The online source for all things Christmas
Wednesday, 26 August 2026
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Tuesday, 25 August 2026
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Monday, 24 August 2026
Send Christmas Cheer and Support Clean Water with Hope Spring’s Corporate Charity eCards
The Hereford-based organisation has expanded its festive range with dedicated corporate charity Christmas eCards, combining personalised seasonal greetings with fundraising for clean water, sanitation and hygiene projects.
Designed for businesses, charities and other organisations, the corporate collection includes professionally illustrated static cards alongside animated and video Christmas eCards. Greetings can be personalised with a company name and message, while businesses can also speak to the Hope Spring team about incorporating their logo and other branding.
Joshua Ojo, Manager at Hope Spring eCards, to That's Christmas 365: “Our digital Christmas eCards are designed to make festive greetings straightforward, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses that may not have the time or resources to organise large traditional Christmas card mailings.”
The digital approach certainly has some practical advantages during the busiest time of the year. Instead of buying cards, addressing envelopes and arranging postage, businesses can prepare their greetings online and send them by email or share them through WhatsApp.
Scheduled delivery also means Christmas messages can be prepared well ahead of the December rush.
Businesses can create different greetings for employees, customers, suppliers and other contacts, making it possible to tailor messages to each audience.
Importantly, the eCards also support Hope Spring, a UK-registered charity working to tackle water poverty. Money raised through the eCard platform contributes towards clean-water and hygiene projects in communities in Africa, including boreholes, wells, sanitation projects and hygiene education.
Hope Spring spokesperson Lolade Aderibigbe told us: “Small businesses often want to do something thoughtful at Christmas without adding another complicated job to an already busy December.”
For companies looking to reduce their reliance on physical Christmas cards, digital greetings also remove the need for printing, envelopes and postage.
There is something particularly appropriate about combining Christmas wishes with charitable fundraising. Businesses are already taking the time to say thank you to the people who have supported them throughout the year; Hope Spring’s approach gives those greetings an opportunity to support communities experiencing water poverty too.
For organisations starting their Christmas planning early, the new corporate collection offers another way to spread some festive goodwill, both to the people receiving the greeting and much further afield.
A Personalised Bedtime Story That Can Be Ready in Minutes From Little Dipper
Little Dipper is offering a charming solution: a storybook written and illustrated especially for the child who will receive it.
Rather than simply inserting a name into a standard story, Little Dipper creates the book around one particular child. Their first name, age and those small personal details that only family members know can all become part of the adventure, helping to make the finished story feel truly special.
The result is a personalised bedtime book in which the child becomes the star. For younger readers, there is something wonderfully exciting about hearing their own name in a story and recognising familiar details as the pages are read aloud.
What makes the service especially useful at Christmas is its speed. Little Dipper says the finished, print-ready PDF is normally delivered around ten minutes after an order is placed. At $14, it could be an appealing option for parents, grandparents, godparents, aunts, uncles and family friends looking for an affordable personalised present.
Because the book is delivered digitally, there is no need to wait for printing, packing or the Christmas post. Families can print it at home, use a local printing service or read it on a tablet or computer.
That makes it one of those rare personalised presents that could still rescue Christmas gift plans on 23 December. While many personalised products require several days or even weeks to arrive, Little Dipper creates the book that evening rather than promising delivery sometime after Christmas.
The digital format could also be particularly useful for families who live far apart. A completed story can be sent electronically to relatives elsewhere in the UK or overseas without worrying about international postage deadlines.
Little Dipper is inviting people to see the idea in action by replying with a child’s first name. The team says it will create a finished sample book free of charge and return it the same day, allowing families to see exactly what they would receive before ordering.
You can view a complete sample book and learn more about Little Dipper.
For anyone caught in the last-minute Christmas panic window, a personalised adventure created especially for a much-loved child could be a thoughtful gift, and a bedtime story the whole family will enjoy sharing.
Friday, 21 August 2026
Step Inside The Mythical Land Zoo A Magical New Book for Young Readers
Cambridgeshire children’s author Joanne Hutchinson launches The Mythical Land Zoo on 22 August 2026, introducing families to a collection of funny, lovable and completely impossible creatures.
