Hollywood Fancy Dress

We all know that it’s not Christmas until you’ve seen the Coca Cola truck on TV! Why not go one better this year and see the Coca Cola truck in real life? Holidays are coming and so is Santa’s second favourite mode of transport (nothing can compete with his beautiful sleigh)! Where Did The Coca Cola Trucks Come From? Coca Cola’s Christmas trucks were first introduced in 1995 by W. B. Doner as part of a seasonal advertising campaign. They were dubbed the ‘Christmas Caravans’ and brought to life with glorious special effects from “Industrial Light And Magic” famous for their work on silver screens  hits such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Images of a very warm and friendly looking Santa, drawn up by artist Haddon Sundblom, graced the sides of the trucks. In 1996 the trucks returned to help Coca Cola launch their new Christmas packaging which featured the beloved Santa imagery that had brought festive joy to so many a year earlier. In 1998 the now world famous trucks appeared again in another advert for the soft drinks company. The ‘Christmas Caravan III’ advert was broadcast in over 100 countries across the world, reaching an audience of millions. Even to this day it signifies the start of the holiday season for many people and brings festive joy to plenty more. Continue reading →

Here in Bournemouth, we like to start our Christmas days a little differently. Rather than turning up the heating or lighting the fire and sitting down to open presents in our PJ’s, we prefer a mad dash into the sea! What Is The White Christmas Dip? This year will mark the 7th annual White Christmas dip, a charity swim that raises funds for Macmillan Caring Locally. Each Christmas morning people don their fancy dress costumes and gather in their hundreds to support this fantastic cause. Each year has brought more and more people to the shores at Boscombe pier to take part and this year will be no different. The idea for this event was inspired by the Spartans of Bournemouth who take to the sea each Sunday morning between October and April. Their Christmas swim had become something of a tradition so on the cold Christmas morning of 2008 John White, along with his son and nephews dug out some fancy dress and headed down to Boscombe pier. To their disappointment they found it empty and after a 30 minute wait decided that they would bite the bullet and run in by themselves, joined by passing cyclist Andy Corbett. Seeing how much everyone enjoyed their mad endeavour, John’s nephew Tommy Baker decided that is would be the perfect way to get everyone together on Christmas day. The following year they took to the sea once again for their Christmas dip, but this time with even more of their friends and family members. It was at that point that an opportunity to raise money was recognised. They could all get together as a family and at the same time help a charity with donations and with that, the White Christmas Dip was born! Continue reading →

Gather all far and wide for the time is upon us… it’s party time! All of you who are residence of Southampton it’s time to be excited and buzzing with joy as it is time for the Christmas street party at the Guildhall square in Southampton! This is a fantastic time of year where neighbours, families and friends can all celebrate...

We all like a good laugh at Christmas time; it is what brings the whole family together. From the teasing about eating the sprouts to the cheesy jokes in the Christmas crackers, we laugh in good spirit and that’s what makes it the most wonderful time of year. No matter what friend or family member you’re buying for, there is always room for a bit of tactical humour. Fill their stockings with funny festive tricks and treats to put a smile on everyone’s face. Do you know someone who likes to get on the wrong side of the law or often gets mistaken for some that does? We have the perfect present for them! How about a Joke ASBO that you can issue to them personally? This hilarious novelty item looks official with its seals and stamps; that is until you begin reading. There are different “offenses” to choose from too ranging from having awful taste in music to always being late! If your recipient loves the great outdoors then we have just the thing for them! One of our fantastic waterproof party ponchos will put a smile on anyone’s face. With a huge range of designs to choose from you’re sure to find something to suit that festival goer in your life. We have zebras, leopards, giraffes and tigers. There are cows, ducks, frogs and parrots too. We even have one shaped like a flower!  Do they love or hate a particular animal? Did they have a bad experience at a farm? They need one of these! Continue reading →

With all that Christmas shopping you’ve been doing, it’s hard to find time for anything else! Have no fear this festive season; you don’t need to be rushed off your feet. Hollywood are here to take the stress out of shopping, with longer opening times over the holidays so you can squeeze as much festive fun into your day as...

