There’s no doubt that the festive season can be a stressful time, amid all the travel plans, family visits and present shopping.
These activities often involve an array of demands that take a toll on your mental health, such as cleaning, cooking and spending. So it’s totally OK to experience stress or anxiety among the festivities; even mental health professionals – who may seem like they have it all together – aren’t immune to these feelings.
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HuffPost asked therapists for insight on how they feel joy and cheer amid the stress of the season. Here are their personal tips for decompressing and relaxing:
They set aside time for themselves
The festive season can be a busy time, especially if you are surrounded by friends and family. It’s normal to feel stressed and anxious about meeting up with people or hanging with relatives.
“I always make sure I set aside some time for myself to relax during the holidays and focus on my wellness needs,” says Michael Klinkner, a licensed clinical social worker in Arizona.
They scribble a few thoughts in a journal
Minerva Guerrero, a therapist who founded Mind Matters Mental Health Counseling in New York, says she often takes a journaling break to intentionally ground herself.
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“I like to journal to get clear on what I’m hoping the holidays bring me and how I feel during this time,” she says. “This self-care activity really helps me destress and relax during the holiday season.”
They listen to music
Music therapy can evoke feelings of calmness and relaxation.
“I often create soothing and hype-me-up playlists, which help me move through my feelings,” says Naiylah Warren, a therapist and clinical content manager with mental health platform Real.
They focus on holiday events that give them joy
During one of the busiest times of the year, it’s important to set boundaries to take care of your mental health and wellbeing.
“I generally check in with myself in regards to what traditions or gatherings feel stressful to me and which ones bring me joy,” says Kama Hurley, a clinical counsellor and life coach in Idaho. “I prioritise what I love to do and say no to the things that make me feel anxious.”
LordHenriVoton via Getty Images
Even therapists need some coping strategies to get through the holidays.
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They make a self-care list
Hurley says she writes a self-care list when she’s anxious or stressed, as it gives her agency and lifts her mood.
“I write down activities that help me relax and make me feel good about myself that I can accomplish when feeling the intense emotions,” she says.
Having a go-to list that you can reference and change will help you identify which activities are sources of joy.
Madeline Lucas, another therapist and clinical content manager at Real, shared some self-care activities that help her feel less isolated in her holiday stress: taking long showers with music, applying sheet face masks, going on walks and stretching.
They sit in stillness for a few minutes
The art of meditation can be powerful in achieving a sense of calm and balance.
“I practise meditation exercises for a few minutes whenever I feel stressed,” says Regine Muradian, a clinical psychologist in California. When you feel that stress starting to creep up on you, take a moment to inhale deeply and focus on your breathing.
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They plan ahead
Israa Nasir, a therapist who founded the mental wellness brand Well.Guide, said she plans ahead for the festive season, which helps her destress. “I make sure to take care of any client and associated work-related obligations fully when I take time off during the holidays,” she says.
Planning a schedule before you get too busy may feel comforting as it offers a sense of routine, with many decisions already made in advance.
They talk to their therapist
Many mental health professionals get help from therapists of their own to manage stress. If you feel that stress is inhibiting your ability to get through the day, consider connecting with a mental health professional now.
“If I anticipate a lot of stress prior to the holiday season, I’ll schedule a few extra sessions with my own therapist before they go on their holiday break to help process the feelings I’m having,” Nasir says.
The big Christmas meal is just days away, but don’t you feel like switching things up a bit this year?
Sure, we love our traditional turkey and trimmings, but it can all feel a bit same same. Which is a shame, given the amazing food culture we have in the UK.
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Luckily, our friends over at Tasty have been set on changing all that with their festive video series, A Very Tasty Christmas. Throughout the month of December, they’ve been spotlighting different cultures around the UK who celebrate Christmas – sharing recipes for the delicious dishes they eat.
As a treat, we got to sample every one of these delicious dishes a few weeks ago at the joint Buzzfeed / HuffPost Christmas gathering, so we can vouch for just how mouthwateringly tasty they really are.
Take your pick from the recipes below or why not try them all over the festive break? We promise they’ll add flavour and fun to your table on December 25.
Kosovan Brussels Sprouts🇽🇰
Are you still a sprout doubter? You won’t be once you’ve tried these bad boys. The magic to this recipe from Lirim Gula, aka @gulasgrub, is Sujuk, a dry, spicy and fermented Balkan sausage that takes this festive veg from no to “WOH!”
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Cantonese Hoisin Spatchcock Chicken 🇭🇰
If you’d like something different to turkey, give this juicy chicken recipe from Romany Henry, aka @dudu_eats. a go. Spatchcocking ensures the crispiest skin, while the honey glaze and (hidden) garlic cloves add flavour.
Filipino Leche Flan🇵🇭
Who said Christmas pud has to be stodgy? Make this lighter-than-light Filipino flan from @godfrey_mercado instead (and appreciate his jumper while you do!). The secret is in not overstirring – and getting the final flip after cooking just right.
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Ghanian Jollof Rice with Festive Suya Skewers🇬🇭
Representing Ghana, plant-based chef Rachel, aka @tastycurls, delivers the ultimate Jollof Rice recipe – with 100% vegan skewers on the side. This dish has spice, thanks to the Scotch Bonnet in the sauce – and we love her for it.
Haitian Macaroni Au Gratin🇭🇹
Carinne Julien, aka @carcarj brings sunny Haiti to these chilly climes, with a classy spin on Mac & Cheese. The key? Cheese and more cheese. Watch the vid to see she adds cheddar and parmesan, not once but three times. Yum!
British Toad In The Hole 🇬🇧
It’s not Christmas without pigs in blankets so praise be to creator Emma, aka @thesugafix_, for giving this British classic a key festive update. Serve this one up on Christmas day and you’ll be getting a round of applause from all.
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Italian Wine Cookies 🇮🇹
These tasty Christmas cookies aren’t just for dunking in wine, you actually pour it in the cookie dough, too! You’ll also be using olive oil instead of butter. Could things get more Italian? Wonderful Lucia Fioravanti, aka @luu_cy, explains all.
Middle Eastern Christmas Turkey 🇸🇾
And finally, the turkey on top! Homam Ayaso (@homamino) adds his own special twist on this Christmas centrepiece, smothering it in delicious butter made aromatic with herbs, spices, citrus and a little festive magic for a turkey, in Homan’s words “like no other”. A very merry Christmas from him – and us!
The festive period can be overwhelming for lots of people, but for autistic children it can be a particularly fraught time of year.
