Seven ways to pet-proof your Christmas tree

Careful pet owners are being offered seven top tips to keep inquisitive pets away from their Christmas trees.

Pets and trees aren't always the safest of combination, which is why fitted furniture experts at Online-Bedrooms.co.uk are offering their hacks for keeping festive decoration safe over the festive period. 

Not only does keeping your cat or dog off your tree cause annoyance to owners, but the well loved Christmas centrepiece can also be dangerous for our four-legged friends. 

Needles and pines from real trees may puncture a pet’s digestive tract when swallowed, while decoration and lights on false trees can burn, electrocute, or puncture their paws. 

Tips include avoiding lights on the base of the tree, staying away from tinsel and using scented pinecones as deterrents.

Nic Shacklock from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk said: “The last thing families want to do is spend the whole month of December trying to get their cat off the tree or their dog away from the presents underneath it. This is why we wanted to share our top tips with animal lovers - so they can keep their trees intact and their pets happy at the same time.

“Things like avoiding stringling lights near the base of your tree and avoiding breakable baubles may seem obvious - but can quickly be forgotten when caught up in the festive spirit. However, it is super important with all decorations during Christmas to ensure you are not posing any danger to your four-legged friends.”

Here are Online-Bedrooms.co.uk’s seven top tips for a pet-friendly Christmas tree:

Lights

Christmas tree lights can add a bit of magic to your tree but can be dangerous for your pets. Some may get extremely hot and burn a small pet interested in getting a closer look or cause electric shocks to little ones nibbling on the wires. If you are keen on stringing lights on your tree, make sure to only string them from about halfway up, depending on the size of your pet. 

Any other Christmas lights around the house should be secured to the wall where possible to avoid dangling close to the ground. 

Gifts 

It is best to delay putting gifts under the tree until Christmas eve or Christmas morning if possible. This way, you are removing additional temptation for your pet and avoiding any heartbreak to find your perfectly wrapped present torn apart by your pet. 

Consider placing the tree above ground level

For those with smaller dogs, placing your tree on a small table may just be enough to keep their pup away from causing any damage to the decorations or themselves.

Scented pinecones

Add some deterrent decorations by spraying some apple cider vinegar on a few pinecones and placing them at the base of your tree. The smell will keep pets away without the need of any large or non-aesthetically pleasing barriers. 

Isolate your tree

One of the best things you can do to deter a pesky pet is to place your tree in a room which can be sectioned off from the rest of the house. Make this a room that your pet doesn't particularly spend lots of time in alone to make it an easier transition for you and your family. 

Secure all decorations

Pets love to play with toys, and cats especially enjoy making toys out of everything in their way - with hanging tree decorations included. Avoid the heartbreak of finding your favourite bauble broken on the floor by carefully securing all tree decorations with twine, strong string or wire. 

Smashed baubles can also cause a serious concern for your pet’s paws. If possible, skip any breakable decorations completely to prevent potential danger for your four-legged friend. 

Avoid tinsel 

Although widely known as a symbol for festive cheer, adding tinsel to your tree this year might just be the reason your pet spends the whole of December trying to climb and attack the tree you spent so much time putting together. The shiny material may attract pets and encourage them to climb, jump and attach themselves to their Christmas tree. 

(image courtesy of Iryna Bakurskaya and Pixabay)

Still Looking for a Unique Christmas Gift? Then give the gift of language

Lingoda, one of the top global online language schools, is the language learning platform designed to get one speaking a new language confidently.

With private and group language classes of up to five people per class, Lingoda offers lessons in Spanish, French, German, English and Business English. 

And for anyone still looking for a Christmas gift for loved ones, language lessons are sure to be a unique gift idea for anyone who is looking to spend some time abroad in 2023 or wants to brush up on their foreign language skills.

Lingoda has several pricing options and learning plans available, ranging from four classes per month for $79 ($20 per class) to up to 40 classes per month for $489 per month ($12 per class).