Forget about lions, elephants and penguins. At this particular zoo, visitors can meet teacup-sized Gigglephants that sneeze confetti, Dreammuffs that snore clouds of candyfloss when disturbed and wonderfully dramatic Moopacas that take themselves very seriously as they strut along their own runway.
The Mythical Land Zoo forms part of Joanne’s growing Mythical Land story world, which also includes Og, Hagwitch and Hettie the Talking Yeti. Rather than being entirely separate stories, the books are connected through recurring characters, magical locations, strange creatures and new adventures.
Joanne told That's Christmas 365: “I wanted to create the sort of zoo children would invent themselves, somewhere completely ridiculous things are perfectly normal. A Gigglephant can be the size of a teacup, a Dreammuff can snore candyfloss and, of course, a Moopaca can believe it is the star of its own runway.”
The fun also continues beyond the printed page. The official Mythical Land website allows families to learn more about its characters, explore the expanding world and enjoy free children’s activities inspired by the stories. These resources give youngsters the opportunity to carry on playing, creating and imagining after the book has been closed.
Launching in both paperback and Kindle editions, The Mythical Land Zoo could make a charming Christmas gift for children who enjoy funny creatures, magical adventures and stories that celebrate the sheer joy of imagination. It could also be a lovely choice for a Christmas Eve book box or a festive family reading session.
The Mythical Land Zoo launches on 22 August 2026.
More information, character introductions and free activities are available from www.mythicalland.co.uk.
Thursday, 20 August 2026
The 12 Gifts of Christmas? 12 brilliant finds to bring something different to the Christmas home
The best homes are rarely the ones where everything matches. They are built over time, with useful things, beautiful things and the occasional find that simply makes you smile.
This edit brings together 12 pieces that deserve a closer look. There is technology for keeping houseplants alive, a wireless charger designed for the sofa, playful Italian glassware, very good olive oil, craft worth clearing an afternoon for and, yes, a corkscrew shaped like a salmon.
Anyone who has stood over a drooping houseplant wondering whether it needs more water, less water or an entirely different owner will understand the appeal of this.
Plant Parent uses three sensors and a WiFi hub to monitor soil moisture, light, temperature and humidity, providing plant-specific information to help you understand what is actually happening in the pot.
Three plants can be monitored at once, making it particularly useful for anyone whose collection has grown beyond the odd succulent on a windowsill. It takes away some of the guesswork without taking away the pleasure of looking after plants yourself.
There are plenty of chargers designed for desks and bedside tables. Far fewer acknowledge that the sofa is where many of us actually spend the evening with our phones. Krafted Couch is a fast wireless charger with a flexible silicone pad that sits neatly over the arm of a sofa, keeping the phone within reach while it charges. No stretching towards a plug socket or leaving it on the other side of the room.
It is MagSafe compatible, Qi2 certified and supplied with a two-metre charging cable. There are three colours, Deep Blue, Matcha and Latte, allowing it either to sit quietly against the upholstery or provide a deliberate contrast.
The nicest craft projects are often those that earn a permanent place in the home when they are finished.
This Crystal Art® kit creates a hanging butterfly decoration embellished with crystals and finished with hanging feathers. Everything required to complete it comes in the box, making it easy to settle down and start rather than discovering halfway through that another trip to the craft shop is required.
Once complete, hang it somewhere the light can reach it: beside a window, in a bedroom or in a conservatory.
Ichendorf Milano Blue Goose Tumbler, 350mlIchendorf Milano Glass Set of 6 Animal Tumblers | Buy online UK – Sous Chef UKDrinking Glasses | 80+ Handpicked Designs | Sous ChefIchendorf Milano Amber Turtle Coupe Glass, 250ml | Buy online UK – Sous Chef UKIchendorf Milano White Tail Cat Tumbler, 350mlIchendorf Milano Glass Lemon Tumbler, 300ml
If your glass cupboard is dominated by matching sets, Ichendorf Milano provides a persuasive argument for breaking ranks.
The Milanese brand is known for glassware that combines traditional craftsmanship with a wonderfully playful approach to design. Across the collection, delicate fruits, flowers, animals and other tiny forms appear within otherwise simple glasses.
