Stunt Watch: Tesco’s wonky trees, GOSH tree at St Pancras and getting pickled with Garners

Unlike Grinch Double, my Santa-banning teammate, I would have written about Christmas in July, as is tradition. So, I’ve grabbed the helm as we slide into Stuntmas proper, to greedily gobble-up a festive-stories only edition. In fact, an almost exclusively Christmas tree edition… Ho ho h-on we go.

Tesco's wonky trees

A lovely job from Tesco, who are taking the wonky veg trend one step further by handing out free wonky Christmas trees, reducing waste and allowing the trees (all very Phoebe) to live up to their “festive potential”.

I love the idea and the fact Tesco signed it off, even though it’s activating in ten stores in December — which, for a major retailer in their big bucks month — is almost miracle-worthy. The supermarket suggested a donation to Fareshare and Trussell Trust, which I’d prefer was mandatory, but given its rescuing otherwise unsellable trees, all is forgiven.
Simple, as the best often are.

Shelter X B&Q temporary trees

Hearing that a record-breaking 172,420 children in England will spend Christmas in temporary accommodation this year — in fact many will spend at least three waiting for a home — whilst booking grotto tickets and filling stockings for my own children is a sobering moment.

But, I was once one of those children. So I feel I can speak with some authenticity on the importance of the small things that brighten this difficult situation.

B&Q have partnered with Shelter and artist David Tovey to create 172 temporary trees, representing the children without a home to call their own. I would love these trees to have gone to those children, though I’m sure there’s a good reason why they couldn’t. I can tell you that those Christmases can be bleak, and any small relief or hint of magic — like actually being able to have a tree — is huge. There is often a fear that stories like this will be perceived as a sticking plaster on a more important issue — I’ve had similar turned down for fear of being perceived as too frivolous. Obviously we’d rather the kids had homes — Shelter do amazing work there — but, in the meantime, can’t we brighten their days in a smaller way? It isn’t frivolous. Not for them.

The trees are on display, in-store at participating B&Q stores should you want to visit, and £1 from every real tree bought from them between 1st and 7th December will go to the charity.

Powered by Dreams – the tree at St Pancras, by GOSH Charity

Another tree favourite and this time it’s officially London’s Best Christmas Tree 2025, according to Time Out.

A stand-out effort from the charity, the tree is ‘powered by Dreams’ with 38 beautiful hand-drawn baubles, each featuring the dreams and ambitions of the children in treatment. From the whimsical, “having tea with Snow White” to the more heartbreaking, “being pain-free”. Modelled on a traditional music box, the 12-metre tree turns to music and is topped by a ballerina, inspired by a real dancer brought in annually by GOSH charity to visit the children on ward. Worth a visit, and a donate to the charity, if you can.

The first pickled onion bar

Annnnnnd finally, it's the world’s first pickled onion cocktail bar. Yes this isn’t a tree and I’m ready to argue that it IS Christmassy. Mostly I just love pickles, so please do @ me, I’m ready for you.

Garner’s Pickles (absolutely delicious if you haven’t tried) have opened the world’s first pickled onion cocktail bar. A travesty it’s taken until 2025, progress is slow.

I’m not usually a pop-up gal, but for this, I’ll make an exception. I love the visuals, I love pickles, I love the cocktail names...I love pickles.

It’s open from 3pm to 11pm on Friday, 5 December. You can book online. Will I see you there?