One third of parents worry about this Christmas, reveals Post Office

The Post Office research of 2,005 UK adults found a quarter say they plan to spend less money on close family and over a third will spend less on extended family and friends. With half saying Christmas will be a smaller occasion this year.

Nearly one in six plan on making homemade gifts; the main reason being to save money (63%). Whilst over half think it’s more thoughtful and over a third do so to be creative.

Four in ten plan to use cash to purchase Christmas gifts this year, and of these, two-thirds will do so to manage budgets and keep track of spending. A quarter plan to gift cash this year, instead of physical presents.

It comes as the Post Office announced it handled a record £3.45 billion in cash during August, with branches on track to further this record last month, October.

As Christmas edges closer, the Post Office is encouraging consumers to get ahead and post letters and parcels early.

Kristian Latham, Head of Letters & Parcels at the Post Office said: “Our research shows the cost of living will be impacting Christmas for many this year as households tighten their purse strings. This is set to affect how we shop, with more consumers planning on buying gifts earlier for financial reasons.

“Our branches will be open as usual in the pre-Christmas run up, helping consumers to post early, too. This is a great way to make the most of our cheaper posting rates, whilst leaving plenty of time for cards and gifts to arrive before the big day itself.

Despite half feeling excited, happy or optimistic about Christmas, the number of people feeling anxious and sad about the occasion has increased from just over one in six last year to almost one in four this year.

The Post Office study went on to find that half of us Brits shopping earlier this year are doing so to be more organised, with a third saying they make better decisions when they aren’t in a rush.

A fifth of those shopping earlier this year said they are doing so to ensure gifts arrive on time, with a quarter worrying a late gift might look like they hadn’t made any effort.

Four in ten admitted they enjoy Christmas shopping, with seven in ten planning on doing theirs in one of the sales.

Yet the majority of Christmas shoppers (74%), will be finishing up their Christmas shopping in December with one in three leaving it until just one week before the big day to pick up their final bits.

Struggling to know what gifts to purchase is the top reason people give for not getting their Christmas shopping completed early.

Latham went on to say: “As Brits gear up for the festive season, it’s vital to choose the best service for your precious gifts; the value of the item, speed of delivery needed and any tracking requirements are all important. If in doubt, our expert Postmasters can always recommend what’s best for your parcels.

“If you are posting goods or gifts abroad, being aware of what can and can’t be posted and getting customs forms right is very important to ensure parcels aren’t delayed or returned. Guidelines to filling in customs forms correctly are on our website and of course our Postmasters are always on hand to help.”

For more information this Christmas period, head to the Post Office’s Christmas hub, https://www.postoffice.co.uk/christmas.

Bath and North East Somerset prepares for the festive season

Work is underway to install Christmas lights and illuminations across Bath and North East Somerset with the first switch-on taking place next week.

Bath & North East Somerset Council has recently announced new four-year framework contracts for the provision of Christmas lighting throughout the area. This includes illuminations on streets and historic buildings in the City of Bath.

Traditional Christmas lights will be added to the illuminations during Bath’s Christmas Market, which opens to residents from the evening of 23 November. 

The council is also providing traditional lights to the Bath communities of Combe Down, Weston, Moorland Road and Larkhall as well as working in partnership with the three town councils on the provision of lights.

Keynsham's Winter Festival on 25 November includes an official switching on of the town’s Christmas lights. Radstock’s lights will be turned on from the Miners’ Wheel on 26 November.

Midsomer Norton’s lights, with the focal point on a new Christmas tree in the Hollies Garden will be lit from 24 November onwards.

Field & Lawn, one of the UK’s largest and leading independent providers of festive lighting, will be providing the traditional Christmas lights across Bath and North East Somerset and Fineline Lighting Ltd is supplying the projections and illuminations in Bath.

The new contracts allow the flexibility for partners like town and parish councils, local businesses and sponsors to contribute to enhance Christmas lights in future years.

Local residents and visitors to the area might have noticed that it is taking a little longer this year for some lights to be installed, this is due to longer manufacturing processes for some of the special, bespoke illuminations and the ongoing impact of driver shortages on the process.

