The supermarket’s festive campaign features Kevin and his family for a third year running, with shoppers clamouring to get their hands on the toys.
Aldi’s Christmas character Kevin the Carrot has inspired shoppers to queue at supermarkets to get their hands on newly launched stuffed toys in his likeness.
Queues were reported ahead of stores opening as families woke up early to get their hands on the toys.
Earlier this month, Aldi released its Christmas campaign featuring Kevin for a third consecutive year.
His popularity has led the retailer to describe him as “just a humble carrot who stole the nation’s heart”.
This year’s campaign also introduces new character Pascal the Parsnip, who is determined to cause misery to Kevin, his wife Katie and their three children Chantenay, Baby Carrot and Jasper.
Shoppers took to Twitter to record their efforts to secure their toy, with some having an early start to ensure their place at the front of the queue.
An Aldi spokeswoman said: “Demand for our Kevin the Carrot toys has been exceptionally high. To avoid any disappointment, this year we increased the range by adding new characters such as Pascal the Parsnip, as well as the amount of soft toys available in each store.
“We also limited purchases to two variants per customer so as many people as possible had the chance to buy these products. As with all our Specialbuys products, these are only available while stocks last.”
The small Kevin the Carrot plush toy, available for £3.99, has already sold out online.
Customers can also buy a large Kevin the Carrot plush toy for £19.99, plush carrot kids for £2.99 each, Katie the Carrot for £3.99 and Pascal the Parsnip for £3.99, all of which have sold out online.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The art of culinary diplomacy, practiced by presidents at White House state dinners for more than 150 years, is the theme of this year's official White House Christmas ornament.
Unveiled on Thursday by the White House Historical Association, the ornament's design features the red china plate of Ronald Reagan's administration on one side and the gold-rimmed china plate of Bill Clinton's on the other.
First issued in 1981, the annual ornament typically features the presidents in their order of service. Last year's was a tribute to Jimmy Carter in the shape of an anchor to recognize his service in the Navy.
But the ornament sometimes is used to highlight important White House anniversaries or occasions, said association president Stewart McLaurin. For example, the ornament in 2000 highlighted the 200th anniversary of the White House. Next year's will mark America's 250th birthday.
“Presidents will resume, or pick up, or continue at some point, but when we have a moment to highlight significant anniversaries or occasions at the White House itself, we don't want to miss that opportunity, also,” McLaurin said.
President Ulysses Grant hosted the first White House state dinner for King David Kalakaua, one of the last monarchs of the Hawaiian Kingdom, in December 1874. Nearly 400 have been held since then, McLaurin said.
President Donald Trump held two state dinners in his first term, for France and Australia. A third one, for Spain, in 2020 was canceled due to the spread of COVID-19. There's been no word yet on how soon Trump might hold another one now that he's back in office.
State dinners have grown in stature and size since the first one held by Grant.
“State dinners are an important part of the American diplomatic process,” McLaurin said in an interview. “It’s an opportunity for our presidents to establish friendships with heads of state through the extension of hospitality. They’re not just fancy parties.”
They are the highest diplomatic honor the United States has to recognize close allies and dazzle their leaders with an evening of first-rate food, decor and entertainment in the company of hundreds of invited guests. The glitzy affairs close a state visit that begins with an elaborate arrival ceremony for the visiting leader on the White House lawn.
The White House Historical Association is a privately funded, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that raises money mostly through private donations and sales of retail merchandise, including the annual Christmas ornament. First lady Jacqueline Kennedy created the association in 1961 to help preserve the White House interior and educate the public.
White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin poses with the 2025 White House Christmas ornament, seen both front and back, in front of a display of White House china, Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the association in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The front and back of the 2025 White House Christmas ornament is pictured with the box and information packet, Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the association in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin poses with the 2025 White House Christmas ornament, seen both front and back, in front of a display of White House china, Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the association in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin poses with the 2025 White House Christmas ornament, seen both front and back, Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the association in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin poses with the 2025 White House Christmas ornament, seen at front and back, Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the association in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
FILE - The new White House china, chosen by first lady Nancy Reagan and purchased for $209,509 through private donations, is unveiled to the press at the White House in Washington, Feb. 3, 1982. The china, as laid out for a state dinner, includes 220 place settings with 4,372 pieces. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, File)
FILE - Gold china commissioned under the President Bill Clinton administration to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the White House, is seen with place settings for President George W. Bush, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, right, before official dinner in the State Dining Room of the White House, June 29, 2006, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)
FILE - The new White House china, chosen by first lady Nancy Reagan and purchased for $209,509 through private donations, is unveiled to the press at the White House in Washington, Feb. 3, 1982. The china, as laid out for a state dinner, includes 220 place settings with 4,372 pieces. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, File)