Remember
Charities
When doing
your Christmas shopping, endeavour to include a charitable donation or two
during your gift buying. Consider using charity gift catalogues or websites to
buy novelty gifts, which help to support worthwhile causes, or buy Christmas
cards that include a small donation in their cost.
Look out
for collections of toys or food items that are then distributed to deserving
individuals or organisations. For information on food collection schemes visit www.trusselltrust.org/foodbank-projects
or www.fareshare.org.uk and look out
for local festive collections.
Go Ice
Skating
During
November many outdoor ice rinks have been put in place and are now open until
early January. Old London favourites include The Natural History Museum (adults
from £11.50, children from £8) and Somerset House (tickets from £7.50 until 7th
December, then from £12.50 starting 8th December) are now booking,
but do look out for other local, less expensive venues. Regional favourites
include The Ice Factor at York Designer Outlet (£9.75 adults, £8.75 children,
family £33), Winchester Cathedral (adults from £7.60, children from £4/£6
depending on age, with slight reductions on internet booking) and Calverley
Grounds Tunbridge Wells (adults from £9.50, children from £7.50).
Take Up
A Craft
Long, dark
evenings make you want to curl up and stay indoors, but why not make use of the
time by taking up a new craft or hobby? If you’ve never got on with knitting,
try a spot of crochet instead: so many items can be made by joining together
simple ‘granny’ squares. For those of you who have never really got on with
general sewing (me included) try a bit of cross-stitch or tapestry, I find
these much more enjoyable with some great end results. For supplies check out
local craft/wool shops (I find Hobbycraft too expensive) or look online. Or to
get you started look out for magazines that include mini kits or materials,
such as Cross Stitcher, £3.99, or Let's Get Crafting Knit and Crochet Magazine,
£7.99.
Buy A
Turkey Crown
I stopped
buying a whole turkey long ago, as it seemed to result in a fair bit of waste.
Instead I can strongly recommend Morrisons Turkey Crowns, which I have bought
for years and have always found good quality and value. Buy fresh now and pop
in the freezer, a cheaper and easier option than ordering one from M&S or
Sainsburys to pick up amidst the panic of the final few shopping days before
Christmas.
When it
comes to cooking the crown, wrap it in foil surrounded by quartered apples and
onions and cook slowly. This helps to keep the meat moist, adds flavour and the
resulting juices make a great flavoursome stock to use in turkey gravy.
Follow
me on Twitter @shoppersjoy
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