New consumer research from OXO show what we Brits like and loathe about Christmas

Christmas comes every every year, just like clockwork, and while many of us have made small changes to our Christmas routines over the years, just how does the traditional Christmas stack up against busy, modern lifestyles?

American housewares brand, OXO, known for its universally-designed range of premium kitchen tools, has just undertaken a new survey amongst UK consumers to discover how many of us stick to our traditions, and what our most and least favourite Christmas cooking tasks are today.

Christmas dinner differs depending on where you come from in the UK

• Stuffing is the accompaniment of choice in Northern Ireland, with 2 in 5 of people choosing to pad out their plate with this herby side dish

• Yorkshire puddings have made their way onto the Christmas plates of 50% of households up and down the country, with these delights most popular in the North East, with 3 in 5 people in the region adding Yorkshire puddings to their Christmas dinner

• Cranberry, mint and bread sauce all spring to mind when thinking of festive condiments, but in a huge break from tradition, tomato sauce has started to make an appearance with 2 in 5 18 to 24 year olds choosing to add ketchup to their Christmas turkey dinner

What we love and loathe

• When it comes to things we like and things we loathe most about Christmas food prep, planning the timings came out as number one on the list of most stressful Christmas cooking tasks with 5 in 10 people dreading this Christmas task

• Taking a step back to see excited faces at the dinner table is by far the most rewarding Christmas experience, with 6 in 10 of those aged 65 and over enjoying this part of Christmas dinner the most

• Of course, OXO had to ask which kitchen tool people rely on most to make Christmas dinner a breeze with a good roasting tray and reliable peeler coming out on top

Following a challenging year, many UK households have decided to tighten the purse strings and cut back on the amount of money spent on gifts and going out over the festive period. 28% of people have decided to set a gift spend limit when buying for loved ones, while 27% of people plan to visit pubs and restaurants less frequently as a way to save money this year.

OXO is a premium US brand that offers a wide range of high-quality, long-lasting kitchen, cleaning and organisation tools that effortlessly combine innovation with purpose. Guided by the principles of universal design, the brand is known and loved for engineering tools that fit comfortably in every type of hand starting with the iconic OXO Good Grips Swivel Peeler in 1990.

www.oxouk.com

Incidentally, my wife and I own a range of OXO kitchen tools, which we really love!

Silent grief: Supporting the 13 million struggling after bereavement as grief leads to poor mental wellbeing and loneliness this Christmas

Research conducted by YouGov for Co-op Funeralcare highlights that as many as 13 million UK adults are battling grief following a recent bereavement are experiencing feelings of loneliness or dealing with challenges to their mental wellbeing this Christmas.

With over 28 million UK adults (54%) having experienced the loss of a loved one over the last five years, celebrities, charities and MPs have, alongside the Co-op, offered their advice and support to those people struggling after a bereavement in the run up to Christmas and beyond.

The findings come after a report from the UK Bereavement Commission earlier in 2022 which highlighted how important community support is for the bereaved. In response to the report, the essential role community plays in supporting the bereaved was discussed only last month at a Westminster event hosted by the Co-op, the UK’s leading bereavement charity, Cruse Bereavement Support and sponsored by Carolyn Harris MP.

Highlighting the importance of community, for just under half (49%) of bereaved adults spending time with people who knew their loved one helped with the grief. Pointing to the need for workplace support, 15% of bereaved adults outlined the need for employers to act, saying taking time off work helped them cope with their sense of loss.

However, findings reveal nearly half of bereavements were sudden or unexpected, and getting through the funeral (36%), clearing out belongings (25%) and breaking the news to others (22%) were amongst the most difficult challenges faced by those closest to someone who had died.

Aftercare

In response to the findings, Co-op is focused on expanding its support to families after the funeral and in partnership with Cruse is bringing communities together to support the bereaved. The partnership aims to empower individuals to provide everyday support to those in their communities who have experienced bereavement. Co-op in conjunction with Reach PLC has also in the last month launched a new podcast, ‘Let’s Talk About Grief’ where celebrities share their experience of grief and loss to help others going through similar feelings.

Gill Stewart, MD of Co-op Funeralcare explained: “Our colleagues throughout the country are continuously working with members of their local communities to ensure bereaved families are shown the utmost support during their time of grief. 

"But as the UK Bereavement Commission rightly pointed out, it takes a village to ensure those dealing with the loss of a loved one still feel included in community life. For many the sense of loss can be overwhelming, even more so at this time of year, and our research highlights the power of community being supported by others can make all the difference at a time of grief.”

Speaking of his own experience of losing his father and brother, TV personality Jake Quickenden said: “There’s no perfect way to deal with grief, you have got to find your own way of dealing with it. Grief is something that never disappears, and I don’t think it really gets easier, it is such a strong emotion and it changes your mindset. 

"I like to think of grief as all the love you have left for a person, that you can’t express for them anymore. I look at life so differently since losing my Dad and Oliver, some days are more difficult than others but every day is a day that I get to see my family, see friends, make memories and live.”

Steven Wibberley, CEO of Cruse Bereavement Support said: “At Cruse, we know how vital support in the local community is for people dealing with their grief. The recent UK Commission on Bereavement highlighted the importance of support from family, friends and community in helping bereaved people. 

"We are proud to be working in partnership with The Co-op on our Connecting Communities project, to improve grief awareness and support in local areas and ensure bereaved people are not tackling their grief alone. I was delighted to introduce the project to MPs and colleagues from across the bereavement sector at our recent Parliamentary event and we hope that this support continues as the project develops next year."

Coleen Nolan, TV personality, singer and podcast host for Co-op Funeralcare’s new ‘Let’s Talk About Grief’ show, stated: “Despite so many of us having experienced loss (and I have experienced my fair share myself), especially within the past couple of years, death and bereavement are still taboo topics, and there is still such guilt around experiencing grief. Many of us feel like we are placing a heavy burden on those around us when we’re dealing with bereavement, and choose to manage our feelings in silence instead of reaching out for help.

"It’s noy surprising that feeling unable to share your feelings after experiencing the loss of a loved one can be profoundly alienating, as we often feel nobody will understand what we are going through, when really this isn’t the case.

"It is my sincere hope that we take on the learnings shared by the UK Bereavement Committee and look at our own communities with more empathy and selflessness - as you never know who may be secretly battling the negative feelings that come with bereavement."

(Image courtesy of Garn Finger from Pixabay)

Tesco’s exclusive energy-saving ultimate roasting potato returns in time for Christmas

An energy-saving, high quality roasting potato that sold out within mere weeks of being launched last year has returned in time to help us slash the cooking time of our Christmas dinners and thus save energy and money.

The ‘Nemo’ variety, sold by Tesco as Finest British Roasting Potatoes, has been created exclusively for the supermarket by one of the UK’s largest potato suppliers, Branston.  

As well as creating perfect roasters, the Nemo variety can reduce cooking time by up to a quarter compared to the average potato according to Branston. 

Not only does it need less water and fertiliser than other varieties to grow, but its environmental impact is further reduced by its unique 25% quicker cooking time, saving energy in the home.

Tesco potato buyer Hannah Moseley said: “The Nemo was trialled last year and became so popular by word of mouth that all supplies sold out in a record four weeks, and it has taken until now to grow more.

“Customers have told us they consider the Nemo to be the ultimate roasting spud on account of its perfect rich, fluffy texture, crispy outer skin and golden colouration.”

Nemo is a natural hybrid developed through carefully crossing an exceptional tasting fast-cooking Peruvian variety called Inca Bella and a popular, red-skinned salad variety called Franceline which grows well in the UK climate.

Dr David Nelson, Director of Agronomy at Branston said:  “We were very pleased with how well Finest Roasting sold last year - it flew off the shelves in four weeks. This year we were in the fortunate position of being able to supply almost triple the volume, which we hope to sell just as well as last year. 

