Christmas and New Year
Christmas 2023 – Opening hours and Tenants Information
McCarthy Holden’s opening hours over the festive period:
Emergency Repairs Procedure for fully managed tenants
For gas escapes – Gas Emergency Services – 0800 111 999
For electrical problems – Southern Electric – 0845 770 8090
For external water leaks – South East Water – 0800 028 3399
Please be advised that maintenance companies are charging in excess of £300.00 per hour for call-outs during this period. We suggest Gas Escapes and Serious Water Escapes would need action and then non-urgent repairs should be reported to us when we return.
Should you call an emergency contractor you may be responsible for the bill if it is deemed non emergency. Appliance break downs WILL NOT be deemed an emergency.
Should you have an emergency Oakwood Property Services can be contacted on 01276 504031 / 07730 315 515.
For total loss of power, check neighbours in case of an area outage. To minimise the risk of burst and frozen pipes it is essential that the heating is left on constant at around 12- 15 degrees. If you are away from the property, we would suggest that loft hatches are left open to allow warm air to circulate.
Five minutes with… Hannah Waddingham for Home For Christmas
As Hannah Waddingham’s glitzy, musical show lights up homes and gets everyone in the mood for Christmas, we discover the behind-the-scenes fun.
If you were looking for something to get you in the Christmas spirit, look no further.
Hannah Waddingham’s Home For Christmas, an all-singing, all-dancing, high-octane special on Apple TV+ has all the festive ingredients you could ask for.
Sparkles, numerous dazzling outfit changes, an 18-piece band, glittering Christmas trees, wide smiles, nostalgic teary-eyed moments, comedic skits and countless festive musical numbers.
There are even cameos from Waddingham’s Ted Lasso co-stars.
Best known as a West End star in musicals including The Wizard Of Oz and for her Emmy-winning stint in Ted Lasso, Waddingham’s latest endeavour sees her front a dazzling Christmas special at the Coliseum theatre in London.
The location holds particular significance for Waddingham: many a childhood evening was spent in one of the boxes, bewitched as her mother, Melodie Kelly, a mezzo soprano in the English National Opera, performed on stage.
Joining Waddingham in this extravaganza are the likes of Hamilton’s Leslie Odom Jr, British singer Sam Ryder, Beauty And The Beast’s Luke Evans, the English National Opera, London Gay Men’s Chorus and The Fabulous Lounge Swingers.
We sat down with Waddingham, 49, to talk glitz, glam, outfits and performing alongside her special guests.
FIRSTLY, HOW WAS PERFORMING AT THIS FESTIVE SPECIAL? WHAT DID YOU LOVE ABOUT IT?
It was amazing. I was expecting it to be really exhausting but it just turned out to be completely thrilling, even though it was hours and hours long to film.
I hadn’t prepared myself for the moment when we weren’t on camera, having to sit back and talk to my director, Hamish Hamilton, in my ear and having to kind of hold the audience – that was actually the most tiring part of it, just trying to keep the energy in the room up. But I absolutely loved it.
THERE ARE SO MANY SPECIAL GUESTS, NOT LEAST YOUR TED LASSO CO-STARS. HOW WAS IT HAVING SO MANY LOVED ONES THERE WITH YOU?
Well, I found it a bit overwhelming really that so many of my Ted Lasso pals said ‘yes’. I thought maybe one or two would. But to literally have an embarrassment of riches from AFC Richmond was incredible and they tip it into something quite extraordinary.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR DUETS. DID YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR FAVOURITE?
No, genuinely not – that’s why I chose who I chose. They all have their gifts. They all have their magic. And every single person brought it.
WHAT WAS THE REHEARSAL PROCESS FOR THOSE PERFORMANCES LIKE?
It was brief. Particularly people like Leslie Odom Jr, you know, he’s a busy man. He flew in, his flight was delayed. We literally sang the night he arrived. We went through it once and then we went through it again around the piano, and then the next day we did it. Just insane!
But musicians globally have a shorthand. So once it was myself and David Tench, my musical supervisor, and whomever of my guests, we literally went, ‘Right, shall we do it? Are you happy with that? What are we doing there? How do we get into that? What should we do there? Should we slightly change the harmony?’ And we feed off each other. It’s a real tribe.
WHAT WERE THE KEY ELEMENTS IN THE SHOW THAT MADE IT FEEL REALLY FESTIVE FOR YOU?
I think I wanted to create that kind of thing of everybody coming round to our house – like coming round for a Christmas party. I wanted people to feel like they could kick off their shoes, even if they were in the auditorium that night.
And even if you look at things like my duet with The Fabulous Lounge Swingers and Phil Dunster, we purposely put in that concept of Phil being in the auditorium and us being around the piano and that kind of ramshackle feeling, people thinking it was just discovered on route.
Even the cameos, the inserts that we put in there, I wanted people to be able to see everything – that kind of 360 of the whole venue, the backstage, on stage… all of it.
YOUR OUTFITS WERE INCREDIBLE! HOW DID YOU FIND WEARING THEM? DID YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE?
