4 Things You Need From Talking Tables To Make Your Christmas Pop*
So you're hosting Christmas this year? Maybe for the first time, maybe just for a few, maybe for enough to feed an army. You've got the turkey ordered, the tree is up and the RSVPs are flooding in.
But what about those final touches? Those little things you've maybe forgotten about. The kind of thing that turns a good Christmas host to the Nigella of the table.
My loves, Talking Tables has once again got your back covered.
1. Jumper Crackers.
Ok so yes admittedly me and Joss only pulled one of these because we're saving the rest till we host our family do (in between Christmas and new Years) but we actually both really rated it. I don't want to be a Scrooge up in here but crackers over the last few years have massively lost their appeal. The prizes are always a bit shite unless you spend thirty quid, the designs are always the same and the hats normally fall apart within the first three minutes - which is why I think novelty crackers are the way forward.
These jumper crackers from Talking Tables are not only fun to look at but they're actually quite a novel way round the traditional classic. The hats come separate so you can all choose your colours and you effectively pull the arms of the jumper to create the bang. Before you've pulled them I think the idea is you can have a selfie or two with your head on the mini jumper and when we ripped our test one to pieces we found a fun alternative to the usual tat. Along with our joke and trivia (always a hit) and our prize (a rubber) was a lil beard on a stick and rumour has lead me to believe the crackers do in fact hold selfie props for all your festive photos. Sure to be a hit with everyone at your dinner table (no matter how old).
2. Nordic Polar Bear.
Definitely my fav thing I got from TT this year (and the item that got the best reception from both Joss and my blog squad) has to be this lil guy. He's actually not that little and is a weighty bruiser which makes him all the more appealing in a house with a clumsy boyfriend and an excitable dog - durability here is everything.
I got my faceted polar bear as part of the 'decorating for winter' post I did but I've kept him up for Christmas too because I love him so much. He was originally on the TV stand but has now migrated and takes pride of place as the only character under our tree on the landing. As much as I love a cute cuddly character I think the fact this guy is so unusually shaped is why he appeals to me - and definitely makes him less festive if that's not your shabang. Now to name him....
3. Christmas Pudding Wonderball.
So aside from the fact Joss kept thinking this was a coconut (yes that's right, the famous Christmas coconut) we actually really enjoyed trying this product out. If I'd had a pre Christmas party planned I think this would have provided some cracking entertainment but alas our do is after so we just did it on our own. It's definitely a family or big gathering kinda game and would be ideal if you have little ones at your dinner table but this Christmas pudding wonderball is like a rollable game of pass the parcel.
It's essentially a simple concept - layer upon layer of tissue paper in different colours which when rolled or kicked or tossed about unravels one layer at a time to reveal all your normal cracker favs. In between the layers we found tongue twisters, trivia cards, jokes, hats and a host of prizes like toys, a sharpener and dice (which we've kept for NYE board game night) so it really is pot luck what each member of your family will get. It was a fun little thing and creates a LOT of mess when all the tissue paper is piled on the floor which the dog loved but my only criticism would be the centre is a bit of an anti climax. You think there's going to be something amazing at the end like a big prize but there's not and it would have been great to have something like that but otherwise, if you have that in mind, it's a great entertainment piece, especially for kids.
4. Holly String Lights.
And last but not least it wouldn't be a proper Christmas party without a string of fairy lights would it? I must have at least 10 sets of string lights from TT from stars to pinecones to santa faces but these are definitely top of my list.
We've attached these lights to the bannister on the stairs in between all the tinsel and the hallway and landing looks soooo cute when they're all lit up. They're really delicate looking but are easily wound around wherever you're hanging them as they're on wire which is ideal. They're also battery powered which was a relief for us knowing we wanted them up but not having a single plug anywhere near. You'd be hard pushed to find a set as cute as these no?
And so we have it - the last minute buys you just have to have to make you the best host there ever was (or at least of 2017).
*These products were sent to me for free by Talking Tables in exchange for review but as always all imagery, words and opinions are my own (or Joss')
