Category Archives: Christmas

What Happens When Your Christmas Gifts are Left Alone at Night?

Posted on 2013-11-27 by tikichris

Ever wonder what sort of magic takes place this time of year when the shutters are closed and the lights turned off at a major department store? See what happens when Christmas gifts are left alone at night in this fun little clip from BHS featuring some very clever slow motion animation. The video is only about a minute and a half long but is chocked full of all sorts of great gifts available at BHS Continue reading →

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Reminder: Win Seasonal Pasta Christmas Hamper from Carluccio’s Today! #BuonNataleUK

Posted on 2013-11-27 by tikichris

Okay. So I’m just back from a rather epic week-long foodie ramble across the north of Italy. Yes, I had an amazing time. Soon enough, I’ll be writing about all the delectable highlights I experienced and sharing some top tips learned along the way. Keep an eye out for plenty more posts about my trip. Until then though, if you have a craving for some cibo Italiano but can’t getaway before the festive seasonal, don’t forget to enter my latest competition for a pasta hamper from Carluccio’s. Continue reading →

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How to Have a Merry Christmas in Mexico City (CheapOair)

Posted on 2013-11-26 by tikichris

Visiting Mexico City in December? From Catholic traditions with an Aztec edge to ice skating in one of the world’s most historic plazas and even catching a live NBA match, you’re guaranteed a feliz Navidad. Here are just a few … Continue reading →

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Enjoy a Swedish Christmas Plate at Fika, Brick Lane

Posted on 2013-11-17 by tikichris

It had been a few years since my last visit to Fika Bar & Restaurant before my dinner there last week. The cosy little Scandi eatery at the top of Brick Lane seems to be as popular with the hipster set and as Swedish as it ever was. Never been to Fika or, like me, haven’t been in quite some time? With Xmas on the way and a special Jutallrik menu to celebrate the festive season, now’s a topical time to visit. Continue reading →

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Christmas Menu at Bedford & Strand

Posted on 2013-11-16 by tikichris

A recent opportunity to sit in on a tasting of Bedford & Strand’s Christmas 2013 menu also served as a chance to sample the creations of new Head Chef Joseph Dean. Thumbs up to Dean for taking the same-old-same-old standards and adding just a touch enough pizzazz to enliven what otherwise might have come across and yawn-worthy stodge. Continue reading →

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Win a Seasonal Pasta Christmas Hamper from Carluccio’s

Posted on 2013-11-15 by tikichris

Carluccio’s is a fantastic one stop resource when Christmas shopping for the foodies in your life, whether you’re browsing for authentic Italian foods in-store or shopping online for the best of Italy brought straight to your door, with a new next-day delivery service. Treating friends, family and colleagues to Carluccio’s selection of hampers, gift boxes, cakes, biscuits, sweets and chocolates is an excellent way to ensure the people most important to you have a deliciously buon Natale this year. To find out more about all the yummy festivities happening this Christmas at Carluccio’s plus the chance to win one especially scrumptious Christmas hamper for free, just keep reading! Continue reading →

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Deck the Halls with Post-it Index This Christmas

Posted on 2013-11-12 by tikichris

Hoping to avoid a fa-la-la-la-fail this Christmas? Post-it Index is an excellent and versatile resource to help you stay organised and on top of your game over the festive season. Continue reading →

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Festive Season Ideas for Coffee Gifts and Entertaining (Espresso Crazy)

Posted on 2013-11-08 by tikichris

The festive season will be here before we know it. And if you’re like me, coffee is going to play an even more important part of life than usual over the coming weeks. Whether downing a much needed boost of caffeine during an exhausting round of shopping, capping off a fantastically filling roast dinner with a shot of espresso or leisurely sipping a moreish mocha while admiring twinkling lights on a Christmas tree, coffee is going to help me cope with my hectic schedule, celebrate the important moments with my family and friends, and relax as the final days of the year wind down. Continue reading →

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Win a Selection of Christmas Chocolates from Hotel Chocolat

