Festive Feasting: Discovering Seasonal Christmas Treats in Coffee Shops, Pubs, and Restaurants

As the festive season rolls in, there’s nothing quite like the joy of indulging in Christmas-inspired treats. 

From spiced lattes to decadent desserts, coffee shops, pubs, and restaurants pull out all the stops to create a magical experience for their customers. 

Here’s how you can make the most of the festive offerings this Christmas season.

Coffee Shops: Cosy and Creative

Coffee shops are a haven for festive flavours, and the holiday season is their time to shine. Look out for:

Seasonal Drinks: Think gingerbread lattes, eggnog cappuccinos, and peppermint hot chocolates. Many coffee shops also offer plant-based alternatives for these festive favourites.

Festive Bakes: Mince pies, stollen slices, and gingerbread cookies are staples, often accompanied by more creative bakes like cranberry-orange muffins or salted caramel brownies.

Decor and Atmosphere: Many coffee shops embrace the Christmas spirit with fairy lights, festive playlists, and themed cups, making them the perfect spot to soak up the holiday cheer.

Pubs: Comforting and Traditional

The quintessential British pub comes alive during Christmas, offering hearty treats and warming drinks to stave off the winter chill. Highlights include:

Mulled Drinks: Whether it’s mulled wine, cider, or even mulled gin, pubs serve these spiced beverages piping hot, often with a slice of orange and a cinnamon stick for extra flair.

Classic Desserts: Sticky toffee pudding with brandy sauce, Christmas pudding, and treacle tarts are pub favourites during this time of year.

Festive Nibbles: Look out for sharing boards with pigs in blankets, sage and onion stuffing balls, and cranberry-dipped cheese bites.

Restaurants: Gourmet and Indulgent

For a more refined festive experience, restaurants offer curated Christmas menus that celebrate seasonal ingredients and flavours. Expect:

Christmas Set Menus: Many establishments serve three-course meals featuring turkey with all the trimmings, rich mushroom wellingtons, or pan-seared salmon with cranberry glaze.

Festive Desserts: Indulge in chocolate yule logs, spiced panna cotta, or deconstructed mince pies with a modern twist.

Festive Cocktails: From spiced rum eggnog to cranberry and rosemary spritzers, Christmas cocktails are a must-try addition to any festive meal.

Finding the Best Spots

Local Recommendations: Check social media or ask friends for their favourite festive spots in your area. Many coffee shops and pubs share their seasonal menus online.

Christmas Markets: These often feature pop-up coffee stands and food trucks offering festive treats.

Loyalty Programmes: Many chains like Costa, Starbucks, or Pret offer exclusive festive items or discounts through their apps.

Making It Special

Part of the joy of festive treats is sharing them with loved ones. Whether it’s catching up with friends over a gingerbread latte or treating family to a Christmas dinner out, these moments become memories.

This season, take a break from the holiday hustle and treat yourself to the festive delights on offer. After all, it’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Festive Fun: Giving Your Pets Safe and Appropriate Treats This Christmas

Christmas is a time of joy, family, and indulgence, and our beloved pets are very much part of the festivities. 

However, as we spoil ourselves with delicious treats and thoughtful gifts, it’s essential to ensure that our furry friends receive safe and suitable goodies too. 

Here’s a guide to making this Christmas merry and safe for your pets.

1. Treats to Treasure: Safe Festive Snacks

While sharing food with pets can be tempting, many human treats are unsafe for animals. Here are some tips for giving your pets safe and healthy snacks:

Stick to Pet-Specific Treats: Opt for treats made specifically for your pet species. These are formulated to meet their dietary needs and avoid harmful ingredients.

Avoid Toxic Foods: Foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, and anything containing xylitol are dangerous for both cats and dogs. Be mindful of what’s left out on tables or within paw’s reach.

DIY Pet Treats: Homemade treats can be a fun and rewarding option. Simple recipes using pet-safe ingredients like peanut butter (xylitol-free), pumpkin, or cooked lean meats are great options. Just ensure you follow recipes specifically designed for pets.

Moderation is Key: Even with pet-safe treats, avoid overindulging your pet to prevent upset stomachs or weight gain.

2. Perfect Presents for Your Pets

Gifting your pet something special doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some ideas to ensure your gift is both fun and safe:

Interactive Toys: Puzzle feeders, balls, and chew toys are excellent for keeping pets entertained and mentally stimulated. Choose toys that are appropriately sized and made from durable, non-toxic materials.

Cosy Comforts: A new bed, blanket, or even a festive jumper for dogs can make your pet’s Christmas extra special. Ensure clothing is well-fitted and doesn’t restrict movement or breathing.

Chews for Chewers: For pets who love to chew, natural chews like antlers, dental sticks, or chew-safe toys can keep them occupied and support dental health.

Subscription Boxes: Pet subscription boxes filled with toys, treats, and surprises can be a delightful gift that keeps giving.

