I got so fed up of my late husband’s hearing I made him have it tested. Blow me his hearing turned out to be ok(for his age) but the lovely lady said that in her experience men can hear….they just don’t “listen”! Explains a lot doesn’t it?xx

I agree we definitely over cater compared to when I was young, no snacking between meals. I have very fond memories of my dad and the turkey. One year the fresh turkey being kept cold in the greenhouse as it was too big for the fridge (no big fridges in those days). Another year, the turkey was all prepared with the trimmings, dad presents it to the oven only to find it’s too big and the door won’t shut😂. Another year, having enjoyed another delicious Christmas lunch, the turkey was placed at the top of the larder to cool (another large bird), we’re watching the afternoon Big Movie and can hear banging and thumping coming from the kitchen, my dad gets up to investigate. The air turned blue, my dad came out of the kitchen holding the turkey carcass closely following a very fat turkey shaped Siamese cat, looking very pleased having opened the larder door, climbed up and helped himself - he didn’t eat for two days, the cat not my dad 😂😂😂. Loving your Christmas stories ❤

Helen, you are are an unconscious comedian, you fair cheered me up with this vlog. You are a very classy lady but so down to earth. Well I laughed about the gammon, poor Rob 😂. As a previous comment, I am Scottish and we do celebrate boxing day, probably in our pyjamas, or jammies as we like to say. Wishing you and yours a healthy happy 2024. I haven’t watched your live with your mum but I will do tomorrow. Love and best wishes to you and yours from a 72 year old ( lassie 😂) from Scotland x

Your heated rollers sound dangerous! 😂Would be on me, anyway. I am so impatient I never read instructions properly. We had Christmas with my son's in-laws, which was lovely. No burnt wrists on the oven, no fretting about the turkey, I thought. My little drama? As I went in,carrying our presents and said hello, I turned to go in the sitting room not looking where I was going,forgetting the step. Crash! Fortunately there were no breakables in the bag, 'coz I landed on them. Oh Lord! , luckily no harm or injuries done. Honestly! 😂 I got a beautiful silver bangle from my husband and lovely presents from everyone. Happy New Year. Anna-Marie Keep on posting. Love the chats x

It’s so interesting how every day life makes for the best stories! You’ll be talking about them for years with an added fondness that it was just a bunch of bloopers,and no one got sick, the plumbing didn’t clog up, and the power didn’t shut off (all things that have happened in our big ((74+ immediate family)) holiday dinners😂)! A joyous, healthy and happy New Year to you and yours!🎉

I need to say a very BIG thank you Helen for all the Christmas food prep vlogs. This is the first year that I prepared and froze everything beforehand following your guidance and at the age of 57, my family said it was the best Christmas dinner ever. Never again will I spend Christmas Eve doing all the prep. I even made the cranberry sauce which was a hit. Thank you so much. I felt like a domestic goddess, and actually enjoyed the cooking for a change. Wishing you all the best for 2024❤🎉

Hi Helen. My partner is exactly the same as Rob. Any job given has to be spelt out, and most times written down to even stand a chance of being completed satisfactory. Going to the shops necessitates taken photo of required item or a list with make, price etc. Over the years I have learnt it’s really easier to do everything myself. I feel as if I’m doing my bit for Help the Aged by living with him. I could write a book on incidents similar to your gammon, but even though he’s a pain in the a*** I think it’s probably better than being on one’s own. Just keep soldiering on. Sisters in arms 😂😂😂😂

Hi Helen, wonderful chat, I thoroughly enjoyed it! I can relate about your husband...I' call it "man ears" they just don't listen! I'm glad that mine, as yours does, have other wonderful qualities! Beautiful gifts you received! You always bring a smile to my face & it always feels like a lovely visit with a friend! I think your mum is such a wonderful lady...& I'm glad that she does the live videos, I wasn't able to join the live, but it was wonderful to watch! Thank you so much for sharing & doing this video! All the very best for a wonderful New Year! Lots of love Kathy x 💖 Also wanted to say...thank you for showing how to make a gift bag...I made 3 for last minute Christmas gifts...they were perfect & they loved them! 💕💕

