We’ve got you covered. Food, drink, nibbles, gifts, dogs, cats, even kids and birds; and something for all budgets. Food and drink ideas for Christmas across the board.

This guide pulls together a mix of food and drink treats for Christmas. You get gifts that land well, plus things you’ll want for your own table.

You’ll find standout bottles, clever kitchen kit, and small luxuries for your pets. There are rich chocolates, ready to pour cocktails, and bubbles that lift any gathering. What will you bring home this year, and what will you wrap for someone else?

Tables

Clawson Farms cheese collections, prices vary

If you’re looking for a great cheeseboard selection with all the biscuits and chutneys etc as part of the package, head to Clawsons. Each of their cheeses has its own unique story to tell, whether you’re looking for something light and fresh to serve alongside slices of ripe pear and honey, or a bold, expressive, decadent blue to pair with a fine red wine. The 1912 Stilton is something else.
Shop selections here

Tracklements Farmer’s Market Gift Pack, £14.05

Because Boxing Day is nothing without pickles. Love this carefully curated selection of Tracklements’ favourite condiments. For the best-tasting cheeses, cold cuts, hand raised pork pies, and hunks of warm bread for the finest picky plate in town. Contains Green Tomato Chutney 200g, Particularly British Piccalilli 170g, Tomato & Chilli Chutney 190g
Get it here

Umai Modern and Heritage caviar, 50g £75

There are few things that feel quite as luxurious as caviar. And Christmas is definitely the time for indulging in a spot of luxury. Umai caviar simply offers two distinct flavour profiles; Umai Modern and Umai Heritage. Umai Modern has a great savoury nuttiness with a clean umami finish on the palate and a lovely firm texture. Umai Heritage offers a more classical and full flavoured profile; ocean breeze and a delicate soft texture – one for the Oscietra lovers.
Get it here

Unearthed Brie & Pavé, £4 and Spanish Pickles, £5

Creamy Brie and Pavé au poivre, a rustic, pepper-coated dry-cured pork sausage, is a fabulous pairing – velvety richness and gentle peppery heat. Whack onto a warm baguette and quaff with a light Pinot Noir for party snacking. We also love these Spanish Style Pickles, inspired by the traditional Banderilla pintxo, a vivid mix of cornichons, red pepper, silverskin onions and Manzanilla olives which gives a tangy, crunchy, savoury flavour in every bite. Bring Spanish bar culture into your home. Thread onto skewers for instant pintxos, or if you’re heathens like us, scoff straight from the bucket.
Available Waitrose, Sainsbury’s etc.

Josephinenhütte No4 Champagne glasses, set of two glasses £140

Gorgeous bubbles deserve an elegant glass like the Josephine N° 4. Its balanced shape, with a large surface area and a shortened aroma chimney, allows even complex sparkling wines to shine while ensuring a long-lasting, fine mousse. Sweet wines like Auslese, Ice Wine, Tokaji, and Sauternes also benefit from the form of this unique glass. These are light, elegant, and feel special to drink from. A lovely pressie, it’s not all just food and drink ideas for Christmas, but the bits around it too.
Get them here

Tipples

Nyetimber Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage, £42 for 75cl

We couldn’t have that caviar and those beautiful glasses without some fizz to go along. We’ve picked this one because it came top for English bubbles in our wine tasting feature over the summer. A classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier and a perfect balance of elegance and intensity. The blend includes wines from all the Nyetimber vineyards (West Sussex and Hampshire) and also from several vintages. Comes in a nice box too.
Get it here

Tácnbora Sauternes cask finish whisky, 58.2%, £57

A great Christmas gift idea for both men and women who love whisky. Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum and Whisky Distillery’s limited edition in the Tácnbora cask finish series: the Tácnbora sits for nine months in ex-Sauternes oak, infusing the naturally sweet, cask-strength Tácnbora blend with luxurious layers of honeyed apricot, ripe stone fruits, toffee, and almond. Delish.
Get it here

Kennet Crayfish gin, prices vary starting £6.50

If gin is more your thing, this is something a bit different. The Kennet Crayfish Co gin is actually made using crayfish, although it doesn’t taste of shellfish, there’s something of the fresh seaside about it, and the crayfish gives it a bit of sweetness. Savoury notes of dill, a peppery hit from watercress, a burst of fresh zest from ripe lemon… we bet this would pair well with Clamato, but it’s lovely with tonic!
Get it here

