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Advent

Advent is the next season to come round in this year's fast progressing calendar. This period from the 1st December to Christmas Eve signifies the preparation of the celebration of the coming of Jesus.  Usually advent will involve chocolate calendars and lighting candles and will almost certainly mean a turning of people's thoughts and plans towards the Christmas period. Christmas shopping, work nights out, family gatherings and of course the decorations.  It's always an exciting time of year when December comes and we can feel it's officially ok to start the festivities. Of course we can't avoid the shops looking festive a lot sooner than this!

Thanksgiving Day

Across the pond in the United States yesterday, Thanksgiving Day was celebrated. A chance for Americans to give thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.

Prayers of thanks and special thanksgiving ceremonies are common among almost all religions after harvests and at other times.The Thanksgiving holiday's history in North America is rooted in English traditions dating from the Protestant Reformation. It also has aspects of a harvest festival, even though the harvest in New England occurs well before the late-November date on which the modern Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated.

On a more modern note, we hear of people giving thanks for what they have in their lives.  It seems such a shame and an irony that we then read in the press of the events of Black Friday, taking place today. The name seems very apt as there's a dark side to this American tradition, which has now crept into UK high streets. "Black Friday" is a commercial invention referring to the post celebration sales in which American stores offer massive reductions on goods. This comes just in time for the Christmas shopping period therefore can lead to some rather zealous behaviour! We read of spending frenzies, unmanageable crowds, chaos, injuries and even deaths as a result of this obsession with having more and more material possessions.

It seems such a shame that one day we can be counting our blessings for what we have then the next day going to any lengths to get our hands on the that reduced price flat screen TV or mobile phone...you get the idea! A celebration of giving thanks for what we've been blessed with has been turned into an exercise of getting more!

Sometimes we forget what we're celebrating and the actual celebrations become our focus.  

Pretty placemats

Everyone wants to go the extra mile to make their house look festive at Christmas and what's more festive than dressing your dining table accordingly. There are stunning ranges of crockery and table decorations in the shops at the moment from the major department stores and supermarkets to small home boutiques.

I particularly like the Scandenavian look with the red and white prints, snowflakes and reindeer, for a bit of fun.

There's also the luxury look, using golds and glitter.

The possibiities are endless when it comes to what you can use or even make when decorating your table. Candles, glitter, baubles, foliage, even fake snow can be used for that winter wonderland look. Why not get crafty and make simple but effective napkin holders using a bunch of cinnamon sticks or a stunning centre piece using gold and red Christmas tree baubles presented in a pretty glass or ceramic bowl. 

Countdown to Christmas

Order your kitchen worktops now to have them installed in time for cooking the Christmas dinner! Create a magical look this Christmas with a worktop from the Discount Worktop Store to wow your friends and family.

We offer great discounts on Corian, quartz, granite, Zodiaq, Apollo and solid surface worktops, with hundreds of gorgeous colours to choose from.

Firework Code

The sound of fireworks have filled the air this weekend. Despite the bad weather there were still plenty of spectacular displays to behold. The downside of the 5th of November celebrations however are the 

numerous accidents that occur involving fireworks.  

Below is a list of firework safety dos and don'ts which will help to keep the sparkle in your night!

1. Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.
2. Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
3. Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary.
4. Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back.
5. Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
6. Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
7. Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
8. Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators.
9. Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire.
10. Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.

For your enjoyment, if you'd rather stay out of the cold, the video below shows the biggest firework display of all time (Guinness World Records 2012). This took place in the much warmer climes of Kuwait.

 

Halloween's coming

Love it or hate it, Halloween is hard to avoid with the shops awash with spooky items. However you choose to celebrate 31st October, there is one tradition that will generally precede all festivities. The self-carved Jack o'lantern is something of a Halloween custom, but how will you make yours stand out from the crowd? Here are our top 10 tips for giving your pumpkin a touch of magic...

1. Choose your pumpkin wisely 

The lines on the skin could be a witch's wrinkles while a misshapen squash could provide a distinctly different canvas.

2. Use a template to perfect your spooky design 

Create your own or find inspiration from the many websites dedicated to pumpkin styling. Secure your chosen design to the front of your pumpkin and carefully trace the image by poking holes along the lines. Once finished remove the template and gently carve. Voilà!

3. Create some eerie shadows by carving another pattern into the back of your pumpkin

Place next to a wall, light from the inside and watch your design come to life.

4. Put some flame-retardant coloured tissue paper just behind the front face of your pumpkin to create a coloured filter 

Make sure you're lighting your pumpkin with a torch rather than a naked flame though!

5. Try shaving parts of your pumpkin rather than cutting all the way through 

This will give your design a two-tone effect and add depth.

6. Use everyday items from around the house to bring your pumpkin to life 

Create a face from nuts and bolts, use white reflective tape as bandages or simply chop off the top and add flowers for your own spooky vase!

7. Painting your pumpkin can work wonderfully, especially if you want to keep little hands away from sharp objects 

They'll also look great in the daytime. Either paint on a design or use to add accents to an already carved squash.

8. Shun the traditional orange pumpkin for a ghoulish green variety... or why not try your hand at transforming a watermelon?

The process is the same but it will certainly make your neighbours look twice!

9. Make your pumpkin shine from the inside out

Use multicoloured Christmas lights to add a new dimension to simple styles or try a red bicycle light, set to flash, for a really sinister touch.

10. Funny faces and ghoulish grins not your thing?

Try making simple shapes like stars or creatures with cookie cutters or use an apple corer or drill bits to add polka dots for a more grown-up pumpkin.

Don't forget to use the inside of your pumpkin to create delicious dishes!

Credits: Adapted from BBC GoodFood article