Buy works of art for Christmas. Catching Moments in History on Canvas

The following That's Christmas post is provided by artist Peter Brown (aka Pete the Street).

There’s a long history of artists documenting important historical events, capturing on canvas important moments in time across the centuries. The resulting paintings hang in galleries around the world, providing us with portals to the past.

Bath-based artist Peter Brown (a.k.a. Pete the Street) is determined to keep the tradition alive, believing that a painting offers a unique perspective that a quick snap posted on Instagram can’t compete with.

Most recently, Peter documented the ten days following the Queen’s death.

“I was walking the dog in Bath in the early morning of 9th September, the day after the Queen died, and it suddenly occurred to me I should be painting Buckingham Palace, so I headed quickly home and jumped into the van.

“I completed five paintings of the public’s reaction to the proceedings over the following ten days up until the funeral – the crowds outside the palace, along the procession routes and in the royal parks. And then there was David Beckham in the legendary queue along the Thames.”

The spectacle of royal pageantry is appealing to Peter, having previously painted the flotilla at the Queen’s diamond jubilee in 2012, the sea of red poppies at the Tower of London, and more recently, local celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee earlier this year.

But it’s not all pageantry and patisseries, Peter also captures the nitty-gritty of everyday life in his work. Many of his paintings from the past few years tell the story of towns and cities and their people during the COVID pandemic. From the empty streets of Bristol (St Michael’s Hill and The Neptune Statue) and the closed West End theatres in London, painted as the first lockdown started to ease, through to bustling scenes of cafes and restaurants in Bath as people started to venture out for an overpriced coffee once again

His new exhibition ‘Bath, Bristol and Beyond’ includes two paintings of the ‘Multi’, a car park in Bath that is currently being demolished, and past scenes have included the aftermath of the Tottenham riots. Peter also attends Glastonbury Festival every year (pandemic permitting) to capture the energy, atmosphere and colour of the event.

And, of course, Peter captures moments from everyday life. Shopping streets, seaside scenes, commuters, park life, allotment holders, dog walkers and family scenes at home. He paints from life. In all seasons, and in all weathers. Even during snowstorms when he works outside wearing fingerless mittens.

Peter Brown’s new solo exhibition 'Bath, Bristol and Beyond' opens on 22 October 2022 at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath, continuing until 15 January 2023.

The exhibition features over 100 new oil paintings by Peter and will also be available to view online from 15 October at https://www.victoriagal.org.uk/event/peter-brown-bath-bristol-and-beyond.

Peter will be at the gallery all day for a meet and greet on Saturday 22 October, with an artist talk at 11am.

The paintings, which will make absolutely wonderful Christmas presents, will be for sale.

The 12 Days of Discovery. Coffee Advent Calendar from Chimney Fire Coffee

Containing 12 bags of 70g coffee (either whole bean, or pre-ground) with a booklet, information and map. 

Chimney Fire's Coffee have launched their 12 Days of Discovery Advent Calendar is a specially curated collection of coffees from their 2022 Discovery Coffee range. 

Each coffee has been carefully selected by their roastery team to satisfy different tastes, and introduce a new and interesting coffee from around the world - be that a new origin or region, a new process or varietal, or something seasonal with a unique flavour profile; The unique sleeve illustration was created by Sïan Angharad, celebrating the contribution of each team member to their operation, with a Christmassy twist!

From Malawi to India, every coffee drinker will be sure to find something new and exciting this festive season to suit their tastes.

Available at ChimneyFireCoffee.com from early next month, November 2022. 

Chimney Fire Coffee is a speciality coffee roastery that's nestled comfortably in the Surrey Hills. They produce and supply ethical coffee products and subscriptions for both home consumers, and business customers (including end-to-end service, coffee beans, machinery, barista training, and corporate experiences, too). 

Their coffee range includes eight mainstay coffees, a rolling monthly 'Discovery Coffee' (where each month they introduce a new and interesting coffee from around the world), and most recently their Peru Classic Espresso Nespresso® compatible compostable coffee pods. 

They also offer coffee immersion tours at their roastery and run off-site coffee experiences, collaborate with talented local brands and makers and create new products including cycle jerseys, coffee-chocolate and coffee candles. Their recent launch, with Silent Pool Distillery, is the incredible Espresso Martini. 

They work hard to bring their customers coffee to suit every taste that supports ethical and eco-friendly practices, all the way from farm to cup.

Chimney Fire Coffee is all about sustainability from the ground up with direct and transparent sourcing, 100% compostable packaging and delivering social impact through donations to Re-Cycle, a small charity who refurbish bikes in the UK and send them to rural communities in Africa. They're also an Accredited Living Wage employer and are B Corp Certified, demonstrating standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.  

To learn more and to place your orders please visit them at https://chimneyfirecoffee.com.

That's Christmas would like to thank Amanda Bootes for helping with this.

Its Double Trouble for Seven Bro7hers Brand New Duo. Just in time for Christmas!

SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO is launching two dreamy web exclusives. A sweet and sour beer duo for the autumn. Which, to our minds, will make a great addition to your Christmas drinks cabinet. (Which in our house is our understairs cupboard!)

Tingling with fruity flavour, the 'Sour Dreams' offers a delicious blackberry sour tang whereas 'Sweet Dreams' is a DIPA packing a punch at 9% ABV.

Upcycling the left over 'sweet and sugary wort' from the DIPA the sour is made using the same mash – two beers one brew.

Head brewer Jack Dixon of SEVEN BROTHERS, described the brew. He said: “The concept is using the same mash for two different beers, instead of sending sweet sugary delicious wort down the drain we make a whole new beer.

“After we've mashed the high alcohol, sweet grains we shower the grains with hot water which rinses the sugars, because the grain bill on the beer is so big and sugary we are able to sparge (rinse) the grains twice to make two different beers.”

Jack added: “You could say the two beers are brothers!”

The Sweet Dreams is a citrus beer with floral undertones. Sour Dreams, 4.0% ABV is a fruity blackberry and mango sour that will send your taste buds wild. This tart beer is "sessionable" with a deliciously fruity edge.

The duo is the latest in the brother's line of special craft beers and both cans are available in 440ml cans. Sour Dreams is £4.50 and Sweet Dreams £4.75 per can on the web shop.

The brewery was founded in 2014 by McAvoy brothers, Guy, Keith, Luke, Daniel, Nathan, Kit, and Greg, inspired by their dad's home-brewing in their cellar at home.

https://www.sevenbro7hers.com.

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An advent calendar that helps you make a Christmas difference

Every day, you open a door on your advent calendar and discover what you’ve given; from clearing plastic from UK shores, to helping to provide life-changing medicine for a sick child. 24 donations, to 24 incredible charities!

