Sorting out Christmas foods? Call on Squeaky Bean to help out

This Christmas you will probably be catering for a wide variety of diners and eaters.

As well as the Christmas Dinner you'll be sorting out lunch and teatime snacks, buffet style dinners, intimate suppers and Christmas and New Year's Eve parties.

Some of the guests will be confirmed meat eaters, some will be omnivores (if it tastes good, they'll eat it, no matter what it's made from!) some will be vegetarians, whilst some will be vegans.

Those very smart and amazing people over at Squeaky Bean will be able to help you out.

New from their range is the New Yorker Style Sandwich Duo. 

Ready to eat plant-based beef style slices made frim wheat gluten and also slices made with chickpea flour.

Ideal if you want to present your guests with something to make New York Deli style sandwiches with, unless you make them up before the meal. Either way, they'll go down great.

If you like things with a bit more spice to them then the new Squeaky Bean Spanish Chorizo style slices will be a great option. 

Rich in protein and so tasty in a meaty sort of a way that you'll need to keep the wrappers to convince guests who doubt that vegan substitutes can taste this good. 

Another new addition to the Squeaky Bean range is the Milano Salami style slices. Made with wheat gluten, tofu and with black and white peppers throughout, these are probably the closest to meat salami that I have tried.

Serve with salads, crudités, cheeses (vegan, obviously!) crackers or freshly baked bread, these will make your meals go with a real swing.

There's also a whole load of other vegan foods available from Squeaky Bean. Just check out Asda, Coop, Ocado, Sainsburys and Tesco.

To learn more please visit https://www.squeakybean.co.uk/.

Build your own unicorn

EUGY Unicorn is a nifty toy from Brainstorm Toys.

The recipient of this wonderful present can build their own 3D models with this unique collectable.

 Beautifully detailed yet simple miniaturised animal figures with some extra, added cuteness.

 Children will collect them, love them and treasure them. 

They are environmentally friendly, fully biodegradable made using special card and the ink employed with is 100% natural eco-friendly ink and glue is, naturally, guaranteed to be non-toxic. 

Just glue the pieces together using in numerical sequencing and they'll be put together in about 10 to 20 minutes. 

Designed in New Zealand and fully patented. 

Want something as an ideal stock item for toy and gift shops, garden centres, aquariums, zoos, museums and all other visitor attractions?

Educational fun facts included. Design, ecology, originality. Collect them all!

RRP Price £8.50.

https://www.brainstormltd.co.uk/.

See the world how others see it

Brainstorm Toys have really come up with an idea the likes of which I haven't seen before. See The World Through Others' Eyes.

And that's no pun. You'll see what I mean, when you read on.

Have you ever looked at someone or something and wondered: "How does the world look like to you?

Well, what does the world look like if you are a human baby? 

How can a cuttlefish see it’s underwater world? 

If you have ever wondered these types of thoughts, (and let's be honest, who hasn't?) now you can see the world as other creatures see it!

Just pop on these ultra cool viewing goggles on with the very special 22 interchangeable lenses and you'll be transported into a very different sphere of existence allowing you to perceive  the world through others’ eyes! 

You'll see the world in at least 17 different amazing ways, or even work out how to create your own!

Lenses include wide angle, coloured, polarised, split vision, faceted, spectrum plus more besides.

You'll learn some amazing facts. Learn exactly how many lenses a dragonfly has up, for example. 

Learn about the science of sight and vision the lenses fact-filled leaflet.

Typical price £19 from good toy retailers or department stores and Amazon. 

Night Sky from Brainstorm

Those lovely and very clever folks at Brainstorm Toys have introduced Night Sky.

Night Sky is one of those excellent transformational toys that are not merely a toy but a way to take your children and yourselves together on a never ending voyage of discovery.

With Brainstorm Toy's Night Sky light show you'll magically transform your room into your very own planetarium. 

You'll all learn about the night sky with the projector which includes four amazing projector discs.

From the comfort of your own lounge or living room you'll be able to view the planets of our solar system, our moon, the night sky and over 20,000 individual stars.

Night Sky projects up to a 3.65m wide image and it features amazingly vivid incredible projection quality, offering stunning and ultra-sharp images. 

