Time Team archaeology and gardening gifts for Christmas Time (Team)

Time Team, the much loved archaeology series which broadcast on television from 1994 is back after a 10 year hiatus!

This iconic television series broadcast in excess of 35 countries worldwide. Across 20 series and countless specials, conducting over 220 archaeological digs from back gardens to Buckingham Palace.

Time Team relaunched in 2021 exclusively on Patreon and YouTube and has developed a range of stunning merchandise to compliment the relaunch.

For archaeology or gardening buffs, there is a huge range of merchandise available online from the Time Team Shop.

From Travel Accessories, Men's and Women's Clothing, Bags, Hats, Books, Jewellery, Tools and much more, besides.

(As a former archaeologist back in the 1980s (who actually worked on digs with a member of the original Time Team) I think these gifts are great! I still have my own archaeology trowel, somewhere.)

https://shop.timeteamdigital.com

Time Team Limited Edition Trowel - RRP £44.95

https://shop.timeteamdigital.com/collections/tools-1/products/time-team-limited-edition-trowel

Limited Edition Time Team Archaeology Trowel. The hand finished, forged steel trowel is the must have tool for delicate but exacting excavation work.

The tempered carbon steel blade is laser engraved with the classic Time Team logo. The natural wood handle is laser engraved on one side with your unique Limited Edition trowel number (eg 'TIME TEAM 001'), and 'THE ONCE AND FUTURE TEAM' on the other so no one will be able to mistake your trowel for theirs! (A good trowel is a 'must have' for any archaeologist. 

Finished with the Time Team enamelled inset badge at the end of the wooden handle, and packaged in a printed cotton drawstring bag, this really is a one-off collectors item that is both practical and unique!

Time Team Gold Foil Notebook - RRP £12.95

https://shop.timeteamdigital.com/collections/stationery-1/products/time-team-gold-foil-notebook

Keep your notes and reminders all in one place with our Time Team Gold Foil Notebook. The gold logo adds a wonderful finish to this luxury soft-touch outer cover, making this the ideal gift or keep-sake for any Time Team fan! (Actually, a notebook is ideal for when you are working on an archaeological dig.)

Time Team Mens Wax Jacket - RRP £135

https://shop.timeteamdigital.com/products/time-team-wax-field-jacket-dark-khaki?_pos=1&_sid=c4f5e1841&_ss=r

Their premium Time Team Wax Field Jacket is engineered to keep you warm and dry, and protected against the elements. This new addition to their collection is the ideal tran-seasonal layer and perfect for country walks or the daily commute making it a wardrobe staple. 

Comfortable and insulated country vibes. The jacket is perfect for getting the job done in style. It's a great all-weather garment for both work and adventures whatever the weather!

The wax jacket features 100% Coolweave cotton, soft cotton check lining, and a Corduroy trim on the collar for a comfortable wear. There’s a classic natural wax finish too for those country casual vibes.

The full length antique gold zip and popper buttons add a practical closer and stylish detailing. The warming Thermoguard quilted insulation provides that extra warmth and comfort on colder days. Made in England by world renowned outdoor and adventure brand Regatta.

Time Team Threaded Digging Spade - RRP £69.95

https://shop.timeteamdigital.com/collections/tools-1/products/time-team-treaded-digging-spade

They are absolutely thrilled to launch their new premium Time Team Treaded Digging Spade. This spade features forged carbon steel head and sockets, and proven 'Spear & Jackson Professional Quality' with hammer finished powder coated head for improved resistance to rust, scratches, humidity and alkalis in the soil.

Weatherproofed natural hardwood handle for greater durability is beautifully hand finished with the Time Team name and logo laser engraved on the front making this the must have tool for any excavation work, or just digging in your garden or allotment.

This really is a one-off collectors item that is both practical and unique and would make the perfect statement gift to any keen archaeologist or gardener, that would likely be passed on to generations to come!

Time Team Gold Mug - RRP £10.00

https://shop.timeteamdigital.com/products/time-team-gold-mug?_pos=2&_sid=57bb15bde&_ss=r

Being one of their most popular Time Team designs, they are certain there’s no better way to enjoy a brew than in their Time Team mug. This recently updated and improved navy blue ceramic mug features our classic gold Time Team logo on both sides. So stick the kettle on and put on your favourite episode of Time Team Teatime! 

Personalised Christmas Dog Stocking from Ruff And Tumble

One of the key family points about Christmas is the Christmas Stocking isn't it? If your kids are going to have Christmas stockings, why not get one for the doggies of your family?

Even better, have their name embroidered on it, too!

