Treat your loved ones ot what they really want this Christmas. Some Wickes stocking fillers!

Find the perfect gift for any budget at Wickes this winter

Do you want to help a loved one transform their home this Christmas? For those looking to deck the halls, the bathroom, the lounge or even the kitchen, Wickes has a range of festive and fun stocking fillers to satisfy the needs of both expert and novice DIYers this Christmas.

Those who are already a dab hand with a drill will love the Wickes 3.6V Li-ion Cordless Screwdriver (only £9.99) to help take their home improvement projects to the next level. For those who’ve never even picked up a screwdriver, why not get them their first Stanley Metal Latch Toolbox (only £13.99) and encourage them to kick start their DIY dream.

Whether friends and family are looking to revitalise an overlooked room or simply tidy up some odd jobs around the house, these stocking fillers can help spread some Christmas cheer by making sure all the family have exactly what they need to improve their home in 2016.

Under £10
Wickes 3.6V Li-ion Cordless Screwdriver, only £9.99 in stores nationwide and online

                                               Wickes 3.6V Li-ion Cordless Screwdriver
The Wickes 3.6V Cordless Screwdriver has a soft grip handle for ease of use and comes with 10 different screwdriver bits. Suitable for use with wood, metal and plastics, it’s perfect for all manner of DIY projects from beginner through to expert use.

Stanley Metal Latch Toolbox 16in, only £9.99 in stores nationwide and online
Stanley 1-94-858 Metal Latch Toolbox 20in
The Stanley Metal Latch Toolbox has a wide soft grip handle on top for easy lifting. Its innovative design, combined with its robust structure and large storage volume make this the perfect gift for anyone looking to organise their tool collection ahead of their projects in the New Year.

Under £20
Wickes 2000W Hot Air Gun, only £14.99 in stores nationwide and online

Wickes 2000W Hot Air Gun
The Wickes 2000W Hot Air Gun has a rubber grip for improved comfort and three speed/heat settings. It is guaranteed to make a range of home improvement projects even easier to achieve, helping remove paint, varnish and more. For those embarking on some serious DIY, this is sure to help lighten the load.

Stanley Fat Max Screwdriver Set 6 piece, only £17.24 in stores nationwide and online
Stanley Fat Max Screwdriver Set 6 Piece
The Stanley FatMax Screwdriver sets are made with chrome vanadium steel which allows for high torque and reduces the risk of tip breakage. The handle is moulded directly to shaft for a virtually unbreakable bond, giving long life and durability. Ideal for anyone needing strong durable tools to tackle those tricky DIY projects.


Under £30
Stanley Dynagrip Strike Cap Chisel Set 5 Piece, only £22.46 in stores nationwide and online

Stanley Dynagrip Strike Cap Chisel Set 5 Piece
The Stanley Dynagrip Strike Cap chisels have a steel striking cap which can be used with a steel hammer for increased force at the point of contact, and a longer soft-grip handle for improved grip and control. The chisels are manufactured from forged high carbon steel for strength and durability and have pre-sharpened blades ready for immediate use. These would be ideal for anyone needing to do high-precision DIY work.


Wickes 300W Versatile Multi Tool, only £29.99 in stores nationwide and online

The Wickes 300W Versatile Multi Tool has a slim body with a soft comfortable grip. This Multi Tool comes with a semi-circle saw blade and an end cutting blade, as well as a sanding pad and sanding sheets. Great for DIY lovers who would benefit from a versatile gadget that can be used for sawing, cutting and sanding.


Under £50
Kärcher WV2 Window Vac, only £39.99 in stores nationwide and online

Karcher WV2 Window Vac
The new Kärcher Window Vac makes cleaning windows easier and quicker than traditional methods. Also suitable for other smooth surfaces such as mirrors and tiles, and leaves surfaces clean with no streaks or residues. Great for anyone looking to get a head start on their spring cleaning in the New Year.


Over £50
Bosch PMD 10 Multi Detector, only £56.24 in stores nationwide and online

Bosch Pmd 10 Multi Detector

The Bosch PMD 10 Multi Detector detects the most frequent materials found behind walls, ceilings and floors, including ferrous and non-ferrous metals, AC live wires and studs. Whether it’s live AC wires, wood studs, copper pipes or steel rebar, the PMD 10 can help you locate problem areas with ease. DIY enthusiasts needn’t worry any longer about drilling into a water pipe or damaging a power cable.


Worx 250W Sonicrafter Universal Multi-Tool, only £69.99 in stores nationwide and online

Worx WX679 250W Sonicrafter Universal Multi-Tool
The Worx Sonicrafter is the ideal tool for around the home thanks to its great versatility. The 18 included accessories make it perfect for cutting architrave, sanding in tight corners, cutting pipes and removing grout as well as carrying out tasks on wood, metal, plastic, tiles and more.


Worx 20V Lithium-Ion Cordless Hammer Drill with 2 Batteries, only £99.99 in stores nationwide and online

Worx WX372.7 20V Lithium-ion Cordless Hammer Drill With 2 Batteries
The Worx 20V Lithium-ion Cordless Hammer Drill will always give you the confidence to tackle any task. Making light work even of masonry, completing your DIY projects around the home & garden couldn’t be easier. The 20V Lithium battery stays charged up to 1 year and Powershare allows you to interchange your batteries with your other 20V Worx tools.


To learn more and to find out the location of your branch of Wickes, please visit http://www.wickes.co.uk/

Ragdale Hall Gift Vouchers

All vouchers come beautifully packaged in a presentation pack with voucher wallet and brochure.
Starting from only £25, a Ragdale Hall Gift Voucher is the perfect gift that can be enjoyed any time throughout the year ahead.

Vouchers are available for spa day packages, breaks or in monetary values –  the choice is entirely yours:

Monetary Vouchers – available in £100, £50 and £25. Can be used towards a spa day or spa break or to pay for additional goods purchased whilst a resident or day guest.

Spa Day Packages – available for each of Ragdale’s  day packages (from £79 to £205) for weekdays or (£89 to £225) at weekends.

Spa Breaks – vouchers are available for any of the packages detailed in our Guide to Spa Breaks for either twin, double, triple or single occupancy in a choice of six different room types.
Fully inclusive prices from £138 per person per night.

Please feel free to view Ragdale Hall’s video brochure at http://www.ragdalehall.co.uk/video-spa-brochure.php

All vouchers are valid for a year from the day of purchase and are dispatched upon receipt of full payment.

To make a purchase or for further information contact Voucher Sales on
01664 433030 or visit our website on www.ragdalehall.co.uk

Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa, Ragdale Village,
Nr Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 3PB Tel: 01664 434831,
Email: enquiries@ragdalehall.co.uk.

Fruit Cake & Cheese: A Festive Favourite for Yorkshire Folk

As the festive season approaches, one custom that is set to entice the taste buds of the nation is fruit cake and Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese – an increasingly popular Christmas pairing, which sits proudly amongst the long-standing traditions of God’s Own County.

