Ideal Home Show at Christmas Preview

The Ideal Home Show is launching a festive edition of Britain’s best loved home show. The first ever Ideal Home Show at Christmas will take place from 16th-20th November at Earls Court, London.

Held over five days Ideal Home Show at Christmas will be the largest home event this winter, full of ideas, inspiration and advice on everything you need to make your home ideal for Christmas.

With over 400 exhibitors across six sections, the Ideal Home Show at Christmas will feature; Ideal Interiors, Ideal Home Improvements, Christmas Food & Drink, Christmas Fashion & Beauty, Christmas Gifts & Decorations, as well as Christmas Gadgets, perfect for your home and all the family this festive season. 

There will also be more celebrity guests including; Gino D’Acampo, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Suzi Perry and Olly Smith offering top tips and advice throughout the show, as well as experts in our How to Theatre sponsored by Bosch Power Tools, who will be on hand with ideas and inspiration on all of your home improvement and interior needs to prepare your home for that crucial Christmas deadline.

Here’s a sneaky peak at what you can expect to see this year….

Ideal Interiors with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen

Hosted by TV presenter and flamboyant interior designer Laurence Llewelyn –Bowen, this year’s Ideal Interiors section will offer a wide selection of furniture, furnishings, home and interior accessories that can be delivered in time for Christmas.

Laurence will also be on hand at the How to Theatre sponsored by Bosch Power Tools, giving his top tips and advice on the latest interior trends, home improvement ideas, as well as decorating inspiration for those last minute finishing touches for your home.

There will also be six beautifully themed room sets giving you ideas on how to dress your home for the Christmas season, creating the ultimate Christmas table setting and making your own handcrafted decorations.

Ideal Home Improvements

If you’re looking to finish those last minute DIY jobs in time for Christmas, or have some exciting ideas or plans for the New Year, the Ideal Home Improvement section will have all that you need. Boasting a variety of the UK’s top brands and independent specialists, we will be able to help you source the right suppliers for your home improvement project whatever your DIY need; from kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, windows to wallpapers, paints, DIY tools and much more.

Plus visit our How To Theatre sponsored by Bosch Power Tools for fun filled and informative demonstrations every day from specialist speakers and celebrity experts such as Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Oliver Heath, Alison Cork and many more.

Christmas Food & Drink with Gino D’Acampo and Olly Smith

Professional Italian Chef, TV Presenter and winner of ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here’ Gino D’Acampo, will demonstrate how to use Italian ingredients to create the perfect Christmas dinner, with a little Italian flair, on the live Celebrity Chef Theatre.

Celebrity wine expert on the BBC’s ‘Saturday Kitchen’ and bon viviant Olly Smith will give his top picks of delectable wines and special tipples for the festive season. From matching wines with your Christmas dinner to the ideal fizz to get your party started in style, whatever your budget!

The Christmas Food & Drink section will also see hundreds of foodie exhibitors, allowing you to sample tasty items from an array of quality exhibitors, in our Christmas Food Market, with delicious food and drinks from artisan and speciality producers offering meats and turkeys, cheeses and condiments, festive wines and champagnes, Christmas cakes and puddings, chocolates, gourmet gift hampers and much more!

There will also be a Pop-up Book Shop where visitors will have the chance to meet celebrity chefs and get a signed copy of their latest cookery books - perfect for foodie lovers as a unique Christmas gift.

You will also be able to relax, indulge and socialise with your friends and loved ones over a glass (or two) of perfectly chilled bubbly in our elegant Champagne Bar, or even combine your Christmas shopping with an early Christmas lunch in our Christmas Restaurant.

Gadgets and Gizmos with Suzi Perry’s ‘Christmas Gadgets’

No Christmas would be complete without the latest toys and gadgets to play with and this year’s Christmas Gadgets section has it all! With a selection of the very latest gadgets and gizmos, set to be hot property this Christmas, you’ll find everything you need from help speeding up that turkey preparation in the kitchen, to entertaining the kids for the holidays with TV and Audio systems, to ideal Christmas presents for your loved ones. Plus don’t miss this year’s most popular gadgets in the 3D theatre!

Deck the Halls with ‘Christmas Gifts & Decorations’

Make your home a cosy retreat this winter with a treasure trove of decoration ideas for Christmas. Come and discover thousands of unique and sumptuous gifts and handcrafted decorations with the Christmas Gifts & Decorations section!

Shop from over a hundred exhibitors to find ‘ideal’ gifts for all members of the family; from home accessories, toys & baby gifts, household gadgets, stocking fillers and seasonal items you wouldn’t ordinarily find on the high street, to add a festive sparkle to your home at Christmas.