Councillor Kevin Guy, who is council Leader, said: “The switch-on of Christmas lights and illuminations in city and town centres is an exciting moment when it really feels as if the festive season is under way, creating a special atmosphere in our local communities in the run up to Christmas. Thanks to our partners across the area who are working with us to provide some fantastic Christmas lighting.”

To learn more please visit https://bathchristmasmarket.co.uk.

(Image courtesy of MIH83 and Pixabay)

Annual Victorian Christmas Market returns to Bradford Industrial Museum

Bradford Industrial Museum is again hosting its popular annual Victorian Christmas Market after a break of two years due to the pandemic.

The event, on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November 2022, will see the Bradford City Council-run museum transformed into a veritable Victorian Christmas wonderland, with over 80 festive market stalls selling delicious food, toys, clothes, jewellery and accessories, plus there's the golden opportunity  to pick up a host of fabulous arts, crafts and festive gifts, galore. 

There will also be costumed characters, with Dickensian skinflint Ebenezer Scrooge expected to make an appearance.

Visiting Father Christmas on the specially decorated festive Bradford tram is always a firm favourite with children and it also makes a welcome return this year.

There will also be face painting, a concert band, Sandy Kidz Sand Art, plus other events running throughout the entire weekend.

The free event, which is always one of the most popular Christmas activities throughout the district, runs on Saturday November 26 and Sunday November 27 from 10am 'til 4pm on both days.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “The Victorian Christmas Market at Bradford Industrial Museum is always a very popular event and it is wonderful for children. There's plenty to see and do and it is certainly a great place to pick up early Christmas presents and to get in to the Christmas spirit.”

For more information visit www.bradfordmuseums.org.

Manchester's world-famous Christmas Markets are now open!

Credit: Darren Robinson

With 220 stalls across nine market sites in the city centre, selling food, drink and a stockingful of crafts and seasonal gifts, the markets are a must-visit attraction for visitors to the city and locals alike,  guaranteed to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

24 years on from the first Manchester Christmas Markets back in 1998, the markets continue to attract Mancunians and visitors alike to the city in their thousands to fill up on the fantastic festive treats on offer.

This year sees the iconic ski chalet market stalls take over Piccadilly Gardens, which is once again transformed into the Winter Gardens, Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, St Ann's Square, Exchange Square, The Corn Exchange, and King Street.

With food and drink stalls cooking up everything from Bratwurst, vegan 5-bean Chilli, Korean Hotdogs, and gourmet Italian pizza, to pancakes and chocolate dipped Churros there's plenty to satisfy both foodies and Christmas shoppers alike.

Those seeking out a tipple won't be disappointed. If they are looking for a hot chocolate laden with marshmallows whipped cream and festive sprinkles, or a grown-up Gluhwein, German beer, or Salford Rum, there's a selection of drinks wide enough to quench the thirstiest of thirsts, they'll be well pleased!

Christmas gift hunters are also going to be spoilt for choice with gifts from amazing crafters and producers, selling all kinds of things from tweed hats, Christmas decorations, candles, fine soaps, jewellery, and gift sets of cheese truckles and more besides.

The markets will be open until Thursday 22 December.

Food and drink stalls across all Christmas market locations will be open from 11 am and close at 9 pm every day, Monday to Sunday.

Craft stalls across all the Christmas markets open at 10 am and close at 8 pm daily, Monday to Sunday.

Stalls at all Christmas market locations except Cathedral Gardens end at 6pm on Thursday 22 December.

However, the food and drink stalls at Cathedral Gardens will continue trading until 31 December to complement the ice rink which is also open until then. 

The opening times for stalls at Cathedral Gardens from 22 December are as follows:

22 Dec - open 11 am close at 9 pm

23 Dec - open 11 am close at 9 pm

24 Dec - open 10 am close at 5 pm 

25 Dec - closed for Christmas Day

26 Dec - 31 Dec - open 10 am close at 6 pm

This year also sees Dock 53 at the Winter Gardens with a selection of stalls selling food and drink, and live entertainment in all evenings.

Open through to December 24, Dock 53 is open as follows:

Opening times from 10 Nov through to 23 Dec are:

Mon - Wed open 11 am and close 10 pm

Thur - Sun open 11 am and close 11 pm

Dec 24 - open 11 am and close 6 pm

Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester said: "Hello Christmas! Our world-beating Christmas markets are back! 

