That's Christmas

Friday, 23 December 2022

Forgotten a Christmas present? Go digital!

There are many companies and retailers who can help you out if you have forgotten to buy a Christmas present or if a Christmas present has fallen victim to the Royal Mail strike.

Many firms offer electronic gift cards including those listed here:-

The Gift Card Centre

https://www.thegiftcardcentre.co.uk

Amazon

https://amazon.co.uk

One4All

https://www.one4all.com/gift-cards-online.html

High Street Vouchers

https://www.highstreetvouchers.com

Gift Cards

https://www.giftcards.co.uk

Asda

https://www.asdagiftcards.com

The White Company

https://www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/gift-cards

Tesco

https://www.tescogiftcards.com

Argos, Sainsbury's, Habitat

https://www.argos.co.uk/help/gift-cars

Boots

https://www.boots.com/gift/gift-cards

John Lewis/Waitrose

https://johnlewisgiftcard.com

Waterstones

https://www.waterstonesgiftcards.com

(Image courtesy of Photo Mix and Pixabay)

Healthcare over Christmas

If you need healthcare over Christmas here are a number of useful tips for you:-

1) Remember to use the 111 number. It is a 24 hour service. Or use 999 in a case of genuine emergency.

2) Make sure you have plenty of painkillers in.

3) Have a good supply of throat sweets, etc in.

4) Have Lemsips or similar in your medicine cabinet. Plus some honey.

5) Make sure you have an adequate supply of plasters, bandages, etc.

6) Have you got any support bandages in stock? If not, get some as they will be very useful if someone pulls a muscle, develops a rheumatism flare-up, etc.

7) Make sure you have a stock of liquid antiseptics, cream antiseptics, etc. Including something you can gargle with.

8) If you have pets make sure you have the emergency vet number available. Also, make sure that you have sufficient pet medications, etc, in stock.

9) Take extra care. For example, please try to avoid doing any DIY if you can.

10) Make sure you have all prescription medicines that you will require.

(Image courtesy of Steve Buissinne and Pixabay)

That's Food and Drink: Shocking food price rises are concern for millions...

That's Food and Drink: Shocking food price rises are concern for millions...: The consumer protection body Which? has issued a statement on the increasing food and drink prices. Sue Davies, who is the Which? Head of Fo...

How to make your Christmas charity donations go further

The cost of living crisis has left some charities with dwindling donations at the same time as increased demand from those in need, especially at this time of year.

As households struggle with rising costs, one in five people are considering cutting back on charitable donations to help them manage bills, says research from the Charities Aid Foundation.

A Which? survey learned four in 10 (44%) of people who have given money to a charity in the previous 12 months don’t normally do any research before making a donation. For its latest Money-saving Monday, Which? has identified ways to make your contributions count this Christmas if you’re looking to support worthy causes.

1. Check how much money from your purchase is donated

Many shoppers buy Christmas cards that donate a percentage of the profits raised to a given charity. However, Which? found charity Christmas cards are a potentially inefficient way of donating if the percentage given to charity is low. Always check the pack to see how much is given to charity and consider whether it might be better to buy a cheaper pack of cards and donate the difference yourself.

The same goes for charity credit cards, which donate a percentage of your spending. According to gocompare.com, this is typically 0.25%of your purchase, so spending £100 in a month would raise 25p. There are other ways to give that could benefit both you and the charity more. For example, with a cashback card that pays between 1% and 5%, you could donate some or all of the cashback you make.

2. Consider where your donation would be most impactful

It's worth considering whether donating to causes you care about is making a difference and the best way to support them. If the cause is already well funded, your money might have a greater impact elsewhere. If you want to donate to a charity but aren’t sure which is the best to donate to, you could check if there are organisations that might be in greater need of donations.

If you want to check how charities use your funds, most will include information on how they use their funds on their websites, but you can also contact them to find out more about how their funds are used.

3. Systemic change vs direct help

Spend some time thinking about whether you want your contribution to go towards systemic change or direct intervention. For example, donating to a cancer research charity may help develop cures and treatments to prevent more people being affected by cancer in the long term, while funding palliative care and support offers more immediate help.

