Rocknrollerbaby's Guide To A High Street Christmas For 2016!

Back in July I made my annual pilgrimage around the Christmas press shows of London and although I talked a little about it back then, I’ve been saving all of my favourite things, from the feasting to the fiesta-ing until now…

I know it’s only early November but I’ve waited as long as I could and there’s already been Christmas rumblings on Instagram so… I just had to throw Christmas out there and get my very best of the season into the ether ready for your attention.

And…

What did I see?

Well, first off I have to say that literally ALL over everywhere this festive season are golden pineapples (a vintage sign of wealth) and… surprisingly perhaps… Flamingos. Yes they were big in the summer but… They’re gonna be HUGE this winter baby and in all the shops from Not On The High Street to very firmly on it, in it and everywhere all around, this is what shall be adorning many a Christmas dining table for decs come December the 25^th! I thought of a little tip when it comes to the glistening pineapple fashion – why not buy some real ones (you can even get super sweet baby ones) and spray paint them gold with edible paint – why the hecky becky not eh?)! In fact, SPRAY PAINT EVERYTHING GOLD because t’is the season to glisten and golden has never been more on Christmas trend than in 2016!

Pineapples and flamingos with wares from Not On The High Street and the card on the right from Paperchase! — Pineapples and flamingos with wares from Not On The High Street and the card on the right from **Paperchase**!

And now we know the colour scheme and theme, what else I hear you ask? Let me tell you. Literally every supermarket I visited had their own version of a turkey crown made to look like, you guessed it, a crown! They looked brilliant but they tasted even better and I don’t even like TURKEY! Some were expensive and some were cheap and some tasted better than others but that didn’t necessarily go in the order you might think! They were all pretty good though and Waitrose have kind of saved the day with most of their Christmas food by making it ALL gluten free. Not just a gluten free range but simply across the board. No worrying about dietry requirements and different food for different people. Bravo to them I say!

Sainsbury's crown on the left with Waitrose on the right - BOTH were delicious! — Sainsbury’s crown on the left with Waitrose on the right – BOTH were delicious!

Some of the most enchanting party food came from the Coop and Ocado while Aldi won hands down for a lot of their dishes too. I was mesmerised by the skinny champagne at Ocado, I LOVED the fish dishes and meat cuts in Morrisons and for fashion I’d say Sainsbury’s had it for adult for style, Lidl got it in the bag with their Christmas jumpers and Nutmeg hit the nail on the head for the kids with their festive pyjamas topping my list!

Of course we coudn’t possibly have Christmas without presents and I saw a fair few of them too. Loads for the adults (Aldi have a WONDERFUL leather holdall) and Dotcom Gift Shop were brilliant for quirky gifts but when it comes to the kids there’s much to say. I attended Dream Toys this week where the definitive top toys list was announced and although I loved a lot of them my absolute favourites came from the smaller, stocking filler type toys while the Lego Calendars for advent stole my heart! I love an advent calendar so although the Happyland calendar from ELC wasn’t at Dream Toys I have to give that one a mention too because it’s BRILLIANT, especially for a younger one! Then little toys like Shoppies from the Shopkins range which is a doll to go with them is gonna be HUGE in my humble opinion. There’s a rather curious game called ‘Silly Sausage‘ which is definitely a joke to go over the kid’s head but it will be a fun family moment and I’m pretty sure he’s gonna steal the crown from the likes of the Pie Face game! I’m loving Blind Bags which of course can be bought with Shopkins, Num Noms, Tsum Tsums and loads more but I reckon Twozies might be worth keeping your eye on this season too.

For the bigger toys I have to give it to Hatchimals (just like everyone else) which are little eggs that hatch into interactive creatures. They cost £££ but you don’t need an app to interact with them which is perfect and the hatching element is super fun! The Selfie Stick Mic is definitely one for little girls like mine as they can create their own videos using your phone, record them and send them to friends using a free karaoke app. It looks pretty cool too and I’m sure grown up kids will like it just as much, it costs £19.99 so doesn’t break the bank but would be a great present for tweens and teens! For a more boyish theme you HAVE to see the new Ninjago dress up outfit from Jakks Pacific, the legs are AWESOME and little Ninjago fans are gonna go crazy for them. Again, they’re not cheap but definitely have the wow factor!

