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NEW DELHI: The Centre has implemented several initiatives in 2024 aimed at enhancing the welfare of pensioners, streamlining grievance redressal, and promoting digitisation in pension processes, according to the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) year-end review released on Sunday. The largest-ever campaign for improving pensioners' welfare was conducted during the year in India from November 1 to 30, 2024 in 800 cities across the nation with 1,950 camps and 1,100 Nodal Officers, generating 1.30 crore Digital Life Certificates (DLCs). As many as 39.18 lakh DLCs representing more than 30 percent were generated using face authentication technology, a 200 times increase over the DLC 2.0 Campaign. This proved particularly beneficial for elderly pensioners with faded fingerprints, differently abled individuals facing mobility challenges, and pensioners living in rural and remote areas. Pensioners aged 80 and above submitted 8 lakh DLCs. Among the banks, 11 lakh DLCs were generated by the State Bank of India, 7.5 lakh DLCs generated by IPPB, and 2.75 lakh DLCs were generated by PNB. The review further states that the 100-day action plan of the Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare was successfully implemented during the year. Under this action plan, the month-long campaign for effective redressal of family pensioners' grievances redressed 1,737 family pensioners' grievances. Instructions were also issued for enhancement of the maximum limit of retirement gratuity and death gratuity for central government employees from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh on reaching the Dearness Allowance rates to 50 per cent. The review also highlights that over 1.06 lakh grievances from pensioners across 90 Ministries and Departments were resolved which included 21,860 family pension cases and 9,818 super senior pensioner cases. The average grievance resolution time has been reduced from 36 days (2018) to 26 days (2024). Only 0.54 per cent of grievances remain pending for more than six months. Monthly reports on grievances, ranking Ministries/Departments based on their performance in grievance redressal, were introduced during the year. The new features include tracking grievances based on their source (online, postal, or call centre) and average disposal time for resolution. Besides, a new Single Unified Pension Application Form 6-A was launched by merging 9 pension forms into an integrated single pension form 6A under CCS (Pension) Rules 2021. As many as 3,200 pensioners submitted their pension forms on Bhavishya using Form 6A which has simplified the process and added to the convenience of pensioners.Cracker Barrel, or as it's known in full, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, may be a chain restaurant with more than 650 locations across the United States, but it can stake a claim to the culinary and historical authenticity it radiates. With its restaurants (and sprawling gift shops) designed to resemble a Southern homestead, complete with a big porch, rocking chairs, and old and homespun cultural relics filling the walls of the customer seating areas, Cracker Barrel evokes big family homes that serve tremendously generous and gut-busting family meals. Founded in Tennessee, Cracker Barrel made its name with a menu full of foods developed or beloved nearby, including straight from the farm breakfasts, decadent desserts, and slow-cooked Sunday dinners. But Cracker Barrel is a modern restaurant, and it has to compete with other family-friendly sit-down chain eateries. It routinely brings in new menu items at the expense of other products. Popular choices have frequently disappeared from the menu as Cracker Barrel attempts to keep up with changing tastes while keeping its Southern flavor and homespun appeal intact. Here are some of the most popular items in Cracker Barrel history that have since been discontinued by Cracker Barrel that likely won't be making a comeback. Uncle Herschel's Favorite A menu item so reliable and long-standing on the Cracker Barrel menu, the chain received a registered trademark for the name of its popular, customizable, and always available breakfast foods combo meal. Uncle Herschel's Favorite provided a lot of morning food, served standard with two eggs, grits, and biscuits and gravy, along with the customer's choice of fried apples or hash brown casserole, and cured ham or a hamburger steak. The breakfast meal is named after a real person who figured into the formation of Cracker Barrel. The maternal uncle of restaurant creator Dan Evins, the actual Uncle Herschel was a former flour salesman who serviced Southern general stores and served as the company's first goodwill ambassador. The breakfast meal memorialized him, as does a statue at Cracker Barrel's headquarters in Lebanon, Tennessee. At least the statue remains. Customers started reporting on social media in October 2022 that Uncle Herschel's Favorite was no longer being offered at various Cracker Barrel locations. Sunrise Sampler The Sunrise Sampler included a little bit of many Cracker Barrel breakfast items, both signature products of the restaurant and morning stalwarts, and that was a lot of stuff altogether. Customers started out with two eggs prepared in the fashion they prefer, as well as generously portioned side orders of grits, fried apples, hash brown casserole, and biscuits and gravy. There was no need to choose a breakfast meat, because the Sunrise Sampler came with a little bit of three — thick bacon, smoked sausage, and country-style ham. A staple on the menu for many years, diners noticed that the Sunrise Sampler was no longer up for purchase at different locations throughout 2022 and 2023. Cracker Barrel made no announcement regarding the hows and whys of the combo platter's discontinuation. The most likely explanation is that it was a casualty of an ongoing menu reboot operation undertaken by Cracker Barrel in the early 2020s. Haddock dinner A new seafood entree made its way to the Cracker Barrel menu in 2015: the Haddock Dinner. The heaping platter of food was centered around a large filet of haddock, a delicate and mild white fish, breaded in cornmeal and flour that was then grilled rather than fried. Served with the usual Cracker Barrel accompaniments of three vegetable side dishes and a plate of biscuits and muffins, the Haddock Dinner was a relative bargain at just $9.99. Sometime in 2019, Cracker Barrel abruptly pulled the Haddock Dinner off its menu, as indicated by reports from customers on TripAdvisor. Various permutations of more homestyle-skewing seafood like trout, fried shrimp, and catfish remain available, but Cracker Barrel never did restore the Haddock Dinner. The elimination of the dish in late 2019 looked like a warm-up for a more rigorous menu overhaul in 2020. "We delete menu items from time to time to make room for new signature, craveable menu items that our guests love," Cracker Barrel's vice president of Culinary and Menu Strategy Cammie Spillyards-Schaefer explained to Chicken salad sandwich and Cracker Barrel certainly gave that a try. In between the day parts when it sells multi-tiered breakfasts and big Southern dinners, Cracker Barrel rolls out a lunch menu. Historically, it has included several options for a light meal in the Southern tradition, including the luncheon favorite of chicken salad. A choice on the Country Sandwich Platter section, the concoction (heavy on the mayonnaise, grapes, and apples), was heaped onto the customer's bread choice of seared white or wheat sourdough and came with some creamy coleslaw as well as a small serving of soup or french fries. In 2014, Cracker Barrel allowed diners to sub out the bread for lettuce wraps to make a sandwich-like meal that was much lower in carbohydrates. Cracker Barrel's chicken salad, in all of its forms, apparently exited the restaurant's lunchtime menu sometime around 2018. "Cracker Barrel doesn't have chicken salad sandwiches anymore," one customer reported on "It's 2019 and I'm still upset about this," another fan Red-Eye Gravy If Cracker Barrel was going to proclaim itself the top spot for old-fashioned Southern food available across almost the entire country, except for red-eye gravy was going to be a must-have menu item and always-ready condiment. According to legend, Southern-born President Andrew Jackson asked his hungover cook to make some country ham with gravy that was red like the kitchen worker's eyes. It more likely it gets its name from the eye-like imagery that forms when its chief ingredients come into contact. When a pan used to fry ham is deglazed with black coffee, the liquids coalesce into the shape of an eye while also turning into a salty, velvety gravy (that gets thickened and bolstered with the addition of flour). Cracker Barrel serves a lot of ham and other breakfast meats, and until 2017, customers could order those items and more with a side of red-eye gravy. The chain serves Sawmill Gravy, a peppery pork fat-based sauce that's also authentically Southern and used on biscuits and gravy, but the red-eye version hasn't found its way back to Cracker Barrel. Strawberries n' Cream French Toast In 2015, Cracker Barrel launched a special summer-centric menu, with the star of the bill of fare its Strawberries n' Cream French Toast. French toast is a breakfast classic, but it's also well suited for variation, adaptation, and addition. This dish was made with sourdough bread pockets packed with sweetened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and strawberry-flavored syrup, and then abundantly covered in sliced, seasonal strawberries. The Strawberries n' Cream French Toast was available a la carte or as part of a breakfast platter with the customer's choice of bacon, sausage, turkey sausage, or turkey bacon. But like the summer season the Strawberries n' Cream French Toast aimed to embrace and celebrate, this breakfast item couldn't last forever. From the outset, it was designed and marketed as a strictly seasonal item. As of mid-August 2015, Cracker Barrel no longer served Strawberries n' Cream