Table of contents for 20 December 2022 in Chat

JUMPERS STYLE TIP From Fair Isle prints to sparkly sequins, a novelty knit is a must-have. Wear with jeans or leggings. JOGGERS STYLE TIP A key player in everyone's off-duty wardrobe, look for adjustable waistbands and a relaxed leg for a flattering fit. SLIPPERS STYLE TIP Have slippers ever looked so glamorous? Perfect for dinner parties, opt for statement sequins and playful prints. FROM £12 PYJAMAS STYLE TIP Keep it classic and classy in candy stripes and wintery checks – worthy of any sleepover.…

YOU'RE THE JUDGE! Pulling on a tancoloured jacket with a fur trim, Amina Said, then 18, got ready to go out for dinner with her little sister, Sarah, 17, and their dad, Yaser, 50. It was 1 January 2008. A new year, a new start. The sisters were born in Texas, USA. But their dad had moved from Egypt 25 years earlier. Met and married their mother, Patricia, 36. The couple had a son, Islam, 19, quickly followed by the two girls. And in 1997, Yaser was granted US citizenship. He worked as a taxi driver. The girls grew up with Western culture and attended a local school. They wore T-shirts, jeans, headbands and earrings. At home, their father reminded them of his traditional beliefs. He was the head of…

Why does winter hurt my hands? Q When I come in from the cold my hands throb and ache for a few minutes. It's really painful, can I stop it? Jo, Cumbernauld A These are hot aches, and one study found that 96% of cold-weather climbers suffered them, though no one really knows what's going on. Most likely, a long period in the cold causes blood vessels in your hands and fingers to narrow in order to reduce the amount of heat they lose, eventually leading to minor tissue damage. Once back in a warm room, the vessels suddenly open up again, leading to an excess of blood in the damaged tissues, throbbing pains in your fingers and hands and sometimes other symptoms such as sickness and feeling faint. The…

1 Keep moving We all sit down too much during the day, and it's damaging our health. According to a study by Queen's University Belfast, it's linked to 70,000 UK deaths each year. Anything we can do to move more in 2023 will do us good. ‘Standing for 30 mins can burn 64 calories, lower blood sugar levels and your risk of heart disease, as well as reduce back pain and improve energy,’ says Dr Petra Simic from Bupa Health Clinics. 2 Master meditation Forget those expensive anti-ageing creams - your secret to a youthful glow is all in your mind. A study in the International Journal of Neuroscience has shown that people who have practised meditation for five years or more are physiologically 12 years younger than their actual age. So close…

Shayne Probert, 32 B ursting into Mum's room, me and my sister Tabitha, then 6, leapt on to her bed. ‘It's Christmas. Mummy!’ we squealed. Our mum Doreen, then 23, smothered us in kisses, before the three of us ran downstairs to see what was in our stockings. It was 1994, and we had the same tradition every year. After pancakes for breakfast, Mum popped on her Santa hat and handed out presents with a big smile on her face. But then Mum was always smiling. And that's what made the day so special. How happy she made it. Mum was just 16 when Tabitha was born in 1988, then I came along two years later. The three of us were more like sisters. We didn't have much but Christmas…

GLITZY GOLD Create a golden glow with lights and metallic touches. ALL £10 AND UNDER RAINBOW FUN Use novelty decs in multicolours for this standout scheme.…

Pamper yourself Do the things that make you feel the most beautiful. Whether it's doing your hair and nails, donning a facemask or a long hot bath. If you don't feel good, you won't feel good! Wear something sexy For some, it's a black dress, for others it's stretchy jeans that make you feel sexy. When you're strutting about, feeling hot, it'll get yours and your partner's blood pumping. Do your homework No one else is going to know how to make you feel good if you don't know what you like. Run your hands and fingers across your body, work out what feels good for you - you don't need a partner to explore your sexuality. Don't be shy Tell your partner what you like. Pleasure is a two-way…

