You don’t need to find a subtle knife to visit one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Fans of His Dark Materials and those simply looking for festive fun can hop on a train to admire Lyra’s Jordan Collage (aka New College, Oxford) and the surrounding area.

The BBC adaptation was filmed at the Botanical Gardens and the famous Bridge of Sighs.

But there’s more to the area than that – as well as being easy on the eye there’s plenty to do in the city of dreaming spires. Here’s why Oxford makes for a marvellous weekend break.

The sights

The Oxford colleges provide beautiful architecture and most are open to the public – but check their opening hours and admission fees before you head over. Unless there’s just one or two you’re keen to see, consider a tour, such as those run by Footprints. There are also lots of specialised tours, from Harry Potter to Inspector Morse, as well as bus tours.

Oxford Castle and Prison features a 900-year-old crypt, a Saxon tower with views of the city and an education in the past 1,000 years.

The Ashmolean Museum is a stunning building constructed in 1845, home to Roman mosaics, ceramics and coins and an imaginative and ever-changing rota of exhibitions.

The Pitt Rivers Museum makes for a fascinating visit, with its artifacts arranged by type rather than time period or origin, and tours of the Bodleian Libraries, which include the iconic Radcliffe Camera, are also popular.

The shopping

Oxford offers a great mix of chains such as John Lewis (in Westgate Shopping Centre) and boutiques such as Vanilla, as well as plenty of bookshops, notably Blackwells.

The main shopping areas are Queen Street, Cornmarket Street and Westgate Shopping Centre, along with the 18th Century Covered Market in Market Street, which houses independent traders selling everything from flowers to fine jewellery.

The wooden chalets of Oxford Christmas Market can be found on Broad Street until December 21.

The market features handmade gifts from sheepskin slippers to artisan cheeses, decorations, mulled wine and carol performances.

It is open 10am-8pm Thursday to Saturday and 10am-6.30pm Sunday to Wednesday.

Designer junkies, meanwhile, will delight in nearby Bicester Village’s attractive powder blue chalet shops and Instagrammable snack stalls such as Doughnut Time and Pierre Marcolini.

There are 160 cut-price stores including Burberry, Coach, Kate Spade, Dolce & Gabbana, Lululemon and Tommy Hilfiger.

Look out for The Maiyet Collective pop-up, featuring skincare plus artisanal jewellery, clothes and hair accessories from 40 eco-conscious designers, until 23 December.

Make sure you wrap up warm as there are no covered areas between shops.

You can get a direct train to Bicester Village from Oxford – the journey is about 15 minutes, or direct from London Marylebone it’s 45 minutes.

Bicester Village is also hosting a series of talks on how to develop your style.

The shows

The New Theatre, with its bright red and gold art deco interior, hosts everything from opera to stand up. You can currently buy tickets for shows including Motown The Musical, which runs from December 17 to January 4.

The Oxford Playhouse, with a more modern look and fun multi-coloured seats, presents its Beauty And The Beast panto from now until 12 January and organises an impressive collection of workshops for all ages.

O2 Academy Oxford welcomes artists performing everything from hip hop to drag. Little Simz is performing on 14 December.

Where to stay and how to get there

I stayed at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, the progeny of Raymond Blanc and only country house hotel in the land to keep two Michelin stars for more than 30 years.

With credentials like this, I thought I might feel intimidated.

I was pleasantly surprised, then, by the genuine welcome and quietly celebratory atmosphere of the restaurant – couples toasting anniversaries, old friends reuniting for pre-Christmas feasts, all smiles but no great din.

As for the stay, the rooms and suites in the 15th-century manor and its outbuildings are all unique – one with a Botticelli-inspired bathroom, another with striking black and red décor.

I stayed in L’Orangerie, a beautiful, light and airy suite with heated floors and artistically worn mirrors.

Heading down the little path into the building felt like discovering my own fairy palace in the garden, complete with wafts of classical music, citrus scents, sugared almonds and the most fanciful hotel sewing kit I have ever seen.

The soft green and gold tones were very restful, and the mod cons (a flat screen in the living room, another that came down from the ceiling in the four-poster bed, a third you could watch in the bath) didn’t stick out like a sore thumb.

My dinner of chargrilled Scottish langoustine with leek, Angus beef and pistachio soufflé with cocoa sorbet was lovely, although I coveted the seared duck liver starter my dining partner (my Mum) chose.

Dinner was perfectly-sized – the courses not so small you’d feel the need to stop in at McDonald’s on the way home, not so overwhelming you’d have to be rolled away after.

Mum was very well-served by a fastidious kitchen. She can’t eat onions, something that 99% of restaurants can’t seem to get their heads or their menus round. Here, even her entrees were onion-free.

The rich palette of flavours based around seasonal, freshly-picked produce from the hotel gardens was paired with a dash of visual flair, as seen in Le Café Crème – an adorable little coffee cup made of chocolate, complete with chocolate ‘sugar cube.’

After a breakfast of impeccably poached eggs and delicious homegrown apple juice, I explored the gardens.

Whatever the weather (and it was tipping it down when I stayed), if you visit be sure to take a look – reception can lend you wellies and brollies.

The orchards and gardens include ponds, statues and a look at tomorrow’s dinner.

Rooms at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons cost from £538 per night, including breakfast. The three-course menu costs £175 per person.

You can get to Oxford by train direct from Paddington or Marylebone. The trip takes just over an hour and off-peak return tickets cost £29.90. A taxi from central Oxford to the hotel costs about £50.

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When it comes to Christmas decorations, it’s hard to get something totally unique – especially on a budget.

Mum, Elisa Ward, however, has done just that, fashioning an adorable Minnie Mouse wreath for her front door with change from a tenner.

Elisa, 30, from Staffordshire, shared her stunning wreath on Facebook money-saving community to Latest Deals, Extreme Couponing & Bargains Group, where it was met with a warm welcome.

Elisa, who works as a customer service assistant and has four kids aged between two and 13, wrote: ‘Made a Disney Minnie Mouse wreath for my front door! All items from hobby craft! Cost around £7 in total!! I added lights so will light up pretty at night.

‘All that’s needed is the bits from Hobbycraft and spare decorations/lights from home. All held together by florist tape. Very easy to do and took less than 30 mins to make.’

Other bargain hunters on the group loved the idea, with comments like ‘Looks great!’ and ‘well done, it looks amazing’ being added below the post which received hundreds of likes.

The idea for the whole thing came when Elisa was walking around Hobbycraft with her sister. She spotted the twig wreaths on sale and decided on the Disney theme.

Using leftover decorations (holly, berries, lights, and bows), the wreaths, some battery operated lights, and florist tape, she then put it all together.

The wreaths cost just £5 for three, and florist tape is only £1. You can then customise the whole thing with anything you have at home, or add extras which can be purchased for a couple of pounds each.

Elisa told LatestDeals.co.uk: ‘I’m really pleased with how it turned out. I have had over 200 likes and comments on Facebook about it and I notice lots of people looking as they walk past my door. I really enjoyed making it and this has given me the confidence to try other DIY decorations in the future!

Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, says: ‘I can’t believe this amazing wreath cost just £7 to make! Any Disney fans who love a craft project should try this out this Christmas – what could be better than when Disney meets Christmas?!’

How Elise made the Minnie Mouse wreath

1. I placed the smaller wreaths where I wanted the placement to be.
2. Using florist tape, I wrapped it around securing each ear to the main wreath.
3. I then placed the fake ivy and berries where I wanted them and secured by pulling the twigs apart slightly and winding it through the wreath.
4. I then wrapped around the battery lights so all of the wreath was covered and secured them at the very back with florist tape behind the ear.
5. Using the wire that attaches the bow to the card I simply pushed this through the twigs on the wreath and twisted to secure.
6. Thread a piece of ribbon through the twigs on the wreath just above the placement of the bow. Knot it and pull so the knot is hidden at the back of the wreath.

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An unexpected friendship is a profoundly lovely thing.

Growing up, I liked to act. My mother and grandmother were both soap opera stars; I like to think I inherited a little something dramatic. I used to lower my voice an octave, put my hands on my hips and take on all the male roles at an all girls school.

When I was 16, I played Antigone’s lover. I was so taken with the role, I insisted on playing it even though I became very ill during the rehearsal period. My drama teacher, who was directing the play, allowed me to keep turning up.

He was this fantastically stubborn visionary who seemed to have quite forgotten that he was working with students, not real actors. He never spoke down to us, he never belittled us, he never made us feel too young or not enough. He expected greatness where it was possible and it showed us what we might be capable of, what we could do.

He was a genuinely influential figure in my life, someone whose opinion I cared about enormously. His support for me, playing a love interest in a Greek tragedy through my own sort of tragic circumstance, remains one of the great gestures of encouragement and empathy in my life. His approval and his compassion meant a great deal to me right when I was working out who I was going to become.

I thought, of course, that when I left school, I’d never see him again. I did. I went back and worked for him, teaching young girls drama, hoping to do for them a sliver of what he did for me.

Time passed, I became a proper adult – in so much as someone ever does. Still, somehow, he was in my life.

We’d exchange emails, we’d have coffee. We’d chat, we’d gossip. We’d have pasta near Trafalgar Square and wander rapidly through art exhibitions. We’d talk about theatre and creativity and writing and stories and the people we knew, the world and our place in it.

We are so often conditioned to stick to socialising with people of our own age group, our own demographic

And then I realised, one day, to my own amusement, that I had an unexpected friend. Someone from a different generation. It’s one of my favourite genres of friend.

I just want to say, now, how very sweet it can be to have the sort of friendship you never really saw coming. You decide to keep someone in your life, even when they don’t neatly fit into your social network. It’s evidence of your ability to choose who you want to have around.

It can be especially wonderful to be friends with someone who belongs to a different age group. Have you tried it? Do.

My boyfriend and I have become quite good friends with our neighbours, who must be in their mid sixties. They’re retired, they’re grandparents. And yet, we find enough in common to have befriended them. We go round for drinks and snacks, we chit chat on the street, we look out for one another. We send emails when we’re on the other side of the world, we comment on the weather.

There is something funny about being friends with someone who might more naturally get along with your parents; it feels like a tiny social rebellion. We are so often conditioned to stick to socialising with people of our own age group, our own demographic. There is wisdom and humour and comfort and joy to be found in seeking friendship with someone you wouldn’t usually invite into your life. It’s a little way for us to see outside our own experience.

I cherish the friendships I have with people who are older than me. They’re precious and interesting and different from the other friendships I have. They make me feel older than my years, in a pleasant way, even for a conversation, and I suspect I make them feel young.

I wholeheartedly recommend becoming friends with someone you wouldn’t ordinarily expect to have in your life. I suggest you try it sometime. Is there a neighbour you could invite round? A friend’s parent you could chat to? An old teacher? A colleague? A acquaintance?

One of the loveliest things about friendship is its capacity to make us feel something profound for another human being, one we are not tied to by blood or romantic love or legal ceremony. We can choose who we want to have in our life as friends, and sometimes it’s quite nice to make an unexpected choice.

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Have you ever been jealous of a kid’s wardrobe?

No judgment from us. Some children’s clothing is pretty cool – so much so we often wish it came in adult sizes.

Mum-of-one Melissa Hardy knows this feeling well.

Seeing how bright and fun her daughter’s clothing was, Melissa realised she was missing out.

So the mum started to wear matching outfits with her six-year-old daughter, Elizabeth.

She has no shame in copying her kid’s style, saying that twinning with Elizabeth makes her feel young again – and attracts positive comments from everyone she encounters.

Melissa said: ‘We started [dressing] the same when she was about three or four, and she really loves it.

‘I’ve always liked bright colours and bold prints ever since I was a child, but as you get older the clothes become more boring. They’re all black or navy.

‘I was dressing her in some colourful clothes a few years back and realised how much I liked her outfits.

‘I had a look online and saw some companies that did matching outfits for kids and adults, which was great. So, I ordered some nice clothes online.

‘Her clothes really appealed to me, so it’s good to join in on the fun.

‘From the first time we tried it, she absolutely loved it.

‘She usually requests for us to wear ‘matchy matchy’ and will come up with some ideas for what we should try.

‘We dress up in the same outfits about three or four days a week.

‘I always joke that if I lose her, and the police ask what she was wearing, at least I can just show them my outfit and they’ll know.’

In addition to pleasing Elizabeth, wearing matching outfits has Melissa a fresh outlook on life, allowing her to connect with her inner child.

All the duo’s outfits are ethically made and organic and Melissa is glad she and her daughter can wear clothes they can feel good about.

Melissa hopes other parents will try matching with their children.

She said: ‘Your children are part of your identity, and I wouldn’t dress Elizabeth up in something that I didn’t like.

‘The clothes are ethical and organic, which is good for us and good for the planet.

‘I can not only express my personality but I feel good knowing I’m supporting a positive working environment and sustainability for farmers and factory workers.

‘It helps me feel connected to her, and when we’re out in public it’s like everyone knows we are together.

‘She always stands out in a crowd full of children as well, which is great for me to spot her.

‘It’s always so dreary here in winter, so I feel like we bring our own sunshine.

‘When I’m wearing the same outfit as my child, and she is beaming with brightness and personality, I feel like I’m exuding that as well.

‘We both really love it. It makes us feel special together.

‘We always attract a lot of stares when we’re out and about.. People always say nice things when we’re out in public and that they love what we’re wearing.

‘A lot of parents come up to me and say that they wish they’d have done something the same when their kids were young.

‘I’d recommend for any parents to give it a try, even just it a go with pyjamas or something and see your child’s reaction.

‘It’s all a bit of good fun and we really enjoy it.’

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If pregnancy and birth was what you saw on social media, it would all be sunshine and roses.

