Innholdsfortegnelse for December 10, 2012 i Woman's Own

I am not a great cook – there, I’ve said it. This comes as a perennial disappointment to my Italian husband who loves his food, but I would rather be in the garden trimming trees than in the kitchen cutting carrots. However, this festive season I am determined to show off my limited skills by offering up my version of Christmas lunch. It will consist of some of the fabulous recipes from our mini mag, along with a lot of readymade bits from M&S – it’s the thought that counts, isn’t it? facebook.com/womansownmagazine twitter.com/womansown womansowneditor@ipcmedia.com 020 3148 6565 Just for you ◆ Our 24-page guide has more than 40 recipes for the Christmas season ◆ Delicious ideas for starters, mains, desserts, cocktails and more ◆ A Boxing Day menu along…

Delegate this Christmas! After watching that poor ‘superwoman’ in the much talked-about Asda Christmas advert, I have three words for women getting stressed at this time of year: Delegate! Delegate! Delegate! Don’t attempt to do everything yourself. You will end up totally frazzled and your rattiness will make everyone feel uncomfortable. I find watching that Asda ad makes me anxious. Her big lump of a husband could do a lot more to help! I always make sure my guests share the load at Christmas by tidying up the wrapping paper, taking the dog for a walk or peeling the spuds. People lending a hand generates the real spirit of Christmas and brings everyone closer together. I’m a stickler for tradition when it comes to festive food and always have turkey…

Whether it’s in the velodrome or on the Strictly dancefloor, Victoria Pendleton always goes full throttle. But, as we’ve seen on Strictly, the results can be very different. Now that the Olympic gold medallist, 32, has put her bike back in the shed, she’s focusing on her wedding to Scott Gardner, 36, who was also her cycling coach, her first ‘normal’ Christmas and starting a family at home in Cheshire. I’m getting married in August and I can’t wait. I want a small, low-key wedding. I haven’t got a million friends. I told Scott the choice of venue is up to him. As long as I get to wear the dress I want, I’ll be happy. Sport is very emotional, so having my boyfriend as my coach was stressful. When…

Little black dress No wardrobe is complete without the perfect LBD. It’s a fail-safe party option for most women – a figure-fixing shade that instantly creates a smoother silhouette. GET THE LOOK Andy Warhol Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Silver Factory, £17, Nars; Barry M Jewel Glitter Nail Paint in Gold Mine, £2.99, Superdrug; Lash Eyelashes Double Volume, £4.09, Superdrug; Pure Colour Baked Quad Eye Shadow in Smoke, £15, Autograph Made With Swarovski Elements at M&S Kate, 36 Dress, £45, 18-26, Inspire at New Look; shoes, £50, Next; bangle, £26, and necklace, £16.63, both Butler & Wilson at QVC Mary, 52 Dress, £45, 8-22, Per Una at M&S; shoes, £19.50, M&S; earrings, £21.50, Butler & Wilson at QVC; bracelet, Mary’s own Kim, 40 Dress, £79, 8-20, Boutique at M&Co; shoes,…

Every year, we decorate our home, shop for presents and stock up on treats for that one special day – Christmas. It’s a chance for loved ones to come together and celebrate. But for the families of those serving abroad, it can be one of the hardest times of the year. And as mum Louise Fetigan, 30, from Surrey, knows only too well, it’s not just the wives and girlfriends back home who suffer – it’s the children, too. When her husband, Tony, 31, was serving in Afghanistan in 2010, their daughter Madison, then seven, wrote a note called My Daddy Is A Soldier. It read: ‘I feel sad and frightened because my dad is in Afghanistan. My mum has helped me a lot since he has gone away but…

Woman’s Own has teamed up with MoneySupermarket.com to offer you some great deals. Just follow the instructions and save yourself cash today 20% off at Step into the Christmas season with 20% off at Daniel Footwear online! Take a look at the new Autumn/Winter collection and find party shoes and stylish handbags small or big enough for all of your daily essentials. Daniel Footwear stocks its own unique brand along with designers Lulu Guinness, DKNY, Love Moschino, Ash, Ugg, Tory Burch, Hunter, Michael Kors, Armani Jeans and many more. To get 20% off, simply visit danielfootwear.com and enter code WOWNDF at the checkout. TERMS & CONDITIONS Valid until 11 December 2012. Website terms and conditions apply. 15% off £30 spend at You’ll find books to suit every taste, from Nigella…

