The Dr. Seuss classic Grinch is the UK’s most popular Christmas jumper inspired by a Christmas movie
Die Hard is the second most popular Christmas jumper
Home Alone and Gremlins are 3rd and 4th most popular Christmas movie jumpers.
A new study reveals the most popular Christmas jumpers inspired by Christmas movies, with jumpers themed from Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch being the most popular.
The research conducted byBoohoo analysed the monthly UK search volume for the Christmas movie-themed clothing to establish which Christmas jumper is the most sought-after this festive season.
(1) The Grinch
The most popular Christmas jumper is none other than Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch. Searches for the term ‘Grinch Christmas jumper’ average 4,700 times per month in the United Kingdom, proving how much fans are willing to be seen wearing a Grinch-themed jumper.
The Grinch first hit screens as a TV special on CBS in December 1966, which featured the green cartoon storybook character causing mayhem in the world of Whoville. Then, in the year 2000, Jim Carrey took on the role of the Grinch and brought Whoville to the big screens in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The most recent film within the Grinch franchise, The Grinch, was released in 2018 as an animated adaptation of the Christmas classic.
(2) Die Hard
The second most popular Christmas movie jumper is worn by Karl Vreski, portrayed by Alexander Godunov, in Die Hard. Karl is the film’s main antagonist’s right-hand man and the only character not killed by John McClane (Bruce Willis) in the movie. The Christmas jumper in question is a grey knitted number with ‘Now I Have a Machine Gun – HO HO HO’ written on the front, paired with a Santa hat.
Searches for ‘Die Hard Christmas jumper’ receive 2,400 searches per month, on average. Many speculate whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie due to its action/thriller genre, which caused the writer to note that the film is set at a Christmas party during the holidays and features many Christmas songs, meaning it is a Christmas film.
(3) Home Alone
The 1990 classic Home Alone places third in the rankings, which features a young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) who is accidentally left home alone at Christmas time and faced with scaring off two burglars from breaking into his house.
During the film, Kevin looks cosy in a few different winter knits, but the most iconic is the heathered red knit that surprisingly can hold his entire weight when he is hung on a coat hook. Despite the red knit not being the craziest of prints, it hasn’t stopped film fans from wanting to get their hands on a Home-Alone themed jumper for themselves.
Searches for ‘Home Alone Christmas Jumper’ average 1,600 searches per month in the UK.
(4) Gremlins
Fourth place in the rankings goes to Gremlins, released in 1984 and follows the shenanigans and destruction forced upon the small town of Kingston Falls, by a horde of mischievous monsters. The comedy-horror, written by Home Alone director Chris Columbus, is an unusual tale for a Christmas movie but presents some of the most valued messages common in holiday films, such as the importance of loyalty and kindness.
Searches for ‘Gremlins Christmas Jumper’ average 1,000 searches per month in the UK, proving just how popular the miniature furry beasts are and how much fans want to rock a green Gremlin-themed jumper.
(5) Arthur Christmas
The 2011 animated family-adventure film Arthur Christmas places fifth in the rankings and is undoubtedly a film for all ages. The film’s overall premise is to answer the most important question of them all: how does Santa deliver everyone’s presents in one night? The film’s budget is estimated to have been $100 million (£81 million) and ended up seeing $147 million (£120 million) worldwide gross.
Searches for ‘Arthur Christmas Jumper’ average around 750 searches per month in the UK; despite the show being an animated film, the main character Arthur (James McAvoy), rocks some festive and colourful jumpers throughout the film.
A spokesperson from Boohoo commented on the findings: “Christmas movies are the ultimate way to get into the Christmas spirit.
“With office parties, family photos and Christmas jumper competitions taking over this time of year, it is exciting to see just how many of our most iconic and beloved films influence our Christmas wardrobes and how many people want to get their hands on a festive-themed jumper”.
As Christmas Day draws closer, many of us will already be sneaking a taste of our favourite festive snacks. And with a lot of food thrown away over the Christmas period, you may be tempted to treat your pets to some of the leftovers.
However, some common Christmas foods can actually make our pets seriously ill, so it is important to know which ones should be avoided.
Animal health specialists at OurFitPets have put together a list of common Christmas foods that can cause serious health problems for cats and dogs, as well as advice on what you should do if your furry friend accidentally eats any of these foods.
