Innholdsfortegnelse for Festive Special 2021 i Pick Me Up! Special

HOW TO REGISTER It’s FREE to enter and it really is so easy to do! Just visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com and register by hitting the join button and then you can enter as many competitions as you like. Go on, have fun! For website rules of play, go to comps.lifedeathprizes.com/rules. Terms and conditions apply, UK only. This promotion is running concurrently in the Festive issues of Chat Monthly and Pick Me Up! Special and the January issue of Chat it’s Fate.…

Heading out of the door in a rush to make the school run, my son Ethan, six, ran out of the house first. ‘Please don’t forget Peter,’ Ethan reminded me. Peter Rabbit was Ethan’s favourite cuddly toy, and it had to follow us everywhere. My mum Rosalyn, 65, bought Peter when I found out I was pregnant with Ethan. He was Ethan’s first toy, and from the day they met, they were totally inseparable. Over the years, Mum had been the rabbit doctor. For she would sew him back together and even making him cute custom costumes! Peter came with us no matter where we were heading. Me, my mum, Ethan and his brother, Hayden, one, all went on staycation to Devon earlier this year to spend some time together.…

Padding down the stairs on Christmas morning, my girls Jess, 13, and Lexie, 10, buzzed excitedly. ‘Go on, then,’ I smiled. ‘Let’s see what Father Christmas has brought you.’ They dug into their stockings, and I sat back with a cuppa as I watched them excitedly tear open presents, wrapping paper flying around the living room. When the girls were little, I’d never have had the time on Christmas morning to sit with them while they opened their stockings. I’d have been up at the crack of dawn, stuffing a turkey and chopping veg. And while the smell of roast turkey wafting through the house was lovely, I hated cooking, and the girls never appreciated my efforts. They weren’t roast dinner fans. Dry turkey was pushed around the plate, and…

Add these scarves and gloves to your outfit for an ultimate snuggle fest! An oversized hat will definitely heat up your street style, plus you can hide a bad hair day. Try these festive prints to add to your cosy look… Push your winter look even further with these alternative winter warmers: Up your bedtime game with these fluffy loungewear essentials! Get ready to hibernate on the sofa, we will provide the style, you just need to get the snacks!…

Around 227,000 miles of wrapping paper is thrown into landfill each year, so why not do your bit to save the planet by making sustainable gift-wrapping choices this year? Furoshiki The name ‘Furoshiki’ is both the name for a traditional Japanese cloth and also the term for a special Japanese method of wrapping. The great thing about Furoshiki wrapping is that it’s easy to do and it will save you money as it’s reusable for any gift you may want to wrap. All you need is a piece of material big enough to cover up your gift and something to tie it with. A nice piece of yarn or colourful ribbon works really well. Hand-designed Using brown paper to wrap gifts is a great option because it’s recyclable, unlike a…

According to an organic dairy company, how many minutes a week does the average Brit spend cooking and preparing meals? Fit these numbers into the grid, reading across and down. One number doesn’t fit. This is the answer. 3 DIGITS 143 231 305 312 331 342 364 497 586 678 734 889 930 4 DIGITS 1692 2451 3715 4967 5888 6329 7265 8252 9400 5 DIGITS 11492 18324 18902 20126 37535 46512 57330 63683 72147 88963 94311 6 DIGITS 221450 482863 564169 716685 841026 7 DIGITS 2725451 3072099 7087675 9463796 8 DIGITS 60537925 Your answer_______________________________________________ Number fit Answer: 7179 130+ PUZZLES in every issue PLUS £500 to be won ON SALE NOW!…

1 An underactive thyroid makes you fat ■ True ■ False 2 You can prevent an underactive thyroid ■ True ■ False 3 It’s treatable ■ True ■ False 4 It’s similar to the menopause ■ True ■ False 5 It can be left untreated ■ True ■ Fals 1. FALSE Having an underactive thyroid on its own does not make you fat. But one of the thyroid’s main functions is to regulate the body’s metabolism – so if it’s not producing enough hormones, it means your metabolism will slow down, making you more prone to putting on a few pounds. 2. FALSE There’s nothing you can to do stop your thyroid being underactive. Most cases are caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid gland and damaging it, or by…

