Christmas is a magical time of year – but it’s also a particularly bad time for excess, consumption and waste.

With more of us trying hard to make our lives more sustainable wherever possible, it isn’t surprising that we want to make our festive period more environmentally friendly this year.

New research from American Express Shop Small found that 85% of Brits will be taking active steps to be more eco-friendly this Christmas.

One in two Brits say they are more keen to think about the environment this year than they were last year. Over half say this is because they are now more aware of the impact of their choices.

One of the worst culprits at Christmas has to be the decorations. Just think about all that plastic. But, there are ways to make your decorations much more sustainable.

Foraging for decorations

This is not only a great way to cut down on the amount of plastic and packaging you’re buying, it’s also a perfect excuse to get outside and spend time with the family.

Look for holly, ivy, chestnuts and pine cones – and get to work with glitter glue and string to make some simple, rustic tree decorations or table settings.

Things you find in the great outdoors can also be used to make wreaths or adorable, authentic cake decorations.

Edible decorations

What could be more sustainable than creating decorations that you can eat when you’re finished with them?

You can make gorgeous sugar charms for your tree, or to hang in the window, out of melted boiled sweets. They look utterly festive particularly when fairy lights reflect off their surface.

Gingerbread bunting also looks adorable. Simply bake gingerbread men and gingerbread snowmen, add little holes and string them altogether. Just make sure you hang them out of reach of hungry hands.

Keep your wrapping simple

Sadly, lots of wrapping paper contains plastic. It would be better to go for the understated elegance of brown parcel paper tied up with string – it’s better for the planet, and looks like it’s straight off a festive Pinterest board.

Alternatively, try a scarf. Someone somewhere came up with the ingenious idea of using a scarf to wrap a present – and the results are pretty amazing .

If you want to know if your wrapping paper can be recycled or not, use the scrunch test. Scrunch up the paper and then let it go. If the paper stays scrunched up then it can be recycled but, if it unfolds by its own accord, it probably contains non-recyclable elements.

Recycled baubles

If crafts aren’t your thing, you can still make a difference by opting to use recycled baubles instead of new ones every year.

Protect the Planet sells baubles made from recycled and reclaimed materials. Their vintage inspired, tarnished silver and traditional baubles are largely fair trade, handmade and sourced from India.

Switch to LED lights

LED Christmas lights are much better for the environment than traditional twinkling incandescent lights, because they use up to 80 per cent less energy.

Outside, you can use solar-powered lights, and set them on a timer. This will help save your energy bills too; it’s a double win.

Pick the right candles

Few things are more festive than cuddling up on the sofa with a cinnamon or mulled spice candle burning away in the background.

But if you can’t get enough of candle-lit festive ambiance, choose eco-friendly soy or beeswax varieties of candle rather than paraffin.

Cheap paraffin wax, a petroleum by-product of crude oil, emits loads of particulate pollution when it’s burned — a major ingredient in air pollution.

Send fewer Christmas cards

Research suggests that the paper waste over the Christmas period is equivalent to 5-12 million litres of biofuel – enough to power a bus to go to the moon 20 times.

Around 1.5 billion Christmas cards are thrown away by UK households each year, according to Imperial College researchers.

E-cards could be a great alternative. They cut your carbon footprint, save trees and save money (stamps are so expensive!).

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In the early hours of this morning, while most of us were sleeping soundly, parents were frantically trying to get their hands on Aldi’s new Kevin The Carrot range.

The frenzy began at 3am, as the supermarket released merchandise of its festive character online, with queues going into the thousands.

Products included a one-metre long cuddly toy replica of Kevin The Carrot, who has been rescued from the Leafy Blinders by Tiny Tom, and other characters like Katy Katie, as well as themed pyjamas, an inflatable snow globe and more.

Within hours of going on sale, the products have now sold out – and people are outraged.

‘What is my life waited over a hour in a queue for a toy carrot that isn’t even there,’ said one Twitter user, who got stuck in the queue.

Someone else was less upset about Kevin being sold out and more infuriated by the fact they couldn’t get through on the website to buy food..

‘Any chance of sorting your website out?….I don’t want to buy a shitty little stuffed carrot toy, I just want to look at your Christmas food!,’ the tweet, which included a tag for Aldi, read.

One person took a more humorous view of the situation, and posted a photo of their dog eating a carrot, captioning it: ‘Sorry @AldiUK I think Ralph owes #KevinTheCarrot an apology!’

Sorry @AldiUK I think Ralph owes #KevinTheCarrot an apology! pic.twitter.com/FweJf7yYZQ

— Sam Levett (@stumpyl) November 25, 2019

Some lucky people did manage to get through the queue, with the toys now in high demand.

‘Managed to get my mam a Kevin the Carrot today and yed [sic] honestly think I’d gave her an organ or something,’ someone tweeted.

Others decided to resell their now coveted items on eBay, with one Kevin The Carrot stuffed animal selling for as much as £150, more than seven times the original price, which is £19.99.

Didn’t get your hands on the cherised carrot?

Don’t worry, the products will be released in store this coming Thursday (28 November).

However, if today has taught us anything, it’s that if you’re not desperate to get your hands on Kevin and his crew, it might be best to hold off the food shop until Friday… or risk the wrath of angry parents as they wrestle for a cuddly carrot.

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When you are suffering with a cold, you’ll do anything to get relief – including spending a fortune on over the counter remedies.

But save your pennies because shoppers say this new candle from discount retailer B&M has been helping their sniffles.

It’s based on the smell of Vicks VapoRub and it costs just 59p.

It’s not made by the same company but rather by a brand called Vapowax and is described as a Vapor Candle, but people have compared it to the original minty ointment.

One eagle-eyed shopper spotted the quirky candle in-store, and quickly shared the news on Facebook group, Extreme Couponing and Bargaining UK.

They wrote: ‘I don’t know if I’m the only one who didn’t know this was a thing? Like Vicks vapour but as a candle – 59p at B&M. Perfect for this time of year with all the coughs and colds going about. If it doesn’t help, at least my house smells nice.’

