Tabla de contenidos para Issue 494 en Yours Magazine

Even as a vegetarian, I still adore Christmas lunch. For me, it's all about the roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and plenty of gravy – specially made just for me by my wonderfully kind mother-in-law. I look forward to it for weeks! In this issue, you'll discover the very best festive food and drink available in stores right now, as our lucky team has been busy tasting it all to bring you their expert verdicts. I think we can all agree that Christmas gets more expensive every year. That's why we're sharing 11 brilliant ways to make the most of the festive season, without spending a penny! And there are plenty of ideas the whole family will love. And on page 58, we'll show you how to create beautiful homemade gifts…

After almost three decades of dazzling audiences with her powerful voice, warm humour, and authentic Yorkshire charm, Jane McDonald has become one of the hardest working faces in showbiz. Since bursting into the spotlight in 1998 on BBC's The Cruise, Jane has gone on to enjoy a successful music career, which birthed the cult festive classic, Cruise Into Christmas, and become a much-loved member of the Loose Women panel, a position she held for a decade before stepping down in 2014. But behind the scenes, Jane's life has brought its fair share of heartbreak. In 2021, she suffered the devastating loss of her beloved fiancé, musician Eddie Rothe, aged just 67, after a battle with lung cancer. And less than three years before Eddie's passing, Jane lost her mother, Jean, who…

My date looked me up and down, taking in my best pair of beige cords and suede jacket. I'd curled my lashes and painted my nails, too. ‘Er, I did say to wear your oldest clothes, didn't I?' he said. Pete was taking me caving for the day – but he was also gorgeous so I'd dressed up. I ended up getting covered in thick mud. But I also ended up with Pete, so I didn't mind. That day, I fell for him – and caving. Pete took me hiking in the mountains and caving most weekends. It was a far cry from my job as a hairdresser but, in the great outdoors, I felt alive. We both started volunteering for North Wales Cave Rescue near where we lived in…

SWEETEN UP With a scent reminiscent of pick 'n' mix sweets and colourful gummy bears, this body wash is an easy way to indulge your sweet tooth while keeping your skin clean and moisturised. SOOTHE DRYNESS If you like to enjoy a glass of rosé during the festive season, then you'll enjoy using Glossier's limited edition rose balm. It helps to soften lips and leaves a lovely, slightly glossy sheen on the lips. PAMPER HANDS With juicy notes of plum, raspberry and pink grapefruit, this fruity hand cream offers a refreshing twist on a sweet Christmas scent. INVIGORATE YOUR SENSES Gourmand scent lovers, give your winter fragrance a festive twist with Next's gingerbread scented body mist. Ideal for keeping in your handbag for on-the-go top-ups, the spiced scent smells good…

‘If your blood is not flowing as well as it should be, you may notice pins and needles, cold hands and feet, pale or blue skin, muscle weakness or numbness, leg pain, swollen veins, and sores,’ says Sindy. ‘In extreme cases, poor circulation can lead to pain and long-term sores and ulcers on your skin.’ If you're concerned about your circulation, visit your GP to discuss your options. There are various prescription medications that could help, including statins and blood thinners, as well as aspirin.…

TIP: The pattern can be completed with circular needles. You will need to cast on 108 stitches and work in the pattern, but you don't need to alternate knit and purl rows as you will always have the front of the work facing you. YOU WILL NEED 350mm polystyrene wreath base 2 x 100g ball chunky wool in colour 1 2 x 100g ball chunky wool in colour 2 9mm knitting needles Cable needle Tapestry needle Mistletoe felt decoration Hot-glue gun Gold bells ABBREVIATIONS st(s) = stitch(es) rep = repeat ■ Can't get this yarn? Find a suitable alternative at yarnsub.com This pattern is knitted in two halves, so you will need to knit the pattern twice. How to make Cast on 54 sts. Row 1: Knit 2, purl 2 to…

