2012 Review

What a memorable year it has been!

In June communities came together to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – street parties, concerts and copious amounts of bunting swept the nation.

In August, we wowed the world with the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. Our athletes shone, as did the army of volunteers who cheerfully threw themselves into the proceedings.

Then in September … Shoppers’ Joy was launched! OK, it may not have been on a par with some of the other events of the year, but it has steadily grown in readership and I simply loving writing my blog posts and website features.

I have always had an eye for a bargain, an attraction to offers and a love of shopping, often regaling my long-suffering husband with tales of what I’ve found and how much I’ve saved. It was on his suggestion that I started my blog, as one of my other great loves is writing (or maybe he just hoped that his ears would get a rest). Hubby kindly set up my blog and website (he does that kind of thing for a living) and Shoppers’ Joy was born.

Since then I have posted blogs featuring best buys, product and service reviews, recommendations of places to visit, consumer issues and some fun 'Random Thoughts'.

Some of my most popular blogs have included ‘Loyalty Cards – My Ratings’ (September), ‘Static Caravans Can Move (September), ‘How To Get The Most Out Of The NHS (October), the Winter Outings Series (November/December) and my Christmas related posts (December). I have also explored saying ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’ as well as ‘making a complaint’ and reviewed some responses to bad service complaints that I had made.

As a sufferer of Hypermobility Syndrome, I ran an introduction to the condition on my blog, but have written an article, which you can read at www.shoppersjoy.co.uk/features

So please take the time to read some of the posts that you may have missed. You can also read my ‘Cheers and Sneers’ (updated regularly), tips and features at www.shoppersjoy.co.uk

There are plenty more blog posts to come in 2013 – so keep reading!

Thank you and a Happy New Year!

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December Blog Review

By the time that you read this, Christmas will be over apart from the excess turkey, coconut éclairs in the Quality Street and a mountain of wrapping paper for the recycling. I hope that you all had a great Christmas and that my series of gift guides proved useful and presents were well received.

In between my gift suggestions, I also looked at a variety of winter outings this month, reviewing attractions that stay open during this season, sometimes at special reduced rates. Wildlife Parks, many English Heritage properties, castles and museums all make great family outings at this time of year. Perhaps you’ll manage to visit a few during the holiday season.

I continued to review many food products, including new Cadbury’s Crispello (disappointing in my opinion), limited edition Marmite Gold (pretty pointless, I say) and limited edition Carling Zest with spiced orange – this got the thumbs up at least. Other favourites included Asda Chosen By You 100% Pure Pressed Juices (£1.20), Tesco Apple Crumble (frozen, £1) and Asda Extra Special Mince Pies, which have a definite kick from the added port and brandy (£2 for 6).

During December I also explored saying ‘sorry’, bemoaned the current, boring TV ads, whilst looking back at old favourites, and updated my loyalty card review, with some pleasing results.

There’s plenty more to come next month, and indeed next year, so keep reading!

On 31^st December you can read my 2012 review.

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Winter Outings Part 4 – The Great Outdoors

Hopefully we’ll get some bright, if crisp, days whilst the children are on school holiday, which provide the perfect opportunity to visit one of the many country or wildlife parks that will be open. Why not give the kids the chance to burn off some energy, whilst you all enjoy the great outdoors?

What’s more many zoos and wildlife parks offer special discounted winter admission rates to make your outing even more manageable.

Banham Zoo, Norfolk, winter prices adults £12.95, children £8.95. This is a great little zoo, where we were thrilled to see some of the more elusive animals close-up. It was a treat to see the snow leopards and a cheetah at close quarters, but the animal that really fascinated us was the maned wolf, or ‘fox on stilts’ as it is aptly known. Admission includes a ride on the land train, with commentary, and there is a warm, welcoming café to retreat to, should it all get a bit chilly. I really felt the animals were very well cared for here and the place had a really nice atmosphere. We also love its sister zoo, Africa Alive, Suffolk, which offers the same winter admission prices and is equally as well maintained.

Drusillas Zoo Park, East Sussex, is a fun, smaller animal zoo with a wealth of play opportunities for the kids, and they are offering great value admission rates in January. If you visit between 27^th December and 2^nd January prices are: individual adults and children £16.50, family of 3 £46.50, family of 4 £62.00 and family of 5 £77.50. BUT between 3^rd and 31^st January prices are: individual adults and children £10.00, family of 3 £27.00, family of 4 £36.00 and family of 5 £45.00!

Colchester Zoo, Essex, an old favourite with so much to see – highlights include the underwater tunnel beneath the Sea Lions at Playa Patagonia and The Edge of Africa, where a variety of animals roam together. The zoo has plenty of indoor animal enclosures and displays, and pathways as opposed to muddy trails, making this a great all-weather zoo. Winter admission prices: adults £12.99, children £8.50.

Linton Zoo, Cambridge, although by no means large, does house some of the larger animals such as big cats and kangaroos. It has a certain old charm, and is open Saturdays and Sundays during winter, Adults £9, children £6.50.

Marwell Zoo, Hampshire, Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire and Chester Zoo, Chester also all offer discounted winter season prices, see their websites for details.

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Thoughts On Christmas and Shopping

Much as I love shopping, even I don’t have to browse the shops seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year. Over the Christmas period I look forward to spending time with my family, catching up with friends, going for a walk (weather permitting) and generally taking time out of the general routine.

