Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2021 i Psychologies

Nina Hobson Blogger Nina is founder of The Expater, a lifestyle blog for women living abroad. After residing in 10 countries, including Syria, India, Angola and Chile, she made it her mission to help women recognise their self-worth wherever they live. ‘I got fed up with people putting me into the ‘expat wife’ box and, when I saw other women being reduced to labels too, I wanted to do something about it,’ she says. On page 24, she shares her experience of envy and how to overcome it in an age fuelled by comparison on social media. Mandeep Bachu Clinical psychologist Mandeep works as a clinical psychologist in the NHS and has extensive experience in working with adults who have mental health difficulties. He has a passion for film and,…

@KatieThistleton: I’m writing a new column for  @PsychologiesMag all about the life lessons of our twenties – starting with comparing yourself to others and social media. Head to psychologies.co.uk @_KateTownshend: Lovely feedback on my @Psychologies  Mag piece this month. It’s a wonderful feeling when strangers recognise something meaningful in what you write. @button03_4: Thank you @PsychologiesMag for my  #ChangeYourLife book. Now to get inspired and start making those much-needed changes. @GillH1973: Another interesting piece in @PsychologiesMag by  @DrDRHamilton about the kindness hormone. Always helpful. @mylife : New collage. It’s overwhelming, messy and stuffed, just like my month with all the recent changes. It felt like each week deserved its own collage. But oh, how I still loved it. @itslouise kathryn: It’s rainy and cold today so I stayed in bed…

I ALWAYS CARRY REUSABLE food and drink containers, but sometimes it can be tricky to find a spot to refill. I recommend the recently updated Refill app, which is free and created by the plastic pollution campaigning organisation City to Sea. With a built-in map, it shows everywhere you can refill your water bottle, coffee cup, lunch box, groceries and even cleaning products and toiletries, without packaging – from water fountains to green businesses. It’s a great way to reduce waste on the go and get discounts. The app has partnered with Circular&Co, which designed the world’s first reusable cup made from recycled paper cups. Win! To win a Circular&Co cup, a recycled plastic Ecopot and an Ashortwalk moon, thermometer and time clock, worth £41.70, all crafted from recycled materials,…

HOW IMPORTANT ARE GOALS? I feel in limbo, almost lost, without them. Setting goals gives you intention and resolve, and helps you guide your life in the direction you desire. I never set a goal as a response to comparing my life, looks or achievements with anyone else. It’s important to recognise that past you is your only competition. Make your goals realistic and achievable and set yourself up for success. Five tips to get what you want 1 Don’t let goals be a fleeting thought. Move them from your consciousness onto paper. I have a list in my journal so I have the satisfaction of ticking them off. 2 Accountability is the difference between giving up and seeing things through. To be accountable, I share my goals…

The Psychologies-endorsed ‘Find a coach’ directory with Barefoot a choice of top coaches, all with postgraduate training and accredited by the University of Chester and the International Coach Federation. Find a coach who suits you to help you navigate and transform your life – in the areas of work, money, parenting, relationships, leadership and self-development. Editor-in-Chief…

Q My partner has an adult daughter he raised alone and she is close to his family. My relationship with her was OK but I didn’t fit into the clan, found it claustrophobic and my mental health declined. Eventually, I attempted suicide while she was in the house and she has never forgiven me. I made many attempts to build bridges, which were treated with disdain. My husband visits his daughter alone, which I support, but it causes me distress because I do not feel supported by him. She told him she hates me. I asked her to resolve things with me, but she refused. He seems terrified of doing anything to upset her, irrespective of my pain, and we have separated over it in the past.›What can I do?…

Writing a diary is therapy for me and I’ve kept one since I was about 10 years old. It’s always helped me to write things down. You start off a bit self-consciously but then get to the point of thinking ‘no one is going to read this and I don’t care’, so you allow yourself to be honest and it’s a great way to deal with problems. Once it’s written down, you can switch off for a bit. [On writing her book, Meant To Be: My Journey To Motherhood:] I wanted to be able to help people on that lonely road of things not quite turning out as planned when it comes to having a family. I thought if I could give people hope during the dark days, it would…

