Take Ten Christmas Crackers

Almost every UK family and household celebrates Christmas with at least one (or more) boxes of Christmas crackers.

At Annabel James you can opt for any one of their many fantastic designs. Or even buy several of the different designs?  

There are Christmas crackers in sets of six: from traditional tartan or pheasants, luxurious pine cones in sophisticated blue, white and gold, blue tit and passion flower for bird lovers and gardeners, to the whimsical Carousel crackers in bright circus colours and more.

All of the crackers are fully eco-friendly are guaranteed to have no plastics in them and come complete with a joke, a hat and high quality little gifts.

However, for when six crackers isn't just enough, the super luxurious Watercolour Tree Christmas crackers come in boxes of eight and there are twelve crackers in the box of 12 Days of Christmas crackers.

Don't forget Not your pets this Christmas! There are individual crackers for kitties , complete with a special raffia pet mouse gift, and a choice of two crackers for doggies, both contain a rope ball and a paper hat. And as Annabel James is conscience of the special needs of your pets, there is no noisy, scary snaps in the pet crackers to protect their delicate ears.

You can make your purchases here:- www.annabeljames.co.uk

However, there is more to Annabel James, they have a wide range of luxury lifestyle items from their special on-line boutique offering interiors and garden accessories and gorgeous gifts, beautifully wrapped and delivered.

So they are an ideal place to purchase some nifty Christmas gifts for the people and pets in your life!

Looking for unique Christmas gifts? Chisel and Mouse have the answer

To be honest this is the first time I have come across such a stunningly interesting idea.

Chisel & Mouse make and sell very special plaster architectural models, unique mantle piece and wall art.

Chisel & Mouse love architecture, they are on a mission to model the world's most iconic buildings and cities.

A spokesperson for Chisel & Mouse said: "We combine modern and traditional techniques to sculpt our models, we have over 100 models from eight countries and we re continually expanding our collections.

To check out their range and to purchase some exclusive gifts for the people in your life who matter to you visit them at www.chiselandmouse.com.

Colourful Reusable Christmas Gift Ideas for the Budget-Conscious

Many of us are watching our pennies at the moment so the requirement for budget-friendly Christmas gift ideas is on the rise. 

With more of us also concerned with living more sustainably and moving away from single-use culture, reusable products are hugely popular so these bright and colourful reusables from Neonimo will not  break the bank are great eco-conscious Christmas gift ideas for this season! 

Colourful Reusables: Christmas Gift Ideas for Eco- and Budget-conscious people

Reusable Coffee Cups (12 designs)

– Thermal Travel Mugs are the perfect eco-conscious option for busy people

– Helps reduce 2.5bn disposable cups thrown away each year

– 450ml capacity

Thermal Bottles (12 designs)

– BPA free

– High-grade stainless steel bottle to refill and reuse

– Keeps hot drinks warm and cold drinks cool

– 500ml capacity

Lunchboxes (12 designs)

– Made from hygienic, shatterproof plastic

– Easy to clean non-porous surface

– Hand-printed to order

Slip cases for pens, phones or glasses (12 designs)

– Multi-use slip cases with snap shut top perfect for phone, glasses, pens, coins etc.

– Long-lasting, durable and tactile super-thick neoprene slip pouch

– Vibrant designs are printed, cut and sewn – the handmade quality is excellent and the colours just pop!

All their products are proudly UK designed and made, too.

https://neonimo.co.uk.

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Someone you know moving home? Give them the Christmas Gift they'll love!

Although it's probably not an ideal time of year to move, many people, for a variety of reasons, find themselves moving house in and around Christmas time.

If you know someone who is moving into a new house, flat or apartment why not create a special Moving Home Kit for them?

Cleaning equipment, cleaning requisites, their first meal in their new home? A gift voucher for their favourite supermarket, their favourite restaurant or the food delivery service they love? 

Might be worth checking to see what they could need. They might need new kitchen equipment, a vacuum cleaner, a toaster, a kettle, for example?  

Or how about some artwork for their new home?

Be creative!

Light up someone's Christmas with Naken

To coin an expression, Naken.co.uk have put their indoor lighting collection in the spotlight.

Online homeware retailer Naken.co.uk is bringing some joy to darker evenings with their indoor lighting collection. And what greater gift can you give to a loved one who is a victim of the dreadful Seasonally Affected Disorder (SAD) than a some stylish lighting for this Christmas?

From biophilic-inspired ceiling lights and quirky floor lamps to attention-grabbing table lamps and industrial pendants, the luxury retailer has something, literally, for all interior styles.

Brendon Haxby, who is the co-founder of Naken.co.uk, said: “Darker evenings might be inevitable, but that doesn’t mean it’s all doom and gloom. This collection brings together all the functionality of traditional lighting pieces with some real statement designs.”

The curated collection includes pieces from Light and Living, Seletti and Industville.

Brendon added: “Lighting might be an essential but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring.”

Prices start at a very reasonable £59.

Products are available now from www.Naken.co.uk 

Get your Christmas off to a swinging start with Festive Bart Carts

The Christmas period is the perfect time to host a party!

For those who love to play bartender during this time, a bart cart is a festive party must-have. 

Melody Maison stocks a range of very stylish bar carts, ideal for displaying your favourite drinks and mixers. 

Serve your guests in style!

To learn more please visit them at https://www.melodymaison.co.uk.

Melody Maison was founded by Anna Elkington in 2004 from her spare room. 

It's come on in leaps and bounds since those early days, yet it's still, first and foremost, a family business supplying high quality products that will help you make your house your stylish home!

It's official! Christmas is sorted with Christmas Dinner in a Box!

Masterchef winner Steven Wallis has partnered with recipe box specialists Chefs For Foodies to launch the ultimate Christmas Recipe box.

Supplying all the ingredients you will need to make a chef-quality Christmas dinner, the recipe kit feeds six people and is £139, the equivalent of a mere £23.16 per head.

The kit includes highest quality ingredients sourced solely from British suppliers and family-run butchers including a quality turkey breast fillet with prosciutto ham. The trimmings include, sage and onion stuffing, roasted parsnips with polenta and parmesan, bacon pangritata brussel sprout, roast potatoes, pigs in blankets and luxurious gravy.

Chef Steven has also provided a special video Masterclass with a seasonal, entertaining step-by-step guide crammed to the brim with Christmas tips to perfect the year's most important home cooked dinner.

The Masterchef winner and judge commented: “The ubiquitous Christmas dinner is the most important meal of the year, but unfortunately it's also the most stressful to prepare and, unfortunately it's the easiest to get wrong." 

He went on to say: This special pre-prepared Christmas menu contains recipes which not only bring something special to your table but are also crucially, easy to prepare. The Chefs For Foodies recipe box is the perfect solution for taking the stress out of Christmas day, while also wowing your dinner guests.”

And vegan families are catered for, too! Because Chefs For Foodies have also created a Vegan Christmas recipe box which includes a premium Portobello Mushroom Wellington, and four sides including a delicious Butternut Squash and a Blue Cheese Crumble.

To ensure quality, fresh ingredients, the food boxes are delivered a few days prior to Christmas. Chefs For Foodies ensure minimum waste by supplying pre-portioned ingredients and recyclable packaging.

