Christmas Gifts for the Cheese Lovers in Your Life

Devon's Sharpham Dairy offers gifts for cheese lovers this Christmas.

Cheese throughout the Christmas season is a long and cherished part of our heritage and the perfect festive gift for any foodie this Christmas. Or a fine example of self-gifting if you feel you deserve a little Christmas treat yourself this yuletide season?

Exactly what is available?

Sharpham Devon Cheese & Wine Christmas Feast - £90

A real Devon treat, this hamper comes jam-packed with everything you need for your home festivities. It includes delicious handmade, artisan cheese, a 300g Sharpham Brie, 450g Ticklemore goats' truckle, 450g Rustic Chive & Garlic truckle, 150g Elmhirst and 210g Quicke's Vintage Cheddar alongside a bottle of each of best-selling Sharpham Dart Valley Reserve and Sharpham Pinot Rosé. 

For accompaniments there are Sharpham Sourdough Crackers, Original & Rosemary with Sea Salt, Caramelised Fig & Sharpham Pinot Noir Chutney, plus Bramley Apple & Hunts Wobbler Cider Chutney and Ploughman's Hunters Elmhirst Ale Chutneys, both newly developed in partnership with Sharpham's local Devon friends.

Family & Friends Cheese and Wine Tasting Event - £80

Join Greg Parsons, whom is the owner of Sharpham Cheese and Tom Wedgery, winemaker and expert from Sandridge Barton (Sharpham Wine) for their first online tasting event of 2023, taking place at 7pm on Friday 3rd February. A tasting box will be delivered to your door before the event and will include enough for at least six people. 

The tasting box includes: Sharpham cheeses; Sharpham Brie, Ticklemore Goats, Rustic Chive & Garlic, the brand new Rushmore cheese, plus Vintage Cheddar from Quicke's. For drinks; Sharpham Estate Selection and Pinot Rose, Elmhirst Ale from Hunters Brewery and Wobbler Cider from Hunts. A Sharpham chutney and a couple of packets of new Sharpham Sourdough Crackers will also be included. 

*As a Christmas gift, Sharpham will send the lucky recipients a 'letter box gift” with their voucher, details of the event and a little gift!

The Essential Devon Cheese Board - £25

Features five artisanal cheeses, each made with milk from cows and goats that graze Devon's luscious pastures, crafted with over 100 years of skills and nurtured with love until ready for your cheese board. Includes the Devon classics; Sharpham Brie, Quicke's Mature Cheddar and Ticklemore Devon Blue, plus a 'Grader's Choice' from both Sharpham and Quicke's. 

Customers will receive five pieces (circa 300g each) of artisan cheese individually wrapped along with tasting notes for each, all boxed up and ready to go.

Sharpham Celebration Cheese Cake - from £2.20pp

This tower of cheeses is perfect for weddings, parties, corporate events or any reunion. With ten multi-award winning cheeses to choose from, plus crackers and brand new chutneys to complete the centrepiece. Choose from a simple three-tier creation to an extravagant six tier tower crowned with a heart-shaped cheese on top.

The Dart Valley Cheese & Wine Selection - £40

Enjoy Sharpham Cheese's original and most popular selection mix. Rich and buttery Sharpham Brie, delicate Ticklemore, and velvety Sharpham Rustic. Complete with a bottle of Sharpham Dart Valley Reserve 2018 and Peters Yard sourdough crispbreads.

Sharpham Cheese Subscription Service - £30

Each box brings a new discovery, as a curated selection of outstanding cheeses, crackers and condiments is delivered quarterly to your door. Each beautifully and sustainably packaged box will feature three of Sharpham's multi-award winning varieties, a local guest cheese, Peter's Yard sourdough crackers, a Sharpham chutney and tasting notes.

All cheeses are available for home delivery from www.sharphamcheese.co.uk.

Indulgence Without the 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?

Or perhaps you have been nominated as the responsible driver but sick of sipping water or drinking overly sweet diet drinks?

Worried that the festive merriment may wreak havoc on your healthy eating plans? 

Pregnant party animal looking for an alcohol free drink to kickstart the celebrations?

