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The best stocking fillers in 2020

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When it comes to choosing the best stocking fillers in 2020, you don’t have to spend a small fortune. Indeed, there is a lot to recommend buying lots of small stocking fillers and we take a look at those costing less than £5 that will delight the recipient. For us at Christmas.co.uk, there’s nothing like putting the perfect gift in Christmas stockings so everyone gets to have a small surprise come Christmas morning. One of the best things about festive stocking gift ideas is that they reflect how well you know the person who will open it. Whether you are young or old, there’s a lot to like about finding and then giving stocking filler presents. Stocking filler presents for children While children will be receiving lots of presents for Christmas, there are some really cute and well-priced stocking fillers to consider. For example, boys would love Hot Wheels toy cars which cost just £1.50 from B&M. There are also Matchbox cars from Tesco for £1.25. Rainbow bath bombs also go down a treat, you just put one in your child’s bathwater and they fizzle to create a stream of colours that resemble a rainbow. It’s also worth checking Wilko because they are selling an Avengers bath fizzer for £2. The bath bomb looks like Capt America’s shield and turns into an impressive bath fizzer. Not be outdone, you can also buy a Spider-Man web shooter that fires out bath confetti. This delight costs £3 from Boots. There’s lots of bath time fun to be had by all! A stocking filler gift for girls might be something such as the Trolls World Tour tiny dancer which costs £2 from B&M. For those who are really committed, there are 12 Trolls figures for you to collect and complete the dancer set. The case they come in can also be turned into a pair of glasses. Argos is also selling six Trolls dancers as well which will work out cheaper if you are buying lots of Trolls. We also like the Blox dinosaurs assortment from Wilco at just £1.50 each. That’s great value for money per figure for anyone in your family who loves dinosaurs. If you want a full dinosaur set made from Lego, then John Lewis is selling them for £12.97. Books are always a good choice as a Christmas stocking filler for children. And this year, Asda is selling the famous ‘How the Grinch stole Christmas’ by Dr Seuss. It costs £4 and the classic festive tale is a great book to read with young ones. The story reveals how the Grinch steals Christmas, and then saves the day. WH Smith is also stocking the same book. Other popular books that children may like are the Peppa Pig books. A set costs £4.99 from B&M – who also have full book sets featuring Peter Rabbit. It’s also worth checking out the popular store The Works who are also selling bundles of Peppa Pig books at £10 for 10. Stocking filler presents for women Again, there’s no need to spend a small fortune on stocking filler presents for women and there are so many great festive bargains to be had. For instance, the lady in your life may enjoy a pigs in blankets lip balm. This unusual creation costs £3 from Boots and is a festive and fun offering. There’s no need to worry about whether the recipient will enjoy pigs in blankets because it really is strawberry flavoured balm! However, if you would like a lip balm present that is not quite so outlandish, then head to Tesco. That’s because they are selling a Natural Extracts lip balm collection for £4. This is made from natural ingredients and there are four lip balms in the collection including lavender and grapefruit flavours. If you want to buy lip balms individually, then the Body Shop is selling a great range at £2.50. Smellies are always a good idea as a Christmas stocking filler, and the Lynx Attract gift set is worth considering. It’s from B&M and costs £3.49. The box contains a body wash and a body spray. Prosecco always goes down well as a Christmas present, so how about a small bottle of this fizzy wine? John Lewis is selling a bottle for £3.50 and the 20cl bottle will fit snuggly in a Christmas stocking. It’s also worth checking Asda, they are selling a similar-sized bottle of prosecco at £2.30. Bath bombs are also a crowd-pleaser for women and for £4, Asda is offering a ‘Decorate Your Own Bath Fizzer’. The box contains crayons, tissue, ribbon and gift tags. It’s a great alternative present, though you could try Boots who are selling something similar for £1.27. However, we also like another bath fizzer from Boots, and it’s the Reese’s peanut butter bath bomb. If the lady in your life loves the very moreish peanut butter delights produced by Reese’s, then will be a great treat. That’s mainly because it smells just like their favourite chocolate products! We also like the Pedicare skin smoother from Home Bargains at £4.99. This skin smoother is a great idea for tired feet and since there are no blades, no one will cut their skin. And if you think that’s a tad cheap, then Boots is selling a Scholl pedicure kit for £30.99. That’s a big difference in price! Christmas stocking fillers for men A traditional staple for buying men’s Christmas stocking fillers is beer, socks or slippers. From the smellies we have seen, the Dove Men mini tin gift set at £4 from Asda is a cracking offer. The tin includes two anti-perspirants and a body spray plus the man in your life can use the empty tin for their odds and ends. The Dove mini gift set is also available from Tesco at the same price, and from Boots for slightly more. The Nivea Men super soft gift set which costs £4 from Wilco is also a very nice stocking filler. It’s also something of a classic gift at Christmas for the man in your life. The kit comes with a post-shave balm and shaving foam. There’s also a larger Nivea bundle available from Boots costing £15. For something unusual as a small gift, how about the Lynx of Africa and Marmite gift set? It does sound like a very strange combination, but if your man likes Lynx, and Marmite, then this gift is a winner. The gift is available from B&M at £3.49 and apparently, Lynx has managed to combine the scent of its Africa spray, an iconic odour for young men, with the aroma of Marmite. At least, the gift will be a conversation starter. Talking of ways to get people talking on Christmas Day when opening presents, how about a nose and beard trimmer from Barber & Groom? These are available at £2.99 from B&M, and this is a useful cordless trimmer with two heads for the nose and beard. It’s also a very small offering and would be ideal for when travelling. Popular Christmas presents for men also include beer and alcohol-related gifts. So, if you someone you know loves Guinness, why not buy them a set of mini chocolate pints? This offering comes from B&M for £3 and has been made with white and dark chocolate and a hint of the dark stuff. There’s also a useful beer can playing card set from Wilco at £3. The playing cards are shaped like a beer can and will provide entertainment after your Christmas dinner has finished. Or you could spend £3.49 at The Range for a beer jigsaw puzzle. The jigsaw has 100 pieces to create a pint glass shape and is suitable for those who enjoy jigsaws – and for those who have never done one before. Other presents we enjoyed were the sloth novelty socks from Boots at £4, a Batchelor’s Super Noodles gift set at £4 from B&M – a great choice for someone in your life who likes the snack with a bowl, spork and two packs of Super Noodles. Men also like techy presents, so how about the Hyper Gear Razer earphones from Matalan at £4. Or the Christmas beard lights and tinsel set from The Range at £3.99 – and we quite liked the wireless LED transparent charger, also from The Range at £2.97. Though the chilli sauce keyring from Matalan at £3 is also worth considering as one of the best stocking fillers for men – especially for those who like to enjoy chilli with every meal because they’ll have a supply of chilli sauce on their keyring. What a …

How long until Christmas Day?

