Christmas

A visit to Lapland to see Father Christmas is just a pipedream for most people, with a short stay generally costing thousands – but there is a far cheaper way to experience the magic of the snowy wonderland without breaking the bank

Whether you want to admit it or not, Christmas really is on its way and it will be here sooner than you think.

Your flip flops may still be lingering redundant at the front door in the hope of some warm autumn sun but they’ll be joined by hats and scarfs very soon, which you’ll be throwing on to rush out and get those last minute Xmas gifts.

If you’ve always hoped one of them would be to take the kids (or just yourself) to Lapland to see the big fella in his homeland, but never believed you could afford it – there is a much less costly way to make those childhood festive dreams of a trip of a lifetime come true.

The Santa Village and the Arctic Circle in Northern Finland is where Santa has lived for centuries and is a top destination for those in search of the all round festive experience. The village in Rovaniemi is open every day of the year but many prefer to go during the Christmas period.

We took a look at costs for a family of four to stay at the village itself for two nights during December and it’s fair to say most families would be priced out.

The family suite (double bed and a sofa bed and armchair bed) was the only option available with the cheaper cottages having sold out. It came in at around £1,683 for both nights.

For anyone who wants to splash out even more there is a villa which can be rented in its entirety or it’s also possible to rent half of it as an apartment. The smaller of the two apartments comes in at just over £13,000 in total for four people staying two nights on December 15 and 16.

Admittedly the accommodation appears to be the height of luxury and includes breakfast. There’s even the option of a private chef preparing it for you for £262 extra per morning if you can’t be bothered to pop your bread in the toaster yourself.

Father Christmas himself will even make a VIP private visit to the apartment for around 30 minutes but he doesn’t come cheap either, he’s a busy man after all. You’ll have to fork out around £778 if you want Santa on your sofa.

Return flights with Syscanner from London Gatwick to Rovaniemi on 15 December – 17 December come in around £862 in total for reasonable times but still won’t land until 18.10 on the first night. Obviously you’ll pay more for kinder flight times that don’t involve getting up or home in the middle of the night.

If you went for the cheaper option for flights and accommodation you would be looking at a total cost of £2,545 or £13,862 for the high end apartment. These estimates DON’T include travel to and from the airport or the cost of any meals, refreshments or added extras such as husky or reindeer sled rides (the luxury apartment includes breakfast).

However those wishing there was a cheaper way to enjoy the winter wonderland, could consider arranging alternative accommodation and adding in an extra festive experience that will also save money. It is generally cheaper to fly to Helsinki from the UK. We found an early morning flight leaving Gatwick for £218 in total for four passengers on the same date, again via Skyscanner.

Once there you can pick up the overnight Santa Express (sadly he doesn’t actually drive the double decker train), which runs from Helsinki to snow-capped Lapland in the north.

The journey takes approximately 12 hours which means you can really relish the beauty of the Finnish landscape as you head towards Father Christmas. If you’re lucky you may even get to marvel at the natural stunning phenomena of the Northern Lights which are often visible here before being rocked off to sleep, waking up in the Arctic Circle the next morning.

This option combines travel and the first night’s accommodation in one, making it so much cheaper all round. Standard sleeper cabins start from £43 and cabins with showers start from £65. It is advised to book early and directly through the Finnish national rail company VR.

Recent travellers on the Santa Express have shared their experiences on Tripadvisor, where the train has a 4.2 rating: “This overnight train ride was a fun and unique way for our family to travel to Lapland. It added to the excitement of our trip and gave us a chance to relax before arriving in Rovaniemi,” one wrote. “We would recommend it to families looking for an authentic Finnish travel experience.”

Another family were also pleasantly surprised: “The rooms/cabins exceeded our expectations. Admittedly, we had concerns about selecting this mode of transport between Helsinki and Rovaniemi but we were looking forward to a new experience. It really did help establish a festive feeling as we embarked on our first trip to Lapland,” they shared.

Once you arrive in Rovaniemi you can head straight to the Santa Village, where entry is free. There’s not even a charge to meet the man himself in his big red house but prepare for queues at busy periods. Added extras such as a picture with him will come with a price tag though.

The Arctic Circle runs through the village and you can cross it in the central square – again totally free. Make some lifelong memories by taking your own pictures of the family jumping or hopping across the line in the sparkly surroundings.

There are plenty of other activities in the village, such as husky rides and snowmobile safaris but for those on a tight budget there’s lots of fun to be had simply soaking up the frozen landscape’s atmosphere after a special meet with Santa.

Once your day in the village is over, rather than staying on site, it’s possible to find much cheaper alternatives in Rovaniemi itself. We found an entire studio apartment on booking.com just 0.6 miles from the city centre for £260 for the whole family. After a restful night full of festive dreams, you can catch a flight back to Gatwick from nearby Rovaniemi airport. We found one with Skyscanner for £392.

Below are the totals for both Lapland trips and the savings that could be made. Estimates are for a family of four staying two nights between 15 – 17 December. Neither includes meals, refreshments or extras. Prices were correct at the time of writing:

Total for the Santa Village suite (cheaper of the two): £2,545

Total estimate for the alternative Lapland package using the Santa Express: £956

Saving of: £1,589

SHOPPERS are rushing to Home Bargains to snap up a 99p Christmas present essential.

The incredible deal, shared in the popular Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group, has quickly become the talk of the town as people prepare for the festive season without breaking the bank.

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Home Bargains is stocking five metres of Christmas wrapping paper for just 99p.

The affordable wrapping paper, available in a variety of designs, has sparked a wave of excitement on social media.

One thrilled shopper sad: “How nice are these!”

Another said: “You can also get 12m for £1.29. Such good prices.”

The designs, which include favourites like Mickey Mouse and Stitch, have also proven to be a hit.

A third shopper said: “I need to get the Mickey Mouse one – I already have the tags!”

Another chimed in, saying: “Omg, I love the Stitch one.”

This budget-friendly find is a must-have for anyone looking to get ahead of their Christmas preparations without overspending.

However, the deal is only available in-store, as prices online remain above £1.

To find your closest Home Bargains store visit storelocator.home.bargains.

Home Bargains thrilled shoppers back in August with the launch of their festive decorations, featuring a show-stopping giant door bow priced at just £19.99.

Bargain hunters rushed to TikTok to rave about the new products and say they want to stock up on them for the winter period.

Another popular item in the upcoming range is their Faux pine garland, which could be perfect for your staircase. 

