Christmas Ideas 2019

Christmas 2019

12 wines of Christmas What to serve at your holiday table

ideas

Trees with style Top-of-the-tree trends for decorations that sparkle

Eat, party, gift A guide to the holidays

CyprusMail Established 1945

Fantastic locally-made gifts and where to ďŹ nd them

Christmas Eve ~ Tuesday, 24th December

Choose from: 5-Course Christmas Menu

Christmas Day ~ Wednesday, 25th December

€55.00 per person

or A La Carte Menu Christmas Festive Buffet €45.00 per person A La Carte Dinner at the Caprice Restaurant

including Breakfast, Christmas Eve Gala Dinner and one Afternoon Tea.

€240.00 for two persons

New Year’s Eve ~ Tuesday, 31st December 6-Course New Year’s Eve Gala Menu €95.00 per person Dance Classics! At the Caprice Bar, till the morning hours

New Year’s Day ~ Wednesday, 1st January Early Breakfast

Rich Breakfast Buffet

€25.00 per person

New Year’s Day Buffet

€45.00 per person

A La Carte Dinner at the Caprice Restaurant

including Breakfast, New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner and one Afternoon Tea.

€315.00 for two persons

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Don’t get your tinsel in a twist! Gabrielle Fagan reveals this year’s topof-the-tree trends

Give your tree a style upgrade

Snowy scene Don’t just dream of a white Christmas! Create one indoors with a sparkling, frosted theme.

“This theme is inspired by the memory of the first dusting of snow transforming the surrounding landscape into a stunning scene,” explains John Lewis Christmas buyer, Dan Cooper. “Crunchy snow, icicles and smiles from building snowmen are reflected in the mood, textures and colours.

“It has an element of playfulness from childhood memories, combined with the serenity that a snowy landscape presents,” he adds.

For an equally calm and serene look, pick up on soft metallics – rose gold, bronze, and pretty crystals.

TIP: Enhance a forest effect with a collection of branches from the garden, sprayed silver or white and arranged on a mantel or in a vase. A wreath, pine or eucalyptus could be a beautiful finishing touch, and the scent will infuse your room.

Keep it traditional Nothing says Christmas like a classic red and white theme – red stripes, bright lights and a maximal feel.

“We love our red and white theme inspired

by Santa’s workshop, which focuses on the joy and magic of the festive season,” says Lynsey Abbott, Christmas expert, Dobbies Garden Centres.

“Fun and playful traditional Christmas characters, striped candy canes and cheeky elves abound. For a hint of luxe, simply add some gold or silver baubles.”

TIP: Layer garlands and lights in between standout baubles to give added depth to a tree. Co-ordinate your gift-wrapping under the tree to complement the look. If a more rustic look appeals, add more deep green baubles and simple wooden decorations.

Rock a rainbow Go all out with neon shades and funky decorations for the boldest look of the season.

“Bursting with colour and character, this look will attract compliments for its exuberance,” says Sam Hood, co-founder and creative director, Amara.

“When it comes to decorating with vibrant colours and designs, it’s important to establish a theme. If you want to go all out with this playful trend, then variety is key – don’t go too matchy-matchy, as surprise and individuality is a key element of its charm,” she adds. “I’d select a handful of bold statement decorations for a focal point and build around those.”

TIP: Ignore the ‘less is more’ rule and pile on the decorations – the more unusual the better – in a kaleidoscope of colours. Tinsel, once so naff, is now back in vogue and makes the perfect retro finishing touch for an Eighties disco theme.

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Sparkly dresses for every shape

There’s a dazzling dress out there for every body says Katie Wright When it comes to festive fashion, don’t overthink it.

A sparkly dress is a party-season classic – but with an endless array of sequinned frocks in the shops, which is the one for you?

To help you narrow it down, here are five of the biggest dress trends of the season, and how they can enhance your body type.

Fit and flare dresses Best for: Emphasising your waist If you want to show off your hourglass silhouette – or create the illusion of curves on a straight-up-anddown figure – a defined waist is essential.

Wrap dresses are ideal if you’re larger on top, while a detachable belt means you can control how cinched in you go.

Strappy dresses Best for: Boyish figures While for some people, wearing a strapless bra or going braless just isn’t an option, for those with slimmer frames a spaghetti strap dress is just the ticket.