The post had over 3,000 likes and over 1,500 comments.

People were excited to try it and some said that it has already been a help to them.

One user said ‘Both my children have had a horrible cold these last few weeks so I have had the candle lit for about an hour before they went to bed and shut the door and when I have put them to bed blown it out and the vapour smell still fills the room through the night.’

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Get your pooches ready, because Sainsbury’s has just announced a Christmas restaurant dedicated to our four-legged friends.

For three days only, from 13 to 15 December, dogs will be able to feast like no pups have ever feasted before, with all the seasonal delights on the menu.

The event, hosted at the Hus Gallery near Regent Street, will include ‘silver service’ with doting waiters bringing out bowls of snacks such as Sainsbury’s Festive Dinner for Dogs – a drool-worthy mix of turkey, carrots and sage or chicken, duck and turkey.

And of course, Sainsbury’s mince pies for dogs – released last month – will also be served, and there will be lots of other snacks available for purchase, for both felines and pooches.

Humans will have their own treats, in the form of Sainsbury’s On The Go Christmas sandwiches and a glass of bubbly.

Other activities in the restaurant include the chance for your pet to ‘get pupped’, with a professional dog photographer, perfect for those Insta doggies looking for new snaps for the feed.

If you want to make the photo extra snazzy, why not dress him or her in a festive jumper?

After all, the pop-up’s opening date is Christmas Jumper Day.

Tickets cost £5 for one owner and one dog, while two owners and one dog is slightly more expensive at £7.50.

This will cover one 45-minute session, as well as the dog treats, a Christmas sandwich and a glass of fizz – so it’s a pretty great deal overall (and your pooch deserves to be spoiled).

Are you a dog lover without a dog?

You’ll be delighted to know that Sainsbury’s will be hosting three ‘I have no dog’ sessions on 14 December, where you can meet friendly pups and hang out with them while they nibble on treats.

To make the event even better – there are dogs, how’s that even possible, you ask? – the supermarket will donate all proceeds from the pop-up to Guide Dogs UK, its charity partner.

The pop-up will be open from 12pm to 7.45pm on the Friday, and open from 9.30am on the remaining two days and closing slightly earlier on both days.

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Perfect, winged eyeliner is the holy grail of sleek, sophisticated make-up looks. But it’s damn-near impossible to get right.

We normally end up with one perfect eye, and one panda eye – and then spend the next 45 minutes trying to even them out. And we do not have time for this nonsense.

Luckily, a stylist has revealed her simple trick for drawing professional-looking winged eyeliner in seconds.

Susie Hasler, 36, from East Grinstead, West Sussex, posted a video to her Instagram followers revealing how she mastered the look by using eyeshadow pads from Amazon – which only cost about £1.

The mum-of-one, who specialises in styling women whose body shapes have changed, shared a tutorial showing how she applied her eyeliner, and the finished look.

The post, entitled ‘cheat your way to winged eyeliner’, has already attracted more than 6,000 views in just a few days on Susie’s account.

Susie said in the footage that a makeup stylist friend had recommended the eyeshadow pads, adding: ‘I have tried so many tutorials and just can’t do it.’

Susie demonstrates in the video where to apply the pads on her face, and then continues to add eyeshadow to the edges of her eyelid, working her way in.

‘It’s basically like a stencil,’ Susie explains. ‘And it stops those dark colours going under your eyes.’

She also reveals how using brighter colours towards the centre of the eyelids helps to ‘open up your eyes’.

Susie uses a pen eyeliner to draw along the curve of the eyeshadow pad, away from her eye. She then reveals the finished look.

Susie added: ‘Winged eyeliner is a great way to at a bit of edginess to a look, but it’s also really tricky to do it right.

‘I loved hearing about this simple trick and wanted to share it with my followers, as it really does work!’

The post attracted loads of comments from fans and people desperate to try the technique for themselves. Hagardashery wrote: ‘They look great what a good idea!’

Daughterofpearl added: ‘Ooh I love that! I’m always 50/50 when it comes to liquid eyeliner. It either looks badass or terrible.’

‘You can buy those Make up pads in primark too 50 for £1.50 :)’ said Itsaboss_life.

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There’s nothing quite like a steamy mug of hot chocolate when the weather gets colder.

And with these amazing treats, you can create a cup, complete with cream and marshmallows in under 20 seconds.

Created by Wildflower Cakes, based in Glen Parva, Leicestershire, the bombes are spheres of chocolate, with fillings inside.

Pop the ball in a mug and pour hot milk over the top.

When the milk melts the chocolate, the fillings burst out and float to the top.

The balls are available in a range of flavours including dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, mint chocolate, orange, Caramac and even Baileys.

A standard chocolate bombe is £1.50 and one of the luxury flavours is £2.50.

You can also get a vegan version for £2.50.

The bombes come in individual boxes, tied with twine, so would make a great gift.

The bakery posted a video of the process on Facebook and people loved it, with over 1.7 million people watching over the weekend.

The bombes have proven to be so popular, the small bakery has had to promise to set up a website for all their new customers.

Initially, they were only going to sell them locally but they are now looking to set up a service to post them across the UK, so keep an eye on their Facebook page for your chance to buy.

Lots of fans were excited to get their hands on one for the festive period and many said they would be keeping them for their Christmas Eve boxes.

The bakery said their new website would go live this week so be prepared to get your order in.

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Danielle Kay, 35, picked up stockings for her two kids but was upset when she realised they had nowhere to hang them.

The care worker lived in a house without a fireplace – but that didn’t stop the thrifty mum creating one for just £2.

She spent three nights and £2 making her own temporary fireplace at their home in Chester, for Jess, eight, and Poppy, four,

The fireplace is made from cardboard, a piece of wood and brick effect wrapping paper which she found in her house and only had to spend £2 to buy glue to put it together.

Danielle said: ‘We didn’t have a fireplace to hang the stockings up and my daughters really wanted to have stockings this year.

‘I had seen a few ideas online and took inspiration from, but I love crafts anyway so it seemed like a no brainer to make my own.

