Tag Archives: gifts

The Perfect Christmas Gift

Dairy Diary Set 2014. The perfect Christmas Gift.

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The Perfect Christmas Gift 

Fourteen and a half years’ ago, I started a new job. This job was a stop-gap to fill a void between an awful job in the print industry and my ‘proper’ graduate forever job.

Many training courses and hard work have resulted in that stop-gap job becoming my proper forever graduate job and I absolutely love it.

Dairy Diary 2014 with memorable date stickersI’ve always had an affection for stationery (do any girls grow out of this?) and so working on a diary is perfect for me. You may have noticed that the diary now includes a handy notes pocket and sticker sheet. Yes, another nod to my obsession with stationery, but also very popular with our customers.

Dairy Diary Set

As we’re such a small team, I get involved in almost every aspect of the business, including the Dairy Diary Set, which always features the Dairy Diary, pocket diary and other stationery bits and bobs.

Getting paid to wander around stationery
departments is not a problem for me!

This year, we have included a pen, which is comfy to hold and pleasant to write with. Several samples were returned as they had those awful scratchy nibs – not good enough for our Set!

Dairy Diary Set organiser and pocket diaryThe little book contains a notepad, post-it-note pad and page markers. I use these page markers in all my cookbooks to flag up my favourite recipes. The notepad and sticky notes are perfect for shopping list and reminders.

The Dairy Diary Set is available to buy now. You can order online <link> or over the phone 01425 463390/0845 0948128 or from your local milkman, if you have one. It’s a really affordable gift but also a rather lovely treat for yourself.

And here’s a Dairy Diary recipe to whet your appetite.

Spiced Chicken & Noodle Soup is perfect for these chilly autumnal days.

Spiced Chicken & Noodle Soup

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Father’s Day Makes and Bakes

Father's Day Gifts

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Father’s Day Makes and Bakes

When you become a mum you realise that Father’s Day becomes even more fun and yet requires a LOT more planning.

My dad has had a very challenging year this year and so I want to spoil him with something really special. Despite being in the latter part of his sixties, my Harley-riding dad is a bit ‘rock’ and so I have commissioned this gorgeous leather bracelet from Etsy with ‘Coolest Grandad’ and the names of his grandchildren.

Etsy is a fantastic place to find unusual gifts at affordable prices and often features up-and-coming artists and craftspeople. I’ve also ordered a really cool Vespa photographic print for my scooter-loving better half from the twinettes.

For a Father’s day card with impact
you can’t beat a create-your-own-card
website such as Snapfish.

I have created three lovely cards with pictures of the children for my Dad and my little people’s daddy.

I’ve also begun (a little late) a lino print for Dad of a hare, his favourite animal, which I am desperately hoping is finished by Sunday. Lino-printing is a much neglected hobby as it is so difficult to find time with a busy full-time job and three children. I do, however, find it so therapeutic and it gives me such very valuable ‘me’ time. All of this little lot have not cost the earth, but because everything is so personal to each dad I think it will make them feel special (that’s the idea anyway!)

 

Steak Ciabatta & Lemon Tart recipes

I’m also planning a delicious family lunch for the three generations.

I think these two recipes from our next cookbook, Clever One Pot, should be a big hit! Steak Ciabatta with Caramelised Onions and Lemon Tart.

Competition | Win a spending spree at Heathcote & Ivory

Competition | Win a £50 spending spree at Heathcote & Ivory

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Competition | Win a £50 Spending Spree at the Heathcote & Ivory beauty products website

Dairy Diary is giving you the chance to win a £50 spending spree at heathcote-ivory.com

Whether it’s soothing skin cleansing and moisturising products or luxurious home fragrance accessories, Heathcote & Ivory has the answer with fine fragrances, quality ingredients and beautiful gift packaging making perfect presents or ideal treats.

How to enter

Simply complete the form by 6 May and you will be entered into the prize draw.

Good luck.

