Jigsaws, once confined to childhood and wet Sunday afternoons have more recently become beloved of adults too, or perhaps we just forgot how much we enjoyed them.

How things have changed.

Friends may now see it as a way of relaxing or keeping the brain cells ticking over, but I see it as the ideal Christmas gift.

Most of my friends have reached a point in their life that they have acquired all they want or need, so, each Christmas it has become harder to find something quirky but enjoyable rather than gimmicky.

I was therefore delighted to stumble upon Rachel Lowe Games and Puzzles who provide a range of jigsaws that would suit either the beginner or indeed, the enthusiast.

My favourite has to be the Laurel and Hardy Jigsaws, my personal preference the 1000 pieces which immediately sounds challenging but 500 – piece puzzles are also available.

The Laurel and Hardy puzzles feature two of the most iconic images of the comedy duo, trying to overcome their own puzzle dilemma. The images are from the 1933 film Me and My Pal in which Laurel’s character gives Hardy’s character a puzzle as a wedding gift. The two get so preoccupied with the puzzle, as do a group of their friends, that Laurel late for his own wedding, much to the dismay of the bride’s father.

The picture is black and white, increasing the skill level required, but for me the clincher is that it is taken from one of their films and shows them completing a jigsaw. How meta is that?

There are many other films and tv images to choose, from but these were easily my favourite.

To discover the full range, follow the link below.

The puzzles are both available from www.rachellowe.co.uk

1000 Piece Puzzle: RRP £14.99
500 Piece Puzzle: RRP £11.99

Do you have someone to buy for, who is just that bit difficult? They don’t drink, they’re watching their figure and they have pretty much everything? Well if you have, here are a couple of fabulous gifts – and if you haven’t, these are still fabulous gifts for anyone.

‘Just The Tonic’ is a most fascinating book. Beautifully bound and illustrated, it would look lovely on a coffee table, but it is so interesting I fear it will soon be well-thumbed. I mean, did you realise that all those ex-pats chugging G&Ts in India and the tropics weren’t just being decadent and self-indulgent. No, they were protecting themselves from malaria – long before modern anti-malarials were available.

Co-written by Kim Walker (a medical herbalist) and Mark Nesbitt (curator of the Economic Botany Collection at Kew Gardens), the book is filled with fascinating facts. It doesn’t just tell the story of Indian tonic water, but explains the cultural, medical and political influences which shaped many of today’s drinks – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.  And if you’re feeling exhausted from reading the whole story in one sitting (I promise you, you won’t be able to put it down until you’ve finished), the last chapter is thoughtfully devoted to cocktail recipes – go treat yourself.

Available from Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew Shop RRP £18.

The Kew Shop has many other interesting and unusual gifts on their website too, including a book containing twelve sheets of high quality wrapping paper, each printed with a painting from the Marianne North collection. These are gift wraps with a difference, to be reserved for very special people. In fact they are so beautiful I’m not sure I could bear to use them. Ms North was a Victorian traveller and painter and her collection is housed at Kew. Each painting is unique and stunning – different flowers, fruit, birds and insects – I particularly love the stick insect painting, created in 1880.

Available also from Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew Shop RRP £10

I strongly recommend you take a look at the Kew Shop – so many beautiful and unusual gifts.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

These gorgeous little slippers arrived in a beautiful, golden, organza drawstring bag, their sprinkling of silver stars, like fairy dust, made sure they were an instant success with our tester –  a friend’s four year old daughter.

The non-slip soles are supple and hard wearing, wide enough to allow little toes and feet to spread naturally, and the lightly elasticated ankle ensures that there is little chance of losing them as our little ones pad around exploring.

Helen Chapman, who started Dotty Fish in 2006, has had the footwear tested by The London Podiatry Centre. With their soft, high quality suede uppers and even softer fleece lining they have been deemed safe for children’s delicate little feet.

There are dozens of designs — frogs, birds, flowers and many more — enough to please even the most discerning child, and prices that will please parents, grandparents or anyone else who is trying to think of a small gift for a child.

