CHRISTMAS AT LINLEY

Christmas at LINLEY: luxuriously indulgent gifts; imaginative designs; meticulous detailing; unique pieces - the perfect place for your Christmas gift shopping. As the time for Christmas shopping is approaching make sure that you are prepared for everything with perfect gift ideas from LINLEY.

Host the perfect Christmas Dinner party with LINLEY Backgammon and chess placemats and Celebration shakers. Christmas drinks will be complete with the new swirl martini glasses and dice coasters, and the perfect gift for the man who has everything; a crystal ashtray or stacking desk drawers in macassar, walnut or rosewood.

http://www.davidlinley.com/

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FROM ALEXANDALEXA.COM

AlexandAlexa.com set the standard for luxury kid’s fashion. Established in 2007 by husband and wife team, Alex Theophanous and Alexa Till, the site stocks the most gorgeous brands that they would, and do, dress their own two boys in.

Their Christmas Selection includes the following: 

Stripy Knitted Reindeer
£61.50 by Anne-Claire Petit
This festive reindeer toy is waiting to be your baby's best friend; hand-knitted from gorgeous organic cotton, this little cuddler is a great companion for you and your baby to cherish this Christmas

Rosita Frill Mittens
£38.00 by Caramel Baby & Child
Beat the Christmas chill with these beautiful knit mittens. Featuring dusky pink pretty ruffles, these are the perfect finishing touch to a special winter outfit.

Polar Bear Sweater
£166.50 by Ralph Lauren
Christmas day wouldn’t be complete without a festive knit and this is the icing on the cake. Complete with polar bears and wintry snowflakes, this chunky pullover will bring a smile to everyone’s face.

Visit www.alexandalexa.com to find these delightful gifts and keep an eye out for the amazing must-have pieces as seen in national press, from Tatler to Vogue to celebrity favourites.

ABI LOVES CHRISTMAS

The count-down to Christmas has officially begun with the opening of the first windows in your kids advents calendar! Time to think of it, get into the mood, check the wish lists, think of family and friends.

Abi Loves…offer a high quality range of creative toys you wont find everywhere, each wrapped in colourful paper including a little special surprise from us making the gifts even more special.

Fidoodle Lion and Tortoise game for little ones is entirely hand made puzzle and puppet figures are magnetic as well and come with two short stories you and your kids can act out. Not to forget that its produced with sustainable wood.

Kids on Roof City and Nature Totem have been part of the 100 most innovative ecological and educational kids toys by TIMES magazine. Made out of recycled cardboard each totem will look different depending on your childs choice of piece. They can follow the instructions and build a ship or make a dinosaur but can also make their own creations. (Kids on Roof Totem Christmas tree also won the Hot Brands Cool Places Christmas Green Award this year Ed.)

Fabulous Garlands come in different shapes and colours and make the perfect seasonal decoration .

Send a lucky charm exclusively made for Abi Loves…from Marijoli to a special friend.

Our price ranges are wide allowing you to make wonderful sets of gifts as you go along.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and enjoyable shopping on abiloves.com

PERFECT PAMPERING GIFTS FROM CHAMPNEYS

Gift Vouchers
It’s never too early to plan for Christmas and to keep shopping stress-free there’s no better gift than a Champneys Gift Voucher, the perfect pampering gift for that special someone. They can be used against day breaks and overnight stays at any resort, towards luxurious treatments during your stay and for buying products in resort boutiques. Click here to see gift vouchers available
www.champneys.com/sparkle

Online Spa Collection
Christmas shopping has never been easier and we’re delighted to help you bring a little spa indulgence into the home. Champneys collection of luxurious spa gifts has something for everyone, you’ll find indulgent spa collections tailored to pamper you from top-to-toe and leave you feeling spa-fresh! From elegantly designed gift boxes filled with gorgeous spa products to luxury gift wrapped baskets, there’s plenty waiting to be delivered to your front door. Just put your feet up and take a look! www.champneysgift.com

Day Packages & breaks at Champneys
What better way to spend the holidays than with a little peace and tranquility at a Champneys Health Resort, with time to unwind and plenty of fine food…and not a jot of washing up in sight! Whether you choose an invigorating body scrub or a more warming body wrap, a leisurely fitness routine or complete relaxation you’ll achieve an enhanced sense of wellbeing by the time you leave. For further information call reservations on 0843 316 22 22 or go to www.champneys.com/sparkle