Best camcorders Dan Eldridge, technology buying manager at Bid Shopping, reveals his top three camcorders Most smartphones are now able to shoot video, so why would you buy a camcorder? The answer is simple. Camcorders shoot in full high definition and offer far superior recordings than a phone. They also work better in low light conditions, use optical zoom to get closer without losing quality and can store hours of film – ideal for festive family get-togethers. As nearly all camcorders on the market are lightweight and easy to use, your decision on which to buy might simply come down to price. SONY CX190, £179, bid.tv This pocket-sized model has an impressive 25x optical zoom and its SteadyShot active mode corrects any camera shake, even when you’re walking. Night shoots…

Just 150 cals 15 minute recipe Chocolate brownies MAKES 16 PREP TIME 15 MINS COOKING TIME 25 MINS 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas 4. Grease and line a 20x20cm square brownie tin with baking paper. Put 400g peeled and chopped butternut squash into a heatproof bowl, cover in cling film and microwave for 8-10 mins until the mixture is soft. 2 Drain away any excess water, then add 100g chopped dark chocolate to the bowl and, using a handheld blender, whizz the mixture to a purée and set aside. 3 Crack 4 medium eggs into a bowl and add 200g caster sugar. Whisk until light and fluffy, then fold in 100g cocoa powder, 2tbsp plain flour and 2tsp baking powder. Mix in the chocolate squash purée, then transfer to the…

1 Nail-biting finale The X Factor ITV1, Saturday, 8 December It’s time. To face. The music. Once again, hundreds of thousands of applicants have been whittled down over the months and so tonight one act will be crowned the 2012 X Factor winner (or winners). For the first time in its nine-series history, the final will be held in Manchester, but who gets your vote? 2 Festive diva This Is Christmas by Katherine Jenkins. Out now Nothing says Christmas like hearing a beautiful voice singing carols, and as one of the best mezzo-sopranos in the biz, Katherine Jenkins more than satisfies on that front. Her versions of Away In A Manger and Santa Baby will have you decking the halls in no time. Win! We have five copies of Katherine’s…

WIN! Cash & prizes WORD FIT Prize puzzle To be in with a chance of winning the prize below, fit the words in the grid. The shaded squares reveal the hidden word(s). 3 LETTERS Aga Log Tap 4 LETTERS Earl Into Mere Sage 5 LETTERS Aisle Awake Dodgy 6 LETTERS Geisha Radial Repeat Sheikh 7 LETTERS Monsoon Poverty Stately 8 LETTERS Inexpert Mischief Sedative 9 LETTERS Cochineal Fertility Metalware Underwear Vividness Win! £100 garden gift vouchers National Garden Gift Vouchers are a brilliant way to let your green-fingered friends and family members choose the presents they really want. They can be used at over 2,000 gardening outlets across the UK. Now you can become a fan and buy vouchers at facebook.com/GardenGiftVouchers or go to thevoucher garden.co.uk. HOW TO ENTER Go…

Michael Bublé is fast becoming Mr Christmas, with his versions of festive tunes having become the soundtrack to the season. He’s re-released his Christmas album and he’ll perform on Strictly on 9 December. Happily married to supermodel Luisana Lopilato, 25, and working on a new album, he tours the UK next summer. But the Canadian singer, 37, endured a hard 10-year slog around the nightclub circuit before he hit the big time. ‘I was 26 when I got famous,’ he explains. ‘It was a massive struggle. I ran out of money. I was desperate.’ Growing up ‘I went through times when I was a complete idiot,’ admits Michael. ‘I was immature and I got arrogant. I played around with groupies and behaved badly. I used to be a professional a***hole.…

