Christmas gifts that no man wants to get

Of course, the best part about Christmas is the exchanging of gifts. But there’s something mildly traumatising about having to force a ‘thank you’ through a fake smile after unwrapping a rather disappointing present. And it’s even worse receiving the same reaction from someone else upon receiving a gift from you. To help you steer clear from those situations, here are a few awful Xmas presents that you should definitely, absolutely avoid.

G-Shock ring

Cringe Alert! This is a tiny ring shaped like the G-Shock 5600 wrist watch. Can you imagine trying to keep a straight face talking to somebody wearing one of these? But if you do like it – it’s £79.90. At gshock.casio.com

Self-help books

Unwrapping a festive parcel, only to unearth Taking Control of Your Depression or How to Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating will of course signal to the recipient that you think something’s wrong with them. If a loved one is truly in need of help, they probably already know it. Save this sort of subject matter for a deep truth sesh in a safe space amongst very close friends, not a Xmas gift.

Photo frames

Unless you’re a primary school kid who’s just made an art project with dried pasta and spray paint, don’t give people photo frames, especially if there isn’t even a photo included. Empty picture frames are considered bad luck as the blank space invites negative energy, so the least you can do is fill it with something personal. If you’re close enough to a person to give them a Christmas gift, then you’ll likely have a photo of or with them – use it!

Statement mugs

Another mug for Christmas, how original! Worst of all are mugs featuring cringey statements like ‘Do all things with love’. And mugs shaped like characters are even worse. They’ll go straight to the back of the cupboard, sitting along with 20 other mugs with slogans like ‘It’s actually wine in here’ or ‘Don’t talk to me before I finish my coffee’.  Nobody on earth needs another mug.

Chocolates from brands no one’s heard of

Chocolates are often the way to go when it comes to Christmas presents. Most of us love a sweet treat. But forgive us for expecting something from Fortnum & Mason, Lindt or even trusty old Ferrero Rocher, over some dubious brand that no one’s ever heard of from Aldi or Lidl. 

Socks, socks, and (no) socks

Yes, everyone wears socks – but just about everyone has enough socks and isn’t about to go barefoot. Socks are an item best bought for oneself, considering they have to be the right size, style, and colour. Gift a pair that are too small or too colourful and they’re pretty much rendered unwearable. And don’t even get me started on festive socks or offerings with cartoons.

Anything ‘novelty’

It’s probably incredibly funny and entertaining for the first couple of hours once you’ve opened the present, but every novelty gift quickly becomes an annoyance for the rest of the year. Just how likely are you to use that bum bag with a man’s hairy belly printed on it or a golf set designed to be played in the loo? Items that are sure to be binned before January’s midway through. 

Anything exercise or diet-related

Think you’re being thoughtful by getting someone workout equipment? Think again. Unless you’re buying a gift for a fitness fanatic – and even then, it’s still a bit risky – it’s never a good idea to give anything exercise or diet-related. Instead of a ‘thank you’, you’re more likely to get a “what are you trying to say?” reaction. 

Welcome to November, with just a few short weeks left of 2025. 

It’s getting dark at 4.30pm, it’s getting chillier and it’s now ‘Couch Potato’ season. Time to check out all the latest Netflix and sporting offerings whilst we nibble our favourite snacks on the settee. But what is the nation’s favourite sofa snack?

It’s a toss up between crisps and chocolate. Nine in ten of us are most relaxed snacking in front of the TV with 64% favouring good old fashioned milk chocolate. Definitely my preference, especially cold enough to crack a tooth.

Chocolate beats the second top sofa snack – Cheese & Onion crisps with 36%.

Other snacks include digestive biscuits, salted peanuts and cheese on toast with 24%.

29% of us like to be in our pyjamas (me) and 23% like to snuggle under a blanket. Oxford University psychologists say “Our circumstances also play a significant role in our brains perceive taste. Everything tastes better when you are are in a good mood.”

But seven in ten of us hide our snacks from others in the house to keep them all to ourselves.

Much to look forward to over the winter!