One Month to go The Big Christmas Countdown is now well under way, there is now less than a month to spare before the big day. If you’ve yet to do any preparation at all, then don’t despair: there is still time to take care of everything – but only just. You should now do any online shopping you plan on doing. Christmas is the busiest time of the year, not just for traditional retailers, but for online ones, too. While most of them promise to deliver within a matter of days, you should always plan for the worst. Errors can happen and if you leave it until it’s too late then these errors cannot always be rectified. The last thing you want is no present at all. If you still haven’t got one, now is a good time to buy your Christmas jumper. Wrap your presents Not only does buying presents early safeguard against the doomsday scenario of not having any presents at all, it also affords you with plenty of time in which to wrap them. In order to save more time, you should always try to wrap gifts as they arrive, for two reasons. Firstly and most importantly, it will prevent members of your household from discovering their presents before the big day; and secondly, in order to avoid the annual panic-stricken present-wrapping session on Christmas Eve. Continue reading →

Christmas is a time for joy and laughter, so don't forget to come and see us here at Hollywood! We have a huge range of funny costumes as well as joke and novelty gifts so come in out of the cold and warm yourself with a good laugh or two. If you're in need of fun and festive fancy dress...

'Once upon a time in a far away land, there was a tiny kingdom; peaceful, prosperous, and rich in romance and tradition. Here in a stately chateau, there lived a widowed gentleman, and his little daughter, Cinderella....' This December is a special time for all of the family especially since 'Cinderella' will be the annual pantomime this Christmas at the...

On the 12th of December the organisation ‘Save the Children’ is holding a “Christmas Jumper Day” to raise funds for their cause. The event is now in its third year and has so far managed to raise more than £1.6 million, so let’s see how much we can boost it by this year! Who Are 'Save The Children'? Since the early 1900's all the way up to this day Save the Children has been working to help children and families from Britain and all across the world through war and times of famine. With no political agenda and a philosophy to help anyone one in need regardless of their colour, country or belief they have saved millions of lives. In 1919 Eglantyne Jebb and her sister Dorothy Buxton decided that campaigning for children's' rights just wasn't enough and at a public meeting at The Royal Albert Hall the Save The Children fund was created. While Dorothy concentrated on political campaigning, Eglantyne made it her mission to make children's rights and welfare a major issue across the globe. When her 'Declaration of the Rights of the Child' was adopted by the forerunner of the UN, The League of Nation's and managed to inspire the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, everything looked to be very promising. Continue reading →

Christmas music is a lot like Marmite, you either love it or you hate it and here at Hollywood, we certainly do love it! Our stores will be blaring festive music all season long, so get on board and make your own Christmas playlists. There are literally thousands of festive tunes to get you through the winter. If Classical is your cup of tea then there are traditional carols galore to relax to by the fire. For something nice and soothing try the gentle voice of Bing Crosby with “White Christmas”.  If you like your music a little funkier then you’re in need of some 80’s pop holiday hits from the likes of Slade. You can’t even be too metal to like Christmas music as there are hundreds of metal covers and even some original tracks too like Twisted Sister “Heavy Metal Christmas” which is a play on the 12 days of Christmas. Here are our top 10 Christmas songs: Bobby Helms “Jingle Bell Rock” So this song might make you think of Mean Girls or even that “adult” version but put that out of your mind, because this is the original and best! Every line of this song just shouts Christmas and we all know it’s one you can dance to. The repetition and simplicity of this song make it so catchy that you can’t help sing it all season long. Bing Crosby “Winter Wonderland” That beautifully smooth voice and catchy tune make this is a song you can listen to all winter long without the guilt of dragging out the Christmas songs. This is a tune that makes you feel warm inside, like any good Christmas song should. A must have to any festive playlist. Mariah Carey “All I Want For Christmas Is You” What do you get for the lady who has everything? You, apparently! A beautiful message that all you need is love at Christmas time and sung by the lovely Madame Carey too, what’s not to like? We all know that this song gets sung in jest to friends and co-workers at the office party more than eligible lovers, it is just a great feel good Christmas anthem that you have to love! Slade “Merry Xmas Everybody” Now, this is a good Christmas tune in its own right, but we all listen to it in anticipation of hearing singer, Noddy Holder, shriek “It’s Christmaaaaaaaaaas” We always get it wrong, we know we do, but we like to play the game (SPOILER: It’s at the very end of the song) It’s a typically British song, perfect for a good old fashion British Christmas. Continue reading →

What is St Andrew's Day? On November the 30th the world celebrates St Andrew's Day, Scotland's national holiday day. There will be amazing parties everywhere, especially in Scotland. St Andrew's day is a feast day of St Andrew. In 2006, the Scottish Parliament designated St Andrew's Day as an official bank holiday. It is also a national holiday in Romania. Saint...