4. Consider what to give

Humanitarian aid is often provided through donations of physical goods such as food, clothing and shelter, but donating money to charities can offer them more flexibility to buy what they need and enables supplies to be bought locally, or it can help fund longer-term projects.

Which? spoke to some food bank charities and found that monetary donations can be more valuable than food donations, because they allow food banks to buy exactly what they need as well as funding other support, such as fuel vouchers.

5. Give time, not just money

Many charities rely on work from volunteers to keep running. If you would like to offer your time to a charity and you’re thinking of signing up, think about how many hours you can commit to working, and what skills you can offer to maximise the value for both the cause and yourself.

6. Update for inflation

Long-standing, regular financial donations are a very effective way to give to charity. But if you’ve been signed up to give regular donations for a few years, it could be worth taking inflation into account and increasing your donation accordingly – if household budgets allow.

7. Give tax effectively

You can maximise the value of your donation to a charity by using Gift Aid or Payroll Giving.

Gift Aid means that an extra 25 per cent goes to the charity when you make a donation. Your donations should qualify as long as they’re not more than four times what you have paid in tax in that tax year. Payroll Giving deducts your donation from your wages before tax. It must be paid through PAYE from someone’s wages or pension.

8. Do sense checks

If a charity makes an unsolicited approach, use simple checks to ensure it’s legitimate. Street collectors should have ID, collection tins should be sealed and letterbox collection bags should have a charity number. You should also look out for the Fundraising Badge logo on a charity’s fundraising materials – a purple circle containing the letters ‘FR’. Charities exhibiting this logo have committed to fundraise in line with the Code of Fundraising Practice.

9. Check the charity is genuine

Fraudsters can take advantage with fake websites, emails and bogus causes – particularly around the holiday season. If you have any doubts about a charity’s validity, you can look up the charity’s name and number on the Charity Commission register. This will also alert you if a charity is being investigated.

Most charities with an annual income of £5,000 or more must be registered at gov.uk/charity. By using the ‘advanced search’ button, you can find charities working in specific regions or countries to make sure they exist before giving out your financial information.

10. Don’t feel under pressure

Giving to charity is an important decision and sometimes a significant financial commitment, so never feel under any pressure. Always take your time, ask questions and do your research.

Reena Sewraz, Which? Money Expert, said: “The festive season is a great time to give something back and many of us plan to donate to a charity at this time of year. However, with the cost of living crisis hitting many household budgets – some people might be worried that their money won’t go far enough.

“There are many simple steps to make sure your contributions go further. It’s important to know where your money is going so do your research about the charity and think about the best way you can support your chosen cause. Giving your time can be as precious as giving money, so also consider volunteering in a charity shop or at a charitable event nearby.”

(Image courtesy of Mary Pahlke and Pixabay)

The That's Christmas Christmas Quiz for 2022

This is the That's Christmas Christmas quiz 2022. No prizes, just enjoy the quiz with your family and friends. You can run it in your pub, too, if you wish!

There are 32 questions and answers. Here are the questions. The answers are included below:-

Christmas quiz 2022

1) The three Magi brought gifts for which person?

2) Which was the first ghost that Scrooge was met by?

3) Which actor played a child who was accidentally left alone at Christmas?

4) How many types of birds are featured in the Twelves Days of Christmas?

Six (Partridge, French hens, turtle doves, swans, calling birds, Geese)

5) What were the Lords doing in the Twelve Days of Christmas?

6) In the Muppet Christmas Movie, which famous actor played Scrooge?

7) Which pantomime character was based on a real person who became Lord Mayor of London?

8) In which town was Jesus born?

9) Bony M and Harry Belafonte had hits with what Christmas song?

10) What Christmas product is Tom Smith credited with creating?

11) Which Prince popularised the concept of Christmas trees in Britain?

12) What number of days are traditionally celebrated over Christmas?

13) What do many people now eat on Christmas Day in Japan?

14) In which country is Father Christmas called Kerstman?

15) In which country is Father Christmas called Babbo Natale?

16) Who wrote and originally released Felice Navidad in 1970?

17) What Christmas hit did Wham! Have 38 years ago?

18) What Shakespeare play is set during the period of Christmas celebrations?

19) What Day is also known as Epiphany Eve?

20) In the traditional carol, how many ships came sailing in?

