The Twelve Feasts of Christmas: A Celebration of Food and Culture

The Twelve Feasts of Christmas: A Celebration of Food and Culture

The Twelve Feasts of Christmas: A Celebration of Food and Culture

The holiday season is a time of joy, love, and gratitude, and what better way to celebrate than with good food and drinks? The Twelve Feasts of Christmas (also known as the Twelve Days of Christmas, Twelvetide, and the title of our children’s picture book) is a traditional celebration observed in many countries around the world, marked by twelve days of delicious meals and drinks. Each feast has its own cultural significance and unique culinary traditions, making it a truly global celebration. In this article, we’ll explore the history and significance of the Twelve Feasts of Christmas, as well as some of the mouth-watering dishes that are enjoyed during this festive season.

Twelve Feasts of Christmas Humorous Children's Picture Book

šŸŽµĀ In the first house at Christmas the family left for me: A mince pie and a Sherry.Ā šŸŽµšŸŽ¶
Inspired by the classic song ā€˜The 12 Days of Christmas’ and Eric Carle’s wonderful ā€˜Very Hungry Caterpillar’ this book is perfect to read aloud with your children or grandchildren.
Find out more and purchase

The History of the Twelve Feasts of Christmas

The Origins of the Twelve Days of Christmas

The Twelve Feasts of Christmas is closely tied to the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday season begins on Christmas Day, which is celebrated on December 25th, and continues for twelve days until January 6th, which is known as the Feast of Epiphany. This period is known as the Twelve Days of Christmas, and each day is marked with feasting, gift-giving, and other festive activities.

The Significance of the Twelve Feasts

The Twelve Feasts of Christmas are an important part of many cultures around the world, and each feast has its own unique significance. Some of the most popular feasts include:

Feast of St. Stephen (December 26th)

This feast is named after St. Stephen, who was one of the first Christian martyrs. In many countries, including Ireland, Boxing Day is celebrated on this day, and it is marked by gift-giving and charity.

Feast of St. John the Evangelist (December 27th)

This feast is named after St. John the Evangelist, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. In many countries, including Spain, this day is celebrated with feasting and fireworks.

Feast of the Holy Innocents (December 28th)

This feast commemorates the massacre of the innocent children by King Herod, who was trying to kill the baby Jesus. In many countries, including Mexico, this day is marked by pranks and practical jokes.

Feast of St. Sylvester (December 31st)

This feast is named after St. Sylvester, who was the pope in the fourth century. In many countries, including Germany and Austria, this day is marked by feasting and fireworks to celebrate the New Year.

Feast of the Epiphany (January 6th)

This feast marks the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas and is celebrated in many countries, including Spain and Mexico, with parades and gift-giving.

The Culinary Traditions of the Twelve Feasts of Christmas

The Twelve Feasts of Christmas are also a time of delicious food and drink, and each feast has its own unique culinary traditions. Here are some of the most popular dishes that are enjoyed during this festive season:

Roast Turkey

Roast turkey is a popular dish that is enjoyed on Christmas Day in many countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. It is typically served with stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce.

Roast turkey is a popular dish that is enjoyed on Christmas Day in many countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. It is typically served with stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce.

Tamales

Tamales are a traditional dish that is enjoyed on the Feast of the Holy Innocents in Mexico. They are made from masa, a type of corn dough, and filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables before being wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.

Yule Log

The Yule Log is a traditional dessert that is enjoyed in many countries, including France and Belgium, on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It is made from a sponge cake that is rolled into a log shape and decorated with chocolate icing to resemble a log.

Rosca de Reyes

Rosca de Reyes is a sweet bread that is enjoyed on the Feast of the Epiphany in Mexico. It is shaped like a wreath and is decorated with candied fruit to represent the jewels of the three wise men.

Lechón

Lechón is a popular dish that is enjoyed on the Feast of St. Sylvester in the Philippines. It is a whole roasted pig that is stuffed with lemongrass, garlic, and other herbs and spices before being slow-roasted until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender and juicy.

FAQs

What are the Twelve Feasts of Christmas?

The Twelve Feasts of Christmas is a traditional celebration observed in many countries around the world, marked by twelve days of delicious meals and drinks.

What is the significance of the Twelve Feasts of Christmas?

The Twelve Feasts of Christmas are an important part of many cultures around the world, and each feast has its own unique significance.

What are some of the traditional dishes that are enjoyed during the Twelve Feasts of Christmas?

Some of the most popular dishes include roast turkey, tamales, Yule Log, Rosca de Reyes, and Lechón.

Conclusion

The Twelve Feasts of Christmas is a celebration that brings together people from different cultures and traditions around the world. It is a time of joy, love, and gratitude, and what better way to celebrate than with good food and drinks? From roast turkey to tamales to Yule Log and Rosca de Reyes, the culinary traditions of the Twelve Feasts of Christmas are as diverse and delicious as the cultures that celebrate them. So, this festive season, let’s come together and celebrate the Twelve Feasts of Christmas with family, friends, and of course, lots of good food!

Why I love my “offensive” Christmas jumper

Why I love my “offensive” Christmas jumper

If you’re looking for some insight into offensive Christmas jumpers then look no further. All products listed within this post have been carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.

bah-humbug jumper

“Some people are offended by my beautiful Cath Kidston ā€œBah Humbugā€ jumper”

Why I love my ā€˜offensive’ Christmas jumpers

I’ve put inverted commas around the word, ā€˜offensive’, because it’s so subjective. People choose to be amused or offended by a couple of my Christmas jumpers, but the intent is not to harm. I just don’t love Christmas like other people do. So I do what it takes to get me through the season.

I don’t have the ā€œJingle Bellendā€ one with the arrow, I’ve resisted the ā€œJingle my Bellsā€ and ā€œTits the Seasonā€ ones because I’m far too well endowed in the bust department. There are no references to body parts, sex, and no naughty words.Ā 

But some people are offended by my beautiful Cath Kidston ā€œBah Humbugā€ jumper. I think it’s because it looks jolly and elf-like, and then the message is too Scrooge for their liking. I get it, I really do. If I’m excited by something and the people around me don’t share my excitement, it’s disappointing.

I love that jumper though. If the weather were right, I would wear it from the first mention of the c word (in August in our extended family) right through to Boxing Day. The only time I’d switch it out would be for my other, far less offensive, Christmas jumper. It’s the Home Alone on that says, ā€œMerry Christmas ya filthy animalā€. I’d pop that one on for Christmas Day I think.

While we’re on the subject of being offended at Christmas …

What’s the most offensive Christmas present you’ve ever received?

If someone has bothered to buy you a gift, it’s likely that they’re saying ā€œyou mean something to meā€. Unless they’re so wealthy that they can afford to be passive aggressive in their gift giving, I suppose?

I don’t get offended by gifts. It just feels weird to me. But I’ve heard some cracking stories of people who’ve been offended by a gift.Ā 

My favourite is the mechanic who bought his wife a carburetor because her car needed it. She was so offended, enraged actually, that she threw her sewing machine at him. The thing about this story is that so many people understood her rage. They felt that, after so many years of marriage, he should have known the kind of gift she’d value and appreciate. It’s fascinating how few people considered, after so many years of marriage, she might have known that he’d express his love for her by making sure she’s driving around in a safe and well maintained car.

People call me The Grinch a lot over Christmas. I love it. I’m in no way offended by it, or by the Grinch slippers or Grinch pyjamas I’ve been given. I love it because the Grinch quite famously captures the spirit of giving at Christmas after puzzling on it (til his puzzler was sore) … 

“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more?” ~ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Holding fast to my inner Grinch, I honestly cannot think of the most offensive Christmas gift I’ve ever received. It simply makes no sense to me.

Anyway, below are a few “offensive” and “grinchy” Christmas items that we think you might like.

Merry Christmas ya filthy animals. Enjoy!

Wild Bobby designs potentially offensive, yet, in my mind, definitely funny Christmas sweatshirts. These sweaters are sold at a variety of price points and there is a wide selection of styles and designs to choose from, and you can often find deals and discounts on them via Amazon.

Wild Bobby - Well Happy Birthday Jesus Sweater From £26.99

A green Christmas sweatshirt with the text "Nakatomi Plaza Christmas Party 1988" on it and an image of the Nakatomi Plaza surrounded by Christmas decorations and snow. Link takes you to an Amazon page where you can buy the item.

Nakatomi Plaza Christmas Party 1988 Classic McClane Die Hard Xmas Sweater £34.30

Black Christmas sweatshirt with a short survey on it with text that says "Naughty, Nice, An attempt was made." The tick is next to "an attempt was made." Link on this image takes you to an amazon page where you can buy this sweatshirt.

Wild Bobby - Naughty, Nice, an Attempt was Made, Xmas Unisex Crewneck £26.99

A black sweatshirt with Donald Trump in the centre of it wearing a Christmas hat and text surrounding him saying "Merry Christmas Snowflake". Link takes you to Amazon page where you can buy it.

Merry Christmas Snowflake Trump Unisex Sweatshirt £27.99

A red Christmas sweatshirt with an image of Santa getting stuck in a chimney and the text "the struggle is real". Link to Amazon page where you can buy the sweatshirt

The Struggle is Real Xmas Sweatshirt Red £26.99

A red Christmas sweatshirt with an image of Donal Trup surrounded by text that says "This is going to be a great, great Christmas very special, very merry, really terrific, everyone agrees." Link s to an amazon page where you can buy the sweatshirt

Great Terrific Merry Christmas, Donald Trump Ugly Christmas Sweater £34.16

 

Grinchy Christmas Gifts

What does it mean to be Grinchy? Well, according to the Urban Dictionary, Grinchy is “aĀ person that seems mean and sour, and also looks ugly on the outside, but once you become a close friend will stick by your side until the day you die.”

Family wearing matching Grinch Christmas pyjamas. Pyjama tops are red with an image of the Grinch and various messaging depending on the set. Link takes you to an amazon page where you can buy the pjs.

Family Matching Grinch Christmas Pyjamas Men's, Ladies and Kids From £11.95

a blond woman modelling The Grinch MOVIE OVERSIZED BLANKET HOODIE. The hoodie is green in colour with a repeating pattern of the Grinch and the word "grinch"  repeating. Link takes you to an amazon page where you can buy this item.

The Grinch Oversized Blanket Hoodie Adults Unisex £47.99

Deluxe furry santa suit 7 Pcs set for unisex. Santa Claus long sleeve T-shirt top with waist belt, green mask, trousers and gloves, matching with red velvet shoe covers and Christmas hat. Link takes you to amazon page where you can learn more and buy this item.

Grinch Santa Costume 7Pcs £42.99

What to get your Mum for Christmas

What to get your Mum for Christmas

If you’re looking for what to get your mum for Christmas then you have come to the right place. Every product listed is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.

What to get your Mum for Christmas:

Four awesome concepts for your mum’s Christmas present

What to get your Mum, or person in your life that holds the important mother role for you, for Christmas depends quite a lot on who she is, what she loves, and who / how old you are.

When my daughter was 4, she made a yogurt pot bell for the Christmas tree and I’d have been delighted to have that as my present from her. Now she’s 19, I prefer what she chooses based on our relationship. And I’m not sure how many uni students make yogurt pot and pipe cleaner Christmas tree decorations these days.

Something to wear

Splash out

For a touch of luxury, Mum will feel completely spoilt by this classic cashmere v neck sweater. You’re splashing out on this one at just over Ā£85, but Mum is worth it, right?

JL DE LA TOUR Women's V Neck Jumper 100% Cashmere

Ā£86.93 Amazon

JL DE LA TOUR Women’s V Neck Jumper 100% Cashmere

This beautiful jumper is very soft, light and warm.

  • 100% Cashmere
  • Hand wash in lukewarm water or machine wash in cold water on wool and silk setting with suitable detergent
Deal

For the cashmere deal on something to wear, you’ll have to move quickly while these supersoft cashmere and merino socks are down by 20% to Ā£15.99

Womens Fine Cashmere and Merino Wool Super Soft and Warm Winter Fluffy Mid-Calf Socks

RRP £19.99

Ā£15.99 Amazon

Womens Fine Cashmere and Merino Wool Super Soft and Warm Winter Fluffy Mid-Calf Socks

These soft and cosy women socks are made from 50% SUPERFINE MERINO WOOL, 10% FINE CASHMERE and 40% other fibers (cotton, viscose, polyamide). Stretchy, comfortable, lightweight, wearable and sweat-wicking. Ladies socks can warm your skin and make you feel comfortable all day.

Otherwise, treat Mum to the experience of walking on air with these memory foam slippers. A temporary 15% discount means they’re down to Ā£13.49 just now.

Ladies' Slippers Winter Warm Memory Foam House Shoes with Anti-Skid Rubber Sole

Ā£15.88 Amazon

Ladies’ Slippers Winter Warm Memory Foam House Shoes with Anti-Skid Rubber Sole

The short plush lining is soft and comfortable to the skin, and keep your feet warm and comfortable on cold winter days.

Steal

For the steal, there are a couple of bargain ways to treat Mum with something to wear. First up is a vibrant scarf. We love this bee design from Claudia&Jason for just Ā£7.89. You don’t even have to go for the obvious yellow colour choice, this design comes in 13 different colourways, so Mum’s favourite is likely to be in there.

 

CLAUDIA&JASON Glitter Bumble Bees Scarf

Ā£7.89 Amazon

CLAUDIA&JASON Glitter Bumble Bees ScarfĀ 

Large lightweight scarf excellent quality.

Beautifully designed multi-purpose scarf can be used as sarong, cover up, scarf or wrap.

Another something to wear is a hat. This time we’ve gone for a chic beret, looks far more expensive than it is – at only Ā£4.49. And again there’s an array of colour choices so that you can go with one that suits Mum to a tea.

 

JOOWEN Women's Classic French Artist Solid 100% Wool Beret Hat

Ā£4.49 Amazon

JOOWEN Women’s Classic French Artist Solid 100% Wool Beret Hat

This beret is cut from the softest wool-felt so it feels luxuriously warm and cozy.

Something to read

A different way to give Mum a break is to encourage her to read.Ā 

Splash out

For the foodie Mum who likes to get away from time to time in fancy restaurants and posh hotels, you can splash out on this lovely coffee table book from The Pig, a collection of restaurants with rooms in Hampshire, Devon, Dorset and Somerset – and soon in Kent, West Sussex and Cornwall.Ā 

With this Ā£25 treasure, Mum and any house guests can enjoy The Pig from the comfort of the living room. Within its pages, they’ll devour a seasonal approach to the good life with delicious recipes, how-to guides, tips, tricks and stories.

The Pig: Tales and Recipes from the Kitchen Garden and Beyond

Ā£25.00 Amazon

The Pig: Tales and Recipes from the Kitchen Garden and Beyond – Hardcover

This beautiful book from the Pig will leave mum wanting to visit time and time again.

Deal

For the mum who likes the occasional tipple, and the shopper who loves a bargain, we recommend either Wine Uncorked, or The Alchemist Cocktail book, both down from £16.99 to under £13.

Wine Uncorked is Fred Sirieix’ guide to the world of wine. This one is for the Mum who says, ‘I wish I knew more about wine,’. It’ll double the pleasure she gets from a glass, and mean she knows what’s what on the supermarket shelves – no matter what her budget.

 

Wine Uncorked: My guide to the world of wine - Hardcover

Ā£12.99 Amazon

Wine Uncorked: My guide to the world of wine –Ā Hardcover

How to select wine for its taste, not its packaging or its price.

Knowing the difference between all those bottles on the supermarket shelves will double the pleasure you get from a glass of wine and, with Fred Sirieix as your guide, you’ll discover how to get the flavour you want.

The Alchemist Cocktail Book: Master the dark arts of mixology is more for the Mum that likes to entertain. With 100 cocktail recipes, she’ll work some magic at home, elevating her mixology skills and bringing some creativity to the home bar.

 

Wine Uncorked: My guide to the world of wine - Hardcover

Ā£12.55 Amazon

The Alchemist Cocktail Book: Master the dark arts of mixology – Hardcover

100 spell-binding, crowd-pleasing cocktails. Bring some dramatic flair to your cocktail hour, with recipes including:

Lavender Daiquiri
Paloma
Rhubarb and Custard Sour
Bananagroni
Maple Manhattan
Cola Bottle Libre
Grapefruit and Apricot Martini

Steal

In the bargain reads, we’ve found the perfect book to bring a smile to Mum’s face this Christmas. For just Ā£6.65 Mum can enjoy one of a series of Ladybird books that help grown-ups with the world about them. The combination of large clear script, careful choice of words, frequent repetition, clever illustrations enable grown-ups to think they’ve taught themselves to cope.Ā 

Featuring original Ladybird artwork alongside brilliantly funny, brand new text.Ā 

How It Works: The Mum: (Ladybird For Grown-Ups)

Ā£6.65 Amazon

How It Works: The Mum: (Ladybird For Grown-Ups)

The PERFECT GIFT for Mum would be to let her take the day off while you do everything for her. Why not get her this book instead?

Something she wants

The most subjective of all. But I’ll hazard a guess here that most mother figures want to enjoy time with their families as much as they need time off. So let’s shop for ways to give your mum time together, neatly wrapped, in eco-christmas wrapping paper, as a present.

Spree

Splashing out at £49.99 is the Family Fun Gift experience. Let mum choose from nearly 500 ways to spend time together as a family. Will she want to spend a couple of hours in the cinema, eat out together, or go on a family adventure?

 Family Fun Gift Experiences Box - 490 for families to share special moments together

Ā£49.99 Amazon

Family Fun Gift Experiences Box – 490 for families to share special moments together.

Give a special family the gift of long-lasting memories and precious time together.

Over 400 exciting days out and activities, for families of two to five people.

Deal

Think ā€˜Up’ from Disney Pixar … The Adventure Book means Mum gets time with you on the adventures, and time with you preserving the memories too. It’s a double gift and with 20% discount, this one is a deal at Ā£11.99.

Our Adventure Book

RRP £14.99

Ā£11.99 Amazon

Our Adventure Book

High quality scrapbook. Dimensions: length 11.6 x Width 7.5 (inches). 40 sheets (80 pages). Holds more than 160 photos of 4*6 inches.

Steal

The steal option is to take Mum out for a coffee. To wrap that up with a bow as a gift, grab a Costa gift card and set a date in her diary.

Costa Coffee Gift Card

From £5.00 Amazon

Costa Coffee Gift CardĀ 

These gift card can be redeemed for all products sold in Costa Coffee.

Something she needs

When you have a young family, what you’d most benefit from is 5 minutes’ peace, as Jill Murphy so delightfully captures in her childrens’ book of the same name. Ā 

Five Minutes' Peace

Ā£3.49 Amazon

Five Minutes’ PeaceĀ 

Celebrate thirty years of the Large family in this stunning anniversary edition of a modern picture book classic.

That said, those of us with older offspring need downtime too, it’s just for different reasons.

Splash out

For £49.99 you can treat mum to time out of her choice from spa treatments to afternoon tea.

Buyagift Treat Her Gift Experience Box - Over 2955 Gifts for Her, Spa Packages, Afternoon Tea

Ā£49.99 Amazon

Buyagift Treat Her Gift Experience Box – Over 2955 Gifts for Her, Spa Packages, Afternoon Tea

Over 2955 incredible gift experiences for her.

Options include spa days, beauty treatments, dining options, adventure days and more.

Great deal

For the mummy in a hurry, and the smaller budget of £20, this shower gel, body lotion, and hand cream should make her feel loved and pampered without her having to leave the bathroom! This set by Neals Yard Remedies is valued at £30, and we cannot turn down a 33% discount deal.

Neal's Yard Remedies gift set

RRP £30.00

Ā£20.00 Amazon

Neal’s Yard Remedies Gift Set

Uplifting Geranium & Orange Collection.

Reviving Essential Oils | Body Lotion, Shower Gel & Hand Cream | Pack of 3

StealĀ 

Your budget buy. At under £10, mum can hide 8 times over behind a nourishing face mask with this cute gift set.

Nourishing Skincare Face Masks with Aloe Vera, 8 pcs

Ā£8.09 Amazon

Nourishing Skincare Face Masks with Aloe Vera, 8 pcs

Out of 300 dermatologists, 96% said they’d recommend our sheet mask set to a client. In a customer study, 93% of users noticed that their skin was more hydrated after using a mask. 91% of users saw PLUMPER, BRIGHTER SKIN.

When is Christmas Jumper Day?

When is Christmas Jumper Day?

This “When is Christmas Jumper Day?” post contains product that are carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

When is Christmas Jumper Day?

Christmas jumper day 2023 will be here sooner than you think. Thursday 7 December is the day to send the kids to school in their festive sweaters, or to make sure you’ve done your wool wash including your prize knit to wear to work.Ā 

If you are in need of a new and funky Christmas Jumper then why not take a look at what we have to offer – Christmas Jumpers.

What is Christmas Jumper Day?

Christmas Jumper Day happens every year, or at least it has for the last 10 years. It’s an annual fundraiser. Specifically, it’s a fundraising event for Save the Children. But many charities have found that people use the day to get dressed up and support them, which is lovely. On one day in December, millions of people across the UK dig out their Christmas jumpers to wear at work, school or with their mates, and make a donation to help change the world with a cause that’s close to their hearts.

As a parent, we’ve sent the kids to school in their Christmas jumpers for years. The date creeps up on us and the kids have invariably grown but not at the right rate for hand me downs. So there’s an inevitable minor panic to get the jumper that fits and that they like enough to wear it.

Why is it just one day?

As a family, we do like to have a jumper for the season, just for fun. And I do wear mine to work on Christmas Jumper Day because it’s fun to dress down a bit. In one of my jobs, I had a colleague who has at least one Christmas jumper for every working day in advent. The most impressive thing about the collection was that she had matching Christmas earrings to go with each of them! Her Christmas Jumper Day pairing was always something ā€˜extra’, which I guess means the day is still special and different.

My other half treats Christmas jumpers like dogs. They’re for life, not just for Christmas. He makes sure they get out regularly, no matter which month or season we happen to be in. His football mates love it when he turns up on a spring evening in his Santa sweatshirt. Even he commits on Christmas Jumper Day though. I guess it’s the charity aspect, and the fact that everyone is wearing one at the same time.

Who is Christmas Jumper Day for?

Save the Children has definitely made the most of Christmas Jumper Day since 2012. They’ve encouraged supporters to don their fanciest festive knits on the day, donating just Ā£2 to the charity to make things better for children in the UK and around the world.Ā 

Excitingly this year, the UK government is matching donations to Save the Children for Christmas Jumper Day so the charity will literally double their appeal income without any more of us dressing up and donating our Ā£2. If we needed an incentive to give during a cost of living crisis, they’ve nailed it.Ā 

People choose to support many charities with their Christmas Jumper Days, from school PTAs to local food banks. And in the spirit of Christmas, I’m pretty sure Save the Children don’t mind. So while the day is for Save the Children, lots of people will benefit from Christmas Jumper Day – not least from the fun of festive wear all around them on 8 December.

Menkind Christmas deals advert
What do I want for Christmas?

What do I want for Christmas?

If you’re wondering what do I want for Christmas this year, you’ve come to the right place. Every product listed is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.

What do I want for Christmas?

A Christmas list by and for a 40 something year old man (2023)

So what do I want for Christmas? Well… Firstly, thanks for asking. I get asked this question by my mother, usually at some point in August (she loves to start her Christmas shopping early), by my partner towards the start of December, and by my brothers a couple of days before Christmas.Ā 

But it’s always a tough question to answer, apart from a Saints win which is impossible to buy. What do you get a man who doesn’t want or need much, can afford to buy most things he wants, and is usually too distracted with work and family to give it some serious thought?

So for once, I’ve decided to give it some proper thought, early enough for people to ignore my suggestions entirely and buy me some socks or some Cool Water (if you know, you know).

Amazon Prime is a great place to start – It’s one of the worlds largest market places and is great for gathering and sharing ideas. Especially if you utilise their free gift list functionality. Use it to create a gift list for any occasion, and easily share your list so that you don’t get duplicate gifts. You can use just the one list to add gift ideas for your whole family and it will keep a record of who bought you what so you can thank everyone after Christmas.

So without further ado, here’s my list for 2022

A picture of James Ward-Prowse celebrating a goal for Southampton FC - What do I want for Christmas - more of that

What do I want for Christmas? A win for Southampton FC would be amazing but I shouldn’t really ask for things that are impossible to buy.

Want to skip to a specific section? Just click the links:

Gin gifts | Beer gifts | Whisky gifts | Cigar gifts | Chocolate gifts | Sport gifts

Hobbies and bad habits

Hobbies and bad habits are a great place to start when thinking about the things I’d like for Christmas. Whilst I don’t especially “need” anything, I am always very happy to receive gifts relating to gin, beer, whisky, cigars, chocolate, and sports.

As a family, we always try to be quite sensible with budgets, usually between Ā£20 and Ā£50, mainly because there are so many of us, but also because Christmas isn’t especially about the gifts for us. It’s as much about getting together, playing silly games, and eating all of the food – oh, and celebrating the birth of Christ – we do love a good Midnight Mass and Carols by Candlelight service to belt out the old classics.

Gin gifts

I’ve been enjoying gin for a good few years now. About 6 or 7 years ago my partner bought me a gin advent calendar which was a complete luxury, and a lot of fun. And whilst this present would be over budget for a usual Christmas for us, I couldn’t recommend this gift more highly.
If you and your loved one both enjoy gin then this is a great pre-Christmas present to enjoy together.

Gin Advent Calendar - Premium 2022 Edition
Ā£99.95 Amazon

Gin Advent Calendar – Premium 2022 Edition

Within the snazzy walls of this Advent Calendar you’ll find 24 different 30ml wax-sealed drams of juniper-based brilliance, made by some of the most excellent gin producers around the globe

We tried 25 different gins and made a few notes so we now really know what we both like. I particularly like Old Tom gins.

Langley's Old Tom 70 cl
Ā£28.61 Amazon

Langley’s Old Tom 70 cl

GIN. AS IT SHOULD BE: No gimmicks and no pink. Award winning, quintessentially English gin.

I also really enjoy Monkey 47. I got a bottle of this a couple of years ago from my in-laws and it is delicious.Ā 

Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin, 50 cl
Ā£36.95 Amazon

Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin, 50 cl

47 hand-picked botanicals, blended with extremely soft spring water, give Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin its unrivaled complexity and quality.

If you are a gin drinker then you will know that the tonic can make or break a good G&T. And personally, I’ve not found any tonic that I enjoy half as much as Fever-Tree tonic.

Fever Tree Tonic Water Mixed Selection Pack (24 x 200ml)
Ā£30.95 Amazon

Fever Tree Tonic Water Mixed Selection Pack (24 x 200ml)

Award winning products which taste clean, subtle and balanced with authentic flavours and perfect carbonation, so just as good as the spirits you’re pairing them with.

The ideal gin and tonic should be 3 parts tonic to 1 part gin so having a good amount of tonic is always a good present.

Another great gin related present for a gin lover is this gin making kit.

Ā£17.99 Amazon

The Ultimate Gin Making Kit- Create 10 Bottles of Classic, Colour-Changing & Pink Gin. The Perfect Gin Gift Set. Includes 13 Botanicals, Recipe Book & Rose Gold Accessories!

Vemacity specialises in only Gin Gift Items. We truly are obsessed with Gin! This is the best of Gin Gifts for any Gin Lover. Each Gin Kit is beautifully presented in a stunning Gift Box.

The final gin related gift for my list is a pair of gin glasses. Having the right glasses to drink out of does make a difference. I don’t want to drink a warm gin and this longer stem keeps my ice from melting so quickly.

Gin Glasses for Gin Lovers-Set of 2 Handmade G&T Glasses (700ml)
Ā£19.99 Amazon

Gin Glasses for Gin Lovers-Set of 2 Handmade G&T Glasses (700ml)

Plus a free recipe E-book, a silver cocktail spoon, and double-sided jigger.

You’ll be making the most ā€˜Instagrammable’ drinks in our Sophisticated Large Gin Glasses. Each Stylish Gin and Tonic Glass has a Beautifully Thin Stem and Wide Balloon Shaped Bowl. At 700ml each glass can hold tonnes of ice and your FAVOURITE gin and tonic. Our unique ‘copa’ design has an 11cm diameter, which releases the intense botanical aromas from your Gin, unlocking a more intense taste experience.

Beer gifts

Is there anything better than a cold beer on a hot summers day? or after a long week at work? or on any day ending in y?

OK i’ll admit it. I love beer and I don’t care who knows it. So here are some beer related gift ideas that i’d be delighted to recieve in my stocking this year.

To start off I’ve gone for a craft ale selection pack. Since craft ale became a big thing a few years ago I’ve been working my way through a lot of them and there are some new ones here that i’d be very happy to try.

Beer Hawk Traditional Ales Selection, Case of 6 x 500ml
Ā£22 Amazon

Beer Hawk Traditional Ales Selection, Case of 6 x 500ml BeersĀ 

6 Exceptional Traditional Ales Handpicked by Our Inhouse Experts.

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My father-in-law got this next gift for Christmas last year and I have to admit to being a little jealous. The Salter Professional EK4919 Chilled Beer Dispenser is a thing of beauty. Not only does it look great but it pours a fantastic pint. And whilst we don’t have loads of room in the house I’d be more than happy for this to live in my garden office.

Salter Professional EK4919 Chilled Beer Dispenser
RRP £178.99
Ā£149.00 Amazon

Salter Professional EK4919 Chilled Beer Dispenser

Bring the bar home with the draught beer dispenser from Salter Professional. This draught beer tap is compatible with any universal pre and non-carbonated 5-litre kegs; available online and in supermarkets.

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Sometimes you can get a gift that ticks more than one box, and this awesome Star Wars Stormtrooper Christmas Thirst Aid Beer Kit does just that. Beer and Star Wars – What a great gift.

Salter Professional EK4919 Chilled Beer Dispenser
Ā£25.00 MenKind

Star Wars Stormtrooper Christmas Thirst Aid Beer Kit

This is an out-of-this-galaxy craft beer gift set!

Officially licensed Star Wars merchandise

Comes with 5 beers, 4 coasters, pitta chips, and a pint glass

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Whisky gifts

When I was 18 I got horribly drunk on beer and Bells whisky. Drunk enough not to want to touch whisky again for many, many years. However, more recently i’ve tried a couple and I seem to be truly over my phobia. What I have discovered is that good quality whisky is nothing like Bells (sorry to those who enjoy it). So hear are some that I’d like to try and some whisky related gifts that I think are pretty cool.

Mini Whiskey Barrel by Sharper Image
RRP £25.00
Ā£20.00 MenKind

Mini Whiskey Barrel by Sharper Image

Made from high-quality wood this cool little whisky barrel holds up to 800 ml of whiskey.

This would make an awesome present and decanter for any whisky fan.

Now this is a whisky I’ve had my eye on for a little while. It was voted whisky of the year for 2022 and I’ve only read good things. It’s not the cheapest bottle you will find but it is something a bit special to savour.

Mini Whiskey Barrel by Sharper Image
Ā£63.90 Amazon

Deanston 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 70 cl

A sweet and spicy Highland whisky, with notes of barley sugar, gingerbread and a dry, warming finish.

Aged in second fill traditional oak whisky casks for a minimum of 16yrs and finished in first fill Bourbon casks for 2 years.

If the man in your life likes the idea of Whisky but doesn’t yet know what he likes then this next gift could be just the job.

Whisky tasting set
Ā£39.95Ā Amazon

Whisky Tasting Set – Regions of Scotland – 5 x 30ml Malt Whiskies, plus a Whisky Tasting Glass in Presentation Box

This Whisky Gift Set features Malt Whiskies from the five Whisky producing regions of Scotland: Speyside, Highland, Island, Lowland, and Islay. Taste them all for a truly authentic drinking tour through Caledonia.

Cigar gifts

If you enjoy smoking cigars, there are countless varieties available, not to mention the associated parafinala that you’ll probably be converting and would be delighted to receive as a Christmas gift. Whether you like strong flavours, mild flavours, or something inbetween, there is always something new to try.

TheĀ Famous Smoke ShopĀ ship world wide and have a fantastic range of cigars at very reasonable prices.Ā Purchasing cigars online for import into the UK is perfectly legal. It is important to note though that it is possible that cigars coming into the country may be taxed by customs (Though it is often still a lot cheaper than buying from a shop in the UK).

Whisky tasting set
$58.99 Famous Smoke Shop

ALEC BRADLEY 9 CIGAR SAMPLER

When it comes to creamy-smooth, rich-tasting and complex cigars, no one does it like Alec Bradley Cigars. This very affordable flavorfest gets you 4 pairs of their outstanding Occidental Reserve Connecticut & Double Maduro, Medalist, and MAXX cigars, plus one of their new Maxx Traditional cigars.

These next cigars are something else and are probably my favourites if I had to choose just one type of cigar. And at a little less than $100 for a box they are great value.

Whisky tasting set
$98.99 Famous Smoke Shop

OLIVA SERIE V MELANIO ROBUSTO

The Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto is a top-honored cigar. It scored #8 in cigar Aficionado in 2018. The cigars flavors are true of Nicaraguan tobacco, and well-aged Jalapa valley ligero takes the stick to new heights. It’s full-bodied smoke delivers pepper with hints of chocolate and cream in a natural wrapper. It doesn’t get any better than this!