There are many myths and misunderstandings about Pension Credit that may prevent people from claiming the money and extra support they could be entitled to. We set the record straight on some of the most common misconceptions. Myth 1: ‘I would get so little, it's not worth claiming’ False – The average Pension Credit payment is actually over £4000 per year. Plus, getting Pension Credit can unlock help with things like rent, Council Tax, Cold Weather Payments and a free TV licence for people aged 75 and over. Myth 2: ‘I have some savings, so Pension Credit isn't for me’ False – You can have savings or another pension and still get Pension Credit. Unlike other income related benefits like Universal Credit, there is no capital cut-off limit and for…

NEWS YOU CAN USE HOW TO CLAIM FOR FLIGHT DELAYS If your flights are delayed or cancelled due to events such as air traffic control issues or cyberattacks, consider claiming on your travel insurance. If your flight was cancelled within 14 days before you were due to fly, your airline should offer either a refund or an alternative flight. However, you are only entitled to compensation from the airline in certain circumstances, including whether it was the airline's fault. For example crew shortages or technical issues could mean the airline needs to shell out, but bad weather, air traffic control strikes or airport shut-downs won't. This is where travel insurance rides to the rescue. Typically if the delay or cancellation was outside your control, you may be able to claim…

Honest, lonely Frank, 83, from Blackpool, is looking for some female pen friends. He loves the countryside, theatre, gardening, watching sport and eating out. Lancashire/Cumbria/Yorkshire area. NOV2-101 Mark, 65, has a good sense of humour and would like to meet a lady 65-75 who has a young outlook and enjoys a laugh, for friendship. Driver if possible. Manchester area. NOV2-102 Susan, 73, a non-smoker from West Yorkshire would like to meet a gentleman of similar age for company. She enjoys days/nights out, theatre and crafts. NOV2-103 Retired nurse Wendy, 59, from Dyfed, is looking for pen friends or romance. She likes tennis, gardening, good food, exercise to keep fit and cats. NOV2-104 Non-smoking Christine, 70s, would like to meet a male for outings, meals out or just a coffee, also…

WIN! Dozzz silk sleep mask Want to know the secret to a good night's sleep? We're giving five lucky winners the chance to experience the luxury of a Dozzz silk sleep mask, worth £49.99. Crafted from 22-momme pure mulberry silk with a padded design for ultimate comfort, it's the perfect travel or bedtime essential. The winners will get to choose their favourite colour from the signature collection. Soft on skin, gentle on hair, and designed to block out every distraction – your best night's sleep starts here. WORTH £250 IN TOTAL ■ Visit dozzz.co.uk ENTERING IS EASY! BY POST: Send the coupon on p96 ONLINE: yours.co.uk/competitions TEXT AND BY PHONE! Turn the page for details! Closing date: 15 December 2025 ■ Visit theproducersmusical.com Ts&Cs: Three winners will receive a pair of…

Event The Illuminated Light Trail and Santa's Grotto at Port Lympne reserve and safari park in Kent is a new attraction for this year. It will see the manor house transform into a lit-up magical world. Families can wander down the enchanted woodland walk hosted by festive fairies, where food, drinks, a disco and fun-filled vintage funfair can be enjoyed, too! Running from 28 November to 3 January, tickets start from £10 and include access to the park from 2pm. Find out more at portlympneilluminated.com. Podcast James Corden brings his signature warmth and wit to new podcast, This Life of Mine. Each week, Corden welcomes famous faces, from David Beckham and Julianne Moore to Anna Wintour, to discuss the music, memories and milestones that have shaped their lives, in a…

If it's your birthday this fortnight… You are born under Sagittarius, known for the biggest smiles and for your spirit of independence. You are no fan of rules that restrict you and, in youth especially, can go galloping off into new adventures without a thought of the practicalities. Your motto may be, ‘If I can dream it, I can do it'. ■ Famous Sagittarians celebrating this fortnight include Sir Billy Connolly, Lorraine Kelly and Martin Clunes (pictured). SAGITTARIUS 23 NOV-20 DEC It's your time to shine, and from 30 November there's more love and warmth ahead, perhaps with links to your roots. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705708 CAPRICORN 21 DEC-20 JAN Something that's been redone seems to work out well, with rebirthing and renewal in the air.…

