Wednesday, 22 November 2023
That's Food and Drink: Refuge Manx Rum is announced by Fynoderee Distillery
Fill their stockings with magazines this Christmas: an affordable and inspirational gift for men... and all the family!
A subscription to Readly, the digital magazine and newspaper app, is the perfect choice this Christmas. It’s guaranteed to inspire and entertain loved ones, environmentally friendly and kind on purse strings too. It's the true definition of a win-win situation!
With a Readly subscription, you can browse and read an absolutely stunning 7,500 digital magazines and newspapers whenever or wherever you wish. Plus the subscription also includes regional newspapers, podcasts and a portfolio of Disney comics and magazines, besides!
There’s really something for entire family wrapped up in one handy app to read on your tablet or mobile wherever you may be.
Whether you’re into interior design, travel, Pilates, tech, music, fashion, sport or some gardening or enjoy reading business features, news or researching recipes, DIY tricks or looking for something to entertain the kids this Christmas, there’s a title for every occasion - all the latest issues and back issues too!
If you want to curl up on the sofa or read in a snowy log cabin or whilst you are travelling, you can download up to 500 titles and read in the offline mode too.
And as Readly gives five profiles per household, the whole family can be entertained and inspired with the subscription. It’s unlimited reading of all your favourite titles and many more in a climate-friendly way, wherever you may be!
5 reasons why Readly should be on every list this Christmas:Inspire a new hobby: Support family and friends to fulfill their dreams and support a hobby or read about a new travel destination with the huge range of titles available! Whether mainstream lifestyle or niche, there’s a title for you.
Easy reading at home or on the go: as Readly can be read anywhere, anytime, friends and family can use their gift when travelling, cooking, sitting on the sofa, working out, commuting or in the garden. It’s really perfect for every occasion!
With newspapers and podcasts plus magazines - Readly has so many of the leading national, international and regional newspapers as well as magazines for everyone in your family or the family of your gift's recipient read. Or tune in to listen to a podcast, it’s all there, waiting to be enjoyed.
And what's more, it's a genuinely sustainable way to read. Because reading a digital magazine on Readly results in 86% lower greenhouse gas emissions than reading the printed equivalent.
You can read too!- a Readly subscription gives users five profiles per household so if you’re lucky enough to live with the person you’re giving the gift to, you can read too!
A subscription is just £9.99 a month and there is a range of Christmas GiftCards available for 3, 6 and 12 months, starting at £28.47 . Visit www.readly.com for more information.
Saturday, 18 November 2023
That's Food and Drink: Limoncello Di Capri's New Cream Liqueur Hits the L...
Friday, 17 November 2023
The Weird Side of Christmas Revealed by Mug Shots
And rest assured children have all his travelling needs and present delivery welfare well catered for too according to the insights unearthed in instant hot snack brand’s Tree-riffic Christmas Survey.
One thing is certain, when Mug Shot decided to stoke up some early festival cheer among its thousands of social media followers to celebrate the launch of its new festival flavour Pigs in Blankets, it’s clear it’s the wonderfully British Christmas traditions, and a few quirky ones, which help to keep the magic alive, no matter what age you are.
Risotto and Spam butties await!
Depending on how you look at it, Santa is in for a treat of some kind this year largely due to children having both a creative and practical way of looking at what Santa would fancy for that warm and welcome midnight snack.
For many Mug Shot followers the traditional mince and sherry or cookies and milk are shunned for a whole host of bizarre snacks and ‘helpful items'.
When asked what their youngsters like to leave out on the most magical night of the year lettuce and sugar sandwiches, soup, Spam butties, risotto, Playdoh cakes, Kombucha and a Cornetto all made it on to the list.
Responses also included Jack Daniels and an After Eight, red wine and pizza and salt and vinegar crisps and a can of lager which tends to suggest parents might have been planning their own supper.
Rudolph has also been enjoying a feast.
Reindeer nibbles including cat biscuits, parsnips, Twiglets (‘because they look like tiny antlers’), sweet potatoes, carrot cake, sprouts (‘wind power for the sleigh’) boiled red cabbage and moss.
And the ingenuity of a child’s mind also ensures the health, safety and welfare of Santa and his reindeers are taken into full and careful consideration on their potentially hazardous rooftop journey around the world on a cold Christmas Eve night.
Alongside refreshments, little ones have insisted on leaving woolly tights in case he gets cold, hats ‘in case he loses his own’, gloves, a hair bobble so his beard doesn’t catch fire, flea treatment for the reindeers and dog poo bags to scoop up the reindeer droppings.
Families embrace generational traditions
For many, children are the focus of Christmas, helping us to reignite the magic and special memories of our own childhood Christmases – and that’s certainly the case for our Mug Shot followers.
When asked how they keep the Christmas magic alive as their kids get older, our Mug Shot followers all had their own special little ways to help their youngsters to keep believing.
