Try GOLD - Free
TIDIES OF COMFORT AND JOY
The Gazette
|November 20, 2025
A DUST-FREE TREE, GLEAMING CUTLERY... LYNSEY CROMBIE'S QUICK CHRISTMAS HACKS ARE A LIFESAVER. BY SAM WYLIE-HARRIS
-
THE Christmas lights are on, shop windows are full of gift ideas - and festive fixes are rising to the top of our to-do list.
If you're setting the stage for holiday hosting, making sure your surfaces, tableware and crystal are as shiny and sparkly as the twinkling lights on the tree is a must.
To get your home guest-ready, Lynsey Crombie, Queen of Clean (@lynsey-queenofclean), home expert and TV presenter, shares her top tips to make your festive season prep easier and more joyful...
1. Give cutlery a bicarb bath
"Give dull silverware a festive glow by soaking it in warm water with a spoonful of bicarbonate of soda," says Lynsey.
"Leave it for 10-15 minutes in a sink lined with tin foil, rinse, and buff dry for a just-polished shine... perfect for Christmas table settings."
2. Sharpen scissors
"No need to buy new scissors before wrapping season! Simply fold a sheet of tin foil and snip through it several times.
This story is from the November 20, 2025 edition of The Gazette.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Gazette
The Gazette
'I wanted to win for daughter'
GOLF Shane Lowry admitted he was \"extremely disappointed\" after missing out on victory in front of his four-year-old daughter as he surrendered a three-shot lead down the stretch at the Cognizant Classic in Florida.
1 min
March 03, 2026
The Gazette
MPs’ 5% pay rise due to an increase in abuse
MPS’ annual salaries will rise by five per cent in the next financial year and to around £110,000 by the end of this Parliament, Westminster's expenses watchdog has said.
1 min
March 03, 2026
The Gazette
Dealer caught importing drugs
A DRUG dealer has been jailed - after attempting to import Class A drugs.
1 min
March 03, 2026
The Gazette
'Transformational' deal for cargo flights sealed
A “LANDMARK” deal for cargo flights from Teesside International Airport to China has been sealed.
2 mins
March 03, 2026
The Gazette
Boro sting the Blues to get their promotion bandwagon back on track
TWO-GOAL TARGETT IS THE UNLIKELY HERO AS WINLESS RUN IS ENDED
3 mins
March 03, 2026
The Gazette
Export orders boost factory production
UK factory production has hit a 17-month high as new export orders from overseas flowed in, but smaller firms are being left behind, according to a new survey.
1 mins
March 03, 2026
The Gazette
Shelter Hope for help with upgrades
OWNER WHO 'NEVER SAYS NO TO AN ANIMAL IN NEED' HAS LAUNCHED A FUNDRAISING APPEAL
2 mins
March 03, 2026
The Gazette
Residential home rating rises to good in all areas
Staff and residents at Randale House, Middlesbrough, celebrate their CQC ‘good’ rating
1 mins
March 03, 2026
The Gazette
Chat show 'privilege'
CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN has said that to have her new chat show in the same slot as Graham Norton's is a “total privilege and also completely nerve-racking”.
1 mins
March 03, 2026
The Gazette
Two accused of shooting over '£20,000 debt'
TWO Hartlepool men are standing trial accused of shooting at a Middlesbrough couple’s living room window.
2 mins
March 03, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size