Is your Christmas beauty Advent calendar damaging the environment?

Over the past decade, the beauty industry has created some truly spectacular Christmas Advent calendars which have gained a cult following as consumers rush to purchase them. 

But! With sustainability a growing key trend driving our purchasing decisions, how sustainable are these products which often have layers of excess packaging and no responsible instructions or advice for disposal?

With only 61 days until Christmas, the search term "Beauty Advent Calendars 2022" is  up by 170% on Google Trends over the last 30 days. 

Sustainable accreditation organisation and consumer shopping guide app ethy is looking at the importance of ‘clean beauty’ and sharing how customers can make better choices when it comes to their beauty Advent calendars this year. 

So, what should customers be looking out for when purchasing beauty-based Advent calendars?  

ethy’s Co-Founder Kaisa points out: "Customers should look for calendars from verified sustainable and responsible brands because they're more likely to have considered the impact of the product on the planet and taken steps to make it as sustainable as possible. 

"Look for Advent calendars made from sustainable, recycled, or recyclable materials. Avoid plastic where you possibly can. As an ideal, advent calendars will display plastic-free or reduced plastic labels. 

" Or alternatively, why not make your own 12-day Advent calendar with products from verified sustainable and clean beauty and vegan brands to be sure the products and packaging will be kinder to the skin as well as the environment?"

What is clean beauty? 

Kaisa explains: "Clean beauty is all about acknowledging there are ingredients in our everyday beauty products that we may perceive to be harmless. But we're seeing that some of these are actually problematic and for consumers, it's really quite hard to always know the difference. 

"Like with the whole topic of sustainability, the beauty industry is complex and even the sheer amount of info and ingredients can be bewildering and confusing to anyone who doesn't work with it on a daily basis.

"We wanted to get brands and consumers to define clean beauty products and to be able to buy with confidence. Yes. it is complicated, but we're doing our very best to keep really high standards on the ingredients."

We at That's Christmas have noticed that on some products the ingredients list is so long and complicated that the print is so tiny that we often need to reach for a magnifying glass to try and see what the manufacturer wants us to put on our skin! 

How can a brand be accredited with the Clean Beauty Standard by ethy? 

It mustn't use aggressive ingredients, synthetic scents or fragrances, or colourants (and this includes animal-derived dyes) in any of its products. 

To learn more about ethy and to start using it to help you make your purchasing decisions, please visit them here https://ethy.co.uk.

You don't have to get drunk to party! Indulgence Without Guilt! Enjoy the Mavrik Virgin Cocktail Experience

Are you looking for a festive tipple that won't lead to the dreaded morning after the night before feeling?

Nominated as the responsible driver but sick of sipping water or drinking overly sweet so-called diet drinks?

Worried that any festive merriment could seriously derail your healthy eating plans?

Or maybe you're a pregnant party fan, animal looking for a tasty alcohol free drink to kickstart your Christmas and New Year celebrations?

Then, That's Christmas has some fantastic news for you! We introduce you to Mavrik, an exciting new range of exciting drinks specially created for those choosing to abstain from alcohol or to simply moderate their intake. 

Mavrik has launched four non-alcoholic, low calorie cocktails that look good and taste great, setting the brand up as the go-to for free-spirited adults who are happy to avoid alcohol and its after effects.

The story of Mavrik drinks began as a casual conversation about the total lack of desirable non-alcoholic drinks and ended up as an obsession to create a range of great tasting, low calorie and alcohol-free cocktails that have a clear WOW factor. 

Eighteen months in the making, Mavrik is now hitting the shelves, thus making it possible to enjoy the cocktail experience without any of the negatives associated with imbibing in alcohol.

These expertly created and crafted all-natural drinks aren't merely cocktail substitutes, they're something to look forward to and to savour, too.

Mavrik's virgin cocktails are made from the best-quality ingredients, with zero compromise on taste or enjoyment.

Enjoy Mavrik as delicious, long drinks that'll leave you feeling fresher, more alert and free of that dreadful, cloying sugary after-taste. Best of all there's a fabulous flavour combination to suit everyone. 

AROMATIC G&T: a delicious and refined low calorie pink G&T, without the naughty ingredients. 

CUBAN MOJITO: a totally gorgeous, low calorie, indulgent alcohol-free Mojito cocktail inspired by the renowned Cuban highball.

VENETIAN SPRITZ: a refreshing, spirit lifting, low calorie Spritz that takes its cues from the classic Venetian cocktail. 

STORM & SPICE: a fiery, tongue tickling, low calorie Dark & Stormy type drink; the alcohol-free version of the classic and spicy Bermudan rum cocktail. 