"They look totally amazing, stuffed full of treats and surprises for everyone. And with festive stalls filled with all the lights, sound, and magic of the season right across the city centre, they are a treat you won't want to miss. 

"This is such a magical time of year. We all know that Manchester does Christmas better than anywhere else - come and see us!"

For more information on Christmas in Manchester visit : manchester.gov.uk/christmas

Mendip District Council declares Shop local and park for free on Small Business Saturday

In the pre-Christmas period Mendip District Council is offering free parking at selected car parks across the district on Saturday, 3 December, to support Small Business Saturday.

The Council is encouraging shoppers to visit its high streets and purchase locally to support their independent businesses.

A spokesperson said: "Shop local and park for free on Small Business Saturday Small Business Saturday is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. Free parking will be available in the following Council-owned car parks to support this initiative:

Cattle Market Car Park, Frome

St John's Car Park, Glastonbury

Great Ostry Car Park, Shepton Mallet

Cranhill Road Car Park, Street

Union Street Car Park, Wells

Councillor Simon Carswell, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: "It's great to again support Small Business Saturday. Our high streets are packed with fantastic local retail businesses and this important campaign shines the light directly on them.

"The cost of living crisis is having an impact and now more than ever small businesses are facing tougher circumstances. Let's do all we can to support them."

Remember, it's free to park in all Mendip owned car parks after 6pm and this includes on county Carnival nights at Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury and Wells.

Residents are asked to note all terms and conditions of car parking within the relevant car parks remain in force, including maximum time limits. To ensure everyone has a fair chance to enjoy this offer, please don't overstay. 

Please don't park in disabled bays, unless you're a blue badge holder. And park responsibly, by staying within the parking bay markings, and avoiding hatched lined areas, for safety reasons.

Penalty charges will be issued if you breach the conditions. There is an appeals process, details of which can be found on your parking ticket.

For more information on Mendip car parks, please visit Pay & Display Car Parks in Mendip: www.mendip.gov.uk/paydisplay.

For more information about Small Business Saturday, or to get involved, please visit smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com

Shoppers at Asda can pick up Christmas Dinner for a family five for less than £22

Asda has launched its Frozen dinner offer, at a cost of a mere £4.40 per head. But it also unlocks free cash for Asda Rewards App users, too.

Customers using the Asda Rewards App can earn £1.50 in their cash pot, when spending £20 or more on Frozen Christmas dinner essentials until 27th November 2022.

As Christmas gets ever nearer and shoppers are seeking ways to begin spreading the cost, smart Asda shoppers can stock up on their frozen Christmas dinner essentials in advance, packing the freezer to feed a family of five for just £21.48.

And there's more! Asda Rewards App users can also earn £1.50 in their Rewards App cash pot, when they spend just £20 on selected frozen Christmas dinner essentials including Brussels Sprouts, British Turkey and Pigs in Blankets.

The list of Frozen Christmas dinner products available includes all of the below;

Asda Basted Small British Turkey, Frozen (approx. 2.6kg) - £13.50

Asda Frozen for Freshness Sliced Carrots (1kg) - £1.10

Asda Frozen for Freshness Garden Peas (1kg) - £1.25

Asda Party Pigs in Blankets, Frozen (12pk) - £2.50

Asda Crispy Roast Potatoes, Frozen (800g) - £0.88

Asda Frozen for Freshness Brussels Sprouts (1kg) - £1.25

Asda Frozen Yorkshire Puddings, (12pk) - £1.00

Currently the cheapest frozen deal on the market, Asda’s Frozen Christmas Dinner offer is over 40p cheaper per head than their nearest competitor, and with the additional £1.50 cash reward, customers will be able to spend on other exciting Christmas goodies, too.

Also, shoppers don't have to spend £20 in one transaction in order to complete the £20 Rewards App ‘mission’ on Frozen Christmas Dinner, so customers can spread the cost of these items between now and 27th November.

To learn more about Asda's Rewards scheme, visit: https://groceries.asda.com/event/asda-rewards?cmpid=ahc-_-ghs-_-asdacom-_-hp-_-card-3-_-rewards.

Get Christmas crafting for fun!