French Toast — nor anything else from its limited-time-only summer menu — at any of its restaurants. Strawberries n' Cream French Toast also never returned for any subsequent summer. Frozen Mug Apple Cider Drinks meant to be served cold can be kept chilly for a reasonable period of time by pouring them into a glass full of ice. But the longer that iced beverage sits out, it increases the likelihood or inevitability of dilution: Ice quickly and gradually melts into water, and that water mixes with the drink and robs it of its flavor. In the 2010s, Cracker Barrel presented one solution to this problem: . The Frozen Mugs worked like hollowed out ice cubes — the drinks went in cold and stayed that way until they were consumed or came up to room temperature. With no ice to melt, the drinks never got watered down. That simple technology was a chief selling point in a late summer 2016 menu addition: Frozen Mug Apple Cider. Often served hot, this cider was served ice cold, and made for a nice way for Cracker Barrel customers to enjoy the transition from summer to fall. Not only did the Frozen Mug Apple Cider leave Cracker Barrel, but so did all of the chilled mugs. Cracker Barrel eliminated that program in 2018. It now uses ice for serving cold drinks. Baked Apple Dumplin' Apple dumplings didn't originate in the South. First made centuries ago in England, the modern version of the dish is based on a dessert prepared by Dutch settlers in Pennsylvania. Historically, an apple dumpling is made from a cored and peeled whole green apple that's been enrobed in pie dough, slathered in spiced butter, and then baked. Despite its northern United States background, the Southern-centric Cracker Barrel once sold a variety of the treat on its menu, the Baked Apple Dumplin'. Introduced to the restaurant chain in 2014, the dessert was built on a foundation of sliced apples and pecan streusel baked in a pie crust and then topped with a thick and sweet apple sauce and some scoops of vanilla ice cream. It was a cheap extravagance, too, costing just $3.99. During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, Cracker Barrel temporarily stopped making and selling many products for economic reasons. While some items eventually returned, some cuts became permanent. Among the forever cut favorites from that time: the Baked Apple Dumplin'. Campfire Meals ; that wasn't the case at Cracker Barrel. Over the course of a few summers in the 2010s, Cracker Barrel moved away from traditional homestyle favorites cooked in traditional ways to offer up a line of meals wildly different from its usual fare. Its "Campfire" entrées were cooked and presented as if they'd been made outside on a camp stove or over an open flame. Big hunks of meat, along with vegetables like red potatoes, carrots, corn on the cob, tomato wedges, and onions, were seasoned in a proprietary blend and then roasted slowly in aluminum foil until everything was tender. After Campfire Beef, made with chuck roast, proved to be a hit, Cracker Barrel introduced glazed chicken and barbecue pork options. That expansion for the summer of 2018 would be the last time that Cracker Barrel made campout food. When fall arrived, Campfire Meals disappeared, never to return for subsequent summers. Sweet potato pancakes There are always and Cracker Barrel attempted one in the 2010s. There are numerous holidays invented and established by companies and industry boards to promote their particular products, including National Sweet Potato Month. February is set aside for this observation of the sweet-and-savory root vegetable, and in 2012 Cracker Barrel utilized the occasion of the fabricated observance period to launch a brand-new entrée to its breakfast menu: Sweet Potato Pancakes. Made with sweet potatoes instead of usual pancake batter fodder like wheat flour, Cracker Barrel's version was served three large flapjacks per order and topped with cinnamon butter, alongside eggs and a breakfast meat of the customer's choice. Cracker Barrel was so confident that customers would enjoy the product that upon launch it also started selling boxes of Sweet Potato Pancake Mix in its restaurant adjacent gift shops. And almost as quickly as Cracker Barrel rolled out pancakes made from sweet potatoes, it took them away. While it never really said the item was temporary, it was. The Sweet Potato Pancakes were gone for good after about just a few months of sales. Fried chicken livers the chicken liver, extremely rich in flavor and physically dense. Breaded and fried organ meat isn't the most crowd-pleasing of foods, but it's an authentically Southern delicacy, which earned it a spot on the Cracker Barrel menu, served as the main part of a dinner along with all of the usual sides and bread. Cracker Barrel customers began mentioning on TripAdviser in early 2021 that the livers weren't being cooked up anymore. In June 2021, a Cracker Barrel representative fielded a comment on Facebook from a customer inquiring about the sudden non-availability of the chicken livers dinner specifically. "Although Chicken Livers are no longer on our menu, we will gladly share your request with our CulinaryTeam," No reason was given why chicken livers can't be found at Cracker Barrel anymore, but the deletion closely followed a chain-wide menu reboot as well as a food-borne illness outbreak centered around chicken livers. Lima beans Lima beans have a common and casual reputation as one of the most-hated vegetables of all time, particularly by children. Despite the detractors, those big, sort-of-crunchy, sort-of-creamy, and very starchy legumes are such an indelible part of family meals that Southern restaurant chain Cracker Barrel once offered lima beans as a side dish, one of the options diners could use to fill out their required two or three vegetables on dinner entrées. Cracker Barrel at least made its lima beans taste as good as they could, seasoned and cooked along with big pieces of bacon. Customers who actually like lima beans raved about the restaurant's preparation online as recently as 2020, just before a system-wide menu truncation took effect. In response to a customer's complaint on a Facebook post about the sudden absence of lima beans from the sides menu, a Cracker Barrel customer representative revealed that the restaurants had gotten rid of the vegetable. Beef stew One of Cracker Barrel's main lines of business is serving big plates of familiar, hearty, Southern and generally American entrées. Along with fried chicken, meatloaf, roast turkey, fried pork chops, and other homemade-approximating standards, Cracker Barrel used to sell beef stew, which fit in nicely with the rest of the lunch and dinner menu. A standard, crowd-pleasing preparation, Cracker Barrel's beef stew was a hefty blend of beef chunks, big pieces of carrots and potatoes, and peas, all in a savory gravy-like sauce. It would seem that the restaurant stopped cooking up beef stew around the fall of 2013. "Okay, so I just found out that Cracker Barrel got rid of their beef stew and I am so upset," one fan wrote on in September 2013. "Stopped by some only to find they took it off the menu last month," another . A grassroots effort to bring back beef stew to Cracker Barrel wasn't successful — a petition on Change.org didn't persuade the restaurant to change the menu. Sugar Plum Mimosa In addition to gigantic farm-style breakfasts and Southern and homestyle comfort foods, some Cracker Barrel locations, where the law allows, serve alcoholic beverages. In addition to a variety of wines, beer, and bottled cocktails, the chain offers classic and specially crafted mimosas, and the exact lineup is subject to seasonal change. For the early winter and holiday season of 2021, Cracker Barrel introduced the Sugar Plum Mimosa. A sweet but boozy drink, it was a combination of sparkling wine with a proprietary "Sugar Plum" syrup made up of winter fruit flavors, particularly cherry, and cost $5.99 in most locations. It didn't involve in any way real candy-coated spice pieces. After the holidays came and went, so too did Cracker Barrel's Sugar Plum Mimosa. The restaurant chain kept around the sugar plum flavoring for a non-alcoholic Sugar Plum Tea, but it moved on with other styles of mimosa. When Cracker Barrel announced its 2024 special winter menu, the Sugar Plum Mimosa wasn't on it, but the Sparkling Plum Mimosa — made with wine and plum syrup and edible glitter — was. Recommended76ers' star Paul George sidelined the next 2 games with bone bruise in left knee1. A hot chocolate Advent calendar so you can try out a new, delectable hot cocoa flavor on each of the 12 days leading up to Christmas, like gingerbread, peppermint swirl, chocolate cherry, and salted caramel donut (YUM). Promising review: "These 12 days of hot chocolate are bringing me some delicious moments this winter, and that makes me very happy. I am on day three, and so far, the pistachio macaroon is my favorite. Each taste is one of a kind, and does not mimic any of the other flavors in any way. This is a mini advent calendar, but the taste isn’t mini at all!" — Amber Get it from Amazon for $20.99. 2. A Hallmark Christmas Movie bingo set you'll want to whip out when your bestie comes over for your annual cheesy Christmas rom-com night. Now you can have even *more* fun filling out this bingo sheet for all the tropes we know and love as they inevitably appear on-screen — like the boyfriend from the big city, the ~looming deadline~, and, of course, a man in flannel. The Crafty Chick Co. is a Connecticut-based Etsy shop that specializes in wooden gifts and accessories. Promising review: "The laser cutting is so nicely done, and the bingo spots are so clever. My Hallmark movie-loving friends absolutely loved it!" — Gloria Echeverria Get it from The Crafty Chick Co. on Etsy for $19 . 