Looking for a great Christmas gift? Then you need Poetry for Neanderthals!

Poetry for Neanderthals is a great game for all members of the family and for wild and willing friends, too!

It's aimed at anyone from ages seven and upward (including any Neanderthals you might still have in your family) and is suitable for play by two players or more.

How does it work? You play the part of a Neanderthal poet who has to get your primitive family members and friends to guess a word employing only words of one syllable. 

For example, if you have the card with the word "campfire" on it, you might use the phrase "hot place where you roast soft white cube."

If your team makes a correct guess, then you win points! (Cool!)

But what if you do not get it right? For example, if you inadvertently employ a word that is more than one syllable, for example "marshmallow", then the other team gets to belt you a traditional Neanderthal hit with the NO! stick and they get to remove your points for themselves! 

There's a great deal of fun as you attempt to get your team to guess as many words as possible before your time runs out to become King (or Queen) of the Neanderthal poets!

Included in the game is the inflatable NO! stick, the timer, Grok's cards, the poetry cards and full instructions to make sure you have a head hittingly good time!

It's a fun, wild game that's sure to bring out the Robert "Neanderthal" Burns in the best of us!

It actually encourages innovative use of language as it demands we explain complicated concepts using simple words. Which is probably pretty close to how Neanderthals communicated, at least at first.

It's produced by the Exploding Kittens folks. To learn more about the game or to buy your very own copy please visit https://www.explodingkittens.com. It will cost £20.

Livia's Nugglets for your Christmas treats

You know the bowls of chocolate and sweets that you'll be placing in the usual places around your homes this Christmas?

We at That's Christmas feel that you should fill these bowls up (and refill them from time-to-time!) with Livia's splendid Nugglets.

They'll also make great Christmas stocking fillers and great Christmas party favours, too.

They come in two tantalisingly awesome flavours, Raw Cookie Dough which is crafted using date paste, gluten free oats, raw chocolate,  maple syrup, Himalayan pink salt and coconut sugar.

The combination of tastes is incredibly moreish and very yummy. 

The other variety is the Choc Brownie variety. This is made with date paste, raw chocolate, maple syrup, gluten free oats, cacao powder and Himalayan pink salt.

A slightly less strong flavour that the raw cookie dough variety, but they both actually taste very Christmassy to me. Maybe it is the date paste? Perhaps it is. You'll be able to see what I mean when you order your packets and taste test them. Obviously you'll need to buy extra for your guests!

To learn more and to order some, please visit them at www.livias.co.uk.

You can pick them up at Holland and Barrett stores, too.

Purely Plantain Chips for your Christmas parties

At some point within the next few weeks (yes, Christmas is closer than we think!) you will need to start thinking about what snacks you will be purchasing for your Christmas party tables.

There will be nuts, dates, crisps and Plantain Chips. Plantain chips? Yes, plantain chips! 

You might have heard of plantains, they are a somewhat more savoury relatives to the banana plant.

However, this might be the first time that you have heard of Purely Plantain Chips. 

They come in three varieties, Nice & Spicy, Sea Salt and Wild Garlic. 

My wife and I were fortunate enough to try their Sea Salt and Nice & Spicy varieties. Both of which were are utterly delicious, however my wife has expressed a preference for the Nice & Spicy variety which she says is exactly what it says on the packet "nice & spicy!"

The sea salt crisps are, to my mind, very tasty. Some sea salt flavoured comestibles are a little too salty, but Purely Plantain Chips have a very well-balanced sea salt flavour.

Not only will your guests praise you based on their flavours alone, they'll also be pleased that all each bag contains are thinly sliced circles of plantains, cooked to perfection, plus some salt, a little bit of sunflower oil and, in the instance of the Nice & Spicy variety, some rather tasty spices.

They also come in an intriguing Wild Garlic variety, too! 

The plantain chips are kettle cooked and the only plantains that are allowed in the kettles to be cooked to perfection are sustainably farmed plantain, grown in the rich and fecund soils of Ecuador.

To learn more please visit www.welovepurely.com.

