The Yoto Player and Yoto Mini: A world of screen-free kids’ audio. Ideal for Christmas Gifting

The gift that keeps on giving is the Yoto Player. Supporting independent play, listening and learning from ages 3-12, the Yoto player grows with the whole family providing years of entertainment and learning to children at all different levels. 

Yoto is an amazing kids’ audio player with a wide range of functions and features, including a programmable night light and clock; OK-to-wake settings; room thermometer; its own daily podcast; family radio stations; as well as endless hours of free stories, music, podcasts and sleep sounds.

Having skyrocketed to success since its launch on Kickstarter in 2017, the Yoto brand has gone from strength to strength – with hundreds of thousands of families around the world now enjoying Yoto. 

The Yoto Player keeps creative play, privacy and safety at its heart - it's ad-free with no microphones or cameras, and is packed with free audio and features for family life, designed to encourage kids to be more independent throughout their day.

Inspired by Montessori principles, the Yoto Player is activated via Yoto Cards, which are slotted into the audio player to play audiobooks, music, podcasts, and activities.

There are over 1,000 cards to choose from, from Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, Judith Kerr, Disney, Roald Dahl, Marvel, Star Wars and Enid Blyton to name just a few, as well as the Harry PotterTM series. 

You’ll also find a whole catalogue of Yoto original stories with engaging content about our world, other cultures, languages, the solar system, animals, science, baking recipes and so much more. There really is a Yoto card for everyone!

Not only does the Yoto Player keep little ones entertained throughout the day, it can also play a key role in better bedtimes. 

With features like a day-and-night clock, built-in nightlight, sleep radio and sounds, a sleep timer, alarms and sleep focussed Yoto cards, bedtime routines and wind downs have never been easier thanks to Yoto.

With 24 hours of play per charge the Bluetooth-enabled Yoto Player also connects to the free Yoto App, allowing you to manage and customise your Player from your phone, also home to all of your cards and allowing you to control audio settings from the touch of a button. 

Never leaving you stuck when needed most, Yoto Player has USB-C fast-charging and wireless charging for choice and convenience and 32GB of storage for 600+ hours of audio for offline listening, meaning you can still listen to your favourite story away from home.

For those on the go, the Yoto Mini is the perfect, portable travel companion, allowing kids to expand their imagination as they explore the world. The petite Yoto Mini lets kids listen without limits, giving them the freedom to safely enjoy their favourite audio on the move. 

Yoto Mini, like its older sibling the Yoto Player, is controlled using physical Yoto Cards, and provides many of the same features but in a much smaller handheld device. 

The compact size and impressive 14 hour battery life of the Yoto Mini makes it perfect for long car journeys, flights and family days out, providing children access to stories, music, podcasts, learning and more on the go.

The Yoto Player is retailing at £89.99 and the Yoto Mini at £59.99, both available at Yotoplay.com and on Amazon.

Yoto Player RRP: £89.99 | Stockist: https://uk.yotoplay.com/yoto-player

Yoto Mini RRP: £59.99 | Stockist: https://uk.yotoplay.com/yoto-mini

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Christmas Gift Guide for Gardeners

This Christmas, Garden Trading is pleased to unveil its Gift Guide for Gardeners, a specially curated collection of timeless and practical presents for those who love spending time outdoors.

Highlights include the rustic Bembridge Rattan Trug, perfect for harvesting homegrown produce, and the stylish Classic Garden Scissors & Bamboo Bag, a thoughtful gift for any green-fingered friend. Looking to add charm to a winter garden? 

The Brading Seagrass Bird House and Classic Slate Thermometer bring natural beauty and function to all outdoor spaces.

From elegant essentials to unique keepsakes, the collection is designed with Garden Trading's signature blend of practicality and style, making it easy to choose meaningful gifts that last well beyond the festive season.

https://www.gardentrading.co.uk

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Why a Genuine Indian Kansa Wand is the Perfect Christmas Gift for Self-Care and Beauty Enthusiasts

When it comes to thoughtful gifting, Christmas is the time to go beyond the usual socks and selection boxes. If you’re looking for a present that’s not just beautiful, but also meaningful and beneficial, an Ayurvedic Kansa Wand could be the ideal choice.

What is a Kansa Wand?

The Kansa Wand is a traditional Ayurvedic wellness tool made with a smooth wooden handle and a domed tip of kansa—a sacred blend of copper and tin known as "bell metal". 

For centuries, this metal has been prized in Ayurveda for its balancing properties and is believed to help reduce stress, promote energy flow, and restore the skin’s natural radiance.