3. A fluffy artificial tree with branches that look like they've been dusted with snow ❄️ so even if a "white Christmas" rarely manifests where you live, you can still gaze at this beauty in your living room. This doesn't come prelit, so you can use any lights you already own, or grab some new ones ! And I highly recommend adding a white tree skirt around the bottom to make it look like a pile of snow underneath. Promising review: "You can't beat this tree anywhere, especially for the price! Just add lights, and it's a winter wonderland. Easy to set up. The kids were very excited to start decorating it. My son even thought the snow was real! I am very happy with our purchase." — teresa Get a 7.5-foot tree from Amazon for $129.99 (available in four sizes and three colors). ❄️ Psst — if you already have an old snow-flocked tree that's starting to look a little yellow, check out this textured snow spray to revive it and make it look brand new! It's also great for adding a wintry touch to garland and wreaths. 4. And light-up birch trees that are so beautiful and versatile, you might even want to leave them up all year. Combined with your other winter and holiday decor, though, they'll create the most magical feeling, like you really are walking through through a winter wonderland. And they can go inside or outside! You could pair these with the snowy Christmas tree above to really create the look of a wintry forest. Promising review : "I'd buy more if I had the space. I bought these for Christmas decorations, and I may keep them up year-round — they’re so pretty!! Seriously, amazing value for the money. They sell these same trees in individual packs for like $50 a tree at Marshall's, so this was definitely a great price. They were packaged really well, and they were easy to put up. Just set them where you want them, stake them to the ground (stakes included), and spread the branches out how you’d like them. My neighbors loved them, they were the talk of the block!" — Elley Get a set of two 6-foot trees from Amazon for $81.90 (available in nine sizes and sets, including single trees if you don't want a pair). 5. Some iridescent hanging snowflakes for hanging in your entryway, along a mantle, in your kitchen window — anywhere they can catch the light and sparkle. Seriously, people rave about how beautiful these are in person, so you may want to grab more than one pack! Just a heads up it takes a bit of time to punch out the holes in these and bend them to look dimensional, but it's totally worth it! The pack comes with 15 snowflakes in three different sizes and string to hang them. Promising review : "Look, I am so lazy about decorating. These looked effortlessly beautiful in my living room window. My kids love them, you can see them from the street, and they look wonderful with some green garland. They do tangle a bit, so be careful putting up and taking down. It came in various sizes, which I loved. Felt like great value for money. The paper is pretty sturdy as well, which helped with durability." — Asia Get a pack of 15 from Amazon for $11.99 . 6. Bath bombs in the shape of Christmas pudding — I've seen a lot of unique bath bombs in my day, but these might be one of the best things I've ever seen. Not only do they look like the iconic British dessert, but they *smell* like it too, so you can indulge in some truly heavenly baths while partaking in some holiday self-care. Artemisia Lore is a small business based in the United Kingdom that sells creative bath bombs. Promising review: "These bath bombs are gorgeous and smell so good!! The attention to detail is second to none. I treated myself to one and it was amazing!! These bath bombs are really big and included an awesome free sample bath bomb. The exquisite detailing and packaging drew my attention to this shop and the amazing stories fascinate me and make these bath bombs a complete gift for the holidays. Can't wait to order more across the pond. These bath bombs are even more beautiful in person and the quality is second to none." — shikon01 Get it from Artemisia Lore on Etsy for $7.94 . 7. A set of six metal reindeer tea light holders you can honestly sneak into your home decor as soon as the weather gets chilly and leave up all winter long. They'd make an adorable addition to your dining table if you plan on hosting for the holidays, lighting up your spread and delighting guests to no end. If you don't already own tea lights, you can pick up a set of 100 soy wax tea lights for $21.99 to last you all season. Promising review : "Such a delightful set of candle holders! They are sturdy and well made. I picked them from a variety of similar offers because of the nice detail/shape of the deer. And they delivered!" — AH Get them from Amazon for $14.99 . 8. A pair of funny can coozies that'll keep your winter lagers and seasonal IPAs cold (and your hands comfortable) through all the holiday festivities. Daisy Lane Company Store is a small biz that makes a bunch of great giftable items, from coozies and ornaments to keychains and more. Promising review: "I absolutely love these, all year long. The color looks white in the picture, but they're actually gray. Not that I care; in fact I think that's better anyway." — Tori Get a pack of two from Daisy Lane Company Store on Amazon Handmade for $15.95 (or snag a set of four for $22.99 ). 9. A "Stitch a Day" embroidery Advent calendar for stitchers looking for a holiday project — the best part is that once it's completed, you'll have a lovely piece of decor for years to come. Promising review : "This kit is absolutely perfect for crafters at any level. The kit includes everything with simple directions, but leaves plenty of room for more embellishments if you're more advanced. (I'm tempted to add beads to mine — beads not included.) I'm most excited that while there are little squares to stitch every day during advent, there's the design of the house that I can work on in the meantime so I don't have to wait until December to start my project." — Crafty Stacy Get it from Uncommon Goods for $45 . 10. A pair of plush light-up gnomes here to overlook all of your holiday activities and give your home the coziest glow at night. Don't forget the AAA batteries ! Promising review: "Love it! Exactly what my living room needed for extra holiday magic. Perfect size and lighting." — Lily Ice Get them from Amazon for $16.19+ (available in two sizes). 11. A dazzling snowfall lantern that's like an ~elevated~ version of your classic snow globe — it would look so magical near an entryway or in any dark corner of your home. Just add batteries or plug it in via USB to kickstart a glittery, continuous snowstorm within. (No shaking needed!) It comes with a USB cord for plugging it in, or you can snag some AAA batteries for it if needed! Promising review: "These battery-operated snow globes are the best new gift of this Christmas season!!! Ingenious, constantly rotating glittery snowflakes and a pretty little light to shine on the scene. A wonderful new decoration that will last for Christmases to come." — M. Foreman Get it from Amazon for $27.13 . 12. A tabletop USB-powered Super Mario Bros. tree to ~power up~ your holiday decor, especially if your gaming setup feels a little lacking compared to the rest of your home. Why have a regular star topping your tree when you could have a Super Star? Promising review: "This little Super Mario Christmas tree is absolutely adorable. It’s perfect for any desk or shelf. It comes with lights already attached. You can always add mini ornaments if you wanted to. It’s perfectly cute without. It comes with a USB cord already attached. I definitely recommend this for any Super Mario fan." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $39.99 . 13. Or a replica of Charlie Brown's Christmas tree if the holiday isn't complete without your annual rewatch of A Charlie Brown Christmas — and yes, that's Linus' iconic blue blanket wrapped around the base. It plays the "Linus & Lucy" Peanuts theme (and includes two AAA batteries). It's also an officially licensed Peanuts item! Promising review: "'It's Christmas, Charlie Brown!' Just looking at this tree brings a smile. Simple, elegant in its humility. It just brings a bit of nostalgia remembering all past Christmases watching Charlie Brown and the gang on television kick off the Christmas season in our house . It is a pleasure to own a replica of the original. Adding the theme at the push of a button is a nice touch. We absolutely love it!" — D. Stovell Get it from Amazon for $23.91 . 14. A new pair of satin pajamas so you can wake up and pretend it's Christmas morning...before you have to roll out of bed and go to work because it's only Dec. 1. Sigh. Promising review : "This is hands-down my favorite pajama set! It’s breathable, comfy material that feels oh so luxurious. I feel like royalty when I wear this set to bed. I got it in three colors — black, dark blue, and purple. Do yourself a favour and get this now!!" — Elizabeth Hill Get them from Amazon for $25.99 (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and 41 colors). 15. A mini waffle maker that makes Christmas tree-shaped waffles, which will be perfect for Christmas breakfast but also in the days and weeks leading up to it. Sprinkle some cranberries on top for that special holiday touch! This only makes one waffle at a time, so it might not be the best option if you want to make a *ton* of waffles for a big family, but if you're cooking for just a few people or spending the holidays by yourself, this would be perfect. Promising review : "This one is a little more 3D than the others I have and was so fun to do gingerbread waffles over the Christmas season. Nonstick. I love it!" — otasc Get it from Amazon for $19.95 . 16. Artificial mini Christmas trees to bring more of that rustic winter charm to your space — they're quite small, so you can scatter them around pretty much anywhere to enhance your other decor. Bakers love to use them as cake toppers too! Plus, you can pretend you live in a magical holiday forest (instead of, in my case, a loud dirty city). The set gets you trees of four different sizes (5.1 inch, 4.1 inch, 3.3 inch, and 2.3 inch) so your forest has a natural varied look to it. Promising review : "Love these little holiday trees. They came in a really cute box and they were all in great shape. No bending or breaks in any of them. I think they redesigned their shipping and have made it a little better from what I’ve seen in other reviews. These will be perfect on my mantle this Christmas." — Cassie Chappell Get them from Amazon for $15.59 . 