Lifestyle

More than half of Brits take Christmas decorating inspiration from festive films and TV shows

Ad Feature Brits recreate Christmas magic

1 in 3 are choosing to spend their weekends cooking

Brits ditch nights out for home cooking

Christmas gift ideas from Olaplex, Hourglass, Sweaty Betty, Hunter and Neal’s Yard Remedies, with beauty, fragrance and pampering treats for under the tree.

35 best Christmas gifts for 2026 from just £2.99

The Aromatherapy Associates Atomiser Connect makes a luxurious Christmas gift, pictured with the Winter Wellbeing essential oil blend.

I tried the £190 diffuser that makes my home smell like a spa

More than half of adults have avoided buying clothes over concerns about caring for them

Eight in 10 Brits suffer from 'laundry anxiety', according to research

P.Louise's brilliantly spooky £45 Secrets in the Shadows Halloween palette opens to reveal 54 eyeshadows, with a clever light-up feature adding to the drama.

P.Louise goes gloriously OTT for Halloween

Lakeland's Barista Espresso Machine is reduced from £169.99 to £136 in the retailer's huge October sale.

Lakeland launches huge sale with savings of up to 20%

Old mobile phones and chipped mugs also feature high on the list of items Brits keep despite no longer needing them

Mystery keys among things Brits hold onto for too long

Bunches has plenty of options to choose from including flowers, hampers and greeting cards.

Bunches sells more than flowers, including plants and hampers

Garmin's new Approach S72 golf smartwatch comes in two sizes and features advanced swing analysis, detailed course mapping and green-reading technology.

Garmin launches £700 golf watch packed with new features

The Nikura AIRI Waterless Diffuser makes filling your home with beautiful fragrance effortless, with no water, mess or fuss.

Nikura AIRI Waterless Diffuser review: No water, no wires, no faff

Soap & Glory drops 10 new skincare buys – all under £13

Lemonade Dolls’ colourful Flex Collection in Aqua combines turquoise, soft pink and zesty lime green for a fresh take on everyday lingerie.

Lemonade Dolls Flex Collection review: Comfort meets colour

Dermalogica’s new Stabilizing Repair Serum, £65, is designed to soothe reactive and irritated skin while supporting the skin’s moisture barrier.

Dermalogica’s new £65 serum for sensitive skin

Jo Malone London’s Orange Marmalade Cologne takes inspiration from the bittersweet British breakfast favourite.

This Jo Malone bestseller wasn't what I expected

These Bunches flowers are the easiest way to update my home for the new autumn season

I’ve found the easiest way to give my home an autumn update

Kimberley Walsh has teamed up with Pure Tone Aesthetics to launch her first skincare collection, a three-step range featuring plant-derived polynucleotides.

Kimberley Walsh launches first skincare range

Good Day by Patchology brings a dose of sunshine to skincare with its colourful new mood-boosting range.

Patchology Good Day review: Sunshine in a bottle?

Eligible adults can explore New Health’s weight-management service online and decide whether it feels right for them.

How to know you’re suitable for private weight management treatment?

A powder for every complexion: Kosas Cloud Set Translucent Loose Setting + Blurring Powder comes in a range of shades designed to set make-up without looking heavy.

Kosas discovery guide: 7 hero products to know

Beauty Pie is stepping up its YOUTHBOMB range with Intense, a new skin renewal serum combining micro-spicules, exosomes and peptides.

Beauty Pie launches new YOUTHBOMB Intense serum

Robot cleaners that can mop, vacuum and even clean your windows are among the latest innovations unveiled by ECOVACS Robotics at IFA 2026

Ad Feature Meet the new cleaning robot that could give you your weekends back

Ad Feature Why more Scots are looking beyond a holiday when they look at Portugal

TOG24 Alva Womens Waterproof Trench Coat - Chocolate Brown

The Alva waterproof trench is made for cold and rainy autumn days.

I’m a pet owner and my dog Ellie loves the sofa, so this is one thing I don’t want in my home

Flea season is here - I’ve been looking at a monthly service for pets

Do you know what these slang terms mean.

Top Slang Words 2026: 15 popular words and phrases that stump people

The heated outdoor vitality pool is at the heart of the Moddershall Oaks spa experience, with countryside views and cocktails delivered straight to the water.

This luxury woodland spa is made for switching off

Brechin Castle. PIC: Savills

Scottish castle hits market for £1.6m in half-price offer

The Kosas Impressionist Multistick collection is available in seven wearable shades, with each creamy stick designed to add a fresh pop of colour to both cheeks and lips.