Ho, Ho, Ho! Marry Christmas with the UK's First Eco Coffee Pod Advent Calendar!

Blue Goose Coffee is taking festive coffee gifting into a new greener, more eco-friendly dimension this Christmas by launching the UK’s first Eco Coffee Pod Advent Calendar that’s entirely plastic free.

Key Features include:

Ethically-sourced and organic coffee pods for Nespresso® machines that are plastic and aluminium-free, featuring compelling environmental and people stories.

The coffees include the world's first coffee pod filled with Sail Ship coffee and the world's first Bird Friendly® coffee in a Nespresso-compatible pod.

Vegan and vegetarian friendly

The first entirely aluminium and plastic-free coffee pod Advent calendar of its kind, it's made using sustainably sourced board, printed using vegetable inks with no glue used making it 100% plastic free, kerbside recyclable and home compostable, too!

Packed by hand by Devon Disability Collective, a Social Enterprise based in the city of Exeter which provides quality employment and training for people with disabilities and those furthest from the labour market.

A selection of calendars will even include hidden 'Golden Goose Eggs' that unlock prizes, from free coffee subscriptions to Nespresso machines! 

Each coffee is certified 100% Organic, which helps maximise biodiversity in the field and eliminating highly damaging man-made fertilisers, and features compelling environmental and people stories. For example: 

The World’s First Sail Ship Coffee Pod with caramel and hazelnut tasting notes. Filled with organic, Fairtrade coffee which is grown by four indigenous communities in Colombia's Sierra Nevada region, this coffee was transported to Europe on a 1920s sail ship, saving 3483kg of CO2 versus a container ship. 

It's the World’s First Bird Friendly certified Coffee Pod with honey, orange and hazelnut tasting notes. Columbian Clave De Sol coffee is helping preserve critical habitat for birds and wildlife, fight climate change, protect biodiversity and helps support farmers committed to conservation and sustainable farming too.

3x coffees are grown by women-owned and operated coffee cooperatives. Women represent over 70% of the labour force in the fields, harvesting and sorting beans but only 10% business or land owners so increasing the income of women producers has a direct, positive impact on the education of children and family livelihoods.

The Calendar includes eight organic, fruity, chocolatey and full-bodied coffees in fully compostable eco pods to be enjoyed throughout the 24 days leading up to Christmas. 

So if you’re looking for an exceptional tasting festive coffee gift that really does tick all the ethical & eco boxes this Christmas and actually reflects the true meaning of the spirit Christmas,  then look no further bluegoose.coffee/advent (pre-order for delivery in the first week of November 2022 onwards).

In the Welsh Wind's Award-Winning Gins to Launch in Luxury Store Harvey Nichols

It's a natural fit, really. Wales' top gin distillery and the UKs top retailer are joining forces.

Because Gold medal Signature Style and Master winner Palo Cortado Cask Aged gins now in Harvey Nichols' UK department stores. And just in time for Christmas gifting, too!

This is the first significant retail deal for the Cardigan-based In the Welsh Wind distillery

Plus as a bonus to Harvey Nichols' clientele, the distillery will also host special in-store tasting events across Harvey Nichols' UK stores.

In the Welsh Wind distillery has struck an very important deal with luxury department store Harvey Nichols to stock two of its award-winning craft gins.

It is the first major partnership with a UK retailer for Cardigan-based In the Welsh Wind, which has been proactively seeking new avenues to market its distinctive spirits.

The west Wales distillery will supply its premium-brand Signature Style gin (RRP £49 / 43% Vol / 70cl) and its limited-edition Palo Cortado Cask-Aged gin (RRP £52 / 43% Vol / 70cl) to Harvey Nichols stores in Knightsbridge, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester and Bristol.

The partnership also includes In the Welsh Wind delivering a series of in-store tasting days beginning with Harvey Nichols' Birmingham Mailbox store on Saturday October 15th.

Ellen Wakelam, co-founder and director of In the Welsh Wind Distillery, said: “It's hugely exciting for us to be stocked in such a high-profile retail outlet. We're looking forward to taking part in tastings with Harvey Nichols' shoppers and introducing our gins to new audiences outside of Wales.”