TRUE-LIFE Courtney Vernon, 21, Bridlington My eyes pinged open as loud banging on the door pulled me from sleep. It was still dark. The early hours of Christmas morning. But I knew who it was. I raced downstairs. ‘Dad!’ I shouted, throwing the door open. ‘Ho, ho, ho!’ he laughed, stepping inside with armfulls of presents. It was 2013, and I was 12. I'd lived with my grandma and grandad since I was seven, but my dad, Damion, 31, was always around. And Christmas was his favourite time of year. Not because of the presents or festive films. The thing he looked forward to the most was his annual prawn cocktail! Served up in a glass bowl, juicy pink prawns in creamy Marie Rose sauce with a slice of lemon…

TRUE-LIFE Joanne Sophie Ellis, 25, Northamptonshire Opening my front door, I was greeted with a huge bunch of flowers. ‘They're beautiful,’ I gasped. ‘So are you,’ my friend Carlos, then 19, said, from behind the blooms. I blushed. It was October 2019, I'd known Carlos a few months. We'd met through friends, but I wasn't looking for love. As a single mum, my kids Olivia, then 3, and Jack, 2, were all that mattered. But Carlos was charming, and his persistence paid off. No one had bought me flowers before… I told him I'd been treated badly in the past. ‘I'd never hurt you,’ Carlos said. So I decided to give him a chance. ‘I love you,’ Carlos told me, days into our relationship. I was quickly falling for him,…

A year in soap 1 February, whose body was found in the Argee Bhajee in EastEnders? 2 Who was driving the car in the crash that killed Imran Habeeb in Coronation Street? 3 In June, which Hollyoaks character died after falling off a cliff in Mallorca? 4 Which Emmerdale favourite suffered a stroke in March? 5 Also in March, which Coronation Street resident gave birth to a surprise baby? 6 Can you name the two characters who appeared as ghosts in the last-ever episode of Neighbours in July? 7 In February, who tried to kill Emmerdale serial killer Meena Jutla by pushing her off a bridge? 8 Which Corrie character came back in July after almost 20 years away? 9 Which EastEnders character, last seen in 2016, returned to Walford in…

To the one who has everything. It's the thought that counts, right?! From To the pickiest person I know. (If you don't like this, please pretend you do!) From To Hope you like socks! From To one of my favourite kids. Love from your favourite parent! To From (Father Christmas was busy) To Sorry that it's not the puppy you wanted! From To From (Yes, it's chocolate and, yes, you do have to share) To my optimistic friend… Take a deep breath and lower your expectations! From From To my fave fashionista. I'd better see you wearing this! From You were on the Naughty List, but (made an exception… To Yes, you know what's inside, but at least try to look surprised! From To Don't worry, I've kept the receipt!…

Snow way Make fun marshmallow snowmen to have with hot chocolate by skewering big and small marshmallows together. Make the arms and legs with mini straws, then finish off with cake decorations. Ann Johnson, Runcorn, Cheshire Bake it away For a personal Christmas present, put all of the dry ingredients of a treat recipe into a jar and attach a label with cooking instructions. Abbie Cairns, Colchester, Essex It's in the bag When placing a small Christmas present in a gift bag, a seasonal paper napkin makes handy gift wrap. Linda Keen, Sheffield, South Yorkshire Tray and display Create a fun, festive tray to put cakes on by decorating the lid of a chocolate tub with Christmas wrapping paper and spare festive decorations. Tina Williams, Blaenau Gwent £25 For every…

JUMPSUITS STYLE TIP The perfect dress alternative with a cooler edge-try a wide-leg silhouette to help to lengthen your legs. TOPS STYLE TIP Up the ante on your nice top and jeans combo with plush velvet, glittery finishes and rich jewel tones. SKIRTS STYLE TIP Get more mileage from your skirt-dress down with a chunky knit for a polished daytime look. FROM £12 STYLE TIP Look for ruched detailing or add a belted waist to help pull you in at the middle and show off your shape. DRESSES…