“This is a Tesco exclusive variety, therefore, there is very limited seed available. Seed multiplication takes four to five years to build up, and this is why we are only able to gradually build volume, but given how delicious they are, we thought it was better to save them for Christmas! 

“Not only do they taste great, but they can be roasted quicker than European varieties, which can hopefully help save on cooking time”. 

The Tesco finest roasting potatoes cost £2.50 for a 3 kilo bag. 

www.tesco.com.

Christmas Misses? ParcelHero points out many stores have stopped online orders

Home delivery experts ParcelHero says delays caused by recent bad weather and strikes mean some popular stores have already ceased taking online Christmas orders.

Last-minute shoppers may have left it too late to buy online from their favourite stores in time for Christmas, says home delivery expert ParcelHero. 

Strikes and backlogs caused by last week’s severe weather mean some retailers can no longer guaranteeing they can deliver in time for Christmas.

ParcelHero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks M.I.L.T., says: "From Ann Summers to Waterstones, many of the UK’s leading retailers have decided to call it quits on Christmas deliveries already.

"Even before Arctic weather conditions hit the UK, deliveries were backing up. Retailers and individuals have all been switching to couriers to avoid the impact of industrial action in the traditional postal network, and this unexpected extra volume of parcels has taken some courier networks by surprise.

‘Rather than disappoint customers, some stores have faced the problems head-on and declared that they can no longer guarantee delivery in time for Christmas. These include:

Ann Summers (last date was 19 December)

The Body Shop (last date was 19 December)

M&S clothing (“Christmas delivery is no longer available.”)

Paul Smith (last date was 18 December)

Pets at Home (last date was 18 December)

The Conran Shop (“Delivery in time for Christmas can no longer be guaranteed due to external factors.”)

Waterstones (last date was 19 December)

"The Christmas countdown shows no sign of stopping. Stores that will stop taking orders on Tuesday 20 December include:

Harrods

Harvey Nichols

Superdry

"Also, a significant number of stores stop taking their final Christmas orders on Wednesday 21 December. These include Boden, Gap, House of Fraser, New Look and The White Company.

"Retailers have had to react quickly to the escalating issues and problems in the delivery network. For example, back in November, Harvey Nichols gave a deadline of 23 December for final orders; now its last order date is today. This is a far more sensible approach than some other stores, which still don’t include final Christmas cut-off dates on their websites, leaving customers to order in hope."

He went on to say: "It’s not just  the impact of the strike in the traditional postal industry that created knock-on delays. There was already a shortage of seasonal staff like delivery drivers and warehouse workers following Brexit. It’s fortunate that the Amazon strike called at its Coventry distribution centre is not expected to take place until the new year, or there would be a lot of disappointed faces on Christmas Day around the UK.

"With all this Christmas confusion, ParcelHero has re-launched our popular Christmas tool in the nick of time. You can now discover retailers’ final online order dates in time for Christmas, find out the last mailing dates for presents to UK and international destinations, and see handy packaging and Customs clearance hacks to help ensure gifts reach their destinations in time."

 To check the easy-to-use retailers’ final order and final mailing dates tool, see: https://www.parcelhero.com/events/christmas-gifts-delivery

Lloyds Bank Christmas Fraud Warning: Six red flags shoppers MUST be wary of

Lloyds bank has issued a timely and urgent warning to last-minute Christmas shoppers to be wary of fraudsters this festive season.

The warning comes as research from Lloyds Bank revealed the number of online shopping scams increased by 20% in December last year, compared against December 2020.

With the rise in consumer activity online, comes the rise in internet scams and cybercrime, however this doesn’t mean you should totally avoid online shopping this Christmas.

Sam Whillance, who is an expert at online e-commerce platform Deal.Town, shares six red flags shoppers should be aware of before purchasing presents this Christmas.

Steer clear of deals that seem too good to be true

If a website appears to be selling designer clothes or jewellery or electronics for considerably less than the normal retail prices, always consider whether this is too good to be true. 

Often, you could be purchasing fakes or replicas.

Look for a privacy policy

A privacy policy, normally in a statement format, explains how the business collects, uses, and stores sensitive data from its customers. 

Whist laws and regulations worldwide vary, legitimate, reputable online retailers should have a clear privacy statement and if they don’t, this could be a red flag.

Check the SSL certificate

SSL, standing for ‘Secure Sockets Layer’, is an indication that a website is secure for shopping. 

In other words, it is an encryption method that websites asking for sensitive or personal information, such as your credit card details, should have. 

To ensure that a shopping website has an up-to-date SSL certificate, look out for a padlock icon in the URL bar of your web browser. Or alternatively, check that the URL starts with HTTPS, not HTTP (the S stands for ‘secure’).

Check if the website accepts credit cards

Credit cards are one of the safest methods for making online transactions. This is because its easier for credit card issuers to refund money lost to fraud.

Websites that don't accept credit card payments could be warning signal, as it is a lot more difficult for fraudulent websites to become certified by credit card companies.

Watch out for spelling and grammar mistakes

Legitimate brands will have the professionalism and accuracy to ensure the text and imagery on their websites are correct.

If a website is poorly written and contains numerous spelling or grammatical mistakes, it could indicate that the seller is not genuine. 

Other red flags may include low-quality images,  the inability to leave reviews, and no returns policy.

Look for a phone number and address

The majority of legitimate retailers will have a contact number and an physical address visible in either the header or footer of their website. 

If you aren’t 100% sure whether an online shop is genuine, copy and paste their address and phone number into a Google search engine, to see if their details are verifiable. 

Fake sellers will either not provide any address or use a fake one.

Check out Deal.Town here: https://deal.town 

Weird and Freaky Secret Santa Gifts Revealed: A Mankini, Half Drunk Bottle of Wine and a Picture of an Ex

A half drunk bottle of wine, a pillow with a picture of your ex partner on it and a mankini. These are just some of the weird and, quite frankly, freaky and bonkers Secret Santa gifts people in the UK have received.

Some of the quirkiest gifts were revealed as part of a new survey from Secret Santa generator DrawNames which quizzed 2,000 people from all over the UK.

The data shows older Brits generally tend to spend 50% over the Secret Santa budget set,  whilst one in 10 Gen Z youngsters admitted they just wrapped up a nick-nack from home and nearly 1 in 5 (18%) said they bought something from a charity shop.

1 in 4 Brits (25%) also reduced the amount they spent on Secret Santa this year compared on Christmas 2021, with some giving hints that the cost of living crisis is starting to bite.

Plus, interestingly, 1 in 20 bought something to help cope with spiralling energy costs, such as a hot water bottle or a raught excluder.

Brits' top 10 Secret Santa gifts bought in 2022 were:

Chocolates (21%)

Alcohol (16%)

Candles (15%)

Toiletries (13%)

Voucher (10%)

Perfume (9%)

Game or puzzle (9%)

A scratch card (8%)

Flowers or plants (8%)

Clothing (7%)

The younger generation are also most likely to be Secret Santa suck-ups - over a third of Gen Z people (35%) said they spent more on their boss' present than on other work colleagues.

Despite us living in a digital age, a huge three in five (63%) of Brits did Secret Santa the old-fashioned way, by pulling names out of a hat. Just over a quarter (27%) used an app, such as DrawNames.

Arjan Kuiper, co-founder of DrawNames, said: “It's very interesting to note the cost crisis has had an impact even on low budget gifting ideas such as Secret Santa. But I do feel there could be other reasons behind Gen Z wrapping up something from home or buying from charity shops, they do tend to be much more eco-minded than older people, so perhaps they want to recycle gifts as they're conscious about the impact of gifting on the environment?”

To find out more about arranging Secret Santas visit https://www.drawnames.co.uk.