Competition | Win a £50 Spending Spree

Competition Win a £50 Spending Sp[ree

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Competition | Win a £50 Spending Spree at the Heathcote & Ivory beauty products website.

Dairy Diary is giving you the chance to win a £50 spending spree at heathcote-ivory.com

Whether it’s soothing skin cleansing and moisturising products or luxurious home fragrance accessories, Heathcote & Ivory has the answer with fine fragrances, quality ingredients and beautiful gift packaging making perfect presents or ideal treats.

Simply complete the form and you will be entered into the prize draw. Good luck.

Enter now at http://a.pgtb.me/djrK4n

Dairy Diary 2013 now available

The Sairy Diary 2013 is now available

BRITAIN’S best selling hard-back diary is back for a 31st year – and it’s even better than its predecessors.

Described as a ‘compendium of practical information’, the 2013 Dairy Diary is packed with useful hints and tips, making it the essential book for running any busy home.

A wide selection of mouth-watering recipesSplit into seven easy-to-use sections, it’s full of sage advice on a vast array of subjects, from stain removal to homemade hand treatments, and childhood illnesses to looking after precious metals. It also contains a beginner’s guide to pilates, and helpful tips on how to create a bird friendly garden.

The 2013 diary also features a wide selection of mouth watering recipes to suit all occasions, from quick and simple soups and snacks, to classic staples such as beef casserole and fish pie, and delectable desserts like Hogmanay Tart and Irish Whiskey Cake.

Executive Editor, Nick Rowe, says:

“The Dairy Diary has become an essential companion over the years and this latest version, our 31st edition, is the most comprehensive one we have produced so far.

“It’s packed with recipes and practical hints and tips, which makes it an excellent point of reference.

“This edition contains some inspiring articles on a host of different topics, from bread making to home made hand treatments, and how to transform your garden into a haven for birds.”

The Dairy Diary is the best week-to-view diary you can buy

The Dairy Diary 2013 comes with memorable date stickers

The first Dairy Diary was produced by the Milk Marketing Board in 1982. In 2001 it was taken over by Eaglemoss Consumer Publications and has become Britain’s best-selling home diary series, selling over 20 million copies.

Dairy Diary Set

The Dairy Diary Set offers amazing value for moneyThe Dairy Diary is also available in the 2013 Dairy Diary Set, which contains:

  • Dairy Diary 2013
  • Notepad for messages and shopping lists
  • Designer pencil
  • Easy-use pen
  • Notes holder with pen and pencil storage

Perfect for managing any busy life – and a great value gift too at just £8.99!

How to order

The 2013 Dairy Diary is priced at £6.99 and the Dairy Diary Set is priced at £8.99.

  • Visit www.dairydiary.co.uk
  • Call 0845 948128
  • If you have a milkman, simply put a note out with your empties.

Sweet Spicy Nuts

Sweet Spicy Nuts | A Dairy Diary 2012 recipe

Wrap in cellophane and tie with a ribbon to make a tasty gift.

Makes 450g (1lb)
Time 15 mins
Calories 168 per 25g (1oz)
Fat 15g of which 1.6g is saturated

Blanched almonds 110g (4oz)
Cashew nuts 110g (4oz)
Unsalted peanuts 110g (4oz)
Pecans 110g (4oz)
Ground cinnamon 1 tsp
Ground cumin ½ tsp
Ground coriander ½ tsp
Olive oil 2 tbsp
Soft brown sugar 2 tbsp

1 Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6.

2 Place nuts in a bowl and sprinkle in spices and olive oil. Mix together thoroughly with your hands.

3 Spread evenly onto a baking tray and bake in oven for 5–10 minutes, turning halfway through, until aromatic and golden. Add sugar, mix well and return to oven for a few minutes until sugar has melted.

4 When cool, transfer to a serving bowl and serve with drinks. Tip You can store these nuts in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe taken from 2012 Dairy Diary.

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