MY SELF-CARE PLAN Consider what you do to care for your health and wellbeing in the following areas: • PHYSICAL • EMOTIONAL • PSYCHOLOGICAL • SOCIAL • SPIRITUAL • FINANCIAL • EDUCATIONAL • How does your current behaviour benefit you? • What does your current behaviour cost you? • What stops you from prioritising self-care? Now, imagine meeting yourself in five years’ time, and you have not changed your attitude to self-care: • What will this future version of you be like? Design some new self-care strategies for each of the above categories so that in five years’ time you can be the best possible version of yourself: • What will you do to maintain momentum? • Who can you ask to support you with your plan? CREATE BETTER BOUNDARIES…

1 What now? What does injury mean to you – the end of your career or, if you are unable to go for a run, do you need to find another way to manage your stress? 2 You and your injury: Because you can no longer exercise, even temporarily, how does your injury affect the way you view yourself? 3 Consider past injuries: Have you been injured before? How did it affect you? Do you worry that you won’t recover this time? 4 Think about the future: What are your sporting goals? Are they changed by your injury? If so, how do you feel about that? 5 Do you have a support network? Are there friends and family members you can talk to about how you…

BRIGHTNESS AND SHADOW Winter solstice is on the way, with traditional symbols of fire and light on the darkest day of the year. All life contains light and dark; bitter and sweet – ‘give me more’ pleasant and ‘not now, not ever!’ unpleasant. But, so often, we embrace the good and try to ignore the bad: indulging in Christmas treats but forgetting about the physical discomfort they can cause; looking forward to the big day, then grieving when it’s over… A sprinkle of mindfulness helps – not only to accept the light and dark as they come, but to make conscious decisions that serve our happiness and health in balance. Psychologies Wellness Director, mindfulness expert and yoga teacher Cocktails in the bag There’s nothing wrong with a tipple or two…

The new year is synonymous with fad diets and quick-fix solutions that within weeks become unsustainable before waning entirely. But what if we were to adopt a gentler, more mindful approach to bring about consistent and longer-term benefits that really stick without anything too extreme. These are the habits that will be with us and give back to us for a lifetime, through slow, steady and significant gains. Here are some to consider: Add rather than remove: Include a new vegetable in your weekly shop, vary whole grains by mixing up morning oats with others such as spelt flakes and make a nut and seed mix to sprinkle over porridge, soups and salads. This will bring diversity to your food and fibre sources. Avoid detoxes and diets that label…

Happy hair days Lustre for life. Simone Thomas biotin haircare plan, from £130. Save 25% when using the code ‘Biotin25’at checkout. simonethomaswellness.com Reading is believing Unlock the imagination. Child subscription, £12.99 per month; adult subscription, £18.99 per month, lovemyread.com Safe and secure Girl with the pearl… Brass barrette with cotton ‘pearl’(a compressed and treated cotton ball) by Anq for the V&A, £165, vam.ac.uk Artistic journeys Take a cultural trip down memory lane. V&A museum membership, from £70, vam.ac.uk Healing touch Spiritual and physical relaxation. Jade Beauty Restorer massage tool, £38,hayoumethod.com Dear me, Loving compassion, just for you. ‘Be Kind to Yourself’ de-stressing and relaxing gift set, £26, friendinabox.co.uk…

Elevate your skincare Adopt a healthy routine.NAYA Everyday Cacay Collection – cleansing oil, glow serum, face oil and day cream, £139, nayaglow.com Blossoming friendship Companionship and refreshment. Flowering tea gift set, £60, jingtea.com Planet power Make a difference to climate change. Big impact made effortless. Gift membership to Every One of Us, £36 per year, everyoneofus.uk Mind map Follow your bliss. ‘Maps of Joy’, from £25, mapso›oy.com You mean so much to me A message to hold dear. ‘You are loved’ rose gold necklace with shell inlay, £30, soulanalyse.com Touch therapy Acupressure for an endorphin rush. At-home Pranamat ECO® massage set (mat and pillow), £185, pranamateco.com Exercise your power For active and sporty souls. Nuasan Active Bodycare Kit, a sustainable gift set with sports towel, £37, nuasan.com Festive cheers Get…

Baking, it is said, is good for the soul, and what better time of year to enjoy this simple pleasure than at Christmas. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine the aroma of warm winter spices from freshly baked cookies filling the air, conjuring up memories of childhood. A family tradition for many, baking is a chance to gather in the heart of the home, and little ones will love lending a helping hand with the dough, decoration and tasting, of course! In her book, Christmas Cookies (Ryland Peters & Small, £9.99), MasterChef finalist and food writer, Hannah Miles, shares ideas for creative baked treats, perfect as gifts or to be enjoyed at home. There is something to delight everyone – even Santa! MINI GINGERBREAD HOUSES It’s time to…

