Ask the Past: office baby shower

One of my coworkers is going on maternity leave next month, and there's going to be a baby shower for her before she goes. The thing is that I don't like my coworker very much, and I think the feeling is mutual. Do I have to contribute to a gift for someone I don't actually like?

Ask the Past: courgette glut

I planted a couple of courgette plants this summer, and they are both producing like mad. That would be too many courgettes just on its own, but now my veggie box is including them, and I don't know what to do. Can you suggest some ways to use them up?

Ask the Past: sun safety

I'm off for a long weekend at the beach this weekend. Any tips for sun safety?

Ask the past: Belgian afternoon tea

I work for an NGO, and we have a delegation from our Belgian counterpart coming to visit next month. We have a dinner for them that is being catered, but there will also be an informal afternoon tea for them in the office. What should we serve?

Ask the Past: summer cooking

It's too hot at the moment for me to want to turn the oven on. Can you recommend any recipes that won't heat my kitchen up?

Ask the Past: New Year greetings

I'm going back to work next week and seeing all my coworkers for the first time this year. Is it too late to wish them a happy new year in the middle of January?

Ask the Past: Christmas pudding

I was thinking about hiding under the duvet and pretending that Christmas wasn't happening this year, but now I have family coming to visit and I feel a bit bad about doing that. Can you give me a cheap and easy recipe for a Christmas cake or a

Ask the Past: Christmas crackers

We always have Christmas crackers at our Christmas lunch, but nobody actually wants any of the useless plastic shit that comes in them, and I don't feel good about throwing it all away. I was thinking this year I might make my own Christmas crackers instead. Have you got any tips?

Ask the Past: Christmas party

I love Christmas, but what I don't love is all of the drama around my work Christmas party. What's the best way to deal with this? Can I just not go? Or should I be the one that drinks too much this year so that at least I don't remember any of it?

Ask the Past: hayfever

I get terrible hayfever at this time of the year, even though I am maxing out my antihistamine dose. Is there anything else I can do for it?