This year to break tradition, we are having Beef for Christmas Lunch for the first time so I have been doing a lot of research about which red wine would be best to serve. Merlot Wine is totally outside of my area of expertise so it’s been a learning curve for sure.
Whenever I think of red wine, I think of winter, spices, roaring log fires – the perfect Christmas Lunch accompaniment, right?
OK so I am panicking about picking the perfect red wine for the big day!
I always try to stay on budget at Christmas. I make lists, I plan ahead and I maximise sale days, discounts and loopholes where possible. I shop big so the more money I can keep in my pocket through Christmas Budgeting, the better it is for me to treat myself in the sales!
My biggest festive weakness is spur of the moment gifts or stocking fillers that all add up. I am trying to get better at this but it’s a work in progress! I have some great tips in this collaborative post to help you keep on track this year.
It seems your social media gets flooded with proposals over the festive period. Who wouldn’t want a big shiny diamond from their other half for Christmas? What comes next? Wedding planning!
If you celebrate Christmas, then Merry Christmas but many find this to be an incredibly hard time of year. You’re not alone.
For whatever reason, if you need to talk to anyone or are feeling in need of help then please use one of the numbers on this list.You’ll find a friendly caring ear at the other end.
And remember, don’t feel pressured in to drink driving this festive season. Read my post on the Designated Driver scheme HERE
MIND
Website www.mind.org.uk
Tel No 0300 123 3393
Samaritans
Website www.samaritans.org
Tel No 116 123
Alcoholics Anonymous
Website www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.
Tel No 0800 9177650
Stonewall
Website www.stonewall.org.uk
Info line 08000 50 20 20
London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard
Tel No 0207 837 7324
SANELine
Website www.sane.org.uk
Tel No 0300 304 7000
Papyrus, Prevention of young suicide
Website www.papyrus-uk.org
National self-help body for the Transgender community
Beaumont Society
Website http://www.beaumontsociety.
Information Line 01582 412220
Childline
Depression Alliance
Website www.depressionalliance.org
Refuge
Website www.refuge.org.uk
Tel No 0808 2000 247
Beat
Beating eating disorders.
Website https://www.b-eat.co.uk
Help line 0345 634 1414
Youth Line 0345 634 7650
Shelter
Website www.shelter.org.uk
Tel No 0808 800 4444
NHS Direct
1111
No Panic
Website http://www.nopanic.org.uk
Tel No 0844 967 4848
youth helpline 01753 840393
If you are just feeling lonely, then feel free to tweet me during the day @ladyfromatramp for some moral support and some digitally sent brussel sprouts!
Stay safe, take care and love yourself.
Katie
x x x
At this time of year, being the designated driver can be both a blessing or a curse. Whether it is by necessity or choice, buying soft drinks, mocktails or alco free beers can all add up to just as an expensive night as one on the booze but you get the joy, usually, of ferrying your drunk mates home after the Christmas Party. Yay.
In a bid to drastically cut down the amount of drink drivers at this festive time of year, many City Centre bars are now adopting the Designated Driver scheme.