Posted on 2013-11-08 by tikichris

Love chocolate? Check out the recently launched 2013 range of Christmas chocolates from luxury British chocolatier and cocoa grower Hotel Chocolat. From gorgeous stocking fillers and stunning boxed chocolates to full-on family hampers, there’s something for everyone with something for all gift giving budgets. And for one lucky reader of this blog, there’s a chance to win free chocolate. Continue reading →

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Win a Digital Meat Thermometer Worth up to £61

Posted on 2013-11-01 by tikichris

Want to cook your roast dinners with more confidence and be able to know you’re serving them at just the right time and temperature? Keep reading for your chance to win a digital meat thermometer from Digital-Meters.com. Continue reading →

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Win a Free Christmas Hamper Worth up to £200 from Hampergifts.co.uk

Posted on 2013-10-26 by tikichris

Tis the season or – at least – tis gonna be here soon! Are you ready for Christmas 2013? Here’s an opportunity to spread a little Christmas cheer and treat yourself to a bit of Yuletide yumminess or share a lovely gift with someone special. I’ve teamed up with Hampergifts.co.uk to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a Christmas hamper worth up to £200 in value. The competition runs this week only. Best of luck with the comp and with all your festive season shopping! Continue reading →

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Win a £100 Argos Gift Voucher

Posted on 2013-10-18 by tikichris

Here’s a nifty competition I’ve got lined up to give one lucky reader an Argos gift voucher worth £100. Get ahead of the Christmas gift shopping rush, treat yourself to something special or simply stock up on the essentials – however you like to Argos it, this fantastic chance to do it absolutely for free is just an easy click away. Keep reading to find out how to win. Continue reading →

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Give Thanks for a Great November in Houston! (CheapOair)

Posted on 2013-10-16 by tikichris

Planning a visit to Houston next month? Here’s a list of some of the more interesting events coming up on the Houstonian calendar to help you celebrate Thanksgiving in style and get ready for the run up to Christmas and New Years.
Continue reading →

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Good Stuff

Posted on 2013-08-03 by tikichris

Here’s a quick little list of good stuff I’ve recently come across and thought was worth sharing with you. Enjoy! Continue reading →

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2013 Resolutions

Posted on 2013-01-01 by tikichris

This year I’m going to make considerably more money, crush any competitor who stands in my way and come out on top. Resolute! I’m also thinking 2013 might finally be the year I break down and buy that gorilla suit … Continue reading →

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Best Ice Skating Rinks in London (CheapOair)

Posted on 2012-12-26 by tikichris

There are lots of great opportunities in London to glide right through this holiday season and well into the New Year. Here’s a list of the best rinks in town. Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.

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London Daily Photo: Silent Night

Posted on 2012-12-25 by tikichris
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Celebrating Christmas in Northern Ireland (CheapOair)

Posted on 2012-12-20 by tikichris

‘Tis the season to be jolly! Here are a few excellent ways to get in the holiday spirit around Northern Ireland during Christmas time this year. Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog. Photo/trevphotos

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Ice Skating at the Natural History Museum #SpreadTheCheer

Posted on 2012-12-18 by tikichris

The folks from Starbucks kindly invited my “family” to a complimentary 50 minutes of skating at the Ice Rink at the Natural History Museum. Kemey and I had a blast (Winston, our cat and only other member of this family, … Continue reading →

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I’ve got a £20 Groupon Voucher Code to Give One Reader

Posted on 2012-12-17 by tikichris

Good morning everybody. I’ve got a £20 Groupon voucher to give away. To win it, all you’ve got to do is dig a little through my blog (this one you’re reading right now) and find the title of my London … Continue reading →

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Eating in England This Christmas? Sweet! (CheapOair)

Posted on 2012-12-12 by tikichris

Of course, there are some traditions specific to celebrating Christmas in England. Here’s a list of a few that stood out most to me as an American when I first moved to London back in 2001. Read my complete post at … Continue reading →

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Black Metal Beyond the Darkness

Posted on 2012-12-09 by tikichris

Image of One Tail, One Head courtesy of Black Dog Publishing I never read about music these days. As a teen, I pretty much used to only read about music. But when I came across Black Metal: Beyond the Darkness … Continue reading →

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FAO Xmas Shop: Marylebone Pop-Up for Design-Minded Gift Givers

