A Playful Christmas

For the shoppers who love the excitement of Christmas, Waitrose presents the ‘playful’ theme covering everything from home décor, flowers and gift wrap to the main event, desserts and gifting.

PLAYFUL CANAPÉS

Thanks to Waitrose, entertaining for the party season this Christmas just got easier and more importantly, tastier. The ready-made range of party food includes over 35 scrumptious canapés and party food options.

What’s a cocktail party without a cocktail olive? Christmas 2016 sees Waitrose launch Cocktail Olives (£10.00), a trio of marinated olives inspired by popular cocktails. To start, the Bloody Mary: pimento stuffed olives and semi-dried cherry tomatoes marinated in vodka , tomato juice and the classic Bloody Mary seasonings of Worcestershire sauce, black pepper and a dash of hot Tabasco. Then comes the gin and tonic: pitted halkidiki olives marinated in gin, crushed juniper berries and lemon zest. To finish are the Limoncello olives: popular bright green nocellara olives marinated in sweet limoncello, lemon zest and oil with a slice of lemon.

THE MAIN EVENT

The perfect centrepiece for any table this year is the Christmas Pudding Turkey with Smoked Cranberry Butter Star on a Rosemary Wreath (£35), made up of a mulled cider brined turkey stuffed with a fragrant Christmas ham stuffing. The turkey is garnished with herb bunches around the base of the pomander and a star of smoked cranberry butter with a marmalade glaze for the extra finishing touch.

Pigs in blankets are a must-have with any Christmas dinner and the Three Little Pigs (£3.99) are perfect for this occasion. Three lightly seasoned cocktail sausages, wrapped in unsmoked streaky bacon.

THE FINALE

The Eggnog Custard Tart (£5.99) is a twist on a British classic. Boasting a classic custard filling, this tart has been given a fun eggnog makeover with the addition of brandy, spices, nutmeg and dusted with dark chocolate. For those who don’t enjoy a classic Christmas pudding, Waitrose has the Chocolate Pudding Pinata Cake (£25), available as part of the Entertaining range. Made to look like a traditional pudding, this cake is made with an indulgent, moist chocolate sponge and when cut open, the hidden sweets can be discovered. It’s the perfect centrepiece for any family Christmas table.

Sometimes there is nothing nicer than a light, refreshing dessert after such an indulgent main event and the Passion Fruit, Mango & Lime Yule Log (£9.99) fits the bill perfectly; a colourful dessert, comprising of a coconut blondie base topped with a lime and mango curd all encased in a passionfruit mousse.

For those who could only manage something small to finish off their Christmas dinner, Waitrose has a selection of bite sized Christmas treats. The Mini Chocolate Tiffin Star Bite (£1.00), incorporating all the tiffin classics, all butter biscuits, almond nibs, dried cherries and golden syrup - they’re the perfect sweet treat.

Persian inspired, The Pistachio and Cranberry White Chocolate Snowball (£1.00), includes a pistachio and cranberry white snowball finished off with a light coconut dusting.

Made using an indulgent Christmas cake recipe is the Christmas Pudding Mini Cake Ball (£1.00). The whisky soaked sponge is not only shaped like a Christmas pudding, it’s also decorated to look like one too, it couldn’t be more festive.

TIPPLE OR TWO

2016 has been the year of gin and it appears to be a trend that shows no sign of slowing down. Daffy’s Gin (£35.99) comes in a striking and iconic bottle and is buttery and warm with fresh citrus spices and toffee notes that make it full of life.

Coastal Brewery Admans now produce Admans Copper House Gin (£26.50), an excellent gin to enjoy over the festive season. Infused with just six botanicals, this is an aromatic gin with classic notes of juniper alongside sweet orange, cardamom and hibiscus flowers.

Also available from Waitrose is the Pink Pepper Gin (£40.00), created by an Aussie in France this trend setting gin is a must have. It has a unique flavour of pink pepper, juniper and cardamom with creamy notes of vanilla and honey which evolve in the glass.

No gin is complete without tonic and the new and exclusive Waitrose Fever Tree Aromatic Tonic (£1.69) is the perfect mixer. It has subtle aromas of exotic spice and fresh citrus, the gentle bitterness of angostura bark is perfectly balanced by the sweet, spicy flavours of various ingredients including vanilla from Madagascar, ginger from Cochin and cardamom from Guatemala. This combination is rounded off with Fever-Tree’s signature quinine from the Congo and soft spring water to provide a uniquely refreshing aromatic flavour.

GIFTING

Prosecco is the fizz of the moment and this year Waitrose has just the gift for all those prosecco lovers, Prosecco Lipbalm (£2.99). A moisturising lip balm made with sweet almond oil and prosecco flavour.

Florentines are an absolute favourite and a great gift for dinner hosts, friends or family. The Christmas Florentine Mix (£4.99), is a giftable pot of the ever popular classic, consisting of a perfectly sweet and crisp almond caramel brittle, milk chocolate, tangerine covered almonds, salted and roasted macadamia nuts, as well as dried cranberries and pineapple - it’s truly delightful.

A perfect gift for any chocolate lover is the Hollow Snowman (£5.00) which is hand decorated and made using Belgian chocolate.

A fun playful gift would be the Gourmet Gadgetry Retro Diner Waffle Maker (£27.95). This clever machine presses batter into sweet or savoury waffles for breakfast, dessert or just a tasty treat! Create one large waffle or separate into five small heart shaped waffles.

For those with a real sweet tooth, the Gourmet Gadgetry Candy Floss Maker (£27.00) would be the perfect choice. The recipient will have fun spinning just one scoop of sugar into a ball of authentic tasting funfair style floss. 

