Staying In

Make Bartender-Approved Christmas Cocktails

Hosting a Christmas drinks party and plotting to impress your pals with freshly shaken margs on arrival? You might want to rethink your cocktail choice, says Ryan Chetiyawardana (widely known as Mr Lyan), one of the world’s top bartenders. ‘Trying to shake up margaritas for a big group of friends is a nightmare – you are literally trapped in the kitchen,’ he points out – adding that, ‘for a simple cocktail, there’s a lot of skill in making a solid one’. Instead, Mr Lyan suggests pre-mixing a big bowl of punch, setting up a highball station where guests can create their own, or preparing a topper for fizz. Bring in seasonal flavours and garnishes to make it feel Christmassy, like rosemary sprigs, blackberries and clementine slices (these festive mimosas are an easy win).

Finally, perhaps most crucially: ice, ice, ice (‘you’ll need way more than you expect’). His top tip? Invest in some large-format moulds for a sprinkle of pizzaz. A few days before, clear out a drawer in the freezer and each time you make a cup of tea empty a tray of ice cubes in, then refill. See more of his hosting tips here

Going Out

Book A Digital Detox With Unplugged

If you can escape the festive madness for a couple of days, we couldn’t recommend a digital detox at Unplugged’s Josper cabin in the wilds of the Shropshire countryside more. With a fresh makeover by our much-loved Brit brand Damson Madder, it’s looking especially cosy right now – think stripy aprons, ruffled cushions and polka dot mugs for tea. With your phone locked away, you’ll go lo-fi with board games, fire pits, bracing walks and pub suppers. Looking for a book recommendation? On our list is Juhea Kim’s new cli-fi short story collection A Love Story from the End of the World, which – in Kim’s words – explores ‘what it means to be the human inhabitants of our one miraculous planet’. Bookings are selling out fast, so snap one up ASAP if you’ve got a couple of nights to spare this December. Select dates until 2 January 2026

Property Of The Day

This treehouse retreat set within 13 acres of private woodland in West Dorset is the stuff of childhood dreams (plus the saunas and hot tubs of your adult dreams).

Mallinson’s Woodland Retreat is on the market for £2m. Find out more at mallinson.co.uk

Little Luxury

The latest Barbour x Ganni collab is here. We’re lusting over this fun twist on the classic wax jacket, which features a peplum shape and tartan accents.

Competition Time

Win the ultimate festive skincare and wellbeing bundle from organic skincare brand ishga, worth over £700. Enter here

Psssst…

Fancy owning a piece of royal history? Now’s your chance, as a magnum of champagne from Princess Diana and the Prince of Wales’ wedding is going under the hammer.

Whatever You Do, Don’t

Book a holiday to the Canary Islands right now. Following years of protests about overtourism, Fodor’s has placed the archipelago on its 2026 ‘No List’, along with destinations like Glacier National Park in Montana, and The Jungfrau region in Switzerland.