Sunday 14 October 2012

Christmas in a Box with Chesil Smokery!

Whether it's for Uncle George, Cousin Tim or for your foodie friend Emma who has everything (of course!) a fishy, meaty or mixed box from the award-winning Chesil Smokery in Dorset makes the perfect gift this Christmas - so why not give them something they will actually be thrilled to receive this year that won't be put straight in the present re-cycling drawer?

Choose from cold-smoked salmon and trout and hot-smoked mackerel, gravadlax and kippers in the fishy box; a selection of hot and cold smoked venison, duck and chicken breast in the meaty box; and a collection of smoky poultry, meat and fish in the mixed box. Each beautifully packaged box costs from £25, and includes a personalised note; boxes can be ordered from www.chesilsmokery.com (18 December is the last day for Christmas delivery).
  • The Taster Box from £25
  • The Old English Box from £40
  • The Sharing Box from £50
  • The Shindig Box from £75
The full range of delicious smoked fish, meat and poultry from the Chesil Smokery is available from www.chesilsmokery.com.

Chesil Smokery in Bridport, Dorset, is the brainchild of managing director Mark Firth, who has been hooked on fishing ever since leaving school at the age of 18 to become a gilly on the Spey, and has travelled the world in his pursuit of all things piscatorial. Now he has channelled that passion into restoring an old smokery at Bridport and helping it to rise, quite literally, from the ashes.

Using English oak and apple wood in its kilns to produce a beautifully sweet and delicate aroma, Chesil Smokery sources only the finest produce - the fittest, leanest salmon (never fatty or oily) from the icy waters of the Shetlands; fresh fish from Samways, the famous fish merchants of Bridport, and the tastiest and freshest free-range chicken and poultry from Creedy Carver of Crediton, Devon. What's more, all the wonderful fish, meat and poultry have lived the right kind of life (as far as humanely and practically possible). 

Consumers Are Getting Social With Merchant Gourmet® For Christmas

Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without Chestnuts, whether they are roasted over an open fire or enjoyed as the bases of some hearty homemade stuffing or stews. Knowing the popularity of their chestnuts range over the festive season, MERCHANT GOURMET®, have launched the 12 weeks of Christmas Campaign, which will engage consumers through the use of social media.
 
Unlike traditional Christmas Campaigns, they have fully embraced the ethos of social media by encouraging people to interact with Facebook and Twitter. The more people engage online, by either answering weekly questions or sharing the campaign with their friends, the more chances they have to win a selection of prizes.
 
Sanjay Davda Head of Grocery at MERCHANT GOURMET®, spoke about the innovative approaches being taken to interact with their consumer base and attract new customers.
 
“This is a really exciting campaign and one that we think will help consumers think of MERCHANT GOURMET® as a brand of choice for Chestnuts.  We have lined up a whole host of Christmas treats for our consumers, such as Kelly Bronze Turkeys, Stellar Organics Wines, Oromo Coffee and Rude Health Cereals, to ensure that our engagement maintains momentum and our reach is maximised over the next three months.”
 
Alongside the weekly treats, the campaign will also result in one lucky person winning a trip to the famous Charlottenburg Christmas Market in Berlin. To enter, customers simply have to check the packs of MERCHANT GOURMET® Chestnuts and MERCHANT GOURMET® Chestnut Puree products for further details. 

Speaking about the reason for linking the on pack promotion with the social media campaign Davda said: “The popularity for traditional ingredients is on the rise, and last year we saw an eight per cent growth year on year in the volume sales of our whole chestnuts. This year we are also planning stronger promotional activity in store in the build-up to the festive season and we believe that this campaign will really bring this product to life and get our customers engaging.  

"We believe that building a two way dialogue is essential and from our success so far it appears that our consumers really appreciate this. After only a few hours of the campaign going live we had increased our Facebook following by nearly 5%, so we are really excited to see what the next 12 weeks have to offer.“
 
Speaking about the overall purpose of the campaign Davda went on to say:“What we want to achieve from this, is to make sure that our chestnuts are the ones of choice for consumers, particularly over the Christmas period. However we also want to attract them to other products within the MERCHANT GOURMET® range whilst simultaneously attracting new consumers. “
 
To enter check out the Merchant Gourmet Facebook page and start liking http://www.facebook.com/MerchantGourmet?ref=hl

Saturday 6 October 2012

You'll click with this gift! An online photography course!

A Christmas gift of a photography course with some of the world’s best photographers is just a click away as MyPhotoSchool launches a unique online gift certificate

MyPhotoSchool, the online school photography school with personal tuition from the world’s top photographers, has today launched gift certificates for each of its online photography courses, in time for Christmas. This makes it possible for people to buy a course right up until the moment they see their loved ones on Christmas Day.

The beauty of a course from MyPhotoSchool is that the world’s most acclaimed photographers teach students popular photography topics, ranging from macro photography or low light photography; child photography and pet photography; bird photography, architecture and flower photography; travel photography and child photography; taking beautiful landscape photographs, and everything in between. This makes is possible to find a gift for everyone, from the most discerning photographer to the keen photography enthusiast to someone simply looking for a great new hobby.

