Have a ‘Bear-y’ Special Christmas with Little Bird Told Me

Just when you thought Little Bird Told Me couldn’t come up with any more brilliant baby toys, up they pop for Christmas with one of their most loveable and innovative ranges to date.

Hey Bear, It’s Me Bear… is a brand new range of infant toys to inspire and engage little hands and minds. The collection of whimsical characters in this huggable bear family will delight both children and their parents. The loveable bears feature a mix of traditional, textured bouclé fabrics combined with soft, strokeable contemporary fabrics to add zing to any nursery and playtime.

The Bear family is made up of Papa Bear – a real softy inside and out, Mama Bear – who likes to be hugged all day long and Baby Bear – who makes playful adventures more fun! The loveable bears and their friend Birdy Bear are a constant throughout the collection which is sure to be the most sought after nursery must-have.

The Baby Bear Infant Rocker is the ultimate present for baby’s first Christmas. He features a plush huggable body with strokable textured bouclé fabric with lots of crinkles to delight little ones. In his pocket, Baby Bear carries his little buddy Birdy Bear who has a rattle in his tummy and crinkly wings. The rocker is a perfect safe ride for young novice riders and is priced at around £88.00.

Keeping young babies amused is hard work and the 3 in 1 Nursing Cushion is therefore a perfect gift for new mums and baby. The versatile cushion has soft shiny red fabric on one side and beautiful textured bouclé material on the reverse. It acts as a support for baby while seated or during tummy-time play and features two separate activity toys that can be attached to the cushion to engage baby. RRP £36.00.

The cute Birdy Bear Activity Toy (RRP £22.00) is sure to become baby’s best friend. Suitable for babies aged 6 months plus, Birdy Bear is brimming with fun features to delight little ones. His cuddly cube body comes with scrunchy wings, a rotating emroidered spiral, rattles, squeaks, crinkles and more. Make Birdy Bear top of baby’s wish list!

If you are looking for a big present for the youngest member of the family, you can’t go wrong with the luxury Baby Bear Multi-Activity Playgym (RRP £70.00). The super-soft, padded playgym is crammed full of fun features for extended play and discovery. It even comes with a Tummy-Time cushion, three bear activity toys and a Birdy musical toy, all of which can be played with separately. Suitable from birth.

A perfect trio of stocking fillers are the cuddly hug toys. Little ones will fall in love with Papa Bear (RRP£16.00), Mama Bear (RRP£14.00) and not forgetting Baby Bear (RRP£10.00). The soft textures and cute characteristics will make each toy a constant companion for your baby. If you want to keep baby entertained on the go, the Chirping Birdy Bear Travel Toy (RRP£14.00) attaches to prams and car seats and will happily chirp away to soothe your child. In fact, you can create a comforting Hey Bear, it’s Me Bear... world when travelling.

Treat new mums to the Baby Bear on Board sign (RRP£7.00) who will swing merrily in your car window telling drivers about your precious cargo – in the most stylish of ways! The Soft Activity Spiral is added to the collection. Wrap it around car seat handles or even cots and let the soft multi-coloured textured toys entertain baby with mirrors, crinkles, rattles and chimes. RRP£18.00.

How well do you know your monarchs?

History Heroes is a brilliant new card game designed to test the whole family’s knowledge of British monarchs from William the Conqueror in 1066 to today’s reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II.

Created by Harry Hastings, a teacher from Sussex, the game provides a fun, interactive way for children to learn about the kings and queens of England, and for adults to brush up on their history lessons, by challenging them to identify monarchs either from a series of facts, from a portrait or from the dates of their reign, thereby capturing their opponents cards in the style of Top Trumps.

Do you know which king was the last to lead his troops into battle or who was on the throne when the Great Plague struck?

Did you know that Henry I had a record-breaking 25 illegitimate children or that Queen Victoria survived five assassination attempts?


And would you be able to name the tallest monarch or identify the king famed for his red face and red hair?

With a total of 42 monarchs to identify, each with six different clues, ranging from easy – ‘Who won the Battle of Hastings?’ - to difficult – ‘Who lost the War of Jenkins’ Ear?’ – the game can be enjoyed by all ages and, with six different ways to play it, can provide hours of fun at home, on long car journeys or simply as a way of helping children with their history homework.

Beautifully illustrated by the well-known cartoonist Bill Stott, History Heroes is the first of a series of similar games created by Harry Hastings, covering famous Battles, Shakespeare, Inventors, Scientists and Explorers.

Harry Hastings History Heroes is priced at £7.99. For stockist details, or to buy direct go to

www.historyheroes.co.uk

Baby&More gives baby much more this Christmas

Nursery specialists Baby&More have a range of Christmas gifts for people looking for something different for baby. From impulse stocking fillers to lust-after items, the website is a one-stop Christmas shop for little ones.

The brand new 7 A.M Enfant collection has finally hit the UK. Already popular with Hollywood A-listers, this range features tons of winter essentials to keep baby (and you) warm and snuggly during the festive period. The innovative luxe Blanket 212 is a real investment buy. The super-cosy muff is suitable for both car seats and pushchairs.