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Are you asking: ‘How long until Christmas Day?’ Then you need the Christmas.co.uk countdown clock. Whether you need to know how many sleeps are left until Christmas Day, then you should visit the Christmas.co.uk website regularly. That’s because our Christmas countdown clock will help you plan for the big day when Santa arrives with presents for everyone in your home. Also, checking our Christmas countdown clock on a regular basis means you will know how many shopping days are left before the shops close for the festivities. How many days until Christmas Day 2024 If you need to find out how many days until Christmas Day 2024, then our clock will tell you. And here it is (to help you from checking on the front page!): Indeed, the Christmas day countdown clock will appear every Christmas on our increasingly popular website as part of our roundup of the best festive food and presents to buy for friends, family and loved ones. Our festive countdown clock will answer these questions: How many hours until Christmas Day? If you don’t want to count the seconds or minutes until Christmas Day, then our clock will give you the hours. This will be the exact number. How many days until Christmas day? This is probably the most important question and you will find out how many days there are until Christmas Day – and you will know how many shopping days are left, how many days are left of children wanting to know ‘How many days until Christmas Day?’ over and over again. Our clock will give you that answer and then you’ll have peace and quiet. Until Christmas day that is! Reasons for having a Christmas countdown clock One of the most important reasons for having a Christmas countdown clock is to help families plan the perfect Christmas. And since 2020 has been such an unusual year, this festive season will be a spent with loved ones and contemplating on what has happened during the year. So, when you need to know how many days until Christmas Day, and you need a Christmas countdown clock you can rely on, then visit the Christmas.co.uk site …

The BEST frozen Christmas turkey 2020

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With so much choice available, finding the best frozen Christmas turkey for 2020 is not easy. But the dedicated taste testers at Christmas.co.uk have been sampling lots of tasty turkeys and wonderful frozen turkey crowns. Finding the perfect turkey for Christmas dinner is a very important undertaking since it is the centrepiece of the festive meal table. Whether you are looking for a free-range bronze turkey, covered with streaky bacon and served with delicious gravy, your Christmas Day turkey dinner will take time to prepare. To help, we also detail how to defrost a frozen turkey so you can serve up a delicious meal to your guests. Along with bronze turkeys, a Christmas turkey may come with stuffing and wrapped with smoked bacon. Many people like a turkey with stuffing, while others look for the dark meat to enjoy. Along with pigs in blankets, the range of frozen turkeys and crowns this year is impressive. The Christmas.co.uk frozen turkey winner for 2020 Of all the frozen turkeys tested by the Christmas.co.uk team, the winner was a popular choice. The M&S British Oakham turkey crown landed the top spot with a nice balance of flavours. It costs £20 for 2kg, and this turkey is deliciously moist with a nice crisp bacon topping. It has a perfect golden colour and the sage and onion stuffing smells delicious. A well-deserved winner that will go down a treat with your Christmas dinner guests. Runner-up for the best frozen turkey for Christmas 2020 The Tesco basted turkey crown was for us a tasty offering. It costs £23 for a 3kg product that is a juicy and nice smelling creation. We found the streaky bacon complemented the turkey meat and the stuffing has a nice texture. This was an all-round, cracking value for money offering. Aldi Specially Selected Turkey Crown This stuffed turkey crown from Aldi was a close runner-up to the Tesco frozen crown. The crown costs £16.99 for 1.8kg to 2.3kg. We found the bird had a lovely, sweet flavour and the sage and onion stuffing complimented it well. This frozen turkey crown smelled delicious when it was brought to the table. The crisp bacon topping also helps the herby aroma. This Aldi turkey crown is also good value. How to defrost a frozen turkey properly For anyone buying a frozen turkey for Christmas 2020, it’s important that the bird is defrosted properly. Our friends at Tesco have given us the defrosting times for frozen turkey crowns and frozen whole birds. The length of defrosting time may come as a surprise for many people, particularly if you think you can defrost your frozen turkey on Christmas Day. That will be a mistake and under no circumstances should you try to cook a frozen turkey that has not been thoroughly defrosted. The table below shows the defrosting time for frozen turkeys and shows that a turkey crown weighing between 1kg and 1.4kg takes between 10 and 14 hours. However, for anybody entertaining lots of people, the frozen British turkey whole bird weighing between 8.9kg and 10.6kg will take up to 106 hours to defrost properly – that’s more than four days! British Turkey Crown 1kg – 1.4kg 10-14 hours British Turkey Crown 1.5kg – 1.9kg 15-19 hours British Turkey Crown 2kg – 2.3kg 20-23 hours British Turkey Crown 2.4kg – 2.8kg 24-28 hours British Turkey Crown 2.9 – 3.5kg 29-35 hours British Turkey Whole Bird 2 – 2.5kg 20-25 hours British Turkey Whole Bird 2.6 – 3.8 kg 26-38 hours British Turkey Whole Bird 3.9 – 5.2KG 39-52 hours British Turkey Whole Bird 5.3 – 6.9kg 53-69 hours British Turkey Whole Bird 7 – 8.8kg 70-88 hours British Turkey Whole Bird 8.9 – 10.6 kg 89-106 hours Finest FR Bronze 3.2 – 4.8kg 32-48 hours Tesco also told us how long it will take to defrost a fresh turkey that customers have frozen at home. From their Finest range, a small fresh turkey will take up to 40 hours to defrost. The medium turkey will take up to 53 hours, while a large Finest fresh turkey will take up to 65 hours. Again, it’s not worth taking the risk when it comes to defrosting a frozen turkey or a frozen turkey crown. Not only will you have a turkey that’s inedible, but you run the risk of delivering a serious case of food poisoning to your guests. The Food Standards Agency also publishes useful advice on how to defrost and then cook a frozen turkey or turkey crown properly. Morrisons The Best Bronze Frozen Turkey The best frozen turkey, rather than a turkey crown, that we tested was this offering from Morrisons. It costs £23 and the turkey weighs up to 5kg. The Morrisons frozen turkey was cooked up with crisp skin with nice, moist white meat. Also, tasters found the dark meat from this turkey was packed with flavour. It’s also an easy to carve bird and it smells delicious when doing so. Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Turkey Crown This tasty frozen turkey crown offering is for those who don’t want a big frozen turkey. The Sainsbury’s frozen turkey crown smells delicious when cooked, and the crispy skin is a lovely colour. The crown costs £27.50 for a product weighing between 3.6kg and 5kg. Again, the dark meat had a lovely robust flavour though some tasters found the white meat lacking in depth of flavour. This Sainsbury’s frozen turkey crown really does have a nice aroma and it is certainly worth considering. How to choose the best frozen turkey in 2020 Since celebrating on Christmas Day might look very different in 2020 for most families, it’s likely that frozen turkeys and turkey crowns will grow in popularity. Rather than buying a fresh bird, a frozen turkey means not only that you will be prepared, but you won’t have to run the risk of a shop selling out in the run-up to Christmas. Here are some tips for choosing the best frozen Turkey: Check the date that the turkey has been frozen You should eat your frozen turkey within three months of buying it because keeping it too long in the freezer will affect the taste and quality of the meat. By your frozen turkey locally There are lots of quality farmers selling frozen turkeys locally which makes them a quality and sustainable option. Ensure the bird has been frozen professionally and you will have a tasty turkey dinner. Do not refreeze frozen turkey A frozen turkey that you buy in a shop has been frozen at a temperature that is much lower than your freezer. Do not allow a frozen turkey to thaw, even slightly, because if you refreeze it there will be ice crystals forming in the meat – and the taste and quality will be affected. Asda Basted Medium Whole Turkey This frozen turkey from Asda came close to matching the frozen crown from Sainsbury’s. The bird costs £13 and weighs between 3.9kg and 5.29kg. When cooked, the turkey smells delicious with crisp skin. There’s almost a salty taste to the aroma with the light meat being juicy. Of all the frozen turkeys we tried, the Asda turkey delivered the most natural flavour. Lidl Braemoor Large British Turkey with Giblets While this frozen turkey from Lidl is among the cheapest offerings, it is one of the best tasting meats. Priced at £16.99 for a frozen turkey weighing up to 7.2 kg, the cooked bird has a lovely crisp skin. The meet has a buttery taste, while the dark meat has a robust flavour. For some tasters, the texture of the meat was a tad dry but overall, it’s a nice offering. Waitrose Frozen Medium Free Range Turkey Crown We were surprised to find that the frozen turkey crown from Waitrose was among the lowest scoring. It costs £12.50 and the 2kg product will serve up to six people. Waitrose says that its turkeys have the freedom to behave naturally in small flocks and it does have a nice flavour. It’s also an easy to carve roast turkey with a pleasant aroma but the overall offering, for us, just misses the mark. Iceland Boneless Perfect Turkey Crown wrapped in Bacon One of the best places to shop for frozen foods at Christmas is Iceland. Their boneless perfect turkey crown wrapped in bacon is a very tasty offering. It weighs 2.32kg and costs £16. It looks great, it smells nice and while it is not as substantial as some of its rivals, for those who want a frozen turkey crown that cooks well and carves easily, this frozen turkey is hard to beat. Also, this Iceland frozen turkey crown can be cooked from frozen in three hours 30 minutes. The defrosted product takes two hours …

