The truth of it is, if you have a new TV on your Christmas list, either for a nifty spot of self-gifting, or as a present for a loved one, now is the time to upgrade!
Dan Brown, who has the very enviable job of Operations Director at the UK’s favourite home-grown TV brand, Mitchell & Brown, told That's Christmas: "This Christmas there's never been a better time to upgrade your TV to a modern 4K model."
And Dan can back up this with Dan’s top five reasons to upgrade your TV, just in time for Christmas. movie marathons.
Available content
“There's been a massive growth of 4K broadcast content available across all TV channels and all platforms. High Dynamic Range technology is being incorporated into major TV shows and films and can be enjoyed by all.” (NOTE: So that's what HDR means? Thanks Dan!)
Get a better SD and HD picture
“Incredible 4K upscaling technology in today’s TVs makes SD and HD content look spectacular. Content producers and filmmakers are employing ever-better cameras, even for SD and HD content, so a 4K TV will make the most of this increased picture quality.”
They have much-improved sound
“Old flat-panel TVs assumed you'd use your own soundbar, so onboard TV sound was always quite poor. However, today’s 4K TVs have great sound systems, and often have subwoofers and Dolby surround sound-built in.”
They are easier to use
“Smart TV interfaces are now super-simple to use, and the operation can even mimic your mobile phone. Remote controls have also become cleaner and easier to use with direct access buttons for key channels and platforms.”
It can save you money
“Today’s TVs, especially QLEDs, use far less energy than older LCD or plasmas TVs, so cost less to run. With global prices increasing, TV prices will only go one way in 2023 – up!”
Mitchell & Brown TV is one of the most innovative and reputable British brands in consumer electronics
They only offer the latest technology and great designs at affordable prices. Mitchell & Brown TV’s are manufactured by Europe’s largest TV manufacturer, created by people with a passion for quality and service."
If you would like to know more about Bolton-based and family-run Mitchell & Brown’s great British success story in a TV market dominated by overseas brands and internet retailing please visit their website at https://www.mitchellandbrown.co.uk ot give them a call on 01204 377 693.
Look on their site for your nearest local dealer, or if you operate your own local, independent TV business, get in touch to see about working with them.
The UK’s must luxurious Christmas Globe is back with a truly exciting new look for 2022
Those lovely people over at Gravity Drinks are introducing their Christmas Globe Gin Liqueur®, which is this year’s totally new and utterly wonderful (and very, very collectable!) light-up globe.
Just peer inside this year's Christmas Globe ® to see a truly riveting and totally enchanting festive scene.
A Christmas tree takes centre stage (of course!) in a snowy street scene. Townsfolk teeter on a ladder, as they work hard to add the last lights and finishing touches to the tree.
Carol singers are practicing nearby and a chestnut stand is selling piping hot chestnut treats to keep everyone warm and happy.
But what's this? Fireworks lighting up the night sky, too? And if you look a little bit harder, can you spot Father Christmas racing across the sky?
The all-important gin liqueur inside the beautiful, globed bottle is a real taste of Christmas; an indulgent spiced orange and cranberry flavour using Seville oranges and cinnamon.
Plus, it features real edible 23kt gold leaf and a light up bottle. For that extra WOW factor, justs give the globe a nice and gentle shake, turn on the light at the base of the bottle to illuminate the gold leaf cascading around the Christmas scene inside!
Beautifully packaged in a gift box it’s the perfect gift for loved ones. It’s even got a festive ribbon on the top!
Tasting notes: What does it taste like? This is a subtly sweet and indulgent gin liqueur with zesty spiced orange upfront which meets the sharp tang of fresh cranberry to perfectly capture the spirit of Christmas.
Scan the QR code on the gift box to see a video of three amazing cocktails you can create at home with your very own Christmas Globe
The product is 700ml, 20% alc./vol.
Stockists: Harvey Nichols, Costco, Master of Malt, Firebox with an RRP of £24.95.
Ideal Christmas presents from Studio Kate Frances for the little ones in your life!
Manchester-based Studio Kate Frances offers a great range of Boho Nursery Decor and Illustrations that will make absolutely fantastic Christmas gifts for them.
Just check them out at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/StudioKateFrances?ref=seller-platform-mcnav and take a look at their wide range of top quality illustrations such as Magical Unicorn Wall Art, Custom Nursery Decor A4 Folk Art Print at £6.00+, Space Nursery Wall Art, Personalised Christmas at No. [insert house number] Print Scandi Xmas Decoration First Christmas in New Home Gift at £6.00+.
Christmas Tree & Rudolph Christmas Bunting Wooden Hand Painted Ornaments, £10.00, Set of 3 Cream & Gold Scandi Stars Christmas Tree Decorations Hand Painted Natural Xmas Folk Art Hanging Ornaments Hygge Holidays £8.00.
Got some arty little ones to purchase for? Then they'll love the Set of 4 Pre Drawn Canvas Ready to Paint | Colour In Kids Xmas Paint Party Christmas Arts & Crafts £12.00.
Or the Little Ballerina Set of 3 Downloadable Art Prints Ballet Gifts for Girls Dance Like No One Is Watching Nursery Wall Art £9.60.
All the designs are created by Kate Frances herself and the children you are buying these for for Christmas will really love them!
Mixy Fandino will be at Country Living Christmas Fair, London from Wednesday 9th November to Sunday 13th November 2022.
Mixy Fandino, who specialises in fair trade, handcrafted jewellery, accessories, and handbags from Colombia, is excited to announce that she will be exhibiting at the https://www.countrylivingfair.com/london/
This will allow customers to meet Mixy and learn about her entire jewellery and handbag collection all in one place.
Mixy feels that she is privileged in being able to work very closely with artisans from Colombia. This Fair Trade collaboration provides artisans with the very real opportunity to earn a livelihood while living at home and supporting their families.
Through working with local artisans and nurturing relationships based on respect and fair trade, Mixy has developed a high-quality range of jewellery and handbags inspired by nature and indigenous traditions, yet with a wholly contemporary edge and vibe to them.
Mixy will be presenting her Autumn/Winter 2022 collection, which includes a wide range of reds, blues, and orange colours and exotic designs for women of all ages. If you can't attend the show, you'll be able to see her collection at her own online shopat https://www.mixyfandino.com.
Mixy prides itself on producing contemporary jewellery pieces, which are handmade from natural and sustainable materials. The jewellery collection, handcrafted using Totumo, Tagua, Wood, Cotton Fibre, and Recycled Paper, displays a riot of South American colours.
Also, Mixy is very proud to announce an exquisite range of sterling silver jewellery, which will be supplemented with recycled paper using the ancient technique of Origami.
“Our jewellery and handbags celebrate the wonderful history and culture of the Colombian Andes, with each product having been created by artisans who put their heart and soul into every piece”, she added.