The images will rotate on your wall or your ceiling. It has an adjustable projector angle and features a 30-minute auto shut-off. 

A secret code included in the accompanying leaflet unlocks multilingual online space information.

You'll learn about the Universe. What is its size? What is it made from? How it all began.

Find out about the constellations and marvel at the specially detailed with information about the ten key constellations in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, including the Great Bear, Orion and Draco. There are lots of amazing deep space images and links to further online Solar System and Moon information.

So Night Sky will be the perfect gift no matter where the recipients of this wonderful gift live from London to Brisbane, from New Zealand to San Francisco, they'll be able to see their sky or yours!

The RRP Price is £42.00.

Available from John Lewis, Very and all good toy retailers.

Get your Christmas going with Lakes Distillery

 

Yes, it's time. Time to get your Christmas going with a visit to the Lakes Distillery. Or with a visit to their super-duper website!

As the name might implies, Lakes Distillery distils their most excellent drink in the English Lake District. 

And, well within time for this Christmas they have brought out a very spiffing range of special alcoholic crackers to provide festive fun and frolics for Christmas dinner parties for fellow gin and whisky lovers.

Or if you wish, purchase them as some very unique Christmas stocking fillers for the gin and whisky overs in your life.

Individual or as boxed sets? The choice is entirely yours.  

But if you are looking for something else, why not check out their amazing range of gin balloons, cocktail kits, cocktail bar spoons, twizzle sticks, whisky glasses, cocktail strainers, or some truly awesome whisky stones that chills your drink without diluting the taste of the spirits?

Or why not look at their more commodious bottles of spirits? There are at least six different unique styles of whisky, plus a range of different gift sets to make a perfect Christmas gift.

Or if you are looking to buy a gift for a gin lover there are two very distinct gins and two nifty gin liquors available, plus a range of different Christmassy gift sets.

Or trying to find a vodka that they'll remember you buying them for years to come? The Lakes Vodka or The Lakes Salted Caramel Vodka Liquor should be on your present list for the good boys and girls on your list for this Christmas! (I speak as a great lover of the concept of just about salted caramel anything, to be honest!)

To check out the entire range or to order gift vouchers for people who your love enough to order from the Lakes Distillery but aren't entirely sure what they'd prefer, visit their website  https://www.lakesdistillery.com/online-shop-c13/gifts-vouchers-c4

https://www.lakesdistillery.com

Masha. The Christmas gift your kitchen would ask for

Yes, Masha is the Christmas gift that your kitchen would ask for, if you allowed your kitchen to make a list to give to Santa.

What, exactly, is Masha? It's something that once you have one, you'll never be able to understand exactly how you managed before you had one.

If you want to produce fluffy, delectable and creamy mashed potatoes, or guacamole equal to or even better than produced in top restaurants, fresh and chunky homemade soups, you'll want a Masha.

Desire delightful fresh humous, nutritious and delicious fresh and super palatable baby food, the best whipped cream ever, perfect cake mixes or batter mixes, light and fluffy meringues, brilliant Yorkshires or nifty and very buttery crumbles or pastries? Then Masha is for you.

It employs simple but perfect mains-powered Masha action using a unique and very carefully designed and patented rotor cone technology, which Masha assures users will provide "perfect results every time."

It comes complete with two special rotor blades, one designed to provide smooth and lump free results (this is what you need for potatoes, for example) and another blade for light and fluffy work.

When I was talking with my wife about the merits of the Masha she looked at the blades and said: "Yes, that's a heavier duty unit, idea for producing smooth results. And the other one? That's for aerating. If I were making whipped cream, or a meringue, that's the one I'd use, obviously." I must point out here that my wife is the chef of our household.

After examining it she expressed appreciation in the fact that the handle is of an ergonomic design and has a non-slip texture. She hefted it and said: "They have got the balance about right, too. I don't think this will put any strain on my hands or wrists. And with my arthritis that's a major concern with kitchen devices."

It's also easy to get to the blades to change them as necessary and all removable parts are safe for dishwashing. Sharp metal blades are things that always worry me. So imagine my delight and relief that both blades are made of high strength but totally not sharp plastic, rather than metal.

