working at Alligator Pear as I know I can always get something to suit everyone on my list, From Mum, Dad and even brother in law.
Its so exciting to see the new stock coming in and boy does it come in, we seem to have four to five deliverers a day.. so there is always something new to see when ever you visit.
I just love some of the ranges we have at the moment, one is the men’s Johnson’s scarves, they are so soft and a lovely selection of colours they can be worn heading to the office or just out at the weekend!
Other products that spring to mind as great gifts are Kemp Aromatherapy Treatments’ Bubble-Bath-Melts, they come beautifully packaged and would be a great gift to take with you when invited to Christmas parties.
Lily Flame Candles are another gift on my list, they smell amazing, and their Christmas range will make your friends and families’ homes smell great. With up to 35 hours of burning time this gift will remind them of you whenever they light it.
My favourite scent is called Festive Cheer, it smells of Chocolate, Gingerbread, tangerines and nuts, it is so good I could eat it!!
I find it so hard to give some of these lovely things away as gifts!
While in this recession homemade gifts can sometimes be even better than shop bought gifts. Here at the shop we have a book called ‘Christmas Treats’. Why not make your family some lovely treats and package them in an Emma Bridgewater ‘Robin’ bowl beautifully wrapped in cellophane. Not only will this gift look amazing but its going to taste so yummy. Imagine their faces on Christmas day once they know you have taken the time to hand make part of their gift..
This is something I will give as a gift this year, filling the bowl with Christmas muffins, a recipe I love to make at Christmas.
Ingredients
* 1 3/4 cups Plain flour
* 1/2-cup brown sugar
* 1/2-cup brandy or sherry
* 1 cup of dried mixed fruit
* 1/2 cup of walnuts, chopped
* 1/2 cup of glace cherries (if large chop in half)
* 2 tsp cinnamon
* 4 tsp baking powder
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 2 eggs, lightly beaten
* 1-cup milk
* 125g of butter, melted
1) Soak the mixed fruit in brandy or sherry for at least 2 hours or overnight if you are so inclined (like Mum).
2) Preheat the oven to 200°C . Prepare 12 muffin tins by brushing the bases with oil or lining with paper cases.
3) Sift the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt into a bowl and stir in the sugar, nutsand cherries.
4) Mix the egg, butter and milk in another bowl. Stir in the fruit and brandy.
5) Pour the egg mixture into the flour mix and fold in with a fork. Do not over mix.. it has to be JUST mixed.
6) Spoon the mixture into the tins. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes.
They are ready when a skewer comes out clean.
7) Place muffins on a wire rack to cool.
I hope you have a very lovely Christmas
David