Thanks so much for this little chat, as always made me chuckle so much! The gammon in the garage, the Christmas Pudding, the stay over interloper 😂 Appreciate that you shared it with us, and as always big big hugs to your darling Mum xxx

Hello Helen, Happy New Year Blossom. My Grandparents and Parents watch you and they love your Hauls in the Hall and all your banter. 💟 Yesterday we were at a cafe having lunch. At the next table were two eighty five year old women who were both wearing 85 flashing brooches. One said to the other "Can you smell Methalyted Spirits?" Her friend said "I can hardly spell my own name!" My girlfriend and I laughed so much and when leaving we payed their tab; whilst still laughing. My girlfriend enquired as to why I paid for their lunch? "I shall have that story forever!" Too funny for words. Helen you purchasing a caravan came up in a short thus not containing a date of release. Australian Fan Club 💝

At last some "me" time to watch your vlog! My old man is driving me nuts with things that need to be done before New Year! Aaarrrggghhh!! And as for men not listening - normal male behaviour😅 Thanks to your tips on prepping for Christmas I had an easier time of it this year - wonderful. Many thanks Helen. The Germans have a saying for New Year " guten Rutsch" which means "a good slide" from N.Y. Eve to N.Y. Day - I wish you and your loved ones all the best for 2024 and look forward to more interesting and funny stories.

Helen, so glad you made it through Christmas, the gammon in the garage so funny, but not good for your blood pressure. I also had a bachelor cousin who would just stay for 3 days sometimes, I always invited all members of my family to pop in “anytime” over the Xmas period for drinks, but this cousin (very lovely man) would just stay, other family would come and go and he would just be there on the sofa, chatting,drinking eating….have a lovely new year and prepare for your cruise….❤😂

Happy new year to every one. I’m sure most families are unable to get through Christmas without a hitch, it adds to the memories. Our daughter arrived home the Wednesday before Christmas, went straight in the bathroom and knocked a Velcro roller from the top of the cabinet into the toilet bowl as she flushed the loo. I told her don’t tell your dad, we have kept our fingers crossed since in case the loo blocked. She did admit it later though. Also the trifle collapsed, jelly didn’t set well. Tasted delicious all the same. No with my husband. The last one was a few weeks ago when he poured my lamb stock down the sink while washing up. He is a good dish washer though😂. Don’t know how a would cope without him, probably have to buy a dish washer😂

So great to hear from you and very glad all went well. It is no hardship spending time with your mum. I think she is pretty amazing and as determined as anyone else to keep her independence. Long may that continue. I am looking forward, sometime next year, to hear of her experiences living in London,as a child, in the war. I wish your family, and especially you Helen, all the very best for 2024. It been great fun and I’ve learnt a lot xx

Loved the little catch up Helen I can’t pretend to give cooking hints because I’m not that clever, pleased to hear you have the occasional rant and swear so do I , my washing machine gave up the week before Christmas and Argos delivered one one Christmas Eve I can’t tell you the relief that bought me, I’m sorry to hear mum wasn’t very well and i hope she has recovered you got some wonderful presents Helen and sounds like Christmas went well in your house and you can laugh about it now ❤❤

Oh my goodness Helen, you scored with all your lovely gifts from everyone!! Glad you had a happy Christmas with your Mum,children, and all the family! Poor old Rob left the gammon out for the mice! Hahahaha. I made beef Wellington (3 of them) for all of us. If I spend that kind of money on the beef, I'm going to hand make the puff pastry. It turned out beautiful and perfectly baked. That was a win for all of us..yum!! Happy New Year Helen!!

I enjoyed the chat, nice glad your Christmas celebrations went well, you got some lovely gifts which you will enjoy .Your Christmas pudding sounds very much like my trifle, not sure why as I have been making trifle for more years than I care to mention but this time it was a failure , looked ok in the bowl bur sort of collapsed as soon as we took the first spoonful out, luckily only a family meal and everyone said it was delicious but it was very liquid , wishing you and your family a happy and healthy 2024 . looking forward hearing about your holiday plans ,xx

I thought things went badly so you were sipping vodka but you managed to stay on your seat so I guess it was merely water, LOL! The gammon saga brought back similar memories of my first turkey dinner when the leftovers didn't get put away properly and we all got food poisoning. The trick with the pudding may be to put a clean tea towel between the lid and the crockpot to absorb any liquid. You could change it halfway through if it gets too damp. I note that on America's Test Kitchen, they have also used foil to make a stronger seal when you want to keep the moisture in! Very thoughtful gifts you received and they show the high regard you are held in. Your mum is just a gem! Wishing you and the family a Happy New Year.