Spiced red cabbage, honey-roasted carrots and sprouts with pancetta & shallots SERVES 6 PREP TIME 20 MINS COOKING TIME 1 HR COST PER SERVING £1.55 (FOR ALL THREE SIDES) 1 Thinly slice 1kg red cabbage. Heat 25g butter in a saucepan, add 2 red onions, chopped, and gently fry for 5 mins. Add the zest of 1 orange and 1 cinnamon stick. Add the cabbage, then 150ml port, 1tbsp red wine vinegar, the juice of 1 orange and 150ml water. Simmer, covered, for 45-60 mins. 2 Preheat the oven to 200°C/Gas 6. Peel and halve lengthways 1kg carrots. Boil for 5 mins then drain. Put in a roasting tin. Mix the juice of 1 orange, 2tsp honey and 2tbsp olive oil. Drizzle over the carrots, season and roast for 20…

Gammon & mushroom omelette EASY SERVES 2 PREP TIME 5 MINS COOKING TIME 10 MINS COST PER SERVING £1.94 1 Heat 1tbsp olive oil in a frying pan. Add a handful of leftover gammon or ham, chopped, and a handful of chestnut mushrooms, sliced. Fry over a high heat for 2-3 mins. Transfer to a bowl, add 25g Cheddar and mix. 2 Add a knob of butter to the pan. When sizzling, add 3 eggs, beaten. Cook for 1-2 mins until set to your liking. Spread the mushroom mix on top. Cook for 1-2 mins and put under a medium grill for 2-3 mins until firm. Garnish with chives and serve with frites (optional). NUTRITION PER SERVING 327 cals, 20.4g protein, 0g carbs (0g sugars), 27.2g fat (10g saturates), 0.1g…

Hedgerow velvet cocktail SERVES 6 PREP TIME 10 MINS COOKING TIME 5 MINS COST PER SERVING £4.19 1 Place 175g blackberries and 50g caster sugar in a saucepan. Heat gently until the sugar dissolves, then simmer for 5 mins until thickened and slightly syrupy. Sieve into a jug and chill in the fridge. 2 When it’s time to serve, simply blend 6tbsp brandy with the syrup, then pour 2tbsp of the mixture into a champagne flute, and top with chilled champagne, prosecco or sparkling wine. Cheers! Mulled white wine SERVES 6 PREP TIME 5 MINS COOKING TIME 15 MINS COST PER SERVING £1.39 1 Place 2x75cl bottles of dry white wine, such as Riesling or Chardonnay, in a saucepan. Add 4 cinnamon sticks, each broken into 4 pieces, 20 cloves…

On the spot with... Lynda Bellingham The Oxo mum, 64, will be spending Christmas with her husband and two sons 1 Sprouts or stuffing? You can’t have one without the other. 2 Christmas at home or abroad? Home. It’s all about being at home. 3 Eggnog or champagne? Champagne. Eggnog’s a bit gloopy. 4 Slade or carols? Carols. As soon as I hear Once In Royal David’s City, I’m away. 5 Pyjamas or posh frock? You need to wear slouchy stuff to cook. But don’t wipe gravy on your trousers! 6 Snooze or stroll? A walk is nice but I like it when everyone nods off on the sofa. 7 Christmas pudding or mince pies? I buy mini mince pies and clotted cream – disgustingly naughty! 8 Socks or smellies?…

When Ant and Dec were first approached about presenting I’m A Celeb... 10 years ago, they were sceptical. Ant thought it was a ‘ridiculous concept and a terrible title’. Turned out alright though, didn’t it, lads? The secret of the duo’s success is their genuine warmth on screen, which comes from their 25 -year friendship. We’ll next see the m on Tex t Santa (ITV1) on 21 December and then Britain’s Got Talent in January. Both 37, they look set to be on TV until they’re Sir Brucie’s age! Sir Ant and Sir Dec has got a rather nice ring to it... Flatmates They once shared a pad in West London. It wasn’t pretty – Ant’s a neat freak but Dec is the messy one. In the beginning The Geordie…

Your baby’s first Christmas should be magical – it’s about celebrating the joy of a new life at the most special time of year. So imagine if you couldn’t even bring yourself to have your picture taken with your baby. That’s what it was like on my son George’s first Christmas. Aged two months and dressed in a Santa outfit, he melted everyone’s hearts. Yet I couldn’t tell you what presents he received and there isn’t a single picture of us together that day. Becoming a mother hadn’t filled me with the warm glow of happiness it should. Instead, I felt shame, fear and guilt. In fact, I wondered if my beautiful baby and my husband John would be better off without me at all… Rising panic I fell pregnant…

