Innholdsfortegnelse for 16th Dec 2025 (Double Issue) i Woman's Weekly

Pitching in “When I was young, I sang in the school choir, and every Christmas we performed a classic service of Nine Lessons and Carols. I always enjoyed it hugely, apart from some deep envy when my friend was chosen to sing the solo beginning of Once in Royal David’s City instead of me. Years later, my grown-up singing has been confined to the shower, although my daughter, who unlike me has a voice like an angel, sings in a folk song choir as an adult. So imagine my surprise when a friend asked me to join her group to sing at our village church this Christmas. In spite of my rustiness, I’m looking forward to it. See page 16.”…

We are still sending your mice out to the rescue centres the makers suggested, but here are a few of the happy recipients. We have had so many emails from staff thanking you for your makes, and Celia Hammond Animal Trust says: ‘Thank you to every wonderful reader who picked up a needle, hook and some yarn to make magic for our rescue cats. You’ve truly made their world a little brighter.’ Please always do think about adopting from a rescue centre and remember, they always need donations of food and toys. Ask your local centre what they would like.…

From grand cathedrals to cherished stately homes and even our favourite local pubs, the people behind the decorations work tirelessly to bring the magic of Christmas to life. It’s a huge responsibility and an enormous undertaking, but an incredibly rewarding role – and here, we meet them. The Empress Cambridge Annie Kelly, manager. Decorating the pub is a tradition started by our late owner, Dave, which we proudly carry on in his memory. Preparations begin in the first week of October, and with help from our staff, regulars and even a few willing customers, it takes around three weeks to complete. Each year, we reuse our favourite bright tinsel and baubles, and add new touches – our blue-painted lounge now has a sparkling ice theme, and we create a Santa’s…

“I used to be quite snobby about panto. Within my profession, not only is soap acting looked down upon by some people, but panto is too. I’m proud I’ve had the chance to prove them wrong. When I did my first panto, I thought, ‘This is great!’ After all, Sir Ian McKellen has also done Corrie and panto. Now, it’s one of my favourite things of all time – a very unique art that belongs to Britain. I particularly like the diversity of the cast because I wouldn’t normally get to work with people from children’s television, musical theatre, stand-up and variety. There are a lot of youngsters in it who are just starting out. It’s a very overcrowded profession, particularly in musical theatre – an aspect of the industry…

Looking back at photos of last Christmas, Lucy Gallagher can’t help but beam. ‘It feels good seeing how far I’ve come, physically and mentally,’ says the 27-year-old from Hockley, Essex. Year after year, Lucy would spend the festive season hiding under oversized Christmas jumpers and leggings, but Christmas 2024 was different and the photos – of a smiling Lucy in a Mrs Claus dress – are a reminder of how hard she’s worked to turn her life around. ‘When I started uni, I was a size 10 and hadn’t really had any issues with my weight up until that point,’ says Lucy. ‘But I was living away for the first time and missed my family. I spent what money I had on drinks and nights out, and kebabs or pizza.’…

My best friend has met someone Q I’ve been on my own for the past five years and so has my closest friend. We both divorced within a few months of each other. We’ve done most things together – films, shows and holidays – and it’s worked well. Recently, she decided to look for a partner on the internet and has now fallen in love. I’m pleased that she’s happy, but it has left me lonely and without a companion. I have complained to her a bit for abandoning me and I know this has annoyed her. Bryony, Bangor A It’s hard when something we think is fixed then changes. Friends plan their own lives, make their own decisions and take different directions. But it’s early on in her new relationship and,…

ARIES LOVE There will be many opportunities to enhance your love life during this year. You enjoy excitement and the challenge of anything new. Give yourself permission to try out new social circles so you’ll meet different kinds of people who can stimulate you intellectually or romantically. 2026 could be a roller coaster of fun in all your relationships! ✱ Good months: February, April and September. HOME AND FAMILY It will be important to be extra sensitive to the needs of others. Honing your listening skills will be of great value. Remember to speak kindly and gently, and do your best to put yourself into the other person’s shoes. Harmony can return in ways you never dreamt possible. MONEY This year brings you a mixture of big opportunities to create…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS Diameter 8cm/3in. MATERIALS 1 x 25g (58m) ball of Rico Ricorumi DK (100% cotton) in each of White (001), Green (049) and Red (028), and 1 x 10g (50m) ball of Rico Ricorumi Lamé DK (62% polyester, 38% polyamide) in Gold (002)*. Size 3mm crochet hook; 8cm polystyrene ball. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION Each completed square measures 4x4cm. ABBREVIATIONS BLO, back loop only; ch, chain; ch-sp, chain space; dc, double crochet; dc2tog, double crochet 2 sts together (to decrease 1 st) thus: [insert hook into next st, yrh and pull loop through] twice, yrh and pull through all 3 loops; slst, slip st; st(s), stitch(es); tr, treble crochet; yrh, yarn round hook. NOTES Yarn amounts are based on average requirements and are approximate. Figures in…