Whether you're looking to cut down on alcohol, go fully teetotal or simply just feel the need to give your body a break, reach for Mavrik. With under 50 calories per can, they can even fuel your fitness goals and help keep you on track, whilst still allowing you to let your hair down and have fun with family and friends. 

And the handy recyclable can format ensures minimal wastage and a real value-for-money treat.

Mavrik drinks are available to buy online from https://www.mavrik-drinks.com/shop, RRP £9.50 for a tasting pack of all four flavours or create your own mixed case of 12 for £23.80.

What's even better, they are gluten free and suitable for vegans and vegetarians, too.

Babingtons Blends Launch Premium Tea Subscriptions, a Perfect Christmas Gift

And it's not only tasty it's fantastic value, too! 

Subscription customers will receive 10% off any orders and the free shipping minimum value will reduce from £40 to £30 per order.

Repeat orders can be every 1, 2 or 3 months respectively and customers have the chance to change or cancel an order at any time.

With this flexibility, Babingtons Blends customers can enjoy an experience tailored to their individual lifestyle and wellbeing needs, which can naturally change throughout the year. 

You may wish to moderate caffeine intake and so by adding a stunning caffeine free blend, Sweet Dreams, Forest Fruits or the Rooibos favourite, African Nights, would be perfect.

As the seasons change, so do our tea needs. Enjoy more black teas during autumn and winter, including the very popular Breakfast Special blend or during warmer summer months, the refreshing and exhilarating Moroccan Secret green mint tea.

Babingtons Blends teas are all sustainably sourced, hand blended and are 100% natural with no artificial colourings or flavourings. All packaging is biodegradable or recyclable. 

 Chiara Bedini said: “I'm very proud to share my premium and award-winning blends, which are renowned for their quality, freshness, and unique flavours as part of our new subscription service. 

"They are blended by hand with natural ingredients and packaged in eco-friendly materials, I can't think of a better gift for yourself or for someone special.” 

Gift a Subscription 

Gifting yourself or your loved ones with a subscription service is one the most caring presents. Every month, you are warmly reminded of this gift. So why not start straight away with Babingtons delicious, 100% natural teas. An ideal Christmas gift.

Since 1893, Babingtons Tea Rooms at the foot of Rome's iconic Spanish Steps, has been serving fine teas to the world's most discerning tea connoisseurs, always with a dash of British eccentricity, wit and style. Today the descendants of the original founders, cousins Chiara Bedini and Rory Bruce, head up the Italian and UK operations. 

Babingtons Blends Tea Is Available in a Variety of Formats & Refills

Pyramids (x 18) from £7.99, Pouches (Loose leaf) from £6.99, Caddies, loose leaf tea from £11.99, Caddies, pyramid tea bags, from £12.99

Harmonious infusions

Join them in celebrating this unique fusion of aroma, taste, style, eccentricity, wit, and independent behaviour. 

Babingtons skill lies in bringing flavours, cultures, and people together. No matter where you find us in the world, British curiosities are enhanced with local fusions, resulting in an experience that is indefinably, ineffably Babingtons.

Black Scented Teas

A wonderful selection of premium black teas blended with the finest essential oils, flowers, fruits, and spices to satisfy even the most refined palate. A celebration of our true soul.

Miss Babington's 125

A truly enchanting black tea blend, with roses, vanilla, and elderflower, created to celebrate the founders of Babingtons.

Available: only available as pouches (loose only) and refills

Breakfast Special Blend

A rich and wonderfully balanced English breakfast tea created for Babingtons in the 1950s.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) & refill

Earl Grey Imperial

Great British Food Awards 2022, Highly Commended

Our delightfully balanced and elegant version of the famous bergamot infused tea, enriched with lemon zest and vibrant petals.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) and refill

Karha Chai

A very special gift from India. A warm and fragrant blend of Assam black tea enriched with a medley of traditional chai spices. 

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) and refill

Green, White and Oolong Scented Teas

It's a delicious selection of premium white, green and oolong teas blended with the finest essential oils, flowers, fruits, and spices to satisfy even the most refined palate.

Moroccan Secret

A refreshing blend of Chinese gunpowder green tea and mint leaves. Delicious both hot and served iced. 

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) and refill

Madame Blue Lady

A blend of Chinese sencha green tea with strong floral notes of cherry blossom and hints of soft tropical fruits.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) and refill

White Passion

A refreshing blend of Chinese Pai Mu Tan white tea, bursting with notes of tropical passion fruit.