The pairing of fruit cake and Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese dates back to at least the 19th century, and the Creamery proudly champions the flavoursome match of its creamy Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese with the rich sweetness of fruit cake. The combination has won many plaudits from Yorkshire Greats as a well-known festive treat.

William Hague, Former UK Foreign Secretary, Leader of the House of Commons, flies the flag for the seasonal match: “For me, there is no greater delicacy in the world than Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese and fruit cake.”

David Hartley, Managing Director of the Wensleydale Creamery, comments: “Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese has become synonymous with quality, authenticity and tradition, being recognised with European protected food name status.  Our skilled cheese-makers still continue the art of handcrafting Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese in the heart of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales today.

“We are very proud to celebrate the long-standing great Northern tradition of Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese and fruit cake and we look forward to seeing many celebrating and enjoying the festive treat across the nation this Christmas.”

To find out more or to purchase the Wensleydale Creamery’s full range of cheeses and accompaniments, visit www.wensleydale.co.uk.

Bonne Maman... It's sort of French for Christmas!

BOITE METAL MADELEINES 2015+sticker festif.

Treat your family and friends to a limited edition Bonne Maman Madeleines Christmas Tin, the perfect festive indulgence to share on Christmas Day.

Featuring 10 individually wrapped Bonne Maman Madeleines, delicate in taste and light in texture thanks to their subtle almond and vanilla flavours and light, buttery sponge.

Made from an authentic traditional recipe using the finest natural ingredients, these French delights will add a little luxury to this festive season.

Available from Ocado (RRP £3.99)

Men's Health Lab launches new vitamin range for Christmas gifting

Men's Health, the UK's no 1  men's  magazine, has launched into the vitamins   sector with  its new brand Men's Health Lab, to help men release their best   by giving their body and mind an extra  helping hand.  

There's eight easy-to-understand products, so Men’s Health Lab vitamins has made it simpler  for  men to navigate the complicated  vitamins  and supplements  market by developing clear  benefit led vitamins products, designed with  men  and  their busy lifestyles in mind.  

The new comprehensive range is expertly designed to support the specific needs of every man   and utilises the  expertise that Men’s Health has built over nearly three decades in the  health and   fitness industry.  

Developed by the experts of Men's  Health in  partnership with consumer healthcare specialists    Omega Pharma,  men can  be assured each and every product is made only with the highest   quality ingredients,  carefully selected and sourced for optimum health benefits.

The range is split into three distinct segments of advanced vitamins and supplements, tailored  to   support body and  mind:  

• Performance: Mental Focus,  Vit  D3 Max, Cardio Health  & Joint Endurance
• Well-being Multi-­Fit   & Body Defence  
• Energy Energy Release  &  Active Recovery  

Please note that Men's Health Lab products are available via the Amazon powered gift shop which you will find to the top right side of That's Christmas.

Bespoke Number Plates from Fourdot. The ideal gift. gift cards are available

The first fully tailor-made, 100% road legal number plates, Fourdot gives drivers the ability to add a unique finishing touch to their number plate, perfectly complementing the contours, lines and aesthetics of their vehicle.

Tailor made dependent on each vehicle's shape and style as well as the driver's unique personality – the luxury plates are completely custom-made.

Crafted out of high grade, quality acrylic, Fourdot’s Style and Signature ranges are both designed to be bespoke to each persons needs.

Signature Range
Carefully created for car enthusiasts, the flagship Signature range uses advanced 3D laser scanning technology to produce model specific number plates that fit each vehicle’s plate recess with precision.

Use the online Plate Creator to discover a range of design options, from the colour of backgrounds, to the size and shape of the reflective area and borders. Plus, add bespoke icons or personal artwork that matches either the paint or styling of the vehicle and create your own bespoke plate that enhances rather than detracts from the vehicle’s original design.

Price: from £145 (a pair)

Style Range

With the same state-of-the-art precision engineering alongside fixed plate dimensions, tailor the Style range to suit the personal tastes of the owner as well as their vehicles aesthetics. Choose designs from the hundreds of options created by Fourdot’s in house design team or create your own unique arrangement, based on anything from the owner's favourite pattern or design to a favourite hobby or pastime.

Price: from £75 (a pair)

Both laser cut ranges are manufactured in the UK and also come with a zero front plate option; a streamlined front plate that reduces the size to the extremes of legal limits, to show that less is definitely more.

Head to www.fourdotdesignerplates.co.uk to design a bespoke plate unique to each individual person's style or purchase a gift card.

BRITA Marella jugs a good looking and healthy Christmas gift

We all know the importance of water when concerning our health and skin, so it's good news that BRITA have a Marella jugs which holds up to 2.4L or 3.5L of water.

Marella's fit perfectly into the fridge door and have a helpful 'memo' which reminds you to change the Maxtra cartridge to ensure you always have the freshest filtered water.

The Marella jug reduces levels of chlorine, heavy metals and limescale in your water, and also features a sleek flip top lid. It comes in a range of colours to suit every kitchen from Yellow to Purple.

So not only does it make an attractive Christmas present, it also helps keep the recipient healthy, too!

Why not buy one for yourself, too?

Festive fun for Christmas week

@ The Hour Glass
http://hourglasspub.co.uk/
Enjoy their cosy downstairs pub area for drinks first before heading to the upstairs restaurant for a traditional selection of Christmas wonders starting at £30 for three courses. Indulge in delicious dishes such as warming Blue Vinney Rarebit, Venison and Bacon Suet Pudding and Stone Bass with Clams and Purple Sprouting Broccoli – there’s also Roast Goose with all the trimmings for those who want to keep it traditional.

@ Adam Byatt http://www.trinityrestaurant.co.uk/
Trinity: Long considered one of the finest restaurants in the Capital, and a particular stalwart for residents south of the river. Get involved in true gourmand Christmas tradition and enjoy Adam Byatt’s luxury Christmas menu, offering three courses for £50 per person (Available from December 2nd to 23rd, for groups of 4 or more) Choose a hearty pumpkin soup with gingerbread to begin your wintery feast before a whole goose with Cranberry Stuffing, Roast Roots and Goose Fat Potatoes is put before your table.

Upstairs at Trinity: The more informal restaurant “Upstairs” offers a banquet for Kings, a sharing feast starting at £30 offering a variety of options for three courses. Choose Gin smoked salmon or delicious Cornish mussels to start with, before the whole table can feast on spit roast Ark Farm chickens with Macaroons or a cheese selection for pudding, if you still have room..!
Bistro Union: Keeping it real this Christmas, with only festive favourites on their £35 three course menu, guests can choose from comforting classics like Cherry Smoked Salmon, Turkey with all the trimmings and stilton and port for a Christmassy closure.
http://www.bistrounion.co.uk/

@ Rudie’s http://rudieslondon.com/
For those that don’t want to pre-empt the Christmas Day meal by eating the full turkey only weeks before, Rudie’s “festive” menu is just for you. For only £29.50 feast on turkey and cranberry Jamaican patties, slow cooked pineapple and rum glazed ham and Rum Cake with Rum Butter Sauce and Ice Cream.