Those wishing to buy a gift certificate for loved ones simply need to choose the online photography course they would like from the MyPhotoSchool website and click through to the individual course page. In addition to a course overview, details about the course tutor and a taster video, visitors will find a ‘Gift this Course’ button. The button leads buyers through the very simple ordering and payment process, and provides a printable certificate with an online code that enables recipients to book any course to begin at a time that suits them.

All MyPhotoSchool courses cost £145, last four weeks and begin on the first Saturday of every month. The beauty of MyPhotoSchool photography courses is that you meet experts in the comfort of your home.

Each course includes step by step video tutorials, downloadable course notes, and the facility to chat with tutors and fellow classmates online, in a ‘virtual classroom’. The classroom may be ‘virtual’ but the camaraderie is real, and the technology is very intuitive and easy to use.

All of the MyPhotoSchool tutors are outstanding in their field (and studio), being accomplished photographers and acclaimed photography writers. Courses cover everything from getting to grips with the equipment, understanding light and exposure, perfecting composition, professionally editing and making money from photography. Tutors at MyPhotoSchool, include world renowned wildlife photographer Heather Angel, former president of the Royal Photographic Society (RPS); David Handley, Sony Fashion Photographer of the Year; Phil Malpas, professional photographer and author of colour photography best sellers; Nigel Hicks, Associate of the British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP), professional photographer and author; Tony Worobiec, Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, founder member of Arena, journalist and author; and Paul Harcourt Davies, professional photographer, author and conservationist. For more information on all of the MyPhotoSchool tutors and the courses that they teach, please go to: http://www.my-photo-school.com/courses/

MyPhotoSchool also provides a free photography website and a monthly themed competition for members registered to its website, with prizes available. Please go to http://www.my-photo-school.com/ for more information.

Sunday 30 September 2012

Gift ideas that will not break the bank

Some of us are going to be on a limited budget this Christmas. So, rather than just throwing our hands up in despair, why not think smart?

If if you buy books as presents, check out www.amazon.co.uk or www.amazon.com. There are often bargain books available and you can also send Amazon Gift Vouchers, too.

Check out eBay for bargains. But do be careful. Ensure that it is a trader with a good reputation. You need to ensure that if a branded item is advertised on eBay that a branded item is what is delivered to your house.

What about a unique present that will not cost you the earth?

For my wife's birthday I presented her with a t-shirt that had a unique piece of artwork on the front and the back. In all likelihood there will never be another t-shirt quite like it! And my wife loved it! Getting t-shorts, fleeces, mugs, mousemats, hats, etc., etc., printed up as one off special jobs is easier and less expensive than you might think.

Tesco offers this service in store in stores that print photographs and most jobbing printers and some photographic shops offer this service too.

Or you can buy the transfers for making you own printed t-shirts at most good office supply companies or from Amazon. That way you can give your family the same design, or you can print a special unique design just for them.

Do you have any art and craft skills? If you can paint, why not make a special and unique work of art for someone? They can make good conversation pieces in their home.

Buy an old, but sturdy, piece of furniture, strip it of all the old varnish or paint and repaint it, perhaps with modern designs on it? That will make another nice one-off gift for someone special.

Get some clear glass vases, storage jars, bowls, etc., and use glass paints on them to create some unique and stunning works of art. These can look very effective  and even someone with no real artistic bent can create a unique and interesting coloured glass object.

Candle making can be fun. Many craft shops stock materials for making candles. And if you make them in glass holders, you can paint the holder to make it a doubly unique and interesting gift.

Glass painting kits and materials and candle making kits and materials are available from Amazon. As are oil, acrylic and water paints and blank canvases for you to start creating your masterpieces for friends and family this Christmas!

If you are comfortably well-off but have a friend or a relation who is not, an ideal present is A Christmas hamper. You can buy these off the shelf or on the Internet, or you can build one yourself. A wicker basket can be bought for under a tenner on Amazon and you can buy tinned goods, biscuits, chocolates, sweets, etc., to use to make into a Christmas hamper over a period of several months, just ensure that what you buy has a long shelf life.

So, have a happy and a creative Christmas!

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Festive Sweet Trees – the latest trend in Christmas treats

Galaxy Christmas Sweet Tree
Galaxy Christmas Sweet Tree
An incredibly cute, edible tree hand made from Maltesers, drizzled with white chocolate and planted with chocolate raisins – what could be a more sumptuous gift this Christmas? With their new range of handmade Sweet Trees, RusticAngels.co.uk have come up with a gift that would delight pretty much everyone on your Christmas list – and make the recipient extremely popular with the rest of the family!

The Sweet Trees looks as good as they taste. Each tree sits prettily in a terracotta pot (not edible!) which is planted with chocolate raisins, fudge and coconut mushrooms, and stands approx. 30cm high, making a wonderful presentation gift, or table centrepiece.