Available: only available as pouches (loose only) and refill

Herbal Teas

A super healthy selection of herbal teas created for our well-being at any time of the day.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and tea bags) and refill

Forest Fruits

A refreshing and healthy herbal tea with the delicious taste of forest fruits and berries.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and teabags) and refill

African Nights

A rich and sweet rooibos with bold almond flavours and hints of juicy red fruits.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and teabags) and refill

Sweet Dreams

When it comes to bedtime, there is nothing better than a soothing herbal tea that really works.

Available: pyramids, pouches (loose and teabags) and refill

Register For Online Subscriptions at https://babingtonsblends.com/pages/subscription

New Christmas coffee from Perky Blenders

We bring you news of a great new Christmas Coffee from Perky Blenders (www.perkyblenders.com), a vibrant and independent, family business roasting Great Taste Award winning specialty coffee from their Leytonstone roastery. 

Perky Blenders operate an award-winning subscription business via their website, supply coffee to over 70 wholesale customers across the UK, and what's more, they serve up daily brews from their coffee shops across London. 

Winter 2022 sees the dynamic , highly caffeinated, team roll out their much-anticipated yearly Christmas Coffee for home delivery via the website, in-store throughout their cafés and across Eat17 Spar shops (£10 per 250g bag); the new coffee will also showcase the evolution of Perky Blenders’ branding with bold and graphic new pack design.

The first new release for the refreshed pack designs is the Perky Blenders Christmas Coffee, adorned with upbeat, pop-art-inspired design, emblazoned with a rallying call for ‘Peace & Joy’. 

Freshly roasted in East London, the Christmas Blend is comprised of 50% Mexican Coatlan and 50% Ethiopian Qantite; Head of Coffee Francois Knopes says, “expect notes of caramel, stone fruits and toasted almonds; the Mexican Coatlan beans offer nutty base notes and a silken caramel texture; the Ethiopian Qantite brings high, sweet notes with its honey, floral and peach flavours.” 

Mexican Coatlan is a blend of coffees produced by smallholder farmers from the Oaxaca region, processed by Galguera Gomez. Ethiopian Qantite is produced in the province of Sidamo by Daye Bensa, who work with over 5000 smallholder farmers in the area.

You can also opt to gift a, letterbox friendly, regular delivery of Perky Blenders to your coffee loving family members or mates, reminding them of just what a nice, generous soul you are, every month. And you'll be able to show them that Christmas is for all year round!

Just sign them up to a super simple, speedy and sustainably sourced subscription of three, six, or twelve month varieties (from £26 to £91). You can choose from a selection of six beans (including decaf and rotating coffee of the month options), which you can grind for eight different brew methods or leave as whole beans.

Or why not opt for a personalised bag of coffee? Perky Blenders will emblazon a bag of top-quality coffee; inside, you’ll find 250g of Perky Blenders’ signature Forest Blend - the best brew in the business. Choose from whole beans and eight other grind styles; you’ve got 20 characters to play with on the label, and four customisable pack colours, so feel free to get personal with their name, your name or whatever memorable phrase you fancy. 

All Perky Blenders coffee beans are sourced sustainably, from trusted suppliers, prioritising smallholders and independent farmers. All elements of the Christmas bag can be recycled at all major supermarkets - or sent back to Perky Blenders.

Wishing you Peace & Joy, and a Merry Christmas, from the Perky Blenders family, and all the very best wishes for a wonderful 2023!

Dreaming of a Costa Christmas

Our favourite coffee shop (we have the Costa card!) Costa Coffee, is stepping up to Christmas by announcing its special limited-edition festive food and drinks range. 

It’s bound to be love at first sight, with fan top favourites making a triumphant return, along with some delicious new festive surprises. 

The new Christmas menu which will be available across Costa Coffee stores and Costa Express self-serve machines from Third November.   

For the very first time, Costa Coffee is showcasing two brand new stars as part of its festive drinks menu, bringing a Latte inspired by Toblerone®. This true classic has been given a festive makeover thanks to the addition of indulgent chocolate and honey-flavour sauce that’s inspired by the iconic Toblerone® taste. It is topped with a light dairy swirl and a festive twinkle topper. And for that extra bit of seasonal magic, it also comes with a wrapped Toblerone® tiny bar to enjoy on the side. 

And fans of Costa Coffee’s Gingerbread & Cream Latte and Terry's Chocolate Orange® Hot Chocolate rejoice as these delicious favourites return to the Christmas line-up. You can even complement it perfectly with the returning Terry’s Chocolate Orange® Muffin, filled with chocolate orange sauce and topped with icing and a delicious segment of the iconic Terry’s Chocolate Orange®.  