1 Power Hour with Adrienne Herbert The ‘Yo! Hey, everyone!’Adrienne introduction may leave you feeling like a lie-down, but stick with it. Power Hour is brilliant listening, especially Adrienne’s ‘best of careers’and ‘best of food and nutrition’.The wellness professional’s expert guests are always knowledgable and her questions pertinent. She’s kind of busy, but I’d like her to pop along and sort out all of the above in my life. 2 Joss Stone: Cuppa Happy In her very own podcast on the quest for happiness, singer Joss Stone comes across as the intelligent, curious, beautiful person that she is. I believe she spent lockdown in the Bahamas – baking, singing and having a super time, but I still don’t hate her! Her interviewees are interesting and it makes a…

‘When nothing is sure, everything is possible.’ I love this quote from novelist Margaret Drabble in Heidi Scrimgeour’s brilliant piece about how to find peace in unpredictable times (page 32). ‘Place your hands on your heart, breathe deeply and tune into a dream for yourself, your loved ones, your community and the world. What feels possible now?’ asks wellness expert Eve Menezes Cunningham in the same article. A great question! This issue poses powerful questions prompting us to explore new ways of thinking and methodologies for growth. Cover star Alex Scott asks unique questions in her quest for a life she loves and, on page 42, Lauren Barber encourages us to unleash our feminine power by asking ‘what do I need?’ In our Dossier test (page 62), therapist Sally Brown…

In cinemas now INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS, this is the feature debut from writer-director Henry Blake. It explores drug trafficking from inner cities to rural areas, exploiting vulnerable children. Set in the heart of working-class east London, County Lines tells the story of Tyler (Conrad Khan), a seemingly lost and reclusive 14-year-old who faces bullying in education and poverty at home, where he lives with his mother and younger sister. It is this desperate recipe that makes Tyler a target and he becomes a drug mule for a local gangster. County Lines is a powerful film, distinct from its contemporaries, and offers insight into an unsympathetic world. There are consistent, expressive performances and Blake demonstrates skill and maturity in his handling of the story, depicted through social realism reminiscent of…

The best moment of a new relationship is the second before you kiss for the first time. You’re face to face, close enough for it to be almost certain, but far enough away for it not to be a done deal – and there’s a concoction of excitement, lust and hope rushing through your body. I know there are other great moments – I keep a record for my dotage when I’ve read every Jilly Cooper novel one too many times – but the first kiss remains my top one. In that moment, you know so little about each other and have so little invested that it’s free to be as good, bad or average as it likes. The way you make me feel After that, it’s a minefield! When…

Author Pete Mosley works with introverts and quiet or shy people who lack the self-belief to promote themselves or grab life with both hands Q I used to love travelling in Europe, with its different cultures and food. Before the pandemic, I began to develop anxiety about travel – packing, being on time and so on. Now that life has changed so much, travel seems even more complicated and my fear has deepened. Even the thought of a local excursion fills me with dread. How can I ensure my travel anxiety doesn’t take control and I never want to go anywhere? Jenny, 41 A A lot of people feel this way at this strange time. In a confined situation, your confidence can dwindle and you need to reclaim it. Use…

Morning had barely broken and I was nursing my three-month-old. Or rather, I was trying to, but he kept spitting up. His face was a patchwork of blotches and his tiny frame was jerking violently. His screams were so loud that my two-year-old woke up. I glanced at the TV and saw an old school friend presenting the news. She looked professional, confident and glamorous. I felt my chest tighten, my eyes well up and nausea in the pit of my stomach. Quietly, I began to cry. I felt many things that morning four years ago: shame, resentment, anger, frustration, regret, self-loathing and despair… but they all stemmed from the same emotion – envy. I want what she’s having Unlike jealousy, which occurs when something we have – usually a…

A year ago, I had a sense of anticipation about what was ahead – career plans, trips and hopes tightly held. But the pandemic wreaked havoc, upending everything and forcing me into a liminal space. Liminality is the word psychologists use to describe the transition between one distinct season of life and another and comes from the Latin word for threshold. Everyone I know seems to be experiencing this sense of limbo, from the colleague forging a new career out of the ashes of the old one that vanished overnight to the friend whose marriage buckled under the strain of lockdown. “It’s hard to make sense of it all, but when we’re present with the messiness of our circumstances, magic occurs” The rug is yanked Then there’s me. My husband…