Well, we made them from scratch. They were very, very carefully created. Myself and James Yardley, my stylist, sat down together months and months ago and decided that we wanted to create as much of an emotional arc with the clothes as with the music.
So that first gold dress: I wanted it to be sparkly, I wanted it to be festive but not a punch in the eye in terms of being overtly Christmassy per se. And then I wanted it to be something that wouldn’t be distracting and would look very elegant and simple to go into that number that I dedicate to my mum and my daughter.
And then I wanted the second outfit to be more playful for my song with Sam Ryder: a bit more of a rock chick with a miniskirt but still the train to add the drama of theatre. And then of course, the last outfit, we needed something that was romantic and old school, like the time of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.
December Magazine With Market Insight
What an extraordinary year, defined on a global level with Mr Putin’s destruction and misery when he decided to invade Ukraine in February, introducing unimaginable suffering to the Ukrainian people and also introducing a backdrop of uncertainty across economic activities from stock markets to property markets around the world.
In the first few months the prospect of a stock market and property market downturn had to be considered, but this didn’t happen in the UK and………. You can read the 2022 review by clicking the image below which will take you through to our online digital Magazine In The Country & Town.
Browsing through our property and lifestyle magazine you will be able to see some of the finest property in the area, available to buy or rent as well as read some engaging editorial content.
Some articles are shown below and a click will take you through.
We wish all of our clients / customers / suppliers and magazine readers a very happy Christmas and an uplifting 2023
Christmas 2022 – Opening hours and Tenants Information
McCarthy Holden’s opening hours over the festive period:
Friday 23rd December 2022 – 9:00am to 6:00pm
Saturday 24th to Tuesday 27th December 2022 – Closed
Wednesday 28th to Friday 30th December 2022 – 10:00am to 2:00pm
Saturday 31st to Monday 2nd January 2023 – Closed
Tuesday 3rd January 2023 – Normal working hours resume
Emergency Repairs Procedure for fully managed tenants
For gas escapes – Gas Emergency Services – 0800 111 999
For electrical problems – Southern Electric – 0845 770 8090
For external water leaks – South East Water – 0800 028 3399
Please be advised that maintenance companies are charging in excess of £300.00 per hour for call-outs during this period. We suggest Gas Escapes and Serious Water Escapes would need action and then non-urgent repairs should be reported to us when we return.
Should you call an emergency contractor you may be responsible for the bill if it is deemed non emergency. Appliance break downs WILL NOT be deemed an emergency.
Should you have an emergency Oakwood Property Services can be contacted on 01276 504031 / 07730 315 515.
For total loss of power, check neighbours in case of an area outage. To minimise the risk of burst and frozen pipes it is essential that the heating is left on constant at around 12- 15 degrees. If you are away from the property, we would suggest that loft hatches are left open to allow warm air to circulate.
Festive garden events to get you into the Christmas spirit
Whether it’s visiting Santa, a winter trail or a light festival, our gardens have it all.
If you want to add sparkle to your life in the run-up to Christmas, open gardens, garden centres and historic houses are all holding events to get you in a festive mood.
The RHS gardens in Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Essex, Surrey and Devon are already a beacon of light with their fantastic Glow festivals (rhs.org.uk), which run untill December 30, where visitors can follow twinkling trails, illuminated sculptural trails and see winter blooms in a new light as dusk falls.
Garden centres are pulling out all the stops with Santa’s grotto experiences, while gardens up and down the country will be hosting winter trails, wreath-making workshops and container demonstrations in the run-up to the big day.
Booking is essential for most of the events. Here are just a few of the garden-themed festive happenings to inspire and delight:
Christmas at Kew (christmasatkew.seetickets.com)
This much-loved highlight of London’s festive calendar returns for its 10th sparkling year, featuring a host of seasonal favourites alongside pioneering new light installations, illuminating Kew Gardens’ UNESCO World Heritage landscape with vibrant bursts of colour and more than a million twinkling lights.
Its sister site at Wakehurst, a wild, botanic garden in the heart of Sussex, will be exploring a new route on its enchanting winter lantern trail, while Glow Wild (kew.org/wakehurst) celebrates the spectrum of colours in nature.
Christmas wreath-making workshops
If you fancy having a go at making your own Christmas wreath with natural materials, there are plenty of these events happening at open gardens and garden centres, but for some special magic visit Barnsdale Gardens (barnsdalegardens.co.uk) in Rutland, former Gardeners’ World gardens created by TV presenter Geoff Hamilton.
At its Christmas Wreath Making Workshop (Dec 6), visitors will use freshly gathered foliage, seed heads and other floral treasures from the gardens at Barnsdale to embellish their wreath.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, Gordon Castle (gordoncastle.co.uk) is holding a wreath-making workshop at the walled garden on Dec 10 and 11.
Winter lights
The gardens of the majestic Anglesey Abbey, Cambridge (nationaltrust.org.uk) create a perfect stage for its ‘Nature by Night, Nature by Light’ celebration of the natural world (from Dec 9-21). This sensory after-dark journey brings the gardens of Anglesey Abbey to life in all their wonder.