Christmas Fashion & Beauty

With the Christmas party season around the corner, come and discover the latest products and pampering in the Christmas Fashion & Beauty section. Socialise over a glass of champagne and catch daily fashion shows and talks on the Catwalk which will bring to life the latest fashion trends in an exciting visual showcase.

Expect to see beauty products, Christmas party fashion, cosmetics, jewellery & accessories and sumptuous gifts all to enjoy at your leisure.

The Ideal Home Show at Christmas will open its doors from the 16th – 20th November 2011, at Earls Court, London, open daily from 10am-6pm, Late Night Thursdays open until 9pm.Tickets can be either booked online or by calling the Ticket Hotline on 0844 209 7330end_of_the_skype_highlighting, or for further information about the show visit the website www.idealhomeshowchristmas.co.uk

Be the first to enjoy an Airwick Chirstmas candle that looks as good as it smells!

There's a funky and totally innovative NEW Air Wick Touch of Luxury colour change candles that will create the perfect Christmas atmosphere!

Let’s face it, we all take pleasure in creating the perfect atmosphere in our homes, no more so than during the Christmas season. So, whether we’re enjoying Christmas day with the family or preparing for some festive fun, wouldn’t it be great if there was a product that offered the perfect combination of indulgent seasonal fragrance and lighting to set the mood? Now there is - it is the NEW Air Wick Touch of Luxury colour change candle range!

Combining a range of delectable fragrances with a gentle colour changing lighting effect, the NEW Air Wick Touch of Luxury colour change candles stimulate two senses at the same time. Infused with fragrant oils that smell wonderful when lit, the burning candle releases a tranquil glow through the wax, creating a kaleidoscope of soft rainbow colours to deliver the perfect holiday atmosphere and mood.

Now for the science behind this magical creation: the glow is triggered via a heat sensitive light sensor, which is activated whenever the candle is lit and continues until the candle is blown out, allowing you complete control over when and where you create your special atmosphere.

So now there’s no need to spend all that time fiddling around with dimmer switches or fairy lights. Just light your chosen candle, and your dining room, kitchen or any other room in the house will instantly look every bit as good as it smells to complete the perfect Christmas experience.

Choose from your favourite festive season fragrances including spicy Mulled Wine and Cinnamon Apple, indulgent Rich Vanilla and Caramel Swirl, floral Precious Silk and Oriental Orchid or the new fragrance for Air Wick, Cocoa Truffle and Crème.

Air Wick’s new colour change candle is part of the Touch of Luxury range which also includes additional candles, automatic and instant sprays as well as plug-ins, all of which add that extra touch of daily luxury and indulgence to your home.

FACTFILE:Air Wick Touch of Luxury colour change candles are available at all major supermarkets at a RRP of £6.1.
They last for up to 28 hours and are available in a range of four fantastic fragrances including Mulled Wine and Cinnamon Apple, Rich Vanilla and Caramel Swirl, Precious Silk and Oriental Orchid and Cocoa
Truffle and Crème.

For general information visit www.airwick.co.uk

Honeybuns Fantastic Christmas Stocking Filler!

The perfect Christmas Stocking Filler to open on Christmas morning as you face the exciting day ahead – a fabulously innovative ‘Tea Party in a Purse’ – a delicious moment of indulgence to share before the day ahead, from Honeybuns, the multi-award winning, rural artisan bakery based in the rolling Dorset countryside.

This competitively priced stocking filler retails at £5.95 from the Honeybuns online shop: www.honeybuns.co.uk/shop, and consists of an exquisitely textured, handmade natural linen purse designed by Bill Brown (www.bill-brown.com), cleverly packed with the choice of two seasonally scrumptious mini Honeybuns (either two Cranberry and Pecan Flapjacks or a gluten-free option of two Milk Chocolate Brownies) and two individually wrapped tea bags from Dorset Teas, prettily complemented with a paper doily to add that extra festiveness to an impromptu tea party!

The sumptuously buttery flapjacks are made with rolled oats, roasted pecan nuts for that extra crunch, and both golden and delicious maple syrup to round off the wickedly tart cranberries, a sensational combination of tastes which have made this product a Honeybuns Best Seller.

The gluten-free Milk Chocolate Brownies, described by Lesley Waters as ‘The best brownie on the market’, are made with a cheeky dash of espresso coffee added to accentuate the chocolateyness. The Dorset Tea is perfectly balanced blend from Spicers (www.dorsettea.co.uk), recent winners of a double gold star award from the Great Taste Awards.  Lastly, the gorgeous, beautifully designed Honeybuns purse can be re-used for anything and everything you can fit in it, from holding pennies, to storing make-up, mobile phone, as a travelling sewing kit, or even as an overnight wash bag – “What’s in your purse?”

Your Christmas Stocking Filler from Honeybuns can be ordered online up until Tuesday 20th December to ensure delivery by Christmas Eve.

