Christmas

The ultimate Christmas beauty gift guide: BaByliss Curl Secret – £120, Debenhams Has pioneering Auto Curl™ technology to effortlessly create beautiful, free-flowing curls with long-lasting effect. Nails Inc Alexa Hearts – £49, FeelUnique.com Sanctuary Spa Big Box of TLC – £25, Boots.com   Avon Nail Selection Box – £55, Avon.com Advent calendar-style box. Box contains:Nailwear Pro+ in Coral Reef, Decadence, …

As someone who eats beef at Christmas and turkey at New Years’; it is usually Christmas hampers that make me feel festive during the holiday season. If you are a foodie like me, then there are some things you look for in a good hamper. I usually zero in on the ones with a combination of wines and festive goodies …

Seasonal Spectacular by Crabtree and Evelyn It feels good to finally be able to talk about what to expect from one of my favourite stores, Crabtree and Evelyn. I have known about what’s coming up this Christmas since July but it was embargoed until now, so here we go. Like every Christmas, Crabtree and Evelyn has a Seasonal Spectacular in …

I was at Debenhams’ beauty press day recently to preview what they have in store for Christmas at their beauty halls. As expected, Debenhams’ has a fantastic selection of big and small brands and an array of gift packs coming up. The centerpiece of the night was the Debenhams’ Beauty 12 days of Christmas which had some fantastic gift sets. …

Enjoy a relaxed five star Christmas dinner for two or double up for extra guests. Prepare the blackberry and port sauce and pack the sliced sprouts into a plastic bag earlier in the day, then roast the duck breasts while the potatoes dauphinoise bake, for an easy Christmas dinner. Serves 2 Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 34-42 minutes Stand 5 minutes …

For a deliciously quick and healthy accompaniment to the Christmas leftovers on Boxing Day, why not try vibrant, ready-to-eat pearl and red Express Quinoa from Quinola with apricots, cranberries and pecan nuts – high in protein, calcium and iron and perfect with a spoonful of cranberry jelly. Serves 4 Ingredients 1 packet pearl and red Express Quinoa 3 tbsp cranberries …

Packed full of fruit and rich dark muscovado flavour, the sprinkling of Demerara gives the perfect sweet crunchy topping to these mince perfect pies. Makes about 20 Preparation time: 30 minutes Bake time: 20 – 25 minutes. You will also need: a 5 cm star-shaped cutter and small holly leaves cutter (or these can be cut out by hand), 2 …

Bake your loved ones their very own personal pudding this Christmas, the spiced rum and lime mascarpone gives a different twist on the traditional brandy butter. Makes 8 Preparation time: 25 minutes Bake time: 45 minutes You will also need: 8 x 175ml pudding moulds, greased and bases lined with a circle of baking parchment Ingredients 100g Billington’s Unrefined Dark …

Packed full of rich fruit, nuts and flavour, this classic Christmas cake recipe is quick and easy to bake. Serves 16-20 Preparation time: 45 minutes, plus cooling Bake time: 2 hours, 10 minutes You will also need: a 20cm springform cake tin, base and sides greased and double-lined with baking parchment. Ingredients 150g Plain flour 50g Self-raising flour 1tsp Mixed …

For a healthier alternative to a breadcrumb stuffing with the turkey this Christmas, try ready-to-eat Express Quinoa from Quinola – gluten-free, high in protein, calcium and iron and quick and simple to prepare. Ingredients 1 packet black and pearl Express Quinoa from Quinola 3 tbsp cranberries 3 tbsp dried apricots 3 tbsp pecans 1 tbsp olive oil 1 medium onion, …