12 days of M&S: Over six million doors opened in nations biggest digital advent calendar

Over six million digital doors were opened on the M&S app in just five days.

Hundreds of thousands of new customers have downloaded the app, pushing it to number one in the app store over the first weekend.

Over half a million free gifts and savings were redeemed– with over 10 million still up for grabs in the remaining week, including Christmas light up Liqueurs and bottles of Prosecco.

 In just the first five days, more than six million doors were opened since ’12 Days of M&S’, the retailer’s popular digital advent calendar, launched on 1 December.

Previously known as ‘12 Days of Sparks’, the digital advent calendar returned this month for its third year, bigger and better than ever before, pushing the M&S app to number 1 in the app store over the first  weekend, as hundreds of thousands rushed to download the app.

In the first five days, over half a million customers redeemed their free gifts or festive offers which included everything from Christmas decorations, pyjamas, slippers to chocolates and boxes of biscuits.

Over 10 million other free gifts were also available, sincluding the hugely popular Christmas light up Liqueurs and bottles of Prosecco, plus a special saving on Christmas Jumpers, just in time for the big day.

Customers who opened all 12 doors, were automatically be entered into the draw for the chance to win a magical M&S Christmas with a £10k M&S Gift Card, plus thousands of other prizes up for grabs, too.

Sharry Cramond, Director of M&S Food Marketing and M&S Loyalty said: “We wanted to make 12 Days of M&S bigger, better and more festive than ever before and the response was absolutely incredible, with hundreds of thousands of customers picking up their free gifts from stores and making savings using their festive offers."

Kokedama Advent wreath

For this Kokedama Advent wreath, you will need a log slice, red mini poinsettias, moss, gold craft wire, three taper candles, three candle holders on spikes, wooden kebab sticks, a pine branch, a cordless drill and secateurs. Tip: The number of poinsettias you need will depend on the size of your log slice.

Festive Winterberry bouquet. A striking feature: this festive bouquet of winterberry, grasses and cut red poinsettias will definitely not go unnoticed. This design has a long vase life and is simple to make in just a few steps. In addition to the florals mentioned, you will need a large vase, small test tubes, craft wire, ribbon and secateurs.

Step 1: Attach the test tubes to the winterberry stems with craft wire.

Step 2: Tie the winterberry stems and grasses into a bouquet and secure it with the red ribbon.

Step 3: Fill the test tubes with water, insert the cut poinsettias into them and place the bouquet in the vase with fresh water. Tip: The poinsettias will stay fresh for up to two weeks if, immediately after cutting, you first dip the cut ends in hot water (about 60°C) for a few seconds and then in cold water.

Winterberry stems and cut poinsettias have a particularly long vase life if they have fresh water regularly. Faded poinsettias can also be easily replaced in this winter bouquet.

A striking feature: this festive bouquet of winterberry stems, grasses and cut red poinsettias will not go unnoticed. This bouquet has a long vase life and is simple to make in just a few steps. In addition to the florals mentioned, you will need small test tubes, craft wire and ribbon.

Step 1: Using a drill, make holes in the upper edge of the bowl at intervals of about 5cm. Make sure there is enough space between the holes and the edge.

Step 2: Cut 25cm lengths of the thick gold wire, one for each hole you drilled. Fold one length of wire in half and push the closed end through one of the holes. Form a small loop on the closed end so the wire doesn't slip out again. Repeat with each hole.

Step 3: Spread the open ends of each length of wire and twist one of the two ends, first around the adjacent length of wire, then back around the other half, to create a wire mesh like the one in the photo.

Step 4: Fill the bowl with compost and plant the mini poinsettias close together. Fill the border around the poinsettias with moss.

Step 5: Around the poinsettias, tuck the winterberry stems into the wire mesh until it is no longer visible.

Step 6: Finally, secure the ends of the winterberry stems to the wire mesh using the thin wire so that they don't stick out. Tip: Make sure to angle all the stems in the same direction so that they form a circular shape. This creates the impression of a swirl when you look at the arrangement from above.

