Wednesday, 4 October 2023
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Cocoba Chocolate introduces Fantastic Christmas gifting range
From a very cheery Santa & His Reindeer Chocolate Bites, to a beautifully presented Hot Chocolate Bombe Christmas Bauble and delicious Hot Chocolate Christmas Puddings, Cocoba’s Christmas gifting range really has something for everyone.
Cocoba Chocolate has also created delicious, stunning Christmas Hampers crammed full of many delicious treats; you needn’t look further than Cocoba for a complete range of festive gifts to get everyone fully into the Christmas spirit.
Share some yuletide joy this Christmas with Cocoba’s Santa & His Reindeer Chocolate Bites at £9.95. Each box includes a sweet collection of bitesize festive characters, all handmade using high quality Belgian milk chocolate in the shape of Santa and his Reindeers.
Presented in a beautiful selection box, the seasonal chocolate bites make a fun and loveable gift to bring out the child in everyone this Christmas season.
Discover the magical Hot Chocolate Bombe Christmas Bauble, which is an utterly fantastic festive tin bauble decorated with Cocoba Christmas characters, containing a Belgian hot chocolate bombe that has a generous helping of yummy fluffy marshmallows. A must-have addition for hanging on the Christmas tree or a great surprise to gift as a Secret Santa present or stocking filler for a very nifty £4.95.
Bursting with a generous helping of mini marshmallows, the delicious Christmas Pudding Hot Chocolate Bombe is handcrafted from silky Belgian milk and delicious white chocolate. At just £3.95 the Christmas Pudding Hot Chocolate Bombe makes a sweet surprise for stockings, Christmas Eve boxes, or for festive hampers to delight your family and friends.
Finally, Cocoba has it all wrapped up with a collection of exquisite Christmas hampers starting out at £19.99. Each hamper is carefully put together to display an array of delicious, yummy chocolate treats, fastened with a special hand-tied ribbon to add just that perfect finishing touch.
Please visit Cocoba Chocolate’s website for more information including the lovely Christmas vegan product range. www.CocobaChocolate.com
Cocoba’s chocolate products include Belgian hot chocolate, chocolate bars and lollipops, truffles and buttons, and a growing range of vegan dark and ‘milk’ chocolate.
Cocoba’s range is available from www.CocobaChocolate.com. But if you live in Kent, why not visit Cocoba’s flagship chocolate café at the Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent?
They are also available via independent farm shops, good delis, John Lewis, Selfridges and more, besides. All products are handmade in Kent.
Incidentally, if you want a 10% deduction in the price you pay, please join their mailing list. Also, remember deliveries on orders over £35 are free, please check for details.
Check them out on socials:-
Instagram: @cocobachocolate
Facebook: @CocobaChocolate
Pinterest: @CocobaChocolate
TikTock: @cocobachocolate
Twitter: @CocobaChocolate
https://www.cocobachocolate.com
Embrace the Joy of a Debt-Free Christmas: Tips to Make it Happen
However, it can also be a season of financial stress and anxiety, as people often overspend in the spirit of giving. But it doesn't have to be that way!
With some careful planning and a bit of creativity, you can have a debt-free Christmas and still enjoy the magic of the season. In this blog post, we will explore some practical tips to help you achieve a debt-free Christmas without sacrificing the joy and warmth of the Christmas season.
Set a Realistic Budget
The first step in having a debt-free Christmas is setting a realistic budget. Take a close look at your financial situation and determine how much you can comfortably afford to spend on gifts, decorations, and festivities. Remember that your budget should cover not only gifts but also other Christmastime expenses such as travel, food, and entertainment, too.
Create a Gift List
Once you have a budget in mind, create a list of all the people you want to buy gifts for. Prioritise your list and allocate a specific amount for every person. Be mindful of your budget and avoid the temptation to overspend. Consider meaningful and thoughtful gifts that don't have to be very expensive.
Embrace Homemade and DIY Gifts
Shop Smart
Take advantage of sales, discounts, and cashback offers whilst you are shopping for gifts. Compare prices and use price-tracking apps to ensure you always get the best possible deals. Consider shopping online to avoid impulse purchases that often happen in physical stores.
Also, do remember that discount retailers such as Lidl, Aldi, Home Bargains, The Range, B&M Bargains, Savers, The Works, etc often retail items such as scented candles, perfumes and so on, at much better prices than department stores, so do check them out to potentially save some money.
Use Cash, Not Credit
When making your Christmas purchases, try to pay with cash or your debit card rather than using credit cards. Using cash helps you stay within your budget and avoid accumulating debt. If you must use a credit card, ensure that you have a plan to pay off the balance promptly to avoid interest charges.