Embrace the modern flapper look with a sassy sequinned mini dress, or bring the Seventies disco vibes with a metallic A-line frock and platform sandals.

Midi dresses Best for: Taller ladies While midi lengths have a tendency to drown petite frames, if you’re on the tall side, a dress that falls below your knee is flattering and elegant.

Whether shift or swing style, sequinned midi dresses offer more coverage if you don’t want to reveal too much leg or if your festive do calls for more formal attire.

Ombre dresses Best for: Focusing on your best bits We’ve all got certain areas of our bodies that we’re not so keen on, and an ombre dress offers a clever way to emphasise the bits we prefer.

If you’d rather skim over your hips, choose an ombre frock that’s darker at the bottom. Or if you want to hide your arms, go for a dark shade on top. There are some beautiful colour combinations in the shops.

Mini dresses Best for: Showing off your pins Leggy ladies, rejoice – because the festive fashion collections are full of fabulous sparkly mini dresses.

For curvy figures, try a halterneck LBD with a cinched in waist, or keep your top half under wraps with a high neck shift dress – it’s all about balance.

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Sequin Midi Dress, 2. Shimmer Pleated Green Scallop Neck Midi Dress, 3. Multi Stripe Sequin Wrap Mini Dress, 4. Ombre Sequin Midi Dress, 5. Black Sequin Mini Dress

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BUYLOCAL FOR THE FOODIE

This Christmas, support island entrepreneurs by buying local. Alix Norman on just a few recommendations for anyone in search of the perfect present

With Marilena Joannides’ Cyprus Food Pleasures cooking experience, you’ll learn to prepare distinctive local dishes – all while enjoying the stories of this expert chef and author. The next courses are on January 9 and 16, in Nicosia, and cost €50 per person.

marilena@marilenio.com.cy

FORA story THE BOOKWORM of immigration, Costas Emmanuelle’s Tales of Cyprus is richly informative and packed with exquisite pictures from bygone days: it’s the true story of island life of old, personal interviews, emotional anecdotes, and beautiful photos. Available at www.talesofcyprus.com. €37

The perfect gift for a Quiet Night In, Landmarks of the World and Vertical Worlds are local illustrator Abi Daker’s most recent releases. Exquisitely hand-drawn, both colouring books are ideal for the friend in need of a little zen. Available from Amazon, €12

FOR THE EXPERIENCE

How about spoiling someone with a present which lasts all year? With an annual membership card to the Pharos Arts Foundation you’ll be treated to complimentary tickets, discounts, advance notice and previews of over 20 concerts.

info@pharosartsfoundation.org

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Whether it’s chronic or seasonal, this is the best place for true pain relief. Gift someone a voucher for a one-hour session with Alpha Physio Care, and physiotherapist Anastasia Uvarova (who speaks fluent Greek, Russian, and English) will melt away their aches. Tel: 22 322408.

Gift cards start at €40

Located in the heart of Limassol, 6x6 Centre for Photography is a multifunctional space dedicated to the art and practice of photography. And any homebody would be thrilled to have one of their unique pictures on the wall. http://www.centreforphotography6x6. com/ 25 354810

FOR THE HOMEBODY

From the Mail’s very own Theo Panayides comes The Lives of Others, a book of 60 in-depth interviews conducted over the last 10 years. The perfect gift for the thinking reader. Available from all good bookshops and Amazon. €18

Who doesn’t want a box of delectable chocolates for Christmas? Based in Paphos, Joulietta Chocolatier creates scrumptious artisanal creations which include an abundance of local herbs, citrus flavours and liqueurs. http://www.joulietta.com/ From €5 per box

FOR THE BEAUTIFUL

BUYLOCAL

Based in Polis, Katie Richards is the creatrice behind Terra Natural Skincare – one of our favourite local product lines for truly beautiful skin. Using allnatural ingredients, she creates luscious soaps and gorgeous face creams and gels. https:// www.terranaturalskincare.com.

Prices start at €5

Made exclusively in Cyprus from local ingredients, Hermann Gourmet Cosmetics’ products include an elegant, vintage-inspired collection of balms, creams, scrubs and soaps.