Or perhaps you are tee-total? Or are you looking to lay in some non-alcoholic drinks for friends or family members who don't drink alcohol?

Then we've got some really great news for you! Prepare to switch to Mavrik, an exciting new range of cocktail drinks that are specially created for those choosing to abstain from alcohol or simply moderate their alcohol 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 started 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 with a clear WOW factor. 

Eighteen months in the making, Mavrik has now hit the shelves, making it possible to enjoy the cocktail experience with none of the negatives associated with drinking alcohol.

These expertly-crafted, all-natural drinks are not just cocktail substitutes, they are something to look forward to and to savour. 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 will leave you feeling fresh, alert and free of that 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 back on alcohol, go teetotal or simply want to give your body a break, reach for Mavrik. With under 50 calories per a can, they can even fuel your fitness goals and keep you on track, whilst still allowing you to let your hair down and have fun with family and friends. 

And with the cost of living crisis hitting the household budget, 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 £9.75 for a tasting pack of all four flavours or create your own mixed case of 12 for £23.80.

And they are guarenteed to be gluten free and suitable for vegans and vegetarians, too.

Love Tyrells Crisp? Then you'll really love them over Christmas!

Because what’s a festive spread without a Christmas Crisp?

You can have a Tyrrellbly Tyrrellbly Tasty Christmas with Tyrrells Crisps! They are utterly perfect for festive soirees or cosying down with your favourite tipple in front of a much-loved Christmas film, Tyrrells Crisps are made with only the finest British spuds to create the most delicious crisps with its signature curl and crunch.

Tyrrells’ iconic flavours of Lightly Sea Salted (150g), Mature Cheddar & Chive (150g), Veg Crisps (125g), Sweet Chilli and Red Pepper (150g) and Sea Salt and Cider Vinegar (150g) have had a lovely festive makeover to get you in the Christmas spirit ready for this year’s festivities. 

A beloved crisp to share with friends and family this Christmas, the new festive packaging is available now in all major retailers, RRP £2.30.

Our favourite Festive Tyrrell's Crisp movie is the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol. What's yours?

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Deer Park Country House Host The Great South West Scone-Off Gift Drive in Aid of Operation Rudolph

Nobody should go without the magic of Christmas, which is the motivation behind project Operation Rudolph. Supporting the project, Deer Park Country House in Honiton are hosting The Great South West Scone-Off Gift Drive on Thursday 24 November. 

The entry price is one gift per person, which will be donated to someone who could do with a pick-me-up this Christmas. 

350 tickets are available for guests to enjoy a South West cream tea, consisting of homemade scones prepared by some of the South West's top patisserie chefs. In return, guests are required to donate an unwrapped brand new gift - perhaps a toy for a child, or something to lift an adult's spirits (worth at least £10), which will then be wrapped-up by a team of volunteer elves and distributed to young children who will benefit most from them this Christmas. 

This event is organised in partnership with community interest group, Inspiring Connections. Last year, Inspiring Connections organised over 100 hot meals on Christmas day, supported 120 families with gifts and provided 78 meat boxes. Operation Rudolph is a global project, which started in 2020 and aims to support families during what is often a difficult period. Through donations and fundraising, individuals and families are provided with Christmas hampers and presents. 

Mark Godfrey, who is the MD at Deer Park Country House says: “All children deserve the magic of Christmas and something special to unwrap under the tree. As we head into a hard winter, we wanted to support our local community and help ease the pressure on those who might need it this festive season.”

Sharon Thorne, the founder and director of Inspiring Connection says: “Honiton Foodsave has indicated that demand has increased 50% compared with this time last year. There is real concern about how families will manage and the decision of 'heat or eat' is a real everyday issue for many. 

“With Operation Rudolph, there are no complicated forms or means testing, just a simple sign-up for applicants to indicate what support is needed. It's all free of charge and we know that once our customers are in a stronger position, they will give back when they can.

“We are always looking for volunteers to support Operation Rudolph within roles before the 25th December. Even a few hours will make a huge difference to our communities. We urge people to consider their neighbours over the festive period - perhaps invite them over for Christmas dinner, share company and spread the good community vibes for all.”