Luxe lips We’re not talking about a full-on metal mouth, but a sprinkling of gold on the upper lip looks elegant and on-trend, and can even make your pout appear plumper. For a party look, go for a deep wine or rose-pink lipstick. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Cherries In The Snow, £7.49, is our pick. Apply lipstick, blot and reapply. Use Gold Lip Liner Pencil, £4, Front Cover, to line across your Cupid’s bow and blend out. Don’t line the whole mouth, just the upper lip, for a pout worthy of a mistletoe kiss. Treat! Sheen Supreme Lipstick, £14.50, M.A .C, combines punchy pigment with the gleaming finish of a lipgloss Gilty face Nothing screams ‘youthful complexion’ like a radiant glow. Begin with a luminous primer, such as Smashbox…

EMMA RECOMMENDS Worried about eating too much over the festive period? Take a look at beyondchocolate.co.uk DR RADHA RECOMMENDS Tired of the gym? For variety, try an outdoor boot camp exercise class, like bootcampascot.co.uk How can I ever forgive him? DEAR EMMA, My boyfriend’s divorce has just come through but he’s now admitted that, not long after we got together, he slept with his ex-wife as he wasn’t sure he’d made the right decision leaving her. He’s begged for my forgiveness, but I’m finding it hard to do that. Anne, 44, Liverpool Your partner chose sex as a way to decide which partner to be with. That’s not stupidity, it’s immaturity. My advice is to take a break from this relationship so that you can work out how you feel…

Cheers rang from the audience as I bounded around the stage in my dog costume, barking and pulling funny faces. The audience was roaring with laughter but, inside, I was in despair. This wasn’t what I’d wanted, to be hidden away like this in a great big furry costume. I wanted to be the princess, the one who took centre stage. Yet, as the curtains closed at the end of the show and I hurried away to the dressing room, I knew only too well why I’d been kept covered up. Aged 29, I was 5ft 6in tall but weighed just 5st. My ribs stuck out painfully, my stomach dipped like a bowl and my arms and legs were like sticks. I hated the way I looked, but I felt…

Get the look Now your Christmas table can look as good as your gift-wrapping with this new range from John Lewis. Tree, 8ft, £140; holiday stocking, £15; Merry Christmas stocking, £5; tree decorations, from £1.50; gingerbread house, 600g, £15; holiday fine stripe tablecloth, 140x180cm, from £35; reversible place mat with pocket, £6. WE ALSO LOVE Cardboard cake stand, £4, berryred.co.uk Seasonal wow! We just adore this pair of pretty porcelain tealight holders. They’re an investment which you’ll show off year after year. They’ll bring warmth, a festive glow and easy style to any home. Large star, £26.75, small house, £16.75, both from The Contemporary Home. Save No one likes fighting with sticky tape, instead pop your gift into this large cardboard gift bag – it’s so easy! Poundland, £1 Splurge…

Cold air caught in my lungs as I glided across the rink. I felt alive and exhilarated as I leapt and twirled, landing perfectly on the silver blades each time. My boyfriend, Mark Wood, had bought me these skates three years earlier. I’d only ever been on a rink a couple of times before but Mark, then 26, was a figure-skating coach. ‘You have to give it a try,’ he’d said. Dreaming big Now it was 2010 and I was 29 and juggling my job as a finance manager with regular skating sessions. I’d become so good I even had dreams of turning professional. But a few days later, on 10 July, I was on the ice when I did a simple spin and lost my footing. Crashing to the…

