CHRISTMAS 2023 by YHC Group Ltd

festivefinds

‘tis the season for giving, Kathy Carter gets us one step ahead this Christmas with our Christmas Gift Guide!

We all know that Christmas is just around the corner. It makes sense to start shopping now, to spread the cost, and make sure we are well prepared for the main event!

The tradition of giving gifts at Christmas has evolved over centuries. A symbol of love and celebration, the roots of which can be traced back to various historical and cultural influences. Many ancient cultures exchanged gifts as part of the winter solstice celebrations; the Roman festival of Saturnalia, celebrated in late December, involved the exchange of small tokens of appreciation. Similarly, the Norse tradition of Yule, observed around the same time, included giving gifts to celebrate the return of the sun. In medieval Europe, the Feast of St. Nicholas on December 6th was marked by gift-giving. St. Nicholas, the famous Christian bishop known for his generosity, became the patron saint of children. Over time, his legacy merged with various folklore and traditions to give rise to the modern Santa Claus. Meanwhile, the biblical story of the Three Wise Men, who presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus, played a pivotal role in associating gift-giving with Christmas.

A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS

Moving to more recent times, the Victorian era in the 19th century saw the popularisation of many Christmas traditions, including gift-giving. Charles Dickens’ book ‘A Christmas Carol’, published in 1843, emphasised the importance of generosity and goodwill during the Christmas season. This novel had a profound impact on how Christmas was celebrated, promoting the idea of giving to those less fortunate. The rise of commercialism in the 19th and 20th centuries has also played a significant role in the expansion of Christmas gift-giving. Retailers began

marketing Christmas as a time for gift exchange, leading to the modern, sometimes extravagant emphasis on buying and giving gifts. Has it gone too far? Or have we now ridden that crest of a wave, and are now being more conscious of the world’s resources, and also the need to count the pennies as the cost-of-living crisis continues?

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Christmas customs and practices do vary from country to country. Yuletide gifting continues to evolve, to reflect the cultural, historical, and religious influences of each region. In America for example, Christmas gifts are often

placed under the Christmas tree and exchanged on Christmas morning, Santa Claus being a central figure in the tradition. Here in the UK, we also recognise Boxing Day on December 26th – in itself an interesting piece of historical lore. In essence, Boxing Day extends the festive spirit beyond Christmas Day, and is rooted in Christian traditions – although there are several theories about the origins of the name itself. One of the leading theories suggests that the name ‘Boxing Day’ may have evolved from the practice of churches opening their alms boxes (donation boxes) on the day after Christmas, to distribute the contents to the less fortunate. Another theory points to the custom of wealthy employers in the 17th and 18th centuries giving their servants the day off after Christmas, along with a Christmas box containing gifts, money, or leftover food from the holiday feast; a gesture of appreciation and goodwill toward those who served in households. For many of us, it is a time to rest and relax and enjoy our gifts, together with the Christmas dinner leftovers!

In Germany, festive gifts are often exchanged on Christmas Eve, and St. Nicholas (or Nikolaus), again plays a role in the festivities. In Spain, tradition says that gifts are exchanged on January 6th during the celebration of Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day. In Japan, Christmas gift-giving is more focused on romantic relationships, with couples often exchanging presents based on our more consumerdriven, Western traditions. Meanwhile, in Scandinavian countries,

there is the tradition of the ‘Yule Goat’, an invisible spirit that would appear before Christmas to make sure that the holiday preparations and gifting were done correctly; the goat is sometimes seen in place of, or alongside Santa, or ‘Jultomten’.

WILD FOX DISTILLERY

Something brand new for under the Christmas tree this year, farm-to-bottle distillery, Wild Fox, welcomes its newest expression; Mane Event five star gin. Whatever your equestrian sport, this decadent new spirit is sure to get you galloping with bright ruby grapefruit and strong herbaceous zings from rosemary, basil & mint. Gift wrapped and posted at no extra charge, from Wild Fox Distillery. www.wildfoxdistillery.co.uk

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THE ART OF GIFTING AT CHRISTMAS

If you are looking for gifting inspiration, here are our top tips for letting your loved-ones know you care:

CHILDREN

The first rule for youngsters is to pick age and interest-appropriate gifts. (If you’re buying for friends’ children or grandchildren, it’s always worth checking with the parents what the child may like, if you haven’t seen them for a while). Toddlers might appreciate soft toys, building blocks, or colourful board books, while older kids might enjoy action figures or STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) kits, that encourage learning through play. Personalisation is always nice at Christmas, like gifting a custom storybook with the child’s name for an extra touch of thoughtfulness. Consider their interests too, as themed gifts, such as team merchandise, can resonate deeply. Meanwhile, experience gifts such as

tickets for an attraction or show will help create lasting memories.

