ALL I WANT FOR XMAS…

The ultimate gift guide for all the family

E very year it was the same – a frantic rush down London’s Oxford Street on Christmas Eve followed by an evening of wrapping up last-minute presents and peeling potatoes and Brussels sprouts. By the time the big day arrived I was a stressed-out, exhausted wreck, too strung-out to eat the dinner for 12 I’d spent weeks planning. Then there was the year I was determined to make my family Christmas at home the best ever and spent the whole day cooking turkey with all the trimmings (even though I’m a vegetarian and my husband is a top chef). Once the bird was in the oven, I decorated the table with colour-coordinated napkins, candles, glittery snowflakes and handwritten place cards. To set it off, I strew some pretty paper chains across the table and went to entertain my guests.

Ten minutes later someone said they could smell smoke, and just as the oven pinged, to let me know the turkey was ready, I glanced over at my beautifully set table and shouted: “Fire!” It took my husband and uncle five minutes to get the flames under control, and two hours to clear the room of smoke. Not exactly the way I had planned it – but do you know what? I gave up trying after that and we have had the best times at Christmas ever since.

As our report on page 113 reveals, the festivities are a major cause of stress. And while it may all sound trivial, worrying about presents, entertaining family and friends, and trying to do everything perfectly can give us headaches, chest pains, depression and sleepless nights. Luckily, we spoke to all the experts and came up with a way to beat the festive stress. Enjoy!