17. A darling Rudolph doormat because the red-nosed reindeer leads Santa's pack, so it's only fitting he should lead guests into your home as well! Just note that the red and black buffalo plaid mat in the reviewer photo is not included, but you can find a similar one here if you love that look! Promising review: "Excellent doormat and super cute! Very thick — good for getting snow and mud off your boots in the winter. Great size! I am extremely impressed!" — Mtngrl84 Get it from Amazon for $20.89+ (available in five sizes). 18. Snowflake string lights to bring a warm, cozy glow to any room — and you can leave them up all winter long. Hang them on a wall or drape them around other Christmas decor to light them up. You get 20 feet of lights with 40 snowflakes, and there are two different lighting modes: twinkle/flash and steady on. Three AA batteries are needed! Promising review : "Wow these are just perfect. They’re so cute, especially for winter. I put them right above my bed. The only thing is that they are much smaller than it looks like in the picture; I would say they are about an inch to an inch-and-a-half in circumference. But that works just fine for me and I didn’t have a problem with it." — brooke Get them from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in four styles, including warm or cool lights). 19. Or some regular (but equally magical) fairy string lights that'll totally channel those winter wonderland vibes and help boost your mood when it gets dark at 4 p.m. by washing your home in their warm glow. Some reviewers even say they look like snow from a distance! These look even prettier layered behind sheer curtains ! BTW, many reviewers say the cord is short, so you may want to pick up an extension cord if you don't already have one. Promising review: " ❄️✨Winter wonderland vibes ✨❄️ So glad I bought these! My intention was to use them just for Christmas decor, but I’ve fallen in love with the pretty glow it gives my bedroom. These babies will be staying up year round. 🤩" — JLG4 "Love this light curtain! Looks like it’s snowing in Arizona! Awesome golden glow." — Claire Wade Get them from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in nine colors). 20. Some Eddie Bauer flannel sheets giving you (or your holiday guests) the coziest place to drift off to dreamland. Made of 100% cotton flannel and brushed three times for *extra* softness, these'll keep you comfortably warm on chilly nights, but hot sleepers swear they don't overheat in these either. And they come in all sorts of wintry designs that make them feel even cozier. Promising review : "I am a first-time flannel sheet purchaser. Over the years I have purchased many Eddie Bauer clothing items and choose to purchase Eddie Bauer sheets because I know their products are quality. The woodland animals with scarves are adorable. Originally, I purchased them for my rental cabin. I wanted my guests to feel comfortable in the cooler weather. I needed to 'test' them before letting my guess sleep on them. Last night I made my own bed with them. I am a hot sleeper and usually have linen bedding. I was worried flannel sheets would make me feel too hot and would cause me to have a poor night's sleep. I found out I certainly was wrong. The sheets were so cozy, not too hot and I had the best night's sleep in a week. Oh, my goodness, now I suppose I need to order another set of sheets to keep on hand for my cabin guests! I LOVE these soft and cozy sheets. Thank you, Eddie Bauer. You have converted me over to your flannel sheets for the cool winter months." — Amazon Customer Get a queen set from Amazon for $42 (available in sizes twin–king and 39 patterns). 21. And a pair of snowflake throw pillow covers to update your couch or bed for the festive season. The nice thing about these covers is they're easy to store and break out again next year! These are pillow *covers* so be sure to grab inserts if you need 'em! Tip: Opt for inserts that are 2 inches larger than the cover for optimal fluffiness (so a 20x20 insert for an 18x18 cover, for example). Promising review : "These pillow covers are so cute for the winter. For the price, I think they are perfect. They have zippers and are thick and sturdy. I highly recommend them! They look expensive as well! I bought the white and gray ones to combine on my gray couch and they are adorable! I have gotten so many compliments!" — Orinda Get them from Amazon for $16.99 (available in five colors). 22. A truly *chef's kiss* selection of Christmas sweaters from Tipsy Elves (which you might remember from Shark Tank ), any one of which basically guarantees you'll take home the winning prize at your office's ugly sweater competition. I'm partial to the one where Santa is riding the Loch Ness monster. Promising review : "Very nice sweater, fits great, and the quality is also very good, as expected from Tipsy Elves . I own five other holiday sweaters from this company. They really do Christmas sweaters right, with attention to detail and great quality materials, and they fit true to size. Awesome pretty sweater , I got compliments at the family Christmas party all night. This is certainly no ugly sweater, I promise you." — Lisa Get it from Amazon for $49.95 (available in women's sizes XS–4X and 41 designs). 23. Or another Tipsy Elves favorite: A holiday onesie you can pull on anytime you're feeling cold (or if you're trying to keep the heating bill down), with convenient pockets for holding your ~essentials~ (aka candy cane Hershey's Kisses). Promising review : "We absolutely LOVE these onesies. They’re durable, thick, warm, and very well made for the money they are a great value! We already have our next set picked out. The zipper is good quality, and the colors are bright and vibrant — even after a few washes. The sizing is perfect, and durability is top-notch. Definitely a lot nicer quality than the ones I’ve purchased from Walmart in the past." — Jessica Get it from Amazon for $64.95 (available in men's and women's sizes XS–3XL and 33 designs). 24. A 5-foot, LED-lit inflatable snowman for your front yard if you're ready to feel like you're living in the gosh dang North Pole (even if snow is sadly not in the forecast). This cheerful guy will be ready to greet you every day after a long commute home, and neighbors will be slowly down as they pass by to appreciate this cutie. Promising review : "It's half the price charged by the big box stores for the same performance. You get a big 5-foot inflatable for the same price you get the smaller 2–3-foot inflatables elsewhere. I put mine on a timer for five hours operation per night, and after three weeks it's still going strong, and the air pump had gotten much quieter than the initial startup. Very satisfied with looks and quality, and suspect that it will last many seasons ." — Bob H. Ray Get it from Amazon for $29.99 . 25. And an outdoor Christmas tree illuminated with 300 multicolored LEDs and topped with a glowing star that even Santa will have to pause and appreciate for a few moments. It features eight different lighting effects, including a steady-on option. Promising reviews : "So beautiful and outstanding in the night." — Audrey "This 'dancing' tree is the star of our little neighborhood. I am so excited to get it back out this year!" — Kay Get it from Wayfair for $73.99+ (originally 129.99+; available in three sizes). 26. A Christmas coloring tablecloth to keep your littles entertained while the rest of the fam is chatting it up over good drinks and food — and honestly, the adults will probably want to join in on the coloring fun too! You can use pretty much anything to color this in, including markers, crayons, colored pencils, gen pels, and more. In addition to this Christmas theme , it's available in a Hanukkah design, a Happy Holidays design, a New Year's design, and a general winter design . Promising review : "This is the product you need to elevate your holiday/family gatherings. I had one for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it brought young, old, bored, shy, and electronically obsessed to the table together. I picked up an extra big box of washable markers. Just buy it." — Jack Lindau Get it from Amazon for $26.95 . 27. Pine cone pre-lit garland you can scatter across a table or place inside a mason jar for dreamy holiday vibes. This garland is about 6.5 feet long. Promising review: "Adds a lot of sparkle mixed with nature. Very pretty lights for your tree or wreaths or to decorate the staircase or mantle. Very versatile and pretty. I bought two but could have used at least four." — AnnieP Get it from Amazon for $15.98 . 28. And a battery-operated pinecone-shaped wax candle so you can enjoy its flickering glow on winter evenings without any of the stress of an open flame, i.e. it won't drip all over your nice tablecloth or be a fire hazard if you accidentally doze off. It uses two AA batteries and has a timer function where it'll light up for five hours, then automatically shut off for 19 hours. You should get up to 200 hours of runtime before needing to replace the batteries! Luminara is a small business! Promising review: "I love this Luminara pinecone candle. I bought two of these for Christmas decor but they are so lovely, I will use them all winter long to brighten my evenings ." — madwoman Get it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in two colors and four sizes). 29. Some holiday-themed leggings that'll add a festive pop to your outfits, perfect for pairing with your slouchiest sweaters and boots when you're headed out to a holiday market or tree farm! Reviewers also love wearing these to holiday parties or on Christmas Day (when you want to be comfy but on-theme). Promising review : "Yoooo these leggings are amazing!! Puts me in the Christmas spirit! These are a perfect fit; I did order a size up (I usually wear 2X but ordered a 3X) and I’m so happy I did 'cause I love the way it fits! The print stayed just how it was [without stretching too much] and they are so soft! So happy I ordered these since I plan on making these my Christmas Day pants! 