DEMAND for pigs in blankets has surged as shoppers plan to celebrate Christmas four months late when Covid restrictions are eased.
Iceland has seen a 718% hike in online search for the Christmas essential since the start of the year, compared to the same period in 2020.
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It comes as Easter Sunday falls on April 4 this year – six days after a planned relaxation of rules to allow six people or two households to meet outdoors.
This has opened the door for barbecues, small garden gatherings – and even Christmas celebrations.
Following the rise in customer demand, Iceland has boosted stock of pigs in blankets both in-store and online ahead of Easter.
Prices come in at £2.25 for a pack of 12 pigs in blankets at Iceland, weighing 252g in total.
What four tests does the government need to pass before easing restrictions?
1. The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully.
2. Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated.
3. Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations, which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.
4. Its assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants of concern
The major four supermarkets are also all still selling pigs in blankets, with prices starting from £1.97 for a pack at 12 at Asda.
The Sun has asked the other supermarkets whether they’ve seen an increase in demand too, and we’ll update this article once we hear back.
Meanwhile, Waitrose’s sales of Easter-themed decorations have doubled from last year, with sales of indoor trees tripling and cards up 2,315%.
And the Big Door Wreath Company in Chester, which is normally busiest at Christmas, is selling 10 times its usual number of Easter wreaths this year.
The stay-at-home message will also be ditched from March 29 and Brits will simply be told to “minimise travel”.
It means the public will be advised to meet up with friends and family locally – but it will not be illegal to travel to see relatives outdoors further afield.
Brits should make sure to only gather outside while following social distancing guidelines for any events as the lockdown begins to ease.
And the Covid roadmap adds people should minimise the frequency of social gatherings, and the numbers present, “wherever possible”.
Restaurants and pubs will then reopen for outdoor service on April 12, but friends and family won’t be able to enter each other’s homes until May 17.
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It comes as a minister last year said households should “make Easter the new Christmas”.
As England was plunged back into lockdown in December, a professor also said people should consider postponing Christmas socialising until Easter.
Meanwhile, a mum-of-three revealed she celebrates Christmas all year round – and never takes her tree down.
March 29 lockdown changes explained including rules on garden parties and BBQs