But it’s their perfumes which make for a fragrantly perfect Christmas gift. https://www.hermanncosmetics.com Perfumes from €65

Seamstress and nature lover Lorna Ladommatou is the creatrice behind CropClothes: natural vintage fabrics, handcrafted into bespoke skirts, palazzo pants, kimonos and scarves with a delightfully relaxed, boho feel. https://www. etsy.com/shop/CropClothes From €35

FOR THE FASHIONISTA Realising that the traditional art of filigree was on the decline in Cyprus, Eleni Nicolaou set up Sea of Lace –jewellery pieces inspired by the rich cultural influences of the island’s past. Her jewellery items are all handcrafted by local artisans. https://seaoflace.com/ From €15

Incorporating Creativity, Variety Style & Quality you Certainly can’t go wrong!

Check out our range of options to see what you like.

Everyone Loves Hampers, so impress your friends, clients and staff by choosing a hamper for a gift this festive season.

The Nektar Team is there to help you every step of the way!

Nektar Deli Address: 17 Thessalonikis Street 3025 Limassol Cyprus. Tel: 25109116 Email: nektardeli@gmail.com Website: www.nektardeli.com

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Cyprus’ only Fairtrade and RSPO certified soap brand, FOS soap bars are eco-luxury at its best. They offer four products which emphasise the use of pure vegetable butters and eschew non-sustainable sources of ingredients. Available from fos-cy.com and https://www. letsmakecyprusgreen.com/ From €5

Flowering Plants for Hot Gardens is the latest release from Cyprus’ most green-fingered gardener, Patricia Jordan. A guide to flora which will survive and thrive in a Mediterranean climate. Available from the Moufflon Bookshop, Kyriakou Let’s Make Cyprus Green, a non-profit Bookshops, CESSAC, and https:// organisation which promotes the gardenclubofcyprus.com/ €17 use of eco-friendly products, have recently launched their own local brand: EkoNest and individualised bags of five eco-friendly, reusable Make-Up Remover pads. https://www. letsmakecyprusgreen.com/ €10.69 January 9 and 16, in Nicosia, and cost €50 per person. marilena@marilenio. com.cy

Happy Crab Creations’ stuffed animals are all made from recycled fabric.

Haroula Kyriakou and Alexandra Hellicar also handcraft bags, gifts and decorations. Tel: 99 090629 or visit Happy Crab Creations on Facebook

The Collective have taken the stress out of gifting by giving us designated sections: Her, Him, and Home. Vintage clothing and furniture, handmade art, vinyl records and ‘old and cool bits and bobs’. www.thecollectiveconcept.com Cards start at €40

No clue what to get? Leave it up to Evelyn Charalambous at Brown Box. Her curated gifting company will come up with a perfectly personalised gift basket packed with gorgeous goodies. Tel: 99 093428 or visit The Brown Box on Facebook.

From €20

FOR THE KIDS

Unique outdoor pieces from local creatrice Judith Constantinou, a Talabased artist and teacher, and owner of The Studio known island-wide for her stunning garden sculptures.

Tel: 26 652760, The Studio Tala on Facebook. From €85

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FOR THE ECO-WARRIOR

FOR THE GREEN-FINGERED

BUYLOCAL

FOR THE UN-GIFTABLE

Give the kids a book they’ll adore this Christmas, with The Amazing Adventures of the Malekidi Moggies.

Written by Valerie Knight and illustrated in gorgeous technicolour

by Katie Sabry, many of the locations in the book will be very familiar to those who know Cyprus! Available at Moufflon Bookshop, Kyriakou Bookshops, and from 99 571139 and katiecolours@yahoo.com €23

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This is the perfect time of year to elevate your look with a bit of sparkle and shine, says Prudence Wade

All that

glitters

Christmas party make-up means one thing and one thing only: sparkles, and lots of them.

The great thing about glittery make-up is you can tailor it to your personality or how you’re feeling on the night. For one party, you might fancy a low-key shimmer, but the next, you could be looking for sparkly lips, eyes and cheeks – the whole shebang.

Luckily, the autumn/winter catwalk shows were full of disco-inspired make-up, providing plenty of beauty inspiration for the upcoming festive season. Here’s how you can apply glittery make-up that’s both perfectly Christmassy and bang on trend. Either pick an area to emphasise or go all-out and artfully glitter your whole face.

