If you can't be with the people you want to see in person, you could arrange a phone or video call to catch up with them on Christmas day. Or try to arrange a visit around Christmas, if there's a time when it's possible to meet.

The event will also see the return of Ghost Caribou, towering above the audience at more than 13ft tall, these impressive caribou are sure to immerse guests in tales of lost homes, impossible migrations, and seeds of hope.The upside of this (aside from the reduced financial strain) is that if there is only one present to buy, it is much easier to put thought into it, and find something that is suitable and appreciated. Alternating between alcoholic and soft drinks can help to limit the amount of alcohol you consume and keep you hydrated at the same time. But soft drinks, like fruit juices, tend to be high in free sugars, so keep to just a 150ml serving of these (around one small glass) a day.

Churches often provide help over the Christmas period to families in need. Ring around some of your local ones to explain your situation and find out how they can help. Salvation Army Choose things that will keep for at least a week, or tell people that you’ll be making dessert as their Christmas present in advance so they can plan around it. Alternatively make a “voucher” and say what you’ll make and when (e.g. a chocolate cake in the first week of January). Oh and if you’re running short on time you you only need to wrap a couple at the start and do the rest as you go along. Reply There will be loads of free events going on throughout the UK such as carol concerts, craft-making sessions & Storytimes. Most of these free events are run by local councils, churches, museums, and charities. You will have to have a search on Google for your area to find out what is available. I usually pop in "free local Christmas events". Free Vegetables New for 2023 we’ll be welcoming The Luminas with costumes inspired by the coral reef these elegant, stilted ladies are sure to add a touch of sparkle.How you cope with the costs of Christmas will depend on your circumstances. You might not find all of these tips realistic. But it may help to try some of them: If choosing fabric, consider if it is machine-washable. Fabric bunting or cotton hanging decorations can be cleaned easily, whereas felt and faux fur is harder to clean. Switch to rapeseed oil or olive oil for roasting and watch how much is used. Unsaturated fats such as rapeseed and olive oil are excellent for roasting your turkey and potatoes. Not only do they give beautifully crisp results, they're also heart healthy, unlike the saturated fat in butter. As all fats are high in calories, still watch how much you use.

Plus, on the Marwell Hall drive and dotted around the park, we’ll have festive food cabins with delicious hot chocolates, doughnuts and “Glownuts”, loaded fries, bratwurst sausages, nachos and more! Gluten free, dairy free and vegan options will be available. Offers Try out some new traditions if any of your previous traditions don't feel possible this year. For example, if they're too expensive, or too difficult because of a bereavement. These new ideas could be a one-off, or they could become part of Christmas in future.Father Christmas is coming to Marwell on Saturday 2 December, Sunday 3 December, Saturday 9 December, Sunday 10 December, and every day from Saturday 16 December to Saturday 23 December. He will also be visiting on Monday 4 and Monday 11 December for our Quiet Glow nights. Secret Santa for Family Gifts: If the prospect of every family member getting a gift for every single other family member overwhelms you (and you can’t bear the thought of all the excess and waste), a Secret Santa can reduce the burden. Names are put into a hat, and each person gets one name – the person they buy the present for. Some people do this for adults only; other families with lots of nieces and nephews might choose to put families into the hat. If you don’t want to cancel Christmas, but the thought of all the excess wrapping, plastic decorations, gifts that end up in the charity shop within weeks of Christmas day and fighting all the food waste fills you with dread, today’s post is for you. Because it is possible to have a low waste Christmas, I promise. Think about how to end difficult conversations. It's ok to tell someone you don't want to talk about something, or to change the subject. It might help to practise what you'll say.