Moving onto this week’s instalment, and we explore underwear changes, Luxury Advent Calendars for Christmas 2025 and are you in a ‘Swag Gap’ relationship?

We’ve all witnessed couples walking down the street, loved-up but worlds apart on the appearance front. One might be effortlessly chic, while the looks like they just fell out of a building site.

It’s the new term for mismatched couples. The Swag Gap defines couples with obvious style differences and different vibes.

In celebrity land, Justin Bieber and model Hailey Beiber are often described as a Swag Gap couple. Selena Gomez and her new husband Benny Blanco are another example.

So why is the term going viral on social media? A cognitive behavioural psychotherapist from Lancashire University says it’s nothing new.

People have always been interested in relationship imbalances because they tap into deep truths and the nature of humanity.

The Swag Gap refers to one partner being perceived as cooler, and perhaps more attractive or more popular than the other. Obviously, social media results in us being judged every moment of our lives. Some would say this is quite mean and it doesn’t really reveal anything about the health of a relationship.

Does it really matter if you’re better turned out or more visually memorable than your other half?  I suggest that maintaining differences can strengthen a relationship. 

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show returned to Brooklyn for its second post-hiatus outing, and for the second year in a row, it carried the aroma of something past its sell-by date.

Victorias Secret stores are increasingly closing – including my local shop in North London (some time ago).

The once-glittering crown jewel of corporate sexuality, synonymous with a kind of aspirational femininity that dominated the 2000s, now exists as a monument to a past America.

I remember all girls dreaming of being a “VS Angel”. But not anymore.

The show imploded in 2019, under a tidal wave of backlash – accusations of transphobia, fatphobia, toxic workplace culture, and general irrelevance abounded – and it felt like a cultural shift had happened.

Chief marketing officer Ed Razek’s now-infamous 2018 interview with Vogue, in which he dismissed calls for trans and plus-size inclusion by insisting that Victoria’s Secret didn’t ‘market to the whole world’, became the tombstone inscription of out-of-touch brand. The following year, the show was cancelled after its lowest viewing numbers ever.

During its exile, Victoria’s Secret tried to change its image. The company swapped wings for slogans, rebranding itself as a ‘female empowerment’ brand under the VS Collective moniker.

Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty is now the most popular underwear brand and has redefined what lingerie could mean in the public imagination. A space of genuine inclusivity, where difference was celebrated. The recent Savage X Fenty Vol. 4 show featured real, whole women with personality and shapes.

Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty lingerie line is known for its inclusivity, featuring a wide range of sizes and models of all shapes, ethnicities, and genders (including Men’s underwear).

It’s a key differentiator from Fenty’s competitors. The brand has expanded to include bridal collections, often launching new lines with elaborate fashion shows and campaigns that are both empowering and commercially successful.

• Savage x Fenty (general):
  •  A brand-wide commitment to sizing and representation, challenging traditional beauty standards.
• Savage x Fenty Show Vol. 3:
  • Featured a diverse cast of models and performers, emphasizing inclusivity and representation.
• Savage x Fenty Men’s Collection:
  • Features underwear, boxers, robes, and pyjamas for men, addressing a gap in the market.

• Savage x Fenty Bridal Collection:
  • Offers lingerie sets designed for weddings, such as “At First Sight,” “Take a Vow,” and “Satin Ever After”.
• Soft N’ Savage Collection:
  • Focuses on comfortable, everyday wear with a focus on softness and a wider appeal.

It’s that time of year again! Beauty Advent calendars are now so coveted that the most lavish offerings sell out long before early November, never mind December 1. You don’t even need to think about an actual Christmas present once you’ve bought of these. There’s a luxury gift in every window to get excited about every day in the run up to the 25th December.

For beauty obsessives, they’re an opportunity to discover new products, try the latest skincare phenomena (hello, retinol — miracle ingredient of the moment), or be reunited with cult favourites.

If you’re yet to venture into the dazzling world of beauty Advent calendars, 2025 is the year to start. Why? Because brands have truly upped the stakes and taken a bigger-is-better approach to both the size and value of their contents. The most extravagant calendar in our round-up holds more than £1,200 worth of products.

