H&M PR disasters 51 Advent calendars and engagements

[bluegreygreen]

The continuing story of the Sussexes and their PR issues

Are you kidding me? H probably hasn't a clue about the Aberfan disaster.

I listened to a podcast on Aberfan recently. It really was horrific

Thanks for the thread @bluegreygreen
Excellent title. As it happens I was in a luxury chocolate shop today looking for a present. Neuhaus Chocolates - described by AI:

Yes, Neuhaus Chocolates is widely considered to be very good and is one of the premier luxury chocolate makers in Belgium. 1, 2]
Key Quality Details
History & Invention: Founded in Brussels in 1857, Jean Neuhaus Jr. invented the first filled praline (chocolate shell with a soft center) in 1912, as well as the classic ballotin gift box. 1, 2]
Ingredients: All ingredients are 100% natural, use 100% sustainably sourced cacao, and the products are completely palm oil-free. 1, 2]
Flavor Profile: Known for silky ganaches, balanced pralinés, a clean snap, and complex flavors that are rich and smooth without being overly sweet. 1, 2]
Price & Positioning: They sit at a premium price point compared to everyday brands like Leonidas, making them a popular choice for gifts, treats, or special occasions rather than bulk buying.

They have, I think the ultimate chocolate Advent calendar - a sharing calendar for two.

www.neuhauschocolates.com/en_GB/gifts/by-type/advent-calendars/sharing-advent-calendar/5026476.html

Not cheap at £159.50 but there's A LOT of chocolate in there, and I like the cream, gold and red packaging, tastefully Christmassy - alas I am trying to stay mostly off sugar, and DH is dairy free so it would be wasted on me.

Rather better value I would say than the Asever calendar at $148 (£111.52) containing just 24 chocolates.

I think it probably counts as a success from the perspective of column inches and headlines, @IAmATorturedPoet.

Possibly also from an immediate feel-good factor, of seeing well-wishers and catching up with people they previously have connections with.

I'm not sure about any longer term effect.

Which is what I assumed people would want to know when the question was asked.

It's just so shocking and unbelievably distressing. I can't imagine how those families carried on . 🕯️

Unimaginable horror

Just adding some photos I took. 24 is jammed with choccies - 8 in total I think.

Yes, to them it's a huge success. If it benefits the charities, great but I highly doubt it's about charity

Last week DH and I had a furious argument over an entirely hypothetical situation.
He was telling me about his fantasy of buying the beautiful Cornish holiday house we have stayed at several times and the changes he would make to it (the location is unbeatable but the decor is somewhat dated).
He said he’d put solar panels in the garden.
I said why on earth would you ruin the garden like that? You’d put them on the roof.
He said But you probably wouldn’t get planning permission given the location.
I said But it’s fantasy so you can do whatever you like. 🤷‍♀️
He said Stop spoiling his fantasy.

Perhaps it’s best not to engage in arguments about hypothetical situations which are unlikely to happen.

I see there was a distinct lack of security visible at this appearance, which would appear to suggest that HaM remain predominantly reliant on their own familiar private bodyguards.

The Nottingham Post editor Natalie Fahy did make a good point about some local resource (council and police) being supplied that could have been put to better use elsewhere by a cash-strapped city.

This is what will happen at scale in Birmingham next year.

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/news-opinion/worlds-most-famous-private-citizens-11200649

Thanks for the new thread @bluegreygreen

Many thanks @bluegreygreen! , I’m sorry I was missing, I’m home and ok now just tired….what the fuck happened to the thread? , it should have lasted until my return….there is obviously something a foot ….a concerted effort to fill and subvert the threads , why? …I can only guess….the only way to deal with it…..totally ignoring and not replying to posts that are not relevant.

That looks lovely @ShamedBySiri.

Unfortunately my husband is coeliac, and so many chocolate options contain gluten in some form (often malt).

We found this brand in Milan on holiday, and Fenwick stocks it, so it's a treat when we visit the food hall. I've just discovered they do advent calendars ...

Venchi advent calendar

I hope the people of Birmingham don’t suffer financial disadvantage due to someone’s vanity project.

I suspect they will. The money has to come from somewhere.

Yes, Birmingham was my first thought after reading the Nottingham Post article.

(and another great username 😂)

Just re Aberfan , I think it is documented* that Lord Charteris (at the time QEII's private secretary ) said not going to Aberfan earlier was one of QEII's greatest regrets.

I believe he said she did act on advice she was given, by him among others, because they did not want to intrude on the shock and immediate ongoing activity in the village.

*Gyles Brandreth "Philip and Elizabeth : Portrait of a Royal"

I doubt anyone would want to "upstage" a visit to Aberfan.

I doubt anyone would want to "upstage" a visit to Aberfan.

Jury is out on that one…..

They will upstage it. HAM have zero class/respect

I really don't think so.

I thought Birmingham City Council were bankrupt? I have no idea who is funding the Invictus Games given the state of the City’s finances.

You missed my point 😂 it certainly wasn't that!