The lips...

If you want the AW19 look, take inspiration from the Ashish fashion show, which accentuated models’ lips with a lot of red sparkles. It’s a bold look, but if you’re used to wearing a red lip, adding glitter is the perfect way to level up, even if it’s just for Christmas Day. If red isn’t your style, ease yourself into the trend with a paler shade that has a subtler shimmer.

The eyes...

Luckily, you don’t need to be a pro make-up artist to nail the glitter trend on your eyes, as the fashion is for fairly indiscriminate sparkles all over your lids.

Many of us are scared of applying red eyeshadow – after all, you don’t want to look like you have a rash – but adding sparkles is the perfect solution. Make like the models in the Rodarte show and pile a festive fire-engine red glitter onto your lids, with no danger of looking like you’ve got a skin condition.

Gold eyeshadow is appropriately festive and can be taken up or down in intensity, depending on your preference. And for those who want the minimalist version of the trend, opt for lighter, pearlier shades, which will still be festive and subtly different from your day-to-day make-up.

The skin...

It’s not just your eyes and lips which can be the star of the show, you can also get in on the shimmery trend by being liberal with highlighter along your cheekbones.

Or, if you want to step it up a notch and really get into the Christmas spirit, you can dot glitter artfully around your face. If you’re going to go all out in sparkles, now is undoubtedly the time of year to do it.

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Wines for

Christmas

No matter what you are serving for Christmas, George Kassianos has you covered Prosecco Bisol 1542, Cartizze Dry, Valdobbiadene, Superiore di Cartizze D.O.C.G., Italy, Abv 11.5% Kick off your celebrations with a glass of Prosecco. The Cartizze Dry has delicate scents of banana, honeysuckle and tropical fruit that lead the nose on this foaming wine.

Delightful for starting early. Phiale, €27

2017 Ekfraseis Madari Hills, Onar, Cabernet Franc, Hill Varietal, Cyprus Abv 14% Var This wine fits perfectly with the beginning of the t meal and matches charcuteries well well. From high altitude vineyards in Cypru prus, this red has violets, spices, herbs and co complex fruit aromas on the nose. Wines & More by French Depot, €18

2 2018 Papagiannakos Winery, K Kalogeri, Malagouzia PGI A Attika, Greece Abv 12.5% Yo need a dry white wine with reasonYou ab able acidity to balance creamy starters or an anything flavoured with herbs. Enough of Sa Sauvignon Blanc, try Malagouzia, the succe cess story of Greece. Vassos Eliades, €18

This Christmas travel with style CAPRISA Nicosia: Ledras Str. 193, Stavrou 71 Limassol: Anexartisias Str 50 Larnaca: Zenon Str. 89, Ermou Str. 35 www.carpisa.it https://www.facebook.com/carpisacyprus/

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2018 Domaine Katsaros Chardonnay PGI Krania, Greece, Abv 14% Oaked Chardonnay is a classic match for roast turkey and Ktima Katsaros produces this rich, thick wine with a complex nose.

It impresses with a smokey mouth feel balanced with a buttery aftertaste. La Maison du Vin, €18

2017 Buena Vista, North Coast, Pinot Noir, California Abv 14% Pinot Noir already has a flavour profile of cranberries, cherries and spice so it’s a must-have on your holiday table. Lower acid acidity balanced with bright flavours and a satisfying finish makes this an enj enjoyable wine. Spectus, €25

20 Aguaribay Malbec Baron 2017 E Edmond de Rothschild, A Argentina Abv 14% You can’t go wrong with Malbec if beef is on the menu. Its bright, ripe fruit profile and silky-smooth texture make the two a perfect pairing. Bottles, €11.80

2017 Kaiken Ultra Malbec Las Rocas, Mendoza, Abv 14.5% Argentina Also great with lamb, this Malbec

from the Chilean giant has a medium ruby colour with aromas of ripe plums, cherries and blackberries complemented by a hint of tobacco. Oenoforos, €20

2011 Rocca Delle Macie Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano DOCG Tuscany, Abv 14% If you have hearty meats, try a bit of Sangiovese; you need something rich, with pronounced acidity and full body to accompany them. Bright ruby red, the nose is ethereal and extraordinarily elegant. La Venotheque, €27

2016 Ayia Mavri Winery, Muscat, P.G.I. Lemesos, Abv 13% Moscato is fruity and floral to fit your desert course. This Cypr us Muscat has a dark gold colour and a sweet, crisp and flavour.