Nick Bell, beer & spirits senior buyer at Harvey Nichols said: “I am a huge fan of what the team at In the Welsh Wind are doing, making truly great gin with a real sense of place. The story is wonderful, the bottles look fantastic and more importantly, the gin itself is a real treat. I look forward to seeing what they launch in the coming years.”

Discover the In the Welsh Wind range

Signature Style Gin was awarded a Gold Medal at the 2021 Global Spirits Masters. It is asmooth oil-rich gin with a botanical profile of oranges, cinnamon, clove, ginger and tea-soaked currants. 

The limited-edition Palo Cortado Cask-Aged Gin was awarded Gin Master status at the 2021 Global Spirit Masters. It is a beautiful marriage of the Signature Style gin, which is rested in Palo Cortado sherry barrels for up to six months and delivers flavours of rich spice, dried stone fruit, juniper and citrus.

In the Welsh Wind has established a strong reputation and presence in Wales and has secured several industry accolades for the business and its spirits since being founded in 2018. 

https://inthewelshwind.co.uk

UKs top Plant-Based Cake Brand Launches Luxury Christmas Range

Award-winning and fully vegan and gluten-free cake brand Positive Bakes has launched its most comprehensive range of Christmas hampers since the brand was founded in 2020.

The Christmas range of delicious and scrummy delicacies is their biggest new product development range so far. And their are hampers designed to suit all tastes and all budgets.

Positive Bakes was launched by husband and wife team Aatin and Helen Anadkat, after their son was diagnosed with a dairy allergy. 

Their mission? To produce the most delicious, free-from, natural bakes which would also have a minimal environmental impact. All their baked goods are delivered to your door in guarenteed 100% compostable, plastic-free packaging.

From sweet treats like Christmas Pudding Brownie Bites, Gingerbread Blondie Bites, Festive Scones, Luxury Mincemeat and Christmas Mince Pie Slices to savoury delicacies such as Sea Salt & Rosemary Biscuits and Smoked Paprika Biscuits, Mushroom Pate and luxury Speculoos Biscuits, the hampers are a foodie's dream come to very positive and enchanting life.

Says an obviously delighted Co-founder Aatin Anadkat: “This is our most ambitious range of new products to date and I am proud of what we have developed. 

"Each gift set and hamper is very carefully crafted to suit different budgets and different tastes. Positive Bakes has grown beyond our wildest dreams since early 2020, but we have never allowed ourselves to lose sight of our original mission, which is to deliver beautiful and delectable vegan and gluten-free cakes with minimal impact on the environment.”

To place your orders for Christmas please follow this link to enter their online shopping emporium https://positivebakes.com/online-gifts/christmas.

Make your Christmas a Devon Hamper Christmas

Filled with delicious produce sourced from the West Country's finest artisan suppliers, Devon Hampers has a fantastic choice of Christmas hampers for this year's festive season.

All prices shown include free standard delivery. The last date for Christmas delivery is December 22. All Christmas hampers have a 10% discount if delivered by December 1. Use code DHXMAS10

Devon Hampers is open between Christmas and New Year for those missed presents, thank you gifts and for New Year gifts. 

Here is a selection of our favourite hampers and for the full range visit www.devonhampers.com.

Create Your Own Hamper with Devon Hampers

Create your own wonderful parcel of joy this Christmas and fill it to the brim with wonderful treats (and love!) handpick by you.

This unique gift for family, friends, colleagues or valued clients will be even more meaningful with your hand-picked items showing how much you care.

There are so many products to choose from across a wide range of carefully selected products, all hand made in Devon and Cornwall by the West Country's brilliant artisan producers.

Make your selection from chocolates, biscuits, preserves, wine, champagne, Prosecco, wine, beer and much more until you've curated the perfect hamper for the special person or people in your life.

It's so easy to get started. First, pick your hamper. Classic carton, printed box or wicker hamper, and then select your products.

With a few clicks of your keypad, you'll have created a wonderful gift they'll remember for ever.

