FESTIVE PLANNER
DECORATING THE TREE Step-by-step guide First, check the fairy lights work. If they’re OK, string them up, starting at the top of the tree and working down. Push them back into the branches to hide the fex. Turn on the lights and take a few steps back to check they’re spaced out evenly. Next, add the topper, then hang any garlands, beads or tinsel, spacing them evenly around the tree. Finally, add the baubles and other hanging decorations. Put plain ones on frst, then position stand-out ornaments where they can be seen best – but still evenly spaced. If you have small children or inquisitive pets, hang anything precious high up!
Real trees need to be kept cool and, ideally, in a container topped up with water, to help prevent needle drop. If you’re not decorating your tree immediately, stand it in a bucket of water and keep in a cool place like a shed or garage.
Black focked 6ft tree*, £50
Make your own ornaments Cutters, £2 (2-pack)
Keep the kids entertained by making your own tree decorations, using home-made salt dough. Just mix 2 parts plain four to 1 part table salt and 1 part water, then stir in the food colouring of your choice. Roll out fat and cut out festive shapes using cookie cutters or a knife. Make a hole in each for hanging, put on a tray and leave somewhere warm to dry out.
Wear a woolly
CHRISTMAS EVE Get some helpÉ Create a timetable for cooking the Christmas dinner – use our planner on p62. Then enlist family and guests to do diferent tasks. Write their names next to their task on the timetable, then stick it somewhere everyone can see it, like on the fridge or kitchen wall.
Prepare fresh veg in advance – peel and slice the carrots and trim the sprouts, then store in sealed bags in the fridge.
Create a festive playlist from Spotify or iTunes to get you in the Christmas spirit
❄ Have fun planning how you’ll relax on the big day – let everyone choose a family film or TV show to watch, or a game to play. This will help to make sure it all goes smoothly, with no disagreements or anyone feeling left out.
Spread the joy on 12 December for Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day. George at Asda is proud to be the ofcial retail partner for the event, so buy a fun woolly to help us raise at least £750,000 for disadvantaged children across the UK – we have a great selection, from £7 each. We’ll also be collecting money for the Charity in stores from 5 December. Sign up at christmasjumperday.org.
Personalised Monopoly Board Game, £19.97
DECEMBER 2014 | ASDA.COM/MAGAZINE | 11