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Oscars 2025: who will likely win, who should win, and who barely deserves to be there

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ari-mattes-97857">Ari Mattes</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-notre-dame-australia-852">University of Notre Dame Australia</a> We’ve probably all had a moment when we stopped taking the Oscars too seriously. For me, it was when Denzel Washington <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2024/05/02/why-denzel-washington-once-told-a-co-star-losing-an-oscar-is-better/#:%7E:text=Washington's%20second%20Oscar%20win%20%E2%80%94%20which,called%20at%20the%20Academy%20podium.">won best actor</a> for Training Day (2001), a crime film in which he displays virtually none of his acting chops. And as popular cinema becomes uglier (it’s mostly shot on digital video now, which almost never looks as good as film) and streamers (or logistics companies such as Amazon) take over film production, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to appreciate the point of the ceremony. From this year’s ten nominees for best picture, The Brutalist, Conclave and I’m Still Here are good – while (most of) the other nominees are only okay. <h2>Some well-made films, but nothing outstanding</h2> Writer-director Sean Baker’s Anora is nominated for best picture this year, after already <a href="https://aframe.oscars.org/news/post/2024-cannes-film-festival-winners-list-palme-dor">winning the Palme d’Or</a>. It’s a moderately sweet film in the tradition of Pretty Woman – having more nudity and sex, and a disappointing ending, doesn’t automatically make it edgier. It’s too long by at least half an hour, with some okay performances. It’s certainly not bad, but the idea that this is one of the “best pictures” of 2024 is alarming – or would be, if I wasn’t already so cynical. Most importantly, there’s nothing formally or aesthetically compelling about it, in which case I might have forgiven the silly (anti) Cinderella story. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vgrXTvL_l_c?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Another nominee, A Complete Unknown, is similarly well-made. Timothée Chalamet gives a predictably moody performance as Bob Dylan, and it’s fun to learn something about the relationships between Dylan and musical legends Joan Baez and Pete Seeger. But there’s also something fundamentally weird about watching a memoir about a person as iconic as Dylan. It veers too often into the terrain of impersonation, and this is even more off-putting given Dylan is still alive. Throw in Chalamet’s (certainly accomplished) singing of Dylan’s songs, and it feels like we’re watching someone do karaoke really well. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FdV-Cs5o8mc?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> The Substance tries to shock and titillate the viewer with its caricature of celebrity in an era of body modification and mega-media corporations. Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid try hard to be funny, but the whole thing plays like an undergraduate essay that makes the same point ad nauseam. Though the actors surely had fun, there’s nothing compelling about their guffawing. This is also the problem with messy hybrid musical-thriller Emilia Pérez, the other over-the-top genre film tipped by some to win the award. The film, following a cartel leader who disappears and transitions into a woman, is overly dependent on making a point about the world outside of itself. This point is so obvious that it rapidly becomes tedious, with insufficient attention given to the formal and narrative tensions and ambiguities that compel an audience to engage with a film on a serious, visceral level. Dune: Part Two sounds and looks good, but is more meandering than Part One in developing Herbert’s unwieldy epic. If you liked Part One, you’ll probably like Part Two, but it’s not exactly cutting-edge material. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qlbr7gJgBus?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Nickel Boys is a low-key, sentimental rendition of Colson Whitehead’s novel about two African American boys sent to a reform school in Florida in the early 1960s, and their coming of age as they survive myriad abuses. It’s watchable, if not particularly memorable. Finally, Wicked is, well … Wicked. If you like the musical you may like the film (although the live aspect of musicals makes this one play better on the stage than on the screen, unlike The Wizard of Oz, which was made for the screen). In any case, it’s not ridiculously bad, even though it is too long. <h2>A few top contenders</h2> Walter Salles’ I’m Still Here – which traces the struggle of an activist in Brazil after the forced disappearance of her husband in 1970 – works well in its evocation of place and time, and should soften the heart of even the most cynical viewer. Based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s 2015 memoir, the entire film is washed over with a faint scent of nostalgia that complements the idea of failing to find, and then remembering, that which is missing. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gDunV808Yf4?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Conclave, adapted from Robert Harris’ novel, is another solidly made affair. It follows the political machinations of the Vatican as the Dean of Cardinals sets up a conclave to elect a new pope after the previous one dies of a heart attack. Ralph Fiennes is as effective and sombre as usual in the lead role as Cardinal Lawrence and various twists and turns keep us watching throughout. But one suspects the primary pleasure of the film is that it seems to offer an insider’s view of the Vatican, including all the fetishistic processes and rituals. Despite its serious tone, Conclave is a fun romp. And what a pleasure it is to watch Isabella Rossellini on the big screen once again. <h2>The strongest nominee</h2> The film that is most classically like a best picture nominee is The Brutalist – an epic, visually-magnificent study of the struggles of (fictional) architect László Toth, a Hungarian Jew who moves to America following the Holocaust. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GdRXPAHIEW4?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Testament to the technical accomplishments of the film, and its superb creation of a coherent world, The Brutalist runs close to four hours (thankfully with an intermission) without becoming tedious. It chugs along with the relentless momentum of a steam engine. Adrien Brody is charming as Toth, endowing the character with a roguish and playful quality, and the supporting cast are solid. Akin to one of Toth’s constructions (as we hear in the epilogue section), the film neither indicates nor tells us anything beyond itself. There may be conclusions to be drawn regarding the relationship between art, power and capitalism, but the film gives you the space to devise these yourself. The film is, in a sense, beautifully mute. Out of all the nominations, The Brutalist is the only one that feels like a genuine best picture contender (with something of the grandeur of classical Hollywood cinema about it). Although many critics <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/oscars-2025-who-will-win-should-win-1236146220/">are</a> <a href="https://variety.com/lists/2025-oscars-predictions/">predicting</a> Anora will win, The Brutalist is the strongest of the nominees. That said, my pick for the best film of 2024 goes to a production that didn’t get a best picture nomination (as usual). Magnus von Horn’s The Girl With the Needle is a stunning Danish expressionistic nightmare that seamlessly integrates formal experimentation with a thrilling and horrific true crime narrative. It is absolutely sensational – the kind of thing you never forget. Thankfully, it has been recognised through its nomination for best international feature film.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/250783/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NdjhUNH5v3Q?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ari-mattes-97857">Ari Mattes</a>, Lecturer in Communications and Media, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-notre-dame-australia-852">University of Notre Dame Australia</a> Image credits: Brookstreet Pictures This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/oscars-2025-who-will-likely-win-who-should-win-and-who-barely-deserves-to-be-there-250783">original article</a>.

Movies

Grease movie costumes sold at auction

The iconic costumes worn by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the film Grease are among the items going on sale in a film memorabilia auction. Their outfits are among more than 1,300 items of "unforgettable" movie memorabilia from films such as Harry Potter, Star Wars and Ghostbusters that are set to be sold an LA auction in March. Travolta's iconic T-Birds leather jacket, worn by his character Danny Zuko in the 1978 movie musical, is expected to fetch between $158,500 and $317,000 (AUD). A patterned dress worn by Newton-John, who died in 2022 aged 73, is also on sale for $47,500-$95,000 (AUD). Newton-John's character, Sandy Olsson, wore the dress in a scene where Sandy confronted Danny in the ice cream parlour about his behaviour while choosing music on a jukebox. Other film items going up for auction include a bomber jacket worn by Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the 1986 action film Top Gun, a ghost trap from 1984 comedy horror Ghostbusters, Angelina Jolie’s jacket from 2003’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle Of Life, and the robe worn by Sir Michael Gambon as Professor Albus Dumbledore in 2009 fantasy Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince. “This auction brings together an exceptional line-up of some of the most recognisable and well-loved props and costumes in Hollywood history,” Propstore chief operating officer Brandon Alinger said. “From Star Wars and Superman to Grease and Ghostbusters, these unforgettable pieces resonate with fans across the globe, sparking nostalgia and deep connection to the films and characters they love.” Image credits: Paramount Pictures

Beauty & Style

Disney to change content warnings shown before "problematic" classics

Disney will tone down the language of the content warnings on its streaming service that accompany classic movies with racial stereotypes. The current disclaimers played before older titles like Dumbo and Peter Pan said the film “includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of peoples or cultures” adding, “these stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now.” The new disclaimers will state: “This program is presented as originally created and may contain stereotypes or negative depictions,” and will not appear as introductory text that plays before the beginning of a film. The disclaimers will also only appear in the details section of certain films, where viewers will have to navigate to find it, decreasing their visibility. Disney will also replace its “Diversity & Inclusion” performance factor used to evaluate executive pay with a new “Talent Strategy”, according to Sonia Coleman, Disney’s senior executive vice president and chief human resources officer. Other rollbacks of its diversity, equity and inclusion measures include the closure of its Reimagine Tomorrow initiative, a website that highlighted stories and talent from underrepresented communities. Disney first added content warnings to older movies like Dumbo and Peter Pan in November 2019, due to racist depictions included in some of the films created by the studio in the 40s and 50s. Disney has become the latest major organisation to roll back its diversity measures following Donald Trump’s re-election as US President. Image: spatuletail / Shutterstock.com