‘The sides are made from old Christmas tree boxes and a third for the mantle piece, then I got a piece of old wood and used it as the base.

‘I used a glue gun to assemble it all, I went through a whole pack of glue but it was needed because the fireplace needs to stay up until Christmas day.’

She says that her two daughters love what she’s done and they are excited for the festive season.

She adds: ‘It was just a nice bit of fun to get them in the mood for the big day.

‘I think they were worried that Santa wouldn’t be able to get down the chimney this year but they’re reassured now that he’ll be able to pop down and deliver their presents.’

Danielle posted the picture in a Facebook group and it was so realistic, some people even got a bit confused and thought they were real bricks.

‘I hilariously had comments saying I had laid the bricks wonky so I had to politely let them know it was wrapping paper.’

The pictures online racked up thousands of likes and comments from people impressed with how real the fireplace looks.

She did however get a couple of worried parents comment on the air filter behind the fireplace and claimed she would get carbon monoxide poisoning because it was covered up.

Danielle said: ‘There are holes poked in the cardboard just to reassure anyone who thought we may end up being poisoned.

‘It was much cheaper than buying a fireplace, so I think we’ll do the same again next year!’

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Nothing says Christmas like a slab of fudge in the shape of a vagina.

And the good news is, the Fudgina (yes, Fudgina) now comes in a delicious Christmas pudding flavour. To make it extra festive.

The novelty fudge suppliers Fudgeina specialise in the quirky, vajayjay-inspired sweets – and you can send this one directly to your friends this Christmas, to make them feel really special.

‘Made with luscious dark vegan chocolate and juicy plum flavouring, this one is sure to get Granny going back for seconds,’ reads the website.

‘Finished with an edible snow glaze and a holly vajazzle, it literally can’t get any more Christmassy!’

So if you have friends or family who would just love to chow down on a novelty vulva this December, now you know exactly what to put on your shopping list.

You can even customise your gift by adding a vajazzle set including three vegan icing tubes in black, red and green to personalise your fudge vagina. Or you can add a condom to the delivery ‘to let your friend know what you expect them to do with it…’

The festive fanny costs £11.99 with free postage – with a little bit extra if you want to add the vajazzle or condom.

The company launched in December 2018, and at Easter they launched a special edition Creme Egg flavour.

But you can also opt for strawberry, vanilla, or a solid chocolate vagina if you’re not into fudge.

This truly is a gift for the entire family to enjoy.

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Black Friday is almost upon us, and with it plenty of shops are already lining up to give customers the best deals of the year.

You can of course follow some easy hacks to get the best out of the sales, but it’s also worth keeping up with the details of who’s already started offering those bargains.

Among those who’ve kicked off Black Friday ahead of the big day are John Lewis – so what have they got on offers?

Here’s what you need to know…

When did the John Lewis Black Friday deals start?

John Lewis launched their deals at the end of last week.

The full range is available on their website – with savings on electricals, furniture, health and beauty and kitchenware, among others.

John Lewis Black Friday deals already on sale

Here’s a look at some of the bargains available.

Sony HT-ST5000 Wi-Fi Bluetooth NFC Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer, High Resolution Audio, Dolby Atmos, Chromecast & Multiroom – was £1,199 now £999

Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie Plus Coffee Machine with Milk Frother, White, was £129, now £64.50

Sony Bravia KD55XG9505 (2019) LED HDR 4K Ultra HD Smart Android TV, 55″ with Freeview HD & Youview, Black, was £1,398, now £999

LEGO 71043 Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle

John Lewis & Partners Copper Plated Non-Stick Pan Set, 5 Pieces, was £125, now £62.50

Dyson AM09 Hot + Cool Fan Heater, White / Nickel, White/Nickel, was £399, now £299

Apple Watch Series 3, GPS, 42mm Space Grey Aluminium Case with Sport Band, Black, was £309, now £229

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday 2019 is on 29 November, but many shops have already begun rolling out deals a whole week early.

They’re not the only ones to do so, as Argos have also got plenty of bargains on offer, DECIEM has launched 23% off everything all month allowing you to save on skincare and NOW TV also have plenty of early deals.

AD FEATURE: Win at Christmas this year with some savvy Black Friday shopping

A student plucked up the courage to ask her college crush out on a date – only for him to tell her he was gay, then set her up with his straight identical twin instead.

Jillian Druzgala, a 23-year-old student from North Aurora, Illinois, tweeted about the ‘cute guy in the dining hall,’ who she gave her number before being turned down via text.

However, her disappointment was short-lived after the ‘cute guy,’ Derek Donnellan, suggested that Jill date his twin brother, Scott.

She tweeted: ‘So yesterday i gave my number to a cute guy in the dining hall…LMFAOO,’ with a picture of her text conversation with Derek.

The text from Derek read: ‘Hey this is Derek from Burge!! I wanted to say I respect your confidence to be able to come to me and give me your number, you are very pretty!!’

‘Unfortunately I am gay, BUT I am an identical twin and he’s straight if you like his number or Snapchat lol,’ the text continued.

Druzgala accepted Derek’s offer and later posted a picture with Scott, writing: ‘Went to lunch with the brother. His name is scott :) will be hangout out again after thanksgiving break.’

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She posted another update with a picture of her and Derek and said: ‘(Derek and I) are now friends. We will also be hangout out after thanksgiving break too.’

Twitter was captivated by Jill’s story and her lucky dating break. More than 401,000 people liked her original tweet and 53,000 retweeted it as people applauded Derek’s ability as a wingman.

One user wrote: ‘Baby girl, you scored a best friend and boyfriend in one fell swoop! Now please for the love of god charge your phone.’

Another said: ‘That’s honestly the best wingman power move I’ve ever seen. What a guy.’

Many more asked for updates on whether Jill and Scott’s budding relationship as one person wrote: ‘literally just following you because I need an update on this, thank you!’

A man who lost 20 stone in 12 months is enjoying a new lease of life, after getting an ‘amazing’ girlfriend.