For more information on creating your own hamper visit here https://www.devonhampers.com/create-your-own-hamper/

Gifts Under £500

The Christmas Extravaganza Hamper - the ultimate indulgence (£495.00)

Guaranteed to provide the WOW factor, Devon Hampers Christmas Extravaganza Hamper is created with the very best festive treats that are decadent, indulgent and delicious.

Included are the finest French wines such as Chablis Saint Martin Domaine Laroche 2018/2019, Nuits St Georges Louis Labour 2014/15, Pol Roger Brut Reserve, Taylors 2015 Vintage Port, Salcombe Gin, Devon Rum, and a sumptuous range of gourmet cheeses, biscuits and chocolate that will delight any recipient.

This fabulous hamper is the perfect treat for that special person in your life, and it's great for valued clients and employees too.

Christmas Extravaganza Hamper 

Wicker Hamper £495.00

GIFTS UNDER £250

The Spectacular Christmas Hamper - for a dazzling Christmas surprise (from £189.95)

Devon Hampers Spectacular Christmas Hamper is filled with the loveliest treats that are sure to make friends, loved ones or valued clients and employees feel thrilled with their festive surprise.

Included are two bottles each of the finest French red and white wines, a bottle of champagne and a bottle of port to round off celebrations. There's also a sumptuous range of gourmet cheeses, biscuits and chocolate that will delight any recipient.

The Spectacular Christmas Hamper 

Classic Box £189.95

Wicker Hamper £224.95

GIFTS UNDER £125

The Devon and Cornish Hamper - bringing you the joyous tastes of the West Country (from £99.00)

Celebrate the very best of Devon and Cornwall produce with a luxury hamper filled with the most delicious treats and made by the West Country's most renowned artisan producers.

This hamper is packed with scrumptious delights that ooze with the tastes and flavours of Devon and Cornwall's landscapes.

Just some of the delights included are mouth-watering chocolate made by Willie's Cacao in Exeter; Hogs Bottom Jam, handmade in Lifton; Dartmoor Jail Ale, brewed in the shadow of the moorland's famous prison at Princetown, Earl Grey made by Devonshire Tea; Rattler Original Cornish Cider; and Padstow-based Buttermilk's rum and raisin fudge. This impressive hamper has it all and is the ultimate hamper to give to someone who loves the West Country and its wonderful food.

The Devon and Cornish Hamper 

Classic box £99.00

Wicker Hamper £125.00

GIFTS UNDER £100

The Caring Package - for that special person in your life (from £89.95)

This wonderful hamper will show that special person in your life that you really care about this Christmas with its carefully curated array of treats that will make them feel spoiled, cherished and loved.

They'll enjoy the sublime tastes of fudge, chocolate, biscuits and popcorn, all made by carefully selected artisan producers from Devon and Cornwall, and the incredible flavours of Tarquin Cornish Dry Gin mixed with Fevertree Tonic Water. 

Put a spring in the step and make them feel they really do matter with The Caring Package this Christmas.

CONTENTS 

Cornish Tea Smugglers Brew 40 bags 

Fevertree Tonic Water 20cl 

Foxcombe Bakehouse Chocolate Chip Butter Shortbread 

Handmade Devon Vanilla Fudge

Kernow Hot Chocolate Caramel & Sea Salt Spoon 

Kernow Milk Chocolate Cornish Pasty

Caramel Sea Salt Popcorn From The Popcorn Shed 

Slimline Fevertree Tonic Water 20cl

Tarquin's Cornish Dry Gin 70cl

The Cornish Coffee co 227g

Willie's Cacao Lime & Milk Chocolate

Willie's Cacao Milk Of Stars 

Classic Box £89.95

Printed Box £93.95

Wicker Hamper £97.95

Gifts £50 and under

Chocolate Indulgence Hamper - for the chocoholic in your life (from £44.95)

Indulge the chocolate lover in your life this Christmas with a hamper full of the most exquisite chocolate.

Delicious, decadent, and selected from the West Country's finest chocolatiers, this hamper will have the recipient starry eyed and grateful as they nibble on the many eclectic flavours.