“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written get, then you must write it” TONI MORRISON WHEN I LIST MY GOALS, I’m surprised by how often I hit the jackpot – like the first time I penned that I wanted to write a book. Months later, I got talking to the woman in front of me in a queue, who just happened to be the commissioning editor of a major publishing house and had my book proposal on her desk! Writing and sending out my proposal magnetised my goal from scattered thoughts swirling around my head to an action that was concrete and tangible. Neuroscientists refer to this as encoding. Lately, career mapping has been high on the agenda of many coaching calls with…

Anyone can be psychologically affected by a sports injury, from professional athletes to weekend runners. Being restricted in this way can have a significant impact, especially for those who exercise for stress relief or rely on sport to support them financially. In this month’s podcast, I speak to sports psychotherapist Gary Bloom about the emotional repercussions of sports injuries. CEO of the UK Council for Psychotherapy The fallout of a sports injury can be far-reaching, says UKCP psychotherapist Gary Bloom When someone is injured, our primary concern is the physical symptoms of the injury and we may not realise the effect it can have on our mental wellbeing until much later. Of course, the psychological impact depends on many factors, such as the severity of the injury and time away…

FOR MANY YEARS, I WORKED as a sports commentator. I was that bloke on the telly who shouted ‘goal!’ for a living. It was great fun, but it wasn’t as relational as I wanted. I tried my hand at a few other things, but it was only when I went into therapy myself that something clicked. I tried a certificate year, learning basic counselling skills. This spurred me to continue and I completed a four-year postgraduate diploma. Now, I’m back in the sporting realm as the only practitioner working psychotherapeutically in a professional football club with players and coaching staff. I also work with elite athletes from other sports and non-athletes from the business community, and I find their needs similar. Although you will still find me broadcasting, my psychotherapeutic…

The four-week ‘How to be happy working from home’ programme with our coach of the month, career specialist Michelle Tranter, is designed to help you fine-tune a homeworking lifestyle to your maximum advantage. We look at the practical side, including how to set up your homeworking environment and schedule so they suit you on a professional and emotional level. We also focus on mindset, how to build healthy working-from-home habits and set happiness-protecting boundaries between work and home life.…

GIRL Essays On Black Womanhood By Kenya Hunt (HarperCollins, £16.99) Sharp and funny, these powerful and provocative essays from a trailblazing global fashion editor are essential reading. Hunt celebrates the star-bright creativity and empathetic feminism that heightened the visibility of black women and encouraged unheard voices to sing out. Alongside her warm, relatable words are contributions from other notable voices, including Candice Carty-Williams (author of the fabulous Queenie), who writes about writing, Freddie Harrel, who considers black hair and white beauty standards, and Ebele Okobi, whose essay on the loss of her brother to police brutality will smash your heart to pieces. LOST IN TRANSLATION Ded Moroz (n) Language: Russia Santa, St Nicholas and Father Christmas… He has many names around the world, including Ded Moroz, his Russian name, rather…

Skin deep Soothing and smoothing. Sonic-powered mask, from the UFO 2 range, £249 each, foreo.com Soak up calm Dip into natural nourishment. Olverum Bath Oil, £36.50,olverum.com Power of the pen Write your way to awareness. ‘The Happy Self Journal’, £19.90 each, happysel›ournal.com Let it grow Poetry in living motion. Erlen 1 NIWA DESIGN plant terrarium, £99,fourstore.co.uk Evening ritual Improves hydration and elasticity. Glow Harmonic Evening Primrose Facial Oil, £38, glowharmonic.com Green beauty Savour the softness. Nettle Venom Cream, £64,shop.heavenskincare.com Gift to the world Special kind of Christmas tree. Plant a sapling remotely with Treedom. Prices from £13.40 for a cacao tree, treedom.net Harmony at your heart A philosophical reminder. ‘Balance’ yin and yang necklace, £45,mantrajewellery.co.uk The story of us Commit your friendship to paper. Storigraphic ‘Hey You’ personalised book, £19.50,…

MINDS TO REST A GARDENER’S WORK is never done. There are a multitude of outdoor activities you could do over winter: cleaning tools, buying seeds, building new veg beds, tree maintenance or even sorting out the compost heaps. But why would you? For me, the festive season and the shorter days provide the excuse that I’ve needed all year – it’s time to slow down and fully recharge. This is a month laden with additional pressures for most people, full of frantic shopping and prepping. Before you know it, you are swamped and it’s no longer much of a holiday season. Make time to enjoy the simple things in life: good food, kind company and fresh air. Winter wandering Why not forget your own garden in its wintry repose? Instead,…