Premium Advent Calendar

£32.95 from adventofchange.com and John Lewis and Partners.   

The original calendar is making a very welcome return for Christmas 2022. This latest edition of the best-selling advent calendar donates £1 to each of the 24 amazing charities; local, national and international.

With a stunning aesthetic and a delightfully muted colour palette, this premium advent calendar, which is entirely plastic-free, helps to give more with just one purchase. 

It's ideal for gifting to a friend, or bringing the family together back through giving, your purchase will support wonderful charities such as 52 Lives, the Cavell Nurses' Trust, PDSA, Willow and the National Autistic Society.

The Premium Advent Calendar is available online at adventofchange.com and John Lewis and Partners  

Advent Calendar

£17.95 from adventofchange.com      

Perfect for gifting or displaying proudly on your mantlepiece, this advent calendar donates 50p each day to one of 24 charities doing incredible work at home and around the world.

Daily charitable donations make opening your advent calendar on winter mornings even more special. Look forward to waking up and discovering how your donations have supported the vital work of organisations such as BBC Children In Need, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Tommy’s, Self Help Africa and animal charity PDSA.

The Advent Calendar is available online at adventofchange.com

Children’s Advent Calendar

£17.95 from adventofchange.com and John Lewis and Partners  

With child-friendly wording and family-focused charities, this children’s advent calendar features a fun, colourful design and is completely plastic-free. Entertain your little ones with the enjoyable game of finding Santa’s lost decorations when opening the advent doors, helping the whole family get in to the Christmas spirit whilst showing the importance of giving back.

With 50p donations to each of the 24 incredible family-friendly charities who showcase a broad range of issues, this calendar is the perfect choice for schools and young families, donating to causes such as Big Change, Made By Dyslexia, Think Equal, City Harvest and World Bicycle Relief.

The Children’s Advent Calendar is available online at adventofchange.com and John Lewis and Partners.

Other alternative advent products in the range for 2022…

Christmas Crackers

£25.95 from adventofchange.com and John Lewis and Partners  

Advent of Change’s most requested product for 2021 is back with a bang – these Christmas crackers really bring charity to the table, donating £2 per cracker to six wonderful charities. Pull the cracker and find out how your donation has helped those in need and read the side-splitting joke provided by celebrities such as Lorraine Kelly, Harry Hill and Joanna Lumley. Not forgetting the all-important paper hat to make your charity Christmas cracker experience complete.

Advent of Change’s commitment to sustainability means the crackers are all fully recyclable or compostable, plastic-free and designed to minimise waste and impact on the environment. Charities supported by the crackers include ABF The Soldiers' Charity, Baby Lifeline, FoodCycle, Marie Curie and Willow.

The Christmas Crackers are available in two colour schemes online at adventofchange.com

Charity Glass Bauble

£11.95 from adventofchange.com, John Lewis and Partners and Waitrose

New for 2022, this beautiful glass charity bauble features an intricate star design with 10 distinctive shapes. Each one represents a charity supported by the purchase, and the corresponding charity and impact can be found on the packaging.

Each decoration represents a donation of 50p to each of the wonderful 10 charities, including Equally Ours, the Marine Conservation Society, National Autistic Society, The Listening Place and Toybox. The elegant design means the decoration can be kept for years to come as a beautiful reminder of your goodwill in the 2022 festive period.

The Tree Decorations are available online at adventofchange.com, John Lewis and Partners and Waitrose.  

Advent Candle

£24.95 from adventofchange.com and John Lewis & Partners and Waitrose

An innovative twist on the classic advent candle, the Advent of Change version brings a charitable donation to every day of the festive countdown. The premium candle features countdown numbers and a booklet accompaniment to outline exactly what your donation has achieved, with a donation every day supporting 24 charities. Although perfect for the festive countdown, the candle has a chic and elegant design that works all year round, creating the perfect centre piece for your table or mantlepiece

From helping to protect wild animals and their natural habitats, to providing special days to terminally ill young people, each of the 24 charities has been researched and chosen specifically for its incredible contribution to making the world a better place. For those looking to support multiple charities with one purchase, the Advent of Change candle is the perfect gift.

Made from 100 per cent natural wax with no parabens. Manufactured in the UK from raw materials, not tested on animals.

Scented Candle

£24.95 from adventofchange.com and John Lewis and Partners  

Designed as the perfect gift to keep the Advent of Change giving spirit alive well into the festive period and beyond.

As your advent candle, scented with notes of eucalyptus and lime, burns down, it will reveal 12 stars, each of which represents a different charity. A miniature booklet accompanies the candle to offer details of the different charities and the amazing work they do in communities throughout the UK and worldwide.

The perfect gift for those who are always putting others first, the candle provides an 80p donation to each of the 12 different charities including Excellent Development, Groundswell, Pathway Project, Shivia and Surfers Against Sewage.

Made from 100 per cent natural wax with no parabens, the candle is manufactured in the UK from raw materials and not tested on animals.

The Scented Candle is available online at adventofchange.com and John Lewis and Partners.

 

Advent Calendars from Carluccio’s and Mariage Frères

Obviously the big day is still a little while away but we’ve started the countdown to Christmas and what better way than with a luxury advent calendar? 

And advent calendars do not get much better than the limited-edition luxury food and drink advent calendars from your favourite Italian brand Carluccio’s and luxury French tea purveyor, Mariage Frères.

You can enjoy the true taste of Italy this Christmas with the very best of artisanal Italian produce behind every door of your very special advent calendar.

Impeccably sourced products range from store cupboard staples like extra virgin olive oil, organic Italianavera tomatoes and Sugo alle Arrabbiata pasta sauce through to authentic sweet treats - thinking here of gianduiotti chocolates, Torta di Siena cake and Carluccio’s classic Amaretti Tradizionale!

And to help get you you into the proper party spirit, there’s a selection of boozy delights including the very best from Italian gin experts Malfy, a crisp Vai Vai Prosecco, aperitivo from Starlino and more besides!  

Beautifully packaged with vibrant, bold, geometric designs inspired by the work of Italian architect Gio Ponti with 1960s interconnecting patterns to reflect that Christmas is time to connect with friends and family, this year’s advent calendar can be repurposed and reused, or sustainably recycled, whatever you wish!

Available for pre-order from mid-October at www.carluccios.com, Carluccio’s 2022 Advent Calendar retails at £95 with products worth more than £140. Order early to avoid disappointment. 

#CarlucciosChristmas

www.carluccios.com

Mariage Frères.

