Yesterday marked my favourite event of the year when it comes to blogging! The Big Christmas Press Show! You know me well by now to know that I will celebrate anything to do with the upcoming big day, so seeing all the items that the brands have coming out made me so excited and now I can share all the action with you!

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Forgive me for saying the C word in September, however, I am so SO so ready to put up my tree now and celebrate everything to do with Christmas! Especially after I hit up The Big Christmas Press Show yesterday! Full to the brim with our favourite brands, the day allows media and influencer members to gather together to see what some of our favourite brands have coming out. As well as to mark the best day of the year! 

Upon arriving in our taxi, I couldn’t wait to head into the Business Design Centre in London to see what the 2024 event had to offer. After collecting our press passes, me and my mum were greeted by the big man himself, Santa! Sat with the lovely team from Belvoir Farm, he was on hand to give us our first festive drink of the year, which gave us the motivation to step under the festive arch and into the main exhibit. 

Turning to our right, we were first met with the sight of MGA Entertainment, the big company behind L.O.L Surprise Dolls, Baby Born, Baby Annabell and so many more. Having a go at the big toy crane, we were kindly gifted a few toys to play with, before being introduced to some exclusive products that will be coming out this year, including the new L.O.L winter scenes. After a bit of fun, we were then greeted by the world of darts! 

Created by Luke Littler, The Nuke and Target Darts is a fantastic creation, which allows you to play darts but without having to worry about doing the maths. Having never played darts before, I found this so much fun and it made me actually want to find out more about the sports. Plus, it got my mum to remember the time when she used to play for her local team. 

Moving onto the next stand, we were welcomed by the team from Smyths Toy Stores, who had a selection of this year’s top toys. From Barbie to Bluey, they had so many items that I simply adored. Honestly, the big kid in me came out instantly. How I didn’t steal the plane is beyond me! It’s the toy I’ve wanted since I was little aha! Yet, I did restrain myself enough to move onto the next stand, which was the big Belvoir Farm van, which had even more festive flavours on offer including a non-alcoholic Mulled Wine, Spiced Ginger Punch, Raspberry Lemonade, their classic Elderflower and more. My mum adored the ginger one a lot, which she said would also be lovely warmed up too. 

With a bit more fuel in us, we then turned around to come face to face with one of my dream stands. For me, Christmas begins when QVC brings out their gifts on TV. So, to see a whole stand dedicated to their items was a dream. Showcasing the brands they have on air, the team highlighted the special Hotel Chocolat Advent Calendars, Joe & Steph Popcorn, the brilliant fashion from Tessa Daly and Dannii Minogue, plus so much more. A real standout for me was the decorations, including the most gorgeous hanging white lights from the ceiling. Priced at just £36, me and my mum both agreed that when they come on air they may just be coming home too. 

After visiting all the stands downstairs, we headed up the stairs to find even more wonders. Starting with the fantastic Craft Buddy! I’m a true crystal art addict, as you all know, which made this stand a real gem for me. From gorgeous Christmas cards to centrepieces and canvases, there was so much that I wanted to do on the stand that I could feel my wish list growing. A fact that was also true when I headed to the LEGO stand next, which had so many items that I will now be asking for. Starting with the ultimate dream that is the Home Alone set, which is absolutely huge and worth every single penny in my view now. 

Something that I really love about The Big Christmas Press Show though is the way that they are such pioneers for smaller or not as well-known brands. I found out about so many companies and items this year including the gorgeous Bramwell Brown Art Clocks, which work to share the weather with us. Look out for their upcoming special edition clock, which I am truly hooked on. As well as Hot House Games, Exploding Kittens, Farplace, Indie, Gift PR, The Folio Society and Made Happy Gifts.

The event also introduced me to Yoto! A brand that I am now 100% rooting for, as they create audio players, night lights and books that are created to help relax children, whilst also educating them and making life easier for parents too. Speaking to the brand made me falling in love with them literally every sentence that I heard. A similar thing that happened when I headed to the Asmodee stand, which highlighted a new LEGO game, which will be the first of its kind. 

Toys are always a big thing at The Big Christmas Press show and this year’s event didn’t disappoint. From Sticki Rolls, Kreepy Collectibles, John Adams Leisure, Kap Toys, a one-minute Cotton Candy Maker, brilliant TOMY items, Fingerlings, Purro, Ravensburger, Disney’s Lorcana, Brio, Tonies, Xootz, Connetix and Our Generation, who are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, plus so many more, which I as a 29 year old want. Honestly, the options that kids will have this year is going to endless. I can see why Santa came out early to see what his elves would have to create lots of to be honest. Especially when it came to the advent calendars that will be out soon, including the very exciting Brio one, which I will be sharing more news on in a few days time. 

However, it isn’t just the kids who are going to be given fantastic gifts this year, as the teams at Not On The High Street, Dobbies, Uncanny Brands, Robert Welch, Thermos, the V&A, Laura Ashley and B&M brought out their best to share with us all. Yet, the real winners for me, were the team at Menkind, who had so many one of a kind treats on offer that I wanted to buy them all. They even had exciting adventures calendars, including a Netflix one, which the team kindly gifted me. Look out for more exclusive information on soon.

And talking of technology, the event showcased some of the most exciting gadgets from the likes of Russell Hobbs, Morphy Richards, Cloud Nine, Remington, Stanley, Dualit and so many more. There is a kettle that I honestly couldn’t stop admiring from Russell Hobbs, which will truly change your next brew, whilst Remington are making travel and beauty so much easier. At Morphy Richards, we were in awe by a microwave toaster maker, which was continued to be felt when we got a chance to trial the new hair protecting products at Cloud Nine. 

The event ended with a mince pie with some very wonderful reindeers, as we waited with sore feet for our car home. All the time on the way back, I could truly feel my heart filling with happiness that the festive season was starting and the news I would get to share with you all. Honestly, you are going to be so happy with what shops and brands have to offer this year lovelies! It’s officially time to get your Christmas tree out and it’s all thanks to The Big Christmas Press Show!

Look out for even more exciting news and products from the event very soon lovelies! 

Joey X