Christmas Events 2021

Street Lights

Christmas Charity Events

This year, perhaps more than in recent years, many people will be struggling with higher food prices, as well as escalating energy and other bills. While there are charities set up to help the disadvantaged they, too, will be finding it harder to raise funds. There are a number of charity events planned for the run-up to Christmas that you may wish to help: The Bury St Edmunds Womens’ Aid Centre is holding an open day, White Ribbon Day, at its premises at 24 Saint Andrew’s Street North from 11am to 3.30pm on 25 November. You can hear more about their work as well as making a pledge to the campaign. A festive Carol Service also in Bury St Edmunds at the Cathedral will be in aid of the East Anglian Air Ambulance Service. It’s on December 6 starting at 6.30pm. A business networking event in Ipswich at Paddy and Scott’s, Ambition House, from 2.30pm on December 1 will publicise the work of the Ormiston Family Trust. The Christmas Craft Fair, at Kersey Mill, near Hadleigh, will raise money for the Hadleigh Food Bank. It is on Saturday 27th November 2021 from 10am -4pm. The Christmas Market at Trinity Park, Ipswich, on Saturday 4th December is being held in aid of the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity. There will be approximately 70 stalls to browse through for food, drink and gifts so you can kill two birds with one stone. Also, there are always plenty of drop off points for food donations in most of the local supermarkets that support various local food banks.


For The Love Of Family and Friends

Traditional Meat Winter pudding

Remembering The Love of Family and Friends

Christmas time – ah, the Satsuma’s and the cinnamon, snowballs and tinsel, a time for remembering the love of family and friends. But have you ever wondered why we do some of the things we do at Christmas? Why do we eat Christmas pudding and mince pies? Why do we send cards and are they just as popular as ever?


Taking Care of Mental and Physical Health in Winter Months

Winter Months

Most human beings are social animals so being forced to stay away from others, especially during the winter months, can be hard to bear.
If you have been asked to work remotely, it could be argued that this is good for mental health as it can give some structure to your day, as long as you are disciplined about the hours you work.
However, there are some things that you can do that could make it all more bearable whether you are working or not.

Sunlight

Sunlight is good for your mental health. So, when choosing where to work at home, try to put your workspace near a window. Make sure you can draw the curtains back fully and clean the windows, inside and out. Perhaps use a strategically placed mirror to bounce light around the room.
Clutter can add to your stress levels by increasing your level of cortisol. Have a proper clear out, get organised, and get some proper storage if you can.

Physical Health

physical excercise

Couple taking a winter walk

Build some physical activity, preferably in the fresh air, into your day. The danger of lockdown is that even those activities, like walking to the bus or train station, are not happening, dramatically reducing physical activity.
Plants in the home can also make a difference by reducing blood pressure, anxiety, stress and rumination (endlessly going over the same thoughts) Their presence can also improve attention, memory and sleep.
Take care of your physical health by eating healthy, well-balanced meals, drink enough water and exercise regularly. Avoid smoking, drugs or drinking too much alcohol. It can make a difference to your mental health too.

Hobby

Perhaps take up a new activity or hobby that you have previously not had time for. Read, write, do crosswords or jigsaws, bake, or try drawing and painting, or take an online course to learn something new. Whatever it is, find something that works for you.


Happy New Year 2020

Christmas and the New Year

So here we are just a few short days away from Christmas and of course the New Year.
Now how many of you have already started to think about 2020? Have you already thought ahead to what the New Year may be going to


Environmentally Friendly Christmas

brown paper packages tied up with string are more environmentally friendly

Want to make your Christmas more environmentally friendly?

As the issues of addressing global warming and climate change become ever more urgent, we are all going to need to change our habits, and arguably Christmas is one time when our consumption and consequent production of waste is at its peak.


Christmas Around The World

christmas traditions around the world including Mexican radish festival

Christmas Around the World

We all have our own family Christmas traditions and the rest of the world is no different. We have compiled some of the most unusual for you.


Keeping Christmas Traditions Alive

Keeping Christmas traditions alive

A survey of 1000 mums carried out by the website made for mums, found that as many as half of all children (52%) still believed in Father Christmas at the age of