To be part of this exciting event, please visit Mixy Fandino at her stand MR47 at Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 0QH from 9th to 13th of November 2022 Wednesday and Thursday between 10 am to 5 pm, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and on Sunday from 10 am until 3 pm.
We at That's Christmas feel sure that you'll be able to find some really excellent an innovative fairly traded Christmas gifts when you visit her stand or her online shop.
The Festive Gift Fair is taking place at the Birmingham NEC from 17-20 November and it's now in its 26th fantastic fun-filled, festive year!
There's gift ideas both traditional and ultra-modern, there are festive food and drinks to buy for gifts and for your Christmas table and also festive food and drinks for you to purchase and eat whilst you are enjoying your visit to the Festive Gift Fair.
New for this year is The Panettone Store which will be selling mouth-watering panettone in special and very beautiful Dolce & Gabbana designed tins and do look out for the O’Donnell Moonshine stall! They are all absolutely delicious and as smooth as silk! Personally guaranteed by me!
Book your tickets now and prepare yourself for a brilliant, fun day Christmas Shopping.
The Fair is open daily 9.30am-5pm daily from Thursday 17th – Sunday 20th November at the
National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham. Adult tickets from just £6
Incidentally travelling there is now easier that the rail strikes are not happening. Might be worth pre-booking train tickets of you can.
Also, don't forget it's worthwhile thinking about dropping in on the Birmingham German Christmas Market which is also taking place at the same time in central Brum.
As we have said before at That's Christmas, we do love candles at Christmas time! So we were pleased to receive news about these candles for Christmas from Amaura London.
They are handcrafted, metallic candles that make a special luxury wellness gift for mums, sisters and friends who love Christmas.
Joyful | Orange & Cinnamon scented candle, set in a sustainable pure brass vessel.
Their special, limited-edition festive scented candle embodies the Christmas season in every possible way.
There's a festive aromatic blend that's brimming with spiced orange, warm cinnamon clove, and hints of amber and vanilla, bringing the spirit of the Christmas season wonderfully alive.
Their luxurious candles are carefully infused with a blend of essential oils and housed in their signature metallic vessels. Exclusively prepared with natural coconut and rapeseed oil wax.
Amaura London's striking metallic candles make the perfect luxury wellness gift or a self-care treat for yourself this Christmas. Designed not only to subtly transform your living space but also to create a sense of well-being, too.
These luxury scented candles are made using clean, non-toxic ingredients, and are packed full of therapeutic essential oils to elevate your mood. Each element is carefully designed for green-minded customers who are seeking out unique luxury scents that don't damage their health or the environment.
Vessels are hand-spun from recycled brass, copper, or stainless steel so you can repurpose them.
They are paraffin-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, vegan Friendly, with a 60 hour burn.
Scents
Also available in 5 further scents to elevate your mood.
The Basket Room is delighted and thrilled to be able to announce the launch of its very first range of handwoven Christmas decorations.
There is a stunning collection of eleven colourful festive figures produced by a rural women’s craft group in Eswatini, in southern Africa.
The range comprises a chorus of winged angels in eight different colours, a snowman, a Father Christmas figure, and a Christmas pudding.
These detailed ornaments are all handwoven from sisal, which is a grass found in abundance across the country and therefore is a sustainable, renewable material.
Each piece in this collection brings sustainable work to rural artisans, from growing and harvesting the crop to preparing and dyeing the fibres. And that's all this before the weaving begins. Once harvested, sisal leaves are then stripped to reveal their robust internal fibres before being dyed using natural dyes wherever possible.
The group behind this collection was launched by a pioneering founder with a mission to empower women through leadership workshops, handicrafts training and health education. In 1985 there were 12 women being mentored through this organization; to date over 1400 women have benefitted from working with this group and lead more empowered and sustainable livelihoods thanks to its support and guidance. As well as small décor items, this group also produces beautiful sisal baskets and silver jewellery.
These beautiful hanging tree decorations are to be sold individually online and will be available online at www.thebasketroom.com from today onwards.
Delight the dog lover in your life, this Christmas, with a personalised story book all about their beloved furry friend.
A real page turner, these pawsome personalised books will be fun for all the family as their pet takes part in glorious adventures.
Personalised Dog Book: Where’s Dog Name? (The Original) (From £24.99)
Unleash your inner detective with this classic Where’s Book. Search and find your dog as they embark on an epic journey through the weird and wonderful world dedicated to your four-legged friends. With twelve beautiful, illustrated locations to explore, each double-page spread is bustling with exciting scenarios – personalised just for your dog.
There's a massive list of other books to be personalised at kitty cats are also catered for, too!
Obviously these books are designed to be gifted to humans who are owned by dogs or cats, but I think they would make pawfect Christmas presents for the doggy or kitty in your life!
If you're a cat lover, do not worry, as these books are also available for your purr-fect cats too! Go to Yappy.com and start creating your own icon for a truly unique gift this Christmas.
Incidentally Yappy.com is a personalised shop for pet lovers, offering a ginormous range of exclusive products for you and your dog or cat that you won’t find anywhere else.
Just select your product, upload your photo or choose an icon from over 450 different breeds, add their name and you’re done - pawsome presents in minutes!
Flapjacks are one of the most treasured sweet treats around the world and Devon-based Flapjackery has elevated them to the most decadent status.
They've taken the humble gluten-free oat and raised it to luxury level by adding top quality ingredients and a dash of madness.
You can thrill your loved ones this Christmas by creating a bespoke flapjack box full of delicious flavours and adding a personal message written in white chocolate on a giant Millionaire's flapjack.
There's a huge selection of gluten free flapjacks to choose from that are handmade using the finest British oats and locally sourced ingredients.
This delicious and thoughtful gift adds decadence and status to a firm household favourite that's sure to tantalise the taste buds.
Create your own Christmas flapjack boxes
Millionaire's Message Plaque with 4 Additional Flapjacks £35
Millionaire's Message Plaque with 8 Additional Flapjacks £50
You'll be able to bring the pub to your own home this Christmas (or to the home of a loved one) with the Jingle Bells Jail Ale Hamper.
It's all singing, all dancing and filled to the brim with delicious snacks and sweet treats plus two bottles of Jail Ale from the Dartmoor brewery.
Tuck into a Taste of Game Wild Boar & Apple flavour potato crisps, nibble on Mr Filbert's Mexican Sweet Chilli Mixed Nuts and munch your way through Cornish Charcuterie Pulled Pork. What more could your friends, family or work colleagues want this Christmas?
Jingle Bells Jail Ale Hamper
Classic Box £56.50
Printed Box £73.50
Wicker Hamper £99.50
Dartmoor Legend Ale, Cheese and Chutney Hamper (from £27.00)
Give a proper taste of Devon this Christmas with a Dartmoor Legend Ale, Cheese and Chutney Hamper. This hamper offers the perfect combination for beer lovers with two bottles of Dartmoor Brewery Legend Ale, a classic cask-conditioned beer which is smooth and balanced, providing a great taste and aroma to accompany the Cave Aged Traditional Cheddar. The cheese is matured in the historic caves of Wooky Hole to give it a delicious rich and tangy taste. With the Jail Ale Chutney and Popti biscuits it's the perfect combination on a cold winter's night.
