A Very Yummy Christmas

At the TTR Christmas party we gorged on loads of lovely, yummy food and drink. Here are our recommendations for a very yummy Christmas…

Sharpham Park Christmas Pudding
£12
‘Mmmmmm Christmas pudding.’ ‘Nomnomnomnom it’s from the Mulberry people you know?’ ‘Scoffscoffscoff like the handbags?’ ‘Yup *stuffs another mouthful in*’ ‘mmmnomnom it’s as tasty as handbags.’ Sharpham Park specialises in spelt products, very good for you non-gluten eaters out there. But there’s no loss of taste and luxurious…ness in this beautiful pud which will have pride of place on the Christmas table at TTR HQ this year. It has Guinness in it by the way. Daddy likes this fact.

Sainsburys Taste The Difference Mince Pies
£1.99 for 6
‘You know these were voted the best mince pies in the News of the World?’: The statement was heard several times through the evening. In fairness, Eva’s Mummy does the PR for Sezbos’s mincies and spent much of the eve selling their slightly different pastries in base and crust, imported spices and uber-science picked ingredients. The NotW was a big score for her, bless. But we all really did like her pies. They were scoffed down quicker than Tesco ones and Mummy declared that ‘the two different pastries really DOES make a difference!’

Respect Organics Carrot Cake
£2.09
News flash: Carrot cake is everybody’s favourite. According to a quick straw poll of TTR parents. Beetroot cake is not in the least Luke’s Daddy’s favourite for the record, as evidenced by his near throwing up on Mummy’s kitchen floor in disgust on eating one. This gorgeous, orangey carrot cake makes a yummy Boxing day snack when you can’t face more pudding or for Mummy who doesn’t really like Chrimble cake. Dairy free, Respect Organic cakes are excellent for lactose intolerant kids like Cousin Olivia.

Moser Roth Chocolate Box
£2.99
These look and taste much, much more expensive than they are (which is why we scoffed down the lot - they won’t cost to replace you see). Shove em in a gift bag with a bottle of champers and bob’s yer uncle you’ve got a great gift for…well Bob, your Uncle.

Swizzles Big Bag
£4.30
Mummy: ‘Parma violets! YES!’ Somebody very thoughtfully bought a Big Bag to our party. Cue parents being handed sticky lollipop sticks from random children for several hours. And believe it or not, so big is the Big Bag that there was plenty of Double Dips left for worse for wear grown ups after the kids went to bed.

Apples (using the Apple Slinky of course!)
£19.99 (plus apples!)
The evening began with some banter regarding the very vintage packaging of the Apple Slinky (it looked somehow appropriate for the Retro Apres Ski theme) continuing on in to appraisal of its appeal as ‘kitchenalia’. But the kids don’t care - they want snacks in springy shapes! Exactly what this gadget creates, to ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’. Looks good in the kitchen, makes boring old apples fun. We likey.

Rude Health Top Banana Porridge
£3.99
Normally after a hard night’s partying the TTR crew break out the egg pan and toast up a storm. But this weekend we broke with tradition by serving up hearty bowls of rustic, chunky porridge flavoured with banana and hazelnut from Rude Health. The verdict? Delicious! Kids and adults loved it, a rare triumph as Mummy finds herself with a simple breakfast order.

Yazoo Milkshakes
£1.09 for 4
Mummy: ‘who wants a milkshake?’ Kids: ‘MEEEEEEEEEEE!’ Ted: ‘milk. MilkMilkMilk.’ Hit drink of the party these little bottles of milkshake in banana, strawberry and chocolate each come with their own little straw, making them easy to drink for all ages and saving on washing up for the Mummies and Daddies the next morning. And Yazoo’s milkshakes meet strict standards for use in schools - so we’re happy that they’re not horribly unhealthy either. Even Lillie, who doesn’t like milk or milkshakes, likes these - win!

Bottlegreen Party
£2.24
Eva: ‘We want apple juice’ Lillie: ‘yes, we want apple juice’ Mummy: ‘we’ve run out of apple juice’. Luckily, a tantrum is narrowly averted thanks to a stash of Bottlegreen Party - a yummy sparkling apple and elderflower drink which was sucked down by Lil (although, in fairness, still refused by Eva who was set on the jus d’apple). Mummy likes it too, making it a rare drink-for-everyone.

Organic Meltdown Chocolate Bars
£1.99
When the kids have gone to bed the Mummies and Daddies tuck in to chocolate…and plenty of it. And being very eco-conscious parents we’re chomping on Organic Meltdown choccie bars which actually save trees! No really – each wrapper features a unique number which corresponds to a tree in the Ecuadorian forest. Which is why this is our top choccie gift for Christmas, not only do the lucky receivers get to eat choc but they can locate ‘their’ tree online with the code (which Grandads will love).

Oatly Chocolate Milk
£1.95
The world waited with bated breath as milk connoisseur Ted took his first sip of Oatly chocolate milk. See, it’s not moo milk. If anyone would be offended, it would be Ted. But he loved it. So did Daddy, also a big milk fan. Daddy was impressed that it was not ‘bitty like soya milk’ and thinks he ‘would like it heated up because it’ll be like machine hot chocolate. I like machine hot chocolate.’

Vue Monsigny Champagne
£9.99
The Mummies like ‘fizzy wine’ in its many forms. In fact they often choose Prosecco and Cava for their shindigs (or gossip sessions). This champers is surprisingly good considering the price and we agree that it’s perfect for parties or weddings or to give to those for whom ’sparkling wine’ equals ‘cheap and nasty’. We’d still choose a good Prosecco for our own private use but this is excellent for special occasions when money is tight.

And on the table…

Flowers by Aldi
from £9.99 including delivery
Daddy: ’supermarket flowers are really good actually’. He promises this isn’t an excuse to be cheap and Mummy believes him because, actually it’s true. Aldi’s new flower range is incredibly affordable, in true Aldi style, and looks as good as pricier posies from the likes of M&S. Their Seasons Greetings bouquet would undoubtedly be well received by the older rellie you won’t be seeing over the festive season while the Festive Rose and Lily bouquet is beautiful for mothers of children bearing the same names. You know, just in case anyone wants to send them some flowers or anything…