Darren ‘Dibsy’ McClintock lost half of his entire body mass after embarking on a weight loss journey last year.

The 28-year-old’s no-nonsense personal trainer banned Dibsy from local takeaways, in a bid to turn his life around after doctors warned he was ‘eating himself to death’.

He has now revealed he’s in a relationship with a trainee nurse called Jade, 28, who got in touch with him after following his progress online.

The pair exchanged messages over Facebook before going on their first date, at a bowling alley, in August and becoming an ‘official’ couple a month later.

Dibsy said: ‘Jade is such an amazing girl. She’s so caring and is really supportive of my weight loss and what I’m doing.

‘The two of us just click and get on so well.

‘It’s great to have someone like that in my life – 18 months ago I wouldn’t have thought it was possible.’

He added: ‘I’m definitely punching above my weight.’

Dibsy said Jade, who’s also from Middlesbrough, first messaged him over Facebook last October, right at the start of his weight loss journey, to say good luck.

‘It was nice to get the message and I replied saying thank you but I didn’t think much else of it,’ he said.

Jade reached out for a second time in July, when Dibsy conquered Ben Nevis alongside personal trainer Mike Hind for charity.

He added: ‘After Jade messaged me again we started chatting properly and got on really well so exchanged numbers.’

Within a few days the pair arranged to meet face-to-face and they went for a walk at a nearby beauty spot, which coincidentally is where Dibsy spread his dad’s ashes.

‘When she said she wanted to go there I knew it was meant to be,’ he said.

Their first proper date was at a bowling alley in August and just over a month later the pair made their relationship ‘official’.

Dibsy said he was able to get on so well with Jade in the early stages because of a renewed self-confidence which has come about as a result of the weight loss.

‘My mindset now is completely different to how it was 18 months ago,’ he explained.

‘Before I wouldn’t have tried anything new because I was scared about what people would think of me.

‘But now I feel comfortable in my own skin and like I can just be myself, it’s an incredible turnaround.

‘I’m really happy now.’

Much of the Middlesborough man’s astounding success is down to personal trainer Mike Hind, who has been with Dibsy every step of the way.

He said: ‘When Dibsy and I first started working together I asked him what he wanted to achieve.

‘He told me he wanted to a girl to settle down with, just like all his friends have.

‘To see him achieve that now after putting so much work in is incredible, I’m so happy for him.

‘Dibsy and Jade make a great couple.

‘It just goes to show what eating well and keeping fit can do for you, it’s completely turned his life around.’

Dibsy suffered a setback last month when an irregular heartbeat, which he had dealt with previously, returned and sidelined him from the gym.

He underwent an operation to fix the problem last week and, miraculously, he is already back on the treadmill continuing his weight loss journey.

Dibsy now has his sights set on the new year, when he plans to have three surgeries to remove excess skin which has been left as a result of the weight loss.

Dibsy added: ‘It’s onward and upward from here.’

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A store in Japan has introduced an unusual badge system for its female workers.

In an effort to take on the stigma around menstruation in the country, a shop in Osaka is encouraging female team members to wear a special badge to signify that they are on their period.

The paper badge features a manga cartoon character, known as Seiri-chan, sometimes referred to as ‘Little Miss Period’, and is said to symbolise a woman’s menstrual cycle, according to WWD Japan.

The initiative has been launched at the Michi Kake store, which sells female sexual and menstrual products, but women are in no way forced to wear the badges and can decline to do so if they want.

‘In Japan, there is a tendency for women’s sexuality and periods to be subjects “not to be mentioned”,’ store manager Takahiro Imazu told WWD Japan.

【オープン取材】大丸梅田店の「ミチカケ」が導入している“生理バッジ”は人気漫画「生理ちゃん」が目印。普段から付けている紙のプレートを裏返しにするだけで着用できます。着用の判断はスタッフに委ねているそう。https://t.co/uEaHqxYmm0#ミチカケ pic.twitter.com/eMJeysEiyu

— WWD JAPAN (@wwd_jp) November 22, 2019

‘Not all customers will react positively to [this shop], but the fem tech boom is growing, and the values of young people are changing with it.

‘I might be going a little far in saying this, but I am excited for it to become a shop for solutions for women’s sensitive needs, and to be an asset to the marketplace.’

The store was launched in partnership with the period prediction app, Luna, and customers can explore four sections, with each representing a stage of a woman’s menstrual cycles.

For instance, the blue area is for women who are on their period at that exact time, while the glittering period is for when you have finished your menstrual cycle for the month.

There’s also the turbulence period – for when you’re feeling a bit vexed – and finally, the gloomy period, which represents the time right before your period kicks in.

If you’re around Japan, swing by the shop to pick up some menstrual goodies or take a positive period selfie with a life-sized version of Seiri-chan.

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With grey skies, all-day drizzle and long, dark nights, now is definitely the time to be thinking about a winter escape.

From London Gatwick, British Airways flies to some of the most popular holiday destinations in the world.

Whether you’re looking for a short-haul city break, such as Rome or Marrakech, or a long-haul destination like Cancun or Las Vegas, British Airways can take you there.

Here are seven incredible winter holidays to suit you – whichever type of break you want!

Magical Marrakech

Add a touch of warmth in every way with a winter escape to ancient Marrakech, nicknamed the red city thanks to the hue of its walls and sandstone buildings. The vibrancy of the city will awaken your senses, and with its warming sun (around 19C), and honeycomb alleyways, it’s easy to see why this is one of Morocco’s most-visited places, close to the Atlas mountains and the Sahara desert.

Get lost in the vast 12th-century medina’s winding pathways aligned with beautiful riads. Take in the colourful spices at the souks, and buy silks and bright fabrics. Don’t miss the Koutoubia, the city’s largest mosque, the Unesco-listed Agdal Gardens, and the magnificent architecture of El Bahia Palace. At night, marvel at acrobats, snake charmers and musicians in Djemaa el-Fna square, and enjoy drinks and traditional food in one of the many bars and restaurants.