It costs £8.99, and you can jazz it up with their three-piece hanging cow bells set for £8.99, and a five-pack of velvet bows, which cost £1.49.

Meanwhile, perfect for your Christmas table is their £4.99 Reindeer Table Top Decoration.

They also have a 40cm Red Bow Tree for £8.99, which looks very stylish indeed.

Another cute item is their ice skating shoe tree hanging, which is just £1.99.

A MAJOR supermarket chain has released five new cookie flavours for sweet treat lovers.

Tesco launched the new range of Finest Cookies earlier this month, with five new flavours hitting the market.

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The five new flavours include Belgian milk chocolate, Belgian triple chocolate, Belgian white chocolate, jumbo oat and flame raisin and chocolate shortbread.

All flavoured cookies come in a four-pack and are baked in-store.

Tesco Clubcard members can also get their hands on the new flavoured cookies for just £2.

The plastic packaging can also be returned to soft plastics collection points at Tesco stores and the cardboard bases can be recycled at home.

An eagle-eyed cookie lover shared the scrumptious find on Facebook group Baby Deals UK, saying: “These new Tesco Finest Cookies look so tasty and are just so hard to resist”.

Online punters have also weighed in on the new flavours, with many people saying not much has changed.

One person wrote: “They aren’t new though, they’ve just been put in new packaging”.

Another said he preferred home-baked goods.

“Nah not for £2, make them yourself, much better, cheaper and have as many as you want,” he said.

The cookies have sparked fiery debate as other shoppers sang their praises.

“They’re delicious, better than the old version,” one person wrote.

Another said: “Aye looks amazing, loved crumbled cookies”.

Other people claimed Tesco had just ripped off competitor M&S’s popular cookies.

“Packaged like M&S, bet they’re not as nice,” one person said.

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“Have to try these [and] see if they’re as good as the M&S ones!” another comment read.

The Tesco release comes almost one year after M&S released its in-store biscuit range, revamping an old favourite recipe.

At the end of November last year, the store also launched a Christmas-themed version, Gingerbread and White Chocolate, which earned particularly glowing reviews.

One fan said on X: “Those Marks and Spencer ginger and white chocolate cookies live up to the hype. Very dangerous.”

Another added: “Please keep the white choc & gingerbread cookies beyond Christmas. I need them all year!”

But while the taste has been praised as “amazing”, shoppers are unhappy the treats now come wrapped in plastic rather than paper packaging.

The M&S film bags can only be recycled by taking them to supermarkets, meaning they are less likely to be reused compared to the old paper wrappers.  

Commenting on Facebook, one fan said: “Why are the bakery cookies now packed in a plastic bag rather than paper?! Backwards move. Not part of Plan A surely?”

Another added: “I hope they haven’t changed the paper bags to cellophane, as if they have I won’t be buying them.”

Meanwhile, on X, another fumed: “Why have you gone from paper bags for cookies to plastic? Thought you had a focus on sustainability?!?”

ICELAND has revealed this year’s Christmas range including a Baileys yule log and TGI Fridays pigs in blankets.

While the big day is some time away, it’s always good to prepare yourself for the festive season.

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Luckily, Iceland’s new Christmas menu will hit shelves from November 6 and offers everything you need to throw a festive bash.

The items will also be available to buy at Iceland’s The Food Warehouse.

Paul Dhaliwal, Chief Commercial Officer at Iceland Foods, said: “Our customers expect variety and flavour without breaking the bank, and this year we’ve delivered just that. We’ve perfected the festive staples and added new twists that will impress and bring joy to every bite. 

“From classic centrepieces and irresistible desserts to brand-new creations and party essentials, there’s something to suit every kind of Christmas celebration, no matter your style or budget.”  

What’s on the menu?

Iceland‘s menu this year offers customers everything they’ll need for Christmas lunch or dinner from beloved Christmas classics to some new additions.

This includes everything from their Sweet Chilli Sticky Prawns and Pizza Chicken Wedges to TGI Fridays Cheeseburger & Chip baskets.

Shoppers will be able to sink their teeth into a range of Christmas meats, pigs and blankets and all the trimmings on top.

And if you are thinking of throwing a festive bash this year, customers can take advantage of their mix-and-match deals on select products like three items for £10.

Or shoppers can stock up with their £1 party range and luxury platters.

But among the showstoppers of this year’s Christmas range is the Luxury Perfect Turkey Crown.

For £28, you can get your hands on 2.2kg of frozen boneless skin on turkey crown with added water topped with sunflower oil and herb and spice marinade.

We also have a feeling that many will be eyeing up the Bailey’s Iced Yule Log for £12.

It features mouthwatering Baileys salted caramel mousse, a dark chocolate sauce and chocolate flavoured meringue.

And you can nab their Luxury Prawn and Prosecco Shells for as little as £5.

The king prawns come in a creamy Prosecco sauce topped with mashed potato, a parsley breadcrumb and cheese, served in a natural shell.

Other festive finds

Iceland aren’t the only retailer to have revealed their Christmas food range recently either.

M&S have revealed all the festive treats that you can get through from its Christmas Food to Order range from today.

The posh supermarket is famous for its delicious Christmas food, which you’ll be able to pre-order to your home ahead of the big day.

In fact, major supermarkets have just revealed the exact dates you can book Christmas delivery slots, including Asda.

We tried the M&S Christmas collection too including their iconic American must-have and Marmite caramel sauce.

We also recently tried Morrisons new Christmas range and one festive treat was an instant winner, knocking M&S and Waitrose out the park.

Morrisons festive nosh is expected to land in its 497 stores over the coming weeks.

And if you’re after your classic chocolate tubs, we’ve calculated the cheapest supermarket to grab all your favourites this week.

A BARGAIN hunter mother has shared a stern warning to parents about a viral buy from The Range.

Last year, mums and dads were racing to stores desperate to get their hands on the must-have buy that was sure to make the festive season even more special.

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And earlier this month, parents were left overjoyed to see that the purse-friendly product was now available to buy again.

But one shopper has been left very disappointed with the Large Christmas Sleigh Hamper, which she claimed is “not worth the hype.” 

Eager to alert others about the “flimsy” purchase, Emma Smith took to social media to express her frustration with the £7.99 buy.

Posting on Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK, a private Facebook group with 2.6 million members, the savvy shopper uploaded snaps of the huge sleigh, which was once sold-out and can hold dozens of gifts and decorations.

Alongside her post, she shared a messaged to “everybody thinking of getting The Range viral large Christmas Sleigh Hamper.”