For a Boxing Day treat, Chefs For Foodies has also designed a Beef Wellington meal kit which includes a recipe for maple roasted carrots and a swede and celeriac mash with nutmeg brown butter.

For any festive occasion with guests there's also the ultimate Indian platter & drinks party box created by renowned chef DIpna Anand. The spicy recipes include Prawn Pakoras, Lamb Tikki Pitta Pockets, Turkey Malai Tikka, Onion, Spinach & Potato Bhajis all served with Traklemans cranberry & mint sauces.

Recipe Kits can be pre-ordered from the 20th end of October from the Chefs For Foodies website: https://chefsforfoodies.com/pages/christmas-dinner-2-more-box.

Looking for a new managerial role for Christmas time? Check out Aldi

Employer of the Year Aldi has opened applications for its latest Area Manager scheme intake.

The supermarket is looking to fill up to 100 roles on its Area Manager Programme.  

Those enrolled on the scheme will participate in a year-long training programme, helping to provide candidates with all the skills they need to run a collection of stores successfully. 

Salaries start from £44,000 for successful applicants in the first year, with permanent contracts offered after this point and pay rising to more than £81,000 by the fifth year.

Kelly Stokes, Recruitment Director at Aldi UK, said: “We’re on the lookout for some of the most hardworking and ambitious individuals to join our team as part of the Area Manager programme.

“The scheme gives individuals the chance to learn the ins and outs of the sector at one of the fastest-growing retailers in the country, while also receiving in-depth training along the way.

“At Aldi, our colleagues are central to everything we do and we’re constantly searching for amazing individuals of all ages, roles and backgrounds to join our team.”

Those interested in applying for the Area Manager scheme with Aldi can visit: https://www.aldirecruitment.co.uk/area-manager-programme.

This would make an ideal Christmas gift to yourself.

Customers rush to buy energy-saving products as discretionary income continues to fall

With household bills continuing to rise sharply, the latest Asda Income Tracker shows families were £141 per month worse off in September compared to the previous year, primarily due to soaring utility bills, with gas prices up an eye-watering 95.7% and electricity prices up by 54% year on year.

In response, customers are increasingly turning to energy-saving products to try and keep their bills in check. 

Asda has seen a 320% increase in air fryer sales year-on-year, sales of slow cookers have more than doubled and sales of heated airers are 90% up compared to last September.

Regionally, those living in the south east saw the sharpest drop in discretionary income, with families in that region £212 a month worse off compared to this time last year, whilst the East Midlands showed the most resilience. However, they still saw an annual decrease of £116 per month, meaning no region saw an uptick in discretionary income compared to September last year.

To help customers during the cost of living crisis, Asda is introducing a new ‘winter warmer’ initiative offering those aged 60 and over the chance to enjoy soup, a roll and unlimited tea and coffees for just £1 in any of its 205 cafes all day and every day throughout November and December. This will run alongside the current ‘Kids eat for £1’ offer which continues to be hugely popular, with more than 630,000 meals served since the launch in late June.

The Asda Foundation has also launched new ‘cost of living’ funding pot worth £500k to help keep community groups running and the supermarket is also running a ‘Community Cuppa’ campaign in its cafes by creating space for community groups, who may otherwise struggle to meet due to rising energy costs.

We at That's Christmas feel buying energy saving devices for potentially vulnerable family members as stocking fillers for them this Christmas. So, please check out Asda www.asda.com.

Make their Christmas a Lush Christmas

At times our world can feel a bit darker and heavy at times. Even more so over the last few years.

So, what to do? This winter, Lush is encouraging a culture of kindness, giving and community.  

Lush’s 2022 Christmas range is designed with kindness in mind, being kind to yourself, others and the planet.   

Lush wants to spark moments of joy, with beautiful beneficial products for every need that have had a positive impact at every stage, and encourage not only gracious giving but opportune moments of self-care.  

You’ll see the rebellious return of Snow Fairy, whilst an extended collection of Lord of Misrule aims to unleash the mischievous side in us all! 

Available in Lush shops and online from now on here https://www.lush.com/uk/en.

More Christmas Products Available at Live Laugh Love

Good news! Live Laugh Love has just increased their range of wonderful Christmas Products.

A spokesman said: "Our Shabby Chic and Vintage Christmas decorations are a wonderful way to create a unique look and ambiance in your home, and certain to bring years and years of eclectic and festive charm, magic and joy."

Bring festive cheer into your home, and onto your Christmas tree this year, with our joyful, unique, handpicked, shabby chic and vintage décor from Live Laugh Love. 

From their Porcelain House Tealight Holders, Rustic Bells, snowy, Freestanding Twiggy Tree Decorations, tree hanging mice with fur coats or our woolly Nordic Gonks, your home is sure to heart-warmingly overflow with the charm, magic and enchantment of Christmas.

You can purchase these products from www.livelaughlove.co.uk.

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New funny cards and gifts for Christmas

Brainbox Candy have just launched new funny cards, gifts and wrapping paper, just in time for Christmas.

All their products are made in the UK and their cards and other paper goods including notebooks, wrap etc are printed on FSC accredited paper, sourced from sustainable sources.

They sell online at brainboxcandy.com and also stock great retailers including John Lewis, Waterstones, Urban Outfitters, Selfridges, Waitrose, Fenwick and many others.

They are also suppliers to galleries and museums like the Tate Modern, Turner Gallery, MOMA, Saatchi Gallery, Warhol museum and many others, besides.

Brainbox Candy is an award-winning, family owned and operated business that has been designing funny cards and gifts for over 14 years. 

Removable Christmas Wallpaper – The Ultimate Christmas Decoration

Did you know that removable Christmas wallpaper was available as an option for your home? Neither did we at That's Christmas. But it is!

You can deck your halls and walls and create yourself the ultimate winter wonderland this Christmas with removable festive wallpaper murals from Wallsauce.com. 

From snowy winter wonderlands to sparkling Christmas trees and joyful grottos, choose from a wonderful and vast range of beautiful images and bring the spirit of Christmas to your home.

Not only are these murals made to your dimensions so that waste is minimal, but the peel-and-stick material is also recyclable!

Embrace the traditional colours of Christmas with this winter scene wallpaper. Its gorgeous, deep greens bring a touch of nature whilst the golden hues add a hint of luxury. Complete this stylish look by decorating your Christmas tree with gold, snow-white baubles and candy canes to add an extra splash of colour to your room.

Host a Christmas meal your guests will remember when you extend your decoration to your walls with this beautiful snowflake wallpaper. A wonderful aspect of this wallpaper is how it will suit your walls throughout Christmas and also the winter months! Pair it with mustard or gold dining accessories such as plates, salt and pepper shakers and even your table runner. A wooden dining table with mismatched chairs will add the perfect whimsical touch. For ambiance make sure to include warm-white lighting.

Everyone dreams of a white Christmas! Create your own winter wonderland, right in your living room, with this stunning winter sunset mural. A soft, blanket of snow covering the roads, pavement and trees is enough to transform any area into a gorgeous wonderland. Team this wallpaper with brass accessories in the form of candle stick holders and a mixture of cool grey and crisp white fabrics in the form of throws and cushions. This will make your living room feel like a wintery paradise!

