Xmas Life Hacks
lifestyle
PRACTICAL CHRISTMAS CHEATS
Christmas. We all love it, right? Spending time with family, giving presents and tucking into Christmas dinner. What isn’t so great are the hours of preparation, cooking a million things at once and finally… the washing up! Well, things just got a whole lot easier, thanks to these seven super-practical Christmas cheats from eSpares. co.uk, which promise to make your festive feast a total breeze… Roast spuds: Avoid burnt bottoms or potatoes that fall
to bits by investing in a non-stick tray. The special coating allows a fuss-free process when serving scrumptious spuds.
Re-useable baking paper: A ‘washing-up friendly
option’ you can use are baking sheets, and what’s more
Make Christmas better this year! by SID MADGE, www.meee.global
1. Give Knowledge: Introduce a loved one to
interesting knowledge or a fun new interest. MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), for example. Many are free.
vegetables
Seasonal
2. Homemade presents: Why not and maketheir Here’s the nation’s favourite vegetables something? Take minute to think what you could availability in the UK anda Ireland!
create that would make someone you love smile.
and little gift shops? Money that is spent locally
Mushrooms, potatoes, carrots and lettuce: Available Buy local: What could you buy in local stores 3653. days
Broccoli, peppers, cucumber and tomatoes: stays locally. onions, Help keep those businesses afloat. Travel 1,119 miles min. when out of season
4. Stick to your budget: Above all else don’t
Avocados: Travels 6,263 miles min. May to August and overspend. Everyone you want to buy a present 3,335 miles min. September to April for already loves you. Take a minute to breathe Mushroommiles.com and remember it’s all about love.
they’re reusable. That means less elbow grease is needed when it comes to cleaning up.
Give me space: Sitting perfectly on the bottom of your oven, an oven base shelf can be propped up with foldable legs, allowing the heat to evenly spread to your food. Is it ready yet?: Reduce the Christmas cooking stress and cook meat to perfection with a meat thermometer. Turkey, beef, lamb, pork or chicken, it can all be done just right by inserting a thermometer into the meat and checking the temperature dial. Warming tray: Keep your seconds as warm as your firsts with a buffet server and warming tray. If you're hosting a family dinner party or cooking for everyone, a three-piece serving tray is a great addition to your Christmas dinner armoury.
Your say: A better Christmas We asked for your views on how we can make Christmas better this year. As a continuation from page 5 (What’s Your Take?), here are more of your great suggestions… Jude Greene-Steward By supporting local business, you support local families too! Also, if you do use Amazon this Christmas, click Amazon Smile and choose a local Charity to support, with no extra cost.
Lindsay Harrison Buy fewer “things” and invest in experiences and memories instead. We seem to have forgotten the real meaning of Xmas. We spend hundreds trying to outdo previous years and give presents to people that we know will go to the bin. All the while thousands of elderly people will spend it alone and thousands of children will go hungry knowing way too early that Santa doesn’t exist.
5. Discover Your Local Area: Instead of watching
TV after a big meal go for a walk. Discover something new about where you live.
6. Thanksgiving: If you’re with family this
Christmas, take a minute to tell each person what you appreciate about them. They do something similar during Thanksgiving in America, and it’s nice to stop and appreciate loved ones – especially after a challenging year.
lifeinmagazines.co.uk
Jane Knight Write down five people you admire and let them know that you admire them and why via a message, email or phone call. As long as it’s true, this simple exercise can change someone’s perception of themselves and give them a smile this Christmas.
December 2021 Life in... Orpington 33
