A Christmas Warning: Preventing Food Poisoning at Home and in Catering Kitchens

A warning for homes and businesses on food safety, highlighting how food poisoning outbreaks can cause ill health and misery at Christmastime.

Christmas is a time of abundance. Packed fridges, overflowing ovens, buffet tables groaning under the weight of turkey, stuffing, pigs in blankets and trifle. It’s also, unfortunately, a time when cases of food poisoning spike sharply across the UK.

Whether you’re cooking at home for family and friends, or serving food professionally in a pub, restaurant, care home or events venue, Christmas meals must be prepared with care. One poorly handled dish can turn festive cheer into days of illness – or worse.

Why Christmas Is a High-Risk Time for Food Poisoning

The festive period creates a perfect storm for food safety problems:

Large volumes of food prepared in advance

Fridges overfilled and struggling to stay cold

Cooked food left out for long periods

People reheating leftovers multiple times

Temporary or seasonal catering staff under pressure

Add alcohol, distractions, late nights and “it’ll be fine” attitudes, and mistakes become far more likely.

Common Christmas-related outbreaks are linked to salmonella, campylobacter, E. coli, and listeria – all of which can cause serious illness, particularly in older people, young children, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems.

At Home: Festive Food Safety Essentials

1. Turkey Must Be Fully Cooked

Undercooked poultry is one of the biggest Christmas dangers.

Ensure the thickest part of the bird reaches at least 75°C

Juices should run clear, not pink

If in doubt, cook longer – resting time does not finish cooking

Stuffing should ideally be cooked separately to reduce risk.

2. Don’t Overcrowd the Fridge

A packed fridge cannot cool properly.

Raw meat must be kept on the bottom shelf

Leftovers should cool quickly and be refrigerated within two hours

Fridge temperature should be 5°C or below

If necessary, prioritise food safety over drinks storage.

3. Reheating Means Piping Hot

Leftovers are a Christmas joy – but only if handled correctly.

Reheat food once only

Ensure it’s piping hot all the way through

Never reheat turkey more than once

If something smells off or looks questionable, it’s not worth the risk.

4. Hands, Surfaces and Utensils Matter

Festive cooking often involves multiple people in the kitchen.

Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling food

Use separate boards for raw meat and ready-to-eat foods

Clean surfaces regularly, especially during long cooking sessions

“Christmas germs” are not festive – they spread fast.

For Catering Establishments: No Festive Exceptions

Professional kitchens carry a legal and moral responsibility to protect customers.

1. Pressure Is Not an Excuse

Busy Christmas services increase risk, but safety standards must never slip.

HACCP procedures must be followed at all times

Temperature logs must be accurate and up to date

Hot holding and cold storage must remain within safe limits

2. Temporary Staff Need Proper Training

Seasonal workers are common in December.

Food hygiene training must be provided

Supervision is essential, especially during peak services

“Learning on the job” is not acceptable where safety is concerned

3. Vulnerable Diners Must Be Protected

Care homes, hospitals, schools and Christmas community meals must take extra care.

Avoid high-risk foods such as unpasteurised cheeses

Ensure allergen information is clear and accurate

Maintain strict hygiene during buffet and self-service meals

An outbreak linked to a Christmas event can have devastating consequences.

Food Poisoning Isn’t “Just a Stomach Bug”

Foodborne illness can lead to:

Severe dehydration

Hospitalisation

Long-term digestive problems

In extreme cases, death

At Christmas, when NHS services are already stretched, preventable illness places additional strain on an already pressured system.

A Safer Christmas Is Everyone’s Responsibility

Christmas food should bring people together, not send them home ill.

By taking simple, sensible precautions, at home and professionally, too, we can ensure that festive meals are remembered for the right reasons: laughter, warmth, and good food safely enjoyed.

Because no one wants their Christmas story to include food poisoning.

Cacen Waed Gwyddau: The Welsh Goose Blood Cake with a Christmas Past

Discover Cacen Waed Gwyddau, the historic Welsh goose blood cake once made at Christmastime, and explore its origins, meaning, and place in festive food heritage.

Christmas food traditions across Britain are wonderfully varied, deeply local, and sometimes a little surprising. 