True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Maria Jones, 45, Aberdeen F eeling aches all over my body, I sighed. Flu again? It was October 2003 and for the past three months I'd been suffering, on and off, with flu-like symptoms, but a trip to my doctor revealed nothing. November passed, bringing more fatigue, pains, and headaches. I knew there must be something wrong. ‘I need a blood test,’ I told my doc in December. Christmas came and went as I waited for my results. Then, in January 2004,1 felt tightness in my chest - couldn't breathe. Taken to hospital, doctors managed to stabilise me, but they didn't know what was wrong. From January until July that year, I was back and forth to the hospital having blood tests and scans. Then, in August,…

Anna Elmore, 51, Thurlby, Lincolnshire As I carved into the beautifully golden butterbasted turkey, my mouth was watering. ‘Mmm,’ I said, stealing a bit of crispy skin before loading up my plate. Turkey, stuffing, pigs in blankets, golden roasties dripping in goose fat, bread sauce and Brussels sprouts, all piled high. Even a big dollop of cranberry sauce. The perfect festive feast… Only, it wasn't Christmas, it was just an average Sunday in March. In my eyes, there was nothing better than a huge roast dinner. But the best bit for me was dessert. I wasn't a fan of Christmas pudding, but I adored a delicious creamy trifle with lashings of Baileys. Afterwards, I'd always sit down with a big box of chocolates on the sofa. I'd always had a…

Sean Connery played meteorologistturnedterrorist Sir August de Wynter in which 1998 film, inspired by a 1960s TV series? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Performed = ACED + T = ACTED. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2x £50 Puzzle 9 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 88 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Helen King, 58, Scarborough C radling my cuppa, I nodded as my colleague, Tina, chatted to me one breaktime. ‘I know exactly how you feel,’ I told her. Hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog, mood swings. The menopause had put us through the wringer. ‘We're not the only ones,’ she said. ‘I wish I could help other ladies get through this.’ ‘Why don't we?’ I suggested. ‘We could set up a support group.’ Together we were fighting back - and having fun In January 2022, we applied for a £1,000 council grant to get things up and running. Approved for funding, I started to spread the word. In my work as head of support services at a community hub, I told everyone about the scheme, called Menopause Meet. Some women…

Kim Davis, 32, Liverpool A s I switched on the fairy lights and the tree sprung to life, I had a thought. ‘Next year we'll be doing this with a little one!’ I said to my husband Scott, then 31. It was December 2019 and we'd just learned that we were expecting. Happy Christmases stretched ahead of us. Nativity plays, visits to Santa, Christmas wake-ups with cries of, ‘He's been!’ After the festive season, spring arrived and my bump grew. And at my 20-week scan we found out we were having a little boy. There was something wrong, though… ‘He has a severe left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia,’ the doctor said. Known as CDH, it meant that there was a hole in the wall between the baby's abdomen and chest. His organs…

Sausage, cranberry and thyme turkey A rolled breast is a savvy way to save time and energy on the big day - it cooks a lot faster than a whole bird, and it's easier to carve too! SERVES 6 PREP 20 MINS, PLUS CHILLING OVERNIGHT AND 30 MINS RESTING TIME COOK 1 HR 10 MINS YOU WILL NEED: Extra-strong non-stick foil Kitchen string 1 Melt the butter in a pan, then add the onion and fry for a few mins until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 min; set aside. 2 Combine the sausage meat, thyme, sage, parsley, lemon zest and cranberries in a bowl. Season with pepper, then add the onion and garlic…

8/11 Dale jaibreak? Villagers in Emmerdale thought arch villain Meena Jutla was safely behind bars after her killing spree decimated the sleepy hamlet. But could the scheming murderess be sprung from jail to wreak revenge? 20/1 One small step for woman? Way back in 1969, Neil Armstrong was the first man on the moon. Time for diversity to step up? Could 2023 be the year that we see a woman land on the moon? 8/1 Feline good? Paul O'Grady's programmes about dogs in need always hit the spot with furball-loving viewers. But would he consider ditching the canines and going to the feline side? For the love of cats? 5/1 Singing for victory? Sam Ryder came oh-so-close in 2022 and won lots of plaudits for his brill performance in Eurovision.…

