Our first Christmas as empty nesters

The kids have left home, and we’re not really coping, so this seems like the perfect chance to lure them back

What’s the best hangover cure for the morning after an election?

Whether you’re recovering from a festive night out or a stressful vote, what’s needed is a reliable pick-me-up

Protein balls and positivity: why wellness Advent calendars are the year’s worst trend

The latest Christmas countdown offerings include teabags, whey snacks, pea isolate chocolate and other miserly fun substitutes. Just say ho, ho, no!

Seven ways to stay healthy during party season

December can be a frantic month of socialising. From strategic power naps to healthy snacks, here’s how to get out the other side unscathed

Why Christmas is for everyone

An atheist’s Christmas celebrates hospitality and generosity – just like a Christian’s, says Julian Baggini

‘It’s part of the fun to suffer’: the people hitting the great outdoors this Christmas

Meet the river swimmers, paddleboarding Santas and others who won’t be spending Christmas on the couch

Mary had a baby. So did I. Neither of us needed wise men

The nativity tale always dominates the season – but for far too many women even today, there’s still no room at the inn, says freelance journalist Nell Frizzell

Ho ho hold back … why you should go easy on the festive booze this year

Christmas without a drink is more or less unthinkable, but excess is a real danger. So how much alcohol is safe? And can it ever be good for you?

Counting calories this Christmas? Beware the pigs in blankets

Average person will consume 6,000 calories on Christmas Day, report says – but you can cut down and still eat well

Modern tribes: the Christmas clean-eater

If you serve Tallulah’s pumpkin, chia and toadstool faux-turkey porridge you’ll be giving your guests the best present of all: the gift of wellbeing’