Place the finished poinsettia bowl in a bright place indoors, protected from draughts. Water sparingly to avoid waterlogging.

A bowl planted with mini poinsettias and decorated with winterberry stems makes a beautiful centrepiece that will brighten up any room. With a little skill, you can create this festive DIY idea yourself.

The cult personalised advent calendar, by Martha Brook

Martha Brook's 24 Days of Stationery Advent Calendar (£99) is the truly ultimate personalised treat for any stationery lover.

Back with a brand-new fantastic, bold design, this highly sought-after advent calendar sold out in record time last year and is known as the cult stationery item for any stationery aficionado. (EDITOR: Best put your order/s in as quickly as possible, then?) 

This year’s design is inspired by the soothing nostalgia of a patchwork quilt to capture the comforting and escapist mood of Christmas 2023. Featuring playful illustrations evoking tales of Greek mythology and dreamscapes, it’s filled with surprises.

24 irresistible items of stationery are waiting to be discovered each day inside the enticing foil embossed boxes that are specially designed to look like a row of colourful books on a shelf.

From a personalised notebook to a 2023 calendar, a set of correspondence cards, gorgeous luxury pens, nifty gold stationery accessories and an assortment of chic paper goods, each day offers something different to be revealed and enjoyed.

It's available now at https://www.marthabrook.com/product/24-days-of-stationery-advent-calendar, £99.

www.marthabrook.com

Sandford Orchards Launches Cider Advent Calendar

Devon's award-winning cider maker, Sandford Orchards, is absolutely thrilled to launch its Cider Advent Calendar which will be available from mid November RRP £75.00 at www.sandfordorchards.co.uk as well as carefully selected retail outlets.

Sandford Orchards' Cider Advent Calendar is perfect for easing yourself into the festive spirit. What better way could there be to celebrate the countdown to Christmas than discovering a different delicious cider every day? 

The Sandford Orchards Cider Advent Calendar is fully packed with a selection of twenty four ciders including all the well-known favourites from their award-winning range. 

The advent calendar is available to pre-order now for delivery in November.

The world-renowned Jelly Bean Factory presents its Fantastic Christmas Gift Range!

You, and the recipients of your gifts, will discover a World of 36 Huge, utterly delicious Gourmet Flavours with the Ultimate Jelly Bean Factory Gifts which are perfect for Christmas gifting and for Christmas snacking.

This Christmas, The Jelly Bean Factory invites you to embark on an absolutely extraordinary taste adventure with its Gift range. As the specialists in unforgettable confectionery experiences for discerning adults, The Jelly Bean Factory is excited to present an array of impressive, sweet gifts that will bring so much festive joy and pleasure to friends, family and loved ones this Christmas.

This season, the Jelly Bean Factory is presenting an remarkably extensive premium gourmet jelly bean gift range that caters to every taste and every price point, making them the perfect addition to Christmas gift lists. 

From jars to tubs, from cans to pouches, every gift is packed with 36 Huge Gourmet Jelly Bean flavours and they make the ideal choice for gifting, adult stocking fillers, Christmas Eve boxes, self-treating, or sharing together over the holiday period.

The Jelly Bean Factory's delicious range of gourmet jelly beans offer the perfect balance between classic iconic favourites including Butterscotch, Wild Cherry, English Blackberry, Caramel Popcorn and Pina Colada, plus as some exciting adventurous flavour sensations like Salted Caramel, Forest Fruits, Peach Bubble Tea and Cherry Blossom Soda. 

From the moment the first bean touches your tongue, it's clear that this is more than candy. It's a journey into the heart of jellied gourmet perfection. From the cracking outer shell to the chewy jelly cores each bean, with 36 huge and utterly tempting flavours, provides a full and recognisable flavour release. Every bean brings a new flavour experience, unrivalled by any other confectionery that you will have tried. 

And did you know that each and every one of their cherished beans is meticulously crafted, and they take two full weeks to carefully craft each bean? 

Plus they only ever use fully natural flavours and plant-based colours. This commitment to perfection and quality ensures all the beans they create are gluten-free, gelatine-free, and free from palm oil.

