elho Christmas Houseplants
Whether you keep your plants indoors or out, elho has some great gift ideas. Available in gold, green & red – perfect for Christmas presents if you’re already planning your festive gift guides!
Gift giving doesn’t have to cost the earth, the elho collection is made with sustainable materials using 100% wind power. Available from good garden centres, retailers and online. www.elho.com
Gifts for houseplant fanatics
Team a striking red or gold pot with a beautiful plant to create the perfect gift for a houseplant lover. Poinsettias and variegated foliage are perfect for brightening up a Winter home. Or go for something exotic and pair a stunning white orchid with a green planter.
Brussels Orchid High in Mint Green RRP £3.29
The orchid is a plant with beautiful flowers that suits many interiors. The Brussels is an extra tall flowerpot, especially designed for orchids. The elevated bottom provides optimal aeration and drainage for the orchid’s roots: stylish and practical! Choose the colour to match your style and make your interior complete.
Brussels Diamond Round in Velvet Gold RRP £3.69-£21.79
The brussels diamond round is a sleekly designed, high quality flowerpot that brings out the best in your flowers and plants. The beautiful lustre gives it a sophisticated touch. This elho flowerpot is watertight, so you can safely put it on a wooden table. It comes in various colours, so you can pick the colour to match your style each season. Choose your colour and give your interior a finishing touch!
Brussels Diamond Round in Lovely Red RRP £3.69-£21.79
The brussels diamond round is a sleekly designed, high quality flowerpot that brings out the best in your flowers and plants. The beautiful lustre gives it a sophisticated touch. This elho flowerpot is watertight, so you can safely put it on a wooden table. It comes in various colours, so you can pick the colour to match your style each season. Choose your colour and give your interior a finishing touch!
Gifts for avid gardeners
For the keen gardener in your life, a colourful outdoor planter paired with a heavenly bamboo is an evergreen gift that adds colour and interest to the garden all year round. A Polygala myrtifolia, or sweet pea bush, is another great evergreen option that flowers from July through to October. Grow in a conservatory or greenhouse in Winter and then move outdoors when Summer comes.
Loft Urban Round in Mint Green RRP £4.99-£89.29
Turn your living room, balcony or roof terrace into an even greener place with this urban collection by elho. Each pot comes with a built-in water reservoir, which saves up the surplus from watering or a downpour. Meaning you don’t have to get busy with your watering can all the time, how great is that! And plenty of garden-inspiration: change colours each season, because this collection is offering a large variety of colours for a fresh look.
Loft Urban Round in Jade Green RRP £4.99-£89.29
Turn your garden, balcony or roof terrace into an even greener place with this urban collection by elho. Each pot comes with a built-in water reservoir, which saves up the surplus from watering or a downpour. Meaning you don’t have to get busy with your watering can all the time, how great is that! And plenty of garden-inspiration: change colours each season, because this collection is offering a large variety of colours for a fresh look.
About elho
Use elho’s colourful and stylish synthetic pottery collection to transform your house and garden into a great place to be. Whatever your taste, elho has a style that suits you. Elho is creative, innovative and has a green vision. Elho is proud that all products are made of recycled material and produced with 100% wind energy. The company is the leading innovator in Europe and has developed synthetic pottery in the Netherlands for more than 54 years. Give room to nature with elho.
Paxton’s Christmas Cheese Recommendations 2019
Paxton & Whitfield, the UK’s oldest cheesemonger, prides itself on being a leader in sourcing exceptional British and European cheeses for its customers.
This year Hero Hirsh, head of retail for the company, has handpicked two selections of delicious cheeses to enjoy over the festive season. The first selection is made up of classic cheeses and the second is made up of new cheeses to the Paxton’s cheese counter. The cheeses in both selections come from dedicated cheesemakers and affineurs in the UK and Europe and are delicious products to have on your Christmas cheeseboard.
For the classic selection, Hero says: “Whilst this selection features some of the best known styles of cheese, we put just as much time and energy into sourcing these delicious products as finding new ones. We work closely with these excellent cheesemakers to ensure we have the ideal age and flavour profile and are stocking the finest examples of these cheeses.”
On the new cheese selection Hero comments: “This second set of cheeses highlights some of the most exciting new arrivals to our counters. Each of these cheeses comes from an expert cheesemaker who produces a better known cheese but has diversified and created a brand new, superb product. The maker of Brightwell Ash makes Sinodun Hill; the maker of Evenlode makes Rollright; the maker of Sparkenhoe Blue makes Red Leicester; and the maker of Toma St Ours makes Fontina.”
All the cheeses are available from Paxton & Whitfield’s four shops in Jermyn Street – Piccadilly, Cale Street – Chelsea Green, Bath and Stratford upon Avon, as well as online at paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk.
WE’VE DONE THE CARD WORK FOR YOU THIS CHRISTMAS!
Give the gift of choice this Christmas
The One4all Gift Card can be spent at more than 55,000 stores nationwide
Gift cards can be loaded with any amount between £10-£400
The true meaning of Christmas is about spending time with loved ones and treating them to a gift which will they can value and enjoy.
Look no further than One4all, the UK’s leading multi-store gift card! It allows recipients to choose a gift that they really want and is the perfect way to treat someone this Christmas.
The One4all Gift Card can be used to shop in more than 55,000 stores and websites across the UK, allowing recipients to explore a host of different shops ranging from retail and travel to outdoor activities and food. Popular retailers include the likes of Marks and Spencer, John Lewis, H&M, Warehouse and Argos.
The One4all Gift Card is great for those watching the pennies this Christmas, as it can be loaded with any amount from £10-£400, making it suitable for any type of budget.
With so much choice, there really is something for everyone, from a fashionista friend and adrenaline junkie relative to tech obsessed teens and wanderlust loved ones.
Skin Worshippers
From makeup lovers to skincare gurus alike, they will relish the chance to explore the products available from high-street favourites such as Boots, The Body Shop, Mankind, Glossybox and Feel Unique to name a few.
Interior Designers
For those who enjoy sprucing up their living space with a spot of DIY and investing in some new accessories for the home, they won’t be disappointed with the huge choice on offer from stores including John Lewis, Argos, Carpetright, HomeSense, B&Q and Crown Decorating Centres.
Tech Fanatics
Alternatively, tech obsessed teens will jump at the chance to purchase the latest must have gadgets. Whether it be a new pair of headphones, smart watch, new laptop or a sound system for the home, they can search a choice of products available at Curry’s PC World and Carphone Warehouse.
Weekend Wanderers
It might be that loved ones are looking for time away to unwind for some well-earned rest and relaxation or just travel and explore new destinations, One4all Gift Card holders can book anything from a weekend break away to a luxury holiday in the sun with Kuoni, Thomas Cook and cities direct when booked via Inspire Travel. Alternatively, the One4all Gift Card can be used to book a tranquil spa day or calming treatment with the likes of Spa Seekers and Spa Breaks.
Entertainment Lovers
Loved ones might want to treat themselves to a night on the town and catch the latest blockbuster with the likes of VUE and Empire Cinemas, purchase tickets to watch highly anticipated west end shows with Theatre Tokens or even dine out on some delicious food with Pizza Express, Wagamama’s, Zizzi’s and All Bar One; they won’t be stuck for things to do!
Adventurers
If it’s the thrill seekers you’re trying to impress, they can put their gift card towards an exciting day out or adrenaline adventure with Virgin Experience Days or Red Letter Days. From race car driving, hot air balloon rides or even a trip around the zoo, there is something for all the family to enjoy.
The One4all multi-store gift card is available in a choice of Christmas designs, RRP £10-£400, and can be purchased in Post offices nationwide or online at One4all.com
For more information, visit: www.one4all.com.
CELEBRATE BABY’S 1ST CHRISTMAS WITH GREEN PEOPLE’S NEW-LOOK SILENT NIGHT GIFT SET
Green People’s tried-and-tested infant bedtime regime gets new look for Christmas 2019
This Christmas Green People is helping to give parents the gift of sweet dreams with their beautiful sparkly NEW-LOOK Silent Night Gift Set.
Suitable for delicate infant skin and babies that are prone to eczema and skin allergies, this perfect-for-parents present is priced £16.50 and contains:
ORGANIC BABIES SOOTHING BABY SALVE 100ML
Green People’s best-selling natural rescue salve softens and soothes baby’s skin. This sleep-promoting salve can be used on baby’s face, hands, body and bottom to quickly calm irritation and contains essential lavender oil to help to lull restless tots into the land-of-nod.
