Presents for everyone
EMILY BEARN shares some of the best gift ideas to help make this Christmas truly memorable
It’s gran v grandad
Clockwork toys always delight, and in last year’s Christmas Gift Guide we recommended the RSC’S gloriously grumpy marching Shakespeare. But this year the Bard has been outclassed by the Racing Granny and Grandad set. Wind them up and watch them battle their way across the Christmas lunch table – a must for all clockwork enthusiasts. £12.99. www.guesswhatiforgot.co.uk
Nostalgic cuppa
The Teasmade may have become virtually extinct in hotel bedrooms, but sales figures suggest that it is enjoying a renewed burst of popularity at home. Nostalgia is part of the appeal, so go for a 1950s-style plastic version in classic white, such as this one by Swan, with a detachable serving tray which can hold two cups and saucers. £49.99. www.coopersofstortford.co.uk
Open secret
There comes a point in life at which tin cans are no longer quite so easy to open. Those who have reached it will wonder how they ever lived without the six-in-one Morphy Richards Multifunction Opener, which includes an automatic can-opener, as well as a device for easing open stubborn bottle tops, ring pulls and jam jars – and even has a mechanism for slicing through layers of unwanted plastic packaging. £24.99. www.morphyrichards.co.uk
StorySt of your life
ManyMa aspire to write their memoir – and few succeed.su But the whole process can be achievedac in a few weeks with the help of Book of My Life, a company offering a bespoke memoir-writingm service, based on a series of at-homea interviews with a professional author.a Prices start at £4,600 for a standard 150-page1 biography, based on ten hours of interviews,i rising to £14,000 for a premium biography,b running to 400 pages. 0845 643 9423; www.bookofmylife.co.uk
A book’s best friends
If you are giving a book, don’t forget the reading aids. Meticulous types will love the finger-pointer bookmark by Accmart, which marks the exact line at which you left off reading (£1.88 for four, www.amazon. co.uk). And there need be no more bickering about keeping on the bedside light thanks to the clip-on Xtraflex LED book light, which attaches to books of all sizes and has a flexible neck to adjust the reading angle (£10.50). www.booklovergifts.com
Simply a great game
Boules can be played in the backyard or on the rolling lawn – and the simpler rules inspire less family break-ups than croquet. One of the most handsome varieties on the market is the Jacques of London box set, which includes eight competitionquality chrome boules, with a wooden jack and cord measure, £47.99. 01732 500200; www.jaqueslondon.co.uk
Old-fashioned read
If you long to lure your grandchildren away from their computer games, try Scoop, a handsome new monthly magazine aimed at eight- to twelveyear-olds, which is packed with news, politics, cartoons and short stories. The magazine welcomes contributions from aspiring young journalists. Subscriptions cost £39.99 for 10 issues. 01795 412895; scoop@servicehelpline.co.uk.
Life in the slow lane
‘We called him “Tortoise” because he taught us,’ the Mock Turtle explained to Alice – and a pet tortoise teaches us that slow lives are long lives, and that there is much to be said for spending the winter asleep. For the responsible owner, this reptile can be a wise and relatively low-maintenance friend. The Tortoise Centre in Essex has a number of breeds for sale, ranging from £120 to £175, and delivers throughout the UK. 01268 726216; www.tortoisecentre.co.uk
Trolley good fun
Take the weight off your shoulders and dispense forever with pesky plastic bags. The shopping trolley has finally shaken off its old-maidish image and become the shopper’s must-have fashion accessory – with Louis Vuitton launching its own £14,100 version. For a more affordable option try the Spanish-made Rolser, which folds in half for easy storage (£64, www. thetrolleyrevolution.com). Even cheaper is this polka-dot model from Rocklands, £28.95. www.amazon.co.uk
Get your gun
Home smoking is the culinary rage, and theatrical gourmets will love the Smoking Gun, a kitchen smoker that produces cold smoke, enabling you to smoke almost any food you please: cheese, fish – even chocolate. Hand-held and simple to use, the gun comes with its own stand and a supply of wood chips, £59.95. www.lakeland.co.uk
On the record
A digital recorder with a proper microphone will provide hours of Christmas fun and a trove of treasure – allowing children to interview their grandparents for posterity. For a quality recording, which will capture several people in conversation, go for a stereo sound recorder rather than a voice recorder. The Zoom HI Portable Digital Recorder has studio-quality microphones – and at 17cm long is small enough to tuck into a pocket, £89. www.amazon.co.uk
Sitting down on the job
What do you give to the gardener who has everything? Try the ingenious Gardenhome folding stool with built-in tool bag, which enables you to sit comfortably and tend the flowers with all your tools within easy reach. The pack comes with a detachable storage tote, and five stainless-steel tools with wooden handles – including a cultivator and a transplanter, £21.99. www.amazon.co.uk
Make light of winter
Lack of light as a result of shorter days can result in drowsiness, depression and decreased libido. Fight back with a Seasonal Adjustment Disorder (SAD) lamp, which simulates natural daylight. This portable version by Beurer is similar in size to a tablet, and includes a storage pouch to keep the lamp clean on the move. Beurer TL 30 Ultra Portable Daylight Lamp, £60. www.johnlewis.com
Your day in the news
For the ultimate in nostalgic present-giving, order senior family members an original copy of a newspaper from the day they were born. Historic Newspapers offers a range of titles to choose from, including long defunct newspapers such as the Daily Graphic, from £24.99. The company also supplies framed front-page reprints for £19.99. www.historic-newspapers.co.uk
There’s a tree at the door
Fruit trees are the gift that keeps on giving, and the family-run company Tree2mydoor delivers them beautifully boxed, with personalised Christmas cards. The company has more than 100 types of tree to choose from, ranging from 20cm-tall crab apples (£24.50) to lovely 5ft Conference pear trees (£49.99). 0161 870 6590; www.tree2mydoor.com