Charismatic Cancun

World-renowned for its pristine beaches, incredible weather (around 30C in winter) and Vegas-style entertainment, Cancun is bursting with Mexican charm. The Insta-perfect Riviera Maya beaches complete with swaying palms are a huge draw – especially at Tulum where you can relax on the sand with a cocktail. Then, wander to explore ancient Mayan ruins.

Swim in underground rivers in the popular Xcaret nature park near Playa del Carmen, then stroll the ruins in Chichen Itza and take in El Castillo, a 365-stepped stone pyramid, before snorkelling in a nearby sinkhole. At night, enjoy incredible Mexican dishes either at a street market or a high-end restaurant. If you want to party, there are plenty of bars and clubs open until very late.

Glorious Gran Canaria

Dose up on winter sunshine in Gran Canaria’s buzzing capital Las Palmas, boasting historic buildings, charming streets, spring-like temperatures (around 20C) and golden sands.

Explore the old town of Vegueta, to see the twin-towered Santa Ana cathedral that dates back to 1500, stroll past monuments and wander around the museum of Christopher Columbus (who apparently stayed on the island in 1492). Relax on the nearly two-mile-long golden sands of Playa de las Canteras, where you can enjoy walking, watersports and many bars and restaurants serving modern and traditional dishes. Venture further to witness the beautiful, 2,000-year-old volcanic crater at Caldera de Bandama. At night, enjoy shopping at the bazaars and dine on tapas washed down with a local wine or beer.

Romantic Rome

Wrap up warm and wander Rome’s historic streets, taking in the famous sights of the Colosseum, Vatican City, St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Stop to enjoy rich, hearty Italian cuisine and hot chocolate before setting off again to stroll the pretty alleyways and boutique shops that are much quieter during this time.

View the night sky through the oculus of the Pantheon, and enjoy the twinkly lights in the piazza. Then, choose from vine-clad trattorias, cosy wine bars and restaurants serving delicious dishes to finish the evening in style.

Viva Las Vegas!

It’s the world-famous non-stop high-class entertainment that really has to be seen to be believed (and that keeps people coming back).

Try your luck in the casinos, take-in glitzy shows, enjoy renowned shopping then take in the out-of-this world bars and gourmet restaurants; there really is something for everyone. In winter, it’s warm enough (14C) to take in the scenic outdoors. Explore the 4,000 acres of the Valley of Fire at Nevada’s state park with its astonishing sandstone formations, ancient rock art, and winding trails. Or, scale the cliffs at Red Rock Canyon and climb the terracotta tones on the western edge of the Vegas Valley.

Magnificent Malaga

With miles of postcard-pretty coastline, historic buildings, spring-like temperatures, renowned cuisine and a laid-back atmosphere, Malaga is wonderful for a winter break. The city – one of the oldest in the world – is home to the Pablo Picasso museum, cobbled alleyways lined with shops, beautiful beaches and plenty of options for golf lovers.

Explore charming hidden courtyards in the centre of the city with orange trees, palaces and shops, or head out for the day to the quaint village of Mijas, Comares, or Frigiliana. Popular Guadalmina is the best to visit to take in the Roman ruins. At night, there are flamenco dancing bars, as well as plenty of eateries serving delicious tapas and local wines.

Terrific Tenerife

If you fancy a fly-and-flop winter break, this Canary Island – with average peak temperatures of 21C – is ideal. It has plenty of golden beaches, from Las Teresitas’s stunning sands and Fanabe’s water sports, to Los Gigantes’s volcanic coast and Playa del Duque’s cafe culture.

Head to the stylish sandy coves of Costa Adeje to enjoy chilled-out luxury. The capital of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is where you’ll find the Auditorio – an extraordinary opera house. When it comes to dining, choose from one of Tenerife’s five Michelin-starred restaurants or one of the many high-quality local trattorias serving delicious Canarian dishes. The island also has the highest vineyards in Europe, so enjoying a glass (or two) of its local wines are a must!

Book online at ba.com/gatwick

Nearly all Black Friday ‘deals’ are cheaper, or available for the same price, at other times of the year, according to an investigation.

The study, conducted by Which? tracked the prices of 83 products on sale on Black Friday (23 November) in 2018 for a year, from six months before, until six months after.

The consumer champion looked at deals from retailers including Currys PC World, Amazon and John Lewis, and found just four (five per cent) products that were cheaper on Black Friday than at other times of the year.

Which? found that six in 10 (61 per cent) of the products on offer – which included speakers, soundbars and kitchen appliances – were cheaper or the same price on at least one day in the six months before the annual sales event in November last year.

When looking at the two-week period surrounding Black Friday itself – including sales prices in the week before and after – Which? found that three quarters (74 per cent) of products were cheaper or the same price in the six months after.

Black Friday ‘deals’:

• The Samsung HW-MS650 soundbar was £299 at Currys PC World on Black Friday, but within a month the price dropped by £49 for at least five days. What’s more, it was £279.97 at least 13 times in the six months after Black Friday.
• The De’Longhi Autentica Cappucino Bean-to-Cup coffee machine was priced at £399 by John Lewis on Black Friday. It was cheaper on at least 64 days in the six months after, including being priced at £368 on at least 35 occasions.
• The Amazon Echo (2nd Gen) (Smart speaker with Alexa – charcoal fabric) was on offer at £54.99 (39% off) on Amazon but it was cheaper on at least 13 occasions before Black Friday.
• The Indesit IDC8T3B tumble dryer from Currys PC World was £20 cheaper than its ‘sale price’ of £199 just two weeks before Black Friday.

‘We have repeatedly shown that “deals” touted by retailers on Black Friday are not as good as they seem,’ says Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services.

‘Time-limited sales can be a good opportunity to bag a bargain, but don’t fall for the pressure tactics around Black Friday.

‘Our investigation indicates that this popular shopping event is all hype and there are few genuine discounts.’

While Which? did not find evidence that any of the retailers were breaking the law, the consumer champion is concerned that shoppers are at risk of being confused by Black Friday offers that might not be as good as they sound.

