A giant Elf on the Shelf® Scout Elf® has appeared in Bristol for a game of hide and seek in the city

“Jump out of bed and come running to see… who’ll be the first to spy BIG old me?”
Following a brief surprise appearance this week, a 15 ft version of The Lumistella Company’s The Elf on the Shelf^® Scout Elf^® will land on city buildings to bring cheer to Bristolians from Friday 1 December.

The official annual The Elf on the Shelf countdown to Christmas is about to become a BIG priority for Bristol parents as a giant edition of Santa’s official The Elf on the Shelf Scout Elf will arrive in the city this December, courtesy of the big man in red’s pals at Redcliffe & Temple BID.

From Friday 1 December until Sunday 24 December, the enormous 15 ft tall The Elf on the Shelf, wearing the iconic red suit and hat with white trim, white collar and mittens, will appear atop several of the city’s buildings. From some of the city’s highest vantage points, The Elf on the Shelf will be the perfect early present to kids throughout Bristol who will be delighted to spot the elf in a larger-than-life game of hide and seek.

With daily clues as to the elf’s exact location shared on the Redcliffe & Temple BID’s social media channels, fans might witness some classic Scout Elf fun as the elf unravels toilet rolls or eats some festive treats. Those lucky enough to glimpse the first official sighting of the Scout Elf helper on Friday 1 December will have the opportunity to catch Love Bristol gift cards that may land right before their feet!

To follow Bristol’s The Elf on the Shelf adventure and to keep up to date with all the merrymaking across the city, follow Redcliffe & Temple BID on Instagram: @redcliffeandtemplebid, Twitter: @redandtempleBID and Facebook: Redcliffe & Temple BID.

OUR DECEMBER ISSUE IS OUT NEXT WEEK!

You'll love our fabulous December magazine which features a collection of great reading by our team of wonderful writers as well as beautifully presented advertising by Bath's best businesses. 

In the December issue, we meet Kate Rusby ahead of her appearance at Bristol Beacon, learn how to create the perfect tablescape to enhance your festive feast, go behind the scenes of Aardman's Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, and discover the Clifton Arcade, the perfect Christmas retail gem. We really hope you'll enjoy the read!

15,000 copies are delivered door to door, and you can pick up a copy at many places around town – including our stands at Waitrose, John Lewis, House of Fraser and Harvey Nichols.

Read the digital version of our current issue here!

And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £33 for 12 issues, £18 for six issues or buy a copy for just £4.25. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – see our website. 

Words by Melissa Blease

The Tastiest EVER Sausage Traybake

Nothing warms you up on a chilly winter's evening faster than sausages and mash. But bangers don't need to be boring!

Peppery Cumberland or sticky caramelised onion sausages both work really well in this recipe, while vegetarian sausages or meat-free meatballs turn this feast into a plant-based treat.

Spicy chipotle paste (readily available in most large supermarkets) is made from a purée of smoked, dried jalapeño chillies blended with smoked paprika; heat levels vary from brand to brand, so taste yours before adding to the mix... and prepare to become addicted.

Ingredients (serves 4)

2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp runny honey
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp tomato purée
1 tbsp spicy chipotle paste
8 fat sausages
2 red onions, cut into thick wedges
2 red peppers, deseeded and chopped into chunks
1 large butternut squash, peeled and chopped into 2cm chunks

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 5. Pour the olive oil and the runny honey into a large bowl and add the paprika, cumin, tomato purée and chipotle paste. Stir well to thoroughly combine, then add the onions, peppers, squash and sausages to the bowl and toss together so all the ingredients are evenly coated in the spice mixture.

Tumble the lot into a large roasting tin, spread out into an even layer and roast for 30-40 minutes, shifting everything around occasionally to ensure even browning.

Serve immediately, accompanied by mashed potatoes, creamy polenta or crusty bread, with buttered seasonal greens on the side.

A year in wine

As we come to the end of the year, the team at The Great Wine Co. have been reflecting on their personal favourite wines of 2023. So take a note from the professionals and get inspired by some of their top picks:

Raupo Creek Pinot Noir – Seresin Estate
The nose exhibits notes of ripe dark berry fruit, alongside hints of rosemary and leather. The palate is concentrated, framed by fine, well-integrated tannins and a persistent, fresh finish | £22.91

Chardonnay Reserva – Viña Leyda
A tribute to varietal purity, this is a fruit-driven, unoaked style of Chardonnay. It has citrus, kiwi and cherimoya fruit character, with a satisfyingly rich, creamy teaxture, balanced by a fresh, juicy finish | £10.95