Available from the winery, €24, 50cl

2018 Aix, Côte de Provence, France, Abv 13% On boxing day think rosé, after all rosés are not just for summer. This can be your secret weapon with leftovers, a premium rosé with an attractive peppery and floral Grenache. Photiades Distributors, €19

2016 Zacharias Vineyards, Black Cubed, PGI Peloponnese, Greece, Abv 14.5% A nose of crushed herb, rose petals, forest st floor and red berry aromas immediatelyy d sets this unfiltered Agiorgitiko, Merlot and Mavrodaphne blend apart. Fereos Fourr Point, €17

2010 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza, Reserva, Rioja DOAC, Spain Abv 13.5% A unique wine for the meat course with a s, tightly wound palate, with fresh damsons, d tobacco spice, and vanilla essence: it’s hard d. to believe that this is already nine years old.

Vinologie, €33

At Ditale Studio you will find handcrafted fine jewellery pieces that are characterized by the principles of simplicity, durability and slow fashion.

Ditale Studio: Tel : +357-99-304364 Website: www.ditalestudio.com ebsite: www.ditalestudio.co

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Switch up your Christmas feast

Fancy a break from turkey?

Ella Walker has a few ideas for serving up something a bit different this year It’s a risky business, attempting to edit Christmas.

From who hosts and gets to place the angel on top of the tree (oh, the arguments), to what time it’s acceptable to start opening presents (not before 7am, surely!) and which board games are played, every family has its own rules.

And that’s before you get to the food part of the festive programme. Arguably no other meal is as highly anticipated and rigidly prescribed as Christmas dinner, which means making even the slightest adjustments can lead to all out family hostilities.

So perhaps this year, don’t make slight adjustments that will cause passive aggressive comments over the crackers. Instead, make shocking, unprecedented, wholesale changes that will either make your loved ones go berserk, or will bring them to the realisation that there’s no need to have the same Christmas lunch now as you did in the Eighties.

Breakfast If you usually have: Smoked salmon blinis/ a whole chocolate orange Try: French toast or crumpets There’s something luxurious and sophisticated about smoked salmon blinis at Christmas, but they are fiddly. And a whole chocolate orange? Totally understandable, although you may still feel full of chocolate by the time the Queen’s speech rolls around.

You need something that will just about keep you going until lunch but is quick to snaffle among all the flying wrapping paper. Our vote goes to thick triangles of brioche French toast dusted with cinnamon, and drenched in syrup for a decadent, stillsweet option, or buttered crumpets – they’ll soak up all that Bucks Fizz.

Lunch If you usually have: Roast turkey and all the trimmings Try: Having your actual favourite meal There’s a reason we rarely eat roast turkey other than on December 25 – it’s a colossal effort and re-

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quires more gravy than seems possible. So, if you’d rather avoid the stress of cooking a bird you only encounter once a year, particularly when you’re cooking for every single person you’re related to (which is enough to make anyone want to just order takeout), it is totally fine to give yourself a pass.

Just do three chickens instead. Or a few ducks (with a mountain of red cabbage). What about pheasant?

Alternatively, steer clear of fowl completely (those with dietary requirements will thank you) and go with Chef’s choice. It’s the most special time of the year, right? So serve up the food that means the most to you. It might be platefuls of spaghetti Bolognese with piles of buttery garlic bread; a vegstuffed wellington and chips; a whole salmon, perfectly pink and served alongside a forest of broccoli; or a Chinese banquet, with every type of dim sum and a tangle of sticky ribs to work through.

Why be held hostage by bread sauce and Brussels sprouts? Break free.

Pudding If you usually have: Christmas cake or Christmas pudding Try: A sponge cake – preferably ginger It’s hard to not enjoy setting something alight, especially when it glows blue and everyone around the table squeals giddily, but be honest, how many of us genuinely like eating Christmas pudding? And Christmas cake is good, but once you’ve picked away at the marzipan (the best bit), you’re basically left with a lump of sodden fruit and too-thick icing.

