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Online Valentine’s Day eCards for 2026: Global Shift in How We Share Love

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the way people express affection is evolving worldwide. 

Digital greeting platforms are emerging as a key channel for heartfelt messages, offering creativity, convenience, and sustainability.

Recent trends show that consumers in the UK and across the globe are increasingly turning to Valentine's Day eCards as a modern, eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper cards.

The surge in digital greetings reflects broader shifts in communication habits. In an era where personal connections are increasingly maintained online, people are seeking meaningful, memorable ways to convey emotion. Animated formats have captured particular attention, with Animated Valentine's Day eCards offering dynamic, interactive experiences that combine motion, music, and personalised messages, creating connections that transcend distance.

The role of digital greeting platforms is also expanding beyond personal expression. Some platforms integrate charitable initiatives, demonstrating how digital communication can create tangible global impact. Donations from users of platforms like Hope Spring eCards, for example, are helping address water poverty in Africa, providing communities with access to safe, clean water. 

This approach highlights a growing trend of socially conscious communication, where celebrating loved ones goes hand-in-hand with supporting humanitarian causes.

“Working on these designs has been incredibly rewarding,” Joshua, a long-standing volunteer and graphic designer at Hope Spring eCards told That's Christmas 365.

“Every eCard we create is an opportunity to help people express love while supporting a bigger cause. Knowing that each card contributes to clean water projects in Africa makes the process meaningful on a global scale.”

Industry observations indicate a continued preference for visually dynamic and personalised content. For Valentine’s Day 2026, trends point to a rise in interactive eCards featuring animations, music, and tailored messaging. These innovations are redefining how people celebrate relationships, offering both convenience and emotional resonance while reducing environmental impact.

The growing popularity of digital greetings also reflects the global accessibility of online communication. Thoughtful, customised messages can now reach loved ones instantly across continents. Whether choosing classic designs or immersive animations, the emphasis remains on personal, meaningful expressions of affection.

As we near  Valentine’s Day 2026, digital greeting platforms exemplify how innovation and social impact can converge, enabling people to connect meaningfully while supporting vital humanitarian causes.

https://www.hopespring.org.uk

Colomba Easter Cake - Delicious alternative to Chocolate Eggs

Celebrate this Easter with a delicious artisan Colomba, a light, naturally leavened aromatic cake, flavoured with candied orange peelsand real vanilla. 

La Colomba, literally meaning dove, is the traditional Italian Easter cake, baked in the shape of a dove to signify peace, hope and renewal. 

Seggiano's Colomba dough is naturally leavened overnight using a 40 year old mother yeast and next morning it's mixed with a richer dough, made with local honey, organic eggs and sulphite-free candied fruit peels. 

Left to rise twice more, the final touch is a traditional crunchy almond glaze topping with whole nuts, before the cakes are ready to bake.

Price: £20.55

Stockists: Available in 550 premium delis, farm shops, and food halls worldwide

Link to buy: https://seggiano.com/product/vegan-colomba-easter-cake/

Winter Comfort Food That Still Feels Christmassy

Christmas Day may be packed away with the decorations, but winter is far from over – and neither is the appetite for comforting, festive food. 

January, February and March are the perfect months for dishes that feel warming, nostalgic and just a little bit Christmassy, without going full turkey-and-tinsel.

If you’re craving that cosy festive feeling but want food that fits real winter evenings, this is where Christmas comfort food quietly shines.

The Flavours That Whisper “Christmas”

You don’t need a full roast to feel festive. A handful of familiar flavours can do the heavy lifting:

Nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves – subtle warmth rather than full-on spice

Cranberry and orange – sharp, bright notes that lift heavier dishes

Sage, thyme and rosemary – deeply comforting and unmistakably seasonal

Rich gravies and slow-cooked sauces – because winter demands patience

Used gently, these flavours turn everyday winter meals into something quietly special.

Comfort Classics with a Festive Twist

Some foods naturally bridge the gap between Christmas and winter comfort:

Sausage and mash with onion gravy

Add a touch of sage to the sausages or a splash of leftover red wine to the gravy and suddenly it feels like Boxing Day, not just Tuesday.

Beef or vegetable stew

Slow-cooked, deeply savoury and perfect with crusty bread. A hint of thyme or bay leaf keeps it firmly in festive territory.

Turkey or chicken pie

Leftover turkey works beautifully, but chicken is just as good. Creamy sauce, leeks, maybe a spoon of cranberry – winter perfection.