For anyone looking to crush their 2023 language learning goals in a more speedy kind of way, there is the Lingoda Language Sprint™. The unique Sprint option offers 30 classes within two months, while the Super Sprint entails 60 classes. And one can earn between 50-100% cashback.

"All of us know how hard it can be to find the perfect Christmas present for all our nearest and dearest every year," says Philippa Wentzel, Lingoda's Curriculum Team Lead. "And for anyone interested in learning a new language for personal or professional reasons, our Lingoda language classes are designed to get you speaking your new language with confidence.

"In our group classes of up to five people at a time, people join from all over the world to learn a new language together and get their practice speaking time in. What could be better than a Christmas gift that boosts your confidence and makes you expand your horizons while meeting people around the globe?"

Currently, Lingoda also offers a risk-free trial for seven days at no cost. This way, one may even try out specific language classes before giving them away as Christmas gifts. Within the seven days, students can either take three group classes or one private class before the paid-for learning plan can begin. 

And if one is convinced that they have now found the perfect Christmas gift, just be aware that the person taking the Lingoda classes must register on the platform with their own email address and choose the language they want to learn. Once that is completed, they can start the new year with impeccable new language skills and a great sense of confidence and accomplishment. 

Lingoda is one of the top online language schools. Founded in Berlin, Germany, in 2013, we provide convenient and accessible online language courses in German, English, Business English, French and Spanish to over 100,000 students worldwide. 

With almost 550,000 classes available per year and accessible 24/7, our mission is to build bridges around the world through language learning. 

Visit Lingoda.com to learn more.

Worried about the cold weather this Christmas? Flapjackery has the answer

If the cold weather is gnawing at your bones, fuel up and keep your energy levels high with Flapjackery flapjacks.

Satisfying and extremely  delicious these gluten-free chunks of flapjacks come in an array of flavours and are handmade in Devon with the finest of British ingredients.

These mouth-watering chunks of sugary joy are laden with golden syrup and have just enough crunch, with the perfect amount of crumble, and absolutely no chewiness at all.

When cold winds bite, they're best served slightly warmed, with a dollop of clotted cream for an extra special treat, served with a warming cup of cocoa, in a limited edition Flapjackery mug of course!

Or even better, create your own tray of flapjacks. Flapjackery founders and flapjack aficionados Sally Jenkin and Carol Myott, who are still hands on in their flapjack-making empire on the edge of Dartmoor, have these brilliant tips to perfect your own bakes.

They say: “Weigh the golden syrup! Lots of recipes measure by tablespoon, but this is very inaccurate and too much syrup gives a hard flapjack. 

“Also, people's instinct is to add a bit more to make it soft and gooey but this has the opposite effect! 

“We recommend the same weight of sugar to golden syrup which together should equal the weight of butter, so if the recipe says 300gms of butter we would use 150gsm of sugar and 150gms of golden syrup butter.”

So there you have it! Flapjacks are the answer to keeping warm during this cold spell.

You can order yours from Flapjackery from just £12 and there are an array of wonderful Christmas gifts too from hampers to fudge, to Flapjackery's own exclusively designed jigsaw puzzles and aprons. 

All the flapjacks are delivered in a recyclable box, are individually wrapped, are suitable for freezing and have a shelf life of up to three months.

(That's Christmas points out that they are so utterly delicious that we would be surprised if you could keep them uneaten for three days, never mind three months!)

https://www.flapjackery.co.uk.

Martha Brook x Matilda: Personalised Stationery. A Christmas 'must have'

To celebrate the release of brand-new movie Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, The Roald Dahl Story Company is collaborating with Martha Brook, the online home of uplifting, inspiring personalised stationery.

The Martha Brook x Matilda collaboration allows grown-ups to enjoy a range of splendid stationery inspired by the power and possibility of everyone’s favourite book-loving heroine.  And That's Christmas firmly believes they will make most excellent Christmas presents.

The Martha Brook x Matilda collection includes personalised book journals, diaries, notebooks, life planners, gift sets and desk pads, each featuring quotes from the iconic story.  