ORGANIC BABIES BABY WASH & SHAMPOO – LAVENDER 100ML
This calming, natural Baby Wash contains certified organic ingredients. Made without skin-irritating SLS, this bubbly baby bath product uses naturally foaming Yucca and Coconut extracts to create a soothing bath soak that gently cleanses ultra-sensitive skin, whilst protecting against dryness and irritation.
GOODNESS YOU CAN TRUST
As organic infant skincare experts Green People believes that with the right ingredients, developing a soothing infant bed and bath routine can become child’s play.
An ideal stocking-filler for parents whose Christmas wish is to support their baby’s delicate skin barrier from the start, this special edition skin care set is tested by midwives and contains plant-based organic ingredients that comfort tired infants whilst gently soothing sleep-disrupting skin complaints.
LAVENDER
Calming Lavender oil helps fractious littles minds to unwind and nod-off and delivers skin-balancing benefits whilst they snooze.
CHAMOMILE
Gentle Chamomile delivers anti-inflammatory action to reduce redness and restore skin-softness.
SHEA BUTTER
Skin-supporting Shea Butter contains Omega 3& 6 and Vitamin E- a vital vitamin for building a strong skin barrier.
CALENDULA
Hydrating Calendula contain lots of irritation-reducing actives. These soothe inflamed skin and can help safeguard skin against eczema, nappy rash and other topical conditions.
PROUD TO SUPPORT:
The Lullaby Turst
Following safe sleep guidance can help new parents to relax by knowing that their baby is sleeping safely in their crib and to helps raise awareness of developing safe infant sleep routines, Green People has partnered with safe-sleep charity The Lullaby Trust. Each time a Silent Night gift set is sold 50p is donated to the vital research this children’s charity conducts and the support that they offer to parents.
Bliss
Green People are donating 20 Silent Night gift sets to BLISS, a charity for babies who are born premature.
Green People’s Silent Night gift set will be available from 1st September 2019 at www.greenpeople.co.uk.
‘Tis the season to gift green with WWF
Get ahead this Christmas and show your support for our planet with sustainable gifts from the world’s leading conservation charity
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) will spread the festive cheer across the nation, as it launches its 2019 Christmas gift guide.
From colourful leggings for children, to stylish clothing for fashionistas and notebooks to capture all of your ideas, WWF will have you covered this season with sustainable gifts that can help make a difference in the fight for our world.
WEAR IT
Tatty Devine Jewellery
Complete your festive outfit and go wild in Tatty Devine’s first ever collection made from 100% recycled, infinitely recyclable and repairable acrylic jewellery.
You’ll be roaring with delight at the choice of fifteen unique designs, from swinging orangutans, to prowling leopards and more.
Brooch, earring and necklace designs vary from £35.00 each
Available at WWF’s online shop: https://shop.wwf.org.uk/collections/wear-it
Elizabeth Grant Prints – made to order
Stand out from the crowd and splash a bit of colour into your life with these exclusive designs by artist Elizabeth Grant.
Inspired by threatened iconic wildlife species, the made to order collection features six original designs that can be printed onto your choice of product, including kids & adults organic cotton t-shirts and tote bags, mugs and posters.
T-shirts/Totes Adults £20 Kids £15, Mugs £15, Posters £7.50
Available on WWF’s online shop from September: https://shop.wwf.org.uk/collections/wear-it
Heritage Panda Range
Enjoy a piece of WWF history and show your support in the fight for our world, with the original panda sketch made to order on a product of your choice, including kids and adults organic cotton t-shirts, mugs and posters.
T-shirts/Totes Adults £20 Kids £15, Mugs £15, Posters £10
Available at WWF’s online shop: https://shop.wwf.org.uk/collections/wear-it
LITTLE PANDAS
Children’s leggings
Keep your little one warm and stylish this Christmas with the new Blade and Rose babies and toddlers 100% organic cotton leggings.
Sustainable and super soft, each pair features a unique design of an elephant, panda, tiger, turtle and rhino to choose from.
Leggings, size 00-06 months – 03-04 years, £12.00.
Available at WWF’s online shop from September: https://shop.wwf.org.uk/collections/love-it
Critically Endangered Socks
Keep your babies toes extra snug this winter and purchase a pair of critically endangered socks.
Beautifully crafted, organic and super cute, these baby socks feature images of rhinos, tigers, orangutans and of course a panda. The perfect choice for ethical comfort and entertainment, doubling up as a sock puppet.
£15 pack 4 pairs
Available direct from Critically Endangered Socks from October: https://www.criticallyendangeredsocks.com/
SUSTAINABLE SWAPS
Dingbats Notebooks
Jot down those creative ideas, important dates and notes in a 100% vegan, hardcover bound Dingbat notebook.
Complete with pen holder, 2 bookmarks and expandable pocket, these notebooks are equipped with Forest Stewardship Council certification (FSC) paper, promoting responsible management of the world’s forests.
Practical and sustainable, you can choose from a range of colours; yellow, orange, blue, black, grey and purple.
£15.95 each
Available at WWF’s online shop from September: https://shop.wwf.org.uk/collections/use-it or directly from Dingbats* Notebooks: https://www.dingbats-notebooks.com/
Quenches – bamboo toothbrush
You’ll have the perfect reason to smile when you’re the new owner of a FSC bamboo Quenches toothbrush. Twist off the neck piece, fill with water, add some toothpaste and its ready to use.
By using this brush, you will be preventing plastic waste and also saving around 12 litres of water each time you brush.
Single £6.95 or box of 4 £24.95
Available on WW’s online shop: https://shop.wwf.org.uk/collections/use-it
Panda Straws
Be instantly recognised at any restaurant, cafe or party and slurp up support for our oceans with the totally biodegradable panda straws.
Available in packs of 25 or 50, they come in an FSC box for ease of use and storage. These paper beauties are trademarked with the panda design and are an easy way to eliminate plastic waste and make a positive change.
£2.95 per box 25
Available on WWF’s online shop from September: https://shop.wwf.org.uk/collections/use-it
ICEo Bottle and saver cup
Working in collaboration with ICE° Bottle, WWF will be able to keep you hydrated and tea-filled with the stainless steel, functional yet trendy water bottle or Saver Cup.
Both durable, easily cleaned and tough to survive the knocks of a busy daily life, these items provide you with a very small lifestyle change to take a stand for the planet and protect the environment every time you use them.
ICEo Saver Cups £14.99 and ICEo Bottle 500ml £24.99/300ml £19.99
Available on WWF’s online shop from September: https://shop.wwf.org.uk/products/panda-ice-bottle-500m
Panda Bags
Swap out the plastic bags to cart around your Christmas goodies this year and pick up one of our new range panda bags. Perfect for any occasion, these bags have been brought to life from recycled plastic water bottles.
Spoilt for choice, you have the option of a fold up shopping bag, tote bag and child’s backpack all featuring the iconic WWF logo – an excellent way to kick start your sustainable new year’s resolutions.
Foldable £4.00, Backpack £4.50, Tote £3.50
Available on WWF’s online shop from September: https://shop.wwf.org.uk/collections/use-it
FOR THE TREE
Made from recycled post consumer water bottle felt and thread from plants, this super cute sewing kit includes everything you need to create your own decoration and instructions.
£9.99 each
Available on WWF’s online shop from October: https://shop.wwf.org.uk/collections/love-it
ADOPT & PROTECT
Adopt and protect a Jaguar this Christmas. This elusive species has virtually been wiped out from most of its northern range and now occupies less than half of their historic habitat.
Your adoption will not only help fund projects to work with local communities to monitor jaguar movements and help protect their habitat but also fund our other vital work around the world.
Adopt a jaguar for as little as £3 a month and receive an optional soft toy, fact pack, regular updates plus adoption certificate – ideal for the last minute shopper.
For these animal adoptions and more, visit support.wwf.org.uk/adopt-an-animal
2019 Christmas Collection by Chococo
For Christmas 2019 award-winning, Dorset-based, artisan chocolatier Chococo has created a tempting festive range for chocoholics to enjoy and gift to family and friends.
NEW for Christmas 2019 are a NEW Vegan Advent Selection Box, NEW Chocolate Baubles, NEW festive flavours, a NEW Vegan Chocolate Biscuit Cake, a NEW box of Caramel Filled Stars and a selection of NEW gift hampers and gorgeous NEW festive designs for both its selection boxes and other gifts.