SCENT OF A WOMAN - HOW TO WEAR PERFUME – A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS PRESENT BY YARDLEY

Celebrating the launch of the stunning new Yardley Heritage Fragrance Collection, Yardley presents a classic guide to applying perfume for maximum allure:

• Eau de toilette fragrances should always be applied directly to the skin and can be sprayed all over as a faint mist that veils your body
• For maximum staying power, apply perfume after your morning shower or just before you leave the house
• Target areas of the body that radiate the most heat such as the neck, wrists and chest - your body heat will gently emit your scent throughout the day, ensuring your fragrance lasts even longer
• Don’t forget your hidden hot spots, behind the knees and around your ankles
• Exude your scent from top to toe by applying your chosen fragrance lightly through your hair

The Yardley Heritage Fragrance Collection features Orange Blossom, Geranium and Hyacinth eau de toilette fragrances, each priced at £9.95 (RRP) and presented in a chic, vintage-inspired floral print gift box. The 50ml bottle is ideal for your handbag so you can re-energise your fragrance and confidence throughout the day.

The bright Hyacinth eau de toilette is naturally floral, with modern nuances of creamy sandalwood combined with luscious musk. The unique Geranium eau de toilette is a beautiful exotic floral fragrance with a contemporary twist on Geranium-Rose, combined with a precious cashmere musk and sensual vanilla. The fresh Orange Blossom eau de toilette, winner of the 2009 Pure Beauty Award for ‘Best New Self Select Fragrance’, is perfectly balanced with the freshness of the orange blossom flower, crystal-musk and velvety amber, creating a truly magnetic fragrance.

With over 200 years of heritage and experience in fragrance and luxury bathing products, Yardley is renowned for the finest quality fragrances that have been enjoyed for many generations. New to the Yardley portfolio, the Yardley Heritage Fragrance Collection is priced at £9.95 (RRP) and is available from Boots. For stockist information, please call 01276 674 000 or visit: www.yardleylondon.co.uk

(We have sampled the Orange Blossom which is delicious and refreshing - Hot Brands team)

TREAT YOURSELF GIRLFRIEND!

Hot on the heels of the hugely successful makeover show, How To Look Good Naked, comes a brand new fragrance and beauty range of the same name.

Perfect for much deserved pampering or as a Christmas gift for friends and relatives, the range includes luxury stocking fillers and head-to-toe gift sets. All presented in stunning lilac and cream bottles, they are almost too good to open!

The range includes:

300ml luscious Shower Gel, invigorating and rich in moisture, it’s a little luxury to start each day. RRP £8.00

75ml Body Shimmer Oil - leave skin feeling silky smooth and add a touch of glamorous shimmer with this easy to use after-bathing body oil. RRP £10.00

Just Amazing Bath Caviar & Bath Jelly Set featuring the sensational How To Look Good Naked Bath Caviar for super smooth, kissable skin from top to toe. Simply add a spoonful of the bubbly Bath Jelly to a hot bath, lie back and relax! Contains Bath Caviar 200ml and Bath Jelly 200ml. RRP £15.00

Treat Yourself Toiletry Bag for stylish girls on the go, a sleek toiletry bag for all the essentials is a must. This gorgeous cream bag contains 100ml refreshing Shower Gel, 100ml revitalising Body Scrub and 100ml soothing Bath Soak. RRP £18.00

For the ultimate treat, check out the Feel Amazing Gift Set, packed with bath time lotions and potions to make you feel good inside and out. The set includes a fabulous Foaming Shower Oil, irresistible Bath Caviar, luxurious Shower Gel, indulgent Bath Soak and a super soft Flannel. RRP £30.00

Completing the range is How To Look Good Naked’s signature fragrance. This stand out 75ml Eau de Toilette is an elegant velvet chypre with glistening notes of green leaves and delicate, cool white roses. Feel fantastic and super sexy wearing this fragrance… and nothing else? RRP £15.00

The How To Look Good Naked range is available nationwide both on the high street and online, including Boots (limited range), Argos, Amazon and Littlewoods.