Pema Chödrön is our favourite wise woman. Beloved Buddhist teacher, author, nun and mother, she has inspired millions of people around the world who have been touched by her example and message of practising peace in these turbulent times. The Pema Chödrön Foundation is dedicated to preserving and sharing Pema’s inspiration and teachings in order that they might help us all awaken wisdom and compassion in ourselves and the world around us. pemachodronfoundation.org To buy her books, go to shambhala.com; bookdepository.com; betterworldbooks.com…

My best Friend, lee My mother recently passed away from cancer after eight months of illness and being in the hospice for only a week. My friend, Lee, has been a great support during what has been such a difficult time for me. Just a few days after Mum died, I received the October 2020 edition of Psychologies through my letterbox. Enclosed was a note from Lee telling me that she had ordered a subscription on my behalf! I had talked about how I hoped to subscribe to the magazine once my Covid-reduced salary was back to normal. We both love Psychologies. She said she hoped I would find some comfort in the magazine’s pages. Here I am, the day after Mum’s service, reading Psychologies, and it is most definitely…

After the success of the first two editions, Portrait of Britain, an annual photography exhibition, returns. The accompanying book, Portrait Of Britain Vol 3, features the 200 shortlisted and winning portraits – many of which are especially poignant this year. The photographs are accompanied by subjects’ personal stories and celebrate the diversity, culture and identity of Britain today. The accounts are filled with hope and humanity and capture the individuals that make up our collective resilience. With many taken during the pandemic, these portraits have particularly resonant themes, such as this image of NHS frontline worker Rehan Mosafeer by Byron Hamzah. The photographer says: ‘I have known Rehan since training as a junior doctor. Born in Mauritius, she moved to England to further her training as a nurse. For 33…

THE SEASON OF GOODWILL is upon us, so here’s a three-point plan to happy hack your Christmas! • Make a commitment to prioritise your wellbeing this festive season. • We are conditioned to think selfishness – we call it self-care – is ‘bad’, so journal around ‘what good could come from being selfish?’ • Write down 10 things that you hope to experience this month. Circle your top three and promise to honour those things. Can you cut corners or delegate tasks to make them happen? If you only do what truly matters, you are well on your way to a happier Christmas. Join Kia Cannons for our ‘Do What You Love’ video series and more happy hacks at tinyurl.com/psyhappyhack; psychologiestv.co.uk is a platform where world-class experts are interviewed and discuss…

Winter is biting and Christmas as we know it is in the balance but Scotty, as ever, is beaming and has a spring in her step. The former England football captain knows her purpose in life and is determined to follow through.›In fact, Alex Scott is so positive that she is grateful to social media bullies for opening her eyes, and heart, to therapy Born in London’s Tower Hamlets, one of the poorest boroughs in Britain, in the shadow of Canary Wharf, one of the richest financial districts in the world, Alex was raised by her single mother, Carol McKee, in a neighbourhood that was low on aspirations. But Alex used the challenges of her background to develop courage and hone her strength, working tirelessly to achieve her sporting ambitions,…

Psychologies’ partnership with Barefoot Coaching  gives you the tools to find a coach who meets your needs. Barefoot Coaching has been at the forefront of coaching and coach training for 25 years. It has a proven track record as a provider of high-level coaching and coach training to organisations and senior executives, nationally and internationally. Train as a coach with Barefoot Coaching The Barefoot Coaching International Coach Federation- accredited Postgraduate Certificate in Business and Personal Coaching is one of the most well-established coach training courses in the UK. Barefoot runs regular, free introductions to coach training throughout the year. Visit barefootcoaching. co.uk/taster-mornings to book.…

1 Log your emotions. Write notes about how you feel on a weekly basis. Record the moments that made you feel especially happy, sad and envious. Look back over your journal of emotions regularly to identify patterns. Ask yourself which situations sparked feelings of envy in you, how you were feeling that day and why. Use your journal to reveal your innermost emotions and explore what may be missing from your life and what you crave for the future. 2 Gather feedback. Ask loved ones how they see you. Write down these impressions to build a picture of the type of person you are. With their input, you can begin to discover the underlying root of your envy, learn what drives you forward and discover what makes you…

