…

EMBRACE THE PAST A yearning for vintage charm has meant that Christmas past has been creeping into the present, and if you’re after the real deal, you’ll be pleased to know paper chains, lametta tinsel (aka angel hair) and large paper stars are all back in vogue. Blancmange and Babycham are yet to make their big comeback, but beyond festivities, the natural palettes and designs of the 70s era are enjoying an enormous revival, too. So, how to bring some old-world glamour to a modern-day setting? Lean into rich jewel tones (think: ruby and emerald napkins lining the dinner table) and ornate decor on your mantel. Mix it up with some natural materials – blend luxe baubles with Scandinavian and Bavarian influence, such as wooden decorations that offer a crafted…

The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith (Sphere, £30) When a dismembered corpse is found in the vault of a silver shop, Decima Mullins is sure it’s her missing boyfriend and calls on Strike and Robin to investigate. This is the eighth book in the Cormoran Strike series by JK Rowling (writing under a pseudonym). At more than 900 pages, it’s one to get stuck into over the festive period. When The Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén (Doubleday, £14.99) A book that you’ll fall in love with and want everyone to read, this Swedish novel became a word-of-mouth sensation that turned into an international bestseller. Elderly Bo lives in a small, rural village in Sweden with his beloved dog, Sixten, for company. Bo’s days are punctuated by visits from his care team…