You see new parents cradling their child in a bath full of rose petals, or sat in a coffee shop with the buggy bright and early two days after they’re born.

But those who have had children know that the reality can be hard work, and if you add to that the sleep deprivation and physical pain you’re feeling, draining altogether.

It’s likely that the people who paint this perfect picture on Facebook and Instagram aren’t doing it to make everybody else feel bad, but it can have that effect.

Katie Bowman, a 29-year-old stay at home mum and casual hairdresser had this in mind when she posted a photo recently that went viral.

In the photo, Katie looks forlorn, sitting on a hospital bed and zoning out. But it’s not because she wasn’t happy she’d had babies, it was because she was burned out from the whole thing.

She details the couple of days in the hospital after having a baby (she has a four-year-old and 21-month twins) which brings visitors, a lack of privacy, and what feels like a million things you need to learn.

While you’re in pain from the fact you’ve – as Katie says – ‘had a tiny human emerge from [your] body, you’re expected to be ready to get pictures and chat to family and friends, all while you sometimes haven’t even had a chance to have a shower or go to the loo.

The Australian mum didn’t want to shame people who visit babies after they’re born, but ensure that new parents are given a bit of leeway by their family and friends so they can get back to ‘normal’.

‘The next time someone you know has a baby,’ Katie says.

‘Remember how tired this new mother looks. I know you are excited, but remember it is not your right to visit a new baby, it is a privilege. If that offends you, go home and put it in your burn book.’

Speaking to Metro.co.uk, Katie says that she decided to make the post after seeing the old photo of her: ‘It was just such a perfect representation and I knew others felt the same, so I bit the bullet and shared it, not realising it would get such an incredible response.

She’s been inundated with other parents sharing their own stories, and says ‘the consistent theme was that visitors were so excited about seeing the baby, they persist to visit with “it’ll be quick”, when we say we really need some rest.’

It’s an honest approach, and one which has racked up over 78,000 shares and 34,000 likes. It appears that people are keen to hear more than the sanitised highlight reels we often see online.

‘I absolutely think parents sugar coat their experiences,’ says Katie.

‘Because when we admit we are struggling, people assume we aren’t doing a good job.

‘That’s why I like to share the real side of motherhood. I love my children, but it’s also hard work.’

Her advice to new mums ‘is to remember motherhood isn’t about being perfect.’

Katie adds: ‘What works for one family, might not work for another, and everyone is just trying to do their best.’

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Brace yourselves for a viral beauty trend that’s not really a trend.

Just like squiggly brows, heart brows, and braided brows before them, devil lips are a new look that’s attracting a lot of attention – and concern – online.

The Sun reports that ‘people are using filler’ to make their lips look ‘lumpy’, while iHeartRadio describes devil lips as a ‘new lip filler trend’.

Basically, there are loads of photos going around that show people with wavy edges on their lips rather than smooth outlines. The wavy or pointed outlines have been termed ‘devil lips’, ‘umbrella lips’, and ‘octopus lips’ (because they look a bit like tentacles).

But here’s where things get weird.

Some people are claiming that these weird-looking lips are a fully-fledged trend that people are making happen with strategic placement of filler.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5chrE5qjwk/

There’s absolutely zero evidence that this is the case.

There are no cosmetic surgeons or practitioners claiming to have created devil lips on social media. Instead the #devillips tag is filled with people reacting in horror to the ‘trend’ and using the pictures to provoke engagement.

It’s claimed the treatment was first done by Emelian Braude, who lives in Russia (where so many weird internet things are born) and has a private Instagram account.

Take a closer look at the photos spreading around and the lips don’t look remotely real – the majority are the work of Photoshop and you’ll find a few people using makeup.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5xdPBGnGax/

We spoke to an expert, who said that were you to want to make your lipline wavy or jagged, you wouldn’t be able to do it with filler.

Dr Chimene Langley, a dentist and aesthetic practitioner, tells Metro.co.uk: ‘I can’t see how it would be possible to completely change the shape of the lip this way.

‘When you inject into the vermillion border you enhance the border and give it more of a crisp outline. But you can’t really alter the shape into something else entirely.

‘If this is real it’s pretty horrendous anyway!’

Strange. It’s almost as if those selling surgical treatments would use the hook of a bizarre ‘trend’ to reel you into looking at their actual work on Instagram, leading to a deep dive into before and after shots and a growing temptation to get normal non-devil fillers injected into your lips.

It’s almost as though people wanting attention on Instagram are then stealthily Photoshopping their lips and jumping on the tag, in the knowledge that the media (us included) will then have to embed those posts in articles about a wild trend, thus sending people to their page.

And it’s almost as though people are so keen for a story that they’ll go along with something that’s clearly a hoax, knowing that the odder and more dangerous and more moral-panic-inspiring and more controversial a ‘trend’ is, the more people will read and share it.

Conversation around the non-existent trend of non-existent devil lips – that, we repeat, do not exist in real life but only on a screen – is going strong.

On Reddit people have deemed the trend ‘get the f*** away from me lips’ and said they make the wearer look as though they have blisters or herpes.

Some have said they find wavy lips oddly attractive, however, so the look isn’t universally detested.

The good news is that if you want to try the trend, you can do so for free. Just get on Photoshop or Facetune (or make friends with someone who already has the premium version) and get tweaking.

You can go really wild and add ripples to other bits of your face, too. Perhaps octopus eyes will be the next big thing.

But please, don’t attempt to get this look with filler or other surgery. Not only is it likely impossible, but the internet moves so fast that this ‘trend’ will probably be passé before you’d have time to make an appointment.

It’s also worth noting that any aesthetician that promises devil lips likely isn’t someone you should pay for a cosmetic procedure.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5vQ0ObAu0t/

Even standard lip fillers can go wrong if they’re not injected by someone reputable and licensed.

Dr Esho previously warned that people really need to start taking injectables more seriously, and urged people to do their research before they book in for a treatment.

This type of procedure may be non-surgical but it’s still medical,’ he told us.

‘It’s so important for people to do their research. NHS England recommends the injector should be a doctor, nurse or dentist and should be registered under their UK bodies therefore GMC, NMC and GDC.

‘The practitioner should also carry insurance cover.

‘Ensure the medical practitioner specialises in aesthetics, specifically non-surgical treatments and review their work and reviews prior to treatment.’

It’s also key to check that the filler used is safe.

‘In terms of product, first and foremost, it should be FDA approved,’ says Dr Esho.

‘When used the injector should be able to show you that the product is sealed and unused.

‘Finally, the injector should be able to tell you what product they are using and why and give you a record of what was used.’

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Watermelon, we’re so sorry. The red kiwi is here to take your crown.

If you’re not into the fruit plus fashion scene on Insta, you’re missing out.

Over the last two years, fashion and beauty influencers have positioned fruit as the must-have addition to any photo.

Bloggers display grapefruits in netted bags. That model with perfect skin has positioned an apple next to her still life of Glossier products. A bikini shot doesn’t scream summer unless there’s a massive watermelon.