I could waffle on for hours and hours because I love Christmas and everything I saw but all you really want to see are the pictures right? Well, here I present to you my absolute faves for Christmas 2016 from the high street and my top buys come from all over. I found exception with the budget at places like Poundland as well as the more expensive shops like M&S meaning there’s something for everyone. I wish you all a very merry Christmas planning!

I love an Advent calendar and this one from Wilko has a piece of make-up behind every door... Shh, don't tell everyone because then they'll all sell before I've bought one but they're only a FIVER! — As mentioned, I love an Advent calendar and this one from Wilko has a make-up item behind every door… Shh, don’t tell everyone because then they’ll all sell before I’ve bought one, they’re only a FIVER!

Golden at Poundland! — Decoration doesn’t have to cost a fortune and bankrupt you before the season has really even started! Here’s this golden wonder from Poundland!

With feathers being another trend, here's a dec from Wilko! — With feathers being another trend, here’s a dec from Wilko!

And more from Sainsbury's! — And more from Sainsbury’s!

If you're not into pineapples, golden or otherwise, why not bling up the golden table with a set (super cheap) from Wilko! Doesn't this table look divine! — If you’re not into pineapples, golden or otherwise, why not bling up the golden table with a set (super cheap) from Wilko! Doesn’t this table look divine!

Or for a more traditional red this table is layed entirely from budget busting Poundland! — Or for a more traditional red this table is set entirely from budget busting Poundland!

Tesco also had some gloriously traditional baubles! — **Tesco** also has some gloriously traditional baubles!

And I LOVE this wreath made with peacock feathers from John Lewis!

The White Company do a beaded bauble or two every year and this in keeping with the golden LOVE one really caught my eye! — **The White Company** do a beaded bauble or two every year and this, in keeping with the golden, ‘LOVE’ one really caught my eye!

While also in the White Company you must pick up a festive candle or 12!

Those gorgeous Christmas jumpers from Lidl! — Those gorgeous Christmas jumpers are from **Lidl**!

And jammies for the kids from Nutmeg at Morrisons! — And jammies for the kids from **Nutmeg** at Morrisons!

With my favourite grown up fashion being at none other than Sainsbury's. Here's me with Gok Wan as he showed me his favourite pieces. Well, if it's good enough for Gok... — With my favourite grown up fashion being at none other than Sainsbury’s. Here’s me with Gok Wan as he showed me his favourite pieces. Well, if it’s good enough for Gok… I also really, REALLY love the new Alice Temperley range exclusive to John Lewis… There’s a dress I just HAVE to have!

I love nibbles and starters and Asda's — I love nibbles and starters and **Asda’s** seafood shot selection was so yummy!

With M&S stealing the show with their mini salmon pearls - pricey? Yes but wow, they look and taste the Christmas part beautifully! — With M&S stealing the show with their mini smoked salmon pearls – pricey? Yes, but wow, they look and taste the Christmas part beautifully!

morrisons-xmas-post-3 — The Morrisons nibbles were SO good!

ocado-christmas-post-6 — But then so was this beetroot veggie Scotch Egg from Ocado!

And when it came to the main event Aldi won for price, quality and ethical trading. Their turkeys were fabulous! — And when it came to the main event **Aldi** won for price, quality and ethical trading. Their turkeys were fabulous!

But if urkey's not your thing I HAVE to recommend this pork joint stuffed with a smoked bacon loin from Morrisons, it was WOW! — But if a whole turkey’s not your thing I HAVE to recommend this turkey joint stuffed with a cured pork loin from Morrisons and topped with crispy crackling, it was WOW! Seriously amazing (This is the one I’m going to buy)! The chef said ‘we often add bacon to the outside to keep the meat moist but it does the same (only better) from the inside!

And I adored the Sprout Gratin from Waitrose too! — And I adored the Sprout Gratin from **Waitrose** too!

Before pud you need a cracking cracker and the White Company had the most unusual poppers which would also work!

But I LOVED the Racing Robin crackers fro Lakeland which turn into an after dinner game! — But I LOVED the Racing Robin crackers fro **Lakeland** which turn into an after dinner game!

