John Lewis reveals sales of winter warms up in pre-Christmas period

Sales of electric heaters have doubled since last year, heated throws and underblankets are up 80%, and their Heated Indoor Clothes Airer has seen sales rise five-fold compared to last year. 

Other popular items include (all figures are compared to this time last year, unless otherwise stated): 

Faux fur throws up +37%

Fleece blankets up +386%

Wool and cashmere blankets up +82%

Brushed cotton bed linen (which is brushed after weaving to give an extra warm feel) up +94%

Plain quilts up +30%

Gloves up 35% compared to the week before (our customers are preferring a more formal glove this year, with Fleece Lined Leather Gloves and Cashmere Lined Leather Gloves proving the most popular. 

Women's thermals +146%

Their Christmassy Red Beret is up +350% on last week

Men's coats up 18%

Knitwear is up +20%

Men's and Women's slippers up 4%

Claire Miles, Head of Category Fashion at John Lewis, said: “With the cold winter snap bringing freezing temperatures across the country - and the cost of energy such a concern - our customers are certainly spending with heat in mind. We've got some great offers across knitwear and coats to help our customers wrap up warm."

johnlewis.co.uk

Celebrate Christmas With Waters Edge Church, globally

Waters Edge Church is one church in multiple locations, offering identical environments. Waters Edge will do whatever it takes to connect people to God and change the way people think about church. 

Whether joining in-person or online, Waters Edge Church will celebrate Christmas in a unique, family-friendly way like never before. 

Joining in-person? Please choose one of the identical services at any campus and register for a service that fits any schedule. While children ages 6 weeks old - Preschool receive age-appropriate programming in their environments, elementary-age kids (Kindergarten - 5th grade) will attend in the auditorium, where they will be featured in the service. Please register for everyone attending the service in the auditorium (including elementary-age kids) to ensure there will be plenty of room. To register, head over to: watersedgechurch.net/christmas. Kids six weeks old, Preschool attending one of the kids' environments will not need to be registered in advance.  

Joining online? Waters Edge Church Online gives the chance to celebrate Christmas with people from all around the world. The online services allow people to connect with, live chat with, and experience life change with an online audience and team.  

Christmas Online with Waters Edge Church can be viewed on YouTube, Facebook, and WECOnline. 

Service Times: 

December 23 - Williamsburg Campus - 6:30 p.m. EST 

December 24 - Newport News Campus 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. | Yorktown Campus 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. | Online 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. EST.

Your children will hear Santa on the roof!

25 years ago, Macadins Company created and released a recording of what it might sound like to hear a magical rooftop visit from Santa on Christmas Eve. 

This recording has become a holiday tradition for many families and in its 25th year of production, "Santa on the Roof" is easily downloadable to any Computer, Tablet or Cellphone and is certain to continue rewarding listeners with joyous memories of Christmases past and present. "Santa on the Roof" is available for purchase and download now at www.santaontheroof.com.

Your child will hear Santa's sled landing with a thump and gliding to a gentle stop. His footsteps as he walks around the roof, his playful antics with his team of Reindeer and of course Santa enjoying his cookie snack left by the children. And more.

An introductory story sets Santa's visit not as a true recording but as a storybook-like magic fairy tale that took place long-long ago, thus preserving the Santa legend and mystique. This story also allows "Santa on the Roof" to be played for a child anytime during the Holiday Season. More adventurous adults start the recording after the story and get somewhat creative late at night on Christmas Eve.

Spreading Memories

For a quarter century, that's 25 years, parents have been able to provide their children with a magical Christmas Eve rooftop visit with "Santa on the Roof." Watch and enjoy your child's eyes twinkle and dance in delight with awe as their dream to hear the sounds of Santa unfold for the very first time

This Christmas season capture the magic and wonder of Christmas as you share a very special childhood moment with your children. Celebrate memories of what was and help keep alive a historic and delightful Christmas tradition that is as enchanting and awe-inspiring as the event itself. 

Customer Comments

Feedback from customers is always sincere and heart-warming with one customer commenting they played it at midnight through hidden speakers and their kids were at the window screaming they saw Rudolf's red nose. Another stated they played it at 2 am as an excuse to go downstairs and get the skis Santa had left him. And finally, an elderly Lady ordered "Santa on the Roof" because she always wondered what it would sound like to hear a sled landing on her roof.

For anyone who loves the Santa tradition and wants to share it with their child or grandchild this recording is a must have.