And that magic seems to last until the little kids become big kids and have children of their own.
Keeping the same tried and tested traditions going year after year was voted as the way to stop the wonder from waning including hanging up stockings, baking, Christmas stories, crafts, listening to classic Christmas tunes, watching films and plenty of festive family outings such as markets and pantomimes.
Many of Mug Shot's social media followers said that more than anything, if grown-ups keep dreaming and believing it helps to keep the magic and Christmas spirit alive for all the whole family.
Pigs in blankets gets the thumbs up
With Christmas dinner being one of the main events, Mug Shot asked their followers to dish up their likes, dislikes and favourite trimmings – even how they’ll be cooking it.
With the air fryer now a kitchen gadget staple, followers were asked which elements of Christmas dinner they’ll be bunging in there this year.
36% said roast potatoes, a fifth said pigs in blankets and almost 10% said they were bravely attempting to cook to the whole thing in an air fryer.
For those who don’t have an air fryer, many are hoping Santa will bring them one!
Overwhelmingly the most popular part of Christmas dinner was pigs in blankets, music to the Mug Shot ears!, followed by, no not the turkey, but roast potatoes (20%).
Other favourites included parsnips, gravy, Yorkshire puddings, bread sauce, stuffing and a rogue lobster.
They were also asked what accompaniment should never be part of Christmas dinner - tomato ketchup, mayonnaise, mushy peas or Yorkshire pudding.
Ketchup got the thumbs down from 40% of Christmas dinner devotees followed by mayonnaise at 27% and a quarter pushed mushy peas to one side.
One much maligned festive food which did surprisingly come out on top was the humble sprout.
When asked what the best thing was to do with them – eat them, bin them, don’t go within a mile of them or use them for an amusing game, a whopping 70% said eat them.
Trips to A&E and very awkward text messages
With the weeks of prep, stress and military precision planning that goes into Christmas you want it to run as smoothly as possible but that’s sometimes not the case.
From drunkenly falling into a Christmas tree and ending up in A&E looking like a pin cushion to being unable to turn down invitations and forcing down five Christmas dinners in one day, there was a whole raft of hilarious festive faux pas.
In the awkwardness stakes, a daughter messaged her boyfriend to tell him what a terrible Christmas day she was having at her mum’s, and accidentally sent the message to her mum.
Tales of exploding kitchen appliances, defrosting prawns with a hairdryer, forgetting the presents and having to buy substitutes from a service station on the M1 and forgetting to the turn oven on in a Prosecco haze were on the list.
There were also wonderful and heart-warmingly memorable Christmases for many respondents including a mum who rushed home from hospital with her new-born son because all her daughter wanted for Christmas was a baby brother.
And sticking with the baby theme a gran-to-be who was given a ‘Find the Peanut’ game for Christmas which turned out to be an early scan of her first grandchild which she described as “the best present ever and the gift that keeps on giving”.
Husbands rightly get the brush off for ‘housework’ gifts
When asked what was strangest present found under the tree top honours went to a deactivated First World War hand grenade.
And it seems many husbands have been in the dog house over the years thanks to their choice of more practical gifts for their wives including dusters, an extendable paint roller, a washing up bowl and cleaning products and two serving spoons.
Work place Secret Santas often result in a combination of hilarious and controversial gifts with participants ranging from thoughtful and mischievous to downright ambivalent.
Asked what the worst gift was that they’d received in a Secret Santa revealed an eye patch, a ‘Grow your own Boyfriend’ kit, a Cliff Richard calendar, a Busted poster, used body cream and a 39p bag of sweets.
Recycling and repurposing at its best
Mug Shot asked its followers to be completely upfront and honest and confess whether they’d ever re-wrapped a present they’d received and given it to someone else – which you could argue is recycling and repurposing at its best.
50% said they had and skincare product and toiletries were the most regifted items along with scarves and candles.
Emma Boyle, Senior Brand Manager at Mug Shot said: “We love hearing from our Mug Shot social media followers and this was a great way to find out more about how they like to spend this special time of year.
“We’ve had lots of laughs and really enjoyed reading the responses which show that despite these difficult times families everywhere cherish Christmas and spending time with their loved ones.
“It’s reassuring to know the wonderful traditions which have kept the magic going for many, many years – and the little traditions we invent as families and are personal to us - are still the things people turn to to make memories.”
“At Mug Shot as well as creating delicious, warm and comforting healthy lunch options, we like to have a bit of fun with our festive flavours.
“Pigs in blankets have been around since the mid 20th Century and are now an absolute Christmas Dinner favourite so it was an obvious choice for us.”
Festive Limited Edition Pigs in Blankets Mug Shot is available at B&M stores nationwide. Featuring pasta twists and the favours of bacon, sausage and sage, it’s good to go in five minutes as a tasty, healthy and low in fat lunch or snack.