She fumed: “I would not waste your money.”

Sharing pictures of the damaged sleigh, she snapped: “The cardboard is very flimsy.”

As well as this, she claimed: “The sleigh has collapsed to the side.”

Clearly very frustrated with her purchase, which has been described as a “fun way to display gifts” and is hailed as “the gift that keeps on giving,” Emma added: “Definitely not worth the hype!”

Emma’s post has clearly shocked many, as it was posted just 13 hours ago, but has already racked up almost 200 likes and 239 comments.

Big divide

But social media users were left totally divided – while some were thankful for her thoughts, others had “no issues” with their Christmas Sleigh Hamper, which is bound to turn your home into a magical festive scene in seconds.

One person said: “Not buying again. I was crazy to get it from The Range. When you put it away it won’t fold back up. It’s cute but not worth it and very small.” 

Looks like it’s been forced together tbh. For the price, it looks amazing, warts and all

Facebook user

Another added: “Thank you, I was going to get one. So glad I saw this post.” 

A third commented: “Same happened to mine! Filled it with sweets and it couldn’t take the weight and the legs buckled!” 

However, at the same time, one shopper wrote: “I got these two years ago and this will be the third year I’ve used them. Mine are great. No issues with them.” 

A second chimed in: “I got two the other day and put them up and all fine.” 

Someone else beamed: “I got the large one from The Range last year and I’ll be using it again as I found it ok and didn’t have any problems with it.” 

Whilst one user observed: “Looks like it’s been forced together tbh. For the price, it looks amazing, warts and all.”

Definitely not worth the hype!

Emma Smith

However, to this, Emma wrote back and claimed: “It wasn’t forced. The cardboard is hard regardless so you’ve got to make sure it’s put in the slots properly.” 

Meanwhile, others praised a similar sleigh hamper from B&M.

One shopper shared: “B&M ones are better and cheaper!”

Another agreed: “Got mine from B&M, £5. Sturdy and solid.”

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One UK city was named the “world’s most beautiful city” last year, and it’s not just the golden ratio of its architecture that makes it a must-visit.

Last year, a British city was crowned the “world’s most beautiful city” by research that analysed the golden ratio of architecture in cities across the globe. Not only did it triumph over domestic favourites like London and Edinburgh, but it also surpassed Venice, Italy to secure the number one position.

The research, carried out by Online Mortgage Advisor, scrutinised over 2,400 buildings throughout the UK using Google Street View, assessing how closely their architecture adhered to the ancient mathematical principle of the 1:1.618 golden ratio.

The results showed that structures following this ratio are more aesthetically appealing to the human eye, and nowhere demonstrates this more effectively than in Chester, which achieved a remarkable 83.7%.

That’s superior to Venice (83.3%), London (82%), and every other city examined worldwide, reports the Express.

However, there’s more to this historic treasure than flawless proportions – particularly during the Christmas period.

If you’re seeking a winter break that offers traditional festive appeal without the chaos and crowds of bigger city centres, Chester’s Christmas Market could be exactly what you need.

Situated beneath the spires of its 1,000 year old cathedral and the impressive Victorian Gothic town hall, this market has secured its reputation thanks to a laid-back atmosphere and scenic backdrop.

According to a survey about the finest UK cities involving over 4,000 British participants conducted last year, Which? discovered that Chester’s Christmas Market ranked amongst the premier choices due to its appeal and relaxing experience.

The report suggested: “For a peaceful festive day out, consider Chester’s Christmas Market.

“Though it was pipped to the post for the title of best medium-sized city by Bath, it scored higher for its ease of getting around, parking and lack of crowds.”

Despite its modest size – with approximately 70 carefully selected stalls – the market offers everything a Christmas enthusiast could desire.

From fragrant candles and artisan liqueurs to upcycled cutlery and locally crafted items, visitors can anticipate finding high-quality, thoughtful presents.

A MAJOR UK supermarket has slashed the price of all its Christmas chocolate tubs – and you don’t need a loyalty card to get the bargain.

With just under 100 days to go until Christmas, shoppers are being urged to stock up early and save money on their festive favourites.

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Asda, today cut the price on its tubs of Celebrations, Quality Street, Cadbury Heroes and Cadbury Roses – making them the cheapest on the market without signing up for any scheme.

A tub of Quality Street or Celebrations now costs £4.42, while Cadbury Heroes and Roses are just £4.92 each.

The supermarket said it wanted to give customers the best value possible ahead of the busy festive period, with no need to scan a card or download an app at the checkout.

The deals come as Asda recently unveiled its full Christmas food range for 2025.

It includes Hot Maple Pigs in Blankets, a Pigs in Duvet Wreath, a Festive Fondue Kit, Slow Cured Rack of Pork with Truffle Butter and Parmesan Crumb and a Pistachio & Milk Chocolate Flavour Cream Liqueur.

Retail experts say the price cuts could spark a supermarket price war as competitors look to match Asda’s prices in the run-up to December.

It follows a strong year for Asda, which was named one of the UK’s cheapest supermarkets by Which? earlier this month.

In August, a larger trolley shop of 190 items cost £474.86 at Asda – £11.03 cheaper than Tesco with a Clubcard.

Christmas chocolate price wars

Sweets under the tree are a big part of Christmas for British households.

Supermarkets often offer flash promotions giving shoppers a chance to get their festive favourites at a discounted price.

But these offers aren’t around for long.

Earlier this month, Tesco slashed the price of Quality Street tubs to £2.95.

The price drop gave shoppers a chance to stock up ahead of Christmas.

You’ll need to hide away the tubs to avoid the temptation of tucking in before December.

Besides the big chocolate tubs, other Christmas favourites are starting to land on shelves.

Cadbury’s Mini Snow Balls are one of the best-selling chocolate treats during Christmas time. 

How to save money on chocolate

We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…

Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.

Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.

Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.

They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.

Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.

So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.

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The airline and package holiday provider is offering citybreaks to 11 destinations across Europe this winter

Believe it or not, Christmas is now just around the corner with fewer than 100 days to go until the big day. To help travellers get into the festive spirit early, Jet2 has rolled out what it said was its most extensive Christmas Markets programme ever, complete with a new destination and departures from airports across Scotland, Ireland and England.

Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks are giving holidaymakers the opportunity to discover the magic of Europe’s most festive cities with 11 enchanting Christmas market destinations to choose from. For winter 2025 and 2026, more than 250,000 seats are available across their UK departure points – marking its biggest festive programme to date, reports the MEN.