For the shoppers who love the excitement of Christmas, Waitrose presents the ‘playful’ theme covering everything from home décor, flowers and gift wrap to the main event, desserts and gifting.

PLAYFUL CANAPÉS

Thanks to Waitrose, entertaining for the party season this Christmas just got easier and more importantly, tastier. The ready-made range of party food includes over 35 scrumptious canapés and party food options.

What’s a cocktail party without a cocktail olive? Christmas 2016 sees Waitrose launch Cocktail Olives (£10.00), a trio of marinated olives inspired by popular cocktails. To start, the Bloody Mary: pimento stuffed olives and semi-dried cherry tomatoes marinated in vodka , tomato juice and the classic Bloody Mary seasonings of Worcestershire sauce, black pepper and a dash of hot Tabasco. Then comes the gin and tonic: pitted halkidiki olives marinated in gin, crushed juniper berries and lemon zest. To finish are the Limoncello olives: popular bright green nocellara olives marinated in sweet limoncello, lemon zest and oil with a slice of lemon.

THE MAIN EVENT

The perfect centrepiece for any table this year is the Christmas Pudding Turkey with Smoked Cranberry Butter Star on a Rosemary Wreath (£35), made up of a mulled cider brined turkey stuffed with a fragrant Christmas ham stuffing. The turkey is garnished with herb bunches around the base of the pomander and a star of smoked cranberry butter with a marmalade glaze for the extra finishing touch.

Pigs in blankets are a must-have with any Christmas dinner and the Three Little Pigs (£3.99) are perfect for this occasion. Three lightly seasoned cocktail sausages, wrapped in unsmoked streaky bacon.

THE FINALE

The Eggnog Custard Tart (£5.99) is a twist on a British classic. Boasting a classic custard filling, this tart has been given a fun eggnog makeover with the addition of brandy, spices, nutmeg and dusted with dark chocolate. For those who don’t enjoy a classic Christmas pudding, Waitrose has the Chocolate Pudding Pinata Cake (£25), available as part of the Entertaining range. Made to look like a traditional pudding, this cake is made with an indulgent, moist chocolate sponge and when cut open, the hidden sweets can be discovered. It’s the perfect centrepiece for any family Christmas table.

Sometimes there is nothing nicer than a light, refreshing dessert after such an indulgent main event and the Passion Fruit, Mango & Lime Yule Log (£9.99) fits the bill perfectly; a colourful dessert, comprising of a coconut blondie base topped with a lime and mango curd all encased in a passionfruit mousse.

For those who could only manage something small to finish off their Christmas dinner, Waitrose has a selection of bite sized Christmas treats. The Mini Chocolate Tiffin Star Bite (£1.00), incorporating all the tiffin classics, all butter biscuits, almond nibs, dried cherries and golden syrup - they’re the perfect sweet treat.

Persian inspired, The Pistachio and Cranberry White Chocolate Snowball (£1.00), includes a pistachio and cranberry white snowball finished off with a light coconut dusting.

Made using an indulgent Christmas cake recipe is the Christmas Pudding Mini Cake Ball (£1.00). The whisky soaked sponge is not only shaped like a Christmas pudding, it’s also decorated to look like one too, it couldn’t be more festive.

TIPPLE OR TWO

2016 has been the year of gin and it appears to be a trend that shows no sign of slowing down. Daffy’s Gin (£35.99) comes in a striking and iconic bottle and is buttery and warm with fresh citrus spices and toffee notes that make it full of life.

Coastal Brewery Admans now produce Admans Copper House Gin (£26.50), an excellent gin to enjoy over the festive season. Infused with just six botanicals, this is an aromatic gin with classic notes of juniper alongside sweet orange, cardamom and hibiscus flowers.

Also available from Waitrose is the Pink Pepper Gin (£40.00), created by an Aussie in France this trend setting gin is a must have. It has a unique flavour of pink pepper, juniper and cardamom with creamy notes of vanilla and honey which evolve in the glass.

No gin is complete without tonic and the new and exclusive Waitrose Fever Tree Aromatic Tonic (£1.69) is the perfect mixer. It has subtle aromas of exotic spice and fresh citrus, the gentle bitterness of angostura bark is perfectly balanced by the sweet, spicy flavours of various ingredients including vanilla from Madagascar, ginger from Cochin and cardamom from Guatemala. This combination is rounded off with Fever-Tree’s signature quinine from the Congo and soft spring water to provide a uniquely refreshing aromatic flavour.

GIFTING

Prosecco is the fizz of the moment and this year Waitrose has just the gift for all those prosecco lovers, Prosecco Lipbalm (£2.99). A moisturising lip balm made with sweet almond oil and prosecco flavour.

Florentines are an absolute favourite and a great gift for dinner hosts, friends or family. The Christmas Florentine Mix (£4.99), is a giftable pot of the ever popular classic, consisting of a perfectly sweet and crisp almond caramel brittle, milk chocolate, tangerine covered almonds, salted and roasted macadamia nuts, as well as dried cranberries and pineapple - it’s truly delightful.

A perfect gift for any chocolate lover is the Hollow Snowman (£5.00) which is hand decorated and made using Belgian chocolate.

A fun playful gift would be the Gourmet Gadgetry Retro Diner Waffle Maker (£27.95). This clever machine presses batter into sweet or savoury waffles for breakfast, dessert or just a tasty treat! Create one large waffle or separate into five small heart shaped waffles.

For those with a real sweet tooth, the Gourmet Gadgetry Candy Floss Maker (£27.00) would be the perfect choice. The recipient will have fun spinning just one scoop of sugar into a ball of authentic tasting funfair style floss.