In the interest of market research.....

This will sound stupid, but do those rose and violet creams actually taste of rose or violet?
Perhaps, in the interests of research, I will have to go and buy some rose creams, try one, then chomp on a few rose petals which are still blooming in my garden.
Sorry, but the violet testing will have to wait until spring.

Begging to differ, Chewy. I tested the violet creams today but not impressed. They didn't taste of much except for the dark chocolate coating. Maybe there's something wrong with my taste buds! Someone had already bought all the rose creams. That's one bit of research done! I managed to resist the mince pies.

Miep1, I was in Lidl on Monday and the spiced biscuits weren't in then; other Christmas goodies but not the biscuits. I searched for them.

Annodomini more for me though

I love Parma violets but detest plain chocolate ?
But DD found the best thing ever in Lakeland (believe it or not) - Charbonnel et Walker maple brazils - unfortunately we have already eaten all 4 boxes she bought for Christmas ?

Don't let mabon1 hear you Beau!

Hmm..I do think market research should be based on a wider data base so maybe I too will buy the chocolates and let you all know my opinion!

Now if we are talking mince pies the only ones for my husband and I are M&S puff pastry ones. I so hope they are making them this year and if so I will hold off from buying them till, maybe, November. Or maybe October..........Oh! it's October now..............M&S here I come!!!!

Miepl i spotted speccula (sp?) biscuits in our local poundland last week.

Rufus I am relenting, it’s now October, so, this hamper, tell us about it
Lemongrove; Now I'm really confused! One minute a restraining order is placed on me, by Elegran, not to mention the C-word before November, now you're "relenting". Who's the boss around here?
So; you're getting sick with all this spicy, sugary, market research and now want to know what this sensible Scottish hamper contains. Can't lay my hands on the contents right now, but will forward shortly. As I've said previously, the hamper Co. dudded me over some DVDs I purchased; still negotiating.
I don't want to be a party-pooper, but remember the long-term pain next Jan. to eliminate the short-term gain. I'm sure you don't wish to lose your svelte figures before the big C, but there are still 81 shopping days to get through!

I have already bought two of those multi-packs of mini Smarties, in readiness for the hordes of children who usually arrive at Halloween. I'm so far resisting the temptation to try just one, to make sure they're all right, since for some reason, when I've done this in the past, most of the multi pack has disappeared. Very odd!

Of course it's not the case that I've bought a lot of Smarties in the hope that some will be left over - perish the thought!

I am relenting, it’s now October, so, this hamper, tell us all about it
Lemongrove; As promised! Get ready to drool!
Luxury Overseas Scottish Hamper.
Hardy's Brut Reserve Sparkling Wine 750ml.
Mackay's Cranberry Sauce 235g
Walkers Belgian Choc.Chunk Biscuits 150g
Arran Caramelised Red Onion Chutney 195g
Campbells Petticoat Tails 125g
Tunnock's Caramel Wafers 120g
Mackays Vintage Dundee Orange Marmalade 340g
Gardiners Vanilla Fudge 150g
Carr's Water Crackers 125g
Whittings Christmas Fruit Cake 500g
Twinings English Breakfast Tea Bagsx10
Vittoria Espresso Coffee 50g
All for £62.50.
No sign of any Honey, Paté or Haggis.!
Is that a bargain, or what?

Oh Chewbacca, dark chocolate marzipan chocolates, yes please.
Why did they stop doing them in the Black Magic boxes, there was no point in buying them after that.

Black Magic chocolates aren't very nice anymore are they hereshopping? Does anybody remember Terry,s Spartan chocolates? They were all hard centres. Mmmmm

Bought the cherry liqueurs and salted caramel truffles dusted in cocoa.
I have tested those in the interest of you all.
They are "ok" nothing more.

Please go back to Aldi for Part 2 of your research. Buy an assortment of milk chocolates and pop them round to me. I will undertake to test them all, very fast, because if you like dark chocolate creams (yuk yuk yuk) you won’t want to do it yourself.

Rufus wow that sounds like my kind of hamper!
I thought it was me that said it was a bit early for Christmas hamper wishes......but maybe not.Carry on regardless, haha.

Oh Rufus you have been "done". I could make up the hamper for half the cost.
"McKay's jams sell for just over £1 when they are on "Special" here and I can get Tunnock's caramel wafers for £1 in Poundland. Also, I have a jar of Arran red onion chutney in the fridge and some Carr's water biscuits in the cupboard. I'll even throw in a haggis free of charge, they run wild here and are easy to catch! Sláinte!?

Could I volunteer to sample the crisps?
I know that strictly speaking there is no such thing as Christmas crisps........but even so.
If not allowed then I'll have a go at Christmas cakes.
If you make your own then I'll happily give you my address so you may send me a slice. Royal icing only please , no fondant.

Oh Beau what have you started? Charbonnel &Walker Maple covered brazils!!! they sublime, I'm off to stock up now.
Speaking of crisps, as a special treat, anyone else try truffle flavour crisps? You can get them at Hema. Perfect with a glass of champagne!

Oh Rufus you have been "done". I could make up the hamper for half the cost.
Marydoll; Thank you for your seasonal offer, although you may have missed the point. I'm a helpless OAP, OBE who's now afraid to go into supermarkets since being called "Grandad" when being helped by a kindly customer, and I thought the hamper would be a very nice C-gift on behalf of all GNetters! Like meals on wheels to the Commonwealth.It would only be £1 a head if 63 got together; just a cup of coffee! Remember, it's postage free and I will readily give you my street address.
Btw; I notice nobody's doing market research in the liquor sections. Are you all members of the Temperance movement?

Marydoll you have to factor in the cost of postage to Rufus in the Antipodes too!!
Probably three times the cost of the contents of the hamper

X post Rufus

factor in the cost of postage to Rufus in the Antipodes too!!
Wrong! It's a "Luxury Overseas Scottish Hamper" for Australia/New Zealand.
Now, "what can be fairer than that?", as DelBoy would say! And what's the "X" supposed to mean? "XXXX" yes!

Right, on the booze front for the hamper, how about:
Bottle of rhubarb gin
Bottle of raspberry gin
Bottle of good scotch
Bottle of Baileys
Bottle of good port
Bottle of good sherry ( preferably dry)
Bottle of advocaat
Bottle of very, very, good brandy.
Howzat?! Cheers.