{"id":101686,"date":"2020-12-04T16:00:35","date_gmt":"2020-12-04T16:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stories.qvcuk.com\/?p=101686"},"modified":"2020-12-04T16:09:31","modified_gmt":"2020-12-04T16:09:31","slug":"christmas-tree-challenge-and-sneaky-peeks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stories.qvcuk.com\/presenters\/debbie-flint\/christmas-tree-challenge-and-sneaky-peeks\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas tree challenge and sneaky peeks!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Had a fun Facebook Live on the QVC page<\/a> this week. We discussed some super MarlaWynne<\/strong><\/a> discounts, and brilliant Bareminerals<\/strong><\/a> buys – like the lippies hanging on the tree. It was one of the last shows to mark the Black Friday deals, on Cyber Monday. But remember you can shop online, for Christmas with us till around 19th! Do go here<\/a> for our \u2018while stocks last\u2019 End of Year Sale.<\/p>\n

And I\u2019ve decided to look out for the best dressed Christmas trees in my family this year. My niece Becky\u2019s is lovely and I took this pic when I visited her flat to water the plants (she is away at the moment but dressed it before she left). She is a make-up artist and quite creative, can you tell? Another one next week\u2026<\/p>\n\"\"\n

A day in Devon<\/strong><\/p>\n

Also this week, I took a flying visit back down to Devon to see some pals to swap gifts (at a distance of course!) and pick up post and some Christmas bits. The place was immaculate, courtesy of lovely Sian who helps me, and Chris and Jayne. I don’t think they read this, so I can tell you it was nice to give a few of my friends Hotel Chocolat<\/strong><\/a> presents. Well, it stops me eating them doesn\u2019t it! (Apart from the delicious orange vegan chocolate slabs which somehow mysteriously found their way into my fridge\u2026!) Glad I got two Today’s Special Values, but there are still deals around online that will be there by Christmas. I decided to keep my new place minimalist this year, but can always swap it out next year! I will reveal my Surrey tree just before Christmas. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

It was lovely to have a little Devon countryside walk too, but I had a dilemma about something in my garden… go here<\/a> to find out what!!<\/p>\n

Plus just below that vlog, over on my Facebook page, you\u2019ll see where I posted Tommy Cross\u2019s ingenious video that he created for the nine-in-one pen TSV he did this week. Funny. And clever. But overall, rather… cheeky!<\/p>\n

I\u2019m looking forward to this weekend, as my son Brad and his family (my bubble) is coming down for our early Christmas. It\u2019s a shame Lolly has to wait ’til Christmas week, but it\u2019ll be great fun and I\u2019ve got quite ahead of myself with presents this year, which is just as well as little Blake has got quite a list! Are you quite behind or quite ahead at this stage, this year? Let me know in the comments below, and how many were QVC purchases!<\/p>\n

Snippets<\/strong><\/p>\n

Simon\u2019s masked mischief!<\/strong><\/p>\n\"\"\n

My lovely colleague Simon made me giggle this week with his crazy mask – he said “well, it is Movember!!\u2019 Expect to see more funny Christmas ones now – the countdown to Christmas is here!<\/p>\n

Meals mishap<\/strong><\/p>\n\"\"\n

In my effort to make my own dinners at home, and lose a bit more weight as I do enjoy these healthy meals so much, I over-ordered. Not only did I get a second week from one recipe box company, I also ordered another different one by accident and ended up with nine recipe box dinners all in my fridge! I better get cracking when I get back. Maybe I could open a small kitchen for a week\u2026 \ud83d\ude42 Debbie does dinner brings on a different meaning!<\/p>\n

Trouser tape<\/strong><\/p>\n\"\"\n

Here\u2019s a kind of a blooper, look what I went almost half-a-day wearing. Yes, you can guess what I was doing just before I left the house, right**? Yes, I did my walk, I travelled to work, and I ended up doing my prep and meeting the guests… all before I realised. Silly Debbie!!<\/p>\n

Watch<\/strong><\/p>\n

A veritable Christmas film fest this week, including National Lampoon\u2018s Christmas Vacation.<\/p>\n\"\"\n

Plus, The Holiday, Christmas Chronicles 2, and an obscure one called Christmas Magic. All feel-good factors with lots of schmaltz. Just the ticket for this time of year! I keep posting screen grabs of what I\u2019m watching and getting people to guess the film and the scene, join me over on my Facebook page and social media for the fun! Don\u2019t forget my #Thursdaybantz! Only another week ’til my big Christmas sing-a-long over on my Facebook page!<\/p>\n

One binge-watch I did enjoy this week though was His Dark Materials, season two. There aren\u2019t that many episodes so you don\u2019t have to worry about getting bogged down! Cleverly done, a visual feast, the acting is… almost… great, and it\u2019s a worthy follow-on from season one, last Christmas\u2019s seasonal hit. By Philip Pullman, catch it on iPlayer.<\/p>\n

Book of the week<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m still finishing Christmas with the Teashop Girls and will probably read another one of Elaine Everest\u2019s wonderful wartime tales. But I\u2019m drawn to other Christmassy titles at the moment. Will report back next week. (PS. I have downloaded The Familiars, because it was so highly reviewed and was recommended on the Good Housekeeping book club group on Facebook. However, I am not sure it\u2019s a suitable topic for this time of year, since it\u2019s about witch trials! I\u2019ll give it a read and decide!) If you have any wonderful Christmassy stories, especially more romances, I fancy some more diverse authors so feel free to recommend!<\/p>\n

Podcast <\/strong><\/p>\n

Doris from Doll 10<\/strong><\/a> talks to Will Gowing on our regular podcast here<\/a> \ud83d\ude42 just in time for her special day and at the weekend, see below.<\/p>\n

And next Monday<\/strong> (7th) Will catches up with another make-up superstar that has recently joined QVC – Gary Cockerill<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Blooper<\/strong><\/p>\n

OMG! There was the most tremendous one over on a jewellery show this week. You can find it on the QVCUK Facebook page! Basically, Kieron the jewellery guest made a slip-up and mixed up his wife with something weird! I\u2019ve never seen Jill laugh like it in my life, so funny!<\/p>\n

Plus, Charlie had us in stiches this week with a little set mishap.<\/p>\n