Innholdsfortegnelse for 23rd Dec 2025 i Woman's Weekly

A year to remember “Can you name the best year of your life? It’s difficult, isn’t it? Because most lives have many highs of different sorts as we travel through time, but sadly, often some lows too, which are perhaps easier to pinpoint. Speaking personally, the year that I was appointed editor of Woman’s Weekly was a professional high point, but like many of us, I imagine, if I was to truly name my best year, it would be more personal, and to do with family. I got married early in 1992 and later that year we were lucky enough to have our first child. I don’t think any year could ever beat that. On page 20, meet three readers for whom 2025 was the best.”…

Fondue garlic tear-and-share loaf Oozy Camembert is baked in a garlic bread loaf for dipping. SERVES 8-10 PREP 15 mins COOK 1 hr ✱ 1 whole bulb of garlic✱ 50g salted butter, softened✱ 1tsp wholegrain mustard✱ 20g soft herbs, finely chopped (we used a mixture of chives and parsley)✱ 650g seeded sourdough loaf✱ 250g Camembert✱ 3tbsp cider or white wine 1 Heat the oven to 180C Fan/Gas 6. Wrap the garlic in foil and roast for 40 mins until tender. Set aside to cool. 2 Peel the cloves and mash them with the butter and mustard until smooth, then stir in the chopped herbs. 3 Heat the oven to 160C Fan/Gas 4. Cut a Camembert-sized hole in the centre of the bread, then slice the loaf in a criss-cross pattern…

Vegetarian diets and cancer A study of 100,000 US citizens showed cancer risk among vegetarians was 10-20% lower than among non-vegetarians, particularly for breast, colorectal, prostate, stomach and lymphoproliferative cancers. This may be due to the higher intake of fruits, nuts and legumes, which are rich in protective chemicals. Or it might be because of the absence of processed or red meats, which are known to be associated with gastrointestinal malignancy. However, the vegetarians in the study were also less commonly obese, and fewer smoked or drank alcohol. BIRTH NEWS Over half of UK births were by induction or caesarean, according to the latest National Maternity and Perinatal Audit of 592,594 births in 2023. Around half (50.6%) involved caesareans or instrument use, compared with 40% in 2018-19. Unplanned…

Difficulty level BERRY BOUQUET YOU WILL NEED ✱ Spray roses✱ Red hypericum✱ Holly sprigs✱ Green foliage – we used buxus, flowering ivy, viburnum and ruscus✱ 35cm conifer cuttings✱ Green florist’s wire✱ Pine cones✱ Florist’s scissors✱ Twine✱ 2.5cm wide teal satin ribbon✱ Galvanised steel jug or vase✱ Cut flower food (optional) 1 Start by trimming all of your flower, berry and foliage stems to a similar length, about 35cm. 2 Gather 3 berry and rose stems (in total) in your left hand to begin with. Add some stems of foliage around the edge of this cluster. Slowly turn the arrangement in your left hand, adding foliage, berries and roses as you rotate it. 3 Once you’re happy with the size, add a few longer stems of conifer and ruscus around the back…

Wordwise You have 15 minutes to find as many words as possible using the letters in the grid. Each word must contain four or more letters, one of which must be the central square. No proper nouns, plurals or foreign words are allowed. There is one nine-letter word in the grid, for which the clue is: Scored, scraped. Average = 25 More than 45 = well done SUDOKU To solve this puzzle, fill in the grid so that each 3 x 3 box, each row and each column contains the numbers 1-9. LINKWORDS Fit 10 words into the grid so that each links with the end of the word on its left and the beginning of the one on the right. Then unscramble the letters in the shaded squares to…

“It is with a heavy heart that I must take you this week into a very murky world indeed. You are about to learn far too much than is probably healthy about the elastic in Mr Dear’s pyjama bottoms. If you feel faint at all during the next few paragraphs, please seek medical attention. Or just put your head between your knees. Whatever. You should first know that Mr D has rather old-fashioned views when it comes to clothing. I have never seen him in a pair of jeans. He is the only man I know who still wears a tie when he goes to the doctor’s. If he had his way, his pyjamas would be double-breasted and tailored in a light tweed. So you might be surprised to hear…

