As Midsomer Norton residents prepare for the big freeze, here’s 10 top suggestions to make being housebound more bearable.

1. If you have children make sure you have plenty of coloured paper and sticky tape on hand. They’ll have hours of fun making paper chain decorations...if that fails...why not unwrap the latest X-box game to keep them busy.
2. Start your Christmas baking. At least with the oven on, you’ll keep warm.
3. Re-arrange the furniture. That way you can ensure you catch Santa Claus in the act as he sneaks in on Christmas Eve.
4. Snowed in and can’t get to the shops to buy Christmas presents? Make your own. I hear knitted tea cosies and toilet roll covers are making a comeback!
5. Build an igloo....just in case unexpected and unwanted family members make it through the ice and snow. 
6. Have plenty of Christmas spirits on hand. Santa won’t mind if you have his sherry...he prefers a warm whiskey anyway.
7. Run out of firewood and kindling? Why not use  the Christmas cards you were unable to send.
8. Get an Argo catalogue for each of your children and ask them to make their Christmas wish list. But Santa will need the entire descripton, catalogue number etc. My little sister practically copied the entire Sears & Robuck catalogue when she was only 4! (Kept her quite for days!)
9. Learn the correct words and verses to Christmas carols. I still sing of Batman and Robin when I hear Jinglebells.
10. Collect up all the naff Christmas presents you were given in the past and play pass the parcel. Just make sure those playing didn’t give you the gift!

If you have any tips on how to entertain the family or yourself as the big freeze hits, let us know.