Bubble and squeak

It’s humble, but fried until golden and served with a fried egg or sausages, it’s pure post-Christmas comfort.

Puddings That Belong to Winter

Dessert is where Christmas really refuses to leave – and honestly, we’re not complaining.

Bread and butter pudding with plenty of nutmeg and custard

Rice pudding with cinnamon, vanilla or a swirl of jam

Apple crumble with cloves or mixed spice, perhaps with mice meat

Chocolate pudding for those darker, colder evenings

These are puddings made for blankets, low lighting and an early night.

Drinks That Keep the Glow Going

You don’t need a party to justify a festive drink:

Hot chocolate with a dash of cinnamon or orange

Mulled wine or cider in smaller, quieter quantities

Spiced tea or chai for alcohol-free evenings

They’re less about celebration now and more about comfort – something warm in your hands while winter does its thing outside.

Why This Food Matters

After Christmas, life often slows down. The nights are long, the weather is unpredictable, and energy can dip. Food that still feels Christmassy brings familiarity, reassurance and warmth – without the pressure of “doing Christmas properly”.

It’s not about indulgence for indulgence’s sake. It’s about cosy, sustaining food that makes winter feel kinder.

Keeping Christmas Alive (Just a Little)

You don’t have to say goodbye to festive food just because the calendar says January or February. Winter comfort food with a Christmassy edge lets you ease gently out of the season – one bowl, plate or pudding at a time.

And really, if winter is going to hang around, it might as well taste like Christmas. 

How to Host a “Late Christmas” Weekend in February

Because Life and Poor Health Got in the Way. This is what That’s Christmas 365 is doing!

Christmas doesn’t stop being Christmas just because the calendar has moved on. 

If December was taken over by illness, exhaustion or simply trying to cope, a Late Christmas weekend in February can be a surprisingly perfect way to reclaim the season, gently, calmly, and without pressure.

Here’s how to do it the That’s Christmas 365 way.

1. Redefine Christmas (No Rules This Time)

This isn’t about recreating a full-on 25 December. Late Christmas is about comfort over perfection.

Strip it back to what actually matters:

Familiar food

Warm lighting

Shared moments

Plenty of rest

If health has been fragile, this version of Christmas should support you, not drain you.

2. Make It a Weekend, Not a Marathon

A February Christmas works best when it unfolds... slowly.

Friday: low-effort food, fairy lights on, early night

Saturday: festive meal, gifts, films, naps

Sunday: leftovers, pyjamas, zero obligations

Rest isn’t a failure – it’s part of the plan.

3. Keep Decorations Simple and Soothing

You don’t need the full loft clear-out.

Think:

Fairy lights on shelves or windows, LED tealights 

A small tabletop tree or branch

Candles and winter greenery

One or two decorations that spark joy

In the depths of winter, a little Christmas glow feels especially welcome.

4. Serve Comfort-First Festive Food

Late Christmas food should be easy, forgiving and familiar.

Good options include:

A smaller roast or slow-cooker main

Turkey crown, chicken or even sausages and stuffing

One or two favourite sides

Shop-bought desserts or freezer puds

Frozen roasties, ready-made gravy and leftovers are all completely valid.

5. Keep Gifts Thoughtful, Not Overwhelming

This isn’t about quantity.

A Late Christmas suits:

One meaningful gift each

Santa's on holiday, whilst you enjoy Christmas 

Comfort items (books, blankets, pyjamas, slippers)

Experiences to enjoy later in the year

Even handwritten notes instead of presents

The moment matters more than the wrapping.

6. Bring Back the Christmas Feeling

A few small touches go a long way:

Soft Christmas music in the background

One or two favourite festive films (For us, it's the 1951 A Christmas Carol, perhaps followed by the 1984 version)

Proper mugs, cosy blankets and festive pyjamas

You may be surprised how quickly the feeling returns once you allow it.

7. Let Go of the Guilt

If poor health delayed Christmas, that wasn’t a failure – it was survival.

A February Christmas isn’t indulgent or silly.

It’s kind.

You’re allowed to celebrate when you’re finally well enough to enjoy it.

Final Thoughts

Christmas is a feeling, not a date.

If December was about getting through the days, February can be about warmth, calm and reclaiming joy – quietly, gently, and entirely on your own terms.

And honestly? That feels very That’s Christmas 365!

Christmas Is Over… So Why Do I Still Feel Festive?

The decorations are down. The shops are even running down their January sales. 