It doesn't stop there though, adding an extra punch to your Christmas feast, Rudie’s offers you their festive and aptly named Berries Hammond cocktail – an enchanting mix of winter fruit and Jamaican Rum.

Christmas made easy

Christmas Hampers. Or as my wife calls this concept, "Christmas in a Box!"

Forget the stress of Christmas shopping this year – containing everything you need for the perfect gift in one package, a hamper is your secret to hassle-free festivities.

Even the fussiest of family members would be thrilled to receive a hamper full of their favourite Christmas classics and, thanks to First4Hampers, these bundles of delight can be selected and ordered in just a matter of clicks with next day UK delivery available. Many of the products, which are sourced from the UK, Ireland and Europe are Great Taste Award winners, which is the highest accolade afforded to foods in the UK and ROI.

From Christmas puds to chocolate Brazil nuts, wine, marmalade and biscuits, these food-filled hampers make the ideal gift for indulgent enjoyment and will last long after the turkey has been eaten.

The Great Christmas Classic (£79.90)
Delivered in a classic handmade wicker hamper, this festive-themed gift package contains all the Christmas classics sure to evoke fond memories. Perfect for families, it includes favourites such as chocolate Brazils, brandy pudding, Raspberry shortcake and Christmas preserve. The season can be toasted with a selection of Vicuna Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc wines.

Luxurious (and affordable) Christmas    
This Thornton & France (established 1717) luxurious gift box creates an opulent present which doesn’t break the bank. Perfect for post (or pre) turkey nibbles, it contains both savoury and sweet treats such as handmade sweet ham and pickle Yorkshire Crisps, caramelised cashews, Ditty’s spiced shortbread and Cole’s figgy Christmas pudding. These goodies can be enjoyed with delicious Lily O’Brien’s chocolates and washed down with Alta Rita Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc (or New English Tea if you prefer). Perfect for sharing after the kids have gone to bed.
£69.90

Festive Fruit Punch Basket
Walker’s Mincemeat tarts, Cole’s brandy Christmas pudding, Belgian chocolates and shortbread Scottie dogs are just some of the delicious classics contained in this stunning handmade wicker hamper. An ideal gift for one or two people, the delicious delights can be washed down with non-alcoholic fruit punch made with real elderberries, blackcurrants and orange, spiced up with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to create the perfect festive drink.
£35

For more information on First 4 Hamper’s full range, please visit www.First4Hampers.com.

Pet Pavilion. Festive fun for the furry folk in our lives!

If you thought buying gifts at Christmas time was restricted to just humans – think again.

This year, thanks to London’s most luxurious pet boutique, Pet Pavilion we can now spoil our favourite furry friends just like our other family members.

The new range of canine Christmas treats which will be available in all Pet Pavilion stores is so exclusive, that they are sure to be at the top of every doggy and moggy’s Christmas list.

From exclusive spa packages to beds shaped like Ferarri’s and beautifully packaged to special sparkling collars for the fashion conscious pet. Owners can find truly unique toys, accessories and treats to suit even the fussiest of tastes and keep your four legged friends occupied for hours.

For those customers looking to really splash out at the most wonderful time of the year, Pet Pavilion will also be offering the Christmas Spa Package where you can indulge and pamper your pet with their own very special treatment designed to enhance their regular groom or bath.

There will be a festive Mulled Orange Shampoo and Conditioning Treatment, a Pedicure with moisturising paw balm, a Mulled Orange Cologne Spritz and to top it all off the pamper pooches will also be given a Christmas bow tie for the boys or bow for the girls, guaranteed to make them wag their tails with delight.

To learn more please visit http://petpavilion.co.uk/

Mac & Wild Ready To Drink Pre-Bottled Cocktails -

 Mac & Wild Ready To Drink Pre-Bottled Cocktails (www.macandwild.com/cocktails) London’s top Scottish restaurant Mac & Wild is pleased to announce the launch of their brand new ready to drink innovative cocktail range, Scottish Cocktails, this winter.

The drinks come in four ready to drink varieties including the Ginger Laddie and the Auld Pal.

 The cocktails are available to buy in stores including Selfridges & Co and Whole Foods.

These nostalgic flavours will transport you to the heart of the Highlands and will serve as the perfect Christmas gift for your loved one or even for yourself.

(Image courtesy of Mac & Wild)

Inception Group Experiences and Gift Vouchers

The festive period is the Inception Group’s favourite season and to celebrate, all eight restaurants, bars and clubs are offering an exciting array of one-of-a-kind experiences and gift cards that would make ideal presents for friends, family, loved ones and colleagues.

From a Squiffy Picnic experience at Soho’s underground sensation Cahoots to a Saturday brunch party complete with DIY bellini kits at Battersea’s Bunga Bunga, there is truly an experience for everybody to enjoy.

All experiences and gift cards can be purchased via http://inception-group.com/.

Encona can help you transform your turkey and help stop food waste

The British waste an astounding and, to be frank, horrific, 7 million tonnes of food each year, with much of this happening over the festive season.

Did you know that very Christmas, we throw away an estimated 2 million turkeys. Yet being inventive with leftovers is easy and delicious - particularly with Encona!

If your family enjoyed fish or seafood as part of your festive fare, this needs to be the first food you use up. Toss leftover prawns with carrots, radishes, cabbage and spring onions, and serve with a dressing of Encona Thai Mild Sweet Chilli Sauce with oil, lime and fish sauce. This fresh salad will bring exotic flavour to your Boxing Day meal!

Leftover roast potatoes are delicious hot or cold with any Encona chilli Sauce, but why not try mixing three parts mayonnaise with one part Encona African Peri-Peri sauce for a yummy Peri Mayo dip? Or make a twist on a traditional British dish by crafting Bubble & Squeak from leftover roasties and sprouts, served with a drizzle of Encona West Indian Original Hot Pepper sauce for a flavoursome treat.

Cold turkey can be tossed with cooked noodles, shredded carrot, thinly sliced spring onion and a generous splash of Encona Thai Chilli and Garlic Sauce for a delicious noodle salad. Still have plenty of poultry? Stir turkey, leftover root veg and chickpeas into chopped tomatoes and stock, add a generous dollop of Encona Moroccan Harissa Marinade, simmer and serve with couscous for a delicious tagine.

Sausage meat can also be given a spicy lift by mixing with Encona West Indian Original Hot Pepper Sauce, thyme and Worcestershire Sauce before crafting into sausage rolls. Feeling brave? Upgrade to Encona West Indian Extra Hot Pepper Sauce; made to a traditional Caribbean recipe using a super fiery blend of Scotch Bonnets and Jolokia Peppers.