(Image courtesy of Gerhard and Pixabay)

Who Cares? John Lewis does

John Lewis' 022 Christmas advertising campaign is running. The 90-second advert, entitled ‘The Beginner’, follows the launch of the ‘Building Happier Futures’ programme from the John Lewis Partnership, which is a long-term commitment to help young people with experience of the care system in a number of ways, including to find meaningful careers.

In a challenging year, we felt it was important to demonstrate that it’s what we do that matters most. We are proud to use our Christmas advert as a way to generate conversation and action around an often overlooked issue.

There are an estimated 100,000 children and young people who will spend this Christmas in care this year, and we know many young people who have experienced care as children can often feel isolated and forgotten, especially at Christmas. John Lewis wants them to feel seen this Christmas and to inspire their customers to come together with us to make a real difference to those who need it. Through a heartfelt story of one man’s determination to connect with a child, we see the power that kindness can make to someone else’s life.

The Beginner

‘The Beginner’ was created by adam&eveDDB with input from partner charities Action for Children and Who Cares? Scotland, as well as specialist advisors, throughout the production process. From the opening scene, with Christmas as a backdrop, we follow a middle-aged man as he struggles comedically to master the skill of skateboarding. We see through his determined eyes many failed attempts and mishaps as he suffers a series of accidents.

Viewers are left questioning the motive behind his perseverance until the final scene, when there is a knock at the door. We see a social worker standing with Ellie, a young teenager who is waiting anxiously to enter her new Foster home, skateboard in hand. The significance of skateboarding to our protagonist becomes clear, as we understand his resolve to find common ground and a way to connect with Ellie as she is welcomed into their family home.

Children in the UK enter the care system via many different routes, and we understand that not all foster carers have the benefit of knowing who they will be caring for in advance. Ellie’s story is one portrait and our broader campaign also features authentic voices of carers and care experienced young people with different experiences of a complex care system.

Building Happier Futures Through the Building Happier Futures programme, we will support projects from organisations within the care sector that are working to build happier futures for care experienced people, helping to prepare them for employment as well as providing direct apprenticeship opportunities within the John Lewis Partnership.

A spokesperson said: "We will also directly support children in care and young people leaving care through the tough Christmas period with donations of decorations, food and gifts. Children in care and their caregivers will be invited into John Lewis to enjoy magical Santa’s Grotto experiences. We will also transform the communal spaces of selected residential facilities run by Action for Children with electronics, furnishings and decorations. 

"This Christmas our customers can support these aims by purchasing our Lewis Bear product: 25% of the sales from these items will go to our charity partners (Action for Children and Who Cares? Scotland).* Products include; Lewis Bear £30, Lewis Bear pyjamas £19, Lewis Bear tote bag £5, Lewis Bear Chocolate slims £5, Lewis Bear Bauble Head £5, a Rampage Skateboard £34.99 and a Waitrose ChristmasYule Log. Customers can also donate through our in-store giving tree. A Giving Tree in our stores will invite customers to donate to our partner charities by taking a tag from the tree with a value between £5-£50 and scan it with their shop."

Claire Pointon, Director of Customer at John Lewis says:“ We are fortunate to have a truly unique platform in our Christmas ad, which sparks a national conversation. As a purpose-led brand, making a genuine difference in our communities is important. At John Lewis we care deeply about families, and recognise that they come in many different forms. For our biggest moment of the year, we decided to focus on one kind of family that is often overlooked. We are also very aware that not all care experience outcomes are as positive as Ellie’s. The home Ellie enters is filled with kindness, and the foster father’s actions demonstrate that ultimately, it’s what you do that matters most.”

Imran Hussain, Director of Policy & Campaigns, Action for Children, says:“ At Action for Children we want every child to have a safe and happy childhood. Every year, we work with over 40,000 children and young people in, or with experience of, the care system, and we know the challenges and poor outcomes they may face. We are delighted to be working with the John Lewis Partnership on its iconic Christmas advert and applaud the company for its work and long-term commitment to shining a light on the issues facing some of the most vulnerable children in the country. We believe this partnership will enable us to support and empower more children and young people as they make the transition from care into the adult world.

Pippa Wicks, Executive Director at John Lewis, says: “Turbulent times worsen social inequalities, and Christmas is a time when this can be most keenly felt. It’s more important than ever for our business to stand up and use our voice to make a difference where we can. Our Christmas campaign is an important step in our long-term plans to become the employer of choice for young people leaving the care system, and to provide lasting change and hope for children like Ellie.”

Louise Hunter, CEO of Who Cares? Scotland, said: “We know that Christmas can be difficult for lots of people, and that’s particularly true for our Care Experienced community who may not have family to spend it with. As the national membership body for Care Experienced people, we know that the Christmas period can bring loneliness, isolation and a sense of being different from others who enjoy a more traditional Christmas Day. We’re delighted that the John Lewis Christmas advert will feature a different kind of family, one which will resonate with the many thousands of people across the UK, with experience of care. At Who Cares? Scotland, our vision is a lifetime of equality, respect and love for all Care Experienced people and we are excited to have the support of the John Lewis Partnership in making that a reality.”

‘The Beginner’ is set to a soundtrack of All the Small Things, a cover of the Blink 182 track by Scott Bradlee’s Post Modern Jukebox featuring Puddles Pity Party.

Raising the steaks! Asda launches giant Tomahawk Beef Wellington as part of its festive main range

Looking for an alternative to turkey for the main event this Christmas? Look no further, as Asda announces the launch of its new showstopping Extra Special Tomahawk Beef Wellington (£28 per kg), sure to be the star of the show this festive season, especially if you are looking for an alternative to turkey this Christmas. 

Weighing, on average, a whopping 1.8kg, this truly indulgent hand-crafted Christmas joint has been developed by Asda’s award-winning development chefs and master butchers. The succulent long bone rib of beef wellington has been French trimmed and matured for 21 days to add extra flavour and tenderness.

The incredible cut is paired with a premium truffle and three-cheese melt containing mild and savoury Emmental, sweet and earthy brie, and a rich and flavourful Manchego. In addition to this is a rich beef stock topped with delightful duxelles made using shiitake mushrooms, thyme, parsley and garlic with a dash of Madeira wine. It's then hand-finished with an all-butter lattice puff pastry, finished with puff pastry stars.

The Tomahawk Wellington comes as part of the retailer’s range of alternative festive mains. Highlights include the Extra Special Jewelled Carvery Lamb Shoulder with Festive Fruit Stuffing and Meaty Lamb Jus (£16 per kg), a stunning joint of lamb bejewelled with apricots, clementines and rosemary. The lamb-based stuffing is full of clementines and rosemary, all topped with a slow-roasted bone-marrow-based lamb jus. The range also features the Extra Special Fragrant Picanha Beef Joint with Garlic & Herb Butter (£28 per kg), an impressive cut taken from the top of the rump and matured for 21 days.

Shoppers can pick up Asda’s Extra Special Tomahawk Wellington alongside other festive mains from Tuesday 20th December in store and online nationwide.

www.asda.com

Discovered at last! How to get youngsters to like Brussels sprouts

Agriculturalists believe they've finally found a way to get youngsters to like Brussels sprouts. And their solution is having an immediate result. 

Agro-scientists at R & K Drysdale, one of the UK’s top brassica growers based in Cockburnspath, Scotland, say investment in an ultra hi-tec grading machine, nicknamed the ‘sproutatron’, is helping them select perfect sprouts. 

Working with Tesco to supply around 70% of its sprout demand, the machine allows Drysdale to accurately size the sprouts with the push of a button.  

By matching sprouts according to size, customers will find their packs have more consistently sized sprouts within each bag, making the cooking process more even.   

