The festive season is pretty much here, which means the majority of UK households will finally start chipping into their stockpile of Christmas treats.

Brits don’t mess about when it comes to food and drink at this time of year, especially in the chocolate department – but there’s going to be a few unmerry people when they crack open the Celebrations tub.

The vibrant red containers are brimming with various tasty confections from the cocoa world in miniature size, allowing us all to feel a bit less guilty about constantly snacking on them.

We all have our favourites, and I think it’s safe to say we can collectively agree there is nothing worse than peeling back to lid to find they’ve already been ravaged.

However, some people think the fact that one of the most iconic flavours in the Celebrations collection has been discontinued is even more of a tragedy – which really is saying something.

Brits still have the likes of Snickers, Mars, Twix, Bounty, Galaxy, Maltesers, Milky Way and Galaxy Caramel to tantalise their tastebuds, but nothing can replace the iconic Galaxy Truffle.

Let’s not beat around the bush about it – the entirety of the UK was left outraged after the fan favourite was given the axe back in 2011.

Despite desperate pleas and even petitions calling on Mars Confectionary to reverse the decision, the velvety chocolate treat with a firm outer shell has never been seen in the tubs again.

It marked the end of an era for Celebrations buyers, as the Galaxy Truffle had been a staple in the tubs since they launched back in 1997.

To rub further salt in the wound, it was replaced by a Twix…and although we’re all partial to one from time to time, they aren’t a patch on its predecessor.

Tubs of Celebrations will never be the same again without this iconic chocolate (Richard Baker/In Pictures via Getty Images)

Speaking to LADbible in 2022, Mars Wrigley General Manager Michelle Frost discussed the prospect of bringing the Galaxy Truffle back and making the nation whole again.

Unfortunately though, she’s firmly on the Twix train.

Frost told LADbible: “We replaced Galaxy Truffles with Twix in 2011 and it’s been a hit. Who doesn’t love a caramel, chocolate and biscuit treat?

“We don’t have current plans to bring back Galaxy Truffles to the Celebrations mix.”

In what appeared to be something of a compromise, Mars brought out boxes of Galaxy Truffles as a standalone product in 2019, rather than stuffing them in Celebrations tubs.

Brits who were in desperate need of a fix could pick up 190g gift boxes for £5 at UK retailers such as Tesco – a move which Galaxy described as ‘ extremely exciting’.

The esteemed Galaxy Truffles was discontinued in 2011 (Galaxy)

At the time, Brand Director Sarah Mellor said: “We are extremely excited to be launching Galaxy Truffles in the UK this year and to be entering the all year-round gifting market for the first time as a brand.

“For so many, Galaxy Truffles were part of a much-loved festive tradition and we are thrilled to be answering the undeniable demand, reinventing this favourite, now available all year round, as the perfect gift to bring pleasure to the next generation of Galaxy fans.”

These didn’t hit the same for a lot of fans…which might be why these also seem to have disappeared off the face of the earth now too.

It seems like we’re all just simply going to have to come to terms with the fact that Galaxy Truffles brought us sheer festive joy at one time, but those days are over.

Gone but never forgotten.

With the festive season rolling in, the parties and evenings at the pub are starting to kick off.

And while you and your colleagues sink a few drinks after work, or you have that night out with your pals ‘because you’ve got to do it before Christmas’, there’s always that one question that seems to be asked…‘Shots?’

I mean, we say it’s a ‘dreaded question’, but most of us are pretty to quick to nod yes. Maybe it’s a tequila or sambucca, or maybe it’s the biggie; the creamy Baby Guinness.

But before you go knocking them back this winter, there’s a warning issued to millions of Brits about the little stout-looking shots.

Can’t deny they’re tasty. (Getty Stock)

A Baby Guinness is of course made with two key ingredients: coffee liqueur and Irish cream, typically Bailey’s.

And plenty of British households tend to have a bottle of that open during the festive season.

But there’s one common problem people end up running into with the stuff – even if they’re knocking back loads of shots of it with their friends and family – and that’s the fact that we often don’t finish the full bottle

As lots of us convince ourselves we’ll be taking on Dry January, the Bailey’s ends up banished until next winter, with shots are certainly off the cards.

The drink always makes an appearance at this time of year. (Getty Stock)

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So, it ends up sitting neglected in your fridge for months on end.

That’s a bit of a problem though, because Bailey’s does have an expiration date, and if you are getting rid of it, there’s something you absolutely shouldn’t do.

While the drink company itself says it has a shelf life of two years from the date of bottling, opened or unopened, there are others who warn that you’d better quaff the lot within six months.

As a general rule of thumb, if the bottle is unopened, then it might be alright for two years, but once opened, you should probably finish it off within six months.

The drink contains dairy cream, which goes bad over time, and since you don’t want to chug a rancid drink, you might end up having to chuck it out.

Now, normally you’d think about pouring the expired beverage down the kitchen sink and sticking the bottle in the recycling, but according tradesmen from MyBuilder.com, that’s the wrong thing to do.

They warn that Bailey’s and similar products can ‘wreak havoc’ with your plumbing, and even end up blocking your pipes.

Since dairy cream contains a lot of fat, it puts Bailey’s in the list of things that should never go down your sink, along with fat, oil, and grease.

So, either finish off the bottle with a few more Baby Guinnesses, or dispose of it properly.

Alternatively, you could buy this ‘Baby Guinness in a bottle’, just £20 on Amazon.

The first four dates of Coca-Cola’s famous Christmas Truck Tour have been announced, as it sets off this weekend.

The iconic seasonal staple aims to spread Christmas cheer, while raising awareness for wider issues in society, such as food waste and hunger.

