Tighter budget this Christmas? Take a look at Lidl

Lidl has been named the cheapest supermarket in The Grocer’s ‘Super Grocer 33’ for the third time in a row, defeating six major retailers, including fellow German-based retailer, Aldi. 

The index, which compares the price of 33 everyday grocery items across the UK’s seven major supermarkets, found Lidl to be £15.44 cheaper than Morrisons, and a whopping £27.88 cheaper than the most expensive retailer.

As part of the monthly analysis, The Grocer compares prices of items on shopping lists across the nation, from fresh produce such as milk and grapes, to deodorants, and branded items including Cadbury Fruit & Nut and Hovis bread.

Lidl offered the lowest price for 27 products, of which they were exclusively cheapest for asparagus tips, Cadbury Fruit & Nut, feta, honeydew melon, and tomato purée.

Ryan McDonnell, CEO at Lidl GB, said: “Our belief has always been no one should have to pay a premium for good food and we have an unwavering commitment to provide our customers with the best products at the lowest possible prices. Whether it is fresh produce, staple shopping list items or a must-have product from the Middle of Lidl, customers can be sure that they are getting the best value when they shop with us.”

So for good value Christmas shopping, Lidl could be the answer. Actually, we love their Stollen, their Panettone, their Chirstmas biscuits aand their mince pies.

Will Kevin Survive being Home Alone this Christmas?

Kevin, the nation’s favourite Carrot, returns to fend for himself as he is left behind by his family at Christmas.

Kevin the Carrot makes his much-anticipated return. But will he get to see Christmas Day? Or will he fall foul of an unknown home intruder?  

The ad opens with Katie, Baby, Jasper and Chantenay hurrying through a busy airport as they race to catch a flight to Paris. Once they are sitting happily on the plane, Katie notices that someone is missing…it’s ’KEVIN!’

Separated from his family, the scene cuts to Kevin, who is Home Alone. He is watching the big game on TV, when he hears heavy footsteps of an unknown intruder on the roof.

‘Quaking in his roots’, he devises a plan to warn off the uninvited guest. What follows is a series of fun, incident-packed exchanges between Kevin and the intruder – culminating in a finale where the identity of the intruder is finally revealed.

Adam Zavalis, Marketing Director at Aldi UK, said: “Christmas celebrates the joy of being with loved ones and this year more than ever we all need a bit of light entertainment as we celebrate the season together. 

“And it wouldn’t be the festive season without Kevin the Carrot on our TV screens, and this year’s Yuletide performance is sure to get the nation shouting ‘KEVIN!’ as we welcome him back for the seventh year.”

Celebrate Christmas at the official residences of His Majesty the King

This December, visitors to Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse will see the State Apartments transformed with shimmering Christmas trees, twinkling lights and an array of activities to enjoy over the festive season.

Christmas at Windsor Castle

24 November 2022 – 2 January 2023

The highlight of the Christmas display at Windsor Castle will be a stunning 20-foot-high Nordmann Fir tree in St George's Hall, grown nearby in Windsor Great Park and dressed with hundreds of iridescent ornaments.

A resplendent Christmas tree will be displayed in the Crimson Drawing Room, one of the most ornate rooms in the Castle and part of the Semi-State Rooms. 

Originally created as private apartments for George IV and used by members of the Royal Family for official entertaining, the Semi-State Rooms will open to visitors for the winter months from 24 November.

The Waterloo Chamber, one of the largest and most impressive rooms in the entire Castle, will feature a sumptuous table display of decorative items from the Royal Collection beneath glittering chandeliers.

Festive foliage and wreaths will adorn gates and lampposts in the precincts of the Castle, while spectacular garlands on the Grand Staircase will greet visitors as they enter the State Apartments.

The Castle’s Undercroft Café will be offering a special festive menu throughout December.

On the first three weekends in December, families visiting the Castle can participate in craft activities and workshops exploring how the Victorians celebrated Christmas.

Visitors to the Castle on 8, 9 and 12 December will be entertained with carols sung throughout the day by local community and school choirs beneath the Christmas tree in St George’s Hall.

Christmas at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

1 December 2022 – 2 January 2023

The festive decorations at the Palace of Holyroodhouse will include magnificently decorated Christmas trees in the Throne Room and Great Gallery, while the Great Stair leading up to the historic State Apartments will be draped with twinkling velvet garlands, glistening berries and seasonal foliage.

In the Royal Dining Room, the table will be laid with pieces from a silver service presented to King George V and Queen Mary in 1935 to mark their Silver Jubilee, and decorated with ivy, candelabra and spires of faux candied sugared fruits.