Jumbo wordsearch All the words relating to fireworks are hidden in the grid. Words may be read forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally. BANGBARRAGEBOOMBRIGHTBROCADEBURSTCHRYSANTHEMUMCOMETCRACKLECROSSETTEDETONATIONDISPLAYEXPLOSIONFINALEFLASHFOUNTAINGLITTERGOLDGREENGUNPOWDERHISSIGNITIONLAUNCHMORTARNEW YEAR’S EVEORANGEPEONYPOPPYROTECHNICSREDRINGROCKETSSHELLSHOWSILVERSNAPSPARKLESTARTRAILWHISTLE KrissKross Fit all the words into the grid. One has been entered to start you off. 3 LETTERS APPASHATECARDIPEVELAPLEEODDPADPIERAGSEASEESKITEATOT TOYYES 4 LETTERS BASSNOELORBSPASSSIZESPUDTWINYEAR 5 LETTERS ALOHAEAGLEEXCELEXILEIMAGENINJAPAIRSPALLYPASTYPIPESROBINSCARFTUNERTYPES 6 LETTERS DURESSEXHALELATESTMASSEDMUTINYSAILOR SPIREATINSEL 7 LETTERS DISMISSPARAPETPRESENTRESTFULSAUNTERSETTLERTESTIFYTORRENT 8 LETTERS ORNAMENTSEEDLESS 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. Wordwise 1 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, plural words are allowed. There is one nine-letter…

''I packed a lot in before my exciting appointment. Two loads of washing, clean the bathroom, spray WD-40 on the central heating gubbins underneath the stairs, change the bedclothes, put Polyfilla over the crack in the corridor. When I went to say goodbye to Mr Dear, I found him in the garden, attacking the garden bench with coarse grained sandpaper. You know, sometimes I think he just lives for pleasure. ‘What are you doing?’ ‘What does it look like? I’m sanding down the bench.’ ‘But it’s supposed to rain in half an hour.’ ‘Not according to the Met Office.’ ‘The BBC says it’s going to rain.’ ‘Yes, but who would you trust to forecast the weather? The people whose actual job is forecasting the weather, or the people who make…

PANTO NEWBIE Comedian Catherine Tate stars as Wicked Fairy Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty, this year’s glittering pantomime at the London Palladium. The stellar cast includes Nigel Havers, Julian Clary and impressionist Jon Culshaw. Emily Lane, who starred in Hello, Dolly!, plays Princess Aurora. Playing from 6 December until 11 January. ✱ palladiumpantomime.com Royal rink Whether you glide, stumble or swoop, ice skating is an annual Christmas treat around the country. This year, there’s a welcome return of The Queen’s House Ice Rink in Greenwich Park, London. There could scarcely be a more atmospheric backdrop than this early-17th-century building, originally designed by Inigo Jones as a garden retreat for Queen Anne, wife of James I. The rink is now open daily (except Christmas Day) until Sunday 4 January, with sessions from…

Holiday party edition! Jacqueline Thomas, 65 Tell us about your look Ages ago I had a ticket to join the audience at Strictly, so I bought this red sequin trouser suit and black top from Zara. It only comes out at Christmas, but I’ll wear the jacket with jeans and the trousers with an oversized knit if I want to dial down the glitz! My bag is vintage and shoes are New Look. What’s your favourite thing about yourself? I have some great friends! Anna Edwards, 59 (left), and Sharen Mead, 60 Tell us about your look Anna We love a casual party look. I’ve gone for a gold top from Tu Clothing with wide satin trousers and gold loafers by Long Tall Sally. My sequin shrug is my mum’s.…

