How to decorate for the perfect English country Christmas
“I like seeing festive elements all over the place, so that you turn the corner and think, ‘Oh yes, it’s Christmas!’” says Paula. “I do the whole house, including upstairs, where there will be more trailing ivy – it sounds a bit naff, but I use faux ivy upstairs, as I don’t want to run […]
‘Ask yourself what you really need right now. It’s usually not alcohol’ – The Irish Times
Christmas parties, college reunions, family gatherings – it’s hard not to drink at Christmas. ‘Tis the season to be jolly after all. Opting out can feel downright uncomfortable. “If you are used to drinking, saying ‘No’ is going to feel uncomfortable. Being aware of that and preparing for it is key,” says Melissa Kelly, founder […]
Should you buy a real Christmas tree or an artificial one? Here’s how to tell which is more sustainable
Curtis VanderSchaaf is an assistant professor of forestry at Mississippi State University. Every year, Americans buy somewhere between 35 million and 50 million Christmas trees, and many more pull an artificial tree out of storage for the season. In all, about three-quarters of U.S. households typically have some kind of Christmas tree, surveys show. People often ask […]
It’s beginning to look a lot like burnout: How to take care of yourself before the holidays start
It’s getting towards the time of the year when you might feel more overwhelmed than usual. There are work projects to finish and perhaps exams in the family. Not to mention the pressures of organising holidays or gifts. Burnout is a real possibility. Burnout is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having three main symptoms […]
How to make small talk if you are to succeed socially this Christmas
“Hello, lovely to meet you. So, how much do you weigh?” Don’t worry, you needn’t answer unless you wish to. But you’ll agree it’s a useful reminder of how not to make small talk if you want to succeed socially this Christmas. You might assume it’s intuitive to avoid highly personal questions when shooting the […]
Millionaire’s Shortbread Recipe – How to Make Millionaire’s Shortbread
For fans of Twix bars—shortbread bars layered up with caramel and coated in chocolate—this millionaire shortbread was made for you! This chocolate dessert can be sliced up into any size you prefer, making it the perfect bake sale treat, homemade holiday food gift, or unique addition to a Christmas cookie plate. What is millionaire’s shortbread? This treat is made […]