Dartmoor Legend Ale, Cheese and Chutney Hamper
Classic Box £27.50
Printed box £35.00
Wicker Hamper £43.00
For a high res image please click here.
Devon Hampers is well-known for only sourcing the highest quality best produce from the West Country, Devon Hampers gives the choice of over 100 hampers, delivered direct to your door, with a popular Create Your Own Hamper option too.
Vegan gluten free and low sugar options are available and there are a choice of three packages - classic cardboard box, printed box and a traditional wicker hamper.
Devon Hampers works with more than 30 local artisan suppliers and offers over 2000 products to ensure it supports other thriving local businesses.
It was founded in 2014 by its CEO Adam Fox-Edwards, starting in a small building at his family's hotel on the Devon/Cornwall border before moving, in 2020, to much larger premises at Milford Farm near Lifton in Devon.
Sustainability plays a big part in the Devon Hampers ethos with electricity coming from PV panels on the roof, water from a borehole. All cardboard is recycled and bubble wrap is decompostable.
Flapjackery's luxurious and decadent Advent Calendar Box (£50) promises a daily treat throughout December of delicious gluten free flapjack pieces.
There are 24 wrapped half pieces of flapjack that come in deliciously moresome flavours such as Christmas Orange Flapjack, Burnt Caramel and Sea Salt Flapjack and Billionaires Flapjack which are packed in a box, or add numbered advent bags to your order and pop them in there.
The flapjacks are handmade in Devon on the edge of Dartmoor using only British oats, locally-sourced West Country ingredients, fair-trade brown sugar and real butter. (And trust us at That's Christmas. They are all utterly, utterly delicious!)
The advent calendar box can be ordered for delivery from the middle of October. If no date is specified they will be dispatched the week commencing November 15.
The flapjacks are delivered to your door in recyclable cardboard boxes and have a shelf life of three months. All the flapjacks are gluten free.
The My Express Flowers online flower shop has just launched its absolutely brand new website, offering fast delivery all across the entire UK. Delivery to other European countries is also available as well.
This is great news for anyone who loves flowers and wants to send a special bouquet to their special ones.
There's no more waiting in line at the florist or worrying about the flowers being delivered on time. With My Express Flowers, you can order your flowers online and have them delivered within a few hours.
What is it that makes My Express Flowers so different from other online flower shops?
Their commitment to quality and customer service. They guarantee to use only the freshest flowers in their arrangements, and their highly experienced florists do their best to create the most unusual and beautiful bouquets.
They collaborate with dozens of local florists all over the UK (and abroad) to ensure their blooms are delivered to you garden-fresh.
They have a wide range of compilations for every occasion, budget, and taste. Browse through their collections of arrangements specifically designed for celebrating your anniversary, dad's birthday, or new baby birth, or for a Christmas bouquet.
They offer next-day and even same-day delivery options. So if you forgot to order flowers in advance, don't worry! They can still get them to your loved ones on time. For almost any location and bouquet, they offer a next-day delivery option. For some cities and arrangements, same-day delivery is also available, but do make sure to contact our managers for more details.
Delivery is free. They don't require any extra charge, you pay exactly the price you see on their website. The only exception is next-day/same-day delivery which, due to its urgency, might cost extra. But please check.
Are you puzzled by a wide array of options? Give your loved one the freedom of choice as a gift! The gift card can be used for any purchase on My Express Flowers.
My Express Flowers is your one-stop online shop for all your flower needs. A spokesperson said: "We can't wait to start filling your orders!"
Combining two of life’s greatest pleasures, wine and literature, the Welcombe Hills Vineyard sits atop agricultural land formerly farmed by Shakespeare’s family.
Named after his plays, there’s Othello (Pinot Noir), The Tempest (Bacchus), Titania (Solaris & Seyval Blanc), Ophelia (Sparkling Blanc de Noirs and Rosé) and the still ‘Rose by any other name’ (RRP £15 - £30).
In time for Christmas, Welcombe Hills Vineyard is launching a gorgeous range of gift duos (£30 - £57) to please a range of palates this Christmas time.
The English Sparkling Wine & Pinot Noir Twin Pack (£49.38). This is an absolutely perfect festive toasting companion, the English Sparkling Blanc de Noirs (Ophelia) is bursting with creamy lemon, brioche and cherry flavours and boasts a subtle hazelnut finish while the Pinot Noir (Othello) pairs harmoniously with your Christmas turkey. This classic cool climate Pinot Noir boasts a really enjoyable complex palate of game meat, red cherries, cranberries and subtle spices.
Besides Pinot Noir (Othello), the English Red & White Twin Gift Pack (£30.38) contains Solaris and Seyval Blanc (Titania). Bracing acidity and freshness makes this a very effective and delightful partner to festive seafood and salad starters. Delicate on the nose with grassy notes, hints of peach and floral elderflower, the palate is bright and crisp, delivering lime, kiwi, green apple and some understated elderflower flavours.
English Sparkling Rosé & Blanc de Noirs Gift Pack (£56.98) contains two excellent Christmas table centrepieces. On the nose, the English Rosé Sparkling Wine (Ophelia) delivers apples, strawberries, raspberries, oranges and toasted aromas. On the palate, orange and grapefruit are complemented by subtle minerals and a touch of nuttiness to the finish.
English Rosé Still & Sparkling Wine Gift Set (£42.73) is the perfect gift for the rosé lover in your life. A Rose by Any Other Name is a beautiful still blend of Pinot Précoce & Dornfelder that gives watermelon, strawberries and cream that jump out on the nose along with bright redcurrants and cherry blossom. The palate is packed with ripe red fruit with hints of tangerine / orange peel and wet stone minerality. From the subtle flavours of a juicy turkey breast to the richer flavours of the gravy, this crowd-pleaser stands up well to the Christmas lunch.
M&S has partnered with Neighbourly to donate £1 million to 1000 local community groups through the giving platform as 69% of local community groups report rise in pressure on services but a reduction in funding.
‘Gifts that Give’ campaign reflects research findings from M&S which learned that two thirds of families are determined to make the most of Christmas despite cost-of-living concerns, with gifting still a top priority for shoppers
30% of this year’s gifting range £10 and under and 70% of the range is under £20
TV ad set to Harry Styles’ ‘Treat People with Kindness’ and features real-life UK wide community groups., with Harry kindly donating his fee to homelessness charity, Centrepoint.
M&S has unveiled its Christmas Clothing & Home campaign for 2022, following the launch of the Christmas Food campaign on Wednesday (2nd November).