Aromatics is my signature scent too. Many years ago the perfume started bringing me out in welts, so I reverted to just the body lotion which works very well. One new year I was in Spain, it was cold in the evening and I was wearing a coat and scarf and a Spanish lady ran after me in the street to compliment me on my perfume, so she could still smell it through all those layers. Anyway, thanks for the video. You had some fab presents. Sending best wishes to your Mum. I lost my Mum in 21, but always remember her at Christmas when I use the same dish she always used for the cranberry sauce. I am also having an after Christmas holiday to Madeira on Tuesday and I look forward to hearing all about yours.😘

I know what you mean about perfume you get used to a certain one i'm an Aromatics girl but a couple of years ago my daughter bought me coco Chanel Mademoiselle it's very nice i know have both , but like you i am know for my Aromatics!! funny you showing the two Christmas Guards Rob bought you , i was online yesterday and bought two large silver colour figures Mr and Mrs Christmas deer , can't wait to see them in real life, my treat to myself going to order the bobble dish but not many colours left will keep looking., thanks for the catch up Helen xx

Nice to see your lovely gifts Helen, the Gammon story was so funny. We do have boxing day in Scotland. Glad you had a lovely time. Xx

You cracked me up with the story of the gamon in the garage. Reminded me of articles in New Idea magazine called mere male where people would write in various funny stories. Also reminded me of Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus - men take what is said literally so put it in the garage meant just that not put in the fridge in the garage! 🤣 Anyway sure has calmed down since then but gave us a chuckle. Also loved the tin your mother gave you I would have bought it just for the tin and then have to find a use for it. And yes enjoy it when you have your mother on she was born the same year as mine was. Good to hear things went well overall & here we are all hoping 2024 is a better year.

Oh Helen lovely to see you apart from the little incidents you had a good Christmas. Rob with the gammon it must be a man thing. I’ve asked for things to go in the back fridge and it’s been out in the freezer so after that I put them in the back myself lol. Oh what lovely gifts too. You do make me smile. Have a terrific new year. I personally love the new year. All the best for 2024. Oh my remember when I was getting ready for 2000. Wow where have those years gone.

Oh Helen....! I'm glad it's not just me!!! 😆 I enjoyed your lovely gifts, my gifts this year were 8 pairs of socks and some slippers; a silk pillow case; and a border spade! I don't remember any of them being on my list!!! 🙄 And it's definitely better than the TWO TOILET SEATS fiasco of several years ago! 😂 We had Christmas Pie yesterday and there's none left, so I'll have to think of something else to eat today (still got plenty of leftover bits though!) Have a lovely, peaceful new year

Thank God for dishwashers! Just lovely to see that you had a lovely Christmas with your family and have survived the exhausting work that makes it all happen. Poor pudding, boo hoo! The gammon incident was diabolical, male logic, I would have sworn too! Gifts a bonus and given with love. Happy New Year to you and your beloved family. Thank you for all the pleasure you bring me throughout the year. I’m looking forward to 2024 ❤❤❤

So lovely to hear from you and your small quirks. Well i have to tell you, (we celebrate christmas eve) so we had been at least 15 persons for the big meal. So finally filled the dishwasher and then disaster, the mashine broke down. The kitchen full with pots and pans, plates and glass and the rest. I cried but we had to handwash all. Our christmas holidays are from the 24 to 6 of jan. We celebrate the 2nd day but not as boxing day, just 2nd day. Then new year and the 5 and 6 are also red days. So at least depending in when the 24 is 7 red days. So some years we can be free for at least 14 days. We dont chare presents as adults, instead we play a game where everone bring a gift and then all win something. Its fun and the best gifts are always a demand for, everything should have a minimum price so its equal. Have a nice rest of the year. 🎉

Christmas is a time of giving. We gifted our old fans to our local animal shelter. So hot here, 38C here yesterday. Anyone else gifting or giving this year?

