These I have picked out to be read to keep yourselves sane in the run up to the big day, as you plough through the lists in between the Christmas parties, wondering if you have enough chairs for Auntie Flo as well, who has decided she can come after all. Lovely though it is to have her…

This first has a twinkly cover, which evokes Christmas and because it’s set in New York it appeals to me, because I have been once, and will be going again with a grand daughter who has to have a serious and extensive operation in a couple of days. She and I intend to celebrate in the big apple once she is well enough.

Miracle on 5^th Avenue.  By Sarah Morgan.

A tale of love and the magic of the festive season that is the perfect relaxing read/switch off read in the run up to, or over Christmas.

Hopeless romantic Eva loves the holiday season, and is delighted to be spending looking after a beautiful New York penthouse this Christmas. Cynical crime-writer and mysterious owner of the penthouse Luke is not so in love with the winter months, after tragedy struck him one previous Christmas. When both are snowed in the luxury apartment after a freak snowstorm hits the city, Eva and Luke are drawn into each other’s worlds and a special bond forms between them… Will Luke finally let go of his past demons and accept the wonders and joy both Christmas and Eva can bring him?

Yep, go for this. It is a feel good book, sparkly and will set you up for stuffing the turkey.

Harlequin Mira pb £7.99

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper

How clever is this idea:

Arthur Pepper is an elderly Yorkshire widower who is ruled by his daily routine after the death of his beloved wife. On the first anniversary of Miriam’s death, Arther decides to clear her wardrobe, and discovers a gold charm bracelet, one he has never seen before.

He sets off on a journey, charm by charm, a journey that takes him round the world, but also within himself. A true voyage of discovery. Such a lovely book, and one to consider with 2017 looming. It will remind you, or the lucky person who finds this in their stocking, that life is full of possibilities but you do have to go out and make it happen.

I love it. 2017 here I come.

Harlequin Mira pb £7.99

And for something gritty.

Cut to the Bone by Alex Caan

I really don’t like it when publishers say ‘for fans of ……. ‘ I know why they do it, so that you can categorise a debut author, but I still don’t like it. This book stands alone, and is for fans of Alex Caan.

You’ll chew your nails, and take turn the pages. A box of Christmas chocolates it is not, but it’s good to have something salty, sharp and a contrast to soft centres.

Full of tension, and  up to date: one missing girl, two million suspects – I didn’t know what a vlogger was, which puts me in my place. Ruby is one, a rising star of YouTube who goes missing.

No-one believes there’s a problem, she’s an adult after all. Then along comes the video. DI Kate Riley, and her team become involved, but are they a trustworthy team?

Read it and find out.

Twenty7 pb £7.99

OK, OK, it’s a few days late, but I gave a PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar to one of my grand-daughter for Christmas 2015 and she absolutely loved it. She’s played with the characters all year, and there are fun new themes out this year.

Try the Dressing Up Party, or Christmas on the Farm, or how about the Secret Pirate’s Treasure Party. (£19.99 ea)

And for the big day, there is a great selection of 2016 ranges between £2 for stocking fillers, and up to £100 for the bigger presents. They are such quality products, I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending them.

There are all sorts of price ranges.

Under £50: I liked the Large City Zoo but my absolute favourite is ( Playmobil 6678) Large Floating Pirate Raiders’ Ship with 3 Pirates.

It’s fantastic, it really is. (£49.99)

It floats on water – clear the bathroom, has working firing cannons – duck Mum, there is a hiding place for weapons and ammunition and you can lower the anchor with a working winch.

Dad might like to upgrade with 55536 RC underwater motor (sold separately but do let the children play with it sometimes. Glorious present.

Under £30 – Porsche 911 Carrera S (£29.99)

Under £10  Pirates Carry Case (£9.99)

These are fantastic presents. As I said before, I do recommend them.

All available from www.playmobil.co.uk

I’m not sure why but I keep being given liquids to review, but I’m not complaining. Gin and Coffee – which go together like a horse and cart.

I know Tanqueray quite well, we’ve met from time to time. But… But… What makes this such a great present is the limited edition Tanqueray No TEN Caged Bottle. Isn’t it fantabulous, and striking.

Clearly influenced by the Art Deco movement this is a classy addition to Christmas this year, or to some adult’s Christmas Stocking, if Santa doesn’t stop for refreshment along the way. I can just see it – ‘Here you are, Rudolph, you have the mince pie, and I’ll stick with the gin.’

The bespoke metal frame  has been expertly crafted to highlight Tanqueray No. TEN’s award-winning ten-faceted bottle shape, with a striking geometric design that reflects iconic patterns hailing from the roaring twenties.

In addition to this beautifully packaged gift, the  crafted cage has been designed to be used as an ornamental home accessory such as a decadent fruit basket once the bottle is removed. I do like something that lasts and lasts.

With 200 years of distilling expertise, Tanqueray No. TEN is an award-winning gin which prides itself on its unparalleled flavours including whole fresh citrus fruit. Unique in character and flavour, this gin provides the perfect base for creating cocktails during festive celebrations. Try a Martini or the classic T & T.

Forget the roaring 20s, just have a blast with this and make 2016 roar over Christmas, and also New Year’s Eve – if there’s any left, which I doubt. Invite the neighbours in, or the noise might disturb them.