Poems and music and illustrations will thread throughout the experience, while visitors will see projections of nature illustrations along the route.
Sculpture exhibition
More than 120 captivating sculptures by 32 artists are on display at RHS Garden Rosemoor in Devon (rhs.org.uk) in its largest ever winter sculpture exhibition, featuring the work of sculptors from across the UK.
Each piece complements the sculptural and textural delights of the garden in winter, bringing structural elements to the fore under the soft rays of the low winter sun, with misty and frosty mornings adding an ethereal air.
Most pieces are for sale, with prices starting from £20, and many of the sculptors will also take commissions.
Highlights include works by internationally renowned sculptor Anne Curry, whose large stone pieces are inspired by the natural forms of seeds and bulbs.
With a wide variety of materials, techniques and inspirations, the trail features everything from fluid and hypnotic installations to thought-provoking, large-scale pieces that invite the viewer to consider their connection to nature.
Other festive events at Rosemoor include a Magic of Christmas Craft and Food Fair (Dec 1-3), Ultimate Bublé at Christmas (Dec 10) when tribute act Mark Daniels will perform Michael Bublé’s festive hits; and a panto of Dick Whittington (Dec 17).
Santa’s grotto for families and pets
For families looking to celebrate Christmas with their dogs, Santa Paws is back at 50 Dobbies garden centres (dobbies.com) across the country from Nov 24. Dog lovers are invited to bring their pup along to see Santa, get a special doggie gift and get that all important photo opportunity.
This year, kids are invited along to enjoy an immersive visit to the grotto where elves take visitors through a magical woodland, spotting reindeer, rabbits and forest creatures along the way. Children will become Santa’s little helpers, participating in various activities revealed during their visit. After lending a helping hand, children will then get to meet Santa himself and receive a special gift.
Dobbies’ Quiet Grotto experience returns this year on Dec 9 to support children with special needs. Sound and visual elements are adapted to reduce anxiety and ensure every child has an opportunity to meet Santa and his elves.
Christmas artisan markets and crafts
There are plenty of opportunities to buy gifts, cards and crafts at markets up and down the country, including many in National Trust properties, including Castle Ward, County Down (nationaltrust.org) on December 2-4.
There, visitors in the theatre space and stable yard will find a handpicked selection of local designer/makers and food vendors showcasing their work and local products. The stable yard will be dressed in Georgian style with Christmas lights, accompanied by living history actors telling you the stories of those who called Castle Ward home during the 18th century. During the late-night opening enjoy a night-time experience of Castle Ward lit up by the twinkling lights.
Stock up on seasonal treats for family and friends at the Bath House Gallery in RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Yorkshire (rhs.org.uk), choosing from a selection of works by local artists, crafters and designers who will be showcasing their Christmas designs.
For further inspiration it’s worth visiting the garden’s flora and thread exhibition, a plant-themed display featuring artwork on loan from the Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Whitby and created by the Whitby Stitchers.
Glasshouse Christmas display
For some festive inspiration, check out the enchanted forest scene in the Glasshouse at the RHS flagship garden at Wisley (rhs.org.uk). This imaginative white Christmas-themed display includes Christmas trees made from white poinsettias and a twinkling stream that flows from the waterfall.
5 classy Christmas cocktails to make at home
These snazzy serves have celebration written all over them, says Sam Wylie-Harris.
If you’re feeling the squeeze with the cost of living crisis, raising a glass this Christmas with a delicious home-made cocktail offers a taste of the high life – and feel good drinking ritual with the look of luxe.
As Alessandro Palazzi, head bartender at Dukes Bar, London, puts it: “During lockdown, so many people were making their own cocktails at home – and the beauty of it was people really came to appreciate classic cocktails, which has continued.”
He says the result is people are really proud to show their friends and family cocktails they can make at home. “And to share the moment with them, which is what the holiday season is perfect for,” says Palazzi.
Here, he shares some dos and don’ts…
“The most important ones for making cocktails at home are to always make sure the ingredients and glassware are cold – the colder the cocktail, the better.”
Put the alcohol in the freezer or fridge, says Palazzi. Always chill the glass – either by putting it in the fridge or filling it with ice and leaving it for 10 minutes. “My top tip would be to put a little splash of water in the glass before the ice. Stir and discard the water before pouring in the cocktail.
“Water is one of the biggest enemy of cocktails!” he notes. “Remember, most ice in supermarkets doesn’t last as long as it would in bars.”
When making the cocktail, either in a shaker or glass, he says to put the ice in first – and leave it so you can see it’s cold from the outside. “Then get rid of the water before you put the liquid in the shaker.”
Palazzi says to always start with the less expensive ingredients, “In case you make a mistake, then work up to the most expensive.
“Don’t use waxed lemons,” he adds, as you can’t extract the oil. “The best type is an organic unwaxed lemon – and use high quality ingredients.”
Ready to get the party started? These festive serves have Christmas written all over them…
1. Winter Applause
A festive favourite with its winter spice aromas and notes of wood smoke, this crafty take on a mint julep has been winterised to highlight the whisky’s fruity finish.
