Feeding Christmas Nostalgia with Natural, Pasture-Fed Dairy from Hollis Mead

With Christmas just around the corner, who doesn't look forwards to those special nostalgic indulgences like cheese?

Hollis Mead is one of the only certified 100% Pasture Fed, organic dairies and creameries in the UK and produces a growing selection of award-winning soft cheeses.

Their organic Benville Brie and Truffled Benville Brie have both won 3 Stars in the Guild of Fine Food, Great Taste Awards in 2022 & 2023, an accolade given to less than 1% of the 14,000 entries each year. And their special edition Corscombe Camembert, also returns this Christmas and joins their Brie's to form the perfect Christmas triad of cheese!

Founded in 2020, the vision at Hollis Mead is to help people fall back in love with natural, organic, dairy. To do this they realised they need to demonstrate there is a different, healthier, and more natural way of consuming dairy which is in balance with nature.

They are developing a unique dairy brand which disrupts conventional dairy and the growth of plant-based, highly processed alternatives. Their cows eat 100% pasture from our organic farmland and live outside for most of the year until the weather makes this intolerable for their wellbeing. They only milk their cows once a day which means much less stress on the animal and (they believe), a much higher quality of life for them.

From their 100% pasture-fed, organic milk, they produce a glittering array of award winning, natural dairy products including cream, yoghurts, fine cheeses, butters, crème fraiche, cottage cheese and cultured kefir's as well as exclusive Christmas products like Brandy Cream and Brandy Crème Fraiche.

The Great British Cheese Hamper - £50

Treat your tastebuds to their award-winning Sustainable British Cheese Hamper. Hand made with fresh milk on the farm, using only traditional methods. Unique in quality and taste, because of their 100% pasture fed organic cows' milk.

The hamper contains their Benville, an award winning triple cream cheese (250g), their Truffled Benville, an award winning brie style cheese with wild truffles (250g), their Corscombe - a delicious camembert style cheese (250g) and their unique Cottage Cheese - a creamy, protein rich cottage cheese (300g).

The Hollis Mead Christmas Hamper - £60

Treat family and friends to their award-winning dairy products this Christmas! Made by hand with fresh milk on the farm, using traditional methods. Unique in quality and taste, because of their 100% pasture fed organic cows' milk.

The hamper contains their Benville, award winning triple cream cheese (250g),  their Truffled Benville – award winning brie style cheese infused with wild truffles (250g), their Corscombe Camembert, their popular camembert style cheese (250g), their Salted Butter, award winning and hand rolled brandy butter (200g), their special Christmas Brandy Crème Fraiche, made with their 100% pasture fed organic cow's milk with a splash of Brandy (300g), and their Brandy Cream, made using 100% pasture fed organic cow's milk with a hint of brandy (300g).

All Christmas products will be available from https://hollismead.com from mid-November 2023.

Photograph courtesy of Richard Budd Photography (https://www.richardbudd.co.uk).

Paws and Claus: The Ultimate Christmas Gifts for Your Furry and Feathered Friends

Christmas is a magical time of year when we come together with loved ones to celebrate the spirit of giving and joy. Our pets are a significant part of our families, and it's only fitting that they receive their fair share of festive cheer. 

This holiday season, let's pamper our furry friends with thoughtful Christmas gifts that will make their tails wag and purr with delight. From cosy beds to interactive toys, we've curated a list of the perfect Christmas presents for your pets.

Personalised Collars and ID Tags

Start the Christmas festivities by gifting your pet a personalized collar and ID tag. This is not only a stylish accessory but also a practical one. Engrave their name and your contact information to keep them safe while adding a touch of personality to their daily attire.

A Cosy Bed or Blanket

As the temperatures drop, there's nothing your pet will appreciate more than a warm and comfortable bed or blanket. Choose one in festive colours or patterns to get them into the holiday spirit. Whether your pet is a dog, cat, or something else entirely, there are countless options available to suit their preferences.

Tasty Treats

Treats are a classic way to express your love and appreciation for your pets during the festive season. Consider buying them a special assortment of gourmet treats, ensuring they'll have a mouth-watering Christmas feast of their own.