This year saw Chat launch our Local Hero feature, celebrating the stars in your communities that go above and beyond each and every week. When the news is grim from around the world, it's great to remember that there are folk closer to home who want to make things better. We've caught up with some of the memorable heroes who we were proud to shout out this year.…

I t was almost midnight on 31 December 2017. Rafaela Bontempo was wearing a party hat and 2018-shaped sunglasses in honour of the coming year. She was over at her boyfriend Steven Kologi Jr's house. His parents Linda and Steven were hosting a New Year's Eve party. Steven's sister Brittany, 18, was there too. Home for the holidays after her first term away at college. Also at the party was grandpa Adrian Kologi and his partner of 33 years Mary Schultz, 70, known as Grandma to the Kologi kids. They were all having a good time. With 15 minutes to go until they rang in the new year, Linda realised someone was missing from the party. Her youngest son Scott. The 16-year-old still lived at the family home in Long Branch,…

Sharon Sumner, 55, Isles of Scilly C uddling my koala teddy tightly, I I fought tears. ‘Can I take him with me?’ I asked my mum, Joan. ‘Of course!’ she smiled. It was 1973. I was 6 and we lived in Victoria, Australia. The land of kangaroos, endless sunshine and Christmas Day spent on the beach. Now we were moving to the North East of England, where Mum and my dad, Allan, were from originally. But even the possibility of a white Christmas, like they had in all the films, couldn't stop me feeling sad. Like I was leaving a part of myself behind. I'd always known that I was adopted. Mum and Dad told me how they'd sailed to Australia in 1965. At 34, Dad had been considered too…

Joy Dove, 68, Stockton-on-Tees The skies were blue and the sun was peeking out behind fluffy white clouds as me and my daughter Jodey, then 36, walked down the high street. We'd been out shopping and I was ready for a break. ‘Shall we stop for a coffee?’ I asked. ‘In a mo, I just want to get a few more Christmas bits,’ Jodey replied. I rolled my eyes. It was only June! But Jodey loved Christmas and though she didn't have much, she always wanted to make it perfect for her kids. Maternal since she was playing with dollies, by 13 she was knocking on neighbours’ doors, offering to babysit. She met her husbandto-be aged just 16,and fell pregnant with her first child soon after. ‘I'll help you as…

If actor Chris Evans could pick one song to play every time he entered a room, what would it be? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the four-word prize answer. ACROSS Smallrestaurant6 Cyclone9 Concept4 Itemthatishandeddown through a family (8) Syntheticmaterial5 Timeyettocome(6) Veryold7 AmericanformerworldNo1 tennis player (4,7) Redbreast5 Placeswherebooksarekept (9) Brieflystop5 Emergencyworkers7 Aplanet7 Feelingofsickness6) Sailing8 Cul-de-sacs44 Tidily6 Biggest7 Contestants7 FromGenevaforexample (5) Calculatedguess9 Babydog5 Elderlyrelative11 See9Down Thickfelt-tippedpen6) Indianricedish5) Oppositeofpositive8) Onasingleoccasion(4) Choice9 Wearisome6 DOWN Placetoseefilms(6) Good-looking10 Militaryofficer7 1999filmstarringKeanuReeves as Neo (3,6) Move9 Cashregister4 Teases6 Scent7 Cakeswithjaminthe middle (8,7)…

Q My New Year's resolution is to stop doomscrolling - constantly checking my phone is making me feel ill! Charley, Canterbury A Doomscrolling, or doomsurfing, means obsessively checking news feeds and social media on your phone for bad news. There's the thrill of being the first to tell friends what's happened, but doomscrolling can lead to anxiety and depression and damage your physical health, besides wasting a lot of time. Lots of us started doomscrolling during the pandemic and it can be hard to break the habit. Ask your friends or partner to help, and start with small changes, such as waiting 10 minutes before reaching for your phone in the morning. Find distractions, maybe a walk or a crossword. Set time limits for scrolling, using your phone's timer or…

