THIS year, Vanessa was going to have a different kind of festive season. She usually hosted Christmas for her family at her house, even after her husband passed away a few years ago. Every second year

Actor, comedian and author Dawn French on how she spends the festive season

Christmas starts early at Katie Piper’s house – very early. The Loose Women presenter and campaigner says it usually begins before most of us have even found the storage box with the baubles in. “My d

Betty Middleton had only moved in two weeks earlier, but already she was starting to annoy me with her frequent knocks at my back door. “Would you like a slice of my lemon drizzle? It’s home-made!” No

GINNY glanced nervously at the tree and the gifts beneath it. She hoped she’d done the right thing. “It’ll be fine, love,” John said, putting an arm round her shoulder. “They’re our grandkids. They’ll

D inah was not a Christmas cook. Her ...