Treat the kids to a magical bedroom with a beautiful snowy landscape removable mural. This particular style is perfect to recreate a cosy scandi-style room. Stick to muted greens and greys with splashes of mustard and pine furniture for a gorgeous winter-inspired room.

With over 60 designs for you to choose from, you’re sure to find a design for any room and any style. Available to order on the removable peel and stick wallpaper, the Christmas murals are the perfect temporary solution for creating impressive festive décor.  Simply choose your favourite design, enter your dimensions and select the option for ‘peel and stick’ wallpaper.

Once your made-to-measure festive backdrop arrives, simply ensure your wall is smooth and clean, peel off the backing and stick each panel to your wall. Should you ever wish to remove it, peel it off and see your wall return to how they were.

Go ahead and bring the Christmas magic to your home with a festive wallpaper mural.

This Girl's Ability needs your support as they strive to help disabled girls and young women flourish. Ideal Christmas project

If we can raise £4,500, Sport England has confirmed they will pledge the other half!

This Girl's Ability needs £9,000 to help them start their non-profit community company, which seeks to decrease the isolation of disabled girls and young women and forge deeper connections within their community. 

Disabled people were disproportionately impacted on by COVID-19, and This Girl's Ability is committed to supporting their recovery post-pandemic.

The £9,000 raised through Crowdfunder will be used to provide weekly sports and creative sessions for disabled girls and young women in Havering and Essex.

Through regular group interaction, they aim to prevent and improve mental health, help members grow in confidence and learn new skills to improve employability, and provide sporting opportunities to this group not known to partake in physically active hobbies.

They aim to create a sustainable project by making the most of their current connections and creating new collaborative links with national governing bodies, sports clubs, local businesses, and community groups.

Georgie Hart, Director and Ambassador at This Girls Ability, said: “I believe this is a vitally important project. Growing up as a disabled girl with cerebral palsy was very hard at times. A club in my local community would have helped me make friends, given me more confidence and made such a difference in my life.”

The money they hope to raise through Crowdfunder will enable them to empower disabled girls and young women. If we can raise £4,500, Sport England has confirmed they will pledge the other half!

 They have some great rewards to claim with your donation. The community project will help to tackle inequalities and reach another area of regional deprivation.

This Girl's Ability has big dreams for their future, and by donating or purchasing a reward, you will be part of their journey and help them hit the ground running!

Donate at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/thisgirlsability

Go Vegan for Christmas and beyond?

The suffering of billions of animals worldwide every year who are used and abused for human gain counts as one of the major moral issues of our time.

University Preacher at the University of St Andrews is urging Christians to adopt a vegan diet for the sake of animals and the environment.

Preaching on Animal Welfare Sunday, Dr Clair Linzey argues humans should move to a plant-based diet as envisaged in the first chapter of Genesis. “God blesses humans and gives them a vegetarian, actually plant-based diet, ‘every plant yielding seed’ to eat (v. 29).”

She argues: “We must ask ourselves what kind of relationship to the world is envisioned in a plant-based dominion? The answer, I suggest, is one of service and responsibility. We are to care for the world as God would care for the world.”

Recalling how scientific research has shown animals experience both pain and suffering, Dr Linzey maintains we should live without violence wherever we can.

“Seeing the world for animals involves facing the reality of suffering and pain of billions of animals worldwide for human gain. Over seventy three billion cows, sheep, pigs and chicken are killed every year for human consumption. Seventy three billion animals, for just 7.8 billion humans. And this is not all the animals killed for food, nor does it include all the fish and birds killed.”

“The suffering of billions of animals worldwide every year who are used and abused for human gain counts as one of the major moral issues of our time.”

The suffering we inflict on animals has harmful effects on ourselves, argues Dr Linzey, not least of all on the environment. “The primary emission from animal agriculture is methane, which is four times more potent than carbon dioxide. Researchers have concluded that becoming vegan is the single most effective thing you can do personally to combat climate change. What we choose to consume will determine whether we are able to address the climate crisis. Climate change truly begins on our plate.”

Dr Linzey is Deputy Director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics and was preaching St Salvator’s Chapel in the University of St Andrews, Scotland.

Other Christian preachers have different views on this matter. What do you think?

Ideal family Christmas project? Charities urge people to volunteer for the UK’s biggest winter food drive

As food banks and frontline charities face their most difficult Christmas ever, people are urged to give the gift of their time to take part in the UK’s biggest food donation drive. 

And it's something you and your family can get involved with.

The Tesco Food Collection is taking place in all Tesco stores from December 1 to 3 and the Trussell Trust and FareShare are urging volunteers to sign-up to support the event in store.

It comes as both charities face an unprecedented level of demand for food. The Trussell Trust, which has the biggest foodbank network in the UK, has seen a 46% increase in the number of food parcels distributed in recent months, while FareShare has a growing list of thousands of other frontline charities seeking food.

During the collection Tesco customers are to be encouraged to donate long-life food to support the charities in their work. Donations for the Trussell Trust will help its network of food banks provide emergency food parcels to people in crisis, while donations to FareShare will support its food deliveries to thousands of frontline charities. Tesco, which has been partnering with the charities over the past decade, will once again top up the customer donations by 20% in cash.

Volunteers are needed to staff collection points, because, when volunteers are present, they collect a greater amount of food. The fact one in five food parcels given out by the Trussell Trust come from donations from Tesco and its customers underlines how much the donations made in Tesco stores are needed.

Trussell Trust CEO Emma Revie is urging people to volunteer. “As winter sets in, even more people will be pushed deeper into poverty and we're expecting hundreds of thousands of people to be forced to use a food bank in the coming months,” she said.

She went on to point out: “This increase in need means the winter Tesco Food Collection will be more important than ever as food banks work tirelessly to help everyone who needs their support.”

Lindsay Boswell, the CEO at FareShare added: “The cost-of-living crisis is forcing more and more people to turn to their local charities for support with food and other services, meaning the demand for FareShare food has skyrocketed.

“The Tesco Food Collection is a vital event for FareShare, helping to bring in much needed long-life food that will help us continue our support of the people most in need this winter. Volunteering at the Tesco Food Collection this December will make a huge difference during this increasingly difficult time.”

You can sign up to volunteer with FareShare at https://fareshare.org.uk/foodcollection/ or with the Trussell Trust at https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-involved/tesco-food-collection/volunteer/

Christmas Gastronomic Gifts from Gosnells: Mead Must-Haves

Developed by Tom in 2021, this giftbox explores the honeys from four different postcodes in London, Oxfordshire and Bishops Stortford. 

It highlights the nuances between different postcodes, and the contrasts of urban (a wide variety of nutrients) against rural (bigger areas with just one or two crops). Wine says that a vineyard's 'terroir'  soil, altitude, weather etc, has a major impact on flavour. 

But as honey's flavour derives from each flower or bush or tree, this gives mead fanciers the opportunity for terroir on steroids. The sweet shop flavours of Oxfordshire honey; the lighter more perfumed flavours of Bishops Stortford; and the more consistent flavours of E15 and W5.