💝" — Nakeya Kempton Get them from Amazon for $19.99 (available in women's sizes S–4XL and 23 designs). 30. A ridiculously soft red plaid throw blanket you can curl up with all winter long — but the colors will make it look especially great next to all your Christmas decor. You can also get this blanket in a bigger size if you want to use it as a Christmasy bedspread! These matching pillow covers help tie the festive look together. Promising review : "If you haven't pressed 'add to cart' yet DO IT NOW. This is the softest fl*ffin' blanket I've ever held in my arms, both before and after washing. I've dreamt of this blanket for years and not in my wildest Lifetime-watching, couch-lounging days did I think I would find it. I'm not weird, but I would marry this blanket if I could and if you're married please know that if you buy it, you will consider a divorce while you figure out how to marry it too. Must be spun out of angel hair and puppy tears. Not sure how it got past customs and I don't care. Order this blanket or spend the rest of your life knowing you made the biggest mistake you will ever make." — Maverick Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in four sizes and 15 styles). 31. A Lego gingerbread house kit — it's way less messy, and you don't have to worry about it going bad before Christmas! Promising review : "'Is that real gingerbread?' You might think the above question was asked by an elderly relative but, no, it came from a friend in her 30s. This is one of the most beautiful kits Lego has produced to date. Whimsical and wonderful don't begin to describe this lovely kit. Lego fans already expect a hefty price, and this is no exception. But it has lots of parts and is quite intricate and detailed. What makes all Lego kits supremely wonderful is that if you get tired of looking at them or playing with them, you can take them apart and store them easily. And, of course, you can repurpose any of the parts to any original project you want since EVERYTHING in Lego is compatible, even from the older kits." — Matt Harnick Get it from Amazon for $189.99 . 32. A wool garland so you can channel that Christmas cheer all season long. The white minimalistic design blends into most spaces and gives it a lovely understated look. This garland is made out of wool with a white finish, and it's 60 inches long! Get it from West Elm for $20 (originally $25). 33. A balsam and cedar candle to give your home that fresh Christmas tree smell before your tree is even set up (or make you feel better about opting for the faux pine). Notes of cedarwood, rosemary, pine, fir balsam, and more make this dreamy scent a quintessential holiday favorite. Promising review : "We purchased a Balsam Hill Christmas tree and needed the balsam scent to make the tree even better. When I looked on Amazon and read other reviews for your lovely candles, I knew I had to try one. We could not be more pleased with our purchase. Your candles are not only beautiful; the scent is perfect and a beautiful addition to our living room as well. The packaging is also above perfect and beautiful and the price was amazing considering the high quality. Thank you so much, and have a very merry Christmas!" — Shari Diehl Get it from Amazon for $26 (also available in five other scents). 34. A set of snowflake window decals you (and any kiddos) can have fun plastering all over your bare windows, appliances, and cabinet doors. They stick on using just water, and when you're ready to take them down, they peel off just as easily without leaving behind any residue. Promising review: "I LOVE THESE! They look great and you can barely see the cling outline! They stick easily and hold on well. If you're thinking about purchasing them, do it! They're so worth it!" — Amber Flavin Get a pack of 135 decals from Amazon for $6.99 . 35. Super absorbent Geometry kitchen towels that come in both holiday and winter designs so the seasonal vibes can extend to your kitchen. If you haven't owned a Geometry towel before, let me just tell you they're a game changer — they absorb nearly seven times their weight in liquid and dry fast (so they won't still be uncomfortably ~damp~ the next time you go to dry your hands), and the designs are absolutely stunning. Promising review : "I love these towels. They take towels to a new level. I am a bit picky when it comes to kitchen towels; they have to be absorbent and soft. These fit the bill over and above in that they are pretty and such a complement to any kitchen. I am a return customer and have also bought for birthdays and now Christmas. You will not be disappointed!" — Happy Get it from Amazon for $18 (available in 12 styles). 36. A grow-your-own-Christmas-tree kit you can set up now and watch grow over the years. You can even plant it outside once your seedling is at least 3 inches tall! 🎄 The kit comes with everything you need to get started, including soil and seeds. Nature Favors is a Texas-based small biz you should check out for sustainable gift options (stocking stuffers and otherwise)! They offer a variety of tiny grow kits not only for Christmas but also birthdays, weddings, and other occasions. Promising review : "My husband loved the sentiment behind this stocking stuffer! We plan to plant the seeds and hopefully measure growth near Christmas each year. We'd like to plant the tree outside in our future yard too!" — Toniann Keiling Get it from Nature Favors on Etsy for $12.95 . 37. A vintage-style laser-cut Christmas display to set out so everyone knows you're already counting down the days until Santa arrives. Set candles inside for a dreamy nighttime glow. EngravisLT is a small business on Etsy that specializes in decorations and gifts made from natural wood. Promising review : "This is so Christmasy! I can hardly wait to put it up in December. It is crafted very well. I was surprised the arrival time was so swift." — Judy-Gene McCoy Get it from EngravisLT on Etsy for $16.32+ (originally $20.39+; available with or without candles and in two sizes). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.betfred near me 。

Singer-songwriter Khalid comes out as gay after being outedA FORBIDDEN seat on a plane has sparked huge debate among flyers who have been left baffled by the bizarre rule. Croatia Airlines passenger Sven Wöste took to Facebook to share a picture of the unusual seat. 2 A passenger on a Croatia Airlines flight sparked a huge debate over a 'forbidden seat' Credit: facebook/SvenWöste 2 Fellow travellers were left scratching their heads as to the reason behind the permanently empty seat (stock) Credit: Getty He wrote: "I was sitting in the last aisle of a Croatia Airlines plane on the window seat (31F). "The seat next to me was free and had a notice stitched in the cushion that this seat has to stay unoccupied." The confused passenger added that when he asked a flight attendant why no one could sit in the seat, they told him that it had no seat belt. But, this "made no sense" to Wöste who argued that the mounting for a seat belt was there and surely replacing a seatbelt is easier than stitching into a cushion. read more on planes ROCKET BLAST Moment Brit pilot films Russian ROCKET soar past his plane en route to space FEELING CAGEY Plane grounded as 130 HAMSTERS escape cages in cargo sparking huge search Over 1,200 people in the Dull Men's Club Facebook group took part in a lively debate in the comments about the permanently empty. "Wonder if it's for an extra flight attendant they may have to put on the plane last min?" one suggested. "Probably like an extra emergency seat for an airline worker or someone that absolutely needs to be on the flight when it's booked full," another said. "A lot easier to keep people out of a seat with no seatbelt, and they probably do have the extra belt stored on the plane to install if someone needs the seat." Most read in News Travel TOP CHOC Quaint little marshmallow shop tops list with best hot chocolate in Scotland SCOFF THE BALL 'It's a bit of a mess' says food reviewer with first Full Scottish breakfast BACK ON TRACK Popular tourist attraction set to re-open for first time in 15 months PACK IT IN Suitcase brand loved by flight attendants is cheaper in Black Friday sale It is the "ejector seat," a third joked. Others noted how they now might keep an eye out for the window seat next to the forbidden one so they could have more room. Passenger tells mum she shouldn’t bring her baby into business class on six-hour flight One wrote in the comments: "I would LOVE to have this seat next to me on most flights...I could finally sit without bumping elbows with the next person." But, none of these suggestions were correct. Many cabin crew workers who saw the post explained the real reason for the seat and it is all to do with health and safety regulations. One crewmember explained: "Aircrafts are certified considering many factors. Everything you need to know before boarding a plane Is it illegal to be drunk on a plane? How to get special treatment on board Top trick to help you survive a plane crash How do I cancel an EasyJet flight? How to know if you need to check your passport How high do planes fly? Can I bring cigarettes to the UK from abroad? Can I take ecigs and cigarettes in hand luggage? "One of them is the capacity to evacuate all passengers, using 50% of the exits, within 90 seconds." This means that while there is a capacity for 150 passengers on the plane, it is only certified with just 149 as only this number of people can evacuate the aircraft within the time limit. If someone had taken the unoccupied seat, in order to fly following the regulations, there would have to be two more over-wing exits which is much more costly. Read more on the Scottish Sun FESTIVE FIZZ Coca-Cola Christmas truck in Scotland: Dates, locations & all you need to know AND RELAX Scots seaside hotel with outdoor hot tub and firepit named UK's top spa resort This has also been explained by Avioradar who had the theory confirmed by Airbus. Meanwhile, a flight attendant has revealed why passengers should stop queuing for the plane bathroom even if they are desperate.

