12 Dec, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
‘I’m considering keeping my bonus a secret so partner can’t get his hands on it’
Agony Aunt Coleen Nolan has advice for a reader who’s struggling with deciding whether to keep her work bonus hidden from her partner
12 Dec, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
6 fruits to eat for healthier and better skin, according to science
1. Golden kiwi
2. Watermelon
3. Bananas
4. Strawberries
5. Blueberries
6. Avocados
11 Dec, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Celebrate baby’s first Christmas with these 16 perfect gift picks
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A baby’s first Christmas is always a special one, and a memorable milestone too for the parents, extended family and baby.
When it comes to finding the perfect gift for a baby on their first Christmas there are a plethora of gifts to buy, from cute clothing, muslins and baby essentials, to stories and memory boxes, plus much more.
While there is an overwhelming selection of gifts to buy a baby, the real difficulty is knowing when to stop shopping adorable booties for the new addition to the family.
Whether you are buying for your own baby, whether it is your first child or third, maybe the baby you are buying for is a niece, nephew, grandchild, or your best friend’s bub, we have whittled down the best baby gifts to suit all budgets.
While some may be inclined to shop pink or blue outfits depending on the gender, we often recommend buying clothing that is all white, soft greys or neutrals, purely so those baby buys can be passed down.
Best First Christmas Gifts For Baby
Christmas Finger Puppets
Spark festive fun with these adorable Christmas Finger Puppets from JoJo Maman Bébé. Featuring Father Christmas, a reindeer, robin, penguin and gingerbread man, they’re perfect for imaginative play and storytelling. Ideal for popping into a Christmas Eve box or gifting on the big day. Each character measures approx. 10cm and is suitable from birth. Plus, enjoy 3 for 2 on selected JoJo Maman Bébé toys – the perfect excuse to stock up!
First Christmas For You
The farmyard is full of festive cheer – Christmas is here for your little one! Count down to the big day with this cosy, personalised storybook.
Pure Cotton Check Romper
Nothing screams Christmas louder than tartan pyjamas, except for matching PJ sets the whole family can wear on Christmas Day. Why not mark the first Christmas in your matching nightwear and a photoshoot for your Christmas cards to relatives. All bases covered.
Personalised Christmas Eve Delivery Wooden Christmas Eve Box FSC®
Got a little one eagerly waiting for Santa? This charming Christmas Eve box is perfect for building excitement! Crafted from sturdy wood and styled like a parcel from Santa’s workshop, it features festive detailing and a brass clasp to keep surprises safe. Spacious enough for PJs, books, and treats, it can be personalised with their name for a magical, one-of-a-kind gift.
I Love You More Than Christmas
From Tim Warnes, beloved illustrator of I Love You to the Moon and Back, comes a festive tale celebrating love, family, and friendship at Christmas. With charming bear characters and cosy winter illustrations, this heartwarming story is the perfect gift for little ones and a delightful read in the countdown to Christmas. Little Bear adores everything about the season – the laughter, sleigh bells, and Santa too – but discovers there’s something even more magical than Christmas itself.
Baby Einstein Around We Grow 4 in 1 Discovery Centre
Children love nothing more than being stimulated with sensory toys, and this multifunctional set delivers that. It has toys to play with, as well as vibrant colours, songs so it is educational and interactive.
Gingerbread Comforter & Booties Set
A simple gift, but one that will be greatly appreciated this Christmas. A comforter is always an essential so you can never have too many when a newborn is around to help soothe them to sleep.
Luxe Playtime Gift Set
If your baby needs stimulating or teething toys, this bundle set has a variety of gifts inside to brighten their day. What we love is the muted colour palette of each toy, which makes a change to the bold hues of other toys we have seen. The set features a UFO Silicone Pulling Toy, Stacking Teething Rings, Stacking Cups, a Koala 2-in-1 Teether, a Silicone Phone Press Toy and a Pacifier Clip.
Fortnum's Animal Enamel Alphabet Decoration
A small but luxury gift that can start a tradition when it comes to gifting future Christmas gifts for the little bundle of joy and the rest of the family.
Cream My First Christmas Sleepsuit
Looking for a festive yet comfy outfit for baby? The ‘My First Christmas’ sleepsuit is perfect. Made from a soft cotton blend, it features sweet Christmas appliqués, candy-cane trim, and fold-over scratch cuffs (up to 9–12 months). A cosy, adorable choice for their first big day!
Me to You Tiny Tatty Teddy Baby's First Christmas Memory Book
If you are buying for several family members, or you are doing Secret Santa with the family, this gift, which retails for under £10. It’s sentimental, it is a keepsake, and the perfect Christmas gift for a newborn and new parents to build a memory box.
BEST LEARNING Learning Cube
If you are buying for a baby aged six to 12 months, this Learning Cube is a genius gift. It is a playful toy, but one that is educational too.
