Christmas As It Was: The Brands and Catalogues Britain Remembers
By Linda Garrould · Last updated 4 September 2026 Christmas Countdown has been running since long before this site had a proper strategy, and one thing we’ve done consistently over…
Remember Woolworths Pick ‘n’ Mix?
By Linda Garrould · Last updated 4 September 2026 Ask anyone who grew up shopping on a British high street before 2009 what they remember about Woolworths, and the pick…
Wassail Recipe: Traditional Mulled Cider
Traditional English wassail: warmed dry cider and sherry, spiced with cinnamon and cloves, served with baked apples. The Twelfth Night original behind mulled cider.
Christmas Eve Box Fillers 2026: The New Shaped Biscoff Biscuits (and What Else to Add)
The Christmas Eve box gets a new resident this year, and it arrives while the summer holidays are still going: Lotus Biscoff’s shaped biscuits, in reindeer, snowman and Father Christmas…
Best Christmas Hampers 2026: The UK Buyer’s Guide
From the best hampers by budget to whether they are worth it, how to build your own, dietary and alcohol-free picks and delivery deadlines — the UK guide.
Christmas Gift Guide 2026: Experiences, Foodie, Personalised & Budget Ideas
The best Christmas gifts split neatly into experiences, foodie treats, personalised presents and reliable budget choices. This guide is organised the way families actually shop — by who you are…
Best Advent Calendars 2026: Beauty, Kids, Reusable & Foodie Picks
Advent calendars for 2026 fall into a few clear camps — beauty, chocolate and food, calendars for children, and reusable ones you fill yourself. The most sought-after beauty and luxury…
Stollen Recipe: How to Make German Christmas Bread
How to make stollen, the German Christmas bread - a full recipe with marzipan, plus its history, make-ahead and freezing tips, and vegan and gluten-free swaps.
The Best Vegetarian Christmas Dinner Menu & Recipes
A vegetarian Christmas dinner is at its best when it stops apologising for the missing turkey and starts making the most of what meat-eaters never get: melting cheese, burnished pastry,…