There are tumblers, mugs, jugs and other pieces to discover, and there is no particular need for them to match. In fact, collecting different designs is rather the point.
They bring interest to an everyday glass of water and look particularly good grouped together on open shelving or across a summer table.
Wild Salmon in a Tin Corkscrew
A corkscrew is hardly the most exciting object in the kitchen drawer. A corkscrew disguised as a wild salmon and presented in its own tin is another matter.
There is something pleasingly eccentric about this one. It performs an entirely ordinary job while looking nothing like the utensil you expected to pull out when opening a bottle of wine. Leave it somewhere visible rather than consigning it to the back of the drawer. Practical kitchenware is allowed to have a sense of humour.
Olio Guglielmi Tales Terra Pregiata Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Gift Box, 500ml
There is everyday olive oil, and then there is the something special, a bottle kept within reach for finishing a plate just before it reaches the table.
Olio Guglielmi's Terra Pregiata belongs firmly in the latter camp. Produced in Puglia from native Coratina olives, it has an intense fruity character, with notes of almond, artichoke and tomato followed by the bitterness and peppery finish associated with the variety.
The Guglielmi family has been producing extra virgin olive oil for more than 60 years, and this is one to taste rather than simply cook with. Try it over grilled vegetables, meat, aged cheese, soup or pizza, or pour it into a shallow dish and give it nothing more complicated than very good bread.
Inspired by Edinburgh in spring, Paraffle's Cherry Blossom Hoop Kit captures one of the loveliest moments in the city's calendar.
The floral embroidery brings colour without becoming overly twee, while the included pattern and guidance make the project approachable for those still finding their way around a needle and thread. Finished in its hoop and displayed on a wall, shelf or gallery arrangement, it has the charm that comes from knowing somebody actually sat down and made it.
Botanical Rum Infusion Kit
A well-stocked drinks cupboard is all the more interesting when there is something in it you have made yourself.
This Botanical Rum Infusion Kit provides a selection of spices and botanicals for experimenting with different combinations at home. Add them to rum, adjust the ingredients and infusion time to taste, and eventually arrive at a house blend of your own.
It adds a little ceremony to the drinks trolley and provides an excuse to experiment beyond the usual bottle and mixer.
Cookut Miam Easy Pancake Shaker
Pancakes are simple. The collection of bowls, whisks, jugs and spoons they somehow leave behind is less appealing.
Cookut's Miam Easy Pancake Shaker pares the process back. Ingredients go directly into the shaker, are mixed inside and the batter is then poured straight into the pan.It means fewer utensils, less washing up and, perhaps most importantly on a slow weekend morning, less fuss between deciding you want pancakes and actually eating them.
We take more photographs than ever, yet remarkably few make it beyond the camera roll. Crystallise Me offers a rather different way to bring a favourite into the home, turning your own photograph into a personalised Crystal Art® canvas to complete by hand.
Choose a picture of the children, a wedding, holiday, favourite place or much-loved pet, then select from Vintage, Black & White or Pop Art. After uploading the image online, a personalised pattern is created to follow using the crystals supplied in the kit.
The mounted canvas, crystals and tools are all included. The result is personal without relying on the usual photo frame, and you have the pleasure of making it yourself.
There is a particular pleasure in doing something slowly when almost everything else in the day encourages us to hurry.
Paraffle's Bee Embroidery Kit is intended for beginners and includes what is needed to work through the design stitch by stitch. There is no requirement to arrive with years of needlework experience, just the willingness to give it a go.
Once finished, the bee can remain in its hoop and be hung straight on the wall. A few quiet hours well spent, with something tangible at the end of them.
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Serax Carte Blanche White & Black Ceramic Espresso Cup & Saucer, 90ml
The morning espresso may only last a few minutes, but that is no reason to drink it from an uninspiring cup.
This 90ml ceramic cup and saucer from Belgian design house Serax uses a restrained white and black palette with graphic detailing that gives it far more presence than its diminutive size might suggest. It is distinctive enough to leave on display beside the coffee machine, while remaining perfectly suited to everyday use. A small upgrade to a daily ritual.