The North Pole cold war: US and NATO bolstering national security in Arctic regionUS sex-abuse watchdog fires investigator after learning of his arrest for stealing drug money DENVER (AP) — The U.S. Center for SafeSport abruptly fired one of its investigators last month after learning he’d been arrested for stealing money confiscated after a drug bust he was part of during his previous job as a police officer. Jason Krasley left his job with the Allentown Police Department in Pennsylvania in 2021 and was hired by the Denver-based SafeSport center to look into sensitive cases involving sex abuse and harassment. The center said it conducts multiple interviews and a “comprehensive background check” of potential employees. The center said it was looking into cases Krasley handled to make sure they were dealt with appropriately. Jim Larrañaga steps down at Miami, Bill Courtney takes over to finish season CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Jim Larrañaga has stepped down as Miami’s men’s basketball coach effective immediately. Larrañaga will be replaced by associate head coach Bill Courtney — one of Larrañaga’s best friends for the past three decades or so — for the remainder of the season. The now-former coach says he loves the university but believes it's the right time to step away. Larrañaga says "I’ve tried every which way to keep this going.” Larrañaga joins a long line of prominent college basketball coaches who have left their jobs in recent years citing the changes in the game and the challenge of coaching in the Name, Image and Likeness era. Detroit Red Wings fire coach Derek Lalonde, name Todd McLellan as his replacement The Detroit Red Wings have fired coach Derek Lalonde and named Todd McLellan as his replacement. The move a day after Christmas comes after the Red Wings lost 21 of their first 34 games this season. They're on a three-game skid. Assistant Bob Boughner was also fired and Trent Yawney hired to work on McLellan's staff. McLellan signed a multiyear contract to start his fourth NHL head coaching job. Lalonde was nearly midway through his third season with Detroit after winning the Stanley Cup twice as an assistant with Tampa Bay. Penn State offensive coordinator Kotelnicki's creativity has the Nittany Lions humming in the CFP Penn State's offense is thriving under first-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. The Nittany Lions are one of a handful of Power Four schools averaging 200 yards per game rushing and receiving heading into their College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Boise State. Penn State has one of the most unique offensive weapons in the country in tight end Tyler Warren. Warren has 92 receptions this season and has become a threat out of the backfield, rushing for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Pat Riley says the Miami Heat will not trade Jimmy Butler ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — If Jimmy Butler wants a trade, the Miami Heat have no plans to make him happy. Heat President Pat Riley — in a rare move — spoke out to address rumors Thursday, saying the team has no plans to trade Butler. It’s a clear sign that, if necessary, the team will be willing to let Butler leave as a free agent and get nothing in return. Riley says in a release distributed by the team "we usually don’t comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches.” Organizers say two sailors have died in Sydney to Hobart yacht race amid wild weather conditions SYDNEY (AP) — Organizers said that two Sydney to Hobart sailors have died at sea amid wild weather conditions that forced line honors favorite Master Lock Comanche to withdraw among mass retirements. The race will continue as the fleet continues its passage to Constitution Dock in Hobart, with the first boats expected to arrive later on Friday or early Saturday morning. The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, which administers the yacht race, has said that one sailor each on entrants Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline were killed after being struck by the boom, a large horizontal pole at the bottom of the sail. Haaland penalty failure and Fernandes red card pile on woes for City and United in Premier League Erling Haaland’s failure from the penalty spot and Bruno Fernandes’ latest red card have compounded the woes of Manchester City and Manchester United on another tough day for the two Premier League giants. City dropped more points in its improbably poor run of form by drawing 1-1 at home to Everton. Haaland had a spot kick saved by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 53rd minute. The four-time defending champions have only won one of its last 13 games in all competitions. While City is languishing in seventh place, United is even further adrift in 14th place after a 2-0 loss at lowly Wolverhampton. Fernandes was sent off in the 47th. Simona Halep withdraws from Australian Open qualifying because of knee and shoulder pain MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has pulled out of Australian Open qualifying and a tuneup tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, because of pain in her knee and shoulder. Thursday's news represents the latest interruption of her comeback from a drug suspension. Halep posted on social media that she was feeling poorly after participating in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi. The 33-year-old Romanian said she is planning to next enter the Transylvania Open in her home country, where play begins Feb. 3. Halep was granted a wild-card entry for qualifying in the Australian Open last week. Mahomes throws 3 TDs as Chiefs clinch AFC's top seed by breezing past the skidding Steelers 29-10 PITTSBURGH (AP) — Patrick Mahomes passed for 320 yards and three touchdowns and the Kansas City Chiefs locked up the top seed in the AFC for the fourth time in seven seasons with a 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The two-time defending Super Bowl champions raced to an early 13-point lead and were never really threatened by the Steelers (10-6). Pittsburgh has dropped three straight to see its chances of capturing the AFC North take another hit. Travis Kelce caught eight passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. Kelce also became the third tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 receptions, joining Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten. Jackson breaks Vick's NFL rushing record for QBs in Ravens' rout over Texans HOUSTON (AP) — Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson passed Michael Vick for the most yards rushing by a quarterback in NFL history in a 31-2 win over the Houston Texans in Wednesday. Jackson moved past Vick on a 6-yard run in the third quarter. Jackson had 87 yards rushing to give him 6,110 yards, moving him past Vick, who piled up 6,109 in his 13-year career.

