Happy Boxing Day! I've been really inspired finding images for this blog post, and as you can see I couldn't narrow it down to five, I've ended up with over twenty! Whoops! Enjoy!
I love these wreaths made from the old fashioned Christmas tree lights.
Soft pink on a wreath is a nice change from traditional red and green.
Or how about a blue/green themed wreath? Very peacock-like.
I remember the first ever Dalek Christmas tree appearing online a few years ago and blogging about it. Now there are tonnes of copycats when you Google search for them, some better than the original, some worse, all very cool though.
Hope you all have a lovely Christmas Day.
Fatty
At some point I must research this. Why do 70s' cook books' have page after page of absolutely disgusting looking recipes? Why were those meals served up and considered modern & appetising then, but are so repulsive to our eye now? And why did they put everything in jelly? Even salads??
Anyway, my third day of Christmas gift to you on this Christmas Eve should curb your appetite if you fear over eating. Just keep this blog post open on your phone tomorrow and take a quick peek if you want to put yourself off your food and not eat another mince pie.
1. BREAKFAST
Christmas breakfast is chocolate, so here we are. Probably the only thing any of us would eat willingly in this blog post.
2. LUNCH
Or Christmas dinner I suppose. Start with a prawn Christmas tree (not the last tree we will see), put your turkey in a suit, and tuck into the mash igloo.
3. DINNER
I said there would be more trees.
A sausage wreath, naturally.
Make it stop.
Schmoyoho have been making hilarious tunes and auto tuning the news on YouTube for years now.
Three years ago they put lyrical to the Home Alone theme tune, and you'll never hear it the same way again once you've heard this.
This year, they auto tuned Kevin and made an original song 'I Made My Family Disappear'.
So my second day of Christmas gift to you, is both of these songs. Also check out their latest videos where they auto tune Star Wars.
If you've never seen it, you can't believe it can be as bad as everyone says it is. But it is.
The ill-advised Star Wars Holiday Special, written by George Lucas and shown in 1978 is the stuff of legends.
Han Solo & Chewie go to visit the latter's family, and we also see appearances from Leia, Luke, CP30 and of course Darth Vader.
The definitely-not-canon ordeal includes bizarre scenes like Chewie's creepy uncle viewing what can only be described as virtual reality, 3D, soft porn.
One interesting fact- the Holiday Special is actually the first appearance of cult favourite character Boba Fett. He pops up in a cartoon animated sequence, then goes on to star in the second Star Wars movie shortly after.
So my first day of Christmas blog for you, my loyal readers, is a link to a fairly good quality version of the entire show.
If you've already seen it, and can't put yourself through it again, then why not read this Mental Floss article about the making of the Star Wars Holiday Special instead? They talk to those who were involved who I guess have come to terms with the creation they put out there.
Stayed tuned over the next eleven days for more Kitsch Christmas treats.
Fruit cups £6 : Santa hats £4
Two weeks ago I showed you what Marksie's had instore for savoury party food this Christmas 2016. Flown in by Mrs Claus in her helicopter no doubt.
This time around I'm sharing the M&S Christmas party food sweet selection. Party food is on 4 for 3 this week, so again it's worth taking advantage of the offers as they will likely wind down closer to the big day.
Its worth noting you will find the party desserts in three different locations instore. So if you see a product in this blog you want to buy, but can't find it amongst the chilled fridge part desserts, try the frozen department and lastly the bakery section.
Pecan tarts £7 : Doughnuts £4 : fritters £4
A lot of the desserts have edible glitter on them, which I absolutely love. The pecan tarts have golden glitter, as do the chocolate orange brownie tarts. The brownie cubes have actual edible stars, while the Prosecco charms have a silvery sheen.
Brownie tarts £4 : Brownie star bites £4 : Viennese charms £4
This weekend there also is a Dine In £10 offer on. That's where you can get your hands on the glittery, chocolate mousse pine cones from the new M&S Christmas advert.
Still shimmering are the lustred macaroons, which almost look too good to eat.
Macaroons £7 : Pine cones in the £10 deal, or £4
Stollen £4
If you want some traditional Christmas tastes, there are of course mince pies, Christmas cake bites or slices, and Stollen.
After all the chocolate the passion fruit profiteroles taste fresh & sweet. Finally we loved the mini red velvet cupcakes because they look like little Santa hats.
Cupcakes £4 : Profiteroles £6
What a lovely festive spread you can put on with M&S. Remember many of these desserts can be frozen so you can use them for New Year's if you wish.
Brownie stars
Red velvet cupcakes and Prosecco whirls
Passion fruit profiteroles
Chocolate orange brownie tarts
Pecan tarts
31st October, Halloween, 1st November, its Christmas. The population always seems split this month. There are those who think it's far too soon to think about Christmas, then there is festive loving folks like myself who are ready to dive straight in to turkey and cranberry everything.
Marks & Spencer's food hall is starting to turn holly berry red, with their Christmas party food and festive flavours appearing in every department. So I visited the Sprucefiled store to choose from the little items you can start adding to your day now, without having a full on turkey dinner. There are dozens of products you can pick for lunch and dinner to get you in the Christmas mood.
Pigs in Blankets £1.75 : Scotch Egg £2 : Mince pies £1.20 : Turkey wrap £3
Every year M&S bring out a Christmas lunch menu for their takeaway food. That includes sandwiches, salads, sausage rolls, wraps, juice and mini desserts for one. This is the 11th year that they have partnered with the charity Shelter, donating 5% of every sale to the homeless charity.
Soup £2.50 : Turkey feast sandwich £3.25 : Sausage roll £1.75
Club sandwich £4.50 : Juice £1.50 : Rolls £3.25
Profiteroles £2 : Cheesecake £2 : Macaroons £1.75
Moving on to the rest of the Food Hall, we see the traditional M&S crazy crisp varieties. Prosecco or Bucks Fizz handcooked crisps are pretty unusual, as well as turkey & maple syrup, but the flavour I'm most excited about is Blackstick's Blue cheese. I already love the blue cheese itself, and the spreadable cheese you can get too, so these are right up my street.
Crisps all 2 for £3
Christmas flavours are also reaching the shelves of the confectionary and biscuit aisles. Even Percy has had a Christmas makeover.
Jaffacakes £1 : Marzipan £1
One last deal I have to mention. It's just arrived in store & I anticipate it selling quickly, so if you think it's a suitable gift you should think about buying it while there is a good choice available.
You get a lovely, thick felt stocking, which you can fill with three items of your choice for £10. There are sacks of minty sweets, chocolate skittle games, chocolate gingerbread men, snowball sweeties, winter caramels and various Christmas themed games.
All 3 for £10 plus free stocking
I choose the decorate your own lolly kit, decorate your own biscuits, and the crazy chocolate cracker. For £10 you could divide the items as three separate presents, or use the stocking as a gift bag to give the selection of your choice to someone. Or, like me, you could pick them for yourself!
What's your favourite M&S Christmas product? Check out what else is in store on the M&S website.
Bright, shiny, new Star Wars sets and figures brought by Santa to lucky boys & girls in the late 70s. How much do you want to reach into the photos and wrestle a box out of their hands?
The kid in the blue velvet dungarees deserves that Falcon in return for the embarrassing clothes
I love how the 70s are so orange
The luckiest child on the internet
I have this recurring fantasy about walking into an old, independent toy shop which still has 80s stock.
The good old Argos catalogue. In our day you made your Santa list with the catalogue and a pen to circle the best toys.
American kids went Star Wars mad too.
The Death Star play set is a bit odd.
As heard on BBC Radio 6's Lauren Laverne Show.