For a while, particular fruits have reigned supreme – lemons are a classic, watermelon serves well for winter, cherries offer sex appeal.

But we’re calling it now: all the influencers are going to be all over red kiwis, which will soon be popping up in supermarkets.

Kiwi fruit brand Zespri has announced plans to commercialise red kiwifruit that – as their name suggests – have a highly Instagrammable pinky-red flesh.

We would have marketed them as sunset kiwis for extra pizzaz, but we guess ‘Zespri Red Kiwifruit’ does the trick.

According to Zespri, the kiwi doesn’t just look cool. Its vibrant red flesh has a ‘deliciously sweet berry-tinged flavour’ to add some excitement to your daily fruit intake.

And it has the potential to be talked about as a superfood, as its hue is down to anthocyanin, which Zespri claims boosts cardiovascular and cognitive health.

Sounds nice, right?

Now, here’s for the bad news. As well as being pretty and tasty, red kiwis have additional appeal as they’re pretty hard to come by.

Zespri says it’ll take two years to produce enough of the new fruit for shoppers, and it’s currently planned to launch in New Zealand – no word yet on when we can expect to see red kiwis in our local Tesco.

The soon-to-be-hyped fruit will also be pricier than your average kiwi, giving it a luxury appeal.

So no, us commoners won’t have access to an abudance of pinky-red kiwis any time soon.

But mark our words, at some point you will spot this fruit on Instagram, likely held by the coolest fashion type of the moment.

In the meantime, do continue to pose with a regular kiwi, a criminally underrated accessory option.

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Christmas is fast approaching, with just 19 days to go before the big day.

As you head out for the annual shopping trip, don’t forget to buy a present for your best friend: your dog, of course.

As we all know, all pooches are good boys and girls – even if they do poos in naughty places and chew up our favourite socks – and so deserve a little something that shows how much they mean to us.

Sure, your furry friend probably doesn’t understand why Christmas Day is a special occasion, but the look of excitement on their cute little face as you hand over a shiny new toy will be worth the cash.

We’ve rounded up a list of some of best products in 2019 – from new beds to cool outfits, here’s the ultimate gift guide for pooches.

PetFusion memory foam bed

Is your dog a fussy sleeper or an old soul that requires a cosy space where he or she can nap all day?

The PetFusion bed has a memory foam base to help reduce joint pain and improve your pup’s ‘health, mobility and energy’.

It’s also water and tear resistant, so you don’t have to worry about naugthy dogs having a nibble and ruining their new gift.  The bed is suitable for medium to large dogs, though it can also be used by multiple small dogs at once (perfect if you have two pooches who like to snuggle up together).

Here’s the best part: there’s a 12-month warranty included.

The product is currently on sale at Amazon for £80.95, with free delivery.

My 1st Years teepee

If your dog prefers to nap in privacy, get them this adorable grey teepee.

The creative sleeping space, sold at My 1st Years for £65.00, features a reversible cushion with plush and faux fur.

Meanwhile, the teepee is made from polyester blend and is held up with wooden poles, and can also be embroidered with a personal message for your pooch. Though you’ve only got nine characters to play with.

You also don’t need to worry about your pup making a mess, as the cushion is also machine washable.

Etsy matching outfits

What’s the ultimate way to show off your special relationship? Matching outfits, of course.

There’s no shortage of Christmas fashion for dogs to choose from this year, but for those humans who want a more personalised gift, there’s a fantastic alternative.

The Dainty Dog Co is selling a quirky t-shirt set for two (owner and pooch) on Etsy, embossed with the phrases ‘Chilling With My Dog’ and ‘Chilling With My Human’.

Not only is it a two-in-one gift, but it’s also fairly affordable at £27.99.

Not In The Dog House pawsecco and popcorn set

This is the cheapest option on our list – and it’s a pretty good deal.

For just £10, you can get a gift set filled with wonderful treats for your pooch, including pawsecco from Woof & Brew, popcorn for dogs, training biscuits by Billy and Margot, and a tube of Pooch & Mutt mini-bone snacks.

Basically, it’s any dog’s dream gift.

Plus, it arrives in a box with tissue paper lining, so you can pop it under the tree and let your dog sniff around it for a few weeks, before the big reveal.

Fetch rain coat

Let’s face it, there will likely be more rain than snow this Christmas.

To make sure your pup stays dry during muggy weather walks, get him or her a cosy rain coat. This choice from Joules & Rosewood, sold at Fetch, is water-resistant but also lightweight, so your pet isn’t weighed down by it.

It has velcro straps and is available in four sizes, however unfortunately prices increase as you go up in size (from £14 to £30).

Arton Doggy Donuts

This is undoubtedly the most exciting gift on our list: Arton Doggy Donuts.

For £15, you can get your pooch a box of 12 ring-shaped doughnuts, topped with fat, sugar-free icing and sprinkles.

Other ingredients include wholemeal flour, rolled oats, eggs, maltodextrin (food additive), rapeseed oil, cornflour, baking powder, milk derivatives, guar gum (polysaccharide) and desiccated coconut.

While they might look like regular doughnuts, please resist the temptation to bite into them – and get your own, human doughnut box instead.

Popetpop squeaky toys

Finally, no Christmas list for dogs is complete without the most obvious gift of all: a toy.

This year, go for a festive twist with this four-pack of seasonal characters, including Santa Claus, Rudolph the reindeer, a penguin and a bone in the pattern of a candy cane.

These squeaky toys from Popetpop, made from high-quality cotton, aren’t just pretty – but they were designed with the aim to reduce anxiety in pooches, as well as help their teeth and gums grow.

It’s a fairly affordable gift at £14.69 from Amazon, and you could even split the pack up into four different packages, just to make your pet feel extra precious.

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Christmas is coming, complete with all the festivities, presents, food, drink and general goodwill that we’ve all become accustomed to at this time of year.

But let’s not forget about the origins of the festival while we’re busy unwrapping presents, watching festive TV specials, tucking into turkey etc – with the purpose of the day, from a religious point of view, being about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Not that the day has always been celebrated in its current form, mind – but just who did invent Christmas as we know it?

Let’s take a look back through history…

Who invented Christmas?

OK, so Christmas as we know it didn’t start to be celebrated the second Jesus was born – and it’s not clear that he was actually born on 25 December either.

The first recorded incidence of Christmas being celebrated actually dates all the way back to the Roman Empire in 336, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine – so technically the Romans invented it, although there’s no specific person who is credited with having done so.

There are a number of theories as to why 25 December should have been chosen, with one suggesting that it coincided with the Winter Solstice and the ancient Roman pagan midwinter festivals Saturnalia (which honoured the Roman god Saturn) and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti (the festival marking the solstice).

It’s also thought it might have been chosen as it’s exactly nine months after 25 March – the date of the Spring Equinox – which was chosen as the date for God’s creation of Adam, and therefore seemed like a fitting date to choose for Christ’s conception.