(We have sampled this -Perfect gift for girlfriends - Hot Brands Team)

TRADITIONAL TOYS FROM SILVER CROSS

The new Silver Cross ‘Classic Gift Collection’ is now available online and for a limited time all Doll Carriage purchases also include a free beautiful Rag Doll.
Silver Cross just recently launched its gift collection - this includes three highly desirable bears and a rag doll which hark back to Silver Cross’s roots.
Founded in Yorkshire in 1877, Silver Cross – the renowned manufacturer of prams and nursery products – has named each toy after Yorkshire villages or local heroines. Broughton Bear is a traditional teddy with jointed legs and arms and a swivelling head; Malham Bear, his friend, is smaller, beautifully soft, and has been created specifically for babies; while the Bronte Rag Doll continues the traditional theme and has a removable floral dress and lace smock.
Each of the toys are a beautiful addition to the range of Doll’s Carriages, replicas of the iconic Silver Cross Balmoral pram, and make the perfect gift for any young lady who loves to take her doll or teddy bear out for a walk.
The carriages are made in exactly the same way as they have been for over one hundred years – painstakingly hand fashioned using only the finest, handcrafted materials and finishes. The Insignia pram also features a personalised plaque with the name and date of birth of the lucky recipient on either a classic Fleur or a beautiful Fairy design.

Last order date 22nd December for delivery on 23rd December
www.silvercross.co.uk

SILVER CROSS : 01756 702 412

The greatest gift of all…
Luxury watches – designed in Britain, made in Switzerland, admired worldwide


Whether she loves diamonds, is passionate about diving, or she just can’t get enough of big, bold statement watches, Christopher Ward has the perfect watch for the woman in your life at a fraction of the price that you might expect.

Established in 2005, the exclusive brand has already acquired a cult following by proving that uncompromising luxury is within reach of everyone. The watches - which combine great British design with the skills of the finest artisan Swiss watchmakers - can be engraved with a special message or have their bracelet adjusted so they will fit perfectly straight away. The movement in every watch has a five-year guarantee and a full refund will be given on any watch returned within 60 days – absolutely no questions asked.

Whether the woman in your life is after a watch that captures the timeless beauty of Audrey Hepburn, the contemporary chic of Nicole Kidman or the sportiness of Angelina Jolie, Christopher Ward ticks all the boxes.

08708 500 918

www.christopherward.co.uk

VIVAT BACCHUS LAUNCHES GIFT BOXES AND HAMPERS FOR CHRISTMAS

Tailor made selections of the finest wines, cheeses and meats

This Christmas, Vivat Bacchus is offering a range of beautiful gift boxes and hampers showcasing their fine wines, cheeses and cured meats.

Starting from only £13, the team at Vivat Bacchus work individually with customers, inviting them into the extensive cellars (holding over 20,000 bottles), as well as the specialist cheese and cured meat rooms to create the perfect selection based on the recipients tastes.

Vivat Bacchus offers both wine boxes and larger hampers, pairing each customer’s selected wines with delicious cheeses and meats.

Gerrie Knoetze, co-owner of Vivat Bacchus, said: “It is the perfect gift for difficult to buy for people, and so much more original and thoughtful than the ready made hampers.”

To order a Vivat Bacchus gift hamper or wine box this Christmas, visit or contact the team at:

Vivat Bacchus Farringdon
47 Farringdon Street
London
EC4A 4LL
020 7353 2648
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

or

Vivat Bacchus London Bridge
4 Hays Lane
London
SE1 2HB
0207 234 0891
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

www.vivatbacchus.co.uk

About Vivat Bacchus

Following its launch five years ago in Farringdon, Vivat Bacchus opened a sister restaurant, grill and bar and in Hays Lane, London Bridge. Co-owned and run by South African Gerrie Knoetze, Vivat Bacchus hosts over 20,000 bottles of wine and four walk-in cheese rooms between the two restaurants.

Vivat Bacchus has become known as one of London’s finest destinations for cheese, South African wines and modern European cuisine with South African influences.

TOP THAT! - HAT DESIGN COURSE THIS YEAR’S PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT

As the world goes crazy for the Mad Hatter next year with the launch of Tim Burton’s new film Alice In Wonderland, a London hat maker is offering group hat making sessions at her Glam Hatters’ Tea Parties.

Successful London milliner Janie Lawson offers a four hour course in hat making for £55 per person, where groups of friends or individuals can design hats, fascinators and even tiaras.

Said Janie: “First and foremost, the focus is on having fun and letting your imagination run riot.

“The course is perfect for women who simply can’t find a hat that reflects their true personality...and it’s also fantastic for making new friends. I can’t count the number of people who have bonded during one of my hat making sessions!

“I demonstrate the basics in design and give a few practical tips, then let them loose on mountains of fabrics and accessories.

“A hat is probably a woman’s most difficult choice to make when matching it with a special outfit for an important day. At my Glam Hatters’ Tea Parties all you have to do is bring your dreams...after that, everything falls into place at your fingertips.”

