The festive season is almost upon us, bringing with it all that sparkles, from decorative baubles to candles, crackers, and colourful lights. But as December approaches, it's easy to let the time run away.
So, The QHotels Collection list their top five ways to keep the sparkle alive, bring a little twinkle to your eye and warmth to your heart in the run-up to the holidays...
1. Start a countdown to Christmas Who says advent calendars are just for the kids? Extend the Christmas fun over the whole of December by finding a special way to countdown to the big day. Why not play a different Christmas song each day on your commute? To really get in the festive spirit why not book a festive activity for every weekend in December? It could be anything from making homemade wrapping paper to heading out to see the panto or enjoying a festive-themed afternoon tea with your mates.
2. Christmas markets and Christmas shopping Who doesn't love a traditional Christmas market? And there are plenty up and down Great Britain, each with its own unique identity and a special selection of stocking fillers. A wander around the stalls and a tasty bratwurst will soon have you feeling full of festive sparkle. Manchester, Leeds, Oxford, York, Birmingham, there are so many to explore.
3. Quality time with the ones you love From festive drinks with your colleagues to toast to a well-needed break from work to the traditional annual get-togethers with your extended family, Christmas is the perfect time to reconnect with your nearest and dearest. We travel far and wide to share thoughtful gifts and sumptuous turkey dinners and get some sparkle from the ones we love.
4. Festive feasts What would Christmas be without sugar and spice? Christmas cake, sugar canes, mince pies, mulled wine, hot cocoa, and more – every mouthful makes you sparkle! We bet you're looking forward to sampling sweet festive treats at the Christmas table, not to mention savoury favourites like roast turkey, potatoes, peas, and honey-glazed gammon with gravy.
5. Old and new Christmas traditions Hanging stockings, making a gingerbread house, decorating the tree, putting out milk and cookies for Santa, and opening presents by the fireplace might all be current Christmas traditions that you do each year. And these are so precious, so keep them up! But if you want to get creative with your family this season, try adding a few new traditions to your itinerary, like festive scrapbooking and cracker making. You might find the extra activities make you extra sparkly on Christmas Day.
What better way than to use this inspiration to plan your festivities large and small at one of the 21 resorts within The QHotels Collection? The QHotels Collection manage some of the UK's best-kept hidden gems Their spa resorts include historic hideaways, Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, nestled deep in the serene North East landscape. The wonderful Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa, set on eight acres of stunning grounds in the peaceful Cheshire countryside. The Telford Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort allows guests to experience the charms of scenic Shropshire while visiting their award-winning spa. Also in the collection Norton Park Hotel, Spa & Manor House, set in a blissful parkland just outside historic Winchester, Stratford Manor Hotel & Spa, superbly placed for taking in world-famous local attractions like Shakespeare's Birthplace and Warwick Castle, and Oulton Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort set within the rolling Yorkshire countryside.
With an array of places to stay, make it the perfect end to the year with The QHotels Collection. Explore resorts and hotels at www.qhotels.co.uk/hotels
Fancy winning a one-night break for two? The QHotels Collection is offering you the chance to WIN just that! Simply share a photo on Facebook or Instagram of you enjoying some seasonal merriment at one of the hotels using #ShareYourSparkle and you'll automatically be entered into their prize draw. Full details and terms can be found at https://www.qhotels.co.uk/shareyoursparkle-to-win-a-stay/
New app launches to simplify one of marriage’s biggest admin headaches
Changing your name after marriage can mean updating details with countless organisations, from banks and subscriptions to official documents and employers. New app Name Change Navigator aims to make the process easier, guiding newlyweds through each step from one platform. Founded by Rebecca Dainton, Head of Product at Flutter UK & Ireland, the app was created to reduce the stress and mental load associated with name changes. It supports a range of naming journeys, including traditional surname changes, double-barrelling, blended surnames and other choices following marriage, civil partnership, divorce or personal identity changes. The launch comes as younger generations increasingly rethink traditional naming conventions, with technology offering a more streamlined approach to this often-overlooked part of newlywed life.
READ ARTICLE
Are Brits risking their finances by avoiding the pre-wedding money talk?
For many couples, talking about money can feel far less romantic than talking about the wedding itself. But as more Brits prepare to tie the knot — and with stronger legal rights on the horizon for unmarried couples — new research suggests we may be leaving some important financial conversations until it's too late. From avoiding money talk on first dates to steering clear of prenups, the findings reveal a nation surprisingly reluctant to discuss how to protect their finances, even when differences over money are already putting relationships under strain. Two thirds of Brits (66%) say they would not get a prenuptial agreement before marriage (48%) or have already opted against one (17%) - compared to 42% in both France and Spain. New findings from Europe's second largest neobank, bunq, reveal that Brits are markedly more resistant to prenuptial agreements than their continental neighbours – despite Britain's reputation as the less romantic nation.
READ ARTICLE
Couples could legally get married anywhere - legal comment
The UK Government has unveiled a new consultation to reform the wedding laws in England and Wales which is exploring how wedding ceremonies are conducted, particularly looking at wedding venues. The proposals are seeking to modernise the outdated legislation in this area which will eventually provide couples with greater freedom to decide where and how they will get married. At present, when a couple gets married, they need to have their legal ceremony in a licensed building or a registered place of worship. The existing laws have a further requirement that couples must ensure the individual officiating their wedding ceremony is either an authorised religious minister or a civil registrar.
READ ARTICLE
7 Ways to Make Your Wedding Memories Part of Your Home
As weddings become increasingly personal, couples are moving away from cookie-cutter celebrations and towards details that tell their own story. British Vogue has identified intentionality, personalisation and nostalgia as defining themes for 2026 weddings, while The Knot is highlighting the rise of keepsakes and deeply personal touches. But there is an interesting part of the wedding story that receives far less attention: what happens to those meaningful details afterwards. Here, founder Kate Legodi of Coeur et Maman, specialists in conservation-quality printed photo mounts, shares her advice...