The Best Christmas Cake for 2020

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Christmas cake can evoke strong emotions in human beings. With cheese?! (No!!) Topped with a thick slab of almond laced, yellow marzipan?! (Yes!) With or without mixed peel?! (Without!) Cake is always a popular festive choice as a treat – whether you or friends are dishing up an iced Christmas cake or a cake with layers of icing. There’s no doubt that cake is a popular Christmas dessert with glacé cherries, vine fruits and lots of royal icing. While some of us will make a cake from a cherished Christmas cake recipe that has been handed down the generations, some people are opting for more unusual cakes to celebrate the festivities with food at this time of year. They include gingerbread cake, chocolate cake, gluten free Christmas cake and bundt cake (a doughnut shaped cake). There’s also chocolate yule log. Whichever your preference, we guarantee that the perfect festive fruit cake is amongst this worthy list of the BEST Christmas cakes of 2020. The Best Christmas Cake Winners! We don’t just listen to the foodies on our team at Christmas.co.uk. Awards from domestic stalwarts ‘Good Housekeeping’ and eminent magazine ‘Woman and Home’ are meaningful reasons to trust in the quality of a cake. Of course, we do double check for ourselves too! Waitrose No.1 Richly Fruited Christmas Cake – £6 for 1.3kg The winner of Good Housekeeping Best Christmas Cake of 2020 is this beautifully rich treat from Waitrose and Partners. The sweetness of the soft icing is perfectly balanced by punchy citrus and warming spice from ginger and cinnamon. We loved the luxurious texture too, it’s incredibly moist! If you’re looking for a good-looking cake, this is it. Shimmering edible glitter, gold stars and snowflakes adorn the pristine white icing. M&S Perfectly Matured Rich Fruit Cake – £10 for 907g The Good Housekeeping Best Christmas Cake 2020 Runner-up prize was awarded to M&S. We loved the extra fruity flavour provided by juicy whole cherries and plump vine fruits. The cake itself has a gorgeous depth of flavour that is almost treacly. All the expected spices are present in generous but not over-powering quantities. If you enjoy a thick slab of almond-dense marzipan and the boozy taste of brandy, then this is the cake for you! The pretty pearl and snowflake design is so chic and would look fabulous on any festive buffet table. Booth’s Sherry and Rum Iced Christmas Cake – £18 for 2kg Booth’s is a northern supermarket chain which prides itself on excellent quality and stocking products made by local suppliers. They are also the worthy winner of Good Housekeeping’s third place award. The design is ace! Gingerbread men shaped cut-outs reveal the tempting golden cake underneath. The texture of this cake, soft and crumbly, is unusual but oh so delicious. It’s fruit cake still, but there is a nice sponge-like feel to it too. Aroma is a key part of food appreciation and this cake has a very seasonal fragrance. Nutty marzipan, booze and fruitiness caress the nose as you cut a slice to enjoy. Gentle spiciness, citrus and rum are the main flavours in Booth’s delightful cake. We couldn’t pick up the sherry but the earthy sweetness we detected showed it was in there, stealthily enhancing the other ingredients. Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Holly Wreath Christmas Cake – £11 for 900g Woman and Home Best Buy 2020 awards are prestigious, so buying a Christmas cake with that badge of honour is a great idea. The décor atop this wreath shaped wreath is simple and elegant and the flavours inside are delicious. Underneath the squidgy marzipan and crisp icing is a sumptuous cake packed with plump fruits and glugs of warming brandy. Betty’s Royal Iced Bell Christmas Cake – £25 for 1kg Another Woman and Home Best Buy 2020 comes from the iconic Yorkshire Tea Room, Betty’s. The stunning colourful bell design is hand stencilled by Betty’s team of artisan bakers and looks so special against the ivory royal icing. The flavour of this Christmas cake is sophisticated and complex. The Christmas.co.uk taste team particularly enjoyed the sherry-soaked sultanas and raisins and the sweet cherries. Nutty marzipan is thickly layered on this luscious cake but it’s not over-powering. We loved the hand piped icing and Betty’s branded golden cake frill too. They are a lovely finishing touch. Excellent value Christmas cakes Christmas cake is an indulgence to enjoy throughout the festive season so you might need to buy a few if your family are fans. These options are a wonderful price for the size of the cake and the delectable flavours they contain. Aldi Specially Selected Luxury All Over Iced Cake – £6.99 for 1kg Aldi are very good at producing exquisite Christmas food at reasonable prices and this yummy cake is a great example of that. It’s shimmery surface and jolly green and scarlet holly wreath are inviting, and the icing is smooth and squidgy. The moist cake is spicier than some but if you’re a lover of cinnamon and gingerbread that’s a very good thing! Brandy flavours are prominent which gives it a homemade taste. Lidl Deluxe Luxury Fully Iced Christmas Cake – £6.99 for 1kg Our Christmas cake connoisseurs felt that Lidl’s deluxe offering would work beautifully with a (big!) slice of cheese as it is a lighter style of cake. Not everyone is a lover of dense, heavy fruit cake, so if that’s you, we highly recommend giving this fairly priced treat a try. Our favourite elements of this cake were the large pieces of crunchy nuts, extra spiciness and the lavish amount of whole fruits and fat vine fruit laden with juice. Plain Fruit Christmas cakes Icing and marzipan are the work of the devil to some! (I know, weird isn’t it?!) So, we bring you un-iced Christmas cakes that can be decorated to you liking or served naked. Country Fare Brandy Fruit Cake – £25 for 1kg This is a scrumptious looking cake! The topping of glossy nuts and cherries is a fabulous alternative to a traditionally iced cake. We enjoy the fact it still looks extravagant. The texture is delightful, it crumbles wonderfully as you cut into it and that makes it an ideal partner for cheese too. Hand fed with the best of French brandies so it warms the throat as you eat and tastes decadent. It’s maybe not the best cake to serve to children but that just means there is more for you! Daylesford Organic Christmas Cake – £18 for 800g Daylesford may not have created a feast for the eyes, but they have put lots of love and effort into the taste and texture of their cakes. Organic and made at the Daylesford farm in the Cotswolds, this is as close to wholesome and homemade as you can get. A glow inducing alternative to mass produced supermarket cakes. You can even reuse the useful, durable tin. Fruits jostle for space in a cake steeped in brandy and spiced with ginger, a smidge of nutmeg and cinnamon. Gorgeous! Unusual and Quirky Christmas cake Bored of the ‘usual’? Ready to break away from tradition and serve a cake with imagination? Try these and delight the haters of raisins and loathers of marzipan. M&S Chocolate Fruit and Nut Cake – £15 for 800g With this chocolate-laced creation, M&S has produced a cake that defies description! Traditional Christmas cake ingredients such a dried fruits and sweet spices join indulgent chocolate liqueur and a smooth, dark cocoa rich sauce. Cranberries, lots of nuts and sweetened citrus pieces join the party in this awesome showstopper of a cake. There are twelve portions and each one is incredibly flavourful. Christmas.co.uk staff believe that December is not a time to worry about calories and we were reassured to taste butter, cream and lashings of sugar in every mouthful. Waitrose Trio of Christmas Cakes – £35 for three cakes Waitrose and Partners clever bakers have dreamt up, for your delectation, the cutest trio of Christmassy cakes available in 2020. If you’re catering for children this year, then this is the perfect choice. Each cake is different so all palates will be happy. The classic fruit cake is laced with alcohol and smothered in an icing that is blessed with just the right amount of sweetness. The marzipan is almondy, jammy and moreish. These are good skills! Rich and gooey chocolate sponge cake and a Victoria Sponge style vanilla cake with raspberry jam and cream make up the rest of this adorable trio. Special Diets Purveyors of Christmas cake appear not to be mindful about the needs of customer’s who have restricted diets, and so the choice is limited. Check these out for your best options. Waitrose Vegan Iced Fruit Cake £13 for 800g LOTS of different fruits are crammed into this attractive cake. Happily, each one can be tasted so it’s a joy to sit down with a slice of this cake and a cup of tea. Standard cherries and raisins jostle for space with figs and prunes while brandy skilfully ties the flavours together. Morrison’s The Best Gluten Free Christmas cake £5 for 406g Gluten Free, Wheat Free and suitable for vegetarians. There are also no artificial colours or flavourings. The spices are the star of this yummy cake. They are perfectly balanced, festive and show-off the loveliness of all the other flavours. Topped with sweet and salty pecan nuts, creamy almons and luscious cherries this cake is a triumph. Time and hard work have gone into the making of this cake, it has been matured and fed for …