Martha says: “As an adult, and now mum to a little girl, Matilda still reminds me that we can all be brave, bold and brilliant. As Miss Honey says to Matilda ‘there is some kind of magic in you’. That’s exactly how I want people to feel when they use items from the Martha Brook x Matilda collection.”

Natalie Hopkins, Senior Partnerships Manager, The Roald Dahl Story Company, says: “We’re delighted to be working with Martha Brook on this beautiful range of personalised stationery. Their company ethos to empower and uplift is the perfect fit for our extraordinary and inspirational hero, Matilda."

Standout items from the collection include:

Martha Brook x Matilda Personalised Book Journal, £25.95

Book lovers of all ages will love capturing their favourite novels in this beautiful book journal, with a cover featuring famous quote from the iconic story: ‘The books transported her into new worlds’. The Book Journal is packed with useful contents to inspire readers of all ages and can also be embossed with the name of your choice in gold foil. 

Martha Brook x Matilda Personalised Magic in You Life Planner, £37.95

Anyone can move through the year feeling bold, brave and brilliant thanks to this refillable planner and personal organiser, inspired by Matilda’s magical mind. The cover features the words ‘There is a kind of magic in you’ proudly displayed and will be embossed with the name of your choice in gold foil. Available in a variety of colours.

Martha Brook x Matilda Personalised Fireworks Softback Notebook, £13.95

This wonderful softback A5 notebook is sure to be a hit with readers and writers alike, with the goosebump inducing quote from Roald Dahl’s Matilda, ‘Words went off like fireworks’. It can also be embossed with the name of your choice in gold foil. Available in a variety of colours

To explore the full Martha Brook range, which includes diaries, notebooks, memory books, photo albums, notecard and writing sets, desk accessories, vegan leather collection, wedding planners, life planners and much more, visit www.marthabrook.com. You can also follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. 

Fantastic Festive Fun at the Bucket & Spade Café This Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Bucket & Spade Café in Shaldon, with a host of festive live music events to delight and entertain. A delicious Christmas Afternoon Tea will also be available throughout December, a perfect option to share with a friend or a loved one, to celebrate this wonderful time of year.

Eat, drink and be merry at one of the many Christmas celebration live music events scheduled with some of the best musicians in the South West. 

Join the Bucket & Spade for a festive 3-course feast with incredible folk singer 'Matt Sellers' on Friday 16th December, and for uplifting, melodic and soulful music join 'Go Tell Alice' on Saturday 17th December. 

The final event of the month is on Friday 23rd December with the 'The Waves Collection', an international, modular band who play an eclectic mix of songs from the 1950's to current popular hits, guaranteed to get you on the dance floor!  At £30 per person, these events are great value with gluten and vegan options available. Make sure you book tickets in advance by calling 01626 818450 or visit www.bucketandspade.com for further information.

Get into the festive spirit with a Christmas Afternoon Tea at the Bucket & Spade. Available Monday to Saturday 12-3pm throughout December, arrive with an empty tummy to indulge in a selection of tasty finger sandwiches, savoury or sweet fluffy scones and a trio of festive sweet treats served with a range of tea or freshly brewed coffee (£15.95 per person). Upgrade to a glass of prosecco for some added Christmas sparkle! (£19.95 per person) Gluten and vegan options are available.

Recently winning Gold in the Best Café category, and two Silvers in the Best Bar and Best Restaurant categories at the Food Drink Devon Awards, The Bucket & Spade is is a popular choice for locals and visitors to the area. With spectacular views across the Jurassic coastline, it's renowned for its friendly service and locally sourced food.

Based at Coast View Holiday Park in Shaldon, The Bucket & Spade Cafe is open to on-site lodge owners and members of the public.  Open seven days a week, Coast View Holiday Park leisure members can enjoy the beautifully warm indoor swimming pool or if feeling a little more active use the state-of-the-art gymnasium to work up a sweat before dining in The Bucket & Spade Café.  New for this year is the 'Be Well' beauty treatment rooms for those who are in need of some well-deserved pampering.