Carefully developed by its team of chocolatiers, led by founders Claire and Andy Burnet, there’s something to appeal to everyone. All freshly handmade in Purbeck, Dorset, from fine single origin chocolate from Madagascar (dark chocolate 67%, 70% & 85% cocoa, milk chocolate 65%, vegan milc 40%), Venezuela (milk chocolate 45%), Uganda (dark chocolate 80%) and Colombia (white chocolate), Chococo also uses local seasonal produce, including local honey, preserves, fruits, herbs, wines, spirits and fresh Dorset cream, to make its mouth-watering, award-winning creations.
Chococo has also launched a NEW and improved house milk chocolate this year. Made with fine Venezuelan cocoa beans, it now contains 45% cocoa solids, which it believes is one of the higher cocoa content milk chocolates being offered as a house milk in the UK currently.
Chococo cares about the impact of its packaging on the environment and always has done – since launch back in 2002, its iconic selection boxes have always only ever had cardboard grids inside to hold each chocolate in place, never plastic vac forms. All Chococo’s new gifts for Advent & Christmas 2019 are in plastic-free packaging. It also uses compostable woodpulp bags, cornstach cellophane and 70% post-consumer recycled plastic, which is recyclable again, for items in clear packaging. For more information please see the notes to editors section.
All the items listed below are available to order online at its website www.chococo.co.uk and from Chococo’s four Chocolate Houses in Swanage, Dorset; Winchester, Hampshire; Exeter, Devon; and Horsham, West Sussex. Alternatively you can call 01929 421777 to order some tempting Christmas goodies.
Advent Selection Boxes
Chococo’s limited edition Advent boxes are unique in that all the chocolates are handmade fresh to order. Only delivered in the last week of November, it means that you will enjoy the freshest, most delicious flavours each day from 1st December to Christmas Day.
NEW Chococo Vegan Advent Selection Box (£24.50) – NEW for this year is this Vegan Advent Selection box. It contains 25 dairy-free and vegan-friendly handmade fine chocolates, in a stylish box design, with a frosted, numbered sleeve and menu, so that the chocolates can be tasted in date order.
Plastic-free packaging.
The Chococo chocolatiers have created this unique selection of dairy-free and vegan-friendly chocolates from both its existing collection of award-winning and festive chocolates, plus several new limited edition flavours just for this special Advent Selection box:
NEW Spiced Rum – Raisins marinated in dark rum from the Two Drifters distillery in Exeter, blended with nutmeg, cinnamon, clove and Madagascar origin dark chocolate.
NEW Milc Cashew Gem – Madagascar Raisetrade ‘vegan milc’ chocolate produced in Madagascar with local Malagsy cashews and studded inside with a toasted cashew.
NEW Mexican Chilli – Mexican ancho chilli-infused coconut milk ganache with cinnamon, vanilla and a touch of Dorset sea salt.
NEW Christmas Cluster – candied orange, freshly ground cardamom, Madagascar roasted cocoa nibs and crushed pistachios in Madagascar origin dark chocolate.
NEW 80% Uganda truffle – 80% Uganda origin dark chocolate truffle rolled in 70% Madagascar dark chocolate flakes.
NEW Tropical Colada Caramel – launched this summer and such a hit that it is part of this year’s Advent selection, this is a dairy-free coconut caramel with zingy pineapple top notes.
NEW Agave Honeycombe – Chococo’s new honeycombe made with agave nectar instead of honey to create a vegan-friendly honeycombe in a dark chocolate shell.
Guava & Coconut truffle – dark chocolate and coconut milk ganache blended with guava puree and rolled in desiccated coconut for a vegan tropical “snowball” truffle.
Tawny Port & Fig – 2018 Silver Academy of Chocolate Award winner. Dried figs steeped in Noval 10-year-old Tawny Port with agave and cinnamon, blended with Madagascan dark chocolate.
Mulled Wine – 2012 Gold Great Taste winner. Red wine, from Furleigh Estate near Bridport in Dorset, infused with oranges, spices and rum, blended with Madagascan dark chocolate.
Marzipan – classic German marzipan in a Madagascar origin dark chocolate shell.
Crystallised Ginger – chunks of crystallised ginger in a Madgascar origin dark chocolate shell.
Date & Cognac – dates steeped in cognac and blended with Madgascar origin dark chocolate.
Crunchy Almond Praline – crunchy almond pins & hazelnut praline in dark chocolate.
NEW DESIGN Chococo Advent Selection Box (£24.50) – it wouldn’t be Christmas without Chococo’s iconic Advent Box – 25 amazingly fresh, handmade, luxurious chocolates, in a stylish NEW box design, with a frosted, numbered sleeve and menu, so that the chocolates can be tasted in date order. Plastic-free packaging.
Chococo has selected the very best of its award-winning and festive chocolates plus exciting new flavours to go in this Advent Selection box & for 2019, these will include:
NEW Spiced Rum – Raisins marinated in dark rum from the Two Drifters distillery in Exeter, blended with nutmeg, cinnamon, clove and Madagascar origin dark chocolate.
NEW Mexican Chilli – Mexican ancho chilli-infused coconut milk ganache with cinnamon, vanilla and a touch of Dorset sea salt.
NEW Christmas Cluster – candied orange, freshly ground cardamom, Madagascar roasted cocoa nibs and crushed pistachios in Madagascar origin dark chocolate.
NEW Gold Cocoa Nibs Gem – golden caramelised white chocolate studded with roasted Madagascar cocoa nibs for an intense cocoa crunch contrast to the sweet caramel flavors.
NEW Tropical Colada Caramel – dairy-free coconut caramel with zingy pineapple top notes.
Cabin Pressure Gin & Rosemary – 2019 Bronze Academy of Chocolate Award winner. Cabin Pressure gin, distilled in Horsham, blended with a fresh rosemary-infused fresh Dorset cream and dark chocolate ganache.
Lemon Curd – Fresh lemon curd, locally made for Chococo, tops a lemon scented white chocolate ganache (Bronze Academy of Chocolate Award 2017).
Dorset Smoked Sea Salt Caramel – 2018 Bronze Academy of Chocolate Award winner. Luscious caramel with sea salt harvested and smoked on the Isle of Portland by the Dorset Sea Salt company.
Tawny Port & Fig – 2018 Silver Academy of Chocolate Award winner. Dried figs steeped in Noval 10-year-old Tawny Port with agave and cinnamon, blended with Madagascan dark chocolate.
Blackcurrant – 2018 3 Star Gold Great Taste Award winner and one of our most popular flavours. Blackcurrant pate des fruits layered with a fresh dark chocolate ganache infused with British Cassis.
Hazelnut Gem – a whole roasted Turkish hazelnut encased in single origin Madagascar milk chocolate containing 65% cocoa solids and only 8% added sugar.
Gingerbread Caramel – 2016 Gold Academy of Chocolate winner, 2016 World Silver International.
Chocolate Awards. A liquid caramel made with treacle, allspice, cloves, ginger and cinnamon. Mulled Wine – 2012 Gold Great Taste winner. Red wine, from Furleigh Estate near Bridport in Dorset, infused with oranges, spices and rum, blended with Madagascar origin dark chocolate.
As the days get closer to Christmas, the chocolates get even more festive including marzipan, nutmeg, ginger and orange with the final chocolate to enjoy on December 25th, being a Fizzy Pudding, so you can start Christmas Day with a popping candy fizz! The ultimate Advent calendar.
Trees, food, gifts and travel: Friends of the Earth’s tips for a more planet-friendly Christmas
Christmas will be here before we know it, with many people entering planning mode already. With Friends of the Earth’s hints and tips you can make this Christmas the more planet-friendly one you’ve ever had!
Trees
Trees are the centre piece of many Christmas displays, but what happens to them after festivities are over? If you’ve got a fake tree already, keep using it – make it last as long as possible. But look into a more environmentally-sound options when it eventually comes to replacing it. Real trees may seem an obvious solution, but if you’re only using it for one Christmas it can have a big impact when you think about the land use to grow it and the emissions from transport.
Buying a potted tree with roots lets you grow it outside and use it again year after year, reducing its environmental impact and costing you less. If you don’t want it to get too big keep it in a smaller pot to limit growth. The other option to check out are the tree hire services offered my many garden centres and plant nurseries.
Alternatively, if you’re feeling a bit radical or non-traditional, get a large perennial indoor plant – like a yucca or palm – and just decorate it at Christmas time.