Movies

2025 Oscar nominations revealed

The nominations for the 97th Academy Awards have been announced after being postponed twice due to the devastating wildfires in LA. Aussie actor Guy Pearce has picked up a best supporting actor nomination for his role in The Brutalist. A few other Aussies who were nominated include Adam Elliot, an Oscar-winning animator, who is up for best animated feature for Memoir of a Snail, and Greig Fraser for his cinematography in Dune: Part Two. This year's early star is Spanish-language Netflix film Emilia Pérez, with 13 nominations, followed by The Brutalist and Wicked on 10 each. Emilia Pérez dominated the nominations picking up best picture, as well as best actress for Karla Sofía Gascón, the first openly trans actor ever nominated for an Oscar. The film also landed nominations for directing, original screenplay, two of its songs, and for supporting actress Zoe Saldaña. The Broadway adaptation of Wicked picked up 10 nominations including best picture and acting nods for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The Brutalist also scored 10 nominations including best picture, best director, and nominations for actor Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce, and Felicity Jones. The 97th Academy Awards will take place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, which will be around 10am AEDT on March 3. <h3>Here is the full list of nominees</h3> Best Picture <ul> <li>Anora</li> <li>The Brutalist</li> <li>A Complete Unknown</li> <li>Conclave</li> <li>Dune: Part Two</li> <li>Emilia Pérez</li> <li>I'm Still Here</li> <li>Nickel Boys</li> <li>The Substance</li> <li>Wicked</li> </ul> Director <ul> <li>Anora — Sean Baker</li> <li>The Brutalist — Brady Corbet</li> <li>A Complete Unknown — James Mangold</li> <li>Emilia Pérez — Jacques Audiard</li> <li>The Substance — Coralie Fargeat</li> </ul> Leading Actor <ul> <li>Adrien Brody in The Brutalist</li> <li>Timothee Chalamet in A Complete Unknown</li> <li>Colman Domingo in Sing Sing</li> <li>Ralph Fiennes in Conclave</li> <li>Sebastian Stan in The Apprentice</li> </ul> Leading Actress <ul> <li>Cynthia Erivo in Wicked</li> <li>Karla Sofia Gascon in Emilia Perez</li> <li>Mikey Madison in Anora</li> <li>Demi Moore in The Substance</li> <li>Fernanda Torres in I'm Still Here </li> </ul> Supporting Actor <ul> <li>Yura Borisov in Anora</li> <li>Keiran Culkin in A Real Pain</li> <li>Edward Norton in A Complete Unknown</li> <li>Guy Pearce in The Brutalist</li> <li>Jeremy Strong in The Apprentice</li> </ul> Supporting Actress <ul> <li>Monica Barbaro in A Complete Unknown</li> <li>Ariana Grande in Wicked</li> <li>Felicity Jones in The Brutalist</li> <li>Isabella Rossellini in Conclave</li> <li>Zoe Saldana in Emilia Perez</li> </ul> Animated Feature Film <ul> <li>Flow</li> <li>Inside Out 2</li> <li>Memoir of a Snail</li> <li>Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl</li> <li>The Wild Robot</li> </ul> Cinematography <ul> <li>The Brutalist — Lol Crawley</li> <li>Dune: Part Two — Greig Fraser</li> <li>Emilia Perez — Paul Guilhaume</li> <li>Maria — Ed Lachman</li> <li>Nosferatu — Jarin Blaschke</li> </ul> Costume design <ul> <li>A Complete Unknown — Arianne Phillips</li> <li>Conclave — Lisy Christl</li> <li>Gladiator II — Janty Yates and Dave Crossman</li> <li>Nosferatu — Linda Muir</li> <li>Wicked — Paul Tazewell</li> </ul> Documentary feature film <ul> <li>Black Box Diaries</li> <li>No Other Land</li> <li>Porcelain War</li> <li>Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat</li> <li>Sugarcane</li> </ul> Documentary short film <ul> <li>Death by Numbers</li> <li>I Am Ready, Warden</li> <li>Incident</li> <li>Instruments of a Beating Heart</li> <li>The Only Girl in the Orchestra</li> </ul> Film editing <ul> <li>Anora — Sean Baker</li> <li>The Brutalist — David Jancso</li> <li>Conclave — Nick Emerson</li> <li>Emilia Pérez — Juliette Welfling</li> <li>Wicked — Myron Kerstein</li> </ul> International feature film <ul> <li>Brazil: I'm Still Here</li> <li>Denmark: The Girl with the Needle</li> <li>France: Emilia Pérez</li> <li>Germany: The Seed of the Sacred Fig</li> <li>Latvia: Flow</li> </ul> Makeup and hairstyling <ul> <li>A Different Man — Mike Marino, David Presto and Crystal Jurado</li> <li>Emilia Pérez — Julia Floch Carbonel, Emmanuel Janvier and Jean-Christophe Spadaccini</li> <li>Nosferatu — David White, Traci Loader and Suzanne Stokes-Munton</li> <li>The Substance — Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon and Marilyne Scarselli</li> <li>Wicked — Frances Hannon, Laura Blount and Sarah Nuth</li> </ul> Music (original score) <ul> <li>The Brutalist — Daniel Blumberg</li> <li>Conclave — Volker Bertelmann</li> <li>Emilia Pérez — Clément Ducol and Camille</li> <li>Wicked — John Powell and Stephen Schwartz</li> <li>The Wild Robot — Kris Bowers</li> </ul> Music (original song) <ul> <li>El Mal from Emilia Pérez; Music by Clément Ducol and Camille; Lyric by Clément Ducol, Camille and Jacques Audiard</li> <li>The Journey from The Six Triple Eight; Music and Lyric by Diane Warren</li> <li>Like A Bird from Sing Sing; Music and Lyric by Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada</li> <li>Mi Camino from Emilia Pérez; Music and Lyric by Camille and Clément Ducol</li> <li>Never Too Late from Elton John: Never Too Late; Music and Lyric by Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Andrew Watt and Bernie Taupin</li> </ul> Production design <ul> <li>The Brutalist — Production Design: Judy Becker; Set Decoration: Patricia Cuccia</li> <li>Conclave — Production Design: Suzie Davies; Set Decoration: Cynthia Sleiter</li> <li>Dune: Part Two — Production Design: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau</li> <li>Nosferatu — Production Design: Craig Lathrop; Set Decoration: Beatrice Brentnerová</li> <li>Wicked — Production Design: Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Lee Sandales</li> </ul> Short film (animated) <ul> <li>Beautiful Men</li> <li>In the Shadow of the Cypress</li> <li>Magic Candles</li> <li>Wander to Wonder</li> <li>Yuck!</li> </ul> Short film (live action) <ul> <li>A Lien</li> <li>Anuja</li> <li>I'm Not a Robot</li> <li>The Last Ranger</li> <li>The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent</li> </ul> Sound <ul> <li>A Complete Unknown — Tod A. Maitland, Donald Sylvester, Ted Caplan, Paul Massey and David Giammarco</li> <li>Dune: Part Two — Gareth John, Richard King, Ron Bartlett and Doug Hemphill</li> <li>Emilia Pérez — Erwan Kerzanet, Aymeric Devoldère, Maxence Dussère, Cyril Holtz and Niels Barletta</li> <li>Wicked — Simon Hayes, Nancy Nugent Title, Jack Dolman, Andy Nelson and John Marquis</li> <li>The Wild Robot — Randy Thom, Brian Chumney, Gary A. Rizzo and Leff Lefferts</li> </ul> Visual effects <ul> <li>Alien: Romulus — Eric Barba, Nelson Sepulveda-Fauser, Daniel Macarin and Shane Mahan</li> <li>Better Man — Luke Millar, David Clayton, Keith Herft and Peter Stubbs</li> <li>Dune: Part Two — Paul Lambert, Stephen James, Rhys Salcombe and Gerd Nefzer</li> <li>Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes — Erik Winquist, Stephen Unterfranz, Paul Story and Rodney Burke</li> <li>Wicked — Pablo Helman, Jonathan Fawkner, David Shirk and Paul Corbould</li> </ul> Adapted screenplay <ul> <li>A Complete Unknown — Screenplay by James Mangold and Jay Cocks</li> <li>Conclave — Screenplay by Peter Straughan</li> <li>Emilia Pérez — Screenplay by Jacques Audiard; In collaboration with Thomas Bidegain, Léa Mysius and Nicolas Livecchi</li> <li>Nickel Boys — Screenplay by RaMell Ross & Joslyn Barnes</li> <li>Sing Sing — Screenplay by Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar; Story by Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin, John "Divine G" Whitfield</li> </ul> Original screenplay <ul> <li>Anora — Written by Sean Baker</li> <li>The Brutalist — Written by Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold</li> <li>A Real Pain — Written by Jesse Eisenberg</li> <li>September 5 — Written by Moritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum; Co-Written by Alex David</li> <li>The Substance — Written by Coralie Fargeat</li> </ul> Image: Al Seib/AMPAS/ Shutterstock Editorial