Social media has collectively agreed it’s time to talk about diets, decluttering and “new year, new you”.

And yet… you still feel Christmassy.

If that’s you, you’re not strange, behind, or clinging on too long. In fact, it’s completely normal – and honestly, rather lovely.

The Afterglow of a Season

Christmas isn’t just a date on the calendar. It’s a seasonal mindset.

For weeks (sometimes months), we’re immersed in:

Warm lighting and cosy interiors

Familiar music and comforting food

Shared rituals and slower routines

A sense of permission to rest, reflect, and indulge

That doesn’t just vanish on 26 December or after Twelfth Night. Your brain and body don’t work to retail deadlines.

That lingering festive feeling is the emotional equivalent of embers still glowing after a fire has burned down.

Nostalgia Has a Long Shelf Life

Christmas is deeply tied to memory. Not just childhood memories, but layered memories – Christmases past stacked on top of one another.

Even after the decorations are boxed away, you might find:

Certain songs still feel comforting

Candlelight still feels “right”

Hearty food still feels appropriate

Evenings still feel like they should be slow and gentle

That’s nostalgia doing what it does best: keeping us anchored during seasonal change.

Winter Isn’t Over – So Why Should the Cosiness Be?

Here’s something we often forget: Christmas ends, but winter doesn’t.

In the UK especially, January and February are still dark, cold, and demanding. Wanting warmth, softness and cheer during this time isn’t indulgent – it’s practical.

Historically, the festive season stretched across the bleakest weeks of winter for a reason. The modern rush to strip it all away can feel emotionally abrupt.

If fairy lights help you through a gloomy Tuesday evening in January? That’s not festive denial. That’s emotional intelligence.

You’re Allowed to Keep the Bits That Help

There’s no rulebook that says:

All lights must be off

All decorations must be gone

All comfort must be replaced with productivity

Plenty of people quietly keep:

Fairy lights in living rooms or kitchens

Candles and cosy throws

Festive mugs and slow breakfasts

Comfort food well into winter

That lingering festive feeling often isn’t about Christmas itself – it’s about gentleness, and we could all do with more of that.

When Festive Feelings Become Reflection

For some people, the post-Christmas period brings a softer, more thoughtful mood:

Looking back on the year that was

Thinking about people we miss

Reassessing what actually matters

That reflective glow can feel festive-adjacent because Christmas gives us permission to feel things we usually rush past.

Letting that linger isn’t unhealthy. Suppressing it often is.

Maybe You’re Just a Seasonal Soul

Some of us are wired to respond strongly to seasons, light, and ritual. Christmas amplifies that sensitivity – and when it ends, we notice the absence more keenly.

If you’re someone who:

Loves traditions

Feels deeply connected to atmosphere

Finds comfort in repetition and ritual

Then of course a single day can’t switch that off.

And honestly? That’s not a flaw. It’s a gift.

So… Is It OK to Still Feel Festive?

Absolutel

You don’t have to rush yourself into January mode.

You don’t need to apologise for cosiness.

You’re not “behind” because you’re still glowing a little.

Christmas may be over on the calendar – but the feelings it creates were never meant to be disposable.

If a bit of festive warmth helps carry you through the long winter weeks, keep it.

The world is cold enough already.

And if you ask us?

A little Christmas spirit lingering into January is no bad thing at all. 

Delicious Easter Makes & Bakes from Bonne Maman

Easter is a time for tradition, togetherness and a little indulgence. From leisurely family brunches at home to showstopping desserts, Bonne Maman has created a collection of delicious bakes and treats to enjoy with family and friends over the Easter Weekend.

Begin the Easter weekend with a Good Friday brunch featuring classic Easter bakes with a Bonne Maman twist. Apple Glazed Hot Cross Buns - filled, topped and glazed with Bonne Maman Caramelised Apple Spread – combine juicy sultanas, warming spices and a hint of lemon. 

For a chocolatey alternative, these Hot Cross Chocolate Muffins deliver all the classic flavours of a hot cross bun with a gooey hazelnut chocolate centre, made using Bonne Maman award-winning Hazelnut Chocolate Spread.

For fun family baking over the long weekend, these Hazelnut Chocolate Easter Biscuits are a delicious activity for all ages. Made with chocolate cookie dough using Bonne Maman Hazelnut Chocolate Spread and cut into adorable Easter shapes, they can be decorated with fondant icing and wrapped up as a thoughtful homemade gift. 

