MAKE 2017 YOUR YEAR
WITH the sales under way, now is the time to look for deals on big-ticket items that could make your world a better place in 2017… 1. Go on an Arctic cruise If you’re looking for a truly unique experience, swap the Med and the Caribbean for an Arctic cruise and sail among fjords, visit seabird colonies and look out for whales and polar bears in one of the planet’s most stunning wildernesses. 2. Leave the vacuuming to a robot No one likes doing household chores like vacuuming and, with this nifty gadget, now you don’t have to.
Clean wooden, tiled and carpeted floors at the touch of a button. Some can even be programmed to do the work when you’re not at home! 3. AGA-do Impress your family and friends with delicious home-cooked meals prepared in an iconic AGA cooker.
From slow-cooked casseroles to the perfect roast chicken, you won’t need the skills of Nigella Lawson to earn brownie points with this piece of equipment. 4. Find a furry friend Why not make 2017 the year you join the estimated 40 per cent of UK households that have pets?
A dog will keep you company and keep you fit with regular walks, while indoor fish, turtles, guinea pigs and hamsters are more low-maintenance options. 5. Journey Down Under Cast your net wider than the Costas when booking your next holiday. Whether you fancy sunning yourself on Bondi Beach, sightseeing at Ayers Rock or exploring the Outback, a visit to Australia will create memories you’ll cherish forever. 6. Go big with an American-style fridge freezer Store more food and do your grocery shopping less frequently with an Americanstyle fridge freezer that will quickly become the focal point of your kitchen. This is one appliance that’s both fancy and functional. 7. Travel smart with new luggage Always forgetting your phone charger when travelling? Constantly worrying about your suitcase being lost at the airport?
Smart luggage, with location trackers and in-built chargers, mean those concerns become a thing of the past. 8. Shape up with a personal trainer When it comes to New Year resolutions, losing a few pounds and getting in shape are usually top of the list.
And many of us give up on both by the end of January. Make sure you stick to your resolutions this time by booking sessions with a personal trainer who can keep you on the right track. 9. See the Northern Lights Witness the spectacle that is the aurora borealis with a tailor-made Northern Lights trip to the likes of Iceland, Sweden, Finland or Norway.
Mother Nature’s very own light show can often be seen during optimum periods throughout the year in these northerly regions. 10. Try skydiving Often described as one of the most exhilarating experiences for daredevils, freefalling through the sky from more than 12,000 feet will certainly start your new year off with a bang.
And with courses starting from about £200, will 2017 be the year you finally take the plunge? 11. Expand your home with a conservatory Space is always at a premium in the home, so why not give yourself a little more room with a new conservatory?
Whether you opt for a traditional orangery or a modern extension, you could create more space for entertaining friends or dining together as a family. 12. Design the kitchen of your dreams
No matter if you aspire to the culinary perfection of Martha Stewart or the home cooking of Jamie Oliver, a kitchen kitted out with all the latest gadgets and gizmos is a must-have for wannabe chefs. Upgrading your cooking space to create the kitchen of your dreams will make your 2017 all the tastier. 13. Experience La Tomatina Ignore what your mum always told you and play with your food at La Tomatina.
Celebrated every year on the last Wednesday of August, in the small town of Buñol, Valencia, Spain, the local festival sees thousands of people take to the streets to pelt each other with tomatoes. It’s much more memorable than a trip to the beach. 14. Drive Scotland’s Route 66 Covering 516 miles of Highland scenery, the North Coast 500 is one of the top road trips in the world.
The route starts and ends in Inverness, taking in Scotland’s stunning coast along the way, showcasing all that our fair country as to offer. So buckle up for a truly breathtaking journey. 15. Embrace this year’s interior trends From subway tiles to Scandichic, make sure your interiors are en vogue in 2017. Why not also finally spring for a new mattress or swap out your sofa to make your year cosy. 16. Go back to school You’re never too old to learn a new skill. And with everything from cooking to foreign language classes available at local colleges, an evening class could transform your life. 17. Widen your social circle with a group or club Making new friends often tops people’s New Year’s resolution lists, so why not join a club or group to make it easier?
Joining a weekly book group, ballet class or football team will also fill up your 2017 calendar.