So now, they’re urging shoppers to not get carried away by the hype of Black Friday sales. They say it’s important to do your research before you buy to make sure it’s actually the right deal for you.

In response, Amazon said: ‘We seek to offer our customers great value thanks to low prices all year round as well as a number of fantastic seasonal deals events.

‘Our Black Friday Sale is about thousands of deals on a huge selection of products from every category across the site, at a time of year when we know saving money is important to our customers.’

A Currys PC World spokesperson added: ‘We’re here to give our customers the very best value throughout the year with sales and price-matching to help make exciting technology affordable and accessible.

‘Our customers tell us that they appreciate the increased choice during Black Friday where we have the most deals on at once. When we launched our Black Friday event last year 40% of those products were the lowest price they had ever been.’

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A teenager has packed up more than 1,000 Christmas shoe boxes for children in poverty abroad.

Every year for the past four years Charlotte Baker, now 16, spends a month collecting and making up the boxes ready for them to be send to children in Bulgaria.

Charlotte, who became a fundraiser after the death of her brother, who died in a car accident in 2013, packs up several hundred boxes each year. This year, she hit the 1,000-box mark.

The shoe boxes include essential items like toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, stationery, toys and warm clothing. They are collected, checked, then distributed to children in Bulgaria and eastern Serbia through local charity the Foundation for Social Change and Inclusion (FSCI).

As well as receiving pledges for boxes from friends, Charlotte, from Ditcheat, Somerset, writes to local schools and supermarkets to garner support, as well as spending a day collecting in her local supermarket.

Her latest effort saw around 280 boxes packed up in her mum’s dining room before they were loaded into a van on Saturday ready to make their journey to the children who will benefit from them.

‘I’m just so pleased,’ said Charlotte. ‘It’s an amazing feeling to know that over the past few years I’ve done more than 1,000 boxes. It’s just such a strange feeling once they’ve all been sent off – the house feels empty and quiet, there’s no boxes everywhere.’

The 16-year-old, who started her A-levels this academic year, said: ‘It’s never easy as there’s so much to do, but in some ways being in sixth form helps because I have some free time in the day so can pack some up then. It’s still tough though, trying to fit it all in around everything else that’s going on.’

The kind-hearted gesture has become an annual thing for Charlotte, who is studying drama, psychology and religious studies and hopes to become a dog trainer, and she said she can’t see herself quitting any time soon.

‘I definitely want to do it next year and I’ve got no reason to stop, but it does slightly depend on what I do after school I guess,’ she said.

‘I just love the feeling of helping people and also the fact that I can help other people feel like that and feel that they are helping other people is great too. Everybody pulls together in so many different areas of my life, it’s lovely to see.’

Charlotte’s mum Sarah, 41, said: ‘I’m just so proud of her. Of course it’s great to get my dining room back after a month of it being stacked up with boxes but seeing how much she gets from it, and how many people also get involved, is really wonderful.

‘Each year I wonder whether her enthusiasm will have waned, or if she’ll want to do something different, but it doesn’t and she gets so much from it. She has a lot of support from schools and from her dog training club, and I think because she’s so passionate about it and feels so strongly about it that rubs off on other children and people around her.’

They’re now looking into whether they can help Charlotte achieve her dream of travelling to Bulgaria to see the boxes being opened by the children who receive them.

‘Next year she’ll be in the middle of her A-levels which will mean it won’t really be possible,’ her mum added.

‘But we’re trying to see if we can get her out there for a few days in mid-December to actually see the children receive the boxes. It all depends on how we can finance it, but it would be wonderful to help her achieve her dream.’

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A worrying new study has found that 48 per cent of younger workers – aged 18-30 – say they have experienced suicidal thoughts.

Additionally, 92 per cent of all workers have been touched by mental health challenges, according to Accenture’s survey in partnership with workplace mental health conference This Can Happen.

Younger workers in the UK are more likely to have had recent mental health challenges than their more senior colleagues, but younger workers find it more difficult to talk about their own mental health.

The study also found that 45 per cent of younger workers hold back because of not having the language to express how they feel.

Younger workers also report feeling more pressure in their lives than older colleagues. Four in 10 workers aged 18-30 said pressure from work and concerns about their own health affected them on a daily or weekly basis, while one in three worried about the health of someone close to them.

‘It’s clear that many young people face challenges with their mental health before they enter the workforce and while working, and that they are affected more often than their senior peers,’ says Barbara Harvey, managing director and mental health lead for Accenture UK.

‘Therefore, mental health must be a priority issue for employers.

‘Businesses need to look at how they can create an open, supportive work environment which enables employees of all ages to look after their mental health, support one another, and perform at their best.’

The research found that where organisations create a supportive, open culture around mental health it makes a significant difference to the way employees feel and their ability to thrive.

The incidence of employees with recent or current experience of a mental health challenge was lower in the more supportive cultures; this was especially true for younger workers with 41% having recent experience in more supportive companies, and 65% in the less supportive cultures.

Employees in more supportive cultures were four times more likely to say that work positively impacted their mental health.

‘With this survey we hope that many employers will examine their recruitment, induction and management styles to support younger members of their workforce,’ adds Zoe Sinclair, co-founder of This Can Happen.

‘Undertaking large scale insightful research programmes that highlight the challenges faced by those entering the workforce is an integral part of what This Can Happen and Accenture are working towards.’

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There are a lot of misconceptions around bipolar disorder – mainly that it’s almost like a drastic change in the weather, going from happy one moment to sad the next.

But this is untrue.

While bipolar disorder is a mood disorder – extreme highs (manic episodes) and extreme lows (depressive episodes) don’t happen that quickly, and they can last from weeks to months at a time.

And it isn’t just feeling happy or sad. When it comes to mania, loads of symptoms come out to play.

This can include heightened irritability, feeling incredibly elated, talking quickly, feeling full of energy, feeling self-important and having a million new ideas, becoming delusional, not sleeping and indulging in risky behaviours, and doing things with disastrous consequences – like impulsively spending lots of money.

Though it isn’t talked about all that much, the latter is a huge one.