Ruff and Tumble's new Brick Red and Bottle Green Stocking has a velvet trim for extra gorgeousness and can be hung up right next to yours, too.

Pick and mix little gifts from the Ruff and Tumble Christmas Shop and you'll have the dog's Christmas pressies sorted in no time at all. 

With prices starting from a mere Fiver, you can choose from treats to toys, mitts, shampoo, breed specific decorations, key rings, leads, mitts and more besides.

Everything in the Ruff and Tumble Christmas Shop oozes practicality, style and class.

We've chosen original, quirky and useful gifts from companies we know and love and added our own stylish must-have accessories too. 

Your Dog Stocking will cost £19.95

Burgundy Thick Slip Lead, £16.95

Ruff Wash Shampoo and Ruff Fresh Spritz, £10 each, UK only

Bottle Green Mitts, £21.95 per pair

www.ruffandtumbledogcoats.com.

Sustainable Lokta Christmas Gift Wrap from Paper High

I must admit I was unaware that 227,000 miles of wrapping paper is thrown away every year. And that's exactly what happens!

And that's like travelling around the entire world a total of nine times and then finishing it off with a trip across America. The long way! 

This Christmas, Paper High are encouraging all of their customers to choose sustainable gift wrapping options.

Paper High’s gift wrap is handmade from lokta, which a shrub that it is found in the foothills of the Himalayas. Lokta is a highly sustainable plant as it grows quickly and is in abundant supply all across Nepal.

Known for its durability and resistance to tearing and humidity, lokta paper makes an excellent eco-friendly choice for gift wrap, as it can be reused many times over so long as it’s looked after properly.

The plant harvesting and paper creation provides employment opportunities for women in Nepal's rural villages.

Paper High work directly with an incredible socially aware cooperative which provide employment and training opportunities for their Fair Trade artisans.

The charity work they do in their local areas has earnt them many awards, from their support of people affected by HIV and Aids, to establishing schools to support the education of underprivileged children, etc.

After being harvested, it’s boiled, cleaned, and beaten with wooden mallets to produce a fibrous pulp. It’s then mixed with water and poured into a shallow frame made of bamboo poles and canvas, before being sun dried.

Finally, natural dyes and details like petals and sun-bleached leaf patterns are added to the paper to create the beautiful designs it is well known for.

The gift wrap is available in sets of three or five sheets and each sheet comes with matching gift tags for each sheet. 

The gift boxes are crafted from a mixture of lokta and recycled paper, and are available in two sizes and three vibrant colours, as well as the cute Christmas pattern.

Find sustainable gift wrap and a huge range of expertly crafted, Fair Trade stationery and homeware gifts at https://www.paperhigh.com.

 

Get creative this Christmas: Give Pott'd, the kit with everything you need to get started in the world of clay

Get creative this Christmas: Give Pott'd, the kit with everything you need to get started in the world of clay.

Pott’d's Air Dry Clay Pottery Kit (RRP £30) is a perfect Christmas gift for beginners, having already inspired a generation of creators on TikTok. 

It comes complete with all the tools and paints needed to create your first clay creation, including air-dry clay, tools, paintbrushes, and varnish. 

The kit aims to bring clay to more people and is designed so there is no need for a pottery wheel, kiln, or studio. Everything is packaged into a beautifully designed gift box, making it the thoughtful choice for the creative in your life this Christmas. 

The kit can be used to make mugs, plant pots, trinket dishes, vases, candle holders, incense burners, and more, which can all air-dry at home without the need for a pottery wheel or kiln. Each kit can be used to make up to 10 unique creations. 

For those who are just at the start of their pottery journey, fear not, the Pott’d kit includes lots of handy how-to guides for each of the above, talking through how to make them step by step, with even more available on their website.

Pott’d is a great bonding activity for date night with a partner, families looking to spend some relaxing time together or those looking to discover their inner artist. 

If that isn’t enough to convince you to Pott, recent research has also shown that working with your hands can also benefit mental health, by producing endorphins and reducing stress and anxiety levels.

Available on Pottdpeople.com or Amazon, Pott’d is a great gift to inspire this Christmas, and could mean you end up gifting someone a hobby that will last long after the 25th December.  

https://pottdpeople.com.

Start your clay journey today! New and improved Pott'd kits include everything you need to create your own unique clay creations at home. The perfect creative, mental health-enhancing gift for yourself or a loved one.

That's Food and Drink: Sandford Orchards Celebrates 20th Anniversary of '...

That's Food and Drink: Sandford Orchards Celebrates 20th Anniversary of '...: Back in 2002 Barny Butterfield began making cider in a shed.  Two decades later and Barry is Chief Cidermaker and owner of Sandford Orchards...

