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!

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 

If you're looking for a gift for a nature lover, someone who loves to watch wildlife and birds from their window - sort of like their own nature show - you could take a look at Garden Wildlife Direct.

They have lots of gift ideas - which are gifts for a nature lover and also garden birds and wildlife too!  And some are on special offers!

Tom Chambers Elegance Bird Feeding Station - Was £79.99, Now £49.99
A copper finished Bird Station crafted from heavy-duty material, featuring a screw-together pole. 
The feeders and bird food aren't included. 
This offer is available until 16th September 2024.

This is the Henry Bell Black Heavy Duty Seed Feeder -
it's only £12.99 (until 16th September 2024)!
It's easy to refill and it has a drainage solution to help with the maintenance of the feed.
It doesn't dismantle for cleaning.  
Find out more here.

There are Premium Sunflower Heart Kernels - 
give your feathered friends a valuable and nutritious bird seed that's high in energy. 
From £6.99.  

This Henry Bell Essentials Wild Bird Water Drinker Feeder is just £4.99.
It's a bird friendly tray to enable birds to comfortably drink water.
Having water in your garden can increase the number of birds coming to visit! 


This is a Wildlife World Eco Beacon Bird Feeder for £6.99
- just the thing for small bird species such as tits, nuthatches, bullfinches

For those wanting to get started on feeding garden birds,
there's a Starter Kit Wild Bird Feeding Bundle for £18.99.
It's got everything you need to get started!  

Visit Garden Wildlife Direct here!  
They've got some fantastic offers!

Can it really be that Halloween is only a couple of months off?  I cannot believe where this year is going - it is flying by and the nights are starting to draw in...

And Emma Bridgewater has produced a lovely range of goodies all ready to decorate your table with in time for Halloween! 

Take a look at their Wise Witches collection - if you dare!
There are half pint mugs, cocoa mugs, plates, pasta bowls,
felt decorations (cats and witches) and table runners.  
Fly off on your broomstick to take a look! 

There's Halloween Peppa...

There's a Peppa & George Halloween 1/2 Pint Mug 
for £25.00

and there's a fun Peppa & George Halloween 8 1/2 Inch Plate for £22.00

There are Trick and Treat Table Runners,Wise Witches lunch napkins, Trick or Treats Tin Buckets, Halloween Toast Tea Towels, Toast Enamel Roasters, Halloween Tin Biscuit Barrels, Halloween Toast and Marmalade Enamel Roasting Trays, and plates, jiugs, tea-pots, mugs, and bowls - plenty to choose from!   And there are also felt decorations - witches and cats! Miaow! 

How about some Restorative Magic to brighten up your home?

Go for something wicked from Emma Bridgewater this Halloween!
The collection launches on the 4th September!



There's a Halloween Toast Large Enamel Cooking Pot for £52.00.
Just the thing for a warming casserole on a dark night!

Visit the Halloween range here - there's lots to see.....

If you're looking for a gift for someone who loves entertaining in the garden or having a drink there, then you could have a look at this lovely Verdi Drinks Trolley.   Make life easier for yourself to save you going in and out of the house from the garden to get all your bits for a lovely cup of tea or a glass of chilled lemonade or something stronger!

It has two tiers of storage space, which is very handy becuase it gives you more room to put your drinks on, and it's made from 100% Eucalyptus wood.   There is some assembling you'll need to do when you receive it.  

This Drinks Trolley is available from Dunhelm for £129.00.
You can find out more about it and buy it here.

The dimensions are W 55cm x L 79cm x H 82cm, 
and you wipe it clean with a damp cloth.  Simple!

Alternatively, if you're after something which costs less, you could have a look at Paper High.  They have some lovely trays to choose from, and this one is made entirely by hand using skills that have been handed down from one generation to the next!   This means the mango wood products are all unique - but they are all lovely! 

This Floral Carved Natural Mango Wood Tea Tray is avialable from Paper High
from £29.95 to £32.95.