Rudell The Jewellers release their catalogue for Christmas
Nestled in the heart of the West Midlands, Rudell The Jewellers, known for their dedication to deliver excellence in quality, service and value since 1938, opened their doors to guests wishing to celebrate the launch of the catalogue
The evening was a true treat for the senses, as guests sipped Champagne, indulged themselves in delicious appetisers while listening to the soft rhythm of the piano played by Karen Daniels.
Various jewellery and timepieces from prestigious brands such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, Tudor, OMEGA, IWC, Grand Seiko, Longines, FOPE, Roberto Coin, Messika, Mikimoto, George Jensen, Antonini, Mont Blanc, and Lalique, were available to view, touch and try on.
Guests were particularly captivated by Messika, the newest addition to Rudell The Jewellers. Messika’s Country Manager, Romain Milaret, was on hand to offer insight into the brand as well as provide guests with styling advice.
Founded in 2005, Messika has already established itself as a modern, dynamic and daring jewellery brand which prides itself on diamonds for everyday wear. A luxury brand of the highest quality worn by celebrities such as Beyoncé, Kendall Jenner, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna and many more.
With a wide variety of jewellery, watches, and gifts, guests were able to find something that specifically catered to their unique tastes and styles. Rudells’ professional and friendly staff were readily available to guide and help navigate through the many different jewellery and watch collections. Rudells’ in-house designs commanded attention with the highlight piece of night being the white gold necklet with diamond detailing from Rudells’ Prestige collection – a true embodiment of luxury.
The evening was not only an occasion to witness the brilliance of Rudell's selection of jewellery, watches, and gift items, but it was also a chance for guests to meet with old friends and socialise. "Our guests had the opportunity to explore and appreciate the finest creations in our new catalogue,” says Rudells’ Sales Manager, Glenn Jenkinson-Deakin. “But at the core of the event, the evening was a celebration of our guests who, over the years, have become part of the Rudell family.”
As the event drew to a close, guests left with not only a deeper appreciation for Rudells’ excellence in service, but also with a glimpse of the timeless elegance that defines Rudell The Jewellers. Rudell The Jewellers continues to display the high standards of quality, personal attention, and customer service – values they have been faithful to since 1938.
For more information on Rudell The Jewellers and their new catalogue, please go the website or visit one of their showrooms in Wolverhampton and Birmingham.
Thursday, 16 November 2023
Christmas fundraiser with charity designed cards becomes increasingly popular
DontSendMeACard.com launched a pilot of its system in November 2015 with a handful of charities on board, to test their idea of a platform for donations in lieu of Christmas cards.
Since then over 1900 organisations have joined up and have uploaded a huge library of e-card designs to choose from. These designs are then offered to supporters by charities as an alternative to sending printed cards. Both static and animated cards are supported.
The charities participating in the fundraiser range from small to large, with well-known names such as The Salvation Army, Dogs Trust, and Stroke Association investing the time to generate designs that can be sent electronically, saving paper as a result.
DontSendMeACard Co-founder Alex Furness said, “The range of designs on offer now is superb. When we started off our content was minimal, as we only had a few dozen charities on board who agreed to the pilot. However we saw the potential for our model with people still using our initial offering.
For our platform and brand to have grown in popularity the way it has really is in part down to how brilliantly creative the designs that charities have come up with. You wouldn’t typically think of charitable organisations as inherently creative, but they really do have it in them. You can clearly see this by looking at the designs on offer."
In addition to designing e-cards, charities are engaging with artists, illustrators, and running Christmas e-card design competitions to add to their e-card collections.
Patrons that have offered artwork to fundraise with include Sir Quentin Blake, Harry Hill, and Nick Park creator of Wallace and Gromit.
You can browse the designs on offer on DontSendMeACard by occasion e.g. Christmas, and by searching through the listed charities and viewing their designs on offer from their landing pages.
With first-class UK stamps increasing by 15p in October to £1.25, the third increase in 18 months, more consumers and businesses who typically send physical Christmas cards may well be looking at alternatives such as DontSendMeACard for Christmas 2023.
Wednesday, 15 November 2023
That's Food and Drink: Sharpham Dairy's Happy Accident Cheese is Crowned ...
Delicious Gluten Free Christmas Hampers from Flapjackery
This fabulous Ultimate Christmas Treats Hamper is jam-packed full of delicious gluten-free treats, with its gluten free flapjacks taking centre stage.
These include Christmas Tiffin, Christmas Millionaires, Peanut Butter Fudge, and Orange and Cranberry flapjack.
It's all lovingly made in Devon, near Dartmoor, using the finest of British oats, locally sourced West Country ingredients, Fairtrade brown sugar, and real butter.