Christmas Eve bank holiday question answered

Is Christmas Eve a Bank Holiday?

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Most of us will be looking forward to a Christmas break, and many people will be asking, ‘Is Christmas Eve a Bank Holiday?’ The short answer is ‘No’, Christmas Eve 2020 is on a Thursday and will not be a bank holiday. Indeed, it will be a normal working day, but many employers may encourage staff to leave early. You may find that if you are rushing to complete some last-minute Christmas shopping that many shops and even pubs and restaurants will close early as shoppers head home. There’s no doubt that Christmas Eve is part of the festive build-up and for many people, is the start of Christmas celebrations. Handing out Christmas Eve boxes There’s also the growing trend of families handing out Christmas Eve boxes which is rapidly becoming a new Christmas Eve tradition. For those families with small children – and also not-so-small children – they may be leaving treats out for Santa Claus and his reindeer, Rudolph. And after a strange and eventful 2020, most people will be looking for time to spend with loved ones and contemplate on what has been a stressful year. So, if you are looking to take time off over Christmas, it’s important that you know when the bank holidays are. UK bank holidays Before we move on to the issue of whether Boxing Day is a bank holiday, we should look at which days the UK celebrates as bank holidays. For 2020 and 2021, they are: Christmas Day – 25 December Boxing Day – 26 December but in 2020 the 28th is a Bank Holiday New Year’s Day – 1 January Good Friday – 2 April Easter Monday – 5 April Early May Bank Holiday – 3 May Spring Bank Holiday – 31 May Late Summer Bank Holiday – 30 August. This means that Christmas Eve is not a bank holiday, but Christmas Day is a recognised bank holiday and so is Boxing Day. However, because Boxing Day falls on a Saturday this year, things will be different. Is Boxing Day 2020 a bank holiday? The government makes clear with its legislation about bank holidays and for anybody asking, ‘Is Boxing Day 2020 a Bank Holiday?’, then this is the explanation you need. Basically, the government says that if a bank holiday falls on a weekend, then a day in the week can be substituted as the bank holiday. This will normally be the Monday following the traditional bank holiday. This means that not only do we get Christmas day off as a bank holiday because it falls on a Friday. It also means that we get the Saturday off because it’s the weekend, and we also get the following Monday off because that’s when the bank holiday has been transferred to. That means that we will be free to meet with family and friends from 23 to 27 December. Christmas lockdown regulations For many people, this extended Christmas break is a great way to spend time with family members, though we all need to be aware of how the Christmas lockdown regulations are going to be. It looks likely that most of us will get to see family and friends in a five-day window starting on Christmas Eve and finishing on the following bank holiday Monday. There’s no doubt that the festivities will look different this year for those who are living in areas classed as Tier 2 or Tier 3, but they can mix with someone from another household in their home, and one other household which can be of any size. In addition to the long weekend break at Christmas, we will get to enjoy a long weekend from 1 January, since New Year’s Day in 2020 falls on a Friday. Child benefit payments at Christmas Along with knowing when the bank holiday dates are, many people also want to know when their child benefit payments will be received. These payments help provide financial support to guardians and parents and the government has revealed when they will be paid. Usually, payments are made every four weeks on either a Monday or a Tuesday. This year, the festivities mean that the usual pattern will be disrupted. And if you are receiving child benefit, you will need to know when you will receive the payment over Christmas and New Year. As mentioned earlier, the important date in 2020 for child benefit payments is 28 December. Since this is a Monday, child benefit payments will be made earlier. The government says that instead of receiving the payment on Monday 28 December, it will now be made on Christmas Eve, that is Thursday 24 December. This is the last working day before the bank holidays take place over the Christmas week. In Scotland, the benefit payments that are planned on 4 January, a bank holiday in the country, will receive their money on 31 December. And for other Scottish parents waiting for benefit payments, instead of being paid on Tuesday 5 January, they will be paid the following day. When is my Universal Credit Christmas payment in 2020? Along with child benefit, for those in receipt of Universal Credit, there’s a Christmas change in 2020. This payment comes from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and helps those who have a low income or are out work. And with millions more people claiming Universal Credit in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown, this date could be very important. The DWP says that Universal Credit Christmas payments will be made earlier this year. For example, if your payment is due on Christmas Day, that is 25 December and is a Friday, it will be made on Christmas Eve instead. For those claimants who are scheduled to receive their payment on 26 December, they too will receive payment on 24 December. But that’s not all, since Boxing Day means there is an extra bank holiday, those who are expecting Universal Credit on 28 December, will now also be paid on 24 …