The disruption to their routine, sensory overload, and overwhelming influx of new information can be stressful and sometimes even distressing, says Michelle Myers, who works for Great Minds Together, a charity supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
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Myers – who is an autistic woman and mum to autistic children – suggests all of this can add up to trigger episodes of increased levels of anxiety, fluctuation of needs and different behaviours as children process these changes.
“It can be a really difficult time,” she tells HuffPost UK, “but there are steps that parents can take to better support them and reduce the overall stress of the festive period.”
Here are her tips for navigating the festive period if your child is autistic or has additional needs.
Don’t be afraid to create new traditions
“Be unapologetically you and do what brings your family peace and joy this Christmas,” says Myers.
Whether it’s leaving presents unwrapped under the tree because your child has a sensory sensitivity to wrapping paper, or you let them eat their favourite pizza instead of Christmas dinner, her main piece of advice is to “do what works for you”.
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“Create new traditions,” she suggests. “Neurodiverse families are wonderfully unique so it makes sense that our Christmas should be just as wonderfully unique as we are.”
Do plan ahead
Sticking to daily routines can be so important for autistic children (and adults!), so Myers advises keeping as many routines in place as possible over the festive period – and that includes Christmas Day.
“Some routines for autistic people are as essential to us as breathing,” she says, “so to have too many changes can really impact us.”
When things do have to change, it’s important to plan as far in advance so you can give your child as much warning as possible – “and don’t change too many things at once,” she adds.
Don’t say ‘yes’ to events you know will be stressful
It’s so important to advocate for the needs of your child – and that means saying no to events that you know will be stressful.
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“Tell Aunty Irene that hugs are a no-go. Ask school for a timetable of events. You owe no explanations to anyone,” says Myers.
She says autistic people deserve to have their “often-hidden needs accepted and respected”, otherwise they can fall into the trap of feeling the pressure to conform, which can lead to masking, she adds, “which is never a good thing for anyone”.
Masking is where a person hides or disguises parts of their selves in order to fit in. According to the National Autistic Society, it might involve suppressing certain behaviours autistic people find soothing, or mimicking the behaviour of other people in order to get by in social situations.
Do use visual supports
Visual supports such as lists, calendars, text messages or even photos can help autistic people prepare for new experiences, suggests Myers. So don’t be afraid to roadmap what Christmas – and the following days – will entail.
“It helps us to process time, sequence activities and even reduces our anxiety,” she says.
Any kind of visual support you can provide will act as a sat nav to their day. This helps them see the steps they need to take, prevents them from getting lost, and maps out the time it will take (so they can see it will end eventually).
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All of this can contribute to preventing them from getting overwhelmed.
Do remember to schedule time for them to recharge
“Imagine we all have a battery inside us. Some things we do drain our battery, and some things we do charge our battery. December brings with it lots of things that can quickly deplete autistic children’s batteries,” says Myers.
Whether it’s the carols, the flashing lights, the social interaction with family members you haven’t seen since this time last year.
“We need to remember that their little batteries may need more opportunities to charge at this time,” says Myers. So do schedule time for your family to rest amid the mayhem of the festive period – even on Christmas Day.
“Take a sensory bag, ear defenders, a dark den, their favourite snack or blanket, whatever works for them,” she adds.
Don’t be too hard on yourself
One thing it’s important for parents to remember is that it’s ok if things don’t turn out perfectly at Christmas. You’re doing the best you can.
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Myers recalls how one year her Christmas tree collapsed and thousands of pine needles fell off it. “I was devastated,” she recalls. “I cried so much I convinced myself that Christmas was over.
“But then my son came bounding down the stairs and proceeded to swish through the dry dead pine needles like fallen autumn leaves – my tears turned to hysterical laughter streaming down my face.
“All was not lost, right there in that moment we found joy and laughter. We shared such a moment together in the chaos of my fallen tree that I realised that for us, Christmas was always going to look a bit different to everyone else’s – and that was OK.
“In fact, it was more than ok, it was amazing.”
For more information on supporting children with SEND including informative blogs and podcasts visit www.greatmindstogether.co.uk.
With both Christmas and New Year’s Day falling on a Sunday this year, the following Monday and Tuesday become bank holidays – which means the day you get paid will be moving.
The majority of companies opt to move their December pay date forward in this situation, which can feel like a real festive treat for employees at the time.
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But come January, when you’ve potentially had 40 days or more between pay cheques, the disruption to your usual budget can really hit hard.
6 days until Christmas pay day, 100 days until January pay day 😂😭
Now they have rushed to pay you December Salary very early it’s sweeting you…remember that money is what you will use to work till pay day on the 66th day of January next year…Don’t spend like a theif then start disturbing others in January…Let’s all respect ourselves.
All this means that preparing for the inevitable Christmas pay gap is even more essential than usual.
If you’ve already been paid this month, try to avoid using those early funds to pay for last-minute Christmas gifts and extras that aren’t essential.
To help with budgeting, Mat Megens, CEO of money-saving app HyperJar, recommends dividing your December salary into five as soon as it hits your account.
“If you’re used to a monthly salary lasting four weeks you can come unstuck when you’re paid earlier than usual in December,” he tells HuffPost UK.
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“So make sure you divide what you have by five (depending when you’re paid) – not four – to get you through to that next pay cheque at the end of January.”
Don’t forget to spend your December pay wisely, January payday isn’t for another 56 nights so be smart
If you receive Universal Credit alongside your salary, a shift in pay date can also change the benefits you receive – something to factor into any budgeting.
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Anna Stevenson, senior benefits specialist at the charity Turn2us, explains: “Unfortunately, if you’re on Universal Credit, this can cause problems, because it might look to Universal Credit that you got twice as much pay in the month as you actually did.
“Your employer is supposed to report pay on the usual pay date, even when they pay early but it might be a good idea to remind them of this and point them to the HMRC guidance.”
If you think your Universal Credit payment has been cut in January, Stevenson advises contacting the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to explain what has happened.
“If it has been cut, be sure to ask for an RTI (real time information) dispute,” she says.
“This means that the DWP can investigate and re-assign your missing payment to your next month’s payment. It is worth noting this can take over a month to rectify, so it is best to talk to your employer before you are paid to prevent this happening.”
Others have shared their own tips on social media, such as setting some money aside and ‘paying yourself’ on your usual pay date.
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I stick mine in my easy access saver and then transfer it back to my current account at the end of December in line with normal pay day. Stops the temptation to use some of it to “help” with Christmas costs! https://t.co/VkZrhoVMH7
Megens provides us with these further tips for staying on top of your budget when your pay date has moved:
Swap brands for supermarket own-label Food is one of our biggest monthly expenses. You can save around £40 in January by swapping big brands for supermarket own-label equivalents.