( MENAFN - GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq) Germany's snack food packaging market is set to grow at a 3.6% rate, driven by a rising trend of health-conscious consumers seeking nutritious snacks. The country's evolving health-oriented culture emphasizes catering to the increasing demand for healthy and nutrition-rich snack options, presenting lucrative opportunities for the packaging sector. NEWARK, Del, Dec. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global snack food packaging industry is set to experience substantial growth, with its size projected to expand from USD 19.5 billion in 2025 to USD 28.5 billion by 2035, at a steady CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period. The industry generated USD 18.0 billion in revenue in 2024, underlining its rapid and consistent expansion. A key factor fueling this growth is the increasing demand for specialized packaging for savory snacks. This segment, which includes chips, pretzels, and popcorn, is poised to dominate the food type category, accounting for over 45% of the industry share through 2035. The need to preserve the texture, flavor, and crispiness of these snacks drives the reliance on innovative packaging solutions designed to protect products from moisture and air exposure, which can compromise their quality. The robust growth of the snack food packaging industry reflects a rising consumer preference for convenience foods and the evolving expectations of packaging durability, functionality, and design. Manufacturers are prioritizing advancements in material science and technology to meet the demands of both consumers and producers in this competitive industry. Get the Complete Research-Read More About Our Latest Report! Understanding the Snack Food Packaging Market The Snack Food Packaging Industry refers to the industry segment that involves the production, design, and distribution of packaging solutions specifically tailored for snack foods. This includes packaging for items like chips, crackers, nuts, popcorn, candy, granola bars, and other ready-to-eat snacks. "The snack food packaging industry is evolving rapidly, driven by consumer demand for convenience, sustainability, and innovative designs. Brands are increasingly focusing on eco-friendly materials and smart packaging solutions to stand out. With the growth of on-the-go snacking and changing consumer preferences, the future of snack food packaging looks both dynamic and sustainable," says Lead Consultant Ismail Sutaria in Packaging at Future Market Insights (FMI). Key Takeaways From The Snack Food Packaging Market: Challenges Faced by the Food Packaging Market Competitive Landscape Key participants in the snack food packaging sector are creating and bringing new items to the industry. They are combining with various organizations and expanding their geographical reach. A few of them also collaborate and work with local brands and start-up enterprises to produce new products. Key Developments in the Snack Food Packaging Market Key Players in the Snack Food Packaging Market Snack food Packaging Industry Segmentation By Grade: In terms of material, the snack food packaging market is divided into plastic, paper/paperboard, metal and glass. Plastic further include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), bioplastics and other plastics. By Food Type: In terms of food type, the snack food packaging market consists of bakery snacks, confectionary snacks, savoury snacks, dairy-based snacks, frozen snacks, health and nutritional snacks and others. Bakery snacks includes cookies, crackers and pastries. Confectionary snacks includes chocolates, candies and gummies. Savoury snacks includes Chips and Crisps, Popcorn, Pretzels, Nuts and Seeds. Dairy-based snacks includes yoghurt and cheese snacks. Frozen snacks includes ice cream bars and frozen appetizers. Health and nutritional snacks includes protein bars, granola bars and fried fruits. Other include ready-to-eat meals. By Packaging Formats: Several packaging types in the snack food packaging market include flexible packaging and rigid packaging. The flexible packaging is further sub-categorized into pouches, bags, wrapper and sachets. And rigid packaging includes boxes, trays, tins and cans and jars. By Region: Key countries of North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, and Middle East & Africa are covered. Authored by: Ismail Sutaria (Lead Consultant, Packaging and Materials) has over 8 years of experience in industry research and consulting in the packaging & materials industry. Ismail's strength lies in identifying key challenges faced by the client and offering logical and actionable insights to equip the clients with strategic decision-making power. Ismail has been an instrumental part of several transformational consulting assignments. His key skills include competitive benchmarking, opportunity assessment, macroeconomic analysis, and business transformation advisory. Ismail is an MBA holder in Industry and has a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics. Have a Look at Related Research Reports on the Packaging Domain: The size of the frozen food packaging machine market is projected to be worth USD 1,638.5 million in 2023. The industry is likely to surpass USD 2,618.6 million by 2033 at a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period. The global rigid food packaging market is set to gain a valuation of USD 197.5 billion in 2023. It is likely to exceed USD 317.7 billion by 2033 and exhibit a CAGR of 4.9% between 2023 and 2033. The increasing consumer preference for convenience and sustainability is driving the demand for innovative fresh food packaging solutions that enhance product shelf life while minimizing environmental impact and ensuring food safety. The sales revenue of edible packaging has increased to USD 389.4 million in 2024. The edible packaging industry is on its way to capture widespread appreciation broadening to USD 810.1 million size by 2034, reflecting a robust CAGR of 7.60% through 2034. The seafood packaging market , valued at USD 1.3 billion in 2024, is projected to exceed USD 2 billion by 2034, reflecting a steady CAGR of 4.3%. This growth is driven by increasing global demand for seafood products, coupled with advancements in sustainable packaging solutions. Smart packaging refers to packaging systems that incorporate advanced technologies to enhance functionality beyond traditional packaging. The growing demand for pharmaceutical packaging is driven by increasing drug production, heightened regulatory requirements, and the need for enhanced protection and traceability in the global healthcare industry. The growth of packaging tubes is driven by their versatility, sustainability, and consumer demand for convenient, eco-friendly solutions that enhance product protection and ease of use. The eye cosmetic packaging sector is experiencing rapid growth, driven by innovative designs and increasing consumer demand for premium, eco-friendly packaging solutions that enhance product appeal and functionality. The global lubricant packaging market is estimated to top USD 12.06 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 20.4 billion by 2033, moving forward at a CAGR of 5.4%. Explore the latest news on Ready-to-drink coffee industry outlook (2024–2034) About Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, recipient of the Stevie Award, and a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) offers profound insights into the driving factors that are boosting demand in the industry. FMI stands as the leading global provider of industry intelligence, advisory services, consulting, and events for the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Consumer, Technology, Healthcare, Industrial, and Chemicals industries. With a vast team of over 400 analysts worldwide, FMI provides global, regional, and local expertise on diverse domains and industry trends across more than 110 countries. Join us as we commemorate 10 years of delivering trusted industry insights. Reflecting on a decade of achievements, we continue to lead with integrity, innovation, and expertise. Contact Us: Future Market Insights Inc. Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA T: +1-347-918-3531 For Sales Enquiries: ... Website: LinkedIn | Twitter | Blogs | YouTube German Translation Der globale Markt für Snack-Verpackungen wird voraussichtlich ein erhebliches Wachstum verzeichnen, wobei seine Größe voraussichtlich von 19,5 Mrd. USD im Jahr 2025 auf 28,5 Mrd. USD bis 2035 steigen wird, bei einer stetigen CAGR von 4,3 % im Prognosezeitraum. Der Markt erwirtschaftete im Jahr 2024 einen Umsatz von 18,0 Milliarden US-Dollar, was seine schnelle und konsequente Expansion unterstreicht. Ein Schlüsselfaktor für dieses Wachstum ist die steigende Nachfrage nach Spezialverpackungen für herzhafte Snacks. Dieses Segment, zu dem Chips, Brezeln und Popcorn gehören, ist bereit, die Kategorie der Lebensmittel zu dominieren und bis 2035 einen Marktanteil von über 45 % zu erreichen. Die Notwendigkeit, die Textur, den Geschmack und die Knusprigkeit dieser Snacks zu erhalten, führt dazu, dass man sich auf innovative Verpackungslösungen verlässt, die darauf ausgelegt sind, Produkte vor Feuchtigkeit und Luft zu schützen, die ihre Qualität beeinträchtigen können. Das robuste Wachstum des Marktes für Snack-Verpackungen spiegelt eine steigende Präferenz der Verbraucher für Fertiggerichte und die sich entwickelnden Erwartungen an Haltbarkeit, Funktionalität und Design von Verpackungen wider. Die Hersteller priorisieren Fortschritte in der Materialwissenschaft und -technologie, um die Anforderungen sowohl der Verbraucher als auch der Produzenten in dieser wettbewerbsintensiven Branche zu erfüllen. Den Markt für Snack-Verpackungen verstehen Der Markt für Snack-Lebensmittelverpackungen bezieht sich auf das Industriesegment, das die Herstellung, das Design und den Vertrieb von Verpackungslösungen umfasst, die speziell auf Snacks zugeschnitten sind. Dazu gehören Verpackungen für Artikel wie Chips, Cracker, Nüsse, Popcorn, Süßigkeiten, Müsliriegel und andere verzehrfertige Snacks. "Der Markt für Snack-Verpackungen entwickelt sich rasant, angetrieben von der Nachfrage der Verbraucher nach Bequemlichkeit, Nachhaltigkeit und innovativem Design. Marken konzentrieren sich zunehmend auf umweltfreundliche Materialien und intelligente Verpackungslösungen, um sich von der Masse abzuheben. Mit dem Wachstum von Snacks für unterwegs und den sich ändernden Verbraucherpräferenzen sieht die Zukunft der Snack-Verpackungen sowohl dynamisch als auch