Throwing a festive party

Whether you’re planning a family gettogether or inviting the whole street, set a budget early to avoid spending a fortune. Save on drinks by swapping champagne for prosecco, and serving mulled wine or cider instead of spirits – gently heat cheap red wine or cider on the hob, adding mulling sachets or oranges and spices such as cloves and cinnamon sticks. (Some supermarket mulled wine is an even cheaper option at around just £3 a bottle.)

Go for dips and nibbles rather than a costly hot buffet, or ask guests to bring a party snack each. People love to help. Ask a (trusted!) family member to DJ using their own music collection, and play games you can make yourself, such as “Pin the nose on the snowman”, a festive quiz or an “Ugliest Christmas jumper” contest.

As for decorations, keep the kids busy making paper chains from leftover paper scraps or giftwrap, and forage for foliage on winter walks – arrange holly, ivy and pine cones on the mantelpiece or food table, lit by tealights in jam jars.