A CUBAN CHRISTMAS Director Carlos Acosta adds new fire to a seasonal favourite with his production Nutcracker in Havana. Blending vibrant Cuban dance traditions with traditional ballet, it’s performed by members of Carlos’ company Acosta Danza, to a reinterpretation of Tchaikovsky’s score – though the Sugar Plum Fairy’s theme is untouched! Currently touring until 11 February 2026. ✱ nutcrackerinhavana.com The bright lights Discover thousands of weird and wonderful plant species in the beautiful biomes of Cornwall’s Eden Project, which attracts half a million visitors a year. To celebrate the festive season, the Mediterranean and Rainforest structures will be lit up for Christmas, making them look very much like gigantic baubles. Outside, the gardens will also dazzle with light displays. Along with visits to Santa, Cornwall’s only ice rink and lots…

Nothing says Christmas like visiting a department store – whether it’s gift shopping, stopping by Santa’s grotto or simply admiring the wonderfully excessive window displays. Britain has led the way in these iconic stores since shops such as Bainbridge drapers opened in 1838 in Newcastle, soon going on to have 23 different departments. From the 1880s, UK department stores invested in lavish eye-catching Christmas windows and lots continue this tradition today. Unfortunately, many stores have now disappeared as online shopping has grown, but here are some of the most loved around the country. FORTNUM & MASON As a footman at the court of Queen Anne, William Fortnum had access to royalty and London’s elite. Grocery store owner Hugh Mason saw this potential and together they established Fortnum & Mason in…

Grown-up glitter Nothing says Christmas like an explosion of shimmer, so embellish nails with a sparkly polish. For a minimalist manicure, go with a single layer of fine glimmer topcoat. And for a solid block of sparkle, layer on multiple coats of glitter for ultimate dazzle. The great news is, glitter polishes are hard-wearing and long-lasting. ✱ Barry M Glitter Effect Nail Paint in Glitz & Gold, £4.49, barrym.co.uk ✱ Essie Gel Effect Top Coat in Diamond Dust, £10.99, Boots ✱ Bio Sculpture Gemini Nail Polish in Platinum Sparkle, £15.50, biosculpture.co.uk Art school If you’ve never tried nail art, Christmas is the perfect time to elevate plain polish with some extra pizzazz. It doesn’t have to be in your face. A simple dot or colourful French tip looks elegant and…

My husband shouts Q My husband has a temper and has always shouted at me when he’s angry. I come from a family that shouted so it didn’t use to bother me. We now have three children and I can see that they are frightened when he shouts. I know he would never hurt them or me, but I am wondering if I am damaging the children by staying with him. I do love him and, when he’s in a good mood, he’s lovely to be around. Name and address withheld A I agree: it is not good for the children or you. But I wonder why you have gone straight to thoughts of leaving him rather than looking at a way he could manage his anger. Is this something that you…

England, 1570 ‘So, did you dream of him last night?’ demanded Mags. ‘I saw you put the bay leaves under your pillow.’ ‘What makes you think I want to dream of anyone?’ Bess retorted, wondering if she could get rid of the incriminating leaves without anyone seeing. ‘Elizabeth Field, I’ve eyes in my head. And I heard you, a couple of nights ago on St Thomas’ Eve… “Good St Thomas, do me right, send me my true love this night.” I can still smell that onion.’ ‘No, you can’t!’ Bess said heatedly. She’d taken out the pins she’d stuck in it and thrown the onion away. It hadn’t worked, anyway. The girls who huddled in gossiping groups had told her that if you peeled an onion just before going to…

