It’s that time of year when many people head towards M & S, either to buy underwear as a Christmas gift or maybe to bulk buy for ourselves. New year, new underwear and socks!

Rather than the usual trawl, why not excite yourself or a friend with something a little more “out there”?

We have discovered a brilliant website that stocks a really neat selection of designer brand underwear that really fits the bill. iwantpants.com even has a great name!

We checked out their site and not only are they offering 20% off selected brands, the new lower rate of VAT plus free UK shipping, they also have sections for Christmas gifts for Her, Christmas gifts for Him as well as a pretty impressive brand list.

Go on, knock yourself out and it will beat battling the department store crowds this weekend!

Sparkle the Dark Up, a festive night of shopping, wrapping, card making, music, comedy and dance comes to London’s Design Museum this Friday, 5^th December.

Buy all your Christmas shopping early and then sit back within the Design Museum’s very own cosy Christmas entertainment special. With a drink by your side, let jeweller Katie New help you to wrap those gifts, make those cards and design those tags – using superb materials courtesy of GF Smith and their new ‘Inspire Me’ collection. A back drop of seasonal melody and dance provided by the spectacular Actionettes.

There will be a free glass of Rioja, courtesy of Wines from Rioja, for all guests to launch the festive cheer.

Ticket includes entry to all current exhibitions.

Tickets only £5 in advance from
T: 020 7940 8783
E: tickets@designmuseum.org
W: Ticketweb

The Volta Oil Lamp from Zack is great for creating romantic mood lighting this Christmas (or any other time of year for that matter)!

And as it’s an oil lamp you even get to save on electricity!

We think that they look great as a pair at each end of a mantelpiece or maybe on a couple of side tables or it would look equally as good as a table centrepiece.

It has an opaque glass funnel to diffuse the light and a polished 18/10 high grade stainless steel base.

It would even make a great gift as it comes in a sturdy and attractive gift box. What’s even better is that Proleno is currently offering this lamp with a great discount!

London’s Design Museum has been in touch to tell us about their upcoming events for children in the run up to Christmas so if access to London isn’t a hurdle then this might just keep your little ones amused and inspired!

Christmas is coming and it’s time to get crafty! Choose from a whole host of exciting, mini design projects to get your festive fingers into, including stylish greetings cards, contemporary decorations and gorgeous gift ideas to create for your friends and family.

Places for these ever popular workshops go as quickly as hot mince pies, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

The workshops are running on Sundays 7th, 14th and 21st December and are suitable for children aged from 5 to 11. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Workshops are £4 per child and accompanying adults are £8.50. This price includes entry to exhibitions.

Advanced booking is essential as places are limited. Please call 020 7940 8783 for further information and bookings.

With Christmas fast approaching and the credit crunch hitting the economy hard, it seems many will be looking for affordable gifts this festive season.

With prices starting at £9.95, traditional bakers Meg Rivers offer a clever and cost-effective Christmas solution. Select from their range of delicious cakes and baked goods - ideal secret Santa presents or the perfect token gift for a work colleague, client, friend or a family member.

The individually made goods are delivered to the door and can be ordered online or by telephone, easing the stress of Christmas shopping.

Founded nearly 20 years ago, Meg Rivers has become synonymous with luxury home baking. Using only the finest ingredients sourced from its local corner of Warwickshire, Meg Rivers’ cakes are renowned across the world as family favourites using only wholesome and natural products.

The home-baked treats include rib-sticking chocolate cake, punchy ginger cake, tray bakes and a seasonal Christmas cake. Available in large or small sizes, cakes can be ordered for next working day delivery.

Their telephone number is (+44) 01608 682858 or see their website.

Michael Huggan, the gold medallist and Associate of the Royal Photographic Society (APRS) has announced that his African Wildlife Calendar 2009 is now available.

We have taken a sneak preview and can confirm that the images are simply stunning!

The calendar comprises 13 breathtaking shots - one for each month of the year plus the cover photo.

“The images chosen for my 2009 calendar are from a trip to Kenya, early in 2008. This was a turbulent time for Kenya as political unrest and riots resulted in a huge impact on visitor numbers to the country. However, determined as ever to go, my wife and I travelled to the Masai Mara, staying once again at Governors main camp.

“This was the first time I had ever experienced the Masai Mara with green grass, not brown! This was a result of the tremendous rain and thunderstorms that frequently deluged the plains, and our tent!” recounts Michael.

“Fortunately for us, the heavy rains came at night. However, during the day the build up of storm clouds dispersed with sunshine bathing the plains and animals in a truly spectacular light. January’s image of the hippo and November’s image of the tree and elephants show the quality of the outstanding light.”

Michael Huggan’s 2009 African Wildlife Calendar – the ideal Christmas gift - is exclusively available here. It measures 42 x 29 cm (A3), is priced at £10 plus postage & packing (only £3 for delivery to UK addresses) and includes stunning shots of lions, cheetahs, African buffalo, hippopotamus, giraffe, elephants, leopards and impala.

“Africa has a special place in my heart and I hope some of the passion I share for this magnificent country is conveyed through the images in my 2009 calendar. Each month tells a story, and I trust you will enjoy the journey throughout the year ahead!”

A savvy supplier of snowman sweaters, pudding pullovers and reindeer knits could have seasonal shopping stitched up for connoisseurs of kitsch festive gifts. The natty knitters at Christmas Jumper have been putting in needle overtime ready for their launch on September 9, 2008. Based in Manchester, the kooky company has a full range of classic novelty sweaters ready to fill the nation’s stockings on December 25.

Sported on screen by the likes of Gyles Brandreth, champion of the comedy jumper, a patterned pullover with Santa and snowflakes has traditionally been the bad gift territory of grannies and great aunts. The company is turning the Christmas cliché on its tinselled head, transforming the much-maligned novelty knit into an ironic fashion statement.

Its homespun garments include all the festive favourites: a tasty Christmas pudding, Freddie Frost the snowman, party Santa, plus a selection of chunky granny knits replete with reindeers and snowflakes. All jumpers are a high-quality wool/acrylic blend and come in four sizes, for fans who want to fit out the whole family.

The irony is not lost on the BBC, which has requested two jumpers for its new sitcom ‘Not Going Out’, starring Lee Mac and Tim Vine.

Rafael Fernandez, Christmas Jumper co-founder, says: “Retro Christmas jumpers are having a style revival. Web forums were aflutter in the run up to last Christmas with seasonal shoppers searching – in vain – for novelty knits. Our range of retro sweaters is exclusive to Christmas Jumper - you won’t find them on the high street or through another online store. They’re an essential addition to any festive wardrobe, whether for comedy value at the Christmas party or as genuine gifts for trend setting fashionistas.”

The jumpers cost between £35 and £40, and can be ordered online at www.christmasjumper.co.uk , for delivery within 14 days.