While most of us are familiar with mince pies, Christmas pudding, and roast turkey, Wales has its own rich culinary heritage, including one of the most unusual festive dishes you may never have heard of: Cacen Waed Gwyddau, or Goose Blood Cake or tart.

This historic Welsh delicacy may sound startling to modern ears, but it tells an important story about thrift, seasonality, and how Christmas was once celebrated in rural communities.

What Is Cacen Waed Gwyddau?

Cacen Waed Gwyddau literally translates as “goose blood cake”. It is traditionally a baked tart or cake made using goose blood, combined with ingredients such as:

Goose blood

Suet or dripping

Flour or breadcrumbs

Onions

Herbs and spices

Sometimes dried fruit or oats

The result was a dense, savoury bake, more akin to a pudding or tart than a modern cake, designed to make use of every part of the goose.

Why Goose Blood at Christmas?

Before supermarkets, refrigeration, and global food supply chains, Christmas was the time when livestock was slaughtered for winter. In many Welsh households, the Christmas goose was the centrepiece of the festive meal long before turkey became fashionable.

Waste was not an option.

Using goose blood was practical, economical, and deeply ingrained in rural life. Blood provided richness, protein, and binding, much like it does in black pudding, and allowed families to stretch scarce resources further during the long winter months.

Cacen Waed Gwyddau was often made around Christmas or New Year, when geese were prepared, making it a seasonal dish rather than an everyday one.

A Dish Rooted in Respect and Resourcefulness

While modern tastes may recoil at the idea, dishes like Goose Blood Cake speak to a time when:

Animals were raised locally

Food was seasonal and precious

Nothing edible was wasted

Cooking was guided by necessity, not novelty

In that sense, Cacen Waed Gwyddau sits comfortably alongside other traditional British blood dishes such as black pudding, faggots, and savoury puddings.

This was not about shock value, it was about survival, respect for livestock, and feeding families through harsh winters.

Was It Sweet or Savoury?

Most historical references suggest Cacen Waed Gwyddau was savoury, often flavoured with onion and herbs, though some regional or family variations may have leaned towards a lightly spiced, enriched pudding.

Recipes were rarely written down. Like many traditional Welsh dishes, it was passed from generation to generation by memory and method rather than precise measurements.

Does Anyone Still Eat It Today?

Cacen Waed Gwyddau is now extremely rare, and you are unlikely to find it on modern Christmas tables — or in shops.

However, it occasionally appears in:

Food history discussions

Welsh cultural heritage events

Academic or museum references

Experimental heritage cookery

Its value today lies less in widespread consumption and more in what it teaches us about how Christmas was once lived and cooked.

Christmas Traditions Aren’t Always Pretty... But They Are Honest

At That’s Christmas 365, we often celebrate cosy, comforting traditions, but it’s also important to remember that Christmas history includes hardship, ingenuity, and resilience. And it is a nod to the Welsh ancestors of both my wife and myself who, as coming from Welsh farming stock, could well have made and eaten Cacen Waed Gwyddau at Christmastime.

Cacen Waed Gwyddau reminds us that festive food was once about:

Making the most of what you had

Feeding large families affordably

Preparing for winter survival

Honouring animals by wasting nothing

It may not be a dish most of us would recreate today, but it deserves its place in the rich tapestry of Welsh Christmas traditions.

A Taste of Christmas Past

So next time you sit down to a beautifully plated Christmas dinner, spare a thought for the generations who made do with far less, and still found ways to mark the season with care, tradition, and communal meals.

Cacen Waed Gwyddau may be a relic of the past, but it tells a powerful story of Christmas in Wales — one rooted in history, honesty, and respect.

Rudolph v. Santa: The Great North Pole Lawsuit

A humorous festive tale in which Rudolph takes Santa to the North Pole tribunal for making him pull the sleigh while ill with COVID. A light-hearted Christmas courtroom caper!

A festive legal drama from the frosty files of That’s Christmas 365

Everyone knows the classic tale: a young reindeer with a glowing red nose steps up on Christmas Eve and saves the day.

Children cheer, carollers sing, and Rudolph becomes the North Pole’s most famous employee.

But what the public didn’t know, until this week, is that the red nose wasn’t magic at all. According to brand-new legal documents filed at the mythical “North Pole Employment Tribunal,” Rudolph claims he was actually down with a nasty bout of COVID, and Santa “wilfully ignored workplace health and safety obligations”.