The Glam Hatters’ Tea Parties take place regularly throughout the year at Janie Lawson’s London workshop in Clapham, or for bigger parties she can come to you.

The Parties are an ideal Christmas present for all ages - mum, grandmother, daughter or a female friend...and obviously men are very welcome indeed if they want to discover their inner hat-making talent.

All you have to do is contact Janie (details below) and she will send you a gift voucher, which you can present in the way you wish.

Janie’s Tiara Making Parties cost £45, and she also runs jewellery making workshop which cater for all levels of ability.

She serves tea and biscuits at every session, but many choose to come with a bottle of bubbly or two.

Janie’s Parties can be booked for groups of 8 up to 24 (she recruits extra teachers for larger groups).

To book your party and for further information and prices, please contact Janie direct on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call her direct on 07879 451451. http://www.janielawson.com/.

Janie Lawson began making hats when she was studying sculpture and design at Richmond College. "I would begin making a sculpture, but everything I did seemed to turn into a hat by the time I had finished."

She graduated from St Martins which included experience working with designer Jessica Ogden, and after a stint working as a buyer for a high street department store she set up her own business in August 2000 with a loan from both The Princes Trust and The Peabody Trust.

Although she focuses on millinery, Janie also designs jewellery and tiaras and is about to launch a high fashion range, and hats for men.

She has exhibited extensively at the Paris and London fashion shows.

Her work has been sold in Liberty, Selfridges, Fenwicks Bond Street, Podium Moscow, Tsumm Moscow and Elsavedaboda Spain.

She is currently preparing for the East London Design Show and The Designer Wedding Show.

TOSHIBA HAS CHRISTMAS ALL WRAPPED UP


This year, Toshiba caters for every Christmas wish list with a range of affordable, innovative and inspiring gifts guaranteed to bring festive cheer to all the family. Whether you’re shopping for a style-savvy teenager, gadget-mad Dad or film-buff boyfriend, Toshiba has something for everyone.

The Credit Crunch Camcorder
You may end up feeling a bit porky after your Christmas pud, but the Camileo P10 manages to pack an array of premium features into supermodel dimensions. Advanced 1080p HD video recording means every snowflake, smile and snooze on the sofa is captured with crystal clear clarity and, as the P10 can easily be connected to the television, the whole family can enjoy the festive footage Toshiba Camileo P10
From £89.99

The Smooth and Sleek Range of DVD Players
If you want to make those family Christmas movie moments even more magical then look no further than Toshiba’s first standalone Blu-ray Disc (BD) player – the Toshiba BDX2000. The impressive Full HD 1080p digital output delivers outstanding image quality whilst the faceted design and front-panel drop-down door, which neatly conceals the buttons, earns the BDX2000 serious style credentials.

For those who want to breathe new life into their current collection of standard DVDs Toshiba has launched the XDE600 – a new and impressive upscaling DVD player. Whereas the majority of upscaling players simply extend image resolution, Toshiba’s XDE600 offers ‘eXtended Detail Enhancement’ technology to deliver sharper, cleaner images with richer, more vibrant colours and dramatic contrast.

Toshiba gives you the ultimate winter entertainment package with 12 months free Blu-ray and DVD rental, courtesy of LOVEFiLM, when you buy the BDX2000 and 6 months free when you buy the XDE600. Choose from over 65,000 unique titles and enjoy no late fees with free first class return post. Simply register your purchase at www.toshiba.co.uk/lovefilm within 7 days of purchase for a present that’s sure to be a big hit.

The Vivid and Stylish LED Backlighting LCD TV
If you’re looking to splash out on a gift for your family of TV addicts and film fans, tune in to the stunning new REGZA SV LCD TV – Toshiba’s most advanced TV to date. The REGZA SV comes in whopping 46in and 55in varieties and sports an LED-backlight which delivers striking, vivid images; taking you closer to the action and bringing the smallest details to life.

The Most Stylish Hard Disk Drives
If you’re looking for a practical gift with a stylish twist, Toshiba’s two stylish ranges of slim-line lightweight Hard Disk Drives are perfect for fashion forward friends who want to access their photos, video and music on the go. The StorE Steel range is available in a choice of gloss black, silver, gold and titanium, whilst the StorE Art range’s stylish new ‘wave’ design comes in blue, red or white. Both ranges feature tough scratch resistant casing and huge capacities for storage, without compromising on style.