Interactive Toys

Interactive toys are not only entertaining but also mentally stimulating for your pets. Puzzle feeders, treat-dispensing toys, and electronic mice for cats can keep your furry friends engaged and happy for hours on end. These toys are the perfect way to curb boredom and anxiety while offering mental exercise.

Stylish Pet Apparel

For pets who love to strut their stuff, consider gifting them a fashionable outfit for Christmas. From sweaters to bowties and bandanas, there's an array of options to make your pet look even more adorable during the holiday season.

Grooming Kits

Help your pet look and feel their best by giving them a grooming kit. Brushes, shampoos, and nail clippers are essential for keeping your pet's coat clean and shiny. Plus, it's an excellent way to bond with your pet as you pamper them.

Customised Pet Portraits

Turn your pet into a work of art with a custom pet portrait. You can find artists who specialize in capturing your pet's unique personality in a beautiful painting or digital art piece. This gift is not only thoughtful but also a lasting memory of your beloved pet.

Subscription Boxes

If you want to keep the festive spirit alive all year round, consider a subscription box for your pet. These boxes typically contain a variety of toys, treats, and accessories delivered straight to your door each month. It's a gift that keeps on giving!

New cages

How about buying your pet bird a new cage for Christmas? There are plenty to choose from in all sizes and models. 

Christmas is a time for giving, and our pets deserve to be part of the celebration. The joy they bring to our lives is immeasurable, so why not show your appreciation with a thoughtful Christmas gift this year? Whether it's a cosy bed, tasty treats, or a personalized collar, the right present can make your pet's holiday season unforgettable. Remember, it's the thought that counts, and your furry friend will undoubtedly feel the love through your kind gesture. Merry Christmas to you and your beloved pets!

(Image courtesy of Oli R from Pixabay)

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Clayspoon heads to The Spirit of Christmas

Artisan giftware company Clayspoon will be heading to The Spirit of Christmas event on the 30th October to 5th November 2023 to showcase a range of hand-crafted, exquisite pieces for the home.  

Sussex-based Clayspoon, who will be on stand Q74, will be one of many exhibitors at The Spirit of Christmas which is being held at the Olympia in London.  The team at Clayspoon are looking forward to meeting up with existing customers and making new connections with retailers and suppliers from across the UK. 

Clayspoon brings you hand-crafted, ethical, giftware sourced and distributed from South Africa.  The Clayspoon products are all natural, beautiful and with a purpose.  Clayspoon will be showcasing their 2022 winner of “Gift of the Year” at The Spirit of Christmas, the organic, eco-friendly Halo Dish covers.  In addition, Clayspoon will be exhibiting a few exclusive pieces of stunning Wonki Ware tableware, Hope bracelets and Marmalade Leather hand-made bags.  

The team at Halo says: “We're firm believers in the concept of environmental kindness and this thread runs through everything we sell.  Clayspoon aim for their products to give in more ways than one, from the bracelets where each one feeds an orphan for a week to Wonki Ware which has helped to uplift the local communities for years”.

Launched in 2017 by two sisters, Katharine and Susan, Clayspoon was formed when Susan left England to move to South Africa.  Katharine, a former Design Engineer discovered and fell in love with a locally produced product called Wonki Ware. Wonki Ware products are clay moulded, shaped, smoothed and painted tableware. The two sisters are guided by the belief that something can be natural and beautiful, yet perform a real function and purpose.   To find a local stockist please visit the website www.clayspoon.co.uk. 

There's a range of giftware from Clayspoon, please check them out. Incidentally, Clayspoon also represents Wonki Ware, the handmade South African exclusive pottery. Wonki Ware stockists and local stockists are available on the website: www.clayspoon.com.

i: @loveclayspoon

i: @wonkiwareuk

Get into the spirit! Asda’s range of award-winning spirits and liqueurs are perfect for Christmas

Get into the spirit! Asda’s range of award-winning spirits and liqueurs are perfect for your Christmas partying

Asda has announced seven new drink lines, including Extra Special Chocolate Espresso Martini Cream Liqueur and Extra Special Cask Finished Blended Malt Whisky.  

With prices starting at £8, the beautiful bottles are perfect for Christmas gifting.

