Christmas with the Family? No Thanks! Creative Christmas Containers
Brits are kicking the family Christmas fi rmly into touch this year with three in 10 saying they would prefer to spend the big day alone, and almost half admitting they only see family because they have to.
For those who do spend Christmas with their families, it doesn’t take long for “Christmas Cabin Fever” to set in, with a fi fth of those seeing their family predicting they will only be able to spend 150 minutes with them before getting annoyed and wanting to escape.
Researchers polled the nation and discovered that a combination of too many people in one room, boredom, petty squabbles and rude relatives are the things that leave them wanting to jump back in their cars and head for the hills. The data from a study by Privilege Home Insurance even found
that
one in four (23 per cent) would like to put as much distance as possible between themselves and their families, saying they would prefer to be on holiday abroad for Christmas Day.
This is, perhaps, hardly surprising given that when we do spend Christmas with the family, the reasons for going may not please our nearest
and dearest; with a quarter going through guilt or obligation; one in 10 because they were given no choice; and a handful going purely for the presents. Although there doesn’t seem to be one person solely responsible for ruining the family festive fun, the research found that the family members most likely to push us over the edge were our own parents, followed by siblings and the mother-in-law. It isn’t all about people though, as it seems it’s what they do that causes the problems, with rudeness, selfi shness, being critical and getting drunk in the top fi ve of the most annoying things our relatives do at the Christmas table.
Perhaps if guests knew how much it was costing their hosts to put on the Christmas lunch they would be better behaved and be a little less likely to want to leave, as the fi ndings also highlight that hosting just ten relatives costs a staggering £430, and that’s not to mention the time it takes to plan, shop, prepare and clean up. However, this could also be the reason that only seven per cent of people are choosing to host a wider family gathering in their own home this year.
Top 10 Reasons for Wanting to Leave the Family Christmas 1 Too many people in one room (18 per cent)
2 Feeling bored (16 per cent) 3 Petty squabbles (15 per cent) 4 A drunk family member (13 per cent)
5 Selfi sh relatives (12 per cent) 6 Having to chat to people they don’t like (11 per cent)
7 Rude relatives (11 per cent) 8 Old arguments (10 per cent) 9 Old annoyances (8 per cent) 10 Other people’s manners (8 per cent)
Top 10 Things Our Families Have Done To Annoy Us At Christmas 1 Rudeness (28 per cent) 2 Been selfi sh (25 per cent) 3 Criticised us / our partner / our kids (20 per cent)
4 Gotten drunk (18 per cent) 5 Been too loud (17 per cent) 6 Just been there (16 per cent) 7 Had poor table manners (9 per cent)
8 Shared their political views (8 per cent)
9 Asked personal questions (7 per cent)
10 Commented about my relationships (5 per cent)
Horoscope By Quinn
ARIES (March 21st to April 19th) Have a look at your wardrobe, there is an awful lot of ‘old tat’ there, taking up space you could use for other purposes. What you really need is a complete re-fi t, clothes-wise. If however this is impossible from the fi nancial point of view then you should start thinking how you can wangle a few bits and pieces that will mix and match with what you already have. This is just as important for males as for females.
TAURUS (April 20th to May 20th) Call for the cavalry! You have lots ahead for you to do and you will need several pairs of hands to help you get it all done. You should be so busy that your feet will have barely enough time to touch the ground. If you’re not then you’re reading the wrong star chart. A plan of campaign will be necessary, with everything listed in order of priority. Don’t turn down any off ers of help, no matter how small, it will all enable you to achieve your goal.
GEMINI (May 21st to June 21st)
Some welcome extra work will be on its way and jobs already on hand will be going well. Don’t be complacent though, just because you’re busy now doesn’t mean you won’t have a few doldrums later on. Do some modest advertising. No need to splash out too wildly, just keep your name about. For those already well established in their occupation there is an opportunity for expansion that should be considered. For those about to set up on their own, the stars are good and there is a new year ahead.
CANCER (June 22nd to July 22nd) You are tempted to indulge yourself during the next two weeks. Go on, why ever not? You have worked hard enough lately and you deserve a treat. There is nothing to be gained by untimely frugality and everything to be gained from a spot of jollifi cation. Those around you will respond in a positive manner and all in all these weeks could end on an hilarious note. Whilst you are at it if you have not already organised a short spring holiday, get on to it now!
LEO (July 23rd to August 22nd) The hardest thing in life is to stand back and allow a close friend or relative take a course of action that you know will lead to disaster. Generally speaking this is usually the wisest course, as long as you are there to help salvage the wreck at the end of the day. This time however you should do your best to counsel caution to someone you admire. You cannot allow this to happen without some eff ort on your part.
