Christmas time is Dobies' time!

Dobies' Garden Centres are a fine place when you are thinking of your Christmas time requirements. 

Thinking of new plants to gift to the dedicated gardeners in your life? You could go take a look yourself to check out what is available, but the truth is you'll probably be better off just browsing around a little bit, treating yourself to a cream tea and then buying them a Dobies' Gift Card.

This is because it's quite possible that you might (for example) inadvertently purchase them a bush, plant or tree that would not cope with the type of soil they have in their garden. If, like me, you haven't a clue what 'ericaceous' soil is, you really should stick with the Dobies' Gift Card option. My wife, however, as a RHA qualified gardener knows what 'ericaceous' soil is, which is why I leave all gardening matters in her more than capable hands!

However, although Dobies' have a good and well-deserved reputation as plant and gardening experts (since 1865) they also have a great reputation as purveyors of fine interior decorating items, including spectacular Christmas decorations.

Dobbies' has the perfect Christmas solution.

Many people who are looking for sustainable ways to decorate for the festive season, and noting the trend for creating a homely, welcoming feel, Dobbies’ very own stylist, Abbie McCann shares her top tips for making an eco swag, which also presents the chance for people to get creative at home.

Abbie said: “This beautiful eco swag can be made using foraged greenery or collected stems from your garden, this not only looks stunning but it’s really easy to create. It’s a fresh, modern take on a traditional Christmas wreath, and while just about everyone loves a wreath, this is a great, fantastic option for those of us who prefer a more naturalistic vibe."

She went on to say: “You can get your whole family involved in foraging and you can even add new dried elements to it every year. going forward. 

"We’ve created ours using ivy, eucalyptus and a mix of evergreens. You could even spray a few sprigs of eucalyptus to match your colour scheme.”

Step 1

First, form the back of the swag using the ivy and evergreens as the base. Decide the length of the swag and trim it accordingly. Wrap twine around the ends to hold it firmly in place.

Step 2

Treat your swag like it is a bouquet of flowers and evenly place the more delicate foliage throughout your display and secure with twine.

Step 3

Finish your swag by wrapping some ribbon around the ends, making sure to cover the twine. Place it on your doorway to enjoy throughout the festive period. 

For more festive inspiration and to explore Dobbies’ collections for Christmas 2023, visit www.dobbies.com.

(Welcome strip doormat 75x45cm, £9.99; Round grey drypot 32cm, £19.99; Orange stripe cushion 70x25cm, £24.99; LED lantern 30cm, £9.99; Black Arzilla lantern 34cm, £19.99; Black Arzilla lantern 45cm, £29.99)

(That's Christmas will be making our regular pre-Christmas pilgrimage to our local Dobies' branch to check out their Christmas grotto section to check out the Christmas trees (real and artificial) Christmas decorations both inside and outside, plus Christmas lights for the garden, our conservatory and our lounge and kitchen. Plus, obviously, having a coffee and a minced pie in the restaurant!)

Take an evocative Step Into Santa's Workshop With the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar

Take an evocative  step into Santa's workshop during the joyful countdown to Christmas with an enchanting, but limited edition Bonne Maman Advent Calendar full of festive treats and surprises.

And for Christmas 2023 every order from the Bonne Maman website will also receive a very special asnd entirely complimentary gift box set of three full size jars of these exciting new spreads: Bonne Maman Hazelnut Chocolate Spread, Chocolate & Orange Spread plus Caramelised Apple Spread.

Already working very hard on the Christmas preparations, a group of merry Santa's elves have filled the calendar doors with seventeen mini jars of delicious jams & spreads, each one utterly unique, prepared exclusively for this Christmas; flavours will include Milk Caramel with Cinnamon, Apricot with Lavender, Chestnut Orange with Spices, Raspberry with Dark Chocolate or Cherry with Pink Peppercorn. 

Also to be discovered in this very special and very select  seasonal collection are six herbal teas, the likers of Silent Night with delicately scented lemon verbena, damask rose and linden or Christmas Blend with richly evocative pomegranate, star anise, hibiscus and orange. 

Then on Christmas Eve you'll be able to discover a very pretty, surprise gift, just in time for the big day itself!

It's a deliciously festive way to say 'Joyeux Noël' to friends and family during the Christmas season, the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar is available to order from this month, September, online at www.bonnemaman.co.uk  at £28.00, plus £5 courier delivery charge.

The Bonne Maman Advent calendar will also be available from Selfridges, Fenwicks, WH Smith and Ocado plus other select specialist stores including Ratton Pantry.

Add a touch of Finish splendour to your Christmas celebrations

This isn't your grandma's liqueur – this is Kyrö Dairy Cream!

You can really boost your Christmas celebrations with Kyrö Dairy Cream, which is an absolutely deliciously indulgent milk punch liqueur that really embodies the spirit of the season. You can delight in its velvety richness and festive charm, adding a touch of magic to your favourite serves.

Kyrö Dairy Cream is a Finnish cream liqueur with a touch of 100% rye malt whisky. It's carefully crafted with local milk and cream and a splash of Kyrö Malt rye whisky, which does not contain lactose, gluten, or any artificial colours or flavours. It tastes of liquorice, chocolate, toffee, fresh dairy cream, with a hint of salt.