The range includes award-winning lines, such as IWSC 2023 Gold medal winner Extra Special Blonde Chocolate Liqueur 

Whether stocking up your home bar pre-Christmas or looking for what to gift friends and family members, Asda’s range of own-brand, award-winning spirits and liqueurs cater to everyone from Espresso Martini fans to Whisky connoisseurs. With prices starting at £8 for IWSC Gold medal winners, customers can find fantastic quality bottles for a bargain price tag.

New for this year, is the Extra Special Chocolate Espresso Martini Cream Liqueur (£8) which combines South American Arabica coffee with triple distilled vodka, indulgent cream, cocoa bean extract and sugar syrup. The drink is endorsed by the Good Housekeeping Institute 2023 and joins the already popular, Extra Special Blonde Chocolate Liqueur (£8) in the range, which customers love for its delicate caramel flavour with Madagascan vanilla. Its high quality was recognised by a Gold medal win in the IWSC Wine and Spirits competition 2023.

Expected to be popular for this year, are ready-to-drink cocktails, which deliver the wow-factor for minimal effort. The Extra Special Salted Caramel Espresso Martini Cocktail (£8) contains pronounced notes of 100% Arabica Latin American blend coffee, triple distilled vodka, coffee liqueur and light notes of Madagascan vanilla extract, sea salt and caramel syrup. Simply shake for 30 seconds and serve over ice for a classic frothy crema top. Complete the trio with Extra Special Passion Fruit Pina Colada (£8) a creamy blend of Caribbean white rum, coconut liqueur and tangy passion fruit and pineapple juice. Alongside the Extra Special Strawberry Daiquiri (£8), a refreshing mix of Caribbean rum, strawberry liqueur, a squeeze of lime and sweet strawberry purée.

For the gin fans amongst us, there is the Extra Special Botanical Gin (£16) is made in Yorkshire with hand foraged botanicals from the surrounding countryside. Containing nine botanicals, which is actually more than most premium gins on the market, the combination of gorse and crab apple is a unique offering and exclusive recipe for Asda. 

It’s also endorsed by the Good Housekeeping Institute 2023 and achieved a Bronze medal win in the IWSC Wine and Spirits competition 2023. With sustainability at the heart of how this gin is made, Asda's supplier Sloemotion, use an energy efficient still for creating the gin, which uses a fifth of the energy of a traditional copper still. The botanicals, once used in the distillation process, are also composted and used as fertiliser.

For customers looking for no/low alcohol options, our improved Extra Special Non Alcoholic Botanical Gin (£10) certainly doesn’t compromise on flavour and quality. Refreshing and vibrant, the botanical drink is based on traditional alpine juniper, Indian coriander seed and Sicilian lemon; the blend is then enhanced by Tahitian lime. Based on unique water from the Cairngorm mountains in the Scottish Highlands, filtered through granite rock for up to fifty years, results in a special, low mineral content.

Finally, for the whisky connoisseurs, Asda provides a truly unique addition to its premium range this year. Two Extra Special Blended Malt Scotch Whisky bottles, one matured in a Caribbean Rum Cask (£22) and one in an American Bourbon Cask (£22). Traditionally distilled using water and air-dried malted barley before being matured in traditional oak barrels for a minimum of three years, one is then finished in a rum cask for a further two years and the other in an American bourbon cask for 2 years, to impart even more flavour.

The Rum Cask Whisky is soft and delicately balanced, with a full-bodied spiced complexity and notes of honey and vanilla. Baked orchard fruits, sticky glazed pineapple and a gently warming finish, this smooth drink ends with soft wood spice, creamy vanilla and a hint of sweet cinnamon. Whilst the American Bourbon Cask Whisky has a rich flavour of warm summer fruits, complex caramel and a refined floral finish, it’s smooth with pure malty flavours, white chocolate and a drizzle of honey. Both bottles are Silver medal winners at the IWSC Wine and Spirits Competition 2023.

Shop in store and online at asda.com now, ready for the festive season. For customers planning ahead, Christmas grocery delivery and click and collect slots are already available to book online at Asda.com or via the Asda app, with over one million slots available in Christmas week.

www.asda.com