We all know that “Christmas cannot be normal” this year due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but there’s still plenty of ways to keep the festive spirit alive.
Children will often face a sleepless night of excitement on Christmas Eve as they wait to spot signs that Santa and his team of reindeer have visited, but as well as the collection of presents he leaves behind, much of the magic also comes from seeing a half empty glass of milk (or something stronger), and a generous bite from a carrot to prove the big man and his reindeer appreciated the snacks left to help him on his way.
And although Santa is far too clever to ever be caught on camera during his busiest night of the year, a McDonald’s creation will allow you to show your children something truly special when they awake on Christmas day.
The McDonald’s Reindeer Ready website has been proved to be huge hit with parents up and down the country in previous years.
Using cutting-edge technology, it gives parents the chance to film one of Rudolph’s gang eating from a plate of carrots in your very own living room and it couldn’t be easier to use, but the site is often overloaded in the final hours of Christmas Eve with the amount of people trying to access it, so your best bet is to get things prepared beforehand.
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All you’ll need to do is visit the Reindeer Ready website on your phone or tablet, choose ‘Reindeer Ready Live’, and then click ‘Get started’.
It will then access your camera to take a picture of where you would like the hard-working reindeer to appear, before editing in the magical animal to take a bite from a plate of crunchy carrots as the bells on its collar jingle away.
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You can even change the side the reindeer enters from to match how they would have entered the house.
It’s worth noting that getting the camera angle right to match where your child left the snacks may take a couple of goes, but remember that the website adds in its own plate of carrots so be sure to move yours out of the shot before you get started.
Once you’ve nailed the perfect shot, you can download the video to your phone to wow the little ones on Christmas morning.
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How brilliant is this?
You can visit the Reindeer Ready website to find plenty of other options – including Christmas themed activity sheets, audiobooks and a reindeer game – here.
Tens of thousands queue for exclusive new Selfridges Jellycat toy
Daisy Jackson
Selfridges has today unveiled a brand-new, exclusive Jellycat toy – and it’s proving so popular an online queue has had to be put in place.
At the time of writing, a whopping 28,000 people are currently in a virtual queue to purchase the adorable new Jellycat character, with a wait time of more than an hour.
Today, Selfridges debuted a world-exclusive toy for the department store – a plushie version of its iconic yellow bag.
The Jellycat Amuseables toy comes in a soft yellow fabric, with the signature Jellycat smile, plus corded handles and legs.
And it does function as a miniature bag too, perfect for storing other pieces from your collection.
It’s been launched to celebrate a milestone 25 years of partnership between the two brands.
The Jellycat Amuseables Selfridges Bag. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Jellycat Amuseables Selfridges Bag. Credit: The Manc Group
The Selfridges x Jellycat exclusive retails at £48 – and its price has done absolutely nothing to deter people from shopping.
As well as being stocked online, the Selfridges bag soft toy is available in store in Exchange Square and at the Trafford Centre in Manchester, as well as in Birmingham and London.
Judd Crane, Selfridges Executive Director, Buying and Brand, said: “We are very proud to be part of Jellycat’s incredible story, as one of the brand’s first stockists, launching at Selfridges in 2000,” reports The Industry.Fashion.
The current queue on the Selfridges website for the Jellycat exclusive
“We have watched the Jellycat brand, and family, evolve as its loyal and inclusive community of fans and collectors continues to grow and grow. Twenty five years later, Jellycat is a firm favourite with our customers, who come to us for characters and experiences which make their day brighter.
“The Selfridges yellow bag is perhaps the most recognisable part of our brand personality, and we are excited be able to share it with Jellycat!”
You can pick up the Jellycat Amuseables Selfridges Bag in-store and online from today.
To celebrate 25 years of @Jellycat and @Selfridges, there’s a brand new character on the shelf and she’s beautiful 🥹💛 📍 Available now at both Selfridges Exchange Square and Trafford Centre #manchester#selfridges#jellycat#jellycatcollection#manc
There’s a FREE Children in Need event coming to MediaCityUK
Thomas Melia
An all-new and completely free to enjoy Children in Need event is making its way to MediaCityUK later this November, and it’s bringing along some iconic brands.
Everyone’s favourite yellow bear is returning to Manchester to take over MediaCityUK and rename it Pudsey’s Piazza for one night only.
Pudsey Bear is heading down to MediaCityUK and he’s bringing all the best activities, games, famous food, live music and more for four hours of FREE family-oriented fun.
You can expect to see Pudsey and the team alongside a whole host of celebrities, brand partners and lots of friends when Children in Need hosts its celebration later this November.
Some of the brands which have been announced include staple high street bakery Greggs, a collaboration between McDonald’s and its sports counterpart, Fun Football UK.
DJ AG is just one of the special guests preparing to take over MediaCityUK this November for Children in Need (Credit: Supplied)
Also joining the bill is viral TikTok potato-loving duo Spud Bros, who will be serving up their famed jacket potatoes with an array of fillings to choose from inside their recognisable big red van.
Greggs will be bringing a huge double-decker bus to Pudsey’s Piazza at MediaCityUK with treats on hand throughout this evening celebration, as well as interactive games for you to play.
You’ll also be able to catch a glimpse of a replica Red Arrows jet, which will be situated on the piazza all night long courtesy of aerial experts Royal Air Force.
If that wasn’t enough for you, your night will be soundtracked by the one and only viral nomad music maker DJ AG, who’ll be playing out tunes as part of a charity livestream at the bandstand.
MediaCityUK is the home of BBC Children in Need, so it’s only fitting that Pudsey would throw one of his biggest parties yet right here in Greater Manchester.
Pudsey and his friends are transforming MediaCityUK into Pudsey’s Piazza on Friday, 14 November from 4pm to 8pm, and they’re encouraging anyone to come along, especially since it’s FREE.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd December 2020 