Yes. Rudolph is suing Santa.

And the elves are loving it.

A Nose That Wasn’t Just Shiny—It Was 38.5°C

Rudolph states that, on Christmas Eve, he reported symptoms including:

A glowing red nose

A slight cough that sounded suspiciously like sleigh bells

Feeling “achy in all four legs”

A positive lateral-flow test (which the Elves later used as a bauble because the lines were so festive)

But Santa allegedly insisted the only real issue was Rudolph “being a bit dramatic” and that the glow was “excellent for visibility through fog”.

According to leaked internal correspondence, the Head Elf of HR wrote:

“Whilst we appreciate Rudolph’s unique luminescent qualities, forcing a symptomatic reindeer to undertake global sleigh-pulling duties may breach North Pole Occupational Health guidelines, subsection 4b: ‘Do not make contagious livestock operate airborne transport.’”

Santa’s Defence: “He Looked Fine to Me”

Santa, for his part, is fighting back, claiming that:

Rudolph volunteered for the shift after Donner complained he was on a zero-carrot contract.

Rudolph’s positive test was “faint, like when you leave it too long and it’s just picking up the snow”.

He assumed the red nose was simply “winter radiance” brought on by excitement.

His official statement reads:

“In the spirit of Christmas, I have always supported the welfare of my reindeer. Also, Rudolph is the only one with built-in headlights. Let’s be reasonable.”

The Elves’ Union, UNITE-THE-TOYMAKERS, has already announced a solidarity strike… which will last approximately ten minutes, as they got bored and went for hot chocolate.

Courtroom Chaos at the North Pole

Proceedings are scheduled to take place at the Candy Cane Courthouse, where:

The Judge is Mrs Claus (independent, but not unbiased, she has opinions).

The jury consists of six penguins and a polar bear who promises to stay awake “unless something edible wanders past”.

The stenographer is an Elf who types exclusively in candy-cane-striped font.

Rudolph’s legal team includes Blitzen (for dramatic effect) and Vixen (for sass).

Santa is representing himself, which everyone agrees is brave but misguided.

What Rudolph Wants

The claim seeks:

Unlimited access to the “Posh Hay” storage barn

One full shift off every century

A glowing-nose allowance

A written apology from Santa Claus, embossed in gold, framed in gingerbread

And hazard pay for “exposure to inclement weather and airborne chimney soot”

Insiders say Santa is considering settling the case early, as Mrs Claus has already warned that “if Rudolph doesn’t get at least the posh hay, there will be trouble”.

Public Reaction

Across the world, reactions have been mixed:

Children: “Rudolph had COVID? Does this mean Santa might have it too? Should we leave out Lemsip instead of milk?”

Reindeer-rights activists: “This is exactly why we need stronger labour regulations in seasonal magical workplaces.”

The NHS: “Please stop calling to ask if reindeer can book PCR tests. We don’t have a protocol for that.”

A Christmas Moral

Perhaps the lesson here is simple:

Even Christmas legends deserve sick leave.

And if your nose glows so brightly it can guide a sleigh through a blizzard, maybe—just maybe—have a lie-down and sip something warm before you fly around the world at Mach 3.

Rudolph is now recovering well and has taken up yoga, while Santa is reportedly attending a mandatory seminar titled:

“Managing Magical Creatures: Employment Law for Festive Employers”.

The North Pole HR department has also quietly ordered 2,000 lateral-flow tests, 500 masks, and a laminated sign reading:

“If your nose is glowing, DON’T GO SNOWING.”

Comfort Foods That Make Christmastime Magical

Discover the cosiest comfort foods for Christmastime, from slow-cooked stews to festive puddings, and bring warmth, nostalgia and simple joy to your holiday season.

When December arrives and the world begins to glow with fairy lights, many of us instinctively turn to the dishes that make us feel warm, safe, and settled. 

Comfort foods are part of the festive rhythm, they bring nostalgia, soothe cold evenings, and make busy days feel a little softer.

At That’s Christmas 365, we believe comfort food is as essential to the season as stockings, crackers, and the scent of pine. It’s the culinary equivalent of a big, cosy hug.