From Kernow Creme Brulé to Willie's Cacao Ginger and Lime this hamper will bring a whole new chocolate tasting sensation this Christmas.

Chocolate Indulgence Hamper

Classic box £44.95

Printed Box £52.95

Wicker Hamper £62.95

Jingle Bells Jail Ale Hamper - bring the pub to your home (from £45.50)

Bring the pub to your home this Christmas with the Jingle Bells Jail Ale Hamper. It's all singing, all dancing and full to the brim with delicious snacks and sweet treats as well as two bottles of Jail Ale from the Dartmoor brewery. What more could your friends, family or work colleagues want this Christmas?

Contents:

2 x Dartmoor Brewery Jail Ale 500ml Bottles: A full-bodied, golden-brown beer with a well-rounded flavour and a rich aftertaste.

Butterscotch Popcorn - Popcorn Shed: A sweet, buttery, smooth classic flavour popcorn with a hint of sea salt.

Mr Filbert's Mexican Sweet Chilli Mixed Nuts: The perfect fusion of sweet and spicy. Peanuts, almonds and cashews with red chillies and hints of fennel and garlic.

Mr Filbert's Chilli and Black Pepper Olive Snack: Greek Halkidiki Olives marinated with Chilli and Black Pepper.

Kernow Chilli Dark Chocolate: Rich and velvety dark chocolate infused with chilli powder.

Cornish Charcuterie Pulled Pork: This succulent and delicious pulled pork is finished with honey, pimenton and garlic salt.

Popti Multi Seed Crackers: A rich, buttery cracker accented with a flavourful crunchy mix of seeds. 

Devon Handmade Strawberry & Cream Fudge 150g - Handmade to the finest quality this incredibly tasty fudge simply melts in the mouth. 

2 X Taste of Game Wild Boar & Apple flavour potato crisps: Made with 100% British potatoes, sliced with their skins on and batch-cooked to produce very tasty crisps.

Jingle Bells Jail Ale Hamper

Classic Box £45.50

Printed Box £49.50

Wicker Hamper £74.50

Elves Christmas Hamper - luxury West Country Delights (from £44.50)

The divine Elves Christmas Hamper from Devon Hampers features exquisite gifts that have been created by West County artisan producers. They've been carefully selected to delight the recipient on Christmas Day.

Each hamper contains Devon Handmade Prosecco and Strawberry Fudge; Burts Crisps Thai Sweet Chilli, Luxury Deep Brandy Mince Pies, Milk Chocolate Coated Cranberry Biscuits, Mini Cheesy Bites with Chilli, Mr Filbert's Dry Roasted Peanuts, Red Chocolate Hearts, Waqi Malbec and Whiskey Cream Christmas Pudding.

Elves Christmas Hamper 

Classic Box £44.50

Printed Box £53.50

Wicker Hamper £62.50

Dartmoor Legend Ale, Cheese and Chutney Hamper (from £27.00)

Give a proper taste of Devon this Christmas with a Dartmoor Legend Ale, Cheese and Chutney Hamper. This hamper offers the perfect combination for beer lovers with two bottles of Dartmoor Brewery Legend Ale, a classic cask-conditioned beer which is smooth and balanced, providing a great taste and aroma to accompany the Cave Aged Traditional Cheddar. 

The cheese is matured in the historic caves of Wooky Hole to give it a delicious rich and tangy taste. With the Jail Ale Chutney and Popti biscuits its the perfect combination on a cold winter's night.

Cave Aged Traditional Cheddar

2 x Dartmoor Brewery Legend Ale

Hogs Bottom Jail Ale Chutney

Popti Cracked Black Pepper Crackers

Classic Box £27.50

Printed box £35.00

Wicker Hamper £43.00

Gifts £25 and under / Stocking Fillers / Letterbox Gifts

Devon Cream Tea For Two Hamper (from £13.95)

Come rain or shine, winter or summer, the Devon Cream For Two Hamper is a real winner whatever time of year and this Christmas a classic taste of the countryside is sure to delight. This hamper is made with locally sourced ingredients and award winning scones. 