For those adventurous chefs out there, each sauce can also be enjoyed in a variety of ways: with grilled meat, prawns and fish, drizzled over salads, used as a marinade or even as a dipping sauce.

This festive season liven up your leftovers with the spicy flavours of Encona!

Encona is available at all major multiples, cash & carries and independent stores.

RRP:  
Encona African Peri-Peri Sauce (142ml) - £1.49 RRP
Encona West Indian Original Hot Pepper Sauce (142ml) - £1.49 RRP
 Encona Thai Chilli and Garlic Sauce (142ml) - £1.49 RRP
Encona West Indian Extra Hot Pepper Sauce (142ml) - £1.49 RRP
Encona Thai Mild Sweet Chilli Sauce (285ml) - £1.99 RRP

For the full recipes, please go to the Encona website:
Encona Thai Style Prawn and Rice Salad: http://www.enconasauces.co.uk/recipes/far-east/encona-thai-style-prawn-and-rice-salad/
Encona Thai Chilli Garlic Chicken and Noodles: http://www.enconasauces.co.uk/recipes/far-east/encona-thai-chilli-garlic-chicken-and-noodles/
Encona Sausage Rolls: 
http://www.enconasauces.co.uk/recipes/caribbean/encona-sausage-rolls/

Property Moose launches property gift giving platform in time for Christmas

Property crowdfunding specialists, Property Moose, has launched a product to provide people the chance to gift their loved ones a slice of property this Christmas.

With 37 per cent of people in the UK previously receiving Christmas gifts that they did not want or use[1], property offers the ideal alternative for those looking for a gift for the future.

This year, families are expected to spend an average of £796 celebrating Christmas, with £596 of this spent on presents alone.

However, a survey revealed that a substantial amount of money spent at Christmas was wasted; in fact, UK adults have previously squandered £2.4 billion on uneaten, discarded food and unwanted gifts.

A gift usually considered out of reach, property can offer the ideal alternative for a loved one who already has everything or as an ideal investment opportunity for friends or that budding property mogul. In addition, property investment through Property Moose enables the receiver to take full control of the investment, with a tangible gift that returns a monthly income and potential the benefit of capital growth.

Andrew Gardiner, founder of Property Moose comments, “We believe investing in property can be a great gift alternative for loved ones this Christmas – instead of giving someone an unwanted gift, why not give them the chance to invest in their future with a share of a property investment?”

Property Moose’s simple online platform can also take the stress out of shopping. With a selection of properties available to invest in, all properties are specifically chosen by the expert Property Moose team, to ensure each one has prime letting opportunities as well as potential forecasted growth.

With gifts available from £25, investors can spread their capital across individual properties, allowing them to create a diverse portfolio more easily. By doing so, parents can help invest in their child’s future which could later help them with expenses such as university fees.

“Christmas is just around the corner and British shoppers have already begun the spending frenzy; especially with the recent shopping days including Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Now is the time to consider where you’re spending your money to ensure you buy a present that not only excites on Christmas Day, but offers someone a gift that could keep on giving,” adds Andrew Gardiner.

Property Moose have asked that we include this Risk warning: Investing in property involves risks, including illiquidity (the inability to sell assets quickly or without substantial loss in value), lack of dividends, loss of investment and dilution, and it should be done only as part of a diversified portfolio. There is no secondary market available meaning that these securities are illiquid. Your capital is at risk. Past performance and forecasts are not indicative of future performance.

For more information, please visit www.propertymoose.co.uk

Something for every woman with Marie Meili's latest collection

Marie Meili’s Autumn Winter 15 collection takes on a mix of flattering and fitting lingerie that brings femininity to the forefront for the season ahead.

The new collection boasts soft silks in sophisticated balcony styles and impressive deep plunges for that ‘wow’ factor.

Styles include charming lace; vibrant purples, pinks and dramatic reds bring confidence, comfort and glamour this season.
Turn your back in style with racer back straps finished with girly bows to get you ready for the party season

For practical purposes you can always rely on the core t-shirt bras. Choose from styles lined with lace, patterned in polka or floral prints to give a flirty feel.

Curves

For busts bigger than most, Marie Meili continues to provide a range of styles with a ‘feel good, look good’ factor in the form of ranges like Aurora, lace t-shirt and wire bras, light control briefs, hipster and brief pants.

Sizes range from 36C to 40F

Active Wear

Look stylish while working out with Marie Meilli’s Active Wear. Medium impact, quick dry fabric and seamless knits allow for comfort, while the neon colours and leopard print that encourage a fun work out.

Sports bras available in XS-XXL
Sports underwear available in S-L

Marie Meili pride themselves on providing a wide range of products for the following lifestyle needs including lingerie, swimwear, shapewear, activewear, nursing bras and the curves range of lingerie, swimwear and shapewear for fuller figures. Marie Meili is a brand with something for everyone.

Whether looking for seduction or fun, practical solutions or sheer indulgence, Marie Meili is the brand that will deliver all you need an more. Main stockists included ASOS, House Of Fraser and Amazon.

(EDITOR: They are available via our Christmas shop to the right of this page.)

Rocket Dog’s AW15 ‘All Roads’ Collection

Californian footwear brand, Rocket Dog, launch their AW15 Collection with brand new silhouettes and a fresh style injection.

The ‘All Roads’ collection has taken inspiration from the popular World Traveller style. Incorporating a range of earthy colours, textures and designs, Rocket Dog brings together global vision with different terrains and tones. Rich colours from chocolate to greys are accented with bold shades to cement an autumnal feel.

Bringing catwalk looks to the forefront, animal prints and tartan are a key mix within the new collection. Using high-quality fabrics, leathers, suede’s and Rocket Dog signature textures, the AW15 collection sees new, updated designs.

Key styles include Cray, Temecula and Weekender.

• Cray - an outdoor inspired boot design with a thick, trek-like sole.
• Temecula - a simple silhouette completed with ankle sock detail for a fashion forward edge.
• Weekender – this takes inspiration from the walking boot, complete with a faux fur cuff.

Website: www.rocketdog.co.uk

Prices are from a remarkably reasonable  £17.99.

New Covent Garden Soup Company® predicts a White Christmas!

‘Tis the season for your taste buds to jingle!

New Covent Garden Soup Company is cooking up a Winter Wonderland with their new White Christmas Soup. ‘O come and indulge yourself in the festive spirit with a delicious blend of potato, cauliflower, cream, aromatic truffle infused oil and white wine.

Keep your taste buds toasty with this comforting Christmas soup and unwind at this
busy time of year. It’s the perfect festive bowlful!

Treat yourself to a little seasonal indulgence and enjoy as a tasty lunch or dinner.

This December, toast your toes by the fire, sip on this blissful soup and have yourself
a merry Christmas!

White Christmas Soup will be available from all major retailers for a RRP £2.20.

White Christmas Soup is suitable for vegetarians so will make an ideal first course for everyone round the Christmas dining table, even those going for the nut roast option.