Christmas foods you should not give to cats and dogs
Christmas pudding
Mince pies
Sage and onion stuffing
Onion gravy
Chocolate
Macadamia nuts
Blue cheese
Alcohol
Turkey bones and fat
Mouldy foods
Christmas pudding and mince pies
These common Christmas treats contain dried fruits such as raisins, sultanas and currents, all of which are particularly toxic for cats and dogs and can cause kidney failure if consumed.
Signs that your pet has poisoning from these foods include vomiting, increased thirst and urinating less frequently than normal.
Safe and onion stuffing and onion gravy
Any foods that contain vegetables of the allium variety should be off the menu for cats or dogs. This includes fresh and powered forms of aromatics such as onions, garlic, shallots, leeks and chives, which are frequently found in Christmas stuffing and gravy.
These vegetables all contain a compound called N-propyl disulfide which is damaging to your pet’s red blood cells and can cause them to develop anaemia.
Signs of allium poisoning in pets includes diarrhoea, stomach pain, as well as presenting as fatigued, weak or off their regular food.
Chocolate
Chocolate can be particularly toxic for cats and dogs as it contains a compound called theobromine, which animals can’t metabolise easily, and causes overstimulation of their muscles, including their heart.
Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the worst offenders as they contain the highest levels of theobromine, while white chocolate is the least harmful as it contains only a small amount of the compound. Although it’s still not recommended giving your pets white chocolate, as the high levels of fat and sugar are still likely to upset their stomach.
Signs of chocolate poisoning in pets includes; vomiting, a more excitable mood or muscle twitching, elevated heart rate or breathing, tremors or twitching.
Macadamia nuts
While it’s not fully understood why Macadamia nuts are unsafe for domestic animals, consuming them can cause your cat or dog to appear weak or sleepy and can cause painful or stiff joints that may make it difficult for them to walk.
This variety of nut can also induce vomiting, tremors and raised body temperature for up to two days.
Blue cheese and mouldy foods
Blue cheese such as Roquefort contain a compound called roquefortine C, which is known to cause muscle tremors and seizures in cats and dogs for up to two days.
Like blue cheese, gone off dairy or bread products contain fungi and mould which produce mycotoxins that can produce similar negative effects for cats and dogs when ingested.
Alcohol
Animals are more sensitive to the ethanol present in alcohol than humans are. Consumption of alcohol will cause your pet to become drowsy and unstable on their feet and at worst can cause a drop in body temperature and blood sugar, which can lead to seizures or a coma.
Turkey bones and fat
While not necessarily toxic to cats and dogs, turkey bones can be brittle which means there is a high chance of them splintering and lodging in your pet’s throat or stomach.
Turkey fat and fatty foods in general, shouldn’t be given to pets in large quantities either, as they can cause stomach discomfort and diarrhoea.
Tips to prevent your pets from eating unsafe foods
Keep chocolate out of reach
It may sound obvious, but tubs of chocolate and advent calendars should be kept out of your dog’s reach or in the fridge where possible.
Remove chocolate decorations from your Christmas tree as your pets can still knock these off, even if these are hung high up.
Avoid putting chocolate selection boxes as presents under the tree, as dogs can smell them through the wrapping paper.
Keep pets in another room while eating
Try to keep your pets in a separate room of the house during Christmas dinner, to avoid them eating unsafe foods that might have dropped on the floor.
Always check the ingredients
Always check the list of ingredients in any food before feeding to your pet. Many products will contain onion or garlic powder as flavouring, which is just as harmful for your pet as the real thing.
What to do if your pet has eaten something it shouldn’t have
Even if your cat or dog has only eaten a small amount of these foods, it’s important to do the following:
Call the vet straight away – Don’t wait for your pet to start showing symptoms. A vet will be able to offer advice, and the quicker you act, the better chance your pet will have of recovery.
Note the time and quantity of food ingested – Provide the vet with as much information as you can. This includes the time your pet ate the unsafe food, brand names, the ingredient list and how much you think they consumed
Don’t try to make your pet sick – Attempting this can cause further health complications. Leave this to your vet, as they are trained to do this in a safe manner.
Efforts from Central America to East Asia honoured as World Restoration Flagships
Initiatives now eligible to receive United Nations-backed promotion, advice or funding
Unveiled at gala event featuring Dr. Jane Goodall, Jason Momoa, Li Bingbing, Filipe Toledo, Frida Amani, Edward Norton, Ellie Goulding and more
The United Nations has recognized 10 ground-breaking efforts from around the globe for their role in restoring the natural world.