Posted on 2012-12-08 by tikichris

Dummy me, I input the wrong date in my calendar for the press preview of FAO’s pop-up Christmas shop and went a day early. So I missed some refreshments and maybe a small goodie bag or some such. Oh well. … Continue reading →

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Win a TASCHEN Book and Afternoon Tea for Two with a Christmas Tree View at Belgraves, A Thompson Hotel

Posted on 2012-12-07 by tikichris

No matter how you stack them, books make great gifts. And the folks at Belgraves hotel and TASCHEN reckon they can be fantastic Christmas decorations too! Keep reading to find out how you can win a TASCHEN book and afternoon tea for … Continue reading →

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Jean-Christophe Novelli’s Christmas Menu

Posted on 2012-12-05 by tikichris

Priority Moments from O2 has teamed up with Ocado and top chef Jean-Christophe Novelli to help you create the ultimate Christmas feast. In the first of four sponsored episodes, Michelin star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli shows us how to make a … Continue reading →

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London Life Photography Exhibition at Getty Images, Westfield Stratford City

Posted on 2012-12-05 by tikichris

I had a great time at last night’s opening of London Life at the Getty Images Gallery’s Westfield Stratford City outlet. Hosted by East Village, the exhibition showcases the work of some of London’s best amateur photographers – Kemey has … Continue reading →

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Christmas Feast Ideas?

Posted on 2012-12-02 by tikichris

As I mentioned on the blog yesterday morning, despite the fact that I’ve lived in London for about a decade, 2012 will be the first year that I’ll actually be here on Christmas day. I’m gonna do it up with … Continue reading →

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First Christmas in London

Posted on 2012-12-01 by tikichris

Wow. This year will be the first time I spend Christmas in London. Every December before this one, I’ve gone back to the States (well, there was the one odd year I “did” Christmas in Italy). Good news is no … Continue reading →

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Wine of the Month: Cave du Château de Chénas, Moulin à Vent 2010

Posted on 2012-11-26 by tikichris

I grabbed a bottle of this Cru du Beaujolais after a bout of consternation and staring blankly at a wall o’ wine at Waitrose. I was trying to find something that would go well with turkey; yep, this was the … Continue reading →

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Recipe: Cilantro Turkey Burgers with Chipotle Ketchup

Posted on 2012-11-24 by tikichris

Still got leftover turkey? I made burgers with the rest of mine. Cilantro turkey burgers to be exact. Search online and you’ll see I’m hardly the first person to come up with this combo. However, it was a moment of … Continue reading →

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Recipe: Adam Gray’s Hot Turkey and Caramelised Onion Tart with Melting Stilton

Posted on 2012-11-23 by tikichris

Leftovers. I’ve got ’em – and that’s awesome! I honestly think I might love nibbling on all my remaining T Day turkey meat as much as I did sitting down to the proper and fresh Thanksgiving roast. Still, coming up … Continue reading →

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40% Discount off Foodie Titles from Black Dog Publishing

Posted on 2012-11-23 by tikichris

Hey all. I recently got hold of a copy of Black Dog Publishing’s A Guide to London’s Classic Cafes and Fish & Chip Shops and really enjoyed giving it a browse. You can see my review of the book over … Continue reading →

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Win a Free Skylander Figure #SkylandersAtHamleys

Posted on 2012-11-23 by tikichris

Hey Santa, Check it out. Two awesome FREE Skylander things for you to read abouthere. One: Skylanders is taking over Hamleys on Regent Street this Sunday from 12-4pm. There will be loads of fun activities going on, including face painting … Continue reading →

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Talking Turkey 2012

Posted on 2012-11-21 by tikichris

Big turkey, little oven. That’s how my saturday din-din rolled out. In the end though, my dinner guests had no beef with the bird I served. Phew! As mentioned a couple of days ago, my 2012 Thanksgiving dinner came a … Continue reading →

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Thanksgiving Feast 2012

Posted on 2012-11-19 by tikichris

T Day came early for me this year. It’s one of the blessings/curses of being an American abroad. You’re most likely not going to be able to be free during the actual Thanksgiving Thursday or the following Friday. But if … Continue reading →

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