Nervous of having a Christmas holiday Abroad? Try this!
Graffiti. Protests. Residents pushing back against visitors in some of the world’s most popular destinations.
But over the past few days, something unusual started appearing on the streets of Barcelona, Lisbon and Rome.
The familiar “Tourists Go Home” message was being hijacked.
TOURISTS GO VISIT SAUDI.
The intervention is part of a new campaign from Saudi Tourism, taking one of the most provocative conversations happening in global travel right now and turning a message of rejection into an invitation.
It’s a simple cultural juxtaposition: while some of the world’s most established destinations are grappling with having too many tourists, another is actively asking them to come.
Rather than creating another conventional tourism campaign, Tourists Go Visit Saudi inserts itself directly into a conversation already playing out on Europe’s streets.
https://saudilifeguide.com/how-people-celebrate-christmas-in-saudi-arabia
https://www.budgetyourtrip.com/saudi-arabia/tours-t_christmasnewyears
Paraffle: embroidery made for everyone, ideal Christmas gifting for creative folks in your life!
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| Sammy at work |
There’s something incredibly satisfying about making something with your own hands. Learning a new stitch, watching a design take shape and eventually reaching that “I actually made that” moment.
That feeling is at the heart of Paraffle, the independent Edinburgh craft brand making modern embroidery approachable for everyone, whether you’ve never picked up a needle before or have been stitching for years.
Founded by Sammy Bishop, Paraffle began after Sammy rediscovered embroidery while completing her PhD. The methodical repetition of stitching gave her a creative escape from the pressures of studying, while finishing a project brought a sense of accomplishment she could see and enjoy.
Today, Paraffle wants more people to discover that feeling.
Embroidery without the intimidation
Starting a new craft can feel daunting, so Paraffle's kits are designed to give beginners everything they need to have a go. Kits include materials and stitch guides, with step-by-step video tutorials and online tips available for extra support.
There’s no pressure to be perfect. The idea is to learn, make and enjoy the process, with a welcoming community of crafters sharing projects, asking questions and celebrating what they create along the way.
Paraffle also takes a conscious approach to crafting, focusing on quality, more sustainable and ethically produced materials where possible, while being open about where the business can continue to improve.
Ready to give it a go? Here are 10 Paraffle picks to discover:
Cherry Blossom 6” Embroidery Kit – £25
Inspired by Edinburgh in spring, this colourful botanical design is a beautiful project for anyone ready to develop their embroidery skills. Bright, detailed and made to be displayed once the final stitch is finished.
A little project with plenty of charm. This beginner-friendly bee design is an easy introduction to embroidery and a lovely choice for a relaxed afternoon of summer stitching.
Bright, bold and full of character, Paraffle's colourful paisley puffin makes a brilliant beginner-friendly project. A fun choice for wildlife and coastal lovers with an eye-catching finished piece at the end.
Inspired by Edinburgh's famously colourful Victoria Street, this detailed design brings a little piece of Paraffle's home city to the embroidery hoop. Created for improvers, it's a satisfying project with a finished piece worthy of display.
A Scottish favourite given Paraffle's colourful paisley treatment. Designed with beginners in mind, this characterful Highland Coo is a fun way to learn new stitches and create something you'll be proud to hang on the wall.
Inspired by one of Edinburgh's prettiest streets, this detailed design recreates the colourful doors, greenery and character of Circus Lane in stitch. A beautiful choice for improvers and anyone who loves travel-inspired crafting.
Take your handiwork with you. This beginner-friendly project transforms an organic and Fairtrade cotton tote with Paraffle's colourful paisley elephant design, combining the enjoyment of embroidery with something practical to use afterwards.
Small, colourful and full of personality, this little red squirrel makes a manageable project for anyone new to embroidery. A lovely nature-inspired kit for some quiet creative time.
Bring a little coastal character to your crafting with this miniature puffin. Beginner-friendly and compact, it's an easy project to pick up at home or pack for a creative holiday activity.
Robins aren't just for Christmas. This charming mini design makes a sweet year-round wildlife project and an approachable introduction to embroidery for beginners.