ARGYLE STYLE Cardigan, £130, sizes xs-xl, Mint Velvet; skirt, £59, sizes xs-xl, And/Or at John Lewis; shoes, £50, Next; earrings, £19.50, Oliver Bonas STEAL THE SHOW Left to right: wizard costume, £115, Meri Meri at andostores.com; dress, £24-£30, sizes 1-7yrs, Next; shoes, £17, M&S; cardigan, £22.99, sizes 2-10yrs, H&M; stripe trousers, £24, sizes 1-6yrs, andostores.com; shoes, £18, M&S; dress, £349, sizes 6-22, Hobbs; shoes, £55.99, Zara; earrings, £87, and bracelet, £75, both anna-nina.nl WARM WELCOME Jumper, £26, sizes xs-xl, Tu Clothing; skirt, £139, sizes 6-20, Hobbs; boots, £189, Dune; earrings, £87, and ring, £78, both anna-nina.nl TAKE A BOW Cardigan, £38, sizes xs-xxl, Next; trousers, £35.99, sizes xs-xl, and shoes, £39.99, both Zara; earrings, £55, and necklace, £95, both latelier73.com bracelet, £24, jonrichard.com BURGUNDY MAGIC Jacket, £350, and trousers, £225,…

New op to restore vision Blind people have had their sight returned thanks to a revolutionary retinal implant carried out during trials at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. The op inserts a wafer-thin implant (called Prima) into the back of the eyeball, which is linked to high-tech glasses with a video camera, enabling sight to be transmitted to the brain. It brings hope for millions of people with dry AMD (age-related macular degeneration), a previously untreatable condition that is a common cause of vision loss in the over 50s. The op could eventually become available on the NHS. Time to try… Working into your 80s Research has shown that keeping active past the age of 65 is the key to healthy ageing, reducing the risk of chronic disease, such as dementia. According…

Ever dreamt of what it might be like to sail around the Caribbean by private yacht? Me too. And I’ve discovered how to get the experience without having to become (or befriend) a millionaire. It’s by hopping aboard a traditional tall ship, a stunning, large sailing vessel with masts and rigging, on a week-long cruise from Barbados. Instead of exploring the Windward Islands via the usual large cruise lines, a journey aboard Royal Clipper lets me escape the winter blues in an intimate setting. Small-ship perks The ship holds just 227 passengers, and we soon get to know each other over drinks at the bar or meals in the only restaurant. It’s all so wonderfully relaxed, with no dress code, and entertainment that ranges from tying knots and stargazing with…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS Height Approximately 11cm/4¼in, excluding rim. MATERIALS For 3 covers: 2 x 50g (165m) balls of Sirdar Snuggly DK (55% nylon, 45% acrylic) in Red (Flamenco 242), 1 ball in White (251), 1 x 50g (125m) ball of Sirdar Country Classic DK (50% wool, 50% acrylic) in Black (873), and 1 x 50g (124m) ball of Sirdar Snuggly Snowflake Chunky (100% polyester) in Fluffy White (Milky 200)*. Pair each of 3.25mm (No. 10) and 3.75mm (No. 9) knitting needles. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION 26 stitches and 36 rows to 10x10cm, over stocking stitch, using 3.75mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; sl, slip; 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…

Farm Magic Painting by Campbell Books and Axel Scheffler (£8.99, HB, Pan Macmillan) Axel Scheffler’s delightful activity book brings farmyard fun to very young children with mess-free magic painting. Little ones simply brush pictures with water to reveal vibrant colours. Designed to develop fine motor skills and with reusable pages, it’s a charming, practical way to keep toddlers entertained at home or on the go. Britannica All New Children’s Encyclopedia Edited by Christopher Lloyd, illustrated by Mark Ruffle and Jack Tite (£30, HB, What On Earth Publishing) The bestselling encyclopedia returns in an updated 2025 edition, packed with over 1,000 stunning illustrations and fascinating facts verified by more than 100 experts. Covering everything from dinosaurs to AI, it’s the perfect gift to spark wonder and ignite a lifelong love of…

Letter of the week (Non) prawn cocktail We wanted to make the usual prawn cocktail for Christmas Day last year, but my son and his wife have recently turned vegan. So we swapped their prawns for chunks of hearts of palm and used vegan mayonnaise in the Marie Rose sauce. They thought it was delicious. I’m so pleased with how it turned out and recommend it to anyone else catering for similar dietary requirements at Christmas. Brenda Seewell, Devon SHARED TRADITIONS I really related to Colette Webber’s letter in your last Christmas double issue. She described how every year, she goes with her family to pick out a new decoration for the tree. We do the same when we are on holiday and think it’s a lovely tradition. We have…