If you’re stuck for ideas on what to wear this Christmas, then look no further! Here at Hollywood we have a huge range of costumes to help you through the festive season. Whether you’re looking for something for work or play, you’re sure to find just what you’re looking for in store today! For those that are after luxury, you...

  There is nothing more magical than Christmas time. Just the thought of it can warm you right to the core. Here in Bournemouth there is plenty to keep you in the festive spirit the whole way through the season, so dig out your Christmas hats and come on down to town. Shopping In the heart of Bournemouth you will find the German inspired Christmas market. Here you will be greeted with huts selling all manners of delights; from warm chestnuts to cosy clothing. This year features some stunning jewellery, gorgeous leatherwork and beautifully handcrafted sculptures and ornaments, perfect for those extra special Christmas gifts. If you get peckish with all that shopping then you’re in for a treat! Delicious aromas fill the air with traditional German bratwurst, a scrumptious hog roast and a huge array of confectionary available fresh from the stalls. Drinking If you’re in need of a break, or if the ladies need a place to park their husbands while they shop, then we have our very own Christmas staple, The Moose Bar! A traditional Alpine style bar with a beer garden serving up German lagers and warm mulled wines all under the watchful eye of an enormous joke telling moose! Enjoy a tipple out of the well know festive boot mugs or delve into all the Christmas spirits! This year, be in with the chance of winning a cash prize by taking a photo of yourself at the Moose Bar in your Christmas outfit and uploading it to S&D Leisure’s Facebook page! Don't forget to pop into Hollywood to find yourself the perfect costumes and accessories to help you win! Continue reading →

It Is Time...Done your capes, put your underwear on the outside of your trousers and show off your super hero style for this year’s Children In Need extravaganza! BBC’s Children In Need is an annual charity event designed to help children nationwide. Money donated by volunteers and fundraisers goes towards funding activities, events and schemes for disabled children and disadvantaged young people. Most people know BBC Children In Need by the telethon shown on BBC One each November. This year it will be broadcasted live from Albert Square, famously the set of hit British soap Eastenders. Sir Terry Wogan will be hosting as he has been since the first televised appeal in 1980 and will of course be joined by everyone’s favourite bear, Pudsey! Pudsey has been the poster child for Children In Need since 1985 when first created by BBC graphic designer Joanna Ball. Before being re-designed a year later Pudsey was depicted with a sad expression and was also orange, rather than the sunshine yellow we know and love today. Continue reading →

Mr and Mrs Claus   You may call Mr Claus, Santa Claus (his full name), or Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Cringle, or perhaps just simply Santa. This is the main man, the myth, the legend of the Christmas period. So what do we know about him? He brings gifts to the homes of every good child on 24th December. The modern Santa Claus is a combination of the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas whose name came from Saint Nicholas (a Greek bishop and gift giver). It is then thought that this figure then absorbed elements of the god Odin during the Christianisation of Germanic Europe. God Odin was associated with the Germanic pagan midwinter event known as Yule and led a Wild Hunt described as a ghostly procession through the sky. Traits of this historical character mixed with the British folklore character of Father Christmas resulting in our modern day internationally recognised Santa Claus. Since the 20th century and largely down to ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ (1934) Santa Claus is thought to make a list of good and bad children. He has a team of elves that help him make and deliver the presents on Christmas Eve and has a workshop that is hidden in the North Pole – especially from non-believers Continue reading →

Fireworks are used throughout the year these days to give events, parties and celebrations a great big bang. They tend to be part of the finale or climax and because of building anticipation and expectations modern fireworks can pack a serious punch. There is something seriously exhilarating about watching a pitch black night sky and waiting for the light show...

We're Not Going Out! Staying in is the new going out when it comes to partying and with Halloween fast approaching, there’s never been a better time to have an epic Halloween house party! So don your scariest attire, get the pumpkin carving kit at the ready and crank "Thriller" up to 11! BACKYARD CREEPERS For those of you lucky enough...

NEW IN AND EXCLUSIVE! Leg Avenue has arrived with new and wonderful costumes andaccessories, perfect for any occasion! Here at Hollywood we have new lines of Leg Avenue exclusively available in our Bournemouth branches so if you want a costume that will be high quality and gorgeously unique, look no further. For any ladies that want to dress to impress...

Same stuff Different Day !!   Our favourite night of the year is almost upon us again! Every year in the run up to 31st, people around the world start stock piling pints of fake blood and bundles of torn and bloodied clothes. They practice their best zombie limp around their living room, they sit in front of mirrors...