Despite the Romans having marked the date, Christmas was a relatively minor affair, and was not celebrated with a specific liturgy until the ninth Century.

Meanwhile celebrations tended to be riotous, with binge-drinking, gluttony and other hedonism involved, and celebrants often going from door to door threatening vandalism if they were not given food and drink.

How was Charles Dickens involved?

Charles Dickens is given some credit for giving us Christmas in its more modern form thanks to his classic novel A Christmas Carol.

Published in 1843, it became an instant best-seller, and changed people’s view of Christmas to a time when kindness and charitable acts were seen as traditional, as well as placing the emphasis on the festival as a time for families to be together.

The Victorians took his view of the festive season to their hearts, with new traditions such as Christmas trees – which were introduced by Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert – Christmas cards and gift-giving replacing the excesses of old.

The story was chronicled in the 2017 movie The Man Who Invented Christmas, which starred Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens as Dickens and centred around the writing of A Christmas Carol.

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There is no doubt: drag is sinking its six-inch heels into the mainstream.

And when people hear ‘drag’, they often think of RuPaul’s Drag Race or Danny La Rue. They think catty, bawdy and totally gorgeous, or shouts of ‘Yaas queen!’

Yes, that is a type of drag – much like rom-coms are a type of film – but the UK drag scene is much more than the shiny veneer of Drag Race.

We have kings, non-binary performers, bearded queens, femme-queens (also known as cisgender women, or a woman who identifies with the gender they were assigned at birth) and everything in between… like me.

I’m a drag king and a performer who plays with masculinity on stage, using make up and illusion to mess with gender. We’re often labelled as ‘the opposite of drag queens’ but really, there is no ‘opposite’ about it. There are cis women, trans men and non-binary drag kings.

How do drag kings do it? Well, drag makeup is called ‘painting’ for a reason. Thick layers of foundation create a blank canvas on which to ‘paint’.

I carve out ‘masculine’ features, contouring angular jawlines, thicker eyebrows, gaunt, high cheekbones rather than the oval, softer shapes of a ‘stereotypical’ cis woman. I apply layers of mascara and thin fibres on my upper lip for a moustache, then dapple a beard of black, brown, and white on my jawline.

I also bind my breasts down with sports tape… not too tight, or breathing can be tricky! Glamorous, huh?

Any gender can do drag yet even within drag communities there’s still the unhelpful misconception that drag kings are less skilled, less polished and less ‘fun’.

Kings might be a newer phenomenon but shows like Kings of Colour, Non-Binary Cabaret or Boi-Box will prove this is ridiculous. Cis women grow up being told they’re not funny, and this gendered preconception sadly transfers onto drag kings too.

Worse still, kings get paid less. They’re rarely booked by corporate or high-profile events who want glamourous queens ‘like the ones on Drag Race’. The gender pay gap has followed us, even when we dress as dudes… ironic.

There is no doubt that RuPaul has boosted drag’s overall popularity: according to Eventbrite, the number of drag events in the UK have soared almost 800 per cent since 2015 and 1,100 per cent globally. Yet many British performers worry this will only widen the gap between mainstream queens and everyone else.

RuPaul only allows queens on his show. No kings or femme-queens. Imagine The Great British Bake Off, but only with cisgender men.

Dragging us into the mainstream has given visibility and acceptance to many LGBTQ+ people. As a next step, we need to paint with all the colours of the queer community.

Parents worry about ‘exposing’ their children to drag but the rise of family-friendly drag shows and Drag Story Time in schools – which brings drag queens into educational environments – prove that exploring gender does not have to be rude or sexualised.

In my own show, Dragprov, we improvise songs, raps and skits from audience suggestions. No swearing. No sex. Just comedy, music and lots of sass.

Drag is feminism in its purest form; challenging unfair societal expectations of both men and women. Kings don’t have to be hyper-masculine, with contoured six-packs and monochrome suits.

My character, Christian Adore, is camp, glittery and emotional. He has long, dark eyelashes and far too many feelings. He also struggles with entitlement and societal expectations to be ‘manly’ and ‘strong’.

Why? Because drag isn’t a parody of gender – it shatters gender. It makes us question why someone ‘manly’ can’t embrace sparkly suits, or a ‘woman’ can’t be a seven-foot-tall glamazon, and it is rapidly moving beyond the binary between ‘queens’ and ‘kings’.

These larger-than-life personalities are starting to explore more subtle forms of internalised sexism and homophobia. Hang-ups that even the most ‘woke’ people have.

We all need drag. It’s flamboyant, it’s playful and it helps us discuss constraints that affect us all.

You don’t have to be LGBTQ+ to enjoy it but drag is most powerful when it gives a voice (lip-syncing or otherwise) to the silenced.

Find out more about Dragprov or visit eventbrite.co.uk for similar events

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Gary Taylor, 36, from Meriden, Coventry, has primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

PSC is a condition which affects the liver as the bile ducts are narrowed or restricted, affecting the flow of bile. He also has ulcerative colitis – a condition which causes inflammation in the colon and rectum – which is closely associated with PSC.

As part of You Don’t Look Sick, our weekly series about people living with invisible illnesses, Gary explains that he first realised something was wrong in October 2008 after complaining about how tired he felt.

He tells Metro.co.uk: ‘Within a couple of weeks, I had jaundice and was admitted to hospital on 1 Nov 2008. I wasn’t discharged until 22 Dec.

‘It took a couple of years to diagnose the PSC. To begin with, I was diagnosed with Auto-immune Hepatitis.’

Eventually, Gary was told that he had PSC and that he would eventually need a liver transplant.

‘It was very surreal,’ he says. ‘I was told there was no cure, that the disease was progressive and the definitive treatment was a liver transplant. I didn’t know what to think and to begin with I put it to the back of my mind and tried to get on with life. I thought there was no way I’d need a transplant!’

But in 2017, the damage to his liver became so severe, he was told that he needed a new liver and he agreed to the surgery.

He adds: ‘Over 40,000 tablets and tens of procedures later (including liver biopsies, MRI/CT scans, Endoscopies, Colonoscopies) in 2017, I had a liver transplant due to the damage caused to my liver and my bile ducts by the condition.’

Although the transplant has helped his liver function, Gary, who works as the deputy managing director of tmwi, a media and digital agency in Stratford Upon Avon, says he still has good days and bad days, especially because he now needs to take anti-rejection drugs to keep his transplant working, as well as dealing with the effects of UC.

He explains: ‘On a good day, I can usually leave the house around 9 am, after going to the loo 6-7 times. I take 15 tablets a day; a combination of anti-rejection and immuno-suppressant drugs for my transplant and various tablets for my UC/IBD.

‘I can’t take my kids to school even on a good day, so this responsibility sits with my wife. If she isn’t well for any reason, we have to get my father-in-law to take them.

‘On a bad day, I may not be able to leave the house before 10 am. I will be in pain when going to the loo, usually 7-10 times before I leave the house and will need to stop at a service station or hotel on my way to the office to go the loo too.