The winning initiatives were unveiled at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal and a special virtual gala event featuring actors Jason Momoa and Edward Norton, Dr. Jane Goodall, extreme mountaineer Nirmal Purja, singer Ellie Goulding, UK band Bastille, Chinese celebrity Li Bingbing, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen, FAO Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo and British economist Sir Partha Dasgupta, among others. The gala was hosted by Indian National Geographic Explorer and wildlife filmmaker Malaika Vaz.
The initiatives were declared World Restoration Flagships and are eligible to receive UN-backed promotion, advice or funding.
They were selected under the banner of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a global movement coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It is designed to prevent and reverse the degradation of natural spaces across the planet.
Together, the 10 flagships aim to restore more than 68 million hectares − an area bigger than Myanmar, France or Somalia − and create nearly 15 million jobs.
In revealing the World Restoration Flagships, the UN Decade seeks to honour the best examples of large-scale and long-term ecosystem restoration, embodying the 10 Restoration Principles of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
The UN Decade acknowledges the time needed for restoration efforts to deliver results. Until 2030, regular calls for World Restoration Flagships will be launched. In expectation of increased funding to the UN Decade’s Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), additional submissions are being considered, including restoration drives from Pakistan, Peru, and an initiative focusing on Somalia and other drought-affected countries.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said: “Transforming our relationship with nature is the key to reversing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.
“These 10 inaugural World Restoration Flagships show that with political will, science, and collaboration across borders, we can achieve the goals of the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration and forge a more sustainable future not only for the planet but also for those of us who call it home.”
Qu Dongyu, Director General of the FAO, said: “FAO, together with UNEP, as co-lead of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, is pleased to award the 10 most ambitious, visionary and promising ecosystem restoration initiatives as 2022 World Restoration Flagships.
“Inspired by these flagships, we can learn to restore our ecosystems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all, leaving no one behind.”
The Atlantic Forest once covered a swath of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. But it has been reduced to fragments by centuries of logging, agricultural expansion and city building.
Hundreds of organizations are active in the decades-long effort to protect and restore the forest in all three countries. Their initiatives are creating wildlife corridors for endangered species, like the jaguar and the golden lion tamarin, securing water supplies for people and nature, countering and building resilience to climate change, and creating thousands of jobs.
Some 700,000 hectares have already been restored with the 2030 target at 1 million hectares and the 2050 target at 15 million hectares.
Safeguarding the world’s second-largest dugong population is a goal of the drive in the United Arab Emirates to restore beds of seagrass – the vegetarian dugong’s preferred food – coral reefs and mangroves along the Gulf coast.
The project in the emirate of Abu Dhabi will improve conditions for many other plants and animals, including four species of turtle and three kinds of dolphin. Local communities will benefit from the revival of some of the 500 species of fish, as well as greater opportunities for eco-tourism.
Abu Dhabi wants to ensure its coastal ecosystems are resilient in the face of global warming and rapid coastal development in what is already one of the world’s warmest seas.
Some 7,500 hectares of coastal areas have already been restored with another 4,500 hectares under restoration for 2030.
The Great Green Wall is an ambitious initiative to restore savannas, grasslands and farmlands across Africa to help families and biodiversity cope with climate change and keep desertification from further threatening already-vulnerable communities.
Launched by the African Union in 2007, this flagship seeks to transform the lives of millions in the Sahel region by creating a belt of green and productive landscapes across 11 countries.
The 2030 goals of the Great Green Wall are to restore 100 million hectares, sequester 250 million tons of carbon and create 10 million jobs.
While the Great Green Wall targets degraded land stretching right across the continent, the UN Decade flagship has a particular focus on Burkina Faso and Niger.
Restoring the health of the Ganges, India’s holy river, is the focus of a major push to cut pollution, rebuild forest cover and bring a wide range of benefits to the 520 million people living around its vast basin.
Climate change, population growth, industrialization and irrigation have degraded the Ganges along its arcing 2,525-kilometre course from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal.
Launched in 2014, the government-led Namami Gange initiative is rejuvenating, protecting and conserving the Ganges and its tributaries, reforesting parts of the Ganges basin and promoting sustainable farming. It also aims to revive key wildlife species, including river dolphins, softshell turtles, otters, and the hilsa shad fish.