The 2022 campaign – Gifts that Give
A true celebration of togetherness and community, the 2022 campaign joyfully brings-to-life how a gift given from M&S this Christmas will keep on giving, with the retailer donating £1 million to 1,000 community groups and good causes through Neighbourly – a unique giving platform M&S has worked with since 2015.
Produced by Partizan and directed by the filmmaker Michael Gracey, best known for directing The Greatest Showman, the TVC is set on Christmas Day on a quiet cul-de-sac and features a series of thoughtful gifting moments. Inside each home something unusual is happening … every time an M&S gift is opened, there is an unexpected occurrence that disrupts family Christmases and draws them to the street outside to find it taken over but a joyously eclectic range of real-life community groups who will benefit from M&S donations – from Hertfordshire-based bikers with hearts of gold to brass bands from Bolton. Neighbourly and M&S worked together to identify the 1000 amazing community groups who will receive funding – as well as shortlisting nine to feature in the TV campaign.
Everyday and seasonal style remains at the forefront of the campaign with hero pieces from M&S’ Winter collection, including a £35 M&S Collection Cable Knit Roll Neck Longline Jumper, M&S Collection Sequin Blazer (£69) and matching Trousers (£49.50) and Family Christmas Pyjamas (from £12), including Percy Pig Print Christmas PJs (from £13) featuring throughout.
Set against the vocals of Grammy winning artist, Harry Styles’ ‘Treat People with Kindness’, the soundtrack perfectly captures the spirit of the campaign which celebrates the simple but significant differences that can be made to the lives of others.
The creative will be executed across a 360 channel-mix – from LED light-up bus wraps to dynamic digital billboards and print cover wraps and, for the first time ever, the advert will premiere with a simultaneous ident launching across live and on-demand at 9pm on Channel 4, Friday 4th November.
Anna Braithwaite, M&S Clothing & Home Marketing Director, said: “Christmas is a time that brings families and communities together and we know customers are determined to protect those celebrations.
"Through our campaign and product ranges we want to help make that possible; providing much needed funds to the incredible groups that light up our local communities and by doubling down to deliver the exceptional trusted value our customers want – as they seek out more considered, stylish and thoughtful gifts. There’ really is no better feeling than giving – and we hope this, feel-good campaign puts a smile on our customers’ faces this festive season!”
Steve Butterworth, Neighbourly CEO, said: “M&S's Christmas campaign is a brilliant celebration of kindness and a timely reminder of the importance of community at a time when support at a local level is needed more than ever.
“Findings from our recent community survey found 83% of local groups are already experiencing a rise in demand on their services yet 69% reported they’ve found it harder to find funds in the last three months.
"We’re really thrilled to have partnered with M&S on the distribution of this £1million fund which will make a huge difference to groups in our network over the winter period. This campaign builds on a long-standing community strategy that has seen M&S support over 6000 good causes in the Neighbourly network and donate nearly 50 million meals worth of surplus food."
The Neighbourly Foundation will distribute the funds to 1,000 community groups across the UK and ROI.
Understanding what customers want this Christmas
This year’s campaign reflects findings from Marks & Spencer’s latest Family Matters Index which revealed that two-thirds of families are determined to protect Christmas despite rising cost-of-living concerns. According to the research conducted amongst over 5000 families across UK - at-home gatherings will be the most popular choice of celebration this Christmas (approximately two-thirds of people plan to celebrate with family and friends) and value is becoming a bigger priority when deciding where to shop – with 61% saying it is the single most important factor when deciding where to shop (up 2% from the last Index).
Giving gifts will remain a top priority for shoppers this Christmas (second only to food) however price will be the number one factor when it comes to deciding what presents to buy (73%), followed by quality (59%) and meaning (54%).
Delivering Trusted Value on M&S’ best loved and biggest gifting lines
M&S is doubling down on its commitment to deliver trusted value on the products that matter most, when they matter most and is protecting its market-leading value for money perception by ensuring 30% of this year’s gifting range is £10 and under and 70% of the range is priced at £20 or less.
The campaign focuses on some of this year’s biggest gifting lines, including Beauty sets such as the Apothecary ‘Moment of Calm’ Hanging Gift and Lychee & Rose Bath Fizzers for only £5. Customers can pick up a Discover Fragrance Trio or a stylish Knitted Beanie Hat for £9.50 and treat loved ones to the ever popular Light-Up Candle for £10. Customers can also pick up a range of personalised items from £15.
Last year’s cult Light Up Gin Globe is also back for 2022 but at a new lower price point (£16 versus £20), as is the hero Chocolate gift box for £15 (saving £5 on last year’s price).
Candles continue to be a go-to gift amongst M&S shoppers, and the retailer’s much-loved Mandarin, Clove & Cinnamon (£6) scent celebrates its 30th birthday this year, with 15,000 sold in recent weeks. Cosy gifting continues to be a key theme and M&S has seen positive customer reaction to its seasonal hoodies and snuggles, with nearly 100,000 sold to date – with the Teddy Fleece (from £19.50) and Percy Pig (from £16) options proving the most popular.
Personalisation also ranks high amongst customers’ criteria for Christmas gifting and after a successful trial last year, through M&S.com, customers can choose from 160 M&S product to personalise with initials or names – from leather bags, scarves, and family PJs (a popular customer search and four new designs to choose from) to hoodies and cosmetic bags.
Get your Christmas lighting from Dobbies and ready the magic of Christmas!
With the winter days getting shorter and the nights darkening up, our thoughts are turning towards all things festive.
Christmas is just round the corner and the UK’s top garden centre, Dobbies, has introduced a fantastic new range of outdoor lights to turn your whole home into a magical winter wonderland.
With rising energy on our minds, Christmas lovers will be pleased to learn that the cost of running 480 Dobbies LED lights per day is just a little over tuppence, so running them throughout the whole month of December would add an extra 75 pence to your electricity bill. And to be honest, 75 pence does seem a decent and reasonable price to add some festive glow to your home.
So, whether you want to dazzle your whole neighbourhood with statement retro neon signs or surround and illuminate your own garden space with some discrete and delicate starry string lights, Dobbies has everything you'll possibly require. Plus, with some great value options beginning at a very reasonable starting £29.99, you can get the festive fever going for a lot less than you might have thought possible.
There are some fun animal decorations available which are just bursting with personality, making them perfect for bringing your garden to life.
Place them outside your doorway to create a welcoming front doorway or maybe create a character display?
Make a doggy area with the Acrylic Dachshund, complete with the Santa outfit, or for something a little more for the adults, try their resin stag and snowman, which are great additions to any festive garden.
The Neon Stag, £29.99; Neon Tree, £29.99; Neon Snowflake, £29.99
For a truly retro twist, affordable neon figures are sure to bring plenty of Christmas spirit to any home.
Options available are a red-nosed reindeer, an adorable Christmas tree, or an elegant snowflake for a bold window display that will light up those Christmassy winter nights.