‘I have to plan my route to work to ensure I’m not caught short on the way. If I have a client meeting in the morning of the next day, I always stay in a hotel the night before, as close to their offices as possible to reduce the travel time in the morning. More often than not I have to stay in a hotel a couple of nights a week because of this.

‘Usually, by midday I am ok… but more recently this has been getting worse and I am currently undergoing various tests/scans to determine how to change my treatment.

‘I am fortunate that I do not have to work a strict 9-5 job. Therefore I can mould my day around my workload and client meetings. I’ve got into a pretty good routine, but the worry of leaving the house needing the loo on the motorway or getting stuck in a traffic jam makes me very anxious still.

‘We also have to plan holidays carefully. There are many places we can’t go because the flights are early in the morning and I simply wouldn’t be able to make it to the airport!

‘Fatigue is also an issue. I probably operate on 60-70% of the energy levels of a ‘healthy’ person.’

For Gary, it s difficult because most people don’t see these symptoms.

He explains: ‘PSC is a hidden illness for many. It’s not until the later stages where weightloss and jaundice may occur that you actually begin to look ill.

‘At my worst in 2015-16, I’d lost 25-30kg in body weight and was very Jaundiced. I was still working but very conscious that I looked ill. I would have people stare at meet in the street or if I was in a restaurant and it was clear they were thinking why is this guy so yellow?!

‘I don’t have that now but I am still judged. There have been countless times where I have come out of a disabled toilet because I’ve had no other option and had the comment, “you shouldn’t be using that.”

‘I now carry a “Can’t Wait” card and RADAR key from the Crohns & Colitis UK Charity, which gives me access to public and disabled toilets and at least have something to show to people, should they question me.’

Gary also works as a trustee for PSC Support, a UK-based charity to help people with the condition. He says that the team and other members have been a huge support for him throughout his journey.

He explains: ‘We manage a support group on Facebook of over 2,000 members who have PSC. The group is invaluable in the support and wellbeing of our members.

‘We also hold regular PSC Support information days where patients and family members can come along and listen to doctors and other patient stories.’

He wants to see more support for people with invisible illnesses to use facilities without being judged.

He adds: ‘Many people with PSC aren’t classed as ‘disabled’ and therefore not eligible for a traditional blue badge, yet in many instances, the fatigue from the condition can be debilitating.

‘Not only that, the overlap with UC/IBD means there can be an urgency to get to a toilet. I think there needs to be more done to provide sufferers of ‘invisible illnesses’ with medical cards, or something similar.

‘The worst scenario for me has been pulling into a service station which didn’t have a loo and having to basically beg the attendant to use their staff toilet, which is extremely embarrassing. If there was a nationally recognised scheme, similar to the card I have from Crohns & Colitis UK, this could potentially make things easy, without the need to necessarily apply for a blue badge.’

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A woman in a polyamorous relationship with four men is having one of their babies but they will all raise the child together as a family.

Tory Ojeda, 20, from Florida, met one of her partners Marc, 18, in high school and then got into a relationship with Travis, 23, two months later.

In July this year, the Jacksonville native got engaged to Travis. Tory then entered a relationship with their long-term mutual friend Ethan, 22, and then Chris, 22.

Tory got pregnant when she and Chris went away on holiday, making him the biological dad but all four men will be equal parents.

Despite being in an open relationship, Tory is currently the only one who has multiple romantic partners.

They all live together, with each of the men in their own bedrooms, but they take turns sleeping in Tory’s room.

She says her partners are ‘welcome’ to pursue other people if they want to and even encourages the idea.

‘I would love it if somebody found a second partner,’ she said.

‘Dividing time and figuring out schedules between all five people and making sure everyone feels included, it’s kind of difficult.

‘I’d like to not be the only woman in the relationship. That would definitely be nice.’

Though she jokes about the child being stuck in an endless cycle of ‘go ask your dad,’ Tory is confident the set-up will work.

‘We’re all raising the baby together, so everyone’s dad. We’re all very, very excited to be raising a baby together,’ she said.

Dad Chris is also excited about the baby but his family was somewhat hesitant.

He said: ‘My family is slowly coming around to the idea. The pregnancy has helped with that. But at the very beginning, I know my mother and father were hesitant about it.

‘Her main concern was that she didn’t like the idea of me having a partner who was not fulfilled with me alone.’

On the issue of jealousy, Ethan said: ‘There are a couple of healthy ways to deal with it. Primarily just talking to each other.’

Travis added: ‘There’s always going to be like little moments of jealousy, it does take a certain amount of restraint and just getting relaxed. I will say it helps if you know the person.’

Reflecting on his own experiences in his current relationship, he said: ‘Seeing [Tory] with Ethan was a lot easier because I was friends with him.

‘Her and Chris was a bit dicier at first. There was a lot more jealousy and I’ll openly admit that. The same goes for Marc because I’d never interacted with them.’

Though they sometimes get rude comments or looks, Tory hopes it won’t be so unconventional in the future.

‘Maybe in our future, we might see it become a common thing where people don’t bat an eye on it anymore at all. One can hope.’

But for now, they are focused on their relationship and their future as a five.

She added: ‘We would definitely like to have more kids down the line. With there being five adults in the household, we should probably have more than one kid.’

They are set to welcome the baby girl in February 2020.

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Emily Taylor has two children – Richi and Arlie and although she gave birth to each of them, they grew in different wombs.

The NHS admin assistant has uterus didelphys, meaning she has two wombs and two cervixes.

Richi, now two, developed in the right one and Arlie, now one, grew in the left.

The boys came after Emily heartbreakingly lost four babies to miscarriage – and Emily’s condition was only discovered after she saw a doctor to find out why she hadn’t been able to carry any of the babies to full term.

Emily, of Brecon, Wales, said: ‘I kept having miscarriages and no-one could tell me why. So my two boys really are miracles.’

Emily first tried for a baby ten years ago aged 21 and got pregnant easily. But at her 12 week scan, the nurses told her the baby had died.

Later, Emily met her now-husband Richard Taylor, 31, on a night out in 2013.

They married two years later and started trying for a family but sadly, they had three miscarriages, each one around the six-week mark, between 2013 and 2015,

‘I had a fourth miscarriage and then I went to see a gynaecologist,’ Emily explained.

‘There was no explanation given for my losses. They never found out at any scans.

‘I thought something was off. I thought ‘Why is this happening?’ I got referred to a gynaecologist because by that point I’d had four miscarriages in a row and lost all of them before 12 weeks.’

Emily had an internal exam and the doc was shocked by what he saw.

‘He was like “Oh this is different” I was like “What’s going on?”

‘My husband was with me and he asked what was wrong. And he just said “You’ve got two cervices”. He explained what it was and that they wanted to have a better look around.’

Emily then had a laparoscopy – where a camera was inserted below her belly button – so doctors could get a closer look.

That showed she had uterus didelphys, which meant she had two cervix and two wombs, as they had not formed properly when she was developing in the womb.