The release of luxury French tea emporium and purveyor Mariage Frères’ iconic tea advent calendar has become a much-anticipated moment in the festive calendar and this year is set to be no exception. New for 2022 comes the NOËL OVER THE RAINBOW® Christmas calendar, a luxury, rainbow-hued and ribbon-tied advent calendar housing 25 premium teas from France’s iconic teahouse. 

Start each morning of advent with a truly elevated cup: behind every window you will find a luxury Mariage FreÌres tea. The brand has one of the world’s most extensive tea ranges and the calendar is the perfect introduction to Mariage FreÌres’ vibrant collection. 

The NOËL OVER THE RAINBOW® Christmas calendar is priced at £48 and is available to buy in store at Mariage FreÌres Covent Garden, Selfridges London and online for nationwide delivery at www.mariagefreres.com from late October. The stunning case can be kept for storing your favourite trinkets. 

Mariage Frères

38 King Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8JS

www.mariagefreres.com

@mariagefreresofficial

Why not buy both advent calendars? 

Advent Calendars from Schleich

Schleich HORSE CLUB Advent Calendar RRP £29.99

The HORSE CLUB was founded when the girls found a wooden chest full of mysteries. 

Just like HORSE CLUB Hannah, you’ll be opening a whole world of surprises with each door you pry open in the HORSE CLUB Advent Calendar. Each numbered door in the 2022 HORSE CLUB Advent Calendar contains a special surprise. 

This year’s calendar includes two horse figurines and a total of 24 HORSE CLUB accessories to build your collection. Picnic baskets and apples, grooming supplies and miniature animals. There’s something special in every box!

Schleich FARM WORLD Advent Calendar RRP £29.99

A schleich® Advent Calendar is a great starter kit to introduce little ones to the wonder and delight of schleich® toys. Every day of the holidays brings a new reveal and a special surprise for kids to look forward to! Each numbered door contains one of nine schleich® FARM WORLD figurines or one of 15 farm toy accessories. 

The farm animal figurines include a calf, a baby goat, a kitten, a rabbit, a dalmatian puppy, a guinea pig, a horse, a lamb, and a veterinarian.

Schleich DINOSAURS Advent Calendar RRP £29.99

The 2022 Advent Calendar from schleich® DINOSAURS is a mystery 250 million years in the making. Unearth a new dino surprise each day! Who will emerge from today's box? 

A Jurassic predator? A newly hatched baby dinosaur? Open the door to discovery this holiday season!

For details of stockists please visit www.schleich-s.com.

No matter what your budget these Christmas-Crackers are sure to earn you pudding points!

With Christmas fast approaching, we know some of you are dreading trying to find that perfect present for the person who is impossible to buy for.

Fear not! Our gorgeous gift guide is here to help; offering something to suit every budget and style. Meet these beauty-full prezzies, perfect as surprise stocking-fillers, secret Santa, or the majestic main event!

GIFTS £20.00 AND UNDER

COSRX – Acne Pimple Master Patch

£5.99 Feel Unique

Avoid pesky pimples this festive season with COSRX’s trusty Acne Pimple Master Patches. These little pimple patches are an overnight fixer to make whiteheads, blackheads and picked zits disappear by morning. 

It can even stay on through showering and can be applied under makeup! With three differently sized patches in a pack, you can choose which one will cover your bases.

Embryolisse – Lait-Crème Concentré

From £13.00, Boots and Feel Unique

Perfect for the TikTok or YouTube Shorts obsessed!

This cult-classic isn’t a celeb favourite for no reason! Bought every 13 seconds, this multi-tasking miracle cream works as a nourishing moisturiser, a restorative mask, an after-shave cream, and a (very) highly praised primer.

Formulated with a combination of natural ingredients that are rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, this dream cream provides the skin with nutrients and water, leaving the skin moisturised, nourished, soft and supple.

The Jojoba Company - Ho-ho-ba Kissmas Holiday Gift Set 

£13.95 The Jojoba Company

Featuring two bestselling customer favourites: Australian Jojoba & Jojoba Lip Balm; this perfect duo will have your lips & skin glowing & hydrated this Christmas, making you mistletoe ready at all times!

 

The Jojoba Company - Ho-ho-ba Mist Holiday Gift Set 

£13.95, The Jojoba Company

There’s no better gift than hydrated skin! This gorgeous gift set features the superior Australian Jojoba & Jojoba Water Toning Mist; a dreamy duo which boosts skin hydration and delivers deep nourishment all day long.

Mylee – Ice Ice Baby Duo

£14.50, mylee.co.uk

Did someone turn down the temperature in here? The icy cool foil-effect of Below Zero and deep tones of Frostbite will have you shivering with that fresh-set feeling, from fingers to toes. 

We recommend protecting and maintaining your masterpiece with the MyGel Base Coat and a glossy MyGel Top Coat for a finishing glacial effect that can be cured in seconds under an LED or UV Lamp.

SOS Serum – SOS Treasures Christmas Coffret

£45.00, sosserum.co.uk

Perfect for the one who’s always on the go, this handy Treasure Chest has everything you need for Christmas trips and visiting family, and for protecting your skin!

Worth over £71, this Christmas Coffret features 50ml sizes of SOS Serum’s cult favourite SOS SPF50 and SOS Cleanse, their SOS Lip, and a 15ml version of their NEW SOS Night, as well as some Ginger & Black Pepper Essential Drops for a long-lasting home fragrance – this kit is the epitome of self-care.

GIFTS £20.00-£50.00

Rubis – Classic Slanted Tweezers

£25.30, Amazon

Rust and corrosion resistant, these tweezers have a non-slip grip, and the slanted tips provide the utmost accuracy for brow shaping and hair removal. They are designed by experts, and aim to provide comfortable use without compromising on their effectiveness.

 

GIFTS OVER £50.00

Carolina Herrera – Good Girl EDP 50ml

£62.00, The Fragrance Shop

Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world. (Something my wife agrees with!)

Good Girl is the perfect party fragrance. Fun and frivolous, this new, sexy oriental fragrance explores the idea of contrasts and captures a woman’s wondrous complexity by merging the sweet alluring qualities of jasmine and luminous tuberose with dangerously addictive notes of roasted Tonka beans and cacao.

Hugo Boss – The Scent Le Parfum EDP 100ml 

£82.50, The Fragrance Shop

Hugo Boss has reimagined BOSS The Scent Le Parfum with captivating notes of Ginger and Iris. The innovative inclusion of Maninka Fruit adds a deeply sensual element that is followed closely by a sturdy leather base. BOSS The Scent releases a refined masculine energy that is simply irresistible.