Why Comfort Food Belongs at Christmas

Christmastime is joyful, but it can also be hectic, chilly, and full of demands. Comfort foods offer:

Warmth on winter nights

Childhood memories and nostalgic flavours

Easy, forgiving recipes that take stress away

Moments of togetherness around the table

A single pot of something delicious can slow the pace of December and help reset the mood after a long day of shopping, wrapping, or festive socialising.

Festive Comfort Foods We Love

Slow-Cooked Stews and Casseroles

Deep flavours, tender ingredients, and a home filled with tempting aromas, nothing feels more like winter comfort. A splash of wine, stock, and plenty of herbs can create a warming dish that feeds the family with minimal effort.

Creamy Mash with Proper Gravy

Few things say “comfort” quite like fluffy mashed potatoes and a jug of rich, savoury gravy. Whether paired with a roast, sausages, or Christmas leftovers, it’s the soothing anchor of many festive meals.

Macaroni Cheese

Golden, bubbling, and irresistibly creamy, mac and cheese is a December favourite. For a Christmas twist, add roasted veg, crispy pancetta, or a hint of nutmeg.

Pies That Warm the Soul

From chicken-and-leek to steak-and-ale, a pie brings instant cheer. And on the sweeter side: warm mince pies served with brandy cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Festive Hot Chocolate

Thick, rich, and topped with whipped cream, hot chocolate is comfort in a mug. Add orange zest, peppermint, or a dash of Baileys to make it extra seasonal.

Soup and Freshly Baked Bread

Simple yet satisfying. A bowl of leek and potato, tomato, roasted parsnip, or butternut squash soup served with warm bread is ideal for cold evenings or quiet nights in.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

A British classic that feels tailor-made for the festive season. Warm, gooey, and served with custard, it’s the dessert equivalent of wrapping up in a soft blanket.

Cheese Boards and Grazing Platters

Comfort isn’t always about big meals, sometimes it’s the joy of grazing. Think cheese, chutneys, charcuterie, nuts, grapes, and festive pickles, perfect for film nights or relaxed gatherings.

Bringing Comfort into Your Christmas Routine

Choose a weekly “comfort supper” tradition during December.

Revive treasured family recipes.

Keep easy, warming ingredients stocked for last-minute meals.

Build festive grazing boards for cosy evenings by the tree.

Let food be part of your wind-down ritual during the busiest season of the year.

The Heart of Christmas in Every Bite

Comfort food reconnects us with the simple joys at the centre of Christmas. It reminds us that the festive season isn’t only about excitement and sparkle, it’s also about nourishment, warmth, and sharing dishes that make us feel cared for.

With a pot of stew on the stove or a plate of warm mince pies on the table, the world instantly feels more festive, more familiar, and more magical.

Turkey Top of the Festive Shop

According to a recent survey by food and drink marketing specialist The Food Marketing Experts, turkey scored top of the shopping list when it comes to must-have Christmas food purchases (66%). 

This was followed by pigs in blankets (42%) and mince pies (25%) with a mere 15% claiming Christmas wouldn't be the same without the humble Brussel sprout (unsurprisingly, the appeal of this veg rose to 21% amongst the over 60s). 

The over 60s also appear more likely to go for the full traditional Christmas Day spread, chomping through a full traditional turkey roast complete with roast potatoes, stuffing, pigs in blankets, Brussel sprouts and mince pies.

Christmas food shopping habits

The days of the one “big shop” to purchase all those Christmas food essentials is over according to the study, with 65% of respondents claiming they prefer to stock up during the weeks ahead of 25th December rather than scoop everything up in one major shopping spree.

And while online shopping offers clear advantages at this time of year, almost three-quarters of shopper still prefer to shop in person rather than rely on a supermarket delivery service. Almost a quarter of those surveyed claimed to splash out and visit a more expensive supermarket for their festive purchases.

Post pandemic, there is still some loyalty towards the more independent stores, with 11% of respondents buying at a farmers' market and 10% at a farm shop, with another 10% remaining true to their local grocery or corner shop and 8% intending to buy at a local deli. These non-supermarket locations are most popular with the 30-39 age group with a strong bias towards women.

Value for money and quality focus

Value for money / price and quality of the food / produce on offer were deemed the most important buying triggers scoring 67% and 66% respectively. The importance of the food quality marries up with the preferred in person shopping experience, allowing shoppers to examine the quality of goods before adding them to the burgeoning shopping trolley.

