The clocks have gone back, the temperatures have dropped, the nights are drawing in, and the festive season is just around the corner.
And for children all across the UK, it’s time to start thinking about preparing those Christmas lists, to be sent off to Santa ahead of the big day day, but what are those lists likely to include?
Which presents are this year’s ‘must have’ gifts?
For children struggling to narrow down their top picks, and for parents keen to get a heads up on what gifts to buy in for the little ones this year, the Top 12 ‘Dream Toys’ for Christmas were revealed today in an announcement by the Toy Retailer Association UK.
The DreamToys list is the UK’s “most authoritative predictive list” of what will be hot this Christmas.
Selected by a panel of retailers and industry experts, the list is independent of toy manufacturers and makers, and this year’s Top 12 is dominated by the big classic toy brands and licenses that have entertained children for generations – such as Barbie, Monopoly, Harry Potter, Lego and Star Wars – as well as the massively popular Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, Pokémon and L.O.L Surprise.
The announcement of the list has been brought forward this year due to the rising concerns that many retailers have expressed about meeting demand in the lead up to Christmas which centre around supply and retail issues as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Shoppers are thus being encouraged and advised to “buy early or risk missing out”.
Gary Grant – Chair of the DreamToys Selection Committee – said: “We implore consumers not to leave their Christmas shopping to the final few weeks of the year [as] due to COVID-19 restrictions across the country, retailers will simply not be able to service as many people in store due to social distancing.
“In addition, couriers are already overloaded and will struggle to meet the demand to get presents to people before Christmas [and] added to this is the limited availability of stock compared to previous years.”
Star Wars / Mattel ToysSurprise Mini Brands / ZURU Toys
The Top 12 ‘Dream Toys’ 2020
(Listed in alphabetical order w/ RRP – Prices may vary with retailer)
5 Surprise Mini Brands Mystery Capsule by Zuru – £6.99
Barbie 3-in-1 DreamCamper by Mattel Toys – £79.99
Harry Potter Hedwig by LEGO – £34.99
L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. Remix Fashion Doll by MGA Entertainment – £39.99
Laser Battle Hunters Vehicle by Character Options – £59.99
Peppa Pig Peppa’s Shopping Centre by Character Options – £39.99
Pokémon Carry Case Playset by Character Options – £39.99
Present Pets (Asst) by Spin Master Toys – £54.99
Star Wars The Mandalorian – The Child “Baby Yoda” by Mattel Toys – £29.99
Super Mario Adventures With Mario Starter Course by LEGO – £49.99
Throughout the course of lockdown, toys have been a constant source of joy for children during this difficult time and have brought families closer together, with statistics from NPD showing that toy sales have increased by 6% on the first nine months of 2020, while Games and Puzzles have seen an increase of 32%.
On top of that, a survey conducted by the Toy Retailers Association of 2,000 parents revealed that 56% of parents have spent more time playing with their children since lockdown, and 88% said they felt that toys had helped them bond more closely with their children.
There’s no doubt that Christmas may feel a little different this year, but there’s still lots of fun to be had, and plenty of memories to be made.
The Top Toy of 2020 from this shortlist is set also to be announced in due course, so stay tuned.
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Salford Red Devils supporters group outline plans for the next major protest march
Danny Jones
Salford Red Devils supporters trust, The 1873, have outlined details of their next major march in protest over the club’s well-publicised ownership troubles and financial crisis.
The fan group, which has mobilised on multiple occasions already this year, is set to hit the streets once again this month and in larger numbers than ever, confirming another big demonstration before their next home game this weekend.
Sharing the update with fellow Red Devils on social media, 1837 leaders are demanding “truth and accountability from the top” ahead of the peaceful protest through Salford.
They have dubbed the event ‘The Last Rally’, but we can only assume there’ll be more fan action as the weeks and possibly months of uncertainty continue.
As you can see, The 1837 are calling for like-minded supporters to rally outside another nearby amateur rugby league football team, Salford City Roosters, before marching on to a second meeting point and, ultimately, the Salford Community Stadium.
Starting in Eccles, with a stop at Barley Farm, before arriving at their club’s home ground in Barton-upon-Irwell, the plan is to gather as much awareness, support and local attention as possible.
Writing in the caption of the above post, they added: “We’ve dominated headlines. We’ve exposed bad ownership. We’ve stood together.
“A history worth fighting for. A future worth protecting. Our last chance to be heard. Don’t stay silent. Make it count.”
Following a recent meeting of the RFL and the two Greater Manchester Mayors, Andy Burnham and Paul Dennett, Salford Red Devils were given somewhat of an even further stay of execution, as it was confirmed that their ‘winding up’/administration deadline has now been adjourned until October.
Nevertheless, the majority of fans are still being kept in the dark about the exact and up-to-date nature of their rugby league club’s situation at present.
Back in June, it looked like new investors could very well still be injecting vital funds to keep key players and staff on the books, but jump to now, and it looks like they don’t know if even things like the big screen even belong to them much longer.
Salford Red Devils aren’t just in debt – our very identity is up for grabs.
The badge. The name. Even the big screen. All signed off as collateral to financiers.
Once again, the march and peaceful protest will take place this Friday, 19 September, prior to the next fixture against Wakefield Trinity.
Getting points on the board will no doubt be a big plus for all, but the game looks like it will very much serve as the backdrop to the wider ongoing saga.
Are you a Red Devils fan, and if so, will you be attending the demonstration? Better still, even if not, what do you make of the circumstances surrounding your side at the moment?
Fantastic to see the fans turn out again, Salford Red Devils will never die 1873 👹🏉 pic.twitter.com/Gne5peQK6u
Baileys has collabed with Terry’s Chocolate Orange on the most festive tipple ever
Emily Sergeant
The Christmas countdown has officially begun, and there’s a new tipple on the scene to help celebrate.
That’s right – two of the UK’s most beloved treats, Baileys and Terry’s, has dropped the ultimate collaboration and it’s launching 100 days before the big day arrives, gearing up to be the Christmas tipple of choice for chocolate orange lovers.
Baileys x Terry’s Chocolate Orange is a limited-edition treat blending the distinctive taste of Baileys Original Irish Cream with flavours of chocolate and zesty orange.
It’s fair to say that Baileys and Terry’s Chocolate Orange are both beloved staples once the festive season rolls around, with each having taken on various different variations over the years, combining new flavour profiles to create delicious treats.
Baileys has collabed with Terry’s Chocolate Orange on the most festive tipple ever / Credit: Baileys & Tom Harrison
But surprisingly, this is the first time the two brands have come together for a one-of-a-kind collaboration.
This new collaboration between the two iconic Christmas brands is inspired by the season’s most quintessential flavours.
“For generations, Terry’s Chocolate Orange has been a staple of the Christmas season, so partnering with Baileys is an exciting way to reimagine that tradition in a new and indulgent form,” commented Lorène Decam, who is the Senior Marketing Manager at Terry’s.
“We can’t wait to see fans enjoying this irresistible treat in the run-up to and during the holidays.”
Rolling out nationwide from tomorrow (16 September), Baileys x Terry’s Chocolate Orange will come in 50cl bottles with a 17% ABV and will likely set shoppers back £11 each when they get it from leading retailers like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, and Co-op.
Emily Sergeant -
28th October 2020 