Forget regifting… resell instead If you don’t have gift receipts, head to auction sites like eBay, or try Depop and Vinted for clothes and accessories, to get some cash back in your pocket in January.
Have a strategy for the sales Set yourself a limit if you’re spending in the Boxing Day and New Year sales and don’t get carried away. Only buy what you’ve planned for, and double check the price now so you’re sure you’re getting a genuine bargain.
Take control: plan for pressure points Use any downtime between Christmas and New Year to take your first budgeting steps into 2023. Plan for the year’s financial pinch points – those big expenses that come up every year, like house insurance, holidays and Christmas. Note when they’re due and how much you need to start putting aside to pay for them and avoid getting into debt.
And if you’re doing all that and you’re still worried about money, Stevenson says it’s worth checking whether you’re eligible for state support.
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“Millions of people miss out on thousands of pounds each year because they’re not sure what they’re entitled to,” she says – urging people use the free Turn2us Benefits Calculator to find out what extra help may be available to you and your family at this time.
If you’ve taken your child to see Santa recently, chances are they’ll have reacted one of three ways: they’ll have been shy and a bit unsure, they’ll have been super excited and loved the experience, or they’ll have become really upset.
“If you’ve ever been to a Santa’s grotto it is very common to see kids responding fearfully when it’s their turn to see Santa,” says counsellor Chris Boobier. “The photos are not as parents expected, with many children in tears.”
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Sometimes this fear of Saint Nick can spiral into something more. Year-on-year data reveals that Google searches for ‘Santaphobia’ have increased by 56% since last December, according to analysis by Crafted Beds, while searches for ‘fear of Santa’ have risen by 31%.
Why is Santa so scary?
If you think about it, it makes total sense that children would be wary of this strange man dressed in a bright red outfit with fake facial hair. Especially if they’ve been warned against interacting with strangers.
Then you’ve got all the additional storylines that surround Santa. The fact he watches over kids and knows if they’ve been naughty or nice, that he can squeeze down the chimney and drop presents into their bedrooms when they’re asleep.
“It completely goes against everything that is regularly taught about safety, causing conflicted feelings,” says Boobier.
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On top of that, come December – heck, November – Santa is everywhere. “Now that you can write to Santa, get Santa to call you, go and see Santa, track him through the air, there is a lot ‘more’ of Santa than ever before and it can be overwhelming,” says the therapist.
“He changes size and shape, has different voices and it doesn’t quite add up: kids are smart and know something is afoot, but also believe what they are told.”
Then you’ve got the over-stimulating environment in which you usually find Santa – the bright lights, loud sounds and crowds of people at his grotto.
Combine that with a couple of years of not socialising much (thanks Covid) and it’s really no wonder more kids aren’t shaking in their boots on coming face-to-face with Mr Claus himself.
“We are in a post Covid world where children under four have not been socialised as much as before because of lockdowns,” says Counselling Directory member Claire Elmes. “This is feeding into many social difficulties, including visiting Santa.”
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How to tell your child has a phobia of Santa
The point at which being scared of Santa turns into a full-blown phobia is usually after a negative experience has occurred and the child has linked this to Santa in some way. You might find, as a parent, that anything related to Santa or Christmas then triggers your child, causing a physical and emotional reaction.
You might even notice they start to react negatively to anyone wearing similar red coats, says hypnotherapist Penny Ling: “Our brain’s pattern match for danger. A person with a phobia of spiders will jump at a tomato stalk, so it stands to reason a child phobic about Santa will respond with fear around red coats and long white beards.”
Symptoms of Santaphobia could include your child feeling more anxious than usual, not wanting to go to bed on their own or having difficulty sleeping, says Boobier.
“They may want to avoid anything too ‘Christmassy’ like grottos or certain movies, and not talk about Santa. They may request stockings are not put in their room,” he adds.
Some children, on being faced with Santa, might become agitated and want to leave, adds Ling, who is a member of Hypnotherapy Directory. They might start crying or wet themselves if they are not taken out of the situation early enough.
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If you’ve got this far, you’ve probably established that your child has a phobia of Santa – or at the very least, is uncomfortable by his presence. So what can you do about it?
Dos and don’ts for tackling Santaphobia
Do prepare your child for their trip to see Santa
Preparation is key ahead of a trip to see Father Christmas, says Claire Elmes. She recommends discussing what is likely to happen at the grotto and showing your child pictures of Santa ahead of it so they know and are prepared for what to expect.
“Explain that some children find him a bit scary and that’s ok, you will be with them and it is all safe,” she says. Sometimes it can be helpful to go with another child who is OK with Santa.
Don’t force them to sit on Santa’s lap
If you do get to the grotto and they become upset, don’t force them to sit on Saint Nick’s lap or have pictures taken, it’s not going to be enjoyable for the child or help their fear.
“Acknowledge their feelings,” suggests Elmes, “and accept they may not be ready. Gently encourage them to be a safe distance and observe others if possible.”
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Boobier adds that parents might want to find other photo opportunities where their child can be themselves and be happy.
Don’t shame your child for being scared
Sometimes as parents it can be hard to put ourselves in our kids’ shoes and you might even tell your child to “stop being silly” because it’s “just Santa”. But Ling suggests this is unhelpful.
“Try to be encouraging, showing that other children are enjoying the experience and it’s just new for them,” she says.
Don’t make up stories about Santa to scare your child into behaving
Chris Boobier is also keen to convey that children begin to have awareness for make believe and reality between the ages of three and five, so anything up to the age of five could be completely real to them.
“The idea they are being watched and don’t want to be on the naughty list will feel very real,” he says. “Knowing to what depth our children believe this Christmas magic can help with pulling back on some on the ever-growing Christmas traditions we create (Elf on the Shelf, anyone?) and reduce the ongoing hype that Christmas has become.”
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Elmes agrees: “As tempting as it is try not to use Santa as a bribe for being good (we’ve all been there!) telling children he is always watching can also be a bit scary.”
Do talk about their fears
Let your child tell you they are afraid of Santa and really listen to how they feel, allowing them time and space to explain why, suggest therapists.
“Whilst this can feel a bit sad for parents as they go to all the effort to make Christmas magical, listening and understanding how your child feels without dismissing their feelings is the key to helping your child cope at Christmas time,” Boobier adds.
“They may tell you what would feel better for them and some traditions could be altered as they grow up.”
