The Best Christmas Gifts

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We get sent a lot of stuff in the run up to our Christmas lists. It can be hard to decide what to recommend to our readers but here it is: my list of the best Christmas gifts. You cannot go wrong with one of these.

Perfect for music lovers: Beats

Solo3 Wireless

These are gorgeous, stylish and perfectly packaged. I love the silver pair. They fold down and come in a great case. Wireless with perfect sound quality; it is impossible to not be happy with a pair of Beats. 

  • On-ear wireless headphone perfect for anyone on the go
  • Class 1 Bluetooth for optimum connectivity and the ability to move long distances from your Bluetooth-enabled device
  • 40-hour battery
  • Fast Fuel: 5-minute charge gives you 3 hours of playback using the provided micro-USB cable
  • Ear cup controls allow you to take calls, play music and activate Siri without reaching for your device
  • The Apple W1 chip provides an easy one-step Bluetooth connection and the added ability to toggle seamlessly between iCloud-registered devices
  • Flexible headband, 360-degree pivoting ear cups, noise isolation
  • Plug in 3.5mm RemoteTalk cable if the battery runs out
  • Colors: (Product)RED, Pop Violet, Pop Blue, Pop Magenta, Pop Indigo, Defiant Black-Red, Matte Black, Gloss White, Satin Gold, Satin Silver, Gloss Black, Silver, Gold and Rose Gold
  • £249.95

The Beats are available here.

Perfect for Children: Fire Station

Fire Station £79.99 from Smyths.

The ideal toy to make your childs eyes light up. Your child will never forgot getting this amazing fire station. Hours of play and plenty of wonderful memories come with this fun station.

Get ready for rescue adventures with the Hape Fire Station! This feature packed station is beautifully crafted in wood, with realistic details to bring your stories to life. Suitable for ages 3+ years.

 

Perfect for keeping children warm and cosy: The Snuggle Boo from BabyBoo

I really love these SnuggleBoo sleeping bags. My son has the review one and I will be getting one for my daughter. They keep them warm and snug without the stress of kicking of blankets. They look great and feel so soft. The arms also come off. Genius. Perfect for Christmas and all-round wear. They are super soft and organic.

 

BabyBoo was founded in 2014 by Vicki O’Callaghan and Michelle O’Riordan after they struggled to find quality clothing for their children who were suffering with eczema and reflux. Based in Ireland, BabyBoo has since its launch provided a refreshing take on baby wear, and has already taken the industry by storm, with their purse friendly products for little ones that are also kind to skin.

 

BabyBoo have ten SnuggleBoo sleeping bags within therange, alongside 6 more exclusive designs launching in September. (All €40/£36.07 each).Available in three sizes and suitable from 2/3 months to four years of age, these sell out bags feature a zip fastening for quick and easy use. Aside from the super cute designs, BabyBoo uses GOTS & Oekotex certified organic cotton and includes the ingenious feature of detachable sleeves (which can be attached used nickel free poppers), making it perfect for year-round use. The smaller SnuggleBoo sleeping bags also includes a harness flap which is great for when your on-the-go; just pop your little one in the buggy/car seat, put the harness through and you’re done! Lightweight, organic and the perfect accessory to ensure the softest and cosiest sleeping experience for your little one. Available from 1 tog.

 

Website: https://babyboo.ie/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babyboo.ie/

Perfect for Girlie Girls: BABY born Little Sister Mermaid 

BABY Born Little Sister Mermaid loves nothing more than being in the water. With gentle tail movements she can gracefully swim through water. Includes long brushable hair for added hair play, and accessories including a tiara and comb.

Suitable: For ages 3 years and over. Available here.

(RRP £34.99)

 

Perfect For Stocking Fillers. 

Buckley London’s new Christmas gift range which includes baubles, crackers (For Him & For Her) and a Christmas card all containing jewellery items. Each item is at the affordable price of £12 each, so they would be ideal for mums, sisters and aunties or office secret santa gifts. They are available to purchase here as well as on the high street: https://www.buckleylondon.com/collections/christmas-bauble-collection.

I love these. They are stylish and look great. 

So Eco Face Brush Kit

So soft, ethical AND stylish. I love these brushes. 100% ethically sourced, the vegan tools have been packaged in a brush wrap made from unbleached natural cotton, ideal for storing your brushes on the go.