Movies

Legendary Hollywood director dies at age 78

Hollywood director David Lynch, who was known for directing iconic films such as Mulholland Drive and Twin Peaks, has passed away at the age of 78. Lynch’s family confirmed his passing on social media early on Friday morning with an emotional statement that reads, “It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch.” “We would appreciate some privacy at this time." “There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the doughnut and not on the hole’,” Lynch’s family added. “It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.” Lynch's family did not confirm his cause of death. In 2020, the acclaimed writer and director was diagnosed with emphysema, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. After being a heavy smoker all his life, Lynch revealed in November 2024 that he needed supplemental oxygen to go on a walk. “What you sow is what you reap,” Lynch told People magazine. “In the back of every smoker’s mind is the fact that it’s healthy, so you’re literally playing with fire. It can bite you. I took a chance, and I got bit.” Lynch's filmmaking career began in the 1960s, although his first feature film was Eraserhead in 1977. His next film was 1980’s The Elephant Man, which was nominated for eight Oscars — including Best Director for Lynch. He followed up The Elephant Man with 1984’s Dune, 1986’s Blue Velvet, 1990’s Wild At Heart and 2001’s Mulholland Drive. Lynch also created the hit TV series Twin Peaks in 1990, as well as the 1992 movie prequel and 2017 reboot season. During his stellar career, Lynch was nominated for four Oscars and nine Emmy Awards. He won the César Award for Best Foreign Film twice and the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival once. Image credits: Zuma/Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

How to deal with narcissistic relatives over the holidays

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ava-green-1396648">Ava Green</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/city-st-georges-university-of-london-1047">City St George's, University of London</a> The holiday season is here, and streets are filled with festive sparkles, twinkling lights and cheerful Christmas songs. While many of us are looking forward to spending the holiday period with family and friends, Christmas is anything but jolly for others. Some people are dreading to spend the period without loved ones. Others are fearful of spending it in the company of their extended family and relatives. Will your cousin provoke heated arguments at the dinner table again, outright bullying others and refusing to consider their perspective? Will your dad bring extravagant gifts and criticise others for their presents that he deems are inadequate? Will your aunt steal the show and make it all about her? Such behaviour <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/09637214211044109">is common in narcissism</a>, a personality trait which we all exhibit to various degrees. Narcissistic people have an <a href="https://theconversation.com/narcissism-why-its-less-obvious-in-women-than-in-men-but-can-be-just-as-dangerous-231392">insatiable need for attention</a> and validation. They feel entitled to special treatment, are unable to empathise with others, exploit people to boost their own self-esteem and display controlling and manipulative behaviour. It is not surprising, therefore, that many with narcissistic family members and relatives come to dread the holiday season. The good news, hopefully, is that this holiday season does not need to crash and burn into discord and frustration. Here’s how you can navigate these interactions while looking after yourself. <h2>Limit your exposure</h2> Not everyone has the ability to avoid difficult people, particularly if they are your own parents or siblings. If you can’t avoid your narcissistic relatives entirely, consider limiting the amount of time you spend with them. Imagine your sister ambushing you or creates a scene to draw attention to herself. Have a plan in place for gracefully exiting the conversation or the event itself if it becomes too emotionally draining. This could involve having a couple of emergency exits up your sleeve to avoid confrontation, such as “I am going to go and help mum and dad in the kitchen” or “I am going to go play with the kids”. Alternatively, you could be more straightforward, and comment that “I think I need some space, we can catch up later”. <h2>Set healthy boundaries</h2> A hallmark of narcissism is a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0092656622001428">lack of empathy</a>. Because of their inability to empathise with others, narcissistic people will push boundaries and put their needs before yours. Having realistic expectations and planning accordingly can help ease feelings of frustration and disappointment. For instance, if you engage with your cousin during arguments, he will probably disregard your needs, perspective and feelings. He might make a comment that crosses the line. In any situation, set healthy boundaries by redirecting the conversation to neutralise a potential conflict. You could speak to his interests by asking questions such as “by the way, did you watch the latest episode of (his favourite show)” or “are you going to the football game next week (his favourite team)”? If that fails, set your boundaries firmly and concisely by saying “I do not want to talk about this right now”. <h2>Focus on what you can control</h2> Another hallmark of narcissism is poor emotional regulation – in other words, people with narcissistic traits may feel indignant to respond with <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/2014-57455-001">rage and aggression</a> if they feel mistreated or criticised. In these situations, they may <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11199-024-01477-y">manipulate, bully and undermine others</a> to elevate themselves. Resist defensiveness and try to focus on what you can control: how you respond. If someone belittles you for a “mundane present” or for not having reached the same success in life as they think have, use the tactic of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/aug/31/grey-rocking-how-to-bore-a-toxic-narcissist-out-of-your-life">“grey rocking”</a> – being non-reactive, dull and uninteresting. This will avoid fuelling their need for attention. Remind yourself that their attack is not personal – this isn’t about you, it’s about their need for control. <h2>Reframe empathy</h2> If all else fails, you could try to manipulate a narcissistic relative into showing a bit of empathy. Research suggests that it may be possible to reframe empathy in <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-92171-6_36">a way that makes it desirable</a> to narcissistic individuals. While this is more likely to work in the hands of a trained psychologist, and could backfire, it may be worth a try in a desperate situation. For example, you could quote facts or stories about how people who are good at taking the perspective of others are more successful as leaders than those who are not. Narcissistic people want to be seen to be good at everything, so if you make empathy look advantageous, they may be more likely to show it – or at least pretend to do so. <h2>Look after yourself</h2> While attempting all this, make sure you prioritise your mental and emotional wellbeing. It is okay to retreat to a quiet room to get some headspace or stepping outside for a walk. Remind yourself that you do not need to engage, interact or stay for the whole duration for the sake of family togetherness. Take time to relax in a space where you feel safe and create the time for things you enjoy, be it baking cookies, watching your favourite Christmas movie or wrapping gifts. Try to minimise one-to-one time with people who drain you and instead surround yourself with family members who are more understanding, empathetic and supportive. Whatever the power dynamics in your life might be, you can maintain your authenticity with grace and not only survive, but thrive, this holiday season.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/245877/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ava-green-1396648">Ava Green</a>, Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/city-st-georges-university-of-london-1047">City St George's, University of London</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-deal-with-narcissistic-relatives-over-the-holidays-245877">original article</a>.

Family & Pets

Prince William and Kate share poignant Christmas card

Prince William and Kate have released their annual Christmas card. After a difficult year for the royal family, Prince William and Kate shared the poignant card to social media on Friday morning. The royal couple shared a clip of the card sitting open on a table in front of a lit-up Christmas tree and surrounded by fake snow, with the message inside the card reading: "Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year." The image used in the Christmas card was taken earlier this year from a video that marked the end of Kate's chemotherapy treatment. It shows Prince Louis, Prince William, Kate, Princess Charlotte and Prince George all sitting arm-in-arm together in Norfolk last summer. The happy family are seen smiling broadly and the reason why they chose this photo was to highlight their family-first focus this year. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDwzZTct7Vw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDwzZTct7Vw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)</a> </div> </blockquote> Prince and William and Kate have already posted out their Christmas card to family, friends and the couple's charities. The release of the card comes after A Kensington Palace source told UK news outlets that the royal couple have skipped the Buckingham Palace Christmas luncheon for the first time, as they had travel plans and it was not a last-minute change. The royal couple are reportedly already in their Norfolk home with their three kids and are said to be looking forward to celebrating Christmas Day with their family in Sandringham. Image: Instagram/ Kensington Palace

Family & Pets

Christmas can be challenging for people with hearing loss. Here are 7 ways you can help