Remember it probably won’t last forever
However you feel about your child’s response to Santa, Chris Boobier encourages parents to keep perspective: “Most children grow out of a fear for Santa past the age of five, depending on development progress, when they can confidently distinguish the difference between fantasy and reality – and they will become excited again about Santa Claus.”
Pop fans – the time has come to start updating your Christmas playlists.
This year, we’ve really been spoilt, with some of the biggest names in music unveiling brand new festive offerings, including seasonal tunes from the likes of Lizzo, Sam Smith and Alicia Keys.
Fortunately for those who don’t feel like sifting through every single new song to sort out the “naughty” from the “nice”, we’ve done all the hard work for you.
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Here’s our take on some of the biggest new Christmas releases for this year, starting with something very special indeed…
Lindsay Lohan – Jingle Bell Rock, feat. Ali Tomineek
","type":"video","meta":{"author":"Netflix","author_url":"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWOA1ZGywLbqmigxE4Qlvuw","cache_age":86400,"description":"Lindsay Lohan sings \"Jingle Bell Rock\" from the Netflix Film Falling for Christmas, coming to Netflix on November 10th. \n\nAbout Falling for Christmas: A newly engaged, spoiled hotel heiress (Lindsay Lohan) gets into a skiing accident, suffers from total amnesia and finds herself in the care of a handsome, blue-collar lodge owner (Chord Overstreet) and his precocious daughter in the days leading up to Christmas.\n\n\"JINGLE BELL ROCK\" LYRICS\nJingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock\nJingle bells swing and jingle bells ring \nSnowin’ and blowin’ up bushels of fun\nNow the jingle hop has begun\nJingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock\nJingle bells chime in jingle bell time\nDancin’ and prancin’ in jingle bell square\nIn the frosty air\nWhat a bright time, it’s the right time\nTo rock the night away\nJingle bell time is a swell time\nTo go glidin’ in a one horse sleigh\nGiddy up, jingle horse pick up your feet\nJingle around the clock\nMix and a-mingle in a jinglin’ beat\nThat’s the jingle bell rock\n \nJing, jing, jingle bell, jingle bell rock\nJingle bells chime in jingle bell time\nDancin’ and prancin’ in jingle bell square\nIn the frosty air\nWhat a bright time, it’s the right time\nWe’re gonna rock the night away\nJingle bell time, it’s a swell time\nTo go glidin’ in a one horse sleigh, hey\nGiddy up, jingle horse pick up your feet\nJingle around the clock\nMix and a-mingle in a jinglin’ beat\nThat’s the jingle bell rock\n\nYo!\nOkay, it’s beginning to look like it’s Christmas\nI got a lot on my wish list (true)\nYeah, I know that I’m already gifted\nBut I never had a problem with kisses\nGet the mistletoe and a couple of winter coats\nCause you know that it’s really cold\nI mean, really cold!\nWe could bundle up in the snow\nIf you don’t got nowhere to go\nBaby let me know\nAs soon as I saw your face\nGirl I knew that I just wanted you for the holidays\n\nSo come on, don’t be shy today\nCome and hop inside of Santa’s sleigh\nWe could ride away\nFeel like I’m in a wonderland\nEvery time that we hold hands\nI mean oh man\nI think I fell in love again, but i’m done\nBring it back in Lindsay Lohan\n\nWhat a bright time, it’s the right time\nWe’re gonna rock the night away\nJingle bell time, it’s a swell time\nTo go glidin’ in a one horse sleigh,\nJingle\nGiddy up, jingle horse pick up your feet\nJingle around the clock\nMix and a-mingle in a jinglin’ beat\nThat’s the jingle bell, that’s the jingle bell\nThat’s the jingle bell rock\nJingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock\n\nSUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/29qBUt7\n\nAbout Netflix:\nNetflix is the world’s leading streaming entertainment service with 223 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. 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Oh, Santa has been good to us this year. Not only is 2022 the year we finally got a Lindsay Lohan comeback in the wonderfully cheesy Netflix original Falling For Christmas, it also came with a bonus stocking filler in the form of a new musical offering from the criminally-underrated artiste.
What’s more, the track is a cover of the festive staple Jingle Bell Rock, in a nod to one of the most iconic scenes of Lindsay’s signature film, Mean Girls.
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All in all, we’re very much here for her take on Jingle Bell Rock, and we enjoy what the musical team did in terms of bringing the song up to date without taking it too far away from the original. Still, we have had to deduct marks for the completely unnecessary addition of a rap verse (a bit of digging reveals Ali Tomineek originally rose to prominence on the Netflix talent search Rhythm + Flow, which may well explain how he came to be on the track in the first place).
Sample lyric: What a bright time, it’s the right time to rock the night away.
It can be the case that when a big-name singer releases a holiday album they spend the afternoon recording a few covers, slap some sleigh bells on it, pose in some fake snow for the artwork and call it a day.
Well, we’re happy to see that’s not the approach Alicia Keys has taken, with her new festive release featuring four original tracks (including a co-write with Emeli Sandé!) alongside covers of Santa Baby, Happy Xmas (War Is Over) and The Christmas song.
The stand-out is lead single December Back 2 June which mixes a retro R&B vibe with a modern sound in that way Alica does so well. It’s also a bit of a bop, with lyrics referencing how the festive season makes her feel nostalgic for the past year with a loved one. Ask us next year whether it’s made our permanent playlist, but we’ll definitely be giving it a spin this December at the very least.
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Sample lyric: “For this Christmas, don’t need wishes, not since I met you, every season, you’ll give reason to love you from December back to June”
As part of Amazon Music’s Christmas celebrations, Lizzo has chosen to delve deep into the festive vaults and cover Stevie Wonder’s classic Someday At Christmas, a full 55 years after it was first released.
While “peace on earth” is a pretty popular Yuletide lyrical theme, Someday At Christmas takes a more specific approach in its lyrics right from the opening line: “Someday at Christmas, men won’t be boys, playing with bombs like kids play with toys.”
The lyrics certainly pack a punch, and as you’d expect from a good Stevie Wonder cover, the production is definitely a 60s throwback. And there’s certainly no arguing with Lizzo’s vocal abilities here.
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Sample lyric: “Someday all our dreams will come to be, someday in a world where we are free, maybe not in time for you and me, but someday at Christmas time.”
Anyone looking for something new to cosy up to in front of the fire while slurping down mulled wine and looking out of the window at where snow would no doubt be cascading if climate change hadn’t stopped us from ever having a white Christmas again is in luck.