Ingredients: 45ml Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky (£19.99, 70cl, Amazon), 30ml pomegranate juice, 15/20ml honey syrup (dependent on sweetness of pom juice), 2 dashes orange bitters, 10ml lemon juice. Fresh mint and pomegranate seeds to garnish.
Method: Half fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add ingredients and shake vigorously. Pour into a julep or highball glass filled with crushed ice and 4 to 5 mint leaves. Garnish with fresh mint and pomegranate seeds.
2. Mermaid Gin Gingerbread Martini
With a dash of festive syrup – such as Monin gingerbread with warming spicy notes – and zesty peppery notes of this Isle of Wight gin, it’s a seaside rollercoaster of flavour.
Ingredients: 50ml Mermaid Gin (£39.90, 70cl, Isle of Wight Distillery), 25ml red vermouth, 10ml amaretto, 10ml festive syrup, crushed gingerbread to rim glass.
Method: Half fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add ingredients, shake vigorously, strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with gingerbread rim.
To garnish: Crush gingerbread finely, dip martini rim in festive syrup and dip in crushed gingerbread.
3. Cotswolds Christmas Gin and Tonic
Beautifully blending nine cheery botanicals (there’s sweet zesty clementine and cardamom in the mix) the secret to this bright, juniper-led gin are the welcome notes of fresh clementine, warm spice and signature cloudy glow when the gin collides with ice or tonic in the glass.
Ingredients: 50ml Cotswolds Cloudy Christmas Gin (£34.95, 70cl, Cotswolds Distillery), Indian tonic water. Slice of orange and star anise.
Method: Fill a large Copa glass with ice, pour over Cotswolds Christmas Gin and top with tonic water – watch the cloud appear. Garnish with a slice of orange and star anise.
4. Mijenta Tequila Reposado Pink Polka Dots
A jewel from Jalisco, Mijenta Reposado is aged in a combination of American oak, French oak and French acacia casks for up to six months – the result is an exquisite slow sipping tequila with layers of honeyed vanilla, vegetal agave, and nutty wood.
Ingredients: 45ml Mijenta Tequila Reposado (£63.95, 70cl, Master of Malt), 25ml cranberry syrup, 25ml lemon juice, 25ml maraschino liqueur.
Method: Half fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add ingredients, shake vigorously and strain into a Nick and Nora glass. Garnish with pink peppercorns.
5. The Dukes Martini
After a deliciously decadent drink to impress your loved ones? It has to be the classic Dukes Martini, says Palazzi. “A drink to truly sip and enjoy over the holidays.” Especially with this resplendent Crown Jewel serve using the sister gin to Beefeater – with marked depth at 50% strength and addition of grapefruit among the botanicals.
Ingredients: 100ml Beefeater Crown Jewel London Dry Gin (£55.95, 70cl, The Whisky Exchange), 2. 5ml dry vermouth, organic Amalfi lemon to garnish.
Method: Chill your martini glass and discard any water. Pour vermouth into the chilled glass, stirring the liquid in. Palazzi says if you like a dry martini: “Discard the vermouth – it will have stuck to the sides of the chilled glass.” If you like a wet martini, leave it in the glass.
Top up with frozen gin. Peel an unwaxed organic lemon, squeeze the peel over the glass to extract the oil and place the peel in the glass.
Christmas gift guide: Prize presents for active outdoorsy types
Delight your favourite fresh air lover, walker and outdoor fitness fan with one of these top picks. By Abi Jackson.
Something that’s genuinely useful, lovely and will help your loved one keep up their active pursuits is always a win for outdoorsy types.
Whether you’re shopping for a ‘big main present’ or something to tuck under the tree, check out these ideas…
ZONE3 Women’s Aspect ‘Breaststroke’ Wetsuit, £159 (zone3.com)
If they’ve dived deeper in love with cold water swimming this year, a wetsuit might be a welcome investment. This Aspect suit from ZONE3 is made to allow more lateral leg movement than many other swimming wetsuits, making it ideal for people who prefer breaststroke to front crawl. We love the snazzy design with neon cuffs for extra visibility and high-stretch nylon panels for a smoother swim. Comes in men’s too, sizes XS-XL.
Proviz REFLECT360 Explorer Fleece-Lined Bobble Beanie – Grey, £24.99 (provizsports.com)
Proviz are leaders of the pack when it comes to reflective kit, and this snug bobble hat is ideal for winter walks – even if it’s just coming back from work or the shops after dark. The outer layer features Proviz’s ultra-reflective REFLECT360 yarn, above a soft and breathable micro-fleece lining.
Alpkit Soundbite Bluetooth Speaker and Camping Lantern, £24.99 (was £34.99; alpkit.com)
Space and weight-saving kit is always a win for campers. This compact rechargeable speaker from British brand Alpkit doubles up as a lantern with three brightness settings, and there’s a handy hook for hanging it up, plus a magnetic clip for use on bikes or in the car.