Christmas stockings with Rudolph and Santa

The best Christmas stockings for 2020

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They might be old-fashioned, but Christmas stockings are still popular and here we take a look at some of the best ones. Whether your old, knitted Christmas stocking needs replacing, or you would like to start a lovely family tradition to enjoy every Christmas morning, then Christmas stockings make for a great choice. They also add to the Christmas decor as the festive countdown begins and whether they have Christmas trees or a polar bear on the front, everyone loves a Christmas stocking to get stuck into on Christmas Day. Large Tartan Christmas Stocking, Santa, Snowman and Reindeer 3 Pack – £21.99 These gorgeous Christmas stockings have jolly 3D characters on the front with festive red and neutral tartan detailing. Kids will love them, but they’ll also look great in all styles of home. The size is perfect for stocking filler gifts, or a collection of delicious seasonal food. Alternatively, they would simply make a cute fireplace decoration using the integrated hanging loop. We loved the beautifully made Reindeer, Snowman and Santa Claus that perch with quirky dangly legs. They are even dressed in fab little outfits and have happy smiling faces. You’ll be amazed at the value – all three stockings are just £21.99! Giant 3D Reindeer Christmas Stocking – £16.99 How adorable is this single stocking?! It’s a huge 75cm long so would be ideal for several medium-sized presents. The team at Christmas.co.uk have bought them as a luxurious alternative to gift bags for our nieces, nephews and friends’ children. Rudolph and his red nose are the stars of this design with a distant Santa peering cheekily over his shoulder. The colours and pattern are bold but still elegant and the stocking can be hung from anywhere you fancy with the sturdy loop. We were impressed at the quality of the fabric and robust stitching. Loads of room for presents inside this giant stocking. John Lewis and Partners Red Ribbed Velvet Stocking – £20.00 John Lewis and Partners have designed this stunning scarlet Christmas stocking. It is part of their Japanese art range and is luxurious in colour and texture. The rich red reminds us of the breast of a Robin and the combination of quilting and soft velvet is both comforting and glam. If you’re searching for an unusual way to present the gifts of a cherished friend, or as part of a simpler theme for your Christmas decorations then this would be a wonderful choice. At £20 it won’t break the bank and can be used year and after year after treating yourself or a loved one. Snowman Advent Calendar Stocking – £15.99 was £22.99 This clever design of a Christmas stocking with an advent calendar really made us smile. We adored the idea of hanging it up at the beginning of December full of daily treats and then, as the chocolates and sweets disappeared, popping a small gift inside the stocking itself. If you have naughty pets who can’t be trusted, this is also a cool way of building the excitement of gifts without risking them under the tree. Each carefully stitched pocket is big enough for a fun-size bar of chocolate or a small bag of Haribo, a much more satisfying snack than the tiny pieces of cheap chocolate behind the door of standard Advent calendars. Understated Monogrammed Christmas Stocking – £16.00 For the sophisticated and understated person in your life, this style of monogrammed Christmas stocking is perfection. Hand-finished with the first letter of their name, this would be a classy way to display and/or present a collection of presents. The fabric is navy hessian that has a subtle shimmer that gives it a Christmassy spin. They have a rustic look that would look incredible in either a countryside cottage or mixed in with a bolder, brighter theme. At 50cm they would fit a good number of gifts inside and the durable, natural cotton lining will make sure it lasts for many years. Personalised Nordic Knitted Christmas Stockings – £16.00 The Scandinavian look of these colourful knitted festive stockings is an awesome alternative to the usual Christmas character-led styles. There are five themes to choose from. Bright green, cheerful red, ice blue and ivory feature in the chunky knitted design as do trees, hearts, snowflakes and reindeers. Personalisation is available so that each member of the family has their own special place for presents. The birch wood tags hold enough engraved letters for a longer message if needed. This year, buying from small businesses is more important than ever. These stockings are made with love in the Yorkshire home of a talented craftsperson, so the quality is excellent. Generous sizing and flexible fabric mean that lots of presents can be squished in and hung from a durable hook throughout Christmas. Your friends and family will keen to know where you sourced them from. A Christmas stocking for your dogs – £12.98 for 3 Now, if you are a family who adores your dogs, then this pooch-themed set of three stockings is for you! Family traditions should include everyone, so buy these and fill them with squeaky toys, tasty treats and antler chews. These Christmas stocking for dogs are bone-shaped in red, black, white and cream, these are decorated with charming bows and rustic ribbons. I wouldn’t trust my dogs not to steal the gifts and destroy the stocking before the 25th December, but if you secure them high up with the sturdy loops, they will sit neatly as for the whole month. Practicality was key with the dog lovers who designed these. There is enough room inside for spoiling your fluffy best friend and they are easy to wash and store until next year. Christmas Stocking Holders for the Fireplace – £26.99 for 4 The traditional image of a row of stuffed stockings hanging from a roaring fireplace is a regular feature on Christmas cards, and in films and Pinterest pins. Make that fairy tale becomes a reality in your own home with these brilliant Christmas stocking hooks. Made from smooth, sturdy metal and kept in place by non-marking rubber grippers, these hooks are practical as well as beautiful. They are super simple to install and remove and can be used year after year. They can also be used on bookcases and staircases too, just read the instructions for placement inspiration. The Christmas.co.uk team were delighted by the vintage look of these hooks. In each pack, there is a snowflake, a prancing reindeer, a spruce tree and a snowman. Each one is expertly crafted and adds a rustic elegance to …

