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Here’s how to look great in heels without limping home during the party period. Here’s how to swear off sore toes in heels this festive season (Alamy/PA) Here’s how to swear off sore toes in heels this festive season (Alamy/PA) There are few things as confidence-boosting as a great pair of heels – especially during party season – but the reality of wearing them is far less glamorous. Hours of dancing, cold pavements, champagne and questionable flooring choices (cobblestones o

The DreamToys list features the toys, games and gadgets predicted to be most in demand this festive season. By Lisa Salmon. Jurassic World Primal Hatch T.Rex has made the 2025 DreamToys ‘most wanted’ Christmas list (DreamToys/PA) Singing witch dolls, a grave-digging monster and shimmering slime are among the predicted top-selling toys this Christmas, according to industry experts. The 15 toys to have made the 2025 DreamToys list, selected by a panel of independent toy retaile

Styling the table is a joyous way to elevate your festive fare, says Sam Wylie-Harris. Laying the table to an art form to showcase your festive flair (B&M Home/PA) Celebrating the holiday season and rallying your friends for aperitifs, followed by a jubilant lunch or dinner, calls for a seating plan – and your cue to dial up the drama with the art of tablescaping. “When it comes to Christmas entertaining, the table is so much more than just a place to eat… it’s where memories

From glitzy baubles and beautiful bows to snowflakes sparkling with seasonal joy. By Sam Wylie-Harris. Make it a magical Christmas with this joyous collection of decorations (Rockett St George/PA) With the festive fervour gathering momentum and Christmas decor stealing the limelight, now’s the time to focus on those finishing touches. Especially if you’re inspired by the celebratory Chrimbo light switch-on events, can’t wait to put the tree up, or looking for that something l

This looks fancy, but is straightforward to throw together. Moroccan-style lamb and butternut squash (Mike English Photography/PA) “This is a proper crowd-pleaser, with unbelievable levels of flavour from the flaked almonds and crumbled feta cheese,” says Joe Wicks, whose new cookbook is all about protein. “It’s all these little extra touches that really make this a standout dish for me. Friends and family will be well impressed if you make the effort with this.” Moroccan-sty

A fragrant and filling Thai green curry that’ll keep the whole family happy. Joe Wick's Thai green curry “If you ever find yourself craving a takeaway, give this recipe a go. It’s simple and delicious,” says The Body Coach, Joe Wicks. “Avoid the tinned coconut milks, which often contain gums and emulsifiers, and instead opt for the solid block of creamed coconut, which is 99.9% pure coconut. The great thing with curries like this is you can really throw in any of your favouri

Put your slow cooker to excellent use. Joe Wicks’ pulled pork with mustard yoghurt slaw “Slow-cooked pork is one of the most delicious things around. The way the low temperature breaks down the proteins and makes the meat beyond tender keeps me coming back to this recipe at least once a month,” says The Body Coach, Joe Wicks. “The sweet and smoky BBQ sauce and home-made mustard slaw combo here is quite literally da bomb! The person who invented the slow cooker must have had p

From the return of the side part to Sixties updos – here are the trending hairstyles for the upcoming festive period. Molly-Mae, Lana Del Rey and Zoë Kravitz are among the celebrities sporting the trending dos (Ben Whitley/Alamy/PA) Party season hair is always difficult to nail. Whether you’re trying to maintain a slick-back pony or making messy, tousled curls not look bedraggled – making sure your hair lasts through the evening is the trickiest task of all. Bella Hadid is am

Chutneys, scented pouches and decorations can all be sourced from your plot. Home-made gifts have more meaning behind them (Alamy/PA) Home-made gifts spell love, effort and thought – and it’s easy to extend that to garden-inspired festive presents. Whether you create a beautifully scented herb drawer pouch or a jar of delicious home-made chutney or jam, it will mean more to the recipient than something you’ve bought in haste from a retailer. “There’s so much to be gained from

For a low-effort, high-reward Boxing Day meal. Jon Watts’ best-bit-of-Christmas curry recipe (Andrew Burton/PA) “Leftover turkey is my favourite Christmas food and I’ll always save to buy a bigger bird than I need, so I can enjoy it after the day,” says chef and cookery content creator Jon Watts. “This recipe turns those wonderful leftovers into a tasty curry. Over the rest of the year, you can also substitute cold roast chicken, or rotisserie chicken from the supermarket. Se

