Your ultimate Guide to staying safe and having fun at Christmas in Newport and Monmouthshire

Your ultimate Guide to staying safe and having fun at Christmas in Newport and Monmouthshire

What, wait, who said the C word …. Oh yes, it is on its way, and it is only a snowball away, well less than two months so Home Instead wanted to help you prepare and be ready for Christmas with our guide to staying safe, eating well, and having fun this festive season.

We all know Winter can bring with it some serious concerns for older people as the festive season draws closer with colder temperatures that bring Britain to a crispy freeze, darker nights and poor visibility it can bring a lot of fear into people’s lives especially for those with mobility issues and the risk of trips and falls being greater.  So, to stay safe here are some tips to guide you through the Winter months with a few reminders that we hope will ensure your Christmas is as carefree as possible.

Oh, what another C word…. And so sorry to bring the moment back but it is important to note that these few months can increase the risks of Coughs, Colds and Covid so it is vital to stay up to date with all boosters and vaccinate yourself against illnesses that could stop your festive celebrations.

Another important area to be concerned about is home safety as the darker nights creep in lighting plays an essential role in keeping you safe so it is worth investing in ensuring your home is well-lit to prevent trips and falls. It is also very important to keep your stairs clear of obstacles and hazards and to ensure all your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are working and installing fresh batteries should give you that little peace of mind as we are all now reaching for that thermostat.  I would also advise if you have not had your central heating serviced in a while it may be worth contacting your nearest heating engineer to give your boiler a health check with a full service on average costing between £120 – £130 and could save your life…

We have had some serious cold snaps in Wales where the weather has covered the ground in powdery snow and although this is beautiful to look at it is extremely dangerous and life threatening for older people as the older we get the harder it is to bounce back if we fall foul to a nasty bit of ice which quite often can be invisible to the eye.  Preparation is key in the colder months to ensure we minimise the risk of these hazards such as ensuring we have enough supply of essential medications and to plan for food deliveries if you are unable to leave the home.  If you are interested in a meal delivery service, there are some options below: –

1. Oakhouse Foods

Oakhouse Foods are a great help when you need that little extra with all their meals ready to be cooked from frozen taking away any need for preparation and are delivered by local friendly drivers who can even help to pack meals away.  They have an extended Christmas 2023 menu which can take the stress out of the festive period with special Luxury Roast Turkey meals, Venison, Beef, and all with the extra trimmings including extra special deserts such as Pink Champagne Sorbet.

2. Parsley Box

Parsley Boxes are a great option when you are unable to go out shopping as there is no chopping, no boiling, and no running out of ingredients.  These food packages stay safe for 6 months without even using a fridge so there will be no waste and can be cooked in the microwave in minutes or in the oven.  They are freshly prepared, perfectly pressure cooked and all you need to do is heat and enjoy.  Again, Christmas has come to ‘Parsley Box’ with a Classic Christmas Dinner, Pork Belly with Cider and Apple Sauce and lots more options to help you celebrate without the stress of slaving over the oven.

3. Wiltshire Farm Foods

Wiltshire Farm Foods are a favorite to order from who have been running their business for over 25 years delivering delicious frozen meals in the community, with the help of a dedicated team of chefs, Nutricianists and Dieticians they ensure each meal is packed full of nutrition and fit for every appetite and dietary need.

Let us now get the party started ….

In our local communities of Newport and Monmouthshire that Christmas spirit is never far from reach if you want to get those bells jingling or that warm glow from a hot chocolate or hear the laughter and joy whilst out and about, we have some excellent activities to really make you feel extra Christmassy.

Why not visit Tredegar House one of the National Trusts beautiful properties with amazing gardens who are ‘Unleashing the magic of Christmas for all to enjoy’.

From the 1^st of December the festive lights are switched on throughout the gardens and the mansion is adorned with beautiful

decorations with Christmas scenes throughout with late night Christmas openings on Friday 8^th, 15^th, and 18^th of December.  There are piano serenades and if you want to try something creative try your hand at wreath making workshops which are run on 1^st and 3^rd of December for a cost of £55.  This may seem expensive however this is a fully immersive 2-hour workshop from a qualified florist using fresh foliage of moss, natural rustic decorations including dried fruit, ferns, berries, ivy, and pinecones all finished with lovely luxury ribbons.

Christmas Markets are a special activity for all that really give you that Christmas vibe and Newport is no different with Christmas stalls opening on Commercial Street, Llanarth Street, John Frost Square and Friars Walk every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through the month of December.

Belle Vue Park has a two-day Christmas market on the 4^th and 5^th of December with fabulous local artisan food stalls, handmade crafts and luxury treats to help you fill those Christmas stockings.

Heading into Monmouthshire I can hear the crackle of on an open fire as Llanvihangel Court are running their 11^th annual Christmas Fair with a roaring fire, a host of Christmas trees, street food, crafters, sculptures, mulled wine, mince pies and more to really kick off your celebrations running on the 9^th and 10^th of December from 10am – 5.00pm.

Caldicot Castle are running their Christmas markets on the 9^th and 10^th of December; steeped in history where you can experience the warmth of a mulled wine whilst browsing through the different stalls.

If it’s only Christmas for you when hear the sounds of ‘It’s behind you’ Pantomime season is upon us and ‘Dick Whittington meets Puss in Boots’ comes to the Congress Theatre in Cwmbran running from Friday 15^th December till 30^th December 2023.  We all love Owen Money in Wales who produced the show so double the fun this December.

If you fancy something a little more adult then ‘The West End at Christmas’ comes to the Blake Theatre in Monmouth to celebrate its 10^th year anniversary featuring songs from a range of shows in the West End and hits from musicals, and at £20.00 per ticket (concession tickets available) it is a wonderful night out not to be missed.

There really is so much to experience in Newport and Monmouthshire and all within reach and we hope that this little guide may have given you a little glimpse into how you can make your Christmas less stressful and experience a little joy this festive period.