Organic Tempranillo – Embrujo del Campo
A wonderfully expressive red, serving up a palate of black fruit - blackcurrants, blackberries - elevated by a fragrant sprinkling of spice | £8.29

Douro Old Vines Reserva – Quinta Do Crasto
Hugely complex, this wine has concentrated aromas and flavours, married to wonderful freshness. It is lively and juicy, but with intriguing nuances of spices, Mediterranean herbs, olives and well-integrated oak | £31

Ventoux 'Les Boudalles' – Domaine Brusset
This wine not only looks like raspberries in the glass, but it shows them on the nose as well. On the palate it is supple, elegant and harmonious, and the aromatics give it a lift which can be very moreish! | £9.58

To explore more staff picks for 2023, visit greatwine.co.uk

Lisa Todd Designs – Hand Woven Jewellery Pot | £65

The Ubuntu collection is a colourful celebration of two cultures expressed through abstract patterns translated into contemporary items for the home and for fashion.

Lisa grew up surrounded by the vibrant colours and culture in South Africa which has instilled a life-long mission to give voice to and champion artisans in the craft community in South Africa.

For this collection Lisa researched the history and purpose of Zulu beadwork which has led to a collaboration with a team of master beaders and wire workers in South Africa who have translated Lisa's paintings into joyful objects and artworks, giving each piece a narrative and story to be celebrated.

Visit lisatodddesigns.com to shop

Venus - Rose & Musk and Moon - Cashmere & Vanilla

Leap Luxury Room Fragrances

Leap is a luxury room fragrance brand that creates unique olfactory experiences.

The debut collection draws inspiration from the Solar System, featuring 9 hand-picked perfumes to capture the characteristics of each celestial body.

Each scent is exclusively crafted in Grasse, France and expertly assembled in London. Take the leap.

Follow their Instagram: leapfragrances
Visit their website at etsy.com

Women's organic cotton matching bralette and bikini set | £42

Y.O.U's organic cotton bralettes and low-rise bikini bottoms are a soft and comfortable take on a classic essential - it's a match made in heaven!

What's more, For every sale of this matching set, they will donate TWO pairs of underwear to girls in Maasai communities, as well as supporting the work of the Ajuma Foundation in Kenya.

Visit youunderwear.com to shop

The Tudor Heritage Ranger

Celebrating the British North Greenland expedition of 1952, Tudor’s Heritage Ranger is a special model that embodies the spirit of exploration and adventure.

Based on the original Oyster Prince watches used by the 1950 expedition team, the Ranger is a 39mm steel case with baton markers and Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock. Vintage watch enthusiasts will appreciate the beige hour markers painted in luminescent material which contrast perfectly with the grained, matt black dial and match the tone of the TUDOR shield logo and inscriptions. Inside is powered by the Manufacturer Calibre MT5402: "a weekend proof" 70 hour automatic movement.

This robust, classic looking watch is a great all-rounder; pleasing on the eye and cool on the wrist, it is available with either a steel bracelet at £2,680 or in a black or green fabric strap at £2,420. 

Find out more about the Tudor Heritage Ranger models at Mallory.

Curated by Daniel McCabe

Renowned restaurant Noma in Copenhagen has published its first magazine. If you're excited by this, we guarantee you won't be disappointed. Like the restaurant itself, Noma in Kyoto magazine is a tour-de force. Noma’s three Michelin-starred chef Rene Redzepi describes the magazine as 'a one-of-a-kind deep dive into Kyoto and its surroundings. It is for people that love food, for food-culture enthusiasts, and for anyone curious about Japan. It's full of unique insights from the perspective of 103 service industry heroes that lived in Kyoto for 4-6 months. The experiences we lived, the journeys we undertook, the dishes we cooked, the food we ate, and the people we met. It's a self-published love letter to Kyoto, its surroundings, and Japanese food culture’. £30

magalleria.co.uk

Charlotte Savill: Stained Glass Artist Preparing for the spotlight

Bristol based artist Charlotte Savill is preparing for the spotlight after recently filming for Series 2 of BBC One's Make it at Market.

Charlotte is a Stained Glass and Mixed Media Artist who draws on her love of swimming and nature to inspire her designs which feature beautiful hand-painted and kiln fired figures.

Working with Dom Chinea, an expert craftsman from BBC's Repair Shop, and with the help of her mentor Derek Hunt, a renowned Stained Glass Artist and Educator, she has created an exquisite collection of stunning work using the new skills she has acquired. 

Watch Charlotte as she turns her big dream into a reality on Monday 27 November on BBC One. 

Visit Charlotte's website at leadlightstudio.co.uk

Wreath-Making Masterclass and Afternoon Tea at Harvey Nichols

Get into the festive spirit with a wreath-making masterclass hosted by Edward Allen, followed by an ‘All the Fun at the Fair’ themed afternoon tea.