Food
The meat and dairy industries are a huge source of emissions and can also take land away from forests. Go for a festive spread with mainly plant based ingredients and try to make sure any meat or dairy products you’re keen to have don’t come from intensive farms. When it comes to the vegetables, look out for products that have been grown nearby so you can cut down on transport emissions.
Presents and cards
Home-made crafts or foods are lovely alternatives to the usual shop-bought stuff. Experience based gifts are another great way to cut down on resource use – you could think about restaurant or cinema vouchers.
If you are going for physical gifts, look for those which can do the planet good. Check out the Friends of the Earth eco-clothing range or donate today for your Christmas Bee Saver Kit. It’s the ideal gift for friends, family, or yourself. Plus, it helps bees at the same time!
When wrapping any presents this year, make use of salvageable materials like newspaper, textiles and string. Wrapping up gifts in newspaper might sound odd, but you’d be surprised by how good it looks. If you are buying wrapping paper, make sure it’s not plastic-lined as this can’t be recycled.
You can also cut your resource use when it comes to Christmas cards. You can send e-cards instead. Try using a free design app like Canva if you want to get creative. Your bound to know some people who won’t be able to receive an e-card but why not try giving them a call to wish them good will? If a card is needed, try to find ones made from recycled materials and not containing plastics such as glitter.
Travel
Make Christmas travel greener by sharing shopping trips and lifts with friends and family. Use public transport, or shop online and get bulk deliveries. You could organise this with neighbours to save on delivery emissions and fees.
If you’re traveling to see family this Christmas hop on a train where possible, or use lift sharing sites to make sure private vehicles are full.
If escaping to warmer climes is your thing, think about southern Europe so you can get there by train rather than having to fly. Obviously in some cases there’s no other way to get to friends or family without flying, but you can follow our tips above to make sure you lessen the impact of the rest of your Christmas!
Celebrate Christmas 2019 with three NEW products from Rosebud Preserves
Christmas is a time for family and friends to come together for celebration and the enjoyment of flavoursome food and drink. With the festive season fast approaching the team at award-winning Rosebud Preserves has hand-picked a selection of preserves they hope you will enjoy.
NEW for this year are a Pear, Orange & Ginger Chutney, a Damson Fruit Paste for Cheese a Smoked Apple Butter for Cheese:
Pear, Orange & Ginger Chutney (£3.95/198g)
Bright and vibrant with fresh Conference pears, plump sultanas, sweet citrus and warm stem ginger. Enjoy with cold Roast Pork and Wensleydale Cheese. Conference pears 37%, onions, unrefined cane sugar, Bramley apples, fresh orange juice 7%, sultanas, preserved ginger 5%, cider vinegar, orange zest, ground ginger and ground cloves.
Damson Fruit Paste for Cheese (£3.95/125g)
A sweet/sharp and vibrant fruit preserve, naturally set with unrefined sugar.
Damsons 120%, unrefined cane sugar and fresh lemon juice.
Smoked Apple Butter for Cheese (£3.95/125g)
Sweet, smoky and piquant with Bramley apples, cider vinegar, Madagascan vanilla and whisky.
Apples 131%, fresh lemon juice, cider vinegar, vanilla pods, unrefined cane sugar and whisky 5%.
Elspeth Biltoft, owner of Rosebud Preserves, says: “We’re really thrilled to offer these three new products to enjoy over the festive season. The Pear, Orange and Ginger Chutney is what I would call a classic ‘old school’ chutney with a light modern freshness. It has a very British flavour with simple ingredients, it’s a mix of sweetness with a little heat that gives a light, fragrant and delicious product. I’m really proud of the work that John, our head chef, put into developing this as it is such a good addition to our range and is also something quite different to all the other preserves we produce.
“Apple Butter was first produced in the Middle Ages by monks who wanted to preserve the fruit grown in monastery orchards. It is a highly concentrated form of apple compote with a buttery consistency. Our recipe uses the addition of Whisky to add a little heat to the flavour and a little smoked Bramley apple to add a unique final touch.
“The Damson Fruit Cheese is the perfect accompaniment to the cheeses on your Christmas cheeseboard. We source the damsons from dedicated British growers. We cook these with unrefined sugar to create a dense fruit cheese that has the deep, rich/sharp, vibrant purple/red fruit flavour. It works well with many cheeses but I love to enjoy this with some Stilton.”
Rosebud Preserves’ Christmas selection also includes Masons Yorkshire Gin & Satsuma Marmalade and Yorkshire Wensleydale Chutney. These two preserves have been created in collaboration with other Yorkshire based fine food producers. This collaborative approach is something that the team at Rosebud Preserves is very proud of as it highlights their Yorkshire heritage, as well as promoting the abundance of superb ingredients and products the area is famous for.
The company has been making its jams, marmalades, chutneys and jellies at Masham, North Yorkshire, since 1989. The company was started by Elspeth Biltoft and her founding principles, to source local produce whenever possible; to cook traditional recipes; and practice time honoured techniques, without the use of additives, preservatives or pectin; remain the same today.
Their tempting products also make great gifts for food lovers and to help present them Rosebud Preserves has a stylish gift box that accommodates any three of the customers’ choice.
The products listed below are all available to buy online at rosebudpreserves.co.uk.
For your Christmas dinner:
Cranberry & Orange Sauce with Port (£3.95/227g)
A popular twist on a classic. Traditionally prepared with fresh citrus and a measure of port. Perfect with Roast Turkey, Game or Ham.
Cranberries 72%, unrefined sugar, oranges 18%, port 3%, fresh ginger, ground cloves, ground cinnamon.
Red Onion & Port Marmalade (£3.95/227g)
Piquant, full-bodied and richly savoury with red onions, mollased sugar and ruby port. Perfect with Blue Stilton and Cold Meats.
Red onions 62%, unrefined sugar, white wine vinegar, redcurrant juice, ruby port 5%, herbs, spices.
For Boxing Day:
Boxing Day Chutney (£3.95/198g)
Fresh, fruity and subtly spiced cranberries, Bramley apples and plump raisins.
Perfect for your Yuletide festivities.
Cranberries 37%, Bramley apples, unrefined sugar, raisins, cider vinegar, pickling spice including mustard seed, sea salt, mixed spice.
Cumberland Sauce with Port (£3.95/277g)
A traditional blend of naturally set redcurrants, piquant with mustard, orange and ginger. Enjoy with Roast Pork and Chicken Liver Pate.
Redcurrants 112%, unrefined sugar, water, fresh orange juice and zest 4%, port 2%, fresh lemon juice and zest 1.5%, ground ginger, mustard powder.
Traditional Piccalilli (£3.95/170g)
Fresh, piquant and mouth-watering. A unique pantry classic bursting with savoury character. Perfect with Camembert and Cold Roast Ham.
Vegetables in varying proportions 88% (tomatoes, onions, cucumbers,
red peppers, cauliflower, courgettes, green peppers), cider vinegar, unrefined sugar, malt vinegar (barley), wholemeal flour (wheat), mustard seed, fresh garlic, turmeric, celery seed.
For the festive cheeseboard:
Yorkshire Wensleydale Chutney (£3.95/198g)
A classic combination of fresh Bramley apples, plump sultanas and traditional spices. Perfect with Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese.
Bramley apples 50%, onions, sultanas, unrefined sugar, malt vinegar (barley), spices, sea salt.
Christmas Chutney (£3.95/198g)
Wonderfully rich with prunes, dates, apricots, aromatic allspice and strong dark ale. The perfect addition to your season’s festivities.
Dried fruits in variable proportions (prunes, dates, apricots) 36% (sulphites), cider vinegar, onions, unrefined sugar, plums, sea salt, allspice, ale 1% (barley), cayenne pepper.
Fig Chutney (£3.95/198g)
A rich and piquant mix of juicy figs, molassed sugar, warm cinnamon and sweet fresh orange. Perfect with Cold Roast Ham and Farmhouse Cheddar.
Figs 34%, Bramley apples, onions, sultanas, malt vinegar (barley), unrefined sugar, fresh orange juice, fresh ginger, fresh garlic, sea salt, mixed spice, cinnamon.
Christmas baking – a tempting filling for homemade mince pies:
Almond & Orange Mincemeat (£4.60/340g)
A great twist on a British classic. Simply prepared with fresh Bramley apples, plump vine fruits, lively citrus and a measure of brandy. This mincemeat does not contain any suet so it is suitable for vegetarians.
Raisins, apples, currants, unrefined sugar, sultanas, lemon juice and zest, orange juice and zest 8%, candied peel, almonds 5%, brandy 1.5%.