This classic hamper is also brimming with other Flapjackery goodies such as clusters which are dollops of chocolate infused with either granola, fruit and nut or honeycomb; its decadent creamy fudge; its Chocolate Dipped Oranges - slices of zesty orange dipped in decadent chocolate, and to add a touch of festive charm, there are three mini Christmas trees. The hamper also includes a Flapjackery mug and coaster set, a beautiful branded tea towel and a Flapjackery jigsaw.
Flapjackery's Medium Christmas Gift Hamper (www.flapjackery.co.uk from £55)
There's a treasure trove of mouth-watering gluten-free delights in Flapjackery's Christmas Indulgence Hamper.
Everything is hand made in Tavistock near Dartmoor in Devon and the flavours are simply irresistible. The stars of the show are four huge slices of Christmas Tiffin, Christmas Millionaires, Peanut Butter Fudge, and Orange and Cranberry flapjack, made with British oats and with flavourings all sourced from the West Country.
Nestled among the chunks are bite sized flapjack bags of Clotted Cream flapjack; Chocolate Dipped Oranges - slices of zesty orange dipped in decadent chocolate and to add a touch of festive charm; a chocolate Christmas tree - perfect for adding a sprinkle of holiday cheer to your surroundings; Mixed Honeycomb and Fruit and Nut Clusters, a mixed fudge bag and a hot chocolate spoon for a sublime mug of hot chocolate.
Santa's Christmas Treats Hamper (from www.flapjackery.co.uk from £30.00)
Flapjackery's Christmas Treats Hamper is a true delight. Inside, you'll find giant slabs of Raspberry Millionaires Flapjack, Rudolph Flapjack, and Chocolate Tiffin Fudge Flapjack, each bursting with incredible flavours. Accompanying these indulgent treats are bags of Chocolate Honeycomb Clusters, Mixed Fudge, and a pyramid chocolate bar.
Friday, 10 November 2023
‘Say No to Socks, Get a Gift You'll Remember’ - Age UK Lambeth Launches Christmas Fundraising Campaign
As the festive season approaches, Age UK Lambeth is pleased to announce the launch of its Christmas fundraising campaign ‘Say No to Socks, Get a Gift You'll Remember.’
Are you tired of receiving unwanted, dust-collecting presents year after year? This festive season, why not make a meaningful change by receiving gifts that truly make a difference?
Ask family and friends for donations instead of naff gifts and make it a year to remember!
‘24% of older Londoners (over the age of 50) live in poverty’ (Age UK London - Poverty amongst older Londoners October 2023)
The cost of living crisis has hit our older population particularly hard. Rising energy bills and soaring food prices have placed a heavy burden on older individuals, many of whom live on fixed incomes. Age UK Lambeth is committed to ensuring no older person in our community is left behind during the holiday season.
‘Older Londoners are 50% more likely to experience food insecurity than the rest of England. Additionally, 58% of people in fuel poverty in London are over 60 (Age UK London, 2022).
This year's campaign is dedicated to addressing the profound challenges faced by older adults in our community due to the ever-increasing cost of living by asking people to replace those unwanted and forgettable presents with something that matters most: support for older adults in our community who need it. The funds collected will go towards essential services, including:
Winter Warm Hubs: With winter approaching, many older people will struggle to stay warm in their homes. Age UK Lambeth will provide a winter warm hub where they can come and stay warm, get a meal, and make friends
Energy & Money Support: Age UK Lambeth will offer advice and support to help people with their energy bills, benefits, and other essential issues that older people often face during the winter months.
Friendship Services: Loneliness and isolation are significant issues for older individuals, especially during the holidays. The campaign will fund our MYneighbour and MYsocial services to ensure the most isolated older people have someone to talk to and share the joy of the season with.
"Christmas is a time for joy and togetherness, but for many older adults in Lambeth, it can be a time of great hardship. The cost of living crisis has left them struggling to make ends meet, and we believe that no one should have to face these challenges alone," said Paul Coles, CEO of Age UK Lambeth
How it works:
Set up your Just Giving page which will connect directly to their Christmas campaign
Share the link with family and friends and ask that they donate there instead of buying you a Christmas present this year
Watch as you raise life-changing money for older people in Lambeth
Direct donations can also be made to our Christmas campaign through our website www.justgiving.com/campaign/auklchristmas2023, by calling 07749 850058 or by emailing fundraising@ageuklambeth.org.
They are also looking for volunteers to participate in their MY ho ho ho campaign. They are asking local volunteers to cook and deliver an extra Christmas meal for an older person in Lambeth. For more information please visit our website https://www.ageuk.org.uk/lambeth/get-involved/christmas.
For more information about Age UK Lambeth's Christmas fundraising campaign and how you can get involved, please visit https://www.ageuk.org.uk/lambeth/get-involved/christmas or contact James on 07749 850058 or email fundraising@ageuklambeth.org.