Hari Ghotra’s ‘Curry Kits’ putting a kick into Christmas. The best Christmas food present on a budget

Spice up your life this Christmas with one of Hari Ghotra’s Curry Kits on sale at www.harighotra.co.uk for a bargainous £3.50, a perfect present for a fellow foodie, a ‘Secret Santa’ or budget gift this holiday season.

These tastetastic tantalising kits are about making it easier to cook proper Indian food by providing proper quantities of ingredients, with handpicked spices from the expert herself.

Each kit includes individually numbered bags for every stage of cooking and easy to follow instructions. In addition, the kits include a video link so it’s super easy to cook along with Hari.

Experience exciting spices, unique ingredients and different cooking styles by selecting from curry classics such as Korma, Tikka Masala and Biryani. Or lesser known dishes from the South Indian Xacuti, that incorporates coconut and Kashmiri chillies and the creamy yet spicy Makhani.

Stockist information:
Hari Ghotra’s Curry Kits £3.50
Hari Ghotra’s Curry Kit Set of six £18.00
Hari Ghotra’s Curry Kit Set of twelve £36.00
Hari Ghotra’s Spice Tin – Six Spices £25.00
http://shopify.harighotra.co.uk .

New luxury Magnum Chocolate for pleasure seekers this Christmas

Magnum, the leading authority on chocolate pleasure, is introducing a new and contemporary range of Magnum chocolates, into the premium chocolate category.

The new collection offers decadent treats as well as beautifully packaged gifts for someone special.

Their exceptional quality Magnum chocolate is made using the highest quality Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa and features the iconic crack of the rich signature Magnum chocolate. Perfect for Pleasure Seekers!

The Magnum chocolate collection is the perfect gift for a special host.
An elegant collection of delicious, luxury Magnum chocolates in a variety of sumptuous flavours to celebrate pleasure.

Milk, dark and white chocolates, carefully crafted with premium ingredients to create delicious flavour combinations including;- salted caramel, intense raspberry, double chocolate, almond classic, praline crunch and finished with a classic milk chocolate Magnum disc.

Magnum Chocolate Thins
Deliciously smooth thins, delivering the distinctive Magnum crack, as well as the signature Magnum ‘M’ stamp.  Perfect for contemporary gifting

Available in three different flavours;
Classic Magnum signature milk chocolate,
Espresso, single origin dark Magnum chocolate with intense coffee and cocoa nibs
Mint, dark Magnum chocolate combined with a natural premium mint

All the pleasure of Magnum in a chocolate.

Magnum Chocolate Almond Bar
 
An irresistible new Magnum chocolate bar, featuring a rich almond truffle, roasted almond pieces covered in a double layer of thick Magnum white chocolate and Magnum classic milk chocolate. Perfect for your moment of pleasure.


Magnum Signature Chocolate Bars

Moreish Magnum signature block chocolate is perfect for sharing with friends (or just for you!). The premium chocolate bar features the signature Magnum ‘M’ in the centre. All you have to do is to decide how to eat it…nibble around the edge until all that remains is the
iconic Magnum ‘M’, or devour with abandon pleasure!

Available in three delicious flavours;-
• Smooth Magnum Classic milk chocolate
• Single origin dark Magnum chocolate with cocoa nibs
• Creamy white chocolate with Madagascan vanilla pods

The new chocolate range is currently available in most major grocery stores and retailers.

• Magnum Chocolate Collection: £6.00 RRP per box (180g) or £12.00 RRP per box (280g)
• Magnum Thins: £5.00 RRP per box (180g)
• Magnum Chocolate Almond Bar: £0.80 RRP per bar (25g)
• Magnum Signature Chocolate: £1.69 RRP per bar (90g)

All the pleasure of Magnum in a chocolate.

Incidentally, Kinnerton Confectionery is Britain’s largest independent manufacturer of chocolate and novelty confectionery.

Lir, award-winning chocolatier, introduces three NEW remarkable flavours into the Baileys® chocolate range

The fusion of Baileys®, the Original Irish Cream Liqueur, enveloped in a smooth milk chocolate casing, is already a proven success.

Award winning chocolatier Lir has developed some NEW delicious flavours to feature alongside the original milk, white and dark chocolate Baileys® truffles.


Launching for Christmas 2015, these new Baileys® truffle and flavour infusions are set to be a festive hit. Feel your taste buds come alive when you experience a sweet pop of flavour dancing on your tongue with Popping Candy. Take yourself on an adventure through the sweet and salty avenues of Liquorice or awaken your senses with the indulgent crunch of crispy Hazelnut.


Infused with the smooth and creamy taste of Baileys® and made using only the finest ingredients, these delicious NEW flavours offer an indulgent journey for your taste buds with a burst of deliciousness in every bite.

The exciting NEW flavours and original Baileys® truffles come in two NEW festive collections:
Baileys® Glittering Collection Box
 
Baileys® Glittering Collection Box is the perfect item for any host this Christmas. An ideal gift and conversation point, each mouth-watering truffle consists of its own unique artwork to match the five unique flavours including, Baileys® Original, Coffee, Liquorice, Popping Candy and Hazelnut. The beautiful packaging is the icing on the cake.

Baileys® Shimmering Star
Treat your loved ones to a Baileys® Shimmering Star this Christmas. The intricately designed festive packaging filled with Baileys® -infused milk chocolate truffles, makes this the perfect stocking filler or party gift for friends and family.

Baileys® Golden Christmas Tree
A beautiful tree, adorned with golden sequins to create festive theatre in homes this Christmas. The tree stands 32cm high and contains 450g of deliciously smooth milk chocolate truffles with a creamy Baileys® Original Irish Cream liqueur flavoured filling.

The Baileys Glittering Collection will be available at major retailers from November 2015 for £9 RRP.

Baileys Shimmering Star will be available from Tesco for £5 RRP.

Baileys Golden Christmas Tree will be available at major retailers, including Debenhams, for £22 RRP.

 Research carried out by 3M shows that 48% leave Christmas wrapping until 20-24 December - so if you’re looking for any last minute wrapping tips, read on!

If you get flustered or confused trying to find the end of the tape, or break out in a sweat when faced with awkwardly shaped gifts, why not take the hassle-free approach to wrapping, and enjoy the more magical side of Christmas with effortlessly wrapped gifts created using the Scotch Pop-Up Tape Handband Dispenser?

This dispenser is an easy way to create a perfectly wrapped present every time. Filled with neat, pre-cut DSC_6751strips of tape it sits comfortably on the back of your hand, putting an end to the inevitable sticky tape tangle, and avoiding the need to stick tape to every available surface.

(EDITOR: And gets rid of the possibility of trying to bite through the tape with your teeth and inadvertently pulling the skin off your lips! Ouch!)

And when it comes to the presentation we know it’s the simplest way to make someone feel special at Christmas – whatever your skill level!