3. Festive Safety Tips

Amidst the celebrations, it’s easy to overlook potential hazards. Keep these tips in mind to ensure your pet’s safety:

Christmas Tree Caution: Secure your tree to prevent it from toppling over, and avoid decorations like tinsel or glass baubles, which can be harmful if ingested or broken.

Christmas lights: Consider using battery-powered Christmas lights rather than mains-powered Christmas lights.

Beware of Wrapping Materials: Ribbons, string, and wrapping paper can pose choking hazards. Dispose of these items promptly after unwrapping gifts.

Monitor Gift Contents: If your pet has a habit of tearing into presents, keep all gifts containing food or unsafe items out of reach.

Quiet Space: The excitement of Christmas can be overwhelming for pets. Provide a quiet, comfortable space where they can retreat if needed.

4. Celebrate Responsibly

Remember, the best gift you can give your pet is your time and attention. Whether it’s a long walk, an extra cuddle, or a play session with their new toy, your presence means the world to them.

By choosing safe treats and presents, you’re ensuring that your pet’s Christmas is as joyous and stress-free as possible. Here’s to a festive season filled with wagging tails, purring cuddles, happy whistling and happy memories for the whole family.

With a little planning and care, your pets can join in the Christmas fun safely and happily. Treat them with love, spoil them with appropriate goodies, and enjoy the festive season together. Merry Christmas to you and your furry or feathered companions!

A Taste of Christmas: Regional Specialities from Across the UK and Ireland

The festive season is not just about presents and decorations; it’s also a time to indulge in delicious, traditional foods. 

Across the UK and Ireland, each region brings its own unique flair to Christmas feasting. From hearty pies to sweet treats, here’s a look at some special Christmas foods from across the isles.

1. England: Yorkshire Christmas Pie

Yorkshire has a long-standing tradition of hearty pies, and the Christmas version is no exception. The Yorkshire Christmas Pie is an extravagant affair. This grand pie is packed with multiple layers of meat—traditionally, everything from turkey and goose to game birds. It's an awe-inspiring centrepiece for a Christmas table, often surrounded by rich gravy and seasonal vegetables.

For something a little sweeter, mince pies are a beloved part of Christmas celebrations across England. Filled with dried fruits, spices, and sometimes a dash of brandy, these tiny pies are thought to bring good luck when eaten during the 12 days of Christmas.

2. Scotland: Cloutie Dumpling

In Scotland, Christmas dinner isn't complete without a slice of Cloutie Dumpling. This spiced fruit pudding is boiled in a cloth (the “clout”), giving it a characteristic skin and dense texture. It's a traditional dessert that’s rich with dried fruits, suet, and spices, often soaked in whisky to add warmth to the festive table. Traditionally served with custard or a dram of whisky, it’s a true winter warmer.

Another festive Scottish treat is the black bun, a fruitcake wrapped in pastry, traditionally eaten on Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) but sometimes seen during the Christmas period too.

3. Wales: Bara Brith

Christmas in Wales wouldn’t be complete without a slice of Bara Brith, a rich fruit loaf steeped in tea and flavoured with mixed spice. Although it’s often enjoyed year-round, it takes on a special place at Christmas, sometimes served alongside other traditional foods like Welsh cakes. The fruity, spiced aroma of Bara Brith feels especially festive when enjoyed with a hot cup of tea on a cold winter’s day.

Additionally, tê bach, a spiced biscuit often served at Christmas parties, makes a delightful sweet snack for Welsh families over the festive season.

4. Northern Ireland: Fifteens

Northern Ireland's Christmas gatherings often feature a no-bake treat called Fifteens. These sweet, moreish bites are named after their simple recipe: 15 digestive biscuits, 15 marshmallows, and 15 glacé cherries mixed with condensed milk and coconut. Easy to make and perfect for sharing, Fifteens are a favourite at festive parties and get-togethers in Northern Ireland.

Another traditional Northern Irish Christmas food is the Christmas spiced beef, often served cold with mustard or chutney. This delicacy is made by marinating a joint of beef in a mixture of spices for up to two weeks before slow-cooking it. It’s a robust, deeply flavoured dish that's perfect for a festive buffet.

5. Ireland: Spiced Beef and Guinness Cake

Across the water in the Republic of Ireland, one of the most famous Christmas dishes is spiced beef. This centuries-old dish, particularly popular in Cork, involves marinating beef in a blend of spices (cloves, allspice, juniper, and brown sugar) for several days before slow-cooking or boiling. The result is a tender, flavour-packed joint often served cold in sandwiches or with potatoes and cabbage on Christmas Day.

For dessert, a slice of Guinness cake rounds off the meal perfectly. The dark, rich stout adds a depth of flavour to this fruit-laden cake, making it a popular alternative to the traditional Christmas pudding.

