Showing posts with label santa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label santa. Show all posts

Friday 17 November 2023

The Weird Side of Christmas Revealed by Mug Shots

Santa could be in for a feast of Playdoh cakes and Cornettos this year whilst Rudolph nibbles on Twiglets and carrot cake, if the Mug Shot’s hilarious and heart-warming snapshot into Christmas traditions is anything to go by.

And rest assured children have all his travelling needs and present delivery welfare well catered for too according to the insights unearthed in instant hot snack brand’s Tree-riffic Christmas Survey.

One thing is certain, when Mug Shot decided to stoke up some early festival cheer among its thousands of social media followers to celebrate the launch of its new festival flavour Pigs in Blankets, it’s clear it’s the wonderfully British Christmas traditions, and a few quirky ones, which help to keep the magic alive, no matter what age you are.

Risotto and Spam butties await!

Depending on how you look at it, Santa is in for a treat of some kind this year largely due to children having both a creative and practical way of looking at what Santa would fancy for that warm and welcome midnight snack.

For many Mug Shot followers the traditional mince and sherry or cookies and milk are shunned for a whole host of bizarre snacks and ‘helpful items'.

When asked what their youngsters like to leave out on the most magical night of the year lettuce and sugar sandwiches, soup, Spam butties, risotto, Playdoh cakes, Kombucha and a Cornetto all made it on to the list.

Responses also included Jack Daniels and an After Eight, red wine and pizza and salt and vinegar crisps and a can of lager which tends to suggest parents might have been planning their own supper.

Rudolph has also been enjoying a feast.

Reindeer nibbles including cat biscuits, parsnips, Twiglets (‘because they look like tiny antlers’), sweet potatoes, carrot cake, sprouts (‘wind power for the sleigh’) boiled red cabbage and moss.

And the ingenuity of a child’s mind also ensures the health, safety and welfare of Santa and his reindeers are taken into full and careful consideration on their potentially hazardous rooftop journey around the world on a cold Christmas Eve night.

Alongside refreshments, little ones have insisted on leaving woolly tights in case he gets cold, hats ‘in case he loses his own’, gloves, a hair bobble so his beard doesn’t catch fire, flea treatment for the reindeers and dog poo bags to scoop up the reindeer droppings.

Families embrace generational traditions

For many, children are the focus of Christmas, helping us to reignite the magic and special memories of our own childhood Christmases – and that’s certainly the case for our Mug Shot followers.

When asked how they keep the Christmas magic alive as their kids get older, our Mug Shot followers all had their own special little ways to help their youngsters to keep believing.

And that magic seems to last until the little kids become big kids and have children of their own.

Keeping the same tried and tested traditions going year after year was voted as the way to stop the wonder from waning including hanging up stockings, baking, Christmas stories, crafts, listening to classic Christmas tunes, watching films and plenty of festive family outings such as markets and pantomimes.

Many of Mug Shot's social media followers said that more than anything, if grown-ups keep dreaming and believing it helps to keep the magic and Christmas spirit alive for all the whole family.

Pigs in blankets gets the thumbs up

With Christmas dinner being one of the main events, Mug Shot asked their followers to dish up their likes, dislikes and favourite trimmings – even how they’ll be cooking it.

With the air fryer now a kitchen gadget staple, followers were asked which elements of Christmas dinner they’ll be bunging in there this year.

36% said roast potatoes, a fifth said pigs in blankets and almost 10% said they were bravely attempting to cook to the whole thing in an air fryer.

For those who don’t have an air fryer, many are hoping Santa will bring them one!

Overwhelmingly the most popular part of Christmas dinner was pigs in blankets, music to the Mug Shot ears!, followed by, no not the turkey, but roast potatoes (20%).

Other favourites included parsnips, gravy, Yorkshire puddings, bread sauce, stuffing and a rogue lobster.

They were also asked what accompaniment should never be part of Christmas dinner - tomato ketchup, mayonnaise, mushy peas or Yorkshire pudding.

Ketchup got the thumbs down from 40% of Christmas dinner devotees followed by mayonnaise at 27% and a quarter pushed mushy peas to one side.

One much maligned festive food which did surprisingly come out on top was the humble sprout.

When asked what the best thing was to do with them – eat them, bin them, don’t go within a mile of them or use them for an amusing game, a whopping 70% said eat them.

Trips to A&E and very awkward text messages

With the weeks of prep, stress and military precision planning that goes into Christmas you want it to run as smoothly as possible but that’s sometimes not the case.

From drunkenly falling into a Christmas tree and ending up in A&E looking like a pin cushion to being unable to turn down invitations and forcing down five Christmas dinners in one day, there was a whole raft of hilarious festive faux pas.

In the awkwardness stakes, a daughter messaged her boyfriend to tell him what a terrible Christmas day she was having at her mum’s, and accidentally sent the message to her mum.