The Scotch Pop-Up Tape Handband Dispenser comes in five colours - pink, orange, turquoise, silver and blue.  RRP £2.95.  Scotch Pop-Up Tape Strips Refills Pack, containing three tape pads. RRP £3.18.

Discover a world of extraordinary coffee with Union Hand-Roasted

You can discover a world of extraordinary coffee this Christmas with Union Hand-Roasted.

Union Hand-Roasted Coffee, the artisan craft coffee experts, launch 14 new coffees following a total rebrand. The new range features speciality coffees from all over the world, expertly hand-roasted by Union and sourced via the Union Direct Trade sourcing principle.

Despite the popularity of coffeehouses nationwide, a whopping 80% of us still buy instant coffee to drink at home, missing out on the incredible flavours and varieties fresh coffee has to offer. Union’s new range is designed to help consumers discover the joy of speciality coffee at home, with an exciting variety of single origin coffees and signature blends to suit any taste or moment.

Much like wine, the world of speciality coffee can seem baffling to the uninitiated. Union want to make great coffee the norm, so to help consumers navigate the range and enjoy home brewing, each of the new packs includes a simple guide highlighting the distinctive taste profile of each coffee, information on its origins and advice on how best to brew it.

All of the coffees in the range are sourced via Union’s flagship sourcing principle Union Direct Trade, which creates direct, long term partnerships with farmers to improve the quality of both coffee and livelihoods. As a result, all of the coffees in the range are made from the highest quality 100% Arabica beans, and score 84 and above on the ‘Q-grade’ scale which measures the standard of coffee. A score of at least 80 is required to be considered ‘speciality’ coffee.

The new range includes:

Blends:
House Blend (cafetiere ground) – Union’s original house blend, a bold intensity infused with a deep natural sweetness with notes of dried fruit and milk chocolate.

Natural Spirit (cafetiere ground or wholebean) – a beautiful blend of organically grown coffees, combined to produce a vibrant and zesty taste with notes of toffee fudge and lemon.

Revelation (espresso ground or wholebean) –  Union’s signature coffee, perfectly designed for espresso and enjoyed throughout coffee shops nationwide. It’s a luxurious dark roast, with notes of treacle, dark chocolate and cinnamon.

Bright Note (wholebean) – this light roast blend is smooth and nutty with hints of milk chocolate, the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

Decaf – Blend (cafetiere ground) – Decaf, with no compromises. This is one flavourful, characterful cup – a blend of coffees from smallholder farmers in Rwanda and Sumatra, with caffeine removed by natural process without chemicals. It’s indulgent, rich and full-bodied, with hints of dark caramel.

Single Origins:
Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia (cafetiere ground) – the winner of a 3-star Great Taste Award, this intriguing organic coffee has a unique floral aroma with notes of kumquat and peach.

Maraba, Rwanda (cafetiere ground or wholebean) – this is a fruity and full balanced coffee, with notes of citrus, redcurrant and toffee.

Bobolink, Brazil (cafetiere ground) – lightly roasted, this is a rich coffee with luxurious notes of macadamia and milk chocolate.

Liberacion, Guatemala (cafetiere ground) – this medium roast coffee is rich and full bodied, with notes of dark chocolate and red grape.

Timana, Colombia (cafetiere ground) – this medium roast is a fruity treat with notes of plum, orange blossom and maple syrup.

Gajah Mountain, Sumatra (wholebean) – this dark roast has notes of dark chocolate and treacle for an intensely rich experience.

The new range is available from Waitrose, Ocado and leading fine food stores, with a  RRP of £4.90 to £5.50 for a 200g pack.

From their kitchen to yours – Castle MacLellan spreads Christmas joy with two brand new festive pâtés

This Christmas, the UK’s number one branded maker Castle MacLellan is adding two brand new seasonal products to its collection of exquisite, artisinal pâtés.

Founded in the beautiful artist’s town of Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, Castle MacLellan is dedicated to using the highest quality ingredients from local suppliers, rooted in Scottish provenance, in every single one of its pâtés.

 

Celebrate the festive season in style as Castle MacLellan gives the gift of two limited edition products: Smoked Ham and Cider Paté with Bramley Apple Chutney and Luxury Orkney Crab and Scottish Salmon Terrine.

 

Castle MacLellan has developed the new products with the festive season in mind. Both pâtés are beautifully presented with glazed finishes in high quality packaging, meaning that they can be served straight to the table as a show-stopping starter or as the centrepiece of a party food buffet.

 

Castle MacLellan’s new Luxury Orkney Crab and Scottish Salmon Terrine is dually layered with a lemon glaze and topped with a slice of lemon for an elegant touch. Delicately flavoured with soft cheese, crème fraiche and lemon juice, the terrine is perfect for creating delicious canapés spread on a blini or ‘tattie scone’.

 

The Smoked Ham and Cider Paté comes layered with a moreish, fruity Bramley Apple Chutney. The coarse paté comes with thickly cut ham, apples and raisins for a rustic feel – ideal for spreading over crusty, artisanal bread.

 

Castle MacLellan is owned by the Kavli Trust, which donates all profits to good causes in the UK and abroad. This means that whenever you purchase any Castle MacLellan product, money will go to a worthwhile charity or community organisation.

 

Castle MacLellan is also proud to work with Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink 2015, celebrating the best of Scottish produce and provenance.

 

Castle MacLellan’s Christmas pâté range is available throughout the UK, priced at a remarkably reasonable £3.00.

 

The real reason Santa and the rest of us will pile on the pounds this Christmas

It’s the time of year when we all like to overindulge – and Santa Claus is no exception. With all the mince pies and brandy on offer from the world’s children as he makes his present deliveries, Santa will consume well above his daily allowance of calories this Christmas season.

Santa won’t be the only one piling on the pounds. A recent survey for personal genetic testing company 23andMe found that 1 in 10 of us expect to put on a whopping half a stone over the Christmas period.

The average person expects to consume around 1,000 calories in their Christmas dinner alone, while 17% will consume up to 10 alcoholic drinks on Christmas Day.

Exercise is not a part of the Christmas routine for many either, with 39% of those surveyed revealing they will do little or no exercise until January.

Though the New Year tends to signal new starts, when it comes to making New Year’s resolutions, 29% of us break their resolutions before the end of January. Eating healthily and getting fit are the first things to go, for various reasons including losing incentive (40%), January being depressing enough (35%) and lack of willpower (32%).

The choices we make every day can have differing impacts on their risk for disease, depending on personal genetics. While most know the importance of proper diet and exercise, being armed with information about personal genetics allows you to make informed health and lifestyle decisions specific to you that can have a major impact on your wellbeing. Data shows that 72% of people studied reported making positive changes in their health behaviour relating to their dietary pattern, whilst 61% made positive changes to their exercise habits.

Taking a 23andMe test can tell you how you might respond to diet and exercise. In addition, 23andMe provides information about 11 genetic risk factors, 43 inherited conditions, and 41 traits, along with 11 reports on drug response. If you tend to reach for second helpings, 23andMe’s reports on eating behaviour may also shed some light.