In the Café at the Palace in the historic Mews courtyard, visitors will be able to enjoy homemade mince pies, Christmas cake and mulled wine while surrounded by festive wreaths and garlands.

Families visiting the Palace on 17, 22 and 23 December can enjoy short talks and take part in festive arts and crafts activities, including a chance to design their own greeting cards and Christmas crackers.

Buckingham Palace Exclusive Guided Tours

On selected dates throughout the winter, visitors can enjoy a special behind-the-ropes experience of the Buckingham Palace State Rooms in the company of an expert guide. All tickets include a copy of the Official Souvenir Guide. Guided tours suitable for families are also available.

Shopping

Browse for Christmas gift inspiration in the Royal Collection Trust shops or online at www.rct.uk/shop, where advent calendars, luxury hampers and festive food and drink make perfect presents.

Christmas at the official residences of His Majesty The King is from 24 November 2022 to 2 January 2023 at Windsor Castle, and from 1 December 2022 to 2 January 2023 at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Exclusive Guided Tours of Buckingham Palace are available on selected dates from November to February.

Tickets and visitor information: www.rct.uk, Windsor Castle +44 (030) 123 7304, Palace of Holyroodhouse +44 (030) 123 7306.

Why not give them a Lush Christmas this year?

The world can feel unfalteringly dark and heavy at times, the last few years undoubtedly so. Especially for those who suffer with SAD.

So, what to do to make things better? This winter, Lush is encouraging a culture of kindness, giving and community.  

Lush’s 2022 Christmas range is designed with kindness in mind, being kind to yourself, others and the planet.   

We want to spark moments of joy, with beautiful beneficial products for every need that have had a positive impact at every stage, and encourage not only gracious giving but opportune moments of self-care.  

You’ll see the rebellious return of Snow Fairy, whilst an extended collection of Lord of Misrule aims to unleash the mischievous side in us all! 

Available in all Lush shops and online lush.co.uk.

Devon’s Biggest Christmas Market at Exeter Cathedral

The 2022 Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market will include over a hundred festive traders.

Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market has become a major event in Devon’s festive calendar, in recent years attracting an estimated 600,000 visitors. 

It's been hosted and managed by the cathedral since 2017 and is Devon's largest Christmas market, and it continues to show year-on-year growth.

This year, Exeter’s historic Cathedral Green will host in excess of 100 twinkling festive chalets.

Situated in the heart of Exeter city, the market has a very strong focus on supporting local traders, and brings together a diverse range of Devon-made gifts, decorations, food and drink, from handcrafted Christmas decorations, to vodka specially crafted with Dartmoor spring water.

Jason Ott from Trinity Marine, a Devon-based marine antiques and ship reclamation specialist, says Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market offers a valuable platform for local businesses: “This year we’ll be offering a truly original collection of nautical gifts for the discerning Christmas shopper. All our products are hand sourced and salvaged from the best ships, then restored and crafted in our own workshop which is near Exeter.”

Jason went on to say: “We sell our collections to buyers worldwide, but Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market is a great chance to showcase our work to hundreds of thousands of Christmas shoppers here in our home city.”

Visitors in need of a break from the Christmas shopping can also enjoy the market’s bars and entertainment. Two local bar operators make their Christmas Market debut this year: Dr. Inks Curiosities is an Exeter-based boutique cocktail venue. Founder Patrick Fogarty says he is planning a familiar Dickensian theme for the event: “We're really thrilled to be bringing some Victorian festive splendour to Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market this year, featuring punch bowls of drinks, festive high teas and luxurious hot cocktails. The drinks list is inspired by Charles Dickens’ famous A Christmas Carol and Scrooge’s encounters with the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and of Christmas Yet to Come.

“We can’t wait for our vision to come to life and we are looking forward to welcoming everybody into our tent from November 18.”

The market’s main bar, The Cathedral Tavern, will be run by Crossed Anchors Brewing, an independent brewer based in the nearby town of Exmouth. Crossed Anchors’ owner, the award-winning brewer and publican, Olly Bainbridge, plans to bring something unique to the event: “As a local, independent brewery, we’re incredibly proud to be part of such an iconic Devon event.

“We’re going to create a new-look bar at this year’s Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market, and bring along a new drinks menu to suit all tastes, including our very own craft beers, made entirely in Exmouth. We’re even working on a special ‘Cathedral Beer,’ and will be donating a pound to Exeter Cathedral for every bottle we sell.”