Both of the above are going to be Christmas "must haves" as far as I am concerned!

And do look out for their special Christmas foods and snacks.

Check the details out at https://www.costa.co.uk.

Christmas Table Ideas and Inspiration from Walton & Co

Christmas Table ideas from Walton & Co. The ideal basis for a perfect Christmas tablescape!

From illustrated designs to festive embroidered runners, They have plenty of ideas to kick-start the inspiration!

Walton & Co are a family operated business based in Yorkshire and they are renowned for their quality and eye for design. 

The brand seasonally creates a wide range of design led soft furnishings and textiles for the home all lovingly curated by their team of in-house designers. 

A spokesman said: "We supply independent home and gift retailers, garden centres and department stores in the UK and also in Europe, whose customers seek style, newness and lasting quality.

"Our well-travelled design team have honed their expertise in assessing future trends in fashion, culture and interiors and translating these into collections for the home that combine functionality with on-trend looks."

What are they bringing to your Christmas table this season?

There are seasonal table linen with tablecloths, placemats, runners and napkins in cotton with new ranges each Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter.

Christmas and occasional dining with white table linen, glamourous decorative linens with festive themes adorned with decorative embroidery, sequins and  beads.

Throws in faux fur, knits and weaves with two new collections each year.

Cushions. Embroidered, printed and appliqued that are beautiful additions to any room

Seat pads and mattress cushions for kitchen, dining and garden chairs

Kitchen linens aprons, tea towels, oven gloves new collections every season.

Nursery gifts, the softest toys, comforters and cotton nursery accessories.

Bedcovers quilted in 4 sizes. Embroidered, patchwork, cotton and microfibre in a range of colours. Classic white and ecru Portuguese jacquard bedspreads.

Rugs are a part of each seasonal collection in cotton, sizes for hall runners, bathrooms and bedrooms. Inside/outside rugs in polypropylene.

Their business was established as weavers of specialist linen products made only to the highest standards. This ethos has continued today and we supply oven cloths, floor cloths, dishcloths, glass cloths, tea towels, linen scrim & dusters that are synonymous with value and quality.

Based in North Yorkshire, Walton & Co has been owned by the Marshall family since 1991. Their buyers have established trading relationships with world class manufacturers to ensure that our exclusive designs are made to our rigorous quality levels whilst making the products as competitively priced as possible.

The firm commenced business in 1785 under the title of Walton, Oates & Co. It has a history that is filled with interest and has archives dating back to the days of employment of hand-loom weavers. Drapers Record, on June 4th 1927, stated ‘the goods have a fine reputation for quality and durability’, values which stand true in the 21st Century.

Today, living, eating and entertaining are informal, inside or outside. Our latest collections reflect this mood so that you can create unique spaces in which to relax.

Incidentally the company welcomes enquiries from retailers who wish to stock their products.

To learn more call them on 01423 326332 or visit their online retail establishment at  www.waltonshop.co.uk.

Christmas body scrubs for less than a fiver!

The top, yet eminently affordable beauty brand, Organic Shop, has given itself a pre-Christmas makeover! 

With brighter, new packaging and fresh, fruity flavours, this range of natural hair, body and skin care looks and smells utterly heavenly! 

All products are made with much love and care, using fruit, vegetable and tropical flower extracts.

What does this mean for the recipients of the gifts you select for them? They'll find no synthetic fragrances or dyes, no parabens, just lots of fresh, natural ingredients together with certified organic oils and extracts. And, as the name suggests, everything is grown without the use of chemical fertilisers.

They also use recyclable and/or biodegradable packaging, so you and they can feel good that you’re looking after our planet!

They just launched their Christmas body scrubs, carefully made with carefully selected organic sugar that gently exfoliates the skin without drying it out. At just £3.49 each, with free prime next day delivery, these are perfect for Secret Santa or last-minute stocking fillers.

Who doesn't love the smell of freshly baked biscuits? The combination of organic ginger and organic cinnamon extracts in their special Christmas Cookies Scrub perfectly tones the skin, leaving it feeling supple and softer at the same time.

Or people can indulge their senses with Gingerbread Body Scrub, which contains organic ginger extract and organic orange oil, to leave your skin feeling firm, soft and radiant.

Their colourful Candy Cane Body Scrub with organic vanilla and strawberry extracts hydrates skin during exfoliation and leaves a fruity, sweet scent.

Certified Cosmos Natural and suitable for vegans, too!

Available from www.amazon.co.uk/organicshop.