Says Tom Gosnell: “Brewing these four Postcode Meads has demonstrated the awe-inspiring brilliance of the bee, and the differences in flavour between urban and rural honeys. 

"It's my belief we have demonstrated both the terroir of each location and the nectars they contain. The flora available, on which the bees foraged, created significant nuances in all four of the meads."

He went on to explain: "While rural apiaries often gather a springtime honey harvest from agricultural crops with a summer harvest in addition, urban apiaries tend to have only a single summer harvest. 

"Urban apiaries can benefit from a wider variety of nutrients from their parks, municipal plantings, allotments and residential gardens, while rural apiaries exposed to modern monoculture farming can experience extremes of feast and famine, and limited alternative forage. However pollinators are in steep decline as the variety and accessibility of flowers on which they can forage has decreased with the use of pesticides and herbicides, though hopefully this may now change.

The four 50cl bottles with sample pots of their relevant honeys and an elegantly penned brochure are available at £39 from www.gosnells.co.uk.

These are ideal for Christmas gifts for the Mead and honey lovers in your life. Or for a nifty example of self-gifting? You decide! Or why not buy for others and for yourself? 

Tom Gosnell developed the recipe for his sparkling classic Gosnells of London 5.5% in 2013. His aim was to take mead away from its dark colour, strong sweet flavours and high strength past. He did this by creating a mead which was much lower in alcohol (5.5%) and with characteristics closer to an elegant white wine. Using honey from Spanish Orange groves as its base, along with a zesty yeast, gave Gosnells of London a light, crisp citrus flavour. It is made from just honey, water and time. It contains no added sugar, sulphites, artificial flavours or colourings.

Gosnells of London has the elegance of a Chardonnay-rich sparkling wine. It is gluten free, and best served chilled in Champagne flutes or tall white wine glasses.

Founder Tom Gosnell, London's only mead maker, goes on to say: “'Gosnells of London' is gluten free and just 5.5% against the 12% of most sparkling wines. Just think how many people would prefer that gentler flavour profile and lower alcohol levels of meads at Christmas. And there is so much subtlety in the flavours produced by those under-appreciated bees. 

"Our five brightly coloured 4% abv canned meads, including our new Wildflower Mead, are all flying. They are purposefully modern and challenge old perceptions that mead needs to be high in alcohol and conservative. But for Christmas we feel that our original bottled mead's time has come. We're aiming to build on its earlier success to drive sales in the UK and abroad”

Gosnells of London benefits from a consistent flavour profile, combining elements of tart sourdough bread, a smooth richness and an edge of gentle orange. This is a perfect gift for Christmas, and it will make a great replacement for Champagne or Prosecco, and with the Xmas meal. It is ace with all manner of cheeses, and with that turkey, fish, and especially smoked salmon.

The gently sparkling 5.5% ABV mead will be available in a smart gift box, the 75cl bottle retailing at £12.50 a bottle from https://www.gosnells.co.uk. This natural product has already been dubbed Peckham's answer to Prosecco – by its SE15 fans.

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New Gin for Christmas Feasting. And it's from the Historic Goodwood Estate

This year you can  give the Christmas gift of a new Levin Down Goodwood Gin from one of England's most historic stately homes and sporting estates.  

Goodwood Gin uniquely employs genuine English wild juniper and aromatic gorse flowers which flourishes in the Levin Down nature reserve.  

Levin Down, derived from 'Leave-Alone-Hill', is an ancient hill on the Goodwood Estate and is located just north of Goodwood Racecourse and Goodwood House. 

The gin has already begun winning awards, including London Dry Gold and Contemporary Gold at The Gin Masters 2022 blind tasting from over 500 entries.  

Fans of unusual gins will enjoy its distinctive nature.  It is a small batch London Dry style, distilled with mineral water which is naturally chalk-filtered through the South Downs. 

The 43.6% abv strength and depth of flavour from 12 separate botanicals creates a classic and elegant gin. 

Served with tonic and exhilarating long serves to evoke the heady freshness of the countryside and sociable sporting activities of the estate. 

Buy it online from www.Goodwood.com/goodwood-gin at £40 for a 70cl bottle.  The last date for online orders is Tuesday 20 December (currently UK mainland only).  Or visit the Goodwood Farm Shop and be tempted by estate produce, organic meats, award-winning cheeses, craft beers and local treats to complement your festive feasting. 

For those of us who like to learn things, Goodwood is a unique sporting estate set in 11,000 acres of beautiful West Sussex countryside. Owned by the Dukes of Richmond since 1697, it is renowned for its thrilling motorsport events and spectacular horse racing.  

The Duke of Richmond and Gordon has been closely involved in the creation of the gin which reflects the estate's organic farming heritage and gives a proud sense of terroir.  Goodwood Home Farm is one of the largest lowland organic farms in Europe.

 

DIY Editable Santa in Sleigh Christmas Photo Card

This instant download DIY Editable Santa in Sleigh Christmas Photo Card, with its cute Santa scene design, is the perfect way you can pass on your season's greetings and festive best wishes to friends, family, neighbours, colleagues etc. 

You can also add your favourite photo to this Christmas card, too! This is a Christmas card template for you to edit with your own details and send by email or message, whatever you choose! 

You can change the details to suit personal purposes either to send one photo card design to all your friends and family or to create individual cards for Grandma Jean or Uncle Peter, for example.

These Christmas photo cards are also ideal for businesses to send out to their clients, you can change all the text to include a Christmas message to your clients, details of a special offer or a charitable donation, whatever you wish. You can add a company photo, product photo or company logo.

You can also print this card to send to those who will enjoy getting a personalised Christmas card in the post! This card is 7"x5".

Please note the graphics aren't editable, but that all the text is editable. You change text, font style, font colour, resize, move, add or delete text. 

https://www.diypartyworld.com/collections/christmas-cards/products/diy-editable-santa-in-sleigh-christmas-photo-card-c1004

Raspberry red art adds bold on-trend 2023 colour to walls Claude & Leighton

Just right for Christmas gifting, Claude & Leighton® has launched Seize the Day, a new fine art print by British artist Jayne Leighton Herd. 

This striking abstract art offers an easy way to bring rich colour and dramatic interest to home and office walls.

The custom-made art print is from an original mixed media artwork by Jayne, who is also a co-founder of Claude & Leighton.

With warm raspberry reds and peach, accents in turquoise and black, and layers and layers of details, the artwork is bold and really makes an impression. Whilst inviting you to take a closer look into its depths.

Seize the Day is available in 3 sizes, and prices start at £30 for an unframed A4 open edition print.

The art is printed with high quality, fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free, archival quality, heavyweight 100% cotton rag paper, to ensure it will last you, or the fortunate recipient, a lifetime.

A spokesperson said: "Claude & Leighton is proud of its British design credentials. All art prints are created and custom-produced to the highest quality from its Berkshire art studio, and carefully packed in gift-ready, British-made, eco-friendly, reusable packaging."

Claude & Leighton® is the online home of high-quality, contemporary fine art prints by British artist Jayne Leighton Herd. Stunning abstracts, beautiful landscapes and gorgeous seascapes, and intriguing figurative art are available in either open or limited editions. It's art to enable people to enhance their homes and offices with expressions of emotion, style and joy.