Rab Mens Infinity Microlight Jacket in Firecracker, £216 (was £240, trekitt.co.uk)
Jackets are a top bit of kit for outdoorsy sorts – and if they’re hoping to upgrade then Rab’s Infinity Microlight is worth a look. A great choice for hill walkers, it’s insulated with recycled down with a Gore-Tex Infinium membrane for warmth and breathability in changeable conditions. There’s also a hood, three zipped pockets, cord-adjustable hem and snazzy choice of colours. We love this Firecracker orange.
Nuasan Recovery Bundle, £69 (nuasan.com)
A hot shower or soak and some pampering skincare after a long day out in the elements is therapeutic and a treat. This ‘recovery bundle’ from Nuasan includes a muscle gel enriched with CBD, and a natural cork massage ball to help ease out those knots and tight spots from tired muscles.
On Cloudrock Waterproof Hiking Boot, £180 (on-running.com)
Looking for a hiking boot that ticks some serious technical boxes – but is also lightweight and stylish? Featuring On’s signature pocketed soles for a flexible, responsive stride, this time with Missiongrip™ rubber for added grip out on the trails, the Cloudrocks are wind and waterproof and promise comfort in all elements. There’s a fab choice of colours; we love these pecan/brown ones.
Maaree Solidarity High-Impact Sports Bra, £64 (maaree.com)
A good sports bra can be worth its weight in gold for those who need a bit of extra high-impact support. This one from Maaree has been getting rave reviews and scooped a Women’s Running magazine ‘Best in Test’, with sizes 30C to 38G available in two colours.
Critically Endangered Socks All 3 Speckled, £29.99 (criticallyendangered.co.uk)
Good socks are always a joy. Whilst these aren’t made for hard-going hikes, they’re made to last and are super soft – perfect for switching into on rest days and lounging after a day outdoors. Brand founder Dom was inspired to set up Critically Endangered after a trip to Borneo, with a percentage of sales helping support efforts to tackle rainforest destruction and protect endangered animals like orangutans.
Lululemon Rulu Run Cropped 1/2 Zip Top, £88 (lululemon.co.uk)
Ideal for winter running – or wearing under a waterproof for cold-weather walks – this body-skimming top has long cuffs and thumb holes for keeping hands warms, plus a discreet zipped pocket for storing keys. The sweat-wicking, four-way stretch fabric is gorgeously soft and the waistline is an ideal length for fans of high-waisted leggings.
OS Packing Cubes, £32.99 (shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk)
Ordnance Survey has a great range of kit and accessories. We love these packing cubes, featuring maps of the highest peaks in Scotland (Ben Nevis), Wales (Snowdon) and England (Scafell Pike). Having designated pouches to keep items separate in their backpack or suitcase will make packing much easier – not to mention being able to quickly find things without a ton of rummaging.
Sundried 30L Trekking Backpack, £65 (sundried.com)
A fab all-rounder whether they’re hitting the hills, gym or just lugging kit on the daily commute, this roomy backpack is loaded with pockets and compartments to keep shoes, bottles, clothes and any important essentials separate. There’s also a rain cover that tucks away into a pocket at the base, padded back panels, straps and waist belt, and a special pocket for adding a hydration bladder if needed.
Alpkit Definition Women’s Mountaineering Waterproof Jacket, £249.99 (alpkit.com)
If they’ve really caught the hiking bug and are plotting to tackle year-round climbs, Alpkit’s Definition jacket not only looks super stylish, it ticks some serious technical design boxes too. With 3-layer construction, it’s waterproof, windproof and breathable, promising enhanced protection against the elements, as well as durability thanks to the abrasion-resistant outer fabric.
10 Ways to Have a Cheaper and Greener Christmas
Vicky Shaw reveals how you can help your wallet and the planet when celebrating this year.
Overspending is a big concern for households as Christmas approaches.
This has been a huge year of change and, as part of that, people have been thinking about their impact on the planet.
So, if you’re looking to spend more mindfully this festive season, whether it’s for budgeting or environmental reasons – or a combination of both – here are some tips from Shaunagh Duncan, sustainability lead at green energy company Bulb…
1. Cut the waste
It’s common to overspend when buying ingredients for Christmas lunch, resulting in large amounts of waste.
If you follow a recipe, it might state how many people the dish serves and you can shop accordingly, so you’re less likely to overspend and create unnecessary waste – particularly if you’re cooking for a smaller group than usual.
For any food waste you do generate, try to make use of the food compost and green waste bins. You can even use some waste to grow your own plants – try planting an avocado stone or growing tomatoes from the seeds of supermarket veg.
2. Avoid plastic wrapping
Go for loose fruit and vegetables, which are often cheaper than packaged ones. Many high street and independent supermarkets also offer ‘wonky’ fruit and veg, which are cheaper than regular items, but just as delicious and nutritious.
3. Try buying local
This can be more cost effective and helps to support local businesses, while reducing transport emissions.
If your Christmas is going to be very different this year, you could also try eating something different.
By swapping red meat for more vegetarian recipes on Christmas Day, you could reduce your carbon footprint and also save money. Or if you can’t give up the turkey and pigs in blankets, try cutting down on red meat in the run-up to the big day instead.