It infuriates me that shops feel the need to open bright and early Boxing Day morning, having only closed for Christmas Day itself. There are some exceptions, such as John Lewis, who understand their staff value time spent with their families. But why do most others insist on opening their doors regardless of the holiday season? Well, money, obviously, but as they say that doesn’t buy you happiness.

Years ago shops closed for a minimum of two days over the festive period and shut all Bank Holidays and Sundays too. None of us starved, had ‘withdrawal-from-shopping’ symptoms, or felt hard done by. Now with the advent of online shopping, there is even less of a reason for longer shop opening hours, although I do appreciate the extra employment created.

Sadly we have become engulfed in the 24/7 culture – hate the phrase, hate the concept. Whatever happened to ‘a time for every purpose’?

So this festive season, try to take some out from your everyday routine to stop and smell the turkey/heady aroma of chocolate/after-dinner liqueur, and relax! Enjoy the company of family and friends – or failing that explore the big outdoors (great tension reliever).

I love to shop – but I know when to stop!

Merry Christmas!

Follow me on Twitter @shoppersjoy

Loyalty Cards – End Of Year Update

Back in September I gave you the lowdown on loyalty cards along with my ratings, and I am now pleased to report that some stores have upped their game slightly.

Tesco Clubcard actually came top in my original ratings and have continued to deliver a wealth of vouchers, including several for free items – shandy, tissues, chocolate cake, Quality Street and a magazine of my choice. I’ve also continued to receive vouchers giving money off products that I actually buy on a regular basis. Add to the mix the continuing excellent exchange rate of points (four times their value if redeemed for days out) then Tesco Clubcard remains, for me, the clear winner.

Sainsburys have faired a little better than before with their Nectar Points, by issuing some much more useful vouchers of late. Previously I had found many of the vouchers totally useless in my case, but have recently been given some lovely extra points and money-off vouchers. I can only hope this was not just a Christmas promotion and will continue well into the New Year.

Iceland Bonus Card had given me very little in a long time, but there again the frequency and usefulness of their vouchers has increased, at last making me feel it is worth having their card.

Both Superdrug Beauty Card and Boots Advantage Card have been giving lots of extra points opportunities this side of Christmas, but as with all the cards, I do wonder whether the increased benefits will disappear along with the Christmas decorations.

Finally, I have been issued with a new Matalan Black Rewards Card (replacing my Matalan ‘where’s the snappy name?’ Card that I’d had all of two minutes). As a member I was invited to a special ‘members’ evening” (couldn’t attend) and given an extra pre-Christmas discount. Time will tell how many new ongoing benefits I’ll receive.

Whichever cards you use, however, the point is something is always better than nothing. To quote the store with my top-rated card, “Every little helps”.

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About Face

When it comes to choosing face make-up, there are plenty of products that give a natural glow or tint, without looking too overdone.

I like to use cosmetics that give a natural finish and even out skin tone, without looking too ‘mask-like’. For a sheer appearance, I use No7 Triple Protection Tinted Moisturiser SPF15 with environmental protection (£11.50 at Boots), or for a fuller coverage I opt for Max Factor 2-in-1 Ageless Elixir Foundation & Serum (£12.99). To conceal under eye dark circles, I love Max Factor Mastertouch Under Eye Concealer (£7.99) as it glides on and gives a good, natural coverage.

To add a rosy glow to cheeks, I recommend No7 Blush Tint Cream Blush in Rose Silk (£8), a creamy blusher that enables you to gently build up colour, or if you prefer a powder blush try L’Oreal True Match blusher (£7.69), which has a handy little brush and mirror under the blusher itself – very neat.

To set make-up, a fine dusting of powder is the ideal finishing touch: try No7 Perfect Light Loose Powder (£10.50, available in four shades), used sparingly.

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Christmas Catering Cheats

Christmas is a great time for getting everyone together for a lovely meal or a spot of party food, but it’s more enjoyable if you don’t have to spend all your time in the kitchen sorting everything out, so that you can participate in all the fun.

There are several great products that I always buy to help cut-down on festive food preparation.

I always cook our turkey crown on Christmas Eve to avoid making an early start on Christmas Day. Cooking, cooling and carving the turkey (or other joints) on Christmas Eve, and wrapping the meat in foil parcels and storing in the fridge is a great time-saver.

On the big day itself, I minimise vegetable preparation by buying Tesco Finest Orange Blossom Honey Glazed Parsnips (£1.95 for 680g) to roast in the oven, as they are delicious as well as labour-saving, and Iceland Button Sprouts with Chestnuts (£1.50) to pop in a pan. I do like to make my own roast potatoes, although if you really want to make it easy buy Tesco (frozen) Roasting Potatoes (£1 for 1kg bag). I make stuffing balls using Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Cranberry, Orange and Roasted Chestnut Stuffing Mix (currently £1.04), bread sauce using a Colman’s packet mix and I buy Tesco Sausage and Bacon Wraps (£2) to serve on the side.

I used to make my own mince pies, but very few of us eat them in our house, so I now opt for shop-bought ones. The nicest mince pies that I have found are Asda Extra Special Mince Pies (£2 for a box of 6), containing port and brandy in the succulent fruit filling, which are absolutely delicious. We are a Christmas Pudding-free house, as none of us like it, so we choose yummy, creamy desserts such as gateaux and pavlovas instead – Tesco and Sainsburys both do a good range.

A great range of party foods are available in the freezer cabinets of most supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsburys and Iceland. Choose from traditional sausage rolls and mini quiches, spicy mexican and tasty chinese bites and a host of savoury platters and desserts. Why makes things difficult for yourself?

Have a very yummy Christmas!

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