As the festive infographic depicts, Santa Claus could be at risk for a higher than average BMI among other things, and has managed to swap the mince pies for a bite of Rudolph’s carrot and slimmed down enough to glide down chimneys with ease. He has also skipped the sleigh rides during the summer, replacing them with healthy jogs around his toy factory instead.

A 23andMe test can be bought online at www.23andme.co.uk or in store at Superdrug.

New ways with leftovers and maple syrup

The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers and have a host of festive recipe ideas for leftover Christmas ingredients.

These are just some of them:







Maple pulled turkey sandwiches
http://www.welovemaple.co.uk/recipe/maple-pulled-turkey-sandwiches/

Pulled turkey with sweet and sour maple sauce http://www.welovemaple.co.uk/recipe/pulled-turkey-with-sweet-and-sour-maple-sauce-2/

Parsnip purée with maple syrup - http://www.welovemaple.co.uk/recipe/parsnip-puree-with-maple-syrup/

Maple glazed brussels sprouts - http://www.welovemaple.co.uk/recipe/maple-brussels-sprouts-chestnuts-pancetta-and-cranberries/

For more information please visit www.welovemaple.co.uk.

Some Christmas recipes kindly supplied by Sainsbury's

This is part of Sainsbury’s ‘Canapénds’ campaign.

Across the nation, we’re preparing to kick off the Christmas celebrations.  UK families buy an average of £216 worth of food and drink* per household for the festive period, but data from WRAP tells us that up to £340million of food can be wasted in each month.

We all know that Christmas can be an expensive time of year as we love to spend money on special treats for family and friends, so Sainsbury’s team of chefs have created a collection of delicious Christmas ‘Canap-énds’, providing a route for some smart savings this Christmas, that will impress your guests while making the festive budget go a little further.

Sainsbury’s chefs Nicola Bramley and Shu Tan have masterminded six inspirational Christmas canapés, combining some of the nation’s most wasted food 'ends' according to WRAP with easy to access store cupboard staples. Every year, Brits throw away more than 4.2million tonnes of food that could be eaten - including an enormous 350,000 tonnes of bread, 320,000 tonnes of potatoes, and 99,000 tonnes of pork, ham and bacon.  However, instead of sending them straight to the bin – you can now turn them into beautiful party ‘canap-énds.’

So, whether you’ll want to transform the ends of those sausages and potatoes into innovative ‘Sausage & Mash Cupcakes’  or use the end of that cucumber and salmon to make light and healthy ‘Salmon Tartare on Cucumber slices’ there’ll be something exciting for everyone. And for those with a sweet tooth, the ‘Chocolate, Sea Salt & Pistachio Mini Toasties’ are sure to hit the spot.

Not only are these recipes guaranteed to impress, they all take less than 15 minutes to prepare and they’ll also help reduce household food waste and your Christmas party food bill– leaving more to spend on the family.

Nicola Bramley, Sainsbury's Development Chef comments: “Families are often looking for Christmas party food inspiration, and these tasty ‘canap-ends’ can be created using frequently thrown away foods and store cupboard ingredients.

"They take less than 15mins to make, help save money and most importantly make the most of food that would otherwise be wasted.  Sainsbury’s knows our customers worry about wasting food and are dedicated to helping make their food go that little bit further, and limiting waste within our own supply chain.”


Gin and lemon salmon tartar, on cucumber with crème fraiche and dill
Makes 10
•      10 Cucumber slices, salted
•      2 tbsp crème fraiche
•      1 tsp chopped dill
•      Few sprigs of dill to garnish
•      Salmon marinade
•      1 x 150g salmon fillets
•      20ml of good quality gin
•      Juice and zest of 1 lemon
•      Pinch of sea salt

Method
1.  Chop the salmon very finely and place into a bowl with the marinade ingredients
2.  Leave for 5-10 minutes, until salmon is just starting become opaque around the edges
3.  Place a spoonful of crème fraiche on each piece of the cucumber pieces and add then top with a teaspoon full of salmon mixture. Sprinkle with dill

Thai Red Curry Meatballs, with a Lime Coriander Yoghurt Dip

Makes 8-10
·         100g leftover pork mince
·         1.5 tbsp ready-made Thai Red Curry Paste
·         Small handful fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped (save stalks for dip)
·         100ml Greek yoghurt
·         Juice of half a lime
·         1 clove garlic, finely chopped
·         Coriander stalks, finely chopped
·         Salt, to taste
·         1 tbsp vegetable oil, for frying
·         Fresh Coriander or lime wedges, for garnish

1.     In a mixing bowl, mix pork mince, coriander and red curry paste thoroughly. Shape into small bite size balls on a plate or tray.
2.     Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan on medium-high heat, start frying the meatballs until all sides are browned and just cooked through for about 7-8 minutes. Remove from pan and rest for a few minutes before plating.
3.     Mix yoghurt, lime juice, garlic and coriander in a dipping bowl and serve alongside meatballs. Garnish with more coriander or lime wedges.

Mini stilton toasties (PICTURED) topped with caramelised port glazed pear and rocket
Makes up to 12
•                     4 slices of white bread

•                     60g stilton (ends)

•                     60 butter

•                     40g caster sugar

•                     1 pear

•                     Splash of port

•                     Handful of rocket leaves

Method
1.     Butter the bread on both sides and lay onto a board. Slice the stilton and use to top 2 slices of the bread – then place the other piece of bread on top to form sandwich

2.     Core and cut the pear into wedges and then halve each wedge. Melt the remaining butter in a frying pan, add the sugar and cook until beginning to caramelise. Add the pears and cook on each side until golden and softened (approx. 5 mins). Add the port and cook for a further 2-3 minutes

3.     Heat a large frying pan and then cook the sandwiches on each side for a couple of minutes until golden and crispy and the cheese has melted – pressing down lightly with a spatula

4.     Remove the sandwiches, cut of the crusts and the cut each into 4-6 rectangular pieces

5.     Top with a rocket leaf, followed by a piece of the pear and push a cocktail stick through to secure everything in place

Harissa & Sesame Prawn Toast
Makes 16
·         250g prawns
·         3 spring onions
·         0.5 tbsp cornflour
·         1 tbsp harissa paste
·         1 small egg white
·         1.5 tbsp sesame seeds
·         4 slices of white bread
·         Vegetable oil, for brushing

1.     Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Whizz prawns, harissa paste, spring onions, cornflour and egg white in food processor until a paste forms but still with texture. Alternatively, roughly chop prawns and spring onions and mix in cornflour and egg white.

2.     Cut slices of bread into 4 triangles. Brush one side of bread slices with oil, grill oil side for 2 minutes or until just lightly golden. Remove from grill and flip over to non-grilled side. Divide prawn paste onto bread, press down lightly and brush with a little vegetable oil.