Christmas gifts for men 2020

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Finding the ideal Christmas gifts for men in 2020 can be a struggle and the Christmas.co.uk team has been beavering away to find a range of ideal festive offerings for the man in your life. What to buy a man for Christmas? There’s no doubt that men can be tricky when it comes to buying presents for but buying something for his hobbies will probably be a popular choice. For example, a sporting gift will be suitable for a football fan, but music lovers may like a vinyl record they once loved or artwork with a music theme. It’s also worth checking whether popular presents such as the new Sony PS5 is still available with some stockists. What to buy a man who has already got everything? Some men enjoy buying the latest tech throughout the year and often treat themselves to presents. By doing this they are keeping ahead of the curve and buying things they like. Unfortunately, this means that buying techie Christmas presents becomes a tad more difficult but not impossible. You should consider something that is either original, personalised or unique. What about a man who says he wants nothing? At the other end of the scale is planning to buy a Christmas present for a man who says he wants nothing. While many people may turn their noses up at this prospect, you could consider buying vouchers to either a favourite restaurant, takeaway or for a trip they can enjoy. Vouchers for clothes or even for Amazon may go down really well. Below, we bring some great Christmas gift ideas for men with the categories that are worth considering. The best alcohol Christmas gifts for men Is the man in your life a beer or whiskey lover? Then if so, your choice of presents is not surprisingly very impressive. We like the John Lewis and Partners offering of Pig’s Nose Scotch whisky and Sipsmith Chilli and Lime Gin. We have featured Beer Hawk Christmas gifts on Christmas.co.uk previously and we love their Christmas gift box at £20. However, we think their Philips Perfect Draft Keg Machine is a great way to enjoy a beer at home. The machine offers beer lovers the chance to enjoy the perfect pint from a keg. The machine also helps to keep the beer chilled to 3° and keeping the beer fresh for up to 30 days. Thankfully, Beer Hawk also do a great line in beer kegs. Watch this great creation in action! Best Christmas gifts for a music lover When it comes to buying Christmas gifts for music lovers, then men are well catered for. There’s a good range of portable and Bluetooth speakers and headphones, from Currys PC World, and there’s a good choice of turntables for vinyl lovers too. We also like the Power Beats in-ear sport headphones at £219 from John Lewis. There’s also the chance of buying a metallic sound wave song print from Not On The High Street at £20. It looks unusual and will impress – and when placed on a wall will be a talking point for years to come (and you get the kudos of finding it!). There’s also the opportunity of taking out a subscription at Audible.com for those who like listening to audiobooks. Best Christmas food gifts for men It’s often said that the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then these foodie gifts will impress. For coffee lovers, we like the tin of compostable Nespresso pods from London Grind, and from the Cheese Collection, an introduction box of cheeses for £35. Curry lovers also have the joy of a three-month subscription for new dishes at £26 from Not on the High Street. This consists of a curry-making kit being posted every month containing the recipes and fresh spices to make a cracking curry at home. However, we love the Hairy Bikers double deep-fill pie maker. Just £35 from MenKind, this is the ideal gift for pie lovers everywhere. The machine will make two the pies and there’s a decorative edge crimper as well as a pastry cooking template. It’s a great idea and makes creating a pie easy. The best Christmas tech gifts for men Most men love techie gifts at Christmas and this year there is an incredible range available. Along with the Google Pixel 4A phone at £349 from Google, there’s also the ever-popular electric toothbrush and the black onyx from Oral B at Boots for £250 is a treat. Gamers will love the Hero Gaming Chair from OverClockers at £379.99. There’s also the latest iPad from Amazon at £336 which has a full-sized keyboard attachment and has a one-year subscription to the new streaming service from Apple. And for those men who regularly lose their keys or wallet and then waste lots of time searching for them, then the Tile Pro is a must. It costs £29.99 from John Lewis and can be attached to just about anything and will track its location using an app. It’s a durable creation and will take some battering with the signal being detected up to 300 ft away. The replaceable battery will last for a year. Best Christmas aftershave gifts for men Who doesn’t like smellies at Christmas? Treat the man in your life some quality aftershave or balm. The Liz Earle shower and shave Christmas Kit is available from Boots at £40 and will be a winner. There’s also the Dior Sauvage eau de toilette at £16.95 from Feel Unique, and John Lewis has some excellent gifts including L’Occitane Homme aftershave balm at £23.40. However, our choice would be the Paco Rabanne Pure XS eau de toilette which costs £58. There’s a nice sensual sniff to deliver what modern men are looking for and the packaging is also impressive. The firm says it is an innovator within the fashion world and even if the man in your life isn’t one for perfumes, the distinctive scent of the Paco Rabanne offering will change their mind. Best Christmas fashion gifts for men Buying clothes and accessories for men can be a risky undertaking but Christmas fashion gifts for men can be well received. That’s because Christmas is an ideal time to receive new clothes, boots and bags – they will be more receptive to new clothing ideas! John Lewis has a very impressive men’s range this year, and we like the Polo Ralph Lauren shirt for £68, and also offer Paul Smith Signature Striped Socks at £18. They also sell North Face eTip gloves for £35 which can be used with a smartphone touchscreen without having to take gloves off in the cold winter air. Calvin Klein boxers are a sound choice, at £35 from Amazon, and puffer jackets are popular because they are light and warm in cold weather and the Patagonia Men’s Nano Puff Jacket at £150 from Amazon is highly recommended. However, there’s no doubt that some stylish shades will be a great choice at Christmas since they can be worn around the year. It’s worth investing in a quality offering and the Ray-Ban Club Masters at £108 will be an ideal choice. Again, they are available from John Lewis or from …

Best Christmas Crackers of 2020

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Knowing which are the best Christmas crackers to choose in 2020 is a crucial part of enjoying a Christmas dinner for many people. The Christmas crackers this year include the usual selection of luxury Christmas crackers, fill your own crackers, with premium Christmas crackers offering a stylish option to compliment a well laid out Christmas table. The gifts in Crackers this year include the usual paper hats, various stocking fillers and many are now plastic-free. Others offer wildflower seeds, a bottle opener and the premium crackers, from the likes of John Lewis really are impressive. Indeed, the team at Christmas.co.uk struggle to imagine a Christmas lunch without a decent cracker to pull first. Making the awkward teenager reluctantly don their paper hat and groaning at the horrendous jokes are all part of the family fun. Sadly, cheap crackers often come with bits of nasty plastic ‘treasure’ and enough packaging to fill a bin bag. So, this year we are determined to bring you luxurious, Greta Thunberg-approved Christmas crackers that will impress your guests and make them smile. Drinks By Post Personalised Christmas Crackers – £18 per cracker or 6 for £100 Now, these aren’t cheap at £18 per cracker but, my goodness they are gorgeous! Drinks By Post have created an eco-friendly cracker that is recyclable, has minimal packaging and is totally plastic-free. They can be completely personalised with the elegantly written names of your loved ones. You can also choose the colour of both the cracker and the organic ribbon. We adored the pretty pastel colours as a lovely change from standard red and gold (though those are ace too!). We know you’re wondering about the treats inside. Prepare to be delighted! These sophisticated crackers contain a happy mix of the quirky and traditional. When your cracker goes ‘Bang!’ a cute bottle of your favourite cocktail will be yours for the enjoying. Don’t fret, the daft hat and random trivia is still a part of this festive custom. For the teetotal there is, of course, a non-alcoholic option and the little ones will love their delicious hot chocolate stirrer. Our favourite part of these beautiful crackers? The teeny tiny acorn. What? Why? It’s genius! Plant your acorn in your empty cocktail bottle and next Christmas you’ll have grown your very own tree! Crackertoa Luxury Party Pack – £25 for 6 The ‘Snap!’ on these crackers makes us laugh but make sure you don’t pull them over your Christmas dinner, or you’ll have confetti in your gravy! Kids love the drama of these explosive crackers and everyone will enjoy the fabulous animal Origami kits, folding your paper elephant or T-Rex is a great way to pass the time between the turkey and Christmas pudding. There’s the usual too-small (just me?!) paper hat and bad joke in each cracker but you also get twelve nicely designed napkins and six (Why six? There are twelve crackers?!) The lovely people at Crackertoa are determined to produce a planet-friendly product and, happily, their luxurious crackers contain biodegradable confetti, zero plastic and they are handmade in Africa by people working for a World Fair Trade Organisation. Cox and Cox Luxury Handmade Black and White Crackers – £50 for 6 The contemporary colour and pattern of these chic crackers is unusual and would look stunning against a crisp white tablecloth. The ink splodge design, complete with glossy black ribbons, matches a range of Cox and Cox wrapping paper so your Christmas can look like an influencer’s flat lay. We were thrilled with the gifts. They aren’t as decadent as they could be for the price but if you’re a lover of miniature things then the cheese grater and strawberry jam will have you squealing! Each of the crackers has a hat, a joke and a thoroughly satisfying ‘Bang!’. Your prize may not be to your liking, wildflower seeds would be wasted on me as I kill all plant life, but someone at the table will take it home with pleasure. Selfridges Bow Trimmed Christmas Crackers – £80 for 6 Truly adorable! The knitted Christmas decorations that adorn this set of Selfridge’s crackers are keepsakes that you will cherish for years. I’d fight you for the snowman with his teeny tiny carrot nose! The crackers themselves are crafted from rustic brown paper and scarlet ribbon so they would look fabulous on most dinner tables. Selfridges are a premium brand so the price is to be expected, but we felt that slightly more desirable gifts could have been chosen. That said, the delicatessen theme will provide your guests with useful kitchen minis, and that is infinitely better than plastic tat. Our favourite prize was the garlic grater. It’s ridiculously useful! The tea strainer and baby whisk for frothy coffee were also lovely. John Lewis Fill-Your-Own Crackers – £8 for 6 There are few people who have the time and inclination to make their own crackers. It’s December! We’re either frantically shopping, drinking mulled wine at ANOTHER party or providing transport to your small child’s fifth carol concert, Fill-Your-Own crackers are the perfect solution! Each recipient will be treated to a thoughtful individual present. Kids will love a Lego Mini Figure and your Mum will be delighted with a sparkly nail polish. These crackers are minimalist, but the holly pattern is a seasonal classic and you could add your own bows once they have been filled. There are no hats or jokes which you might need to source if you’re a stickler for tradition but at £8 for six they are still fantastic value. John Lewis are really focusing on sustainable products this Christmas and these are fully recyclable, glitter and plastic-free and the packaging is PET-free. Hotel Chocolat Table Crackers – £24 for 6 Hotel Chocolat make delicious chocolates with cool and quirky designs and flavours. Their distinctive burnt cocoa taste means you know exactly whose chocolate you are tucking into. Their crackers are snowy white with a metallic wintry landscape embossed on them. The generous lengths of bright red ribbon can be re-used in children’s hair or on next year’s Christmas presents. The ‘Bang!’ is loud and satisfying but if you have small children of nervous dogs you could just open them delicately by untying the ribbon. Wear your golden crown proudly as you munch on a pre-dessert trio of chocs. The texture is chunky but smooth and comes in the shape of a milky reindeer, a creamy white tree and a caramel penguin. All packaging is made from sustainable sources and can be recycled. Meri Meri Angel Christmas Crackers – £21 for 6 Have you ever seen a more beautiful Christmas cracker? These angels, with their floaty wings, hands in a prayer position and a golden halo are divine! If you are a family that is smaller than six then I’d be tempted to keep one of these little darlings for the Christmas tree, they would look pretty when perched on top. The puzzle gifts are interesting and will hold the attention for a good while, ideal for bottom shuffling children. Musical Concerto Crackers – £10.94 for 8 If you’re looking for a cracker that won’t cost the earth, then this music-themed bumper pack of eight (not the standard six!) would be a wonderful choice. The musical note design is unusual but festive, it would fit in nicely with most family’s Christmas decorations. Nestled inside, ready to make blissful music, is a whistle and instructions for how to play a selection of Christmas carols. No-one at Christmas.co.uk managed to make anything other than an awful noise but spending half an hour trying did make us laugh a lot and that’s what Christmas should be about isn’t it?! So, that’s our roundup of the best Christmas crackers in 2020 and all of our selections deliver an impressive and stylish Christmas cracker addition to a dinner table when guests come to enjoy novelty presents, badly fitting paper hats and other goodies. And let’s not forget the truly awful Christmas cracker jokes that many …