RRP £45 Available from Selfridges, Waitrose and The Whisky Exchange

@tanqueraygin #MyPerfectTen

Coffee – I love it. But only up to three cups a day or I can’t sleep and start swinging from the lights. But I read in a newspaper recently that just that daily intake might diminish the chance of Alzheimers. I do hope so, but it’s as good an excuse as any, and after an evening that builds to a roar, an excellent idea.

Union Hand-Roasted has launched gift sets for coffee lovers in time for Christmas. Here are just a few.

I’ve tried and love their coffee. The different flavours are subtle but very definitely there, if you are thinking of putting together a hamper, or just drinking it yourself.

What about this special selection of four coffees. Speciality coffee has a naturally occurring wide range of flavours, and this pack showcases four distinctive flavour profiles. Liberacion from Guatemala has notes of chocolate and caramel, Bobolink from Brazil nuts and spices, Emporium Catuai from Panama has sweet berry notes, and Yayu Wild Forest coffee from Ethiopia is floral with citrus notes. All coffees are freshly hand-roasted and can be chosen as wholebean or ground.

RRP £23.

All Union coffees are 100% Arabica beans and sourced via Union’s fundamental sourcing principle Union Direct Trade, which creates direct, long term partnerships with farmers to improve the quality of both coffee and livelihoods. As a result, all Union coffee scores 84+ on the globally recognised Q-grade scale which assesses coffee quality.  To be classed as a speciality coffee, a score of 80+ is required. Union carefully hand roasts the coffee beans in small batches in their East London Roastery, for unrivalled flavour and freshness. They are scrummy.

Or you could simply give a coffee lover everything they need:

Isn’t it gorgeous? The set includes a copper Hario kettle and v60 filter dripper, which results in a lighter bodied, delicate brew with a high clarity of flavour, and a copy of Union’s Real Fresh Coffee Book which is a culmination of over 20 years of experience in speciality coffee written by Union’s Co-Founders. Two special coffees have been chosen, freshly hand-roasted, for the set: Los Lajones Geisha, exceptional coffee from the Panama producer Graciano Cruz, and Genesis from Costa Rica, with notes of red berries, demerara sugar and caramel. Accompanying the set includes a Hario hand grinder, filter papers and a Union mug.

RRP is £265

On the other hand, what about the Cascara Infusion gift set.

For those preferring a brew of a different kind, this should fit the bill. Coffee cherry fruit, known as cascara, is the dried fruit husk of the coffee bean. They produce a delicious syrupy sweetness and can be brewed in the 2 cup La Cafetiere teapot and served in a Union mug. The set includes a teapot, 300g of cascara, and 2 Union mugs.

RRP is £38.

Available from Waitrose, Ocado or online www.unionroasted.com

The team at Frost Magazine are deeply impressed with this all encompassing animal sanctuary, which was founded in 1995 to help and campaign for ‘animals in need’ and most importantly, to bring public awareness to the millions of animals suffering every day in the intensive factory farming industry.

Hillside have given sanctuary to 1600 horses, ponies and donkeys, 300 Rescued Cows, 600 Sheep and Goats, 200 Pigs and lots of rescued dogs…

 Hillside’s Dog Rescue takes in dogs from all around the UK and always does its best to find loving family homes for them.

Let me tell you about little Henry.

Henry is a victim of indiscriminate breeding, confused, frightened and blind, he is being helped at Hillside. The ethic of the Sanctuaryis to try to help those dogs most in need and Henry is just one dog with special needs who have come to the sanctuary very recently.

Hillside are always keen to try to find foster homes for ‘special care’ dogs, where the fosterer pays for their everyday keep but Hillside are responsible for their on-going veterinary care – that they so often need, through no fault of their own. This helps the rescuers to place these dogs in a home environment which clearly is much better for them.

Hillside decided to become more involved with dog rescue after working with a Channel 5 undercover investigation into puppy farming in 2009. This prompted them to found Hillside Dog Rescue with the aim of encouraging people to take on a rescued dog rather than give business to the wrong sort of puppy breeder. So, with Christmas on the horizon, and children wanting pets, don’t give more business to the awful puppy farms, but think of one of these little souls who need you, desperately.

In fact, I met someone who was clearly from a puppy farm when we were looking for a Cavachon. The gentleman was so plausible. Could I see the mother? I asked. Of course. Come and meet us. So off we drove to what turned out to be an apartment, with barely any furniture, just his backpack and this tiny almost hairless little puppy, and no mother. Him indoors was with me, and we left, but had I been on my own I would have taken the puppy, just to save it. When we eventually found Polly from a lovely breeder, our vet said we were right to leave the previous puppy, or it just encourages the puppy farms. I still worry about that little dog, though.

With so many animals at the Sanctuary to feed and care for, funding is essential for survival. Hillside are grateful for every donation received, and with Christmas on the horizon, and a lot of giving going on, why not think of making a donation towards the care of these animals, from dogs to chickens, to horses? Every pound helps to make a difference. 

Do go to the website to see how you can help, perhaps with fostering, or just making the animals, of whatever ilk, more comfortable.

Donate £4 and it will pay for a bale of hay.

£10 will feed a rescued dog for a week this Christmas.

£20 will pay for a warm outdoor coat for a rescued dog while being walked and exercised during the winter.

£10 will buy a large bale of straw for bedding of farm animals.

Not a lot in the scheme of things, but every pound makes this sanctuary’s work possible.

Don’t forget little Henry, and the others.

Details:

www.hillside.org.uk