FACTFILE:
• All Honeybuns products are gluten free except the two flapjack products (Plain Flapjack and Cranberry and Pecan Flapjack).

• The Cranberry and Pecan Flapjack has a shelf life of 90 days and the Milk Chocolate Brownie has a shelf life of 21 days. All Honeybuns products are suitable for home freezing.

• Online orders are subject to specific postage and packing instructions, as stipulated on the website.  Delivery to addresses in Mainland UK is included in the price for orders over £20, but a delivery charge of £5 is made for smaller orders.

• For a Gift Wrapping Service, please refer to the website.

• Honeybuns holds an astonishing track record of National Great Taste Awards with the Guild of Fine Food. This thoughtful artisan bakery has won Supreme Champion, Best of British, Best Speciality from the South West and this year, three Great Taste Double Star Gold Awards. They won the Harmsworth Award, the highest of accolades at the Taste of Dorset Awards 2011.

(EDITOR: My wife's verdict? "The flapjacks, the tea and the bag were all worth 10 out of 10! And they are such fantastic value for money!")

Ernest Jones introduces Swarovski jewellery collection. Just in time for Christmas!

Ernest Jones has announced a new brand partnership with Swarovski, which will see Swarovski branded jewellery available, both in selected stores and online. Ernest Jones Love & Life already has a wide selection of jewellery, gifts and pens which uses Swarovski Crystal Elements in their design such as.

Ernest Jones' Head of buying, Beverley Mitchell said: "This is an exciting fashion forward brand and Ernest Jones is very pleased to have formed a partnership with Swarovski, enabling us to stock this brand online and in 105 stores."

The Swarovski jewellery range features a selection of timeless and iconic pieces created for evening and daytime wear. The range consists of 69 pieces of jewellery including bracelets, necklaces, rings, bangles, earrings and jewellery sets. Thirteen of the items are only available online and not in store. The prices range from £40 for a simple pair of Swarovski earrings up to £245 for the Swarovski Diamanta Collar, which has already been featured in Vogue and The Sunday Express newspaper. Included in the collection is the Oceanic pendant featuring a heart shape tanzanite coloured crystal centre and elegant matching earrings. The Alicia earrings set with pave crystals and Intervalle bangle also feature within the range. The Intervalle bangle is available in white, gold and red, although the red and gold versions are also only available to buy online.

Since it was founded in 1895 by Daniel Swarovski I. (1862-1956), a visionary scientist and entrepreneur, Swarovski has been family-owned. Born and raised in Bohemia, Daniel Swarovski I. revolutionized the industry by inventing the first machine for cutting and polishing crystal stones.

The new crystal chatons, more brilliant, perfectly cut and faceted, and more consistent than any crystals previously produced, were welcomed by jewelers and couturiers such as Coco Chanel and Christian Dior, and became an essential ingredient of 20th century luxury, glamour and style.

Today, Swarovski jewellery and accessory collections showcase the creativity and versatility of crystal, ranging from timeless classic creations to on-trend fashionable designs for men and women, including watches, eyewear, handbags, small leather goods and technology accessories.

Ernest Jones has a broad range of brands suitable for all gifts and occasions. The recent jewellery brand additions include Sattva, Amanda Wakeley, Daisy Chakra and Swarovski. Ernest Jones shows commitment to all their brands and embraces new trends.

Using fashion expertise, industry knowledge and experience Ernest Jones brings to the customer only the best jewellery collections from leading brands. If customers are shopping online the jewellery retailer has buyer’s guides for watches, diamonds, and metals with expert information to assist customers with their research.

FACTFILE:
Ernest Jones Love & Life has around 200 stores and a retail website. Ernest Jones offers a wide range of leading brand watches and high quality jewellery. Ernest Jones also has a stunning selection of gifts for all occasions. Ernest Jones is part of Signet Jewellers Limited, the world's largest speciality retail jeweller.

Gran Stead’s for Christmas!

You really do need some Gran Stead's real non-alcoholic ginger wine in for the Christmas and New Year Season!

Alcohol free it may well be. But! It's not for the timorous! Gran Stead's has a bite and a kick more associated with a mule than with a so-called soft drink!

It has a traditional and proper taste of real ginger, like ginger drinks used to taste of, until they decided to go all chemical and 'nature identical' on us!

But there's none of that artificial nonsense with Gran Stead's! It gives you exactly what it says on the bottle!

It mixes well with other drinks so can be at home in a glass by itself or as part of a cocktail for Christmas.

It is also your editor's experience that it also helps should you get one of those nasty little Christmas time sniffles! Though warming it up to help make a nice hot toddy is a good idea, here.

Percol the Christmas coffee!