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katie-ekberg-1534998">Katie Ekberg</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/flinders-university-972">Flinders University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-hickson-2280688">Louise Hickson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> For many people, Christmas can be the most social time of the year. The holiday period is often filled with parties, lunches, dinners and celebrations of all kinds with family, friends and colleagues. For adults with hearing loss, however, these social gatherings can bring unique challenges. Communicating with others can be difficult, particularly in group conversations. And the more <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2019.1670363">background noise</a> there is (for example, Christmas music or children playing), the harder it is. For age-related or acquired hearing loss, hearing ability typically starts to decline from <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0107720">age 50 onwards</a>. <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/hearing-health/resources/publications/one-in-six-australians-experience-hearing-loss-poster-0?language=en">One in six Australians</a> experience some hearing loss, so it’s possible someone around your Christmas dinner table will be struggling to hear. Unfortunately, many adults with hearing loss suffer these challenges in silence. Our <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2023.2293651">research</a> shows adults with hearing loss often hide their hearing loss from others, even close family members and friends, because of feeling shame due to stigma. But there are some things you can do to ensure a loved one with hearing loss is included this Christmas. <h2>Stigma and stereotypes</h2> Stigma is when someone is treated differently by others due to a particular physical or social attribute. Across a <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2023.2293651">series of studies</a>, we conducted surveys and interviews with adults with hearing loss, their families and hearing care professionals to explore experiences of stigma for adults with hearing loss. Our research also included video recordings of real-life conversations between adults with hearing loss and their families and friends. The <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2024.2353862">results</a> suggested people often associate hearing loss with negative stereotypes of ageing, disability, reduced intelligence, having a problem or weakness, and difference. For example, one participant with hearing loss told us: <blockquote> Once they are aware that you can’t really comprehend or hear what they’re saying, they treat you different. And it’s not always positive, it’s quite often negative […] Even people who are familiar with you, my twin brother, he thinks that there’s something wrong with me because I can’t hear him properly. </blockquote> Old age was the most common stereotype associated with hearing loss. For example, one adult with hearing loss commented: <blockquote> I guess it’s just a sign of ageing. Like wearing glasses and grey hair. </blockquote> But as hearing can start declining from middle age, many adults experiencing hearing difficulties do not fit this stereotype. We see this stereotype appear in popular media as well. For example, in the TV show Bluey, the character Bingo dresses up as a “<a href="https://www.bluey.tv/characters/granny-rita/">Can’t-Hear-Anything granny</a>” in a number of episodes. In <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2024.2418970">our research</a>, people with hearing loss reported feeling embarrassment, shame, frustration, sadness and fatigue from trying to manage their hearing difficulties during everyday conversations. In the results of <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2023.2293651">a survey</a> currently under peer review, almost two-thirds felt other people laughed about or treated their hearing loss as a joke, often making them feel uncomfortable. An example <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2024.2389189">of this teasing</a> can be seen in a real-life conversation we recorded with a grandfather with hearing loss and his extended family while having afternoon tea. After the older man has ongoing trouble hearing his granddaughters, his wife teases him with the question “You got your hearing aids in Grandpa?”, which receives laughter from his son and granddaughters. While this sort of teasing might seem light-hearted, it can cause someone with hearing loss to feel embarrassed when they have trouble hearing. A key finding from <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2024.2406885">our interview research</a> was that adults with hearing loss respond to experiences of stigma by not telling others about their hearing loss. Similarly, in an international <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2023.2293651">survey of 331 adults</a> with hearing loss, the results of which are yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, one in four had not told anyone about their hearing loss. Others only told certain people in specific circumstances. There might, therefore, be family and friends at your Christmas gatherings facing the challenges of hearing loss without anyone knowing. <h2>Supporting loved ones with hearing loss this Christmas</h2> For adults with hearing loss, experiences of stigma can cause them to start to withdraw from social situations, participate less in conversations, and become more <a href="https://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/abstract/2013/02000/social_isolation_and_loneliness__relationships.9.aspx">socially isolated and lonely</a>. But a greater awareness about hearing loss and inclusive communication can help tackle the stigma. Here are some simple ways you can be more inclusive of people with hearing loss this festive season: <ol> <li> Think about the location of your event – how noisy is it? When possible, choose restaurants and social settings that are quieter. Outdoor settings will generally be less noisy than indoor ones (apps such as <a href="https://theambientmenu.com.au/">The Ambient Menu</a> can help you choose). </li> <li> Turn down background noise if you can (for example, TV, radio, music). </li> <li> Speak face-to-face as much as possible. This allows for lip-reading so that people are not just reliant on their hearing. If you know someone has difficulty hearing, move closer to them and talk clearly and slightly more slowly. </li> <li> Arrange seating in a way that allows everyone to face each other. Round tables are best. </li> <li> Give people the opportunity to choose where they are seated around a table or in a restaurant. Adults with hearing loss may position themselves in the middle of a table or next to specific people they need to hear. </li> <li> If you are at an event with speeches, use a microphone when possible. </li> <li> If you notice a person not joining in the conversation you could ask them if they can hear OK and, if not, what you can do to help.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/245943/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> </li> </ol> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katie-ekberg-1534998">Katie Ekberg</a>, Senior Lecturer, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/flinders-university-972">Flinders University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-hickson-2280688">Louise Hickson</a>, Professor of Audiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/christmas-can-be-challenging-for-people-with-hearing-loss-here-are-7-ways-you-can-help-245943">original article</a>.

Body

Prince Harry and Meghan share rare glimpse of their kids in Christmas card

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have released their annual Christmas card, featuring a collage of photos of their humanitarian work. Amidst the photos was a charming family photo, with royal fans delighted for their first glimpse of Archie and Lilibet in many months. The Christmas card has been sent to those who signed up to their subscription list, compiling moments of Prince Harry and Meghan at various appearances throughout the year. The photo with Archie, five, and Lilibet, two, seems to have been taken on the grounds of the couple's Montecito mansion. In the photo, we see Harry and Meghan standing on the driveway at their home with their arms outstretched as their children run into them. Archie is running towards his mum and Harry is crouched down as his Lilibet runs into his arms. Fans were quick to point out both the children's flaming red hair, reminiscent of Prince Harry's signature red locks. The family's three dogs are also in the shot, a black Labrador called Pula, and two Beagles called Guy and Mamma Mia. The message on the card read: "On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundations. We wish you a very Happy Holiday Season and a joyful new year." Other photos on the card include images from the couple's trip to Nigeria as well as snaps from their trip to Colombia in August. Archie and Lilibet last featured on the Sussexes Christmas card in 2021, when Lililbet was just six months old. Image credits: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Family & Pets

Six ways to reduce loneliness this Christmas – from a psychologist

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nilufar-ahmed-377418">Nilufar Ahmed</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-bristol-1211">University of Bristol</a> Snowmen, tables groaning with food and families having a wonderful time together – these are the images that probably pop into your head when you think of Christmas. In reality, feelings of loneliness are amplified for many over Christmas. The parties and socialising in the lead up to the big day are swiftly followed by a lingering emptiness as as offices, schools and shops close for the festive season. It can feel like the whole world is caught up in a universal experience of Christmas that we are excluded from. It doesn’t help that Christmas adverts <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S096969891530120X">tap in to our emotions</a> and create an expectation of what Christmas should look like. The build up seems to start earlier each year, with evidence suggesting that people begin to think about Christmas from as early as August, and with the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/ms-says-cash-strapped-customers-buying-christmas-gifts-early-2022-11-09">cost of living crisis</a> people have been planning their spending in advance. So by the time Christmas arrives, the festive messages will have been intensifying for weeks if not months. Christmas itself is hard if not possible to escape from entirely. But there are things you can do to manage your experience if you plan to spend time by yourself over advent. It can help to bear in mind that far fewer people are having a glossy family celebration straight out of a Coca-Cola advert than you’d expect. For some people this will be a busy period, but for others it will be a time of quiet reflection. Christmas is a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35900883/">varied experience</a>. There is no one overriding version that applies to all, or even most, people. A lot of people work over Christmas, and students (<a href="https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/blogs/staying-university-over-christmas-you-are-not-alone">especially international students</a>) may choose, or not be able to, return to their family homes. Research has found Christmas can be a time of <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11482-015-9441-8">decreased wellbeing</a> even for people surrounded by their loved ones. Reasons include <a href="https://www.nursingtimes.net/archive/how-christmas-festivities-and-pressures-can-damage-health-and-well-being-16-12-2008/">family tensions and financial worries</a>. This year the cost of living crisis and industrial disputes will throw many people’s plans into chaos. All this will disrupt that stereotype of a universal Christmas full of cheer that everyone else is experiencing without us. And while we often think of isolation as something that <a href="https://www.ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/policy-research/loneliness-research-and-resources/">impacts older older</a>, research confirms loneliness affects <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1745691615568999">all people of all ages</a>. Some studies have found actually younger people are more likely to report <a href="https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-020-02818-3">feeling lonely</a> than other age groups. There can be a huge temptation to scroll through social media feeds when we are alone to see what everyone else is doing. But high levels of social media consumption is associated with increased <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07448481.2019.1583236">negative mood</a> and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S245195882100018X">worsened loneliness</a>. Instead, if you are worried about spending Christmas alone why not try some of these tips. <h2>1. Connect with others</h2> Put yourself out there to friends, family, loved ones, or a group that you feel a connection to. For example, join a running group if you enjoy exercise. Being part of a group that you share a purpose and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352250X21001123">identity with</a> can raise your spirits. If you hesitate to talk to people you know because you worry they won’t have time, think about how you would respond if they reached out to you. If you would make time for them, the chances are they will too. Even if it’s just for a chat. <h2>2. Volunteer</h2> Consider volunteering with any range of age groups, communities, animal shelters or charities. Volunteering can <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/scs.12869">reduce loneliness</a> and increase your <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ejsp.2706">sense of connectedness</a>. Feeling lonely is not the same as being alone. There can be many positive aspects of being alone that you can lean into over Christmas. <h2>3. Take time for gratitude</h2> When we feel alone we can end up in a <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00332747.2016.1256143">negative loop</a> where feelings of loneliness lead to negative thoughts which reinforce loneliness. Taking a moment to practice gratitude breaks this cycle. It can <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886920302907">boost your wellbeing</a> by redirecting your thoughts to more uplifting aspects of life. Regular gratitude practice has been found to <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13607863.2019.1673309">reduce loneliness</a> and even <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10608-016-9785-x">depression</a>. <h2>4. Catch up on books and box sets</h2> Allow yourself to get stuck in to a good book. Reading can <a href="https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/blog/reading-good-mental-health/">brighten your mood</a>. If you are not confident in reading, you can always listen to an audiobook, or indulge in a box set that you wouldn’t have time for ordinarily. <h2>5. Exercise</h2> The <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40473-016-0089-y">physical and mental health benefits</a> of exercise are well known. Even the most gentle exercise can do wonders to cheer you up. Taking the time to focus <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12671-016-0550-8">mindfully on a walk</a> and lean into solitude can help lift you out of a downwards spiral. <h2>6. Enjoy the rituals</h2> Spending the season by yourself doesn’t mean that Christmas can’t be special. If Christmas is something that you love, then the rituals associated with Christmas can <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-celebrating-christmas-is-good-for-your-mental-health-151123">boost your mental health</a> and combat loneliness. Remind yourself that you can decide what Christmas means to you, and how you want to spend it, and that is a gift.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/196610/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nilufar-ahmed-377418">Nilufar Ahmed</a>, Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences, CPsychol, FHEA, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-bristol-1211">University of Bristol</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/six-ways-to-reduce-loneliness-this-christmas-from-a-psychologist-196610">original article</a>.

