Decorate your home for Christmas in a greener way!

It’s time to start planning your home's Christmas decorations. If you are concerned that your Christmas decorations might not be eco-friendly and green, don't worry! 

Because if you are seeking out guilt-free ways to give your home a festive flair then take a look at the stunning collection of rugs, cushions and textiles from Weaver Green. 

Why? Because believe it or not, they are entirely crafted from recycled plastic bottles! These utterly exquisite pieces bring beauty and sustainability to your home allowing you to make your home both festive and eco-aware at the same time.

There are wool-like rugs in an amazing variety of festive colours and patterns, making them the ideal additions to any living space, but especially during the Christmas season.

Carefully crafted using a unique weaving process that transforms recycled plastic bottles into soft, snuggly, durable fibres, these rugs not only look amazing but also help divert plastic waste from landfills and our oceans.

Complement your décor with eco-friendly cushions and throws that radiate warmth and comfort. Made with the same recycled plastic bottle fibres, they're are soft to the touch and perfect for snuggling up by the fire during the colder months.

But there's more! Weaver Green also offers a wide range of textile homewares like tableware, blankets, storage baskets and tote bags, all crafted from recycled plastic bottles. 

These items not only add a touch of elegance to your festive gatherings but they also make wonderful eco-conscious Christmas gifts, too.

All Weaver Green products are incredibly hard-wearing and easy clean, so making them ideal for households with children and pets. (EDITOR: Including a home with a free flying parrot? Sounds perfect!) You can easily machine wash them or wipe them clean, and they'll stay looking beautiful for years to come. 

To check out their full collection and get inspired for Christmas visit www.weavergreen.com.

The world-renowned Jelly Bean Factory presents its Fantastic Christmas Gift Range!

You, and the recipients of your gifts, will discover a World of 36 Huge, utterly delicious Gourmet Flavours with the Ultimate Jelly Bean Factory Gifts which are perfect for Christmas gifting and for Christmas snacking.

This Christmas, The Jelly Bean Factory invites you to embark on an absolutely extraordinary taste adventure with its Gift range. As the specialists in unforgettable confectionery experiences for discerning adults, The Jelly Bean Factory is excited to present an array of impressive, sweet gifts that will bring so much festive joy and pleasure to friends, family and loved ones this Christmas.

This season, the Jelly Bean Factory is presenting an remarkably extensive premium gourmet jelly bean gift range that caters to every taste and every price point, making them the perfect addition to Christmas gift lists. 

From jars to tubs, from cans to pouches, every gift is packed with 36 Huge Gourmet Jelly Bean flavours and they make the ideal choice for gifting, adult stocking fillers, Christmas Eve boxes, self-treating, or sharing together over the holiday period.

The Jelly Bean Factory's delicious range of gourmet jelly beans offer the perfect balance between classic iconic favourites including Butterscotch, Wild Cherry, English Blackberry, Caramel Popcorn and Pina Colada, plus as some exciting adventurous flavour sensations like Salted Caramel, Forest Fruits, Peach Bubble Tea and Cherry Blossom Soda. 

From the moment the first bean touches your tongue, it's clear that this is more than candy. It's a journey into the heart of jellied gourmet perfection. From the cracking outer shell to the chewy jelly cores each bean, with 36 huge and utterly tempting flavours, provides a full and recognisable flavour release. Every bean brings a new flavour experience, unrivalled by any other confectionery that you will have tried. 

And did you know that each and every one of their cherished beans is meticulously crafted, and they take two full weeks to carefully craft each bean? 

Plus they only ever use fully natural flavours and plant-based colours. This commitment to perfection and quality ensures all the beans they create are gluten-free, gelatine-free, and free from palm oil.

Gift the Joy of 36 Huge Gourmet Flavours This Christmas in a Variety of Formats

380g Gourmet Can: Yes, you can now embrace the joy of 36 huge flavours in this delightful can which offers variety and excitement. From £9 on Amazon.

700g Jar: This resealable glass jar will be adored by Jelly Bean Factory enthusiasts – perfect for sharing, munching, or refilling your Jelly Bean Factory machine.  From £16 on Amazon.

900g Jar: This show-stopping jar with screw lid is a present to behold and is bursting with 900g of beans. From £10 available in WHSmith High Street and on Amazon.

1.4kg Carrying Jar: Take your favourite flavours with you wherever you go using the handy carry handle. From £10 in Costco and available on Amazon, too!

4.2kg Mega Jar: A mega jar of Jelly Bean Factory delight, designed for those who seek the ultimate taste adventure. From £25 available in Costco.

200g cup: If you’re looking for the perfect under £5 smaller gourmet gift or adult stocking filler, then look no further than the 200g cup from £3.50 available at Waitrose.

Visit the Jelly Bean Factory Amazon store which you will find here:- https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/TheJellyBeanFactory/page/4439D3DF-479A-442E-A607-8D6E2ED44F30?ref_=ast_bln

Catch up with all the latest news on The Jelly Bean Factory’s social media channels:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJellyBeanFactory

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejellybeanfactory

http://www.thejellybeanfactory.com

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7 Top Tips for a Festive European Cheeseboard Chef Raymond Blanc OBE Offers His Suggestions for Christmas

All over Europe and indeed beyond, a cheeseboard is a popular way to celebrate time together and the Christmas holiday period always presents plenty of time to dedicate an evening (or afternoon!) enjoying generous board of tasty European cheeses.

