By Amber Graafland

Uniflame 7 BBQ set, £12, asda.com Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack Whiskey 70cl, £30, sainsburys.co.uk English Pewter Company Single Stag Head Tumbler, £27, johnlewis.com Moccasin slippers, £35, boden.co.uk

was also suffering from PMT for the first time in six months. The menopause is a bit like the party guest who finally leaves after draining the grappa you brought back from Corfu in 1992, only to ring at 4am to ask if he left his keys behind.

“Bet they don’t have that problem in flats for the over 55s,” I mused, putting my presents away in the cupboard at home. “You know,” I sighed, looking at the growing stash of unopened bottles. “This might be a good year to tell everyone that I don’t actually like gin.” Birthday girl Siobhan and pal Alison