When Andy Williams sang that it’s the most wonderful time of the year, I assume he was talking about Christmas sandwich season. As the days grow shorter and the jumpers thicker, the meal deal gets a festive upgrade. Pushed to the back of the shelves are the limp ploughman’s and soggy falafel wraps, replaced instead with turkey and the trimmings, pigs in blankets and stuffing, and some enviable veggie alternatives. If you’re looking to bring a little festive cheer to the sad desk lunch, there’s no easier way to do it. But a spectre haunts the chiller cabinet, floating among the Innocent smoothies and that mystifying single boiled egg in a plastic pot. This Ghost of Christmas (Sandwich) Present is red and wobbly, smearing itself across every vaguely Christmassy sandwich it finds. I’m talking, of course, about cranberry sauce, a condiment used to signpost festive offerings, regardless of whether it tastes nice. No one is safe. Not Boots sandwiches. Not Greggs pasties. Not posh Pret toasties. While I’ve spent my adult life loosening myself from the meal deal’s claw-like grip, I’m willing to make an exception for the Christmas offerings. But a peruse of the supermarkets this year showed that every option comes smothered with cranberry, from turkey to falafel (yes, even at Christmas, some shops can’t think of a more imaginative veggie option than falafel). It’s not looking better at the fancier establishments, either. On paper, Costa’s vegan “turkey and trimmings” sandwich sounds like my dream lunch. You’ve got fake turkey, stuffing, fried onions, mayo… great! But then a slick of cranberry sauce. Criminal. In theory, you’d think the infallible formula of “bread + Christmas dinner + more bread” would be impossible to ruin. But cranberry sauce gives it a damn good try. Including just one thick, sweet layer of the stuff overpowers the already strong flavours that should shine on their own. Call me old fashioned, but rarely do I tuck into a nice, savoury sarnie, enjoying the different tastes and textures, and think, you know what would make this better? Jam. To be clear, I’m not wholly anti-cranberry. There are places it’s appropriate: with vodka or, at a push, on top of some brie. I’m not even anti-cranberry sauce when it comes to Christmas dinner, in a splodge on the side of my plate for the items that suit it. But when it’s smeared over a sandwich, nothing else stands a chance. I can see why sandwich makers turn to cranberry sauce so regularly. Whether it’s turkey or a veggie alternative, a festive sandwich can be a pretty dry affair. But surely there must be a better moist-maker. Gravy? Mayonnaise? Gravy-mayonnaise? (Sounds heinous; actually pretty good). Hell, I’m even pro-butter in this situation, although I can accept that that’s not very Christmassy. Big Cranberry’s dominance is mostly frustrating because the options get better and more varied every year (especially for non-meat eaters), but the red stuff just seems to be inescapable. This year, I’ll be begging Santa that we’re released from its grasp. Read More Beauty advent calendars 2021: Our guide to this year’s top treats 13 best tech gifts to spoil a gadget geek this Christmas 10 best luxury Christmas crackers for dressing up your dining table

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Erin O’Connor wowed on the front row at the Roksanda spring/summer catwalk show. The British model, 45, wore an acid yellow and white high-necked maxi dress, topped with a floor-length pink cape and black cat-eye sunglasses. Veteran actor Vanessa Redgrave joined O’Connor at the show, which was held at London’s famous Barbican Centre. The 86-year-old Oscar winner, wearing a mint green gathered blouse and white trousers, was greeted by fashion editor Anna Wintour on arrival. Fashion designer Roksanda Ilincic said she was inspired by 15th-century fresco paintings from the monasteries of her native Serbia, for her SS24 collection. In a departure from her usual rainbow of rich colours, the designer focused on lighter hues such as ivory, pastel pink and lime, as well as some bold royal blue looks and all-black ensembles. There was no shortage of the glamour for which Roksanda is known, with a slew of stunning evening dresses on show. Many were made from silky fabrics with gathered or cape detailing, while others were trimmed with feathers or long tassels that swayed as the models walked the runway. Alongside the slinky column gowns, full-skirted dresses were crafted from structured textiles including latex, and high-heeled satin court shoes came with feathery trims. Tailored ensembles included oversized two-piece suits in black and ivory, sleeveless blazers and deconstructed trench coats. The collection was also influenced by the brutalist design of the Barbican, with round sculptural headpieces – taken from Serbian culture – echoing the circular outdoor show space. Adding to the air of sophistication, the show was soundtracked by an a cappella performance from an opera singer. The beauty look played on the popular ‘quiet luxury’ trend. “It’s not a ‘no make-up make-up’,” Sharryn Hinchliffe, executive director of global artistry at MAC, said backstage. “There’s something very decadent about it. We’re doing a beautiful satin finish skin with a glassy eye and a glossy lip.” She added: “Roksanda is so elegant and very luxe, so we wanted to not take away from any of the clothes, but just to almost have the skin like an adornment.” The show concluded with a stunning final look; a powder pink structured gown with a voluminous train. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Action needed to protect women from birth trauma – MP Imagination and hard work in children trumps obedience – research finds 7 ways you could be damaging your eye health without even realising

Toto Wolff furiously declared the drain cover incident which cancelled first practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix as “nothing” in a passionate defence of Formula 1. F1’s return to Vegas for the first time in 41 years started in farcical fashion on Thursday night when FP1 was cancelled after just eight minutes. Carlos Sainz sustained significant damage to his Ferrari car after driving over the loose cover at over 200mph, with team boss Fred Vasseur raging afterwards. Asked whether the session cancellation was a “black eye” for the sport, Wolff was stern in his response. “That is not a black eye, this is nothing,” the Mercedes boss said. “It is a Thursday night. We have a free practice 1 that we’re not doing, they’re going to seal the drain covers. Nobody is going to talk about that tomorrow morning.” Yet when prompted by a journalist saying it’s “absolutely rubbish”, Wolff erupted in the team principals’ press conference. “It’s completely ridiculous,” he said. “How can you even dare talk bad about an event that sets the new standards to everything? “And then you’re speaking about a f****** drain cover that’s come undone, that’s nothing. It’s FP1, give credit to the people that have set up this grand prix. That have made this sport much bigger than it ever was. “Have you ever spoken about someone or written a good word? You should about all these people that have been out here. Liberty [F1 owners] have done an awesome job and just because in FP1 a drain cover has come undone we shouldn’t be moaning. “The car is broken. That’s really a shame, for Carlos it could have been dangerous. Between the FIA and the track we need to analyse to make sure this doesn’t happen again. “But talking here about a black eye for the sport on a Thursday evening? Nobody watches that in European time anyway!” Read More Ferrari boss rages at F1 after ‘unacceptable’ loose drain cover wrecks Sainz’s car Las Vegas Grand Prix practice cancelled in farcical start to F1’s newest race F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and times in Sin City

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