The Stylish Green Laptop Toshiba Satellite
Toshiba’s new Satellite T110 and T130 laptops are the perfect gift for those who want to save energy without sacrificing style. These laptops use special ultra low voltage processors which delivers a powerful performance as well as an an astonishing 11 hours of battery life. The Satellite T110 & T130’s incredibly thin and lightweight design make it a laptop that is both stylish and portable. Available in precious black, iron red metallic and Luxe White. T110 & T130 TPP from £429

The Funkiest Super Sleek Mini Notebook
Make a style statement with the two latest additions to the sleek new Toshiba Mini NB200 notebook range. Already available in sophisticated black, minimal white and modern brown, the lightweight 10.1” Mini NB200 now comes in indigo blue and silky pink; making it the perfect accessory to accompany an array of outfits in 2010.

Visit Toshiba's web site at http://www.toshiba.co.uk/

MASTERPIECES FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE

Handmade by co-operatives in Thailand and India, these beautiful and unique decorations are masterpieces in their own right. So whether choosing a Renaissance-inspired angel to top your tree or an Impressionist golden sunflower, to add a rich glow, you’ll have your own masterpiece at home for Christmas.

Snowflake (£6.00) – Each snowflake has its own quirks, its own detailing; and these beautiful decorations are masterpieces in their own right. Available in either white or black, these delicate snowflakes look equally beautiful hung from your tree or around the house.

Van Gogh’s Sunflower (£7.00) – Taken from one of the most famous Impressionist paintings in the Gallery’s Collection; Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’, this glorious sunflower features radiant gold embroidery and gold beads.

Cappenburg’s Dove (£7.00) – This dove is taken from the Master of Cappenburg’s ‘The Coronation of the Virgin’. In the picture the dove hovers above the head of the Virgin, this decoration version is a glorious pure white dove, embroidered in gold thread with a gold halo.

The Wilton Diptych White Hart (£7.00) – This White Hart, with a gold embroidered collar and antlers, comes from ‘The Wilton Diptych’ which was believed to have been commissioned for King Richard II; The image of a White Hart formed part of the the King’s livery. Decorate your tree with an enduring medieval emblem.

Raphael’s Gold Angel (£10.00) – This glistening gold angel is taken from Raphael’s Renaissance masterpiece ‘The Crucified Christ with the Virgin, Saints and Angels’ (also known as ‘The Mond Crucifixion’). Perfect to place at the top of the Christmas tree.

Marmion’s Red Angel (£10.00) – ‘Choir of Angels’ by Marmion, is the inspiration for this beautiful angel. Playing a golden pipe, this angel comes with wings decorated with gold leaves and its’ luscious red dress is embroidered with gold thread.

Every sale generates valuable revenue for the Gallery from profits.

All products can be bought from the Gallery’s shops or online at www.nationalgallery.co.uk or via Mail order number: 020 7747 5958.

GIVE THE GIFT OF COLOUR
Stuck for great gift ideas this Christmas? Want to buy your friends and family presents that will be appreciated long after the crackers have been pulled? The clever people at Winsor & Newton, makers of the world’s finest artists’ materials, have the perfect solution. Their attractive painting and sketching sets are ideal gifts for everyone on your shopping list – from teenagers to grandparents.

Bamboo Boxes (£49.99) - New for 2009 the Winsor & Newton Bamboo Box Sets are a wonderful gift idea. The choice of four beautifully presented boxes ensures that you’ll be able to select the perfect gift to suit any type of painter. The four different sets are as follows:

Artists’ Acrylic Colour

Artists’ Oil Colour

Artists’ Water Colour (tube version)

Artists’ Water Colour (1/2 pan version)
More gifts at www.winsornewton.co.uk

SET A DATE WITH LEGO IN 2010

Love LEGO® bricks and figures? Now’s your chance to enjoy them 365 day of the year!

LEGO UK has launched its first ever charity calendar. It features a variety of LEGO minifigures, often pictured coming up against everyday objects, in twelve seasonal scenes.

A fun way to start your day while benefiting a great cause, as LEGO UK is donating all profits from the sale of this calendar to the National Autistic Society, the UK's leading charity for people with autism and their families.

The calendars are available to buy from the LEGO Brand Stores located in Bluewater Shopping Centre, Centre MK Milton Keynes and Brighton, and online at http://shop.lego.com, priced at £7.99.

Please Note
All information is supplied to us by the individual organizations, or agencies acting on their behalf. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, it may be subject to change. Please check with individual organizations for the latest information about products, prices and availability. Inclusion in this feature does not imply endorsement by Hot Brands Cool Places. Hot Brands Cool Places does not accept responsibility for the content of any external site.