Cruelty- Free Christmas – So Eco Face Brush Kit, RRP £20.00 from beautyexpert.com

Each Face Brush kit contains, an Angled Contour Brush, Tapered Blending Brush, Round Foundation, Lip Brush and a dual-purpose cotton case stand. Designed to help you achieve a flawless make-up base, this 4-piece collection of planet- friendly make-up brushes has everything you need to create your desired look.

 

For The Beauty Junkie

Hairburst Eyelash Growth Serum

We all want it – naturally stronger, longer and fuller looking lashes but without all the harsh ingredients. Reach for the new, ‘all-natural’ Hairburst Eyelash Growth Serum £39.99. Created by the UK’s leading brand in hair growth technology, the Hairburst Eyelash Growth Serum is a powerful eyelash conditioner and nutrient rich growth serum made from 98% natural ingredients including pumpkin seed extract. With results in as little as 4-6 weeks, this has fast become a celebrity favourite. A life saver when it comes to improving the appearance of thin, fine, short or sparse lashes, the active serum pushes the lashes into the growth phase. Give your eyelashes the va-va-vroom they deserve! From amazon, boots.com and superdrug.com

Hairburst Chewable Hair Vitamins

Hairburst Chewable Hair Vitamins, £19.99 are an easy way to ensure you are taking the essential vitamins to maintain healthy, faster hair growth. We created this product for people who find it hard to swallow tablets. So now everyone can have the benefits that Hairburst adds to your body. The yummy strawberry and blackcurrant flavour will want you taking more than just 2 tablets per day but please stick to the recommended 2 per day. Hairburst provides a different approach to hairmaintenance, a professional product that works from the inside out. Hairburst is designed to combat the negative impact of poor nutrition, hair products, age and genetics so start your journey with Hairburst today and fall in love with your hair.

 

From amazon.co.uk, boots.com and superdrug.com

 

What will you get?

CRASH – presented by Chivaree Circus and Upstage Creative promises thrills galore.

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image credit: Max Webster

Chivaree Circus and Upstage Creative present CRASH Winterville, Clapham Common, London 28th, 29th November and 12th, 13th, 19th 20th, 22nd December 2018

“I woke to find myself in a dark wood, Where the right road was wholly lost and gone.”  – Dante

CRASH is a tale of love, danger and mystery, featuring heart-stopping acrobatics, astounding aerial dance and eerie balletic pieces to a lyrical electronic soundtrack.  Inspired by the 19th century French ballet La Sylphide, CRASH is a retelling of this European folktale through impressionist, mixed media pop-conceptual circus.

This new show in the round comes from the award-winning team that brought Becoming Shades to VAULTS earlier this year.  Audiences will be taken on a journey through a compelling emotional landscape of circus, dance and beautiful atmospheric soundscapes.

Image credit: Max Webster

Setting the pace in the London circus scene this is a show that demonstrates Chivaree will not rest on their laurels and will continue to push boundaries in circus (London Theatre 1).

 

CRASH is a shadow blinking at twilight, the hint of a love that was never meant to be, where shadows breathe and dance amongst the trees.  When a mysterious woodland creature appears to a man on the morning of his wedding day, he can’t resist following her.  Their love is immortal for true love conquers all.  Or does it?  When the forest comes alive, who is to say what is real and what is not?  Who can you really trust in the moonlight?  Who is the hunter and who is the prey?

 

This promises to be a spectacular combination of high impact circus, dramatic aesthetics and powerful visual narratives. Their last production was a sell-out and Frost Magazine is willing to bet this will be too.

 

CRASH: Performance Dates  28th, 29th November and 12th, 13th, 19th 20th, 22nd December 2018     Variable times

Running time   1 hour

Twitter    @Chivaree_Circus

Box Office Tickets are available priced from £20 (plus booking fee).  Book online at https://winterville.co.uk/attraction/chivaree-circus/

 

 

Festive Foodies

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Whether it’s foodie gifts you’re after, or just some fabulously indulgent additions to your kitchen cupboard this Winter, we’ve narrowed down our favourite yummy treats that we are pulling out this December.