Is your Christmas beauty Advent calendar damaging the environment?

Over the past decade, the beauty industry has created some truly spectacular Christmas Advent calendars which have gained a cult following as consumers rush to purchase them. 

But! With sustainability a growing key trend driving our purchasing decisions, how sustainable are these products which often have layers of excess packaging and no responsible instructions or advice for disposal?

With only 61 days until Christmas, the search term "Beauty Advent Calendars 2022" is  up by 170% on Google Trends over the last 30 days. 

Sustainable accreditation organisation and consumer shopping guide app ethy is looking at the importance of ‘clean beauty’ and sharing how customers can make better choices when it comes to their beauty Advent calendars this year. 

So, what should customers be looking out for when purchasing beauty-based Advent calendars?  

ethy’s Co-Founder Kaisa points out: "Customers should look for calendars from verified sustainable and responsible brands because they're more likely to have considered the impact of the product on the planet and taken steps to make it as sustainable as possible. 

"Look for Advent calendars made from sustainable, recycled, or recyclable materials. Avoid plastic where you possibly can. As an ideal, advent calendars will display plastic-free or reduced plastic labels. 

" Or alternatively, why not make your own 12-day Advent calendar with products from verified sustainable and clean beauty and vegan brands to be sure the products and packaging will be kinder to the skin as well as the environment?"

What is clean beauty? 

Kaisa explains: "Clean beauty is all about acknowledging there are ingredients in our everyday beauty products that we may perceive to be harmless. But we're seeing that some of these are actually problematic and for consumers, it's really quite hard to always know the difference. 

"Like with the whole topic of sustainability, the beauty industry is complex and even the sheer amount of info and ingredients can be bewildering and confusing to anyone who doesn't work with it on a daily basis.

"We wanted to get brands and consumers to define clean beauty products and to be able to buy with confidence. Yes. it is complicated, but we're doing our very best to keep really high standards on the ingredients."

We at That's Christmas have noticed that on some products the ingredients list is so long and complicated that the print is so tiny that we often need to reach for a magnifying glass to try and see what the manufacturer wants us to put on our skin! 

How can a brand be accredited with the Clean Beauty Standard by ethy? 

It mustn't use aggressive ingredients, synthetic scents or fragrances, or colourants (and this includes animal-derived dyes) in any of its products. 

To learn more about ethy and to start using it to help you make your purchasing decisions, please visit them here https://ethy.co.uk.

You don't have to get drunk to party! Indulgence Without Guilt! Enjoy the Mavrik Virgin Cocktail Experience

Are you looking for a festive tipple that won't lead to the dreaded morning after the night before feeling?

Nominated as the responsible driver but sick of sipping water or drinking overly sweet so-called diet drinks?

Worried that any festive merriment could seriously derail your healthy eating plans?

Or maybe you're a pregnant party fan, animal looking for a tasty alcohol free drink to kickstart your Christmas and New Year celebrations?

Then, That's Christmas has some fantastic news for you! We introduce you to Mavrik, an exciting new range of exciting drinks specially created for those choosing to abstain from alcohol or to simply moderate their intake. 

Mavrik has launched four non-alcoholic, low calorie cocktails that look good and taste great, setting the brand up as the go-to for free-spirited adults who are happy to avoid alcohol and its after effects.

The story of Mavrik drinks began as a casual conversation about the total lack of desirable non-alcoholic drinks and ended up as an obsession to create a range of great tasting, low calorie and alcohol-free cocktails that have a clear WOW factor. 

Eighteen months in the making, Mavrik is now hitting the shelves, thus making it possible to enjoy the cocktail experience without any of the negatives associated with imbibing in alcohol.

These expertly created and crafted all-natural drinks aren't merely cocktail substitutes, they're something to look forward to and to savour, too.

Mavrik's virgin cocktails are made from the best-quality ingredients, with zero compromise on taste or enjoyment.

Enjoy Mavrik as delicious, long drinks that'll leave you feeling fresher, more alert and free of that dreadful, cloying sugary after-taste. Best of all there's a fabulous flavour combination to suit everyone. 

AROMATIC G&T: a delicious and refined low calorie pink G&T, without the naughty ingredients. 

CUBAN MOJITO: a totally gorgeous, low calorie, indulgent alcohol-free Mojito cocktail inspired by the renowned Cuban highball.

VENETIAN SPRITZ: a refreshing, spirit lifting, low calorie Spritz that takes its cues from the classic Venetian cocktail. 

STORM & SPICE: a fiery, tongue tickling, low calorie Dark & Stormy type drink; the alcohol-free version of the classic and spicy Bermudan rum cocktail. 