For Raymond Blanc OBE, who is the Chef Patron of the two Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, cheese is an integral part of any French celebration. 

Raymond is widely known for bringing his passion for French cuisine to the UK and delivering one of the finest dining experiences in the UK. Diners can also find the very best artisan cheeses on the restaurant cheeseboards.

Raymond says: “No French dinner is complete without cheese and obviously, without a doubt, a cheeseboard would have to be extra special at Christmas.

I would always choose a selection of soft, hard and blue cheeses from my home town and elsewhere, including a Brillat-Savarin, Mont d'Or, Comté (36 months), Bleu de Gex and a Tomme de Savoie.

Presentation is clearly very important and to add a touch of luxury to a festive cheeseboard, I would be sure to have an apricot, vanilla & Jura wine compote or a homemade apple orchard chutney and finally a large glass of pinot noir. Joyeux Noël!”

For those wanting to perfect their cheeseboard offering, below are some top tips.

1/ Before serving cheese, leave it outside the fridge for at least 90 minutes in order to release the full flavours, aromas and texture of the cheese.

2/ Make sure you use a board that won't harm the delicate flavours of the cheese - metal plates and trays are a big 'non'.

3/ Offer a diverse choice of cheeses that complement each other in terms of taste and texture. At a minimum, make sure you have at least one soft, hard and blue cheese but to really impress your guests five is the magic number. For something a little different you could also present a cheese board that brings together cheeses from a specific region - such as the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Such cheeses could include: a Tomme de Savoie - a semi-hard cheese, Reblochon - a soft washed-rind and smear-ripened cheese, Abondance – a hard cheese, Saint-Félicien – a bloomy rind soft cheese and Bleu d'Auvergne.

4/ Provide a knife for each cheese to avoid cross contamination of flavours and leave enough space between the cheeses to allow for guests to cut and remove their cheese easily.

5/ Place the cheeses from the mildest to the strongest in a clockwise direction; this helps people to taste in the best sensory order.

6/ Use your creativity and add a few decorative touches to your cheese platter: dried fruit, fresh fruit, fruit jellies, seeds, aromatic herbs, edible flowers, etc.

7/ Prepare festive labels with the name of each cheese so that your guests don't have to ask you.

Many cheeses are available through large supermarkets but if you want to get your hands on the true artisanal cheeses visit your local dairy, cheesemonger or search online.

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Carol! It's Christmas: Brand-New Festive Show comes to Sheffield

Carol! It's Christmas is full of surprises and is told via The Glitterbomb Dancers’ signature high energy dance, sugar high pop, drag and comedy.

Just when you thought Christmas couldn’t get any camper, The Glitterbomb Dancers return to Sheffield to unveil their second remake of a Christmas classic, presented by Theatre Deli.

This time, the Leeds-based queer cabaret dance troupe are messing with the Dickensian staple: A Christmas Carol. An 80s Christmas party. A boss named Carol who thinks the holiday season has gotten too silly. And the Cher’s of Christmas Past, Present and Future, who teach her just how fun and outrageous the holidays can be in this adult festive show. 

Full of surprises and told through The Glitterbomb Dancers’ signature high energy dance, sugar high pop, drag and comedy, Carol! It’s Christmas will run at Theatre Deli’s venue near to Bramall Lane Stadium from Thursday 14th December - Sunday 31st December, with matinee and evening performances. The run will include BSL and audio-described showings, and all performances will be relaxed with the option to use Theatre Deli’s dedicated calm room.

Carol! It’s Christmas will be Theatre Deli’s first Christmas show and first original production since the organisation opened its Arley Street venue in March 2023. The Glitterbomb Dancers will continue to spread their brand of camp Christmas joy across Sheffield this festive season as they perform their show Cracked Nuts at Sheffield Drama Studio.

Best enjoyed with a drink and a good laugh, bag yourself an early bird ticket from just £17! Or if you want to treat yourself or someone special to a VIP ticket with pre-show entertainment and a bottle for the ultimate Christmas party, go for it! 

You will never watch A Christmas Carol in quite the same way again!

Dr Joseph Mercia, Producer and Co-Director for Glitterbomb Dancers for the Glitterbomb Dancers said: “We are very excited to be working with Theatre Deli on this project, who share our passion for making interesting, fun and accessible art happen around Yorkshire!“

Daljnder Singh, Executive Producer for Theatre Deli Sheffield said: “We're thrilled to be working with the fabulous Glitterbomb Dancers to present our festive co-production 'Carol! It's Christmas”

Carol, Its Christmas will run from 14th - 31st December 2023 at Theatre Deli, Cuthbert House, Arley Street, S2 4QP. Early bird tickets are available until 30th September. Tickets can be booked at https://www.theatredeli.co.uk.