Table of contents for Festive Special 2024 in Chat Specials

Movie links Name the Christmas films in which these stars appeared. Spot it Can you spot the 10 differences in the two pictures below? Wordsearch An eaterie in Hitchin caused a stir by offering which food with the flavour of pigs in blankets? The answer is the one missing from the grid. • BREAD • CAKE • CHEESE • CHOW MEIN • HAGGIS • ICE CREAM • KEBAB • PASTA • PICKLE • PIE • SAMOSA • SANDWICH • SCONE • TOFFEE • YOGURT Your answer _______________________ Brick trick Which flower, often grown indoors for Christmas, shares its name with a variety of the mineral zircon? To find out, solve the puzzle… Enter the answers to the clues in the grid. Every word is an anagram of its neighbours, plus…

Getting hands-on and using items you had at home for decorations was very popular during the Victorian era. Turn your hand to crafting these traditional items… Bring the bang! Tom Smith designed the Christmas cracker in 1848 as he was inspired by a Parisian confectionist selling sugared almonds in twists. He added a motto inside and used dynamite for the explosion. Quite different to the bottom of the barrel jokes we get today! VICTORIAN GILDED WALNUT ORNAMENTS YOU'LL NEED… • Walnuts• Red ribbon• Gold acrylic paint• Strong glue METHOD: 1. Carefully cut the walnuts in half with a kitchen knife and remove the inside meat. Make sure to keep the matching halves together, so they fit back together perfectly. 2. Paint the walnut shells with gold acrylic paint and leave…

Rachael Wood, 34, from Coventry Hearing the familiar noise of tape, with wrapping paper cut into precise pieces, that could only mean one thing… CHRISTMAS! Sat in the corner of the room from a young age, I’d stare at my dad in amazement. Measuring the gift, he’d then cut the paper with a blade, matching the pattern and taping everything into place. And I wasn’t the only one that enjoyed his wrapping skills – he got a kick out of it! Being an electrical engineer, he had his own methods of making sure that the gifts would fit perfectly, with minimal waste. ‘This is how you do it,’ he’d say, guiding me through. It was certainly different to my wrapping skills at the time – it looked so effortless. The…

Lee Brailsford, 47, from Bristol Watching as the crowds began to gather in the darkness, I could feel the excitement building. With the clear tubes of festive shapes dotted about my mum Rosemary’s garden and climbing up the side of my childhood home, I knew exactly what to expect. And there was no way I’d ever get sick of it. ‘Is everyone ready?’ I called out, receiving cheers from everyone around us. Then, it began… ‘Three!’ the crowds started chanting excitedly. ‘Two!’ ‘One!’ As the last word hung in the air, the darkness vanished. Suddenly, hundreds of flashing, multicoloured lights brightened up the entire street, let alone Mum’s front garden, casting the crowd’s faces in wonder. Standing back with my brother Paul, now 45, the whispered words of praise from…

We all love a festive Christmas feast, but it often comes with a side of guilt. Surely all that rich, delicious grub can’t be good for us? Well, that’s where you’re wrong – the main elements of a traditional Xmas dinner are full of vitamins and nutrients. Take a look at a classic Chrimbo plate with Dean Harper, chef and director at Harper Fine Dining, and discover how it can do you good – eat your way to better health with every mouthful! CRANBERRIES AND CHESTNUTS These festive faves are packed with antioxidants and fibre. Cranberry sauce is a go-to on the side of turkey, and you can use chestnuts in your stuffing, too. BRUSSELS SPROUTS These are a powerhouse of vitamins C and K, supporting immunity and bone health.…

Leaving the Milbank apartment home that he shared with his brother, Brent Hanson had a full list of festive errands to run on a brisk December morning in South Dakota. With a Christmas card in hand on 15 December 2015 at 9.10am, Brent had planned to meet Police Chief Boyd VanVooren at the department offices, exchanging the card that had come from the local church. Being a Jehovah’s Witness and a regular churchgoer, Brent was known in the local community, living with his brother Clyde, 59, expecting sister-in-law Jessica, 29, and his three-year-old nephew. It wasn’t a rosy relation And as the festivities loomed, when meeting Boyd to exchange the Christmas cards, the pair got talking. Boyd brought up Brent’s relationship with his brother. ‘Any further issues?’ he asked at…