Mind

Festive bulge: scientists offer advice on how to beat overeating

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/thomas-c-erren-336309">Thomas C. Erren</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-cologne-2576">University of Cologne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/philip-lewis-429997">Philip Lewis</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-cologne-2576">University of Cologne</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ursula-wild-1398207">Ursula Wild</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-cologne-2576">University of Cologne</a> Christmas and New Year are holidays with dietary excesses that many of us cannot control. This often leads to the “festive bulge”. As the holidays approach, could there be a recipe to contain this weight gain and pave the way to sustainable nutrition-based health at the same time? There’s a lot of focus on what we eat and how much we eat – but what about when we eat? Chrononutrition is the science of how timing affects our responses to nutrients. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867415003025?via%3Dihub">Scientific insights</a> into when we eat suggest it may be worth exploring for better health. While the idea of getting started on <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9370396/">chrononutrition over Christmas</a> can sound challenging, the guilty conscience that tends to follow feasting over the holidays may provide the needed motivation for the year ahead. So for better health in the new year, why not try out time-restricted eating (TRE)? TRE is a type of <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-intermittent-fasting-actually-good-for-weight-loss-heres-what-the-evidence-says-183500">intermittent fasting</a>: a person eats all their meals and snacks within a particular time window, ranging from six to 12 hours each day. This implies 12 to 18 hours of fasting. <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-body-weight-affected-by-when-you-eat-heres-what-science-knows-so-far-143303">More</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/delay-eating-breakfast-and-eat-dinner-early-if-you-want-to-lose-body-fat-new-study-101058">more research</a> suggests that this kind of timing may have a significant influence on our health via <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25404320/">interplays</a> between our <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25815987/">body clocks and nutrition</a>. As researchers with a focus on circadian biology, we have <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9370396/">identified the festive season</a> as a suitable starting point for a lifestyle change to time-restricted eating. <h2>What is chrononutrition?</h2> The basic idea of chrononutrition is that the body’s response to the timing of meals can promote well-being and health via the circadian timing system. This timing system refers to the internal 24-hour mechanism that primes our bodies for the challenges and stimuli of the 24-hour day. This includes when nutrients are likely to be consumed, how they are used within the body at a given time and how the body responds to them at a given time. A rodent experiment in the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jn/article-abstract/10/1/63/4725662">1930s</a> led to a focus on counting calories and calorie-restricted eating. This dietary restriction extended the lifespan of rats in this case. It was subsequently shown in a wide range of species. The promise is large: if you eat less, then weight loss, better health and a longer life may follow. The rodent experiment was followed by research into diets that foster health and prevent disease. Interest in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3794831/">“meal-timing, circadian rhythms and lifespan”</a> was sparked by Franz Halberg (known as the father of American chronobiology), among others, in the 1980s. These studies around food and behaviour take <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25404320/">evolutionary considerations</a> into account. For instance, rodents gain fitness when fed in a time-restricted manner. In contrast, human behaviour tends to involve more <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26411343/">erratic eating patterns</a> during the hours when people are awake. <h2>Lifestyle changes</h2> So what practical advice can we give on the occasion of Christmas and New Year from the <a href="https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2017/advanced-information/">2017 Nobel Prize-winning field of chronobiology</a>? The field gained recognition for its discoveries into how internal clocks organise our physiology and enable us to live in harmony with the external rhythms of day and night. Findings from this field point to a simple lifestyle change: limiting when you eat to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4255155/">eight to 10 hours</a> a day could protect you from developing obesity, or even lessen the negative health impacts of existing obesity. And time-restricted eating can work even if practised for only <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4255155/">five days per week</a>. Importantly, if you can reduce a long habitual eating window (for instance, 15 hours) to a time-restricted eating window of eight hours, you are likely to benefit more than someone who reduces a habitual eating window of 10 hours to eight hours. Reductions in eating-time windows have already <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2114833?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed">been found</a> to help some overweight humans lose weight, sleep better and feel more energised. Granted, much of the evidence comes from animal studies – and humans are certainly not big mice. Nonetheless, there have been no reports of detriments to this practice in humans. However, there has been <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0899900722001897?via%3Dihub">one report</a> of possible disadvantages to offspring in a pregnant animal model of time-restricted eating. <h2>Late breakfast and early supper</h2> Why not try what some studies suggest and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9370396/">start time-restricted eating over Christmas</a>, or put it on your New Year’s resolution list? To get started, consider having a late breakfast and an early dinner. Of course, if in doubt about the impact of time-restricted eating – or if you have medical or dietary restrictions, or are pregnant – talk to your doctors first for advice. Beyond paying attention to calorie intake and food composition, “when we eat” is a relatively simple and potentially sustainable approach.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/195822/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/thomas-c-erren-336309">Thomas C. Erren</a>, Professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-cologne-2576">University of Cologne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/philip-lewis-429997">Philip Lewis</a>, Research associate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-cologne-2576">University of Cologne</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ursula-wild-1398207">Ursula Wild</a>, Research Associate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-cologne-2576">University of Cologne</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/festive-bulge-scientists-offer-advice-on-how-to-beat-overeating-195822">original article</a>.

Body

Bunnings shopper transforms Christmas decor for just $5

A Bunnings shopper has shared an amazing hack for transforming your home into a Christmas wonderland on a budget. With the help of one item for just $5, an interior designer named Cheryl - who shares home decorating tips on Instagram - transformed her entry hallway in a unique festive way. Cheryl revealed to Yahoo Lifestyle how she created the incredible look for under $100 from Bunnings. Cheryl's stunning space came to life with some $5 renter-friendly hooks from Bunnings, some solar-powered fairy lights and some baubles. Sticking the hooks on the ceiling, she threaded the fairy lights through, zigzagging them down the hall, and then hung baubles from the lights. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDCFN4GSGxs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDCFN4GSGxs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by ▪︎ Cheryl ▪︎ (@ourcountrycoastalhome)</a> </div> </blockquote> Describing the set-up, Cheryl told Yahoo it's "very easy" and you don't need DIY experience to pull off the festive decor. "All you need are some little hooks that stick onto your ceiling, some wire string lights and some colourful baubles. We got everything we needed for this from Bunnings," she says. She also shared some hot tips for people looking to try out the hack for themselves, jokingly telling us, "All you need is a patient husband to do it for you! Just kidding... the best tip I have is to measure the overall length and divide it by the number of hooks you have and you also want the string lights to go diagonal from one another. What also looks better is to place the baubles offset from each other." Cheryl added that they chose to use solar-powered lights to save money on energy use as well, saying, "To help on power bills we went with solar string lights and just placed the little solar boxes in a spot where they would be exposed to sunlight that way it automatically turns on at night and off in the morning." She said, "It’s a really easy little Xmas DIY and I hope other families will get to enjoy it, it looks amazing at night." Image credits: Instagram

Home & Garden

The 15 best destinations to spend Christmas

While many people love to stay home and celebrate Christmas with family, there are always people who decide to spend their December travelling to experience the festive season around the globe. Especially for those in Australia and New Zealand who are accustomed to scorching temperatures over Christmas, many like to jet set and see what the festive season is like in colder climates. While every country gets into the festive spirit in different ways, there are specific locations that offer a tremendous holiday atmosphere to ensure you’re in the Christmassy mood, no matter where in the world you are. From England to the Philippines, there are 15 destinations that traditionally offer up some of the best holiday experiences for a Christmas-drenched vacation. Unsurprisingly, Santa’s unofficial home of Lapland in Finland is always a hotspot for Christmas travels. Finland takes festive celebrations to the next level, as children here make gingerbread cookies with Mrs. Claus, enroll in Elf School or take a calligraphy class, and compose their Christmas wish lists with a traditional quill. Visitors can also take photos with Santa, go on sled rides with reindeer, and meet baby polar bears in the Ranua Wildlife Park. Check out the entire top 15 list of best Christmas destinations below. 15. New York City, USA 14. Queenstown, New Zealand 13. Strasbourg, France 12. Salzburg and Oberndorf, Austria 11. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico 10. Quebec City, Canada 9. Malta 8. Nuremberg, Germany 7. Nairobi, Kenya 6. Barcelona, Spain 5. San Fernando, Philippines 4. Bath, England 3. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA 2. Bogotá, Colombia 1. Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland Image credits: Shutterstock

