PLAN THE PERFECT PARTY

If you’re holding a Christmas knees-up, here are some useful tips.

It’s party time! No excuses don’t sit back and wait for everyone else to play host – do it yourself. And if the thought of organising a party on top of all the other Christmas preparations makes you recoil in horror, just follow our guide to make sure it all comes off with the minimum of fuss and the maximum of fizz.

Plan Ahead: Planning ahead is the key to a successful party. Send out invitations in advance, requesting an RSVP by a specific date. If you want music provided, book well in advance, especially at Christmas.

Find The Venue: Are you booking the office Christmas party? Then you need to book your venue now. Once you have found a place you like, check how many people it can cater for. There is nothing worse than having a huge venue with only a dozen or so people, or a small venue and everyone is squashed in. Ask if they serve food and how much it is per person and whether drinks are included or if there is a bar. Plus, you should find out when they expect you to leave at the end of the evening.

Specify The Dress Code: If there is a theme or if you want to set the tone for your get together by having people in party dresses and smart casual then say so. Or if you’re just expecting people to pitch up then make it a ‘come as you are’ or ‘scruffy and tipsy’ theme. Otherwise guests who show up in jeans are likely to be very uncomfortable if everybody else is in their best party outfits. On the other hand, a guest who has taken the trouble to arrive in a cocktail dress would feel very uncomfortable if she is the only one so dressed. The alternative is to have a prize for the most over-the-top Christmassy outfit. It will get people laughing as they arrive and are met by ever more outrageous get-ups. You can ask people to vote for their favourite, or exercise your role as host by choosing the winner yourself.

Organise Some Food: Plan a spread well in advance, making sure you’ve got a varied selection of nibbles that covers all tastes. Keep it simple, though. Have everything prepared in advance, so when guests arrive it’s all out ready to party. Make sure you have enough crockery, cutlery, glasses and napkins.

Set The Tone: Don’t just rely on your guests and their outfits to brighten the place up. Make an effort with a few special touches to give a bright welcoming party atmosphere. Switch off all overhead lights and use uplighters and fairy lights to give drama to each room. Even in the kitchen, try to forego the fluorescents in favour of colourful lighting.

Don’t Be Selfish: Put your guests first. If they have fun, your enjoyment will naturally follow. Be meticulous in introducing them to each other and offering starting points in conversation. Keep an eye on everyone and if anyone is alone or appears to be withdrawing from the crowd, make a big effort to get them back involved with the action.

Timing: Get in early to kick off the season and you can be confident guests will be raring to go. Too late in December and everyone will be partied out. Avoid Christmas Eve unless you are heading off to another house for Christmas lunch the next day. Who wants to be clearing away the dregs of the previous night when you have a Christmas lunch to prepare?

Be sure to visit 5hop5.co.uk for all your party needs! They regularly list promo codes and offers from all the biggest UK retailers. Asda discount codes and Sainsburys voucher codes will save you a packet on your party food and decorations.

GET FIT AHEAD OF THE FESTIVE SEASON

The Christmas countdown is well underway but there is no reason why you can’t be fighting fit long before the traditional New Year rush to the gym. A wealth of gym, swimming and group exercise programs are on offer at local leisure centres to help people avoid the need for guilty resolutions. On Christmas day, most adults consume up to 6,000 calories – around three times more than the average daily consumption. That’s not to mention the chocolates, nibbles, leftovers and work drinks and meals. On average we gain about 5lb of weight over the party season. While it is important to eat, drink and be merry, moderation and an exercise plan can go a long way. So whether you are appearing in a Christmas panto, want a kiss under the mistletoe or just want to look good for an evening out, why not hit the New Year fitter and trimmer than ever?

To keep you fit in the run-up to Christmas why not try Zumba, the South American dance fitness craze which has taken the UK by storm over the past year? It’s a fun and energetic way to get in shape to Latin and Caribbean rhythms. Or perhaps Body Pump, a high intensity work-out routine with weights and benches? Shape up with a group, driven on the latest chart hits and classic rock songs while burning up to 600 calories per session. Body pump is ideal for all over strengthening through a series of squats, presses, lifts and curls. In the gym, you can try rowing, running or using the stepper. All provide an excellent all-over workout in comfortable and friendly surroundings.

Spinning: one of the most high-intensity classes, the static cycle workout combines peak and recovery periods to a driving soundtrack. Bring a bottle of water and a towel – then prepare to push yourself to the limit.

Outside the gym try walking off the Christmas over-indulgence. Ditch the car when you head to the shops, take the dog to the park or drop the kids off at school for one of the easiest ways of completing moderate exercise. A pedometer will measure how many steps you take. The NHS says 10,000 a day will improve health, build stamina and burn excess calories. Also ditching the lift or escalator on the last minute shopping trips can reap dividends. Getting in the habit of taking the stairs can tone your legs and bottom and, crucially, burn off the mince pies and Christmas pud.