Debbie Clack, 53, from Surrey Wrapping up a pair of white, silky, feather trimmed pyjamas, I felt a buzz of excitement. Lillie’s going to love these, I thought happily. For her 22nd birthday, in November 2021, I’d taken her to see Pretty Woman in London and then to Harrods for afternoon tea. As we’d browsed around afterwards, gazing in awe at all the lavish Christmas decs, she’d spotted the PJs and fallen in love with them. So I sneakily bought them for her for Christmas. I couldn’t wait to see her face when she opened them up. Lillie loved Christmas. It was just me, Lil and her big brother Michael, now 27, and I’d always made it special. Every year we got matching festive PJs and we spent the day…

Kate Gibbons, 32, from Ludlow Sitting on the sofa feeding my newborn baby, I plunged my hand into the tub of Quality Streets next to me. But feeling around, all that was left was shiny wrappers.  Surely I’ve not eaten that many? I thought. But mindlessly munching my way through the choccies, it appeared I’d scoffed my way through the whole tub. Ah well, I thought to myself. It is Christmas, after all! I’d always loved the festive season, and especially all the yummy food that came with it – my mum’s home baked mince pies, turkey with all the trimmings, plenty of selection boxes. We were a very foodie family – it was a proper British Christmas! But while my parents and my sister were all healthy weights, for…

For many, Christmas is a time for giving. Despite having a turbulent relationship with his ex-wife, Darren Wake was determined to cast their troubles aside in December. After all, Rachel Wake, 60, was a devoted mother to their teenage children, Romany and Gabriel. Working as a midwife, Rachel was popular within the local community for her ‘commitment and passion’ and how she could support others at their ‘most vulnerable moments’. Even though Darren and Rachel’s divorce had been finalised in 2012, after 11 years of marriage, parenting orders meant that custody arrangements ran on a week on, week off basis. But as time went on, Romany had decided that she wanted to live with Rachel full-time, in Hobart, Australia. Gabriel wanted the same in April 2021. Even though Darren was…

Emma Ruscoe, 56, from Solihull Opening a Christmas card from my husband, I knew what to expect. M, it would begin. Love you always and forever, Simon. Simon was not a man of many words, but he had beautiful handwriting and every year he would select the perfect card for any occasion. And it was never the words in the card that I appreciated. It was the effort Simon went to, to pick out the perfect card – one that summed up our relationship, even after 30 years of marriage. Each one would be a little quirky – cute but with a joke. For example, I was very organised and could be a little bossy, so Simon would search for a card that reflected that. But that was Simon –…

FOR… her A nice touch! FOR… him…

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Cary Ebdy, 27, from Thanet, Kent Stepping inside my mum’s flat, my eyes lit up in awe. ‘It’s like Santa’s grotto,’ I laughed to her. ‘Well, if you can’t go crazy at Christmas, when can you?’ my mum Diane, then 59, smiled. Always choosing the biggest, fattest tree she could find at the garden centre, she’d even whip out a measuring tape to make sure it was just right. Bringing it home and putting it up proudly, she decked it out in red, gold and green – and no one else was allowed to touch it but her! I’d come home to Margate for Christmas, to spend the big day with Mum and my siblings, nieces and nephews, as well as my nan. Christmas was always a big traditional family…

Cole Denby, 33, from Manchester Reaching around the Christmas tree, trying not to get the lights in a tangle, I had made a scene. And every single person that passed by the front window made sure to stop and stare, gazing over in my direction. Only, it wasn’t because they were looking in awe at my Christmas decorations. I had given them another reason to stop them in their tracks instead. ‘OMG! That’s amazing. How do you do that?’ was a familiar reaction from family, friends and even strangers, too. Using the power of makeup, face paint, minuscule brush strokes and hours upon hours of meticulous shading, back in 2021 I had transformed myself into a reindeer. Complete with holly ladened antlers, a 3D golden bell hand painted around my…