The Gift of Wellness

We live in a busy, often stressful world. Many of us end the year feeling run down, burnt out, and in need of a reset. The Kansa Wand makes a wonderful Christmas gift because it’s not just another item to clutter the home—it’s a tool for self-care.

With gentle massage, the Kansa Wand:

Helps release tension from the face and body

Stimulates circulation and lymphatic drainage

Supports relaxation and mental calm

Brings a natural, radiant glow to the skin

Imagine giving a loved one the gift of relaxation and rejuvenation that they can enjoy again and again, long after the decorations are packed away.

A Unique and Ethical Choice

Unlike mass-produced beauty gadgets, Kansa Wands are traditionally handcrafted in India, often by artisans who have passed the craft down through generations. Choosing this as a Christmas present means supporting both heritage and sustainability, while offering your recipient something unique and deeply personal.

Perfect for Everyone on Your List

Whether you’re shopping for a beauty lover, a wellness enthusiast, or simply someone who deserves more "me time," a Kansa Wand fits the bill. It’s unisex, easy to use, and doesn’t require batteries, apps, or complicated routines—just a few minutes a day to feel refreshed.

Wrap Up Relaxation This Christmas

This year, instead of another novelty gift destined for the cupboard, why not surprise your friends or family with something that promotes health, calm, and balance? An Ayurvedic Kansa Wand is more than a Christmas present—it’s a reminder to slow down, take care, and enjoy a little daily ritual of self-care.

My wife and I bought Kansa Wands for each other as early Christmas presents, which is what inspired is to create this blogpost.

When and How to Book Your Office or Workplace Christmas Dinner

The office Christmas dinner is a highlight of the workplace calendar. It’s a chance to celebrate the year’s achievements, bond with colleagues outside the office, and kick off the festive season in style. 

But if you’re the one responsible for organising it, the thought of juggling venues, menus, and colleagues’ preferences can feel a little overwhelming. 

The key to stress-free success? Booking at the right time and knowing exactly what to look for.

When to Book Your Office Christmas Dinner

Timing is everything when it comes to festive dining. Leave it too late and you could end up with a limited choice of venues, set menus that don’t suit your team, or worse—no booking at all!

Start Early (September–October): Popular restaurants, hotels, and pubs tend to release their Christmas menus in late summer or early autumn. Booking as soon as they’re out means you’ll have the pick of dates and dishes.

Mid-Season (November): By this stage, prime Friday and Saturday nights will likely be gone. However, midweek slots are usually still available—and often cheaper.

Last-Minute (December): If you’ve left it late, don’t panic. Some venues keep a few tables aside, especially for smaller parties, but you may need to be flexible on date, time, or menu.

Always have a contingency plan or be ready to think outside the box. Two years ago the venue for a company Christmas party called an hour before the party was due to start. They had to cancel our booking along with all other  bookings as they had had an explosion and minor fire in the kitchen's power distribution box.

There was a brief moment of panic until I said: "There's a tapas bar on the ground floor of our building, yeah? Would they be able to accommodate our Christmas do?"

The tapas bar were pleased to be able to fit is in as they happened to have an empty table for 20 just when we needed it! 

The other thought that we'd have gone with was calling a food delivery company to deliver food to our office.

Pro tip: If you’re planning for a large workplace team, it’s wise to book before the end of October to secure your ideal date.

How to Choose and Book the Perfect Venue

Know Your Numbers

Get an accurate headcount early. Will it be the whole company, just your department, or a smaller team gathering? Most venues need a deposit per person, so knowing who’s in makes life easier.

Think About Location

Choose somewhere accessible for everyone, ideally close to transport links. If you’ve got colleagues travelling from different parts of town, a central location is often best.

Check the Menu Options

Ask about dietary requirements before you book. Venues should be able to cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other needs without fuss.

Budget Carefully

Decide whether the company is footing the whole bill, offering a contribution, or if colleagues will pay individually. Some venues will let you pre-pay drinks packages, which can help control costs on the night.

Confirm the Extras

Many places offer festive add-ons like crackers, music, or even private rooms. Double-check what’s included so there are no surprises later.

Making the Booking Smooth

Collect deposits promptly (if required).

Share the menu with colleagues early so choices can be gathered in plenty of time.

Keep communication clear—send a group email or set up a shared document with all the details: time, date, venue, and dress code.

Alternative Ideas for Workplace Christmas Dinners

If a restaurant meal isn’t the right fit this year, you could also consider:

Private dining rooms in hotels or restaurants.

Festive buffets or catered meals in the office itself.

Activity-based events like bowling, escape rooms, or cocktail-making, followed by food.

Final Thoughts

The office Christmas dinner should be fun, not stressful. By booking early, choosing wisely, and keeping your colleagues in the loop, you’ll set the stage for a celebration everyone will remember for the right reasons.