MEN

Selecting the right gift for men can be a challenge! But, without being too stereotypical, successful gifting for the man in your life is typically about blending thoughtfulness with practicality. Lots of men for example appreciate tech gadgets, from smartwatches and headphones to gaming consoles or quality power tools, if they enjoy DIY or ‘making’. Subscriptions for audio books, TV streaming services or magazines may also be appreciated. Again, interest-based gifting is always thoughtful –new equipment for a cookery or sporting hobby, an addition to their music collection, or tickets to see their favourite artist, will all show thought and care. There’s also a wide range of skin, hair and beard grooming collections available, as well as vouchers for experiences or classes; or even self-care treats like sports massages, which many men wouldn’t think of getting for themselves.

GREAT REASONS TO SHOP THIS CHRISTMAS

WOMEN

Most women appreciate the personal touch, and an understanding of their tastes and preferences. Timeless jewellery pieces are often appreciated, especially with personalisation such as the giftee’s initials, a birthstone or an engraving with a phrase or date. Accessories are thoughtful gifts (maybe read our autumn fashion feature, to see if the woman in your life has a curated, capsule wardrobe, so you can match her style!) Elegant handbags, belts and scarves make for classic choices. Many women welcome the chance of some pampering, such as receiving a favourite skincare set, or a voucher for a spa day or retreat. Or if the women you are buying for is an avid reader, author-signed book copies or first editions and rarities make thoughtful presents. Personalised photo albums or custom artwork, for example based on a treasured family photo or a beloved pet, also add a sentimental touch. Meanwhile, artisanal gifts such as handcrafted chocolates or

candles in a favourite scent also show great thought for the woman you love.

PETS

Our four-legged companions deserve some holiday cheer too! Of course there’s a wide range of toys and treats to choose from, from squeaky balls and interactive toys to gourmet pet snacks. Or maybe you will wrap up some luxury bedding, such as an orthopaedic bed or heated pad for a cat or dog? There’s also a wide array of fun accessories, from personalised pet collars and bandanas, to fur-lined headcollars for horses, which will make your pet feel part of the family this season. Gifting a tin of stout such as Guinness to your horse could also be a nice Christmas treat. It’s an Irish tradition for racehorses, as stout contains biotin, folic acid, thiamin, niacin and riboflavin, vitamin B6 & B12, and can be a good tonic. (Don’t worry - your horse’s liver is able to process alcohol very quickly!)

Whomever you’re buying for this season, keep it thoughtful and personal, within your own budget, and wrap it with love; and your giftee will undoubtedly be delighted!

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The Goodbye Flys Equi Zen Box is a portable, non-electric box that features a changeable ‘Zen Bar’ inside. The box can be situated in a range of environments, such as your horse’s stable or in the lorry, to help calm your horse and keep them relaxed.

Also included in the Starter Pack is a handy face applicator and calming liquid, that can be applied around your horse’s nostrils to aid with calming.

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EVERY DAY IS A GIFT

It’s the way their whole body dances when they wag their tail. That funny face they pull when asking to play. The warm spot they leave in the sofa after sleeping with their favourite toy. It’s all the little things your dog does that make each day a gift to cherish.

That’s why you feed Celtic Connection Holistic Pet Food. Because Celtic Connection provides the natural meat-based nutrition and functional herbs your dog needs to stay happy and strong, plus glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM to keep them active.

So you can continue to enjoy the gift of your dog, for many years to come.

Grain and Gluten-free · Hypoallergenic · 100% Human-Grade Quality (HGQ) Ingredients · Unique Patented ‘Single Source Protein Philosophy’ · Includes both Fresh and Dehydrated Meat · With therapeutic amounts of functional herbs · Added glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM for comfortable joints · Gently steamed kibble · Veterinarian Recommended · Ideal for dogs with skin or digestion issues · Formulated for all Life Stages · Carrageenan-free tinned recipes PET FOOD MADE FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEIR DOG