Bedew – The Essentials Kit

£85.00, bedewskin.co.uk

Give the ultimate gift of glowing, healthy skin, with The Essentials Kit from Bedew Skin. Perfect for those who want a barrier-building routine, and those who aren’t sure where to start with skincare!

This kit includes all of the essential steps you need in your routine to cleanse, nourish, exfoliate, hydrate and protect! Suitable for all skin types, this handy kit contains The Almond Oil Cleanser (with a Cleansing Cloth), The Instant Enzyme Peel (with Peel Brush), The Hyaluronic Hydrator, and Bedew Moisturiser.

 

Interactive Alcohol-Free Advent Calendars from The Wise Bartender

The interactive Wise Bartender advent calendars are back for Christmas 2022 and are ideal for anyone who loves a beer, cider, wine or spirit but who doesn't want an alcoholic drink every day of the month in the run up to Christmas. 

There are two calendars with the more traditional beer version including 24 hand-selected beers, the majority of which are from small, independent brewers. It provides some tried and tested favourites alongside brand new additions to the Wise Bartender range. 

Each careful chosen beer is 0.5% ABV or even less, and there are styles for everyone's tastes. There are  lagers, pilsners, stouts and IPAs. There are also wheat beers from brewers including UNLTD, Brulo, Nirvana, Nittenauer, Menabrea, Havabier and Northern Monk.

The second is a 'sweet and tasty' alternative which features cider, cocktail, spirit and wine alternatives from producers including Binary, Gunners, Corrigans, ISH, Caleno, Crafty Nectar and Lyre's. Besidesbeing 0.5% ABV or lower, all the drinks in this box are all vegan and gluten free.

Speaking at the launch of these innovative advent calendars Wise Bartender founder Tom Ward said: “Wise Bartender created the UK's first interactive alcohol-free drinks advent calendar to provide an option for those who don't want to drink every day in December but who most definitely do want to share in the excitement of opening an advent calendar door during advent and finding a tasty drink behind it. Our two options have grown in popularity ever since and we began getting queries about this years' calendars as long ago as August, so we're anticipating a high demand.

“Despite the overall beer market showing some shrinkage, research group IWSR reported UK drinkers bought $184m of alcohol-free beers (0.5% ABV or less) in 2021, over three times the figure of $52m from five years earlier. 

"And a recent report revealed over half (55%) of UK drinkers intended reducing their alcohol consumption during 2022 which confirms retailers must provide alcohol-free options for this growing number of mindful drinkers. 

"Whether people have given up completely or are just trying to cut back how much alcohol they drink, the Wise Bartender advent calendars means that they aren't excluded from this fun Christmas tradition.”

And the sense of anticipation will be heightened by the interactive nature of the calendars. “Every day, producers will take over the Wise Bartender social media accounts” explained Tom Ward “posting photos, videos and tasting sessions of that days drink.

"So, not only will everyone have a daily treat but they can join in with hundreds of other fans by tasting the same drink on the same day, learning about it from the brands themselves and sharing their own experience through reels, images or just by getting involved with our live sessions.”

The Wise Bartender advent calendars are now available to pre-order from WiseBartender.co.uk/Advent and retail at an introductory price of £39.99 + £4.99 delivery for the first 250 sold, with the price reverting to £59.99 inc delivery after that.

“Whether you regularly consume alcohol-free drinks, want to cut back on alcohol over the festive period, or just want to mix it up and try something different, Wise Bartender advent calendars have you covered” added Tom. “You can have the thrill of opening an advent calendar, enjoy a tasty alcohol-free drink, explore its background and celebrate Christmas in your own way.”

To learn more or to put your orders in please visit the Wise Bartender here www.wisebartender.co.uk.

 

For the person you love? Give them Pulsin!

Pulsin are renowned for their "feel good nutrition" products. All of which make for excellent Christmas gifts.

Today we are looking at a couple of items from their range.

The first item is their plant-based high fibre Double Choc Dream Brownies.

These are absolutely super smooth and you certainly can taste the highly delicious double chocolate in it.

It's guaranteed free of palm oil and is totally free of gluten and is dairy free. So it's absolutely safe for vegetarians and vegans to eat.

It's a cold pressed Brownie Bar made with cacao powder with some nice, nifty natural flavourings wrapped in 67% coconut blossom sugar chocolate. 

The second flavour that we are looking at is their plant-based Protein Choc Fudge bar.

It's a dairy free no added sugar protein bar with some delightful chocolate drops that has no added sugar, but does have sweetener, instead.

Again it is 100% vegan friendly with pea protein, faba bean protein and rice protein, plus loads of nice and natural ingredients.

What about the taste? Wow! It's a stunningly delicious chocolatey fudge bar that will make a great Christmas gift for vegans, vegetarians and for everyone else, too!

They come in fairly nice boxes so will make snazzy presents under the Christmas tree this year.

Pulsin also produce a wide range of other treats that are also make very good Christmas presents. 

18 x 35 gramme bars cost £17.82. 

You can order them from https://www.pulsin.co.uk. 

Christmas Party Season Is "Go" as Bookings Reach Pre-Pandemic Levels

After two years of disrupted Christmas get-togethers characterised by lockdown, enforced social distancing and isolation uncertainty, DesignMyNight saw traffic to quirky Christmas parties increase by 48.1% in September compared to the same month in 2021 and traffic to the Christmas party guide page shoot up by 62.64% compared to the same period last year. 

There have also been reports that some venues are already close to being fully booked 10 weeks before Christmas Day.

The discovery platform enables people to search not only for tables at restaurants, bars and pubs, but for venues that are hosting the best events and parties in their area (and further afield) as well as giving them the ability to make a booking and purchase tickets. It also provides a Venue Finding service that organises and coordinates plans for company events including the much-anticipated Christmas party.

Says DesignMyNight Senior Marketing & PR Manager Leighanne Bent: “The DesignMyNight Venue Finding Service is a good barometer of how the Christmas party season is shaping up and, as firms are thought to have spent over £1bn annually on Christmas parties pre-pandemic, what it's likely to mean for the country's pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants that are hoping to end another challenging year with a flourish."

Leighanne went on to say: “The working environment has changed beyond recognition and a survey by Advanced Workplace Associates learned office workers spend an average of only 1.5 days a week alongside colleagues in the office so there has been a huge shift in dynamics. 

"Having missed out on parties since 2019, seeing each other only occasionally and wanting an outlet to celebrate achievements together, companies are pulling out all the stops for their teams. They are asking the DesignMyNight Venue Finding team to create something special to recognise the difficult circumstances people have been working in, improve team dynamics and boost staff morale. 