Why is Black and  Beyond so highly spoken of? Because it is a new product from Percol. A new product that will rock the Christmas table!

It has an intensity of flavour that is unrivalled and it combines this with a rich and somewhat nutty flavour, with perhaps hints of chocolate, making this an ideal coffee to create the ideal espresso coffee.

Brian Chapman is the master blender and the genius who expertly created and crafted this coffee. Probably one of his finest achievements to date. He said: I have been searching out the finest quality beans and perfecting the roast for the ultimate espresso for nearly twenty years. It is my passion. Finally I have found the perfect beans and the perfect roast to make an espresso which is simply just perfect for coffee lovers."

Ideal for sipping with family and friends throughout the Christmas and New Year periods, and well beyond that, of course!


(EDITOR: Why keep Percol just for Christmas? I love it all year round!)

The Topping Pie Company, Doncaster

When Bill Topping founded his butcher’s shop in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, in 1960 could he know that it was the start of a multi award-winning company whose products would one day grace the delicatessen counter at Harrods? From somewhat humble beginnings Toppings went from strength-to-strength, moving to town centre premises in Doncaster in 1971.

Following Bill’s retirement in 1989, his son Roger and his wife Maggie took over the butchery firm, but it was Maggie’s talent for home baking that changed the landscape of the business. In 1991 Maggie started making traditional home made pies using her own family recipes and totally natural ingredients to sell in the company’s shop. The reputation of the tasty premium pies quickly spread and within two years Maggie had set up a separate bakery division and moved to new, larger premises in order to keep pace with customer demand.

The ethos of the business continues to be that of making pies and quiches using only the very best 100% natural ingredients with no additives or chemicals and locally sourced meat. By 1997 the company continued to enjoy its reputation for fantastic home made pies and picked up a number of awards. By 2000 the company had once again outgrown its premises and the Topping Pie company was officially born when Roger and Maggie took the decision to buy a new, larger building and fit it out as a bakery.

Over the next five years awards continued to flood in. The Best Speciality Food Product from Yorkshire was won two years consecutively and in 2003 Maggie received the accolade of “Speciality Producer of the Year”, awarded by the Guild of Fine Food Retailers. The award was presented at the Great Taste Awards Dinner where Andra Dang, the delicatessen buyer from Harrods first heard about the company and decided he wanted to sell its products on his counter at the top people’s store.

The Topping Pie Company has now transformed from a small family butchers to a multi-award winning speciality pie business, employing 50 people in a newly refurbished bakery.

Milestones

1960. Toppings opened as a butchers shop in Scawsby, near Doncaster by Bill Topping

1971. Toppings moved to Doncaster Market Hall to accommodate a growing customer base

1989. Founder of the business retired and son, Roger and his wife Maggie took over

1991. Toppings awarded butcher of the year in 1991 and 1992

1991 Maggie Topping started to make pies for the business using family recipes and totally

natural ingredients that she had always used at home

2000. Pie sales grew and grew and by 2000 it was necessary to open a bakery in Doncaster

2003/5 Business continues to grow year on year and products win numerous awards

Including Best Speciality Food from Yorkshire two years running and 2003 Speciality

Producer of the Year.

2007. With the support of a South Yorkshire Objective 1 grant and part-funded by the

European Regional Development Fund, Toppings invested £500,000 in the expansion of its bakery as part of its future growth plans to supply major multiples.

Over the past seven years the Topping Pie Company has grown from £60K to a £1.3m turnover business. Every customer loves the taste of Toppings pies because they can see how much passion both Maggie and Roger have for their traditionally handmade products.

Current customers include EH Booths, United Co-op stores; Fenwick’s of Newcastle, Dobbies Garden Centres, ASDA and P&O Shipping Lines. The company is currently in talks with major retailers to stock its premium pies.

Product Range

Pork Pies

Traditional Family Size

Pork Pies (Medium)

Dinkies

Wakefield Rhubarb Pie

Huntsman

Scrumpy Pie

Yorkshire Farmers Pie

Speciality Pork Pies

Game Pie

Apricot Pie

Pork Pie

Apricot & Poultry Pie

Huntsman Pie

Yorkshire Farmers Pie

Scrumpy Pie

Chicken & Ham Pie

Pork & Egg Gala

Pork & Egg Round

Duck & Orange Pie

Cherry Nut & Game Pie

Large Quiches

Cheese & Onion

Chicken & Chive

Sun Dried Tomato

Quiche Lorraine

Salmon & Broccoli

Ham, Stilton & Asparagus

You can buy Topping Pies on line.

http://www.toppingspies.co.uk

(EDITOR: My wife knows a thing or two about pork pies. Some of her relatives are award-winning pork pie makers, themselves. My wife's verdict? "I hate to have to say this, but these Topping Pies are even better than the one's my family makes!")