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This Arrived Late - But You'll Still Want To Read It
This Arrived Late - But You'll Still Want To Read It
The bits worth keeping ,plus were carrying you to the new year in Peterborough Spotlight
Graham
Jan 7, 2026
The quiet week before Christmas |
Christmas week in Peterborough is never calm.My personal week was far from calm and sadly I am writing this from Scotland after a personal family bereavement. Subsequently I apologise for this issue of Spotlight being later than anticipated but hopefully you'll still find value in this issue.
We would like to wish all our readers, partners and anyone who reads this a very happy new year and we hope to be back to our usual weekly schedule in 2026.
It’s the week where plans change hourly, money goes out earlier than expected, people swear they’re “done now”, and then somehow end up back in Tesco at 9pm on the 23rd. Or a panic at 6am on Christmas Eve.
Some of you are hosting.
Some are travelling.
Some are avoiding both.
Whether you’re counting down to the big day or quietly counting down to it being over, this week’s Spotlight is very much about real life at Christmas the funny bits, the stressful bits, and the bits no one admits out loud.
Let’s get into it.
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“Does December send your finances on a rollercoaster?” |
December has a funny way of making everything land at once.
Presents.Food.Bills.
Plans you forgot you agreed to.
Alina from Paston last year said her stomach dropped when she opened her banking app last week:
“Everything had gone out early and my pay hadn’t landed yet. It wasn’t dramatic — just… unsettling.”
Meanwhile, Josh in Orton admitted:
“I’m fine all year and then December makes me feel like I’ve lost control.”
Others said the opposite.
Katarzyna from Millfield:
“I plan hard in November so December feels calmer. Doesn’t always work — but it helps.”
So be honest:
Does December feel financially fine for you — or does it quietly make you just a little bit nervous?
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“The BOE (Bank Of England) base rate was cut this week — so what does that actually mean?”
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Between the wrapping paper and mince pies, you’d be forgiven for missing it.
This week, the Bank of England cut the base rate by 0.25%.
Cue headlines. Cue confusion.
Here’s the simple version readers asked for:
Hamza from Eastfield told us:
“I heard it was good news but had no idea whether that meant anything for me.”
And that’s the point. Big announcements don’t always mean big changesBut any change (no matter how small) means it’s worth knowing what deal you are getting and whether it might pay you to consider changes.For savings are there better accounts available or has your rate of increased (often saver rates take longer to be affected positively than they do when cuts are made).Or are paying less on your tracker mortgage or possibly other loans (although most other loans are fixed for the duration of the loan)
Have you actually checked your mortgage or savings rate's recently or are you guessing things?
Financial advisers suggest that the start of a new year might be a good time to check your finances to check you are still on track to achieve your money goals for 2026 and beyond. |
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“Why is December the month things go wrong in your house?”
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It’s never July.
It’s never when you’ve got time.
It’s always December.
Natalie and Owen from Longthorpe were settling in for the evening when a pipe in the loft gave way.
“We ended up standing in the kitchen soaked,” Natalie said.“Looking like drowned rats and wondering how this was happening now.”
Others told similar stories:
Things that didn’t feel urgent in summer suddenly become very urgent in December.
Be honest:
What have you been putting off fixing and hoping survives until January?
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“Is it fair to get one present for Christmas and your birthday if your birthday is in December?”
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Opinions were mixed on this potentially thorny question.
So we'll let you decide.
These are some comments we received from Spotlight readers we spoke to.
Sanjay from West Town:
“Every year it’s ‘this is for Christmas and your birthday’.
My brother’s in June and gets two separate celebrations. It’s a scam.”
Meanwhile, Ellie from Dogsthorpe said:
“I didn’t mind as a kid. As an adult? I absolutely mind.”
Parents admitted they struggle too:
“It feels practical — but you know it’s unfair.”
Settle it:
Is a joint present ever acceptable — or is it always a bit mean?
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“Did anyone actually enjoy their Christmas food shop… or was it survival?” |
Every year, the same promises.
“I’ll book early.”
“I’ll be organised.”