International Travel

How to keep your physical and mental health on track during the holidays

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/scott-lear-423698">Scott Lear</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/simon-fraser-university-1282">Simon Fraser University</a></div> <div class="theconversation-article-body">With the festive season upon us, many people will be gathering with family and friends, whether it’s a workplace party, a friend’s get-together or a quiet night at home watching Christmas movies. While enjoyable, these events can disrupt your healthy lifestyle habits. A <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/12/231204135305.htm">recent survey</a> reported nearly 45 per cent of people take a break from exercise during the holidays, more than half say they feel more tired and have less time for themselves, and about one-third report drinking more. My research looks at the benefits of a <a href="https://drscottlear.com/">healthy lifestyle</a> on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1xsvY0F6qbBKDG8INVvy5T">physical and mental health</a>. And many of these same healthy behaviours can help you navigate the holidays. <h2>Eating right</h2> Cakes, chocolates, spiced ham, turkey stuffing, mulled wine and other delights abound during this time of year. Most of these foods are high in fat, sugar and calories. So it’s no surprise the holidays are associated with a greater consumption of food. And one survey even pegged people <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/calories-consumed-on-christmas-day_uk_584abfb4e4b0fccb67997275">eating close to 6,000 calories on Christmas Day</a>. That’s two to three times the daily caloric recommendation for most people. With this amount of eating, there are many claims the holidays result in weight gain. While there is an enduring rumour that <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/health/nutrition/31real.html">average holiday weight gain is five to 10 pounds</a> (2.25 to 4.5 kilograms), in reality it may be much less. A study published in 2000 reported it to be only <a href="https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM200003233421206">around one pound</a>, or about half a kilogram. However, as this was an average amount, there were still some people in the study who gained five or more pounds. While indulging on one or two occasions isn’t going to derail your diet, if you have a holiday circuit of events you do, you may want to develop a strategy on how to manage your diet. First ask yourself if you need (or want) to go to all of them. For the events you do go to, pick one or two occasions at which you’ll indulge. These might have the best food, or your closest family and friends are present. For the others, try staying on the healthier side of things. Before you go, make sure you eat well during the day leading up to your event so you’re not going to the event hungry. Also, make sure you get plenty of sleep. A lack of sleep can make you more likely to reach for <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2020.104074">high-energy foods and eat more</a>. Try to enlist a health buddy, whether a friend or even the host, to keep you on track. And be mindful of alcohol intake, which can impair your self-discipline. <h2>Staying active</h2> When it comes to exercise, most of us are creatures of habit. This is a good thing, because having <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1559827618818044">a routine is the best way to maintain regular exercise</a>. But the holidays are anything but routine. Gyms, pools and community centres may have shortened hours or be closed. Your trainer or aerobics instructor may have taken time off. Now, missing a few exercise sessions isn’t going to affect your fitness and long-term health, but it can affect your mood. Exercise is known to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.03.013">increase energy levels</a>, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-9976-0">improve mood</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.10.019">reduce stress</a>. All of which can be helpful during the frenetic holidays. And missing an exercise session can be like not having your morning coffee. But the holidays also present numerous opportunities to get in a lot of activity — from shopping to Christmas markets to walking around your neighbourhood looking at the decorations. You can also get into the holiday spirit by singing Christmas carols (or any other song). Singing can <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026995">reduce anxiety</a>, potentially <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjresp-2021-000959">increase your lung capacity</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-004-0006-9">increase the number of infection-fighting molecules</a> in your blood. And singing with others is known to build social bonds and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/03057356211042668">release oxytocin</a>, which can improve one’s mood. While the quality of your singing doesn’t matter for most of these benefits, the more you do sing, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.21173">the more you’ll likely benefit</a>. <h2>Managing stress</h2> Nearly <a href="https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/holiday-season-stress">90 per cent of adults in the United States associate the holiday season with some form of stress</a>. While the holidays are meant to be a period of joy, it’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed by the shopping, hosting events, expectations of others and the added financial costs. This may be one of the reasons why the number of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.100.15.1630">heart attacks and cardiac-related deaths</a> increase during the holiday period. In addition, it’s believed people delay seeking treatment during the holidays, given that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.0000151424.02045.F7">emergency department visits spike after they’re over</a>. Stress occurs when people feel they don’t have control over what’s going on. Setting up a holiday plan can help. Your plan could include a spending budget, which events you’ll attend and which you’ll say no to. If you’re hosting a dinner, plan the menu ahead of time, enlist help from others or even get take-out. Other strategies for managing, and preventing, stress include getting regular exercise, ensuring you get enough sleep, avoiding unrealistic expectations and setting aside some quiet time to do something just for yourself. While we all want things to be perfect, even the best plans may go astray. If that does happen, that’s okay and go easy on yourself. If you do find the holidays challenging, make sure you speak up to the people around you for their support.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/219946/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/scott-lear-423698">Scott Lear</a>, Professor of Health Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/simon-fraser-university-1282">Simon Fraser University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-keep-your-physical-and-mental-health-on-track-during-the-holidays-219946">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Why sending a belated gift is not as bad as you probably think − and late is better than never

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-walker-reczek-232584">Rebecca Walker Reczek</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-ohio-state-university-759">The Ohio State University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/cory-haltman-2240693">Cory Haltman</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-ohio-state-university-759">The Ohio State University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/grant-donnelly-1250966">Grant Donnelly</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-ohio-state-university-759">The Ohio State University</a> If finding the right present and making sure the recipient gets it on time leaves you feeling anxious, you’re not alone. More than half of Americans say <a href="https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-cards/study/holiday-gift-stressors/">that gift-giving stresses them out</a>. Concerns about on-time delivery are so common that people share holiday <a href="https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/christmas-shipping-deadlines-2024-74159960">deadlines for each shipping service</a>. And in the event that you can’t meet these deadlines, there are now handy <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/package-delays-christmas-gifts-etiquette/2020/12/23/578a369e-43a5-11eb-b0e4-0f182923a025_story.html">etiquette guides</a> offering advice for how to inform the recipient. If you’ve sent late gifts thanks to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/12/15/postal-service-holiday-packages-delays/">shipping delays</a>, <a href="https://nymag.com/strategist/article/top-gifts-to-buy-before-they-sell-out-2022.html">depleted stocks</a> or even good old-fashioned <a href="https://wwd.com/feature/last-minute-holiday-shopping-survey-reveal-curious-consumer-trends-1234684998/">procrastination</a>, our new research may offer some welcome news. In a series of studies that will soon be published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology, we found that people overestimate the negative consequences of sending a late gift. <h2>Trying to follow norms</h2> Why do people tend to overestimate these consequences? Our findings indicate that when people give presents, they pay more attention <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/jcpy.1318">to norms about gifting</a> than the recipients do. For example, other researchers have found that people tend to be reluctant to give <a href="https://doi.org/10.1348/014466604X23428">used products as presents</a> because there’s a norm that gifts should be new. In reality, though, many people are often open to receiving used stuff. We found that this mismatch also applies to beliefs about the importance of timing. Many people worry that a late gift will signal that they don’t care about the recipient. They then fear their relationship will suffer. In reality, though, these fears are largely unfounded. Gift recipients are much less worried about when the gift arrives. Unfortunately, aside from causing unnecessary worry, being overly sensitive about giving a late present can also influence the gift you choose to buy. <h2>Compensating for lateness</h2> To test how lateness concerns affect gift choice, we conducted an online study before Mother’s Day in 2021. We had 201 adults participate in a raffle. They could choose to send their mother either a cheaper gift basket that would arrive in time for the occasion or a more expensive one that would arrive late. Concerns about lateness led nearly 70% of the participants to choose the less expensive and more prompt option. In another study, we conducted the same kind of raffle for Father’s Day and got similar results. Aside from finding that people will choose inferior items to ensure speedier delivery, we also found that givers may feel that they can compensate for lateness with effort. In another online study of 805 adults, we discovered that participants were less likely to expect a late delivery to damage a relationship if they signaled their care for the recipient in a different way. For example, they believed that putting an item together by hand, versus purchasing it preassembled, could compensate for a present being belated. <h2>Better late than never?</h2> If sending something late isn’t as bad as expected, you may wonder whether it’s OK to simply not send anything at all. We’d caution against going that route. In another online study of 903 participants, we found that recipients believed that not receiving anything at all was more likely to harm a relationship than receiving something as much as two months late. That is, late is better than never as far as those receiving gifts are concerned. You may want to keep that in mind, even if that new <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/dec/19/game-over-why-santa-may-struggle-to-bring-you-that-ps5-xbox-or-ipad">gaming console</a>, <a href="https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/baby-yoda-animatronic-toy-sold-out-hasbro-1203510368/">action figure</a> or <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2019/12/24/oculus-quest-headsets-sold-out-into-february/2742443001/">virtual reality headset</a> is sold out this holiday season. It could still be a welcome surprise if it arrives in January or February.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/244012/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-walker-reczek-232584">Rebecca Walker Reczek</a>, Professor of Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-ohio-state-university-759">The Ohio State University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/cory-haltman-2240693">Cory Haltman</a>, Ph.D. Candidate in Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-ohio-state-university-759">The Ohio State University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/grant-donnelly-1250966">Grant Donnelly</a>, Assistant Professor of Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-ohio-state-university-759">The Ohio State University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-sending-a-belated-gift-is-not-as-bad-as-you-probably-think-and-late-is-better-than-never-244012">original article</a>.

