Co-op says "No! to big TV adverts this Christmas

To offer backing to communities during the cost of living crisis, Co-op has decided to pull its traditional main Christmas advert to instead focus on national community food initiatives

The leading convenience retailer will instead host a live stream from “Your Local Pantry,” to highlight community food initiatives, which provide long-term dignified support to those facing food insecurity all year round, exacerbated this Christmas by the cost of living crisis.

TV Chef and Rapper Big Zuu will bring the Local Peckham Pantry community together, to host a live cookalong, with special guests, members and volunteers.

Chef, Presenter and Author, Miguel Barclay will join Zuu to share useful tips and tricks to make groceries go further in a unique live stream broadcasted across Big Zuu’s Instagram at 7pm.

Co-op partnering with Your Local Pantry to bring 150 more UK neighbourhoods together around food and support 32,000 households manage finances over the next three years

The partnership will see sites triple to 225 across the UK, owing to the funding from Co-op Members

By not spending multi-millions of Pounds on TV advertising this Christmas Co-op is instead channelling funds into wider cost of living support for its colleagues, member customers and their communities.

Co-op has partnered with TV Chef and Rapper Big Zuu, to stream live from Your Local Pantry in Peckham. The unique activation will bring the local community together through food, by demonstrating simple and nutritious recipes for only a few pounds, as well as meeting the Local Pantry volunteers and members who are helping their community grow and thrive.

The live stream will also see special appearances from Chef, Presenter and Author, Miguel Barclay - the brains behind One Pound Meals, to share useful tips and tricks to make your groceries go further.

The partnership, which is funded by Co-op Members, will see the Your Local Pantry network triple within three years from 75 to 225 Pantries across the UK, with the addition of 150 new Pantries.

Pantries are run by uniformed staff and volunteers, are open to all and work like any other grocery store, in that you choose the food you want from the shelves. Members pay a few pounds a week, and in return can choose groceries worth many times more.

This Christmas, and all year round, those looking for financial support can become a Local Pantry Member and pay as little as £3.50 for around £10 worth of food. At the Peckham Pantry, it costs just £4.50 for around £15 of food.

To date, Your Local Pantry has helped tens of thousands of households improve finances and access more affordable food. Through the new partnership, Co-op and Your Local Pantry aim to support over 32,000 households over the next three years, saving Local Pantry members almost £5million on shopping bills. Regular members save an average of £1,000 a year.

Shirine Khoury-Haq, Group CEO at Co-op: “Whilst many of our competitors are also adapting their Christmas ads to reflect the mood of the nation in a cost of living crisis, we are going further by pulling our ad altogether. In doing so we will be shining a light on the need to support vital community causes, throughout the year and not just at Christmas, especially with a deep recession looming.”

Our unique Co-op membership continues to drive our thinking and through our members incredible support, we are able to channel our resources and make local differences in ways no others can match. Through their ongoing commitment we can make society fairer and more co-operative.”

James Henderson, Your Local Pantry Network Development Coordinator, added: “Pantries are fantastic places. They bring people together around food, soften the impact of high living costs, and strengthen the power and potential of neighbourhoods. Communities have long wanted to improve food security while upholding dignity, choice and hope, and Pantries are a proven win-win solution. We're really excited to be teaming up with the Co-op, so another 150 neighbourhoods can open Pantries of their own."

Big Zuu, TV Chef and Grime Artist added: “Everyone deserves access to great quality food at affordable prices. I hope that by visiting the Peckham Pantry and cooking up some healthy, tasty and more affordable meals with the team, more people in need will seek out community initiatives like Your Local Pantry.

Your Local Pantries are open to all and work like any other grocery store, in that you choose the food you want from the shelves. The pantries are run by uniformed staff and volunteers who manage the stores with hand-held technology. Members pay a small subscription of a few pounds a week (ranging from £3.50 - £7 dependent on location), and in return can choose groceries worth many times more.