However, with 61% agreeing to the statement “I'll be more concerned about the total cost of our festive food bill this year than I was last year” and almost a third (32%) saying they strongly agreed, clearly the rising cost of living is weighing heavy on peoples' minds as the Christmas celebrations draw nearer.

Despite the above and acknowledging that many people may be feeling the pinch, a whopping 95% still splash out on buying food specifically for the festive holiday period confirming the theory that when times are hard, good food remains one of life's little luxuries.

Why Staying Home With the Super Flu Is a Moral Duty at Christmastime

Protect loved ones this festive season by staying home when ill with a super flu virus. Discover why it’s a moral duty that helps keep Christmas safe for everyone.

Christmas should be a season of warmth, joy and celebration, not a time when families worry about picking up a dangerous “super flu” virus from someone who felt obliged to soldier on despite being clearly unwell.

When a particularly aggressive winter virus is circulating, one simple act becomes both practical and profoundly moral: if you’re ill, you stay at home.

Christmas Is for Caring. And That Includes Protecting Others

At this time of year, our diaries fill up with parties, carol services, lunches, last-minute shopping trips and festive gatherings with friends. 

It’s understandable to want to take part in every moment. But a super flu virus spreads with ease in crowded shops, bustling markets and warm rooms filled with people.

Turning up to a Christmas event while coughing or feverish doesn’t just affect you — it endangers others, especially:

Older relatives

People with asthma or chronic conditions

Children

Anyone whose immunity is low during winter

NHS staff who are already stretched throughout December

Christmas is built on kindness, and protecting others from illness is one of the simplest forms of kindness we can offer.

A Few Days at Home Can Save Someone Else’s Christmas

No one wants to be the reason a grandparent ends up in hospital on Christmas Eve or a family’s plans are cancelled because everyone caught a virus from the office party.

By staying at home when you’re unwell:

You slow the spread of the virus across the community

You give the NHS crucial breathing space

You help workplaces and schools avoid disruptive outbreaks

You stop the domino effect that ruins festive plans for others

It’s an act of goodwill that costs you very little but protects countless people around you.

Resting Helps You Enjoy Christmas More

There’s also a very practical benefit: proper rest speeds recovery. Rather than dragging yourself through December feeling dreadful, a couple of days wrapped in a blanket with a hot drink can get you back on your feet in time for the big moments.

Your body heals faster when you respect its limits.

A Moral Choice That Embodies the Spirit of the Season

Christmas is full of traditions about giving, caring and thinking of others. Staying home when you’re carrying a super flu virus is one of the most meaningful modern acts of festive goodwill.

It takes no gifts, no money and no grand gesture, just the simple decision to protect those around you.

So this Christmas, if the aches, fever or heavy cough strike, remember:

Staying home isn’t missing out. It’s giving others the chance to enjoy a healthy, happy Christmas too.

My wife and I have caught this super flu and have taken the decision to stay at home and not spread it.

The Resurgence of Irish Tweeds: Why This Heritage Fabric Is Back in a Big Way

Irish tweed is enjoying a modern revival. Discover why this heritage fabric is back in demand and how to style timeless Donegal and Irish weaves today.

Irish tweed is finding its way under Christmas trees again, from beautifully woven scarves to luxurious jackets and accessories. 

With its warmth, texture, and unmistakable charm, tweed makes a thoughtful festive gift,especially for anyone who loves heritage, craftsmanship, or a dash of Celtic flair. 

This season, the resurgence of Irish tweeds is perfectly timed for stylish winter gifting.

Irish tweed has never truly disappeared from wardrobes, but over the past few years it has surged back into fashion with a confidence that feels both nostalgic and entirely modern. From the windswept hills of Donegal to runways in London and boutiques across the UK, tweed is enjoying a renaissance driven by a renewed love of craftsmanship, sustainability, and timeless style.

A Fabric Woven Into Irish History

Irish tweed, especially the iconic Donegal variety, has been produced for generations by artisans who draw inspiration from the rugged landscapes around them. The flecks of colour in traditional Donegal yarns echo wildflowers, granite, sea spray and gorse. Each bolt of cloth feels like a story, woven by hand or on small-batch looms in mills that often remain family-run.