Kenwood, the small kitchen appliance expert, has joined forces with Woman’s Own to offer three lucky readers a fantastic Kenwood kMix range worth £1,000! The stylish kMix gadgets, available in Raspberry (red), Peppercorn (black) or Almond (cream), will inject a burst of colour into the winners’ kitchens. This sleek and attractive collection includes a stand mixer with a mincer attachment, a hand blender, hand mixer, food processor, kettle, toaster and coffee maker. The Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer, which is worth £379.99, includes a splashguard and electronic speed control with fold function, which means minimal mess and spills. It has a 500w motor and features a complete range of attachments, including the iconic K-beater, whisk and dough hook. For smaller tasks, the Kenwood kMix Hand Mixer offers whisk and kneader attachments…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr Did something just rock your world? This is a calmer time when you can process what just happened (the feelings, especially) and make more sense of things as they stand. For those of you who just fell in love, it’s looking good. For the rest of you, it’s better than it seems. ◆ For more call 0901 609 4780 Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May Cupid is working overtime! Don’t be surprised if you get chatted up at Christmas parties or, indeed, when you’re just about anywhere. Strong partnerships are going through a second honeymoon, weaker ones are subject to outside temptations. Beware – you have been warned! ◆ For more call 0901 609 4781 Gemini 21 May – 20 Jun This is a…

Baked Camembert with garlic & thyme SERVES 2 PREP TIME 10 MINS COOKING TIME 10 MINS COST PER SERVING £1.37 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/Gas 6. Remove any plastic packaging from a Camembert. Place the cheese back in the box, leaving the lid off. 2 Pierce the top of the cheese with a sharp knife and insert slices of garlic and sprigs of thyme into the slits. 3 Drizzle with olive oil and place on a baking sheet, still leaving the Camembert in its box. Bake in the oven for 10 mins or until the centre is gooey and melted. Serve with crusty bread and cranberry sauce (both optional). NUTRITION PER SERVING 389 cals, 26.9g protein, 0g carbs (0g sugars), 31.4g fat (18.2g saturates), 0g fibre, 1.9g salt Smoked…

Serves 10 for £9.40 Berry & almond trifle SERVES 10 PREP TIME 10 MINS COST PER SERVING 94p 1 Place 110g sponge fingers, halved, and 110g amaretti biscuits, lightly broken, in a large trifle dish. Pour over 150ml medium sherry. Add 100g blueberries, 100g raspberries and 20g toasted flaked almonds. 2 Add 500g fresh custard and the same amounts again of blueberries, raspberries and almonds. Top with 568ml double cream, whipped, and a layer of berries and almonds. NUTRITION PER SERVING 331 cals, 5.4g protein, 26.9g carbs (19.6g sugars), 21.4g fat (11.7g saturates), 2.4g fibre, 0g salt Poached pear pavlova SERVES 8 PREP TIME 20 MINS COOKING TIME 1 HR 20 MINS COST PER SERVING £1.50 1 Pour 750ml red wine into a saucepan, add 300g light muscovado, 2 star…

Sirloin on ciabatta EASY SERVES 2 PREP TIME 5 MINS COOKING TIME 15 MINS COST PER SERVING £4.95 1 Lightly toast 2 ciabatta rolls, halved, under the grill. Rub a garlic clove over the bread. 2 Heat a griddle pan until smoking. Brush 2 sirloin steaks with oil and season. Cook for 2-3 mins each side. 3 Place rocket, halved cherry tomatoes and the sliced steak on one half of the bread. Serve with horseradish. NUTRITION PER SERVING 347 cals, 40.9g protein, 26.8g carbs (2.3g sugars), 9.2g fat (3.5g saturates), 2g fibre, 0.8g salt Italian steak casserole SERVES 4 PREP TIME 10 MINS COOKING TIME 2 HRS 30 MINS COST PER SERVING £2.06 1 Preheat the oven to 160°C/Gas 3. Cube 750g braising steak and coat in seasoned flour. Tip…

Shimmering sequins Joan Collins might be approaching 80, but she looks amazing in glitzy gold. With a dress like this, less is more – the simple kneelength shape lets the sequins do the talking. Find sparkly dresses at very.co.uk from £45. Body jewels Want to glam up your LBD? Take a tip from Dame Judi Dench, 77, who wore a temporary stick-on ‘007’ crystalencrusted tattoo on the side of her neck in honour of the latest Bond film. These look great on the shoulder and décolletage, too, so don’t be afraid to experiment! Plunging necklines Actress Jane Seymour, 61, shows how to wear a deep halterneck the elegant way. With her long, wavy hair worn to the side and subtle, pretty make-up, this classy look channels old Hollywood glamour. It’s…

