Christmas made easy

Christmas Hampers. Or as my wife calls this concept, "Christmas in a Box!"

Forget the stress of Christmas shopping this year – containing everything you need for the perfect gift in one package, a hamper is your secret to hassle-free festivities.

Even the fussiest of family members would be thrilled to receive a hamper full of their favourite Christmas classics and, thanks to First4Hampers, these bundles of delight can be selected and ordered in just a matter of clicks with next day UK delivery available. Many of the products, which are sourced from the UK, Ireland and Europe are Great Taste Award winners, which is the highest accolade afforded to foods in the UK and ROI.

From Christmas puds to chocolate Brazil nuts, wine, marmalade and biscuits, these food-filled hampers make the ideal gift for indulgent enjoyment and will last long after the turkey has been eaten.

The Great Christmas Classic (£79.90)
Delivered in a classic handmade wicker hamper, this festive-themed gift package contains all the Christmas classics sure to evoke fond memories. Perfect for families, it includes favourites such as chocolate Brazils, brandy pudding, Raspberry shortcake and Christmas preserve. The season can be toasted with a selection of Vicuna Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc wines.

Luxurious (and affordable) Christmas    
This Thornton & France (established 1717) luxurious gift box creates an opulent present which doesn’t break the bank. Perfect for post (or pre) turkey nibbles, it contains both savoury and sweet treats such as handmade sweet ham and pickle Yorkshire Crisps, caramelised cashews, Ditty’s spiced shortbread and Cole’s figgy Christmas pudding. These goodies can be enjoyed with delicious Lily O’Brien’s chocolates and washed down with Alta Rita Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc (or New English Tea if you prefer). Perfect for sharing after the kids have gone to bed.
£69.90

Festive Fruit Punch Basket
Walker’s Mincemeat tarts, Cole’s brandy Christmas pudding, Belgian chocolates and shortbread Scottie dogs are just some of the delicious classics contained in this stunning handmade wicker hamper. An ideal gift for one or two people, the delicious delights can be washed down with non-alcoholic fruit punch made with real elderberries, blackcurrants and orange, spiced up with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to create the perfect festive drink.
£35

For more information on First 4 Hamper’s full range, please visit www.First4Hampers.com.

Pet Pavilion. Festive fun for the furry folk in our lives!

If you thought buying gifts at Christmas time was restricted to just humans – think again.

This year, thanks to London’s most luxurious pet boutique, Pet Pavilion we can now spoil our favourite furry friends just like our other family members.

The new range of canine Christmas treats which will be available in all Pet Pavilion stores is so exclusive, that they are sure to be at the top of every doggy and moggy’s Christmas list.

From exclusive spa packages to beds shaped like Ferarri’s and beautifully packaged to special sparkling collars for the fashion conscious pet. Owners can find truly unique toys, accessories and treats to suit even the fussiest of tastes and keep your four legged friends occupied for hours.

For those customers looking to really splash out at the most wonderful time of the year, Pet Pavilion will also be offering the Christmas Spa Package where you can indulge and pamper your pet with their own very special treatment designed to enhance their regular groom or bath.

There will be a festive Mulled Orange Shampoo and Conditioning Treatment, a Pedicure with moisturising paw balm, a Mulled Orange Cologne Spritz and to top it all off the pamper pooches will also be given a Christmas bow tie for the boys or bow for the girls, guaranteed to make them wag their tails with delight.

To learn more please visit http://petpavilion.co.uk/

Mac & Wild Ready To Drink Pre-Bottled Cocktails -

 Mac & Wild Ready To Drink Pre-Bottled Cocktails (www.macandwild.com/cocktails) London’s top Scottish restaurant Mac & Wild is pleased to announce the launch of their brand new ready to drink innovative cocktail range, Scottish Cocktails, this winter.

The drinks come in four ready to drink varieties including the Ginger Laddie and the Auld Pal.

 The cocktails are available to buy in stores including Selfridges & Co and Whole Foods.

These nostalgic flavours will transport you to the heart of the Highlands and will serve as the perfect Christmas gift for your loved one or even for yourself.

(Image courtesy of Mac & Wild)

Inception Group Experiences and Gift Vouchers

The festive period is the Inception Group’s favourite season and to celebrate, all eight restaurants, bars and clubs are offering an exciting array of one-of-a-kind experiences and gift cards that would make ideal presents for friends, family, loved ones and colleagues.

From a Squiffy Picnic experience at Soho’s underground sensation Cahoots to a Saturday brunch party complete with DIY bellini kits at Battersea’s Bunga Bunga, there is truly an experience for everybody to enjoy.

All experiences and gift cards can be purchased via http://inception-group.com/.

Encona can help you transform your turkey and help stop food waste

The British waste an astounding and, to be frank, horrific, 7 million tonnes of food each year, with much of this happening over the festive season.

Did you know that very Christmas, we throw away an estimated 2 million turkeys. Yet being inventive with leftovers is easy and delicious - particularly with Encona!

If your family enjoyed fish or seafood as part of your festive fare, this needs to be the first food you use up. Toss leftover prawns with carrots, radishes, cabbage and spring onions, and serve with a dressing of Encona Thai Mild Sweet Chilli Sauce with oil, lime and fish sauce. This fresh salad will bring exotic flavour to your Boxing Day meal!

Leftover roast potatoes are delicious hot or cold with any Encona chilli Sauce, but why not try mixing three parts mayonnaise with one part Encona African Peri-Peri sauce for a yummy Peri Mayo dip? Or make a twist on a traditional British dish by crafting Bubble & Squeak from leftover roasties and sprouts, served with a drizzle of Encona West Indian Original Hot Pepper sauce for a flavoursome treat.