Sam Smith’s new slow jam is very much in their usual wheelhouse (it’s certainly more Stay With Me than Unholy, in case anyone is worried about a festive jump-scare), and there’s no denying it’s a pretty song that would be the perfect soundtrack to an under-the-mistletoe moment.
Still, it’s not exactly imaginative, which is a shame as just a couple of years ago Sam gave us the brilliantly unique Christmas tune The Lighthouse Keeper, which is definitely the superior of their two festive originals.
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Sample lyric: “Come rest your weary head on my chest, the year is behind us, we’re still at our best, the magic of Christmas is what’s coming next, so lean in and kiss me and all of the rest.”
","type":"video","meta":{"author":"Cliff Richard","author_url":"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-zULhX5gDvt9kTDeJaubA","cache_age":86400,"description":"My brand new album Christmas with Cliff is out now! ❄️⛄You can buy, stream or download the album here: https://cliffrichard.lnk.to/ChristmasWithCliff\nI’ll be on @The One Show tonight where I’ll be chatting all about the album, make sure you tune in!\n\nTo stay up to date with all new releases on the channel subscribe here: https://bit.ly/3152uk6\n\nLike Cliff on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sircliffrichard\n#cliffrichard #christmaswithcliff #christmas","options":{"_cc_load_policy":{"label":"Closed captions","value":false},"_end":{"label":"End on","placeholder":"ex.: 11, 1m10s","value":""},"_start":{"label":"Start from","placeholder":"ex.: 11, 1m10s","value":""},"click_to_play":{"label":"Hold load & play until 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You might be surprised to see Sir Cliff on our round-up of contemporary festive tunes, but with three Christmas number ones to his name, and a new album out for 2022, we’d be remiss not to include him.
This track is the lead single from the crooner’s new album Christmas With Cliff, beginning with some pretty standard lyrics about how “the streets are glistening with lights”, “the air is getting cold outside” and “the snow is falling from above”, but by the time we get to the chorus it becomes apparent that the “Heart Of Christmas” Sir Cliff is singing about is, Jesus. To be fair, his most recent number one was a reimagined version of The Lord’s Prayer so we could probably have seen this coming.
“Hear the angels singing out, unto us a child is born,” he sings on the chorus. “Jesus, the heart of Christmas.”
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So, yeah – this one probably isn’t for everybody. But at the same time, we can’t pretend this isn’t among the catchier Christmas tunes on the list…
Sample lyric: “Listen and you hear the sound, the song they sang in Bethlehem is forever.”
Our rating: 🎄🎄🎄
Jinkx Monsoon And BenDeLaCreme – Looking At The Lights
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Fans of drag duo Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme might already know this original festive tune, as it was featured in their 2021 holiday special. This year, it’s been given a proper single release, which we’re over the moon about, as it hopefully means even more people will now discover it.
Written by BenDeLaCreme and performed by the recently-crowned “Queen of All Queens” Jinkx, Looking At The Lights is a sorrowful, musical theatre-inspired torch song that will certainly speak to anyone who finds this particular time of year difficult.
Still, don’t go thinking it’s all doom and gloom. Yes, Looking At The Lights does highlight the many reasons a lot of us struggle in the winter, but also highlights how having even just one person in your corner, whether that be a partner, friend or family member, can often be enough to get you through it.
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Sample lyric: “You may see a tree wonder what’s the use… maybe there’s no use, just a nice excuse for me to sit beside you on these cold and lonely nights.”
Our rating: 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Rosie Thomas and Sufjan Stevens – We Should Be Together
","type":"video","meta":{"author":"Rosie Thomas","author_url":"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7ONVTsnuzEk5De8kKL55lQ","cache_age":86400,"description":"Ltd Ed \"We Should Be Together\" Necklace Sets at https://rosiethomas.bandcamp.com/merch \nGet em while you can!\nCredits:\nWritten by Jeffrey Shoop, Rosanne Thomas\nProduced by Jeff Shoop\nPerformed by Jeff Shoop, Rosie Thomas\nGuest Vocals, Drums, and Additional Engineering by Sufjan Stevens\nSleigh bells by James McAlister\nEngineered by Jeff Shoop\nMixed by Yuuki Matthews\nMastered by Ed Brooks\nVideo by Jeff Shoop\n\nLyrics:\nMan why did I let you leave me alone in summer\nI should have known by fall Id finally finish your sweater\nAnd now it’s lying here on my bed\nAt night I wrap the arms around my waist\nPretend it’s you instead\nAnd cry into the shoulder\n\nWe’ve pulled this thread for so long\nTo let it come undone now\nI still believe \nWe still belong\nSomeway somehow so\n\nI’ll be home for Christmas time\n(Whatever the weather)\nYou be home for Christmas too\n(We should be together)\n\nMan why did I let my feet get cold and bitter\nToo scared\nInsecure\nUnsure if you were unsure \nThe pieces wouldn’t fit\nNot a tight enough knit \nFor us \nTo make it through the winter \n\nWe’ve pulled this thread for so long\nTo let it come undone now\nI still believe \nWe still belong\nSomeway somehow so\n\nI’ll be home for Christmas time\n(Whatever the weather)\nYou be home for Christmas too\n(We should be together)\n\nWe should be together\n\n\n\n#christmas #christianmusic #lovesong #breakupsong #rosiethomas #sufjanstevens","options":{"_cc_load_policy":{"label":"Closed captions","value":false},"_end":{"label":"End on","placeholder":"ex.: 11, 1m10s","value":""},"_start":{"label":"Start from","placeholder":"ex.: 11, 1m10s","value":""},"click_to_play":{"label":"Hold load & play until clicked","value":false}},"provider_name":"YouTube","thumbnail_height":480,"thumbnail_url":"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xRxdaa0GBbE/sddefault.jpg","thumbnail_width":640,"title":"Rosie Thomas – We Should Be Together (feat. 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The second we heard that Rosie Thomas and Sufjan Stevens had teamed up to record a Christmas tune, we knew we were in for something truly devastating. And yet, there was still no preparing for quite how much of an emotional listen this would be.
On We Should Be Together, Rosie sings from the perspective of someone who’s hoping for a Yuletide reconciliation, after a pivotal relationship came to an end in the summer, with some truly heartbreaking lyrics comparing the relationship to a Christmas jumper the protagonist has spent the last year working on.
Between the lyrics and the beautiful way Rosie and Sufjan’s voices complement one another, We Should Be Together is an extremely effective festive effort. Admittedly, it’s probably a little too sad to stick on between Slade and Wizzard (unless you fancy crying into your turkey on Christmas day), but it’s the perfect soundtrack to a moody walk in the snow.