Saucer Festoon Lights £49.99; Large Hanging Festoon Lights, £69.99
The cooler, older sibling of fairy lights, festoon lights give any outdoor space a refined yet mature feel. With their oversized glass globes, these on trend string lights will make even the chilliest night feel warmer and more cosy. Why not try layering your string lights to create intimate, cosy nooks where your family and visitors can gather?
Dobbies’ Senior Christmas Buyer, Lynsey Abbott, has some useful tips on how you can make an impact with lighting this festive season. Lynsey says: “I’m a big fan of festive lighting, and you don’t need to spend lots of money to make a great impact!
"For a retro feel, you can opt for multi-coloured lights in varying shapes and sizes. Or for a more sophisticated look, why not stick to neutral lights and classic characters like the popular Highland stag, which costs just 2p per day to light and will make an instant statement in your garden?"
She went on to say: “The tone of your lights will change the overall look and feel of your home. Cool toned lighting plays well with modern décor and will help you achieve an icy, on-trend winter wonderland effect.
"However, if you’re looking to create a more cosy display, warm lights will add a softer sparkle and complement traditional decorations extremely well.
“If you are hosting this Christmas, use lights to welcome your guests by lining your path or driveway with ground lights. Or for something a little different, adorn your porch with string lights overhead for a truly magical effect.”
Dobbies also offers a very useful range of battery powered wire lights, featuring stars, snowflakes and leaves from just £5.99, that can be used both indoors and out.
For the full range of outdoor lighting, visit the Christmas shop at www.dobbies.com.
The Sainsbury’s Group of companies, including its iconic supermarket chain, is creating a most welcome 18,000 extra jobs for the Christmas seasonal to ensure customers receive outstanding Sainsbury's service this Christmas.
15,000 roles are being created at Sainsbury’s, whilst there are also 2,000 roles at Argos and 1,000 in logistics.
The new temporary colleagues will offer assistance and support throughout Sainsbury’s and Argos stores, serving customers, keeping shelves stocked and picking, packing and delivering online orders.
Logistics colleagues will be working in warehouses and ensuring product arrives at stores across the country, ready for customers to purchase and enjoy.
A spokesman said: "Sainsbury’s is committed to offering leading rates of colleague pay and in September announced a second pay rise and a total yearly investment of £150 million. Sainsbury’s and Argos temporary Christmas store colleagues will join existing colleagues and receive the higher pay of £10.25 and £11.30 in London.
"And, as well as leading pay, colleagues who join Sainsbury’s and Argos for its peak season will benefit from a generous colleague discount card and free food during shifts for the first time."
And Angie Risley, Group HR Director for Sainsbury’s said: “We're thrilled to be able to welcome an extra 18,000 colleagues to our team to ensure we deliver the best possible service that we can to our customers this Christmas.
"Christmas is a special time of year but it’s also very busy, and with more customers returning to do more of their shopping in-store, this investment in service will ensure our customers can find whatever they need to celebrate this year both easily and conveniently.
“We know how tough it is for households at the moment, and as well as excellent value for customers we're committed to leading colleague pay, also.
"Our new higher base rate, colleague discount and free food during shifts ensures colleagues will be well-rewarded for all their hard work.”
Temporary colleagues will work up until 7th January 2023 on fixed term contracts of between three and 12 weeks. To become a temporary colleague at Sainsbury’s or Argos this Christmas, applicants should go online at sainsburys.jobs/christmas or visit their local branch for further details.
My wife and I adore scented candles and we especially love Christmas scented candles, so we were particularly pleased to hear about the latest Christmas season offerings from St Eval, the Cornish Candle Makers.
A spokesman from St Eval told us: "Drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of the autumn and winter seasons, we at St. Eval are thrilled to announce the release of our brand-new Christmas collections for 2022 which includes elegant pots, delightful gold-finished candles and the welcome return of festive favourites."
Celestial Magic
Taking inspiration from the sparkle of our star-studded heavens, St. Eval’s newest winter collection, Celestial, encapsulates the beauty of the night sky and celebrates the magic of the cosmos. Adorned with astronomical designs, this dreamy collection is home to a trio of popular fragrances; Inspiritus, Orange & Cinnamon and Winter Thyme, perfect for bringing the warmth of the winter season indoors.
Brand New Christmas Packaging
Evoking the joy of the festive season, St. Eval’s Christmas Pillars and Multiwicks are a beautiful addition to the season's decor, filling the home with the aromas of Orange & Cinnamon, Inspiritus, Figgy Pudding and Winter Thyme in complementary autumnal hues. New for 2022, these Christmas Pillars and Multiwicks are presented in stunning gift boxes, adorned with delightful winter scenes and charming characters making them even more perfect for Christmas gifting.
Nature Inspired Lamorna
Inspired by an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which is situated in stunning West Cornwall, St. Eval’s special Lamorna Collection celebrates the simple elegance of nature. A perfect gift for loved ones this Christmas, this collection is home to five evocative fragrances in St. Eval’s new unique blend of natural rapeseed wax. Showcased beautifully in elegant Glass Candles and Maxi Tealights, this collection welcomes two brand new scents to St. Eval’s fragrance portfolio: Orange Blossom and Sandalwood & Cedar.
Natural Bath and Body Care
Envisioned to capture the herbal healing of wild Cornwall, St. Eval’s Botanical Collection harmoniously blends pure essential oils to deliver calming, balancing, and healing effects. Perfect to help create a haven of peace and calm, this collection is suitable for vegans, is paraben-free and Leaping Bunny Certified (cruelty free). This Autumn, the collection welcomes four new products: shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion, to join their popular hand wash and hand lotion duo launched in 2021.
Where is St Eval's located? They are nestled on a farm in the heart of North Cornwall, St. Eval sustainably craft their products and in July 2022 they officially became a Certified B Corporation, legally embedding their commitment to place purpose beyond profit in all company endeavours. St. Eval are immensely proud of their B Corp Certification, alongside their Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainably Development which they were honoured to receive in 2021.
Together, these achievements recognise and celebrate the company’s commitment to putting people and planet first.
St. Eval are committed to creating new and exciting candles and fragrances, inspired by the natural world and following their core values; to protect, nurture and respect each other and the earth.
St. Eval’s Christmas collections are available to purchase on their website, www.st-eval.com, or through your nearest St. Eval Stockist. Contact St. Eval for details of a stockist closest to you on info@st-eval.com.
If you want to give that extra special someone in your life a genuinely and truly fully 100% original Christmas gift for Christmas 2022, why not give them the gift of wall art for Christmas?
A hand painted watercolour print of a favourite fruit, veg or some flowers by London artist Emma van Klaveren, which is printed on specialist archival paper.
You can order a print for £60 or if you wish, commission a bespoke piece for £300.