They were both slightly smaller than usual – but it was not thought the condition would harm her chances of becoming a mum.

Emily was devastated though and was convinced the condition was causing her recurrent miscarriages.

‘I was gutted,’ she said.

‘I thought that was why I kept having miscarriages, I didnt think Id be able to have children, even though he said keep trying. I thought ‘It’s not going to work.’

The couple even had a consultation for IVF in the hope that experts could somehow implant the baby in a better position than her own body could naturally.

But in May 2016, Emily and NHS maintenance assistant Richard found out they were expecting again.

A 12-week scan showed the baby was happily growing in Emily’s right womb and he continued to grow until 37 weeks, when he had run out of room to grow.

Baby Richi – named after his dad – was born on January 11, 2017, weighing 6lbs 9oz.

‘I was scared. I was constantly worrying, the whole pregnancy I thought something would go wrong,’ Emily admitted.

‘I didn’t even stop worrying after my scan. I was thinking all the time that something would happen. I didn’t relax at any point. I had it in the back of my mind.

‘Pregnancy with Richi was completely normal but at the end he was breech because he didn’t have room to turn.”‘

Emily needed a C-section – doctors simply cut her right womb and left her left one well alone.

Terrified she wouldn’t be able to have more children, the pair began trying for their second as soon as baby Richi turned one.

Emily got pregnant on the second month of trying and discovered baby Arlie was in her left womb at his 12-week scan.

He was born on October 26 last year at 37 weeks weighing 6lbs 3oz.

She hasn’t ruled out more children and jokes they’d take bets over which womb they’d end up in.

‘We’re pretty chilled about it now,’ she said.

‘But when you think about it, it is amazing really.’

Do you have a powerful story to share? Get in touch and tell us all about it at MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk

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Prep the stuffing. Don’t overcook the pudding. Remember which relatives can’t be in the same room together.

It’s hard to fully enjoy Christmas when there’s so much organisation involved. Lucky for you, there’s an instant fix.

Tech retailer GAME has just released its vegan ‘Christmas Tinner’, a three-course festive meal packed right into a can. And they are not messing around.

GAME first released Christmas Tinner in 2013 for ‘hardcore gamers that don’t want to leave their gaming chair on Christmas day.’

This meaty version, which is still available, includes turkey, potatoes, broccoli, bread sauce, sprouts, stuffing and mince pies.

But this year, they are offering something for vegans and vegetarians too.

Each cylindrical bad boy contains a full Christmas dinner for just £2. That’s 12 layers of plant-based takes on classic festive dishes.

‘Almost half of British gamers plan to spend the majority of Christmas Day testing out new games and consoles,’ a GAME spokesperson said.

‘It’s the ultimate innovation for gamers across the nation who can’t tear themselves away from their new consoles and games on Christmas Day – the first all-in-one festive feast in a tin .’

They’re onto something.

The vegan Christmas Tinner includes quite the smorgasbord. Ready for it?

There’s vegan gravy, mushroom wellington, pigs in aubergine blankets, tofu and stuffing, as well as your go-to winter veggies including squash, sprouts, and parsnips.

Each of those layers sound pretty good, it’s just the aspect of it being crammed into a cylinder that might (definitely) alter the tastes and textures.

There’s also a dessert layer, including vegan custard and choccy cake. Which raises the obvious question, are festive feasters meant to meticulously section off the dessert portion, or simply enjoy a bit of sweetness with every savoury bite?

Either option is certainly feasible, but we’re going to say that option two is for anarchists.

Another new Christmas Tinner release is the vegetarian option, featuring another 12 layers of nut roast, cauliflower cheese, gingerbread pancakes, toblerone, potatoes and because it’s apparently treason to provide a veggie meal without it, there’s also halloumi in there.

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Christmas, as chaotic as it may be, also brings out the kinder side of folks.

During the holiday season, delivery drivers for services like Amazon, UPS, and Fedex work overtime to get all those Christmas packages out on time.

But rarely do they get appreciated. So one American homeowner decided to do something nice for them and left out some snacks.

Kathy Ouma from Middletown, Delaware prepared a box full of drinks, biscuits, and popcorn for her delivery drivers.

One of the delivery guys, Karim Earl Reed III, was so touched after seeing the gifts, he broke out in a dance.

The wholesome reaction was caught on Kathy’s front porch camera and has tickled many.

Kathy explained on her Facebook why she set up the cute package.

With internet shopping being such a popular choice to order Christmas presents, the season can be hectic for the people who deliver our goods.

So every year Kathy and her family want to give back a little and remind the drivers that their work to get everything in time is appreciated.

It wasn’t just for her Amazon Prime deliveries either, Kathy left out one of each item for other marketplace deliveries.

She left a note which read: ‘UPS, USPS, AMAZON, FEDEX – please take some goodies to enjoy on your route. Thank you for making holiday shopping easy. The Ouma family.’

But it was Karim’s little happy dance that won the internet’s heart, and of course Kathy’s.

She updated her Facebook followers saying: ‘THIS Made my day. The driver is Karim Earl Reed III. You are bringing millions of people joy!’

He certainly is. Now please enjoy the video of Karim dancing away with his own package.

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Meet Wonky – the unicorn rabbit.

He got his nickname because of the unusual position of one of his ears.

It sits right in the middle of his forehead and sometimes points upwards, making it look like a unicorn horn, according to an RSPCA worker at the Milton Keynes & North Bucks branch, where he currently lives.

RSCPA staff member Carol Spindler said: ‘He has such an unusual look and it’s amazing how his ear flips up and stands upright on his head – just like a unicorn horn!’

The affectionate and friendly rabbit, Wonky – who is four years old – is keen on being stroked but is not a fan of being picked up.

Wonky arrived at the rescue centre because his previous owner was no longer able to look after the lop-eared rabbit.

He was looking for a new home and somewhere safe and warm to play, before Christmas – but after he went viral it looks like he might be in luck.

Posting earlier today, the RSPCA centre said they had been inundated with requests and he had now been reserved.

‘This lovable boy really deserves a home where he’ll get lots of attention and treats,’ said Carol.

Staff added on Facebook: ‘Wonky has been reserved! He’s become quite an internet sensation and we’ve been inundated with applications for him.

‘We’ve responded to the best match after searching through those applications and we’d like to thank everyone for their enquiries.’

Good luck in your new home Wonky! We’re crossing our fingers that it goes to plan.

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We’re on the clock. It’s approximately 18 sleeps till Christmas.

Perhaps you and your crew have it all sorted and your living room is kitted out in the usual festive wares. Or perhaps you’re still in the tree acquisition stages and you’re fiercely debating whether this year’s tree will be freshly-cut pine or a trusty fake.

Either way, one tree you can take out of the equation is the one with a multi-million pound price tag.

A hotel in Spain has just decked the halls with boughs of diamonds and donned their bougiest apparel with an £11.9 million Christmas tree.