And it means an end to the dining table lottery of some people getting small and overcooked, soggy sprouts, while others crunch through harder, big ones, due to the time they were boiling in the pan.  

But also important has been the introduction of new milder and sweeter sprout varieties, particularly one called Cobelius, which is more palatable than the traditional, widespread Doric variety. 

The machine and the new, milder varieties are clearly having a positive impact, as a recent survey by Tesco revealed the number of 18-to-24-year-olds who claim to ‘love’ sprouts rose from 26% in 2021 to 44% in 2022. That's a stunning increase of 69%.

Tesco produce buyer Sam Miller explains: “Thanks to the latest technology, our customers can buy some of the very best tasting and freshest sprouts available. 

“These machines also speed up the grading procedure, which dramatically reduces the time it takes to get the sprouts from the field to our shelves.  So the sprouts our customers take home this Christmas will stay fresh for even longer. 

“And judging by the survey we undertook a few months back, last year’s perfect sprouts have already led to a major increase in younger people now liking the vegetable, something many thought impossible just a few years back!” 

Drysdale’s long-term relationship with Tesco allowed them to invest in the grading machine, which can also peel and pack the sprouts. 

The machine works by taking eight photos of the sprout as they move along a catwalk-like conveyor belt, identifying any that need processing such as having yellow leaves removed. 

And the results mean being able to pack even-sized sprouts, ending the ages old problem of having some that are large and others that are small once they reach supermarket shelves. 

Another key factor is the progress made by seed houses in developing sweeter varieties which have more appeal to younger people. 

The massive popularity of TV cooking programmes has also had something of an impact, with innovative new ways to enjoy sprouts like roasting or frying them and even shredding them in salads.  

Drysdale General Manager Gavin Milne, pictured, commented: “We work closely with seed houses on varietal development and taste, with the aim being to eliminate varieties that are more bitter than others.  

“Research into creating new varieties with low bitterness levels and an attractive mild taste has been going on for a while and Drysdale now have many of these varieties in their growing plans every year.” 

10 Fantastic Sprout Facts 

Two-thirds of our total sprout consumption occurs outside the festive season in the UK and Britons eat more Brussels sprouts than anyone else in Europe. 

Around 25% of the annual consumption of Brussels sprouts is in the two weeks leading up to Christmas.

Tesco expects to sell around 1.5 million kg of sprouts in the two weeks before Christmas, the equivalent weight of 285 London buses! This works out at three sprouts for every man woman and child in the country!

It won its name after becoming popular in the Belgian capital in the 16th Century, but the Brussels sprout is ­originally thought to have come from Iran and Afghanistan.

Around 5,000 years ago sprouts were prescribed by Chinese physicians as a medication for bowel problems.

As you’re letting out your waistband feasting on turkey, roast potatoes and cranberry sauce, remember that a cup of cooked Brussels sprouts contains only about 60 calories.

1587 is the first recorded date of Brussels sprouts being used in cooking. 

There are more than 110 different varieties of sprouts. 

In August 2017, adventurer Stuart Kettell, 49, rolled a Brussels sprout to the top of Mt. Snowdon using only his nose, to raise money for Macmillan Cancer support. 

The heaviest ever sprout was grown in 1992 and weighed 8.3kg (18lb/3oz). 

www.tesco.com

Asda recognised as UKs lowest-priced major supermarket

Asda has been recognised as the lowest-priced major supermarket for both premium and frozen Christmas food and drink products by trade magazine The Grocer.

It's topped the Grocer’s separate premium and frozen price comparison surveys which tracked the cost of 33 essential festive products including turkey and all the trimmings, pigs and blankets and mince pies at Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s Morrisons and Waitrose.

Asda’s premium Christmas basket totalled £150.31 and was £18.79 cheaper than the nearest priced rival Morrisons. Asda also offered the lowest price on 18 of the 33 festive items featured including Christmas pudding, brandy cream, Cockburn’s Port and Baileys Irish Cream.

The Grocer’s comparison of frozen festive products also showed that Asda offered shoppers the best value with its basket costing £88.16, a figure that was £3.20 cheaper than runner up Tesco and £9.56 less than the average basket price across all the supermarkets that featured.

Asda’s focus on providing the lowest prices for customers this Christmas comes as the supermarket’s latest Income Tracker shows that 40% of all UK households had negative discretionary income in November – meaning their take home pay doesn’t cover the cost of essential spending. The tracker also showed the average UK household was £107 worse off in November compared to last year as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.

Kris Comerford, Asda’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We know that things are tough for many customers and we want to help them celebrate the festive season without having to worry about the cost. To help them do this we have over 700 Christmas products available this year, which is more than ever before, at prices to suit all budgets.”

The supermarket has invested heavily in quality for the festive season, launching 740 new Christmas products, including 100 vegan and ‘Free From’ lines. Four Asda products have been rated ‘Best Buys’ by Good Housekeeping in its annual Christmas taste test, including the Maple Pigs in Blankets – which also feature in Asda’s ‘viral’ festive ad featuring Buddy the Elf.

Asda is also stepping up its support for families and over 60s by running its special £1 meal deal for both groups in its cafes throughout the festive season. The supermarket has already served more than one million ‘Kids eat for £1’ and ‘Winter Warmers over 60s’ meals since June and expects to serve around 70,000 meals per week over the Christmas period.

www.asda.com

Redhills Youth Brass Band perform at Sage Gateshead

Despite only forming several months ago, Redhills Youth Brass Band has completed their second project, which saw them perform at Sage Gateshead as part of The Black Dyke Band Christmas Extravaganza.

During the Christmas Extravaganza, performers from Black Dyke Band teamed up with band members of the Redhills Youth Band for a workshop which saw the young players playing alongside the very best in the business.

Facilitated by Richard Marshall, Brett Baker and Dan Thomas, the workshops aimed to inspire young performers and showcase what is possible as a brass musician.

The Youth Brass Band members then had the opportunity to wow Sage visitors through a performance in the foyer, with the background of the River Tyne behind them.

They then had the spectacular chance to experience taking to the stage during the main event to enjoy a rousing encore in front of all of the Christmas Spectacular audience.

Nick Malyan, CEO of the Redhills Charity, is delighted with the achievements of the Youth Brass Band and said, "It was a joy to chaperone the young people and enjoy the entire day with them - what an exceptional group of young people they truly are. 

"To play brass at such young ages is extraordinary enough, but Redhills, along with our partners, are delighted with the maturity and willingness to embrace all opportunities provided through the Redhills Youth Brass Band project so far. In the space of four months, they have met, rehearsed and already performed outside of the Gala Theatre in Durham and now in the Sage Gateshead - we couldn't be prouder of them".

Brass bands are central to Redhills heritage. As part of the redevelopment and restoration of Redhills and in line with our motto, ‘The past we inherit, the future we build’, Redhills is committed to providing opportunities for young people within County Durham communities which celebrate the coalfield culture we have enjoyed for so many years. The Redhills Youth Brass Band was the first step in the renewed Redhills Durham Miners Hall community activity plan ahead of the Miners Hall reopening to the public in 2024.

https://redhillsdurham.org

Looking for a cab this Christmas? Minicabit!

minicabit, Britain’s largest and most visited cab comparison site, is launching its ‘Fares that Care’ campaign to support the wellbeing of NHS staff, patients and communities this winter.

minicabit will itself donate £1 to NHS Charities Together for every cab trip booked now on its website, app and partner channels that’s completed by 31st January 2023. This coincides with the launch of its brand new mobile app which will showcase quotes for the cheapest cabs, now including Electric Vehicles, from local Private Hire Operators around the UK.

This campaign is the latest example of minicabit’s backing for the NHS. During the pandemic when the UK first went into lockdown in 2020, minicabit raised over £250,000 to fund free cab trips for NHS staff UK wide to reach the frontline when public transport was restricted. 