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Sample lyric: “The pieces wouldn’t fit, not enough fit to make it through a winter, we’ve pulled this thread too long to let it come undone now, I still believe we still belong someway, somehow, so I’ll be home for Christmas time…”
After almost 10 months of war, the impact of Russia’s invasion on Ukraine’s children is truly devastating.
The UN believes around 400 children have been killed and more than 700 have been left with life-changing injuries since Vladimir Putin ordered troops into Ukraine.
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And, as the war is ongoing – making it harder to gauge the full impact of the atrocities in Ukraine – agencies believe the real figures are much higher.
Three Ukrainian photographers – Anastasia Vlasova, Alina Smutko, and Nina Sologubenko – have captured how children are coping this Christmas for Save The Children.
According to one mother, Oksana*, her eight-year-old daughter’s hair has started to turn grey from the stress.
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“Look at my elder daughter, she is only eight and she has grey hair. I do not tell her, but when I braid her hair, I burst into tears, because she is a little child and they saw such things,” she told the photographers.
“It was very scary sitting in the basement, knowing that if – God forbid – the house was hit, you would be buried. You worried about yourself at that point, you’re scared for your children.”
Twelve-year-old Karina* also told the photographers: “There’s going to be something lacking. You know, the atmosphere of Ukrainian Christmas.”
Olha*, mother of seven, told Save The Children: “This year the mood isn’t festive. We just wish the war would be over, to live peacefully.
“We don’t want anything, no Christmas, no New Year. How can we celebrate? People are dying.”
She said that at night they “fear every rustle”.
Here are just seven images which provide a snapshot into the lives of Ukrainian children under attack from Russia right now.
Save The Children
15-year-old Dmytro* was one of several children interviewed for Save The Children.
Save The Children
Dmytro* lives with his mother and six younger siblings in northern Ukraine, near the border with Russia and Belarus.
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Save The Children
A view of *Dmytro’s house that burned down, near Chernihiv, Ukraine.
Save The Children
Three photographers have shared a harrowing insight into life in Ukraine right now.
Save The Children
Dmytro*’s brother Taras*, four, sits by the wall behind the heating stove at home near Chernihiv, Ukraine.
Save The Children
Elena*, 36, sits for a portrait with her two-year-old daughter Vira* in their flat in Suceava county, northern Romania
Save The Children
Vira*, two, sits in her kitchen for a portrait in Suceava county, northern Romania
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Save The Children
Elena*, 36, hugs her daughter Vira*, two, in the bathroom at their home Suceava county, northern Romania
The difficulties Ukrainian children are facing during this tumultuous period has not gone unnoticed in Kyiv.
The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared a video address on the first day of the new school year back in September. He said: “They stole part of your childhood, part of your youth…
“But you are free. You always will be. So be worthy of your will – and of our Ukraine.”
*Names have been changed to protect their identity.
Somewhat incredibly, it is now 32 years since the release of one of the most beloved Christmas films of all time – Home Alone.
Starring Macaulay Culkin, it might not have been an immediate critical success, but the slapstick festive comedy stormed the box office, spawned various spin-off films and a recent TV series, and still holds a special place in the hearts of millions across the globe.
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However, no matter how many times you’ve seen it in the ensuing years, there’s plenty we bet you still don’t know about it, so have these 21 behind-the-scenes secrets from the set, ya filthy animal…
1. Home Alone was written in just over a week
Screenwriter John Hughes knocked out the first draft of the script in just nine days after a family holiday to Europe.
He was inspired by his own worries whilst traveling, telling Time magazine in 1990: “I was going away on vacation and making a list of everything I didn’t want to forget. I thought, ‘Well, I’d better not forget my kids.’ Then I thought, ‘What if I left my 10-year-old son at home? What would he do?’”
2. But it took much longer to find the right Home Alone house
The Home Alone house
Nam Y Huh/AP/Shutterstock
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Director Chris Columbus said the team “drove around for several weeks” in the Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Lake Forest areas of North Shore.
Eventually, the right house was found in 671 Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka, Illinois, which funnily enough had previously been scouted as a potential location for 1989’s Uncle Buck, but was never used.
The house itself – which was sold for $1.585 million in 2012 – has since become a major tourist attraction.
3. Some interior scenes were filmed in the real house, while others were shot on sets
The hallway and staircase were all real, while the kitchen and dining room and other first-floor rooms were built and shot in a studio. The attic bedroom was also a real feature.
4. The family who lived in the house remained there during filming
It took about five months to setup, shoot and derig for scenes in the house, during which time the then-owners, the Abendshien family, continued living there, despite having access to an apartment that had been paid for as part of the deal.
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Cynthia Abendshien explained to Chicago Magazine that the location manager had told them “that, under the contract, if they needed to knock down a wall when we weren’t home, they could do it. So she told us it was best if we remained on the premises”.
John Abendshien added: “In that house, there’s a master bedroom suite with four rooms. Basically, we just moved into that. We put a hot plate up there to cook. We didn’t have to cook that much, because we had full access to the food truck that the crew used.”
5. Kevin’s treehouse was specially built in the house’s garden for the film
6. The flooded basement scene was filmed in a school swimming pool
The production made use of the pool at New Trier Township High School in Winnetka, Illinois, to film the scene where Kevin runs through a flooded basement, director Chris Columbus told Entertainment Weekly.
The school’s basketball hall was also used to construct the plane set, on which the Macallister family were seen traveling to Paris, while the kitchen set was also built on site there, too.
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Scenes for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Uncle Buck had previously been shot in the same school.
7. The Macallister family never actually made it to Paris
John Heard and Catherine O’Hara in Home Alone
Moviestore/Shutterstock
While the plot of the film sees the Macallister family leaving Kevin behind as they head to Paris for Christmas, all scenes were shot in the US.
Scenes where the family are seen at Paris Orly Airport were actually shot at O’Hare International Airport.
8. The airport scenes were particularly “nail biting” for the director
“We had to move fast. We only had two or three takes of the entire family running down the terminal,” Chris told Chicago Magazine.
9. The adult actors didn’t always act opposite Macaulay Culkin
A lot of the film was shot at night, but due to Macaulay’s age at the time, he wasn’t able to be on set after 10pm.
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This meant that Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern – aka Harry and Marv – acted opposite director Chris Columbus standing in as Kevin behind the camera.
“I was Kevin McCallister from about 10 at night to 6 in the morning,” Chris told Entertainment Weekly.