Investment by the Indian government is up to $4.25 billion so far. The initiative has the involvement of 230 organisations, with 1,500km of river restored to date. Additionally, there has been 30,000 hectares of afforestation so far, with a 2030 goal of 134,000 hectares.
Mountain regions face unique challenges. Climate change is melting glaciers, eroding soils and driving species uphill – often toward extinction. The water that mountains supply to farms and cities in the plains below is becoming unreliable.
The initiative – based in Serbia, Kyrgyzstan, Uganda and Rwanda – showcases how projects in three diverse regions are using restoration to make mountain ecosystems more resilient so they can support their unique wildlife and deliver vital benefits to people.
Uganda and Rwanda are home to one of only two remaining populations of the endangered mountain gorilla. Thanks to the protection of their habitat, gorilla numbers have doubled in the last 30 years.
In Kyrgyzstan, herders are managing grasslands more sustainably so that they provide better food for both livestock and Asiatic ibex. Snow leopards are slowly bouncing back.
In Serbia, authorities are expanding tree cover and revitalizing pastures in two protected areas. Brown bears have returned to the forests, where restoration is also helping ecosystems recover from wildfires.
Focused on three small island developing states – Vanuatu, St Lucia and Comoros – this flagship is scaling up ridge-to-reef restoration of unique ecosystems and tapping blue economic growth to help island communities rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Goals include a reduction in pressures on coral reefs, which are vulnerable to storm damage, so that fish stocks can recover. Ecosystems under restoration also include seagrass beds, mangroves and forests.
As well as creating a “toolbox” of solutions for sustainable island development, this flagship aims to amplify the voice of island nations facing rising sea levels and intensifying storms as a result of climate change.
Like many grasslands around the world, the vast steppes of Central Asia are in decline due to factors like overgrazing, conversion to arable land and the shifting climate.
In Kazakhstan, the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative has been working since 2005 to restore the steppe, semi-desert and desert ecosystems within the historic range of the Saiga, a once abundant antelope critically endangered by hunting and habitat loss.
In fact, the Saiga population had plunged to 50,000 in 2006 but rebounded to 1.3 million in 2022. As well as reviving and protecting the steppe, the initiative has helped conserve wetlands that are a vital stopover for an estimated 10 million migratory birds. Among the key bird species are the sociable lapwing, the red-breasted goose, the white-headed duck and the Siberian crane.
Exposed to heatwaves and unpredictable rainfall, the ecosystems and peoples of the Central American Dry Corridor are especially vulnerable to climate change. As recently as 2019, a fifth year of drought left 1.2 million people in the region needing food aid.
Tapping traditional farming methods to build the productivity of landscapes, including their biodiversity, is at the heart of this restoration flagship covering six countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.
For example, agroforestry systems integrating tree cover with crops like coffee, cocoa and cardamom can boost soil fertility and water availability while sustaining much of the biodiversity of the original tropical forest.
By 2030, the goal is to have 100,000 hectares under restoration and create 5,000 permanent jobs.
Demak, a low-lying coastal community on Indonesia’s main island of Java, has been plagued by erosion, flooding and land loss caused by the removal of mangroves for aquaculture ponds, land subsidence and infrastructure.
Rather than replanting mangrove trees, this innovative World Restoration Flagship has built fence-like structures with natural materials along the shore to calm waves and trap sediment, creating conditions for mangroves to rebound naturally. The total length of permeable structures built is 3.4 km and 199 ha of mangroves have been restored.
In return for letting mangroves regenerate, farmers have been schooled in sustainable techniques that have increased their shrimp production. With mangroves providing habitat for a plethora of marine organisms, fishers have also seen their near-shore catches improve.
This ambitious initiative combines 75 large-scale projects to restore ecosystems, from mountains to coastal estuaries, across the world’s most populous nation.
Launched in 2016, the initiative results from a systematic approach to restoration. Projects dovetail with national spatial plans, work at the landscape or watershed scale, include agricultural and urban areas as well as natural ecosystems, and seek to boost multiple local industries. All include goals for biodiversity.
Examples include the Oujiang River Headwaters Project in Zhejiang province, which integrates scientific knowledge with traditional farming methods, like slope terracing and combining crops with fish- and duck-rearing, to make land use more sustainable.