Letterbox Christmas Cocktails Box, 3 x 275ml bottles, £41.95

Fabulous gift to send to a friend if you’re not going to be able to see them. Cocktails that will fit through the letterbox! You get Candy Cane Martini – Premium Brand Vodka, POLAR Peppermint Liqueur, Raspberry Syrup & Fresh Lemon Juice – 10% ABV, Gingerbread Whiskey Sour – Premium Brand Whiskey, Gingerbread Syrup, Bitters and Fresh Lemon Juice – 13% ABV, and Rum Rum Rudolph – Premium Brand Rum, Cherry Syrup, Bitters and Fresh Lime Juice – 12% ABV.  Plus festive gift wrap complete with tissue paper, ribbon, star confetti and a candy cane. There are also hand-made fruit garnishes and serving instructions.
Get it here

MOTH festive snacking selection box, £59

A full-strength festive cocktail celebration, delivered. MOTH has teamed up with Brindisa to create the ultimate cocktail hamper. A dreamy selection of MOTH cocktails, paired with moreish Perelló olives and snack mix, savoury Torres truffle crisps and rich Tony’s chocolate. A perfect way to say thank you. Congrats. Or Merry Christmas. Gift-boxed and ready.
Visit the Moth store

Chocolate

Lily O’Brien Shoe Box Hamper, £55

A stylish chocolate hamper filled with several of Lily O’Brien’s most popular assorted milk, dark and white chocolates collections. Expect mixed selections, caramel truffles, toffee pouches and honeycomb crispy hearts in the mix, as well as lots of other bits.
Get it here

Baileys Chocolate Caramel Whirls, RRP £2.75

One for those with an extremely sweet tooth and a love of Baileys! Milk chocolate whirls filled with the famous Irish cream liqueur flavour, soft mallow, and a caramel flavour sauce. Whirls with a hint of Baileys.
Available in Waitrose, Sainsbury’s etc.

Catherine’s Originals vegan chocolate selection tin, from £33

Still on the chocolates but this time it’s for the vegans. If you’re sad not to be able to dive into the Quality Street tin, this is for you! A chocolate selection tin (it’s even got an option to personalise by engraving the name of your loved one) packed with approximately 81 delectable vegan chocolate treats, featuring their original nine flavours and delivered in good time for Christmas.
Get them here

Kitchen bits

Hokan bowls, £90 for the set of three

Love these bowls – ideal for the enthusiastic Asian-inspired home cook. Hokan Bowls are stoneware bowls which have a multitude of uses. Robust and durable, they’re multi-purpose, going from freezer and fridge to oven or microwave, to landing on the table. They’re designed to stack to fit neatly in the fridge or cupboard. Even better, the lids are one-size-fits-all. You can also order spare lids. Small bowls start at £25.
Get them here

Hexclad Hybrid wok with lid, from £129

This viral fave now also has a small version for home cooks, singles, lighter eaters… Perfect for stir-fries, pasta dishes, soups, deep frying, and much more. The best thing about Hexclad is the non-stickery. Perfect sear, perfect for frying eggs, perfect for tossing stir-fries. The famous TerraBond ceramic non-stick coating means it’s perfect for hob to oven cooking too. Believe the hype.
Get Hexclad here

Swan Retro 8L Dual Basket Air Fryer, £129.99

Look at this fabulous retro colour, and the versatility of this ‘double garage’ air fryer. Loads of pre-settings take the hassle out of working out cooking times – one touch cookery at its easiest. And having two trays means you can cook an entire meal all at the same time. Dishwasher safe baskets and clear LED displays. A cracking gift for a young adult striking out and leaving home, we thought.
Get it here

Our little friends…

Pooch & Mutt Christmas treats, from £2.49

We love this brand, and so does the boss’s pug, Alice Pickle the Duchess of Pickleton. You will be pleased to know that Alice has tested a few things out for this feature and has given the seal of approval. There’s lots to choose from and we love the brand for its vet-recommended range, with high quality natural ingredients free from grains and junk. Lots of tail wagging and good for them too. Also stuff for kitties.
Get it here

Ruffingtons Artisan Baked Dog Treats, from £5

Quite possibly in the ‘more money than sense’ bracket, we absolutely adore these treats for dogs. Ruffingtons has created an exquisite new range of luxurious patisserie-style treats, just for doggies. Hand-decorated, edible works of art, free from artificial additives, all beautifully packaged and sealed with love, ready for gifting.
Daft? Yes. Did we get a load and squeal excitedly about them? Also yes.
Get yours here

A Little Bird Co, Little Birder Set, £24.95

The Little Birder Set is the perfect kids bird feeder kit, designed for children to start learning to recognise birds at the feeder, and spot plants and wildlife beyond the garden. In this set, you’ll find a lightweight feeder made for smaller hands, a no-grow seed blend chosen to attract robins, blue tits and sparrows, and a copy of Little Moments Outdoors, a nature spotting book for kids filled with fun facts and things to look out for on walks and in the garden. This is a lovely pressie for kids and grandkids – and a tasty meal for the birds!
Get it here