For more information about the Bucket & Spade cafe visit: www.thebucketandspade.com  Follow 'The Bucket & Spade Shaldon' on Facebook and 'bucketandspadeshaldon' on Instagram.

For more information about South West Holiday Parks visit: www.southwestholidayparks.co.uk

Follow 'South West Holiday Parks' on Facebook and 'southwestholidayparks' on Instagram.

New Victuallers Special Edition 'Snapes Point' Sloe Gin for Christmas warming

A classic winter warmer, Salcombe Distilling Co.'s new Victuallers Special Edition 'Snapes Point' Sloe Gin is an exceptional, small batch cask aged sloe and damson gin crafted using locally foraged sloes.  

With its gorgeous, beautiful ruby hue, this unique seasonal release from multi-award winning Salcombe Distilling Co., is available in a 50cl bottle, RRP £40, ABV 38% from salcombegin.com and Salcombe Distilling Co.'s Victuallers flagship stores in Salcombe and Dartmouth.

No ordinary sloe gin, 'Snapes Point' Sloe Gin has been months in the making.  Produced at their stunning waterside home in South Devon, one of the world's only distilleries directly accessible by boat, this intense fruit liqueur takes its name from Snapes Point, near Salcombe -  where many of the sloes were hand picked from nearby coastal footpaths overlooking Kingsbridge Estuary.  

Distilled with unrivalled passion, care and with exacting attention to detail, head distiller, Jason Nickels, first crafted a unique gin which he cask aged for nine months, to bring through vanilla notes and a subtle warmth.  

Once picked, sloe berries and damsons were steeped separately for two months, before further distilling the damson spirit on 60 litre copper pot stills to amplify the flavours.  Finally, the spirits were carefully blended together with Dartmoor water and a touch of honey, from bees kept by a member of Salcombe Distilling Co.'s team, to provide a delicate additional sweetness.     

Serving suggestion - Perfect now the weather has turned nippier, Victuallers Special Edition 'Snapes Point' Sloe Gin injects some winter warmth when sipped neat.  As with all Salcombe Distilling Co.'s gins, it's also excellent served with plenty of ice, a premium Indian tonic water and garnished with a slice of orange. 

Victuallers Special Edition 'Snapes Point' Sloe Gin joins Salcombe Distilling Co.'s award-winning line-up of Salcombe Gin 'Start Point', Salcombe Gin 'Rosé Sainte Marie', the Voyager Series, Salcombe Rum 'Island Street' and New London Light non-alcoholic spirits and aperitifs. 

For further information about Salcombe Distilling Co. and Salcombe Gin, visit www.salcombedistilling.com, follow SalcombeGin on Instagram and Facebook and Salcombe Distilling Co on Twitter.

Iceland to give staff extended break with Boxing Day closure

To give their staff members an extended break over the busy Christmas period, Iceland stores and Food Warehouse outlets will not open on Boxing Day, Monday 26th December.

Iceland Foods have announced they will not be open for trading on Boxing Day this year.

Closing store doors on Christmas Eve and re-opening on December 27th, the retailer is prioritising their hard-working staff, giving them the welcome chance to enjoy an extended festive break and make the most of time with friends and family.

All of Iceland’s 1000+ stores will remain closed on Boxing Day across the UK, with it being officially assigned as a bank holiday for staff. The same applies to The Food Warehouse. In Scotland, Iceland will also be closed on New Year’s Day as usual. Opening hours for the wider festive period will vary based on location, with specific store timings announced locally.

Richard Walker, the MD of Iceland Foods, said: “This year has taken its toll on everyone, so officially closing our doors on Boxing Day is just a small token of appreciation to our employees. As we move into the winter months the cost-of-living burden will unfortunately only intensify, and as we work relentlessly to pass on savings and support to our customers, we must also look after our teams who are at the forefront of this crisis everyday across the UK.”