And every year… chaos (sorry — stress).
Our inbox filled quickly.
Ruth from Hampton said:
“Click & collect sounded great until I spent nearly two hours trying to park.”
By contrast, Leon in Werrington was smug:
“Booked my slot in October. Zero stress. Felt like a genius.”
Not everyone bothered.
Aneta from Bretton:
“I gave up. Takeaway Christmas Eve, roast ordered in. Done.”
And then there are the ultra-planners.
Carol from Orton admitted:
“I’ve already booked Christmas lunch for next year. Eleven months early.”
So where did you land?
Organised, furious, or quietly eyeing the takeaway menus?
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“Why opening presents takes longer than Christmas dinner in most homes” |
If you have young children it’s usually seconds after they wake up to see what Santa’s brought them.
Older ones maybe not so keen but usually in most homes unwrapping the Christmas presents should be done and dusted in less than an hour.
It never is.
Because:
Darren from Bretton said:
“By the time we finished presents, the turkey needed reheating.”
And heaven help you if someone opens the wrong one out of order.
remember your house rules the most acceptable is everyone takes turns but that quickly goes pear shaped when children are involved!
What slows it down in your house?
The rules?
The rituals?Or that one person who insists on commentary?
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“Do you dress your pets for Christmas — or draw the line?” |
Jumpers.
Hats.
Antlers.
Some pets love it. Most probably don’t
Some look like they’re planning revenge.
Marta from Fletton said:
“My dog froze completely. Just stood there judging me.”
While Ayo in Walton laughed:
“The cat tolerated it for exactly four seconds.”
Others said absolutely not:
“That’s where I draw the line.”
So where do you stand?
Festive pets — or hard no?
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🎣 “The scam that doesn’t look like a scam (and why December is prime time for being Phised)”
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Phishing emails aren’t shouting anymore — they’re whispering.
A delivery update.
A “missed parcel”.
A payment that “needs confirming”.
Sarah in Bretton told us she nearly clicked one last Tuesday:
“It was exactly how Evri emails look. Same colours, same wording. I only stopped because it asked me to ‘re-enter card details’ and my stomach flipped.”
Cyber security firms say December and early January are peak season — people are tired, distracted, ordering online, and clicking faster than they think.
One local IT consultant told us most breaches don’t happen because people are careless — they happen because the emails are so good.
Quick rule that saved Sarah:
If it creates urgency and asks for details — stop.
Have you had a near miss this month?Or did one get through?
(You won’t be the only one.)
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“Are we the first generation parenting social media… blind?” |
Most of us didn’t grow up with Instagram, Snapchat or TikTok — but we’re now expected to police them yes even at Christmas.
Helen in Werrington said:
“My daughter says ‘everyone’s on it’. I don’t want to be the strict mum — but I also don’t know what I’m agreeing to.”
Meanwhile Dan in Orton admitted:
“I said yes because I didn’t want him excluded. Now I worry I opened something I don’t understand.”
There’s no judgement here — just a growing sense that parents are making big decisions without a clear guide.
Should schools do more?
Should parents delay access (at what age does your child need a smartphone)?
Or is learning together the only realistic option?
Where do you stand?
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“The hair tool everyone regrets buying — and the ones pros actually use” |
December = present panic.
Emma in Hampton told us:
“I bought a cheap hair dryer last year because it had ‘ionic’ on the box. It lasted three weeks.”
Local stylists say this is the season they see the most damage — overheated hair, snapped ends, scorched scalps.
One Peterborough salon owner laughed:
“If it weighs nothing and costs £20… your hair will pay for it.”
Here’s her advice?
Fewer watts, better airflow, ceramic or tourmaline — and don’t buy based on TikTok hype.
If you’ve ever unwrapped a gift and thought “I can’t say anything… but this is awful” — this one’s for you.
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“The gifts that sounded romantic… and absolutely weren’t” |
Every Christmas has that present.
Richard said
" My wife said she wanted to join weight-watchers after Christmas last year
So I still can't work out why I am sleeping in the dog basket".