Some sweet treats to add flavour to festive breakfasts:
Masons Yorkshire Gin & Satsuma Marmalade, Coarse Cut (£3.95/227g) Bright, fresh and floral with botanical notes of lavender, juniper and star anise. Unrefined sugar, satsumas 57%, lemons, fresh lemon juice, Masons Yorkshire Gin 3.5%, juniper berries, star anise, mixed pepper berries, lavender. Prepared with 57g of fruit per 100g. Total sugar content 60g per 100g.
Somerset Cider Brandy & Pear Jam (£3.95/227g)
All the freshness of English Pears, enriched with Somerset Cider Brandy. Naturally set with unrefined sugar.
Fresh pears 92%, unrefined sugar, water, Bramley apples, fresh lemon juice, Somerset Cider Brandy 2%, Cider 1.5%. Prepared with 110g of fruit per 100g. Total sugar content 60g per 100g.
The Rosebud Preserves Gift Box: This stylish gift box makes a special present at Christmas for the food lover in your life. Made in England this beautiful mottled grey box, embossed in matte black foil, perfectly complements the branded preserves. Simply choose any three products from the range and they will be sent to the address of your choice. (Price starts at £14.45 for three jars and the box).
Suggested combinations:
Rosebud’s Christmas Essentials – a selection of three delicious essentials to accompany festive fare. Contains – Cranberry & Orange Sauce with Port – for your roast turkey; Red Onion & Port Marmalade – perfect for Stilton and cold cuts; and Christmas Chutney – for the all-important cheeseboard.
A Sweet Treat – three of Rosebud’s tempting jams and preserves. A great gift for someone who loves the sweet things in life. Contains – Satsuma & Masons Yorkshire Gin Marmalade, Coarse Cut; Blackberry & Sloe Gin Jam; and Cherry & Amaretto Jam.
A Gentleman’s Selection – three classic items that make the perfect present for your food loving dad, uncle or grandfather. Contains – Great Yorkshire Pickle; Traditional Piccalilli; and Seville Orange Marmalade, Coarse Cut.
Get smart this festive season with Robo Wunderkind
Helping kids learn how to code with fun and creative robotics kits
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Robo Wunderkind has a range of robotics kits which brings the creativity out in young children this holiday season while also teaching them aspects of STEM with their unique learn-as-you-play coding system allowing their projects to come to life. Available online now, the Robo Wunderkind kits come in three flavours:
Normal pricing:
Starter Kit (£159/$179/€179)
Education Kit (£229/$249/€249)
Advanced Kit (£129/$149/€149)
Reduced pricing (Nov 25 – till Dec 15):
Starter Kit (£139/$149/€149)
Education Kit (£189/$199/€199)
Advanced Kit (£119/$129/€129).
NB: The Advanced Kit will be available on Amazon from September onwards.
Robo Wunderkind’s range of robotics kits makes the perfect gift for kids from ages K-5 and up and is designed to grow with your children as they age, making it an ideal investment in their future education and limiting your need to keep buying “even more” toys which litter the house. The kits offer unlimited hours of play thanks to their endless ability to be made and remade making it a wonderful way this holiday season to bring families together to play, build, and learn.
As children get to grips with Robo, they’ll be able to find plenty of things to build and create thanks to the Robo Wunderkind app and YouTube channel that feature many project ideas to spark inspiration and learn the different ways the robotics kits can be used and programmed. Who knows, your child may become the person to develop the “next big thing” in technology!
Robo Wunderkind product offerings include:
Starter Kit: Everything needed to get inventing including 1x Main Block, 2x Big Wheel, 4x LEGO Adapter, 3x Connectors, 1x Small Wheel, 1x RGB Light, 1x Button, 2x DC Motor
Education Kit: Everything in the Starter Kit, plus the addition of 1x Connector Block, 1x Wired Connector, an additional 3x Connectors, 1x Distance Sensor, and 1x Servo Motor
Advanced Kit: This kit expands both the Starter and the Education Kit by adding 1x Connector Block, 4x LEGO Adapter, 4x Connectors, 1x Small Wheel, 1x RGB Light, 1x Light Sensor, 1x Motion Detector, 1x LED Display
You can purchase the Robo Wunderkind robot kits via their website or through Amazon.
TREAT THE MAN IN YOUR LIFE TO THE ULTIMATE GROOMING PRODUCTS THIS CHRISTMAS – HE’LL SHAVE HIMSELF A FORTUNE!
www.men-u.co.uk
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It’s the thought that counts when it comes to giving and receiving Christmas gifts … but it can be pretty hit and miss at times. Sometimes we are given things that are either added to the pile of ‘unused’ gifts, or even re-gifted to a friend or family member.
One of the popular gifts that most men open on Christmas morning are shaving and shower gel gift packs. Always a bonus for a man and it will keep them going for a month or so. But imagine unwrapping a shaving gift pack that was half the size, better quality and would last them the entire year!
Top male grooming brand men-u are one step ahead when it comes to packaging in a non-wasteful and environmentally friendly way. Their products can offer a better performance with 90% less packaging to other brands.
So this Christmas, why not treat the man in your life to a special gift pack of men-u Ultra Concentrate Shave Crème. This handy sized gift box includes Shave Crème 100ml (with pump) and Shave Crème 100ml (refill) that will cover around 330 shaves! This compact gift set is the equivalent of 6 x 200g high street aerosol cans and takes up no space at all.
men-u revolutionary line of high performance, ultra concentrate products prove that a little goes a long way. Concentrated formulae facilitate use of a high percentage of the finest ingredients and the secret is to get them to where they are needed, without waste.
Product details: RRP: £19.95. Includes Shave Crème 100ml (with pump) and Shave Crème 100ml (refill), available on www.men-u.com
Cycle to Christmas With Children’s Bikes from Decathlon
–Make a child’s Christmas with the gift of an exciting new bike from Decathlon –
– Quality products available for all ages, from balance bikes for young beginners, to high performance hybrid bikes for more experienced youngsters –
With Christmas just five months away, Santa’s elves have been working overtime to make sure Christmas 2019 is the best one yet, with a range of high quality children’s bikes from Decathlon. What better gift for little ones to find under the Christmas tree, than a bike, allowing them to make memories on adventures with family and friends.
Whether your child is a junior Laura Kenny or a first time peddler, Decathlon offers a range of bikes to suit each child’s needs. From balance bikes perfect for getting to grips with two wheels, to stylish hybrid bikes sure to impress friends, Decathlon’s quality children’s bikes make the perfect Christmas present for children of all ages.
Balance Bikes
B’TWIN RUNRIDE 500 BALANCE BIKE, ORANGE/BLACK – 10″ – £44.99
Little ones will love learning to balance and brake on this balance bike, as the lightweight frame makes it easy to control.
The gentle brake system has been cleverly adapted for little hands to get to grips with, making them easier to handle.
What’s more, the puncture-proof tyres, mean that kids can get all the practise they need, without parents worrying about wear and tear.
B’TWIN RUNRIDE 900 ALLOY BALANCE BIKE, BLACK/YELLOW – 12″ – £69.99
This balance bike will provide hours of fun, thanks to the lightweight tyres that allow riders to glide and zoom around with ease as their confidence grows.
Budding bike enthusiasts will feel stable thanks to the extra wide handlebar and lightweight aluminium frame, making the bike easier to control.
The easy to adjust saddle means this bike will grow with your child, ensuring the adventures will last even longer.
14-Inch Bikes
B’TWIN 500 KIDS’ 14-INCH BIKE (3-4.5 YEARS) – ROBOT – NOW £74.99
For those moving on from balance bikes, this bike is perfect for first time peddlers. The low frame allows children ages three upwards to mount the bike with ease and get comfortable, on the soft padded seat.
Parents needn’t worry about children getting hurt by bike mechanics thanks to the robot emblemed chainguard, sure to keep little fingers, shoelaces and clothes away from the chain.
This bike comes with a bell, front and rear lights, wheel reflectors and tool free stabilizers so parents can feel confident that their children are safe on their bike, whilst discover a love of cycling.
B’TWIN 500 KIDS’ 14-INCH BIKE (3-4.5 YEARS) – UNICORN – NOW £74.99
This brightly coloured bike will be the highlight of any unicorn lovers Christmas and will have them peddling like the big kids in no time.
The bike comes with easy to remove and re-apply stabilizers, so riders can learn to cycle at their own pace, without parents needing to reach for the tool kit.
The easy to stop brakes have been adapted for better grip, meaning little hands will feel in control as they head off for a day of cycling fun.
B’TWIN 500 DOCTOGIRL KIDS BIKE – 16″ – £89.99
Compatible with stabilizers, this bike allows children to develop their cycling skills as their confidence grows, but still offers stability whilst they are learning.
No need to worry about getting their Christmas day outfit dirty, this bike comes with front and rear mud guards, ideal for those wanting to use this bike to cycle to school as it prevents splashes on school uniforms.
Parents needn’t worry about children getting hurt by the bike mechanics as they become more independent riders thanks to the chainguard, keeping clothes shoelaces and fingers away from the chain.
B’TWIN 900 ALLOY KIDS BIKE, BLUE – 16″ – £139.99
This stylish bike is perfect for smaller riders with a passion for cycling. Lightweight, thanks to the aluminium frame, making it easy to control and giving the added bonus of being rust proof – so junior riders can take this bike out on regular rides, even on harsh terrain, such as mud and sand.
The foam saddle makes for a comfortable ride and it can be adjusted as your little one grows.
The unique frame is shorter than typical 16-inch bikes making it more comfortable to ride upright during a long family bike ride on boxing day.
20-Inch Bikes
B’TWIN ORIGINAL 500 KIDS’ 20″ HYBRID BIKE 6-9 YEARS- £139.99
This bike is perfect for a budding cycling enthusiast, as it can be used on a range of terrains and in all kinds of weather.
Older riders can practise getting used to gears, with an easy to use shifter which allows riders to change speeds smoothly.
The bike comes with a basket and a handy kick stand, so little ones will enjoy cycling to friends’ houses on this bike to show off their new Christmas present.
B’TWIN ORIGINAL 120 KIDS’ 20″ HYBRID BIKE 6-9 YEARS – £119.99
This bike is the perfect gift for any would be adventurer, as it comes with gears equipped for 6 speeds, meaning riders can take on a range of hills and terrains.
The bike has been designed with smaller riders in mind and the brakes are in the perfect position for little hands to grasp, allowing them to control their speed with ease.
What’s more, the lower frame makes it easier for riders to get on and off, whilst stopping to explore their surroundings on a country cycle.
Decathlon has 45 stores in the UK and sells a variety of sports equipment, clothing and accessories perfect for those want to get active or maximise their performance.
For more information, visit www.decathlon.co.uk
Benro announce the new 3XS Lite Smartphone Gimbal Stabiliser.
Small and light enough to fit in a jacket pocket or handbag, the 3XS Lite puts a host of unique features at your finger tips. It features portrait to landscape shift at the touch of a button and can support an additional external battery (both unexpected in a gimbal of its size). Could make an ideal Christmas gift!
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS…
VANILLA REINDEER’S PERSONALISED GIFTS
Don’t you envy that person who gives the most beautifully wrapped Christmas presents? You wonder how they have the time and energy to find those gorgeous gift bags and chic bottle boxes. Well fear not, as now you can be that person – the ultimate gifting guru – with the help of personalised gift bag brand, Vanilla Reindeer.
Whether you need a Gift Bag for your lovely mum, an Advent Calendar for your naughty niece or a Box of Chocolates for your work bestie, Vanilla Reindeer has a wide range of both cheeky and contemporary designs – there’s something for everyone.
Use our personalisation service to give your gift that extra sparkle. Simply add your best giggle-worthy photo and a fun message when you order online at www.vanillareindeer.com. It’s never been so quick and easy to make someone smile with your hilariously funny or super sweet Christmas gifting designs!
For the Gift Bags, take your pick from 5 different sizes, which come in 36 fun designs. Choose from festive crackers including Santa’s Little Diva or King Kong Merrily on High for the kids, or some more cheeky choices such as You’re The Stuffing To My Turkey or All I Want For Christmas Is Shoes.
Alternatively, if it’s a bottle box you’re after, choose from 14 festive designs such as There’s Snowman Like You or Sleigh Me Queen. Personalised gift bags and bottle boxes start from *£5.99.
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‘Santa’s Little Diva’ Small Portrait Gift Bag ‘Elf’ Upright Bottle BoxChoose from 22 fun styles and themes for Advent Calendars. Please the kids with designs including King Kong Merrily on High or Merry Slothness or make your mates laugh with a more adult design such as Don’t Scoff Them All At Once!, You’re The Stuffing To My Turkey or Clippity Clop and Reindeer Plops. Available from *£11.99 for the Standard option and up to *£22.99 for the Truffles.
Need a gift for a chocolate lover? Why not personalise one of our luxury Chocolate Truffle Gift Boxes, containing a range of delicious flavours including Intense Dark, Smooth Milk, White Lemon, Sweet Mandarin, and Dark Mango and Passionfruit. Prices range from *£11.99 up to *£18.99.
‘Santa Claus’ 16 Chocolate Box “Don’t Scoff Them All At Once” Truffle Advent CalendarWant to be super productive? Well why not sort your gifting and gift at the same time? Vanilla Reindeer offers a range of alcoholic beverages, including gin, prosecco plus exclusive wine options you won’t find on the high street, and a range of indulgent toiletries and pampering products from well-known British beauty brand, Baylis & Harding.
UK based Vanilla Reindeer is the NEW personalisation brand and was launched to offer a wide range of fully personalised products that combines contemporary design flair with the very latest in digital print technology, providing you with a user-friendly, one-stop service that’s guaranteed to delight all those special people in your life.
To ease you through the silly season, Vanilla Reindeer provide Royal Mail 1st Class standard delivery, Royal Mail Tracked 24, Royal Mail Special Delivery and Royal Mail Special delivery Saturday, so there’s no need for any last gasp Christmas shopping.
*All prices exclude postage.
For more information visit www.vanillareindeer.com
When you are an athlete, nothing should stand in the way of playing the perfect game. No goal shouldn’t be scored because your cleats are causing blisters on your feet. No runner should slow down from chafing on your thighs.
By using Body Glide before the game, you can take the chafe out of any game.
Body Glide is a preventative anti-chafing balm that protects your skin all game long. It forms a dry, invisible barrier to protect your skin. It’s effective wherever skin is rubbed by clothing, footwear or skin. It creates a barrier to the effects of rubbing, its formulation makes it easy to apply for all-day protection from skin on skin rubbing, chafing from clothing, or pinching and friction from shoes, or protective gear.
Let Body Glide do the work, so you can focus on winning.
Make Fairtrade your Festive Favourite
Make sure your Christmas is ethical this year with some of these Fairtrade hero products
With ethical shopping on an upwards spike and no signs of slowing down, making sure that your Christmas gifting goes further than the stockings this year is a must for gift givers and receivers alike. Fairtrade is the most recognized certification in the UK and is the simple way to make sure that the people who made your gifts are paid fairly for their work.
For many of us Christmas is about celebrating traditions with loved ones and this year it’s even bigger as the Fairtrade Foundation marks 25 years since the first Fairtrade product was seen on shelves.
Christmas is the perfect time to support people around the world and by buying Fairtrade, you know that your purchase will have a direct impact on families around the world to celebrate with their families and share in traditions of their own.
Behind each Fairtrade product is a powerful personal story. Find out how lives have been changed because of Fairtrade. Read the full media pack and download images here: https://fairfile.fairtrade.org.uk/fairfile/index.php/s/4MYjdwabG5jKX6W
1.7 million Fairtrade farmers and workers’ lives have been transformed through Fairtrade, but they still need your support, and Christmas is the perfect time to show you care.
Each gift listed here is Fairtrade certified, whether it’s a unique spin on a classic festive feature, or that extra special Christmas item, which will make your Christmas truly stand out, both for your own friends and family, and for the families of farmers and workers at the beginning of the supply chain.
Shake up your Christmas traditions to make sure your generosity goes further this season
Chocolate & Love Pomegranate Gift Box
RRP: £16.99
Where to buy: Chocolate & Love online
Containing all vegan dark chocolate bars: Panama 80% single origin, Rich Dark 71%, Pomegranate 70% single origin Madagascar and Orange 65%) with a beautiful Christmas sleeve. Who wouldn’t be happy with this stunner under the Christmas tree?!
Divine Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar
RRP: £4.29
Where to buy: Amazon, Ocado, Booths, Oxfam, Traidcraft online shop, Waitrose & other independent stores
Divine Chocolate is the only chocolate company in the world that is 100% Fairtrade and owned by cocoa farmers. The Kuapa Kokoo farmers co-operative in Ghana own 44% of the company, giving them direct control and empowering the producers of Divine’s quality chocolate.
Beautifully illustrated with scenes and depictions from the nativity each door opens to reveal the words ‘Merry Chrtsmas’ in 24 different languages and a milk chocolate heart.
Cocoa Loco Milk Chocolate Fairies
RRP: £4.79
Where to buy: Cocoa Loco online
Cocoa Loco are our go to for quirky treats that put a fun spin in the classics. They wowed us this Easter with their Lemon Drizzle egg and their Christmas treats are promising to be just as delicious, getting us all going loco for cocoa. These magical fairies are made from our smooth and creamy 37% milk chocolate. As always, organic, Fairtrade certified, palm oil free and handmade with love.
www.UglyChristmasSweater.com
How about some of our new products, including bush tea and chocolate
www.kakaduplumco.com
New Rosalique SPF 50 launches with a Christmas Special Edition Miracle Box Set
Buy Rosalique 3 In 1 Miracle Cream this Christmas and receive a complimentary Miracle Brush worth £30!
As the festive season draws near, we search for the perfect gift for that special someone. Look no further than the Rosalique Miracle Box Set! Rosalique are launching the new SPF 50 and for the same retail price of £30, not only will you get a full sized tube but you will also receive a complimentary, specifically designed application brush worth £30 both packaged in a luxury branded box. Available from 29th September RRP £30 https://rosalique.co.uk/
Rosalique is rapidly becoming the UK’s No 1 selling anti-redness primer. It is the only all-in-one beauty cream of its kind that covers red and blemished skin, protects against UVA/UVB rays and soothes sensitive skin. It has been 5* rated from Boots. After an amazing first year of trading, Rosalique celebrates Christmas 2019 offering beauty lovers this unique gift box set with new SPF 50. The Rosalique Miracle Brush is manufactured by a leading company that produces foundation brushes for luxury makeup brands around the world. The Miracle brush is made from the softest bristles, bound deep into the handle to give a firm Kabuki style brush, perfect to glide Rosalique primer gently across the skin. Rosalique is Vegan Friendly and Cruelty Free.
Bing and Flop Soft Toys RRP £5.99 each
These cute and cuddly Bing and Flop soft toys are perfectly sized to take along with you on all your adventures. Whether it’s a trip to the park or a day at nursery, Bing and Flop are the ideal companions for your little Bingster! Bing is made from super-soft textured fabric and wears his red checked dungarees and features his iconic button. Flop is made from a tactile knit fabric and features beautiful fine embroidered detail. Approx size 20cm. Suitable from birth.
Bing Pick & Place Wooden Puzzle RRP £9.99
This wooden puzzle features Bing and his friends Sula, Pando, Coco and Flop. The chunky wooden pieces and pegs make it easy for little hands to pick up and place, helping develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The brightly coloured pegs and matching coloured shapes also introduce Bingsters to simple colour recognition whilst providing them with hours of fun. Suitable for children aged 12 months and over.
Talking Bing Soft Toy RRP £15.99
This cute and cuddly Talking Bing Soft Toy is perfect for hugs as it’s made from super-soft textured fabric. Talking Bing has over 15 fun phrases to delight and entertain fans such as ‘Hi, I’m Bing! What’s your name?’ Simply press Bing’s button to hear him talk and giggle. Bingsters will love to re-create their favourite Bing stories, listen to Bing talk and interact with him. Approx size 30cm. Suitable from birth.
Talking Sula Soft Toy RRP £15.99
Just like the Talking Bing Soft Toy, Talking Sula is made from super-soft textured fabric and great to cuddle. Just like in the show, she wears her beautiful pink dress and has gold sparkly shoes and a cute flower in her hair. She has over 15 fun phrases to delight and entertain fans such as ‘Hi, I’m Sula! What’s your name?’ Approx size 30cm. Suitable from birth.
Light Up Talking Bing with Hoppity RRP £29.99
With over 15 fun phrases for little ones to enjoy, Light-up Talking Bing with Hoppity is sure to be a hit with little Bing fans! Bing comes complete with his ‘favourist’ toy, Hoppity Voosh! Hoppity wears a soft red cape and can be detached from Bing. Your little Bingsters will love to make their very own Hoppity ‘voosh’ through the air, just like Bing does in the show. Press Bing’s hand and watch his button softly glow as he talks to Hoppity, giggles or as the music plays and for even more fun Bing has poseable arms. Bing and his best friend Hoppity are made from super-soft textured fabrics and have beautiful embroidered detail. Approx size: 36 cm from top of ears to feet. Suitable for children aged 10 months and over.
Bing & Friends 6 Figure Gift Set RRP £14.99
This adorable figurine set includes Bing, Flop, Sula, Pando, Charlie and Amma. Perfectly sized for little hands to hold, these brightly coloured, chunky plastic figurines really bring these adorable Bing characters to life – especially as they can stand unaided, so ideal for creative play and story telling. Size of figurines range from 5cm – 9cm. Suitable for children aged 18 months and over.
Bing & Sula Soft Toys RRP £9.99
These cuddly toys are made in soft huggable fabrics, perfect for holding tight. Choose from Bing or his best friend, Sula. Bing Softie is wearing his iconic red dungarees which feature his special plastic button. Sula Softie is wearing her pretty pink dress. Each character has fine embroidered facial features and are perfect companions for any Bingster, and for even more fun they have crinkly ears! Each sold separately. Suitable from birth.
Bedtime Bing £19.99
Super-soft and huggable, the Bedtime Bing Soft Toy features soothing music and phrases from the show to comfort and reassure your Bingster as part of their bedtime routine. Press his hand to hear Bing say ‘I’m tired now’ and for even more fun Bing plays music from the show. Bing is ready for bed, dressed in his snuggly blue pyjamas that features a motif of his favourite toy Hoppity Voosh. Approx size 24cm. Suitable for children 10 months and over. Sold exclusively in Argos – as seen in the Argos October Gift Guide.
Jumbo Bing RRP £24.99
This Jumbo Bing, made is super-soft fabric, is just the thing for little Bingsters to get their arms round and cuddle. Bing wears his iconic red dungarees with button and has beautiful fine embroidered detail. Jumbo Bing measures 50cm. Suitable for children aged 10 months and over. Sold exclusively in Argos – as seen in the Argos October Gift Guide.
And from Harper Collins!
Bing’s Christmas Bauble Books £9.99
The perfect festive present for little Bingsters! Four bauble-shaped board books in a sparkly silver and red gift box. Perfect for small hands, they teach toddlers about first concepts (Numbers, Opposites, Shapes and Colours) and then double up as Christmas tree decorations! Once you’ve read them, have fun threading them with ribbon and hang them on your Christmas tree or around your home. Each board book is ten pages long, has sturdy board pages, simple words, and colourful festive images of Bing and his friends. Suitable for 1-5 year olds.
Establishing the ground rules of optimism
How to be positive when the rest of the world isn’t
By Howard Feldman
www.howardfeldman.co.za/author/
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The road of life isn’t always happy. It has potholes and bad drivers and broken robots. Being happy isn’t about beaming with positivity as you navigate these challenges, it’s about recognising that there are things you can change, things you cannot, and that you can be an optimist amidst it all.
Most people want to be optimists. Few people enjoy feeling negative and bleak. The problem is that it is far easier to say that you want a positive outlook than it is to actually achieve one. Yes, social media’s roadside is covered with the litter of wellbeing slogans and profound insights and the nuggets of wisdom required to live a conscious life. But life isn’t lived through a social media feed. It is lived through laundry, tax returns, chewing gum on a shoe, being cut in front of on the road and admin. It sounds fabulous to say that you should live each day as if it is the last but realistically, few people would choose to spend their last day on Earth sorting out invoicing with Debbie in accounts. Even Debbie.
There is also no such thing as a natural optimist. Someone who blithely skips through life’s hurdles as if they are nothing more than a minor inconvenience. Like anyone, they have to work at being positive. It’s a craft that requires resilience, focus and commitment. Anyone can bulletproof their outlook and find an alternative pathway to gloomy realism. Here are four simple steps to laying the foundation of an optimistic outlook…
Honesty really is the best policy
Changing your perspectives and adopting a more positive outlook requires that you understand yourself completely. An unflinching, totally honest appraisal of how you think, what informs your thought processes and what feelings dominate your thinking allows you to identify areas of change and areas you love. You can’t change something if you don’t know that it exists.
Cautious is cool, but also oppressive
There will always be people that say ‘I told you so’. They’re the same people who carefully navigate through life, rarely take chances and forget to live. They will also be the ones who tell you everything that is wrong with your ideas, your dreams, the country and the world. They haven’t spent time building the resilience that will allow them to step out, take chances and experience exactly how much control they have over their lives. This doesn’t mean you should rush out and spend your savings on that boat you’ve always wanted. It means that you need to trust in yourself and take those chances on your ideas and dreams because that’s how you build resilience and hope.
You can learn it
You can change your thought processes. You’ve probably already done it at least once. Remember back to a time when you felt as if you could do anything, that the day held infinite potential. Those are the moments that should define how you approach the challenges that life presents.
Focus on the good stuff
You just fell off the stage, you ran out of gas, your kid says she hates you and your boss gave you bad feedback. Absolutely brilliant reasons to feel terrible or define the day you are having as bad. But you can practice on reframing these moments. This is not the same as going ‘Gosh well I am SO lucky I could be on a stage’ or ‘I am blessed to have a car’. Those statements may be true, but in a moment of bleakness and a day of darkness they feel trite and social media-esque. Instead, reframe it as ‘Yes, that was awkward and embarrassing but before that I was doing really well’ or as ‘I am being a great parent and that means that sometimes my child is going to be mad at me for what I have said’. Focus on what you’ve done right, just for a bit.
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Festive Fruity Firsts from Opies
www.opiesfoods.com
Christmas is always a busy time and we’d all prefer to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with family and friends. So why not stock up on a quick and easy go-to that enables you to create show-stopping desserts in mere minutes? Opies Fruits with Alcohol are a luxurious store-cupboard standby that really fit the bill.
There are two new luxury fruits on offer this year: Mixed Fruits with Prosecco and Apricots with Jim Beam. The Mixed Fruits with Prosecco are a sublime combination of blackberries, raspberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants. The addition of a quality prosecco creates a sharp, tart, yet fruity treat. For the Apricots with Jim Beam, Opies have taken soft, delicate apricot halves and steeped them in the world’s number one Bourbon whisky. Elegant, smooth and refined, Jim Beam adds a spicy back note to the delicate soft apricots.
Typically the most popular way to enjoy Opies’s boozy fruits is generously spooned over ice cream or served simply with rich double cream. But, rather than settling for tradition, home cooks can discover lots of innovative and very tasty ways to incorporate these luxurious fruits into both sweet and savoury dishes. Opies have devised a suites of new recipes (www.opiesfoods.com/recipes) and for the first time a recipe is also included on-pack.
Pictured L-R: Apricot Parfait, Panettone French Toast with Mixed Berries
For an indulgent festive or New Year breakfast treat (and a great way to use up leftovers), try Panettone French Toast served with Mixed Berries with Prosecco. Alternatively, take crushed meringues, double cream and add in some Mixed Berries for a very easy and boozy Eton Mess. For pre-dinner drinks or parties, a glass of Cava, Prosecco or London Dry Gin will have a lovely pink hue with a small spoonful of the fruits in the bottom of the glass.
As for the Apricots with Jim Beam, if you can resist eating straight from the jar, try adding an apricot slice into a Bourbon Sour or chop into Moroccan Lamb or Nut Loaf for added depth of flavour. On the pack, you’ll also find a recipe for an Apricot Meringue Parfait – sublime!
The fruits are carefully hand bottled into stunning jars, preserved in a light syrup and gently infused with a specially selected alcohol which perfectly complements the soft fruits. They are also ideal for small gifts, stocking fillers or as part of a home-styled hamper. They provide a luxurious, affordable solution and have a wide-appeal so they’ll be as suitable for a Secret Santa pick as for a present for the next door neighbours.
Each Christmas, Opies make an extensive range of limited edition luxury fruits with alcohol which are available in selected stores from October through to December.
Alongside the Mixed Berries with Prosecco and Apricots with Jim Beam are Baby Pears with Luxardo Amaretto, Stem Ginger with Teachers, Baby Pears with Port, Black Cherries with Luxardo Kirsch and Peaches with Courvoisier. RSP £6.99. For full listing details please see notes below.
Bennett Opie is a fine food producer based in Kent that produces a wide range of cocktail products, speciality pickles, chutneys, olives, ginger, luxury fruits, sauces and compotes under the Opies brand. Bennett Opie is also the sole distributor for a number of speciality food brands including Monin, Lingham’s Chilli Sauce, Barry Norman Pickled Onions, Alain Milliat, Ferns Curry Pastes and Delice du Provence.
Opies Fruits in Alcohol range comprises:
Available in selected Waitrose
Opies Mixed Berries with Prosecco 460g – £6.99
Opies Peaches in Courvoisier 460g – £6.99
Opies Black Cherries with Luxardo 460g – £6.99
Available in selected Tesco
Opies Peaches in Courvoisier 460g – £6.99
Opies Black Cherries in Kirsch 460g – £6.99
Available from Marks & Spencer:
Opies Peaches in Courvoisier 460g – £6.99
Opies Apricots with Jim Beam 460g – £6.99
Available from Ocado
Opies Stem Ginger with Teachers 550g – £6.99
Opies Peaches in Courvoisier 460g – £6.99
Opies Black Cherries with Luxardo Kirsch 460g – £6.99
Opies Apricots with Jim Beam 460g – £6.99
Available from Lakeland:
Opies Peaches with Courvoisier 460g
Opies Baby Pears with Port 460g
Available from independent stores:
Opies Mixed Berries with Prosecco 460g
Opies Apricots with Jim Beam 460g
Opies Baby Pears with Luxardo Amaretto 420g
Opies Black Cherries with Luxardo Kirsch 460g
Opies Peaches with Courvoisier 460g
Opies Stem Ginger with Teachers 550g
Christmas isn’t Christmas without Opies!
www.opiesfoods.com
It’s sure to set a cold shudder down your spine. Christmas is here. The table is set. You go inside the cupboard for that family favourite. But, what? It’s not there? At this stage, facing Christmas without a delicious Pickled Walnut is like trying to eat turkey without cranberry sauce. Unthinkable.
Although you can buy Opies’ Pickled Walnuts all year round, they are definitely an unsung Christmas Hero. They’re a firm family favourite that are typically enjoyed with a festive buffet of cold meats and a cheeseboard. But, Pickled Walnuts don’t have to be reserved as a complement to Christmas cold cuts. Opies are on a mission to provide inspiration of how to make the most from these jarred jewels. A range of recipes that offer creative ideas of how to enjoy Pickled Walnuts is available from www.opiesfoods.com/recipes. Pickled Walnuts are a true all-round ingredient and can help create the Best Ever Sausage Roll, Giant Scotch Egg as well as adding depth of flavour to midweek meals like Cottage Pie, pasta dishes and a risotto.
Pictured L-R: Linguine with Fresh Herbs, Giant Scotch Eggs, Thatched Cottage Pie
As well as being a Christmas crowd-pleased, Pickled Walnuts also have many famous fans. Mary Berry has said she’d “sooner have a Pickled Walnut than a chocolate” whilst in Charles Dickens’ Pickwick Papers a character demands, on recovering from illness, “a mutton chop and a pickled walnut”. Pickled Walnuts are a regular fixture on many high profile menus too including Fergus Henderson’s St John restaurant, as well as dishes by high profile chefs that include, amongst others, Tommy Banks, Mark Hix, Marcus Wareing and Nathan Outlaw.
If you’re a Pickled Walnut aficionado or new to the Pickled Walnut revolution, don’t miss out. Head down to Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, Waitrose, Asda, Ocado or your local speciality store to stock up. 390g RSP from £2.99.
Pictured L-R: Opies Pickled Walnuts, Buddha Bowl
New to the Pickled Walnut revival? Their distinct flavour and texture always catches out first-time tasters. Whilst retaining that distinct vinegary pickle taste, the walnuts are slightly sweet, with a soft texture that can be somewhat of a surprise. This is why they work just as well as an accompaniment as they do when used as an ingredient to add flavour and ‘meaty’ texture to a whole host of dishes. The secret behind their softness is all down to the harvesting and processing. The nuts are hand-picked from the trees at their absolute prime, whilst still green and before any shell has formed. Then it’s onto the delicate, time-consuming preserving method where the nuts are hand-prepared and left to mature in a closely-guarded secret spiced malt vinegar recipe. The process may be a labour-of-love but this is truly reflected in the sumptuous taste. If you’ve yet to try, you’re definitely missing out!