Enjoy neat with ice, add to creamy cocktails, coffees, and desserts.

Available to buy in Waitrose, Kyro Distillery Website or Master of Malt. ABV 16%, 500ml. RRP £19.95

If a creamy liqueur isn't your cup of tea, so to speak, why not make the world's best Gin and Tonic this Christmas with the award-winning Kyrö Gin?

Immerse yourself in a delightful world of aromatic botanicals and winter wonders as you sip on the finest Finnish craftsmanship?

Unleash the Nordic magic this Christmas with Kyrö Gin and be transported to a realm of enchantment, where juniper-infused flavours dance on your palate, evoking memories of snowy landscapes and cosy yuletide gatherings.

Kyrö Gin is a Finnish gin made with 100% rye and wild local botanicals. It tastes herbal and sweet, gentle citrus, peppery rye.

Just add tonic, plenty of ice and freshly harvested garnishes with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary for a delicious Kyrö Gin serve.

An award-winning spirit, Kyrö Gin was voted the ‘World’s Best Compound Gin’ in the 2023 World Gin Awards

Available to buy in Waitrose, Kyro Distillery Website or Master of Malt. ABV 42.6%, 500ml. RRP £29.95  

Kyrö Pink Gin is sweeter than nature!

Celebrate the sweetness of this Christmas with Kyrö Pink Gin, which is a deliciously fruity and vibrant gin that will paint your Christmas festivities in delicate shades of pink. 

So, why nor let Kyrö Pink Gin be the centrepiece of holiday gatherings, as its blushing hues and delightful taste mesmerises your senses?:

Kyrö Pink Gin is a stupendously Finnish gin made with 100% rye, fresh red berries, and rhubarb. It tastes of rhubarb, custard, berries, juniper, smooth sweetness. ​

Just add tonic, plenty of ice and garnish with frozen festive berries for a delicious Kyrö Gin serve.

Available to buy on the Kyrö Distillery website or Master of Malt. ABV 38.2%, 500ml. RRP £29.95 ​

Kyrö Malt is as rye as it gets!

Embark on a sensory journey this Christmas with Kyrö Malt—a whisky that captures the essence of the season in every sip. Immerse yourself in the rich flavors and craftsmanship that define this exquisite malt, carefully crafted to warm your heart during the festive season.

Kyrö Malt is a single batch Finnish malt whisky made with 100% rye. It is double pot-distilled and aged in new white oak casks. It tastes of intense pepperiness, balanced with sweet notes of caramel and vanilla. ​

It's perfect sipped as it is, in a whisky sour – or any way you like.

Available to buy on the Kyrö Distillery website or Master of Malt. ABV 47.2%, 500ml. RRP £49.95 

Kyrö Distillery Company is a Finnish all-rye distillery founded in 2012. It’s run from the small town of in Finland where its distillery and visitor centre is located. The visitor centre hosts 15,000 visitors annually.

Kyrö has won multiple awards over the years, including international Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) where Kyrö Malt Rye Whisky recently won ‘Gold Outstanding’, scoring an impressive 98/100 points. Kyrö Gin and Kyrö Pink Gin have both recently won ‘Gold’ in the World Gin Awards, along with Great Taste stars.

https://www.kyrodistillery.co.uk

That's Food and Drink: Riso Gallo

That's Food and Drink: Riso Gallo: If you like good Risotto rice, then you will absolutely adore Riso Gallo risotto rice which has been providing high quality, very tasty riso...

That's Green: Photography Competition Supporting Conservation – ...

That's Green: Photography Competition Supporting Conservation – ...: The 12 images highlight the beauty and colour of our planet while also helping to raise awareness about its fragility. The finalists of the ...

That's Food and Drink: 2,000 cheeses to try on your Witt's Pizza Oven for...

That's Food and Drink: 2,000 cheeses to try on your Witt's Pizza Oven for...: Award-winning Scandinavian Witt’s Pizza Oven range has been wowing food reviewers and customers alike with its ultra-fast heating and rotati...

An advent calendar and more from Swizzels!

Britain's favourite and iconic sweety maker, Swizzels, will be launching two new gift drum lines in time for Christmas 2023. 

They’ll also be offering their fantastic, iconic and much-loved Sweet Shop Favourites Tubs, Sweet Shop Favourites Pouches, Sweet Shop Favourites Cartons and advent calendars for this Christmas.

All of the delicious Swizzel products will be available throughout the country to purchase from this month (September) onwards from major retailers and c-stores.

Swizzels' new gift drums will capture the Christmas spirit and will offer much-loved and sought-after flavours that the nation truly loves. 

The new gift drums are packed to the gunnels with Swizzels sweets Love Hearts or Drumstick chew variants and are a fine and ideal gift for loved ones this holiday season.

Mr Swizzels Sweet Shop Advent Calendar will be certain to delight all Swizzels fans in the lead up to Christmas! 24 doors are filled with Swizzels favourites including Refreshers, Drumstick, Love Hearts and Squashies.

The MRSP is £5.

You can visit their online shop here: https://www.swizzels.com.