3.     Sprinkle sesame seeds all over and place back under grill for 5-6 minutes or until golden and cooked through.

Sausage and mash cupcakes
Makes 12
•                     12 Mini foil cupcake cases

•                     150g leftover sausage meat

•                     4 tbsp breadcrumbs

•                     150g cold mashed potato

•                     1tbsp butter

•                     3 rashers of streaky bacon

•                     1 tbsp chopped chives, finely chopped

•                     1 tbsp dried thyme

Method
1.     Place the cupcake cases into a mini muffin tin and put a couple of pinches of breadcrumbs into the base of each (this will absorb the oil for the sausage meat). Pre-heat the oven to 180C fan

2.     Season the sausage meat with salt and pepper and thyme (could also use leftover pork stuffing). Roll into 2cm balls and press each ball into a cupcake case

3.     Using a star shaped nozzle, pipe the mash potato onto each sausage cupcake, as you would ice a cupcake. Place in the oven and cook for 10-12minutes

4.     Cook the bacon until crispy and cut into triangular shaped wafers

5.     Finish each cupcake with a sprinkling of chives

It's not too late to order your Christmas gifts

It is not to late to order your Christmas gifts.

We all know how it is. A gift suddenly becomes out of stock, you realise you forget to include a relative, or someone you didn't expect to see this Christmas will be attending after all, so you have to get a present.

It could not be easier! All you have to do is use the Amazon-powered shop that is associated with That's Christmas and the related sites and you can order whatever you need:

Special foods, books,DVDs, CDs, magical tricks, musical instruments, jewellery,watches, presents for pets, clothing, ex-army clothing and equipment, exercise equipment, sporting goods, Kindle books, Kindle devices, Audible Audio books, Amazon gift cards. In fact, if it is stocked or sold by Amazon you can order it via http://www.amazon.co.uk/?tag=bookworms05-21&linkCode=w0f

But please do remember that some items if dispatched from a country outside your own may not arrive before Christmas.

You can make your purchases at the special portal to the right hand side of this page.

New Christmas Song from Red Sky July

Red Sky July are an award-wining female trio consisting of husband and wife Ally McErlaine (guitarist from Texas) and Shelly Poole ()Alisha's Attack) with Charioty Hair (of the Alice Band but more latterly The Ailerons with Blur's Dave Rowntree.

Add Experienced and highly accomplished Nashville singer-songwriter Beth Nielson Chapman adding to the vocals on this extraordinary Christmas song.

In this reviewer's opinion, this song deserves to be a Christmas hit this yers and for many more Christmases to come.

The song tells the story of a lover's heartfelt commitment to be there, at Christmas, with their one and only.

It is what I describe as "proper" Country Music, pitch perfect vocals, wonderful harmonies, and guitar playing that used to make the Grand Old Opre what it was during its heyday.

But don't believe me! Order or buy your copy as soon as you can. It is released by Shadowbirds Records SHADOW6P.

You can learn more about Red Sky July at www.redskyjuly.com

You can check out the track here

One in ten of us will have five festive feeds this Christmas!

Figures from M&B show the number of festive meals sold in the first two weeks of December has ballooned from around 90,000 in 2011 to a stunning 260,000 plus last year.

Pubs and restaurants including Toby Carvery, Harvester restaurants and Sizzling Pubs have revealed that the number of bookings made throughout December to have nearly tripled in recent years.

In a survey 65% of consumers said that they would be having more than two Christmas dinners throughout December, with 7% revealing they’d be enjoying five or more festive feasts!

82% of people are expecting to celebrate with family and 64% of us are looking forward to this feast the most.

Celebrating with friends (30%) with the office party (20%) were also high on the list and interestingly, just over 10% of us actually look forward to work parties the least.

75% of us will travel under five miles as we are mostly keen to celebrate closer to home.

People living in the East Midlands travel the furthest for their Christmas dinner with nearly 20% of people travelling more than 21 miles. Incredibly, over 10% of people living in Wales & the South West will travel more than 50 miles.

Catriona Kempston, Marketing Director at Mitchells & Butlers, the company behind these statistics, comments; “Whether you’re entertaining friends and relatives, travelling to see family, or even having to work over the festive period, Christmas is rarely stress free.

"Whilst carving the turkey on the 25th is seen as tradition, our survey shows that in actual fact, more of us are having more than one Christmas dinner as a result of catching up with friends and relatives at their local Harvester or Ember Inns, festive parties at All Bar One and even as part of a Christmas shopping trip when taking a break at Browns.

“One of the reasons for this is the simple convenience of eating out. Not having to worry about cooking means that people have one less thing to think about – making the prospect of having Christmas dinner out much more appealing.”

Other stats revealed that Scottish families will be entertaining the most guests on Christmas Day, with 14% of those asked accommodating for 15 guests or more. And if you’re not tucking in to turkey, 37% of us would choose steak as an alternative.

(EDITOR: Along with a group of colleagues I will be attending a pre-Christmas dinner at an Indian restaurant.)

Need a gift? eBay it!

There are literally thousands of products to suit all tastes and budgets,

No matter what you want, be it a modern twist on a retro classic or a newcomer, the online marketplace has the perfect gifts for children this Christmas.

For more ideas on Christmas gifts, be sure to visit www.eBay.co.uk

Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses

I believe this is one of the best Christmas songs ever!

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How to save £400 this Christmas

We have been in our house for twelve years now, we moved into our dream house exactly one month before Christmas twelve years ago.

As a result of the move into the show home, we had little time to plan our usual Christmas food and drink purchases, so we hit on the mutual idea of buying a Christmas hamper, instead. Or, as my wife, put it: "Let's have Christmas in a box!"

This year, twelve years on, my wife had the romantic idea of recreating that first Christmas by organising "Christmas in a box."

We visited supermarkets, we wandered through department stores, visited specialist websites and consulted old-fashioned printed catalogues and were left cold by the contents of some and we could not believe the prices that some were charging.

Twelve years ago we could get a genuine wicker Christmas hamper that was filled with festive goodies for a price that, though by no means cheap, certainly wasn't overly excessive. 

This year? It seemed that our plans were to be thwarted. Until I had an idea. Many years ago when I was still living with my parents, I had, over a period of a couple of months, created a collection of seasonal foods and condiments, which I presented to my mother a couple of days before Christmas.

Could we, I suggested to my wife. do the same thing this year, but for us?

My wife was very enthusiastic about the idea and we took ourselves off to the nearest branch of Lidl and bought mice pies, a Christmas pudding and a Christmas cake,  Christmas biscuits, biscuits for cheese, fudge, chocolates, Stollen, two bottles of wine, a bottle of  gluhwein,  a large case of beer, condiments, pickles and sauces and so forth.

The total cost came in at about £99. We later worked out that the same items in a Christmas hamper would have cost about £400 to £500.

The same savings can be made at Lidl, B&M Bargains and other discount stores.

Shop carefully as we did and you could save yourself a three figure saving. And if that doesn't help you have a Merry Christmas, we don't know what will!

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