July is a fun time as a “mummy” blogger, obviously there is the mad rush to get as much work done and scheduled before the school holidays start, but the great thing about July is Christmas In July events. Every July loads of fab brands hold press shows to demo their latest products and what they think customers will want to buy for Christmas. For a blogger who can write and publish a post the same day it seems a little crazy to be thinking that far ahead, but print magazines don’t have the luxury of such a fast turn around.
Last year I went to some amazing shows. I loved eating my way around the winter wonderlands created by the Supermarkets and I’m still coveting some of the products I saw at some of the other shows. Of course I’ve also since bought a number of the items I saw too. This year I had limited childcare and other commitments so I only made it to one show, but The Christmas In July Festival was a big one.
Last year I went to some amazing shows. I loved eating my way around the winter wonderlands created by the Supermarkets and I’m still coveting some of the products I saw at some of the other shows. Of course I’ve also since bought a number of the items I saw too. This year I had limited childcare and other commitments so I only made it to one show, but The Christmas In July Festival was a big one.
I love going to press shows because I enjoy finding new products as well as hearing more about the companies. I only want to recommend things that I genuinely love and I think others will to and the shows are a great way to find these items. I have a long list of recommendations of great Christmas buys, but I will leave it until summer is over before I start sharing these.
Of course another great thing about the show is many brands will gift products. These range from items costing a few pence up to a significant amount. When I get home I go through what I want to keep and what really isn’t for my family. The second group are given to friends, charity or given away on my blog so they should go to someone who appreciates them.
I am giving away one of the gifts I received at the Christmas In July Festival below. The Marzipan chocolates from Niedereggar look beautiful, but I can’t enjoy them because they have dairy in and G hates marzipan with a passion. There are only two foods he hates, one is marzipan and the other Tomato Ketchup. It seems a shame to give posh chocolates to a 5 year old and I’m sure one of you will appreciate them more.
Niederegger opened their first store in the German town of Lubeck in 1806. They aimed to use as many almonds as possible and as little sugar as possible making them a popular and luxury brand. 2017 sees them have their largest festive range so far and stockists include: John Lewis, Lakeland, ChocolatesDirect.co.uk, Selfridges, Tesco, Waitrose and Ocado.
You can win a Classic Dark Bar, a Classic Milk Bar and a 100g box of Double Loaves (Praline with Chocolate Marzipan Filling in Bittersweet Chocolate), just enter through the Rafflecopter widget below. Giveaway open to UK only and closes midnight on Sunday 30th July (all other T&C’s are available via the widget).
***Disclosure: Thank you to Niedereggar for gifting the marzipan.***
Not yet anyway, but now you've mentioned it, I'll start bearing it in mind.
ReplyDeleteif theres a bargain, I grab it all year long
ReplyDeleteNot until at least November!
ReplyDeletedecember
ReplyDeleteI normally start about November
ReplyDeleteNovember
ReplyDelete2nd week in December
ReplyDeleteI usually start about the first week in November.
ReplyDeleteI've already started, it's never too early!
ReplyDeleteJanuary in the sales and then anytime throughout the year when I see something nice
ReplyDeleteI usually start getting a few bits in September but most of it I leave until I get my annual bonus in December.
ReplyDeleteI buy bits and pieces throughout the year then start last week of November as we have a very large family
ReplyDeleteI don't start until december.
ReplyDeleteBeginning of December.
ReplyDeleteWhen I start spotting things people I know I'm buying for will like.
ReplyDeleteProbably about September I start thinking about it
ReplyDeleteweek before I am organised, I find it easy
ReplyDeleteJanuary
ReplyDeleteI normally start in December
ReplyDeleteAbout 1st December - although I have in mind the presents I want to buy
ReplyDeleteWe start thinking about it in October, and start end of October or early November. Always get cards and wrapping paper in January though!
ReplyDeleteOctober, after we have the last birthday in our family.
ReplyDeleteBeginning of December is when I start my Christmas shopping.
ReplyDeleteabut 2 weeks before Xmas day itself
ReplyDeleteI usually start after the usmmer holidays!
ReplyDeleteMargaret Clarkson
ReplyDeleteusually in October
Try to make a start in November - but do put bits and pieces away all year x
ReplyDeleteAugust - I like to spread the cost!
ReplyDeletelast minute in december
ReplyDeletei actually do bits all year, sales and offers, then the rest in december :)
ReplyDeletein the new year sales if i see anything people will like
ReplyDeleteI can't even bring myself to go there. Sorry
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I've never had a set time. Sometimes I leave it very late...but mostly I pick the odd thing up as I see it (with returns in mind ofcourse)
ReplyDeleteUsually around Black Friday nowadays.
ReplyDeletenovember
ReplyDeleteUsually in about September
ReplyDeleteAll year round really, especially if I see a bargain
ReplyDeleteUsually I start my Christmas shopping in November.