21) In South India, one widespread Christmas tradition is putting a burning earthen lamp on their roofs. True or false?

22) The USA doesn’t celebrate Boxing Day as a holiday. True or false?

23) In which season does Christmas occur in South Africa?

24) The name Snowball is, actually, a British surname. True or false?

25) Which supermarket has Kevin the Carrot as a character?

26) The music for Carol of the Bells is based on a Ukrainian folk song? True or false?

27) The members of the group The Waitresses who had a hit with Christmas Wrapping were actually waitresses in real life working in a New York Pizza restaurant at Lombardi’s Pizza Restaurant and were discovered by famed music producer and utter loony Phil Spector. True or false?

28) What Church service is held on Christmas Eve?

29) Bishops Offley Christmas Trees from Staffordshire provided a 19 foot tall Christmas tree for which famous location in London?

30) Which US entity offers a Santa tracking service to the world?

31) What Christmas cake or sweet bread is Italy famous for?

32) In mid-Wales, it was the custom to make goose blood tart with the blood of three geese being mixed with currants, flour, suet, salt, spice and golden syrup, when the farmers were killing a large number of geese at Christmastime. True or false?

Answers

1) The three Magi brought gifts for which person?

Jesus

2) Which was the first ghost that Scrooge was met by?

Jacob Marley

3) Which actor played a child who was accidentally left alone at Christmas?

Macaulay Culkin

4) How many types of birds are featured in the Twelves Days of Christmas?

Six (Partridge, French hens, turtle doves, swans, calling birds, Geese)

5) What were the Lords doing in the Twelve Days of Christmas?

Leaping

6) In the Muppet Christmas Movie, which famous actor played Scrooge?

Sir Michael Caine

7) Which pantomime character was based on a real person who became Lord Mayor of London?

Dick or Sir Richard Whittington

8) In which town was Jesus born?

Bethlehem

9) Bony M and Harry Belafonte had hits with what Christmas song?

Mary’s Boy Child

10) What Christmas product is Tom Smith credited with creating?

Christmas Crackers

11) Which Prince popularised the concept of Christmas trees in Britain?

Prince Albert

12) What number of days are traditionally celebrated over Christmas?

Twelve

13) What do many people now eat on Christmas Day in Japan?

A KFC meal

14) In which country is Father Christmas called Kerstman?

Holland

15) In which country is Father Christmas called Babbo Natale?

Italy

16) Who wrote and originally released Felice Navidad in 1970?

José Feliciano

17) What Christmas hit did Wham! Have 38 years ago?

Last Christmas

18) What Shakespeare play is set during the period of Christmas celebrations?

Twelfth Night

19) What Day is also known as Epiphany Eve?

Twelfth Night

20) In the traditional carol, how many ships came sailing in?

Three

21) In South India, one widespread Christmas tradition is putting a burning earthen lamp on their roofs. True or false?

True

22) The USA doesn’t celebrate Boxing Day as a holiday. True or false?

True

23) In which season does Christmas occur in South Africa?

Summer

24) The name Snowball is, actually, a British surname. True or false?

True

25) Which supermarket has Kevin the Carrot as a character?

Aldi

26) The music for Carol of the Bells is based on a Ukrainian folk song? True or false?

True

False, the band actually originated in Akron, Ohio.

28) What Church service is held on Christmas Eve?

Midnight Mass

29) Bishops Offley Christmas Trees from Staffordshire provided a 19 foot tall Christmas tree for which famous location in London?

10 Downing Street

30) Which US entity offers a Santa tracking service to the world?

NORAD

31) What Christmas cake or sweet bread is Italy famous for?

Panettone

True

188% increase in searches for "vegan Christmas food"

Waitrose, one of the UK’s “big five” supermarket chains, has announced searches for “vegan Christmas food” on its website are up by a staggering 188% compared on last year’s figures.

As a result of the upward trend, the high-end grocer is anticipating its most successful vegan Christmas period ever.

A spokesperson for Waitrose revealed specific search terms are driving the spike in traffic. Consumers hunting for “vegan roast potatoes” increased by 166%. Meanwhile, enquiries for “vegan panettone” rose by 110% on last year.