Oh Helen your face when you were talking about Rob made me burst out laughing 😊

Yes Helen , Scotland also celebrates Boxing Day. I’m living here in the USA now and it’s back to normal on the 26th 🙁

You have some lovely 🥰 gifts. I love ❤️ YSL. I used to wear the under eye concealer thing and the mascara as well as the foundation. I haven’t worn it for a while. But it is fabulous. I got some Clinique skincare which I love ❤️. Don’t laugh, I like Aldi for skincare and revolution for makeup now. I tried some of the products and I was pleasantly surprised. We all have our favourites though. Have you tried Charlotte Tilbury? I’ve never tried her stuff but have heard her products are good The pottery present is so good too. It’s nice to get good gifts 🎁. I love the tins that chocolates etc come in. We got some shortbread in a lovely fancy tin. I don’t wear belts much but need too. I missed the video with your mum as I was probably away. I’ll have to catch up. ❤❤❤❤❤xxxxx

Lovely chat Helen. Love your gifts too. Happy New Year. Can’t wait to hear all about your holiday. X

what a lovely surprise vid. happy new year to all

I can so relate to your dishwasher comment. Some years mine is on 3 times on Christmas Day. Our last one lasted a long time too - in the end we bit the bullet and bought a new one because both door springs were broken but it was working apart from that. New one much better though - hotter washes but I digress. 🤣 Happy NY to you Helen, life wouldn’t be the same without you. 🥂🥂

Lovely chat Helen, you certainly received some lovely gifts. My daughter bought me a whole range of Elemis skincare and bath products. My son gave us a SousVide and a gift card to our local fish monger in Pensacola. My husband gave me a lilysilk blouse and my annual Swarovski snowflake ornament.

We also have an old dishwasher, but they were made to last 30 years ago, so should hold up! Glad you had a nice time - and that all the preparation was worth it. Love bubble and squeak, and I usually make it after Thanksgiving and add stuffing too. Sorry about the Christmas pud - but I'm sure it was delish! I have that tin from last year, and it's so beautiful, but I still haven't actually decided what to use it for - but just the colors and the pattern make me happy. Nice gifts- hope you can have a little rest now - Happy New Year to you and your family, especially Mum!

Well that was lovely, what a giggle. Thank You and Happy New Year to you and your family. 💚❤️💙💜

Helen love the way we lower our voices when we talk about our husbands when they are around😅😅😅

Haha oh Helen we sure do have boxing day in Bonny Scotland!!!! 😂

Happy new year to all fellow Hels Belles!

Glad to hear you all enjoyed Christmas, you had some lovely gifts. I had a giggle about Rob with the gammon. Looking forward to hearing about your holiday in January. Wishing you & and your family a peaceful & happy new year 😊

Selective hearing many men suffer with it,they only hear every other word! Christmas is about families and making memories,well done you for l am sure giving your family a great Christmas.xx

Your mum is fabulous, I lost my mum many years ago I was nineteen one of her friend “ adopted “ me ,we have just celebrated her 100th birthday 🥰

Thank you for the chat Helen I was hoping you would have been on for a quickie 😂. Glad all went well. I won't mention the "ham situation" poor Rob. 😂. You had lovely gifts. All well choosen for you. Hope your Mother is feeling better. Sending love from a rainy Devon 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Rosie O x

Enjoyed your catchup, lovely gifts. The gammon, the Christmas pud and the extra guest. All so funny although not at the time when under pressure. You said you glazed your gammon with honey and mustard. What kind of mustard did you use? There I was on Christmas Eve with a ton of cookery books trying to decide which glaze to put on it and ended up going frantic and just put tangerine and orange marmalade on it with Dijon mustard. It went well, but maybe honey next time. I always overcomplicate things... One gets sick of all the adverts saying, 'best ever ham' and 'best ever turkey' and all the other blummin' best ever whatever... 😕😕 Love to you Mum. X

Helen you will never know just how much I appreciate you 💕 you are brilliant x keep on keeping on xx

Missed you - It seems like forever! Ha! Happy New Year to you and yours! xx (Glad Rob was allowed to live! Ha!)