In recent weeks, we've seen Fern Britton in sequins and fake tan, waltzing around the dancefloor. Come Christmas, she’ll take a wellearned break and plans to spend the day in her pyjamas! Fern laughs and admits she loves nothing better than lying on the sofa at her Buckinghamshire home with a box of chocolates, surrounded by her husband, chef Phil Vickery, and children, 18-yearold twins Jack and Harry, Grace, 15, and Winnie, 11. ‘We had a tempestuous time – I got frustrated’ ‘We'll be at home, in our pyjamas, flopping about and watching telly on Christmas Day,’ says the 55-year-old as she settles down for a chat with WomanÕs Own. ‘But my favourite day over the festive period is actually Christmas Eve, which I think is magical. When it’s dark…

We huddled in the front garden, our breath making clouds on the cold night air. From inside the house, we could hear my dad, Keith, 65, shout, ‘Ready? Three, two, one…’ Suddenly, a 2ft-wide snowflake shone bright on the roof, followed seconds later by hundreds more flashes and flickers as the whole of his house and 100ft-long front garden in Herne Bay, Kent, were illuminated by Christmas lights, glowing figurines and neon signs. Wooh!’ my children Amy, eight, and Eva, seven, chorused and my husband Trevor, 51, and I clapped our hands. But this was more than just a pretty display. Each of these twinkling lights was to raise money for charity – and act as a memorial to a very special little girl. I’d suffered a failed attempt at…

3 of the best Luxe lipsticks ◆ FOR PLUMPING Lips can thin as we get older, but Collection Volume Sensation Lipstick, £2.99, contains pout plumpers to boost your lips by 40 per cent. ◆ FOR YOUTH BOOSTING L’Oréal Paris Color Riche Boosting Serum Lipstick, £8.69, contains collagen and hyaluronic acid to fill lines and smooth lips. ◆ FOR ULTRA MOISTURISING Think of Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick, £7.99, as a facial for lips. Enriched with avocado, shea and aloe butters, it hydrates and softens dry lips in seven days. Reader rated ANNE FLEMING, 52, FROM MILTON KEYNES ‘This year I’ll be upgrading to Lancôme Christmas Crackers, £50, Selfridges. They contain sample-sized beauty treats, like mascara, lipstick and skin goodies, along with a beauty tip and party hat.’ Naturally flawless Louise…

How it works Step 1 begins with a two-day emergency kickstart. This low-carb menu will help you lose a couple of pounds (mainly water) very quickly. It’s also perfect timing if your party is in 48 hours! Step 2 is an easy five-day mix and match follow-up plan. You’ll be cutting calories to between 1,000 and 1,200 in order to help you burn fat. ◆ We’ve chosen filling foods to ease those hunger pangs, so sticking to the low-calorie plan will be much easier than you think. ◆ Team this diet with 30 minutes of exercise a day – e.g., jogging, brisk walking, swimming or going to the gym. This should enable you to lose 1-2lb in the first two days or around 3lb in a week. Use the exercise…

SAVE £ money with Woman’s Own We’ve teamed up with Quidco to bring you fantastic deals in-store and online. Join now to save £££s and earn cashback It’s FR EE to join and it’s so easy to become a member Here’s what to do While you’re out and about, busy shopping for Christmas presents, download the Quidco app on your mobile. It pays you to shop! So not only can you save money on Quidco’s great deals, you’ll receive cash just for checking in! How it works Quidco app It’s the UK’s first app that pays you to check in! Save yourself £££s with personalised offers and deals on the go. The Quidco app lets you discover paid check-in deals, in-store cashback offers and voucher codes local to you. You’ll…

Ready in 25 MINS Tuna fishcakes SERVES 4 PREP TIME 20 MINS COOKING TIME 5 MINS YOU WILL NEED ◆ 4 baking potatoes ◆ 4tbsp tartare sauce, plus extra to serve ◆ 4 spring onions, finely chopped ◆ 2 x 185g cans tuna, drained and flaked ◆ Plain flour ◆ 2 eggs ◆ 100g breadcrumbs ◆ 1tbsp olive oil 1 Pierce the skin of the potatoes before cooking in the microwave on high for 10 mins, until tender. Leave the potatoes to cool, then scoop out the flesh into a bowl. Mash in the tartare sauce and spring onions. Season with salt and pepper, then mix in the tuna. 2 Next, form the mixture into 4 cakes and dust each with a little flour. Crack the eggs into a bowl…

