Winter 2009

Enquire Within

Do you have a home full of former 'sets' of china, glass or cutlery? Perhaps these do not get used as much as they once would because you no longer have a set? China matching services have been around for some years but the Internet makes it even easier to search for those items that will allow you to make up a full set once again and bring out your much loved family china, silver or glass for the festive season.

For china matching try the longstanding www.chinasearch.co.uk, offering not only a buying and selling service for dinner services but also making good use of all those odd items by selling mis-matched tea services of a tea cup, saucer and plate, in delightful vintage styles from the 1920s onwards, for just £10 or a set of six mis-matched tea plates for £10 Mismatched vintage cups and saucers would make wonderful planters for small plants indoors or outdoors or even as a quirky gift! Also available are both large and small cake stands in a variety of styles and a selection of glass cake stands, candle sticks, dishes and bowls that have many uses around the home from sweets and cakes to storing and displaying jewellery and soaps. www.chinamatchers.co.uk also offers a matching service for glass and cutlery too. China matching services are not limited to the famous names of Wedgwood, Doulton, Spode and Poole, you will also find BHS, Marks & Spencer and Tesco among the lists. If an item is not in stock most services offer to search for the item for you free of charge without any obligation to make a purchase. Many items, even from well known manufacturers, are just a few pounds each so a matching service can be a good way to bring your china, glass or cutlery back into use.

Wonderful Websites

There's still time to order a personalized letter from Father Christmas for the young people in your life - or at least the young at heart! The letter includes the person's name, their age, where they live, what they would most like for Christmas and details about something nice that they have done this year. The letter arrives in a Christmas red envelope marked 'Mail From Father Christmas' with the words 'The North Pole Mail Room' at the top, closed with a gold embossed Father Christmas Seal. The letter itself is tied with red velvet, and contains a small envelope with some special 'Magic Dust' to assist Father Christmas in knowing where they would like their presents left on Christmas Eve. Or it can be sprinkled on the doorstep to guide Father Christmas to the correct house. Available for £5 from www.mailfromfatherchristmas.co.uk

There is also still time to visit Father Christmas in Lapland - Lapland in Kent that is www.laplanduk.co.uk This British version of the more exotic trip abroad to meet Father Christmas has no connection with last year's Lapland in the New Forest and, despite some criticisms for being expensive, has received good reviews in the national press for the quality of the experience. It does cost up to £87 for each adult and child but as all the activities, gifts and a two course meal is included in the price it is still arguably less expensive that the overseas alternative and better for the environment. There is even an Eeko Elf on hand to explain the importance of the environment to the children! Activities include making gingerbread with Mother Christmas, helping the elves in the toy workshop, ice skating and writing and posting a letter to Father Christmas and, of course, a visit to Father Christmas's cabin to meet the man himself and receive a present. There is currently a last minute buy two tickets and get two free offer available on telephone bookings made before 11 December. Call 0871 221 9627.

For 100+ ideas for a home spun traditional Christmas visit www.allaboutyou.com With suggestions for making decorations, cards, gift wrapping, advent calendars, ideas for table settings and home made gifts, there is bound to be a project here that will keep younger members of the family busy in the lead up to Christmas!