The airline and package holiday provider is offering city breaks to the likes of:

• Berlin
• Cologne
• Gdansk
• Budapest
• Krakow
• Prague
• Vienna
• Bratislava
• Malmo
• Copenhagen

This year, Jet2 is expanding its lineup with a new destination – Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. In winter, Tallinn’s historic Old Town is transformed into a magical scene straight from a fairytale, with its rich heritage, vibrant culture, festive shopping, and buzzing nightlife.

Travellers can choose between a flight-only option with Jet2.com or a full ATOL-protected city break with Jet2CityBreaks. These are both bookable with just a £60 per person deposit.

Jet2CityBreaks packages include return Jet2.com flights, 22kg of checked baggage, 10kg of hand luggage and a carefully selected range of 2 to 5-star hotels in central locations – perfect for exploring one of Europe’s most enchanting Christmas market destinations.

The Christmas Market programme runs from the following airports:

1. Belfast International Airport
2. Birmingham Airport
3. Bournemouth Airport
4. Bristol Airport
5. Edinburgh Airport
6. East Midlands Airport
7. Glasgow Airport
8. Leeds Bradford Airport
9. Liverpool John Lennon Airport
10. London Stanstead Airport
11. Manchester Airport
12. Newcastle International Airport

The UK’s most beautiful city has been named – and it’s also home to one of the best Christmas markets in the country

A charming UK city has been declared the globe’s most stunning during the autumn period, though it remains a treasure all year round. Beyond its remarkably scenic location, Bath also boasts one of Britain’s finest Christmas markets, according to consumer watchdog Which?

The market features an ice rink, ideal for a spot of festive fun, and naturally, numerous stalls to explore. Most vendors are locals from the South West, offering an impressive array of items – from garden ornaments to handcrafted timber furniture.

Shoppers can snap up knitted garments, fragrances and even treats for their four-legged friends, reports the Express.

Naturally, no festive market would be complete without food, and Bath’s offering doesn’t disappoint.

From regional delicacies to seasonal flapjacks and beyond, visitors will be overwhelmed by choice at this Christmas market.

Beyond its outstanding market, Bath has claimed the crown as Britain’s most beautiful city during autumn and winter, according to Premier Inn’s travel specialists.

The ancient city has surpassed international rivals including Chicago and Cape Town, clinching first place in the worldwide beauty rankings.

Tripadvisor’s top-rated local landmark, Bath Abbey, has served as a holy site for more than a thousand years.

Travellers have flocked to Tripadvisor to share their praise, with one visitor observing: “A beautiful and peaceful space to spend time.”

Another expressed their delight: “Visited more than once. So much to see and appreciate the history and architectural beauty.”

Despite some tourists’ disappointment at not being able to take a dip in the Roman Baths, the site’s captivating exhibits bring the ancient location to life.

Among the fascinating relics at the Baths is a collection of curse tablets, where disgruntled Romans etched their grievances seeking divine vengeance, tossing them into Minerva’s Spring.

While the historic Baths are off-limits for swimming, the Thermae Bath Spa provides adults with a lavish spa experience using the city’s naturally warm, mineral-rich waters.

For those looking for a cosy cafe, Bath offers a variety of snug spots, complete with the chance to savour the famous ‘Bath Bun’, a sweet roll decorated with fruit and crushed sugar.

Bath is renowned for its stunning architecture, a feature that has earned the city its status as a dedicated UNESCO site.

Visitors might recognise familiar sights across the city, seen in popular shows like Bridgerton, Poldark and The Sixth Commandment.

A MAJOR supermarket is selling McVitie’s biscuit boxes for just £2.50 ahead of this Christmas season.

The 400g boxes include a selection of family favourites to get in the festive spirit.

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McVitie’s Family Circle Biscuit Selection boxes are available cheapest at Iceland for just £2.50.

What is included

There are ten different biscuits to choose from in this selection box, including the iconic Milk Chocolate Digestives, popular Custard Creams, and much-loved Rich Highland Shorties.

Also included in the boxes are McVitie’s Choc Chip Cookies, Shortcake, Jam Sandwich Creams, Milk Chocolate Fingers, Crunchy Oat, Nice, and Bourbon Creams.

Shoppers’ reactions

Iceland customers have raved about the product in reviews.

One wrote: “These biscuits have always been Christmas specials.

“There is a good selection of biscuits included.

“And they are great tasting …love them for a treat with a cup of tea or coffee.”

Another added: “Includes chocolate ones and most usual ones.”

“Not really any new ones.”

Both gave the biscuit selection an overall rating of four stars.

Sainsbury’s and Occado are also seen selling the McVitie’s boxes, but for £4.

And Morrisons has them on sale for £3.

More Christmas boxes

Quality Street chocolates and celebrations are also popular Christmas boxes that have been seen going for cheap recently.

At Morrisons, tubs were seen going for just £4.50 from the discount retailer.

And Lidl and Aldi are also known for providing the best deals of groceries, another major UK retailer was found to have the cheapest rate on chocolate boxes.

This week, Tesco took the crown for best overral rates on Christmas chocolate.

Tesco Clubcard holders are able to pick up Nestle Celebrations and Quality Street for £4.50, while Cadbury’s Heroes and Roses have been reduced to £5.25.

OUR wardrobes are stuffed with 1.6billion unworn clothes.

So it is best for the planet — and your bank balance — to stop buying new and instead swap your old stuff for other people’s cast-offs.

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During Second Hand September, Oxfam is encouraging people to hunt down a bargain and find unique pieces that will make you stand out from the crowd.

TREASURE HUNT: Trawling high street charity shops is a great way to spot a gem.

Abi Owen, online shop merchandiser for Oxfam, says: “Charity shops are full of wonderful, unique finds, so it’s worth having an open mind to see what might catch your eye.

“As autumn begins, timeless items such as cable-knit jumpers and checked shirts are the perfect pre-loved find.”

WONDERS ON THE WEB: If you can’t get to a second-hand shop, or you have something specific in mind, look online.

Lose yourself on Vinted or eBay and, to support a good cause, search for charity shops on the internet. Many also have their own online shops.

SEPTEMBER SURPRISES: At Oxfam’s online store (onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk) you can narrow your search by price, size or designer.

We found Ralph Lauren sunglasses for under £9.99, a Tommy Hilfiger jumpsuit for £12.99 and a wedding dress for £30.

During Second Hand September, there is also a range of offers, including free delivery until Tuesday and ten per cent off when signing up for Oxfam’s newsletter.