Christmas Whiskey Bomb RRP £40

Konditor and Cook;

As well as producing some of the most delicious hampers and mince pies, (voted the best in the UK), why not purchase a show-stopping cake as a centrepiece for your Festive celebrations. Konditor and Cook have gone all out this year and have many tasty creations for you to try but we reckon the Whiskey Bomb is bound to wow your guests. Based on their original Whiskey Bomb the Christmas Whiskey Bomb is a festive blend of chocolate, orange and whiskey cake adorned with sugar paste stars and white chocolate balls. Because quite frankly, what says Christmas more than Whiskey and Chocolate Orange. This award winning cake. 

Festive Scone Bake Kit RRP £25

The English Cream Tea Company;

If you fancy trying your hand at a little baking for your guests or want the perfect gift for a star baker, we simply loved the Festive Scone Bake Kit provided by The English Cream Tea Company. Supplying you with all the components you need to produce your own festive tea-time treat, the set is complete with decorations for your plump scones all in a handy tin to keep. As well as this, The English Cream Tea Company also have a Giant Xmas Tree Brownie for you to order online, because we all need a tree which is edible as well as beautiful.

englishcreamtea.com

Fine Food Specialist-White Truffle Oil. Prices from £8.55

Fine Food Specialist;

The foodie online shop of dreams, the Fine Food Specialist offer luxury food goods designed for a gastronomical feast of dreams. Specialising in luxury products such as Caviar, Wagyu beef and other specialist food items, they have you covered. If it’s gifts you’re after, they have a variety of goods including hampers both large and small. We love their own brand White Truffle Oil as a perfect stocking filler this year. This extra virgin olive oil is infused with the rich aroma of premium white truffles. Available in a variety of sizes, this special gift has a five star rating which will guarantee to make the recipient of this very pleased indeed. Check out their website for a host of other treats including their handy canapé guide which will be firmly saved into our favourites tab.

finefoodspecialist.co.uk

Christmas Roast Dinner Box RRP £21

Ross & Ross Food;

Focused on British flavours and fresh local produce, Ross & Ross have won multiple awards for their high quality and unique artisan products. Best known for their BBQ and curing kits, they have a passion for big and delicious food. Their Christmas shop this year features a host of meaty hampers including the I Heart Bacon Gift set which includes a bacon curing kit and I Heart Bacon apron. We also love their Christmas Roast Dinner Box. Winner of the 2018 Christmas Gift of the Year food award, the box contains a Roast Potato Oil, a Pigs In Blankets Dust, a Brussel Sprout Dust and a Roast Turkey Rub. This box is perfect for self-gifting if you want to impress your dinner guests! The box is also an amazing present to give to someone who loves Christmas dinner, and who doesn’t love Christmas dinner?! 

rossandrossfood.co.uk

 

Christmas Cocktails ft. Cranes Liqueur 

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We’re back and this week we are featuring our Christmas Cocktail idea which was kindly provided by Cranes Cranberry and Blood Orange Liqueur. This one is guaranteed to warm your cockles throughout December and all the way through to the big day. So turn those Carols up high, crank up the fireplace and lay back with something mulled.

Cranes Mulled Cocktail Recipe 

Warm up this season, with Cranes mulled Cocktail. 

Ingredients; 

  • 5 parts cranberry juice 
  • 2 parts Cranes Liqueur 
  • 2 parts orange juice 
  • 2 parts ginger wine 
  • 1 part Cointreau 

Method; 

  1. Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan.
  2. Heat over a medium-low temperature for approximately 3-4 minutes or until a desired temperature. 
  3. Pour into a mug and enjoy. 

Feeling fancy? Add a cinnamon stick and slice of orange to garnish!

Cranes Liqueur have won multiple awards as well as being recently awarded with the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition 2018, for exceptional quality and taste. At only 17% we think this smooth delicious liqueur is well balanced and just the perfect volume to mix with a  multitude of ingredients to create yourself a tantalisingly tasty concoction this Christmas. 

Cranes Liqueur is available at a host of farm shops, garden centres, bars and pubs across the UK, as well as online at: https://www.drinkcranes.co.uk/cranes-stockists/shop-online/ 

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2018

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Winter Wonderland 2018

© IMG 2018

I have always loved Christmas and few things are more Christmassy than Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. As a Londoner Winter Wonderland marks the start of the festive season. We went to the family press day on the 25th November. We started off with meeting the Teletubbies and then we went on some rides. My son, who used to be known as the Frost baby but is now a preschooler, loved the trains, the dodgems, being spun around on a purple penguin; along with a variety of other rides. There is everything from rollercoasters to basketball games. There is a huge amount to do.

Winter Wonderland 2018

© IMG 2018

The first event we started off with was Magical Ice Kingdom presents The Secret Forest, it is a truly stunning walk through event of stunning ice sculptures. It has plenty of photo opportunities. You can have your picture taken on an ice throne. You can also go down an ice slide. We did both.

Winter Wonderland 2018

© IMG 2018

Winter Wonderland 2018

© IMG 2018

Winter Wonderland 2018

© IMG 2018

We also headed to the circus to see Zippos Christmas Circus. It was truly stunning. The performers are amazing and we were left in awe. There was trapeze and a man balancing a woman on his head which showed huge skill from them both. It is the perfect length for children at 45 minutes. Highly recommended.

We also saw the The Snowman™ Experience. Done by Backyard Cinema, this is a wonderful and immersive experience. it brings back childhood nostalgia and happy memories. Backyard Cinema do excellent cinema screenings which immerse you into the world of the film. This was fun for children and adults alike.

We spent an entire day at Winter Wonderland and we had a huge amount of fun. We also had some crêpes and mulled wine at the Bavarian Village.

Running from 23rd November 2018 until 6th January 2019, Winter Wonderland will be open every day from 10am – 10pm, except Christmas Day. It is a fun day out and we recommend it. See what else there is on offer here.

With FREE entry to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland it is a must go to festive event.

 

hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

 

 

 

Josē Pizarro Showcases Olives from Spain

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Last week we were invited to a Spanish lunch dreams are made of; made with love by Josē Pizarro himself, the chef behind introducing tapas to the UK.

The occasion? the launch of Olives from Spain UK Partnership with Josē Pizarro with an exclusive taster of some of the newly developed dishes highlighting the delicious Olives. 

So who are Olives from Spain? A professional organisation created to promote Spanish Olives and celebrate them Worldwide. The collaboration between Olives from Spain and Josē began about three years ago as who would be a better advocate for taking one of Spain’s top exports and promoting them, than Josē. With a string of successful restaurants behind him and an ethos to create simple, top quality dishes, the olives are excellently showcased with recipes you can recreate at home. 

Why the Olive? As well as being one of Spain’s top exports, Olives have been at the heart of the culture and cuisine in Spain for more than 2000 years. Olives are a versatile ingredient and are one of the few foods in the world that naturally contain four basic flavours; bite, sweet, salty and acidic. They are easy to digest and lets not forget their amazing anti-oxidant properties. The mediterranean diet is proven to help you live longer! 

So we wanted to share one of our favourite recipes Josē created using Olives from Spain;

Hake with Tomato and Olive Salad;

Serves 4 

Ingredients:

200g mixed Manzanilla and black Hojiblanca olives

500g ripe mixed colour vine tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, crushed

Handful oregano, leaves picked

Handful flat leaf parsley

2 tbsp white wine

1tsp sherry vinegar

4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil to drizzle

4 x 200g hake fillets

Method:

The Salad;

Slice the tomatoes and arrange on a platter with the olives.

Scatter with garlic, herbs and lots of sea salt and black pepper, 

Whisk the white wine and vinegar with a little seasoning then whisk in olive oil and pour over tomatoes.

Leave to stand 

The Fish:

Heat a little oil in a non stick frying pan, season the hake and fry skin side down, for 3-4 minutes until skin is crisp. 

Flip over and cook for a minute on the other side 

Serve with the tomato and olive salad. 

Olives from Spain will be showcasing their products at The Spanish Olive Festival at the Foodies Festival in London from 25-27th May 2019 and Brighton 4th-6th May 2019 where Josē will also be making an appearance. 

For more info on Pizarro and for reservations, visit here;

https://josepizarro.com/pizarro-restaurant/

Why not personalise a Christmas gift – we did.

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The Frost Magazine team were talking about Christmas presents – rather desperately it must be said –  and ways to ring the changes. Someone mentioned personalised gifts. ‘But so expensive,’ said I. Then we came across PersonalisedgiftsShop.co.uk

 

‘Let’s give it a try,’ came the cry. (Have I produced a bit of a rhyme there?)

 

So we did. And here is the result. A personalised gin flask – mine. For ‘Him Indoors’ to give me, though he doesn’t yet know it.

 

It was simplicity itself to order from this 100% UK owned and family run concern, and the ‘personalised’ turn-around is immediate. This fabulous stainless steel flask with my own message on my own present arrived in about 36 hours, (they say between 24 – 48 hours)

 

The word GIN sits in the centre of the flask with the personalisation set around it.  In my case, Marg’s GIN and tonic. Don’t touch, which rather shows that I am not a sharing person – in some respects.

 

A fabulous product that I will be thrilled and surprised to unwrap on Christmas Day and Him Indoors will bestow it with pleasure, as it only cost him £14.00 plus £2.99 for the funnel. (What’s the point of a gin flask if the gin splashes on the way in. Such a waste and would lead to me licking the table – not a good look) I will of course, have bought myself, from him, a bottle of gin.

 

For a family the Prosecco Hamper would be a good idea at £29.99. What’s not to like. The personalised prosecco hamper includes a 20 cl miniature bottle of prosecco and a personalised prosecco glass to sip from. The hamper includes other goodies, including a Prosecco Made Me Do It bottle stopper and a bag of prosecco gummies. There’s a card for a personalised message.

This company, offers over 14000 gifts, all of which can be personalised ranging from gifts for a one year old to – well my age – let’s just put grumpy granny. And their are gifts for all occasions: birthday, wedding, anniversary … and next day delivery is available for last minute presents. They have been awarded the feefo gold award for the last three years for a plethora of great reviews.

 

We don’t often gush, in fact, never so I won’t this time. But from the evidence, I do feel PersonalisedGiftsShop.co.uk is a thoroughly excellent concern, and I just love that it is British and family run.

 

Personalised Prosecco Hamper – £29.99

Personalised Round Pink Hip Flask – £14

PersonalisedgiftsShop.co.uk

 

 

 

Wilko; Best Advent Calendar’s

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If it’s great value for money you’re after this Christmas, look no further than Wiko and with December just a couple of days away, we wanted to make a list of their best value advent calendars all under £10. What’s more, there are currently huge savings to be had in-store and online making this a bargain you won’t want to miss out on. 

For the traditional chocolate lover;

Quality Street Advent Calendar; RRP £5

With a variety of their iconic individually wrapped sweets, there is something different behind every door. 

We love their signature purple packaging with an extra festive feel as we open the doors of a large Christmas estate we think this will be a hit with everyone. 

For the sweet tooth;

Swizzels Advent Calendar; RRP £5 reduced to £4

Don’t like chocolate? Fear not, we have something for the sweet tooth in you. A selection of your favourite childhood classics. Peel back the doors to Santa’s Workshop to reveal Love Hearts, Refreshers, Drumsticks and more all for £4 not bad. 

For a fragrance fanatic;

Wilko Candle Advent Calendar RRP £6

Because advent calendar’s don’t have to be all about confectionary. We have something that will keep your home fresh, festive and relaxing every day until Christmas.  This unique calendar contains 23 tea lights and one scented candle which will release the warming scents of Christmas including, Spiced Plum, Winter Berries and Cinnamon. 

For those who love to be pampered;

Glow Beauty Advent Calendar; RRP £10 reduced to £8

Containing 24 beauty treats and accessories, this one will make sure you’re glowing from top to toe this December. With treats such as scented candles, bath bombs, hand creams, lip balm and more, you will be fully stocked just in time for Christmas and if there’s something you don’t quite fancy, save it and use it as a stocking filler for someone else! 

For your fur baby;

Wiko Christmas Cat and Dog Treat Calendar’s RRP £2 reduced to £1.50 each.

Because why would we leave out our furry friends. Your cat will enjoy 24 delicious cat-nip festive treats and for dogs there are 24 special dog friendly chocolate treats. We think your pets will go Christmas crazy over them. 

For more information visit wilko.com