For something even simpler to enjoy with the family, this no-bake Easter Rocky Road combines Hazelnut Chocolate Spread with zingy raspberries, mini eggs, marshmallows and buttery shortbread for an indulgent chocolatey treat that can be made ahead and enjoyed throughout the weekend. Get stuck in to these recipes with the kids whilst enjoying this delicious Hazelnut Chocolate Thick Shake!

Easter Sunday calls for a showstopping dessert to serve to family and friends. Choose from this Madeleine & Plum Trifle layered with sherry-soaked Bonne Maman Lemon Madeleines, damson plum jelly and lashings of custard and cream; an indulgent Chocolate & Madeleine Trifle using Bonne Maman Milk Chocolate Madeleines, fresh pears, dark chocolate, salted caramel and chocolate liqueur; or this make-ahead Raspberry & Madeleine Ice Cream Terrine made with Bonne Maman All Butter or Lemon Madeleines, juicy raspberries and vanilla ice-cream.

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Hope Spring Thanks Supporters Following Successful Christmas Fundraiser

Hereford-based water poverty alleviation charity Hope Spring has confirmed the success of its Christmas 2025 fundraising campaign, acknowledging the wonderful combined efforts of volunteers, long-standing supporters and first-time donors who contributed throughout the festive period. 

The organisation said the campaign brought the charity very close to its seasonal fundraising target, providing valuable momentum for its clean water projects planned for the year ahead.

In a statement published on the charity’s website, Hope Spring noted a steady increase in engagement during the campaign, with hundreds of individuals choosing to support the organisation either donating directly to the charity or by using the Hope Spring eCards platform to send digital Christmas greetings to friends, colleagues and family members while supporting the charity’s work in the process.

The charity described the platform as an increasingly important part of its community fundraising efforts, allowing supporters to combine everyday personal celebrations with meaningful social impact.

Trustee of Hope Spring and founder of the eCard platform, Temi Odurinde, said the outcome reflected both the loyalty of existing supporters and the growing awareness of the charity’s mission among new audiences.

“We are genuinely grateful for every contribution received during the Christmas campaign, whether large or small. Many people chose to send their festive greetings through our eCard platform and support our cause at the same time, which shows a real sense of shared purpose within our community. 

"The combined impact of these donations has been a tremendous help and brought us very close to our fundraising goal,” he told That's Christmas 365.

Mr Odurinde added that the success of the campaign was also driven by the behind-the-scenes commitment of volunteers who dedicate time to developing, maintaining and improving the digital card platform throughout the year.

“Without the dedication of our volunteers, there simply wouldn’t be eCards available to send. They contribute creativity, technical skills and countless hours of work to ensure the platform remains reliable, engaging and meaningful for our supporters. Their contribution often happens quietly, but it is absolutely central to what we do, and we are deeply thankful for their commitment.”

He went on to recognise the contribution of a long-standing volunteer, Seun Olonde, who supported the eCard platform for more than four years, with the 2025 Christmas campaign marking her final fundraising season with Hope Spring eCards.

“Seun has been an important part of the journey of the eCard platform. Over the years, she has consistently given her time, insight and energy to help the platform grow and evolve. Her involvement has had a lasting impact on the quality and reliability of what we offer to supporters, and we sincerely appreciate everything she has contributed during her time with us,” Mr Odurinde said.

While reflecting on the achievements of the Christmas appeal, Hope Spring confirmed that planning is already underway for a series of fundraising campaigns throughout 2026. These include seasonal and cultural occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Chinese New Year and a dedicated collection of February birthday eCards, the charity said these initiatives will continue to provide accessible ways for supporters to engage with its work while maintaining a focus on responsible fundraising and community participation.

Looking ahead, Hope Spring reiterated its commitment to expanding access to clean and safe water in underserved communities. The charity aims to complete six or more new borehole projects in 2026, with construction already underway at four sites. These projects form part of a longer-term strategy to address water poverty by improving local access to reliable water sources, supporting health outcomes, education attendance and economic stability in affected communities.

The organisation noted that the impact of each completed project extends beyond immediate access to water, helping to reduce the time spent collecting water, improving sanitation conditions and strengthening community resilience. Hope Spring continues to monitor and evaluate its projects to ensure long-term sustainability and measurable outcomes for the communities it serves.

Supporters and members of the public can find further information about Hope Spring’s current and completed projects on the project page in the charity’s website, alongside updates shared through its official social media channels.

https://www.hopespring.org.uk