Some 3.5 million hectares have been restored so far. The 2030 target is 10 million hectares.
The UN Decade addresses all three Rio Conventions and encourages its partners in integrating climate forecasts and a different climate future in their restoration efforts.
There has never been a more urgent need to revive damaged ecosystems than now. Ecosystems support all life on Earth. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet and its people. Ecosystem restoration will only succeed if everyone joins the #GenerationRestoration movement to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide.
Aldi Scotland has shared three recipes to showcase the versatility of the Christmas dinner staple that is often left behind on our plates
Aldi Scotland has created three tantalising recipes that will leave the boiled, mushy brussels sprouts of our youth with a lot to answer for.
With three recipes that reinvent the scorned vegetable, Aldi is showcasing how we should all be eating our brussels this festive season. And at just 19p for a 500g as part Aldi’s super 6, each recipe offers fantastic quality for incredible value.
Working with East Lothian Produce, who have supplied the retailer with their brussels sprouts since 2012, Aldi Scotland has created three perfect dishes, including sprouts with a parmesan and garlic crumble, sprouts with a creamy mustard sauce, and a butternut and brussels pie, that showcase just how adaptable the humble vegetable can be.
East Lothian Produce and Aldi Scotland are encouraging customers to ditch the boring, boiled version we’ve all grown up with and try out the fool-proof recipes at home, which are sure to make the perfect side for your Christmas dinner.
Tracy McCullagh, East Lothian Produce, said:“Brussels sprouts are so much more versatile than you would imagine, and I think these recipes highlight how they can actually be the star of the show.
“I’d encourage Aldi customers across Scotland to give them a go – you may just surprise yourself.”
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said:“Brussels sprouts have endured a bad reputation over the years, and we want to change that.
“East Lothian Produce’s delicious sprouts can make the basis of so many sumptuous side dishes, which is obvious in these recipes. I’m sure our customers will love this different take on the traditional vegetable.”
Recipes:
Sprouts with a parmesan, garlic, and fresh thyme crumble
Serves: 4 people
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 18 minutes
Ingredients:
600g sprouts
30g butter
30g Specially Selected parmigiano cheese
50g plain flour
3g fresh sage – chopped
1 x tsp paprika
2 x peeled garlic cloves
Method:
Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6.
Trim and wash the sprouts.
Cook in salted boiling water for 3 minutes and drain well.
Grate the Parmigiano cheese.
Mix the butter, grated cheese, sage, garlic, and flour together, then season with pepper and the paprika.
Rub the mixture together to make breadcrumbs.
Put the sprouts into an ovenproof dish – sprinkle over the crumble and bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
Sprouts with mustard cream sauce
Serves: 6 people
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
400g sprouts, trimmed
200ml Scottish double cream
2 x tsp dijon mustard
20g pine nuts
1 x tsp paprika
8g fresh parsley
25ml olive oil infused with garlic
Method:
Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/Gas Mark 6. Cut the sprouts in half and put onto a baking sheet – drizzle over the garlic oil and bake for 10 minutes.
Chop the parsley and put in a bowl along with the cream and mustard, then season with some salt and black pepper.
Once the sprouts are cooked, transfer to a baking dish. Mix in the mustard cream. Sprinkle over the paprika and the pine nuts, then bake for a further 10 minutes.
Serve piping hot.
Butternut and brussels pie
Serves: 6 people
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
1 butternut squash
300g brussels sprouts
2 medium red onions
200g lighter garlic & herb soft cheese
750g puff pastry
35g pecan nuts
3g fresh rosemary
100ml olive oil
Sea salt
Black pepper
1 medium Scottish egg
10ml Scottish milk
Paprika
Method:
Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/Gas Mark 6.
Peel the squash. Cut into small chunks, discarding any seeds.
Trim the sprouts. Cut in halves.
Peel and finely chop the onions.
Put the squash, sprouts and onions on a large baking sheet.
Drizzle the oil, and season with salt and pepper.
Roast in the oven for 25 minutes.
Allow to cool and put into a bowl.
Add the soft cheese.
Finely chop the rosemary and the pecan nuts, and add to the mix.
Mix all ingredients together.
Lightly grease a large baking sheet and put a pastry sheet on top.
Add the mixture on top.
Whisk the egg with the milk and paprika, then brush it on the exposed pastry.
Put the other sheet of pastry on top of the mixture.
Cut 5 slashes and brush all over with the egg and milk wash.