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Joyeux Noël – Revealing Beautiful New Winter Wonderland Packaging - in Time for Stir Up Sunday!

Several days ago we wrote about stir up Sunday. https://thatschristmas.blogspot.com/2025/08/when-should-you-start-making-your.html

Now, we have more to say on this very important pre-Christmas event. 

As Stir up Sunday approaches, it's time to immerse in all things festive. To help make this Christmas extra special Bonne Maman has introduced beautiful, limited edition etched jars to the brand's award-winning 360g Hazelnut Chocolate Spread alongside the 750g jars of delicious classic Apricot, Strawberry and Raspberry Conserves as well as especially designed packs of all butter Bonne Maman Madeleines.  

Perfect for adding some extra 'ho, ho, ho' to the festive season, each jar is beautifully embellished with an evocative, winter wonderland design. 

Once the Hazelnut Chocolate Spread and Conserves have been enjoyed, simply clean the jar, remove the labels, then upcycle into a charming decoration by adding a string of twinkling lights or fill with mulled wine spices or chocolate truffles to create a lovely homemade gift.

Perfect additions to a Christmas stocking or personalised hamper, the exclusive Bonne Maman packaging adds an extra little je ne sais quoi to seasonal family breakfasts and celebration teas.

Available while stocks last, the limited edition 360g Hazelnut Chocolate Spread (rrp £4.10) 750g Apricot, Strawberry and Raspberry Conserves (rrp £5.75) and special seasonal packs of Madeleines (rrp £3.00) will be available while stocks last from all major retailers, from late November. Bon appétit!

https://www.bonnemaman.co.uk

How to Choose the Perfect Christmas Presents for Book Lovers

When it comes to Christmas shopping, few people are as rewarding to buy for as book lovers. Their passion for stories, beautiful editions, and cosy reading spaces means there are endless opportunities to gift something they’ll truly treasure. 

Whether your bookish friend is a die-hard fiction fan, a budding collector, or someone who simply loves curling up with a novel and a mug of tea, here are some tips for choosing the perfect Christmas present.

1. Start with Their Favourite Genres

The easiest way to choose a book-related gift is to think about what they already love. Do they devour crime thrillers, adore sweeping historical epics, or melt over romance novels? A carefully chosen title in their favourite genre shows you’ve paid attention to their tastes. If you’re unsure what they’ve read recently, check their bookshelves or ask subtle questions in conversation.

2. Go Beyond the Bestseller List

While new releases and chart-toppers make easy choices, consider looking for something a little more unique. Independent bookshops often stock beautiful small-press editions, signed copies, or quirky titles that aren’t widely available on the high street. A rare or unusual find can make your gift extra special.

3. Treat Them to Collector’s Editions

Many publishers produce stunning hardback or special editions of classics, complete with foil covers, illustrations, or slipcases. For a book lover who already has a copy of Pride and Prejudice or The Hobbit, a beautifully bound edition turns a beloved story into a keepsake.

4. Think About Bookish Accessories

Not every present needs to be a book itself. Reading accessories can be equally appreciated. Ideas include:

A stylish bookmark or personalised leather one.

A cosy reading light or book lamp.

A tote bag with a literary quote.

A book stand for hands-free reading.

These thoughtful extras can enhance the reading experience and often feel more personal.

5. Subscriptions That Keep Giving

If you’re unsure about a specific title, a subscription makes a wonderful gift. Options include:

Book subscription boxes that deliver a surprise novel (sometimes paired with treats like tea or chocolate).

Literary magazines for readers who enjoy essays, short stories, or poetry.

Audiobook memberships, perfect for busy readers who want stories on the go.

Subscriptions offer a year-long reminder of your thoughtful gift.

6. Create a Cosy Reading Experience

Book lovers don’t just enjoy the stories—they enjoy the whole ritual of reading. Why not put together a hamper with a novel, a soft blanket, some festive candles, and a tin of luxury hot chocolate or tea? It’s a present that says: “Take some time for yourself.”

7. Personalise Your Choice

Adding a personal touch elevates any gift. Slip in a handwritten note explaining why you chose that book or accessory. Pair a novel with something themed—a baking book with a set of cookie cutters, or a travel memoir with a world map. This shows thoughtfulness and makes your gift memorable.

Choosing a Christmas present for a book lover is all about tuning into their world of stories and creating a gift that feels both personal and joyful. Whether it’s a beautifully bound edition, a practical accessory, or a subscription that lasts all year, your thoughtfulness will make the gift truly magical. After all, for book lovers, there’s no such thing as too many books!