Gift the Joy of 36 Huge Gourmet Flavours This Christmas in a Variety of Formats

380g Gourmet Can: Yes, you can now embrace the joy of 36 huge flavours in this delightful can which offers variety and excitement. From £9 on Amazon.

700g Jar: This resealable glass jar will be adored by Jelly Bean Factory enthusiasts – perfect for sharing, munching, or refilling your Jelly Bean Factory machine.  From £16 on Amazon.

900g Jar: This show-stopping jar with screw lid is a present to behold and is bursting with 900g of beans. From £10 available in WHSmith High Street and on Amazon.

1.4kg Carrying Jar: Take your favourite flavours with you wherever you go using the handy carry handle. From £10 in Costco and available on Amazon, too!

4.2kg Mega Jar: A mega jar of Jelly Bean Factory delight, designed for those who seek the ultimate taste adventure. From £25 available in Costco.

200g cup: If you’re looking for the perfect under £5 smaller gourmet gift or adult stocking filler, then look no further than the 200g cup from £3.50 available at Waitrose.

Visit the Jelly Bean Factory Amazon store which you will find here:- https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/TheJellyBeanFactory/page/4439D3DF-479A-442E-A607-8D6E2ED44F30?ref_=ast_bln

Catch up with all the latest news on The Jelly Bean Factory’s social media channels:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJellyBeanFactory

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejellybeanfactory

http://www.thejellybeanfactory.com

Take an evocative Step Into Santa's Workshop With the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar

Take an evocative  step into Santa's workshop during the joyful countdown to Christmas with an enchanting, but limited edition Bonne Maman Advent Calendar full of festive treats and surprises.

And for Christmas 2023 every order from the Bonne Maman website will also receive a very special asnd entirely complimentary gift box set of three full size jars of these exciting new spreads: Bonne Maman Hazelnut Chocolate Spread, Chocolate & Orange Spread plus Caramelised Apple Spread.

Already working very hard on the Christmas preparations, a group of merry Santa's elves have filled the calendar doors with seventeen mini jars of delicious jams & spreads, each one utterly unique, prepared exclusively for this Christmas; flavours will include Milk Caramel with Cinnamon, Apricot with Lavender, Chestnut Orange with Spices, Raspberry with Dark Chocolate or Cherry with Pink Peppercorn. 

Also to be discovered in this very special and very select  seasonal collection are six herbal teas, the likers of Silent Night with delicately scented lemon verbena, damask rose and linden or Christmas Blend with richly evocative pomegranate, star anise, hibiscus and orange. 

Then on Christmas Eve you'll be able to discover a very pretty, surprise gift, just in time for the big day itself!

It's a deliciously festive way to say 'Joyeux Noël' to friends and family during the Christmas season, the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar is available to order from this month, September, online at www.bonnemaman.co.uk  at £28.00, plus £5 courier delivery charge.

The Bonne Maman Advent calendar will also be available from Selfridges, Fenwicks, WH Smith and Ocado plus other select specialist stores including Ratton Pantry.

An advent calendar and more from Swizzels!

Britain's favourite and iconic sweety maker, Swizzels, will be launching two new gift drum lines in time for Christmas 2023. 

They’ll also be offering their fantastic, iconic and much-loved Sweet Shop Favourites Tubs, Sweet Shop Favourites Pouches, Sweet Shop Favourites Cartons and advent calendars for this Christmas.

All of the delicious Swizzel products will be available throughout the country to purchase from this month (September) onwards from major retailers and c-stores.

Swizzels' new gift drums will capture the Christmas spirit and will offer much-loved and sought-after flavours that the nation truly loves. 

The new gift drums are packed to the gunnels with Swizzels sweets Love Hearts or Drumstick chew variants and are a fine and ideal gift for loved ones this holiday season.

Mr Swizzels Sweet Shop Advent Calendar will be certain to delight all Swizzels fans in the lead up to Christmas! 24 doors are filled with Swizzels favourites including Refreshers, Drumstick, Love Hearts and Squashies.

The MRSP is £5.

You can visit their online shop here: https://www.swizzels.com.