"The Venue Finding team is seeing companies commit an average spend of £12,000 - £15,000  for employee parties and are dealing with many queries for something fun, plus great food and drink. Dinner and dancing are firmly on the agenda and the increase in activity-led venues, like darts, golf and virtual reality games, has opened up a much more interactive Christmas party scene.

“Other popular requests for 2022 include drag entertainment and immersive experiences, including escape rooms and cocktail making.”

But there are some signs that although most people are ready to go out and party and make up for lost time, there are still some pandemic legacies. 

“DesignMyNight is getting multiple requests for flexible venue cancellation terms” continued Leighanne: “indicating that there are still some nerves about committing 100%. We've also noticed the most popular dates have shifted forward to the earlier part of the month rather than the traditional last week before Christmas, with most demand being on 7th, 8th, 9th and 15th December. 

"This trend started last year and, although people are no longer mindful of having to isolate for 10 days if they catch Covid as they were in 2021, this suggests their mindset remains on enjoying a party with colleagues whilst minimising the prospect of spoiling time spent with family over the Christmas break due to illness.”

DesignMyNight has thousands of events in cities across the UK listed on its website for people wanting to make individual bookings but advises everyone to book as soon as they can.

“Many popular venues are already close to capacity,” points out Leighanne “but our Venue Finding team still has some wonderful options available for company parties, although they are booking up rapidly, as are individual reservations made through the DesignMyNight website. Our recommendation is not to put Christmas planning off any longer, but to be as flexible and secure your parties as quickly as you possibly can.”

https://www.designmynight.com.

N-4 Down The Hunt for Arctic Airship Italia

N-4 Down The Hunt for Arctic Airship Italia written by Mark Piesing is a stunningly gripping account of the search for a missing airship.

The internationally famous exploratory airship N-4, otherwise named the Italia, was making a celebrated and triumphant return from an expedition to the North Pole, when disaster struck, it became the victim of a severe and devastating storm, forcing it to crash somewhere on the Arctic ice.

This triggered what became the largest polar rescue mission ever.

In charge of the search and rescue operation was famed arctic explorer Roald Amundsen. However, Amundsen himself went missing in the Arctic wastes. As of 2022, his body has yet to be found.

The background is that Norwegian Amundsen and Italian airship designer General Umberto Nobile went into partnership in 1926.

Sadly by 1928 the relationship between the two men had soured very badly.

Nobile, his pet dog and a crew consisting of fourteen Italians, a Swede and a Czech set off to search for new lands in the Arctic Circle and to be the first airship to land men at the North Pole.

But close to the North Pole they were hit by a severe storm that forced the Italia to crash on the ice. 

Six crew members immediately disappeared never to be seen again. The injured subscribers, including Nobile, sought refuge on ice flows. They were not prepared for the dreadful conditions and had little hope of survival.

By chance there was a meeting in Oslo, the capital city of Norway, of famed Arctic explorers, assembling to celebrate the first successful flight from Alaska to Norway. 

On hearing of the dreadful crash Amundsen decided to strike out by himself to launch a desperate attempt to locate Nobile and any potential survivors. 

With the passing weeks the situation became more and more desperate with the survivors struggling with severe weather and marauding polar bears.

When they were eventually discovered the search plane landed. But in a dreadful twist, the pilot told the survivors that he only had room for one passenger.   

Piesing's book is a very well researched work that is exceptionally well written and profusely illustrated with a good range of photographs.

It's a "must buy" Christmas gift for those in your life who love reading about real life adventures, Arctic exploration and biographical stories. 

It is published by Custom House in hardback and paperback, £22.00 hardback and £12.99 in paperback, though it is discounted on Amazon.

Mantis a new, very colourful and Cutthroat card game

Mantis is a very new, very colourful and Cutthroat card game of rainbows and revenge!

It's perfect for Christmas parties is suitable for ages 7 and upwards and is suitable for two to six players.

Average time of each round takes ten minutes to complete.

So, what are the rules of this stunningly colourful game?

1) Steal

or

2) Score

Sounds simple! Sounds fun! So, what do players have to do? You collect matching sets of cards. You steal cards from your opponents. Feel pretty good about things. 

Then find yourself being outwitted and outsmarted by your opponents and watch as they steal those cards back.  

Then maybe start feeling not so good about things.

What next? Enjoy the emotional rollercoaster that you are on until the game finishes and you, or one of your opponents, wins!

It's a great name for family game nights and also for a grown up game night when all the children are in bed!

Included in the pack is a Mantis comic created by The Oatmeal and the opportunity to have a whole heap of Mantis fun!

It's created by those fun folks behind the game Exploding Kittens.

https://www.explodingkittens.com/collections/all. It costs £19.99.

New for Christmas from Jones the Grocer

Jones the Grocer is launching a new seasonal menu and roast turkey and lamb packages for pre-booking.

The seasonal offers are unveiled in a Holiday Special of the quarterly Body & Soul magazine

Jones the Grocer launches its Holiday Special Body and Soul magazine featuring a delicious new menu and Thanksgiving and Christmas Turkey, and Lamb Roast Packages.

The new edition of the magazine will be your ultimate guide to the festive season, with pages and pages of inspiration to get you in the festive mood – from celebratory roast and table spread options, to exquisite gifting, delectable ingredients, easy recipes, and super-cool party hosting ideas. Bringing the best of what Jones has to offer, it is wonderfully packaged in a 43-page guide that you can pick up from any of the Jones stores or view the digital version.

Festive Roast Turkey and Roast Lamb Packages for Pre-Booking

For over ten years Jones the Grocer has been bringing a touch of magic to festive celebrations with their traditional roasts. 

The Thanksgiving and Christmas roast packages are cooked to order and easily booked online. You can place your order and select the collection date and timings on Jonesthegrocer.com via their online booking link. Priced at AED 795 there are two roast options which serve up to 8 people.

Festive Roast Turkey

A perfectly seasoned roast turkey with sage and apricot stuffing, cranberry sauce, rosemary and juniper-infused gravy. This can be upgraded to a silver, gold, or diamond package. This offers a choice of delicious accompaniments to enhance the festive table. 

Options include duck fat roast potatoes, honey-glazed parsnips, sauteed brussels sprouts and roast baby carrots, cauliflower cheese, and beef sausages wrapped in bacon. Additional selections include sweet treats such as house-baked cinnamon, apple or pecan pies and hand-selected artisan cheese and meat boards to make any celebration just incredible.

Roast Lamb

A slow-cooked Aussie lamb shank with rosemary, garlic and juniper gravy.

