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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The Book of Dreams is out now! A little bit of Argos magic can help you find perfect gifts for all the family this Christmas. Pick up your copy of the Argos Christmas Gift Guide in-store now or visit our website to find out more: https://t.co/OelkwMJJbspic.twitter.com/CQKZXpu283
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.
Argos
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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Channel 4 is looking for Mancs who think they can survive the apocalypse for a new TV series
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Have you always wanted to see how long you’d last in an apocalypse?
Well now’s your chance, as Apocalypse is potentially coming back to Channel 4 for a second series, with producers having put out a nationwide casting call for contestants willing to take part.
The casting call simply reads: “Do you think you have what it takes to survive the end of the world?”
Described as a dystopian series designed to test the creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience of our nation, Apocalypse sees players are pushed out of their comfort zones and put to the ultimate test.
In the series, ordinary people are tasked with surviving for 28 days in an abandoned city – used previously only for the military to practice urban warfare – with no food, running water, electricity or heat.
Produced by The Garden – which is part of ITV Studios – for Channel 4, the show’s creators are now calling on Mancs and people up and down the country with the ‘courage and ingenuity’ to compete, to get in touch and apply for the potential second series.
Does your mate always bang on after watching a post-apocalyptic film that they would’ve done things differently? Or is the news at the moment freaking you out and you want to give the end of the world a bit of a practice run? Either way, sign up, test that plan you’ve built in your head, and see if you’ve really got what it takes.
Applications are now open, and all you need to do is fill in a short application form and one of the production team will get back to you if they would like to proceed. Come on, let’s prove what Mancs are made of.
Hundreds of katsu curries are being given out for FREE in Manchester this week
Emily Sergeant
Hundreds of katsu curries are being dished up and given out for free in Manchester this week, but only for certain people.
And those lucky people will be students.
That’s right… a new semester is upon us, and thousands of freshers and returning students are descending on the city and Manchester‘s many universities for another year. But the life of a student isn’t exactly the cheapest sometimes, especially for those who haven’t had to live on a budget before moving out or into halls.
But to make things a little easier, Tampopo has announced it’ll be serving hundreds of one of its most popular dishes for free this week.
Tampopo is celebrating National Katsu Curry Day in the most delicious way possible, by giving away 700 Katsu Curries with rice for free, exclusively to freshers and students this Sunday (27 September).
Whether you’re brand new to the city, settling back into uni life, or you’re simply in need of a katsu fix, students can head to their nearest participating Tampopo and tuck into a hearty meal without needing to spend a penny.
100 katsu curries will be available each from 12-2pm at both Tampopo restaurants in Manchester city centre – which are on Albert Square, and in the Corn Exchange – or if you head over to the Trafford Centre, both the Tampopo there and the East Street sites are taking part.
“[Our] Katsu Curry has long been one of our most-loved dishes, so National Katsu Curry Day felt like the perfect excuse to give students a proper welcome to the new academic year,” Tampopo said in a statement.
So, are you feeling hungry then? The offer is exclusively available for takeaway only to freshers and students with a valid student ID, which they must present on collection.
100 portions are available at each participating location, and just one free katsu curry with rice will be available per person.
Emily Sergeant -
21st October 2020 