Sold? You’ll need to move fast to get in on the festive fun. Key editions, such as the Harrods festive fragrance calendar, have already flown off the shelves.

Acqua di Parma Holiday Collection Advent calendar

Acqua di Parma’s unique circular beauty Advent calendar is a real showstopper, with a handcrafted brushed gold-effect box that brightens even the dreariest of December days. The 25 doors count down to Christmas Day, with heady scents and statement spritzes ranging from the timeless elegance of Colonia to the vibrant Blu Mediterraneo. £460

The Harvey Nichols beauty Advent calendar 2025

This festive Harvey Nichols collection will impress even the most knowledgeable beauty experts. Behind its 25 doors are make-up favourites from Nars and Charlotte Tilbury, haircare products from Color Wow and Philip Kingsley, and premium skincare courtesy of Sisley Paris, La Prairie, La Mer and Augustinus Bader — plus 20 of the products are full-size. One in every 50 beauty Advent calendars also includes a gift card worth £50 to spend in-store or online. £250 (worth over £1,000)

Liberty beauty Advent calendar 2025

The beauty Advent calendar that started it all is celebrating 11 years of merry-making with Liberty’s most generous offering yet. Heralded by illustrations of the iconic Tudor store by renowned artist Clym Evernden are 30 products (20 of them full-size) from every corner of the famed beauty hall, including hero brands such as Augustinus Bader, Trinny London and Jones Road. Select calendars also contain a golden ticket worth £1,000 in Liberty vouchers. £275 (worth £1,245)

Selfridges beauty Advent calendar 2025

Selfridges has upped the stakes for 2025 with this three-tiered golden chest stocked with 37 treasures by key names such as Creed, Tatcha, Elemis and Rodial, 24 of them full size. Equally impressively, 35 of the products are exclusive to Selfridges and won’t be found in any other beauty Advent calendar this year. The overall value of the collection is more than £1,100. £250 (worth £1,136)

Jo Malone London Advent calendar 2025

Jo Malone’s 2025 Advent calendar is decorative and decadent. My Fave. Twenty-five surprise products to scatter around your house? It’s the perfect gift for fragrance fanatics, featuring a mix of bath and body bestsellers, luscious lotions and signature scented candles. £360

It’s Winter! The clocks and changed and it’s Halloween this Friday.

As we reflect on the past year – what are the Key wellness trends for 2025? THE focus on longevity and “living longer,” with personalized and technology-driven approaches like AI-powered treatments and augmented biology. There’s a continued emphasis on holistic health, which expands beyond traditional fitness and nutrition to include mental wellness, sleep, and social connection. Additionally, analogue wellness is gaining traction, prioritizing low-tech, real-world experiences like wellness tourism and disconnecting from technology.  Tech-driven wellness 

• AI and augmented biology: Using artificial intelligence for personalized diets, exercise plans, and health treatments. 
• Biohacking: Focusing on optimizing health through a combination of personalized nutrition, technology, and habit-building strategies to improve focus, longevity, and immunity. 
• Digital home monitoring: Widespread adoption of digital tools for monitoring health at home. 

Holistic and preventative health 

• Longevity: Shifting the focus from anti-aging to living longer, healthier lives through lifestyle changes, supplements, and treatments. 
• Holistic approach: Addressing the whole person by integrating physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and mental/social well-being. 
• Brain health: Increasing attention on mental performance, cognitive function, and brain health through targeted nutrients, sleep, and exercise. 
• Women’s health: A growing emphasis on prioritizing health and wellness for women. 
• Prevention: A greater focus on preventative care to reduce long-term healthcare costs. 

Low-tech and analogue wellness 

• Analogue wellness: Embracing pre-digital experiences like wellness tourism, which involves traveling with the sole purpose of self-care, and disconnecting from technology to engage in real-world activities. 
• “Slow is the new fast”: A movement towards work-life balance and prioritizing mental and physical well-being over the constant hustle. 
• Play-based exercise: Incorporating joy and playfulness into fitness routines, such as with activities like trampoline jumping or multi-sensorial workouts. 