I was in our local branch of the bookshop called "The Works" looking for a book (as you do) when I noticed that they had a wide range of Christmas craft items.

Idea of a book forgotten for that moment, I decided that I needed to put my barely adequate crafting skills to use and I browsed through the shelves for something appropriate to make for Christmas.

They had a Decorate Your Own Festive Wooden Village at £3.00, an LED Wooden Christmas Scene at £6.00, a Wooden Merry Christmas Garland at £3.00, a Wooden Build Your Own Merry Christmas Hanging House: Pack of 2 at £3.00, a Wooden 3D Christmas Tree at £5.00, a Wooden Christmas Tree Advent Calendar at £13.00, a Fill Your Own Baubles: Pack of 6 at £2.00.

Also a Christmas Cookie Cutters: Pack of 10 at £3.00, a 10 Piece Christmas Stamper Set at £3.00, Paint Your Own Hanging Christmas Decorations Kit at £4.00, a Jar of Assorted Jingle Bells at £3.00, a Upper Case Alphabet Wooden Stamps: Pack of 26 with the ink stamp at £3.00, card making kits, garlands, Christmas craft kits and more besides.

I chose the alphabet wooden stamps, the assorted jingle bells and the build your own hanging Merry Christmas house. Though you have to be careful to make sur you glue the sections the right way round or your decorative house would say samtsirhC yrreM instead of Merry Christmas!

To find your nearest branch of The Works or to shop online visit https://www.theworks.co.uk.

All I want for Christmas is my Asda Christmas Tree pizza!

The tree-shaped pizza features a whole host of festive favourites, including stuffing, turkey, and cranberry sauce!

Priced at a nifty £3.75, customers will be able to purchase the pizza at in-store Asda Pizza Counters from the 12th December.

The pizza is launching as part of Asda’s biggest Christmas offering to date, with 723 new items released for an extra special Christmas.

With Christmas right around the corner and festive staples starting to make their way into homes across the country, what better way to get into the Christmas spirit than with Asda’s new Christmas Tree Pizza?

It's idea for an evening in with the family, or even a pre-Christmas party with colleagues and friends, the dough-licious tree-shaped pizza combines a teatime favourite with the nostalgia of Christmas, promising a mouth-watering treat with every bite.

The pizza features a range of seasonal ingredients like juicy, diced turkey breast, flavoursome sage and onion stuffing balls, crispy bacon, delicious cheese and topped at home with fruity cranberry sauce, ideal for those looking to indulge and get a taste of the big day.

They'll be available from Asda’s in-store pizza counters nationally between the 12th and 24th December, made by hand using fresh ingredients daily.

What’s more, for just 40p extra, customers can heat their pizza in-store, when purchasing at the Pizza Counter. Simply ask the colleague at the counter to heat your pizza in the in-store oven, and enjoy the cheapest takeaway-style pizza on the market!

Asda’s Christmas Tree Pizza is one of many new festive products launched for 2022, with this year’s offering marking the store’s largest Christmas range to date, featuring 723 new products available to buy in-store and online.

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Oxfordshire-based charity aims to help the 14% this Christmas

Mehiel Foundation, a small registered charity (1198017) based in the Oxfordshire town of Bicester has given itself the task of providing a festive Christmas dinner to every child in need this festive season.

According to joint DWP and HMRC estimates, 14% of the children in Oxfordshire live in poverty. 

A spokesperson said: "In an age when we spend more on dieting than we do on poverty eradication, no child should go to sleep hungry."

Through the “Sacks of Hope” initiative, Mehiel Foundation works with local schools and churches to identify families who are in need and supplies them with sacks of groceries which include fruits, vegetables, rice, pasta, tins of soups, sweets, a Christmas pudding, a whole chicken and many more goodies costing around £23/sack.

But Mehiel Foundation needs your help! Because of the pandemic, the number of families requiring assistance has increased considerably over the past two years.

You have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of less fortunate Oxfordshire children this Christmas. Mehiel Foundation’s 100% Donation Policy will ensure all your donations go towards purchasing the groceries and not a single penny will be spent on “admin” costs. Text SOH followed by your donation amount to 70580 to give that amount (max £20) or visit www.mehiel.org/donate.