M&S Christmas food in 2020

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As we all know, this is not just Christmas food, as that the adverts would have us believe, but this is M&S Christmas food. And for 2020, there’s a lot to enjoy for those who love quality produce and interesting conversation starters being dished up for them. Indeed, the Christmas food range from Marks and Spencer is always an anticipated event and with unusual food combinations and tasty creations being popular with food and drink fans so many items tend to sell out quickly. M&S is also renowned for delivering innovative products for the festivities and this year is no different. M&S Christmas party food M&S is renowned for their party food and they have pulled out all the stops for 2020. They include chicken doughnut dippers – which sees rings of battered jumbo British chicken breasts in a doughnut box with barbecue sauce and a dip of waffle crumbs. They are interesting creations and look like a gourmet doughnut but one that you have to decorate yourself. And they taste like waffles with chicken, so will be hugely popular. M&S is also offering king prawns in blankets at £7, which is a tasty twist on pigs in blankets. These are juicy prawns that have been wrapped in smoked bacon and are a stylish festive surf and turf dish. We were also taken by the molten Camembert with a tear and share cheese puff pastry – a whole camembert is surrounded with cheddar pastry puffs and a tasty offering. There’s also a very impressive sausage roll that makes for a great centrepiece using seasoned pork sausage meat that is wrapped in an all-butter pastry. The sausage roll stack costs £12 and is a great centrepiece for any buffet table. The dish sees 32 sausage rolls being taken and then baked together and then put together as three tiers. We also enjoyed their battered mini sausages done in a chip shop style with a curry dip for £5. Vegans also get to enjoy the M&S frozen Plant Kitchen no chicken Kievs at £5. Christmas day lunch Traditional Christmas day mains include a perfect Turkey crown which costs £50 and will feed between six and eight people. The M&S Turkey crown is pre-stuffed with pork and cranberries, pre-basted and wrapped in bacon and ready to go into the oven. It’s worth adding the M&S best ever pigs in blankets at £5 which offer a very tasty side dish. And if you fancy something different for Christmas dinner this year, M&S is offering slow cooked turkey legs for £12 to feed four people. Or you could tuck into their slow cooked British pork belly feast at £35. The meat is scored and then seasoned before being slow cooked to produce a delicious dish with a pork and apple jus and crispy crackling. There’s also the slow cooked British short rib of beef at £50, M&S call it ‘The General’ and this meat dish offers a melt-in-the-mouth experience. The short rib of beef is seasoned with salt and black pepper, thyme and garlic plus there’s a serving of a truffle, red wine and beef jus. Vegetarian options on Christmas Day include a mushroom and camembert pie for £18 which sees roast parsnips and mushrooms being adding to a cheese sauce and then encased in a very light flaky pastry. The dish is very striking and is a tasty offering that non-vegetarians may well enjoy too. Talking of which, there’s also an impressive looking Plant Kitchen festive wreath at £10 which is packed with roasted mushrooms, pumpkin seeds and chestnuts to create an eye-catching dish. It’s also topped with a cranberry and orange glaze. M&S Christmas food range for 2020 M&S has also revealed that its Christmas food range for 2020 will be promoted in a range of stylish Christmas adverts. The first ad features actress Olivia Colman with others being voiced by Dame Helen Mirren, Tom Hardy and Eddie Redmayne. The first advert features the sparkling gin liqueurs, mini porcini Yorkshire puddings and a triple chocolate panettone. The ad also puts a spin on their famous line with the catchphrase now being, for 2020 at least, “This is not just Christmas food …this is M&S Christmas food”. Marks and Spencer say that they will donate £2 million to charity in 2020 and their first advert features the charity logos that have been selected by the actor. Watch the impressive video now: Christmas dinner table desserts Desserts for the Christmas dinner table include the famous M&S Colin the Caterpillar being given a festive twist this year. He has been dressed to look like Santa delivering presents and is a fun addition to any Christmas dinner buffet table. There are also golden balls with choux pastry puffs filled with whipped cream and then layered with a salted caramel sauce. If that’s not enough, they are then decorated with gold balls and then covered with a gold shimmer. M&S is also offering a traditional Christmas pudding, and this is one that the Christmas.co.uk team really enjoyed when we carried out a taste test, and it is the Collection chocolate and orange Christmas pudding at £12. This tasty delight features Belgian chocolate, vine fruits, brandy and orange liqueur which really do bring this Christmas pudding to life. There’s also a marvellous chocolate and orange sauce that melts in the middle to devour. Vegans also get to enjoy their planned kitchen chocolate torte which consists of a dark chocolate ganache on a biscuit base and is finished with a dusting of cocoa powder and a snow flake decoration. However, you should probably save space for the M&S mince pie cookie at £1. If you would like to get into the spirit of Christmas early, then this all-butter spiced cookie is an ideal starter. The cookie is topped with a spoon of juicy mincemeat. A lot of people enjoy a good cheese board during the festivities and M&S is offering a molten mountain cheese bake at £7. This is something of a cheese-lover’s dream and consists of a fondue pot of Emmental, Comte and Gryere and is topped with bacon lardons, Raclette cheese and roasted onion and is ready for placing straight into the oven. For those who love a proper cheeseboard, the cheese grazing box at £25 delivers a range of cheesy goodies including Stratford Blue, Vintage Red Fox and Petite Basque Flowers. Guests also get to enjoy extras such as walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds. M&S festive drinks For those who want to enjoy a range of quality and unusual festive drinks this year, then M&S will be your go to store. Among the great choices this year is a light snow globe gin liqueur which costs £18. Not only is this a tasty drink available in two flavours of Clementine or rhubarb, but it’s also an impressive little bottle that becomes a decorative ornament in its own right. This will be the ‘must-have’ drink of the festive season and you simply shake and switch on the bottle to illuminate a woodland theme for the 23-carat edible gold leaves to then shimmer in the bottle and fall like snowflakes. There’s even a mini version of the Clementine gin liqueur that is ready for hanging on the Christmas tree. It will make a great gift for family and friends. The spirit of M&S Christmas food and drink A spokeswoman for M&S told us: “Customers this year have been telling us they want to embrace more than ever the spirit of Christmas. We will not want to confine Christmas festivities to just one day and we will be looking to extend the season and turn it into a series of festive moments.” She added: “Christmas is not the time that our customers want to hold back on and food plays a central part in their celebrations. Some of our festivities may look different and some might be virtual, but they will be special as we unite and celebrate with family and …

The Co-op Christmas food range 2020

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With so many stores dotted around the UK, the Co-op Christmas food range is probably more accessible as a supermarket choice than many rivals. And in 2020, the popular shop is offering an interesting range of festive delights to enjoy. For us (and probably most of their shoppers), one of their most striking and fun creations is a melting hot chocolate bombe which is a milk chocolate ball that you simply melt in a cup by pouring hot milk over it. Considering how much fun and enjoyment this delight can bring, it is astonishing good value at £1.50. The bombe also has a centre filled with marshmallows that will appear once the chocolate begins to melt. Posh chipolatas in blankets Other offerings for Christmas Day, include posh chipolatas in blankets which cost £3 for six. The Co-op team has given their pigs in blankets a twist this year with each posh chipolata containing truffle oil and chestnut and then being wrapped in oak-smoked streaky bacon. And for those diners looking for a change from traditional turkey, the Co-op is offering a French-trimmed pork rack joint that has been seasoned with sea salt, rosemary and thyme. It looks like a really tasty offering that should impress. Puddings for Christmas dinner Puddings from the Co-op for Christmas dinner this year could include a ‘Free From’ Irresistible burnt caramel sponge for £4.50. This gluten-free dessert is a tasty offering with a moist fudge sponge that is topped with caramel sauce and a gold shimmer. Other vegetarian delights from the Co-op in 2020, include ‘No duck’ spring rolls at £2.25 for 10. Cranberry and port flooded pork pie For those who like to enjoy a pork pie on Christmas day, particularly as part of the evening buffet, Co-op is offering a cranberry and port pork pie at just £4. This is something of a boozy twist for pie lovers to enjoy as the top of the pie has been covered with a cranberry and port jelly. It’s available from early December and is likely to prove popular. Other tasty offerings for the festivities include Scottish smoked trout with whisky and honey. The Co-op is also inventing a snack that is a mixture of a croissant and a doughnut – the Co-op calls them croiss’onut. These salted caramel-filled doughnuts cost £1 and are an intriguing offering. More information If you like the look of the Co-op Christmas food range in 2020, then you can find your nearest branch by using their online …