Aldi is really coming into its own as we approach the festive season.

Yes, the countdown to Christmas is basically now on; September has come and gone and the cold nights are starting to draw in. If you, like me, find the winter something of a depressing chore to navigate, then allow me to regale you with news of a few of the excellent products and special food items that Aldi has - or is planning to - release for the festive season.

There's a heated clothes airer to help you dry your laundry efficiently in the cold winter months, a new candy cane gin liqueur which tastes of vanilla and peppermint, and even a 2 metre-long pig in blanket that you can carve up alongside the turkey on Christmas Day.

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And speaking of pigs in blankets, it's now been announced that the supermarket chain will be releasing halloumi wrapped in bacon, just in time for the festive season.

As an alternative to the traditional pigs in blankets - or, if we're being real, an accompaniment to them - the bacon wrapped halloumi product will form part of the supermarket's festive lineup, with Aldi reportedly confirming that they'll go on sale on December 5. It is not yet known how much the tasty treats will cost.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Aldi]]

However, the two-metre long leviathan of a pig in blanket will set you back just £4.99, and is reportedly the longest piece of meat on sale in the United Kingdom. Some accolade.

Meanwhile, the candy cane gin liqueur is already on sale now, so it seems doubtful that the festive treat will last all the way until December, if Aldi's previous success with novelty/special products is anything to go by.

Though the winter nights are definitely closing in, and the warm summer evenings of yore are now firmly a memory rather than a reality, Aldi is here to make the cold a little more bearable this year.

Aldi really is operating on a whole new level this year. The specialbuys truly have been special, and their festive lineup has got mouths watering.

We've already had news of a new candy cane gin liqueur from the grocery chain, as well as a giant two-metre long pig in blanket to keep you going over the twelve days of Christmas (or less, depending on your restraint).

Check out this leaked Aldi employee training video:

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They are also pulling out all the stops with their other products, too, such as this heated clothes airer to make drying your clothes easier in the cold winter months. Here's Aldi's very own description of the gadget;

"Make doing the laundry less of a chore with this heated clothes airer. Dry your clothes quickly without the need of a tumble dryer with this indoor heated clothes airer. You don't even need to worry about the British weather because we've all been there, you put the washing out on the line and then it starts to rain, and you've got that sudden rush to get it all back in, before it has to dry again. This clothes dryer can be easily folded away so you don't need to worry about it taking up extra space in your home."

And now, as if that all wasn't enough to be getting on with, it has been announced that the retailer is now selling a giant Yorkshire pudding filled with an entire roast dinner. And the best part? It's just £1.99.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Aldi]]

The delicious looking meal is part of Aldi's new winter seasonal range, and is reportedly already for sale in stores across the country.

The big Yorkshire pudding 'plate' is filled with roast potatoes, chicken, pork and onion stuffing and even a chipolata sausage. This dish follows the success of a similar item from last year's collection, but is even cheaper this year at just £1.99, compared to the £2.49 it reportedly set you back last year.

Well, that's me off to the local Aldi for the tenth time this week. They just keep pulling it out of the bag, don't they?

 

Those poor fools in Westeros are suffering the throes of a long winter, but summer is here for all of us in real life! Pants, sweaters, and coats, you are officially trash. Time to switch to skimpy apparel like shorts, tanktops and dresses to take advantage of the sun-kissed weather.

Of course, the nights will be chilly, but there's no need to end the barbecue early. Aldi is offering a pretty sweet product that will keep the party going: an electric outdoor heater with built-in Bluetooth speakers and LED mood lighting.

The patio-ready warmer measures 135cm (53 inches), retails for £99.99 ($125), and is only available online. If you place an order, it will ship on May 23, just in time for the summer.

If you're flush with cash and want to pick other summer products, check out these bean bag pool floats, pet cooling mats and fanny packs with a built-in wine cooler.

Now that the sun is starting to peek through the clouds, a lot of us are gearing up for what will hopefully be a glorious summer.

And for a lot of people, a real summer highlight is that precious time spent with friends and family in the garden.

But when the sun eventually goes down in the evening, you could benefit from getting your hands on Aldi's hugely popular outdoor burner.

The Gardenline log burner is so popular, in fact, that it has already sold out online. But you will only have to wait until Thursday 2 May to purchase one in stores.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Aldi]]

The device, made from 'robust steel', is selling for a reasonable £59.99 ($80).

Customers are also being drawn in by the aesthetic of the log burner which offers a 360° view of the fire and measures approximately 94 x 82 x 45cm.

"Make the most of your garden day and night with this Outdoor Log Burner," the product description states. "Wave goodbye to chilly evenings outside and hello to a cosy place by the fire.

"Durable and stylish, the black and bronze finished Outdoor Wood Burner has been made with a robust steel frame and is latticed in a steel mesh to help guard against any wayward flames. Please note this product will require a 2 person lift."

Considering what a big hit the log burner was last year, it's no wonder the supermarket chain has made it available once more.

Based on the impressive sales and numerous rave reviews, the product was very well-received by Aldi customers.

"I bought this two weeks ago, I love it," one customer wrote. "It's well worth the money and looks more expensive than what I paid, I'm really pleased with my purchase."

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Aldi]]

"Such great value garden log burner, looks great and does the job!" another chimed in "So glad I ordered online as they flew off the shelves."

"I bought this log burner a couple of weeks ago and I just love it!" added another. "My family and friends were very impressed, everyone can sit around it and keep warm, just the job for those chilly nights, very happy with my purchase, thank you Aldi for another extremely good value product."

Happy Monday cheese lovers! It may be the beginning of another long working week, but we have good news to put a gouda spin on your day.

Praise Cheezus, because Burger King is finally bringing its halloumi burger to the UK!

Yes, that's right - that delicious salty Cyprus delicacy you know and love can be found on the menu from today (July 8).

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Burger King]]

The new burger is served in a brioche bun with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and has a blob of creamy mayo to finish it off.

Veggies, along with followers of Cheezus, can opt for one slice of halloumi in a single burger for £3.99 (or £5.99 in a meal), or double halloumi burger for £5.49 (or £7.49 in a meal).

Check out these mouthwatering halloumi nuggets:

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The announcement follows a trial of the burger in Sweden. In August 2018, it was announced that the no-meat Halloumi King would be available in the Scandinavian Nordic country, spurring the UK public to hit social media and beg for it to come to them.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Burger King]]

Thankfully, the cheese gods listened and Burger King is amongst the first fast-food restaurants out there to offer halloumi burgers.

In a statement, the American company named their new product the "taste and sound of Summer 2019," writing:

"Halloumi lovers across the UK rejoice and mark your calendars - the 8th of July will see Burger King launch the highly-anticipated Halloumi Burger nationwide. Made with crispy and delicious halloumi cheese from Cyprus, the Halloumi Burger will have lovers of this Cypriot delicacy filled with excitement.

"With the UK now earmarked as the biggest importer of Halloumi, chowing down on over 2,000 tonnes of the Cypriot delicacy per year, the demand for Halloumi has reached fever pitch and Burger King have listened."

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Burger King]]

They added:

"Bringing halloumi to the masses, Burger King are excited to be amongst the first quick service restaurant to offer halloumi burgers to the highstreets, stations and airports, all at an accessible price!

"Avoid the FOMO and take a trip down to your local Burger King UK restaurant and let Burger King provide you with the taste and sound of Summer 2019."

There's today's lunch sorted then. And tomorrow. And the next day...