Had to laugh at Rob and the gammon, also the Christmas pudding and the overnight guest😁😁. I had a lovely a Christmas and got some lovely gifts from my children a whole range of Elemis skin care, night cream, day cream, makeup balm, toner, exfoliator and more so pleased as I was running low also lots of Molton brown hand cream and shower gel and moisturiser so one happy bunny.❤️❤️

Thank you Helen for this update. Always enjoy your chats. Love your anecdotes, so down to earth. Love Thery xx

🐷🐽💩😆🤣😆🤣. You are SO me, not only do I rage (and swear) when my husband doesn't listen but my face gives me away ALL the time! I buy things now, he pays for them and wraps them so I am genuinely happy when opening my gifts. I saw those adverts for Saltworks discovery perfumes and thought of you, knowing you were looking for something different 😛. Looking forward to hearing about your holiday, with love xx

I have that YSL pallet Helen and use it most days I wear makeup x

Sorry Helen but I'm howling at Gammongate 😂😂😂. You could also be on to something with lighting the Christmas Cowpat 🤔😂😂. Glad you had a lovely Christmas, I've just returned home from spending mine with my daughter, son in law and grandchildren and a wonderful time was had by all and all over for another year 😊. Have a happy and healthy 2024 🙂

We were 10 sleeping over from 24th to 28th 19 for meals with the in towners and out of towners. NOW picture me washing towels, bedding X5, and TODAY MY DRYER GAVE UP THE GHOST!!!!! OMG

Helen my husband also doesn't listen properly when I'm giving him instructions lol. Thank you for making me giggle. Also your presents are very thoughtful and lovely.

We go for a nice long walk with the dogs on NYE then a pub lunch then home and pj's on because of the fireworks 🎉 Happy new year to everyone 😊

Happy New Year to all 🎉🎉🎉 so good to have your update oh you make me laugh with your adventures but seems as if you had a brilliant Christmas. I’m like you for being impatient putting dishes away after Christmas couldn’t wait for hubby to do it and as I’m not very tall struggled with high cupboard other things fell out onto my lovely big meat plate and smashed it 😢 Look forward to more updates through the year from you thank you ❤

Glad you had a good Christmas despite the glitches! We don't go out new year's eve either due to the fireworks as our 2 small dogs are terrified of them. Can't believe that's another similarity we have, wearing Aromatics!

I have the Saltworks set Helen. Bought the full size Brown Sugar also like Lady Marmalade xx

Hi 👋 helen sounds like you had fun this Christmas 🎄 you got some lovely presents 🎁 have a great weekend 😊

My hubby is the same.... Hears the first or last thing you said but not all! I nearly did the same to him. I think for sister in laws man you should have said "come for the day"! We visited our daughter & grandkids, but this now @ New Year is Our Family Christmas time. Everyone coming today to stop over till Tuesday! Husband is doing the shopping! Think of me. 😅😅😅 xx

I’m from Scotland ( Edinburgh ) and we celebrate Boxing Day here.

I’m notorious in my family for opening my presents from my husband David and asking Why ? He chooses the oddest gifts for me . Hope you have a wonderful new year x

We have Boxing Day in Canada - I love Boxing Day; all those wonderful leftovers and so much more relaxing after the Christmas madness!

Hi Helen, lovely to have a catch up! Thank you! Xx…you got some beautiful gifts! ……..Happy New Year! Xx

Helen, you had me laughing out loud, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the glitches. I’m sure the ham was still delicious. My husband and I had COVID over Christmas so we had the first Christmas all by ourselves for 48 years 😝😳 we managed not to kill each other 😊❤

We do have boxing day in Scotland.

Happy New year🎉

For those of us who have mum's with Alzheimer's or hAve lost mums, we love that you share our special mum with us. Happy New Year. Xx

Hi Helen , lovely to see you again . Your story about your ham I’m sorry made me laugh . How awful 🙈. Now we can all relax . Happy New year 🎉 to you all . 😘

Lovely to hear about your Christmas Helen! Happy New Year to you all xx

Gammon on timber ...oh funny 😂 we've all been there Helen 😂 they were lovely presents.....

