Columnists

Jarlath Regan: The greatest joy of a family Christmas is the escape to the bathroom

Whether it’s for 30 seconds, or an episode of Friends, a short toilet break can stop you cracking under the torture only your nearest and dearest can dish out

How long you’re permitted to stay in your panic room depends on how many small children are in the house

Every home is equipped with an escape room. It’s called the toilet for most of the year, but at Christmas it’s an oasis of calm solitude where you can sit and contemplate the eternal questions.

“When will this day end?” “How is it only eleven in the morning?” “How am I related to these people?”

Your meditation or face-rubbing breaks need to be timed well to allow for maximum sanity restoration. If you stay too ...