Many people with bipolar disorder struggle with debt, due to their impulsive spending and bad decisions.

According to a study by the Office of National Statistics back in 2000, 33% of those with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, were in debt, compared to 9% of people without any mental health problems.

Ray, 36, from Portsmouth, has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder since March 2017, but has had the condition for his whole life. He built up £18,000 worth of debt because of his impulsive spending, associated with his condition.

Compulsive spending has always played a large part and according to Ray, it is a ‘huge indicator’ of when his mood swings.

He tells Metro.co.uk: ‘The spending starts and then gets gradually more out of control until me or my finances burn out. When I’m on a high, I’ve always been pretty good at getting hold of money.’

Most of the spending, borrowing money and relying on credit started when Ray was around 26.

He only signed up with a catalogue account, but everything went downhill from there.

He said: ‘I ran that up fast buying a TV, games console and all sorts of other things. But then I signed up for an creidt card which started with a £100 limit.

‘They upped that to £1000 within a month. Then I got another three credit cards, four store cards and an online credit account. I even bought a sofa on credit.

‘Over the years they all just kept offering increases and more credit. Usually, £1000 jumps at a time.

‘The catalogue companies were used for materialistic things and the cards for my huge alcohol binges at bars where I would be buying everyone drinks like I was rich.

‘I’d just spend spend spend,  just to show off. It was all pointless. I’ve given most of what I bought myself away to people.’

In total, Ray found himself in £18,000 of debt. He has lots of mixed feelings about it. Throughout his spending sprees, he was manic and felt amazing.

Often, after a manic episode, a person with bipolar disorder may crash, into a deep depression. And this is when all of the guilt and realisations set in. This is when you realise you might actually be in a lot of trouble.

He added: ‘I did seek every increase, I couldn’t help it. My mindset wasn’t in the consequence game. I lived like there was no future sometimes. But then I’d crash and that’s when I felt scared or worried, even guilty.’

But, even when Ray was feeling depressed, his spending didn’t stop.

He said: ‘I had the extroverted spending as the party hard no holds barred guy. Then the introverted spending as the sad debt-riddled person hiding at home for weeks on end drinking all day with a fear of leaving the house.

‘I kept spending because I didn’t see money, debt or consequences. I just rolled with it.’

Eventually, it got to the point where things got so out of control and this year, Ray finally sought help.

He applied for an IVA – an individual voluntary arrangement – which is a formal agreement between you and your creditors that can help you repay your debts at an affordable amount.

He had been spending and building up debt for 10 years.

All of the information on his debt was collected, and all of the lenders were contacted to set up a payment plan – which so far Ray has been able to stick to.

He also explained that because of the IVA, luckily he can no longer get credit – and that’s part of the agreement.

He says this is a really good thing – however, his spending still fluctuates.

Ray said: ‘I still struggle, my bipolar is still here. My partner is supportive. But I’m still making bad choices.

‘Relatively my debt is under control at the moment.

‘I pay £150 every month for the next five years. The monthly amount is worked out yearly depending on how much I earn.

‘Technically I’m still in upwards of £17k debt, but as long as I pay the IVA the money they require for five years, they will write off the rest of the debt.

‘When the five years is up, I won’t be able to get credit for another year. After that my credit rating is reset and the slate is totally wiped clean.’

Ray feels there should be more precautions when it comes to spending for people with bipolar disorder.

He explained: ‘Maybe on the lenders’ side of things, there could be ways of recognising spending patterns of vulnerable people.

‘Throwing out £1000 credit card increases to someone with a serious mental disorder isn’t ideal.

‘But then I know I wouldn’t have admitted my problem so they would have a hard job knowing my spending was fuelled by my mental state and their profits.’

If you have found yourself in debt and are struggling to pay it off, you can contact the debt charity Step Change for advice.

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Having a partner pay off your debt can be incredibly tempting, especially if you’ve been together for a long time and the other person is quite well off.

Your debt of a few hundred or thousand pounds may not even register on the radar of someone who makes more than enough to manage it and still live comfortably.

If you’re married, engaged or planning to spend the rest of your lives together (and by proxy, plan to share your finances), it can also be very practical.

After all, if you want to buy a house together or make a similar, substantial purchase, your credit score could affect chances of getting a mortgage as a couple.

Then again, asking a partner to pay off your debt could cause friction in the relationship.

Even if everything is smooth sailing now and you couldn’t imagine being without each other, there’s always a possibility that they’ll bring it up in the future or make pointed remarks if you make any special purchases.

Should you one day break up or get divorced, they might also ask for the money back.

So, with that in mind, is it ever a good idea to let your significant other pay off your debt?

Should you let your partner pay off your debt?

Most experts agree that it could be very useful to have a partner share the debt burden or take care of it altogether if they are able to do so without implicating their own finances – but this is still a grey zone.

Dr Roger Gewolb, founder and executive chairman of FairMoney.com, tells Metro.co.uk that it is best to consider this transaction a loan, rather than a gift.

‘Yes – guaranteeing that you’re paying off a partner’s debt whilst you are not in jeopardy of putting yourself in debt, this could really improve your credit score and improve the profile of your personal finances,’ he says.

‘One thing to remember however is how both parties view this loan. It is a loan, it’ll be important to draft some sort of legal document so that you are both aware of the repayment structure.

‘You could potentially get away without paying any interest, although you would suffer from a lack of consumer protection. It would also be vital to include a provision that accounts for all eventualities of the future of the relationship.’

Meanwhile, Sam Jennings, founder of the financial management fir, Jennings & Co, explains that having a partner pay off your debt could be a viable, and much more suitable, option if you’re in so much debt that you’re considering taking out a second loan to pay off the first one.

‘If you’ve been open and honest with your partner about your “debt” and they have sufficient funds and are in a position to pay the debt off, then this is by far a better option that getting a further loan or turning to a loan shark,’ she says.

‘Often sharing the burden of a debt is the first step into recognising you have financial problems and are seeking help and mentally be a weight lifted from your mind.’

Whether you decide to let your partner help you financially or not, the important thing is to tell them about the debt.