Santa Claus has delivered his first ever global Christmas address from his Post Office in Finnish Lapland.
His first official Christmas message details the festive wishes he receives in the letters that are written by many children and adults all over the world – this year’s top Christmas wishes were health, happiness and love.
Santa Claus’ first Christmas message was informed by letters written by the young and the young at heart, mostly between the ages of 8 and 25. In addition to the three main themes, many letters also asked the age-old question, “Santa, are you real?”
Santa Claus’ Christmas Eve message is available to view online at Santa Claus’ Main Post Office website here.
Gary Maclean is supporting the Mary’s Meals Big Family Christmas fundraiser
Gary Maclean is inviting Scots to join Mary’s Meals supporters from around the world for a virtual Christmas dinner.
The National Chef of Scotland supports Big Family Christmas, a unique fundraiser that will feed children living in the world’s poorest countries with Mary’s Meals.
He says: “As Scotland’s national chef, it goes without saying that I love a Christmas get-together with my family and good food. This year, we’ll be tucking into a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. And of course, I’ll be cooking!
“It may well be a bus man’s holiday – but I know how lucky I am. That’s why I always take part in Mary’s Meals’ Big Family Christmas fundraiser.”
Mary’s Meals serves school meals to more than 2.2 million hungry children in some of the world’s poorest countries, including Kenya, Haiti and Yemen. The promise of food attracts them into the classroom where they can gain an education and hope for the future.
For just £15.90, enough to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a whole school year, people can join the Big Family Christmas. They will receive a certificate to print at home and their name, or the name of a loved one, will appear on the charity’s virtual dinner table – alongside the names of thousands of supporters from across the world.
More than 46,000 people from around the world have taken part in Big Family Christmas since it launched in 2015.
Gary continues: “Setting a place at Mary’s Meals’ virtual dinner table has become a Christmas tradition for me, my family and many thousands of Mary’s Meals supporters around the world.
“Together, we are bringing hope to millions of little ones with the promise of a daily school meal. My Christmas wish is that people across Scotland will join me by setting their own place this festive season.”
Donations made to Mary’s Meals before 31 January 2023 will be matched by a group of generous supporters, up to £1.5 million, thanks to the Double The Love campaign, meaning that each place set at the online Christmas table will feed two hungry children.
Sleep experts Bed Kingdom have highlighted some tips and tricks to get the children to sleep well on Christmas Eve:
Fill the morning with exercise
Whether it’s a family walk or perhaps their favourite sport, taking the little ones for some morning exercise will promote better sleep at night by burning off energy. If you’re lucky enough to see some sunshine, this is a bonus, as it helps to set the body’s natural clock for better sleep.
Keep them away from sugary foods after midday
While it may seem a tricky task, it will prove much more of a challenge trying to get the children to sleep if they’ve had high-sugar foods near bedtime. By causing excess energy production, they will be overstimulated and therefore be kept awake resulting in disruptions during the night. Instead, try sugar-free jelly or juice with no added sugar if you need to satisfy their sweet tooth after midday.
Keeping them up late will prevent a good night’s sleep
While it may seem like a later bedtime will help your child to sleep better at night, it will in fact do the opposite. Young children who are overtired will find it much more difficult to get some shut eye, and it will only prevent them from getting enough sleep if you plan on waking up particularly early on Christmas Day.
Give them a sleep-inducing snack before bed
It’s a must to make sure your child isn’t going to sleep on an empty stomach – and if you have many activities planned on the day, they may be too occupied to realise just how hungry they are. A late-night snack will ensure they don’t have any awakenings during the night, but it’s important to choose something that induces sleep rather than fights it, like fatty and sugary foods. Bananas are both healthy and sleep-inducing as they calm the body and relax the muscles; pair it with a glass of milk, as this will make it much easier to rest due to containing tryptophan, a sleep promoting amino acid.
Keep things calm on the evening
If your way of celebrating the festivities as a family includes lots of activities, it will work in your favour to keep these for the afternoon and have a calm atmosphere for the evening. Having an earlier dinner than usual will not only help the little ones prepare for bedtime, but it’s one way to keep them occupied without having to get them too excited – and having bath time afterwards is an extra way to fill the time and relax them.