It didn’t matter whether they were a loved one or even someone she’d never met before, Renee Pagel put her hand up to help anyone who was struggling. It was one of the many reasons why everyone wanted to be friends with the compassionate mum-ofthree, who was always ‘out to save the world’. In 2006, Renee, 41, was working as a nurse practitioner at a local hospital, and she also taught as a health instructor for a practical-led education centre. Before starting a family, Renee had travelled aboard on medical missions. No one was surprised that she’d followed a career that called for compassion – it was what also made her an attentive mum to her three children. Renee had seven-year-old twins, a girl and a boy. She also had…

According to research from Cosmopolitan, the average Brit consumes more than 5,000 calories on Christmas Day! But while eating to excess may be a yuletide tradition, it seems we are wasting just as much food as we are eating. 263,000 turkeys, 7.5 million mince pies and more than 170 tonnes of sprouts end up in landfill sites across the country after Christmas. And with these sites close to capacity, food waste at Christmas is costing the UK a crazy 10 billion pounds a year! But not only our pockets are suffering, the planet is too! Change your festive habits this season by limiting your household food waste… FREEZE THE DAY! We all know that freezing food means we can keep it for longer, but it isn’t always clear what foods…

Snow is falling – and this dying pup is making the most of it. Marianna Wilson and Elijah Saltzgaber were heartbroken when they had to make the difficult decision to put down Maggie, 11, after a battle with cancer. All her life, Maggie loved to be in the snow. And the pair weren’t prepared to just let her go without giving her one last weekend of wintery pleasure. Maggie loved to be in the snow! This included lots of her favourite meals, camping and belly rubs – but they had no idea how they would get hold of some snow in September. That was until Salt Lake County Ice Centre answered their pleas and transported buckets of ice shavings over to their home for Maggie to play one last time.…

Sitting down in our seats as the plane got ready to take off, I clasped my wife’s hand. I’d tied the knot with Lenka, 30, six months earlier, but now, in December 2019, we were finally off on our honeymoon. As we headed into the sky, I couldn’t wait to get to Thailand and relax for the first time in ages. Spending the run-up to Christmas in the sun with my new wife was the perfect way to ring in the festive period. ‘I have noticed blood in my poo’ I’d been feeling run down for a little while, and my GP had diagnosed me with heartburn. To be honest, it wasn’t surprising. We’d spent ages planning our big day, and on top of that I was finishing off my…

Transform your Christmas table décor with some great handmade crackers! Fill them with fun contents, even adding a handmade sweet treat alongside your favourite festive joke… YOU WILL NEED: ■ Ruler■ Head pins■ Scissors■ Sewing machine■ Fabric scraps■ Cardboard tubes■ Red ribbon■ Sewing thread■ Card TO MAKE: 1. Use two pieces of card to create templates for your crackers. You can find the size of the templates on blog.hobbycraft.co.uk 2. Choose two contrasting fabrics, one for the cracker body and another for the ends. Draw around the templates onto the back of the fabrics and then cut around the pattern. 3. Place the cracker body and pin to the cracker end, making sure that the fabrics are pattern side up. 4. Sew the pieces together and repeat for the other…

Cautiously opening the boot of our Vauxhall Astra, I looked around me to see whether anyone was watching. ‘Matt, he’s enormous!’ I whispered to my husband as a pair of big black eyes stared up at me. Taking up the entire space of the boot was our newest addition to the family – a humongous 6ft long, chunky, and scaly black-throated monitor lizard. The monster’s forked tongue flailed around as it looked as though it was sizing me up. ‘He’s got a bit of a gut on him,’ Matt, 38, smiled as he tickled the lizard’s chin. ‘Quickly, let’s get him in the house,’ I told Matt, feeling slightly on edge about the prehistoric-looking beast who was chilling in our car on the council estate we lived on. ‘Hang on,’…

According to research by Superdrug, 55% of people suffer from unwanted contraceptive side effects – and 14% wish they had switched contraception years ago. So the high street pharmacy has launched a new online contraception consultation service for just £5, to help people find the right contraception for them. The aim is to help people understand the different contraception options available, and find an option to suit their needs. Superdrug’s team of online doctors will work with individuals, of all ages, to come up with a personalised plan.…