4. Cover your pots with lids when cooking
And only boil the amount of water you actually need – these little hacks go a long way, and can help reduce your energy bills.
5. Rent a Christmas tree
Rather than buying a tree that could end up out with the bins in January, you could consider renting a Christmas tree. That way, you can enjoy it over the festive season, then the tree gets picked up after the holidays and returned to a farm.
If you have a garden, another option is to plant your Christmas tree in between seasons and use it again each Christmas – which will save you buying a tree every year.
6. Consider eco gift wrapping and e-cards
Reusing gift wrap from last Christmas can cut costs and waste. You can also get creative with your wrapping, using old magazines and spare fabric.
Try sending e-cards this year, too, or make your own using paper and materials lying around the house.
If you do opt for shop-bought wrapping paper or cards, then try to avoid ones with glitter made from plastic.
7. Use energy-saving Christmas lights
Energy-saving LED lights are available from many online stores or garden centres. You could also switch to solar-powered outdoor lights, which can be operated on a timer. If the average household replaced all of their bulbs with LEDs, they could potentially save £40 a year on bills.
8. Shop mindfully
Whether it’s online or in person, try to be mindful of how, when and where you shop. There’s often a pressure to buy gifts for people unnecessarily. Although this comes with good intentions, it can lead to overspending and more waste sent to landfill. You could also try to limit the number of different online deliveries to your home, to help reduce vehicle emissions and excess packaging. It could also save you from paying multiple delivery charges, which can all add up, too.
9. Give presents that last
Examples of thoughtful and long-lasting presents could include a houseplant or a memory photo album. Buying ‘gift experience’ vouchers to be used some time in the future could also help support local businesses at a time when they need it most.
10. Consider switching energy provider
At this time of year, households’ energy consumption is particularly high. So, you could switch to a cheaper tariff or provider. You could also consider a renewable energy supplier as a way of going green.
Touch of Luxe: 15 Gorgeous Home and Decor Gifts
Sam Wylie-Harris seeks out stylish homewares and decadent decos to pop under the tree for your favourite natty nester this Christmas.
Home is where the heart is – and this year more than ever, they deserve to be shown some love.
Gorgeous gifts to put some razzle-dazzle into daily life will delight decor divas and house-proud types. We’ve scoured the shops for the best buys at a range of price points to bring a little wonder and festive flair.
Whether you’re treating yourself to a divine deco or gifting something swish to a loved one, all the gifts on this luxe list are bound to bring tidings of comfort and joy…
1. Anton Studio Designs Set of 2 Soho Wine Glasses and Champagne Flutes, £19.96 each (were £24.95), and Set of 2 Soho DOF Tumblers, £15.96 (were £19.95), available in Gold, Silver and Bronze, Not Just Jugs
We all love to drink with our eyes and this elegant, long-stemmed glitzy glassware with co-ordinating tumblers is tailor-made for champagne cocktails and party drinks.
2. Darling! Heart Espresso Cups Lavender/Rose Set of 2, £24, Bombay Duck
Love coffee? Give it your best shot with these cute espresso cups trimmed with gold.
3. Etched Palm Cheese Knives Set of Three, £27.50, Oliver Bonas
Think island time, long lazy lunches and a holiday cheese board… these decorative palm stainless steel cheese knives make the cut.
4. Leopard Vases – Wall Mounted, £34, and Standing Tall, £55, Audenza
We’re wild about these luxuriant leopard vases. Made from hand-painted stoneware and versatile enough to hold your best bouquet or faux foliage, think of the roars of delight when one of these is let loose.
5. Pineapple Ice Bucket, £37, Graham & Green
Counting down to Happy Hour, we’re going troppo over this quirky Tiki inspired ice bucket to glam up a drinks trolley or tray.
6. Argos Home 12 Piece Dinner Set – Floral, £38, Argos
These blousy blooms are so eye-catching, anyone who’s into tablescaping will be inspired.
7. Cuisinart Wine Opener, £45, Cuisinart
The supercar of bottle openers, this Cuisinart removes any cork at the touch of a button and comes with a foil cutter and vacuum sealer, so you have the option to save a top drop for the next day. Fully charged, it can open around 80 bottles within six to eight hours. Va-va-vino!
8. Orla Kiely Dachshund Shaped Vase, £50 (other various shapes from a selection), Amara
Anyone who’s into growing their own herbs or planting cuttings will appreciate this fun vase. Slim enough to sit on a window sill or desk, we love the happy-go-lucky colour too.
9. John Whaite Nested Bowls, £60, Fenella Smith
As any baker worth their pastry chef hat knows one bowl is never enough. This chic ceramic trio in sugar-pink is designed by presenter and former Bake Off winner John Whaite. Edged in foil, they should inspire the poshest pâtisserie.
10. 24 Carat Gold Black Luxury Candle Gift, £75, The Luxe Candle Company
Give the gift of gold, frankincense and myrrh… this exotic, spicy, woody scent promises a sense of luxurious wellbeing with base notes of musk and amber in the mix. Made from soy wax and topped with 24K gold leaf, it comes gorgeously gift-boxed with a velvet dust bag.