Pudding couldn't be any better this year! From top left we have the smash cake from Asda with a beaut next to it from the Coop then on the bottom left look at that cutie cake from M&S and the melting cake on the right from Tesco! — Pudding couldn’t be any better this year! From top left we have the smash cake from Asda with a beaut next to it from the Coop then on the bottom left look at that cutie cake from M&S and the melting cake on the right from Tesco!

Then how about some yummy ice cream chocolates from the Coop?! — Then how about some yummy ice cream chocolates from the **Coop**?! For an even more indulgent experience, consider pairing them with delicious **gluten-free ice cream**, catering perfectly to those mindful of their dietary needs.

If not let me tempt you with these chocolate bauble ,oose deserts from Sainsbury's?! — If not let me tempt you with these chocolate bauble mousse deserts from **Sainsbury’s**?!

Or a macaron from Lidl (left) or Morrisons (right). Nothing in it for taste and both really great prices!

Before finishing the meal with cheese from Aldi. They are selling a soft cheese with a truffle centre and it is literally AMAZING! — Before finishing the meal with cheese from Aldi. They are selling a soft french cheese with a truffle centre and it is literally AMAZING! As is ALL their booze!

And talking of booze Prosecco wins hands down with me everywhere this year from the skinny version at Ocado to the inexpensive versions at Aldi, Asda and Lidl but... The Waitrose Prosecco just had the edge on taste for me! — And talking of booze Prosecco wins hands down with me everywhere this year from the skinny version at Ocado to the inexpensive versions at Aldi, Asda and Lidl but… The Waitrose Prosecco just had the edge on taste for me!

And they also gave some fabulous tips for cocktails although personally I'd buy my spirits inexpensively in Aldi... The Aldi version of Disarono is identical in my opinion! — And they also gave some fabulous tips for cocktails although personally I’d buy my spirits inexpensively in Aldi… The Aldi version of Disaronno is identical in my opinion!

Give me a cocktail and I'm very happy! Lidl also had some amazing ideas and their champagne was totally and utterly fabulous! — Give me a cocktail and I’m very happy! Lidl also had some amazing ideas and their champagne was totally and utterly fabulous!

And you're basically not doing it right in 2016 if you don't have a reindeer head on the wall! Loving this furry version on the left from Dunelm and the gorgeous golden (again) one on the right from John Lewis! — And you’re basically not doing it right in 2016 if you don’t have a reindeer head on the wall! Loving this furry version on the left from **Dunelm** and the gorgeous golden (again) one on the right from John Lewis!

And don’t forget the presents… I saw loads, way too many to name and pick but a few for the grown ups had to be featured…

From Currys... How cool! — From **Currys**… How cool!

Random but I love them from Dotcom Gift Shop!

This is the lovely Jacinta from jacinta'z 3 having her hair done with the most wonderful hair dryer from Dyson which can also be picked up in Currys! — This is the lovely Jacinta from **Jacinta’z 3** having her hair done with the most wonderful hair dryer from **Dyson** which can also be picked up in Currys!

How about a bit of mood lighting from Philips?!

This is something I wouldn't usually think of as a present but then I'd never buy it for myself so why not?! A laser hair removal package which can be bought from Argos! — This is something I wouldn’t usually think of as a present but then I’d never buy it for myself so why not?! A laser hair removal package from **Smoothskin** which can be bought from **Argos**!

And whoever you're visiting don't forget to take some florals! M&S had some simply stunning bunches as shown here but I have to again say that Aldi's were just as good and half the price! They also last a REALLY long time from Aldi because I buy their flowers often so I thoroughly recommend! — And whoever you’re visiting don’t forget to take some florals! **M&S** had some simply stunning bunches for pure decadence as shown here but I have to again say that Aldi’s were just as good and half the price! They also last a REALLY long time from Aldi – I buy their flowers often so I thoroughly recommend!

And that’s my Chrimbo best buys peops! Now, go forth and hit the high street!

P.S, If you want to check out what I got up to in July, trawling the shows for the best Christmas fodder then chek out my YouTube video which gives a behind the scenes look at a day in the life of a Christmas press show. I’ll take you around the Morrisons show with me below!

One thought on “Rocknrollerbaby’s Guide To A High Street Christmas For 2016!”

Emma Chanagasubbay says:

November 12, 2016 at 6:59 pm

What a fantastic post! The Lidil jumpers and gorgeous feather decorations and going on my list right now xx