VIRGO (August 23rd to September 22nd) You are inclined to be a trifl e accident prone right now, so be extra careful when handling machinery, sharp knives and electrical equipment. If you have to attend an urgent meeting, make sure you arrive on time. If you are embarking on a long car journey, take emergency supplies. Look on every activity as a challenge and make appropriate arrangements, that way you will minimise any hazards or mishaps.
LIBRA (September 23rd to October 23rd) One of your problems this coming fortnight will be trying to be in two places at once. Of course this is impossible and rather than fi nd out the hard way, why not delegate someone? As long as you ensure you know exactly what’s going on nothing will be lost by this course of action. Much of the problem is caused by a very unexpected family celebration or event which you must help organise. This cannot nor should not be delegated - it is essential you are there at all times.
SCORPIO (October 24th to November 22nd) Once again your heart has ruled your head. You really are an old softy. This time you must say ‘no.’ Nothing dreadful will happen if you do but a lot could if you don’t, so go on, say it. A young person, probably not too closely related is going to cost you money. Nothing you can do about this, it is all your own fault and you must pay up, so you may just as well do it with a good grace.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd to December 21st) If you have been caught by a doubtful bargain recently or taken to the pictures by a dishonest dealer, you are about to get the last laugh. Try to learn from the experience though. You must not take so much on trust or at its face value. Life is full of pitfalls and you should be prepared for them at every turn. This week you should also be taking stock of your occupation. Are you really getting what you need from it, or is there something else you would rather be doing?
CAPRICORN (December 22nd to January 20th) A nice easy couple of weeks for you. Quite a change after all the hassle of last week. Try to relax and enjoy yourself, you deserve it. One of the birds wants to fl y the nest. Give them your blessing and as much help as you can. Don’t be too depressed about it though, they’ll be back! Just make sure they know you will be willing to welcome their return. It is very easy to think your nearest and dearest know how you feel but they don’t always, so leave no room for doubt.
AQUARIUS (January 21st to February 19th) One man’s meat is another’s poison, and just because a proff ered invitation is far from acceptable to you, it does not mean it was meant as an insult. Far from it in fact. What you must do is decline gracefully without giving even a hint of off ence. At home other members of the family are niggling away at each other. This is not serious and represents the normal carry-on of people living in close proximity to each other. You must act as mediator and keep your sense of humour.
PISCES (February 20th to March 20th) When you receive an off er, as you surely will next week, do not accept without deep thought. It will lead on to a course of action that will aff ect not only you but your family as well. You owe it to them to have a hand in the decision so keep nothing to yourself. On the social side of things, there is a surprise on its way, quite nice and certainly unexpected. You should examine the business motives of someone who is about to present you with a gift.
16 - Friday 14th December 2018 - Cardiff & South Wales Advertiser
Give your planters and containers a seasonal makeover and let your garden be part of your Christmas decorations this year. Revamping old pots is a great way to make the garden more festive. You can also buy terracotta, ceramic or plastic pots – glazed or coloured in red or white – or simply upcycle some household containers. Painting wooden or terracotta pots to give them a lift or wrapping them in fabric, tinsel or big bows is another way to make a stunning seasonal statement. Remember to check that your container has plenty of drainage holes. Waterlogged roots is the number one reason that container plants die in winter so make extra holes if necessary and fi ll the bottom with stones or broken pottery. Add multi-purpose compost until the pot is about half full and then get planting.
As an alternative to the traditional red colour scheme of Christmas try mixing white and silver for a clean and stylish look. Put grey-leafed lavender and senecio together with white cyclamen and decorate with strings of silver beads and small LED white lights. Or, go for a beautiful Christmas rose – Helleborus niger – and plant with pale pink or white cyclamen and training ivy around the edges to make the container feel like it’s overfl owing. Water everything in. You may need to top up the soil a bit once you have done that and don’t forget to leave about 3cm between the soil surface and the container lip. This ensures that it doesn’t overfl ow every time you water it.
If pots and containers are just part of your outside space then here are some gardening tips for this month from the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)… • Check your winter protection structures are still securely in place
• Check that greenhouse heaters are working • Insulate outdoor taps and prevent ponds from freezing
• Prune open-grown apples and pears (but not those trained against walls)
• Prune acers, birches and vines before Christmas to avoid bleeding
• Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts and remaining root crops
• Deciduous trees and shrubs can still be planted and transplanted
• Take hardwood cuttings • Keep mice away from stored produce • Reduce watering of houseplants
National Garden Gift Vouchers can be bought and redeemed at over 2,000 outlets in the UK, with more than 90,000 garden plants and products on offer. Visit
www.thevouchergarden.co.uk to view details of all the outlets that sell and accept them or call 0870 2408237 for more information. You can also buy them online.
www.cardiffandsouthwalesadvertiser.com
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