It will consist of a bright, large red truck making its way across the UK and Ireland this holiday season, offering Brits the chance to take part in festive activities that the truck offers, while also helping the less fortunate, as the soft drink company will donate a meal for every person that visits their truck, through charity FareShare.

As FareShare work with the food industry to help distribute surplus food to thousands of those in need across the country, the Coca-Cola Truck Tour also aims to spread kindness, through their campaign message ‘The World Needs More Santas’.

The truck, as it does every year, will make its way across major UK and Irish cities under sparkling lights, while games themed around Christmas will be offered up to visitors, as well as a dip to win exclusive Coca-Cola merchandise.

In addition to offering up Coca-Cola, the truck is also a food truck, meaning some bites will be available for those visiting the truck.

This year’s ‘Holidays are coming’ advertisement came out at the start of November, signalling the start of the campaign, though fans criticised its use of AI to recreate the original 1995 advert.

That’s not all on Artificial Intelligence though, as fans will be given the chance to have conversations with Santa through scanning a QR code on a Christmas bottle/can of Coca-Cola.

But when does the truck tour begin, exactly?

The truck will set off on Saturday (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The 2024 UK and Ireland Coca-Cola Christmas truck stops announced so far

Since its first tour back in 2010, the soft drink’s Christmas Truck has been a long awaited feature of Christmas across the British Isles.

Known early on as Christmas Caravans, the newly decorated truck’s first four dates for 2024 have been announced following its launch in London earlier this month, and they are:

• Dublin, Ireland – Blanchardstown Shopping Centre (November 30)
• Belfast, Northern Ireland – Custom House Square (December 1)
• Cork, Ireland – Mahon Point Shopping Centre (December 7)
• Limerick, Ireland – Crescent Shopping Centre (December 8)

Dates in the UK are yet to be confirmed, though those living in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland can look forward to it coming to their major cities soon.

The truck opened in London this morning (28 November), with guest DJ Ashley James kicking off the festivities.

The Coca-Cola Christmas truck has been a staple of the Christmas period in the UK (Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)

That’s not all though as other predicted locations, based on previous years’ tours, are expected to be announced soon.

Possible key locations for the Coca-Cola Truck Tour:

• Glasgow
• Edinburgh
• Gateshead
• Leeds
• Liverpool
• Sheffield
• Manchester
• Rushden
• London

Florence Wheatley, the marketing manager for Coca-Cola Great Britain, said of the tour: “Coca-Cola has and remains synonymous with Christmas, with many people eagerly awaiting the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour and Holidays Are Coming advert to create a little festive magic.

“This year, we’re delighted to continue our relationship with FareShare to support its mission to reduce hunger and surplus food waste.

“We hope that every person that attends the Truck Tour not only experiences the magic of Coca-Cola Christmas, but also supports FareShare, knowing that the equivalent of a meal has been donated on their behalf, acting as a little moment of kindness to ensure that thousands of people across the country enjoy a more meaningful Christmas.”

Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour fans can follow announcements about the schedule which will be made over the coming weeks at @CocaColaGBI (Instagram) and @CocaCola_GB (X).

The big day is finally here.

And sure, you might have gotten to open up the exact present you’d asked your family to get you or maybe you’ve been reunited with your favourite cousin for the day. But the main event is yet to begin – Christmas dinner, obviously.

Roasties, pigs in blankets, veg, gravy, Yorkshire puddings – pretty much all the roast dinner staples with added Christmas frill.

Oh, and for the majority of meat eaters in the UK, there’s of course meant to be a turkey too.

However, a load of Brits have been left fuming after their turkey orders were ‘cancelled’ just days (and even hours) before Christmas day.

Those looking to be prepared (or to avoid the absolute mayhem of stepping into the big supermarket in these mad December weeks) may have booked themselves a shopping slot.

Except, as shoppers probably know, there’s not always a guarantee what you’ve ordered will be available on the day.

And for some customers, that meant the big old bird didn’t show up.

Getty Stock Photo

One user took to X to write: “@sainsburys cancelling my turkey crown (pre ordered on 3rd Dec ref 821005409) on Xmas eve and also the ham joint but replacing it with 4 ham slices.

“Absolutely appalling.”

Yes, instead of a whopper 900g joint of ham, the supermarket substituted it with four slices of cured cooked ham.

X/Jackosboss

Obviously with these substitutions, the shopper can give it back and get a refund – but they’re still not getting that desired ham or turkey.

In another nightmare, one claimed: “Imagine going to @sainsburys on Christmas Eve to pick up the turkey you ordered on 4 December, to be told your order was cancelled but they didn’t send an email. Cheers Sainsbury’s, kids are crying, Christmas is ruined x.”

CS0523183/Getty Images

Another user slammed Ocado as an ‘absolute disgrace’ as they claimed: “Pre-ordered 3 months ago for Christmas Day turkey and you send us 2 tiny turkeys for 4 vs the 12 person turkey we ordered. Cancelling our account today.”

Other users shared similar nightmares to X as one user joked: “I think this is one time where you can definitely say you’ll taste the difference.”

But others said they had ‘no sympathy’, as on Christmas Eve ‘you always run the risk of stores selling out before then if you leave it this late’.

Another added: “They haven’t cancelled anything, they don’t have any stock. It’s worth being aware that online orders are picked the night before delivery, however long ago they were ordered, so you can never guarantee you’ll get your order.”

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson told LADbible: “We are contacting the customer to investigate why this has happened and tell them how sorry we are for the inconvenience caused.”

LADbible has also contacted Ocado for comment.