11. Icon Sabrina Spikey Faux Fur Throw – Wine, £79.99, Beanbag Bazaar
Majestic in magenta, not only will this fabulous faux fur throw not slip off the bed or sofa arm, it’s soft enough to snuggle into with a glass of mulled wine, sweetened by thoughts of the next mince pie.
12. The White Company Set of 2 Diffuser Oils & Electronic Diffuser, £80, The White Company
Why faff about scenting reeds when you can flick a switch and softly scent and surround in minutes? The diva of diffusers, simply add a couple of drops of relaxing oil and ta-da! Includes The White Company’s bestselling Sleep and Spa Restore.
13. Alabaster Marble Bookends, £80, The French Bedroom Company
You don’t need to be a bookworm to appreciate these solid-marble book-shaped bookends. Made from alabaster marble and polished by hand for a silky smooth finish, they’re worthy of a stylish shelfie and will frame everything beautifully.
14. Hare Lamp with Black Shade, £139.95, and Faux Fur Gold Stool, £129.95 (chair from a selection), Audenza
Top of our wish list, Santa Baby, slip a faux fur gold stool and lavish lamp under the tree, for me. A real statement hero piece, we’re just as smitten with the sumptuous stool as we are the handsome hare.
15. SMEG Lavazza A Modo Mio – Black, £199, Daniel Stores
Budding baristas will feel right at home with the latest model from Lavazza. The coffee giant has teamed up with SMEG to bring us this A-list domestic appliance, which channels iconic retro styling with Italian flair for true, authentic coffee. Bellissima!
Ask An Expert: Why Is My Toddler More Interested In The Christmas Packaging?
A psychologist tells Lisa Salmon why children often like the box more than the toy.
My two-year-old son plays with the Christmas boxes and wrapping paper more than his presents. Why does he love the packaging so much?
Dr Shona Goodall, a clinical psychologist at Sheffield Children’s Hospital who has appeared on Channel 4’s Secret Life of 4 Year Olds, says: “Many of us have spent a small fortune on Christmas presents only for our toddlers to seemingly push them aside in favour of the cardboard boxes or wrapping. But Christmas packaging has more benefits for children than you might realise.
“Children of this age tend to take a great deal of interest in packaging at Christmas because removing it is often the first thing we encourage them to do. The sensory sound of the ripping noise is a quick win for them to master – it improves their hand-eye coordination and strengthens their finger pincer grip.
“Free (but safely supervised) play with packaging therefore offers a blank canvas to explore what they can do with the paper and boxes at their developmental stage and get creative and learn, without fear of getting it wrong.
“Playing with packaging can have other beneficial effects on their development too – it can help your son instigate positive behaviours like recycling.
“Young children love to copy at this age – you might have noticed your son will often look at you right before he’s about to do something. Caregivers attune to their child’s responses and assist them to make sense of the world, and research has shown praise will positively reinforce them to do it again.
“By encouraging the behaviour you want to see more of, such as putting something in the bin or recycling, you can lay a fantastic foundation upon which to teach him about sustainability. That’s your chance to chat through some of the materials being played with to educate him about where they come from and where they could go next.
“So, playing with packaging will not only aid your son’s development, but also sow the seeds for him to learn all about recycling and sustainability for both your children and future generations”
For more on cardboard packaging, visit Beyond the Box
6 Alternative Christmas Trees For Small Spaces
Hannah Stephenson shares some dinky options for space-starved homes - or anyone who can't face the faff of a full-size tree.
Bit short of space? Can’t fit a big Christmas tree into your home, but still want something natural-looking to replace it?
Well, good news. There are wall hangings, houseplants and smaller potted trees that’ll do the job nicely and bring some festive sparkle into your home, even if you live in the smallest space with just a little walk-round room.
So, what are the options?
1. Nordic Rope Ladder Hanging Christmas Tree, £20, notonthehighstreet.com
A minimalist yet rustic alternative to the classic Christmas tree, this hanging tree is only 80cm tall and can be tucked up neatly against a wall. Add baubles of your choice and drape it with fairy lights to bring it to life. A great choice for those with very tight space to work with, anyone who can’t ‘cope’ with pine needles – or to decorate other areas of the home.
The wooden slats are rounded natural twigs from the bayur tree, making all of these unique.
2. Mini Letterbox Christmas Tree, from £32, BloomAndWild.com
A survey commissioned by Bloom & Wild found that people are downsizing their trees in a bid to cut down on costs and needle dropping – with 79% of those quizzed saying they’re opting for a smaller tree this year, while 65% of millennials will be buying a cheaper option, without sacrificing the ‘Instagram-worthy’ tradition of buying one completely.
Their mini letterbox trees, which are real and rooted, arrive with decorations, lights and a pop-up pot in a letterbox-fitting box, and can be planted in the garden after Christmas.
