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Ryman Has some lovely Easter Gifts, including these cute, exclusive pens

National stationery store Ryman (they also have a printing service and as an aside they printed my thesis several years ago!)  is stocking some really  cute, limited edition, Easter themed pens.

The Legami Lovely Friends Hoppy Easter Gel Pens, a fun, and adorable stationery product that is currently in high demand and available as a click & collect exclusive!

However please remember that these are a special limited edition Easter line so stocks are limited.

Legami Lovely Friends Hoppy Easter Gel Pens Pack of 2 – RRP = £6.99 (Limited Stock Click & Collect Exclusive)

To learn more about these and other Easter goodies and craft items (and printing services!) please visit https://www.ryman.co.uk to buy online and to find your nearest shop.

Fixing Before Replacing: How a New Tool Could Help Save Christmas

Everyone needs help sometimes

For many households, the festive season depends on a few hardworking appliances. 

The washing machine tackling piles of post-Christmas laundry, the oven roasting the turkey, or the dishwasher handling the aftermath of a big family meal. 

When one of those appliances fails, especially during the busy winter period, it can quickly turn festive plans into frustration.

A UK family-run retailer believes a new tool could help prevent that scenario by making it easier for people to repair appliances rather than replace them.

Spares2Repair, an appliance spare parts retailer based in Fareham, Hampshire, has launched a new AI-assisted chat tool called Fixit Fox Finder designed to help customers identify the exact spare part needed to repair household appliances.

The company says the biggest obstacle to successful repairs isn’t usually finding a replacement part — it’s correctly identifying the appliance model.

Why the Right Model Number Matters

Many appliances have very similar model numbers, often differing by just a single character or suffix. That small difference can indicate a different production run or internal configuration, meaning the wrong spare part may be ordered even when the appliance looks identical.

According to Spares2Repair, this confusion is one of the most common reasons DIY repairs fail.

Fixit Fox Finder aims to solve the problem by guiding users through the process of identifying their appliance model in simple language. If the model number plate is difficult to read, customers can upload a photograph of the rating plate or sticker. The tool then extracts key identifiers and checks them against the company’s internal model and parts catalogue.

Once the model variant has been confirmed, users can describe the fault, such as a washing machine that will not spin or a dishwasher that will not drain, and the tool highlights parts that are compatible with that specific appliance.

From Photo Search to AI Assistance

The new system builds on a previous tool launched by Spares2Repair in 2024 called Smart Search, which uses image-based optical character recognition (OCR) to identify appliance model numbers from photographs.

MD Thomas Broad said the company noticed a common pattern among customers trying to repair appliances outside normal business hours.

“People don’t plan for a washing machine to fail at 10pm,” Broad explained to Tat's Christmas 365.  “Customers often try to solve the problem with an incomplete model number and either order the wrong part or give up entirely.”

The new Fixit Fox Finder tool expands on that earlier technology by combining photo uploads, model verification and guided chat support to help customers move from identification to ordering the correct part.

Helping Households Keep Appliances Running

For households preparing for busy occasions like Christmas, when appliances often work their hardest — the ability to repair a machine quickly can make a big difference.

Spares2Repair says the tool is designed to be transparent about what it can and cannot do. While it can confirm whether a part is compatible with a specific appliance model, it does not guarantee a full diagnosis based solely on a description of the fault.

The tool is free to use and available without creating an account on the company’s website.

For families hoping to keep their kitchens and laundry rooms running smoothly, especially during the festive season, the ability to identify the right part quickly could help turn a potential holiday disaster into a straightforward repair.

You can find the app here spares2repair.co.uk

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New UK Energy App Launches as Wholesale Gas Prices Double - Helping Households Lock In Deals Before They Disappear

With many households even now already looking nervously toward next Christmas, with energy prices surging as ever, people are wondering how they'll be able to afford Christmas, let alone keeping the house warm and the family fed next winter.

However, there's good news on the horizon for UK households, because a new energy monitoring platform has launched to help UK households find and lock in better tariffs as wholesale gas prices surge and suppliers begin reviewing their fixed-rate deals.

EnergyScan (energyscan.co.uk) combines AI-powered bill analysis, whole-of-market tariff comparison, and smart meter data to track energy prices daily and alert users when a cheaper tariff becomes available.

The launch comes as wholesale gas prices briefly hit 151p per therm this week, following disruption to Qatari LNG production amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. 

Prices rose an eye-watering 93% in a week, reaching levels not seen since 2023. Analysts warn suppliers could begin withdrawing their cheapest fixed deals if wholesale volatility continues.

Households on standard variable tariffs are currently paying up to £1,758 per year under the Ofgem price cap. While the cap will fall to £1,568 from 1 April 2026, the calculation was made before the recent wholesale spike, meaning future caps could rise if prices remain elevated.

EnergyScan aims to simplify switching by analysing real household energy use rather than relying on estimated “typical consumption” figures often used by comparison sites.

Users upload or photograph their energy bill and the platform’s AI automatically extracts usage data, tariff details, unit rates, standing charges, exit fees and contract end dates. The system then compares the information with tariffs across the market in under a minute.

Subscribers receive alerts when a deal appears that would save them money after accounting for any exit fees. Those who connect their smart meter can also access an energy dashboard showing daily costs in pounds, bill forecasts, direct debit checks and tariff modelling based on real half-hourly usage data.

EnergyScan costs £29 per year, although a one-off bill comparison is available free of charge.

The company receives a flat commission of £20 per fuel (£40 for dual fuel) if a user switches supplier through the platform. The commission is disclosed during comparisons and does not vary between suppliers.

“Most comparison sites earn variable commissions that aren’t always transparent,” EnergyScan founder Steve Middleton told That's Christmas 365. 