Founded in 2020 by Jayne and her husband Laurent Stadelmann, Claude & Leighton is based in Berkshire. 

Jayne is a professional artist and designer with over 17 years of experience in selling her statement original paintings, and Laurent is an experienced businessman. Together, they created Claude & Leighton to be the online art destination for reproductions of Jayne’s original fine art, as well as her original digital artwork.

Proud of its “made in Britain” credentials, all art prints are created and custom-produced to the highest quality from Claude & Leighton’s own Berkshire print studio. Then carefully packed in gift-ready, British-made, eco-friendly packaging.

www.claudeandleighton.com

Time Team archaeology and gardening gifts for Christmas Time (Team)

Time Team, the much loved archaeology series which broadcast on television from 1994 is back after a 10 year hiatus!

This iconic television series broadcast in excess of 35 countries worldwide. Across 20 series and countless specials, conducting over 220 archaeological digs from back gardens to Buckingham Palace.

Time Team relaunched in 2021 exclusively on Patreon and YouTube and has developed a range of stunning merchandise to compliment the relaunch.

For archaeology or gardening buffs, there is a huge range of merchandise available online from the Time Team Shop.

From Travel Accessories, Men's and Women's Clothing, Bags, Hats, Books, Jewellery, Tools and much more, besides.

(As a former archaeologist back in the 1980s (who actually worked on digs with a member of the original Time Team) I think these gifts are great! I still have my own archaeology trowel, somewhere.)

https://shop.timeteamdigital.com

Time Team Limited Edition Trowel - RRP £44.95

https://shop.timeteamdigital.com/collections/tools-1/products/time-team-limited-edition-trowel

Limited Edition Time Team Archaeology Trowel. The hand finished, forged steel trowel is the must have tool for delicate but exacting excavation work.

The tempered carbon steel blade is laser engraved with the classic Time Team logo. The natural wood handle is laser engraved on one side with your unique Limited Edition trowel number (eg 'TIME TEAM 001'), and 'THE ONCE AND FUTURE TEAM' on the other so no one will be able to mistake your trowel for theirs! (A good trowel is a 'must have' for any archaeologist. 

Finished with the Time Team enamelled inset badge at the end of the wooden handle, and packaged in a printed cotton drawstring bag, this really is a one-off collectors item that is both practical and unique!

Time Team Gold Foil Notebook - RRP £12.95

https://shop.timeteamdigital.com/collections/stationery-1/products/time-team-gold-foil-notebook

Keep your notes and reminders all in one place with our Time Team Gold Foil Notebook. The gold logo adds a wonderful finish to this luxury soft-touch outer cover, making this the ideal gift or keep-sake for any Time Team fan! (Actually, a notebook is ideal for when you are working on an archaeological dig.)

Time Team Mens Wax Jacket - RRP £135

https://shop.timeteamdigital.com/products/time-team-wax-field-jacket-dark-khaki?_pos=1&_sid=c4f5e1841&_ss=r

Their premium Time Team Wax Field Jacket is engineered to keep you warm and dry, and protected against the elements. This new addition to their collection is the ideal tran-seasonal layer and perfect for country walks or the daily commute making it a wardrobe staple. 

Comfortable and insulated country vibes. The jacket is perfect for getting the job done in style. It's a great all-weather garment for both work and adventures whatever the weather!

The wax jacket features 100% Coolweave cotton, soft cotton check lining, and a Corduroy trim on the collar for a comfortable wear. There’s a classic natural wax finish too for those country casual vibes.

The full length antique gold zip and popper buttons add a practical closer and stylish detailing. The warming Thermoguard quilted insulation provides that extra warmth and comfort on colder days. Made in England by world renowned outdoor and adventure brand Regatta.

Time Team Threaded Digging Spade - RRP £69.95

https://shop.timeteamdigital.com/collections/tools-1/products/time-team-treaded-digging-spade

They are absolutely thrilled to launch their new premium Time Team Treaded Digging Spade. This spade features forged carbon steel head and sockets, and proven 'Spear & Jackson Professional Quality' with hammer finished powder coated head for improved resistance to rust, scratches, humidity and alkalis in the soil.

Weatherproofed natural hardwood handle for greater durability is beautifully hand finished with the Time Team name and logo laser engraved on the front making this the must have tool for any excavation work, or just digging in your garden or allotment.

This really is a one-off collectors item that is both practical and unique and would make the perfect statement gift to any keen archaeologist or gardener, that would likely be passed on to generations to come!

Time Team Gold Mug - RRP £10.00

https://shop.timeteamdigital.com/products/time-team-gold-mug?_pos=2&_sid=57bb15bde&_ss=r

Being one of their most popular Time Team designs, they are certain there’s no better way to enjoy a brew than in their Time Team mug. This recently updated and improved navy blue ceramic mug features our classic gold Time Team logo on both sides. So stick the kettle on and put on your favourite episode of Time Team Teatime! 

Personalised Christmas Dog Stocking from Ruff And Tumble

One of the key family points about Christmas is the Christmas Stocking isn't it? If your kids are going to have Christmas stockings, why not get one for the doggies of your family?

Even better, have their name embroidered on it, too!

Ruff and Tumble's new Brick Red and Bottle Green Stocking has a velvet trim for extra gorgeousness and can be hung up right next to yours, too.

Pick and mix little gifts from the Ruff and Tumble Christmas Shop and you'll have the dog's Christmas pressies sorted in no time at all. 

With prices starting from a mere Fiver, you can choose from treats to toys, mitts, shampoo, breed specific decorations, key rings, leads, mitts and more besides.

Everything in the Ruff and Tumble Christmas Shop oozes practicality, style and class.

We've chosen original, quirky and useful gifts from companies we know and love and added our own stylish must-have accessories too. 

Your Dog Stocking will cost £19.95

Burgundy Thick Slip Lead, £16.95

Ruff Wash Shampoo and Ruff Fresh Spritz, £10 each, UK only

Bottle Green Mitts, £21.95 per pair

www.ruffandtumbledogcoats.com.

Sustainable Lokta Christmas Gift Wrap from Paper High

I must admit I was unaware that 227,000 miles of wrapping paper is thrown away every year. And that's exactly what happens!

And that's like travelling around the entire world a total of nine times and then finishing it off with a trip across America. The long way! 

This Christmas, Paper High are encouraging all of their customers to choose sustainable gift wrapping options.

Paper High’s gift wrap is handmade from lokta, which a shrub that it is found in the foothills of the Himalayas. Lokta is a highly sustainable plant as it grows quickly and is in abundant supply all across Nepal.

Known for its durability and resistance to tearing and humidity, lokta paper makes an excellent eco-friendly choice for gift wrap, as it can be reused many times over so long as it’s looked after properly.

The plant harvesting and paper creation provides employment opportunities for women in Nepal's rural villages.

Paper High work directly with an incredible socially aware cooperative which provide employment and training opportunities for their Fair Trade artisans.

The charity work they do in their local areas has earnt them many awards, from their support of people affected by HIV and Aids, to establishing schools to support the education of underprivileged children, etc.

