Shop Local or Shop Online, November

Here are some ideas to kick start your Christmas Shopping. We suggest you support your local shops, or else leave the car behind and order online at a time when it suits you.

Now available from Panamint Cinema, two great new DVDs that capture the spirit of Christmas and New Year. “An Edinburgh Christmas” (PDC2016) – filmed at St Mary’s Cathedral.  Colour, 78 minutes. £19.56  inc p&p.
“Hogmanay with the Whistlebinkies” (PDC2044) – as seen on Channel 4. Jimmy Reid delves into the origins of the traditions as they are practised in different parts of Scotland. Colour 40 minutes. £13.70 inc p&p. Order from www.panamint.co.uk

Following its rebranding, Scottish Wildlife Trust is also getting in the “wild” Christmas spirit this year. For the first time ever, we are launching an ‘Adopt an animal’ Christmas campaign which offers the chance to give a gift which makes a difference to Scotland’s wildlife. With adoption offers ranging from £10 – £30, you can choose between an osprey, a beaver, or a native red squirrel and receive an adoption fun pack. This is a perfect gift to help kids you know get closer to nature or for other family members who just love wildlife. Find out more about what SWT has to offer at www.swt.org.uk.

ALL WRAPPED UP
with the new 2010 gift pack from Dairy Diary. The gift pack combines three handy household items, beginning with the Dairy Diary itself – a bible for anyone running a busy household, it includes indispensable information not to mention the yummy weekly recipes for you to experiment with. Also included is the handbag-sized mini Dairy Diary and, completing the pack, is the highly coveted book stand. All this is available at just £9.25. All your gift dilemmas can be solved in just one click by visiting www.dairydiary.co.uk, or call 0845 0948 128 or contact your local milkman.

Add Zest to Life with Demijohn’s new Grapefruit Vodka
Grapefruit is usually confined to the breakfast table but this new Grapefruit Vodka  from Demijohn places it firmly as an evening tipple. It can be drunk as a cooling, elegant winter aperitif when poured over ice or drunk long with tonic. Demijohn, the world’s first liquid deli, has a huge array of great liquid Christmas presents with small apotheker racks of 5 x 40ml bottles of gins, vodkas, oils or vinegars of your choice or larger 3 x 200ml bottles. With shops in Edinbugh and Glasgow and an online shop it is worth a visit this Christmas. www.demijohn.co.uk

For art lovers everywhere Edinburgh Printmakers present this beautiful fundraising calendar featuring original artworks created by member artists. Designed by Alice Melvin and produced by Patrizio Belcampo. All proceeds support the valuable work of Edinburgh Printmakers.
Tel: 0131 557 2479 or
Email: office@edinburgh-printmakers.co.uk
Edinburgh Printmakers. 23 Union St. Edinburgh, EH1 3LR
www.edinburgh-printmakers.co.uk

With many of us taking holidays in Britain this summer, there are some great deals on car hire, hotels and flights both at home and abroad. Short days have been proved to make you feel depressed so why not treat yourself to a holiday – or ask Santa to give you a holiday!

Graham Riddell Photography’s desk calendar for 2010 has an unusual range of Landscape & Nature images that will make a lovely reminder of how beautiful Scotland is – ideal for yourself or for gifts. You can also have the calendar branded with your own message (£PoA). Supplied in its own clear plastic CD size jewel case, the calendar is (120mm wide x 140mm deep) and costs £6 + £1.50 P&P in the UK. The 12 images can be viewed here. To order, either click on the image to send an email, or call 01896 830915

Charity Giving
Sometimes you feel you can’t think of a thing to give to people who seem to have everything. So why not donate to charity in their names.
With Action Aid a gift of £10 can buy Winter Jackets for 2 School Children in Da Bac, a cold, mountainous region of Vietnam. £26 buys footballs for schoolchildren. As well as study, activities like football give children the chance to have fun, grow in confidence, and learn to play as a team. £59 buys schoolbooks, fees and a uniform for a child with HIV in the slums of Uganda’s capital city, Kampala.
Your gift card can be emailed to your friend so is perfect for a last minute present!

Avon’s Christmas Boutique has gifts for Him and Her, gifts for Kids and stocking fillers from just 75 pence! And their clearance sale has up to 65% off. Midnight, Wednesday 16th December for Standard Delivery £3.50 or 11am, Monday 21st December for express delivery £5.50

Eden4Flowers Christmas Flowers products are available for delivery during the whole of December so you can book ahead and specify not just any date but also a time slot. Last delivery day is Monday 24 December. Right now they have £6 off their gorgeous Christmas bouquets but you might also like to take a look at their hampers and other gift ideas.

And if you get stuck, just think of the range of gifts you can find on Amazon, who have free delivery at the moment. Again, gift vouchers can be e-mailed out at short notice.