Winter 2008

Enquire Within

Here at Period Features, we're quite good at knowing where to get things - even if it's not something we sell ourselves. On a similar note, if you need to know how to repair, care for or maintain your period house, we can point you in the right direction. And we really like being helpful... so we'd love to hear from you, and maybe we can help solve your problems! Email your enquiries to us at Enquire Within.

The desire to make our homes draught-proof and to upgrade the insulation has led to many traditional box sash windows been replaced with uPVC double glazed windows. Replacement windows often clash with the proportions of the house but this is a sacrifice many people will accept in order to have a warmer home. It is possible to restore and improve your existing sash windows and have the best of both worlds and there are many websites offering help and advice. Sash-style www.sash-style.co.uk offer free advice on all aspects of maintaining sash windows from DIY advice on re-cording a window to draught-proofing it with DIY kits. There is also a directory of people who can take on this work for you. DIY sashes http://www.diysashwindow.co.uk/index.htm offer DIY restoration kits that will repair and draught-proof a sash window.

Wonderful Websites

All too often those not drinking alcohol are left feeling rather uncomfortable at parties, standing out with a glass of lemonade, cola or orange juice in their hand whilst other guests or their hosts tell them that 'surely one drink wouldn't be a problem?' The solution is to provide a good range of alcoholic free drinks such as hot or cold fruit punches, alcohol free beer and wine. The latter has traditionally had something of a poor reputation but good alcohol free wine does exist and is perfect for your festive gatherings. For a large range of the above, along with Champagne and liqueurs available by mail order from single bottles to whole cases, visit the LoNo Drinks Company Ltd at www.lono.co.uk

If you want to be sure of being able to find fresh holly to decorate your home this Christmas you could order a mixed box of sprigs variegated and green, berried, holly from www.hollybypost.co.uk

The British Christmas Tree Growers Association www.christmastree.org.uk has a list of retailers who sell trees fresh from the field which should mean that they will last longer. Advice on the types of trees available and how to care for them can also be found on the site.

Christmas markets offer not just a shopping experience but an opportunity to get into the festive mood. Whilst the most famous Christmas markets are to be found in Germany and Austria, in recent years there has been a huge growth in home grown Christmas markets. Find one to suit you and enjoy some outdoor shopping and a glass of mulled wine at one of the 154 UK markets listed at www.christmasmarkets.com

Worried about how you are going to entertain excitable children in the lead up to Christmas? www.activityvillage.co.uk/christmas_pages.htm has enough ideas to keep any family busy including Christmas writing paper, notepaper, gift tags, bookmarks, scrapbook and craft paper, templates, Christmas cards, stories and poems to print out, games and more!