Tales of exploding kitchen appliances, defrosting prawns with a hairdryer, forgetting the presents and having to buy substitutes from a service station on the M1 and forgetting to the turn oven on in a Prosecco haze were on the list.

There were also wonderful and heart-warmingly memorable Christmases for many respondents including a mum who rushed home from hospital with her new-born son because all her daughter wanted for Christmas was a baby brother.

And sticking with the baby theme a gran-to-be who was given a ‘Find the Peanut’ game for Christmas which turned out to be an early scan of her first grandchild which she described as “the best present ever and the gift that keeps on giving”.

Husbands rightly get the brush off for ‘housework’ gifts

When asked what was strangest present found under the tree top honours went to a deactivated First World War hand grenade.

And it seems many husbands have been in the dog house over the years thanks to their choice of more practical gifts for their wives including dusters, an extendable paint roller, a washing up bowl and cleaning products and two serving spoons.

Work place Secret Santas often result in a combination of hilarious and controversial gifts with participants ranging from thoughtful and mischievous to downright ambivalent.

Asked what the worst gift was that they’d received in a Secret Santa revealed an eye patch, a ‘Grow your own Boyfriend’ kit, a Cliff Richard calendar, a Busted poster, used body cream and a 39p bag of sweets.

Recycling and repurposing at its best

Mug Shot asked its followers to be completely upfront and honest and confess whether they’d ever re-wrapped a present they’d received and given it to someone else – which you could argue is recycling and repurposing at its best.

50% said they had and skincare product and toiletries were the most regifted items along with scarves and candles.

Emma Boyle, Senior Brand Manager at Mug Shot said: “We love hearing from our Mug Shot social media followers and this was a great way to find out more about how they like to spend this special time of year.

“We’ve had lots of laughs and really enjoyed reading the responses which show that despite these difficult times families everywhere cherish Christmas and spending time with their loved ones.

“It’s reassuring to know the wonderful traditions which have kept the magic going for many, many years – and the little traditions we invent as families and are personal to us - are still the things people turn to to make memories.”

“At Mug Shot as well as creating delicious, warm and comforting healthy lunch options, we like to have a bit of fun with our festive flavours.

“Pigs in blankets have been around since the mid 20th Century and are now an absolute Christmas Dinner favourite so it was an obvious choice for us.”

Festive Limited Edition Pigs in Blankets Mug Shot is available at B&M stores nationwide. Featuring pasta twists and the favours of bacon, sausage and sage, it’s good to go in five minutes as a tasty, healthy and low in fat lunch or snack.

Thursday 22 December 2011

Festive farm fun at Willows Farm Village Willows Farm Village, Hertfordshire

Until Saturday 24th December 2011!

Families can expect a day filled with festive farm fun this Christmas when they visit Santa in his Spectacular Grotto at Willows Farm Village, near St Albans, between 23rd November and Christmas Eve.

Children can enjoy a magical journey leading up to Santa’s Grotto with sparkling festive scenes, before meeting Santa and receiving a golden key that unlocks the door to his Toy Shop. Once inside, they can choose any gift from the selection of toys suitable for all ages.

Children can also stop off at the Elves’ House to send Santa a letter filled with their Christmas wishes.

After visiting the Grotto, children can help Santa by taking part in a special hunt to find his missing reindeer.

Those who find all nine missing reindeer cut outs from around the farm will receive a box of Reindeer Dust – a magical mixture of reindeer food and glitter that will help guide Santa and his reindeer to their house.

Families can also visit Santa’s real reindeer that are resting at Willows before their big night on Christmas Eve.

Willows farmer Anna Wolfe says: “We’re never short of Christmas cheer at Willows, but we’re particularly excited this year as it’s Star the reindeer’s first Christmas with us. She’s still too young to help the older reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve, but she’s looking forward to showing off her growing antlers to our guests in the run up to Christmas!”

Later, families can get their skates on and enjoy the Willows Magical Ice Rink, which returns for a second year. Thanks to the synthetic ice surface, children can stay warm and dry while gliding around.

Each day, the nativity story will be brought to life in Woolly’s Showtime Theatre and there is a tractor ride through the Festive Woods where visitors can get into the Christmas spirit thanks to twinkling lights and carol singing.

In addition to the special Christmas events, there will be all the usual fun activities to enjoy including farmyard animals and – if it gets chilly! – plenty of indoor play in Woolly Jumpers and Captain Chicken’s Egg Dodge.


To top off their visit, families can also browse Willows Farm Shop’s selection of British and locally-produced Christmas fare.

Santa is at Willows from to 24 December 2011, 10am to 5.30pm (closes 4pm Christmas Eve).

For more information please visit www.willowsfarmvillage.com or call 0870 129 9718.