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Ideal for Christmas gifts for the foodies in your life from La Peninsula

Introducing a brand-new range of unique textured walnut and carbonised ash serving boards and homeware, handcrafted by small family run Spanish wood craft workshop Estudio Sangiovanni.  

The company is famous for producing tableware within the area of haute cuisine and working with successful gastronomic restaurants throughout Europe. 

These pieces are 100% handmade, normally from a single piece of noble wood. Shaped from what nature produces, they don't have an expiration date, because they are timeless and blessed with a rustic sophistication. 

Their imperfect, natural aesthetic adds a layer of simple elegance to any table and make them ideal for entertaining. 

These handcrafted boards have the durability to wear over time and take on a new patina as they are enjoyed, used and shared, to become future vintage pieces. 

Serving Boards: Available in three different styles and sized boards with two different wood finishes:

Floreal Carbonised Ash or Walnut Round Plate £60 

Dunya Carbonised Ash or Walnut Rectangular Serving Board £68

Jigugu Carbonised Ash or Walnut Rectangular Serving Board £70

Decorative Bowls:

Twins Bowl – Carbonised Ash £120

Svart Bowl – Carbonised Ash £85

A spokesman said: "La Peninsula Ltd is a new brand showcasing inspirational products and endeavouring to become the 'home of Spanish and Portuguese design and homeware in the UK. Our collection encapsultes the fusion of traditional techniques with modernity and contemporary design - all originating from the Iberian Peninsula."

To learn more and to place your order please visit www.la-peninsula.com.

Hampers are not just for Christmas. Ask the experts, Farrer and Tanner

Whilst it's certainly true that hampers are not just the Christmas season, although they are undeniably a festive favourite, the hamper is a part of custom with origins dating back as far back as the 11th century. 

The concept was first introduced to England by the French, parcelling food and drink together in boxes and baskets while travelling on long journeys or on hunting expeditions.

But it wasn't until much, much later, when wealthy Victorians started giving hampers as gifts at Christmas, mainly to their staff members, that the meaningful tradition that we recognise it today really took off.

Let's face it, who doesn't love unwrapping a bundle of luxurious gourmet delights? A hamper is always guaranteed to be very much appreciated, and when looking for the perfect present to spoil that special person in your life at Christmastime or for any other special occasion, what better gift to give to make their day even more special with a gift box hamper?

A spokesman for Farrar and Tanner said: "Choose from our expertly curated hamper gift sets with a selection of delectable gifts, including the finest wines, champagne, port, artisan chocolates, cheese and more. And please remember these are exclusive combinations only available at Farrar & Tanner, beautifully presented in wooden gift boxes ready to be personalised with your message and delivered directly to the doorstep of your choice. Maximum luxury, minimum fuss."

The example shown is their Calvet Chateauneuf Du Pape Red Wine with Artisan Cheese and Duck Rillette Personalised Hamper at £75.

www.farrar-tanner.co.uk

Do Goodly Launches New Market Plant-Based Dips Into Ocado

This is something that we feel would be a great addition to your Chirstmas table and Christmas and New Year parties. Because they'll be great for vegetarians, vegans, coeliacs and everyone else, too. 

Because unlike other vegan cheese-style dips, Nacho Cheeze Dip is 100% natural, gluten free, super healthy and also high in protein. 

It's got all the taste and texture of a cheese dip, but is made with wholesome cannellini beans, carrots, herbs and spices.

The new Roasted Red Pepper Dip is made to a unique recipe based on the classic Catalan romesco sauce, blending red peppers, garlic and onions with cannellini beans in the place of almonds for a tasty healthy twist.

These are the latest additions to Do Goodly's ever-growing range of natural, plant-based dips, which also includes Superstar Salsa, Mighty Beetroot Borani, Smashed Pea Guacamole, and Tasty Tomato and Bean Houmous.

Do Goodly Dips Superstar Salsa has been awarded the highly acclaimed Great Taste Award and all four existing products in the range have won Farm Shop and Deli awards. Earlier in the year, Do Goodly was crowned Wales Food and Drink Start-Up Business of the Year at the inaugural Wales Food and Drink Awards.