Go Dasher, go Dancer This adorable farm with reindeer, goats and sheep was a highlight of our visit to Whitehall Garden Centre in Lacock. My son asked if this was one of Santa’s reindeer! Lucy, Trowbridge Twinkle twinkle My pup Jess loves snuggling up in front of the Christmas tree lights, I think she finds them soothing Brenda, Chichester Don’t peek My cat Holly knows there’s a present in this box for her, but she’ll have to wait until the big day to open it! Rhiannon, Plymouth Bird watching Freddie is obsessed with ducks and would’ve dived in after these. I know what he wants for his Xmas dinner! Mandy, Leicester THAT’S SO BRITISH FIGHTING OVER THE LAST PURPLE QUALITY STREET WATCHING HOME ALONE FOR THE 17TH TIME BEING EMBARRASSED BY SOMEONE PERFORMING DESCANTS AT…

Oh Xmas tree Prince Albert made Christmas trees popular when he brought one back from Germany in 1840! HOLLY JOLLY GAMES Just like we may reach for a board game on Chrimbo afternoon, Victorians loved to get inventive with their parlour games. Have a go… THE SCULPTOR: 1. Choose one player to be The Sculptor. All other players must then stand in a still position. 2. The designated Sculptor must then move the other players into strange poses that are difficult to hold. The other players must not laugh, break pose or move. 3. The Sculptor can distract the other players and encourage them to laugh, but they must not touch them! 4. The first player to move or laugh loses and must then become The Sculptor. HOW? WHY? WHERE?…

Let the festivities commence… it’s Christmas! From start to finish, George at ASDA have got you covered. Say hello to sequins, bows and metallics – it’s time to jingle bell rock. • Shop partywear in your nearest ASDA store or online via: direct.asda.com Silver is trending – to accessorise pair with black and hints of red! SLUMBER SEASON! If you want to spend the big day in your comfies with your feet up, we don’t blame you… You could even wear this set with heels on a night out…

Starry night Let it sparkle and shine with these glistening buys… Woodland wonder No need to go into the cold, bring the outside in with these folksy must-haves… Traditional Transform your home into a classic Christmas wonderland… Novelty Spice things up and add some fun and whimsy to your festive decor… A kitsch Christmas is magical and brings joy to all…

FOR… kids FOR… pets…

Throwing a soirée this festive season? Nothing says Xmas party like a canapé board! These treats from Aldi look impressive, taste amazing and are easy to whip up, too – they’ll leave your guests feeling jolly. • For more, visit: aldi.co.uk THREE CHEESE PUFF PASTRY STARS YOU WILL NEED: • 1 sheet ready-rolled puff pastry• 30g Cheddar cheese, grated• 20g Emmental cheese, grated•10g Parmesan, grated• ½ tsp ground black pepper• 1 egg, beaten• Black pepper HOW TO: 1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. Unroll the pastry sheet and cut out 18 star shapes using a cutter. Brush each star with a little beaten egg and sprinkle a little of each cheese over the tops. 2. Season with black pepper before baking in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Serve warm…

Tom Shepherd, 39, from Portishead Sat snuggled up watching a Christmas movie with my two children, Harry and Isabelle, it was the day before Christmas Eve in 2021. Harry, five, had always been a bit of a cheeky monkey – full of energy – but he’d sat patiently through the entire film with Isabelle, nine. My wife Debbie, 41, was out doing a last bit of Christmas shopping and it was nice to enjoy a chill day with the kids. ‘Daddy, I don’t feel well,’ Harry said all of a sudden. And looking over at him, his face looked really pale. Suddenly his eyes started flicking in different directions, and he started to vomit. Throwing up multiple times, it was terrifying to see him in that state. Calling Debbie, she…

GIFT OF GIVING It’s a time for giving – so why not give a gift that gives something back, too? Ripple Effect is a charity that helps rural families and communities in eastern African to develop climateresilient agriculture skills, so they can grow their way out of hunger and earn incomes. And this Christmas, you can help them do just that. For £9 you can donate a Chirpy Chicken – easy to manage and needing little space, one chicken can lay up to 250 eggs in a year. Or for £13, donate a Little Donkey to help families get their produce to market. For those looking to splurge, twin your garden with a family in east Africa. For £60, fund three years’ training in farming for a family. In return, you’ll…