“We charge a clear subscription and a fixed commission so our incentive is simply to keep finding customers better deals over time.”

EnergyScan is operated by SCM Digitech Limited. The platform uses tariff data from The Energy Shop and smart meter data from n3rgy Data Ltd through the UK’s national DCC network.

A free bill check is available at app.energyscan.co.uk/free-check.

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Why Audible Memberships Make the Perfect Gift for Book Lovers

Discover why Audible memberships make the perfect gift. Learn how to subscribe through That’s Christmas and More and enjoy thousands of audiobooks anywhere.

If you are looking for a thoughtful, modern, and genuinely useful present, an audiobook subscription is hard to beat. Services like Audible, the audiobook platform owned by Amazon, have transformed how people read, learn, and enjoy stories.

For readers, commuters, busy parents, students, and lifelong learners, an Audible membership opens up a world of books without needing to sit down and turn a single page. That is exactly why it also makes a brilliant gift idea for birthdays, holidays, or Christmas morning.

Here’s why more people are choosing Audible memberships for themselves—and why they make such fantastic presents.

Audiobooks Fit Into Real Life

One of the biggest barriers to reading is time. Many people want to read more books but struggle to fit them into a busy schedule.

Audiobooks solve that problem beautifully.

With Audible, books can be enjoyed while:

Commuting to work

Cooking dinner

Walking the dog

Cleaning the house

Exercising

Travelling

Instead of replacing reading, audiobooks extend it into parts of the day that would otherwise go unused. For anyone who feels too busy to read, Audible can make books accessible again.

A Library That Travels With You

An Audible membership allows users to download audiobooks directly to their phone or tablet and listen anywhere.

The Audible App works on:

Smartphones

Tablets

Computers

Smart speakers

Car audio systems

This means a whole library of books travels with you wherever you go. Whether someone is on a train journey, a long flight, or simply relaxing at home, they can dive into a story instantly.

Even better, downloads allow for offline listening, which is perfect when travelling or when mobile signal is unreliable.

Thousands of Books Across Every Genre

Audible’s catalogue is enormous. Members can explore:

Bestselling novels

Classic literature

Crime and thrillers

Science fiction and fantasy

Memoirs and biographies

Self-development and business books

Podcasts and original productions

For people who enjoy learning, the selection of history, science, psychology, and professional development titles is especially impressive.

It is essentially a portable library that grows with your interests.

Narration Brings Books to Life

One of the magical aspects of audiobooks is the narration.

Talented voice actors and authors often read the books themselves, creating an experience that feels almost theatrical. Characters gain personality, humour lands better, and emotional moments feel more powerful.

Some productions even include:

Multiple voice actors

Music and sound design

Dramatised storytelling

For many listeners, audiobooks become a completely different experience compared with traditional reading.

Audible Credits Make It Great Value

Most Audible memberships include monthly credits that can be exchanged for any audiobook in the catalogue.

This system works brilliantly because:

Credits can be used on expensive titles

Books are yours permanently once redeemed

Members get exclusive discounts

Even if someone pauses their membership later, the books they redeemed remain in their library forever.

For regular readers, it quickly becomes one of the most affordable ways to build a large collection of books.

A Perfect Gift for Christmas

For a blog like That’s Christmas and More, Audible memberships are particularly appealing because they make excellent gifts.

Unlike many presents that get used once and forgotten, audiobooks deliver enjoyment for months.

Reasons Audible makes a brilliant gift include:

No need to guess clothing sizes or tastes

Instant digital delivery

Suitable for all ages

Perfect for people who “already have everything”

You can even gift 3, 6, or 12 months of membership, making it ideal for stocking fillers or larger festive presents.

Imagine someone unwrapping a gift that gives them dozens of stories to enjoy throughout the year.

Subscribe Through That’s Christmas and More

Readers of That’s Christmas and More can also subscribe to Audible directly through our website. By using our recommended subscription link, you can start your Audible membership in just a few moments and immediately gain access to thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals.

Subscribing through our site is a simple way to begin enjoying audiobooks while also supporting the blog at the same time. If you’re planning a gift, it’s also an easy way to send someone a thoughtful present that will provide entertainment and inspiration throughout the year.

Ideal for Reluctant Readers

Audiobooks can also help people who struggle with traditional reading.

They are especially useful for:

People with dyslexia

Those with visual impairments

Busy professionals

Teenagers who find reading difficult

Listening to stories can build confidence, improve vocabulary, and spark an interest in books that might otherwise never develop.

For parents, it can be a wonderful way to encourage children and teens to engage with literature.

A Gift That Lasts All Year

Unlike chocolates or novelty gifts, an audiobook subscription continues to deliver value long after the wrapping paper is recycled.

Every month brings a new credit and a new story waiting to be discovered.

Listeners might find themselves exploring:

A gripping crime series

A historical biography

A personal development book

A comforting classic novel

Over time, their library becomes a personal collection of stories they can revisit whenever they like.

If you are searching for a gift that is thoughtful, practical, and genuinely enjoyable, an Audible membership is hard to beat.

It encourages reading, fits into modern lifestyles, and opens the door to thousands of books and stories.

Whether you are buying one for yourself or giving it to a friend or family member, it is a present that keeps delivering long after the festive season has ended.

And in a world where time is precious, the ability to enjoy great books anywhere might just be the perfect gift of all.

To place your orders, please follow this link:-

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=audible+membership&crid=K5J6192DL8WQ&sprefix=Audible%2Caps%2C608&linkCode=ll2&tag=bookworms05-21&linkId=d25abee2933223fb8e1a42d7a2a853fa&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

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