Don’t alter their night-time routine
Your children will be aware that something is missing if you alter their night-time routine. You may think that sacrificing something like a bedtime story so that they can stay up for a little while longer will help to ease the excitement out of their system, but their routine becomes a signal for sleep – so it’s vital to not make any drastic changes.
Avoid using technology too close to bedtime
If you plan on watching a Christmas film together as a family on the evening to keep things calm, it’s best to switch the screens off around two hours before your children’s bedtime. Blue light, which is emitted from technology screens like mobile phones, laptops, and TVs, can suppress the body’s hormone melatonin which is responsible for making us sleepy. So, it’s best to complete any technology related activities before the bedtime routine.
Don’t forget to countdown before bedtime
Counting down until bedtime allows your kids to prepare for sleep, for example an hour, then half an hour, and fifteen minutes prior. Not only will you avoid the protest to staying up for longer, but it helps them transition into their bedtime routine easily.
A spokesperson from Bed Kingdom commented: “Spending Christmas with the family is something that many of us look forward to all year, but having little ones around makes it that little bit more special.
“However, it can sometimes feel as though there’s nothing to prepare them for bedtime on Christmas Eve, resulting in a restless night’s sleep. Thankfully, there are several tips and tricks to keep them calm and avoid any tired children on Christmas Day.”
A six-year-old Dalmatian from Derby has narrowly avoided a Christmas catastrophe after eating an almost full pack of After Eights chocolate – including the wrappers.
But thanks to life-saving veterinary care funded by the UK’s largest vet charity, PDSA, the much-loved family pet Reggie will still get to enjoy the festive season with his family.
Reggie got his paws on the chocolate when his owner, Natalie Wood (31), popped out with her son, Brooklyn (10), to football practice.
“When I got home I noticed straightaway what had happened. I’d had three myself and left the box on the side in the kitchen, which I thought was out of his reach, but when I got home the rest of the chocolates had gone with just the box left, so I knew he had eaten almost the whole pack, including the wrappers,” Natalie explained. “I panicked because I know how dangerous chocolate can be to dogs so I called my local PDSA straightaway.”
PDSA confirmed they could help Reggie and advised Natalie to take him to their out of hours provider Vets Now in Derby. Once there, the vets gave Reggie an injection to make him sick.
Luckily, thanks to Natalie’s quick thinking and the treatment, which cost more than £300 and was funded by PDSA, Reggie made a full recovery and was able to return home the same day with medication to prevent his body from absorbing any remaining toxins.
“Usually Reggie is such a happy and playful dog, but he was really feeling sorry for himself that day, you could tell he wasn’t himself,” Natalie explained.
“But when we got home, I gave him a plain dinner of chicken and rice and the medication the vets gave us, and then he slept all night. He woke up the next morning and was back to normal!”
Ahead of the Christmas period, Natalie and PDSA are warning other pet owners of the dangers festive treats can pose to furry friends.
“Everyone knows chocolate is poisonous to dogs so I dread to think what would have happened to Reggie without PDSA,” Natalie added.
“With the cost of living crisis at the moment, I’m noticing everything is going up, from milk to petrol, and with Christmas around the corner, money is really tight. I have no idea what I would have done without PDSA as I would have struggled to afford the care Reggie needed to save his life.”
Natalie, who lives in Swadlincote, adopted Reggie when he was just a year old. “He’s been my best friend ever since,” she said. “He is one of the family; life wouldn’t be the same without him.”
PDSA Veterinary Nurse Shauna Spooner said: “Many of us have treats, sweets and chocolates in the house, and while the festive period can be a time for indulgence, it’s important to remember that some of these foods are very harmful to our pets.
“Foods including chocolate, mince pies, onions, raisins, grapes, some nuts, sage-and-onion stuffing and Christmas cake can all be harmful and should be kept safely out of paws’ reach over Christmas.
“If you suspect your dog has eaten any amount of chocolate, call your vet straight away for advice, don’t wait for symptoms to appear, but there are some key signs to be aware of:
“Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which is toxic to dogs, cats, and rabbits. In severe cases, chocolate poisoning in dogs can cause fits and even death. There are some signs you can look out for if you think your pet may have accidentally eaten chocolate:
Excessive thirst
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
A tender tummy and restlessness
Tremors
A racing heart or abnormal heart rhythm
Raised body temperature and rapid breathing
“The higher the cocoa content of the chocolate, the more dangerous it is, so dark chocolate poses the biggest risk to pets.”