New Holiday Special Menu at all Jones the Grocer Stores

Jones the Grocer have been cooking up a lovely seasonal menu, with delicious classics such as a Crab and Welsh Rarebit for breakfast, a hearty and creamy Roast Butternut Risotto, a Sage and Apricot Chicken Supreme and an epic burger to beat any burger in the UAE, called the D&G Burger (pictured left). There is also a Cinnamon Fizz thirst quencher and a decadent Valrhona Hot Chocolate with S’mores which melts away like a dream with every sip (pictured top right).   

Browse Jones the Grocer’s Holiday Special, Body & Soul seasonal menu here. For more information visit Jonesthegrocer.com.

https://www.jonesthegrocer.com/downloads/6332a4c40d46f122Body_Soul_Magazine_Q4_Web.pdf.

That's Food and Drink: Hocus Pocus Platters

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24 Days of Reading this Advent

Rare Birds Books launches a new look advent calendar following sell out success in 2021!

Chocolate advent calendars are so last year! This year Rare Birds Books we are ushering in the festive period with a new era of advent calendar, one that offers romance, suspense, thrills and spills.

Highly anticipated since its immediate sell out last year, home of female writing, Rare Birds Books has re-designed and re-launched its best-selling 24 Days of Reading (£50), a new way to celebrate advent.

To play along, you just need to open each day as normal, discovering an invitation to a new world behind every door, a secret blurb ready to take you on a journey. Each of the 24 descriptions corresponds to one of Rare Birds Books favourites from the past year, including 10 book club picks and 14 brand new titles; so, whether you’re a subscriber or a book worm, there is a story for you!

At the end of December, you choose your favourite four blurbs and using your personal code, redeem them for the four physical books! A gift that just keeps giving, the books will be despatched from 28th December onwards, meaning you will be able to start 2023 with a host of new reading material.

With postage included, this is the perfect early present for the bibliophile in your life. And for those vivacious readers, don’t panic, your book choices will be revealed before you complete your redemption, meaning you can confirm you haven’t got any duplicates.

Pre-orders begin in September for guaranteed copies, with all calendars begin shipping in November. They will be available to purchase online via the website, in store and at Stylist Live weekend.

So, which story will you choose for yourself this Christmas?

https://rarebirdsbooks.com/products/the-rare-birds-books-advent-calendar.

Mind you, why not get them some chocolates, too? Because I always find that books and chocolate go together so very well!

Lift yourself this Christmas with LIFT

The countdown to Christmas is on the way, and we all know what that can mean! 

There aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done, lacking in energy from the shorter days and the colder winter nights and then of course, the parties! 

Also, late nights and hangovers can be part and parcel of the festive party season. So how on earth will we survive all this? With LIFT, that’s how!

Lift contains a fast-acting, measured dose of glucose, which is easily and rapidly absorbed into the body to give you that additional level of energy and putting you in control when you need it the most.

The range includes:

Shots – these fast-acting glucose shots are available in Very Berry or Zesty Lemon & Lime Flavours, £1.60

Chews – just as fast-acting as the shots, the chews come in four delicious flavours including Very Berry, Zesty Lemon & Lime, Juicy Raspberry and Tangy Orange. They are available in 10s, £1.25 and 50s £3.80

Lift Glucose shots and chews are available from Amazon, Asda, Boots, Lloyds Chemist, Superdrug, Tesco.

Get ready to party like a pro with Lift Glucose this festive season.

You can learn more, here https://www.liftglucose.com.

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The ultimate gift for Christmas is Relaxation with Spabreaks.com

From the ultimate relaxation gift vouchers to at-home-spa gift sets, Spabreaks.com has the perfect present for everyone on your Christmas list

Spabreaks.com gives the options of two types of gift: gift packages or monetary vouchers.

With all gifts, Spabreaks.com offers a range of optional gift sets to accompany the voucher, from aromatic candles to skincare sets.

With the continued stresses and distractions that 2022 has engendered in us, many of us are looking for ways in which to unwind & relax as we get closer to the festive period. With Spabreaks.com’s range of gift ideas, it's definitely the perfect time to treat someone you love with the relaxation and wellbeing benefits of spa.

Be it an overnight spa break, a spa day or a gift voucher that allows your loved ones the flexibility of choosing where and when to make their get away, there's definitely something for everyone and for all budgets with Spabreaks.com’s wonderful gift options.

Spabreaks.com offers two types of gift voucher, which can be redeemed at over 450 spas across the UK:

GIFT PACKAGES

These packages give you the chance to tailor your gift to include all the specifics: the spa, the treatments, and whether you have lunch, afternoon tea or stay for dinner. You choose the spa and experience; they choose when they'll get to use it.

MONETARY VOUCHERS

A sum of money, selected by you, which can be used towards any of Spabreaks.com’s experiences, offering total flexibility and give your recipient the freedom to choose how they spend it. Monetary vouchers are available from £30.

Vouchers are easily bookable online and offer 12-month validity, so voucher holders can choose when they want to enjoy their gift. And this ensures they get to indulge in their spa experience at a time which suits them. 

In a bid to help spread the cost of Christmas for customers this year, all vouchers bought from the 24th October will have an extended validity period that will run through until the 24th December 2023.

Looking to tailor the spa experience perfectly to each person on your list? Spabreaks.com has a range of gift packages at incredible venues across the country like:

Doubletree by Hilton Chester Hotel

Enjoy a one-night bed and breakfast stay at this manor house hotel set in 12 acres of landscaped grounds. With abundant space, groups will love the fine chances for dining and social time, but don’t forget to factor in time at the luxury Club and Spa!

Its 14 treatment rooms mean it has ample space for larger groups, plus a pool, steam room and rasul, which are fun to enjoy with family and friends. 

After a restorative massage or facial, make the most of the poolside loungers before planning how to enjoy yourself next. Offer includes a three-course dinner in the Garden Room & Terrace from a Table D’hôte Menu and 4 hours use of the spa facilities. From £88.50pp. More information here https://www.spabreaks.com/venues/doubletree-by-hilton-chester-hotel.

Rena Spa at Leonardo Royal Tower Bridge Hotel

With Tower Bridge and the Tower of London on your own doorstep, there’s plenty to keep you busy with sightseeing, but when you’re ready to indulge in some serious relaxation time, Rena Spa is an oasis of calm. Elegant facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, next to which you’ll find a Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna to spend time relaxing in. The spa is all about pampering, so you can expect to find an indulgent treatment menu to choose a range of beauty and holistic therapies from. Offer includes one-night bed and breakfast stay, a choice of 1 x 25-minute treatment, a bottle of Prosecco on arrival and 2 hours use of the facilities. From £103.50pp. More details here https://www.spabreaks.com/venues/rena-spa-at-leonardo-royal-tower-bridge-hotel?package_id=20893#offers.