He added: "Iceland and The Food Warehouse shoppers will have plenty of time in the run up to Christmas to get their hands on festive bargains with the brand-new range of festive food available online and instore from 14th November. A dedicated Christmas page has also returned to the website, offering customers, a one stop shop for frozen Christmas products, enabling them to plan ahead with email notifications when their favourite products become available.

"Customers can also take advantage of our unique 3 for £10 deal across a range of lines, where they can save up to a fiver on everyday essentials."

To keep up to date with local store’s opening hours visit: https://www.iceland.co.uk/storefinder.

White Christmas? Drive carefully, say the experts

While many of us may be dreaming of a white Christmas this December, when it comes to driving in snowy conditions, there are a lot of hazards for drivers to consider that aren’t usually there at other times of the year. 

One study claims over the course of the last five years, there has been on average a 25% increase in the number of car insurance claims made in wintery November, compared to sunny April.

However, data from gov.uk suggests while the majority of UK drivers have been more careful during wintertime, with the months of November to January showing a decrease in traffic and casualties - there are still as many as 7,000 monthly accidents during this time.

Graham Conway, the MD of Select Car Leasing, is sharing the top tips everyone should consider when driving in snowy and icy conditions, to avoid hazards and drive safely. 

Drive with a slow speed and wide berth

“In icy conditions, wheel slip is the least likely at a slow speed in a high gear. Make sure to get your speed just right, carefully tapping the accelerator pedal and keeping a close eye on speed. 

“If you’re going downhill, reduce to a lower gear to make the need for braking a lot less likely. 

“If you’re driving behind another vehicle, you must give the vehicle in front a wide berth. In fact, during wintry conditions, it's recommended you should leave as much as ten times more space as normal between you and the vehicle in front. 

“It's usually recommended to leave a space for another car between you and the car in front, known as the five second rule. 

However, in snowy and icy conditions, you should leave the space for around 10 cars in front, as the ice can be very unpredictable”. 

Go around the bends carefully

“If you’re approaching a bend, remember to brake before turning the steering wheel to turn the corner, to reduce the chances of your car slipping on ice. 

“If your car loses grip, stay calm, take your foot off the accelerator pedal and make sure your wheels are pointing in the direction you want to go in. 

“If the vehicle’s back wheels skid, you should steer into it. For example, if the back of the car starts sliding to the right, you shouldsteer to the right, as those back wheels are pushing the weight of the car. Its resistance can overcome friction and cause tires to lose grip. This points the front wheels in the same direction as the car's momentum by pulling the front of the car into line with the skidding back end. By doing this, you can regain control and successfully move on.

“It's vital you don’t take your hands off the steering wheel and do not suddenly stamp on the brakes while this happens, as it could cause a total loss of control.” 

Stay visible

“If you’re driving in heavy snow, ensure your dipped headlights are on at all times, so you can stay visible to other road users. 

“Don't rely on daytime running lights, because they don’t always light up the back of your car, which can be dangerous in snowy conditions.

“If visibility drops below 100 metres, switch on your fog lights so you can see further ahead. But you must remember to turn them off once visibility improves”. 

Pack for the worst case scenario

“Be prepared for the worst case scenario, as breaking down in snowy conditions unprepared can be dangerous. Your car should be packed with various items to help you deal with the worst outcome. 

“Things to include in the car include: a torch, hi-vis vest to keep you visible if you break down, a blanket to keep you warm, some food, a drink, de-icer, ice scraper, blankets, shovel, phone charger, map, a warning triangle, some jump leads, and a spade. 

“Your phone should also be fully charged with a phone number of a breakdown provider saved and stored on the phone.”

We acknowledge the assistance of Graham Conway and Select Car Leasing in helping to prepare this feature.

https://www.selectcarleasing.co.uk.

(Image courtesy of Julita and Pixabay)

Are your last mile delivery parcels at risk?

With only a few weeks left to Christmas, delivery firms are surging into overdrive to dispatch online-purchased goods to buyers.