Recently, with co-funding from the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, it launched a comprehensive online cab booking system for NHS teams across different sites which also enables them to track their savings on cab spend and carbon footprints.

Amer Hasan, CEO of minicabit, said : “Since the peak of the pandemic, the challenges that NHS staff and their communities face have only gotten tougher, especially this winter. minicabit stepped up when transport was a key concern, now the issues are broader. So we approached NHS Charities Together as its network of 230 NHS charities across the UK means reaching those in need on a much wider scale as they know where help is needed most.”

Ellie Orton OBE, CEO of NHS Charities Together, said “ We’re delighted that minicabit has stepped up again to help us support our NHS staff, patients and communities all over the UK. At a busy time when people are booking travel for their Xmas parties and airport trips UK wide, minicabit donating from its own revenues will mean a lot to the charities we support in this crucial winter period. We hope many will take advantage of its cab fares that care, and help the NHS go a bit further for everyone this Christmas.”

https://www.minicabit.com.

Christmas video eCards helping Hope Spring festive fundraising

Herefordshire-based clean water charity, Hope Spring saw a significant rise in the volume number of people sending Christmas greetings on their charity eCard platform this year. 

Their Christmas video eCards were particularly popular compared with static Christmas greetings eCards.

Hope Spring made the announcement about the popularity of their Christmas video eCards on their Twitter page, on December 18, 2022, exactly a week before Christmas. Talking about the popularity of their eCards, Hope Spring trustee and lead developer of their eCard platform, Temi Odurinde, said: "The team is absolutely delighted by the take up of our eCards this Christmas, and we are particularly pleased with the popularity of our video eCards".

Temi added they have just added half a dozen new videos to the video eCard range, and one of them has been surprisingly popular. The surprisingly popular video eCard was the simplest to make, it is just a video of a fireplace and Christmas music.

Hope Spring eCards social media manager Seun Olonade said, "The new Christmas video ecards are a welcome addition to the existing Christmas ecards, and I encourage our supporters to check them out. They will definitely love them. The general public is also encouraged to send our ecards and donate generously to help our festive fundraiser".

Ms. Olonade went on to say: "Once again, our volunteer ecard designers outdid themselves. I couldn't be more grateful for their efforts and ability to create such fantastic Christmas video ecards".

Christmas is the season when people exchange greetings and gifts with family and friends. Donations from ecards sent through Hope Spring's platform go toward safe, clean water projects in West African .

You can find out more information about Hope Spring and their projects on their social media pages. You can also contact them via the contact information on their website http://www.hopespring.org.uk.

Hangover? Ice, ice baby!

It's true! Having an ice facial could get rid of Christmas hangovers!

We are being advised to dunk our faces in ice to get over a hangover so we can enjoy Christmas parties without worrying about the painful day after.

Experts at Online-Bedrooms.co.uk have researched eight tips to help get rid of a painful hangover which include submerging your face in a bowl of ice in the morning.

With holiday parties taking place across the entire month, the joys of the festivities can result in many dealing with sore heads and stomach pains the next day.

Many of us try to fight a hangover in our own way but research by the experts shows which tips actually make a difference.

Taking a mixture of home remedies and following simple morning routines like having a shower and a homemade ice facial can help make the day more tolerable.

Nic Shacklock from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk said: “While many partygoers love to enjoy the glitz and glam of Christmas parties, facing the consequences the day after is a struggle for most.

“The advice on tips on how to cure a hangover can range from genuinely beneficial tips to those which have little or no impact at all.

“This is why we wanted to narrow down which tips can help to get rid of the sore head and nausea, even if it means getting out of bed early to shower and having an iced facial first thing.

“Having plenty to eat after a boozy night can also help ease the symptoms as well as meals full of protein and vitamins the day after can help to ease the side effects.

“Feeling positive and full of energy is not a term we use to describe those suffering from a hangover - but using these tips can ease the unpleasant feelings that come after a night of partying.”

Here are eight tips from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk on how to get rid of a Christmas party hangover:

Shower in the morning

While it’s important to get plenty of rest, it doesn’t help to stay in bed all day and wait for the pain to fade. Taking a shower first thing can help you feel fresh and ready for the day ahead. Sticking to a normal routine can also help take your mind off the underlying hangover pain.

Ice facial 

It’s a trick commonly used to reduce facial puffiness, but the emerging TikTok trend has been used among many partygoers to aid the pain after a heavy night out. The cold feeling from the issue will take pressure off the sore head - repeat the dunking for 10 seconds and repeat this two to three times.

Have a full breakfast

A full breakfast can aid a hangover as the carbs and sugar will help replace the loss caused by drinking alcohol. Eggs in particular are the main ingredient to aiding the pain, as they’re full of protein and vitamins B and D which help deal with nausea.

Hot bath

Having a hot bath in the late afternoon or evening can increase your blood flow and help take your mind off the headache. You can take this further by slicing cucumbers and lemons to go for the maximum relaxation experience.

Swimming

It’s a challenge getting the motivation to exercise while experiencing a hangover, but taking a quick swim to relax your muscles can take your mind off the pain.

Fizzy drinks

Drinking lots of alcohol can result in blood thinning and then causes a pounding headache. While dehydrated, it’s important to have plenty of fluids including fizzy drinks, as the sugar can make you feel more energised. However, only rely on these drinks as those containing caffeine can result in further dehydration. (EDITOR: do not make the mistake of interspersing alcoholic drinks with fizzy, soft drinks because that can speed up the rate in which alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream. Still water can be a help, however, but not fizzy water.) 

Food before bed

Whether it’s cheesy chips or a quick slice of toast before bed, eating before hitting the pillow can help aid the pending sore head. This is because it’ll line your stomach before getting some sleep and can make you feel less dehydrated once you wake up.

Eat carbs

Increasing the amount of carbohydrates that you have can help. Even if it’s an extra slice of toast, or a filling dish such as pasta - each can help to build up your energy and defeat the sluggish feelings.

Actually, if you are suffering from any of the various lurgies that can afflict us throughout the wintertime, the above hangover remedies can also help you feel better with those nasty infections. For example an icy face bath can help to clear blocked sinuses. 

(Image courtesy of Gerd Altmann and Pixabay)

Smart Christmas Shopping Tips

How to get it right first time (and what to do should something goes wrong).

‘Tis the season and with Christmas shopping at the forefront of our minds, Black Friday sales behind us and the traditional January bargain-hunt on the horizon; many of us are looking to find a good deal in-store or online whilst spreading some cheer. But what should you be looking out for when making Christmas purchases or do if things should go wrong?

Festive Shopping Tips

Whatever goods and services shoppers are looking to grab this (most wonderful time of the) year, the following should be at the forefront of their minds.

Will it be delivered on time?

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods should be delivered within 30 days of the order being placed, unless agreed otherwise. This can sometimes be in the terms and conditions or specified on the order documentation itself. 

Often with large items of furniture otherwise known as ‘big ticket’ items, there can be a longer lead-time because the item is being specially made to fulfil an order, or parts may need to be shipped in from abroad. Particularly at the moment, it’s very important for consumers to check these lead-times and ask the retailer for details of anything that might cause a delay.

When buying in a shop, customers should clarify that items being purchased are covered by any Christmas delivery guarantees and keep a record of the answer.

Further, under consumer law, customers can specify delivery by a certain date is vital. If the retailer fails to meet such a date, the consumer can treat that as a cancellation of the contract. If an essential date is specified (or apparent from the circumstances), it’s really vital to make sure that date is recorded by both sides.

Is it really a bargain?

There are strict rules retailers must adhere to when advertising reductions in a sale. This is to ensure you can be confident the reduction is a genuine one. You would not be entitled to the difference if items are further reduced after you have made your purchase, so make sure you are happy with the current price you are committing to pay and don’t feel pressurised by slogan like “only two left” or “three other customers are looking at this item”.