On test Masha proved itself to be a most appropriate gift for our kitchen for this Christmas. It's motor is powerful (yet reasonably quite) and can power through the ingredients with no bother at all. And it's easy and safe to clean, too, even if your dishwasher is a human and not a machine!

I predict a busy Christmas period for Masha in our kitchen. In fact, I predict a busy life in general for our Masha, because a Masha is for life, not just for Christmas!

Masha is made by Sensio Home and comes with a five year guarantee and a very helpful guide with a number of recipes to try, ideal if you are new to home cooking.

It's available at a number of retailers including Lakeland, Sensio Home, Amazon, Argos, etc for between £40 to £45. Very good value for money in our experience of buying kitchen devices over the years.

Personalised Christmas gifting ideas to celebrate treasured memories

This Christmas, treat the people you care about to a truly unique gift that is special to them.

If you are looking for a meaningful, loving Christmas present Whether you’re shopping for your spouse, something for a family member, something thoughtful for a friend a nifty stocking filler or a secret Santa gift, CEWE has the perfect gifts to help them celebrate their favourite memories this festive period. 

Here’s a selection of CEWE’s most loved festive gifts for this year. And they will not be as costly as you might expect.

A Photo Snow Globe can cost as little as £6.99.

It's a perfectly seasonal gift and makes an ideal stocking filler. The Photo Snow Globe can be personalised with a photo and text of choice and comes complete with artificial snowflakes.

Or why not opt for a Photo calendars from £3.49?

It's a gift they'll love year-round, a personalised photo calendar! With every passing month, they’ll remember a happy moment and the fact that you chose this special gift for them that helps add personality to their workspace or keep their busy home organised. Choose the size and style that suits them, from kitchen calendars to A5 calendars and year planners. 

Or what about a Square Photo Book? From £9.99

They have a clean, modern look that’s ideal for displaying your best images in landscape and portrait style, making it the best option for creating a unique travel album or memory book. 

Compile your recipient's favourite memories, family breaks, weddings, parties, pets, etc.  They’ll be thrilled when they get to look back at their cherished memories.

Or what about a Photo Mugs - from £7.99?

This lovely present will remind them of a treasured memory with every cuppa! Choose a photo, drawing or text of your choice that is sure to put a smile on their face each time they reach for a sip.

 And idea secret Santa gift for a colleague or a unique present for a loved one. The choice is up to you.

Small Photo Book – from £5.99.

A small photobook is the ideal way to celebrate special memories you share together. Whether it’s a memorable holiday or an important milestone, create a quick album of your favourite snaps for a perfect stocking filler they’ll be able to cherish forever.

Or what about Jigsaws – from £9.99?

112 piece puzzle with personalised photo of child and childs name. 1000 piece personalised jigsaw created by Ravensburger.

This gift is sure to provide plenty of entertainment over the festive period – for both kids and adults! Create a unique original Ravensburger jigsaw puzzle that features a photo of your choice. Choose from a portrait of a beloved pet, a group family photo or a piece of artwork by the kids.

Unique gifts under £25:

Large Landscape Photo Book – from £19.99

The perfect size for any occasion and all sorts of stories, it’s easy to see why this photobook is a best seller. With every page they’ll be filled with joy as they get to look back at their favourite memories. This large photo book would make the perfect gift to display wedding photos, travel memories or as a family photo album.

Classic Canvas Prints - from £12.99.

A canvas print. A beautiful gift for a loved one to display a treasured memory in their home. This gift is something that they can appreciate all year round and will brighten up any room in the house.

Phone cases – from £14.99

If you’re shopping for someone who always has their phone in their hand, a personalised photo phone case is the perfect gift! Add their favourite family photo, an image of a well-loved pet or something that will make them smile.

hexxas wall art – from £9.99 

CEWE hexagonal wall tiles provide a unique gift that allows them to create a showstopping display in their home. The magnetic hanging system means they can reposition their pictures and rearrange the display whenever they fancy – the possibilities are endless! This stylish statement piece will add a personal touch to any room in their home.

Wood Prints  - from £24.99.

Photo on wood 

If the person you’re buying for has a rustic décor theme in their home, this is the perfect gift for them. A beautifully unique piece of wall art that captures a treasured memory and can be admired for the years to come.

To place your orders or to learn more please visit https://www.cewe.co.uk.