For the love of flamingos Sir Richard Branson, 75, has acquired many titles during his illustrious business career, but one lesser known name is that of a famous film character. ‘My grandkids call me Dr Doolittle,’ he's revealed. When told that flamingos had disappeared from his private Caribbean island, Necker, a century beforehand, he decided to reintroduce them to the region. ‘Since then we've bred nearly 2500,’ he added proudly. Susan stuns again Few can forget the moment Susan Boyle, 64, astounded us on Britain's Got Talent. The Scottish singer's rendition of I Dreamed a Dream made her an overnight star who went on to sell more than 25 million records. Following a stroke in 2022, Susan has kept a low profile so it's heartening to hear she's releasing new…

The festive season is a busy time for most people, but for Call the Midwife star Jenny Agutter, it is especially so – she will be lighting up screens across the nation on the big day in the Christmas special of the BBC drama. But aside from her role as Sister Julienne in the much-loved show, Jenny has lots of celebrating to do over the period – and not just on Christmas day itself. The actress, who was awarded an OBE in the late Queen's 2012 Birthday Honours, will turn 73 on 20 December. ‘That was always lovely when I was younger because my parents used to decorate the Christmas tree on the 20th to make a thing of it,’ Jenny tells Yours. ‘I was at boarding school from the…

WRAP UP This universally flattering shape is perfect for creating a streamlined silhouette. GOING FOR GOLD Wear metallics the grown-up way by pairing your dress with a simple black bag and shoes. RED ALERT Pair these scarlet styles with a bronze eyeshadow and nude lipstick for an elegant party ensemble. THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS Sequins, feathers, and metallic accents will provide a modern twist to this timeless style. PLUSH VELVET Velour textures are excellent for smoothing any lumps and bumps without the need for shapewear.…

Eggnog cherry trifle Cost per serving £1.23 Serves: 10-12 Takes: 50min, plus chilling 600ml double cream, plus 300g extra, whipped to soft peaks 400ml milk 2 cinnamon sticks 6 cloves ½tsp ground nutmeg 1tsp vanilla extract, plus 1tsp extra 8 large egg yolks 50g cornflour 125g caster sugar, plus 100g extra 60ml rum 600g frozen cherries 700g ready-made fruit cake, cut into large cubes (see Tip) Cook 4-5min, stirring, until simmering. Set aside. Gradually pour in the cream mixture, whisking constantly, until smooth. Bring to the boil and cook, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Remove whole spices and pour into a bowl. Whisk in rum. Cover surface of the eggnog custard with cling film and chill in fridge until cooled. Reduce…

■ I was inspired to make this starfish from issue 487 of Yours because I had some similar wool. Isn't it a good likeness? Next up will be a blue starfish. Maureen Humphrey, Preston ■ These hats with a variety of colours and stripes were knitted by me for The Mission to Seafarers through the Mothers' Union. I loved making them. Sue Crookes, Bath ■ I've just finished crocheting this super Sonic the Hedgehog for someone who is a big fan. It's the first time I've used a small hook – it was fiddly, but I'm pleased with the end result. Louise Ellis, via email GET IN TOUCH We love to see your makes. Please share your creations with us using the contact details on page 3.…

D allas was the TV phenomenon that had us glued to our sets for 13 years (1978 to 1991). With shady business deals, dysfunctional families and scandalous affairs, global audiences tuned in every week to follow the trials and tribulations of the Ewing family. As well as huge wealth and questionable morals, the oil barons of Southfork ranch had a long-running feud with the rival Barnes family. Some memorable and occasionally outrageous storylines made the show unmissable. Who could forget when Bobby Ewing came back from the dead at the beginning of season 10, meaning the entire season in which he died was written off as having been a dream? But the show's most audacious plot twist was the cliffhanger that ended season three, when the show's most infamous character J…

