Flipping through the Argos catalogue and circling the presents you’d like to see under the tree has always been a huge part of the lead-up to Christmas for children across the UK.
But earlier this year, Argos announced that it would be discontinuing the production of its iconic catalogues after 47 years of printing.
The Argos catalogue was staple of British homes since the 1970s and the chunky inventory was once one of the most widely-produced publications in Europe, but after one billion copies, 93 editions and almost fifty years, the printing presses stopped in July.
Argos confirmed the books would no longer be published in a move that signalled a sign of the technological times, with the retailer seeking to shift its focus online after 70% of its sales came from smartphones and tablets.
This left one important question looming over though – what about Christmas?
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Would a Christmas catalogue be printed this year?
Well, in what is an announcement sure to be well received by kids and the nostalgics among us, Argos has indeed brought out a 2020 edition of its annual Christmas Gift Guide – known as ‘The Book of Dreams’ – and it means we can get to work filling in our Christmas lists once again.
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At least some form of normality has been resorted to this turbulent year.
Argos describes this year’s ‘Book of Dreams’ on its website as: “Brimming with trending tech, stocking fillers, twinkling treasures and more. Get your hands on this year’s gift guide for all the ideas and inspiration you’ll need to make this Christmas mega.
“A one-stop shop for tree-mendous gifts everyone will have on their wish list.”
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As well as the catalogue itself, the ‘Book of Dreams’ also comes complete with your very own ‘Santa Wish List’ inside making it as easy as possible to “help you get a head start on the Christmas shopping” this year.
A picture by eagle-eyed shoppers of a rack full of catalogues in store posted to the ever-popular Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Group on Facebook has gone down a real treat with members this week, amassing over 2.4K interactions and thousands of comments, so it seems people are understandably excited by the release.
The ‘Book of Dreams’ Christmas Gift Guide 2020 is now available to pick up from your nearest Argos store, and you are advised to always check the opening times of your local branch before making any trips via the Argos store locator here.
You can also browse a wealth of festive gift ideas on the Argos website here.
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Liam Gallagher says he’ll ‘gig in Lidl’ if Co-op Live still isn’t ready – and they sound pretty game for it
Danny Jones
Following the ongoing palaver with Co-op Live, Liam Gallagher has joked that he’d happily play his scheduled gigs in a Lidl if the arena still isn’t ready – at least we think he’s joking…
With Liam Gallagher having been named as one of the first acts booked to play Co-op Live last year, many are now wondering whether the venue will even by June, with the former Oasis frontman set to play four Definitely Maybe 30th-anniversary sets. That being said, he’s come up with a solution if not.
Vintage LG, we’ll give him that.
Obviously a bit of a tongue-in-cheek quip at the venue being sponsored by a supermarket and convenience store chain, it could have been any other competitor that the ever-witty youngest Gallagher brother picked but it somehow made it extra funny that he chose a budget brand like Lidl.
However, with the 51-year-old already having fun with stunts like voicing the tannoys on the Metrolink last year, for instance, we wouldn’t put it past him to take this joke a little further.
Better still, not that we’re getting carried away or anything but Lidl themselves seem pretty keen on the idea too; they even spent the time to build an entire setlist for the fictional show. Fair play.
Can you imagine? Liam Gallagher swapping the occasional tambourine shake for beeps from a barcode scanner as he moves back and forth on the conveyor belt. We know it’s absolute nonsense and we definitely shouldn’t be even remotely considering it… BUT it’s the stuff of dreams and strange things have happened.
A lot of stranger things have happened this week alone. As for the latest with Co-op Live, the Chairman and CEO of key-backers Oak View Group, Tim Leiweke, issued a full statement sharing his “sincere apologies”and insisting that they understand “there is work to be done to rebuild your trust in us.”
With the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Peter Kay, The Black Keys and more having their gigs pulled by the venue due to numerous issues, including an air conditioning unit falling from the ceiling, fans are understandably fearful that other upcoming events could face delays or general misfortune.
Much like the venue itself, we imagine we’ll be playing catch-up on this whole saga for the foreseeable, but here’s a recap of the story so far:
Featured Images — Lidl GB/Exit Festival (via Flickr)/The Manc Group
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Gavin and Stacey will return with a 2024 Christmas special for its final episode
Danny Jones
After some pretty big rumblings earlier this year, it’s finally been confirmed that Gavin and Stacey will be returning for a Christmas special this year and what will be its last-ever episode.
The beloved British comedy last aired back in 2019 with their previous Christmas special and fans of the show have been crying out for more ever since.
Well, it turns out they’ll be getting just one more go around the block as co-creators James Corden and Ruth Jones revealed that they have now finished writing their third and final Xmas special which will tie a festive bow on the trio of series which started all the way back in 2007.
Sharing a picture of the script on social media, the pair wrote: “Some news… It’s official!!! We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey. See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love Ruth and James”.
However, what was actually going on was a bit of a red herring as she carefully chose to talk down any notions of another series but didn’t categorically dismiss the potential Christmas special.
In fact, she actually went on to add: “All I can say is, if there was something to say on that front, James [Corden] and I would happily announce it, we would.”
And that’s exactly what they’ve done. Well played, Nessa.
As for details surrounding the final chapter in the Gavin and Stacey story, we have very few details at this stage but fans of the iconic show will already be wondering how they might pick up from where certain threads left off.
Production companies Baby Cow, Corden’s Fulwell 73 and Jones’ Tidy Productions are all behind the special and, given the momentous occasion, it will likely have a primetime slot on the TV guide when it finally rolls around this holiday season.
So get your remotes, baubles and bhunas at the ready because Gavin and Stacey is coming back for one last time and it’s sure to be a TV event that people all across the UK will remember for years to come.