In times of hardship pets like Reggie will still fall ill or become injured and need emergency care.
PDSA is appealing for donations so that the charity can continue to support owners who have nowhere else to turn by providing life-saving care to vulnerable pets. To donate, visit pdsa.org.uk/donate.
Everyone wants their pets to feel included on Christmas Day and one way you might be thinking of doing this is to give them a share of your festive feast.
However, it is important to remember what is and, more importantly, is not safe for your dogs to eat. Luckily, PDSA vets are on hand with some top tips on how to safely share your delicious Christmas dinner with your dogs this festive season.
PDSA Vet, Lynne James, said: “There are parts of a ‘typical’ Christmas dinner that we can share with our furry friends, and I’m sure they would very much enjoy, but there are also parts that we should keep away from our pets at all costs.”
Lynne explained the ‘dog-safe’ parts of a roast include:
Boneless white turkey meat
Carrot and swede mash (make sure it doesn’t have onion in)
Vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, green beans, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, peas and cauliflower.
“But remember, it is important to make sure the food is plain and not covered in glaze, sauce, gravy, or seasoning as this could upset your dog’s stomach,” Lynne added.
“Other foods, such as cheese sauce, roast potatoes, bacon, and pigs in blankets aren’t dangerous but are high in fat and could easily upset your dog’s stomach, and they will likely pile on the pounds with all those extra calories.”
Lynne also shared a list of forbidden foods, which are highly dangerous to our four-legged friends and can have fatal consequences:
Onions
Garlic
Leeks
Shallots
Mincemeat
Currants, raisins and sultanas
Bones
Alcohol
Chocolate
PDSA Vet Lynne’s top Christmas dinner tips
Don’t overshare with your dog in the weeks and days surrounding Christmas because you may find that they start to expect something every time you have a meal, which encourages begging behaviour and is unhealthy in the long-term.
Remember portion control and don’t go crazy – our dogs are much smaller than us, and what seems like a tiny amount of food to us will be a huge treat in their eyes! For a small dog breed, such as a Border Terrier, eating just four pigs in blankets is the equivalent of a human eating an entire Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.
Have your vet’s out-of-hours number stored in your phone so, should an emergency occur and your dog eats something they shouldn’t, you can contact them immediately!
If you do feed your dog a little treat, make sure it’s no more than 10 per cent of their daily food intake, and remember to reduce the amount of food in their next meal to avoid over feeding them.
PDSA relies on donations to deliver life-saving treatment to hundreds of thousands of pets across its 48 Pet Hospitals in the UK.
To keep families together this winter, the charity is urgently calling on the public’s support more than ever to prevent vulnerable people having to make a truly heart-breaking decision.
Teams serving community payback orders (CPOs) have been making Christmas wreaths for sale to support people’s mental health over the festive season.
Unpaid workers in Fife have been raising money for mental health charity the Samaritans through the sale of wreaths made from foraged local materials.
Justice Secretary Keith Brown welcomed the initiative as demonstrating the positive impact that CPOs can have not only for people with convictions, but for their wider local communities in the run up to Christmas.
He said: “This is a time of year when people’s mental health can be more greatly impacted and it’s good to see this recognised in the work carried out by people on community payback orders.
“Of course many people in the justice system struggle with mental health problems, so it is particularly heartening to see the active contributions that this group of unpaid workers have been making to their community – and to charity.
“Community sentences, with supervision and other conditions where necessary, add structure and help people make the positive changes needed to tackle the causes of their behaviour.
“Our reforms to community-based sentences, in particular as an alternative to short spells in prison for less serious offences, is a key element of Scotland’s modern justice system – which in recent years has seen record low reconviction rates that in turn help keep crime down and communities safe, with fewer victims.”
Fife Council’s service manager Lisa McCran said: “This project is a great example of how our service users can help raise funds for a local charity and give something back to the community through unpaid work.
“Unfortunately, for some service users poor mental health is not uncommon, so this was also an opportunity to give back to those organisations who give help and support locally and nationally.”
Community Justice Scotland chief executive, Karyn McCluskey, said: “Communities in Scotland have benefitted from more than 8 million hours of unpaid work since 2011. This has led to extraordinary change across the country.
“Crime is reducing and organisations and people across Scotland are making a difference day in day out. We know we have more to do, but we have shown great change is possible if we work together and strive for a safer society with wellbeing for all.”