For much of the 20th century, Irish tweed was viewed as a marker of durability and rural charm—something your grandfather wore for Sunday walks. Yet today it has reclaimed its place not just as a heritage textile, but as a luxurious, versatile fabric that slots seamlessly into contemporary wardrobes.

Why Irish Tweed Is Making a Comeback

1. Slow fashion has met its moment

In an era where consumers want clothing that lasts, tweed stands out. Irish mills produce cloth that is hard-wearing, repairable, and made in small, sustainable batches. People are embracing quality over quantity, and tweed answers that call beautifully.

2. A renewed appreciation of craft

Younger buyers increasingly seek items with provenance—pieces with a genuine link to place and maker. Irish tweed is exactly that: fabric made by craftspeople whose skills have been refined across generations. Wearing tweed today is a quiet celebration of their artistry.

3. Modern tailoring has transformed it

Designers have shaken off preconceptions by using tweed in slimmer silhouettes, softer constructions, and contemporary colours. Sharp blazers, tapered trousers, waistcoats, and even tote bags and trainers now make use of the fabric. It’s no longer confined to bulky jackets or shooting coats—it’s sleek, urban, and stylish.

4. A symbol of Celtic identity

Across Ireland and the UK, people are leaning back into regional culture and heritage. Tweed is wearable history, and many appreciate how it connects them to their roots—or allows them to celebrate Irish craft even if they have no personal ties.

5. TV and film have played their part

From period dramas to modern crime series, costuming has thrust tweed back into the spotlight. When audiences see characters looking effortlessly sharp in heritage fabrics, demand naturally follows.

What Makes Irish Tweed Distinctive?

Irish tweed isn’t a monolith. Among the most recognisable:

Donegal Tweed – famous for its colourful, irregular flecks.

Magee Tweed – produced in County Donegal since 1866, with a softer, more luxurious hand feel.

Handwoven tweeds – still crafted on traditional looms by master weavers across rural Ireland.

These fabrics blend tradition with a surprising lightness and warmth, making them perfect for UK weather—especially when the wind is off the Irish Sea.

How to Wear Irish Tweed Today

If you’re tempted to bring tweed into your wardrobe but want to avoid looking overly country-gent, here are some simple styling ideas:

A tweed blazer with dark denim for an effortlessly polished weekend look.

A tweed flat cap if you want a small nod to the trend without committing to a full garment.

A tweed waistcoat layered under a modern suit jacket for texture and depth.

A tweed overcoat in charcoal or moss green for an investment piece that will last decades.

And for the truly adventurous, designers are now producing tweed trainers, tweed tote bags, and even tweed laptop sleeves—a stylish twist for everyday life.

Where the Industry Is Heading

The resurgence shows no signs of slowing. Irish mills are innovating with:

lighter-weight weaves suitable for spring and summer

bold, contemporary colourways

partnerships with international designers

eco-friendly wool sourcing and natural dyes

The combination of heritage and innovation is proving irresistible.

Final Thoughts: A Revival Rooted in Authenticity

The renewed love for Irish tweeds is more than a trend, it's a rediscovery. In a world filled with fast fashion and fleeting aesthetics, tweed offers something enduring: texture, warmth, artistry, and a sense of belonging to a bigger story.

Whether you pick up a Donegal jacket or a simple cap, you’re not just wearing a fabric. You’re wearing a piece of living history—one that is, delightfully, right back in style.

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Keep Your Home Safe for the 12 Days of Christmas: Why a Free Fire Safety Visit Could Be the Best Gift You Give Your Family

Ensure your home stays safe over the 12 days of Christmas with simple fire safety tips and a free Home Fire Safety Visit from your local fire service, including smoke alarm checks and free detectors for eligible households.

The festive season brings warmth, cheer, and a touch of magic to our homes. But with candles glowing, fairy lights twinkling, and kitchens working overtime, it’s also a time when fire risks quietly increase.

The 12 days of Christmas should be filled with joy, not emergencies, so taking a few simple precautions now can make all the difference.

One of the most effective (and completely free) ways to safeguard your home is to arrange a Home Fire Safety Visit from your local fire and rescue service. These visits offer tailored advice, hands-on checks, and in many cases free smoke alarms for households that need them.

Here’s why it’s well worth booking yours this season.