Webbox Lick-e-Lix cat treats mega pack, £15

Loved by cats everywhere, and who can blame them when they come in such a delicious array of flavours? Thanks to the handy packaging, your cat can lap up Lick-e-Lix straight from the packet and they go nuts for the smooth creamy texture. This mega pack contains no artificial colours or preservatives, with grain free recipes and no added sugar. This kitten friendly pack comes in an assortment of three flavours per pack: 20 x Chicken Flavour, 15 x Salmon Flavour and 15 x Liver Sausage & Cat Grass Flavour.
Get it here

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The post Food and drink ideas for Christmas gift guide appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Best for arts and crafts: Bath

Beautiful Bath is accessible by rail and road and at Christmas, the markets make the most of the city’s walkability. Bath Abbey lights up for the festive season and it’s a good excuse to tick the Roman baths off your bucket list at the same time. Rather than the stereotypical plastic Christmas tat, Bath’s markets attract lovers of handmade jewellery, high quality arts and crafts, independent retailers and good food.

Best for food and wine buffs: Colmar, France

It’s a bit of a mission to get to Colmar – a flight to Strasbourg and a 30-minute train ride is the easiest route – but you will be rewarded with a gorgeous Alsatian experience. Colmar is picture-postcard-pretty and the Christmas market is a wonderful opportunity to try local specialities. The Gourmet Market features nine chefs cooking up a storm with delicious local ingredients, whether you’re in the mood for a start, main course or dessert. Meanwhile, the Christmas cellar events offer wine tasting experiences that you’ll never get at Wetherspoon.

Best for avoiding crowds: Wroclaw, Poland

Wroclaw is an emerging Polish city break destination and it’s a lovely option if you’re not keen on braving Christmas crowds in Krakow or Warsaw. With the Christmas markets centred around the charmingly compact Market Square, as well as locations in Salt Square, Świdnicka Street and Oławska Street, it’s easy to navigate without getting overwhelmed. Get your bearings with a free walking tour in the morning. When you’ve had your fill of markets, there are plenty of reasonably priced bars and restaurants offering respite – or you can partake in the local hobby of gnome-spotting.

Best for a bit of everything: Frankfurt

Germany is a destination for Christmas market traditionalists. If you want a total sensory overload seasonal experience, Frankfurt is the place to go. Take a deep breath, brace yourself for stalls, fairground rides and Christmas trees as far as the eye can see. As well as the traditional trinkets, there is an artists’ market for unique gifts. If you can’t look at another Christmas decoration stall or imbibe another glass of mulled wine, Frankfurt puts on plenty of cultural activities to balance out the consumerism. Seek out ecumenical carol services, a sign language choir, the ringing of 50 bells across 10 churches and historic harbourside train rides.

Best for stylish Christmas fans: Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris

Trust Paris to put on a classy, cringe-free Christmas market. The chic Marché de Noël on the Boulevard Saint-Germain features tastefully decorated chalets, gourmet food aplenty and luxury gifts. There are no elves on shelves to be seen here. How gauche! Instead, you can treat yourself and your loved ones to elegant jewellery, leather goods, scented candles and subtle glass ornaments that may actually become genuine heirlooms one day.

Best for Instagrammable moments: Brussels and Vienna

Brussels and Vienna are two cities that seem to look even prettier when the snow falls. And even if climate change keeps the snow at bay this Christmas, these markets offer social media stars plenty of opportunities to show off their most fabulous winter wear against gorgeous backdrops. In Brussels, the sound and light show at the Grand-Place and the ferris wheel are great selfie spots in between checking out the 200-strong stalls. Meanwhile, in Vienna, have your phone at the ready for the entrance via a candle-festooned archway, before going snap-happy among the seriously photogenic buildings, such as Schönbrunn Palace and St Stephen’s Cathedral.

Best for a party vibe: Glasgow

Sure, Edinburgh draws the crowds because of the photogenic castle and the charms of Prince Street, but if you want some real Scottish Christmas spirit, you can’t go past a trip to Glasgow Winterfest. Centred on George Square and St Enoch Square, the focus is on fun. Thrillseekers can try plenty of ridiculous rides, including a helter skelter and an 80m drop tower. That’s probably best done before tucking into churros, crepes, Yorkshire puddings, pancakes, mac-n-cheese, waffles, Scottish pies, mulled wine, beer, wine and spirits…

Best for wholesome family fun: Copenhagen

Even the hardest of hearts can melt at the sight of a kid enjoying Christmas. If you’re looking for a family friendly market experience, it’s hard to go past Copenhagen. Tivoli Garden, believed to be the inspiration for Disneyland, is a perennial winner with children and every year, this historic theme park takes Christmas very seriously. As well as the rides, Tivoli features Santa shows, an elf train, an elf hunt and fairground games. Adults might be pleased to know there are rock concerts, jazz performances, new music shows and plenty of bars.

