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
Boro's loan manager full of praise for goal hero
TOMMY Smith praised Matt Targett for his role in Middlesbrough's victory at Birmingham City, saying he got his just rewards for what can be a “thankless task\".
1 min
March 04, 2026
The Gazette
Blues' boss is backing Boro in the big promotion race to the top
City boss Chris Davies believes Middlesbrough have a \"real chance\" of winning promotion this season, after Boro became just the second team to beat his team in the league at St Andrew's in almost two years.
2 mins
March 04, 2026
The Gazette
Curran in dreamland as England chase top form
SAM Curran is undaunted at taking on India in another T20 World Cup semifinal despite England also having to contend with a noisy, partisan Mumbai crowd tomorrow.
2 mins
March 04, 2026
The Gazette
IT'S SHOWTIME
THE WORLD'S GREATEST CELEBRATION OF DOGS AND DOG LOVERS IS BACK
3 mins
March 04, 2026
The Gazette
Osman thanks fans after quiz show departure
TV PRESENTER and author Richard Osman has thanked fans after he stepped down from his role as presenter of the BBC's House Of Games, which he described as the \"most fun show\".
1 min
March 04, 2026
The Gazette
Pull up a chair for your fill of showbiz
Have we got room for another food podcast?
1 mins
March 04, 2026
The Gazette
Friends running to help beat diabetes
TWO Teesside childhood friends will run side-by-side to raise money for a cause close to their hearts.
2 mins
March 04, 2026
The Gazette
Strictly's Alex: 'I wasn't reading signs' from body
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Alex Kingston has said she \"wasn't reading the signs\" from her body before she was diagnosed with uterine cancer.
1 mins
March 04, 2026
The Gazette
REMASTER BLASTER
A re-tooling of a classic Star Wars shooter heads a clutch of great titles coming this spring
3 mins
March 04, 2026
The Gazette
New service for owners grieving beloved animals
A NEW bereavement service is being launched to help people struggling with the heartbreak of losing a beloved pet.
2 mins
March 04, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size