Well, Christmas isn't far off as I type this - and Marks and Spencer have a biggish range of Christmas pyjamas on their website and they've got Christmas jumpers, too!  

This is the Star Crew Neck Relaxed Fit Jumper for £29.50

This is the Pure Cotton Fair Isle Christmas Jumper for £30.00

This is the Soft Touch Slogan Jumper for £29.50

There are Christmas jumpers for babies, toddlers and children, too!
See the Christmas jumper range for all the family here.

There are Christmas jumpers for all the family!
This is the Christmas Dogs Print Dog Neckerchief for £10.00

There are lots of Christmas pyjamas, including these for women
- these are £28.00


There are pyjamas for children, too - these are £14 to £16

 Take a look at the Christmas pyjamas here.    

Images © Marks and Spencer

Now this seems to be a bit of a strange gift ideas to put here, but with the dark nights drawing in, and the mornings getting darker when we all get up, it seems a good time to say that thermal vests can be a great way to help keep warm over winter.

I've always worn them - I find as an asthmatic that they really help keep the chill out and give me an extra layer to protect me from the chill.  I haven't put mine on yet, but I don't think it will be long, the way the nights are drawing in!

Marks & Spencer have got a selection of thermal underwear, and you could treat yourself to give yourself an extra layer this winter.  We always wore them as kids, and the habit stuck.   I wouldn't be without mine now!

Another thing I like to do to keep warm is to put a hot water bottle behind my back, or one under my feet (no shoes on, but I do have my socks on to protect my feet, and I test it before I put my feet on it) - great for when you get in from outside!  Please remember to check your hot water bottle regularly for signs of wear - and make sure you put the top on properly after you've filled it.  But they are great for taking the chill off you! 

The National Trust Shop has hats to keep you warm!

 Paper High have these very colourful Woollen Rainbow Socks
for £19.95

How about Woollen Fairisle Socks?
There are different patterns available.  £24.95 from Paper High

There are Woollen Fairisle Handwarmer Gloves, 
again with different patterns available, for £19.95, 
from Paper High

There are a fun range of woollen animal hats to keep your head warm!
Leopards, polar bears, giraffes, chickens, owls, cows, 
lions, cat, monkeys and koalas!
Find out more here.

This hot water bottle will keep you warm and cosy!
It's available from Natural Collection for £27.95 

This Womens Chamonix Bodywarmer - Oatmeal -
is available from Natural Collection for £84.95 
The inside of the bodywarmer has lavish 100% polyester lining
for extra comfort and warmth.  Cosy!

This is the National Trust Fishbone Wool Throw, Seafoam Green
for £45.00.  It's  ideal for keeping warm during those cold winter evenings!

Keep warm!

If you want to treat yourself to an organic shampoo, this could be a good time to do it!  Green People have over 150 organic products for all the family, from babies to children, and teenagers to adults.  

Their organic products include skin care, hair care and wellbeing goodies.  Their hair care includes shampoo bars, shampoos for babies, for children, and for adults, and conditioners as well.  They've also got a scalp massage brush to support healthy hair growth, and scalp circulation - it's also good for helping to disperse shampoo. 

Click here to see Green People's hair care products.

This could be just the time to try out something new for your hair - maybe treat yourself to a product and give another one to a friend!

Why not try Green People's shampoo bar? 
This one is a Citrus and Ginger Shampoo Bar for £16.50

This is the Scalp Massage Brush for £9.00


Head to Green People here to find out more.

If you love crafting and making gifts of your crafts to people, you could take a look at Curiosity - they have a lovely gift idea this September and what's more, you can save yourself 25% on it too!

This Robin Beading and Stitching Kit has everything you need to create a beaded robin.  It's got:

• 6" Bamboo Embroidery Hoop
• Pale Blue Cotton Fabric
• Sewing & Beading Needles
• 6 Pack of Embroidery Floss
• Gold, Red & Black Seed Beads
• Red Embroidery Thread
• Robin Design Template

You'll also receive both step-by-step photo instructions and access to Craftiosity's online video tutorial to take you through the process, so this kit is fine for beginners or experienced people.  

When you've finished, you could hang your robin in a window or put it somewhere in the house - or make a gift of it to someone!   

It was £27.95 and it's now on offer at £20.96 - it's great for autumn crafting and can make a lovely handmade gift.  The offer is available whilst stocks last.

Buy this gift here.

By the way, they've got a Subscription Service you can subscribe to - or you can gift a subscription to anyone who loves crafts!  Find out more on their website!

One of the things the National History Museum is known for is its Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.   At the time of writing, it’s in its 59^th year, and it champions photographs which convey the natural world’s beauty and fragility. 

The winners for the next competition will be announced in October 2024.

The Natural History Museum has a wonderful range of gifts for anyone who loves wildlife photography, and amongst them are these:

1. 60 Years of Wildlife Photographer of the Year

This book has 230 outstanding pictures from 60 years of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. 

60 Years of Wildlife Photographer of the Year for £40.00

2.  Wildlife Photographer of the Year Desk Diary 2025

What a wonderful gift to give someone to take them through 2025!  This diary has 112 pages and 52 colour photographs, it's hardback and made from materials certified as sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council

Wildlife Photographer of the Year Desk Diary 2025 for £14.99.

3.  How about a print?   This one is the Curiosity Wall Print.

You choose the type - canvas, photo paper or fine art paper - and then select the size.   And then you pick the frame if you want one  - you don't need to have a frame.  

The young cub is walking towards the photographer's vehicle, watched by his mother.   The photo was taken in South Africa, in the Greater Kruger National Park.

Curiosity © Gerald Hinde (2023) from £25.00.

The Swarm of Life © Shane Gross (2024) from £25.00
Congratulations to the Winner of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2024, Shane Gross


This is No Access Wall Print is by Ian Wood
No Access © Ian Wood (2024)


How about the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 60 Calendar 2025,
for £12.00?
12 images with captions from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 60 exhibition