The company was formed in Cross Hands, West Wales in 2021 by businessman Richard Abbey and Michelin-trained chef Scott Davis after they discovered a shared ambition to create a range of healthy, feelgood food.

Made with an emphasis on being plant based, being filled with flavour and nutrition, the dips contain no added sugar and nothing artificial at all.

The dips are currently available nationwide in farm shops, delis and independent stores and from www.dogoodlydips.com priced £2.59.

For trade they're available from wholesalers Cresco, CLF and Holley's in cases of six, retail price per pot £2.59, Pack weight: 150g.

Do Goodly Foods co-founder Richard Abbey said: “We're excited to add these two unique dips to our growing range. We love creating dips that are totally natural and healthy, and also delicious - and these definitely fit the bill. 

Our Nacho Cheeze Dip can be enjoyed hot or cold and is perfect with tortillas or as a topping, while our Roasted Red Pepper Dip works beautifully as part of a spread or to add interest to your cooking.”

MANISAFE is the perfect Christmas gift for gel manicure and beauty lovers

MANISAFE London's ultra-stylish and multi-award-winning gel manicure and sunblock gloves are the ultimate gift for gel nail lovers and skincare enthusiasts.

Slipping on their UPF50+ rated gloves protect user's hands from potentially harmful UVA rays emitted by nail lamps to cure gel polish. 

They also provide excellent sun protection whilst driving or outdoors and are a lifesaver for women with photosensitive  hands. 

This Christmas, giving MANISAFE gloves helps your bestie or loved one keep their hands looking youthful for longer! 

With six colours and prints to chose from they are like an SPF and fashion accessory all-in-one. Each pair comes with a stylish carry pouch to take on the go.

Retailing for £24.99 they are a perfect and utterly unique gift for her, for a secret Santa event or even a stocking stuffer.  MANISAFE offers gift wrapping with a personalised hand-written note for only an extra £3, for that added touch of Christmas gift luxury.

A spokeswoman said: "MANISAFE London is a female-founded independent London-based micro-business  that is planet-conscious.  Our sustainability initiatives include carbon neutral shipping, a tree planting programme, sustainable postal packaging and our gloves are made with 59% recycled materials.

"We help to protect hands and the planet! Make someone very happy with the gift of MANISAFE this season."

To order please visit https://manisafe.com.

Give a beauty treatment for Christmas with beauty booking app Booksy

Image courtesy of Alice McNails

Let your nails do the talking this party season as beauty booking app Booksy’s Ambassador Alice McNails shares her top trend predictions for fun and festive Christmas 2022 nail art. 

With Google trends showing searches for "Christmas Nails" up +200% over the last seven days, salon booking app Booksy says nail salon bookings are set to soar as customers flock to salons to celebrate this magical time of year with a Christmas mani. 

Booksy Ambassador and social media superstar Alice McNails, who boasts over 56k followers on Instagram says: "Everyone likes to go for delicious rich shades at this time of year, my customers are starting to ask for a classic red, midnight blue, forest green, and all the glitter. Classic designs always come back around at Christmas, candy canes, snowflakes, little presents, snowmen, and intricate holly and ivy details are forever popular. The 2022 take is to make these details 3D.

"I'm loving experimenting with texture right now, high shine chrome in gold and silver is very popular and sugaring to create a snowy effect (when you apply acrylic powder or loose glitter to a wet gel layer) is perfect for a chic nod to Christmas. For a festive take on the classic French manicure, why not swap out classic tips and opt for festive tip nails with candy cane, frosted snow or Santa hat French tips in a sugaring effect?

"Nothing says festive like red nails, I predict 70% of my clients will opt for some form of red on their nails this season, it's the Christmas crowd favourite. My big 2022 predictions are that 3D snow globe nails, baubles, and the cat eye trend are all going to be popular - we'll be seeing more 3D elements everywhere.”