It's the perfect treat for a couple, and delivered right from the heart of Devon to your doorstep.

The hamper does contain fresh ingredients, so please ensure that these are removed from the hamper and stored in the fridge. 

CONTENTS 

2 x Large Fresh Baked Scones 

Hogs Bottom Strawberry Jam 227g 

Langage Farm Clotted Cream 113g 

Classic Box £13.95

Printed Box £18.26

Wicker Hamper £23.80

The Kernow Chocolate Sweet Treats Stocking Filler - proper Cornish chocolate (from £9.95)

The perfect little gift for those who love Cornwall, the Kernow Chocolate Sweet Treat Stocking Filler, is a nod to Cornwall with three bars of Kernow Chocolate - Bakewell Tart, Creme Brulé Chocolate and Cream Tea Milk Chocolate

Classic Box £9.95

Printed Box £15.95

Wicker Hamper £22.95

Devon Chocolate and Fudge Letter Box Gift - its fits through the letter box 

Devon Hampers Devon Chocolate and Fudge Letter Box Gift is the perfect gift to surprise a loved one as it fits right through the letter box, just remember, the last day to order to ensure delivery is in time for Christmas is December 22.

Delivered in a printed box, it contains the tastiest Devon sweet treats that are made by artisan producers and guaranteed to delight the recipient.

Willie's Cacao Venezuelan Milk Chocolate

Willie's Cacao Strawberries and Cream

Willie's Cacao White Chocolate

Devon Fudge Handmade Ginger Fudge

Devon Fudge Handmade Chocolate Fudge

Devon Chocolate and Fudge Letterbox Gift 

Printed Box £19.50

Cornish Chocolate Letterbox - its fits through the letter box 

Devon Hampers Cornish Chocolate Letter Box Gift is the perfect gift to surprise a loved one who loves Cornwall as it fits right through the letter box. Just remember, the last day to post to order to ensure delivery is December 22.

Delivered in a printed box, it contains six bars of delicious Cornish chocolate made by Kernow Chocolate - Honeycomb Milk Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and Organ Milk Chocolate - that are guaranteed to delight the recipient.

Cornish Chocolate Letter Box 

Classic box £18.95

Gin and Fudge Letter Box Gift

Surprise your loved one this Christmas and let them know you are thinking about them with a Gin and Fudge Letter Box gift.  Two miniature bottles of Wrecking Coast Gin, a unique gin that is distilled with Rodda's clotted cream, and a Devon Gin Fudge, a crumbly and indulgent treat, are sure to delight this Christmas.

Gin and Fudge Letter Box Gift £20.50

Devon Hampers gives the choice of in excess of 100 hampers, delivered direct to your door, ir the door of a loved one, with a popular Create Your Own Hamper option too.

Vegan gluten free and low sugar options are available and there are a choice of three packages - classic cardboard box, printed box and a traditional wicker hamper.

Devon Hampers works with more than 30 local artisan suppliers and offers over 2000 products to ensure it supports other thriving local businesses.

It was founded in 2014 by its CEO Adam Fox-Edwards, starting in a small building at his family's hotel on the Devon/Cornwall border before moving, in 2020,  to much larger premises at Milford Farm near Lifton in Devon.

Sustainability plays a big part in the Devon Hampers ethos with electricity coming from PV panels on the roof, water from a borehole. All cardboard is recycled and the bubble wrap used is decompostable.

Devon Hampers founder Adam Fox-Edwards, 60, is an ex RAF Tornado fighter pilot and flying instructor who served for 20 years including during the Gulf War.

When he left the RAF, he moved to London and joined PriceWaterhouseCoopers as a management consultant which gave him a great business background.

In 2008 he took over running he Arundell Arms at Lifton following the retirement of his mother Anne Voss-Bark.

The hotel was initially purchased in 1961, with 17 rooms and three bathrooms but it had 15 miles of the best fishing rivers which proved the perfect starting point to transform it into a  leading country sports hotel.

The hotel was sold in 2020, with Adam focusing on his burgeoning hamper business. Which was a wise decision as the business is a thriving and growing concern.