BEST BUYS: Make the most of your money and bag a second-hand bargain that you will wear lots of times.

Denim will never go out of fashion and is stacked up in charity shops.

Abi says: “Whether it is a pair of jeans or a classic jacket, they are perfect for styling up or down.

“Plus, they’re better when they’ve been worn in.

“Accessories are a brilliant second-hand item to shop for, too. A good belt or some gorgeous earrings can complete a look.

“Keep your eyes peeled for details like a tartan scarf to pull an outfit together.”

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• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability

Deal of the day

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KIDS will go loopy for the Hot Wheels Track Creator Triple Loop Speed Kit, reduced from £40.98 to £30.98 at direct.asda.com.

SAVE: £10

Cheap treat

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ENJOY a cheeky nibble with Morrisons milk chocolate digestives, 300g, down from £1.25 to 89p.

SAVE: 36p

What’s new?

THRILL-SEEKING grannies and grandads can enjoy the rides at Drayton Manor for free this weekend.

The Staffordshire theme park is giving free entry to over-70s until Monday.

Top swap

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CHEESE Louise!

Snack on a six-pack of Quavers, £2.13 from Asda, working out at 36p for a 16g bag.

Or enjoy the store’s own Cheesy Curls six-pack, £1.25, or 21p for a 16g bag.

SAVE: 15p per bag

Little helper

COTE Brasserie is offering a different “icon” dish for £10 each week day when you say “I’m an Icon” to staff.

Save the most on Thursdays when the beef bourguignon, usually £21.95, is a tenner.

Shop & save

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GET tea sorted for less with Young’s Gastro two tempura battered fish fillets, down from £5.25 to £2.50, with a Tesco Clubcard.

SAVE: £2.75

Hot right now

IKEA Family members can get a small cooked breakfast for £1 or regular one for £1.50 on Saturdays until 11am. Save up to £2.35.

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

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JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.

Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.

The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!

WHILE some shops are already thinking about Christmas, others are preparing for a different holiday first.

Now that we’re in September, it means that Halloween is just a matter of weeks away and some shops are already making a huge drive.

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Home Bargains is no different as they have the perfect product for your home, and it won’t break the bank either.

You can light up your Halloween with the Scream Iridescent Pumpkin light.

This ‘simple’ and eye-catching decorative light will add a fun yet simultaneously spooky glow to any festivity you have planned.

The retailer advertises the product as being ‘perfect for a fun and festive vibe,’ and it certainly looks that way.

According to snaps listed on the website, the transparent pumpkin shaped light will glow up in different colours.

If you want to dance to Michael Jackson‘s Thriller or host a Hocus Pocus themed party, this decoration will put a spell on any dancefloor that awaits.

This Battery Operated light is self standing and it will set you back just £4.99.

It also has a generous height of 14cm with an approximate width of 16cm.

But Home Bargains is also offering even more bargains with their range of decorations.

If you want a more chilled vibe or plan to host your party outdoors, the retailer is selling a special lantern.

You can get a pumpkin themed light for just £1.49 which the shop advertises as being a ‘bewitching addition to your eerie decorations’.

It has been advertised to provide a flickering glow and spooky charm to any space it is positioned in.

For extra convenience, it is also collapsible so you can easily pack it up and use it again at appropriate times.

With an orange colour and the pumpkin shape and printed design, you can go all out for your haunted house ambience.

Cheap decorations

The retailer has plenty of other pumpkin-themed decorations for the autumn holiday.

You can add the charming and simple Hallow Scream Decorative Pumpkin for that touch of fun.

The 12cm decoration is available in two colours with multiple designs.

You can get your hands on a black design which has the words ‘trick or treat’ emblazoned in a fun orange font on the front.

The orange design is different as it comes with ghost shapes and the word ‘Boo!’ for that a bold and eerie twist.

The dramatic finish contains chilling details like engraved faces and gothic patterns, which will make it a standout piece in any haunted display.

You can get your hands on this decoration for the small price of just £1.99.

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ALDI has unveiled three new cake-inspired ice creams in a huge shakeup to its frozen aisle. 

The new desserts will be landing in just days and will retail for just £2.49.

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The three ice creams will be inspired by some of Britain’s favourite cakes, including a birthday cake flavour. 

Aldi has described the birthday cake ice cream as having a “party in every tub”.

Every sponge-flavoured treat is slathered in sweet marshmallow and raspberry sauces before being finished with rainbow sprinkles. 

The second new ice cream comes in a red velvet flavour, which has rich cocoa frosting and baked sponge pieces. 

Aldi’s final new flavour is the Cherry Bakewell ice cream, which is infused with sweet-almond and covered in pastry flavoured ice cream. 

All three ice cream flavours will hit the shelves on September 15th and, according to Aldi, they will sell for just £2.49.

The news comes after the brand confirmed its Christmas plans three months in advance. 

Like many other retailers, Aldi will be closing its doors for three days over the festive period to give its hardworking staff some time off. 

All 1000 of Aldi’s sites will close on Christmas Day before reopening on December 27. 

The shop will close again on New Year’s Day. 

Rebecca Heley, communications director at Aldi UK, said: “Christmas is a special time, and we want to ensure all of our colleagues have the opportunity to relax and enjoy it with their loved ones.

“That’s why all Aldi stores will be closed on Boxing Day this year.

“We know how hard colleagues work to deliver an amazing Christmas for our customers, and this is one small way of saying thank you.”

The supermarket chain has also announced that it is rolling out a huge change across all of its stores very soon.

Aldi will be stocking wines themed around autumn and winter from next week, after it was crowned Wine Supermarket of the Year at the People’s Choice Awards.

Sam Caporn, Aldi’s resident Master of Wine, said: “As summer fades, it’s time to uncork the flavours of autumn. Think medium-bodied reds for cosy evenings, or a tropical Stellenbosch Chardonnay alongside a Sunday roast.

“And here’s a secret – the Cigales Rosé isn’t just for summer. Its vibrant acidity makes it a surprisingly perfect partner for winter dishes too.”

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APPLES are ripening and tumbling from branches across gardens and hedgerows.

Or you may find that generous neighbours or friends with apple trees are offering the fruit for free.

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Here’s how to make the most of the harvest . . . 

APPLE STORE: Apples are often stored in fruit bowls, but they will last longer in the fridge.

The fruit also emits a gas that can speed up the ripening of other produce such as oranges, giving another reason to keep them separated.