Macadins is a mail order company headquartered in Wethersfield, Connecticut and has been in business since 1997.

From the kiln to the kitchen: Asda stocks sensational 30-hours smoked Scottish salmon

Young’s Seafood has secured a contract to supply a new Extra Special Blackthorn Dry-Cured Smoked Salmon product to over 450 Asda stores across the UK this festive season.

Established in 1805, over 200 years ago, Young’s Seafood is the UK’s largest specialist seafood brand, and the Extra Special Blackthorn Dry-Cured Smoked Salmon is one of its most decadent launches to date.

The Extra Special, superior grade salmon is hand cured with Ayr-based Blackthorn sea salt flakes, and then undergoes a special 30-hour smoking process. This is more than double the usual smoking time, for a deeper, richer flavour, making the salmon a seasonal sensation not to be missed.

Senior Development Manager at Youngs Seafood, Paul Terris, said: “We've enjoyed a longstanding partnership with Asda and are delighted to bring this exclusive Extra Special product to festive feasts all across the UK this Christmas.

“We're very proud of our Scottish heritage and at our picturesque smokehouse in the far Northeast of Scotland, our smoked salmon experts have spent many months perfecting the production process.

“Our salmon is hand cured with Blackthorn sea salt flakes made in the world’s only working graduation thorn tower in Ayr, using methods that are patient, gentle and sustainable. We're thrilled and delighted to bring this truly Scottish salmon product exclusively to Asda stores across the UK.”

When asked about the dedicated production process, Kenny Noble, who's been a master smoker for over ten years explained, “these kilns really are magic in lots of ways, the smoke adds flavour and helps preserve the salmon”.

Salmon selection

The salmon is hand-selected for its size and condition. All superior grade, global gap accredited, and between 3 and 4kg to ensure the optimum slice size of the end product.

Curing process

Blackthorn salt is manufactured on the west coast of Scotland. Clean and unrefined, the taste of blackthorn salt is sweet, with a mouth-watering tang. The salt crystals are hand-sprinkled over the salmon and left to cure for 12 hours.

Smoking

The cured salmon is hung and smoked in traditional brick kilns. The three woods were selected as trees and shrubs that grow around the famous salmon fishing rivers of Scotland, Alder, Heather, and Sweetgale. The salmon is gently smoked for a total of 30 hours, creating a beautifully deep and complex smoke profile – and the kilns are manned 24 hours a day, all year round.

Slicing and Packing

Once smoked and rested, the salmon is cut into chunky slices. By cutting it this way, it allows people to appreciate the buttery texture of the salmon, which is achieved by the long, slow smoking.

Ashley Connolly, Local Buying Manager at Asda, added: “At Asda, we work alongside some wonderful local suppliers to create innovative, affordable, and delicious products for shoppers to enjoy.

“We are delighted to have such a strong relationship with Youngs, and our customers always love the Extra Special Smoked Salmon products, especially at this time of the year. The Blackthorn Dry-Cured Smoked Salmon will be a fantastic addition to our Extra Special Christmas range in the lead up to the festive season.”

Asda’s Extra Special Blackthorn Dry-Cured Smoked Salmon (£4 from 15th December) is available to purchase in-store and online now at www.asda.com.

Asda reaffirms commitment to UK armed forces

The Asda supermarket company has reaffirmed its support for the UK’s military personnel after again signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

The supermarket, which first signed the covenant back in 2014, will continue to guarantee interviews for ex-servicemen and women who meet the minimum criteria for a role, provide leave for reservists’ training, support cadet training as well as supporting employment opportunities for service spouses and partners.

Asda has already hired over 1,000 new colleagues from the armed forces service leaver community this year and signed the covenant at its High Wycombe store. Air Marshall Sir Richard Knighton, Deputy Commander Capability, Royal Air Force signed on behalf of the Armed Forces, while Helen Selby, General Counsel & Company Secretary and former veteran, signed on behalf of Asda.

Sir Rich Knighton said: “Asda recognises the valuable skills and qualities of ex-Serving military personnel that are easily transferable to many sectors, including that of retail. Offering a wide-range of opportunities, whether IT and technology or logistics and planning, Asda’s re-signing of the Military Covenant highlights their continued commitment to supporting those Veterans and Reservists that have served our nation.”