Catherine O’Hara also recalled having to act opposite a tennis ball for some scenes.
She told Chicago Magazine: “We’d shoot a scene with one of the kids; then, as late as one in the morning, we’d shoot my close-ups.
They’d have a tennis ball on a stand, the height of the kid’s head, and the script supervisor would read the children’s lines.”
10. Joe Pesci even did his best not to interact with Macaulay when the cameras weren’t rolling
Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern as Kevin, Harry and Marv
Moviestore/Shutterstock
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The actor went quite method in his approach to the character of Harry, as he avoided Macaulay on set so that the child star would be afraid of him.
He told People he “intentionally limited my interactions with him to preserve the dynamic” between the characters.
Joe explained he did not want “it to come across on the screen that we were in any way friendly”.
“I wanted to maintain the integrity of the adversarial relationship,” he added.
11. The film was written with Macaulay in mind to play Kevin
Screenwriter John Hughes imagined Macaulay in the leading role when creating the film due to his performance in 1989’s Uncle Buck, but director Chris Columbus told Entertainment Weekly he still met with “hundreds” of other young actors out of “directorial responsibility” to ensure they had the right person.
In the end, Chris was charmed by Macaualy, who he said was “really funny” and had “a great voice that was not annoying”.
Macaulay Culkin was just 10 years old when he filmed Home Alone
Moviestore/Shutterstock
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12. Robert De Niro was considered for the role of Harry
While some outlets have reported the screen legend “turned down’ the chance to appear in the film, Chris told Insider that Robert never seriously considered it.
“It was talked about a little internally, but when [Joe] Pesci said yes, I was stunned,” he said.
It has also been claimed Jon Lovitz was considered for the part.
13. Filming the stunt sequences was not as funny as it looks on screen
Chris said the team had a constant fear the stunt performers had injured themselves while acting out some of the slapstick sequences.
He told Entertainment Weekly: “I really thought Troy, our stunt man, had broken his back on that first take [of walking up the stairs of the front of the house and doing a back flip]. Until we knew those guys were alive and okay, none of that stuff was funny, so I was surprised once we put the film together how well it actually worked for an audience.”
Stunt doubles stood in for Daniel Stern and Joe Pesci
Moviestore/Shutterstock
14. However, the stunts were not the hardest part of the shoot
Chris said that was actually making the gangster movie Angels With Filthy Souls – the one Kevin plays in the film and uses to scare off Harry and Marv – which you might not even have realised isn’t a real film.
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“It’s not easy to recreate the look and the feel and the sound of those movies,” he told EW. “It was kind of a painstaking task to get it right. And we had to find actors that felt like they lived in that particular time period, as well, which was an interesting thing.”
15. One actor was unhappy with the amount he was paid for the film
John Candy, who was a huge comedy personality in the US when Home Alone came out, made a brief appearance as Gus Polinski, but reportedly received just $414 for a day’s work of shooting.
Director Chris Columbus said there was “certainly a little resentment on John’s part” about the amount he was paid.
He told Insider: “It was a deal between him and John Hughes at the time. I never met John Candy before he came on the movie. I don’t know if John ever got any kind of compensation from Fox.”
John Candy in Home Alone
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16. When there was a snowstorm early on into filming, the schedule was readjusted to capitalise on it
According to an episode of The Movies That Made Us, a snowstorm happened on the second day on set, so the team quickly seized the moment to shoot the scene where Kevin is reunited with his family on Christmas morning.
The flurries were enhanced with potato flakes to make it look like it was snowing more than it was at that moment in time.
Kevin was reunited with his mum Kate on Christmas morning
Moviestore/Shutterstock
17. They had to bring in snow machines for the rest of the film, which proved expensive
After the snow storm, the team had to bring in snow machines to match it for the rest of the movie. However, associate producer Mark Radcliffe told Chicago magazine that whenever the snow melted, “we were spraying ice, and then they had problems with ice. The next thing, they were literally laying bags of ice to try and create snow.”
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18. This caused some problems for the location team
James Giovannetti Jr, second assistant director, added: “We had refrigerated semitrucks of shaved ice coming to the set. There must’ve been about 15 guys dumping tons of ice in the yard every day. We may have even got water in the house, because when it started melting, it started seeping into the basement.”
19. Some of the film was improvised – including one iconic moment
Kevin’s reaction after putting on the aftershave gave the film an instantly iconic moment that has been used on promotional material ever since.
However, Macaulay didn’t act the moment out as originally intended by the director.
The famous Home Alone scream was never intended to turn out the way it did
Moviestore/Shutterstock
Chris Columbus told Insider: “If you put something on your face that burns, most people move their hands right away. So my direction to him was when you pat your face, move your hands and scream. And I think it was the first take, he kept his hands on his cheeks.
“It’s funny, the iconic moment from Home Alone was an accident.”
John Candy, who played Gus Polinski, also loved to improvise and Chris said he took his cameo appearance “and ran” with the scenes.
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He told Entertainment Weekly: “We’d do a couple scripted takes and then we would improvise about four or five other takes, and a lot of the improvisation ended up in the film.”
Such examples included the moment where Gus is seen talking to Kate about being left in the funeral home alone with the corpse all night.
20. The tarantula on Marv’s face was actually real
Actor Daniel Stern recalled how the crew initially told him they had a rubber tarantula that they could use, but they also had a real one that “was real nice and showed it walking across the trainer’s arm”.
He asked if the crew could remove the spider’s “stinger,” to which he was told it would die.
“And I said yeah, but if you don’t take it out, I’ll die,’” he recalled to The Hollywood Reporter. “But everyone seemed cool with it, so I just had them put the friggin‘ tarantula on my face.”
The spider used in this scene was real
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21. However, his scream wasn’t dubbed, as many people believe
Many reports over the years have claimed Daniel was asked to mime the scream that Marv lets out upon seeing the spider so as to not scare the creature, with it then later dubbed into the film in the edit.
However, Daniel revealed that actually wasn’t the case, as he did the scream there and then, take after take.
“I asked if that would spook the spider, but I guess tarantulas can’t hear,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “Again, I was committed fully to that movie … I wanted to hit a home run in every scene.”
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Christmas is almost here, and if you have left buying presents to the last minute, you can’t really go wrong with some lush beauty products. But you need to think beyond the usual gift set.
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Luxury beauty brand Shiseido has heard our cries for last minute gift ideas, with a selection of its skincare saviours available for under £30 from Boots – from stocking fillers at purse friendly prices, to blow-the-budget gifts, whether for a friend, relative, partner, or maybe even yourself.