Cold turkey can be tossed with cooked noodles, shredded carrot, thinly sliced spring onion and a generous splash of Encona Thai Chilli and Garlic Sauce for a delicious noodle salad. Still have plenty of poultry? Stir turkey, leftover root veg and chickpeas into chopped tomatoes and stock, add a generous dollop of Encona Moroccan Harissa Marinade, simmer and serve with couscous for a delicious tagine.

Sausage meat can also be given a spicy lift by mixing with Encona West Indian Original Hot Pepper Sauce, thyme and Worcestershire Sauce before crafting into sausage rolls. Feeling brave? Upgrade to Encona West Indian Extra Hot Pepper Sauce; made to a traditional Caribbean recipe using a super fiery blend of Scotch Bonnets and Jolokia Peppers.

For those adventurous chefs out there, each sauce can also be enjoyed in a variety of ways: with grilled meat, prawns and fish, drizzled over salads, used as a marinade or even as a dipping sauce.

This festive season liven up your leftovers with the spicy flavours of Encona!

Encona is available at all major multiples, cash & carries and independent stores.

RRP:  
Encona African Peri-Peri Sauce (142ml) - £1.49 RRP
Encona West Indian Original Hot Pepper Sauce (142ml) - £1.49 RRP
 Encona Thai Chilli and Garlic Sauce (142ml) - £1.49 RRP
Encona West Indian Extra Hot Pepper Sauce (142ml) - £1.49 RRP
Encona Thai Mild Sweet Chilli Sauce (285ml) - £1.99 RRP

For the full recipes, please go to the Encona website:
Encona Thai Style Prawn and Rice Salad: http://www.enconasauces.co.uk/recipes/far-east/encona-thai-style-prawn-and-rice-salad/
Encona Thai Chilli Garlic Chicken and Noodles: http://www.enconasauces.co.uk/recipes/far-east/encona-thai-chilli-garlic-chicken-and-noodles/
Encona Sausage Rolls: 
http://www.enconasauces.co.uk/recipes/caribbean/encona-sausage-rolls/

Property Moose launches property gift giving platform in time for Christmas

Property crowdfunding specialists, Property Moose, has launched a product to provide people the chance to gift their loved ones a slice of property this Christmas.

With 37 per cent of people in the UK previously receiving Christmas gifts that they did not want or use[1], property offers the ideal alternative for those looking for a gift for the future.

This year, families are expected to spend an average of £796 celebrating Christmas, with £596 of this spent on presents alone.

However, a survey revealed that a substantial amount of money spent at Christmas was wasted; in fact, UK adults have previously squandered £2.4 billion on uneaten, discarded food and unwanted gifts.

A gift usually considered out of reach, property can offer the ideal alternative for a loved one who already has everything or as an ideal investment opportunity for friends or that budding property mogul. In addition, property investment through Property Moose enables the receiver to take full control of the investment, with a tangible gift that returns a monthly income and potential the benefit of capital growth.

Andrew Gardiner, founder of Property Moose comments, “We believe investing in property can be a great gift alternative for loved ones this Christmas – instead of giving someone an unwanted gift, why not give them the chance to invest in their future with a share of a property investment?”

Property Moose’s simple online platform can also take the stress out of shopping. With a selection of properties available to invest in, all properties are specifically chosen by the expert Property Moose team, to ensure each one has prime letting opportunities as well as potential forecasted growth.

With gifts available from £25, investors can spread their capital across individual properties, allowing them to create a diverse portfolio more easily. By doing so, parents can help invest in their child’s future which could later help them with expenses such as university fees.

“Christmas is just around the corner and British shoppers have already begun the spending frenzy; especially with the recent shopping days including Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Now is the time to consider where you’re spending your money to ensure you buy a present that not only excites on Christmas Day, but offers someone a gift that could keep on giving,” adds Andrew Gardiner.

Property Moose have asked that we include this Risk warning: Investing in property involves risks, including illiquidity (the inability to sell assets quickly or without substantial loss in value), lack of dividends, loss of investment and dilution, and it should be done only as part of a diversified portfolio. There is no secondary market available meaning that these securities are illiquid. Your capital is at risk. Past performance and forecasts are not indicative of future performance.

For more information, please visit www.propertymoose.co.uk

Something for every woman with Marie Meili's latest collection

Marie Meili’s Autumn Winter 15 collection takes on a mix of flattering and fitting lingerie that brings femininity to the forefront for the season ahead.

The new collection boasts soft silks in sophisticated balcony styles and impressive deep plunges for that ‘wow’ factor.

Styles include charming lace; vibrant purples, pinks and dramatic reds bring confidence, comfort and glamour this season.
Turn your back in style with racer back straps finished with girly bows to get you ready for the party season

For practical purposes you can always rely on the core t-shirt bras. Choose from styles lined with lace, patterned in polka or floral prints to give a flirty feel.

Curves

For busts bigger than most, Marie Meili continues to provide a range of styles with a ‘feel good, look good’ factor in the form of ranges like Aurora, lace t-shirt and wire bras, light control briefs, hipster and brief pants.

Sizes range from 36C to 40F

Active Wear

Look stylish while working out with Marie Meilli’s Active Wear. Medium impact, quick dry fabric and seamless knits allow for comfort, while the neon colours and leopard print that encourage a fun work out.

Sports bras available in XS-XXL
Sports underwear available in S-L

Marie Meili pride themselves on providing a wide range of products for the following lifestyle needs including lingerie, swimwear, shapewear, activewear, nursing bras and the curves range of lingerie, swimwear and shapewear for fuller figures. Marie Meili is a brand with something for everyone.

Whether looking for seduction or fun, practical solutions or sheer indulgence, Marie Meili is the brand that will deliver all you need an more. Main stockists included ASOS, House Of Fraser and Amazon.

(EDITOR: They are available via our Christmas shop to the right of this page.)