The Lady Magazine

18 November 2016

Dear Readers, You know the Christmas season has started when the John Lewis advert arrives on our screens. Each year, it is another miniature cinematic triumph that has other retailers green with envy and the nation dewy-eyed. But this year, dear old M&S has fought back with a three-minute film that has Mrs Claus (played by award-winning actress Janet McTeer) swooshing into action behind her hubby’s back – in a helicopter and sporting a stunning red ensemble. What’s not to love? It’s not clear how much the ad cost, but nothing can have cost as much as the utterly sumptuous new 10-part TV series, The Crown. Spanning the first decade of HM the Queen’s reign, it cost around £100m to make and is beautifully written by Peter Morgan, who penned The Queen and The Audience. It’s so blissful to know that we have something to see us through the long winter nights, although it is certainly worth braving the cold to go and watch Eddie Redmayne on the big screen making magic with his wand in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter prequel, Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. But don’t bother traipsing around the shops afterwards, you could just nip back home, put on the kettle and do all your Christmas shopping from the comfort of your armchair. Yes, mail order is the solution and there are plenty of gorgeous suggestions in our special guide this week. If my husband is reading this, you might want to pay attention to the bed socks! Until next week, best wishes Sam Taylor,