As a child coffee meant a cup of instant. How things have changed. At first, rather complicated Italian coffee machines hit UK shops – wonderful coffee, but a little expertise was required. Then came Nespresso.

Nespresso has transformed coffee-making. The neat machines sit unobtrusively in the corner of any kitchen. You simply fill the reservoir with water, insert the capsule and press a button.  Even I can make a fabulous cup of coffee – with crema – every time.

The latest range of Vertuo Nespresso machines use Centrifusion technology – but you don’t need to know that – just press the button.

The pods come in five cup sizes from Alto (414ml) down to Espresso (40ml) – yes you really can be your own barista.

There’s a myriad of Nespresso coffee ranges – to suit your taste or mood, but the new limited edition Nordic Moments Range is perfect for the Festive Season. These fun flavours are inspired by Nordic culture and include Vanilla Princess Cake (perfect to be drunk with a slice of … well you’ve guessed), Cinnamon Swirl, and the simple but sophisticated Nordic Black.  There’s a lovely story behind the traditional Skandinavian Princess Cake, so-called because three small princesses loved it so much, and the matching coffee is a blend of decaffeinated and regular roast coffee with natural vanilla flavours.  The Cinnamon Swirl blend, named after a rather delicious pastry also contains decaffeinated and regular coffee plus natural flavourings. However Nordic Black is pure regular coffee, consisting of African and South American Arabica beans – definitely my favourite. There’s a Nordic Almond Cake and a Cloudberry blend too, so why not get into the Christmas mood with this great new range?

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.

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