Family & Pets

A brief history of Christmas Pudding – and why it can actually be quite good for you

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hazel-flight-536221">Hazel Flight</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edge-hill-university-1356">Edge Hill University</a> Even in these hard and strange times, Christmas will be celebrated and traditions upheld. And for many British households, Christmas dinner would not be complete without a Christmas pudding – traditionally served with brandy sauce, brandy butter or custard. The Christmas pudding originated in the <a href="http://medievalcookery.com/recipes/frumenty.html">14th-century</a> as a sort of porridge, originally known as “<a href="http://cookit.e2bn.org/historycookbook/1116-frumenty.html">frumenty</a>”, which bears little resemblance to the dessert we know today. It was <a href="https://historydollop.com/2020/03/15/frumenty-a-medieval-wheat-porridge/">originally made</a> with hulled wheat, boiled in milk, seasoned with cinnamon and coloured with saffron. It was associated with meatless days, lent and advent and was often served as a plain dish. But there are a <a href="https://www.epersianfood.com/frumenty/">variety of recipes</a> which included <a href="https://www.mumwhatelse.com/christmas-pudding-traditional-recipe/s">additions</a> such as beef, mutton, raisins, currants, prunes, wines and spices. In some instances, this was the staple food for Christmas eve, although in Yorkshire it was eaten first thing <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/19098/19098-h/19098-h.htm">on Christmas morning</a>. In the 17th-century changes to the recipe were made. It was thickened with eggs, breadcrumbs, dried fruit and beer or spirits were added – and came to resemble something a bit more like a sweet pudding. However, it was the Victorians who fine tuned the recipe into the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/content/articles/2005/12/07/christmas_pudding_recipe_feature.shtml#:%7E:text=Brandy%20Sauce&text=This%20stew%20was%20served%20as,to%20give%20the%20pudding%20richness">Christmas pudding</a> many of us enjoy today. A Christmas pudding should have 13 ingredients – that represent Jesus and the 12 disciples. Traditionally, these ingredients include: raisins, currants, suet, brown sugar, breadcrumbs, citron, lemon peel, orange peel, flour, mixed spices, eggs, milk and brandy. Brandy is also <a href="https://www.pudforallseasons.com.au/blog/christmas-pudding-history-and-traditions">traditionally</a> poured over the pudding and set alight. The flaming brandy is said to represent the passion of Christ. Christmas puddings were traditionally boiled in a “pudding cloth”, although today are usually steamed in a bowl. Presented on the table with a sprig of holly, they are then doused in brandy and set alight. The last Sunday before Advent became known as “<a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/christmas/christmas-countdown/a550045/ultimate-stir-up-sunday-when/">stir up Sunday</a>”. This was when the ingredients of the pudding would be assembled and stirred up in a bowl with a wooden spoon (representing the manger) from east to west – symbolising the journey taken by the three wise men. Traditionally, every family member stirs the pudding three times and makes a secret wish. Trinkets were always included in the traditional pudding. As a child I still remember the excitement of waiting to see who was going to <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2016/12/16/why-do-people-put-money-in-christmas-puddings-6327772/">find the sixpence</a>. Whoever found the coin was believed to have good fortune over the coming year. <h2>A healthy pud?</h2> Although the Christmas holidays can sometimes feel a little unhealthy – with a lot of sitting around and excessive food consumption – the ingredients that makeup a Christmas pudding are actually <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/365596/Why-Christmas-pudding-is-good-for-you">pretty nutritious</a>. Traditional Christmas puddings consists of fibre rich ingredients, such as fruits, nuts and currants. Dried fruits are rich in fibre, enzymes, polyphenols (substances with a <a href="https://www.ijmrhs.com/medical-research/dry-fruits-and-diabetes-mellitus.pdf">high antioxidant activity</a>), vitamins and minerals. <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/christmaspudding_71054">Sultanas, currants, apricots</a> and <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/food/recipes/a557006/pear-and-ginger-pudding">pears</a> are highly nutritious and packed with <a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-rich-in-potassium">essential potassium and iron</a>. And although dried fruits can contain a lot of sugar, they have a lower glycemic index value so don’t impact your blood sugar in the same way as other sweet treats. Raisins are also rich in antimicrobial compounds, fibre and iron. These compounds lower the risk of heart disease and can relieve constipation. Prunes too can also aid with digestion, relieve constipation, reduce inflammation and protect cells from free radical damage. Walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans and almonds can also be added into the mix and these all come with a range of <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-walnuts">health benefits</a> – from <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/news/food-and-diet/nuts-may-lower-cholesterol/">lowering cholesterol levels</a> and reducing heart disease risk to delivering high levels of vitamin E, polyphenols and melatonin. The mixed spices, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, pimentos (or all spice) in a Christmas pudding are also an incredible source of <a href="https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/health-benefits-of-38-important-spices-from-around-the-world-1811783">aromatic antioxidants</a>. Spices aid digestion and have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. They can supposedly even help to reduce bloating, cramps and nausea – key if you’ve been overdoing it a bit. There is one secret ingredient often overlooked but included in many recipes – <a href="https://www.lovefood.com/recipes/56899/christmas-pudding-recipe">the carrot</a>. Rich in beta-carotene, which the body utilises to produce Vitamin A, carrots are good for lowering cholesterol levels and, yes, for the health of your eyes. <h2>A global tradition</h2> Although a British tradition, the Christmas pudding is eaten in various countries including <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-christmas-pudding-evolved-with-australia-35027#:%7E:text=The%20Christmas%20pudding%20was%20there,usual%20rations%20at%20Christmas%20time">Australia</a> and <a href="https://www.foodandhome.co.za/recipes/karoo-steamed-christmas-pudding">South Africa</a>. The Canadians also have a version which includes <a href="https://cannedpeachesproject.com/canadian-christmas-pudding-recipe/">potatoes alongside the carrots</a>. The Christmas pudding even makes its way into literature, with Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol making <a href="https://www.inliterature.net/food-in-literature/baked-goods/cakes/2012/12/a-christmas-carol-steamed-christmas-pudding.html">reference to it</a>. Then there is the case for Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot to solve in which he is advised to avoid the <a href="https://www.agathachristie.com/stories/the-adventure-of-the-christmas-pudding">plum pudding</a> – another name for the Christmas pud. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IFKJJVzRvGI?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> One well known fact about the Christmas pudding is that there always seems to be some left over after Christmas day. In fact Christmas puddings of the past could last up to a year, so it was often shared out. Indeed, in 1885 a British newspaper reported the joyful consumption of a <a href="http://www.chinovalleyaz.net/DocumentCenter/View/5620/December-2019-Senior-Sentinel">plum pudding</a> – sent overland via special envoy from Tehran — to a group of British soldiers stationed in northwestern Afghanistan. If you don’t fancy posting a pudding there are a number of ways you can share and use the <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/10-ways-leftover-christmas-desserts">leftovers</a> – with a whole host of recipes from Christmas strudel to a black pudding breakfast replacement. Another firm favourite is Christmas pudding ice-cream - simply mix pudding with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/151160/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hazel-flight-536221">Hazel Flight</a>, Programme Lead Nutrition and Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edge-hill-university-1356">Edge Hill University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-brief-history-of-christmas-pudding-and-why-it-can-actually-be-quite-good-for-you-151160">original article</a>.

Food & Wine

Flight attendant reveals best tips for end-of-year travelling

A flight attendant has shared her holy grail tips for surviving the ups and downs of holiday travelling, and how to ensure your travel days are a breeze. Florida-based flight attendant Hunter Smith-Lihas, who works as a flight attendant on a major US airline, and veteran Australian flight-attendant-turned-aviation-researcher Liz Simmons, shared their tips, tricks and secrets with <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/flight-attendants-secrets-surviving-holiday-travel/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN Travel</a> ahead of the busy holiday season, delving into their five top tips if you’re jet-setting around Christmas time. Give yourself an extra day Flying at the last minute is risky business, especially if you’re travelling for a special pre-booked event. Smith-Lihas advises travellers to "give yourself at least one buffer day in between your travel and the event," just in case you encounter delays or issues at the airport. Whether you're travelling in the northern or southern hemisphere, there's a potential for storms and weather delays, which can cause cancellations. If you've got a buffer day, a cancelled flight doesn't automatically equal cancelled Christmas, as Smith-Lihas said, "You at least still have that entire day to get rebooked on another flight." Ensure you have a buffer at your lay-over stop With this same idea in mind, Smith-Lihas recommends travellers give themselves at least 90 minutes between connecting flights. While the idea of sitting around in the airport waiting isn't appealing, missing your connecting flight is a much worse outcome. "I see a lot of people who book their layover flight connection times with less than 45 minutes," says Smith-Lihas. "That is not enough time." If your first flight is delayed, you can easily end up missing the second, says Smith-Lihas "especially if you're connecting in a foreign country and you have to go through customs and immigration." Leaving more time in between your connecting flights will also ensure your luggage makes it off your first plane and onto the second, making sure your Christmas outfits and presents arrive at your final destination. Opt for the first fight of the day While it might be tempting to book an evening flight to give yourself the whole day for last-minute travel preparation, Simmons and Smith-Lihas both recommend getting the first flight of the day, if possible. "If you're trying to dodge any delays, flying at the beginning of the day is beneficial, because any delays or cancellations will roll on throughout the day," explains Simmons. "And if the flight is cancelled, you at least still have that entire day to get rebooked on another flight," adds Smith-Lihas. Don’t overdo the alcohol In the spirit of the holidays, it may be tempting to partake in a few glasses of wine on your flight while on your way to holiday celebrations. However, Simmons advises to limit your boozy beverages, as you don’t want to arrive at your destination hungover. "Always keep in mind how you'll feel at the other end," says Simmons. "The real party will start at your destination, so resting and making sure that you're in your best possible state when you arrive for that party is so important." Instead, Simmons champions staying hydrated with water and herbal teas. Meanwhile Smith-Lihas said passengers should never be afraid to ask flight attendants for more water, saying, "The cabin air can be very dry. It's easy to become dehydrated on a plane." Remember to be kind Above all else, Simmons says keeping "the message of the holiday season" in front of your mind is key for surviving stressful holiday travel. "Small gestures of goodwill are always so appreciated and certainly do not go unnoticed, but sometimes the best gift is patience and understanding and a smile and kindness." "A lot is happening in the world at the moment, and there's a lot of unease around, there's a lot of uncertainty for some people, and not everybody has a family to go to during the holidays," she says. "So just keep in mind how powerful kindness is. Being kind and smiling, the impact that could have on a stranger's day, on their mood… It's so special, and it's something that we really don't harness. Maybe we don't realise how much power we have." Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Tips