LOOK WHAT I MADE I thought I would send you a picture of my framed embroidery panels that I made from four patterns you published in a series some 30-odd years ago. The finished work still looks lovely on my wall. I am going to be 70 this year but I started reading Woman’s Weekly about 50 years ago, when my mother-in-law Margaret (Peggy) worked there, on The Matron page [which offered guidance to new mothers]. She introduced me to your magazine and I have been a reader ever since. Jane Hills, London GET IN TOUCH WE LOVE LETTERS Woman’s Weekly, Future plc, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR. P.S. It really helps when you put your details in capitals. ✱ We do not return photos (apart from You Wore…

Christmas can be fun, but it’s also one of the most busy and stressful times of the year, so it’s no wonder that we might encounter sleep problems. ‘Many people struggle to sleep due to worries manifesting at night,’ says sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan. Here’s what you can do to help yourself. Move in the morning We know that exercise is good for relieving stress, but it’s the movement you do first thing that could benefit your body and mind at night. Working out at 7am could help you get a better night’s sleep, found one study*. Early exercisers saw a 10% drop in blood pressure, slept longer and had more beneficial sleep cycles compared to those who worked out at 1pm or 7pm. Sort your space A cluttered…

3 FOODS TO... Keep you hydrated 1 CUCUMBER ‘Cucumbers are approximately 96% water,’ says nutritionist Vinny Kodamala*. ‘They also include natural electrolytes like potassium and magnesium, helping the body maintain fluid balance, and support muscle and nerve function.’ 2 ICEBERG LETTUCE It also contains vitamin K for bone strength, vitamin A to support healthy vision, and folate, which can contribute to better sleep and mood regulation. 3 COTTAGE CHEESE It’s high in protein, phosphorus, calcium and selenium too. ‘And it’s a rich source of B vitamins,’ says Vinny, ‘including riboflavin and vitamin B12, which support brain health, metabolism and bone strength.’ TIME TO TRY... A spray to help calm a sore throat Ease pain and inflammation with a targeted approach from Difflam Spray, £8.49 for 30ml, Boots. Also available as an oral rinse…

MORRISONS TESCO SAINSBURY’S…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS To fit shoe size Women’s 5-6 (Men’s 10-11). MATERIALS 2 (3) x 50g (140m) balls of King Cole Luxury Merino DK (100% wool) in Purple (Damson 2631) or Navy (Midnight Blue 2627)*. Small amount of DK yarn in Gold for embroidery. Pair each of 3.25mm (No. 10) and 3.75mm (No. 9) knitting needles; stitch holder. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION 24 stitches and 32 rows, to 10x10cm, over stocking stitch, using 3.75mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; skpo, slip 1, k1, pass slipped stitch over (to decrease 1 st); ss, stocking stitch (k on right side and p on wrong side); st(s), stitch(es); tog, together (decrease by working as many sts together as stated); wrap1, take yarn between needles to front of work after k…

The Penguin Book of Penguins by Peter Fretwell and Lisa Fretwell (£14.99, HB, Penguin) Who doesn’t love a penguin? Yet no matter how well you think you know these beloved and well-dressed waddling birds, you are guaranteed to learn something new about them in this beautifully illustrated book. In it, leading British Antarctic scientist Peter Fretwell introduces 18 charismatic species and their fascinating lives, as well as their history with humans. All interspersed with penguin facts, trivia and even the odd joke. Murdoku by M. Garand (£16.99, PB, Penguin) Hybrids have brought us many great things – labradoodles, culottes, cronuts – and now you can add one more combination to the list: murdoku. These mini murder mysteries lean into the elegant grid simplicity of sudoku, adding classic logic problem storytelling…

ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR Relax and rest more. One day this week, take a break from all electronic devices. Your mind and body will thank you. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Focus on the parts of your life that are working well. As your energy rises, you’ll discover solutions to the challenges that have been weighing you down. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN This is a time to go it alone and break away from dependencies on others. You have great inner strength, and it’s time to use it. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL You may feel as though you’re living in between two different worlds. Keep releasing the old, and continue to follow your heart into the new. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG…