Category Archives: Christmas

Last Minute Christmas Presents

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To entertain the whole family

Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel board game available from Amazon 

Get into a spin this year with the ultra-competitive Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel based on the hit TV series.

This time, you’re the contestant in a race to complete your own set of seven questions and make it through to the End Game, where one final question stands in the way of victory. Compete alone or get into teams to pool your expert knowledge of the vast array of categories, but it’s not that simple, as success all depends on the spin of The Wheel…Land on gold and you’ll be rewarded with an easier ride… but watch out for the red as you’ll be shut down and thrown off The Wheel.

Now included with any purchase of The Wheel board game is the new web app allowing users to play the TV show music when spinning the board games wheel, creating the full feeling of being on the show! It’s available for all new and existing owners of the game and can be played on any web browser on mobile devices and computers. You can now sing ‘The Wheel, The Wheel, The Wheel’ to your hearts content!

With all the dizzying fun and nerve-jangling suspense of the show, it’s the board game ‘revolution’ you’ve been waiting for! The game has a vast array of question categories including science, movies, sport, TV, superheroes, video games, history and social media so something for the whole family.

Mr & Mrs Family Edition board game available from Amazon.

Mr & Mrs Pocket Edition available from Amazon

Would you be surprised to find out what your partner really thinks, or can you read them like a book? Pair up with your romantic other half, or even a friend or family member to answer in-depth and entertaining questions about each other with the Mr & Mrs Family Board Game based on the hit TV show All Star Mr & Mrs, hosted by Phillip Schofield. 

Mr & Mrs Family Edition contains questions suitable for adult couples, families and even boys and girls from the age of 10. With over 1,000 new questions designed to uncover things you may not know about your nearest and dearest, Mr & Mrs Family Edition is a great way for players to spend time together. The game features an improved Paddle Round where players sit or stand back to back and answer questions about each other such as ‘Who complains the most?’ or ‘Who is the most generous?’ It also includes the ‘It’s a Match’ bonus game – a true or false game where you can still score points for being on the same wavelength as your partner, even if you’re both wrong. It even includes some blank cards so you can write your own embarrassing questions. Guaranteed to cause laughter, blushes, blank looks and a whole lot more! The Mr&Mrs Family Edition board game is available for an RRP of £19.99 [currently discounted to £18.75] from Amazon with the Pocket Edition available for an RRP of £9.99 [currently discounted to £8.99] from Amazon

To protect hearing health and keep kids entertained. 

Puro Sound Labs BT2200 Plus Volume Limited Kids Headphones – available from Amazon.co.uk for £100 [currently discounted to £70]

In keeping with Puro Sound Labs mission to protect consumers’ hearing, the headphones are made to protect young listeners’ eardrums from early hearing damage being volume limited to 85 dB as recommended by the World Health Organization.

While the headphones are volume limited to the maximum safe listening level, they certainly do not compromise on sound quality. The Puro Balanced Response® Curve technology is engineered to deliver the finest genuine studio sound with clear, crisp vocals and full dynamic bass suitable for all genres of music. Additionally, the BT2200 Plus features a fully passive design which blocks 83% of the ambient noise @ 1kHz just by wearing them, ensuring that users can listen to their favourite tracks, audio books or YouTube undisturbed, or find their own space in shared environments.

Designed with both comfort and style in mind, the BT2200 Plus headphones boast a lightweight, construction that truly stands the test of time. As well as a durable, supple protein leather headband and ear cushions, guaranteeing a comfortable listening experience while relaxing at home or on the go. The BT2200 Plus also comes with interchangeable ear cups so children can switch from on-ear to over-ear for a better seal and more comfort. It also has a built in microphone, ideal for online learning and children will love the Daisy Chain sharing cable so favourite tracks and YouTube videos can be enjoyed with friends or siblings. 

We wish you a less wasteful Christmas

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Party Kit Network offers new solution to disposable tableware and decorations 

With the new ban on single-use plastics now in place, a UK company offers a solution to Christmas party organisers concerned about the cost and environmental impact of plastic waste generated by partyware. Party Kit Network was founded by Winchester-based Isabel Mack in 2019, concerned by the amount of single-use plastic she saw ending up in the bin at the end of children’s parties.

Party Kit Network offers a ‘sharing economy’ solution to finding fun, affordable, and reusable Christmas party items (such as plates, cups, cutlery and decorations) in the UK, Australia and beyond. Party Kit Network has tapped into two current trends: the growing interest in keeping plastic out of landfill and looking after the planet; and connecting with others to rent items rather than buy them – like the growing number of clothing rental and car sharing apps out there. 

Each party kit is independently run by eco-minded individuals, school PTA groups, community lending libraries, small party businesses and zero waste stores. The benefits are huge: the kits help to avoid unnecessary waste from single-use items, which can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfill. For a party with 30 guests, switching to reusables and hiring a party kit saves an average of 100 single-use items from landfill. And it’s often cheaper to hire a party kit than to buy the equivalent disposables, plus it’s more convenient, with everything provided in one handy box.

“Party kits offer a simple solution to a waste problem”, says Isabel. “Like the wider sharing economy, I believe they also strengthen community connections (I’m often referred to as ‘the plate lady’ in Winchester). And they can act as a catalyst – by making the swap from disposables to eco-friendly reusables easier we hopefully inspire more people to look for sustainable options in other areas of life. The appeal is truly global – we’ve just had a kit from Oklahoma join!”

What better way to have a less wasteful Christmas than sharing your party supplies? Visit https://www.partykitnetwork.org/ to find a kit near you.

THREE CHRISTMAS AND A SUMMER BOOK REVIEWS

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The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft, reviewed by Morton S Gray

Classic Sue Moorcroft.

I enjoyed being back in Nelson’s Bar, Norfolk reading about Ruthie, Maddy and Raff. A Christmas novel with twists and turns in the present and the revelation of secrets from the past too as Ruthie shares her treasured love letters.

A romance between Maddy and Raff seems inevitable, as they help Ruthie heal wounds from her past, until Maddy receives a message about her own mystery and the world changes.

Sue Moorcroft has a skill of carrying you along with a story and leaving you wanting for more.

A story to tug at your heart strings.

The Recipe for Hope by Fiona Valpy, reviewed by Jane Cable

I fancied a Christmas story, and for me this one was close to perfect. For a start it’s a novella, just a touch in under two hundred pages, and for a relatively simple festive romance it doesn’t need to be any more. And the cast of characters is small, and yet still a community is created for Evie to fall into when she escapes to France to avoid Christmas.

What really made this book stand out for me was the way I almost instantly slipped inside Evie’s heart and mind, and cared about her. I finished the book hours ago, and still she’s with me. On top of that, the customs and settings of rural south west France are described so beautifully, and with love. As is the food. The icing on the cake was a proper, real world, grown up ending. Five stars from me any day of the week.

New Beginnings at Christmas Tree Cottage by Georgia Hill, reviewed by Morton S Gray

A great read that will have you thinking about Christmas and maybe buying Baileys!

I loved reading this book, which was a complete tonic in a stressful time for me. I always say that a book that can produce an emotional reaction is a good book and this one produced not one, not two, but three heart affecting scenes that had me thinking and reaching for the tissues. A cosy read, but with serious underlying themes of starting again after loss.

The characters are likeable and relatable, particularly Jago, trying to be the responsible son and brother, whilst nursing his own demons and heartaches, Honor, the primary school teacher with a big venerable heart and the amazing vicar, Verity, who is mad on ABBA. Merryn is a very wise little girl beyond her years. Georgia Hill weaves her story around community of Lullbury Bay, with each person living there having a distinct role and backstory. It sounds like somewhere I would enjoy living. I’d even take part in the yarn bombing brigade!

Highly recommended to get you in the mood for Christmas.

Secrets of the Shell Sisters by Adrienne Vaughan, reviewed by Jessie Cahalin

Magical tale of secrets, second chances and sisterhood

Set on Ireland’s ancient east coast, the Morgan sisters are in crisis. Cassandra runs the family hotel and it’s struggling, as secrets from her past threaten to resurface making things worse. Greer is fleeing a failed relationship with a powerful man, but if she returns will she stay? And then there’s Orla – fey, funny and mysterious – insisting messages from the shells must heeded or what will become of them all?

Returning to Rosshaven was a delight, especially as this story, while fresh and original, is cleverly intertwined with characters from the first book, Summer of Secrets.

A beautifully written tale of relationships, lost love and second chances, laced through with a touch of Irish magic – so deftly delivered it feels as natural as the sea itself.

This is romantasy at its best and I loved it.  

TOMY reveals the top toys every child wants to see under the Christmas tree this year

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With Christmas fast approaching and children’s letters to Father Christmas filling up quickly, leading global toy manufacturer, TOMY, is here to make this a Christmas to remember for the whole family.

Here are our top picks. I absolutely love the cute and fun Soothing Heart Panda for babies, the Dino Eggs is perfect for toddlers. It’s fun and a great way for them to learn and the MegaSketcher is a fantastic present that encourages creativity and is educational. We can’t recommend them enough.
Soothing Heart Panda

A calming plush panda after your own heart! Press the tummy to cycle through four bedtime melodies, each accompanied by a red light and a vibration synced to the rhythm of a resting heartbeat. Press it a fifth time and you’ll hear the heartbeat too! With a friendly, embroidered face and unique patterns and textures for baby to explore during play, it’s impossible not to fall in love.

RRP: £24.99

Suitable for ages 9months+

Stockists include: Amazon, Argos, Smyths, John Lewis and TRU Online 


Megasketcher

     

Take screen time offline with the Original Megasketcher magnetic drawing board. 

Megasketcher has a unique superior screen that allows budding artists to draw clear, crisp pictures everytime and now it comes with a fresh new look!

Megasketcher has been the best in the field of magnetic drawing boards for almost 30years and it’s premium quality offers the best drawing experience around and never compromsing on quality! 

Children love to draw and the Tomy Megasketcher needs no pencils to sharpen and there’s no mess, no paper, no waste and no WIFI

4 shape stampers are included to aid their designs and inspire their creativity.

Then the pictures magically disappear with one sweep of the eraser and they can start all over again!

A great product for encouraging creative minds and perfect for travel.

RRP: £18.99

Suitable for ages 3years+

Stockists include: Smyths, Argos, Amazon, Very, Littlewoods, John Lewis and Independent Toy Retailers

 

Film and TV Lovers

Spin & Hatch Dino Eggs

dino eggs, baby, toy, toys

Toomies brings that wonder to a new generation with Jurassic World Spin & Hatch Dino Eggs! These dinosaur toys are ready for adventure and designed to encourage developmental play for babies and toddlers. Spin & Hatch Dino Eggs is a spinning incubator that includes 5 cute colourful classic dinosaurs: T.rex, raptor, stegosaurus, triceratops & Pteranodon. Give each of these little dinos a shake and hear their sweet growling sounds. Matching each dinosaur with the correct colour shell encourages logic and problem-solving skills. It’s time to fill the spinning incubator with all five colourful eggs and help them hatch! Just push the lever down to watch them spin. Push faster and faster until POP! They’ve hatched! Match them up with their shells and do it again! Or load them back into the incubator and close the lid for easy storage. A fun way to work on fine motor skills while learning about action and reaction. However you choose to play, Toomies welcomes little explorers to a Jurassic World full of fun! 

RRP: £15.99

Suitable for ages 12months+

Stockists include: Amazon, Argos, Boots, The Entertainer, The Range, Tesco, John Lewis, Littlewoods, Next.co.uk, Selfridges, Very and Independent Retailers

COEUR DE LION AW22 Pearl Collection

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I have absolutely fallen in love with German hand-made jewellery brand COEUR DE LION. They have launched their AW22 pearl collection and it is stunning. I can’t think of a better Christmas present.

The pieces also include their Freshwater Pearl multi-way necklace which is available in gold and silver. Head to their website now for these beautiful pieces.

https://www.coeur-de-lion.org/

Top Christmas Ideas

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 Chococo Milk & Dark Christmas Trees filled with chocolate presents

chocolate, Christmas tree

NEW Chococo Milk & Dark Christmas Trees filled with chocolate presents (£19.50/200g each) – Stylish faceted chocolate trees, each with four delicious chocolate gems hiding inside. Perfect for the family to share with chocolate to suit everyone! Each is hand-decorated with speckles of cocoa butter ‘snow’.  Each is wrapped in tissue inside a recyclable kraft cardboard box.

47% Colombia origin Milk Chocolate Tree – this rich yet creamy, low sugar milk chocolate tree has award-winning Gingerbread Caramels and Milk Orange gems inside. Make a difference this Christmas with our Milk Chocolate Christmas Tree. Every Milk Chocolate Christmas Tree purchased = 1 tree planted with the charity Just One  Tree. https://www.chococo.co.uk/charity-milk-chocolate-tree.html

72% Ecuador origin Dark Chocolate Tree – this dark chocolate tree with smooth mellow cocoa notes has  spiced Speculaas Caramels and tangy Dark Orange gems inside. Make a difference this Christmas with our Dark Chocolate Christmas Tree. Every Dark Chocolate Christmas Tree purchased = 1 tree planted with the charity Just One  Tree.  https://www.chococo.co.uk/charity-dark-chocolate-christmas-tree.html

Background: 

Multi award-winning, Dorset-based, independent, chocolatier Chococo celebrates its 20th birthday with this contemporary range of Christmas chocolates to delight family and friends this year. The range is handcrafted in Dorset by a principled bunch of chocolate lovers, led by founders Claire and Andy Burnet, all passionate about creating truly delicious chocolates which both taste good and do good.

NEW for this year are exciting flavours in Chococo’s Festive Boxes, a new range of chocolate Santas, new chocolate baubles and new chocolate Christmas trees. Also included are gifts to share, chocolate biscuit cakes and its ever-popular chocolate salami. Importantly, all the items come in 100% plastic-free packaging. Chococo cares about the impact of its packaging on the environment and always has done – 100% of their packaging, including their mail order boxes, is plastic-free and is either recyclable, compostable or reusable.

All Chococo’s chocolate is sustainably sourced, from its Cocoa Horizons verified chocolate made with 100% sustainably sourced cocoa, to Direct & Raisetrade chocolate produced in country of origin for Chococo by their partners Martinetti Cocoa in Ecuador, Luker Chocolate in Colombia and Chocolaterie Robert in Madagascar.

Paxton & Whitfield – the UK’s oldest cheesemonger

Paxton & Whitfield, the UK’s oldest cheesemonger has the best cheese you can eat. There are a lot of wonderful Christmas gifts available this year from them.
 
 
  1. Christmas Cheese Selection – a selection of cheese perfect for the festive table including the NEW and EXCLUSIVE Cullum 
  2. Hampers & Gift Packs – a superb range of NEW gift packs and hampers  
  3. Cheese Accompaniments & Cheese Homewares – everything you could possibly want for your cheese serving needs 
  4. Cheese Club – Paxton & Whitfield’s original cheese club along with a NEW three month subscription 
  5. Cheese Advent Calendar – Paxton’s NEW & IMPROVED cheese advent calendar for 2022 

Maggie O’Farrell’s new children’s picture book, THE BOY WHO LOST HIS SPARK for the children in your life. 

Beautifully brought to life by illustrator Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini, the story follows Jem as he struggles to find a sense of belonging after his family’s recent move from the city to the countryside. When mischief and chaos ensue wherever he goes, his sister believes it to be the work of the “nouka” – can these mythical creatures help Jem find comfort in his new home?

Maggie O’Farrell’s second book for children, beautifully brought to life by Daniela Terrazzini, explores how we deal with pain, loneliness and tough emotions when we face changes and challenges – whatever our age.

 

The story is set in the lush green hilly countryside, which are modelled on Arthur’s Seat, the iconic landmark in Edinburgh, where Maggie lives.

 

When Jem and his family first move to a small town, he struggles with his new life. The unhappier he grows, the stranger things become … mischief and chaos seems to bloom everywhere. His sister Verity is sure it is the work of a “nouka”, an ancient creature that lives deep down inside the hill; a creature forged from the sparks of a long-extinct volcano. Jem is adamant – there is no such thing.

 

But it is through the magic and mayhem of this small mystical creature that Jem finally finds a sense of belonging, a sense of home. He, once more, discovers a spark of magic. A beautiful and atmospheric long-form picture book set against a dramatic backdrop of an ancient hillside and the mysterious mood-affecting creature that lives within.

 

Guylian Belgian Chocolates and Snowman

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Jingle shells, jingle shells, jingle all the way…

Guylian, the premium Belgian chocolatier, has a wide range of chocolates that make the perfect gift for those you love this Christmas.

Loved all around the world for their classic chocolates, Guylian is the ideal treat for sharing and gifting, as even the most discerning gift recipients love to receive chocolate!

Guylian’s iconic Sea Shells are available in various pack formats – 65g impulse pack (RSP £1.50), 250g (RSP £5.50), 375 g (RSP £8.00 from Sainsburys and Morrisons), and for those who really want to indulge, the new 500g (RSP £10.00 from Tesco, Waitrose & Ocado)

If you’re looking for an adorable Christmas gift or stocking stuffer, check out Guylian’s Temptations Snowman, a snowman shaped box filled with six different flavoured individually wrapped Temptations. Flavours include Original Praline, Milk Truffle, Caramel, Crunchy Biscuit, Dark Praline, and Coffee.

Guylian’s Temptations Snowman is available from Lidl RRP £5.00.

They are delicious and you can’t go wrong.

Frost Loves KidiZoom PrintCam For Christmas & Beyond

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I love it when my kids get creative, and I love pictures of them, so this VTech KidiZoom PrintCam is more of a present for me, albeit one that they will love. This super-smart camera lets your kids instantly print pictures of themselves, no ink required. It has over 150 photo effects and activities. What’s more it can print up to 80 black & white photos per roll. It has three games and it also records video.

What’s more it has a comic strip maker, and you can even print off your own cards and pretend money. It’s a fantastic present and I cannot recommend it enough.

Move over David Bailey, step aside Mr Rankin – it’s time to meet the next generation of photography pros with the VTech KidiZoom PrintCam.

   kidizoom , print cam, christmas, kids, camera, creative,

Just in time for Christmas, VTech has got a fresh new addition to its KidiZoom line with the VTech KidiZoom PrintCam – a children’s camera for 5+ years that lets budding photographers print their images immediately, on the go, within minutes. No more waiting to get to a printer!

 

Unleash little ones’ creativity with included special photo effects, stamps and borders, as well as 3 games, panoramic prints, and a comic strip maker! It’s just as easy to create whacky selfies with the flip up lens that allows full use of the camera without changing hand positions! You can also turn your photos into line drawings to colour or use the print shop to print games, design and print your own cards, or even pretend money and accessories.

 

That’s not all though, when combined with a micro-SD Card (not supplied), it functions as a normal digital camera, enabling children to keep their images forever, whether that’s to print them out again in full colour, or for you to save and treasure them for years to come.

 

This is the ultimate device for imaginative and curious children and will unlock a world of creative and artistic opportunity – while you hopefully get some well-earned downtime!

 

RRP: £69.99 | Available from: Smyths Toys Superstores / Argos / Very and Amazon.