Alice’s 2022 Christmas nail predictions:

Classic Christmassy red

Dashing 3D details

Beautiful baubles

Festive French tips

Gorgeous glitter

Hair and beauty booking app Booksy allows customers to access hair, beauty, and wellness treatments in their local area 24/7 without any of the fuss of back-and-forth phone calls. Once registered and logged in, it takes just ten seconds for users to find and book a suitable, local appointment at a time to suit, streamlining the booking process and saving customers time and hassle. 

The Booksy app is free to download here https://booksy.com/en-gb/ and it's also free to use, too. And customers have the option to search by service type or location, and even find same-day appointments. Users receive appointment reminder notifications and can cancel or amend their booking without having to contact the salon directly.

UK Parliament’s shop partners with Leicester textile manufacturer to create the exclusive 2022 Christmas jumper

The official shop of the UK Parliament is again partnering with Jack Masters, a family-run textile manufacturer based in Leicester design and supply Parliament's official limited edition Christmas jumper.

Jack Masters is a family-run textiles manufacturer based in the Aylestone area of Leicester, city with a long association with the textiles trade dating back into the Victorian era.

Set up in 1987 by husband and wife Dilip and Illa Patel, the business has been supplying high quality knitwear and knitted accessories to fashion brands, designers, independent boutiques and catalogue firms for over three decades.

Today, Jack Masters is run by Dilip's son Snahal, who is just as passionate about British design and manufacturing as his predecessors. The firm had previously partnered with UK Parliament in 2021, for the production of last year’s best-selling Christmas jumper.

To celebrate the unveiling of the restored Elizabeth Tower earlier this year, the 2022 design features a repeating bell and clock tower motif, alongside the Parliamentary portcullis, all nicely captured in a traditional fair isle pattern.

With colours inspired by the Tower’s restored clock dials, including the ‘Prussian Blue' colour of the restored clock hands and numerals, this year's limited edition jumper will be certain to strike a chord this Christmas.

The jumper is composed of 60% recycled pre-consumer cotton and 40% recycled post-consumer polyester, so is a sustainable, long-lasting blend that retains a soft, cosy feel, perfect for the festive season.

The Jack Masters team are passionate about sustainability. An advantage of manufacturing garments in the same country as they are distributed and sold is a smaller carbon footprint from transport. Jack Masters are also committed to a zero-waste production process. They use recycled, recyclable or biodegradable packaging, and produce many of their garments using recycled yarns. 

This year's Houses of Parliament Christmas jumper is one such garment produced from 100% recycled contents. 

Discover more about Jack Masters and the Houses of Parliament Christmas jumper here https://mailchi.mp/32de085d78e3/jack-masters.

Aldi reveals Christmas opening times

Aldi has revealed when its stores will be open over the festive period.

In the pre-Christmas run-up, Aldi will be extending their opening hours, from 7am to 10pm from Monday 19th December to give shoppers more time to pick up last-minute food, drink and gifts before the big day.

Stores will also be open until 6pm on Christmas Eve, but customers should check local store details online to avoid disappointment.

Aldi will close its stores as usual on Christmas Day, and will once again keep all stores shut on Boxing Day as a thank you to their colleagues and in recognition of their hard work throughout the year, as it has always done since opening in the UK in excess of 30 years ago.

The majority of stores will also be open from 8am until 8pm in between Christmas and New Year, and until 6pm on New Year’s Eve to help shoppers get everything they need to bring in 2023, at the lowest possible prices in Britain.

Stores will also be open until 8pm on Bank Holiday Monday (2nd January) 2023.

Aldi has everything customers need to make this Christmas and New Year special, thanks to its award-winning range of delicious food and drink, and an array of gifts for all the family. Details of Aldi’s amazing Christmas range can be found here.

The supermarket also offers a Click and Collect service in over 200 stores, meaning thousands of shoppers across the UK will be able to get quality Aldi groceries online at unbeatable prices in time for Christmas. Shoppers will be able to choose from a range of grocery items online here, then drive to their local store where their shopping will be brought to their car by Aldi colleagues. Pre-order slots for Christmas will be revealed soon.

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