Who is Emma? Emma is a London-based freelance Botanical Artist and Illustrator. She sells prints of her work and also sells illustrations to brands who use botanicals in their products, marketing and publications.
She also welcomes private commissions.
Emma has a Diploma with Merit from The Chelsea School of Botanical Art, she is a Painting Member of The Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society, The Association of Botanical Artists (ABA), The American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) and Amicus Botanicus.
A gift that you'll want to give or to receive this Christmas is a Little Local Box.
Carefully and consciously selected regional gift boxes that are helpfully showcasing small independent businesses from all over the UK.
Their ready-to-order gift boxes are entirely plastic-free, are guaranteed to be sustainable whilst also having a positive impact on the planet and its people.
Their aim? To help conscientious and eco-aware shoppers support small businesses whilst allowing their loved ones to discover them when they open their Little Local Box.
There are gift boxes for her, for him, for parents, for grandparents, for fiancées, for friends, for teachers, for children, for teens, for tots, for siblings, for relatives including aunts and uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces and also for your pets!
And they provide Little Local Boxes for the rest of the year, too! And they have gift boxes for all budgets and all tastes.
This Christmas you can really make bed time a whole lot of fun with their Draw Your Own Pyjamas!
It's the ideal surprise gift for a child who loves to draw, these snuggly children's pyjamas can be made with their own artwork.
And if that wasn't enough fun, at night they'll come alive at night and glow in the dark! (Wow! I wish glow in the dark pyjamas had existed when I was a child!)
For children who find bed time a bit tricky, they can also add a print in your own handwriting on the sleeve with a secret message that glows in the dark for comfort.
The designer reals a bit of a personal secret: "This was inspired by my own little one who suffers from separation anxiety, particularly at night."
So, forget your usual Christmas PJs that kids can only wear for the festive season, these pyjamas are perfect for Christmas Eve Boxes but are guaranteed to be fun all year round!
They are suitable for up to age eight and will cost £24.99.
Check out Olive & Pip's website here www.oliveandpip.co.uk and see what else they have for the ultimate in Christmas gifting for every member of your family from the oldest to the youngest and for friends and relations.
The porcelain cups and pin brooches from NishuraEast.com are the perfect gift for animal lovers for Christmas 2022.
Carefully crafted in Seville by Japanese artist Yukiko Kitahara, each cup features a very charming animal which acts as the cup's handle.
The larger of the two cups feature a cow, or a sheep and lamb and are perfect for that morning cup of coffee.
On the smaller cups you'll find a rabbit, or a horse and these are perfect for espresso, or are great for a drink of matcha, tool.
There is also a Dove teacup, which comes with a saucer plus a cute stirrer which resembles a tree branch.
As Yukiko makes each and every piece by hand, each one is totally unique and has its very own character.
These delicate porcelain cups would be a perfect gift for that person who is perhaps not easy to purchase gifts for!
They also have a range of really cute and attractive porcelain pin brooches available, each with an animal that can accompany the gift's recipient as they go about your day.
You can choose between a curious cat, a loyal dog, a flying dove, or a tranquil rabbit. Costing only £32 these little pieces of art are absolutely certain to put a smile on everyone's face!
And ultimately they have an elegant pair of porcelain dove earrings. The perfect piece of understated glamour, these birds will add the finishing touch to any outfit.
You can find out more about the cups and jewellery, and more about the artist, Yukiko Kitahara at NishuraEast.com.
It explores many interesting and important themes. Such as Could a friend be an enemy? Could your enemy be your friend?
And could you even tell the difference?
Nick de Carteret meets Tselmeg Yusupov who is an oligarch-cum-president of Kuikbakhistan. Nick is unsure if he should hate him or if he should love him.
However, Nick comes from a very troubled past. Born in very reduced circumstances and faced with abuse, he left home as a young teen and he set out on a mission to become validated as a human and he wants to become very, very wealthy indeed.
Yusopov selects Nick to manage his vast wealth. But he wishes the work he undertakes to be untrammelled by moral or legal concerns.
The two men can be seen as mirror images of the other. Both want to be the best, to have the best. And have a "damn the consequences" attitude to their decisions and to life in general.
Their relationship develops but as it develops it turns into a death spiral of violence and extremes. And each man wants to be the man at the top, no matter what the consequences.
Whilst reading this novel I couldn't help but think of several oligarchs who have been in the media over the years including the late Robert Maxwell. Perhaps that's a little unfair on Mr Maxwell?
This book will be an excellent gift for those in your life who like crime and mystery thrillers in their Christmas stockings.
The Office of Future Storytelling is an intriguing and fascinating novel by Neil Powell.
It offers the intelligent reader a critical exploration of language and the problems that face humanity.
The storyteller in The Office of Future Storytelling is weary. He is said to be tired of the same old same same old.
He doesn't wish to continue writing stories about God, love and beauty. But what should he do next? He hits on the brilliant and somewhat cunning scheme of inventing an English teacher at Davenport College called Eric Crawford.
He then begins to explore what is required to tell different, new stories. As a result he sees freedom calling him.
He creates a life for Eric, which includes his lecturing and teaching, his romantic life and his family life. He creates a troubled student who interacts with Eric, a protest movement that challenges the role of art in modern life. He also introduces reports of violent crimes in the grounds of the college.
This novel will make a very interesting Christmas gift for students of language and literature, of storytellers.
It's innovative and stylistically written work and as it is the debut novel of Neil Powell and I feel that readers need to watch for his name in the future.
Their new range of gift hampers are perfect for both men and women and even the hardest to buy for. Each one features products from ethical and sustainable small scale makers and is presented in either a cotton mini shopper or an organic cotton zipped pouch for use as a wash bag or make up bag.
Their clean beauty bags include Squeaky clean and Wash Day featuring organic and ethical clean beauty products for those who care as much about the planet as their skin.
For the foodies they have three hampers;
From Italy with Love a must for fans of Italy and let's face it who isn't after watching Stanley Tucci wend his way around this magical country, Tea Drinker and Chocolholic.
Finally their Heaven Scent bag is just perfect for candle lovers with three difference scents and a box of matches.
Their ethical beauty wash day gift bag includes a collection of earth friendly products from British small scale organic skincare makers Austin Austin. Absolutely no artificial additives there; clean skin, clean planet.
This bag includes three products; organic body soap with soothing Neroli and Petitgrain and Bergamot and Juniper shampoo and conditioner.
£60
Their ethical beauty bag includes a collection of earth friendly products from our small scale skincare makers. Treat someone, or your skin to the gift of a totally natural, yet super effective skin care collection.
This gift bag includes a super relaxing CBD bath bomb, a Rosemary and Sage organic shampoo bar both from Life Elements in California, a bottle of organic oil skin cleanser from Vemel, a small scale British clean beauty brand and a pack of three organic cotton, reusable and dual sided facial cloths from CloudCloth.
£70
Their ethical Christmas tea gift bag includes a collection of products from our small scale producers.