ReplyDeleteSoon as I see things I know people will like could be straight after Christmas but always started by October
ReplyDeleteI DO NOT THINK I STOP
ReplyDeleteI already have some presents for Christmas 2018...
ReplyDeleteUsually in September
ReplyDeleteI start looking out for deals and ideas from September
ReplyDeleteOctober and usually wrap start of Dec
ReplyDeleteRight through the year if I see something which would make an ideal present
ReplyDeleteI usually start towards the end of November unless I see something by chance before then
ReplyDeleteAround October
ReplyDeleteI do it all year round with 4 kids to buy for.
ReplyDeleteIm normally a last minute shopper but thus year hoping to start early november and have it done before december fingers crossed
ReplyDeleteEr, December!
ReplyDeleteI start thinking about it in October & probably usually start buying in November
ReplyDeleteI like to be prepared and organised. I also love a bargain! So I start my Christmas shopping in the January sales!
ReplyDeleteChristmas eve when I've had too much to drink.
ReplyDeleteNovember
ReplyDeleteI do it all year round to be honest, with a large chunk sorted in the January/February sales!
ReplyDeleteWe usually start at the end of November xx
ReplyDeleteOctober-time although I did pick something up the other day for someone I find difficult to buy for
ReplyDeleteIn September
ReplyDeleteAll year round if I see any bargains I think someone might like
ReplyDeleteOh the bulk is usually November
ReplyDeleteBoxing day the year before
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I see a good offer, already bought a few smellies
ReplyDeleteUsually in november
ReplyDeleteUsually in November although I still end up running round on Christmas eve
ReplyDeleteall year long, i normally start in the January sales and put things by all year long when i pick up a bargain somewhere
ReplyDeleteUsually in November, but I do try to get a few bits and bobs after Christmas in the sales e.g. Christmas cards etc
ReplyDeleteDecember usually
ReplyDeleteChristmas Eve!
ReplyDeletei usually start in November
ReplyDeleteI usually start in the end of summer sales. I have one gift so far.
ReplyDeleteAny time from now really !
ReplyDeleteUsually mid December!
ReplyDeleteI have been known to start my Christmas shopping for the following year before Christmas has actually been! I don't start at a specific time - it's just when I see things. I do love a bargain :)
ReplyDeleteUsually in November
ReplyDeleteAll year round. If I see something that I think would make a good present I buy it and put in box in the attic. Early December I will start deciding who should get each present and then if I need more presents I will go 'Christmas' Shopping
ReplyDeleteI've been shopping all through the year picking up bargains in sales or when I have a bit of extra and putting them away for christmas
ReplyDeleteNovember usually :)
ReplyDeleteUsually start in November by adding a couple of non-perishable Christmas food items in with our weekly shops.
ReplyDeleteJanuary
ReplyDeleteI start thinking about it in November and get going at the beginning of December. Don't have that many people to buy for though!
ReplyDeleteAround October time, if i am being prepared that year!
ReplyDeleteUsually late November/early December
ReplyDeleteI am on the look out for bargains to put away all year round
ReplyDeleteUsually in September/October time, also try to find bargains on Black Friday sales x
ReplyDeleteUsually not until October or November.
ReplyDeleteWe start at the end of November, and buy our daughter's birthday presents at the same time
ReplyDeletenormally in November
ReplyDeleteJanuary then a few bits every month to spread the cost :)
ReplyDeleteI start mine in the January sales! I have to or we can't possibly afford what all the kids want lol
ReplyDeleteWhenever if I see bits through the year, but more intensively in October
ReplyDeleteAbout 7 days before the 25th Dec. I always know by then what I'm going to buy and you can get great bargains.
ReplyDeleteDecember. Every year I promise myself I will start much earlier but I never seem to get round to it
ReplyDeleteIn the January sales!
ReplyDeleteStraight after Christmas I'm always on the look out throughout the year!
ReplyDeleteAround Oct normally
ReplyDeleteI start in the sales in January and then buy things that i think family and friends would like during the year when i see them as it really helps with the household budget.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, we have birthdays to get through first.
ReplyDeleteI start looking after the summer holidays
ReplyDeletealready started always start july Aug getting odd bits
ReplyDeleteI start when the kids go back to school in September x
ReplyDeleteSeptember 👌
ReplyDeletenovember
ReplyDeleteOnce the kids go back to school after the Summer hols.
ReplyDeleteJanuary sales!
ReplyDeleteseptember x
ReplyDeleteI've already started!
ReplyDeleteI already started last month, it's easier if I start early!
ReplyDeleteUsually start mid-August, but start looking for "stocking fillers" when the car boot sales start, especially for Mylah who was just 1 in June.
ReplyDeleteI buy presents throughout the year.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the year. I already have a few lined up
ReplyDeleteNot yet haha! In October or thereabouts!
ReplyDelete