Enjoy a wreath-making demo, along with the opportunity to make your own, followed by an afternoon tea, full of fairground favourites including a Harvey Nichols Hot Dog, smoked paprika chicken taco and Toffee Apple created by the Edible Art Patisserie.

This wreath-making masterclass is a 2-hour long session and takes place at The Second Floor Restaurant. £95 per person, includes a glass of Prosecco and wreath to take home.

Sunday 3 December | 10am and 1pm 
To book your place go to sevenrooms.com

North Bristol Art Trail

More than 100 Bristol artists and makers show their original artwork in homes, studios and public venues around the Bishopston, Henleaze and Redland area with everything from original paintings, prints and ceramics to jewellery, photographs and homeware. Pick up a map in many venues around Bristol including Future Leap, Niche Frames and Room 212 on Gloucester Road, all venues on the trail. 

Various locations; 25 - 26 November; 10am – 5pm
northbristolartists.org.uk

The annual Badminton Christmas Bazaar is coming!

Join Badminton School and their Christmas Bazaar, where there will be a Santa's Grotto, Christmas gift stalls run by small, local businesses, festive food and drinks, Christmas crafts and activities, festive busking and so much more! 

Entry is free and everyone is welcome. So join in and get into the festive spirit!

Saturday 2 December | 10.30am-1.30pm
For more information visit badmintonschool.co.uk

The Bristol Improv Theatre: A Selection Box of Festive Treats

This December, the Bristol Improv Theatre are hosting a season full of festive, improvised treats for the holiday season. 

Rather than just one big show, they’re spreading festive cheer across a whole host of their regular shows, some very special visiting acts and some brand new events from local artists.

It's like a giant selection box, bursting with live, improvised goodness. You're sure to find something you love (and don't worry, there won't be a single leftover bounty in sight). From heartwarming scenes and silliness to hilarious comedy antics, musical numbers to dramatic who-dunnits.

So whether you’re a die-hard improv fan or just looking for something fun and different to do this December, head to the Bristol Improv Theatre for a night of laughter and festive cheer.

For more information and tickets, click here.

Christmas Artisan Craft Fair

Bristol and local independent artists and crafters showcase their 'not on the high street' handmade crafts.

All stands are indoors, cosy and warm, in the Great Hall and Georgian lounges.

Beautiful stalls filled with unique gifts from jewellery, hats and gloves, bags, scarves, textiles, soaps, mosaic and batik, artwork and cards, crochets and knits, children's clothes, handmade toys, glass and wood craft, fresh Christmas wreaths and decorations, preserves, craft beer and much more.

Sunday 26 November | 10am – 4pm
Ashton Court Mansion, Bristol BS41 9JN

Bristol Old Vic's Big Give Christmas Challenge begins next week.

This year, Bristol Old Vic's Big Give campaign is raising money for a project that supports some of the most vulnerable people in our city through English and Drama sessions for people from the migrant and refugee community. 

Starting at noon on 28 November, Bristol Old Vic will once again be part of The Big Give Christmas Challenge, an annual week-long campaign where all donations made to the theatre will be doubled. 

Over the last few months, Bristol Old Vic has been running a pilot drama club for English language learners, offering weekly sessions open to anyone with English as a second language.

Following this successful pilot, Bristol Old Vic wants to grow this project, removing barriers and enabling access to unique opportunities.  

To donate or find out more information visit donate.biggive.org

39 The General, Bristol BS1

Offered for sale by Knight Frank estate agents in Bristol

39 The General is a two bedroom, two bathroom property enjoying accommodation arranged over two floors, measuring over 1100 ft.²

The triple aspect kitchen, sitting room and dining room is open plan in nature and is a stunning aspect of this Grade II listed property. Double height ceilings and large arched windows with bespoke plantation shutters create an abundance of natural light, resulting in the perfect space to entertain or simply to relax. 

From the sitting area, there is a south-west facing private balcony and a bespoke kitchen, enjoying a range of high-end integrated appliances and ample storage.

Completing the accommodation on the ground floor is a guest bedroom and luxurious guest shower room.

On the first floor, overlooking the reception area, a stunning principal bedroom with extensive storage area and fabulous tiled ensuite shower and bathroom.

There is a south-west facing balcony which is private to this apartment, as well as attractive communal grounds surrounding the whole development and a sun terrace which all residents can use. Below one of the adjoining residential developments there is allocated parking for one vehicle and a key pad controlled bike room.

Click here for more information and images and to view the property on the Knight Frank website.