If the reaction of my friend’s daughter is anything to go by then you can be sure that these little slippers will bring a sprinkle of magic to any child’s Christmas morning.

Prices under £15.00

https://www.dottyfish.com

As a self-confessed foodie I thoroughly enjoy attending the local food and drink festival that are held in my local high street twice a year once in May and again October. Hundreds of sellers from around the country line the streets with their divine food and drinks, many offering samples of their products. Many sellers appear year after year but more often than not they have new products to try.

It is free event to attend and fun for all the family, there is face painting, cook school even punch and Judy along with bustlers who fill the aromatic air with their musical skills. The organisers keep prices low for producers so that smaller businesses and artisans can trade as well as more established producers.

The festivals encourage buyers to support smaller businesses by buying local, with the festivals situated in the high street local shops also benefit from the increase of footfall.

I have many favourite producers that I buy from time after time and these some include;

Leaf and petal loose tea

Hullabaloos natural lemonade

Cocoa’s handmade chocolate

Hudnott’s spirits.

Many of the vendors are extremely knowledgeable of their product and happily advise what to eat or drink them with as well as offering samples of what they sell. Whilst I visited the Hudnott’s stand I sampled every single spirit that was on offer and this was no big ask for the lovely lady behind the stall and she was most amused when I then explained how I couldn’t possibly just choose one to buy, so stepped away with three bottles.

The Eat: Food and drink festivals visit several towns throughout the West country including Nailsea, Minehead, Portishead, Taunton, Weston Super Mare and of course Burnham on sea. Every festival attracts ample amounts of visitors and is a great day out.

As a frequent visitor I advise that you take a strong a sturdy backpack, wear comfortable shoes and don’t be afraid to try new things.

Freeze wrapping paper

In the spirit of Christmas, Michael Rowan discovers some gifts that really do go on giving, thanks to Arthouse Unlimited a charity that presents the artistic talents of adults with learning and physical difficulties, needing varying levels of support; and where 100% of the retail revenue goes towards supporting the charity helping it to grow and evolve.  

Sometimes the stars align and a great idea is born. This could not be truer than in the case of Arthouse Unlimited

This is the brainchild of Becky Sheraidah, herself an artist who was keen to enable social inclusion for those susceptible to exclusion from the arts.

Arthouse Unlimited is a group of artists working alongside people with disability to produce a range of products ideal for Christmas gifts; stocking fillers or a gift at any time of the year.

Artist Elanor Sinden

Be quite clear these pieces are truly art and represent good value for money.

Best of all not only will you have the knowledge that you have bought an interesting gift but you will also be supporting a great initiative.

cards

I am loving the Lady Muck Range which includes Body Scrub with Bergamot and Lavender and retails for £20.00. Or try the Angels of the Deep with the life affirming motto ‘You’re splendid’ and who amongst us doesn’t need to be told that once in a while? This is a smooth scent with natural balmy, heady notes of Lavender and an airy citrus overtone.

Dark Honeycomb Bar

For those of us with a sweet tooth, try the Underwater Handmade Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt and Crispy Crunch which is handcrafted in the UK by a specialist chocolatier using cocoa beans from the Dominican Republic, this chocolate is an indulgent treat for the taste buds. This chocolate features artwork created by a collaboration of ARTHOUSE Unlimited artists. https://arthouseunlimited.org/shop/underwater-handmade-dark-chocolate-with-sea-salt-and-crispy-crunch/

Organic Plant Wax candles in a fabulous range of scents and an even more fabulous artwork. Price £16.00. https://arthouseunlimited.org/product-category/home-fragrance/candles/

In and of themselves, similar items may be sourced elsewhere, but not so the art work, which is in turn, beautiful, quirky and witty. Guaranteed to be the sort of packaging that you won’t mind hanging around the house until well into the New Year.