Marbella’s Kempinski Hotel Bahía has treated its December guests to a fir featuring ethically sourced three-carat pink diamonds, four-carat sapphire, oval red diamonds, and upcycled jewellery from brands including Bulgari, Cartier, and Chanel.

There’s also 3D-printed edible decorations including peacocks and ostrich eggs, because why the heck not?

Debbie Wingham – the British cake artist who crafted some haunting life-sized desserts of Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner – designed the tree, spending a month making more than 500 decorations by hand.

The hotel, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, might even break a world record.

In 2010, the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi got the Guinness World Record for ‘most expensive Christmas tree decorated’.

Valued at £6.9 million, the tree stood at 43.2 ft and was lavishly decorated with 181 items of jewellery.

If you’re looking to get a bit of sun this Christmas, a night at the Kempinski Hotel Bahía will set you back between £182-£919 a night.

For other festive holiday ideas, check out our guide to winter sun escapes.

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Christmas hasn’t even arrived yet and some people are already gearing up for Veganuary.

Veganuary is a UK nonprofit which encourages people to give veganism ago for January.

During this time, brands and eateries jump on the veganwagon, running community events, food festivals, offering limited-edition plant-based treats and launching new products. It’s a delicious time.

Sainsbury’s is one business which has well and truly come to the Veganuary party. The supermarket chain is basically the mate who rocks up to your house a full two hours before your get-together, only they’re equipped with a case of beers, a bottle of spirits, snacks and an enthusiasm to help set-up.

Sainsbury’s has announced it will be rolling out its own plant-based brand, Plant Pioneers, along with 31 new vegan products.

The range includes ready-to-eat vegan meals like smoky quarter pounders, mushroom hotdogs with mash and mushroom meatball spaghetti, priced between £2.50 and £3.

There’s also cheddar-style kievs, meat-free mini sausage rolls, fishless fingers, and chicken-style nuggets.

Obviously plant-based goodness isn’t the only green Sainsbury’s is chasing in the new year. The 2019 winners of Best Vegan Supermarket is straight up chasing the dosh.

According to a report by Sainsbury’s, the chain has observed a 24% jump in customers searching for vegan products on its website, as well as a 65% increase in sales of plant-based products each year.

Sainsbury’s is also capitalising on the popularity of fruit-as-meat, featuring jackfruit and banana blossom in Peking, shawarma, Mexican, and smoky flavours, as well as on its own.

Plant Pioneers products including mushroom balls, vegan steaks and smoky bacon rashers are already available at selected stores.

Shoppers will be able to pick up Sainsbury’s new plant-based products from January 1, 2020. The new items will be stocked in the fresh, frozen and canned goods sections.

Interested in participating in Veganuary? Take the pledge here.

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A woman who grew a following by showing how she lives as a vegan has angered and confused fans by deciding to eat meat.

Alyse Parker, a vegan of almost five years, said she was trying something new with a meat-only diet.

The Instagram influencer, whose account rose to fame following her plant-based and exercise content, shocked her 204k-strong followers after revealing she now eats meat.

Alyse was criticised for having been on the carnivore diet for the past 30 days.

The carnivore diet is a restrictive diet that only includes meat, fish, and other animal foods like eggs and certain dairy products.

It excludes all other foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds.

In a controversial Instagram post she wrote: ‘Coming from being vegan 4.5 years, I was hellla resistant to the concept of eating ONLY animal foods (aka only meat, seafood, + eggs)⁣.
⁣
‘I didn’t make ANY sense to me. It actually sounded pretty f*cking ridiculous.’

And so she tried the diet for 30 days and said she felt the health benefits of it.

Alyse explained to her followers that she is always trying new experiences and experiments such as not using deodorant for a year nor shampooing for a month.

And so when her friends told her about the carnivore diet, she decided to try it for herself, with surprising results she said.

‘I swallowed my pride and decided I’d give it a shot. Full-on carnivore. I woke up the next morning feeling more mentally clear, focused, wholesome, and healthy than I had felt in years.’

She then documented the journey on her Youtube channel where she referred to herself as an ex-vegan.

After experiencing some digestion issues in the first few days, Alyse claimed to have reaped the benefits.

She also shared her initial concerns with eating meat such as factory farming and the cost on the environment. So Alyse advised her followers to choose grass-fed and grass-finished meat and choosing local farms.

But the decision to reverse her vegan diet upset her followers.

One person wrote: ‘⁣I’m so confused as to how someone can be vegan for 4.5 years and then eat meat? Grass-fed and humanely raised doesn’t mean they are “humanely” slaughtered to pieces.’

Another chimed in: ‘Sorry, we have to unfollow. So disappointing. Food is more than a lifestyle. It’s a sign of respect for life. Choose compassion.’

Some people said the choice was ‘disgusting’.

Others were more understanding, saying: ‘I find it so strange that a vegan for so long goes the completely opposite route. But going full-on carnivore!? That’s crazy!

‘But I’m really glad you exist. I like to hear both sides of the argument. I wish you the best of luck on the toilet but endless support.’

Here’s the video of Alyse documenting her carnivore diet:

We’ve reached out to Alyse for comment and will update the article if she responds.

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When a mystery woman burst until Stacey Owen’s wedding reception after her first dance, she thought it was her new husband’s ex.

The woman was wearing a white dress, shouted ‘stop the wedding, it should have been me’ and hit the groom with a bunch of flowers.

But luckily, Stacey quickly realised that it was all a joke that her maid of honour Jackie Lewis had played on her.

Jackie had got comedian January Rees to gatecrash the wedding on 30 November at Ty Newydd Country Hotel in Aberdare, wales.

‘I managed to persuade Jan to take part, it could have gone drastically wrong. We were planning it for 4-5 months,’ said Jackie.

‘Stacey expected some sort of surprise and I just wanted to do something silly. I was searching for ideas online when I came across videos of drag queens going down the aisle which gave me this idea.’

Talking about the wedding, bride Stacey said everyone was terrified when the stunt first unfolded.

‘I just thought “what is going on?” as we had just done our first dance. At first the lights were dim and I couldn’t see her face so I just thought it was one of Keri’s nutty exes.

‘But when the lights came up I could see Jan’s face and I knew who she was then. My partner was terrified at first.’

Once they got over the shock, the couple saw the funny side and said it got the rest of the guests talking.

Stacey added: ‘Everyone at the wedding was laughing and they were hiding when she was whacking people with the flowers.

‘The whole day was brilliant, my partner was hiding behind me, he just said “I hope she doesn’t terrorise me” as he’d seen her live before as a stand-up comedian.’

It was the first time January had ever done anything like this and she said she was quite nervous.

She said: ‘Jackie phoned me and said “Jan, only you can pull it off”, but it could have gone either way. I got my old wedding dress from the attic and got in the car and drove to the venue.

‘You should have seen the neighbour’s face. Only the DJ and Jackie knew about it.

‘At first the bride was shocked and she thought I was a crazy ex-girlfriend.

‘The response has been amazing, everyone seemed to love it.’

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