Shangri-La, The Shard

Dip your toes into Europe's highest sky pool with a mid-week staycation in the city and the sky. This  provides you with an unparalleled view of the city from a Deluxe City View Room, your day starts with a buffet breakfast for two in TĪNG restaurant. 

Make the most of your getaway with access to the hotel’s legendary infinity sky pool, as well as relaxing in the sauna or working out in the gym, all located on the hotel’s 52nd floor and open until 6pm. 

Treat yourself by adding a treatment to your stay, either in the spa or in your room for extra comfort. You can also add dinner and drinks to your stay at one of the hotel’s array of restaurants and bars. 

Whether you fancy a tipple in Europe’s highest hotel bar, GŎNG, tucking into Asian cuisine with classic British gastronomy at TĪNG, or enjoying a local craft beer or Aperol Spritz at Bar 31, there’s something for every palate. From £465pp. More information here https://www.spabreaks.com/venues/shangri-la-the-shard-london.

If you’re unsure of the recipient's favourite spa, or what they might enjoy, book safely in the knowledge that the equivalent monetary value of the voucher can be used towards an alternative experience of their choice.

With all gifts, Spabreaks.com offers a range of optional gift sets to accompany the voucher, from aromatic candles to skincare sets – all of which will allow recipients to enjoy a spot of at home relaxation as they eagerly await their upcoming spa experience.

With a range of gifting options and an array of wonderful spas across the UK, giving the relaxing gift of spa is easy this Christmas with Spabreaks.com.

For more information or to book visit www.spabreaks.com or call 0800 043 6600.   

A Head Full of Magic

A Head Full of Magic is a book by Sarah Morrell which will make an ideal Christmas gift for the young people in your life.

What happens when you discover that you can talk to animals? That would really change your life, wouldn't it?

This is what happens to Fleur, who already has to balance between her two vastly different cultures. Her mum's English culture and her nan's West Indian culture.

Her nan reveals that Fleur is a hexter, someone who can perform magic. Which is why she can talk to animals.

Fleur's life has been thrown into turmoil, as her two best friends Ruby and Anais don't seem to have any time for her, they no longer come round to her house for teatime, thus they no longer save Fleur from her mum's dreadful cooking!

Why did this happen? Because new girl at school, Celeste, decided that Fleur, with her love of playing chess and reading books, is 'boring' and she has convinced Ruby and Anais that Fleur is boring and they avoid her at school and no longer come round to her house, which has really hurt Fleur. 

Fleur hears Celeste badmouthing her at school calling her "Borer Snorer" and her two former best friends began laughing at her and making snoring noises.

But what can she do to deal with Celeste? And why are birds mobbing Celeste, including pecking her ear to the extent that it started to bleed?

And how can a parrot called Sir Barclay help Fleur to deal with her problems?

And how can she take hockey star Celeste down?

It's a book that is amusing and a real fun read.

It's published by Hashtag at £6.99.

https://www.hashtagpress.co.uk.

Announcing For Christmas 2022, a New Recording, Rorate Cœli: Marian Sounds of Advent.

Featuring Classic and Never-Before-Recorded Chant Alongside Glorious Polyphony from the Monks of Clear Creek.

De Montfort Music, under its new home at Sophia Music Group, is celebrating the release of Rorate Cœli: Marian Sounds of Advent by The Monks of Clear Creek.  

This will be the first global release from the label signing with The Monks of Clear Creek.  Established out of France's venerable Notre-Dame de Fontgombault Abbey, of the Solesmes Congregation, this growing U.S. monastic community is based in the U.S. Ozarks. 

The Monks of Clear Creek is made up of in excess of 60 men, representing a variety of cultural backgrounds. Both Benedictine tradition and the Clear Creek community's heritage as part of the Solesmes Congregation entail a great appreciation for the ancient, sacred music of Gregorian chant - the plainchant that started developing as long ago as the ninth century, enduring across many centuries to the present day.  

About the music-making at Clear Creek Abbey, Abbot Philip Anderson says: "The power of music is that it does amazing things in one's soul, something even Plato recognized. 

"This chant is a vehicle allowing us to express the faith and prayer of praise that's so characteristic of the Benedictine way of life. Marrying sacred texts to music, to singing, can result in a beautiful experience."

Click below to watch the cinematic EPK for Rorate Cœli: Marian Sounds of Advent 

The album was produced and engineered by the multiple Grammy Award-winning producer Brad Michel, who describes The Monks' music as "not performed, but rather lived and believed... When an artist is living every word like that, it's impossible not to get caught up in the experience."

'Rorate Cœli' follows other successful recordings from De Montfort Music/AimHigher, who accounted for many of Billboard's #1 Classical Traditional Album Imprints of the past decade. Recorded in surround sound for release with Apple Music's Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, 'Rorate Cœli' features music from a Mass of Our Lady in Advent and a Mass for the Vigil of Christmas, which were recorded at Clear Creek Abbey. Some pieces on the album are sung by the entire group, some by smaller ensembles of monks and others by soloists, lending a vast range of sound and color to this classic new recording.

www.DeMontfortMusic.com       

www.SophiaMusicGroup.com

www.ClearCreekMonks.org

US Postal Service launches Christmas Stamps

The U.S. Postal Service has launched this year's special Christmas stamps.

Its Holidays Elves Forever stamps were officially launched at Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska.

The stamps are se-tenant, which means they work together as either a single scene or as individual images. Santa’s happy helpers are tireless in their chores preparing treats and toys for Christmas gift-giving. 

Just like flying reindeers, the North Pole and Santa himself, elves are woven into the fabric of the season’s traditions.

Artist Don Clark first sketched his design and then created the final illustration digitally. Antonio Alcalá was the art director.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps , by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide.

Other national postal carriers will be launching their own special Christmas postal stamps. Keep an eye open for those.

Affordability crunch as four in ten Brits say not being able to afford Christmas most likely to ruin festive season

Affordability is a top concern for shoppers this Christmas, says according to Sitecore’s Holiday Shopping Trends 2022 report, a survey of over 2,000 UK consumers. 

With 41% saying not being able to afford Christmas would ruin the festive season, and 33% confirming they'll be spending less this Christmas, so retailers must expertly price their goods and deliver the digital moments, content and experiences that matter to perfection in order to stand a chance of turning a profit this year.

Brits have already started thinking about how to face the affordability crunch:

42% are cutting back on personal expenditures such as eating out or going out with friends, something that 47% of Millennials will do.

42% of parents say they’re likely to only buy gifts for their kids this year.

37% are using points or rewards they’ve accumulated with brands over the year.