Spike Milligan, the anarchic architect of The Goons, affectionately described Ray Ellington as ‘our beloved Colour-Sergeant'. Ray's energetic, action-packed, and full-throttle performances on the highly esteemed Goon Show are beyond criticism. That melted-chocolate voice, deep as a canyon in the Todgha Gorge, would effortlessly bring to life canny and crafty African native chiefs. Ray could turn his voice to Arabian warriors; native Americans; an outraged Scotsman; even, once, a flirtatious feminine secretary. ‘Ray's energetic, action-packed, full-throttle performances on the highly-esteemed Goon Show are beyond criticism’ He was, without doubt, a pioneer of black comedy. Even more impressive when one considers that he wasn't there to perform comedy at all. For Ray was, most importantly, a pioneer of British rock 'n' roll. Born Henry Pitts Brown, in Kennington, South London, in…

What you're reading…. Christmas at the Little Cornish Bakery by Jennifer Bibby (Zaffre, £9.99) ‘A holiday romance about community,’ says Grace Edwards. After heartbreak and loss, Lola moves to Polcarrow to start anew, planning to open a café. Drawn to local vicar Tristan, as Christmas approaches, secrets from her past force Lola to decide whether to protect her heart, or take a leap of faith for love. ROMANCE Watch Your Back by Emma Christie (Mountain Leopard Press, £10.99) ‘Cleverly balances heartfelt emotion and tension,’ says Marilyn Wright. Jo has never told anyone about her mum's murder. Unexpectedly she receives a box of unopened letters – sent from a prison, but they're stolen before she can read them. Jo realises someone has a secret and she embarks on a mission to…

£10 cheque for every letter published A moving experience ◆ I recently went to an indoor world music concert in Sheffield, and it was an enlightening experience. The music was a mixture of traditional Asian, with a touch of African influence, and was exceptionally good. So good that most of the audience felt the urge to get up and dance, myself included. There were people from different countries, with different cultures and religions, happily dancing together, and it was a heart warming sight. It struck home how music can unite people and was a moving experience for me. Linda Keen, Sheffield, South Yorkshire Hard lesson ◆ Re Gina's editor's welcome letter on sewing, I failed needlework O level in 1972 with a grade seven. The exam involved a theory test,…

The annual Yuletide staple returns as the Queen of Christmas, Kirstie Allsopp, delivers a flurry of festive fun – serving up top crafting tips and delicious food and drink recipes, all with an emphasis on ‘sharing the load'. Where are you hanging your baubles this year? I wanted to film at home in Devon, but for various logistical reasons, we're in London. It's in a building owned by my other half, which he rents out but just happened to be empty. It was October, so you're getting your winter coat out and you're in that zone. The first Handmade Christmas series was 2014 – that's a lot of decorations you must have made? The decorations live in a barn in Devon and, I kid you not, it's a massive operation…

Dear readers, It was always turkey for Christmas lunch. No goosing or lambing for us. We were strictly a sitting down to a big bird and loads of trimmings family with special-edition red cabbage (loads of raisins), Brussels sprouts (added chestnuts) and cauliflower (lashings of cheese sauce). Then Christmas pudding. One year, we went rogue and Mum served it with brandy butter because we'd run out of milk for the custard. Yuk. We'd been excited since the beginning of the month. There was festive fare at the supermarket. Tins of biscuits, Mars Bar selections in a white net stocking, Terry's chocolate orange. We would stand before them like a wriggle of sucker fish, hoping that they'd be absentmindedly put into the trolley. Hope sprang eternal… and was inevitably vanquished –…