The sweets are lovingly arranged on the tree so they are easy to pick one by one for pure indulgence at the end of a leisurely meal, or can be sneakily plucked by passers-by when no one is looking!

Rustic Angels stock a variety of Sweet Trees, all made from traditional family favourites. Choose from:

Malteser Christmas Tree Snow Cap (standard - £29.95 or mini - £13.95 + p&p)
Galaxy Counters Tree with edible Holly (standard £29.95 or mini - £13.95 + p&p)
Liquorice Allsorts Sweet Tree - £22.50 + p&p
Maltesers Sweet Tree - £24.95 + p&p

Sweet Trees and many other beautiful vintage, retro and French country gifts and home accessories are available from www.rusticangels.co.uk.

Sunday 2 September 2012

New Christmas Gift Fair Launched

A new Christmas Gift Fair has been launched, That's Christmas can reveal.

The Telford Christmas Gift Fair is to be staged at the Telford International Centre, in Telford, Shropshire. The TIC is becoming a top venue for trade and public exhibitions and shows throughout the year.

The Telford Christmas Gift Fair will be held on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd December and will run from 10am onwards on both days. There will be 7,000 square metres of exhibition space, filled with Christmas goodies for all the family!

There will be a wide range of stalls selling a wide variety of gift ideas for all ages from the toddler right through to adults.

There will also be stalls offering a variety of special Christmas foods and drinks, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks being available.

To find out more visit www.telfordchristmasgiftfair.co.uk.

Some space for exhibitors is still available. To book a stall call Kelly Griffin on 07800 872422 or Simon Gaston on 01952 415334.

Saturday 1 September 2012

This Christmas, Why Not Spend It...

...Striking a Yoga Pose in the Himalayas
For a unique Christmas experience, venture to Ananda in the Himalayas, India's leading destination spa. Soothe Christmas stress with Ananda's Himalayan Bliss package including a wild rose soap scrub, personalised yoga session, honey and rose facial and bespoke massage. 

Once you are completely revived, take in the stunning snow-covered Himalayan peaks with a trek to the Kunjapuri temple. Celebrations begin on Christmas Eve with a Gala Dinner and carols, continuing into Christmas Day with sightseeing in the Himalayas. You might even be lucky enough to spot native birds such as barbells and golden eagles.

Price
Himalayan Bliss Package: from $3,850 USD (£2,453 approx) per single room for five nights.
Gala Dinner: $125 USD (£118 approx) plus 18.45% tax per person (subject to change). All three and five-night packages booked before 31st October will receive the Christmas Gala Dinner complimentary.

...Sipping Cocktails at Sunset on an Island Paradise
With an all-inclusive stay at Lily Beach Resort & Spa, taking a tropical holiday to the Maldives is more affordable than it sounds. Located on Huvahendhoo Island in the Maldives, surrounded by pristine beaches, lush tropical vegetation and dive sites, this five-star resort allows all the benefits of a luxury stay - minus the hidden extras. Swap your roast lamb for a fresh lobster or your Yorkshire pudding for a coconut dessert and after a big day of water sports, enjoy unlimited cocktails and signature drinks as you watch the sun go down.

Price
From £1964 per person for 7 nights. Contact: reservations@island-hideaway.com
...Unwinding in a Vinothérapie Barrel Bath

If your favourite part of Christmas is mulled wine, indulge in a Relaxing Moments package at The Yeatman, a multi-award winning luxury wine hotel. Wine lovers will be soothed by a Caudalie Vinothérapie® Massage or drift away in a Deep Barrel Bath. On arrival you will be welcomed by a Signature Cocktail from Dick's Bar and complimentary food and drink from the Special Spa Menu. In the morning, enjoy a continental breakfast served in The Orangerie Room followed by more pampering in the Vinothérapie® Spa by Caudalie. Here you will enjoy the indoor and outdoor infinity swimming pools with stunning panoramic views across the River Douro.

Price
From €418.50 (£330 approx) per room, per night, based on two people sharing a double room.
Contact: Reservations@theyeatman.com) or (+ 351) 220 133 100 mentioning 'Relaxing Moments'

...Enjoying Dutch Wine by the Canal
Situated amid hundreds of kilometers of canals and awarded one of 60 best new hotels in the world, Canal House in Amsterdam surrounds you with all the Christmas festivities right in heart of Jordaan. The traditional Amsterdam Christmas falls on 25th to 26th December and this is when the celebrations really begin. Wander along to the Westergazfabriek winter Festival where you can ice skate, drink Gluwein (hot wine) and sample delectable Dutch food and drinks. Take a stroll to nearby shopping streets, museums and Rembrandt Square. Return to Canal House for a blissful stay with its 17th century dug canal, 23 bedrooms and distinctive horseshoe design. The hotel captures all the historic fixtures, while providing 21st century modern facilities. For New Year's Eve, there are plenty of parties at Museum Square topped with spectacular fireworks.

Price
From €240 (approx £189.00) including buffet breakfast and all taxed (except city taxes).