Plan Christmas Time Activities That Don't Cost Too Much
Create memorable experiences with your loved ones without breaking the bank. Host a potluck dinner instead of an extravagant feast, enjoy a movie night at home, or participate in community events and free holiday activities like parades or tree lighting ceremonies.
Regift Thoughtfully
If you have items that you received as gifts and never used, consider regifting them to someone who might appreciate them more. Just be sure to rewrap and present them thoughtfully, and avoid regifting to someone in the same social circle who might recognise the gift.
Re-use Christmas decorations, whenever possible. Rather than automatically going out to buy more new Christmas lights, tinsel, decorations and the like, reuse festive decorations from previous years to make your home a festive winter wonderland.
For example, my late Mother had a celluloid Father Christmas that her Father had bought which was at least 70 years old. It always had pride of place on the family's Christmas tree. And now it adorns the Christmas tree for my sister's little ones. You could start your own Christmas decorations tradition for your own family with Christmas decorations going from generation to generation, going down through the years? And how cool would that be?
Secret Santa or Gift Exchanges
Instead of buying gifts for everyone in your extended family or friends group, why not suggest a Secret Santa or gift exchange? This way, each person only has to buy only one gift and not several, and it can be a more thoughtful and meaningful present within a budget.
Start Saving Early
To prepare for a debt-free Christmas, consider setting up a dedicated savings account at the beginning of the year. Contribute a small amount each month, so you have a substantial sum by the time the holiday season arrives.
Conclusion
A debt-free Christmas is not only possible but also immensely rewarding. By setting a budget, getting creative with your gifts, and making mindful spending choices, you can enjoy the holiday season without the stress of financial debt. Remember that the true spirit of Christmas lies in the joy of giving and spending quality time with loved ones, not in lavish gifts or extravagant spending. So, this holiday season, focus on what truly matters, and celebrate the magic of Christmas without the financial burden.
You might find inspiration in a previous blogpost here https://thatschristmas.blogspot.com/2023/10/11-unique-and-budget-friendly-christmas.html
(Noel Picture courtesy of VIVIANE M. from Pixabay)
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Tuesday, 3 October 2023
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Hope Spring launches first sets of charity Christmas eCards
The international development NGO has released a set of Christmas eCards annually as part of its fundraising efforts in the last quarter of each year, for the past three years.
The set of Christmas eCards announced is titled the twelve cats of Christmas, a tongue in cheek parody of the popular twelve days of Christmas song. The twelve cats of Christmas eCards featured one breed of popular cat breed found in British homes each day leading up to Christmas.
The dozen cats featured included the popular and most common moggy to the exotic Korat and Bengal cats.
Says Hope Spring eCard platform and social media manager Seun Olonade “Cat lovers will appreciate and enjoy receiving the twelves cats of Christmas eCard as a Christmas greetings card”.
She went on to say: “The inspiration for the twelves cats Christmas card came from a mixture of the popularity of our cats charity birthday ecards and my fondness for the twelve days of Christmas song!”
The twelve cats of Christmas and other ecards to be launched in the coming weeks, are expected to help Hope Spring water Christmas fundraising efforts. The holiday period around December is one of the busiest for Hope Spring fundraising platform and for other charities in the UK in general.
A successful fundraising campaign in the last quarter of this year, will enable Hope Spring to fund some of their outstanding well and borehole projects in 2023. You can view and send the twelve cats of Christmas ecards at Hope Spring ecards website. You will also find more information about their clean water advocacy projects on their homepage.
Timor Release a Modern Successor to the Legendary WWW (Dirty Dozen)
This watch represents the next step in our journey, seamlessly merging the past's robustness with today's elegance and functionality. And That' Christmas feels sure it will be the ideal Christmas gift for the watch enthusiast in your life.
Key Features:
Durability and Elegance: Crafted to endure the toughest of challenges, the Modern Field 100M embodies the strength and resilience required for today's battleground. Yet, its elegance and usability make it suitable for any adventure.
Specifications: With a diameter of 36.5mm, thickness of 12mm, and weight of 94g, this watch is designed for comfort. It boasts a water resistance of 10ATM (100M, 330ft), ensuring reliability in most water encounters. The watch features a domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal, Sellita Modified SW260 movements, and is made with 316L stainless steel with an anti-glint PVD finish.
Highly Legible Dial: No more squinting or searching for the correct angle! The time is clear, day or night, ensuring that a rapid glance is all you need.