What are my rights when goods are reduced in a sale?

Where goods are bought in a sale at a reduced price, consumers still have access to their consumer rights. If you bought the goods in a shop and they're faulty, they can be returned for a full refund (within the first 30 days). After that, if goods cannot, after one attempt, be successfully repaired or replaced, a price reduction or final right to reject would be the legal remedy. This means you might get a sum of money to keep them as they are, or you could return them and get your money back (this might be a full or a part refund depending how long you have had them for before you noticed the issue).

The amount of the refund would be calculated by reference to the price paid, not the original non-reduced price of the goods.

It’s also worth noting if you were told the reason for the price reduction, (such as damage), you cannot return them based solely on that issue.

What about damaged goods?

Consumer remedies do cover goods which are damaged. In a shop you might be able to negotiate a price reduction for these, but ultimately it's up to a consumer whether to buy them or not.

Where goods are  as damaged on delivery, consumers have remedies. However, where these have been opened by the original recipient, re-wrapped and potentially moved to a different location, it will be hard to prove the goods were damaged upon delivery or when purchased so when giving gifts this Christmas, it is important you check them over before you wrap them, so you can deal with any issues direct with the retailer to avoid disappointment on the big day.

Can I return personalised goods?

Where goods are personalised, for example made using photographs which are supplied to the retailer or by adding your name or some specific text, these are non-returnable (unless they are faulty, not as described or not fit for the purpose). This is regardless of whether the products were bought in store or ordered online. This is because they are made specifically for you and cannot reasonably be re-sold.

What if I can’t find the receipt and need to return something?

You will need proof of purchase in order to return goods; without this your refund could be refused or might be based on the current selling price, which could be substantially less in the January sales. You may be offered store credit, which might be a reasonable alternative if the goods are simply unwanted.

Judith Turner, Deputy Chief Ombudsman, Dispute Resolution Ombudsman said, “We’re in the midst of the busy holiday period, however consumers can rest assured that if they check before shopping that a retailer is a member of an alternative dispute resolution body such as a government approved Ombudsman, they will have an added layer of protection when making purchases.

“If things should go wrong, and they can’t get any joy out of the retailer, businesses that subscribe to the Ombudsman follow a code of practice which means that they are committed to being responsible retailers and looking after your consumer rights, ultimately leading to more confident shopping when making those festive purchases.”

For more information, visit www.disputeresolutionombudsman.org.

(Image courtesy Steve Buissinne and Pixabay)

That's Food and Drink: Brownie Che. Homemade, delicious

That's Food and Drink: Brownie Che. Homemade, delicious: The brownies from Brownie Che are homemade and utterly delicious.  They are made with love and with great attention to detail. They carefull...

Enjoy Christmas at Selfridges stores in London, Birmingham and Manchester

Enjoy Christmas at Selfridges stores in London, Birmingham and Manchester and on selfridges.com with a theme of Season’s Feastings: a celebration of the power of food to bring us together.

Season’s Feastings invites customers to celebrate the power of food to bring us together this festive season. Launching across Selfridges’ four stores and on selfridges.com, Selfridges will offer customers serving suggestions for setting up, dressing up, gift giving and merrymaking, as we all look forward to coming together with friends and family to enjoy cherished Christmas rituals.

A Festive Day Out 

The Christmas windows are a must-see as part of a festive day out in London, bringing us together at this time of year. There are 15 windows to explore in total, taking inspiration from the theme with surreal and spectacular interpretations of festive ‘foodie’ moments. Customers can also visit Selfridges’ biggest Christmas Shop to date, open on the fourth floor of the Oxford Street store, reimagined as a magical and immersive place where visitors are invited to spend time savouring the festive experience and choose ornaments that are special to them. Christmas Shops in the Birmingham and Manchester stores are also open, along with window displays to delight and amuse.

Moments of Magic

This festive season, Selfridges is set to bring loved ones together with high energy shared experiences that are a fantastical feast for the eyes. From 25 November, Santa and his squad of Christmas pudding disco balls will be making daily visits to the Christmas Shop and festive destinations at all stores to greet customers and spread joy as the countdown to Christmas begins. Santa will host events such as the iconic Breakfasts with Santa across London, Birmingham and Manchester, giving customers plenty of chances to make their Christmas wishes.

Reimagined Destinations

Selfridges invites customers to think, feel and experience Christmas with joy and delight in reimagined destinations. From 31 October, Dolly’s café in London will be transformed into the ultimate feasting destination abundant with Christmas décor. From 25 November, the party energy will be brought by a cast of Christmas characters and musical entertainment including a Christmas choir, and in the evenings the countdown clock will strike to signal a theatrical festive performance. Rottingdean Bazaar have been commissioned to design the Selfridges Christmas tree this year, located at the Duke Street entrance of the London store.

In Manchester Exchange, a new confetti cannon experience will wow customers. In Trafford, from 1 November local Instagram favourite Gooey bring their sweet treats to a new Christmas Café pop up serving cookies, brioche donuts and hot drinks, and the Birmingham store will also open a Christmas Café as a destination for customers to socialise and be inspired.

Gifts for All

Selfridges is the home of expertly curated Christmas gifts, helping customers to celebrate with gestures big and small. This year, a Season’s Feastings printed guide cooks up the ultimate Christmas at Selfridges with a host of ‘recipes’ from friends and contributors. Customers can discover DeadHungry’s ultimate festive dessert and the Black Power Waffle by Ghetto Gastro, tips on how to have a more sustainable Christmas from Stella McCartney, as well as how to create DIY decorations with Max Allen and Laila Gohar’s recipe for an unconventional Christmas.

Customers will be inspired through curated advice and a personalised approach. A Hampers Concierge can create bespoke gifts tailored to any recipient and through Selfridges’ Experience Concierge customers can gift unique-to-Selfridges experiences such as Cinema membership, lessons in the skate bowl and pampering sessions.

Earth-conscious shopping is easier than ever with Project Earth labelled edits that are better for people and the planet and a host of Reselfridges services such as rental for partywear, beauty refill gifting and pre-loved presents.

Celebrating Community 

Selfridges is proud to partner with Centrepoint this Christmas to fund housing and support for young people across the UK.  Over the festive period initiatives such as proceeds from a giant 8kg panettone in the Foodhall and a ‘donate as you dine’ scheme giving customers the option to add £1 to their restaurant bill will raise money for the cause.

Meave Wall, Selfridges’ Stores Director, says: “This Christmas is all about coming together with loved ones to enjoy cherished rituals. We’re inspired by the power of food in bringing people together and through our theme, Season’s Feastings, are celebrating what this means to us at Selfridges. With our iconic Christmas windows on Oxford Street, Christmas Shops in every store and a line up of fantastic entertainment, we’re ready and excited to welcome customers in to make their festive season brighter.”

selfridges.com

Want to attend a Carol Service or Midnight Mass? Ask Google!

Are you thinking about attending a Carol Service or Midnight Mass this Christmas? 

Then you can take a look on Google (or Bing, etc) to check out what is available in your area. Just use search times like "Christmas Midnight Mass near me" "Carol Service near me" or "Christmas church service near me." 

Baptist, Methodist, Church of England, Church of Wales, Church of Scotland, Pentecostal Churches, Catholic Churches, Salvation Army Citadels, etc, etc, many of them are holding Carol Services and Midnight Masses throughout the Christmas season.

An opportunity to sing carols, wear your Chirstmas jumper and meet up with people! 

