Sponsored post | Ice Cream for Every Time of Year

This summer, Mackie’s of Scotland wanted to discover the UK’s favourite ice cream moments so they asked The Simple Things readers to share theirs, with the chance to win a lifetime supply of ice cream.

We all have our favourite ways of enjoying ice cream, whether it’s a cone at the beach, a dollop with a pudding, or a scoop straight from the tub, and Mackie’s have loved hearing all about the UK’s ice cream moments!

Mackie’s asked entrants to share their ice cream moment with one lucky winner receiving a LIFETIME supply of ice cream. That’s a regular flow of ice cream for the winner for the rest of their life!

Margaret Pitman, from Shaftesbury who was randomly selected as the winner of a lifetime’s supply of Mackie’s ice cream had described her Mackie’s Moment as “Sharing with my family and friends - even though we are a large family there's always plenty to go around!” With a lifetime’s supply, she can be even more confident that there’ll be enough Mackie’s for her big family! 

Here’s a picture of Margaret upon hearing that she’d won:

Some of the team at the Mackie’s farm in Aberdeenshire also got involved – here they are  sharing their favourite ice cream moments – whether it be in a cone, as a float … or even mixed with hot custard! 

Mackie’s listened to people’s preferences and gave them an “ice cream personality”. Now that the results are in, it’s clear that most of the UK is made up of “Smooth Operators”! These cool cats, who enjoy their ice cream simply as it is, made up a whopping 48% of participants!

Close behind, at the other end of the ice cream spectrum, were the “Showstoppers” – who are the 32% love to add a bit of everything to their dessert, whether it be sprinkles, sauce, sweets, cherries, or all of them combined!

Last but certainly not least, were our “Matchmakers”. Whether it’s apple crumble, sticky toffee pudding or fresh berries, 20% enjoy adding that perfect scoop to their favourite puddings. 

Mackie’s fans up and down the country also sent in photos showing their favourite ways to enjoy Mackie’s ice cream. Here’s one from someone who’s most definitely a “Showstopper”!

Mackie’s have thoroughly enjoyed discovering the UK’s ice cream moments and were happy to see that so many people enjoy Mackie’s ice cream, simply as it is.

To find out more about Mackie’s, where to buy and how their ice cream is made from “Sky to Scoop” on the family farm in Aberdeenshire, visit www.mackies.co.uk

Competition | Win a Year's Supply of Chocolate

Snuggle up with something sweet, thanks to Mackie’s of Scotland

We all need a little bit of ‘down-time’, when we make time for ourselves away from the stresses and strains of everyday life. Whether it’s a break from the screen and a breath of fresh air, a warm bath and an early night, or perhaps a little indulgence with your afternoon cuppa.

Mackie’s of Scotland is on hand to deliver just such a treat in the form of its mouthwatering chocolate bars. Available in five delicious flavours – milk or dark, mint, honeycomb or ‘zingy’ orange – and all wrapped up in eye-catching new packaging that celebrates the family’s farm in Aberdeenshire, Mackie’s has teamed up with The Simple Things to offer three lucky readers a year’s supply of chocolate*.

With flavours reminiscent of some of Mackie’s much-loved ice cream range, its line of chocolate bars are all natural and farm made, with ingredients such as honeycomb made in the farm’s sweetie kitchen.

The chocolate, meanwhile, is produced in the chocolate factory – a converted former tractor shed. Whatever your flavour, Mackie’s chocolate is ideal for sharing with loved ones, but if you can’t bear to share, maybe set aside that ‘down time’ and take yourself off for a quiet chocolatey moment of peace.

The Simple Things readers can enjoy 10% off online orders by using the code SIMPLETHINGS10 at checkout. Valid until 30 November 2021.

For more information and to buy the full range of products, visit mackies.co.uk or follow on Instagram: @mackiesofscotland. To enter the competition, scroll down.

WIN A YEAR’S SUPPLY OF CHOCOLATE

For your chance to win a year’s supply of chocolate worth £98, click the button below and answer the following question.

Q. Where is the Mackie’s family farm located?

a) Antrim
b) Aberdeenshire
c) Andover

Entries close at midnight on 1st December 2021

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Three winners will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. The winners cannot transfer the prize or swap for cash. *Each prize works out as 52 bars, which will be delivered as a mixed selection of flavours. You’ll find our full terms and conditions on p127 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Sponsored post | Mackie's Summer of Simple Pleasures

Baking, sitting outside with an ice cream, reading… Mackie’s believe that the simple things in life are best

Simplicity is a very much theme that runs through their business, brand and products. Their real dairy ice cream is made with fresh milk, cream and no artificial ingredients and it’s all produced on their fourth- generation family-run farm in Aberdeenshire using milk from their own herd of cows.

Mackie’s also believe that it’s the things that are often overlooked in our hectic, modern lives that matter most. But they’ve recently become more important than ever. In a recent survey, an overwhelming 94% responded “yes” to the question “Would you say you've found a new appreciation for life's simple pleasures since lockdown began?”. And 90% reported that as we leave lockdown, they will actively seek out simple pleasures more often than before.

That’s why Mackie’s are making make summer 2020 the season to seek out, savour and celebrate the simple pleasures in life. They’ll be offering customers ideas and inspiration for how to get little lifts from the simple things in life, as well as opportunities to win a whole host of simple pleasures inspired prizes. To find out more and to enter visit mackies.co.uk/simplepleasures.

In the meantime, if you need a little simple inspiration, the staff of The Simple Things have shared some of their Simple Summer Pleasures…

“Being outdoors at the beginning and end of the day. I like to get up early when it is still cool and potter round my garden. And in the evening, the build up to sunset, with the sound of the dusk chorus, seems to stretch time – it’s a good time for a walk or simply to sit on a bench with a drink in hand and appreciate summer.” Lisa Sykes, Editor

“Stepping out from my tent on to still dewy grass is one of my favourite things about camping in summer, although the crackle of a campfire as the sun goes down is a close second.” Karen Dunn, Commissioning Editor

“Throwing the kids in the car and heading down to the coast to hunt for treasures amongst the rockpools. We don't normally call it a day until the sun starts to set and that's our cue to grab fish and chips for dinner and an ice cream for pudding.” Abbie Miller, Sub Editor

“Going to bed with a good book and a cool drink, with the windows open, when it’s still light. I used to hate going to bed when it was light when I was a child. Now I feel like it’s a stolen part of the day.” Iona Bower, Editor-at-Large

“I love the distant sound of lawn mowers on a Sunday afternoon whilst relaxing with an ice cream or a drink in the garden. The smell of freshly cut grass always reminds me of summer.” Rob Biddiss, Commercial Director

“A stripy deckchair, a shady tree and a good book. Is a cold, alcoholic drink as well too much to ask for?” Jo Mattock, Commissioning Editor

Share your simple summer pleasure with us in the comments below, and don’t forget to visit @mackiesscotland or mackies.co.uk/simplepleasures to win a ‘simple pleasures’ prize every week.