Anti-Glint Coating: The Modern Field 100M features a matte black anti-reflective PVD coating, ensuring discretion when it matters most, adding a touch of stealthy sophistication.
Water Resistance: Designed to be a trusty companion in rain, river, or during a rigorous workout. (Note: While robust, it's advised against using this watch for diving.)
For Everyone: While it's the successor to their esteemed military field watches, the Modern Field 100M is for everyone. Its simplicity, durability, and elegance make it the perfect accessory for adventurers, professionals, and everyday enthusiasts alike.
Pricing and Availability: The Modern Field 100M is priced at £990.00. Pre-orders opened today and will be shipping next Summer, 2024.
For more details and to be notified when the Modern Field 100M becomes available, visit Timor Watch Company.
Founded in 1923 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Timor Watch Company quickly gained a reputation for crafting durable Swiss watches. During World War II, Timor was among the legendary "Dirty Dozen" watchmakers that produced timepieces for the British Military.
After navigating challenges like the quartz crisis, Timor made a resurgence by returning to its roots, focusing on iconic WWII designs. Now headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, Timor continues its legacy with modern interpretations of classic designs.
A Very Social Spirit! Celebrate Togetherness at Xmas With Masons of Yorkshire's Personalised Products, Award-Winning Gins and Vodkas, All Locally Produced in Yorkshire
Ten years ago, gin lovers Karl and Cathy Mason set up a Facebook page about their favourite spirit. They were posting reviews of their delicious finds, followers followed, and soon 10k people were on the page, joining in the chat and sharing their gincredible finds too.
It took a lot of time to manage thousands of comments and reviews - and then the couple had the lightbulb moment: what if we did this all the time? And Masons of Yorkshire was born. The distillery was the first to open in Yorkshire, right at the start of the gin boom that swept across the UK and beyond.
This year the company celebrates a decade of distilling. 24 people are now employed at the stunning state-of-the-art distillery in beautiful Bedale, North Yorkshire, which is open for tours and events all year round. Masons of Yorkshire has won countless awards the world over, (over 180!) and exports products internationally.
With a gin portfolio consisting of the 10th Anniversary Gin, Original, Tea Edition, Orange & Lime Leaf, Pear & Pink Peppercorn, Pink Grapefruit & Cucumber, Fruit of the Tropics and English Lavender, the Masons have lent their expert hand to crafting Luxury British Vodka, and sales have doubled in the last year as at-home cocktail enthusiasts and bars discover the smoothness of the Original, Citrus, Espresso and Chocolate expressions.
Now a proudly carbon-neutral business, Masons of Yorkshire will dedicate the next 10 years to creating business and jobs for local people as sustainably as possible, building on a legacy of creating award-winning 'no gimmicks' gin and vodka, and being at the forefront of British produced distilled spirits.
Stand out products for stand out gifts, let your family and friends know how much you treasure them by sending the original and best.
Perfectly Personalised Presents
They can personalise their award-winning range of Gins and Vodkas with up to 20 characters on the front label. From £37.95 for 70cl.
The serious Gin for the serious Gin Lover - 52% abv
To mark the 10 year anniversary, Masons of Yorkshire has released a special edition gin, with the star of the show being juniper, to celebrate the plant that started it all. The gin has been crafted to be juniper rich, to share with the gin aficionados and gin lovers out there that have supported the brand.
In addition to the juniper, the gin also features other key botanicals such as coriander, fresh lime and bay leaf. These botanicals add complexity to the gin, making it a well-rounded and delicious spirit.
The gin features two different varieties of juniper, distilled three ways: pot still, vapor basket, and vacuum distillation. It's bottled at 52% ABV, 10% higher in ABV than the Masons of Yorkshire Original Edition, (1% for every year!) a punchy flavour fitting for a 10th anniversary celebration and the perfect strength to deliver a juniper hit. The gin will be presented in a beautiful presentation box, made from fine linen with foiled copper detailing. The ultimate in luxury gin.
Available from www.masonsofyorkshire.com. £45 for 70cl, 52% ABV.
Stocking Fillers - Luxurious Gin and Vodka for under £25
Why not treat Santa to something a little special this year? Swap the cookies for a miniature bottle of Masons to enjoy with a tonic under the tree?
These perfectly formed presents also make absolutely wonderful stocking fillers, or why not save them for Christmas Dinner? The smooth flavours will make amazing aperitifs for your guests on arrival.
The Taste Experience Gift Set, £22.50
Each pack includes five miniature 5cl bottles of Masons gin including The Original, Tea Edition, Pink Grapefruit & Cucumber, Pear & Pink Peppercorn and Orange & Lime Leaf. Perfect as a gift for all premium gin lovers, or why not treat yourself?