Between the (many) After Eights and Brazil nuts you’ve been picking at throughout the day, anything too rich just isn’t going to cut it either. Which means you need something light, airy and vaguely medicinal, like a ginger cake. Tea on the side, please.

Boxing Day If you usually have: Turkey curry Try: Turkey fajitas Bridget Jones has immortalised the turkey curry buffet, and we have nothing against it – especially if there’s naan involved, and mango chutney, and even more importantly, crisp onion bhajis. In fact, a zingy Thai green turkey curry would change things up at least a little bit, and make you feel virtuous for eating stir-fried veg that hasn’t been doused in goose fat and blitzed in the oven.

However, why not consider Mexican instead? Boxing Day fajitas offer plenty of virtuous veg – onions, peppers and all the guacamole you can physically eat. They are also a clever way to reuse your leftover turkey, as they come with lots of spicy tomato sauce and sour cream, and the carbs in the wraps should help soak up the Christmas Day booze.

Best of all, fajitas are help yourself if you just place all the bits on the table – so no flashbacks to having to carefully divvy up pigs-in-blankets fairly.

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MARKET

PLACE

Shelves are groaning under the weight of special Christmas products

The Christmas spirit comes alive

Cute elves wink mischievously, flames from candles flicker and Christmas lights create a sense of sweet nostalgia. With its magic wand, JYSK can bring the true Christmas spirit to your space. A visit to the international chain’s store at Nicosia Mall will inspire several unique ideas so you can create your own fairy-tale décor.

Create a Christmas atmosphere, starting from the entrance and the exterior area. At JYSK you will find lanterns, candles, carpets, Christmas lights and trees, and a vast selection of decorative items.

As for interior decoration, you will be lost trying for choices. Wonderful tree ornaments, paper pleated hearts in which you can ‘hide’ delicacies and sweets, cute retro decorative cars for a playful, nostalgic mood.

JYSK also offers unique ideas for the Christmas table, including hanging a wreath with battery-operated lights from the ceiling. Also available are unique designs in various ceramic plates, dishes, and glasses, decorative items like tiny trees, balls, pinecones, tablecloths and table-runners.

Festive beverages and desserts at Coffeehouse With the introduction of its new festive Christmas menu, Coffeehouse invites coffee lovers to enjoy the festive spirit!

The Gingerbread Cinnamon Latte is made with gingerbread, caramel, cinnamon and fresh whipped cream.

The handmade Caramel Shortbread dessert is made from three dreamy layers to satisfy all tastes.

The crunchy shortbread and creamy caramel beautifully cut the sweetness of the upper layer of chocolate, making it a very balanced dessert.

But if you’re a fan of croissants, Coffeehouse offers the only Cappuccino Croissant, a unique cappuccino stuffed croissant! What better way to combine your coffee?

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Shimmering gold and glitter, along with fuchsia, green and yellow, combine to create an evening look to stand out from the crowd.

PLACE

To celebrate the most beautiful time of the year, Dior has drawn inspiration from fireworks to create the lively Happy 2020 collection.

MARKET

Welcome 2020 by taking your appearance up a notch

Lights in the Eyes Dedicated to the upcoming festivities, the 5 Couleurs Happy 2020 palette is winter, full of sparkling colours. Recognisable at first glance, since the design reproduces magical fireworks effects, it comes in the choice of two palettes specifically for the festive season.

As the name says so well Party in Colors brings a set of four festive shades for a dynamic look. Celebrate in Gold combines tones of gold with gradations of grey and black, in a game of effects and glitter.

Chivas celebrates with Christmas collection The countdown to Christmas is well underway and Chivas Regal, for yet another festive season, has a range of festive bottles.

Four of the top blends of the Chivas Regal range, the Chivas 12 YO, Chivas XV YO, Chivas XV Gold Bottle and Chivas 18 YO are available this year in special festive packages. The special package includes a 70cl bottle and two glasses with the Chivas Regal logo.

5 Happy Couleurs 2020 Astonishingly simple and incredibly effective, the DiorShow Liquid Mono Happy 2020 series bathes the eyes in a vibrant shade with a thin layer of shine.

The secret? A texture with a wet feel that evaporates, leaving nothing but a trace of colour. Irresistible in a line or block of colour, it adds another dose of shine to the 5 Couleurs Happy 2020 palette.

