Our Top 10 Picks for December

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling as we enter into the festive season with the perfect winter skincare, a magical Christmas lights experience, and thousands of Santas running across London

1. Page-turners

Modern Flexitarian
Are you conscious about making more sustainable meal choices, but not ready to commit to a full vegan lifestyle? With 100 plant-packed recipes, Modern Flexitarian provides smart choices to help make your meals more eco-friendly, while still being able to enjoy dairy, eggs, and meat now and then. Out 5 December, DK, £20

2. Out and about

Christmas at Kew
Experience the magic of Christmas at Kew, with a sparkling after dark trail. Follow the path of more than one million twinkling lights, illuminating the beautiful trees and buildings throughout Kew Gardens. Keep an eye out for Santa and his elves on the way! Wednesday 20 November 2019 to Sunday 5 January 2020. For more information visit kew.org

3. Put on a show

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Nothing says Christmas quite like a pantomime! Enjoy Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford, starring Strictly Come Dancing 2018 finalist Faye Tozer, and family TV favourite Paul Chuckle. Pantomimes will be coming to theatres across the UK, find one near you to join in the fun. Saturday 14 December 2019 to Sunday 26 January 2020. To book tickets, head to bradford-theatres.co.uk

4. Plugged-in

Easy Eco tips
Highlighting the small changes you can make to live a more sustainable life, this green blog shares a new tip every day on how you can help protect the planet, from changing your tea bags to picking up litter. Follow @easyecotips on Instagram

5. Tech Tip-Offs

reGAIN
Get rewards for recycling your unwanted clothes! Simply pack up your clothes, send them to one of 25,000 locations in the UK, and get access to discount codes so you can restock your wardrobe. What better reason to finally say goodbye to the old clothes you’ve been holding on to? Download from the App Store and Google Play, find out more at regain-app.com

6. Lend us your ears

‘Fashion Fix with Charli Howard’
Model and activist Charli Howard’s new podcast is all about helping you get your fashion fix, while also looking after the planet – and other people. With a new episode every Friday, Charli and her guests talk all things fashion, from sustainable clothing to body positivity. Find out more at bbc.co.uk, and listen to the podcast on the BBC Sounds app

7. Square eyes

Cats
Hitting our screens in December is the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved musical, Cats. Featuring a star-studded cast including Jennifer Hudson, Idris Elba and James Corden, Cats is set to have you feline fine this winter. In cinemas 20 December

8. The conversation

Christmas Jumper Day
It’s time to dig out your winter woollies for Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day! Whether you’re at school, work, or with family, you can take part to help raise money for children in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. Help make the world better with a sweater. 13 December, sign up for your fundraising kit at savethechildren.org.uk

9. Get going

Skyline’s London Santa Run
Step into Christmas as thousands of Santas take to the streets for London’s largest Santa Run. Choose between the 5K or 10K routes at Victoria Park in east London, and get fundraising for your chosen charity. Recover after the race in true Santa style – with mince pies and Christmas carols. 8 December, £25 registration fee for adults, £10 for children under 15, find out more at londonsantarun.co.uk

10. Treat yourself

The Body Shop Hand Cream
The cold weather can often bring with it dry skin, so it’s essential to keep your mitts moisturised. The Body Shop offers a range of ethical hand creams, and being kind to the environment is at the heart of its values. With a huge selection of scents, from Almond Milk and Honey to Pink Grapefruit, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Available in stores and online, £5