The sun was shining brightly and we were all in fresh summer clothes. Christmas couldn’t have been further from our minds that day in July but as the lift doors of The Westbury Hotel opened, each guest was immediately ensconced in a fabulous winter grotto-like atmosphere.
BritMums, along with a group of BritMums bloggers, got in the holiday mood early at the Tesco Christmas 2013 press show in July.
The spicy smells of Christmas in the air, the traditional colours on display and an attention to detail took our breath away.
So what caught our bloggers’ attention?
Many were impressed with the fabulous DIY and the make-do-and-mend selections this year. We loved the make-your-own Croque en bouche and the set of “make your own chocolate truffles” presented in a beautiful box which can be used after to wrap and gift.
Bloggers were impressed with the price tags on the products on offer. Christmas is already an expensive time of year but we found ways to decorate, fill fridges and give presents to family without the need of an extra mortgage. Take this wooden wendy house, which is beautifully painted on the outside and comes with furniture too, for £20.
We loved the vintage angle running through the collection, from the Roberts Radio-style tin with chocolates inside to the Beano flask that will make many people reminisce their favourite comic character.
There was a similar retro feel to the tree and house decorations this year. Many bloggers loved the birds theme: birdcages to hang on the tree; a fabulous birdcage card holder and a quirky red robin table centerpiece and candle holder.
Let’s move on to food for this yuletide. Here’s Jen impressed with the restaurant-sized black pepper grinder in the food gifting section.
Hams, turkeys, salmon and lobster are plentiful. This huge Italian proscuitto which comes with stand, apron and knife for only £75, caught my eye and took me back to my Italian days.
Last year Tesco’s Panettone was award winning, so this year they’ve made it extra special with a coating of chocolate and orange and a dash of Grand Marnier too. For the children, these Santa and Reindeer cupcakes can be assembled onto one plate for a eye-catching display. Keep an eye out for the petit fours…
There will be no shortage of chocolate this year in every shape and size, including turkey shaped!
I hung around the cheese selection far too long for my waistline’s liking but look why: a Brie with a layer of truffle running through it – how indulgent! Also appealing: a stacked cheeseboard and a Camembert to bake with its own fruit topping to be spooned out once ready from the box.
And when you think you’re going to burst, sit down on your sofa with some comfy cushions, silver lighting in the home as the chilly dark closes in and play a traditional family game together.
To find even more Christmas ideas from Tesco Christmas 2013, read our bloggers reviews:
About Marianne Weekes
BLOGS AT: Mari's World; TWITTER: @maris_world. Mother of four and nana to three, Marianne Weekes has spent half her life in the UK and the other half in Italy. Blogging since Jan 2010, she finds it hard to drag herself away from her laptop and writes about food, travel and lifestyle. Always on the lookout for the next thing which takes her down many surprising lanes.