TWINKLY TOES A heel is the perfect way to spice up your party outfit. A statement colour or style can really pull your look together, just try not to fall head over heels… THE SHOWSTOPPER BASE Jumpsuits, dresses and skirts are a must if you want to steal the show. Choose your base first and add accessories after, this way you can really coordinate your look… BAGGING RIGHTS If you need a bag to carry your phone, ID and lippy, opt for a clutch. Not only can you keep your goods close to you all night but you can match it to your outfit too! THE FINISHING TOUCH Don’t forget jewellery! The perfect pair of earrings can really add something to your party vibe… 2021 will be the year of…

Opening up a notification on Facebook, I saw my friend Jill had tagged me in something. My eyes lit up as the most beautiful Dalmatian puppy popped up in front of me. Oh no, why is she wearing a cone? I thought to myself as I studied the photo. Born in a puppy mill… I read as my bottom lip started trembling and my eyes welled up Bracing myself to read on, my heart broke with every word I read. It turned out that this adorable little pup was handed into Home at Last Dog Rescue with a wonky front left leg As a result, she was no use to her breeder. Thankfully the vets quickly operated on her poorly leg, while she was just eight weeks old. But the…

Film and TV 1Who plays Kris Kringle in Miracle on 34th Street? a Richard Attenborough b Ian McKellen c Michael Gambon 2Where do the people in The Grinch live? a Whotown b Whoville c Whocity 3According to Buddy the elf, what is the best way to spread Christmas cheer? a Eating candy canes and drinking hot chocolate b Singing loud for all to hear c Giving strangers hugs 4Which Muppet plays author Charles Dickens in A Muppet’s Christmas Carol? a Fozzie Bear b Beaker c Gonzo 5In Home Alone, where do the McCallister family plan to spend Christmas? a Paris b London c Rome Showbiz 6Which pantomime is Gok Wan performing in this year? a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs b Cinderella c Dick Whittington 7How old is The Santa Clause star Tim…

I really loved superheroes growing up. I would have every member of The Justice League on the walls of my bedroom but my favourite just had to be the Dark Knight himself, Batman. ‘You’re too good at this,’ my boyfriend, William, 21, joked whilst we played Batman on the PS4. We met just seven months before through mutual friends. ‘I’ve never really got into Batman,’ William admitted on our first date. I was disappointed. Maybe he just needed to know more, I thought. So, in July, this year, I persuaded him to watch all of the Batman movies with me. William is in the Royal Navy, meaning he works away a lot and I don’t get to see him very often. Batman is my favourite hero A few days later, on 31 July,…

Makes: 3 'large' trees (10 layers) Cookie Christmas trees INGREDIENTS: YOU WILL NEED A SET OF FIVE STAR COOKIE CUTTERS IN DIFFERENT SIZES ■ 400g plain flour■ 200g golden caster sugar■ 200g unsalted butter (room temperature)■ 1 free range egg, beaten■ 1tsp ground cinnamon■ 200g icing sugar■ 1 medium egg white■ Glittery sprinkles METHOD: 1. Start by whisking together the butter, sugar and ground cinnamon until creamy and light. 2. Now add the beaten egg and the flour. Mix again until all combined. 3. Scrape the dough together and form it into a ball. Wrap the ball into clingfilm and leave to cool in the fridge for 30 minutes. 4. Grease a baking tray and cover with grease-proof paper. 5. Preheat your oven to 180oC. Flour your worktop and roll…

ALADDIN, OPERA HOUSE MANCHESTER Let Aladdin whisk you away to Agrabah on his magic carpet for a wondrous adventure you’ll never forget! Genie will make your wishes come true with comedy, singing, dancing and festive magic. Starring X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, there’ll be plenty of boos and hisses as Aladdin, Jasmine and the genie try to defeat the evil sorcerer. • On from Saturday 11 December 2021 until Sunday 2 January 2022 • Tickets from £13 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, LIGHTHOUSE POOLE This Disney favourite has been given a pantomime twist. The famous fairytale production, starring soap legend Michelle Collins, sees beautiful Belle fall in love with handsome Prince Valentin – but then the evil enchantress casts a wicked spell, turning him into a horrible beast. Can Belle see…