To cater to its increasingly vegan-curious and fully plant-based clientele, the supermarket has unveiled its biggest animal-free festive range so far. Included in the 20+ items are Thai Style No Fishcakes and other finger foods. All are part of a multi-buy party food promotion.

In addition to its groceries sector, Waitrose has reported significant interest in vegan options through two of its other channels. The Waitrose Entertaining department, which prepares ready-to-serve foods for customers, has apparently seen orders for meat-free dishes increase by almost half. This figure is expected to rise further before the end of the year.

“I'm thrilled we're now able to provide a vegan option for every course and with vegan and vegetarian Waitrose Entertaining orders up 49% compared to last year, I have no doubt this category will continue to go from strength-to-strength,” said Simona Cohen-Vida-Welsh, the vegan product developer for Waitrose.

Simultaneously, home cooks are looking to Waitrose for vegan inspiration. A rise in the number of people searching for nut wellington and vegan Yorkshire pudding recipes has been observed. The latter alone has seen a 94 percent increase.

Vegan Christmas food at UK supermarkets

Waitrose isn’t the only UK supermarket chain upping its plant-based festive range.

Notably, Asda unveiled its largest-ever plant-based line-up this year, featuring 97 products. As well as traditional items, including roasting joints and Christmas pudding, increasingly inventive recipes have been added. These include non-dairy breaded brie and chocolate truffles.

https://www.waitrose.com.

It's Christmas but not as we know it?

Christmas Day looks set to be somewhat different this year with millions of households cooking more from scratch to save money, using air fryers, microwaves and keeping the heating lowered to reduce their energy bills.

Most will be dressing down (if they get dressed at all!), as one in ten plan to spend the day in their pyjamas.

The insights come from research commissioned by John Lewis and Waitrose among 2,000 UK adults who celebrate Christmas.

The most popular foods people are planning to make themselves to save money are: 1. stuffing, 2. gravy, 3.desserts, 4. mince pies, 5. Christmas pudding, 6. bread sauce and 7. yule logs, 8.canapes, 9. brandy butter and brand sauce, 10. cranberry sauce.

To save money on bills when cooking their Christmas dinner nearly one fifth said they'll use an air fryer and a similar number said they'll use a microwave (18%) and cook more on the stove to reduce oven time (18%). 15% said they'll serve cold desserts to save money.

The traditional festive activities we’re least likely to cut back on are: 1. giving gifts to the children, 2. drinking alcohol, 3. eating mince pies, 4. sending Christmas cards, 5. buying cheese, 6. Christmas trees, 7. donations to charity, 8. gifts for pets 9. food and drink left out for Father Christmas, 10. a present for ourselves. (Nothing beats a bit of self-gifting!)

When it comes to drinks on Christmas Day the approach for most is sticking to tried and tested favourites.

When asked which drinks they’re most looking forward to prosecco and red wine came top followed closely by non-alcoholic drinks such as Coke and white wine, beer and bucks fizz. 7% are looking forward to a traditional glass of port, 9% want mulled wine, 5% want on-trend rum and 4% are more adventurous in craving an nifty Eggnog.

Those cutting back on the amount they are spending on gifts are most likely to spend less on the adults closest to them with friends impacted first, followed by partners and siblings. 41% said they will spend less on gifts for friends this year, but less than half as many (19%) said they will spend less on a secret Santa gift for a work colleague.

People started shopping for Christmas earlier than ever this year to spread the cost, and as a result only 15% expect to still be buying gifts on Christmas Eve, which falls on a Saturday this year.

For most it’s going to be a dress down Christmas day with only 9% planning to wear sequins, velvet, black tie, or high heels. Almost half of us (45%) will wear pyjamas, jogging bottoms, or jeans for most of the day, and about a quarter (24%) of UK adults will get in the festive mood by wearing a Christmas jumper.

Only 12% of people expect to have their heating on more than other days with a quarter (26%) planning to have it on less, possibly because their house will be heated by guests.

Many want to be active and healthy on Christmas Day with 43% planning to stretch their legs on a walk or run, 5% will swim or bathe in cold water. Habits started in lockdown will continue for others with a quarter (24%) planning to have a video call with friends or family, and 5% saying they will do an online exercise class. Some will unwind from the stress of it all by meditating 6% and just over one fifth (21%) expect to fall asleep after lunch.