6. Cornwall: Saffron Cake

Cornwall brings a touch of golden warmth to the festive table with saffron cake. This yeasted sweet bread, spiced with saffron and filled with currants and raisins, is a traditional Cornish treat. Though it's not exclusive to Christmas, it's often made during the festive season and pairs perfectly with a cup of tea on a chilly afternoon.

Cornwall’s long-standing fishing tradition also makes stargazy pie a unique Christmas dish. Originally from the Cornish village of Mousehole, this pie features pilchards poking their heads through the pastry “gazing” skywards. While traditionally associated with the winter festival of Tom Bawcock’s Eve (just before Christmas), it occasionally finds its way onto the Christmas table.

7. The Midlands: Shropshire Fidget Pie

In the Midlands, particularly in Shropshire, you’ll find Fidget Pie making an appearance during the festive period. This traditional pie, made with ham, apples, and onions, wrapped in a flaky pastry, offers a savoury-sweet combination that is both hearty and comforting—perfect for the cold winter months.

Another Midlands speciality is pork pie, often served cold as part of a buffet or Boxing Day spread. Melton Mowbray, in Leicestershire, is famous for producing some of the best pork pies in the country.

8. The Channel Islands: Jersey Wonders

In the Channel Islands, Jersey Wonders are a traditional Christmas treat. These light, fried doughnut-like pastries are twisted into knots and served with tea. Although they’re typically enjoyed throughout the year, they hold a special place in festive gatherings, bringing a sweet, nostalgic touch to Christmas.

Conclusion

Each region across the UK and Ireland adds its own culinary flair to the Christmas season, reflecting its local produce, history, and culture. From hearty pies in Yorkshire to spiced beef in Ireland and sweet treats like Cloutie Dumpling and Bara Brith, these foods help bring families and communities together, celebrating the best of regional flavours. Whether you stick to tradition or explore a new dish from another part of the country, there’s no better way to celebrate the festive season than with a feast filled with history and flavour.

Merry Christmas, and happy feasting!

Feliz Navi-dog: Morrisons unveils biggest supermarket festive pet range

With over half (57%) of British households owning a pet, animal companions are an integral part of Christmas festivities for much of us. Morrisons is making sure Christmas 2023 is the ulti-mutt celebration for pets as it unveils its biggest festive pet range to date.

Comprising almost 30 products, pet owners can pick up advent calendars, Christmas dinners, jumpers and more so our furry friends don’t miss out on the festive fun. With prices starting from only £1.49, there’s a pocket-friendly treat for every pet owner to purchase.

For those looking to share the Christmas countdown with their pets, shoppers can grab the Morrisons Pawsome Meaty Christmas Dog Treat Advent Calendar and Morrisons Purrfect Meaty Christmas Cat Treat Advent Calendar, both £3.99, filled with tasty treats for pets to enjoy on each day.

Customers can also kit their pets out in the finest festive wear with the Gifts for Pets Dog Festive Jumper (£4.99) and Gifts For Pets Reindeer Headband for Dogs & Cats (£2.99).

For a delicious Christmas Eve treat, pups can chow down on Morrisons Rudi Reindeer Iced Dog Cookies (£3.99), adorably shaped like a festive reindeer. 10% of sales from the Rudi range go to charity partner Together for Short Lives, giving shoppers even more reasons to pick up the tasty treats.

Pets don’t need to miss out on the big day itself either, as the range boasts all of the ingredients needed for a paw-sitively delicious pooch-friendly Christmas dinner. Customers can choose from Morrisons Turkey and Bacon Hot Dogs for Dogs (£1.99), Morrisons Sausages in either Christmas Dinner or Pork & Apple Stuffing Flavour for Dogs (£1.99), Morrison Pigs in Blankets for Dogs (£2.99), and of course Morrisons Mince Pies for Dogs (£2.99) to top it all off.

The range also includes plenty of treats purr-fect for stocking fillers, like the Morrisons Merry Poochmas Rawhide alternative Chew sticks (£1.99), available in the shape of Christmas trees, or Gingerbread people. 

Cats can tuck into the Morrisons Tasty Tuna Meowy Christmas Cat Sticks or Morrisons Delicious Duck Christmas Quackers Cat Treats, just £1.49 each, and there are pet safe crackers for both cats and dogs (£2.49) to enjoy.

Andy Whiteman, Product Developer at Morrisons, said: “Santa Paws is certainly coming to Morrisons this year as we introduce our biggest and best Christmas pet range. We know pets are an important part of so many families, so now shoppers can pick up everything they need to share the celebrations with their cuddly companions, without breaking the bank.”

Click here to view the full Morrisons Christmas pet range available in-store and online https://groceries.morrisons.com/browse/christmas-189206/gift-shop-189357/gifts-for-pets-189356

For more information on the wider Morrisons Christmas range, visit our website here https://groceries.morrisons.com/browse/christmas-189206