NICELY PUDD: Apple pie or crumble is the perfect autumnal dessert. Crumbles are slightly quicker to make and great with kids. Use the following recipe from Tesco. Peel and core and cut three or four cooking apples into chunks.

Pop the fruit in a saucepan with two tablespoons of caster sugar, and two tablespoons of water, cooking until the apples have softened.

If you have a glut of apples, you could prepare double or triple the mix and freeze portions for using at a later date.

Pop in a greased ovenproof dish. Then mix 110g of self-raising flour, 40g of demerara sugar, 40g of diced salted, butter and two tablespoons of rolled oats in a bowl until it’s breadcrumb texture.

Add to the apple mix before baking for around 45minutes until golden.

GO DRY: Dried apples are a great healthy snack — perfect for lunchboxes.

Slice the apples thinly and bake for a few hours on a low heat.

The longer you leave them in, the crispier they become. Then store in an air-tight container.

JUICE IT: Use apples to make a delicious juice without a juicer. Start by chopping and deseeding three or four apples.

Boil and cover with around 120ml of water until the apples are soft and mushy.

Line a colander with muslin cloth and put over a bowl before pouring in the cooled mixture.

Press down on the mixture and let the bowl collect the juice. You can then add honey or lemon juice to taste.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability

Deal of the day

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EVERY kitchen needs some reliable tools. The Tefal stone force frying pan is down from £32 to £16 at Sainsbury’s.

SAVE: £16

Cheap treat

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CURE a hunger craving with this Ginsters large sausage roll, £1, from Waitrose.

What’s new?

DOMINOS has launched an ultimate Indian range of pizzas, including gunpowder chicken, and masala paneer, £25.99 each.

Top swap

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PICK up the pace with Asics novablast 5 running trainers, £134.50 from the sportsedit.com.

Or hit your goals with these trainers, £14.99 in Aldi from today.

SAVE: £119.51

Little helper

UNTIL the end of September, buy any spa break at Champneys resorts and you can take a friend along for just £25.

Shop & save

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GIVE your skin top coverage with Estee Lauder double wear foundation, down from £39.50 to £16.98 at asos.com.

SAVE: £22.52

Hot right now

CO-OP members can get its Irresistible prosecco for £6.50, saving £2.20, until September 23.

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

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JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.

Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.

The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!

Europe’s most beautiful cities often boast breathtaking old towns but there’s one budget-friendly destination that’s worth having on your radar especially when the festive season kicks off

While we may be coming to the end of ‘Euro summer’, have no fear; there are still heaps of incredible European destinations to be explored, some of which particularly shine in the autumn and winter months.

In fact the colder months can be an excellent time to plan European city breaks, as the crisp fresh air makes for ideal conditions to go wandering through fairytale-worthy cobbled streets, enjoy a spot of sightseeing without fighting the crowds, and come winter even exploring a Christmas market or two.

One city that’s well worth having on your radar is Krakow in Poland, which has recently topped the list for having Europe’s most charming Old Town. Highlights include the breathtaking St Mary’s Basilica and Wawel Hill castle which never fail to be hits with history buffs.

READ MORE: Europe’s ‘safest city’ has beautiful Old Town, hidden beach and Game of Thrones link

At the centre of the medieval Old Town sits the aptly-named Central Square, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafés, museums, bars and hotels, not to mention it’s a short walk to most of the region’s most famous landmarks. The city’s nightlife also offers up heaps of choices, so it’s no surprise that it’s also a firm favourite with stag and hen dos.

Meanwhile the pretty buildings and eye-catching architecture throughout the Old Town make for countless photo opportunities (it’s easy to see why this city is popular with the social media crowd). The bulk of the area is pedestrianised too so you can stroll around at your leisure.

READ MORE: Beautiful UK canal is one of ‘best leafy spots’ for a long weekend this autumnREAD MORE: UK’s ‘most family-friendly city’ has Vikings, chocolate and Harry Potter alley

While for some it may feel far, far too early to be thinking about Christmas, there’s no denying that there’s something extra magical about Krakow during the festive season. After all, the Polish city regularly features rankings of Europe’s best Christmas markets, not to mention that last year it picked up the crown for being Europe’s ‘most festive’ destination thanks to the wide array of stalls offering up everything from trinkets and Christmas decorations, to mulled wine and plenty of delicious food.

Throw in the fact that come December time it’s not uncommon for snowy weather to hit the city, and you can see why it’s earned a reputation as quite the winter wonderland. It also tends to be one of the more budget-friendly options with heaps of cheap flights and stays available.

This year the main Christmas market is expected to return to the Central Square, with dates between November 29, 2025, to January 1, 2026. Of course because of its festive reputation, it can be one of the busier markets so be prepared during those peak Christmas weeks for a few crowds! (There are some smaller markets nestled throughout the city too so that festive cheer is spread across a few destinations if you want to escape the hustle and bustle).

Krakow’s picturesque city centre saw it recently named as Europe’s most charming Old Town, in a new study from the travel insiders at Tourlane. Researchers ranked cities on a number of factors including their age and history, the cost of a guided tour, their appeal for pedestrians and popularity as a photo spot on social media. Krakow impressed with roots dating back to the 7th century, while a guided tour could be picked up for approximately £10.

“Krakow offers an incredibly easy way to experience centuries of history,” explained Roman Karin, Head of Travel Experience at Tourlane. “Its old town is so thoughtfully laid out that you can simply stroll from the Main Market Square to St. Mary’s Basilica and up to Wawel Castle, taking in all the highlights on foot.”

You can also find out more about Krakow and its old town on visitkrakow.com.

Do you have a travel story that you want to share with us? Email us at [email protected].

If you’re eager to mark the holidays this year with a Danish flair but Copenhagen seems a tad too far away, you might find the answer in Solvang. An answer that includes gnomes and a troll.

That city, founded in 1911 by Danish immigrants, celebrates its Julefest — the winter holidays — with an emphasis on visitor-friendly Old World traditions. This year’s schedule includes a series of events and activities from Nov. 28 through Jan. 4 — roaming carolers, European-style night markets, candlelight tours and shops transformed into micro winter wonderlands.

If you’re planning a winter road trip, here are some things to know.

The most quaint hotels in town are tiny, so book early

Solvang, about 130 miles northwest of Los Angeles, has about 20 hotels and most are smallish and independent. The largest is the Corque Hotel (122 rooms), which is affiliated with Marriott but owned by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

The most intimate and affordable hotels — often in a vintage motel sort of way — include the Atterdag Inn (8 rooms), New Haven Inn (10 rooms), Hamlet Inn (13 rooms), Mirabelle Inn (13 rooms), the Viking Inn (13 rooms) and the Winston (14 rooms).