(Image courtesy of Niek Verlaan and Pixabay)

TfL is reminding customers to take advantage of the great value Hopper fare this Christmas

Thanks to the Mayor's Hopper fare, customers can make unlimited bus and tram journeys within one hour of touching in. This means customers could potentially get the majority of their Christmas shopping done at some of London's best shopping locations for just £1.65, the price of a single journey.  

Some of London's most famous shopping destinations can be visited within the hour of all thanks to London's iconic buses. For a single bus fare, shoppers could: 

visit One New Change, the premier retail centre in the heart of the City, then hop on the route 8 to get to the famous Spitalfields Market for one-off vintage items, and board the route 26 to visit independent boutiques at Columbia Road 

hop from Covent Garden, to Oxford Street via the route 98, followed by a ride on the route 94 to get to the Notting Hill boutiques, with the added bonus of antique shops on Portobello Road Market only a short walk away 

jump on board the route 73 from Upper Street, Angel, and head towards Coal Drops Yard, before boarding the route 214 to visit Camden Market for a mix of gifts to suit everyone 

Five buses wrapped with a festive twist are now in operation across the capital and will hopefully bring a smile to Londoners and visitors during winter. The eye-catching white buses are covered with snowflakes, stars and TfL's iconic station roundels - almost like gift wrap - with the names replaced with some of the fun activities people can see and do this festive season including London lights and last minute shopping. 

A further 13 buses have had a roundels panel installed at the back to spread some extra festive cheer. The buses are in service on selected routes around the capital passing through Wood Green, Camberwell, Putney and more, and some even have LED lights, providing an extra twinkle as they take passengers from A-Z.

TfL has also put together a list of the best bus routes to enjoy London's most spectacular Christmas lights displays, and a Christmas lights Tube map. Both are available on the TfL blog by visiting londonblog.tfl.gov.uk/festive-bus-routes/. The free TfL Go app also features seasonal things to do. Throughout December customers can discover festive activities and events all across London when planning a journey by tapping "Where to?" within the app.

Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport said: "As we are in the busy festive period Londoners can enjoy the Mayor's Hopper fare which allows passengers to take unlimited bus or tram journeys for just £1.65 within one hour of touching in. Passengers may even find themselves on a specially wrapped festive bus, which are now in operation across the capital  as they visit the many amazing places London has to offer this Christmas.

"Buses are London's most affordable and accessible transport option - it's why the Mayor stepped in to save the vast majority of routes proposed to be cut due to the Government's funding conditions. I'd encourage everyone to hop on our bus network which has a central role to play in building a better, greener and fairer city for all Londoners."

Julie Dixon, TfL's Customer Director, said: "We hope that our eye-catching festive buses bring some extra cheer to Londoners and visitors in the run up to Christmas. The cost-of-living crisis means every penny matters more than ever, so we hope that customers will take advantage of the great value Hopper fare this winter." 

The Hopper fare gives passengers unlimited journeys on buses and trams for £1.65 made within one hour of touching in and also applies to discounted rate travel. Passengers must touch in using the same card or device on all journeys to automatically get the Hopper fare.

25 Years of The Lights of Christmas

Every year is magical at The Lights of Christmas, but this is the 25th year of the event which brings another level of significance. This year is about more than dazzling lights, breathtaking displays, and the yummy comfort food. 

For the 25th anniversary, we want to honour and remember all those who helped make the event so memorable for countless families across the Pacific Northwest.

“The 25th Anniversary of The Lights of Christmas is a special time because we get to look back and celebrate what God has done through this event. We cherish the memories and traditions created over the years and look forward to making more in the future years," said Kayla Castiglione, The Lights of Christmas Director.

Once again, this year The Lights of Christmas will present... A Drive-Thru Christmas. The drive-thru format will lavishly celebrate the meaning of Christmas through new and classic displays while striving to be as accessible as possible. You don’t need to leave the comfort of your car to enjoy this festive spectacle!

This year will also feature an expansion to Santa’s Village allowing people to park, stretch their legs, have some silly fun, and purchase merchandise!

The Lights of Christmas opened this year on November 25th and run through select nights through December 31st.

Tickets must be purchased online before arrival. More information can be found at

www.TheLightsofChristmas.com, or by phone at 800-228-6724. 

When is the best time to do your Christmas shopping? Lidl has the answer!

Ahead of a festive shopping surge, Lidl GB advises its customers about the optimum time to stock up on all the very best Christmas goods on offer. As the discount store anticipates a spike in shoppers in the run-up to Christmas, this update will help customers plan ahead and pick the best times to shop.

In the week leading up to Christmas last year, data found the quietest times to shop at Lidl was between 8am and 10am, and from 6pm onwards. Meanwhile, the middle of the day was the busiest, with stores seeing the highest levels of footfall between 12pm and 2pm. Lidl The is expecting to see similar trends this year as customers visit their local stores to get their festive favourites and all that the Middle of Lidl has to offer. 

The supermarket’s sweetest showstoppers include its Deluxe Dark Chocolate & Salted Caramel Cottage and Deluxe 24 Month Mature Christmas Pudding, while its Hortus Clementine Winter Light-up Gin Liqueur or its Elixiris Champagne Montaudon are also sure to go down a treat. Not to forget the all-important dinner staples, including fresh turkey, as well as potatoes, parsnips, carrots and spouts, which are priced at just 19p each.

Customers are encouraged to use the Lidl Plus app where they can check how busy their local store is in real-time, allowing them to avoid the festive crowds. The app also offers customers exclusive weekly rewards and discounts for their next shop after they’ve scanned their digital card at the till, with discounts of up to 25% on selected products. 

And this year, in the spirit of Christmas, the discounter has been offering customers a new coupon every day throughout December, ensuring Lidl GB shoppers get the most bang for their buck. 

Here at That's Christmas Christmas wouldn't be the same without the Lidl Panettone, the Lidl Stollen , the Lidl mince pies and the Lidl Speculoos Chirstmas biscuits! 

www.lidl.co.uk

Want a real Christmas tree at a nice price? Check out Aldi

Time to get the baubles and fairy lights at the ready, as Aldi’s 100% British grown Christmas trees are back by popular demand. Priced from just £14.99, Aldi’s popular Nordman Fir Christmas trees are available in two sizes.

Aldi shoppers can make 'fir' massive savings compared to other tree retailers including B&Q where a 150-180cm Nordman Fir Cut Tree will set shoppers back by £38, that's more than double the price of the Aldi equivalent. 

What’s more, customers can be assured that all live Christmas trees sold by Aldi have been grown in the UK, with all trees in Aldi’s festive range coming from a sustainable plantation in the heart of Scotland.

www.aldi.co.uk

Retailers brace for a "Black" Christmas as even Black Friday deals fail to win back shoppers

Home delivery expert ParcelHero says November’s unexpected drop in retail sales could be a sign of a Black Christmas for retailers.

Today’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) retail sales results show an unexpected fall in the amount of goods sold in November, despite the allure of Black Friday deals. 

The amount of goods Brits bought in November fell by -0.4% compared to October and tumbled -5.9% compared to November of last year.

ParcelHero says these latest figures are a particular blow as they include Black Friday’s results, normally a good indicator of how well Christmas is likely to go for retailers.

ParcelHero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks M.I.L.T., says: "Looking at the overall parcel volumes for late November we feared Black Friday had been something of a clunker, and that seems to be the case. Experts had been talking of a 0.3% uplift in sales in November but that didn’t happen.

‘Perhaps even more concerning, even though Brits bought fewer items in November, we actually spent 0.5% more than in October, and 4.2% more than in November 2021. That’s the impact of galloping inflation, and also indicates there were fewer bargains around over this year’s long Black Friday period."

He went on to say: "The gloss has certainly been taken off Black Friday sales. There was a notably lower seasonal spike in sales this November, compared to 2021, and online sales suffered as a result. The value of goods we bought online this November collapsed by -5% compared to last year, even though we actually spent 0.6% more than in October, reflecting the lack of great Black Friday online discounts.

