It’s Christmas!
Over the next month we shall be bringing you the very Best Of local businesses who can help you get Christmas all wrapped up leaving you chance to enjoy your egg-nog (or whatever may be your favourite tipple!)
Christmas presents
Leaving Christmas present shopping to the last minute is bound to end up in tears – probably yours! So here are a couple of suggestions to keep the tears to a minimum:
Why not try the wonderful Crooklands Home & Garden Centre. Here you will find a beautiful range of exciting and inspirational gifts to choose from.
For those who liked to be pampered try Review Hair & Beauty vouchers for one (or more!) luxury treatments which will leave your loved one like putty in your hands.
If you want something a little more permanent then you wouldn't go wrong with a photo shoot by Kells Exclusive Images. It could be of you, your loved one, the two of you, the whole family - the permutations are endless!
Christmas Trees and Decorations
There's no doubt that Crooklands Home & Garden Centre can help you get Christmas pretty much sewn up as in addition to their gifts section they also have a fantastic selection of Christmas Decorations and trees to choose from. To find out more about Crooklands Home & Garden Centre please click here.
Restaurants
Whether you are organising your Christmas Doo or simply looking for somewhere to enjoy a meal, there are a number of fabulous places thebestof Barrow and Furness can highly recommend. Click on the links to find out more:
All of them serve mouthwatering delectable food but make sure you book for popular dates!
Planning to get away from the Christmas bish-bosh?
For some the thought of Christmas sends them running for the hills. If that sounds like you then speak to Gates Travel who will help you meticulously plan your getaway!
Events
There is soooooo much happening around Barrow and Furness this Christmas. To find out what’s going on check thebestof Barrow and Furness’ events pages by clicking here.
We will keep this blog updated so do keep coming back or why not add your recommendations by replying to this blog or emailing barrowandfurness@thebestof.co.uk
In the meantime, here are a few Christmas cocktails and nibbles to get you in the mood.....
Christmas Nibbles
Sugar & Spice Nuts
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
500g mixed nuts such as pecans, brazils, cashews, pistachios, almonds, walnuts
1 1/2 tsp ground mixed spice
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp sea salt
3 tbsp soft brown sugar
Method
Lightly oil a baking tray or line with non-stick baking paper. Heat a frying pan over a medium heat and add the oil and nuts. Toss around until the nuts are becoming golden. Stir in the mixed spice, chilli powder and salt. Toss for about 30 seconds and then sprinkle over the sugar. Turn around in the pan until the sugar begins to caramelise and coat the nuts.
Tip out onto the baking tray and leave to cool. Once cold, use your fingers to break up the nuts that have stuck together and keep in an airtight container until needed. Top tip: These can be made days before and stored in an airtight container. You might want to make double, so you have plenty to nibble on over Christmas
Christmas Cocktails
Snowball
Don’t diss your Granny and Aunty Mabel’s favourite traditional Christmas drink. This is a smooth blend of delectable Warninks Advocaat and lemonade with a dash of lime juice. Keep the drinks chilled in the fridge and then simply pour into a glass and add a cherry!
Blue Fizz
If you’re pushing the boat out and having a bottle of champagne with your Christmas lunch main course, adding a dash of cocktail liqueur can transform it to something even more exotic. So why not add a dash of De Kuyper Blue Curaçao to create a Blu Fizz cocktail. Or if blue is not your colour, try a classic Kir Royale made with champagne and a generous dash of De Kuyper Crème de Cassis.
Wishing you a very Happy Christmas!