The most luxurious is the Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, whose 73 rooms and cottages routinely rent for $1,500 nightly or more (the property includes a lake and two golf courses).

A tree will rise, amid carols, craft markets and more

Solvang’s holiday celebrations include a tree lighting, like this one in 2023.

(SolvangUSA)

Tree lighting will happen at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, in Solvang Park, followed by a Julefest Parade the next morning at 11 a.m.

Caroling is scheduled on several Saturdays, Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13 and 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. in Solvang Park (weather permitting). Art and craft markets will materialize on Wednesdays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17, from 3 to 7 p.m.

There will be European-style markets to peruse.

(SolvangUSA)

Solvang Park will offer hourlong light and music shows nightly from 5 to 10 p.m. Nov. 28 through Jan. 4. There are also evening trolley rides through the San Ynez Valley and meet-and-greet opportunities with Santa (in Solvang Park) are set for noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 29 and 30, then Dec. 6, 7, 13,14, 20 and 21.

On Dec. 31, attention shifts to Julefest’s Copenhagen Countdown in Solvang Park, ringing in the Danish new year at 3 p.m., Pacific Standard Time. This event, from 2 to 4 p.m., will feature live music from an ’80s tribute band known as the Molly Ringwald Project.

Gnomes and a troll are expected

The seasonal offerings also include candlelight tours (featuring LED candles and hosts in costume), Christmas light tours and daily hunting for nisser (gnomes) throughout downtown Solvang.

The troll — nicknamed Lulu Hyggelig — isn’t really a seasonal addition. It (or she, if you prefer) is a permanent resident of the city’s California Nature Art Museum, added in February. Lulu, made of recycled pallets and wine barrels, is one of many trolls created worldwide by Danish artist and recycling activist Thomas Dambo and his team of veteran builders and volunteers.

Christmas trees will burn — and that’s part of the celebration

Solvang’s holiday Julefest season often ends with a Christmas tree burn. This one happened in 2023.

(Randy De La Pena/SolvangUSA)

The season ends with a Christmas tree burn, billed as a safety demonstration, supervised by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, weather permitting.

SHOPPERS are rushing to buy a nifty gadget that costs just 1p to run – and they say it will stop them having to turn the heating on this winter.

The handy product will help keep you warm at home as the colder months approach, and it doesn’t cost a fortune.

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Amazon is selling the neck and shoulder heatpad for £39.99.

It normally retails at £59.99 – representing a saving of 30%.

The Dreamland heatpad is designed to be worn around the neck and can keep your shoulders feeling toasty in winter.

It has also been praised by buyers for easing symptoms associated with arthritis and injuries.

Others have described it as “excellent”.

One satisfied customer hailed it as “lovely” as it stays warm for hours and doesn’t cost anything extra to reheat.

Easy to use

The product’s manufacturer said it delivers “precise temperature control for a full three-hour treatment”.

It added: “It is so easy to use, and has a choice of five continuous use temperate setting, with a three-hour auto shut off timer.

“It costs from as little as 1p to run per treatment for three hours.” 

The cover is machine washable and can be easily stored away when the weather warms back up.

It’s even landed dozens of five-star reviews online.

One buyer said: “Bought for my arthritic mother. She loves it and it helps her a lot.”

Another described it as a “lovely item”.

A third person wrote: “Excellent for a stiff neck, or trapped nerve.”

More money-saving gadgets

Savvy shoppers are always quick to share tips and tricks to keep warm for cheap this winter.

Some recently shared Lidl was selling £18 gadgets that save them turning the heating on.

One woman also recently shared her new hack – which is said to be like “hugging a sheep”.

Dunelm shoppers have also recently been rushing to buy a “life-saver” winter gadget.

The discounter is selling the device that costs just 1p an hour to run.

Aldi also recently shared one of its winter gadgets that costs just 6p to run.

Don’t forget about your hands …

Here are some handy tips to ease the effects of cold weather on your hands …

A pair of mitts can really help your hands through the winter months.

Wear gloves outside so that the cold air doesn’t zap the moisture out of your skin.

For washing up, protect your hands with rubber gloves. Apply hand cream before putting on the gloves and the warm water will help the cream soothe your hands.

Dry, brittle and split nails are a real pain in winter, when our hands are craving moisture. The answer may lie in your food cupboard.

Rubbing olive oil into your nails and cuticles each day can strengthen and soothe them, reducing the risk of splits.

Nursem is a handcare brand started by former children’s intensive care nurse Antonia Philp, whose hands were left cracked and sore from constant handwashing.

Or, to soothe winter hands, try this. Blitz 100g oats in a food mixer until it becomes a powder.

Add to a bowl of warm water with 50ml of olive oil. Soak hands for 10 minutes before drying and apply hand cream.

CELEBRATIONS have made a huge change to tubs ahead of Christmas – and customers will not be happy.

Chocolate maker Mars has once again slashed the size of its iconic red tub from 550g to 500g – equal to a reduction of around five sweets.

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The festive staple is being rolled out of supermarkets ahead of the big day.

Asda is selling the shrunken chocolates for £5.64, with Morrisons and Sainsbury’s charging £7.

The UK’s biggest supermarket is still selling off the larger 550g tubs for £7 or £4.50 on Clubcard price.

It marks the second year in a row the confectionery giant has slimmed down the festive treat.

Last Christmas, the tubs featuring miniature pieces of Twix, Milkyway and Bounty, were reduced in size from 600g to 550g.

The Sun has approached Mars for comment.

At the time, Mars blamed the rising costs of raw materials and operations.

Global cocoa prices are still under pressure due to poor harvests caused by adverse weather in West Africa.

The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) reported a 43% jump in cocoa prices since 2022.

And Mars is not the only chocolate maker which is slimming down its chocolate tubs.

Quality Street maker Nestle has slashed the size of the purple tubs from 600g to 550g.

The new purple tubs have approximately 57 chocolates – down from 63.

A Nestlé spokesperson cited the cost of manufacturing, “ingredients and transport” for the cut.

Deal expert Tom Church previously told The Sun that the best way to beat size reductions was to look for cut-price deals, such as multi-buy offers in the supermarkets or Nectar and Clubcard prices.

Shrinking chocolate

All major manufacturers are shrinking the size of their treats to help combat rising material costs.