Whether you're looking to cut down on alcohol, go fully teetotal or simply just feel the need to give your body a break, reach for Mavrik. With under 50 calories per can, they can even fuel your fitness goals and help keep you on track, whilst still allowing you to let your hair down and have fun with family and friends. 

And the handy recyclable can format ensures minimal wastage and a real value-for-money treat.

Mavrik drinks are available to buy online from https://www.mavrik-drinks.com/shop, RRP £9.50 for a tasting pack of all four flavours or create your own mixed case of 12 for £23.80.

What's even better, they are gluten free and suitable for vegans and vegetarians, too.

Babingtons Blends Launch Premium Tea Subscriptions, a Perfect Christmas Gift

And it's not only tasty it's fantastic value, too! 

Subscription customers will receive 10% off any orders and the free shipping minimum value will reduce from £40 to £30 per order.

Repeat orders can be every 1, 2 or 3 months respectively and customers have the chance to change or cancel an order at any time.

With this flexibility, Babingtons Blends customers can enjoy an experience tailored to their individual lifestyle and wellbeing needs, which can naturally change throughout the year. 

You may wish to moderate caffeine intake and so by adding a stunning caffeine free blend, Sweet Dreams, Forest Fruits or the Rooibos favourite, African Nights, would be perfect.

As the seasons change, so do our tea needs. Enjoy more black teas during autumn and winter, including the very popular Breakfast Special blend or during warmer summer months, the refreshing and exhilarating Moroccan Secret green mint tea.

Babingtons Blends teas are all sustainably sourced, hand blended and are 100% natural with no artificial colourings or flavourings. All packaging is biodegradable or recyclable. 

 Chiara Bedini said: “I'm very proud to share my premium and award-winning blends, which are renowned for their quality, freshness, and unique flavours as part of our new subscription service. 

"They are blended by hand with natural ingredients and packaged in eco-friendly materials, I can't think of a better gift for yourself or for someone special.” 

Gift a Subscription 

Gifting yourself or your loved ones with a subscription service is one the most caring presents. Every month, you are warmly reminded of this gift. So why not start straight away with Babingtons delicious, 100% natural teas. An ideal Christmas gift.

Since 1893, Babingtons Tea Rooms at the foot of Rome's iconic Spanish Steps, has been serving fine teas to the world's most discerning tea connoisseurs, always with a dash of British eccentricity, wit and style. Today the descendants of the original founders, cousins Chiara Bedini and Rory Bruce, head up the Italian and UK operations. 

Babingtons Blends Tea Is Available in a Variety of Formats & Refills

Pyramids (x 18) from £7.99, Pouches (Loose leaf) from £6.99, Caddies, loose leaf tea from £11.99, Caddies, pyramid tea bags, from £12.99

Harmonious infusions

Join them in celebrating this unique fusion of aroma, taste, style, eccentricity, wit, and independent behaviour. 

Babingtons skill lies in bringing flavours, cultures, and people together. No matter where you find us in the world, British curiosities are enhanced with local fusions, resulting in an experience that is indefinably, ineffably Babingtons.

Black Scented Teas

A wonderful selection of premium black teas blended with the finest essential oils, flowers, fruits, and spices to satisfy even the most refined palate. A celebration of our true soul.

Miss Babington's 125

A truly enchanting black tea blend, with roses, vanilla, and elderflower, created to celebrate the founders of Babingtons.

Available: only available as pouches (loose only) and refills

Breakfast Special Blend

A rich and wonderfully balanced English breakfast tea created for Babingtons in the 1950s.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) & refill

Earl Grey Imperial

Great British Food Awards 2022, Highly Commended

Our delightfully balanced and elegant version of the famous bergamot infused tea, enriched with lemon zest and vibrant petals.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) and refill

Karha Chai

A very special gift from India. A warm and fragrant blend of Assam black tea enriched with a medley of traditional chai spices. 

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) and refill

Green, White and Oolong Scented Teas

It's a delicious selection of premium white, green and oolong teas blended with the finest essential oils, flowers, fruits, and spices to satisfy even the most refined palate.

Moroccan Secret

A refreshing blend of Chinese gunpowder green tea and mint leaves. Delicious both hot and served iced. 

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) and refill

Madame Blue Lady

A blend of Chinese sencha green tea with strong floral notes of cherry blossom and hints of soft tropical fruits.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) and refill

White Passion

A refreshing blend of Chinese Pai Mu Tan white tea, bursting with notes of tropical passion fruit.