Nutrition and supplements 

• Seasonal and local eating: Focusing on seasonal produce and farm-to-table eating to ensure freshness and support local farmers. 
• Specific supplements: A surge in popularity for certain supplements, such as lion’s mane mushroom for focus and cognitive function. 
• Brain-boosting nutrition: Beyond omega-3s, there’s a focus on a wider range of nutrients to support brain health. 

The leaves are starting to golden, the foxes are beginning to destroy the bins and Starbucks is rolling out its pumpkin spice lattes like they’re going out of fashion. All of which can only mean one thing: ’tis the season. Someone left a comment on my Instagram the other day, in which they compared my relationship with Halloween to Mariah Carey’s kinship with Christmas. I felt seen. Spooky season is my season. I love Halloween.

As someone who has hidden – physically, emotionally, spiritually and aesthetically behind blonde hair and green eyes, Halloween is the one time of the year when I can really let my gothic freak flag fly. And I don’t just mean on 31 October. Because in today’s insatiable era of neverending content, Halloween is basically the entire month. Thirty one days of unadulterated darkness; a celebration of all things scary and spooky and altogether dark.

Here are my favourite Halloween looks:

My friend Lisa Good and her venture Pure Sea were  thrilled to promote this incredible recycled swimwear range by AimaDora alongside Marina Boutique and Bare on the Beach in their sustainable fashion show at WikiWoo Hotel in Ibiza this year as part of their ocean awareness weekender. Founder Lisa Good raises awareness to the plastic waste on the beaches and the harm it causes to the ocean, holding volunteer led beach clean ups with the tourists and local schools as part of their ocean awareness weekender of events.

Scalding showers could make your hair fall out.

Hot showers can make you bald a doctor has warned.

People who enjoy a super hot shower blast could risk the ‘dehydrating’ their scalps and suffer sudden hair lost according to Dr Ali Anwar revealed.

He said extremely hot showers can inflame the scalp, strip away the protective natural oils and roughen the hair suckle.

The hair loss expert added ‘ If you’ve already had hair tinning , harsh heat can make the problem look and feel worse.

Dr Ali also urged people to take ‘lukewarm showers around showers at 37 degrees. If you don’t have a thermostat then use the wrist test. If the water is to hot for your inner wrist after few seconds, then it’s too hot for your scalp.

Beware.

Welcome to Amamda Zips It Up

It’s almost Halloween. Metaphorically at least, screaming has always been part of the action. But now it’s a form of therapy.

Introducing “Screaming Therapy” – a new wellness trend where people gather to scream collectively to release stress and pent-up emotions. While its organizers and attendees describe it as a cathartic and therapeutic experience, some experts question its long-term effectiveness and whether it can address the root causes of emotional issues. 

• What it is:

A trend where groups of people come together in public or private spaces to scream at the top of their lungs, often organized via social media.

• Perceived benefits:

Participants report feeling a sense of release, temporary relief from stress. Some say it’s a way to express emotions that are difficult to release or are suppressed, and feel a sense of accomplishment after doing so.

• How it works:

The act of screaming is believed to trigger a physical and emotional release, potentially releasing endorphins and having a cathartic effect.

• Examples:

Events have been held in places like Parliament Hill in London, and some hotels have started offering it as a “self-guided” wellness activity.

The established practice of primal scream therapy

• Controversies:

The long-term benefits of primal scream therapy are debated among clinicians, and there is little scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. Some argue that expressing anger this way might worsen aggression or not address the underlying issues.

• Potential for release:

Experts agree that screaming can be cathartic in the moment and provide a temporary release for repressed emotions.

• Concerns:

Many psychologists caution that screaming alone may not be a sustainable or long-term solution for mental health issues and may not address the root causes of stress and anxiety.

• Alternative approaches:

While scream therapy might be a useful tool, experts suggest combining it with other coping mechanisms like exercise, talking with a therapist, or other forms of stress relief.

I’d sooner take a walk on the Heath rather than gaining a sore throat personally.

On that note – let’s move on with this week’s instalment. Enjoy.