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If the sparkles and Santa hats hadn't given it away, you're holding in your hands the Christmas bumper issue of Chat! Along with cheesy TV ads and Michael Bublé on the radio, our big fat festive issue is a sure sign that the big day will be with us s

Steph Scott, 28, from Newcastle upon Tyne What's your favourite Christmas film? Elf. I can't express how happy Buddy the elf makes me. I re-enact the ‘Santaaa! I know him!’ weekly from October to January. When do you put up your Christmas decorations

What word connects an MLS soccer team based at Soldier Field and the Hundred cricket sides based at Sophia Gardens? To find out, solve the puzzle… The three answers in this puzzle read the same across and down. The clues are given, but not in the rig

A house on Craven Street, next to Charing Cross station in London, which opened to visitors in 2006, is the only surviving residence of which of the US founding fathers? The number next to the clue tells you which line the answer's in. We've put a se

Anna-Louise Bates, 48, Cardiff Wrapped in a fluffy cloak and white gown, in the freezing cold, I felt like I'd stepped out of Narnia. ‘I love you, Mrs Wonderful,’ my new husband Stuart smiled. It was our wedding day in December 2006. I'd designed my

All around me, people were screaming and crying. In shock, I realised that Fraser and Stu had been hit by a car. I crouched beside Fraser. My friend's partner was attempting CPR. My little boy was unconscious, making a gurgling sound. Trying to breat

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WIN 10x £20 Puzzle 5 Look closely at these two pics – there's a difference in five squares. The five grid references (eg 1A, 2B, 2C, 3C, 4D) are your prize answer. Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 88 for details■

True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Alexandra Nailwal, 41, Winchester, Hampshire Pulling off layers of clothing in the school hall, I smiled at the mum and dad sat next to me. It was December 2015, and me and my husband Shekhar were at our eldest son's school

Q I'm 24 and heading out on a lads’ holiday in the new year. I think I might be allergic to condoms, as my penis gets sore and itchy after using them. What should I do? Louis, Arundel A As you gear up for your holiday, it's important to think about k

Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the address on p5. There's £20 for every one we use! This week's puzzle was compiled by Pamela Ramage, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire WIN 5x £20 Puzzle 6 1 Scottish Island 2 Expanse 3 H

Covert and commotion are among the collective nouns used for what type of bird? Cross out a letter in each square to get a grid filled with words. The uncrossed out letters in the shaded squares give the prize answer. WIN 3x £50 Puzzle 7 Your answer:

The largest volcanic lake in the world can be found in the caldera of the supervolcano Toba in the Barisan mountain range on which island? To find out, solve the puzzle… Enter the answers to the clues in the grid. Every word is an anagram of its neig

Claire Dean, Ipswich, Suffolk A tiny bundle of brown fur, tail wagging furiously, our new puppy was even cuter than I imagined. Looking up at me with big, beautiful eyes, exactly the same colour as his fur, I knew what I'd call him. ‘You're just like

In the US sitcom Seinfeld, Kramer has his perfume idea stolen by – and ends up modelling underwear for – which fashion brand? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Move quickly = SOOT

With their trendy haircuts, goofy teeth and plenty of woolly padding, who wouldn't fall in love with Cosmo and Nigel? These two adorable alpacas look even cuter at Christmas donning their snazzy red glittery bow ties and gold reindeer antlers. They t

To solve the puzzle, each 3 × 3 box, each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Solve the puzzle and the numbers in the highlighted squares will give you the prize puzzle answer. WIN 2x £30 Puzzle 11 Your answer:■

WIN £40 Puzzle 12 Which of these composers wrote the prelude Tribute to Samuel Pickwick, the protagonist of Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BACH BIZET BRAHMS CHOPIN DEBUSSY ELGAR HANDEL HAYDN LISZT M

Making sure everyone wears their hat from the Christmas crackers, no excuses! Getting sentimental while decorating the tree. Even though those ancient baubles made in nursery and infant school are looking a little worse for wear. Watching kids open a

What is US comedian and actor Andy Samberg's real first name? Solve the crossword, then read down the shaded squares to find the prize puzzle answer. 1 Streets (5) 4 Peculiar (3) 6 Adviser, assistant (4) 7 Final part (3) 1 Enemy (5) 2 Residence (5) 3

WIN £100 Puzzle 14 Pimento dram is a Caribbean style of liqueur flavoured with the berries of what culinary plant? Solve the puzzle by following the arrows and writing in your answers. Then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the priz

Apart from opening and closing shots of a New York skyline, the video for Madonna's 1984 single Like a Virgin was filmed entirely in which city? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles. CAD CAR EAR EAT END IRE NO

In 1914, a young girl called Charlotte May Pierstorff travelled across Idaho to visit her granny by train classed as what, since she met the 50lb weight limit? Unscramble each group of letters to discover six words associated with the post. Now fit t

Jean Hartley,72, Merseyside Music blared out from my daughter's bedroom. I cringed from the kitchen as she and her brother shouted the words. Madonna, again. It was August 1985, and my eldest, Julie, then 15, was obsessed. And my youngest, Christophe

Use your inner strength to overcome something that's been a challenge for some time. While you can speak up and lead the way, you may need to ask for help. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more As an Earth sign, you can encourage things to come your way if

7-10 December Be dazzled by this amazing, free outdoor experience, now in its 10th year. It's packed with sparkling, interactive installations. Highlights include a six-metre-long whale shark plunging into the dark waters and an immersive artwork whe

Sam Michaels, 56 Wearing huge, curly shoes, a silly elf outfit and hat, I looked in the mirror and burst out laughing. ‘You look ridiculous,’ teased my mum Brenda, then 80. ‘Look who's talking!’ I replied. It was Christmas Day 2023 and the pair of us

Whatever your preference, we've got you covered. Exceptional Norfolk Heritage Slate Turkey, 4-5.5kg, £10/kg, Asda If you're feeding a crowd, this is the perfect bird. The flavoursome and tender meat had us all going back for more. We'd suggest a slig

If you're creating a statement eye, primer is essential to ensure a smooth canvas and prevent creasing. 17. Eye Primer, £4, Boots, mattifies lids so eyeshadow stays put. Otherwise, you can apply concealer across the lid and around the eye, which will

Sian Evans, 29, Ascot, Berkshire A French fry hanging from my lips like a ciggie, toilet roll wrapped around my head and dressed in a bin bag, I sashayed down the bar. ‘Yay!’ cheered my friends as I jiggled my hips. It was November 2022 and I was at

CLOSING DATE FOR ALL ENTRIES IS 17 DECEMBER 2024 (Three days later for postal entries)■

Simply text CHATA followed by a space and your answer/s (spaces between answers please) full name, door number and postcode to 63333 Texts cost 50p plus standard network charge (maximum 160 characters per text). When you enter by text, you may in fut

Solutions to Chat issue 44 (31 October 2024) Puzzle 2 Peaty Puzzle 3 Alley Puzzle 4 Guest-starred on The Simpsons Puzzle 5 1D,2B,3A,3C,4C Puzzle 6 Lane Puzzle 7 Teak Puzzle 8 Golem Puzzle 9 Butterbeans  Puzzle 10 Hokkaido Puzzle 13 Libra Puzzle 14 Th

Dear Santa, Crisp white snow glistened all around me. Everywhere I looked, there were icicles, fairy lights, even reindeer! A real winter wonderland. It was November 2013, and I'd just stepped off the coach in Karesuando, a tiny village between Swede