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Personalised Born To Be Loved Snow Globe
If you are building a cosy sanctuary for your newborn you will be looking for trinkets to fill their bedroom with, and a Snow Globe has the perfect home in the baby bedroom at Christmas. Plus, this can be personalised, which makes the gift all the more special.
Personalised Giraffe Rocker Toy
If it is a baby’s first Christmas, but they are a little older then a rocker toy may be the perfect gift they can play on – but only when they are old enough to support themselves. Plus you can get it personalised with the little treasure’s name or even 'My First Christmas'.
Tonies Toniebox 2 Starter Set Grey
The Tonies Toniebox is one gift children, and parents, are always grateful for. Plus, this present is not one that will be used for this Christmas and cast aside, it’s a gift that children can use for many more years to come. Simply attach a Tonies on top, and there is a plethora of characters to choose from, and you can listen to the stories or sing the iconic songs from Beauty and the Beast.
Christmas Stocking
Make baby’s first Christmas extra magical with this adorable personalised stocking. Crafted in soft knit with festive embroidery and a bright red trim, it’s a keepsake they’ll treasure for years. Spacious at 50cm x 31cm, it’s perfect for little surprises and features a handy hanging loop. A charming way to celebrate their very first visit from Santa!
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11 Dec, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Next shoppers rush to buy £13.50 each jumpers that feel ‘so warm and soft’
‘Love the colours,’ said one delighted shopper
11 Dec, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
These M&S cashmere trousers sold out in minutes last year – but they’re back and cosier than ever
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
When winter hits, there’s nothing better than cashmere. It’s lightweight, warm, soft against the skin, and keeps you cosy without feeling bulky.
Plus, the natural material means you won’t get stinky no matter how much you wear it.
That’s why pieces like cashmere jumpers, socks, and trousers are such winter essentials – and why the viral M&S cashmere trousers being back in stock is such great news.
M&S Autograph Pure Cashmere Wide Leg Trousers
Made from pure cashmere, these Autograph wide-leg trousers are super soft and cosy. The high waist and flowing legs give a flattering, relaxed fit, while the ribbed details and elasticated waistband make them easy to wear straight out of the box. Stylish, comfortable, and effortlessly luxe, they’re a winter wardrobe must-have.
Described by shoppers as ‘soft, gorgeous and cosy,’ these trousers have been all over social media, with fans raving about how comfy they are while still looking polished enough to wear out of the house or even to the office.
They come in two cuts – a cuffed tapered ankle grazer or wide-leg but it’s the flattering wide-leg that’s gained the most attention online.
Easy to wear, sitting high on the waist and falling in a sleek line down the legs, they’re lightweight yet warm, making them perfect for layering under coats or just lounging at home in serious comfort.
And, because they’re cashmere, they have that soft, slightly stretchy feel that doesn’t leave you feeling restricted.
Available in sizes XS-XL and five gorgeous neutral colours, including black, brown and dark grey, these cashmere trews look so chic you could easily wear them out and about.
You can even complete the trendy co-ord look by shopping for the matching cashmere jumper or cardigan (which, trust us, are just as warm, chic, and snuggly!)
Concerned about keeping them clean and can’t be bothered to handwash? Don’t worry. M&S have thought of this and made sure that the fabric is suitable for machine washing at 40ºC without shrinkage or felting occurring.
At £110, we know that they’re not exactly cheap but, when it’s cold outside and you’re wanting something warm, soft, and ridiculously easy to wear, these M&S cashmere trousers are exactly the kind of winter piece you’ll actually reach for every day. And really, cost-per-wear means you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.
Want some for yourself? They’re selling out fast, and once they’re gone, they’re gone so, we suggest acting quickly.
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11 Dec, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Major UK supermarket rolls out nationwide service making Amazon returns easier than ever
Returning a parcel usually comes with a fair amount of faff, from getting yourself to the Post Office to remembering to package it up before the curfew.
Is it any wonder two thirds of men have kept unwanted items because they ‘can’t be bothered’ to go through it all?
Now though, Morrisons has launched a new service to take the stress out of the process, partnering with Amazon to introduce 350 return kiosks across its UK stores.
Effectively, customers will now be able to kill two birds with one stone and send back online orders at the same as doing their big shop.
But better still, each kiosk is fully automated, label-free, and box-free, so no more stressing if you’ve thrown away the original packaging or frantically trying to use the work printer.
How Amazon return kiosks work
Before you turn up to the supermarket with a bag full of returns, it’s important to note that these kiosks won’t work for any old parcel – they’re strictly Amazon only.
Here’s how the whole process works:
- As you would normally, log the return request directly via your Amazon account.
- Head to a participating kiosk (you’ll see options as you go through the Online Returns portal) which at Morrisons will likely either be next to the Amazon Locker or the customer service desk, depending on the store layout.
- Finally, scan your QR code at the self-service kiosk and drop off the item.