Vodka Miniatures Gift Set, £16
The Masons Vodka Gift Set bundle includes all three of their original Vodkas: Classic Vodka, Espresso Vodka & Citrus Vodka, now in a 5cl miniatures tasting set. It's ideal to explore the flavour, clarity and smoothness their Vodkas have won awards for. Perfect as a gift set to treat a vodka lover.
Classic Vodka: Designed with clarity and freshness in mind. Savour the crisp, gloriously smooth characteristics of Masons Classic Vodka over ice, in long drinks or as a base for your favourite cocktails.
Espresso Vodka: Masons Espresso Vodka is slowly distilled for smoothness. Delicately nuanced with vapor-infused coffee beans from El Salvador results in a taste experience of rich, silky coffee.
Citrus Vodka: Masons Citrus Vodka is distilled for smoothness and quality. Citrus is delicately vapor-infused through the process to create a vodka with crisp and punchy citrus notes.
As we say, ideal, personalised Christmas presents, but this time for the gin and vodka lovers in your life!
11 Unique and Budget-Friendly Christmas Gift Ideas
This year, why not surprise your loved ones with gifts that show thoughtfulness and creativity, without breaking the bank? In this blog post, we've compiled a list of 10 unique and inexpensive Christmas gift ideas that are certain to bring smiles to the faces of your friends and family members.
Personalised Ornaments
Create custom ornaments that reflect the recipient's interests or special memories. Whether it's a photo ornament or one with their name beautifully crafted, personalised ornaments are both sentimental and affordable, too.
Homemade Treats
Put your culinary skills to work and bake a batch of homemade cookies, fudge, or other treats. Package them in decorative containers or jars, and add a heartfelt note. Homemade goodies are always appreciated.
Home filled wicker hamper
Everyone loves a special wicker hamper filled with delectable Christmas treats such a mince pies, Christmas cakes, Christmas puddings, waxed cheeses, wines, beers, liquors, spirits, scented candles, trinkets and special, quirky gifts. You can easily obtain your own wicker basket (we buy ours from The Works https://www.theworks.co.uk and fill them up with whatever we think the intended recipient will love. Especially helpful if you want to create a bespoke wicker hamper for someone who has health issues such as being a coeliac, vegan, etc.
Indoor Plant
A small potted plant, such as a succulent or a mini herb garden, can be a thoughtful gift that brings a touch of nature to a loved one's home. It's a gift that keeps on giving.
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DIY Photo Album
Create a scrapbook or photo album filled with cherished memories and mementos. You can find budget-friendly albums at craft stores, and it's a wonderful way to relive special moments.
Handmade Jewellery
Craft a one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery using beads, wire, or even polymer clay. Personalize it to match the recipient's style and taste. Handmade jewellery carries a unique charm and sentimental value.
Customized Recipe Book
Compile a collection of your favourite recipes or family recipes and present them in a beautifully decorated notebook or binder. Add personal touches like handwritten notes or cooking tips.
Film Night Kit
Put together a cosy film night kit with popcorn, their favourite cinema-style sweets, and a DVD or a streaming service gift card. It's a thoughtful gift that encourages relaxation and quality time.
DIY Candles
Make your own candles with scents that you know the recipient will love. You can find candle-making kits and supplies at craft stores, etc. And the end result is both personal and functional, too.
Personalised Calendar
Create a custom calendar featuring photos or artwork that hold special meaning for the recipient. They can enjoy a year filled with memories and reminders.
Craft Kits
Give the gift of creativity with a DIY craft kit. Whether it's knitting, painting, or making handmade soap, there are numerous affordable kits available that provide hours of creative enjoyment. They can be found at craft stores, B&M Bargains, Home Bargains, The Range, on Amazon, etc.
Finding unique but inexpensive Christmas gifts doesn't have to be a daunting task. By putting thought and effort into your gift-giving, you can show your loved ones how much you care without breaking the bank.
Whether it's a personalised ornament, homemade treats, or a handmade craft, these thoughtful gifts are sure to warm the hearts of those you cherish. This Christmas season, let your creativity shine and celebrate the spirit of giving in a meaningful and budget-friendly way. You'll have fun sourcing them and creating them and the recipient will have a special and unique Christmas gift that is personal to them.
You'll find more details of what to do, where to go and what to buy in this blogpost
https://thatschristmas.blogspot.com/2023/08/why-not-try-crafting-for-christmas.html
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