"Online sales did manage to cling to their 26.2% overall share of the entire November retail spend, however. That’s been the case since May and shows that, at least, we now know the new “normal” for online shopping post-pandemic.

"The only crumb of comfort we can offer retailers is that the volume of parcels booked this week through ParcelHero has spiked significantly. We may be experiencing a late jump in online spending as shoppers brace themselves and reluctantly start last-minute Christmas shopping.

"ParcelHero has re-launched our popular Christmas tool in the nick of time for a late online surge. Shoppers can now discover retailers’ final online order dates in time for Christmas, find out the last mailing dates for presents to UK and international destinations, and see handy packaging and Customs clearance hacks to help ensure gifts reach their destinations in time."

To check the easy-to-use retailers’ final order and final mailing dates tool, see: https://www.parcelhero.com/events/christmas-gifts-delivery

(Image courtesy of cdz and Pixabay)

Massive Christmas savings on Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and Apple iPhone Pro Max

As a pre-Christmas treat, Vodafone is offering customers a gigantic £564 saving with the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and a £296 saving with the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Available from 16 December (00:01) to 20 December (23.59). Both offers are on a 36-month Phone Plan and 24-month Airtime Plan.

illustrative photo of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in burgundy

Save £564 on device and airtime. £41 monthly. £49 upfront.

close-up photo of the rear cameras on the iPhone 13 Pro Max

Save £296 on device and airtime. £47 monthly. £29 upfront.

Terms and conditions apply. please check with Vodafone for details.

For more information about Vodafone UK please visit: www.vodafone.co.uk.

Incidentally I already own a Samsung S22 Ultra through Vodafone and it's an absolutely phenomenal piece of kit which I can strongly recommend. I will make an excellent Christmas present for a loved one or perhaps a nifty bit of self-gifting? 

Families to receive Christmas help

Struggling families in the city of Nottingham are to receive extra support over Christmas via school food vouchers and outdoor holiday activities.

The City Council has repeatedly made £15-per-week vouchers available to all pupils who receive free school meals (FSM) over holiday periods. 

These are issued to parents before their children breaking up from school.

Alongside the supermarket vouchers are a range of outdoor holiday activities throughout Nottingham. At these, FSM pupils will receive a free lunch, plus a programme of activities focused on healthy eating, fitness and mental health.

The two projects are funded through a combined award of £3.55 million from the Household Support Grant Scheme and the Holiday Activity Fund (HAF).

The £1.8m HAF grant was, through a bidding process, made available to community groups, charities and schools with the ability to deliver outdoor holiday activities in neighbourhoods across the city.

Nearly 20,000 children attended these clubs and were fed over the Easter, summer and October half-term holidays, and this money will be used to deliver more activities during the Christmas holidays, via a continued link-up between the Council and Nottingham Forest Community Trust as its lead project partner this year.

The HAF funding is allocated from the Department for Education with certain criteria attached. This stipulates the support for tackling holiday hunger should be through free school meals pupils attending holiday clubs.

Parents can book places by visiting www.asklion.co.uk/funandfood to see the list of clubs and the contact details of the groups.

There are also a limited number of places available for children who aren’t eligible for FSM and these will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

Councillor Cheryl Barnard, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Schools, said: “We are aware of how hard things have been for people in our city and so it is great news that pupils in need of help will be able to benefit from supermarket vouchers and activity clubs again this Christmas.

“The Council has made this support available throughout the year during school holidays, but this is a special time for children and their families. We want to help them in every way we can.

“Nottingham has some 15,000 children eligible for free school meals, and many of these families are already be feeling the strain because of the national cost-of-living crisis. It is right and proper that we are given this funding to ensure healthy meals for young people in need.

“I’d also like to take this chance to wish everyone in Nottingham a very merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.”

Calum Osborne, Deputy CEO of the Nottingham Forest Community Trust, said: “We are delighted to work closely with Nottingham City Council to offer high-quality, enriching activities and healthy meals for children across the city as we come to the end of a hugely successful year of running this programme.

“By collaborating with Nottingham City Council, local community-based organisations and business, we can achieve so much more when we work together to positively impact thousands of children.”

Nottingham City Council has previously endorsed Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford’s campaign to tackle holiday hunger.

At a meeting of the Full Council in November 2020, councillors highlighted the levels of child poverty in Nottingham and gave a commitment to support free school meals to children throughout the holidays in 2021.This has since been extended through 2022.

Cheaper flu shots at Asda before Christmas

With the country in its flu season and customers looking to save money where they can, Asda has announced that it has halved the cost of its flu jab. 

People who book their flu jab at any Asda Pharmacy can now receive the vaccine for just £4.98, making it the cheapest on the market, at a crucial time in the winter season when cases are high.

Asda is encouraging those who haven’t yet had their flu jab to book an appointment at one of its 254 in-store pharmacies, either online or instore.

Customers can book a private flu jab at a cost of £4.98, less than half the price of its original price of £9.98 – up until 31st March 2023. This follows the huge success of its £1 and £2 Asda Reward cash pot incentives earlier this year.

The retailer hopes the new market leading price will encourage as many customers who haven’t yet had their flu jab to do so, ensuring the nation is as protected as possible this flu season.

Faisal Tuddy, Superintendent Pharmacist at Asda, said: “It’s so important to get your flu jab, especially if you are vulnerable or visiting family members this Christmas. At a time when we’re seeing cases of flu rise rapidly, we’re proud to be able to make this service as accessible as possible to anyone that wants it.”

Speaking of the increase in cases of flu and the importance of getting the vaccine, Doctor Kathryn Basford from Asda Online Doctor, said: "For most people, the flu is an unpleasant and inconvenient illness which can make you feel unwell and not be able to work or do your normal activities for up to a week, but for some, it can be much more severe, and even be life-threatening.

“If you don’t fall into a vulnerable group which is offered a free flu vaccine through the NHS, it’s still really important to get the vaccine to help protect those around you who you could pass on the infection to.”

To book, customers simply have to visit their in-store pharmacy team or head to the booking service available online at https://www.asda.com/about/instore/pharmacy - available up until 31st March 2023.

Appointments are available seven days a week, with a range of appointment times available throughout the day.

That's Christmas: Morrisons Café gives away free cakes in lead up to...

That's Christmas: Morrisons Café gives away free cakes in lead up to...: Morrisons is giving customers a free sweet treat when purchasing any drink from the café to help spread festive cheer.  Customers can enjoy ...

Morrisons Café gives away free cakes in lead up to Christmas

Morrisons is giving customers a free sweet treat when purchasing any drink from the café to help spread festive cheer. 

Customers can enjoy a free cake when purchasing a hot or cold beverage from Morrisons café on Monday 19th December and Tuesday 20th December.

The sweet treats included in the offer are the We Love Cake Mince Pie, We Love Cake Ice Christmas Cake, White Forest Cake and the Victoria Sponge Cake - ideal for taking a welcome break from Christmas shopping. 

Morrisons also recently permanently reduced the price of over half the hot dishes in its cafés including fish & chips which is now £6.99 and burgers served with chips and coleslaw for £5.99. 

Customers can also tuck into Morrisons Christmas menu and enjoy a two-course meal for £9.99 or three courses for £11.99 from 11.30am to 3.30pm each day. 

Emily Waite, BREW Buying Manager at Morrisons, said: “In the lead up to Christmas, we want to do all we can to spread some festive cheer and help make our customers’ shopping experience as enjoyable as possible. We’ve picked some of the most popular cakes to be included in the offer and hope our customers enjoy them!”

Morrisons sweet treat offer will be available in its 397 cafés nationwide on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th December whilst stocks last. One free cake will be available per customer. 

www.morrisons.com.