After being harvested, it’s boiled, cleaned, and beaten with wooden mallets to produce a fibrous pulp. It’s then mixed with water and poured into a shallow frame made of bamboo poles and canvas, before being sun dried.

Finally, natural dyes and details like petals and sun-bleached leaf patterns are added to the paper to create the beautiful designs it is well known for.

The gift wrap is available in sets of three or five sheets and each sheet comes with matching gift tags for each sheet. 

The gift boxes are crafted from a mixture of lokta and recycled paper, and are available in two sizes and three vibrant colours, as well as the cute Christmas pattern.

Find sustainable gift wrap and a huge range of expertly crafted, Fair Trade stationery and homeware gifts at https://www.paperhigh.com.

 

Get creative this Christmas: Give Pott'd, the kit with everything you need to get started in the world of clay

Get creative this Christmas: Give Pott'd, the kit with everything you need to get started in the world of clay.

Pott’d's Air Dry Clay Pottery Kit (RRP £30) is a perfect Christmas gift for beginners, having already inspired a generation of creators on TikTok. 

It comes complete with all the tools and paints needed to create your first clay creation, including air-dry clay, tools, paintbrushes, and varnish. 

The kit aims to bring clay to more people and is designed so there is no need for a pottery wheel, kiln, or studio. Everything is packaged into a beautifully designed gift box, making it the thoughtful choice for the creative in your life this Christmas. 

The kit can be used to make mugs, plant pots, trinket dishes, vases, candle holders, incense burners, and more, which can all air-dry at home without the need for a pottery wheel or kiln. Each kit can be used to make up to 10 unique creations. 

For those who are just at the start of their pottery journey, fear not, the Pott’d kit includes lots of handy how-to guides for each of the above, talking through how to make them step by step, with even more available on their website.

Pott’d is a great bonding activity for date night with a partner, families looking to spend some relaxing time together or those looking to discover their inner artist. 

If that isn’t enough to convince you to Pott, recent research has also shown that working with your hands can also benefit mental health, by producing endorphins and reducing stress and anxiety levels.

Available on Pottdpeople.com or Amazon, Pott’d is a great gift to inspire this Christmas, and could mean you end up gifting someone a hobby that will last long after the 25th December.  

https://pottdpeople.com.

Start your clay journey today! New and improved Pott'd kits include everything you need to create your own unique clay creations at home. The perfect creative, mental health-enhancing gift for yourself or a loved one.

That's Food and Drink: Sandford Orchards Celebrates 20th Anniversary of '...

That's Food and Drink: Sandford Orchards Celebrates 20th Anniversary of '...: Back in 2002 Barny Butterfield began making cider in a shed.  Two decades later and Barry is Chief Cidermaker and owner of Sandford Orchards...

Is your Christmas beauty Advent calendar damaging the environment?

Over the past decade, the beauty industry has created some truly spectacular Christmas Advent calendars which have gained a cult following as consumers rush to purchase them. 

But! With sustainability a growing key trend driving our purchasing decisions, how sustainable are these products which often have layers of excess packaging and no responsible instructions or advice for disposal?

With only 61 days until Christmas, the search term "Beauty Advent Calendars 2022" is  up by 170% on Google Trends over the last 30 days. 

Sustainable accreditation organisation and consumer shopping guide app ethy is looking at the importance of ‘clean beauty’ and sharing how customers can make better choices when it comes to their beauty Advent calendars this year. 

So, what should customers be looking out for when purchasing beauty-based Advent calendars?  

ethy’s Co-Founder Kaisa points out: "Customers should look for calendars from verified sustainable and responsible brands because they're more likely to have considered the impact of the product on the planet and taken steps to make it as sustainable as possible. 

"Look for Advent calendars made from sustainable, recycled, or recyclable materials. Avoid plastic where you possibly can. As an ideal, advent calendars will display plastic-free or reduced plastic labels. 

" Or alternatively, why not make your own 12-day Advent calendar with products from verified sustainable and clean beauty and vegan brands to be sure the products and packaging will be kinder to the skin as well as the environment?"

What is clean beauty? 

Kaisa explains: "Clean beauty is all about acknowledging there are ingredients in our everyday beauty products that we may perceive to be harmless. But we're seeing that some of these are actually problematic and for consumers, it's really quite hard to always know the difference. 

"Like with the whole topic of sustainability, the beauty industry is complex and even the sheer amount of info and ingredients can be bewildering and confusing to anyone who doesn't work with it on a daily basis.

"We wanted to get brands and consumers to define clean beauty products and to be able to buy with confidence. Yes. it is complicated, but we're doing our very best to keep really high standards on the ingredients."

We at That's Christmas have noticed that on some products the ingredients list is so long and complicated that the print is so tiny that we often need to reach for a magnifying glass to try and see what the manufacturer wants us to put on our skin! 

How can a brand be accredited with the Clean Beauty Standard by ethy? 

It mustn't use aggressive ingredients, synthetic scents or fragrances, or colourants (and this includes animal-derived dyes) in any of its products. 

To learn more about ethy and to start using it to help you make your purchasing decisions, please visit them here https://ethy.co.uk.

You don't have to get drunk to party! Indulgence Without Guilt! Enjoy the Mavrik Virgin Cocktail Experience

Are you looking for a festive tipple that won't lead to the dreaded morning after the night before feeling?

Nominated as the responsible driver but sick of sipping water or drinking overly sweet so-called diet drinks?

Worried that any festive merriment could seriously derail your healthy eating plans?

Or maybe you're a pregnant party fan, animal looking for a tasty alcohol free drink to kickstart your Christmas and New Year celebrations?

Then, That's Christmas has some fantastic news for you! We introduce you to Mavrik, an exciting new range of exciting drinks specially created for those choosing to abstain from alcohol or to simply moderate their intake. 

Mavrik has launched four non-alcoholic, low calorie cocktails that look good and taste great, setting the brand up as the go-to for free-spirited adults who are happy to avoid alcohol and its after effects.

The story of Mavrik drinks began as a casual conversation about the total lack of desirable non-alcoholic drinks and ended up as an obsession to create a range of great tasting, low calorie and alcohol-free cocktails that have a clear WOW factor. 

Eighteen months in the making, Mavrik is now hitting the shelves, thus making it possible to enjoy the cocktail experience without any of the negatives associated with imbibing in alcohol.

These expertly created and crafted all-natural drinks aren't merely cocktail substitutes, they're something to look forward to and to savour, too.

Mavrik's virgin cocktails are made from the best-quality ingredients, with zero compromise on taste or enjoyment.

Enjoy Mavrik as delicious, long drinks that'll leave you feeling fresher, more alert and free of that dreadful, cloying sugary after-taste. Best of all there's a fabulous flavour combination to suit everyone. 

AROMATIC G&T: a delicious and refined low calorie pink G&T, without the naughty ingredients. 

CUBAN MOJITO: a totally gorgeous, low calorie, indulgent alcohol-free Mojito cocktail inspired by the renowned Cuban highball.

VENETIAN SPRITZ: a refreshing, spirit lifting, low calorie Spritz that takes its cues from the classic Venetian cocktail. 