Includes a beautiful hand thrown cup and saucer from Scottish potter Samuel Sparrow and two boxes of tea from London based, award winning, Good and Proper.
£55
Their Chocolate lovers gift bag makes for a great gift for anyone with a sweet tooth and a keen interest in ethically and sustainably produced goods.
This features a scrumptious collection of products from our small scale producers, and includes two large bars of chocolate and a jar of drinking hot chocolate from micro bean to batch chocolatier Heist, coffee from all female Somerset based roastery Girls who Grind.
£49
Their From Italy with Love gift bag is perfect for anyone with a taste for all things Italian and in particular from Puglia
Includes a bottle of cold pressed olive oil from a small grove near Ostuni, a Fasano splatterware bowl and a bag of Taralli, a traditional Puglian baked snack.
£49
Their Heaven Scent gift bag makes for a lovely treat for yourself or a great gift for anyone who loves candles – and who doesn’t!
This set includes three hand poured plant wax essential oil candles in three scents, Tranquility, Fresh Linen and Fig & Vetiver plus a box of long matches
Gramps and the Shield Bugs is a new novel for young people by Louise Peregrina which will male an excellent stocking filler.
Life after her dad had left had been tough both for Caz and her mother and her brother. Caz feels resentfulness building up. Caz seems to have to do everything around the house. Why is her brother always so enraged all the time? And there's obviously something not quite right with her mother. But what was it that was affecting her so badly?
Eventually after her mother is suddenly rushed off to hospital Caz is sent away from the home she knows to stay in the untidy and cluttered cottage way off in the country where she must stay with her grandfather. But how will she cope? She hardly got to know her grandfather during her life, so what type of a man is he? Can she deal with living with him? And what does he think of the situation?
Despite her initial concerns Caz finds that she is getting used to his quaint, old-fashioned ways and finds that she is now becoming settled into the slower pace of life in the village with her grandfather. There's even some adventurers for the two of them.
They become as thick as thieves and form a close bond. She teaches him of some of the problems of modern life whilst he makes her aware of the world of nature that surrounds his cottage.
It's a moving story of the trials, tribulations and love of a family trying to live through changing and challenging times.
It's a fantastic story and is published by Troubador Books at £6.99.
Yes, it's true! Gosnells of London is promising Londoners a free pint of its refreshing new Wildflower mead.
Gosnells, which is London's only Meadery, is once again assisting its local community by offering a free pint of the very modern and very tasty 4%ABV Wildflower mead at its new taproom on the Bermondsey Beer Mile.
They are pledging an amazing 10,000 pints of their Wildflower mead at their new, honey-coloured, Bermondsey taproom.
Founder Tom Gosnell says: “Things are getting tougher for everyone. So, we want to make our visitors a little happier by inviting them to immerse themselves in our mellow yellow taproom while enjoying a drink on us.”
“Over the last few summers, we have focused on re-greening communities, feeding the bees and helping to bring sunflowers to Peckham. But why stop at summer, we want to introduce people to something they might not have tried before.”
This is simply their way of sharing their very modern interpretation of the World's oldest alcoholic drink. Gosnells of London is giving away 10,000 pints of Wildflower mead. Yes. Giving it away, between now and Christmas. Commencing today, Friday 4th November until Christmas on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Sign up here https://www.gosnells.co.uk/pages/free-pint via email to get one free code per person/email, to be redeemed in Gosnells Bermondsey Taproom, 72 Enid Street, Bermondsey SE16 3RA.
This Christmas families up and down the country, after Christmas dinner and Christmas pud and mince pies have been consumed, the sherry sipped and the first King's first speech has been watched, will be playing The Sock Game!
Invented by a pair of very competitive brothers called Jono and Nick back in 2015 (the back story involves a pair of their Dad's 'borrowed' walking sock and a whole host of other paired items that they found all over their family home.)
Over the years the boys have refined the game with what they describe as "the perfect sock" and they assure us that their Dad did, eventually, get his pair of walking socks back.
So, what happens? You get your special extra funky, colourful official monogrammed socks, two sets of 30 game items, two scoring counters a spinning score board and the instructions.
Before play commences put one identical set of 30 game items into each sock, then attach the spinner to the spinner score board. (Merely describing the bag of game items will not do them justice. You'll have to buy the game to learn the delights of the bag!)
How to you play it? Divide everyone into two teams. Each player must take a sock of items. Select a scoring counter and place it onto the allotted starting place on the spinner score board.
Choose a player from each team to go first and twizzle the spinner to choose an object.
Call out the name of the chosen object then GO!
The first player to remove the object wins a point.
And then the game continues!
It's a fantastic game and can be as fast or as slow as you are comfortable with. And it's suitable for either two players or for two teams of multiple players, you decide!
It's aimed at everyone from age eight to 108 and we feel certain that this will be a firm favourite with every family who receives one in their Christmas gifts this year. And at every family party for the rest of time. It's the kind of game that helps make family memories.
(I had planned on working a reference into this piece to the expression "Sock it to me" which was common back into the 1960s and early 1970s, used by Aretha Franklin in her 1967 version of the song "Respect" and also in the comedy show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, 1968 to 1973, but as most readers are probably too young to understand those references, I decided not to bother!)
At the moment B&Q, are focussing on Christmas with your pets. Christmas dog toys aren't merely a delightful and fun way to treat your faithful friend, they're also a great way to provide the mental stimulation and exercise needed to keep your dog happy and healthy.
Zoon Christmas Gonk Dog Toy
Don't let Santa leave out your furry friend out this Christmas! Treat man's best friend to this sweet, cuddly Christmas toy, the perfect gift for your pet to play with all season long.
Zoon Christmas Pig in Blanket Dog Toy
A fun pig plush toy that’s wrapped in his own blanket! Its soft and snuggly fabrics are pawfect for cuddling and as it features an internal squeaker, it makes for plenty of squeaky fun this Christmas.
Zoon Christmas Rudolf Ropelegs Dog Toy
A soft Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer toy wearing a festive scarf – with rope legs for tug of war and a soft, snuggly body, this toy is the perfect treat!
Zoon Christmas Noodle Partridge Dog Toy
This dog toy is made using a soft noodly fabric and is fitted with a squeaker to keep your pooch interested while playing with this plucky partridge!
As the darker and colder nights draw in, B&Q also have launched some garden lighitng to help you and your pets, find their way back home, when outside.
Luceco Black Spike light of 4
Easy to install plug and play spike kit with main plug adaptor and the latest integrated LED technology.
To see more Christmas gifts and to find out the location of your nearest B&Q branch, or to make your purchases on line visit https://www.diy.com.
Viewers will find themselves immersed in a medieval fairy tale, the advert depicts a young chef’s quest to reimagine and breathe new life into the traditional Christmas pudding.
Due to premiere today, Friday 4th November, the full advert can be viewed further down in this post.
