My favourite time of the year!

Yippee! It’s finally December. 

Twinkly lights, good cheer, meeting up with those near and dear! I’ve loved it ever since I was a small child and that magical feeling has never left me. 

Before I go on, though, I would like to acknowledge the fact that Christmas time, for many, isn’t a happy time. For some it will be a lonely time. And for others, it will be the empty chair at the table and missing that loved one. 

More people will have various other reasons for Christmas being a time they dread rather than look forward to. Sincerely, my heart goes out to you, and I’m so sorry if you are identifying with this.

One of the positives of our digital age is that we have access to resources that can really help us through whatever difficulties we may be facing.

If you happen to know someone who isn’t looking forward to Christmas, and maybe doesn’t have, or isn’t aware of, the online support that’s available, maybe you could do a good Christmas deed by giving them a helping hand.

If it’s an elderly relative perhaps forego the beauty gifts and consider a gift of technology which might help them connect to others in the same position, or to keep in touch with their family.

My mum is 84 and she is able to keep up with everyone via email and Facebook and I really believe it makes a huge difference to her. It opens up a whole world of possibilities as well as offering more independence with things like food shopping and so on.

Just one hour spent helping them get all set up could be potentially life-changing, and it needn’t cost the earth. We’ve had some great deals on Amazon tablets, for example, but you can browse all our tech here.

As an ambassador for The Good Grief Trust, a charity run by the bereaved for the bereaved, I feel it would be remiss of me not to make mention of them at this time of year.

The charity have launched the UK’s first National Grief Awareness Week this year from the 2nd to the 8th of December. We held the official Parliamentary Launch Event for the campaign at the House of Commons recently (opened by Esther Rantzen), which was a huge success. 

There were over 150 charities, support services, health professionals, cross party MPs, peers, coroners, police and those affected by grief attending, all passionate to pledge their support for this new annual event to raise awareness of grief and loss on a national scale every Christmas.

Hundreds of bereavement support services will be holding events across the country to support this new campaign. 

They are asking the nation this year to write the name of the person they have lost on a piece of paper and take a photo with the hashtag #OPENUPTOGRIEF to share on social media to remember them and to #SayTheirName.  

Sadly, every minute someone dies in the UK and is impacted by grief, and we don’t know how we will react until it happens to us.

Christmas is a particularly difficult time for those suffering grief. If you or someone else is suffering please don’t suffer in silence. Have a little look online for yourself to see what The Good Grief Trust could do for you or someone you know.

I hope this Christmas will provide you with a glimmer of hope to build upon in the coming year. The pain of loss never leaves but we can learn how to cope and find reasons to be happy even when it seems hopeless.

Now, for something to hopefully give you a chuckle or two. Fellow presenter, Dale Franklin, and I recently got together over on the QVC Facebook page for a festive quiz.

Dale and Catherine are going head to head in our Christmas trivia battle. Comment below to play along and shop today’s Christmas decor Festive Find offer > http://bit.ly/2q6kuhS

Posted by QVC on Sunday, November 24, 2019

We each had a list of questions for each other which were compiled by our lovely colleague, Emma. They weren’t as easy as we thought they were going to be, ha ha! It did really get us in the Christmas mood, so if you fancy a giggle do have a watch.

Finally, I just want to tell you about a whopping great deal coming up on the 11th of December as a Today’s Special Value offer. Founded by Ultrasun sun care expert Abi Cleeve, Skinsense has been created to help target the early visible signs of premature ageing and promote a more youthful skin look.

Utilising her knowledge of sunscreen formulations and cutting-edge lamellar technologies, Abi has created a range that will help you feel beautiful all day, every day. 

This kit adds up to £170 worth of value. Yeah yeah, Catherine, that’s great, but what do we get? Ok, ok, here’s what you’ll get:

Gentle Cleansing Balm (50ml) – this multi-tasking balm thoroughly cleanses the skin, helping to remove daily build-up of impurities and make-up without interrupting the delicate pH balance of the skin’s surface. Enriched with skin-soothing ingredients and a melting texture which transforms from a hydrating balm to a lightweight oil.

Highly Active Day Cream (50ml) – developed to help hydrate your skin and reduce the visible signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles. Many fans won’t leave the house in the morning without first applying this must-have day cream.

Revitalising Facial Serum (50ml) – formulated with a lightweight texture designed to help hydrate your skin and create a smooth, healthy-looking appearance. Add this essential step to your skincare regime after cleansing and before moisturising to help create a radiant-looking complexion.              

The Highly Potent Night Cream (50ml) – the Highly Potent Night Cream from Skinsense promises to intensively nourish the feel of your skin through moisturisation overnight. Enriched with a blend of LinefillTM, sweet almond oil, hyaluronic acid and Brazilian butters. Your complexion will look revitalised and refreshed by morning.

Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream (100ml) – a moisturising cream that helps to retain a soft, toned and even appearance around your neck and décolleté area; infused with Juvinity skincare technology, plus allantoin, zinc and soya oil.

This is the first time we will have seen the full-sized Night Cream in a Skinsense Today’s Special Value offer. It also contains the brand new Cleansing Balm. All in all, you’re getting five full-sizes with a full day to night regime at a cracking price to be revealed very soon!

Oooh, before I go, I just want to remind you to look out for the Big Deals and Festive Finds we have going on at the moment to help you out with your Christmas shopping. Even if it’s not Christmas you’re shopping for, there are plenty of great deals in every department of our wonderful shop.

I wish you peace and happiness at this very busy time of year, and I look forward to catching up soon. Don’t forget, you can always follow me on my social channels where I tend to post on an almost daily basis.

Lots of love,

Catherine xx

3 Responses

  1. Hi Catherine,
    I love Christmas too but it can be lonely yes. Lonely for a lot of people. Especially when you’re bombarded with ads and ‘perfect’ talk everywhere you go! You’re great for always highlighting it. Hope you enjoy your Christmas with Jamie x

  2. Oh Catherine, you really are one of the most compassionate people I know, QVC are very lucky to have you as a presenter and ambassador. Keep up the good work. xx

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