STORM & SPICE: a fiery, tongue tickling, low calorie Dark & Stormy type drink; the alcohol-free version of the classic and spicy Bermudan rum cocktail. 

Whether you're looking to cut down on alcohol, go fully teetotal or simply just feel the need to give your body a break, reach for Mavrik. With under 50 calories per can, they can even fuel your fitness goals and help keep you on track, whilst still allowing you to let your hair down and have fun with family and friends. 

And the handy recyclable can format ensures minimal wastage and a real value-for-money treat.

Mavrik drinks are available to buy online from https://www.mavrik-drinks.com/shop, RRP £9.50 for a tasting pack of all four flavours or create your own mixed case of 12 for £23.80.

What's even better, they are gluten free and suitable for vegans and vegetarians, too.

Babingtons Blends Launch Premium Tea Subscriptions, a Perfect Christmas Gift

And it's not only tasty it's fantastic value, too! 

Subscription customers will receive 10% off any orders and the free shipping minimum value will reduce from £40 to £30 per order.

Repeat orders can be every 1, 2 or 3 months respectively and customers have the chance to change or cancel an order at any time.

With this flexibility, Babingtons Blends customers can enjoy an experience tailored to their individual lifestyle and wellbeing needs, which can naturally change throughout the year. 

You may wish to moderate caffeine intake and so by adding a stunning caffeine free blend, Sweet Dreams, Forest Fruits or the Rooibos favourite, African Nights, would be perfect.

As the seasons change, so do our tea needs. Enjoy more black teas during autumn and winter, including the very popular Breakfast Special blend or during warmer summer months, the refreshing and exhilarating Moroccan Secret green mint tea.

Babingtons Blends teas are all sustainably sourced, hand blended and are 100% natural with no artificial colourings or flavourings. All packaging is biodegradable or recyclable. 

 Chiara Bedini said: “I'm very proud to share my premium and award-winning blends, which are renowned for their quality, freshness, and unique flavours as part of our new subscription service. 

"They are blended by hand with natural ingredients and packaged in eco-friendly materials, I can't think of a better gift for yourself or for someone special.” 

Gift a Subscription 

Gifting yourself or your loved ones with a subscription service is one the most caring presents. Every month, you are warmly reminded of this gift. So why not start straight away with Babingtons delicious, 100% natural teas. An ideal Christmas gift.

Since 1893, Babingtons Tea Rooms at the foot of Rome's iconic Spanish Steps, has been serving fine teas to the world's most discerning tea connoisseurs, always with a dash of British eccentricity, wit and style. Today the descendants of the original founders, cousins Chiara Bedini and Rory Bruce, head up the Italian and UK operations. 

Babingtons Blends Tea Is Available in a Variety of Formats & Refills

Pyramids (x 18) from £7.99, Pouches (Loose leaf) from £6.99, Caddies, loose leaf tea from £11.99, Caddies, pyramid tea bags, from £12.99

Harmonious infusions

Join them in celebrating this unique fusion of aroma, taste, style, eccentricity, wit, and independent behaviour. 

Babingtons skill lies in bringing flavours, cultures, and people together. No matter where you find us in the world, British curiosities are enhanced with local fusions, resulting in an experience that is indefinably, ineffably Babingtons.

Black Scented Teas

A wonderful selection of premium black teas blended with the finest essential oils, flowers, fruits, and spices to satisfy even the most refined palate. A celebration of our true soul.

Miss Babington's 125

A truly enchanting black tea blend, with roses, vanilla, and elderflower, created to celebrate the founders of Babingtons.

Available: only available as pouches (loose only) and refills

Breakfast Special Blend

A rich and wonderfully balanced English breakfast tea created for Babingtons in the 1950s.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) & refill

Earl Grey Imperial

Great British Food Awards 2022, Highly Commended

Our delightfully balanced and elegant version of the famous bergamot infused tea, enriched with lemon zest and vibrant petals.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) and refill

Karha Chai

A very special gift from India. A warm and fragrant blend of Assam black tea enriched with a medley of traditional chai spices. 

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) and refill

Green, White and Oolong Scented Teas

It's a delicious selection of premium white, green and oolong teas blended with the finest essential oils, flowers, fruits, and spices to satisfy even the most refined palate.

Moroccan Secret

A refreshing blend of Chinese gunpowder green tea and mint leaves. Delicious both hot and served iced. 

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) and refill

Madame Blue Lady

A blend of Chinese sencha green tea with strong floral notes of cherry blossom and hints of soft tropical fruits.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) and refill

White Passion

A refreshing blend of Chinese Pai Mu Tan white tea, bursting with notes of tropical passion fruit.

Available: only available as pouches (loose only) and refill

Herbal Teas

A super healthy selection of herbal teas created for our well-being at any time of the day.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) and refill

Forest Fruits

A refreshing and healthy herbal tea with the delicious taste of forest fruits and berries.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and teabags) and refill

African Nights

A rich and sweet rooibos with bold almond flavours and hints of juicy red fruits.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and teabags) and refill

Sweet Dreams

When it comes to bedtime, there is nothing better than a soothing herbal tea that really works.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and teabags) and refill

Register For Online Subscriptions at https://babingtonsblends.com/pages/subscription

New Christmas coffee from Perky Blenders

We bring you news of a great new Christmas Coffee from Perky Blenders (www.perkyblenders.com), a vibrant and independent, family business roasting Great Taste Award winning specialty coffee from their Leytonstone roastery. 

Perky Blenders operate an award-winning subscription business via their website, supply coffee to over 70 wholesale customers across the UK, and what's more, they serve up daily brews from their coffee shops across London. 

Winter 2022 sees the dynamic , highly caffeinated, team roll out their much-anticipated yearly Christmas Coffee for home delivery via the website, in-store throughout their cafés and across Eat17 Spar shops (£10 per 250g bag); the new coffee will also showcase the evolution of Perky Blenders’ branding with bold and graphic new pack design.

The first new release for the refreshed pack designs is the Perky Blenders Christmas Coffee, adorned with upbeat, pop-art-inspired design, emblazoned with a rallying call for ‘Peace & Joy’. 

Freshly roasted in East London, the Christmas Blend is comprised of 50% Mexican Coatlan and 50% Ethiopian Qantite; Head of Coffee Francois Knopes says, “expect notes of caramel, stone fruits and toasted almonds; the Mexican Coatlan beans offer nutty base notes and a silken caramel texture; the Ethiopian Qantite brings high, sweet notes with its honey, floral and peach flavours.” 

Mexican Coatlan is a blend of coffees produced by smallholder farmers from the Oaxaca region, processed by Galguera Gomez. Ethiopian Qantite is produced in the province of Sidamo by Daye Bensa, who work with over 5000 smallholder farmers in the area.

You can also opt to gift a, letterbox friendly, regular delivery of Perky Blenders to your coffee loving family members or mates, reminding them of just what a nice, generous soul you are, every month. And you'll be able to show them that Christmas is for all year round!

Just sign them up to a super simple, speedy and sustainably sourced subscription of three, six, or twelve month varieties (from £26 to £91). You can choose from a selection of six beans (including decaf and rotating coffee of the month options), which you can grind for eight different brew methods or leave as whole beans.