Order online at ARTHOUSEUNLIMITED.ORG

If you look carefully at the photograph you will doubtless observe the artfully half opened box displaying six of the eight vegan friendly alcoholic cocktail sweets, but I really wouldn’t want you to think that I had already eaten two, before remembering that I was meant to be photographing them first.

Similarly, the photograph of the sweets with two empty wrappers is purely done for artistic effect, rather than me having tried one, not been able to resist a second.

Before I knew it, I had sampled that first delicious sweet, an Amaretto Sour since you ask, followed by the Prosecco Mandarin Spritz.

The striking red and white candy-striped packaging and pull out black drawer gives this a sophisticated look that makes it a perfect gift or stocking filler and retails at £15.00.

Perfect for brightening those long train journeys and I can imagine them being a very good start to a Hen Party.

Fear not if you are unlikely to find yourself on a train or attending a Hen Party, just curl up in front of the fire watching your favourite film, but make sure that the box of ‘Eat Your Drink’ is within reach.

The sweets consist of smooth jellies sprinkled lightly with sugar and delivering an alcohol kick. These award-winning gummies are made from fresh fruit, herbs and real premium spirits that impart and adult kick of 7% ABV, the equivalent of half a shot per sweet.

The four flavours (two sweets of each) are the Prosecco Mandarin Spritz, Amaretto Sour, Cherry Hibiscus and Bramble Gin and Mocha Espresso Vodka Martini.

Because of my dedication to Frost Magazine I forced myself to sample each flavour and thoroughly enjoyed them all. However, special mention must go to the Mocha Espresso Vodka Martini which manages to balance each flavour so that nothing is overwhelmed by the Vodka.

This is just so cute.  A jolly coloured three-armed octopus-spinner which sticks to the bath tub or tiles and twirls round.  The spinner has a friendly orange octopus body in the centre. There’s a twirly sun which spins within one of the arms, and two happy chappies – pink and green, smiling and winking at you from the other two arms. The happy chappies are hollow and can be filled with water, turned upside down to empty the water, or spun around if your child wants to make a big splash. Of course they can spin the whole toy around too, with water flying even further.

The colours are eye-catching and the friendly faces endearing. This is great to occupy a child from around a year through to pre-school – good simple bath fun.

I love this toy  – maybe a bit too much.

RSP £12.99  Stockists include; Smyths, The Entertainer, Amazon, Independents, Hamleys, Shop Direct and John Lewis

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

It is one of the events that I look forward to every year and have done so since my family moved to the area in 2002. The Bridgwater carnival is a stunning display of many floats strewn with choreographed dancers and hundreds of bright lightbulbs. Each float has its own unique theme, music and dance routines. Themes vary from ‘Frozen’ to Father Christmas and each float has a different theme year after year.

Bystanders will wait for hours just to get a front row seat of the stunning events. Each year around 150,000 people flock to the streets of Bridgwater, Weston Super Mare, Burnham on sea, North Petherton, Shepton Mallet, Wells and Glastonbury to watch in awe and to help raise money for a variety of different charities.

The Bridgwater Carnival first updated in 1881 and was originally lit by lamps; electric lights were first introduced in 1913. Bridgwater carnival now entails of a display of over 40 large vehicles up to 100 feet long, festooned with dancers and up to 22,000 lightbulbs that follows a 2.5-mile route over two to three hours.

The carnival’s purpose is to raise money for local charities from money collection carts in the procession. Between 2003 and 2007, around £115,000  has been raised.

A carnival concert takes place in the weeks leading up to the carnival. At these concerts, carnival clubs perform on stage wearing their costumes and using pieces of scenery taken from their carts. The carnival concert has become a highly popular attraction in recent years, with tickets to see the event in a Bridgwater hall selling out very fast.

The carnival typically visits Burnham on Sea on the first Monday of November following an annual firework display on the seafront the evening prior. It is a event that is enjoyed by families both locally and those that have travelled to watch the carnival.

I can highly recommend it, however I will suggest that you wrap up warm, take lots of spare change and a slither of patience which is made completely worthwhile. Each year the procession is stunning and never ever repetitive.