Shopping

Parents praise Aldi for new ‘inclusive’ dolls with birth marks, vitiligo, hearing aids, and more

This is just so brilliant.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 17th October 2024

Parents are praising Aldi for a new range of inclusive children’s dolls that have visible birth marks, hearing aids, and more.

The budget supermarket retailer is known and loved for its range of limited-edition ‘Specialbuys’ on offer each week down its legendary middle aisle, with many flying off the shelves and selling out just as quickly as they arrive, and fans flocking to their nearest store to get their hands on a bargain.

But this week, one of Aldi‘s most recent ‘Specialbuys’ range has seen it receive plenty of praise from proud parents.

Shoppers have taken to social media to share their reactions to the retailer’s new range of Little Town Plush Dolls, which all represent those with a range of different health conditions.

@stayathomemumto3

Thank you, @Aldi UK. Thank you for representing and normalising birthmarks and visible differences within society. Thank you for helping my daughter, amongst many others, feel seen. The birthmark/visible differences community is so #proud , and so grateful. I hope you know how much of a positive impact you have made for so many children. ❤️ #viral #fyp #sturgewebersyndrome #birthmarkawareness #portwinestain #visibledifferencecommunity #visibledifferences #sws #birthmarksarebeautiuful

♬ All The Small Things – Dream Tunes

With 12 unique dolls to choose in the inclusive range, some of the conditions represented include those with birth marks, vitiligo, hearing aids and cochlear implants, glasses, and many more – each setting you back just £6.99.

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Complete with a magnetic dummy, these plush dolls are designed to encourage care and nurturing for little ones, Aldi says.

Having taken social media by storm since appearing in stores nationwide, one TikToker shared an adorable video of their little girl playing with one of the new dolls, and wrote in the caption: “Thank you for helping my daughter, amongst many others, feel seen. The birthmark/visible differences community is so proud, and so grateful. I hope you know how much of a positive impact you have made for so many children.”

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Aldi has been praised for its new ‘inclusive’ dolls with birth marks, hearing aids, and more / Credit: Simon Hadley (via Aldi UK)

Another Instagram user also said: “A shout out to Aldi who are selling dolls for children who don’t usually get a chance to have a doll that looks like them.”

“Seeing yourself represented in a children‘s toy for the first time, and immediately buying it for your future children,” a third satisfied shopper also said on Instagram this week.

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As with all Aldi ‘Specialbuys’, once the dolls are disappear from shelves, they’re gone forever, so if you’re keen to get your hands on one, you’ll need to head to your nearest Aldi as soon as possible.

Featured Image – Aldi

Shopping

Festive Grinch-themed cafes to pop up inside Greater Manchester Primark stores

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Festive Grinch-themed cafes are popping up inside two of Primark’s biggest Greater Manchester stores in the run-up to Christmas.

As the temperatures turn colder by the day, the nights draw in, and the most wonderful time of the year nears closer and closer, it won’t be long before it’s time to snuggle up in our comfies and pop on the first Christmas film of the year – and for some of us, there’s a good chance that first film of choice will be The Grinch.

Whether you prefer the 2000 fantasy comedy starring Jim Carey, or the 2018 animated reboot with Benedict Cumberbatch, it’s undoubtedly a real family favourite.

To celebrate everyone’s favourite grumpy green grouch, Primark has teamed up with Dr. Seuss once again on a Grinch-tastic collaboration.

Festive Grinch-themed cafes have popped up inside Greater Manchester Primark stores / Credit: Supplied

Shoppers can now head to their nearest Primark store to find the largest-ever Grinch collection, with something for the whole family, as well as great gifting options said to be “ideal for getting into the anti-Christmas spirit”.

There’s Grinch pyjamas and slippers for both adults and kids, a Grinch ‘Onesie’ that’s sure to make people green with envy, Grinch drinks cups and mugs, a selection of loungewear and Christmas jumpers for festive dressing, and so much more, as well as whole host of Grinch-inspired outfits and toys for your four-legged friends too.

As part of Primark’s aim to offer affordable choices for everyone, prices for the Grinch collection start at just £1 for accessories, and go up to £24 for adult clothing.

If the return of the Grinch collection wasn’t exciting enough as it is, the all-new Grinch cafes – which are popping up in Primark on Market Street in Manchester city centre, as well as Primark in Trafford Palazzo – are bound to be hit with fans of the furry character.

There’s everything from green waffles and themed milkshakes, to festive toasties, hot drinks, and more on the menu.

With Greater Manchester Grinch cafes set to be open until the end of December, Sarah Jackson – who is the Director of Licensing at Primark, said: “We’re so excited to roll out our amazing cafe experience across a number of our UK locations, bringing a sprinkle of mischief to our customers this festive season.

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“Whether you’re stopping in for a sweet treat or stocking up on pyjamas and gifts for the whole family, we have everything you need to make it a truly unforgettable Grinch-mas.”

Featured Image – Supplied

Shopping

UK supermarkets urge public to donate as foodbanks brace for a ‘tough Christmas’

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

UK supermarkets are calling on the public for donations as foodbanks brace for a “tough Christmas”.

As the nights begin to draw in, the temperatures drop by the day, and the festive season nears closer, some shocking new research by Neighbourly shows that foodbanks are preparing for a tough Christmas – with 80% of foodbanks reporting an increase in demand, particularly from families with children, as well as the elderly.

Because of this, many foodbanks fear they will not have enough supplies to support their communities throughout the festive season.

On top of this, almost a third of foodbanks have reported difficulties in recruiting volunteers too.

With only a few weeks to go until Christmas is here, Aldi is among the UK supermarkets calling on its shoppers to help make a difference, by releasing a list of the most in-demand items for donation – with tinned food, festive treats, and breakfast cereals being near the top of the list.

UK supermarkets are urging the public to donate as foodbanks brace for a ‘tough Christmas’ / Credit: Aldi UK

Other items on the list include tea and coffee, juices and soft drinks, rice and pasta, cooking sauces, condiments, UHT milk and more, as well as pet food and non food-related items like toiletries, cleaning products, and children’s toys.

Shoppers can donate items via the community donation points placed near exit points of Aldi stores nationwide, before they will then be distributed to good causes.

The supermarket is pledging to donate more than a million meals to local charities, community groups, and foodbanks across the UK.

“Christmas is always an extremely busy period for foodbanks and other charitable organisations helping those most in need,” explained Luke Emery, who is the National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK.

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“We know many of our customers like to support local causes by using our in-store donation points, so we hope this list of items will help shoppers to pick the items that are most needed over the festive period.”

Featured Image – Aldi UK

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