There’s always panettone left over at Christmas. Skye McAlpine’s panettone grilled cheese sandwich recipe (Skye McAlpine/PA) “There is so much that is seemingly wrong about this combination of melted, rich cheese with golden toasted sweet bread, yet – by some kind of alchemy – the two work exceptionally well together,” says cookery writer Skye McAlpine. “Trust me on the addition of mustard: you need a slick of something sharp and peppery to cut through the glorious greasy, bu

After retiring from diving, Tom Daley is trying to get more people – including the young – to take up the knitting and crocheting he loves so much. New passion: crocheter Tom Daley (Hobbycraft/PA) Instead of impressing the nation with gold medal-winning performances off the diving board, Tom Daley is now hoping to inspire people in a radically different way: through his love of knitting and crochet. Daley, who retired from diving last year after a haul of Olympic, World, Euro

Soft, light and serene, here’s how you should be wearing the shade for 2026. Alexa Chung is one of many celebrities sporting the shade head-to-toe (Ian West/PA) Pantone has announced its Colour of the Year for 2026 as ‘Cloud Dancer’ – a shade the Colour Institute calls a “perfect blank slate” for fashion, interiors and design. “As we walk into 2026, it became clear this is an evolution – a transitional time. People are questioning everything: what we believe, how we want to l

From breast and bowel screening to vaccinations, stay on top of these health checks. Get your all check-ups done and dusted (Alamy/PA) As December rapidly approaches, now could be the perfect time to tackle any lingering health admin that you may have been putting off before the Christmas festivities officially commence. Taking care of our health becomes even more essential as we grow older, so staying proactive is key. “While genetics play a role, advancing years, environmen

From frosted chromes to velvet finishes – here are the trending manicures to try this Christmas. Velvet-style manicures are trending for Christmas 2025 (Jo Whittle/PA) Festive dressing is usually synonymous with sequins, velvet and the classic red nail. But if you’re looking for something new that’s either barely-there or boldly seasonal, there are a load of manicure trends to pick from. A seasonal Christmas manicure for 2025 (Jo Whittle/PA) According to nail artists, there’s

Follow this expert-backed financial advice to set yourself up for success. Setting good financial habits is a great goal for the new year (Alamy/PA) If you have no idea where all your money went this year and your finances feel like a huge source of stress, don’t worry because 2026 offers a fresh start. As the new calendar year speedily approaches, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect and reset. “A lot of people set New Year’s resolutions and see January as a fresh start,”

The former Love Islanders tell Lisa Salmon about their ‘golden’ children and how they’re supporting the Let’s Move! campaign to get kids active. Getting kids moving:Olivia and Alex Bowen with their baby Siena (DCMS/PA) As the parents of a new baby and a toddler, you could forgive Alex and Olivia Bowen for feeling a little frazzled and worn out. But although the couple, who met on ITV’s Love Island in 2016, admit parenting three-and-a-half-year-old Abel and three-month-old Sie

Looking for a unique coastal wedding venue in Wales that blends rustic charm, modern elegance and breathtaking scenery? Welcome to The Cobbles Collective, a beautifully restored barn in the Vale of Glamorgan, set in the heart of the Heritage Coast and offered exclusively for your wedding day. If you’re dreaming of a relaxed, stylish celebration by the sea, The Cobbles Collective promises a setting that is truly unforgettable. Mary WT Photography A Coastal Barn Wedding Venue

Celebrate your dream wedding with sea views, historic tudor gardens, and exclusive castle spaces near Cardiff. Hannah Miles Photography Discover the magic of St Donat’s Castle, one of Wales’ most breathtaking coastal wedding venues. Set on the edge of the Vale of Glamorgan, near Cardiff, and surrounded by sweeping sea views, manicured Tudor gardens, and centuries of history, this remarkable castle offers an unforgettable backdrop for your celebration. Rachel Lambert Photograp

Plan unforgettable family-friendly Christmas outings, winter attractions, and holiday adventures across South Wales. Christmas at Bute Park Until 31 Dec Christmas at Bute Park Bute Park, Cardiff bute-park.com Light up your Winter evenings for a fifth year with Christmas at Bute Park. Take a mile long stroll through an enchanted world of illumination, uniquely crafted by world leading lighting designers. Until 4 Jan Swansea Waterfront Winterland National Waterfront Museum...