Shiseido’s popular skincare ranges, such as the Benefiance, Ultimune, Vital Perfection lines, as well as the new WASO collection, are all available to shop at Boots now, with products suitable for all skin types and needs, whether you’re shopping for a seasoned skincare pro or someone dabbling for the first time. ]
From SPF protection, gel cleansers and make-up removers to nourishing eye creams,and moisturisers, as well as expertly curated bundles and make-up cosmetics, Shiseido has all bases covered this Christmas.
Most importantly, Boots customers do not have to spend a fortune, as some of Shiseido’s bestsellers are available to shop for as little as £7.50. But which products make the best presents? Let us take you through our picks.
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One of Shiseido’s must-haves is the Clear Suncare Stick, which has gone viral on TikTok for its failsafe UV protection, nourishing the skin and preventing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone. This water-resistant creation uses SynchroShieldTM to protect against harmful UV rays, without leaving a white cast like some sun creams, or stickiness. Retailing for £28, it makes for a perfect stocking filler or main pressie, depending on budget,
We should all be using a good quality cleanser to remove makeup, pollutants or dirt from our skin if we want to avoid clogging our pores and triggering a breakout. Shiseido has the solution in the form of the Waso Shikulime Gel-to-Oil Cleanser. This hybrid cleanser is easy to use, gentle on the skin, and removes stubborn eye makeup, as well as dirt and grime – a cleansing regime for £24.50.
With a price tag of £32, Shiseido’s award-winning Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate serum may be over the £30, but it’s also a worthwhile investment. This multi-purpose moisturiser, which has garnered over 3,000 glowing reviews from Boots shoppers, is a beauty bag staple, as it works to hydrate, brighten and tighten the skin for a youthful complexion. Considering one serum is sold every seconds, it’s a stocking filler guaranteed to impress.
And let’s not forget bundles, too. The Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Set has our piqued as it features the iconic Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream, Wrinkle Smoothing Cream and Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate, to help you complete a simple three-step beauty routine for morning and night. While the trio may come in at £66, it contains almost £100 worth of products, which means you save a hefty £28.40.
Boots shoppers are eligible for free delivery on orders over £25, as well as next day or named day delivery at a fee – as well the option to collect in store. But be quick – the deal on all theseShiseido bestsellers ends on Christmas Eve.
If you’ve been making eyes at your co-worker all year, the office Christmas party can represent the perfect opportunity to shoot your shot. But you do, inevitably, need to proceed with caution. Nobody wants to be that person pulled in to see HR on Monday morning.
Still, a snog by the cloakroom can lead to far more than water cooler gossip. Below, we chat to two couples who hooked up at the Christmas party and found longterm love.
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If these stories get turned into a Netflix romcom next year, you read them here first.
“He said ‘I have to get my anorak’ and I was like ‘Oh god.’”
Zoe Burke, 31, met her partner, Simon, 45, when they both worked for a media publishing company. Zoe worked in editorial while Simon worked in IT. They had their first snog six years ago at the Christmas party in London’s Cafe De Paris and now live together in Whitton, Twickenham, with their daughter. Zoe, who is editor at wedding website Hitched.co.uk, tells their story.
Zoe and Simon, whose chemistry became a running joke in their office.
“We had chemistry from the first moment we met – although I was seeing someone else so nothing happened. Also he was so comically the opposite of my usual type – I tended to go for creatives who were always skint but were free spirits. He was a single dad of two who oversaw IT operations for a huge company and was 14 years older than me.
“It was a running joke in our office because it was so ridiculous, but we got on SO well. By summer I was single and dating but nothing really happened until we got into the Christmas period and the Xmas party was looming and our flirting ramped up a bit.
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“I have never put so much effort into getting ready for a party! And I didn’t see him all night! I was about to leave and my boss was like ‘he’s at the bar!’ So I went over and it was all very sweet and innocent – there was no kissing, nothing like that, he put an arm around me but that was it.
“I remember when we left we did it separately and he said ‘I have to get my anorak’ and I was like ‘oh god’. But then we met round the corner, kissed for the first time and have been together ever since!
“Me and ‘the IT guy’ is still a running joke at work, but I don’t mind so much as it’s now been six years, and we have a daughter together now too. While I might be all about weddings in my working life, we have no plans to get hitched ourselves any time soon ― even though it comes up in conversation a LOT!”
‘We did keep it a secret in the office for a month.’
Tom Bourlet, 35, and his financée Raquel, 33, recently got engaged surrounded by 32 dogs at the Golden Retriever Experience (yes, we’re jealous too). The couple, who are based in Burgess Hill, work for the party planning company Fizzbox, so they know a thing or two about hosting a good knees-up. Still, their Christmas party was more memorable than most. Tom tells their story.
Tom Bourlet
Tom Bourlet and his financée Raquel
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“We worked together for around a year before the Fizzbox Christmas party; she worked in the finance department and I worked in marketing. I used to get Degustabox deliveries [a food subscription service] to the office, and would offer around the snacks to people in the office slowly making my way over to Raquel, before using it as an excuse to have a chat with her. We also went on a work trip to Bournemouth, where we instantly bonded, sitting next to each other on the coach over.
“We mentioned much later that we both secretly fancied each other, but tried ‘playing it cool’, but the Christmas party was the point in which we got to sit next to each other with some prosecco and the rest was history.
“I think there is always a worry the next day if alcohol has been involved. I worry if I said something stupid, whether I came across well and whether she was actually interested in me or whether that was the booze talking. It was also on a Friday, so we didn’t see each other until the Monday, so [there were] a few nervy days where we sent the occasional message to each other, but nothing in-depth.
“Fortunately, as soon as I saw her on Monday, we were joking around like normal, so all awkwardness was gone away, and we then arranged to go for some drinks that evening.
“We did keep it a secret in the office for a month, however one of our colleagues saw us in the bar down the road from the office after work. It quickly spread around the office soon after this. I then went up to the CEO to let him know I was dating someone in the office, I was in a managerial role so I wanted to make sure I wasn’t breaking any HR rules at all. He was very understanding and happy for me, pointing out that a number of office relationships had led to marriages.
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“It seems funny to think how nervous I was going up to her, trying to think what to say and making silly conversations about our love for Babybels. The office Christmas party certainly helped to get us both out of the office and in a more relaxed environment, so I can thank the party for the amazing relationship I’m in.
“Five and a half years on, I love her more with every day and soon I’ll be able to call her my wife. We also bought our a house together in August, while we got a puppy a month ago, our fur baby!”