Why the 12 Days of Christmas Need Extra Care

Festive celebrations introduce more potential hazards than many of us realise:

Decorations and fairy lights can overheat or become damaged after years in storage.

Candles are used far more frequently at this time of year and can be knocked over easily.

Cooking fires increase as many of us try to juggle big meals, family visitors, and distractions.

Portable heaters come out when cold snaps hit.

Alcohol consumption can lower awareness and make accidents more likely.

With all this going on, even a well-prepared household can overlook something important. That’s where your local fire service can step in.

What Happens During a Free Home Fire Safety Visit?

A trained fire officer will visit your home at a pre-arranged time to give you personalised guidance—and it’s far more helpful than a quick tick-box check.

They will:

Inspect smoke alarms and other fire protection devices.

Help you identify potential hazards, such as overloaded plugs, obstructed exit points, or risky candle placement.

Discuss safe cooking practices, especially useful for Christmas Day when the kitchen becomes mission control.

Talk through your escape routes to ensure the whole household knows what to do if a fire breaks out.

Provide tailored tips for older adults, people with disabilities, or families with young children.

Best of all, this service is completely free and designed to be friendly, reassuring, and supportive—not judgemental.

Free Smoke Detection Devices: Who Qualifies?

Many UK fire services offer free smoke alarms or specialist detection devices for households considered at higher risk. Eligibility varies slightly by region, but usually includes:

Older adults

People living with mobility or sensory impairments

Those with limited financial means

Families with very young children

Individuals who smoke

Residents in properties with no working alarms

If you’re unsure whether you qualify, don’t hesitate to ask. Fire crews genuinely want to help, and keeping your home safe helps them keep your community safe too.

How to Book Your Free Visit

It’s simple:

Visit your local fire service’s website (for example, West Midlands, Merseyside, London Fire Brigade, Scottish Fire and Rescue, etc.).

Search for “Home Fire Safety Visit” or “Safe and Well Check”.

Fill in the short request form or call the listed telephone number.

Choose a date and time that suits you.

Many services also provide guidance over the phone if an in-person visit isn’t possible.

Quick Fire Safety Tips for a Safer Christmas

While you wait for your visit, here are a few practical steps you can take today:

Test your smoke alarms—you should hear a loud beep.

Turn off fairy lights when you leave the room or go to bed.

Keep candles well away from anything that could catch fire, including decorations.

Never leave cooking unattended, especially when frying.

Keep escape routes clear of boxes, gifts, or festive clutter.

Make sure everyone in the household knows where the keys are for quick exits.

These small actions can dramatically lower your risk.

The Greatest Gift This Christmas? Peace of Mind

Inviting a fire officer into your home may feel like a small step, but it’s one that could truly save a life—yours or someone you love. With expert advice, free protective equipment where needed, and practical support, you can enjoy the 12 days of Christmas with confidence.

Take a moment today to book your Home Fire Safety Visit. It costs nothing, takes very little time, and ensures your festive celebrations stay merry and bright—for all the right reasons.

The Birmingham Brewing Company: The Brummie Beers Bringing Cheer to Your Christmas Table

Celebrate Christmas with locally brewed cheer from The Birmingham Brewing Company. Discover festive beer pairings, gift ideas, and why these Brummie brews deserve a place on your holiday table.

Christmas in Birmingham has its own special magic, The Frankfurt Christmas Market, the lights in Victoria Square, the craft market, the bustle of last-minute shoppers, and that unmistakable Midlands warmth. 

But if you really want to add a local flourish to your festivities this year, look no further than The Birmingham Brewing Company

Based in Stirchley, this proudly independent brewery has become a firm favourite in homes across the city — including ours. In fact, as I sit writing this, my wife and I are enjoying their excellent Brummie Stout. And let me tell you: it’s not just festive… it’s properly festive. Deep, rich, smooth, and perfect for a winter’s evening.

And as a stout Brummie myself, I can confirm it goes down an absolute treat.

Why Birmingham Brewing Company Belongs in Your Christmas Line-Up

With Christmas dinners, Boxing Day buffets, cheese boards, family gatherings, and quiet nights in front of the fire, December is a month full of occasions that call for great drinks. What makes Birmingham Brewing Co’s beers such a good fit?