Q I find this time of year hard because I suffer from social anxiety and dread meeting people! How can I change my ways? Krysten, Whitstable A Social anxiety affects up to one in 10 of us at some stage and isn't just ordinary shyness - it's a dread of meeting people, going to gatherings, such as parties, talking to strangers or joining groups that can be overwhelming and lead to panic attacks, depression and loneliness. Self-help techniques, such as relaxation and breathing exercises, or trying to concentrate on the conversation you're having rather than worry about how you're coming across, can help. You can refer yourself to your local counselling service for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or advice from a therapist who can take you through techniques to cope…

CANDY CANE RED Use classic reds with hints of green for this Santa's grotto look. ALL £10 AND UNDER. FROSTED BLUE Try midnight shades mixed with sparkling celestial motifs.…

SEX special! Onenight stand shame Q I split up with my boyfriend six months ago and, since then, I've had a string of one-night stands. The problem is that in the morning I always feel so used and disgusted with myself. But I can't stop. I want a sex life but hate the morning after. Please help. Amy 23 A I think what you're learning is that even one-night stands can have consequences, my love. I'm not saying for one moment don't have them. You do what makes you feel good. I What I'm picking up on is that these short flings aren't making you happy. Maybe look for something a little more than a casual hook-up. It could be that it's true intimacy rather than sex that you crave.…

ARIES 21 March-20 April LOVE If you're feeling flirtatious in February, try some cheeky small talk, you'll be surprised where it goes. A naughty wink in a certain direction will leave your head reeling. Get all dressed up as your love life is about to be kick-started. Others see your happiness and want a part of it. FAMILY Your planetary family and domestic sectors are in motion, including adventurous weekends away and day trips. A long-term dream is coming true and this could involve organising a charity event. Your children or grandchildren's school is looking for volunteers and this opportunity might suit you very well, securing an exciting year with a lot of variety. MONEY A fresh energy comes into your finances and you're able to make big savings where…

Barry Barnett, AKA Bazza, is more than a radio DJ. When he joined Awaaz FM, a community radio station in Southampton, he set out to escape the stresses of his life. Nominated by the station's founder, Ali, Bazza spent his time off from his job at a special needs school to be Awaaz FM's drive-time presenter. Having built up a loyal following, he decided to use his newfound confidence to start his ‘challenge Bazza’ scheme. Then weighing 28 stone, Bazza asked his listeners to set him fitness challenges, completing one each month - including walking from Winchester to Southampton, and walking the length of the Isle of Wight. Not only did he lose over eight stone, he also raised vital funds for the school where he worked. For his great…

UNDER £20 Pud times! From tree to tub, Baylis & Harding Fuzzy Duck Winter Wonderland Bubble Bath Bauble, £7, Boots, fills the bathroom with the aroma of mulberryand mistletoe. IN STORES 8 DEC Jingle smells Lacura Her Reign Eau de Toilette, £6.99, Aldi, smells expensive - despite the price tag! It's a fruity-fresh scent, with top notes of apple and lemon, fading into amber, peach and ylang-ylang. Winter wonder Treat dry, sore hands to the cocooning powers of eight-hour cream with this bauble containing a mini tube of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Hand Treatment, £11, elizabetharden.co.uk. Swipe right Avon's Lip Kit Gift Set, £10, avon.uk, comes in a choice of pink, red or nude to please any lipstick addict. Inside the cracker is a satin lipstick, a matte lipstick and…

When everyone else is out partying and counting down until midnight, there are others, like us, who see in the new year a little differently. Nurses and carers. Spending the first few seconds of the new year holding a patient's hand as they begin their own final countdown. I'd always known I wanted to be a nurse, starting my training in 1989 when I was just 19. But when my dad passed away from a brain tumour in 2013, I experienced first hand how difficult end-of-life care can be. Vowed to always do the very best for my patients. And that's what I did. Spending the past 11 years looking after my patients at Marie Curie over Christmas and new year. Even when my two children Erin, now 26, and…