Dozens of volunteers and numerous supporting businesses will play an essential role in bringing the event together. Trewithen Dairy are donating 24kg of their award-winning Cornish clotted cream to complete the cream tea, and Waterhouse Fayre are providing strawberry jam.

Trewithen Dairy director, Francis Clarke commented: “As a family-run dairy, this project is close to our hearts. Making a child smile this Christmas is something you can't put a price on. We're keen to support Operation Rudolph and help spread the wonder and magic of the festive season.

Two sessions are available for The Great Scone-Off Gift Drive at Deer Park Country House; 2:30-3:30pm or 4:00-5:00pm. Booking is essential via info@inspiring-connections.org or 0300 365 4545.

Mustard x Wordbits Introduce Number Magnets Mustard in time for Christmas

Are you seeking out a gift that is playful and practical for someone you love this Christmas? Good news! Your favourite magnets are now available in numbers!

Wordbits Numbers are small but they are mighty! Each lightweight number has a rare earth magnet that’s strong enough to hold a greeting card. The perfect accessory to your locker, fridge and makes a great stocking filler!

Mustard is so proud to collaborate with the amazing Wordbits team to bring you two exclusive colourways, Blush and Mustard. 

“When it comes to dream collaborations, this is exactly the kind of thing we were always hoping for,” said Becca Stern, who is Co-Founder and Creative Director at Mustard Made.

She went on to say: “We're so proud to have partnered with female-founded, magnet lovers Wordbits to bring you our oh-so-exclusive collaboration in the new Numbers range.”

Mustard and Wordbits have teamed up to give the signature Wordbits Number magnets a Mustard glow-up in Blush and Mustard (of course)! Wordbits Number Magnets are also available in Bone and Black. Find Wordbits and Wordbits Numbers at www.mustardmade.com 

Product Details:

30 numbers in each set (3 x numbers 0–9)

Each number is 3cm tall

Designer typeface

Quality magnets

BPA and phthalate free

Post-consumer recycled plastic

Available in the following colours: Mustard, Blush, Bone and Black.

Boxlist. A new way to sort out your TV viewing over Christmas and beyond

Imagine it's Christmas week and you are trying to work out what TV shows, films, movies, etc you might enjoy watching. 

But how do you sort out the wheat from the chaff, to coin an ancient expression? 

Well, fret no more! Because Boxlist is here. And what's Boxlist? It's Social Entertainment Discovery.

Boxlist takes into account our individual tastes, likes and preferences to connect us with TV and films that directly match our individual or joint tastes.

What ticks your boxes?

Ever been irritated or frustrated at not knowing what TV or films you'll like? Maybe you've spent half an hour browsing Netflix, given up, and ended up watching a rerun of Friends?

Or perhaps you've tried to contact friends over social media to ask for recommendations, only to be met with a list of 25 ideas, and yet you still don't know what of those (if any) you might enjoy?

Well, your precious downtime deserves better, and there is a new solution in the form of Boxlist.

What is it Boxlist? Boxlist is an AI powered social network for entertainment discovery and your new go-to place for discovering TV and film recommendations across all streaming services, and sharing these with friends, too. 

With Boxlist, you take a fun five min ‘taste test' to find out your film and TV preferences to discover your ‘viewing personality type’. You can then connect with people and content uniquely matched with that type.

Founder Greg Vartoukian is very excited to launch Boxlist after months of careful work and development.

Greg explains the concept behind Boxlist: “We're not all the same, but we're all fed entertainment content in exactly the same way. 

"This subjectivity is what makes us all wonderfully unique, but can also be frustrating when trying to find something that a group of friends or a whole family will enjoy watching together.

"Boxlist takes into account our individual tastes, likes and preferences to connect us with TV and films that directly match our individual or joint tastes. We’ve worked hard and agonised over perfecting our algorithms, so you can make the most of those precious spare minutes of downtime in today’s increasingly cluttered world."

Boxlist is the perfect place for any film or television fanatic, who is seeking a one stop shop for all their entertainment tastes. The basic platform is completely free to use, and you can join a growing community of already 4,000 members from over 80 countries.

And remember! Boxlist's not just for Christmas! It's designed to help us sort our viewing out for the rest of the year, too!

https://www.boxlist.com/