The tongue-in-cheek advert, starring Alison Hammond as The Countess, features a voiceover from Stephen Fry. It forms part of Sainsbury's Christmas marketing campaign, with more following over the coming weeks.
Sainsbury's is investing a whopping £60 million in great value food and groceries via its Sainsbury’s Quality, Aldi Price Match campaign, Price Lock and Special Offers. An extra £5 million is being invested into Argos and Habitat furniture lines, which are part of the Sainsbury's group.
Over the next two years, Sainsbury’s is investing £500 million to ensure the items people buy most often are on the shelves at the best prices.
This year’s advert puts a light-hearted twist on Christmas themes and celebrates the innovation and creativity of Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Christmas range.
Centring on one of the most divisive foods, the iconic Christmas pudding, the amusing advert brings to life the imagination and ingenuity which breathed new life into the festive staple.
The story is set in an imaginary medieval world where a festive feast is being planned. A Countess, played by Alison Hammond, is in charge of choosing the food, but her distaste of Christmas pudding means it's definitely off the menu. At least until a young cook can change her mind.
The scene opens with a view of a castle surrounded by a forest and mountains. As a dragon flies across the screen, a voiceover from Stephen Fry proclaims: “In a far, far away land, a feast was being planned”.
The scene then cuts to a crowded room where a line of chefs patiently wait to present menu items for a festive feast to The Countess. An adornment of festive food is happily received, from Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Crab Thermidor Crumpets to Cider Glazed Gammon.
However, when a nervy young cook offers a traditional Christmas pudding, The Countess proclaims: “I’ve never really liked Christmas pudding” and blows out the pudding’s flame. Met with gasps from onlookers, The Countess orders the cook to “Bring her something different. Or else!”
Terrified, the young cook is back in the kitchen thinking hard about The Countess’ order. Suddenly he has an inspiration and rapidly sets hard at work.
Set to a medieval instrumental version of Wheatus’ ‘Teenage Dirtbag’, the cook works hard day and night, mixing ingredients and even nicking a humongously big biscuit from an angry giant. Looking triumphant, the chef admires his final creation.
As the Countess announces its “treatie time," the cook approaches, presenting a cloche to reveal a Taste the Difference Caramelised Biscuit Christmas Pudding. Less than impressed that the cook has ignored her and decided to serve Christmas pudding, the room falls into tense silence as they await her verdict...
Laura Boothby, Head of Campaigns, at Sainsbury’s says: “Food plays a central role in any celebration, and we wanted to bring to life the imagination and innovation that goes into creating our Taste the Difference Christmas range. We also wanted the ad to provide some fun and light-hearted Christmas cheer and who better to do that than Alison Hammond.
“The festive feast is a quintessential Christmas moment for many and the perfect setting to celebrate what Sainsbury’s does best: delicious, quality, great value food. We’re always creating and developing new recipes and Christmas is the perfect time to experiment with new twists on traditional flavours.
“We’ve focused on the Christmas pudding specifically because we know it’s divisive, people love it, or they hate it, which is why Sainsbury's has created the Taste the Difference Caramelised Biscuit Pudding. Pudding lovers can still opt for their traditional dessert, but those who aren’t fans can try our innovative take on the Christmas classic instead.”
Alison Hammond says: “I absolutely loved playing The Countess in this year’s Sainsbury’s Christmas advert. It got me feeling all festive and was such a laugh!"
“The Taste the Difference Caramelised Biscuit Christmas Pudding was absolutely a bit of me and will definitely make an appearance on our table this year. Just not sure if I can wait until Christmas day to try it again!"
The advert is one aspect of Sainsbury's Christmas marketing campaign, with more following over the next few weeks.
Son of a nutcracker! Asda has introduced a very special and fantastical festive colleague, who is also the star of its 2022 Christmas campaign: Buddy the Elf, under license from Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products.
After scattering a trail of festive clues, causing fans of the 2003 movie classic to exclaim ‘I know him!’, Christmas-loving character Buddy the Elf is confirmed as Asda’s newest seasonal recruit in its jubilant and cheer-spreading Christmas advertising campaign.
Premiering today, Friday 4th November at 8.45pm on ITV1 in the Coronation Street advertising break, Asda’s new 90-second Christmas TV ad uses original footage and iconic lines from the UK’s favourite Christmas film, to place the beloved Buddy right at the heart of a bustling Asda store in the build-up to his favourite time of year, Christmas.
Set to the music Santa Clause is Comin’ to Town and created by merging classic film footage with newly filmed scenes, the advert charmingly captures Buddy’s wide-eyed wonder and unbridled passion for all things festive as we join him on his first day as a member of the Asda in-store Christmas team.
The film opens with a loving homage to Elf’s iconic ‘street crossing’ scene, except this time, it’s a train of Asda shopping trolleys, not a New York City cab, that causes Buddy to exclaim “sorry!” as it crashes into him.
This marks the beginning of a wondrous (for Buddy), if chaotic (for everyone else) trial shift, which sees Buddy marvel at Asda’s selection of Christmas goodies including some enticing icing sugar sprinkled Extra Special mince pies (YUM! mince pies!) eat all the free maple pigs in blankets samples, distract colleagues with his Christmas plans, and take the chance to sing loudly over the store's Tannoy system.
However, when the store closes and Buddy adds his own magic touch, decking out the entire shop floor in fairy lights and festive decorations (while re-christening the ‘elf checkouts’), it’s quickly apparent that when it comes to Christmas, Buddy and Asda are a match made in heaven.
He’s got the job,– and to his delight, he can stay! As he dashes, enthusiastically, of course, out of the store, he runs straight into the same shopping trolleys he encountered on his way in, causing a bemused colleague to smile, as the campaign line ‘Have your Elf a Merry Christmas’ flashes up on-screen.
Says Sam Dickson, who is Asda's Acting Chief Customer Officer: “Like Buddy, we absolutely love Christmas, so we’re delighted and thrilled to welcome him to our team.
"We know this has been a tough year for so many people, which is why we want to create some little moments of magic and joy for families this year with our Christmas campaign, and more importantly, our amazing products.
"We hope with a little bit of help from Buddy, our joy-filled Christmas offering will create some festive magic and helps give families a Christmas to remember together.”
Plus. as part of its commitment to spreading Christmas cheer and making brighter moments possible for all this festive season, Asda will be giving a special festive surprise to five different community groups, to give them the chance to celebrate Christmas. That they wouldn’t otherwise have been able to do without the retailer’s help.
"Please remember that Asda will also be collecting toys for children’s charities as part of its gift appeal and stores will bring festive cheer to customers with local choirs and bands playing throughout December.
"Also, Asda is introducing several initiatives to help those in need this Christmas, including Asda cafés providing a £1 meal deal for OAPs, continuing its popular kids eat for £1 deal, plus cost-of-living grants to support community groups with increased rent and bills.