nachhaltig aus." Sagt ein leitender Berater Ismail Sutaria im Bereich Verpackung bei Future Market Insights (FMI). Wichtige Erkenntnisse aus dem Markt für Snack-Lebensmittelverpackungen: Herausforderungen auf dem Markt für Lebensmittelverpackungen Wettbewerbslandschaft Wichtige Akteure im Bereich der Snack-Food-Verpackungen entwickeln und bringen neue Artikel auf den Markt. Sie schließen sich mit verschiedenen Organisationen zusammen und erweitern ihre geografische Reichweite. Einige von ihnen arbeiten auch mit lokalen Marken und Start-up-Unternehmen zusammen, um neue Produkte herzustellen. Wichtige Entwicklungen auf dem Markt für Verpackungen für Snacks Hauptakteure auf dem Markt für Snack-Verpackungen Marktsegmentierung für Snack-Verpackungen Nach Klasse: In Bezug auf das Material wird der Markt für Snack-Verpackungen in Kunststoff, Papier/Pappe, Metall und Glas unterteilt. Zu den Kunststoffen gehören ferner Polyethylen (PE), Polypropylen (PP), Polyethylenterephthalat (PET), Biokunststoffe und andere Kunststoffe. Nach Lebensmitteltyp: In Bezug auf die Lebensmittelart besteht der Markt für Snack-Verpackungen aus Backsnacks, Süßwarensnacks, herzhaften Snacks, Snacks auf Milchbasis, gefrorenen Snacks, Gesundheits- und Ernährungssnacks und anderen. Zu den Snacks im Gebäck gehören Kekse, Cracker und Gebäck. Zu den Süßwarensnacks gehören Pralinen, Süßigkeiten und Gummibärchen. Zu den herzhaften Snacks gehören Chips und Chips, Popcorn, Brezeln, Nüsse und Samen. Zu den Snacks auf Milchbasis gehören Joghurt- und Käsesnacks. Frozen Snacks umfasst Eisriegel und gefrorene Vorspeisen. Zu den Gesundheits- und Ernährungssnacks gehören Proteinriegel, Müsliriegel und frittierte Früchte. Andere sind verzehrfertige Gerichte. Nach Verpackungsformaten: Zu den verschiedenen Verpackungsarten auf dem Markt für Snack-Verpackungen gehören flexible Verpackungen und starre Verpackungen. Die flexiblen Verpackungen werden weiter in Beutel, Beutel, Wrapper und Beutel unterteilt. Zu den starren Verpackungen gehören Schachteln, Schalen, Dosen sowie Dosen und Gläser. Nach Region: Wichtige Länder wie Nordamerika, Lateinamerika, Westeuropa, Osteuropa, Ostasien, Südasien und Pazifik sowie der Nahe Osten und Afrika werden abgedeckt. MENAFN26122024004107003653ID1109033637 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

BEIJING , Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 22, 2024 , the " Global Gen Z Views on Beijing " event organized by China Daily New Media Center and 21st Century Media and Education officially launched. The event will spotlight three key themes: Beijing's cultural legacy, technological innovation, and environmental conservation. Through dynamic and youthful storytelling, the event aims to showcase Beijing's rich cultural heritage and its achievements in sustainable, high-quality development to audiences worldwide. During the first day of the event, Veronica, an Italian exchange student at Tsinghua University, expressed her excitement, saying, "I am delighted to be part of this event. My deep interest in Chinese culture brought me to China for my studies, and I have gained a lot from this experience." This event serves not only as a cultural exploration but also as a key platform for sharing Beijing's historical and modern development with audiences worldwide. Through the influencers' firsthand experiences, Beijing's rich cultural heritage and contemporary achievements will be vividly showcased to worldwide audiences. This event offers an international stage for Beijing to highlight its unique appeal, while promoting cultural exchange and fostering global understanding.A pair of teams with minimal rest will face off in Nassau, Bahamas, on Sunday when No. 22 St. John takes on Georgia. St. John's (5-1), which will play its third game in four days, began the stretch in the Bahamas Championship on Thursday, dropping a heartbreaker to No. 13 Baylor. The Red Storm led by 18 in the first half before Baylor forced overtime. From there, St. John's rallied from five down with 1:47 left to send the game to a second overtime, where it saw Baylor knock down a pair of 3-pointers in the final seven seconds -- including Jeremy Roach's buzzer-beater -- to knock off the Red Storm 99-98. In the third-place game on Friday, St. John's breezed past Virginia 80-55. RJ Luis Jr. led the way with 18 points and four steals, followed by Kadary Richmond's 12 points, as the Red Storm took a one-point lead with 15:21 left in the first half and didn't trail again. "I'm really impressed with our guys, coming off a double-overtime, extremely emotional loss," St. John's head coach Rick Pitino said. "To respond that way was extremely impressive, both offensively and defensively." Pitino, in his second year with the Red Storm, was moved by something off the court on Friday, involving captain Zuby Ejiofor, who chipped in eight points, nine boards, two steals and two blocks. Ejiofor was serenaded by St. John's fans during the win, following his two missed free throws at the end of double overtime against Baylor. "When you've only been in a job for a year, you search for things you love about a place," Pitino said. "Tonight I found out what I love about St. John's. Our fans chanted Zuby's name the whole game, which doesn't happen anywhere else in America. I was really impressed with our fans and I thank them for making Zuby feel good, because he gives you all the energy." Luis leads the Red Storm with 17.3 points per game, followed by Ejiofor (10.7), Aaron Scott (10.5), Deivon Smith (10.3) and Richmond (10.2). Georgia enters Sunday's matchup looking to rebound from its first loss after falling to No. 15 Marquette 80-69 on Saturday. Georgia (5-1) battled back from a 15-point, second-half deficit, but was held to just three points over the final 4:57 in Saturday's loss. Blue Cain led the Bulldogs with a season-high 17 points, including five 3-pointers. "It's a process. It's a journey with this team," Bulldogs head coach Mike White said. "It's about continuing to make strides, continuing to protect our culture. ... At the end of the day, wins and losses are going to take care of themselves. We just have to embrace the process and enjoy it." Five-star freshman recruit Asa Newell was held to a season-low nine points but leads the team with 15.5 points per game. Silas Demary Jr. is second with 13.8. --Field Level Media

Vermillion, S.D. There was the famous “The Pitch” in 1985 semifinals that sent North Dakota State on its way to a Division II national football championship. On Saturday, the Bison had “The Drive,” taking almost an entire quarter for an apparent game-winning score and a Missouri Valley Football Conference championship all to themselves. ADVERTISEMENT Then came “The Meltdown.” What transpired in the final four minutes at the Fargodome was a hard lesson for the Bison, a 29-28 loss that seemed almost over, but it wasn’t. “No. 1, there should be no one crying in there,” said head coach Tim Polasek, pointing at the locker room. “This isn’t time to cry. It’s time to be really upset and angry and reflect on yourself what you could have done better.” Polasek called USD’s two touchdowns in the last four minutes poor fundamentals, first allowing Jack Martens to get behind the Bison secondary for a 40-yard touchdown reception with 3:22 remaining. That cut NDSU’s lead to 28-23 after a failed two-point conversion. But on the ensuing kickoff, with NDSU having its “hands” team on the field in anticipation of some sort of squib kick, instead the Coyotes booted it deep and NDSU returner RaJa Nelson was forced to track it down. It took the perfect bounce for USD, and Nelson was forced out of bounds at his 2-yard line. “I’ve struggled with that my whole career,” Polasek said. “It’s the 50-50 gamble. I couldn’t really get a pulse, the kid really turned the laces hard, even on normal kickoffs. When they turn it hard, it usually means a squib. We have to handle it better and unfortunately for us it took a helluva bounce.” ADVERTISEMENT He also would have liked to have seen Nelson play a little deeper in that situation. Regardless, the Bison got one first down when quarterback Cam Miller gained three yards on third-and-3 to the 12. But three plays got three yards and NDSU punted. USD took over at its 42-yard line with 1:14 remaining and six plays later the DakotaDome was erupting in a rally party. The Bison have done that rally trick a few times over the years to other teams, but those last four minutes were a rare sight. Almost hard to believe, rare. Receiver Javion Phelps was so wide open on the game-winning 25-yard pass with 12 seconds remaining that it looked like busted coverage. Polasek, when asked if he would have done anything different in the last two minutes, said he would have taken a time out before the last touchdown pass. “The book tells you not to, but just to regroup our defense and make sure our pass rush was ready to go,” he said. Ultimately, it was a collection of big plays that did in the Bison. Trailing 28-17 and facing fourth-and-10, USD quarterback Aidan Bouman hit Phelps for 37 yards to the NDSU 40-yard line. The touchdown to Martens came two plays later. That drive took 48 seconds. ADVERTISEMENT “We beat ourselves, that’s all it is,” said Bison defensive lineman Will Mostaert. “I thought we didn’t play great, we have to play better. We have to be ready for those situations where we have to get stops. Not going to win games if you don’t get stops.” It seemed over when the Bison went on a monstrous 20-play, 99-yard drive that took most of the fourth quarter. It took 10:53 and started on a four-yard run by Marty Brown on the last play of the third quarter. NDSU converted two fourth-and-ones, with Miller picking up the first on a three-yard run at his own 37-yard line. His 16-yard run picked up the other. The drive appeared stalled and Griffin Crosa booted a 30-yard field goal, but USD was called for a personal foul for leaping over the line of scrimmage. Brown bulled in from the 1 and it was 28-17 with 4:10 left. Then Bouman took over. He was on the verge of being sacked on a couple of the big completions but didn’t go down. “He completed the right throws, had some really good balls and we had some breakdowns,” Mostaert said. It was probably a long bus ride back to Fargo for all involved with the team. NDSU still claimed a share of the conference title, although it certainly didn’t feel like it. ADVERTISEMENT “That loss belongs to both sides of the ball,” Polasek said. “We talk a lot about ending games on our terms and we had a chance to do that offensively.”

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