Tom in Eye learned the hard way:
“I bought gym trainers for my girlfriend. Thought I was being thoughtful. Apparently not.”
Lucy in Dogsthorpe still hasn’t forgiven a vacuum cleaner.
“It came with attachments. I cried.”
From self-help books to kitchen scales, December is full of well-intentioned disasters.
Let’s settle this once and for all:
What present should never be bought unless explicitly requested?
Name and shame (gently).
Quick question is it only guys who screw up on Christmas presents or have the girls experienced similar faux pas?
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“The Christmas drink you swear you won’t repeat next year (but probably will)” |
Mulled wine that is basically syrup with cinnamon and clove flavourings.
Andrea said "Even worse is the zero alcoholversion (0% or Low Alcohol) and you don't even get the opportunity to get tipsyI think I’d prefer mouth-wash"
Eggnog that tastes like regret.
Charlie told us "Anyone who buys Advocat or Eggnog should be taken off Santa's list for ever."
Then there’s one cocktail your mate insists on making.Whilst convincing you It was really popular in Falaraki last summer. Everyone was drinking it.
Josh in Stanground said:
“I don’t know what was in it — but my Boxing Day was written off.”
Local pubs say festive specials sell brilliantly… once.
What’s your never again Christmas drink?
Bonus points if it involved glitter or an umbrella.
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“Publican-approved hangover advice (mostly legal)” |
Forget miracle cures — landlords say hydration, carbs and fresh air still win.
One pub manager in the city centre told us:
“The people who survive best are the ones who eat before , leave early, and don’t mix.”
Others swear by bacon rolls, Lucozade, or a long walk pretending to ‘get some air’.
Nadia told us
I tried the bottle of milk trick before I went out with my girlfriends " It doesn't work I ended up being unwell around 2am.
Saskia said
I don't think it was the cocktails I had out in the town it was probably the half bottle of Vody I shared with my sister before we went out.
Charlotte Said
I drank a lot of water when I got home but it didn't make any difference was hung-over the whole of Sunday and feeling delicate still and its Monday."
What actually works for you?
(And what absolutely doesn’t.)
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“Hate turkey? You’re not alone — here’s what locals actually cook” |
Not everyone wants a bird the size of a toddler.But still many people across Peterborough will be dragging home the biggest Turkey they can cram in the oven.Or in several cases they get back home and realise that it won't actually fit in the oven with the rest of the trimmings (or even go through the oven door)
and are still eating it 2 months later.
This year with bird flu devestating farmers stock the price of Turkey has seriously inflated. With limited supply the demand will mean those who leave meals to the last minute will miss out!
One question that often is asked if Turkey is so good why is it virtually invisble in supermarkets for 11 months of the year.
A local Caribbean chef said jerk chicken outsells turkey every year.
Italian families told us lasagne rules Christmas Day.
One couple admitted:
“We do take away curry. No regrets.”
If you’ve ditched tradition what did you replace it with?
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Hair dryers, straighteners & the “why does my fringe hate me?” a problem that always seem's to happen at the worst moment
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If you’ve ever stood in front of the mirror thinking “I swear this looked better in the shop”, you’re not alone.
One of the most popular Christmas gifts women receive "hair tools".
These range from the very basic hair dryer costing a few pounds, to styling equipment which uses sophisticated technology that would not look out of place in a Formula 1 car.
Natalie from Werrington told us she bought a bargain hair dryer last Christmas.
“It sounded like a jet engine and somehow made my hair both frizzy and flat. Impressive, not really.”
Local stylists we spoke to say most people overpay for features they never use — or underpay and regret it daily.
Their top actually useful picks this Christmas:
However, you are probably going to be better off booking an appointment with a good local salon especially when you want to impress someone.
Finally...
Have you ever rage-returned a hair tool after one use?Or is there one you swear by?Drop names 👇We will be featuring regular beauty and hair tips from experts in 2026 stay tuned for more details.
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Christmas cocktails (and the ones that go very wrong) |
Some drinks feel festive. Others feel like a regret in a glass.Local pub staff told us the biggest Christmas mistakes:
Crowd-pleasers this year:
Worst offender?