She has voiced the Christmas Fairy in M&S food adverts since 2021 – appearing alongside the animated character since 2024 – and has starred in many a festive telly special. So, for lots of us, comedy and acting legend Dawn French is synonymous with the most wonderful time of the year. But for the 68-year-old star, the festive season can conjure up different emotions. ‘I always have a melancholy kick-off about three or four days before Christmas,’ she has said. ‘It’s something to do with all the Christmas cheer building up. Then you suddenly get a wave of grief about those who won’t be there at Christmas, who’ve gone. Your parents and people like that. But the miracle of Christmas is that you recover from it.’ So, how does the…

Stock up on dry shampoo Even the most regular hair-washing routines can go out of the window during the chaos of Christmas, and that’s actually a good thing for your party season do. Freshly washed hair tends to be silky, shiny and potentially a little bit fluffy, which means it won’t hold a curl or any backcombing very well. If you’re despairing at your just-shampooed style falling flat, reach for the dry shampoo. Not only will it help to give your hair a bit more grip, but massaging it into the roots will add volume and lift. You can’t go wrong with Batiste Naturally Plant Powered Dry Shampoo with Green Tea & Chamomile, £4.25, Boots, or Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo in Velvet Amber, £27, sephora.co.uk.…

Good eggs Traditionally part of a nutritious breakfast, eggs’ reputation has deteriorated over the past few years. Now, scientists in South Australia examining the independent effects of dietary cholesterol and saturated fat, report that eating two eggs a day, as part of a low-saturated-fat diet, leads to reduced low density lipoprotein cholesterol (the ‘bad’ kind), lowering heart disease risk. It’s not cholesterol in eggs but saturated fat – such as from bacon and sausage – that’s the heart health concern. LIFESTYLE CHANGES FOR AF Obesity is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation, itself a risk factor for strokes and pulmonary emboli. In a study of paroxysmal or persistent AF, patients with a body mass index over 30 showed a combination of drugs and simple lifestyle interventions promoting weight loss and increased physical activity…

What’s the matter, Gramps?’ I ask when I find my grandfather stabbing at his laptop and muttering in frustration. Usually, he likes a quiet life. ‘I’m looking for a gift for your grandmother, but it’s overwhelming,’ he sighs. ‘We could go into town next weekend. Felshaw’s department store has a Christmas market on the ground floor. I can do my Christmas shopping. I’ll drive.’ A wave of relief washes over Gramps’ face. ‘That would be wonderful, Lucy. Thank you.’ I pick him up as arranged. Felshaw’s is already busy. Fast-tempo Christmas songs, with jingly accompaniments, play over loudspeakers. I’m certain the smell of gingerbread is being wafted through the air-conditioning. I hope we can find what we both want. We stop at a wooden stall with fake snow selling handmade…

Difficulty level Holly and berries YOU WILL NEED ✱ Two A4 sheets of stiff green felt ✱ Fat quarter of Christmas-patterned fabric ✱ Bondaweb ✱ Matching sewing thread ✱ 1mm-wide tinsel thread or cord ✱ Embroidery needle ✱ Gold glitter glue ✱ 1cm-diameter red felt balls ✱ Hot glue gun STOCKISTS Moda Purrfect Christmas in Holly and Pine Midnight, £3.80 per 0.25m, thesewingstudio.co.uk 1 Apply Bondaweb to the back of the patterned fabric. Using the holly template (enlarged by 180% on a photocopier), cut out an even number of shapes from the fabric. 2 Fuse the holly-shaped fabric to the green felt. Cut out the felt around each holly shape. Using a wide zigzag stitch on your sewing machine, stitch around the edge of each holly leaf. 3 Apply a thin layer of glitter glue to the edge…

ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR Financially, this promises to be a good time. Something you’ve been working on for a while can come to fruition now. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Although others may wish to help you, it’s especially important to keep your own counsel now. Deep down you know what’s right for you. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN You may be juggling many balls at the moment. Put your attention on what truly matters to you and let the rest go. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL Your keyword now is balance. This is not a time to go to extremes. Make sure you get enough rest and quiet time. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG This is the perfect time for gathering information. Doing…