3. Mini Christmas Tree Trio, £25, Marks and Spencer
If you only have space to spare on your windowsill, this trio of frosted mini trees, in winter embossed tin containers, would make a classy edition. You’ll ideally need to place them in a cool position with some natural light and, while they’re fine kept indoors for a few weeks, after that you’ll need to move them outdoors if you want them to survive, and plant them either in a patio container or the garden. Once you’ve done that, they should continue to thrive (you’ll want to make sure the compost never totally dries out but don’t let the tree get waterlogged either, and adding some plant food to their water between late spring and early autumn is advised).
4. Houseplants (Luxury Basket £30), Wyevale Garden Centres
Who says it has to be a Christmas tree? There are other ways to bring some festive greenery into the home, including houseplants. If you have the space, consider gathering some houseplants together, with some white specimens, such as orchids and lilies, to create a ‘frosted’ look. You could also go for a red and green arrangement to give a room a traditional festive feel, and go as big or small as you like.
5. Plant Terrarium, £66.99, crocus.co.uk
Terrariums have become the must-have addition to living areas, and if you haven’t the space for a tree then you could consider planting a feast of festive plants in one of these glass enclosures instead, which should keep going beyond New Year.
Once you’ve had enough of them, you can easily change the style by swapping in new plants next year. This one’s produced from sheet glass and brass, with an antique bronze finish.
6. Pot-grown Tree, from £20, Wyevale Garden Centres
Eco-friendly gardeners may prefer a smaller version of the traditional Christmas tree. They can look superb – and this one is pot-grown, so can be planted in the garden afterwards.
New Campaign Urges Consumers To Buy British Christmas Trees
A new campaign has been launched by Grown in Britain to encourage UK consumers to buy more assured British grown Christmas trees.
Grown in Britain says many people may be assuming they are buying fresh British grown trees, when they are not. The organisation is urging consumers to support rural businesses in Britain and reduce ‘tree miles’ by checking where their Christmas tree comes from before they buy.
According to Government statistics, £3 million pounds worth of real Christmas trees were imported into the UK last year.
Grown in Britain has created a Christmas tree licensing scheme that operates throughout the supply chain from growers to retailers and provides an assurance that trees are fresh and grown in the UK in a responsible way with due regard to the environment.
Chief Executive Dougal Driver says: “The UK has a flourishing Christmas tree growing sector and our auditing process checks that trees are definitely from the UK, grown responsibly and meet a strict forest floor to shop floor freshness test.”
He adds: “This is the start of the campaign with approximately 50,000 Christmas trees currently licensed for sale, but the public can really make a difference by asking their stockists to supply assured Grown in Britain trees now and in the future. This will help ensure the number of assured homegrown Christmas trees rises over time, with a consequential boost to the UK’s rural economy.”
To find out your nearest supplier of Grown in Britain licensed Christmas trees, look at the licence holder map on the Grown in Britain website www.growninbritain.org
House hunting starts between Christmas and New Year
The time between Christmas and New Year is a time for people to relax, read magazines and it’s when people start house hunting. So having a property featured in the lifestyle and property magazine In The Country and Town, could be a smart move for house sellers and landlords alike.
Over Christmas and New Year people take time out to relax and indulge in the pleasure of reading magazines, so a special edition of In The Country and Town is being distributed over the festive season.
If you are thinking of selling or letting a property, this is the ideal opportunity to get the attention of buyers and kick start your plans to move house in early 2019.
A lifestyle and property magazine with reach
This leading lifestyle and property magazine reaches thousands of buyers, search agents and tenants from London to Beijing, all of whom will receive the ‘In The Country and Town’ magazine in time for Christmas and New Year 2019.
The Opportunity for house sellers to appear in this magazine, without obligation or cost unless the property is sold or let is a big appeal.
The real story of this successful magazine is that it brings new buyers to the market, many of whom are not actively in the market looking around agents or property portals, hence the reason we tag the magazine name with ‘Creating the inspiration to move.’
Does it work?
This quality magazine is showcasing wonderful content from stunning properties, to celebrity chefs and motoring features, great interior design, market insight, politics and gardening. So, does it work?
Thousands of copies of each issue are distributed by Royal Mail and many more by direct distribution. Looking back on previous issues, there are many examples of properties which were sold directly from this magazine, despite these properties already being on the open market on property portals such as Rightmove. So yes this old fashioned print marketing can work and in many cases outperformed the digital property portals such as Rightmove. Take a look at this example.
How to advertise without obligation or cost
So in summary, if you are thinking of selling or renting a fine home then don’t just focus on digital marketing but in addition think about the role of quality print. Fortunately at McCarthy Holden we are leaders in digital and video marketing as well as professional print.
Without obligation or cost, unless McCarthy Holden sell or let your property, you can have your property promoted in our property magazine. You simply give McCarthy Holden the instruction to promote your property in the next issue of In The Country & Town and online also – all on a no sale no fee basis.
Then sit back and let the power of high-end professional print and digital marketing go to work.
The pages will be filled with property, features and advertising on a first come first serve basis, so contact your nearest McCarthy Holden branch for details and if required a free no obligation valuation.
Who knows, early 2019 could be a Happy New Year for some house vendors and landlords!