Roast turkey Serves: Depends on the size of turkey Takes: See Tip 1 oven-ready turkey (bag of giblets removed if there is one) 100g butter, softened Salt and pepper 1 pkt smoked streaky bacon rashers SAGE, CHEDDAR & CHESTNUT STUFFING 170g pkt dried sage and onion stuffing 2tbsp orange juice 400g pork sausage meat 70g grated Cheddar 90g cooked chestnuts, finely diced Leave to stand according to the pack instructions. or use to stuff the turkey straight away. Gently ease your fingers between the skin and the breast meat to lift the skin away from the breast, starting from the end nearest the cavity. Using your fingers, push the soft butter up under the skin, smoothing it from the outside to cover the breast. This will help the breast stay…

Around 1.4 million households are already getting Pension Credit, but many who are entitled to it are missing out, maybe due to mistaken beliefs. And it's important to remember that, even if you are entitled to it, you won't receive it until you apply for it. Pension Credit tops up your weekly income if it falls below a certain amount. Single pensioners can have their income increased to £227.10 per week, while couples can see their joint income topped up to £346.60 per week. You can get more if you are a carer, have a severe disability or have responsibility for children. On average, Pension Credit is worth over £4000 per year, making a significant difference if you're on a low income. You may also still be entitled even if…

Our money advice expert Faith Archer is an award-winning money journalist and blogger at Much More With Less, Faith was deputy personal finance editor at The Daily Telegraph and is a regular on BBC radio. She aims to make money matters such as family budgeting, pensions and tax easier to understand. Get into the seasonal spirit without spending a fortune, with our favourite cheap and free ideas for outings and activities. Put Christmas shopping on pause and relish seasonal experiences instead. Sing your heart out Enjoy singing Christmas hymns and carols by attending a carol concert, joining a local choir or finding a group to go carolling. Singing can be a particularly good way to escape Christmas stress, as research shows that it releases feel-good hormones including dopamine and endorphins.…

DECK THE HALLS Ava Gardner seems to have a somewhat more streamlined approach to decorations, but she did take the trouble to coordinate her outfit with the fire surround! She had double reason to celebrate the festive season as she was born on Christmas Eve 1922. ‘As a child, what I loved about my birthday was the Christmas tree with lighted candles on it,’ she once said, ‘…and the fact that all the relatives came to my party.’ IT'S A WRAP In this picture, released in 1955 to coincide with the premiere of his latest film noir, Hell on Frisco Bay, Alan Ladd looks like he's trying to decide which gifts to give to his co-stars, Edward G Robinson and Joanne Dru. Throughout the Forties, Ladd's tough-guy films packed out…

FILM: THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939) ICONIC COSTUME: A blue and white gingham pinafore dress worn over a high-necked white blouse, sometimes paired with ruby-encrusted slippers. SHE WORE IT WELL: Judy Garland DESIGNED BY: Adrian SHOWSTOPPING SCENE: When Dorothy arrives in Oz, the screen is transformed and we see her in glorious Technicolor for the first time. Dorothy's dress was made deliberately low-key to emphasise her ‘homespun' Kansas origins compared to the fantastical characters of Oz. The dress, along with all the costumes in the film, were the work of MGM's chief designer Gilbert Adrian (known simply as Adrian). Before settling on the design, which is Dorothy's only costume, Adrian designed alternatives, including a version in red and a blue one with puffed sleeves and polka-dot trim. He also created the iconic ruby…

As Lynne dug out her array of Christmas hats, she felt excited for another year as a volunteer elf in Santa's warehouse. Over the last eight years, Lynne and her husband George have given their time to support the Mission Christmas appeal, run by children's charity Cash for Kids. In the UK one-in-four children are living in poverty and the appeal aims to make sure those kids wake up on Christmas morning with a gift from Santa. Lynne, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, first got involved in Mission Christmas while working as a receptionist at her local radio station, which supports the appeal. But it was when she and George retired that volunteering for the cause became a Christmas tradition. George drives across the north east collecting donated gifts from all…