Available: only available as pouches (loose only) and refill

Herbal Teas

A super healthy selection of herbal teas created for our well-being at any time of the day.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) and refill

Forest Fruits

A refreshing and healthy herbal tea with the delicious taste of forest fruits and berries.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and teabags) and refill

African Nights

A rich and sweet rooibos with bold almond flavours and hints of juicy red fruits.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and teabags) and refill

Sweet Dreams

When it comes to bedtime, there is nothing better than a soothing herbal tea that really works.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and teabags) and refill

Register For Online Subscriptions at https://babingtonsblends.com/pages/subscription

New Christmas coffee from Perky Blenders

We bring you news of a great new Christmas Coffee from Perky Blenders (www.perkyblenders.com), a vibrant and independent, family business roasting Great Taste Award winning specialty coffee from their Leytonstone roastery. 

Perky Blenders operate an award-winning subscription business via their website, supply coffee to over 70 wholesale customers across the UK, and what's more, they serve up daily brews from their coffee shops across London. 

Winter 2022 sees the dynamic , highly caffeinated, team roll out their much-anticipated yearly Christmas Coffee for home delivery via the website, in-store throughout their cafés and across Eat17 Spar shops (£10 per 250g bag); the new coffee will also showcase the evolution of Perky Blenders’ branding with bold and graphic new pack design.

The first new release for the refreshed pack designs is the Perky Blenders Christmas Coffee, adorned with upbeat, pop-art-inspired design, emblazoned with a rallying call for ‘Peace & Joy’. 

Freshly roasted in East London, the Christmas Blend is comprised of 50% Mexican Coatlan and 50% Ethiopian Qantite; Head of Coffee Francois Knopes says, “expect notes of caramel, stone fruits and toasted almonds; the Mexican Coatlan beans offer nutty base notes and a silken caramel texture; the Ethiopian Qantite brings high, sweet notes with its honey, floral and peach flavours.” 

Mexican Coatlan is a blend of coffees produced by smallholder farmers from the Oaxaca region, processed by Galguera Gomez. Ethiopian Qantite is produced in the province of Sidamo by Daye Bensa, who work with over 5000 smallholder farmers in the area.

You can also opt to gift a, letterbox friendly, regular delivery of Perky Blenders to your coffee loving family members or mates, reminding them of just what a nice, generous soul you are, every month. And you'll be able to show them that Christmas is for all year round!

Just sign them up to a super simple, speedy and sustainably sourced subscription of three, six, or twelve month varieties (from £26 to £91). You can choose from a selection of six beans (including decaf and rotating coffee of the month options), which you can grind for eight different brew methods or leave as whole beans.

Or why not opt for a personalised bag of coffee? Perky Blenders will emblazon a bag of top-quality coffee; inside, you’ll find 250g of Perky Blenders’ signature Forest Blend - the best brew in the business. Choose from whole beans and eight other grind styles; you’ve got 20 characters to play with on the label, and four customisable pack colours, so feel free to get personal with their name, your name or whatever memorable phrase you fancy. 

All Perky Blenders coffee beans are sourced sustainably, from trusted suppliers, prioritising smallholders and independent farmers. All elements of the Christmas bag can be recycled at all major supermarkets - or sent back to Perky Blenders.

Wishing you Peace & Joy, and a Merry Christmas, from the Perky Blenders family, and all the very best wishes for a wonderful 2023!

Dreaming of a Costa Christmas

Our favourite coffee shop (we have the Costa card!) Costa Coffee, is stepping up to Christmas by announcing its special limited-edition festive food and drinks range. 

It’s bound to be love at first sight, with fan top favourites making a triumphant return, along with some delicious new festive surprises. 

The new Christmas menu which will be available across Costa Coffee stores and Costa Express self-serve machines from Third November.   

For the very first time, Costa Coffee is showcasing two brand new stars as part of its festive drinks menu, bringing a Latte inspired by Toblerone®. This true classic has been given a festive makeover thanks to the addition of indulgent chocolate and honey-flavour sauce that’s inspired by the iconic Toblerone® taste. It is topped with a light dairy swirl and a festive twinkle topper. And for that extra bit of seasonal magic, it also comes with a wrapped Toblerone® tiny bar to enjoy on the side. 

And fans of Costa Coffee’s Gingerbread & Cream Latte and Terry's Chocolate Orange® Hot Chocolate rejoice as these delicious favourites return to the Christmas line-up. You can even complement it perfectly with the returning Terry’s Chocolate Orange® Muffin, filled with chocolate orange sauce and topped with icing and a delicious segment of the iconic Terry’s Chocolate Orange®.  

Both of the above are going to be Christmas "must haves" as far as I am concerned!

And do look out for their special Christmas foods and snacks.

Check the details out at https://www.costa.co.uk.