In London alone, there were some 450,000 packages delivered during the year, with vans covering over 50% more miles than 25 years ago, with Christmas being the busiest time.

But the security of those parcels is at risk by a lack of oversight, particularly around grey fleet vans.

Jason Chamberlain, Sales Director from ATS Euromaster, explains: “Businesses with owned branded vans will often be both exemplary in appearance and maintenance. But you also see, particularly around Christmas time, unbranded Sprinters or Transit-style vans delivering parcels for the same firm to cope with the increased seasonal demand. 

“Have these vans had the same checks as the branded vans? It's possible, but sadly also unlikely. The further down the chain you move from owned and managed vehicles to grey fleet self-employed drivers, the more likely it is the same level of fit for purpose scrutiny is lacking. Which can obviously be worrying, not only from a productivity point of view but also one of safety”

Jason adds that duty of care extends from direct employees to those that are asked to drive on business for the company, including self-employed drivers.

With over 4m vans on the road, ensuring the safety of each commercial vehicle is a critical task, says ATS Euromaster. Yet many grey fleet vans are on the streets without visual safety inspections carried out before drivers get behind the wheel.

“It’s concerning for all road users,” added Jason. “From our own experiences at ATS, one in three vans requires remedial work under our Mastercare service. Many of these are dotcom fleets, regularly needing to bounce up and down kerbs to make deliveries. Now, these are properly managed fleet vans, so you can only imagine the condition those grey fleet vans may be in.”

A recent report from the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) found, per mile travelled, vans and light goods vehicles were involved in more deaths of other road users than any other vehicle type.

ATS Euromaster is calling for delivery firms to ensure their duty of care mandate extends across their entire fleet, including self-employed grey fleet van drivers.

“Ensuring that vans are fit for purpose and are safe is paramount. We understand the pressure on deliveries that exists, particularly around the pre-Christmas period, but basic duty of care cannot, and should not, be ignored,” said Jason.

Be prepared for Asda's latest festive drinks offer

As shoppers are stocking up on the essentials for Christmas, including booze, Asda has announced details of its latest deal on wines and fizzes. 

The neat deal means shoppers can save an absolutely stunningly huge one third or more off the price of selected bottles of luxury wines and Champagnes during December.

Launching next Monday, 12th December and running all the way 'til New Year’s Eve (31st December), the offer provides the perfect opportunity to make massive savings on premium wines during the festive season.

For festive fizz, bottles of Louvel Fontaine Champagne Brut, usually priced at £18.00 each, will be available for just £9.99 an amazing saving of £8.01 per bottle. Another Champagne option is the Pommery Champagne Brut Royal at £26.66, giving customers a saving of £13.34 from its usual price of £40.00.

Asda’s Extra Special Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, which pairs perfectly with strong cheeses and rich beef stews, is available for just £9.99, usually £16.00 a bottle (a saving of £6.01). Alternatively, shoppers could try the 1895 Barolo for £9.99, saving shoppers £6.51 off its usual price of £16.50.

Other bottles include but aren’t limited to:

Extra Special Selection Chablis, £11.99 (usually £18.00, a saving of £6.01)

Extra Special Grand Vin de Bordeaux Médoc, £6.33 (usually £9.50, a saving of £3.17)

Ferrari Trento Brut, £13.99 (usually £23.00, a saving of £9.01)

19 Crimes Red Wine, £5.99 (usually £9.00, a saving of £3.01)

An Asda spokesperson said: “During the most expensive time of year, we’re really thrilled to be able to provide a helping hand to our customers. With the ‘save a third’ or more offer on wine, shoppers are able to add a little bit of luxury to their festive celebrations by popping premium wines in their basket at a significantly reduced price. 

“There's a huge range of really unique wines available in the offer many of which you perhaps wouldn’t expect to find on Asda shelves – whether it’s a Louvel Fontaine Champagne Brut or Extra Special Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, there’s something for everyone.”

Shop in store and online from 12th December at www.asda.com.