“Anything green,” according to one bartender. “It looks radioactive.”
What’s your go-to Christmas drink something classy or off the wall?
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Gym membership… or exercise bike collecting dust? |
January optimism is powerful.
Liam from Hampton bought an exercise bike last year.
“It’s currently holding three hoodies and regret.”
Others told us gyms worked better because:
One local PT said:
“Consistency beats equipment every time.”
Bike, gym, walking… or accepting fate until February?
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Why December drains your bank account faster than you expect |
It’s not just presents.
People told us it’s:
Sarah from Stanground said:
“It’s the overlap. Rent, bills, Christmas, then January turns up uninvited.”
Many said a quick banking check before Christmas Day saved panic later.
Have you checked yours… or are you bravely avoiding it?
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Christmas food shopping: optimism vs reality |
Everyone starts organised.
Then:
Dave from Hampton waited two hours last year.
“I aged emotionally.”
Others said:
“I booked in October.”
“I gave up and ordered takeaway.”
“I’ve been winging it since 1998.”
Are you planner, panicker or professional avoider?
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Last-minute presents that don’t scream “last minute” |
You forgot. It happens.Locals swear by:
One mum told us:“If it fits in an envelope, it’s a winner.”Coal, carrots and novelty socks still divide opinion.What’s your best late save?
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“£4,032 a year… that’s when it stopped being ‘future us’ problem” |
Mark and Sue from Hampton thought their mortgage renewal was a next-year issue.
Signed in 2021. Low rate. Plenty of time.
Then the letter arrived
They’d been paying £820 a month.
The new figure? £1,156.
That’s— £336 more every month
or £4,032 a year.
Mark told us:
“You know when your stomach just drops?
We hadn’t changed anything. Same house. Same jobs.
But suddenly December didn’t feel very festive.”
The shock wasn’t just the increase — it was how quickly a “future problem” became a right now one.
If your mortgage deal ends in 2025 or early 2026, December is often when reality hits — not because rates changed overnight, but because the calendar finally caught up.
👉 Worth asking yourself:
Do you know exactly when your current rate ends — or are you hoping January-you will deal with it?
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WHAT’S ON — PETERBOROUGH (LOCALS’ PICK) |
A few things happening locally that are actually worth knowing about.
🎭 Beauty & the Beast — The Cresset
Peterborough’s main Christmas pantomime this year is Beauty & the Beast at The Cresset.
Expect big costumes, audience shouting, jokes for the kids and a few lines clearly written for the adults. Matinees are popular with families; evening shows tend to be louder and a bit more knowing.
🎄 Christmas Market — Cathedral Square
It’s familiar, it’s busy, and most of us still end up wandering through at least once. Go for the lights and atmosphere — not because you desperately need another hot drink.
🎶 Carols at Peterborough Cathedral
A calm pause before Christmas week really kicks off. Properly festive, no pressure, and a good reset if everything else feels a bit full-on.
⚽ Boxing Day Football — London Road
Peterborough United host Leyton Orient on Boxing Day. Cold, noisy and emotionally unpredictable — but still one of the best excuses to get out of the house after Christmas Day.
Expect scarves, strong opinions and at least one “that was never a foul” before half-time.
🍻 New Year’s Eve — City Centre Pubs
Some venues are ticketed, others aren’t. Either way, things will fill up earlier than you expect. If you’re heading out, a loose plan now beats wandering later.
👉 What have we missed?
Tell us what you’re actually going to — especially if it’s free or slightly unexpected.
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What’s the most “last-minute” thing you’ve ever done at Christmas? |
We’ve all got one. The petrol-station flowers. The gift bought on Christmas Eve with hope, panic and zero planning. The “I’ll wrap it later” that turned into sellotape and a carrier bag. One reader admitted their boyfriend once turned up to Christmas Eve dinner with garage flowers for Cassie’s mum… “He got the biggest Yorkshire pudding at lunch — so maybe it worked?” Your turn: What’s your most desperate, last-minute Christmas moment? No judgement. Only admiration.
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