Watching as my little girl played around me, my mind wandered to Christmas. It may have been summer, but with another lockdown looming, I’m sure I wasn’t the only parent a little worried. Every year, I took my daughter Rosey-Grace, six, to a grotto. Her face was priceless. My step-children, Freya, 11, and Camden, 10, may not be believers anymore, but they make sure to keep the magic alive. However, last year, my fiancée Natalie, 33, and I, had no idea how we were going to keep them all entertained for the festive season. And the more I thought about it, the more I realised that there would be thousands of children who missed out. Many maybe robbed of their last year of believing. I had to do something about…

Watching my baby girl snoozing peacefully in her Moses basket, I smiled at her. ‘You’re a little angel, aren’t you,’ I cooed softly to my newborn daughter, Audrey. She’d been born two days earlier, in May 2012, weighing a healthy 8lb 15.5oz. As quietly as I could, I crept slowly out of the room. ‘Mummy!’ her big brother Harry, two, screamed. ‘Mummy, I’m hungry!’ I winced, waiting for Audrey’s inevitable wail at being awoken. But it never came. She didn’t even flinch. ‘Wow,’ I said to my husband Andrew, 40. ‘I can’t believe it!’ ‘We’ve got lucky with this one,’ he joked. I quickly realised I could stick the vacuum round, make a cuppa and watch TV, all without waking my sleeping baby. Not even her wild big brother stirred…

I don’t have much money and at Christmas time I’m not able to buy my children a huge pile of presents like all their friends get. I feel so guilty, but I just can’t afford it. Especially as I have four of them. What can I do? Christmas is such a huge time of the year for families, especially for those with children. The pressure to purchase the newest and most expensive gifts for loved ones is huge. But remember, the most important thing this time of year is spending quality time with family and showing them you care. Plan for it As early as you can in the year, it could help to write a list of gifts you’d like to buy for Christmas. That way you won’t waste…

After former England cricketer Allan Lamb was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he put a call-out to men to ‘put your egos aside’ and get a check. Men over the age of 50, those with a family history of prostate cancer and black men are all at a higher risk. Phil Day, superintendent pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, said: ‘One in eight men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime – it’s the most common form of cancer in men, with over 44,000 being diagnosed each year.’ The five warning signs include: If you’re experiencing any symptoms, visit your GP.…

Even though I was born blind I thoroughly enjoyed my childhood. I attended a sight school, where the teachers could really understand my needs. As I got older I coped with life the best way that I could. My husband, Jim, and my friends would always be so helpful, offering to help with anything I needed. Although I had their support I wanted to be able to finally go shopping on my own. So, in 1996, I got involved with the charity Guide Dogs, which were set up the same year I was born, where they gave me my first assistance dog, Leon. I was so proud to walk down the street, with Leon leading the way. He helped me with little daily tasks that many others take for granted.…

From nature-inspired trends to fresh colour schemes, 2022 is shaping up to be an exciting year for interior design. Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at Furniture and Choice (FurnitureChoice.co.uk) shares the top five trends and how to get the look at home. 1. Feature walls and textured wallpaper Rio Single Bed, £129.99 (furniturechoice.co.uk) A trend for 2022 inspired by hope and optimism is bold and colourful feature wall patterns. ‘A geometric wall with a colour block effect perks up a child’s bedroom with a big dose of personality. ‘Keep the rest simple with a fresh white wooden bed for a light and airy feel,’ Rebecca says. 2. Earthy clay tones Astor Double Bed, £379.99, furniturechoice.co.uk Calming and comforting earthy tones like terracotta have proven to be popular searches online as…

Stepping out of my van, I threw a red, velvet cape with a white fur trim over my shoulders. Fastening it at my neck, I turned to Father Christmas. ‘How do I look?’ I asked. ‘Super,’ he replied, smiling underneath his beard. ‘Let’s go,’ I grinned. Walking up to a festivelydecorated door, I knocked. As it swung open, I grinned down at a beautifully-dressed little girl. ‘Merry Christmas, Hattie,’ I smiled, as her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. ‘Louby Lou!’ she squealed, giving me a big hug. I’d known six-yearold Hattie’s mum, Kim, for years, and I’d done parties for her before. But last year, it was my first time doing Christmas visits. And I was loving it. When lockdown hit, all the parties I had booked in suddenly…