Saturday 17 December 2011

New Santa and reindeer app launched by Rantmedia donates 15% proceeds to Action Duchenne

iphone and iPad developer launches festive app on iTunes store and donates proceeds to charity dedicated to combating devastating life wasting disease

Rantmedia has launched a Christmas iPhone & iPad app, Santa’s Sleigh Ride, with 15% of proceeds from sales donated to the charity Action Duchenne. The app costs just 69p to download from the iTunes store, http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/santas-sleigh-ride/id47766816...

Action Duchenne is the only charity that campaigns for research and treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

The disease affects one in 3,500 male births in the UK, and is the most common and severe type of muscular dystrophy – sufferers are diagnosed as children usually by the age of five and rarely live past their twenties.
The app is ideal for gamers of all levels – easy to play yet highly addictive. Santa and his reindeer are in training for their annual Christmas Eve dash - travelling as far as possible through the ultra-festive surroundings. The duo travel past Christmassy villages, up and over snow topped hills, while avoiding the many seasonal objects that block their way.

Anton Faulconbridge, Director at Rantmedia said; “We wanted to use our expertise and skills to really make a difference to those who need it most. Our Santa app is a great way to have fun at Christmas yet also remember the true spirit of giving and charity. Our hope is that this app might go viral and raise thousands to support such a deserving cause as Action Duchenne’s.”

Young Saul Catlin, aged 11, who has Duchenne said; “Santa’s Sleigh Ride is a really cool app and makes you feel like it is Christmas already.”

Saul’s Dad, Nick Catlin, who is CEO of Action Duchenne commented, “We are delighted to continue to work with Rantmedia who has supported the Charity with their development of our Patient Registry and our website.

“For many families living with Duchenne, Christmas can mark a difficult time as another year passes with a decline in health. Our cause is striving to raise funds to find treatments and a cure for this devastating disease. Successful iPhone/iPad apps like Santa’s Sleigh Ride could generate lots of much needed funds, so we are calling on as many people as possible to download and enjoy the game and support our cause at the same time. ”

Wednesday 16 November 2011

Itsyourstory launch unique photo-personalised letter from Santa

Personalised letters from Santa
If you think you've seen every festive letter on the market, you could be in for a surprise. 

Because this year, with the help of Itsyourstory, you can make the run up to Christmas extra special with a unique photo-personalised letter unlike any you've seen before.

The Father Christmas photo-personalised letter features your child in the illustrations dressed as Father Christmas's elf. Share in your child's excitement as they see their photograph on Father Christmas's notepaper and information above them woven into the letter.

Each letter is personalised when ordering to feature the child's address, the name of two of their friends, their age and a uniquely personal PS at the bottom of the letter. This will create even more magic as it is written by the sender and relates to something personal in their lives eg – how well they’re doing at school, getting a new pet etc. The letter also reveals which friend or family member has asked Father Christmas to get in touch.

Priced at £4.50, the Father Christmas photo-personalised letter is available exclusively from Itsyourstory.co.uk. Customers can choose from two letter designs featuring the child alongside Rudolf or Father Christmas. The letter arrives in a Christmas-themed envelope addressed to the child and complete with a North Pole stamp. What better way to build the excitement in the run up to Christmas!

Orders are being taken NOW. Last delivery date before Christmas is December 19th.

FACTFILE:

Itsyourstory launched in 2004, specialising in photo-personalised children’s books. It was the first company in the UK to offer books which include the child’s face in the illustrations as well as their name and information about them in the text. It has a range of 20 books for children aged two to eight and also sells personalised birthday cards, thank you cards and party invitations. The Love Is… book is its first product for adults. For further information please visit www.itsyourstory.co.uk.

Saturday 29 October 2011

A message from Father Christmas direct to your child!

You will have seen letters from Father Christmas to children, before. Some are better than others. But the best by far is the letter produced by Itsyourstory, because it will help you make the run up to Christmas an even more magical experience for you and your children, with the unique photo-personalised Christmas letter. You will never have seen anything like it before!

The Father Christmas photo-personalised letter features your child in the illustrations dressed dressed as Santa's elf! You will be able to share in their glee and excitement as they see their own photograph on Santa's notepaper and the information about them cleverly and carefully woven into the letter.

Each letter is specially personalised when you order it to feature your child's address, the names of two of thier best friends, their age and a unique PS at the bottom of the letter. This will generate even more special Christmas magic as it is written by the sender and will relate to something personal in the lives of the child, something that is important to them and that they will relate to. The letter will also reveal who asked Santa to write to them!

The cost of the letter is a very modest £4.50, but do not let the modest price put you off, it's a very well produced product which your child will treasure. There's a choice of letter styles and the letter will arrive in a special Christmas envelope with a highly apropriate North Pole stamp!

Last delivery date before Christmas is 19th December. To order just visit www.itsyourstory.com.