‘Santa was our guest of honour’ Growing up, visiting Santa’s grotto was my favourite part of Christmas. It was all the more special because my birthday is 22 December, so my parents would arrange the trip as a special treat. Aged five, Mum had even booked him to come to my party. But then I came down with chicken pox and the party had to be cancelled. I was devastated. So when my boyfriend, Jamie, 34, and I got engaged in January 2010, I made up my mind that Father Christmas would be on our guest list! Jamie knew all about my love of all things festive. We met at school when we were teenagers, but had only fallen in love in 2009, when I was 30, after meeting again…

Best ice rink EDINBURGH WHERE Skate by frosty starlight under Edinburgh Castle, where East Princes Street Gardens’ romantic rink appears each winter. WHEN Daily (except Christmas Day) until 6 January, 10am-8pm/10pm BEST BITS Whirling and twirling in the dark is a magical experience. Sandwich it between browsing Princes Street’s tempting Christmas displays and twinkling city views on the Edinburgh Wheel. YULE FUEL Warming mulled wine and tasty mince pies are on sale rinkside. HOW MUCH Adults, £9.95; kids, from £6.50; family, £29.49. MORE INFO Log on to edinburghchristmas.com or edinburgh.org. Best attraction IRONBRIDGE GORGE WHERE Follow the scent of plum duff to Blists Hill, a perfectly reconstructed Victorian town in Shropshire’s Ironbridge Gorge, as it celebrates Christmas. WHEN Victorian Christmas weekends run 8-9 and 15-16 December, 10am-4pm. BEST BITS There’s…

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Twist on tradition Try Turkey Wellington (1kg), £20, M &S Roast turkey with lemon, garlic & parsley SERVES 10 PREP TIME 30 MINS COOKING TIME 3 HRS COST PER SERVING £4.82 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C/Gas 7. For the herb butter, put 375g butter in a bowl and season. Add 1tbsp olive oil, the finely grated zest and juice of 2 lemons, 3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed, and a small bunch of flat leaf parsley, finely chopped. Mix well. 2 Stuff the cavity of a 5-5.5kg turkey with 2 onions, halved and peeled, 1 lemon, halved, 1 garlic bulb, halved horizontally, and 2 bay leaves. 3 Using your hands, loosen the skin on the breast, making sure you keep the skin intact. Repeat with the legs. Stuff half…

Treacle & chilli glazed gammon SERVES 12 PREP TIME 10 MINS COOKING TIME 3 HRS 30MINS COST PER SERVING £3.17 1 Place a 4kg half leg of gammon in a large pan with 4 bay leaves, 4 sprigs thyme, 3 sticks celery, roughly chopped, and 1tsp black peppercorns. Cover with water, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 3 hours or until tender. Check the water level regularly and keep topping it up – do not let the pan boil dry. 2 When the gammon is almost ready, preheat the oven to 200°C/Gas 6. In a bowl, mix together 5tbsp black treacle, 1tsp allspice and 2tsp chilli flakes. Remove the gammon from the pan and place it in a roasting tin. 3 Trim the skin…

Fuss-free option Try Jewelled Yule Pudding (650g), £10, Asda Ultimate Christmas pudding SERVES 10 PREP TIME 2 HRS 20 MINS COOKING TIME 9 HRS COST PER SERVING £1.31 1 In a large bowl, mix 110g beef suet, shredded, 50g self-raising flour, 110g white breadcrumbs, 1tsp mixed spice, ¼tsp grated nutmeg and 225g soft dark brown sugar. Add 110g sultanas, 110g raisins, 275g currants, 25g mixed candied peel, chopped, 25g almonds, chopped, 1 Bramley apple, peeled, cored and chopped, zest of ½ orange and zest of ½ lemon. 2 In a smaller bowl, mix 2tbsp rum, 75ml barley wine, 75ml stout and 2 eggs, beaten. Combine with the fruit mix – it should be quite sloppy. If you need more liquid, add a little more stout. Cover with a tea towel…