And don't lose your needle...
Paraffle's Magnetic Needle Minders – £8.50 are a small but clever addition to any stitching project, using magnets to keep your needle safely in place whenever you stop stitching.
Just give it a go, you don't need to consider yourself creative. You don't need to know all the stitches. And you certainly don't need to get everything right first time.
Pick something you love, learn as you go and enjoy being able to say: “I made that.”
Wednesday, 19 August 2026
123 Hampers Launches Christmas 2026 Collection with 10% Off Corporate Orders Throughout August
Inspired by the traditional festive markets of Scandinavia and Germany, the enhanced collection brings together beautifully presented hampers featuring a carefully selected range of food, drink and seasonal treats.
From traditional Christmas baskets packed with indulgent favourites to family-friendly gifts and Christmas Eve treats, the range offers options to suit a variety of recipients and budgets, with free next-day delivery available across the UK and Northern Ireland.
With a strong focus on quality British products, the collection showcases a selection of home-grown festive favourites, with all bakery items lovingly made in Yorkshire, alongside carefully selected seasonal treats.
To help businesses get ahead with their Christmas planning, 123 Hampers is offering 10% off corporate orders throughout August, giving companies the opportunity to secure their festive gifting early while making their budgets go further.
Picture the scene: It's mid-December and some poor soul is dispatched from the office to cobble together some Christmas treats to show staff and clients how special they are. They'll know exactly how "special" they are, right?
But with 123 Hampers it doesn't have to be like that and they can help you get everything sorted well in advance plus there's a 10% discount!
Alex Biggart, Head of Brand at 123 Hampers, told That's Christmas 123: “We know that corporate Christmas gifting can be a time-consuming task, particularly for businesses buying for multiple clients, customers and employees.
"We want to make the process as simple as possible, while creating gifts that feel genuinely special and thoughtful. Our 2026 collection has been inspired by the warmth and atmosphere of traditional European Christmas markets, with a particular focus on showcasing quality British products. Whether it’s thanking a valued client, recognising employees or celebrating an important business relationship, our hampers offer an easy and memorable way to spread some festive cheer.”
A Christmas Gift for the Whole Family
For businesses looking for a gift that can be enjoyed beyond the recipient themselves, the Traditional Family Basket brings together a generous selection of festive treats and family-friendly surprises.
Presented in a handwoven wicker gift basket with a charming blue lining, the hamper includes a mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, chocolates, savoury snacks and Christmas favourites. It also features a gingerbread reindeer decorating kit and a cuddly Charlie Teddy Bear, making it a gift designed to be enjoyed by both adults and their children.
The Traditional Family Basket is available from www.123-hampers.co.uk. RRP: £125
A Timeless Christmas Tradition
For a more traditional approach to festive gifting, the Luxury Christmas Basket has stood the test of time.
Beautifully presented in an 18-inch handwoven wicker basket, the hamper is packed with everything needed for a luxurious Christmas celebration including, a selection of fine wines, handmade treats from Yorkshire’s Valley Bakery, a traditional brandy Christmas pudding, festive cakes, chocolates, preserves, crackers, crisps and English tea.
The wicker basket also provides a useful keepsake long after the contents have been enjoyed, giving recipients something practical to reuse throughout the year.
The Luxury Christmas Basket is available from www.123-hampers.co.uk. RRP: £100
A Magical Christmas Eve Treat
For businesses wanting to send something a little different, the Christmas Eve Box offers a fun and thoughtful festive gift for families and younger recipients.
Filled with handmade chocolate chip cookies and festive chocolates from Yorkshire’s Valley Bakery, alongside a Christmas-themed popcorn treat, the box is designed to help families create a new Christmas Eve tradition and build excitement ahead of the big day.
The Christmas Eve Box is available from www.123-hampers.co.uk. RRP: £35
The full Christmas gifting range is available online from https://www.123-hampers.co.uk. For larger corporate orders, the 123 Hampers Corporate team can manage bulk orders, multiple delivery addresses and personalised messages through one dedicated point of contact. To place an order or redeem the 10% corporate discount, call 0344 310 0123.
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