Morrisons has already rolled out 350 of these kiosks, with plans to expand the service even further in early 2026.
Customers can check if their local supermarket has one by using the store finder tool on the Morrisons website, but the option to use the supermarket’s drop-off points will also be automatically flagged byAmazon when you initiate a return.
‘With parcel deliveries now a part of everyday life for most people in the UK, the introduction of Amazon return kiosks in our stores makes it simple for customers to return parcels during their weekly shop,’ said John Parry, head of services at Morrisons.
‘This convenient new service adds to our existing range of in-store offerings to help our customers and give them more reasons to shop at Morrisons.’
This addition marks the latest upgrade Morrisons has announced so far this year, with other services including photo printing, parcel collection, laundromats, Timpson key cutting, and in-store cash deposits.
In June, the supermarket also changed how the meat selection is cut and displayed on its Market Street counters, in an effort to reduce staffing costs.
Instead of bigger joints and cuts of meat laud out on butchery counters, meat is now cut each morning to pre-packaged sizes, so shoppers can help themselves to what they want.
Rami Baitiéh, Chief Executive of Morrisons said changes were being made in order to ‘renew and reinvigorate’ the retailer.
He added: ‘Market Street is a beacon of differentiation for Morrisons and we remain committed to it. But as we modernise we are making some necessary changes to the areas of the model which are simply uneconomic.
‘In some stores where we are closing counters or Cafés, we plan to work with third parties to provide a relevant specialist offer.’
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11 Dec, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Silentnight’s heating pad costs just 1p an hour to run and keeps you toasty
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Now that winter’s properly settled in and the evenings feel freezing before it’s even 4pm, everyone’s looking for ways to stay warm without whacking the heating on (thanks, rising energy costs).
One thing that keeps popping up on shoppers’ must-have lists is the Silentnight Winter Warmer Heated Pad, which plenty of people say is helping them stay cosy for next to nothing.
Silentnight Winter Warmer Heated Pad
The Winter Warmer Heated Pad from Silentnight delivers direct heat to wherever you need it most, from your back and shoulders to your stomach, waist or legs. It comes with three heat settings so you can pick the level that suits you, and its 40 x 60cm size gives plenty of coverage. The pad is covered in soft fleece with a stain-resistant finish and can go straight in the washing machine when it needs a refresh. It costs just 1p an hour to run, making it a cheap way to stay warm, and it comes with a three-year guarantee.
Throws and blankets don’t quite cut it in sub-zero temperatures and this pad has quietly become a bit of a winter lifesaver.
You just put it wherever you need heat the most – across your back after a long day, over stiff shoulders, wrapped around cold legs, or even across your stomach when everything feels tense.
At around 40 by 60cm it’s a decent size, so it actually covers the area instead of having you shuffle it around every two minutes. And a lot of people are even using it in place of their old hot water bottle.
It comes with three heat settings, so you can pick the level of warmth you need, whether it’s a slow, steady heat or something stronger on really cold evenings.
It’s super snuggly too as the cover is made from soft fleece (the sort that feels instantly comforting). And because winter often brings endless tea, snacks and accidental spills, it’s handy that the whole thing can just go straight into the washing machine when it needs freshening up!
One of the biggest selling points? How cheap it is to run. At around 1p an hour, you can basically stay warm all evening for less than the price of a biscuit. It’s perfect for working from home, an evening in front of the telly, or those cold mornings when you refuse to crawl out from under the duvet until absolutely necessary.
Silentnight have been doing the comfort thing for more than 75 years, so it’s no surprise they’ve thrown in a three-year guarantee too. And at just over 600g, the pad is light enough to carry from room to room like your own little portable heater.
For something so simple, it’s quickly becoming one of those winter essentials people can’t say they lived without.
‘Fabulous heat pad. It’s a good size to sit behind your back. Heats up quickly. It has 3 settings and I always use the hottest one. I’d recommend this product,’ said a review from a user named James Lowry.
‘I have problems with my knees and my neck so at night when I’m relaxing this helps with the pain in my knees and neck,’ said a review from a shopper called Bidge.
And a glowing review from a user called Fraser Reid said: ‘Ideal for my bad back. It has plenty of settings and can be set to suit your own comfort levels.’
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Warm, cosy, cheap to run, and surprisingly good at easing everyday aches – no wonder shoppers are snapping it up!
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11 Dec, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Doctor shares 3-minute habit for office workers to cut heart disease risk
11 Dec, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
‘My fiance proposed but now avoids making wedding plans, how do I tell my bridesmaids?’
Coleen Nolan advises a worried reader whos fiance proposed two years ago on their dream holiday but now avoids making wedding plans and changes the topic
10 Dec, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
‘My ex was cheating on me with another man – I feel like an idiot’
Coleen Nolan has advice for a reader who’s struggling to come to terms with the fact that his ex was cheating on him for a year and is now engaged to another man