Helen Selby, said: “Veterans bring a host of unique skills and experience that are vitally important to businesses such as ours. We are proud to continue our support for armed forces and help ex-personnel back into work and civilian life.”

The announcement comes a few weeks after Veterans into Logistics received a funding boost of £40,000 from Asda, that will enable the charity to train 10 armed forces veterans into new careers as HGV Drivers.

The charity has a two-year established partnership with Asda Logistics Services who support their mission of preventing homelessness and unemployment in the veteran community.

This significant donation from Asda will help to provide training and mentoring for the veterans to pass their HGV licences, resulting in new driving careers.

Asda was recently recognised for its efforts to employ former armed forces personnel when it was once again given the silver award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

The supermarket also hosted a veteran Employment & Networking event in early November which saw over 100 attendees from the service leaver community and local businesses in Leeds.

Shoppers go wild for Asda's 5 Scrummy Mince Pie Inspired Cookies

Whilst the Great British Bake off ended last month, the baking innovation doesn’t end there, and as Christmas fast approaches, Asda shoppers are raving about a new festive favourite, Mince Pie Inspired Cookies.

Since hitting the shelves, Asda’s five ‘scrummy’ Mince Pie inspired cookies have taken centre stage on social media, with countless likes and comments and many users tagging their friends in excitement. Commenting on a picture of the cookies, one Facebook user said: “These are amazing, I’ve had a few packs now!!,” whilst another asked a friend - “👀👀 can we go asda ❤️’

One Instagram user shared an image with the caption: “Yessss Asda these are tasty! First off they’re about the size of my head 😆 which I’m here for 🙌🏼. The texture and flavours are great too- super soft in the middle with a slight crunch around the edge with plenty of fruit and perfect amount of spice. Pretty darn tasty. Plus I got 6 in a pack when [it] was only meant to be 5 🙌🏼🥳 winning!!”

Available in Asda’s Bakery aisle for just £1.20, or two for £2.00, the delicious Mince Pie Inspired Cookies contain sultanas and raisins and are flavoured with mixed spice and orange zest, making them the for the whole family over the festive period.

An Asda spokesperson said: “We wanted to bring the mince pie flavour to the younger shopper, and we know that these shoppers love cookies. We therefore decided to create a Christmas hybrid that everyone, of all ages, would love!”

The mince pie treats don’t stop there either, with mince pies available to pick up in store too. Asda is currently giving customers the chance to buy any two packs of Asda’s Extra Special Mince Pies for £3.50 – making a saving of £1.

Be sure to hit Asda’s bakery aisle soon to try these viral cookies for yourselves shop in store.

Tesco donates lorry full of toys to Salvation Army’s Christmas Present Appeal

The Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Present Appeal received a welcome fillip from Tesco this week with a heart-warming donation of 3,500 toys. 

The Appeal provides toys to families whose children would otherwise not receive a gift at Christmas.

Last year, the Christmas Present Appeal provided gifts to over 96,000 children. Salvation Army Citadels have supported families at Christmas for a great many years. Practical support for those in need has been an integral part of the work of the Salvation Army throughout its long history.

Tesco’s lorry of toys was delivered to the Salvation Army’s distribution centre in Wollaston and from there they will travel to every corner of the UK where local Salvation Army corps will get them to the families who need them.

The donation was made up of pallets of family favourites such as Peppa Pig playsets, Lego sets, jigsaw puzzles, Hot Wheels Motor Makers Kitz, Paw Patrol sets, Teamsterz Monster Moverz, Cry Babies dolls and Rainbocorns.

Ally Rose Category Director at Tesco said: “More than ever at Christmas, we want to support our communities and those who might be struggling, especially families who may be finding it hard to afford presents for their children this year.

 “We hope our support for the Salvation Army’s Christmas Present Appeal will make Christmas Day a little easier for hard-pressed families across the UK.”

Lt Col Dean Pallant of The Salvation Army said: “We're delighted to be partnering with Tesco this Christmas and thank them for their generous donation of toys. This year, faced with spiralling inflation and the soaring cost of living, more people in crisis are turning to The Salvation Army for help.

 “Donations like these from Tesco provide a beacon of light to vulnerable families on the brink and help us bring joy to many children at Christmas.”

In addition to the donation to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Present Appeal, generous Tesco customers have been dropping thousands of toys into their local participating stores which community groups will pass on to families who need them.

Incidentally you can make donations or volunteer to help in local Salvation Army charity shops. You can learn about these here https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/charity-shops.