1 Apply your mind Uncertainty feels so unsafe, we opt to stay in bad situations to avoid it. Recognise this to help you embrace uncertainty and build negative capability. Use your mind to employ soothing self-talk. As novelist Margaret Drabble writes, when nothing is sure, everything is possible. 2 Move your body Activities such as yoga, running and walking in our daily routine help the body feel more grounded and supported during challenging times. A sense of ease in our bodies can facilitate psychological grounding when we feel mentally or emotionally scattered. 3 Listen to your heart We are used to using our imaginations to catastrophise but, instead, contemplate what would make your heart sing. Place your hands on your heart, breathe deeply and tune into a dream for yourself,…

1 WOMB SPACE BREATHING WHY? This is a beautiful practice to help you fully reconnect with your womb space. From soothing discomfort, rebuilding trust after difficult circumstances or tapping into your feminine creativity, this practice can support a range of different struggles that we all face. I use the term ‘womb space’ because even if you do not have a physical womb for various reasons, there is a powerful energy in this part of the body. It is an area that may be encompassed with shame, grief and all manner of darker emotions, so it is easy to become disconnected from it. During my own healing journey from a place of ignoring the needs of my body and punishing it relentlessly, I found this simple practice helped bring awareness to…

• TheUK Council for Psychotherapy(UKCP) is the leading research, innovation, educational and regulatory body working to advance psychotherapy for the benefit of all. We have a register of more than 8,000 individual members, who offer a range of therapy approaches for couples, individuals, families and groups. We also have more than 70 training and accrediting organisations for those who wish to become psychotherapists. • To find the right therapist for you, or learn how to become a therapist, visit psychotherapy.org.uk…

Social media sucks. There, I said it! Conversely, I like it because it allows me to keep in touch with friends all over the world and enables me to work from home, but… And that’s a big but: The ever-present demand to comment, interact and be sociable is exhausting for introverts. I asked the women in a Facebook group to name their biggest struggle as an introvert and most of them said ‘having to engage on social media’, so I know I’m not alone. It’s easy to get caught up in comparison paralysis and wish your life was glossier, perkier and Insta-filtered. Social media is there to help us connect with others, but if it leaves us disconnected, lonelier and unhappier, it’s not working way . If it all gets…

1 Not A Novel Collected Writings And Reflections By Jenny Erpenbeck (Granta,£14.99) Erpenbeck grew up in East Berlin. She was 22 when the Wall fell and her way of life and country disappeared. She has spent her adulthood considering loss, memory and art, and how the three can deeply affect a life. All is revealed in these profound, moving essays, which focus on freedom, identity, borders and the refugee crisis. An insightful and intelligent read. 2 The New Wilderness By Diane Cook (Oneworld,£16.99 ) The climate crisis has ruined most of the world, except for a little pocket of wilderness, home to wild animals and a band of wandering people, including Bea and her young daughter, Agnes. The pair have escaped the toxic air of the city,…

Tranquillity trio Unwind, chill out and relax. Aromatherapy Real Calm Discovery Kit, £13.45, tisserand.com Play it by ear Decorate your lobes with climbing jewellery. Silver and pearl ear wings, £22,potterandmooch.co.uk It will all come together Find a creative solution. ‘Down the rabbit hole’ jigsaw puzzle, £25,vam.ac.uk Mineral soother Restore balance for restful slumber. Magnesium Sleep Bath Flakes, £9.95, betteryou.com Peace and strength Prioritise body and mind. Online yoga classes and courses for all abilities, prices vary, movementformodernlife.com Feel your best Moisturise and nourish your skin. Long-lasting day cream in reusable glass jar, £34, ecooking.com In the driving seat An experience is a memory. Mercedes-Benz World driving experience gift vouchers, from £40, mercedes-benzworld.co.uk Art of writing First words edition! Teach your little one to read with a William Morris ABC book,…

WREATHS ARE USED as a symbol in many cultures. Their origins date as far back as the Roman Empire and the pagan festival Yule. Later, we adopted the Christmas door wreath tradition here in Britain. The meaning is beautiful whatever your religious viewpoint: An evergreen ring represents the never-ending circle of life. Often, wreaths were lit with candles to signify hope for the warmer seasons to come. They provide a wonderful welcome and an invitation to enter. Don’t worry if you’ve never made one before, you don’t need plastic rings or floristry styrofoam. DIY wreaths mean you can be as zero-waste as possible and it’s rewarding to create something pretty. First you will need to make a circular base. This year, I am forming mine from garden wire wrapped in…