Kosas Impressionist Multistick review

The Manta Hairbrush's flexible base is designed to move with your hair, helping to reduce tension and minimise breakage while brushing.

Manta Hairbrush review: A brush that's stood the test of time

Some cat breeds stay small - even when they become adults.

Tiny Cats 2026: The world's 10 smallest breeds of adorable cat

Hotel to open Garden Summer House with rose cocktails & loaded crisps

You'll need more than a few pennies if you want to welcome these cats into your home.

Costly Cats 2026: Here are the 10 most expensive breeds of cat

The Morelax wearable neck fan has three speed settings and a battery life of up to 16 hours

This hands-free neck fan is now £18.69

Some dog breeds are easier to train than others.

Trainable Dogs 2026: 20 easiest and hardest breeds of dog to train

Michelle Ogundehin will appear at Fringe By The Sea in August.

Design guru Michelle Ogundehin's healthy and happy homes plan

You've got your first aquarium - now to decide what fish to populate it with.

My First Pet Tropical Fish 2026: 10 top species for complete beginners

Some cat breeds seem to be just naturally affectionate.

Affectionate Cats 2026: The 10 most loving breeds of adorable cat

I always struggle to buy birthday gifts until I discovered Bunches does much more than just flowers

Why Bunches is my new go-to website for thoughtful gifts

Hourglass Cosmetics' new Phantom Blur Balm collection includes five flattering shades with a soft-focus matte finish.

Hourglass Phantom Blur Balm review

Drew Barrymore has previously described the Olay Eyes Ultimate Eye Cream as one of her favourite beauty products for brighter-looking under-eyes.

Drew Barrymore loves this Olay eye cream and now it’s on sale

The L'Oréal Paris Elvive Glycolic Gloss bundle includes four products designed to work together to boost shine and smooth the appearance of hair.

L'Oréal bundle for salon worthy glossy hair
Combining four products in one coordinated routine, this L'Oréal haircare bundle is designed to help achieve smoother, shinier-looking hair at home

The new No7 Pro Artist Silk Glaze Skin Tint provides lightweight coverage with a natural-looking finish and is available in 12 shades.

No7 Pro Artist Silk Glaze Skin Tint review

The Sons bundle combines a 5% minoxidil solution with a caffeine shampoo as part of a daily hair growth routine

This bestselling hair growth bundle has just dropped to under £24

The new Engwe Zip is a surprisingly likeable folding bike that finally rivals the legendary Brompton

Engwe Zip review: Folding e-bike surprise

Uni Rain Eau de Parfum is inspired by the scent of fresh rainfall, blending floral and earthy notes in a lightweight, water-based fragrance.

Review: I tried Uni Rain perfume and loved it instantly

Some cat breeds tend to be happier living indoors.

Indoor Cats 2026: 10 breeds that make the best housecats

Storrs Hall sits on the shores of Windermere, offering elegant accommodation, beautiful grounds and uninterrupted lake views.

Storrs Hall review: A peaceful Lake District escape

Ragdolls are one of the best cat breeds for beginners.

Cats For Beginners 2026: 10 breeds of cat that make great first pets

The Faszin 2-in-1 Hair Straightener features titanium floating plates and multiple heat settings for different styling needs

Amazon cuts £79 off this 2-in-1 hair straightener and curler

More than half have decided to improve their diet

Eight in 10 Brits are now actively tracking their health

I think I just found the quickest and easiest way to whiten my teeth for summer

I’m thinking about trying the this whitening pen for brighter teeth

Some dogs are more likely to suffer health issues than others.

Dog Health 2026: 24 most and least healthy breeds of adorable dog

Woody and Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story 5 - Keeping kids hydrated this summer is easier with Disney Toy Story bottles

Make hydration fun with these Disney Toy Story Thermos bottles

Research revealed that more than half of Gen Z rank illness or pain among their top aging concerns, higher than Boomers.

Ad Feature Gen Z worry more about aging than Boomers, study reveals

Some cats just can't help but be chatty.

Vocal Cats 2026: Here are the 10 chattiest breeds of adorable cat

The Scotsman Top Stories

Scotland has failed to meet its latest target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the latest official figures show. Picture: John Giles/PA Wire

Fail: Scotland misses climate target

Pro-independence protesters with Scottish Saltire flags (top) march for Scottish independence. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Yousaf: Growing popular support for Yes the only way to Scottish independence

Nadine Dorries. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

SNP MP cleared of bullying Nadine Dorries