24% are selling some of their personal possessions on online marketplaces (35% Gen Z; 34% Millennials).

18% are taking a side job or working more hours (34% Gen Z; 23% Millennials).

17% are cutting subscription-based services, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.

The majority of UK shoppers (75%) will be looking to purchase cheaper gifts this year, and are willing to “put in the work” while at work to find the best deals. Half admit to holiday shopping during their workday and over a third (37%) have used a secret internet browsers to avoid being detected.

Paige O'Neill, Chief Marketing Officer with Sitecore said: "As we continue to face turbulent economic times, our findings serve as a wake-up call for marketers and brands that are launching and optimising their festive campaigns."

"If brands are to keen on attracting shoppers and ensure a successful retail quarter, it’s vital they respond to customer concerns about affordability. Retailers must put measures in place to help ease the pressure on shoppers so they can really make this Christmas the most wonderful time of the year. 

"Brands can use our data, plus their own insights, to create personalised content, offers and experiences that will impress customers, earn their trust and ensure they remain loyal during this current financial crisis."

UK spending on non-essential items is expected to plummet by £12bn this Christmas. And while reducing prices is an option much valued by shoppers, the negative effect on profit margins is marked. 

Instead, retailers can use alternative ways to meet customer expectations and secure sales. Leaning into convenience is one such approach. One in four respondents said they'd appreciate extended opening hours to dodge the crowds and making more online delivery slots available would also be of benefit.

Christmas must haves

While it is likely 2022 will be the year of fewer, cheaper gifts, there are some Christmas traditions that consumers won’t scrimp on. These so called “must-haves” include:

Gifts for people’s own children (58%)

Gifts for others’ kids (50%)

Alcohol (47%)

A turkey (44%)

Spending time with family (44%)

UK consumers stated they would spend half their Christmas budget on gifts, just over a third (36%) on food and the remainder on entertainment. This heavy weighting on food and drink should be good news for Britain’s supermarkets and other food and drink retailers such as garden centres, farm shops, delicatessens, etc. 

Despite eased restrictions on in-person shopping, online commerce continues to dominate in most categories except food & drink and beauty. In fact, half of Gen Z and Millennials say that all or most of their shopping will be done online. Online shopping is preferred because it's:

Quick and easy (61%)

More convenient (58%)

Avoids the crowds (51%)

Saves on costs driving to the shops (e.g. petrol and parking) (24%)

People spend more when shopping in-person (24%)

While sales and buy-one-get-one free are seen as great incentives to drive online shopping, almost one in four UK consumers say free shipping is likely to prompt them to purchase an item. In fact, over two thirds (70%) won’t purchase an item if it doesn’t offer free shipping, while the majority (78%) will add more items to their shopping basket to meet the minimum required for free shipping.

Sitecore commissioned this research for the second year running to provide insight to brands and retailers looking to understand consumer attitudes ahead of the festive season and prepare for the Golden Quarter. This will help them to better tailor content and create personalised digital experiences to win customers over.

Sitecore commissioned Advanis to conduct a survey among consumers, reflecting the attitudes and priorities for this year’s Christmas season, particularly around how the rising cost of living. The study polled 2,156 UK consumers in August 2022. The full report also explores what marketers and brands can do to support customers so they can enjoy what could well be a difficult festive season. 

https://www.sitecore.com.

Aldi announces massive job push in time for festive season

An Aldi Colleague

Aldi is proud to announce it will create some 3,000 new jobs ahead of the festive period as it gears up for what looks to be its biggest Christmas ever.

The supermarket is aiming to fill over 2,000 temporary and permanent store roles to help replenish stock and provide additional assistance to shoppers visiting Aldi’s stores during this very busy Christmas period.

In addition, Aldi is currently recruiting for over 850 roles across its 11 Regional Distribution Centres UK-wide for a number of permanent roles, including Warehouse Selectors, Logistics Assistants and Lorry Drivers. 

Kelly Stokes, Aldi UKs Recruitment Director said: “This year we’re recruiting more people than ever over the Christmas period to support the growing number of customers we find are switching to Aldi. This includes a mix of temporary and permanent positions, besides looking to fill both in-store roles and positions at our Regional Distribution Centres.

“Our amazing colleagues play a really vital role in keeping our shelves stocked year-round which is why, once again, we’ll also be keeping our stores closed on Boxing Day as a thank you for all of their really hard work.”

Store Assistants at Aldi earn a minimum hourly rate of up to £10.50 nationally and £11.95 inside the M25 area.  

Aldi also remains the only supermarket in the UK to offer paid breaks, which for the average store colleague is now worth more than £830 a year.

Visit www.aldirecruitment.co.uk for more information and to apply.

Unique designs make GWCT Christmas cards a ‘festive must-have’

Unique designs make GWCT Christmas cards are a Christmas ‘must-have’

Designs celebrating the British countryside by some of the UK's finest and best-loved wildlife artists

GWCT Christmas cards 2022 now available www.gwctshop.org.uk.

A new range of Christmas card designs celebrating the great British countryside with humour and affection is now available from the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Shop.

The collection features some stunning new designs from the ever-popular cartoonist Loon. In ‘No Rudolf’, Santa’s favourite reindeer is seen abandoning the sleigh and heading into the distance after a lady reindeer. A new mixed pack of Loon’s hilarious designs is also available.

Some of the country’s most renowned wildlife artists have also created exclusive new paintings to grace the 2022 GWCT Christmas card collection. 

In ‘Across a Christmas landscape’ by Owen Williams, a woodcock flies above a snowy hillside. Quarry species in striking winter landscapes also feature in ‘Red Grouse in Snow’ by Roger Mcphail and ‘Winter Pheasants’ by Jason Lowes, while bright plumage lends festive colour to ‘Waxwings’ by Ashley Boon.

GWCT Shop Manager Beverley Mansbridge said: “Demand for the cards seems to grow year-on-year and people order early, meaning we often sell out well before Christmas. Everyone loves that the card designs are so unique.

“We are very lucky to have such talented artists willing to design cards for us and help support our important and vital research.”

Each pack includes 10 high quality cards with the greeting 'With Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year'. However, want something special and genuinely unique, Christmas card overprinting is available for private and corporate orders.

Packs of ten cost £5.95, excluding the somewhat larger Loon designs which costs £6.95. All proceeds from the card sales go towards supporting the important work of the Trust.

Besides the cards, the GWCT Shop offers a range of goods that are ideal for Christmas gifts, including ties, cufflinks, Chilli’s water bottles and a range of books suitable for all ages.

To order, visit www.gwctshop.org.uk.

Please be aware that the deadline for postal orders on cards is Friday, November 18.

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. They advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats.