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Going Over The Top At Christmas

admin — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 10:25:57 +0000

Christmas is as we all know a time of excess and for the most part this is great. It’s what Christmas is about. Yet there are still some people that go that extra yard, or ten, which doesn’t just result in an over the top outcome, but it takes some real commitment and effort… sometimes to the detriment of the Christmas spirit, and is it really worth it? Potentially, absolutely!

Decorating the House

Photo Credit: KB35

If you’ve seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, you’ll have some idea of the associated dangers of going overboard in this department. Needless to say decorating the house is, if done well, a great way to get into the festive mood. Not only does it give your house the look of a warm grotto of Christmas loveliness, it spreads cheer through the neighbourhood. Great stuff, if you keep it tasteful.

The ever more cheaply available Christmas fare has allowed this tradition to get somewhat out of hand. Inflatable and giant light up versions of just about every Christmas character ever conceived are allowing perpetually more misguided adornment of yards and homes. What do a penguin and polar bear have to do with Christmas? Just because they’re wearing a scarf and hat doesn’t make them festive, they just live in the cold. It’s not enough of a reason for them to be considered Christmassy. But then again, who can resist a penguin in a bobble hat?! No-one!

Finding The Right Christmas Tree

Photo Credit: Thom Watson

The humble Christmas tree, such a modest statement of the festive period, a symbol of the evergreen nature of the seasons brought inside. They key in this statement is ‘symbol’ as it occasionally appears to be lost on some Christmas revellers. The trend it seems is setting oneself the challenge of defying physics, buying Christmas trees of huge size apparently believing their homes have the space bending ability of Dr. Who’s Tardis.

And it isn’t just a trip to nursery and picking up said suitable tree. The process now goes like this. Head to a Christmas tree farm, pay for the privilege of marauding through fields hacksaw in hand finding the ‘perfect’ tree and then sawing it down yourself, while taking care not to be crushed by its epic size as you make the final cut after an hour of awkward and very amateur lumberjack impersonating. You are rewarded by now being able to carry it back across the aforementioned field, placing it on or in your car, both of which will at least dirty significantly, if not permanently damage the vehicle. Then it’s time to get it home.

After a tricky trip with hampered driving and obscured vision due to the ‘half a forest’ you’ve attached to your car you get home. Getting it into the house time, which means invariably breaking at least one thing in every room you have to drag it through, causing the tree to lose most of its needles while forcing through doors and then spending considerable time wondering where the best place to put it is… now all you need to do is secure it in a base and decorate it! However, it’s all worth it right? Well, if the image above is anything to go by, yes!

Cooking the Christmas Turkey

Photo Credit: kat+sam

Has anyone ever had a Christmas dinner where there wasn’t turkey left over? Christmas is a time of sharing and goodwill, which is convenient as buying excessively sized foul for the foody centrepiece of the day has often resulted in a favour from a friend. Usually from the friend with a freezer or cooker that is twice the size of yours. What were you thinking that big ol’ bird was never going to fit!

However, it’s the cooking stage where excess can really take over. Fancy trying stuffing you turkey with a chicken, that’s been stuffed with a wood pigeon? If that isn’t enough, why not pop the turkey inside a goose? It is likely delicious, but let’s face it, beyond excessive. This is why it’d be so so good!

What have we learnt from this little run down? That its’ Christmas and you should embrace the excess with a skip in your step and smile on your face, if you can’t go crazy during the holidays, when else are you going to?!

David James is interested in all things off-beat and reflects this in his work for Find Me A Gift, the quirky retailer of unique Christmas present ideas to suit all budgets and personalities.

BrewDog Test New Craft Beer Prototype Range for 2012 on Willing Customers

admin — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:06:49 +0000

Testing beer, there’s not a better task in the world and BrewDog have got a crate of four prototype craft beers available to order at a discount from their site, which need the approval of the only people they consider to matter – their customers.

The manufacturing of great tasting beer is the ultimate goal for BrewDog and despite their hilarious marketing campaigns, their awesomely named products and somewhat weird merchandise – great tasting craft beer is what they are predominantly known for.

The chance to sample the 2012 prototype range is an opportunity that all beer lovers need to get involved in. The four archetype products are yet to brandish official labels but are all named in true BrewDog style:

Blitz! 2.8% ABV

Prototype 17 4.9% ABV (okay, maybe this name could be a bit more creative)

Scotch Ale 7.5% ABV

Hops Kill Nazis 7.8% ABV

Trying them out on draught is an option at any of the BrewDog venues where immediate feedback is welcomed by the bar staff. Every BrewDog employee seems extremely passionate about beer – it’s basically a CV requirement! So, talking to any of them directly may just reveal which prototype is in the lead.

About BrewDog

BrewDog was founded by two boyhood friends James Watt and Martin Dickie. After launching the business in 2007 they were soon at the helm of the largest independent brewery in Scotland. They are passionate about brewing all their awesome beers naturally and are always open to customer opinion – they are even calling for patrons to provide text for their comical new beer mats.

Pontins – holiday for £24.99 per apartment, per night!

admin — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 07:09:09 +0000

If the current heatwave has made you feel like you want a holiday then why not take advantage of the Autumn/Winter promotion that Pontins running, offering Holidays from only £24.99 per apartment, per night.

Find out more about this special offer here

Laithwaites Wine Mixed Case special offers and discounts

admin — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:55:38 +0000

Laithwaites Wine have got some cracking summer offers going on at the moment that we wanted to share with our readers. The offers are on their mixed wine cases

What a perfect excuse to stock-up, try some new wines and a great way to save some money in the process!

Top Mixed Case Wine Offers & Deals

The Italy Showcase

Taste the quality on offer from our delicious Italian range – lasting enjoyment guaranteed!

12 Bottles for £112.88 more info

The Summer Rosé Case

Drink pink this Summer – gorgeous rosés including sparkling PS and a multi-medal gem from Down Under

12 Bottles for £79.99 more info

Sizzling Australian Reds

Save £17 on sizzling Aussie reds – full-bodied and smooth – great with grills, superb sipped solo

12 Bottles for £83.88 more info

All Our Mixed Case Offers & Deals

Favourite Winemakers’ Collection

12 Bottles for £83.88 more info

The stars of our Italian range in one essential mixed dozen – just £6.99 a bottle, you save £14!

Anne’s Top Tuscan Deals

YOU’LL SAVE £48 on this fabulous collection of ripe Tuscan reds

12 Bottles for £107.88 more info

Southern Italian Big Reds

Rich, full-bodied and brooding – enjoy the reds of Southern Italy – and a tasty £16 discount!

12 Bottles for £79.99 more info

Great Vintage Italian Whites

Save £21 on racy whites from the hills of Northern Italy – Pinot Grigio, plus Gavi, Soave and more!

12 Bottles for £79.98 more info

Sunset Reds

Smooth, rich and fruity, taste these ripe Summer reds for £6.09 a bottle

12 Bottles for £72.99 more info

Chardonnay and Friends

Save over £14 with this case of ripe, pure Chardonnays – plus some juicy, mouthwatering blends

12 Bottles for £79.98 more info

Classic Provence Rosé

Save over £15 on elegant, pale-coloured pinks from the home of seriously good rosé

12 Bottles for £95.88 more info

Auchentoshan Three Wood Whisky Review

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 07:46:05 +0000

Ok, so I’ll come clean. Usually, we only review drinks that you can buy in Wetherspoons, but I thought I’d make an exception and if you have the pleasure of tasting a glass of the Auchentoshan Three Wood and fall for its slightly syrupy, gentle warmth then I’m sure that you’ll forgive us. I also think that this is a whisky to end a good night with or to order after a good dinner. Much as I would like to drink it all night long I think that some things are best saved for special occasions. By that I by no means want to suggest that it is an expensive bottle, in fact the Auchentoshan Three Wood is quite cheap for what it is sitting above the Auchentoshan Classic or Select, and being nearly as delicious as the 12 year old with its fresh and fruity, long lasting oaky sweet finish.

So let me tell you a bit more about it. The Auchentoshan Three Wood is matured initially in bourbon casks before being finished in Oloroso or Pedro Ximenez casks for an extra layer of rich, sweet fruitiness. This process makes it intense, sweet and complex with a rich golden bronze appearance. The taste is of blackcurrant, brown sugar, orange, plum and raisin aroma with a fruit and toffee / caramel / syrup taste perhaps with a hint of Christmas cake.
The big mouthful of flavour is of course due to the three wood process which leaves this Auchentoshan is a dark Lowland single malt whiskey with a delicious sherry finish. If you tend to be a lover of peaty Islay whiskies then this may not be your cup of tea.

In summary the Auchentoshan Three Wood is very good value for a Whisky of this quality and is attractively bottled to boot, a great choice for a dram after a good meal, or to end a night.

It is currently on special offer at The Whisky Exchange meaning that you can get hold of it for £34.75 at the moment instead of the usual £38.75.

You can find out more about it here.

Domino’s – £5 off

admin — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 15:07:13 +0000

If you are feeling a bit peckish when you get home from the pub then why not take advantage of this special offer from Domino’s pizza.

£5 off when you spend £25 online
Expires: Sat 25 Dec
Code: TGKQKBPQ

Flushed with success – Wetherspoons wins Loo of the Year Awards 2010

admin — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 15:32:39 +0000

Wetherspoons has been awaded the Loo of the Year Award 2010. This is in fact the second time that Wetherspoons has won the award. Spoons also won all four of the awards in the category of Pubs and Wine Bars for England Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The last time that Wetherspoons won the award was back in 2001.
The judging process involves a independent assessors who’s job it is to judge the toilets in hotels, restaurants, pubs, shopping centres, department stores and conference venues etc.
Wetherspoons won the award for four of their pubs the: Looking Glass, Warrington; the Alexander Graham Bell, Edinburgh; the Pontlottyn, Abertillery and the Diamond in Derry.
Wetherspoons are of course thrilled with the award and Jon Randall, Wetherspoon’s head of property and acquisitions, commented:

Our staff maintain their pub toilets to the highest standards at all times and this is reflected in the assessor’s inspections.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime Cider – offers

admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 18:11:08 +0000

There are some great offers on Kopparberg’s Strawberry and Lime cider at the moment.

I spotted that my local Morrison’s has it on offer for £1.50 and according to mysupermarket.co.uk Sainsbury’s is selling it at £1.67 a bottle until 31/08/2010.

Have you found it cheaper?

Click here to Compare Strawberry Lime Cider prices and buy online

The Briar Rose – Birmingham

admin — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:37:44 +0000

The Briar Rose hotel is perfect for both the business client or tourists. It is slap bang in the middle of Birmingham’s financial district and a short stroll away from New Street Station and many of Birminghams attractions such as: The Bull Ring shopping centre, Broad Street, The Symphony Hall and The NIA. It also it attached to a Wetherspoons pub that has recently been featured in The Good Beer Guide. Read more…

View prices for the Briar Rose Hotel

The Briar Rose Hotel

25 Bennetts Hill
Birmingham
West Midlands
B2 5RE
UK

0121 634 8100

The Portland Hotel – Chesterfield

admin — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:36:11 +0000

The Portland Wetherspoons hotel is perfectly located in Chesterfield town centre. It was built in 1899 to serve the new Market Place Railway Station and is now a popular hotel for both business and pleasure
Chesterfield is a historic market town famous for its Church with the Crooked Spire. It also has one of the largest open-air markets in Britain. It is a great place to go for shopping, entertainment and nightlife and there is plenty to suit all ages. Read more…

View prices and book for Portland Hotel Chesterfield

The Portland Hotel

West Bars
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S40 1AY
UK

01246 293 600