The market also features live festive entertainment, including Exeter Cathedral’s own professional musicians, the Exeter Cathedral Choir, and the cathedral itself will be opening its doors to sightseers, free of charge. 

Founded in 1050AD and boasting the world’s longest uninterrupted medieval stone vault ceiling, the cathedral has been rated as one of Europe’s finest. The Very Revd Jonathan Greener, Dean of Exeter, concluded: “Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market is one of the great highlights of our year. It is a privilege to be able to welcome so many visitors from across Devon and beyond.

“I encourage everyone who comes here to step inside and experience the awe-inspiring beauty of this ancient building for themselves, and for a really festive experience, soak up the choral music at one of our many services.”

The 2022 Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market opens at 5pm on Friday 18 November, and continues until Sunday 18 December, on Cathedral Green, Exeter. Opening times are 10am-7pm Monday-Wednesday, 10am-9pm Thursday-Saturday, and 11am-5pm on Sundays. Dr. Inks Curiosities is taking online bookings for high teas in its Christmas Market tent, at: www.doctorinks.com/christmas-market-bookings.

Parents aim to spend less on presents this year

Over half (55%) of parents with children aged 18 or under will probably reduce their spending on food and drink this Christmas, while almost half (47%) are likely to spend less on Christmas presents for their children against previous years, says new research for the UK’s largest children’s charity, Barnardo’s. 

Over two in five parents (42%) surveyed by YouGov on behalf of Barnardo’s who celebrate Christmas said they're also planning to rein in spending on Christmas activities and entertainment for their children this year. Only around one in five respondents (18%) said they had no plans to reduce their spending on Christmas this year.  

Meanwhile, nine in ten Barnardo’s frontline workers (93%) have raised concerns over how the cost-of-living crisis may impact on children, young people and families this Christmas.

The survey comes as Barnardo’s launches its My Christmas campaign to raise funds for the many children likely to feel cold, hungry, and left out due to the rising cost-of-living this Christmas.  

Kerry, 47, used to be in a well-paid, full-time job until last year, when she was diagnosed with a serious heart condition and is awaiting major surgery. She lives in Rotherham with a 14-year-old daughter. She said: “I was out of work for Christmas last year, but the cost-of-living is really biting at the moment. I’m dreading this next Christmas  

“Three of my daughters are over 18 and they understand I can’t buy them presents this year, but I still want to get something for my youngest. It will have to be something small, even though all her friends will probably be getting things like the latest mobile phone. 

“I’m feel guilty, but I’m terrified of paying energy bills and the rising cost of food. I don’t think we’ll be putting the heating on unless we're shivering. There’s no way I’ll be buying a Christmas tree this year.

“I used to have the family round for Christmas, there’d be about ten of us, I cooked the Christmas dinner. This year I’m having to go round my eldest daughter’s home, but I’m going to be turning up with no gifts for anyone.” 

Barnardo’s CEO Lynn Perry MBE said: “After two years of Covid disruption, many of us are looking forward to a return to normal, pre-pandemic Christmas festivities. But for the UK’s most vulnerable children, a ‘normal’ Christmas can mean insufficient food, struggling to keep warm, going without presents, and feeling left out while others celebrate.  

“We want all children to feel safe and happy at Christmas, but we know that’s impossible if their basic needs aren’t met. With the sharp rise in food and energy costs this year, our research suggests many parents are facing additional pressure to create a special Christmas for their families during a time of unprecedented financial strains.  

“Barnardo’s supports children and families who need urgent help this winter. That’s why we’re asking businesses and members of the public to embrace the season of giving by donating to our My Christmas campaign, and help Barnardo’s provide food vouchers, warm clothing and other essentials to the children and families who need it most." 

All funds raised by Barnardo's My Christmas campaign will go where they are needed the most. This is to ensure some of the UK's most vulnerable children are supported and nurtured. Donations from the public could help us to:  

​​​​Provide food parcels or supermarket vouchers so children don’t go hungry this Christmas    

Host services that provide children with a nourishing Christmas dinner and snacks   

Provide energy vouchers to heat families’ homes and let children wake up to a warm home   

Provide warm clothing to children during the winter months   

Throw Christmas parties for children in our services so children can join in the festivities    

Provide Christmas presents or vouchers for families to buy gifts for their children   

Barnardo’s is calling on businesses across the UK to partner with us in addressing child poverty. Local high street estate agents at Cubitt & West, Douglas Allen, Pittis and Wards are raising £1 million to help us provide essential support to children in the South East of England this winter. 

Anyone wishing to donate or discover ways of supporting should visit: www.barnardos.org.uk/christmas.

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