Last month it was discovered that Cadbury cut the size of multipacks of its Brunch bars from five to four.

Instead, a four-bar pack is now on shelves for the same average price of £1.50.

It means the bars – a staple of school lunchboxes – are, in effect, 20 per cent worse value.

Cadbury also reduced packs of Freddos from five to four and Cadbury Dairy Milk multipacks were cut from nine bars to seven.

More recently, the brand slashed the size of it’s Dairy Milk Little Bars multipacks by a third.

How to save money on chocolate

We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…

Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.

Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.

Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.

They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.

Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.

So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.

HELEN Flanagan has been forced to slash the price of her £1.5million mansion AGAIN after struggling to sell her family pad amid money woes.

The former Coronation Street star, 35, had already slashed more than £300,000 off the price of the house she shared with ex Scott Sinclair.

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Now Helen has been forced to reduce the price again for a second time after just fourth months of being on the market.

Helen first put the £1.5million six-bedroom family home up for sale in May, before reducing it to £1.195million just four weeks later. 

Now, the detached, 5,000sq ft home can be snapped up for a cheeky £995,000.

The former couple, who have three children together, bought the property at Belmont, near Bolton, in June 2021 for £840,000.

It has five reception rooms, six bathrooms and six bedrooms including two en-suites.

The house is situated on the edge of moors and is said to have “breathtaking views”.

Helen, who has spoken openly about “losing all her money” in the past, recently opened up being forced to downsize.

She said: “It actually makes me sad that I’m going to be leaving soon because I actually put so much effort into it.

“When we moved I put like a lot lot of my savings into doing the house up and making it look really beautiful. 

“But it’s a big house. It’s an eight bedroom house, which is obviously really hard to keep on top of.”

Meanwhile, Helen has shown off her evil stepmother credentials as she debuted her panto outfit for the first time.

The actress will play the evil stepmother in Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs at Liverpool‘s M&S Bank Arena in December.

The stunning star donned a sequinned red and black dress, with black feathered sleeves, and wore a gold and red diamante tiara on her head.

She also held aloft a red apple, symbolic of the poisonous apple so relevant to the Snow White storyline.

A source previously told The Sun: “Helen is excited for panto season and can’t wait to get into character, she’s a brilliant actress and knows how to put on a show.

“She’ll also be pocketing a pretty penny, celebrities and soap stars make good money doing panto and always look forward to it as some extra income.”

But despite being about to make her first foray into the world of pantomime, Helen is not looking forward to being alone this Christmas.

Helen, shares daughters Matilda, nine, Delilah, six, as well as four-year-old son Charlie, with her ex Scott Sinclair.

However, the ex-Coronation Street star also recently told The Sun that she was spending Christmas without her children this year, as she and former Chelsea footballer Scott, who most recently played for Bristol Rovers, live so far apart.

But Helen explained: “”I’ll do something in November – a really nice long weekend then I feel like I’ve had my Christmas period with them.”

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SHOPPERS are going wild after spotting a Primark outfit being crowned as the ‘easiest’ Halloween costume yet.

The outfit has been hailed “perfect” for fans of a hit TV show.

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The budget retailer has been praised for stocking a bright red tracksuit that fans say is a dead ringer for Sue Sylvester, the fierce cheerleading coach from Glee.

TikToker @Malikiss1 filmed the outfit in-store and captioned it: “Run to Primark for the easiest Sue Sylvester Halloween costume.”

The clip quickly racked up comments, with shoppers writing: “I love this,” “I need this,” and “Omg they have them in the kids section too so can match with the kiddos.”

Another added: “I bought it just for this!”, proving the tracksuit is already flying off shelves as a fancy dress hack.

Halloween deals

And with Halloween only a month away, bargain hunters are also snapping up spooky deals from other high street favourites.

Poundland has slashed prices in a massive clearance sale ahead of its website shutting down later this month.

Shoppers can bag Halloween decorations from as little as 50p, including pumpkin ornaments, ghost plates and ceramic mugs.

Costumes, masks and multipacks of sweets have also been reduced, making it easy to stock up before trick-or-treat season.

It is not just Halloween stock either, Christmas baubles, stockings and jumpers have also been reduced to clear, with prices starting at just £1.

Poundland’s website will switch to browsing-only from September 16, with the store’s loyalty scheme also being scrapped.

Meanwhile, Home Bargains has launched a new “spooky disco” collection with a quirky pink twist.

Among the stand-out items is a £4.99 pumpkin disco dome and a £1.79 cowboy ghost ornament called Gloria.

Pink mason jars and mugs are also on sale, alongside matching disco tea towels and table runners to complete the look.

With Primark’s tracksuit hack, Poundland’s clearance bargains and Home Bargains’ disco-inspired range, shoppers are spoiled for choice when it comes to cheap and cheerful Halloween prep this year.

Top tips on getting dressed up for Halloween

By Abby McHale, Fabulous’ Deputy Fashion Editor

Halloween is the perfect opportunity to get dressed up, take on a different persona and have fun with your look.

These days, celebrities provide the perfect inspiration for costumes, however, they also have a team of stylists, makeup artists and endless bounds of cash at their disposal. 

So how do you make an outfit like theirs work for you? 

A lot of stars make their outfits look sexy and your lingerie drawer is the perfect starting point. 

You can use anything from a bra, fishnet tights, stockings and suspenders to add to your look, then depending on the look you’re going for add makeup according.

I.e wearing a black bodice and tights, add some red lipstick and dark eyes for a vampy look.

The rest of your wardrobe can be more inspiring than you think too – for example a plain black can be a perfect base for your costume. 

If you are however happy to spend a bit of money on your Halloween costume but are running out of time then Amazon is your go too, there are so many costumes to choose from with many sitting under its Prime next day delivery option. 

Or if you’re wanting to see what the in store shops have to offer, look to the supermarkets and budget stores such as B&M, Poundland and Primark which are still full of accessories and clothing to fulfil your Halloween wishes. 

Other Halloween ideas

Shoppers have been left running to their local Home Bargains to snap up their brand-new Disney Halloween buy that keeps selling out.

In honour of Halloween, Mickey and Minnie Mouse have been turned into adorable, fluffy orange pumpkins.

And an Ibiza Final Boss costume is set to be Halloween’s big trend as online stores cash in on demand.

While, shoppers cried “Love every single pair” as Sainsbury’s launched their “gorgeous” range of autumn PJs

Finally, last year, a Halloween-daft mum left people stumped after creating incredible optical illusion costumes for her son – with people asking “what one is the kid?”.