Best for history buffs: Strasbourg

Strasbourg’s Christmas markets date back to 1570, making it the oldest in France and one of the oldest in Europe. As a result, they’ve had a good four centuries to get it right. You can expect all the Christmas classics – spectacular lights, a sky-high Christmas tree, carol singers galore and a market infused with the scent of spices. With 300 stalls, there’s plenty for the seasonal shopaholics, along with quaint streets for winter wandering, lashings of warming mulled wine and bredele, which are delicious little butter biscuits that are a local Christmas tradition.

Best for festive winter sun: Malaga

If you want to escape the miserable British winter, but you don’t want to miss out on the yuletide fun, you can combine sunshine and Christmas markets in Malaga. With an average top temperature of 18°C, it’s not quite bikini weather, but you probably won’t need the big coat either. Christmas markets with palm trees give a summer holiday vibe, while the stunning lights, stylish stalls and plenty of delicious food and drink options mean you can be festive without freezing your baubles off.

Best for extreme Christmassing: Prague

Good King Wenceslas set things in motion for Prague as a Christmas destination back in the 10th century when he looked out on the feast of Stephen amid snow that was apparently deep and crisp and even. While he apparently gave out alms to the poor, rather than tucking into mulled wine and gingerbread, the ensuing Christmas carol does rather inspire one to jump on a cheap flight to the Czech Republic. Prague takes this tradition seriously with the main markets in Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square, along with five smaller markets all within walking distance of the city centre. Expect to sample plenty of hearty Czech food and beer.

Best for traditions: Stockholm

Christmas is not just about endless excuses to part with your money. In Stockholm, the Christmas market vibe is definitely more subdued than many other destinations, but it’s no less special. The markets themselves are cosy, rather than ostentatious, with a focus on local artisans. But Stockholm stands out for its cultural experience. A series of performances of A Christmas Carol has become an annual tradition and the Berwaldhallen Christmas Concerts uplift the spirits with music from the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra ranging from Bach to modern favourites.

Best for romance: Bruges

Bruges is good for a romantic getaway at any time of year, but if you want to feel like you’re on the set of a cheesy Christmas rom-com, it’s pretty unbeatable. Bruges’s annual Christmas programme is known as Winter Glow, which sounds like it might go pretty well with your own afterglow if you can drag yourselves out of your hotel room. Every year, two Christmas markets are set up in the compact city square. Retailers at the Simon Stevin Square market sell short chain and craft products, rather than hard-to-recycle rubbish. For smug shopping and smug selfies, Bruges is a great choice for cute couples.

Best on a budget: Deptford Market Yard, London

If you prefer a more down-to-earth Christmas market – or the European flights and hotels are beyond your budget or your carbon footprint conscience – hotfoot it down to East London’s Deptford Market Yard. You’ll have to be quick as the markets only run from 1-2 December, but it’s a great example of a sustainable, community-based Christmas event. Along with Deptford’s regular market traders getting into festive spirit, Santa’s grotto and the arts and crafts activities are free and there will be plenty of music, carolling and street food stalls. It’s a London Christmas outing that won’t leave you out of pocket.

Read more – How to deal with Christmas

Georgia Lewis

In a career that has spanned Australia, the Middle East and the UK, Georgia has written about all sorts of things, including sex, cars, food, oil and gas, insurance, fashion, travel, workplace safety, health, religious affairs, glass and glazing… When she’s not writing words for fun and profit, she can usually be found with a glass of something French and red in her hand.

The post The ultimate Christmas market guide appeared first on Silver Magazine.

None of us like seeing our beloved pets in discomfort. Whether they’re barking or howling out of fear, or shaking under the bed to feel safer, it puts strain and worry on pet parents. 51 per cent of pet owners say they feel anxious in the lead up to Bonfire night. It can be one of the most stressful times of the year for pet mums and dads.

In fact, an entire 85 per cent of pet pawrents can’t help but remember the 5th of November, as they have to sit tight and comfort their scared pet. The most popular way to provide comfort being letting a pet sleep on your bed.

How can you make it better for them?

Making their favourite meal, playing classical music, choosing some calming mood lighting, and playing spa music are also popular tactics for calming petrified pups and terrified tabbies. One in twenty have also admitted to requesting neighbours refrain from setting off fireworks in a bid to reduce their pet’s stress. As a whopping 64 per cent of animals experience stress caused by private displays.

Top ways British pawrents soothe their pets on fireworks night:

1. Let them sleep in my bed – 36%
2. Give them special treats – 30%
3. Play classical music – 22%
4. Make their favourite meal – 19%
5. Use mood lighting – 14%
6. Give a doggy/kitty massage – 10%
7. Play spa music – 9%
8. Create a chill out playlist – 9%
9. Let them watch animal videos on YouTube – 8%
10. Play soothing sounds like whale song – 7%

Data has shown that on average, it has been seven years since some pet owners last went to a fireworks display. Taking the magic out of special occasions like Bonfire night and Diwali, as they have to stay in.

Babs the corgi’s pet parent, Doug McPherson, said “What makes this time of year especially difficult as a pet owner is all the different celebrations happening throughout the month, so fireworks could go off on any given night during this period. As a result, I’ve had to cancel a lot of plans at this time of year. I’m sad to miss out on these celebrations.”

Read more: Overcome trauma from seeing animal cruelty on social media

So how about a free dinner – courtesy of Just Eat?!

We’ve got something to take the sting out of having to stay in. Cancelling plans and missing out on the celebrations is never ideal. So, if you are planning to sit in with a glass of wine and your favourite snacks, you can also take cooking out of the equation and get a takeaway through Just Eat, with their free voucher.

On Tuesday 5 November 2024 only, open up your Just Eat app and type ‘PAW ME’ into the chat box to bag your £15 off voucher. But act quick! As there’s only a limited amount to hand out.

Lana Hall

Lana can usually be found spinning her collection of records, or writing odd poems in her phone notes. Her mixer of choice is a ginger beer, and you’ll never find her away from the sea for more than a few weeks.

The post Comforting pets this fireworks night? How about a free takeaway? appeared first on Silver Magazine.

As red carpet season kicks off, who better to turn to for inspiration than jazzy Jeff Goldblum, working his cool and classic on the red carpet, for some men’s Christmas party wear ideas.

Pairing black and blue takes a bit of skill, but we love what he’s got here – black coat, dark blue tie, black shoes. It’s a classy look with a bit of a twist.

GET JEFF’S LOOK

Italian Wool Overcoat, Jaeger, £299

Made from gorgeous wool and cashmere, and cut in a classic design, this sophisticated overcoat can be worn for formal events, or dressed down with jeans.

Navy Tie Set, Santoro Milan, £29.99

Not just a beautiful silk tie, but pocket square and tie pin too. Would make an excellent gift.

House of Cavani Seeba Navy Regular Three Piece Suit, Santoro Milan, £289.97

Look sharp with this slim-fit, elegant three piece. Transition from day to night, with or without the waistcoat. A must for any wardrobe.

Glasgow Black Hi-Shine Brogues, Barker, £175

You can tell a lot about a man by his shoes. These shoes say you’re stylish, classy, and ready to party.

Pure cashmere scarf, Autograph, £55

Luxurious, warm and soft. Just the thing to keep the chill off your chest.

Lucky Sixpence Cufflinks, Hersey & Son London Silversmiths, £108

Those of you too young to remember sixpennies might not know this, but a sixpence is a very lucky charm. Keep the luck, and the charm, with you at all times.

Men’s Full Leather Gloves, The House of Bruar, £34.95

Soft leather and fleecy lining, perfect for when the weather is freezing but your fashion sense is still hot.

Collection Long Sleeve Ultimate non-iron shirt, Russell, £54.99

Ah, the term ‘non iron’ is so alluring! This elegant shirt looks sharp, but is definitely low maintenance. 

Bering Ultra Slim Watch, The Watch Hut, £149

Watches are a big deal, but not everyone can afford a Rolex. This elegant, simple design gives off all the right signs, and all the right times.

More Goldblum – The Jurassic journey an interview with Jeff Goldblum

Lana Hall

Lana can usually be found spinning her collection of records, or writing odd poems in her phone notes. Her mixer of choice is a ginger beer, and you’ll never find her away from the sea for more than a few weeks.

The post Jeff Goldblum’s red carpet look – men’s party wear appeared first on Silver Magazine.

The time is here for us to adorn our homes with fairy lights, garlands, and of course, the Christmas tree. Many of you might already have your tree up, but for those of you still trying to get it together, how about an eco-friendly Christmas tree this year?

Real or artificial? 

There’s been debate around whether a real or artificial tree is more eco-conscious. Your initial thought process might be to choose artificial. As it does mean you’re not ripping out a piece of mother nature every year. 

However, it’s not as simple as that. Pretty much all artificial trees, after all, are made from plastic of some kind. I’m sure we all know the struggle of having needles all over the carpet at Christmas. Real or artificial, they shed. These ‘needles’ from artificial trees will break down into micro plastics. Which can get everywhere, the sea, food, even into our bloodstream. 

(Image: Pexels)

So real trees are better? I hear you think.

It’s also not completely straightforward when it comes to real trees. After all, when you cut them down they do stop absorbing carbon from our atmosphere. Which in turn helps to offset the carbon emissions we’re putting out into the world. 

If you already have an artificial tree, it’s good to make sure you look after it and use it for year upon year, to get the most life out of it as you can. Using an artificial tree for at least 11 years is a good time frame. 

However, if you tend to opt for a real tree, then look at where you’re sourcing it from. 

Is your tree a sustainable choice?

Ensure the supplier is part of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association. This tells you that you’re buying a quality tree, that’s been locally grown. 

The best option would be a locally grown potted tree. Which, after the festive season, can be taken and re-potted into the ground to carry on growing. So nothing is getting chopped down or wasted. 

We’ve collected a list of some eco-friendlier options of where you source your tree this year.

Eco-friendly trees:

Green Elf Trees

(Image: Green Elf Trees)

These guys offer pot grown trees and will collect it after Christmas to replant. They’re also donating £3 this year for every tree sold, to a Ukrainian refugee UK charity, and gifting trees to Ukrainian families living in the UK.

PLUS they have an exclusively electric fleet delivering trees and offset carbon emissions. So even the transport of your tree is carbon neutral.

If you buy a cut tree from them, they offer a responsible collection and disposal. They’ll be used as compost for nutrition for future trees.

To browse Green Elf Trees visit their site

Caring Christmas Trees

(Image: Caring Christmas Trees)

Based in Scotland, these Scottish grown trees are delivered in bio-degradable netting.

All profits from their trees go to the ‘Bethany Christian Trust’ which works to end homelessness in Scotland.

Explore Caring Christmas Trees

Edenmill 

(Image: Edenmill)

Another one which has potted trees available. Edenmill offer potted trees that you can keep in the garden through the year, and use again next festive season.

Visit Edenmill’s website

The Christmas forest 

(Image: The Christmas Forest)

Grown in the UK, The Christmas Forest replace every tree which is chopped down for Christmas. They also endeavour to grow close to residential areas, to encourage customers to retrieve their tree on foot, removing any car emissions.

Minimal chemical intervention is used when growing their trees. The Christmas Forest make sure absolutely nothing is sprayed within three months of harvest.

To explore The Christmas Forest’s trees visit their website

Forestry England

(Image: Forestry England)

Forestry England have Christmas Tree farms around the country. With some farms offering potted trees, and all come in biodegradable netting.

Money from their Tree sales is used to maintain the forests trees grown in. This helps benefit and support the local wildlife.

Visit Forestry England to find your local Christmas tree farm.

Recycling your tree

If you opt for a cut tree rather than potted, when it comes to taking it down don’t dump it somewhere. To keep your tree eco-friendly as possible, it’s important to recycle it properly after it’s use. 

Since not all suppliers offer to take the tree back and recycle it, you might be stuck as what to do. 

Recycle Now has tool which can help you find a local recycling point which will shred the tree for chippings. So keep a bookmark of this Recyle Now link for when January comes around. 

Don’t get caught out this Christmas! Winter strikes and walkout dates 

Lana Hall

Lana can usually be found spinning her collection of records, or writing odd poems in her phone notes. Her mixer of choice is a ginger beer, and you’ll never find her away from the sea for more than a few weeks.

The post Eco-friendly Christmas tree – How can you make a difference? appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Christmas advert season has well and truly begun, and we’re all starting to think about planning the wonderful festive for our families. Here’s our little advent calendar guide for 2022, with just a few of our fave ideas for this year.

Beauty calendars

We love a beauty calendar. It’s a great way to save on some beauty treats, and you usually get to try a few new products too.

Box of Wonders advent calendar, by The Body Shop, £95

A mixture of full sized and mini products, this is perfect for The Body Shop lovers. Worth £153 for only £95, you’ll be saving £58. And as always, the products are cruelty-free, fair trade, ethical – you know the drill.

Box of Wonders advent calendar, by The Body Shop, £95

The Sunday Times Style beauty advent calendar, by Latest in Beauty, £199

Worth a whopping £813.50, the bargain finders amongst you will love this at £199 – even less with the code below! It features some of the most popular products from brands like Summer Fridays, Olaplex, and Kate Somerville. With everything from hair to skincare.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: £20 OFF WITH CODE STSAC20

The Sunday Times Style beauty advent calendar, by Latest in Beauty, £199

3D Advent calendar, by Rituals, £105

From skincare to candles, this advent calendar has all you need for all your December pamper nights. It’s an extraordinary mix of pamper, scented things, masks, body, hair, candles – and we really like it because it’s for ‘Her and Him’. Nice one bruvva.

3D Advent calendar, by Rituals, £105

LOOKFANTASTIC Beauty Advent Calendar 2022, £95

What an absolute stormer of a calendar, with products worth £500 in this one. There’s even a slight reduction if you buy it online via the Lookfantastic site, making it even better value. Check there for the full breakdown of the contents too. Amazing value!

Free Mystery Box: Use code: ADVENTGIFT

LOOKFANTASTIC Beauty Advent Calendar 2022, £95

Lush advent calendar, £185

You’ll be smelling good all season with this one. Lush’s advent calendar houses 25 products, including four exclusives. All packaged in a reusable box designed by Art House Limited.

Lush advent calendar, £185

Drinks calendars

These aren’t all alcoholic drinks, but still a little something to enjoy each day.

Whisky tour of Scotland, £163.95

Truly one of the most luxurious advent calendars on this list. The Whisky Tour of Scotland calendar offers 24 mini bottles of the amber liquid, to help ease the stresses of December.

Whisky tour of Scotland, £163.95

Blue Goose coffee, £29.99

Your morning pep just became festive! Blue Goose have the first eco coffee pod advent calendar. Including entirely ethically sourced coffee.

Blue Goose coffee, £29.99

Cocktail advent calendar, by John Lewis, £125

John Lewis has your Christmas drinks sorted with this cocktail advent calendar. Including 24 different cocktails, you’re bound to find your next favourite drink.

Cocktail advent calendar, by John Lewis, £125

Chocolate calendars

Because who doesn’t want chocolate for breakfast every day for a month?

Wickedly Welsh chocolate calendar, £19.99

Entirely handmade chocolates, from Welsh chocolate factory Wickedly Welsh. You’ll find raspberry creams, gingerbread crunch, and many other chocolates in this gorgeously packaged calendar.

Wickedly Welsh chocolate calendar, £19.99

Happi, plastic-free oat chocolate advent calendar £15

The home of oat milk chocolate, Happi have brought us a plastic free chocolate calendar. Complete with their fun and colourful branding.

Happi, plastic-free oat chocolate advent calendar £15

Food calendars

Foodie calendars that aren’t about chocolate. Because apparently there ARE people who don’t want chocolate every day for breakfast!

Sous Chef Spice Discovery Advent Calendar, £28.50

The Terre Exotique spice advent calendar takes you on a spice journey across the world through each day of advent. Featuring 24 unique spices, salts and peppers, this is the perfect food advent calendar for those who love new flavours.

Sous Chef Spice Discovery Advent Calendar, £28.50

Gourmet popcorn by the Popcorn Shed, £25

Get your popcorn sorted for the Christmas movies this season. Each day comes with a small bag and there’s a total of six flavours to try throughout the month.

Gourmet popcorn by the Popcorn Shed, £25

Artisan cheese advent calendar by Paxton & Whitfield, £150

Because who doesn’t want a cheese calendar?! Christmas is the time for cheeseboards and sneaking an extra cube when no one’s looking.

Artisan cheese advent calendar by Paxton & Whitfield, £150

SugarSin Advent Calendar, from £30

This sweet treat calendar can be bought pre-filled or select your favourites from SugarSin’s repertoire.

SugarSin Advent Calendar, from £30

Other

And finally, for something completely different!

Craftvent calendar, by The Make Arcade, £70

This quirky little calendar has 24 felt kits to make your own tree decorations. The perfect mindfulness kit to carry you through the mania of December.

Craftvent calendar, by The Make Arcade, £70

Abott Lyon jewellery calendar, £249 

Available as gold or silver jewellery, this luxury Abott and Lyon advent calendar would make a beautiful gift to yourself. Personalised to include your own birthstone, every day has a little gift, just for you!

Abott Lyon jewellery calendar, £249

The clocks have turned back! Here’s how to make your home cosier for winter

Lana Hall

Lana can usually be found spinning her collection of records, or writing odd poems in her phone notes. Her mixer of choice is a ginger beer, and you’ll never find her away from the sea for more than a few weeks.

The post Our advent calendar guide – a few different things this year… appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Voluteering at Christmas is nothing new, but often local community Christmas lunch schemes are actually overwhelmed with volunteers. Or charities might prefer if you simply made a financial donation. Whilst that’s still supportive of course, you might want to roll up your sleeves and do something practical. So how to volunteer at Christmas?

Lots of charities work with children, young people, and the homeless to help them have a better Christmas. But as we get older, Christmas can also be a depressing time for lots of people. No one wants to be alone, and no one wants to be out in the cold with no warm meal.

We’ve put together a list of charities, organisations, and ideas to help put a smile on some faces out there this Christmas.

So how can you as an individual help?

1. Donate your old phone

O2 have teamed up with HUBBUB to create Community Calling, a way to donate your old smartphones to someone in need. You post your old phone, it gets data-wiped, delivered to someone without access to the internet, and then O2 provides them with 12 months free data and access to free digital skills training.

With internet access, things like finding a job, finding a local food bank, or being able to contact friends and family is important, and many people don’t have access to this.

Learn how to donate your old phones and where to send them here

2. Get some ethically-made socks

One thing people may not think to donate is socks, but shelters are crying out for them. As many cold homeless people will attest to, a new, clean pair of socks can be the difference between a good and bad day.

For every pair of socks bought from their site, Stand4Socks donates another pair of socks to homeless people. So far, over 150,000 socks have been donated already.

Maybe this year, you could get some ethically-made socks for your loved ones that’ll provide someone on the streets with warm feet!

Buy some stylish socks and support the homeless here

3. Spend time rather than money

Many people tend to think about just giving homeless people money, but human compassion can be huge. To do something different yet kind, maybe get them a hot drink or some warm food, sit with them for a bit, and listen to what they have to their story. Many homeless people have said their loneliness can be overwhelming; why not make a new friend and provide them with company? They spend a lot of time being invisible.

4. Volunteer this year

Nursing homes are full of elderly people who don’t have family to spend time during the holidays and for most of them, it can be get miserable. This year, volunteer at your local nursing home. Get in contact and ask if there’s anything you can do to help.

Your local council can help with finding places that need support. You can also check your local Facebook community groups to find contacts and opportunities.

5. Give a helping hand

Alternatively, if you know of someone spending Christmas alone, like a neighbour, invite them round. It seems like a small thing, but it could make their year.

There may also be vulnerable people in your area who just need a little help this year; it could be as simple as helping them with their shopping or putting the bins out for them.

6. Support food banks

The Trussell Trust has been providing emergency food to people locked in poverty around the UK for years. Their food banks provide emergency food and parcels containing a mixture of necessary things. They ‘advise for people to check their local food bank’s website for what items they are most in need of’.

You can check where your local drop-off points are and what items they are most in need of here

7. Period poverty

Period poverty is a very real thing that some women in our society are battling as result of lack of access to sanitary items.

Every woman should have access to sanitary products, no matter their circumstances, which is why Freedom4Girls are fighting against period poverty in the UK and worldwide.

Help the cause, get involved, and donate here

What help is out there for young people and children?

8. The Children’s Society

The Children’s Society looks out for kids who are threatened by abuse, exploitation, and neglect , they help them to break free from their cycle of abuse and crime and your donations can offer amazing things from finding a homeless child somewhere to live, to help providing counselling.

Donate to the cause here

9. Book Trust

Book Trust is an organisation that helps gift special books to vulnerable children, giving them an escape from their lives and lets them get lost in a world of fiction and fun.

Give a child some escapism here

10. Centre Point

Centre Point focuses on young homeless people, helping them learn life skills to live independently, provide them with a warm and safe space to stay, and more. Young people these days are faced with homelessness frequently and while things are getting back to normal, the effects of the crisis are still active and the outlook for young people is still precarious.

Donate to help a young homeless person here

Things to take away

Be aware of people’s pride

Not everyone feels comfortable asking for help. When offering assistance to someone, try to avoid using patronising terminology. Our advice? Don’t make it a big deal, just ask.

If they say no, don’t be offended. At least they know you’re there for them.

Not everyone is visibly struggling

You might have a couple of friends who say they hate Christmas, or maybe a family member who says they’d rather be alone. This is completely fine if it’s the truth, but we know people don’t always admit to struggling.

Make it your quest this year to just check in and see how some of your friends and loved ones are doing. Christmas can be a depressing time for some, and a conversation may do the world of good.

Alcohol at Christmas – are you struggling?

Are you affected by any of these issues?

Crisis at Christmas
Samaritans
Shelter
Childline
CALM – Campaign Against Living Miserably
Mind – mental health charity

Lili Lowe

Lili works across all the channels; writing articles, taking photographs, creating content, and designing eye-capturing imagery. She’s an animal-lover who cries just seeing a picture of a baby sloth.

The post Giving back – 10 ways you can volunteer or help at Christmas appeared first on Silver Magazine.