Love your blogs, so honest. It’s the story of our lives, hubbys that don’t listen! Happy new year !

Happy New Year to you ,Rob and your lovely Mum.xx

Scotland has Boxing day also

Happy New Year, I had to laugh about the gammon as my husband does silly things like that.

Thanks Helen ,happy new year .💥🥂🎉

Hi Helen, lovely chat and very funny stories as usual! Have a very happy New Year and look forward to the next video! xx

I bought Saltworks for my daughter this Christmas. Happy New Year to you and your family.

Glad you and your family had a good Christmas. Just saw you are up to 18k: congrats. Just to say Scotland has Boxing Day too. The difference you might be thinking of is that 1st and 2nd of Jan are public holidays in Scotland .Thank you for all your videos, look forward to seeing more in 2024 xx

Happy New Year to Rob, your mum and of course you! Congratulations on a successful year xx

Hi Helen. Thank you for posting, this time between Christmas and New Year needs a pick me up and this was perfect 😊

The stories about your Christmas experiences were great. I to have had a similar experience with my husband. They just don’t really listen to instructions well. I live in Canada and we to have Boxing Day. Of course being a colony and all😅.you should write a book about you funny family stories. Happy New Year.

Thanks for showing your Christmas gifts, my husband bought me a Mounir Pearl necklace courtesy of your channel I love it

Gammon gate! 🤣 Made me crack up. Xx

Happy to see Christmas over.Happy New Year everyone. 🐇 Helen i could write a book on similar situations with "ex" husband .Unbelievable

We have Boxing Day in Scotland and eat all the leftovers that day. My custard didn’t set on my trifle! Never happened before, so I know the feeling Helen. So funny your rant about Rob 😅 xx have a great new year x

MEN…… it’s NEVER their fault no matter what. Grrrrrrrr. They only hear what they want to hear. Honestly we really should live in separate houses if we want to get on with them. I’m glad to hear others feel the same they really are from mars and we are from VenusThey just have a totally different way of thinking then us women

Last week when I saw my granddaughters age 7 &3 I was wearing different perfume . They both asked me at different times why I smelt different. They said it wasn’t as nice as I usually smell 😂😂. Back to Marc Jacob’s Daisy it is then xx

Wishing you good health and happiness for 2024 🍾🥂 💕

Husbands never really listen to us. It was ok before but now I have lost patience and it gets on my nerves. He has hearing aids but refuse to wear them except to listen to the television. Grrrrrrr

Thank you for popping on Helen. Pleased nearly everything went well! You got some lovely gifts. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND THE FAMILY. TTFN XX

Helen I so relate to the gammon🍖 in the garage escapade!! 😂 My hubby is also deaf!! Which complicates things even more, I'm then a 🌋🌋🌋😂😂😂glad everything else went well. We should learn to laugh at our mistakes instead of taking ourselves so seriously (I was a perfectionist!) Not anymore life's too short. Was a real treat seeing your mum. 😍🤗

Thanks Helen. Very entertaining as usual. All the very best to you and yours for 2024.

Lovely chat Helen x

Lovely chat Helen and very funny in parts😂 So nice of you to share your gifts with us all,you’re a lucky lady😊 Happy new year Helen and looking forward to more chats in 2024🎉

Hi Helen, always love when your mum comes on such a lovely interesting lady. Very best wishes for 2024 🎉

Great vlog Helen. I do love your chats. Thanks for sharing.

In Ireland it’s St, Stephens day and a holiday there too

Helllooo Helen, thank you for taking the time to chat. Your stories are so funny and my other half was laughing his head off at the bacon in the garage. We're looking forward to your cruise video too - we've had 3 cruises and hope to plan more very soon. Happy New Year! x

Lovely chat Helen. I must admit I couldn't get Christmas over with quick enough as I lost my mum this year. She always used to call my dad ' heedless ' lol, ❤

Thanks for making me laugh 😂 the gammon was the highlight….. typical man never listen do they😮 Happy New year to you ❤