They’re brewed with quality British ingredients

They’re gluten-free, so more guests can enjoy them

They’re consistently delicious, without relying on gimmicks

They pair superbly with festive food

This is proper Brummie craftsmanship — and it really shows.

Festive Beer Pairings: Brummie Style

Here’s how their range shines at Christmastime:

Pale Brummie — Perfect for Party Nibbles

Light, refreshing, and ideal when you’re laying out sausage rolls, crisps, dips, and those mysterious “selection box” platters that appear every December.

Gold Brummie — A Star for the Cheese Board

Its brightness cuts through cheddar, Red Leicester, and even a stronger blue. A cracking Boxing Day companion.

Bitter Brummie — The Christmas Dinner Pint

Malty and smooth, it pairs beautifully with turkey, roasties, gravy, and the works.

Stout Brummie — Your Christmas Evening Sipper

This is where the magic happens. Deep, velvety, and warming, it’s ideal after dinner, with mince pies, or while watching the Christmas TV specials.

(Approved by the stout Brummie writing this.)

A Trip to the Stirchley Taproom This December

If you want to make a day of it, visiting their taproom in the run-up to Christmas is a joy. Expect:

Fresh draught beer mere metres from where it’s brewed

Festive food pop-ups

A cracking, friendly Brummie atmosphere

A great place to pick up last-minute gifts

Lovely cans that look smart in a stocking or under the tree

If you’re stuck for presents, a mixed case of local beer is a far better idea than novelty socks.

Gift Ideas for Beer Lovers

Mixed case of Brummie beers

A taproom gift voucher

A craft beer hamper with chutneys, cheeses, and cans from the brewery

A few Stout Brummies tucked into a stocking

It’s supporting a local business while giving people something they’ll actually enjoy.

A Brummie Cheers to Christmas

With their excellent beers, community spirit, and commitment to quality, The Birmingham Brewing Company adds something special to a Birmingham Christmas. Whether you're hosting, gifting, or simply curling up with a pint after a long day of shopping, their beers deliver proper festive cheer.

And if you happen to be a stout Brummie yourself — well, consider that an extra reason to raise a glass.

And as we Brummies say, "Mind the 'os road, our kid!"

If you want their beers delivered directly to your door, please use this link to our shop https://amzn.to/48Ki2P9

How Switching from Baths to Showers Saved Us £50–£70 a Year …and why this unexpected saving feels like a little Christmas gift

Switching from baths to showers has saved me £50–£70 a year. A simple change for my arthritic knee turned into a welcome Christmas saving on our household bills.

At Christmastime, every household looks for ways to stay warm, stay comfortable and stay within budget, not easy when December seems to come with a never-ending list of extra expenses.

So when I realised I’d been quietly saving £50 to £70 a year simply by changing how I wash, it felt rather like finding an early Christmas present tucked behind the tree.

A change driven by comfort

The switch itself wasn’t planned as a money-saving tactic at all. An arthritic knee was making getting in and out of the bath increasingly difficult, so I began showering exclusively. It was a practical decision, nothing more.

But within a few months, one thing became clear: our household bill was running noticeably lower. All because the bath, lovely as it can be, had been replaced by shorter, far more efficient showers.

Why showers cost less

A festive tip worth sharing:

Baths typically use 80–150 litres of hot water. Heating that volume several times a week adds up very quickly.

A short shower uses far less, meaning far less energy goes into heating water.

Across a year, that simple difference can shave £50–£70 off your energy costs — and even more if energy prices rise again.

It’s the kind of saving you don’t feel day to day, but really notice when winter bills arrive.

A seasonal saving that makes a difference

With Christmas approaching, that extra £50–£70 can be redirected to something far more joyful:

a special festive treat

a little luxury for the dinner table

a stocking filler for someone you love

or simply a cushion against rising winter costs

In a season when warmth, comfort and generosity matter, choosing a routine that supports both your wellbeing and your wallet feels wonderfully fitting.

A reminder that small habits matter

We often think energy savings must come from big investments, insulation, new boilers, smart systems. But sometimes the most effective changes are the smallest and most personal. In my case, it was simply stepping into a shower instead of running a bath.

This Christmas, if you’re looking for an easy, comforting and quietly cost-saving habit, the humble shower might be the most festive switch of all.