| Even the most ardent believers that Christmas | | | | combines the unique with the personal. Very |
| is a time for giving and not receiving will | | | | few people can probably boast that they grow |
| readily admit that the anticipation of | | | | their own tea leaves or coffee beans in their |
| finding a stocking full of goodies - whether | | | | home, and with all the equipment and tips |
| they be of any practical use or not and no | | | | needed to help the plants flourish, it really |
| matter how old you are - quite enchanting. | | | | couldn't get much easier. For the younger |
| Stocking Fillers can be the perfect | | | | botanists in the family, then the 'Grow your |
| opportunity to surprise and amuse, to be as | | | | Own Mr Grasshead' is a fun way of getting |
| personal and indulgent as you like. But for | | | | children interested in nurturing plants. By |
| anyone who can still remember a time when | | | | simply adding water, they will soon get to |
| they had to be grateful for a sock full of | | | | see him sprouting his own green hair which |
| fruit on Christmas morning; times have | | | | can be styled and trimmed in any way. |
| changed. The list of treats and trinkets | | | | |
| intended especially for the stocking is | | | | Getting Creative |
| literally endless, so here are just a few | | | | |
| tips on how to select the perfect Christmas | | | | For those budding Blue-Peter presenters in |
| gifts. | | | | the family, then why not help them to embrace |
| | | | their creative flair by including a choice of |
| Who Cares About The Calories? | | | | card-making kits for a much more personal |
| | | | Christmas message, or encourage a heart-felt |
| Including someone's favourite chocolates in | | | | thank you note for those who have given |
| their Christmas stocking might be common | | | | generously. The 'Cheeky Monkey' card making |
| practise, but what about something a little | | | | kit is ideal for all seasons and offers hours |
| more unique? You could invest in some | | | | of creative fun for |
| personalised sweets for that ultimate | | | | those…well…cheeky monkeys in the |
| declaration of affection, or make someone | | | | family. For those who like to give Delia a |
| smile with just a little bit of thought and | | | | run for her money, or even for those who need |
| what better way than a 'Silver Love Heart | | | | a kick start when it comes to creating |
| Sweet', or give your last 'Rolo' to the one | | | | something in the kitchen, then why not send |
| you really love? Complete with a presentation | | | | them a little encouragement with a |
| box, those familiar with these famous sweets | | | | traditional recipe book? 'Mrs Manley's |
| can purchase a solid silver or gold version | | | | Christmas Treats' is a stocking sized satin |
| with their own personalised message…a | | | | embroidered book with a host of recipes for |
| beautiful gift, but not to be eaten. | | | | those traditional festive delights. |
| | | | |
| Growing Your Own | | | | Gadgets and Gizmos |
| | | | |
| Horticultural gifts can be a great way to get | | | | T'is the season to be jolly and the Christmas |
| everyone interested in all things natural, | | | | stocking is a great excuse to introduce those |
| and with little effort required, the house | | | | curious and Fun Christmas gifts that we soon |
| could soon be filled with an array of magical | | | | come to wonder how we ever managed without. |
| plants. A 'Grow It…Chilli Plants Gift | | | | As Christmas can prove a costly time of year |
| Box' provides everything you need to grow | | | | for many, what better opportunity to |
| five of the world's spiciest varieties of | | | | encourage money-saving than a money bank? The |
| chilli plants, including the growing pots, | | | | 'Money Maze Bank' offers a unique twist on |
| compost discs and plant markers. There's also | | | | the traditional piggy bank in that a puzzle |
| a Chilli Pocket Garden for those who like the | | | | must be completed before money can be taken |
| taste but prefer minimal effort; simply add | | | | out. A humorous gift for those more |
| the seeds to the cleverly designed foil | | | | spend-thrifty members of the family perhaps, |
| packet and wait for the chilli to grow. But | | | | or a simple way of reminding children than |
| for those who prefer the more gentle approach | | | | money needs to be earned. For the latest in |
| and have a little bit more patience, then a | | | | Japanese mobile phone accessories, a 'MoPod' |
| Bonsai Tree Gift Box might make a more ideal | | | | might make an ideal stocking filler. The pod |
| and personal gift. Perfectly sized for a | | | | interacts with mobile phones, with a range of |
| window sill or desk, the bonsai tree has a | | | | characters that light up and dance when the |
| calming quality and by its own nature would | | | | phone rings or a text message arrives. These |
| suit someone who has the fortitude to let it | | | | great little gadgets can be attached to any |
| gradually bloom. For any member of the family | | | | phone or even a jacket or bag - making them |
| who isn't quite awake of a morning until | | | | particularly handy for those who tend to lose |
| they've had their intake of tea or coffee, | | | | their mobile phones at the bottom of their |
| then a 'Grow It - Tea and Coffee Gift Box' | | | | handbags! |