To save yourself some money  on home gym equipment and sports clothing, check the latest Argos voucher codes and deals.

Combining these with healthy eating will leave you at the peak of your game. Not all festive food is unhealthy – for example, turkey meat is relatively low in fat and can be a good source of protein. But try swapping beer or lager for a mixer diluted with diet lemonade or soda. In general, meals should be based on starchy foods with one wholegrain veriety – such as brown rice or bread – included each time.

Hardy winter vegetables can count towards your five a day. Eating more fish will also count – aim for two portions a day including one oily variety. Cut down on fat and sugar such as hard cheese, butter and cakes. Salt is also a Christmas pitfall which is easy to avoid. Eating more than the recommended limit of 6g a day can raise blood pressure and lead to heart disease.

Keep yourself well-hydrated by drinking six to eight glasses, or 1.2 litres of non-alcoholic liquid a day. Eating breakfast gives you an energy boost for the day and can actually help maintain a healthy weight.

Make sure you check 5hop5.co.uk to save you money on all your Christmas food and drink purchases. 5hop5 lists all the best deals, offers and promo codes from some of the UK’s biggest retailers.

GET THE BOOT

If the winter fashion trends feel daunting, put all the focus on your feet instead. Wedge, flat or heel, you can easily put your own stamp on a top trend via your footwear.

Mod Squad

Burberry and Prada championed a sixties comeback and boots have followed in their footsteps. Choose ankle styles with a mid-height block heel for a retro take that’s both versatile and walkable. Go the whole hog and team with a sixties shift.

Colour Block

Jewel colours dazzled on the catwalks but it’s juicy berry tones that have really got mouths watering. Look for ruby, garnet or crimson. If you’re trying out top-to-toe colour, then match your legwear – tights or trousers – to your boots for legs that go on and on.

Glitter Bug

Roberto Cavalli and Dolce & Gabbana set the tone for catwalk shimmer and shine with razzle-dazzle aplenty. If sequin dresses aren’t your thing, bling up your boots instead with Miu Miu- inspired glitter numbers. Beware of magpies.

Kinky Boots

Fetish is the risqué trend of the season and bad girl heels are the easiest way to surrender. Always black with a mean heel and plenty of lace-up or strappy detailing, these boots will have fashionistas cowering in style submission. Go above the knee if you dare but avoid the Pretty Woman patent references and stick to slick leather.

A great range of boots can be found from stores  like BHS, Debenhams, Schuh, House of Fraser, Miss Selfridge, New Look and Marks and Spencer. To help those purse strings, why not check 5hop5.co.uk before you purchase your new boots for a promo code or great deal to save you money.

FASHION JUMPS!

It’s hard to get jumpsuits right, the key is cut, fabric and the right accessories. The jumpsuit is back in fashion this year but, a bit like its little sister the ubiquitous playsuit, girls are sceptical about the all-purpose one-piece. Jumpsuits have the potential to turn style queens into fashion victims in one fail swoop. Let’s face it, jumpsuits are supremely handy. One piece of clothing and you’re ready to go, no faffing around looking for matching anything or missing layers. Just step in and walk. But there is always the concern about what they can do to your figure. Never mind trousers giving you a big bum, a dodgy jumpsuit can make your behind look like it stretches all the way down to your knees. Worse still is the nappy effect on draped, harem-style ones. Worn too close to terra firma, jumpsuits can look hideously frumpy, so heels or a wedge are a must.

Team your jumpsuit with flip flops or flats if you have a wonderful, well-placed behind. Cynics denounce certain slim styles for looking too utilitarian, like you’re from health and safety on the way  fabulously  feminine, especially worn off the shoulder.

The more juvenile-looking, Andy Pandy-styles are too baggy and need serious definition. Warehouse, however, has a very cute version with a roll collar but your biggest must-have accessory belt – whether a small, metallic one to add definition and establish the bona fides of your waistline or a good thick one, to really cinch you in.

A strapless jumpsuit is ideal for soaking up the rays, especially if you are travelling in a convertible and for that I recommend one available from Monsoon or the denim version from Next.  For a casual lunch with the girls, the Cupro one from South At Littlewoods is a great buy.

Flick through any glossy magazine and you will see photos of the 1970’s jumpsuited beauties from Studio 54. Last year Marks and Spencer had a brilliantly priced jumpsuit that would tempt any fashionista.

Looking through the various online fashion stores, there is a bewildering assortment with bargain pleasers to suit any budget. Be sure to check for discount codes and offers at 5hop5.co.uk to save yourself even more money on the jumpsuit of your choice.