Even if you want to manage it yourself, hiding substantial debt from a significant other is rarely a good idea as you could get ‘caught out’, which may end up damaging your relationship more than it would have, had you been honest from the get-go.

The more we talk about money and debt, the more we lessen the stigma around these delicate topics. Obviously, this doesn’t mean you have to tell everyone – but if you’re in a long-term, committed relationship, consider chatting to your partner about your debt.

The investment management service, Fidelity International, recently conducted a survey which revealed 86% of men and 85% of women would prefer to know about their partner’s debt, so that they can tackle this problem together.

The research also showed that men are more eager to help out with money (45%), compared to women (28%). It’s worth noting that gender pay gaps could be a factor, as in April this year, eight out of 10 companies still paid men a higher salary, compared to women.

‘If you are in a long-term relationship, it’s likely that you are already pooling your money together,’ Jamie Smith-Thompson, managing director of Portafina, tells Metro.co.uk.

‘Living by the mantra “what’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine” naturally extends to your finances. And ultimately, debt falls within that too.

‘You have two choices. Continue to pool money together, in which case one partner’s earnings will naturally be attributed to the other’s debt.

‘Or, if your partner is unhappy to play a part in clearing the debt, look at how the relationship and finances would work if you revert to keeping your income separate.

‘Short term relationships are trickier. While you may be in the rose-tinted bubble of the honeymoon period, at this stage in your relationship, there’s less of a commitment to each other. And this carries more risk of financial fall out.

‘As the partner not in debt it is vital that you protect yourself.

‘While you might feel like you want to help, there should be no pressure to do so. If you do choose to help, a legally binding agreement signed by both parties should be put in place.’

If you’re splitting something financially, it’s always a good idea to have a legal document stating how much each of you owe and/or will pay back – for example, if you get a credit card together.

If you have a joint credit agreement, and your partner racks up thousands in debt on the card, then you are also both liable to pay it off, according to Money.co.uk.

In other words, be cautious before sharing finances with someone else.

Although majority of women and men would happily pitch in for their partner’s debt, some claimed they would only do so once – at 21% and 16% respectively.

This is also another reason to consider before going through with a loan or payment; why was your partner in debt to begin with?

Was it to pay off bills? Was it accidental? Or was it due to an addiction of some kind? If it’s the latter, and you fear they might get into debt again, offering cash isn’t a great solution.

If you are the one in debt, tell your partner the full truth and ask them to support you with the root of the problem or seek help yourself, so you don’t find yourself in a similar situation going forward.

‘The key is to avoid resentment within the relationship,’ says Jamie.

‘Be open and honest with one another and explore all the different options available to you as a couple. There are many reasons why people get into debt, and your partner may need support if they are experiencing difficulties.

‘This could mean talking to the bank, taking advice from a debt counsellor, or even speaking to a solicitor.’

Being in debt can be incredibly stressful, and while a quick fix like having someone else pay it off could be a good way to solve your money problems, it may also affect your mental health going forward.

If it’s a loan, the partner becomes a lender – and it could change the dynamic of a relationship or even make the debtor feel bad about themselves (for ‘failing’ to pay off the debt on your own).

Go into this with open eyes, talk about possible outcomes and don’t rush into making a decision.

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Flash – a mix between a Belgian Malinois and a German shepherd – is the perfect police dog. Her intelligence and temperament made her the ideal candidate to sniff out the bad stuff.

She’d initially strolled into a Connecticut shelter one day as a stray but after animal control officers noticed her agility, she was referred to a law enforcement agency for training.

Specialising in narcotics detection and suspect apprehension, Flash was all set to move down to Texas to become a K9 on the force.

But sadly for her, they picked a different dog so Flash has been stuck at the pound ever since.

That was two years ago and Flash is still looking for a forever home.

But now the three-year-old is too old to be trained as a fully-fledged K9 but is too ‘alpha’ to work as a service dog.

Tom Mitchell, Harwinton’s animal control officer says she would be perfect for a police or military veteran as she is extremely alert and protective.

And thankfully, since posting Flash’s story online, Tom’s been inundated with requests from people looking to give her a loving home.

‘It’s my mission to find this amazing dog a home other than the pound,’ says Tom who believes Flash is too dominant to work as a service dog.

But she does have some tendencies that potential new owners might need to be aware of.

‘If she doesn’t know you and you try to do something, she’s going to try and stop you,’ adds Tom.

He also advises that it’s best to keep little children away from Flash, though it’s reported she loves them.

Flash may be perfect for anyone who wants a clever dog who is intuitive, but she’ll keep them on their toes.

Tom says: ‘She has the potential to outsmart someone that doesn’t know what they’re doing.’

Tom adds that he would love to take her in but doesn’t have the space for her but is urging anyone who does to take the gorgeous canine in.

You can keep up to date with Flash’s journey and other potential pets on the Harwinton Animal Control Facebook group.

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Sprouts might be the most contentious Christmas dinner item in the country.

Some love them, some hate them – but for most of us, they are an undisbutable staple.

Whether you boil the hell out of them, or fry them up with honey and pancetta, there are loads of ways to be inventive with the humble sprout – and now Brussels sprout ketchup exists. And people don’t know how to feel about it.

The limited edition condiment has been made exclusively by Sauce Shop for Amazon – with each bottle costing £3 – and it really doesn’t sound too bad.

Each bottle contains around 15 British Brussels sprouts, with a sweet, nutty flavour. They’re blended with cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon – to give a fruity, festive finish. The (slightly unpalatable-looking) green sauce is then packaged up in glass bottles.

The sauce is suitable for both vegetarians and vegans, and will begin shipping from Monday 2nd December; plenty of time to get it on the table for Christmas.

So if you’re the kind of person who needs to add ketchup to everything – even a roast dinner – this could be a fantastic compromise.

Dip your roast potatoes, smear it over your turkey, or liven up a mouthful of carrots with this warming, spiced sauce. But that’s only if the thought of liquefied sprouts doesn’t turn your stomach.

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