Or why not opt for a personalised bag of coffee? Perky Blenders will emblazon a bag of top-quality coffee; inside, you’ll find 250g of Perky Blenders’ signature Forest Blend - the best brew in the business. Choose from whole beans and eight other grind styles; you’ve got 20 characters to play with on the label, and four customisable pack colours, so feel free to get personal with their name, your name or whatever memorable phrase you fancy. 

All Perky Blenders coffee beans are sourced sustainably, from trusted suppliers, prioritising smallholders and independent farmers. All elements of the Christmas bag can be recycled at all major supermarkets - or sent back to Perky Blenders.

Wishing you Peace & Joy, and a Merry Christmas, from the Perky Blenders family, and all the very best wishes for a wonderful 2023!

Dreaming of a Costa Christmas

Our favourite coffee shop (we have the Costa card!) Costa Coffee, is stepping up to Christmas by announcing its special limited-edition festive food and drinks range. 

It’s bound to be love at first sight, with fan top favourites making a triumphant return, along with some delicious new festive surprises. 

The new Christmas menu which will be available across Costa Coffee stores and Costa Express self-serve machines from Third November.   

For the very first time, Costa Coffee is showcasing two brand new stars as part of its festive drinks menu, bringing a Latte inspired by Toblerone®. This true classic has been given a festive makeover thanks to the addition of indulgent chocolate and honey-flavour sauce that’s inspired by the iconic Toblerone® taste. It is topped with a light dairy swirl and a festive twinkle topper. And for that extra bit of seasonal magic, it also comes with a wrapped Toblerone® tiny bar to enjoy on the side. 

And fans of Costa Coffee’s Gingerbread & Cream Latte and Terry's Chocolate Orange® Hot Chocolate rejoice as these delicious favourites return to the Christmas line-up. You can even complement it perfectly with the returning Terry’s Chocolate Orange® Muffin, filled with chocolate orange sauce and topped with icing and a delicious segment of the iconic Terry’s Chocolate Orange®.  

Both of the above are going to be Christmas "must haves" as far as I am concerned!

And do look out for their special Christmas foods and snacks.

Check the details out at https://www.costa.co.uk.

Christmas Table Ideas and Inspiration from Walton & Co

Christmas Table ideas from Walton & Co. The ideal basis for a perfect Christmas tablescape!

From illustrated designs to festive embroidered runners, They have plenty of ideas to kick-start the inspiration!

Walton & Co are a family operated business based in Yorkshire and they are renowned for their quality and eye for design. 

The brand seasonally creates a wide range of design led soft furnishings and textiles for the home all lovingly curated by their team of in-house designers. 

A spokesman said: "We supply independent home and gift retailers, garden centres and department stores in the UK and also in Europe, whose customers seek style, newness and lasting quality.

"Our well-travelled design team have honed their expertise in assessing future trends in fashion, culture and interiors and translating these into collections for the home that combine functionality with on-trend looks."

What are they bringing to your Christmas table this season?

There are seasonal table linen with tablecloths, placemats, runners and napkins in cotton with new ranges each Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter.

Christmas and occasional dining with white table linen, glamourous decorative linens with festive themes adorned with decorative embroidery, sequins and  beads.

Throws in faux fur, knits and weaves with two new collections each year.

Cushions. Embroidered, printed and appliqued that are beautiful additions to any room

Seat pads and mattress cushions for kitchen, dining and garden chairs

Kitchen linens aprons, tea towels, oven gloves new collections every season.

Nursery gifts, the softest toys, comforters and cotton nursery accessories.

Bedcovers quilted in 4 sizes. Embroidered, patchwork, cotton and microfibre in a range of colours. Classic white and ecru Portuguese jacquard bedspreads.

Rugs are a part of each seasonal collection in cotton, sizes for hall runners, bathrooms and bedrooms. Inside/outside rugs in polypropylene.

Their business was established as weavers of specialist linen products made only to the highest standards. This ethos has continued today and we supply oven cloths, floor cloths, dishcloths, glass cloths, tea towels, linen scrim & dusters that are synonymous with value and quality.

Based in North Yorkshire, Walton & Co has been owned by the Marshall family since 1991. Their buyers have established trading relationships with world class manufacturers to ensure that our exclusive designs are made to our rigorous quality levels whilst making the products as competitively priced as possible.

The firm commenced business in 1785 under the title of Walton, Oates & Co. It has a history that is filled with interest and has archives dating back to the days of employment of hand-loom weavers. Drapers Record, on June 4th 1927, stated ‘the goods have a fine reputation for quality and durability’, values which stand true in the 21st Century.

Today, living, eating and entertaining are informal, inside or outside. Our latest collections reflect this mood so that you can create unique spaces in which to relax.

Incidentally the company welcomes enquiries from retailers who wish to stock their products.

To learn more call them on 01423 326332 or visit their online retail establishment at  www.waltonshop.co.uk.

Christmas body scrubs for less than a fiver!

The top, yet eminently affordable beauty brand, Organic Shop, has given itself a pre-Christmas makeover! 

With brighter, new packaging and fresh, fruity flavours, this range of natural hair, body and skin care looks and smells utterly heavenly! 

All products are made with much love and care, using fruit, vegetable and tropical flower extracts.

What does this mean for the recipients of the gifts you select for them? They'll find no synthetic fragrances or dyes, no parabens, just lots of fresh, natural ingredients together with certified organic oils and extracts. And, as the name suggests, everything is grown without the use of chemical fertilisers.

They also use recyclable and/or biodegradable packaging, so you and they can feel good that you’re looking after our planet!

They just launched their Christmas body scrubs, carefully made with carefully selected organic sugar that gently exfoliates the skin without drying it out. At just £3.49 each, with free prime next day delivery, these are perfect for Secret Santa or last-minute stocking fillers.

Who doesn't love the smell of freshly baked biscuits? The combination of organic ginger and organic cinnamon extracts in their special Christmas Cookies Scrub perfectly tones the skin, leaving it feeling supple and softer at the same time.

Or people can indulge their senses with Gingerbread Body Scrub, which contains organic ginger extract and organic orange oil, to leave your skin feeling firm, soft and radiant.

Their colourful Candy Cane Body Scrub with organic vanilla and strawberry extracts hydrates skin during exfoliation and leaves a fruity, sweet scent.

Certified Cosmos Natural and suitable for vegans, too!

Available from www.amazon.co.uk/organicshop.

The British Craft House will help you Christmas decorate your home

You will be able to decorate your home with considerable style this Christmas year with wonderous handmade creations all made for The British Craft House here in Great Britain. 

You can choose sustainable and eco-friendly gifts which are certain to be treasured and brought out year after year rather than binning with the first waste collection of the New Year.

The British Craft House features the very best of artisan designs under one roof. All expertly created in workshops, garages and studios, these hardworking creatives are truly Santa's elves making sure their items are made with love and packed up carefully to get to the lucky recipient. 

Shopping small and supporting independent businesses is certainly more important than ever this year! 

And there are lots and lots more to see on their website too with so many artisans collected all under one roof. 

You can visit their Christmas emporium here https://thebritishcrafthouse.co.uk.