Other Christmas products include The festive star Silver Flakes; Diorshow Liquid Mono; Diorific Happy 2020; Rouge Dior Collector’s Set; Diorific Vernis

The mildly flavoured Chivas 12 YO is a blend of the finest malt that has matured for at least 12 years, offering flavours of honey, vanilla and ripe apple notes.

Luxurious, unique and festive, the Chivas XV is a whiskey of at least 15 years, with selective finishing in barrels that previously housed brandy, combining tradition and innovation.

Find a new favourite this Christmas

The rich blend of Chivas Regal 18 YO has aromas of vanilla, oranges, dried fruits as well as almonds and cinnamon. Experts say they can detect up to 85 different flavors in each drop.

This year Costa Coffee brings four Christmas flavours that are easy to love: Irish Style Latte, Gingerbread Latte, Hazelnut Praline Hot Chocolate and Black Forest Hot Chocolate.

For each of the four drinks bought by January 6, 30 cents will be donated to the One Dream One Wish organisation.

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Dream Toys is the highly anticipated ‘top toy’ list produced in the UK that helps parents work out what their kids might want most for Christmas – and snap them up before they sell out

The 12 toys of Christmas 1. Mattel Barbie Dreamplane Playset What is it? It’s Barbie’s private jet, of course.

Push it on its wheels, open it up, recline the seats and play away. Comes with lots of bits and pieces (including a plastic puppy), but no Barbie dolls.

2. Skyrocket Blume Dolls What is it? The Blume doll comes in a sealed plant pot. You water the top of the pot and her hair, which is made of compressed foam, expands so she pops out. It’s got the surprise element and the hair also comes off and is interchangeable.

3. Jakks Pacific Frozen 2 Into the Unknown Elsa Doll What is it? This is a new Elsa doll, from the movie Frozen 2. She has giant eyes, hair you can brush and if you press a button, she says things and sings songs.

4. LEGO Harry Potter Knight Bus What is it? 403 LEGO pieces make up the purple Harry Potter Knight Bus aimed at ages 8 and over. There’s a hinged side panel, removable roof and three mini figures - Harry Potter, Stan Shunpike and Ernie Prang.

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5. MGA Entertainment LOL Surprise! 2-in-1 Glamper What is it? This is the big LOL toy for Christmas – a pink campervan which comes with 55 surprises inside, and working lights and sounds.

The surprises are all bagged up and hidden in different areas of the Glamper. It also comes with one LOL doll.

6. Hasbro Nerf Elite Fortnite SP-L What is it? This is a new Nerf blaster, which replicates the look and colours of the ones used in the video game Fortnite. It comes with six Nerf darts and a removable barrel attachment. The darts can fire out, reaching around 30 feet.

7. Spin Master Toys Owleez What is it? This is an interactive owl, which comes in two colours – pink and white. You need to pet and love them and teach them how to fly by swooping them around. On the first attempt, they might be too scared or not ready, but once they are, their head lifts up and they fly through the air.

8. Mattel Toy Story 4 True Talkers What is it? Plastic Toy Story dolls – Buzz, Woody, Forky, Jessie, Rex and Bo Beep, each with 15 sounds and phrases.

9. Spin Master Toys PAW Patrol Mighty Pups Super PAWs Mighty Jet Command Centre What is it? A two-in-one vehicle, which can switch from being a jet into a mobile command centre. There’s room for the Mighty Pups and the Deluxe Mighty Vehicle to fit inside, but these are sold separately.

10. Character Options Peppa Pig Peppa’s Stage Playset What is it? A stage for Peppa and her friends to perform on. There are interchangeable backgrounds, seats for characters to watch, Peppa and George, sound effects and cardboard cutouts.

11. Tomy Rizmo What is it? This is the latest interactive toy, which starts life as a furball baby. All you can see are two lights amid its fur. But if you play with it, and continue to play and sing to it, Rizmo will start growing tufts and ears and will soon be singing along or back at you.

12. Flair Leisure Products Ryan’s World Super Surprise Safe What is it? Use the key to unlock the safe and discover more than 30 surprises. There are three different layers to open up – the first one has tabs you can just push your fingers through, the second one you smash up with a plastic hammer you’ve already opened, and the last one uses clues to help kids discover what’s inside.

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