Beloved actor dies during performance of A Christmas Carol

Canada's theatre community is mourning the sudden loss of veteran stage actor Julien Arnold, who collapsed and died on stage during a performance of A Christmas Carol at Edmonton's Citadel Theatre on Sunday. He suffered a medical emergency in front of a shocked audience and was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed. Arnold, a cherished figure in Edmonton's theatre scene, was known for his magnetic performances and decades of contributions to the arts. The Citadel Theatre, where he performed numerous times throughout his career, issued a heartfelt statement: “Julien’s passing is a profound loss to his family, friends, fellow Carol company members, Citadel staff, and the Edmonton community he loved so dearly. His presence brought joy, heart, and depth to every role, and his artistic contributions – and big hugs – will be deeply missed.” Arnold was performing dual roles as Marley and Mr Fezziwig in this season's run of A Christmas Carol, which the theatre has now dedicated to his memory. His stage credits also included playing Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol (2009), The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz (2009), Cogsworth in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (2010), and Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2012). Friend and audience member Lianna Makuch described Arnold as “a generous and magnetic performer – a true artist deeply cherished by the theatre community he loved so much.” The Theatre Network echoed these sentiments, noting that Arnold’s legacy “will live on through the stories he told, the lives he touched, and the community he inspired. He will be deeply missed.” In addition to his artistic legacy, <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/celebrating-julien-arnold-supporting-sheiny?attribution_id=sl:ead3dd04-3f01-4ee2-b862-700323dca048" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a fundraiser has been launched</a> to support his wife, Sheiny, with funeral expenses, daily living costs and time to grieve. Arnold’s sudden passing has left a void in the hearts of his colleagues, friends, and the wider Edmonton community. His talent, warmth, and dedication to his craft will be remembered as a cornerstone of Edmonton’s vibrant theatre scene. Images: Citadel Theatre

Caring

Sir Bob Geldof reveals new version of iconic Christmas song

Sir Bob Geldof has shared the details of the 2024 reprise of the iconic song Do They Know It's Christmas?, revealing why the new version of the song will be the last. Do They Know It's Christmas? was first released in 1984, and was sparked by Bob Geldof being disturbed by a news report on the famine in Ethiopia. He enlisted big names such as Bono, Boy George, Sting and George Michael to join in on the song to raise awareness and money for the famine. "I was sickened by it. I mean, that is really it," Geldof told A Current Affair. "I sat down and turned on the TV, and here was this devastating thing that put, you know, my pathetic, puny personal problems in a horrifying perspective." Since then, three more versions of the charity song have been made, in 2004, 2014 and now, in 2024 to mark the 40th anniversary of the original track. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CDiYk07FG1Y?si=TwdiduKB5vPX56V7" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Instead of recruiting new artists, this time Bob Geldof has remixed famous renditions from previous versions to combine the greatest voices of our time. Despite each iteration of the song having its own unique charm and voice, Geldof says it will be the last hurrah for the iconic Christmas tune. "I personally think, it's the definitive one and there will be no more," Geldof said. "The world has never been more fragile in my life, and I'm old, and I don't think people can take on board any more horror. They cannot absorb any more, but it's happening." Image credits: A Current Affair

Music

Track your spending, use cash and DIY gifts: how to keep your costs down this Christmas

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/angelique-nadia-sweetman-mcinnes-1361909">Angelique Nadia Sweetman McInnes</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a> Australians are expected to spend more this Christmas than last, with spending projected to rise to <a href="https://www.shopassociation.org.au/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/2024-australian-christmas-shopping-intentions-research-report-cpmaustralia-retailsafari-1.pdf">A$69.7 billion</a>. This is a 2.7% increase on what we spent last year on gifts, food and other treats for ourselves and others. This is a lot at a time when many people are experiencing mortgage stress and high inflation. But by employing smart budgeting and spending strategies we can enjoy a festive Christmas season without huge financial stress. <h2>Know how much you are spending</h2> Being aware of what you are spending is important. So you don’t spend beyond your means, you need to decide what you are going to buy and track what you spend. Using budgeting tools in your banking app will help you monitor your spending. Your bank’s app or a <a href="https://www.savings.com.au/savings-accounts/budgeting-and-saving-apps">variety of budgeting apps</a>, can also help you find deals and stick to your financial goals. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucac024">Research</a> shows spending decreases when you use an online budgeting app by 15%. Christmas budgeting means setting clear limits, like a gift allowance for each person of, for example, under $10, $25, $50 or $100. This helps us stay on track. Before shopping, we should also ask ourselves: “Is this worth buying?” or “Do I really need this?”. <h2>How to bag a bargain</h2> About <a href="https://www.shopassociation.org.au/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/2024-australian-christmas-shopping-intentions-research-report-cpmaustralia-retailsafari-1.pdf">63% of Australian consumers</a> say they start their shopping in November, before the last-minute push to fill the Christmas stockings. This enables them to take advantage of the Black Friday sales on now and Cyber Monday, next Monday. Online research can uncover decent bargains to lower Christmas spending. Or you could wait until the Boxing Day sales to buy discounted gifts for people you don’t see until after December 25. The post-Christmas sales are also good for stocking up on heavily discounted crackers and decorations for next year. <a href="https://www.shopassociation.org.au/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/2024-australian-christmas-shopping-intentions-research-report-cpmaustralia-retailsafari-1.pdf">Most Australian shoppers</a> (89%) are combining online (websites, mobile apps, social media) with physical in-store shopping. <a href="https://www.shopassociation.org.au/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/2024-australian-christmas-shopping-intentions-research-report-cpmaustralia-retailsafari-1.pdf">Major online retailers</a> such as Amazon, eBay, and The Iconic (69%) are now more popular than department stores (59%). There are also thrift and discount stores which offer affordable gifts while using their income to help those in need. By using the internet to compare prices and set price alerts for goods you want to buy, you are more likely to get the best deals. Take time to search for store discounts. Using loyalty programs, coupons, promo codes, and free shipping also helps keep money in your pocket. <h2>Why cash at Christmas is better</h2> The <a href="https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/jim-chalmers-2022/media-releases/ensuring-future-cash-and-next-steps-phasing-out-cheques#:%7E:text=The%20Government%20will%20mandate%20that,will%20not%20be%20left%20behind.">federal government’s decision</a> last week to require businesses to accept cash, not just credit or debit cards, also has benefits for saving. Cash purchases encourage you to spend wisely, set your <a href="https://resources.depaul.edu/financial-fitness/tackle-overspending/Pages/solutions-for-overspending.aspx">spending limit, and prevent you from overspending, or paying interest and fees on cards</a>. There is also the old “<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/envelope-system-explained">cash envelope system</a>” used for centuries and popularised in the 1990s to help curb spending. This sees cash divided into envelopes, each labelled for a specific expense (for example, gifts for A, B, C). Once the money in the envelope is gone, nothing more can be spent. One way to help boost your Christmas budget; while simultaneously decluttering, your home is to sell items you no longer use. There are numerous online sites and bricks and mortar stores where this can be done. <h2>Saving money with DIY</h2> In 2024, Australians will spend an average of <a href="https://www.shopassociation.org.au/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/2024-australian-christmas-shopping-intentions-research-report-cpmaustralia-retailsafari-1.pdf">$660 per shopper on gifts</a>, with popular choices including clothing and shoes, books, and gift cards. However, it’s not necessary to buy all your gifts or Christmas decorations. Consider making affordable handmade gifts to add a personal touch. There are demonstration videos online showing you how to re-purpose old items, bake homemade festive treats, create a special moments photo album or scrapbook. Mix Epsom salts, essential oils and dried flowers to create relaxing bath salts or scrubs. Use natural pine cones or salt dough to make ornaments. Make wreaths using pine branches, holly or dried oranges. Sew fabric garlands to place on the tree, fireplace or mantle. Instead of buying multiple extravagant presents for each person, try doing a Secret Santa. This is the low-cost tradition where everyone buys only one gift for one recipient who is chosen using an online tool. Gifts are then given anonymously. <h2>Festive food</h2> Festive food spending is projected to be <a href="https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/9736-ara-roy-morgan-media-release-christmas-spending-2024">$28 billion, up 4.2%</a>, this year, contributing to the overall increase in expected total Christmas spending. To save on food expenses, asks guests to bring a dish to share. Or celebrate Christmas with an economical picnic or BBQ, weather permitting. Get creative with food leftovers to make meals and reduce the amount of food waste, while stretching your wallet further once Christmas has come and gone. <h2>Managing costs, avoiding debt</h2> Sticking to your Christmas budget can feel rewarding. If you do overspend, reflect on why, and adjust your plan. If needed, explore debt options, like credit cards or personal loans, but only as a last resort. Thoughtful planning will help you manage your costs, while enjoying the festive season. After all, the true spirit of Christmas is about creating memories and enjoying time with loved ones, not about overspending.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/244300/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/angelique-nadia-sweetman-mcinnes-1361909">Angelique Nadia Sweetman McInnes</a>, Academic in Financial Planning, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/track-your-spending-use-cash-and-diy-gifts-how-to-keep-your-costs-down-this-christmas-244300">original article</a>.

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Track your spending, use cash and DIY gifts: how to keep your costs down this Christmas