The patented zip mechanism allows parents to extend the width and length of the footmuff so there is no need to but new footmuffs as your child grows. The product literally blankets baby in comfort and warmth and can be zipped back to create a pushchair liner. An adjustable hood can be cinched to baby’s face for those days when your child needs more protection against the elements. Choose from a range of colours to complement your pushchair and other items in the 7 A.M range. Priced at around £135.00.

The brand new WarMMuffs™ from 7 A.M make a lovely gift for mums of winter babies. They secure easily to any pushchair and allow parents the flexibility of using bare hands to strap in and lift baby. The WarMMuffs™ feature a faux fur lining for extra cosiness and the on-trend colourways of the waterproof outer shell mean you don’t have to sacrifice style to be warm! RRP £30 (with fur) £25 (no fur). The collection includes an array of on-trend winter essentials and cool changing bags too and the full range can be seen at www.babyandmore.co.uk.

The Lots to Say Soothers from the Booginhead range are a brilliant stocking filler. With cool slogans including ‘Just Chillin,’ ’volume control,’ ‘Hi’ and ‘Snooze,’ these dummies will soothe baby on Christmas Day as well as making a real talking point. RRP £5.99 for packs of two.

The Mum2Mum Wonder Bib range are great for jazzing up any Christmas outfit. Choose from an array of colours including pink, navy, yellow, orange, red and many more shades. Made from soft, super-absorbent towelling, the bibs come in different styles including the stylish bandana ideal for dribblers, the standard bib which is perfect for meal times and the sleeved bib to ensure messy toddlers stay clean during Christmas dinner. Suitable from 4months to 3 years and priced from £4.00.

All products available from www.babyandmore.co.uk

Luxury Hamper Company Re-launch Website in Time for Busy Christmas Period

The recent launch of luxury hamper company Highland Fayre’s revamped website, www.highlandfayre.co.uk has come at a very opportune time as hamper companies start to gear up for the Christmas season.

Whilst retail stores still face an uncertain future, the online shopping market is forecast to continue to grow at a rate of 14% – 16%. This strong growth curve has been a major factor in the increase of multi channel retailers and, as a result, the consumer can find himself in a position where there are plenty of discounts and offers to consider.

There is no doubt that online gift buying will go from strength to strength; the luxury hamper market is a prime example of this. The increased competition within the hamper market has led to a need for specialist companies to engage and entice the consumer with more than just the traditional Christmas hamper.

In the last few years, popularity within the online personalised card market has experienced considerable growth. Hamper companies have taken note, and have themselves begun to introduce a personalised gift hamper service, allowing consumers to easily create gifts online for any occasion, including Christmas, Anniversary, Corporate, or Birthday hampers. This new diversity is just the beginning in what is going to become a very exciting and interesting e-commerce market.

Although some speculate that the continued growth of the online retailer could have serious consequences for our favourite high street stores, it is not necessarily the case that brick and mortar businesses will disappear as a result. It is true, however, that in order for traditional retail stores to survive, the way in which they do business and engage with customers will need to evolve.

For more information on Highland Fayre, view their website at: www.highlandfayre.co.uk/
With prices starting from as little as £17.95, they stock ranges of gift hampers to suit all budgets.

Highland Fayre ltd. have been supplying luxury hampers, since 1985, to thousands of corporate and private customers throughout the UK and Europe, becoming Scotland’s premier hamper company.

Highland Fayre are also a family owned company who take pride in the personal service offered.

Arklu Launches New British Fashion Doll “Lottie”™

Autumn Leaves Lottie Doll

English Country Garden Lottie Doll

Lottieville Festival Lottie Doll

Pony Flag Race Lottie Doll

Snow Queen Lottie Doll

Spring Celebration Ballet Lottie Doll

Autumn Leaves themed packaging

English Country Garden themed packaging

Lottieville Festival themed packaging

Pony Flag Race themed packaging

Snow Queen themed packaging

Spring Celebration Ballet packaging

Innovative British Toy Company Arklu launches new fashion doll in a David V Goliath battle against the might of Barbie, Monster High and Bratz.

London Toy Company Arklu is launching an exciting new fashion doll, Lottie™, pitting British design and commonsense values in a market dominated by US brands Barbie, Monster High and Bratz.

Arklu’s bestselling Royal Wedding Dolls garnered global press coverage and sales, specifically in the USA. The company has spent the past year on research and development to create a refreshingly different and innovative fashion doll. Their designs previewed at the London Toy Fair to overwhelmingly positive retailer feedback and the company are now bringing their new creation to market in time for Christmas 2012. Taking their learnings from this, Arklu has applied their quintessentially British approach in to a new doll brand.

Designed for girls aged 3 - 8, Lottie™ has been developed with scientific expertise from leading British academics, alongside consumer research, to address parental concerns about other fashion dolls including negative body image, an increased perception of premature sexualisation as well as a desire for a return to good old-fashioned creative and imaginative play.

Unlike other fashion dolls, there is no pushing the envelope with adult agendas such as scanty clothes, high heels, jewellery, tattoos or makeup; these are girl dolls intended for girls. Most of all, Lottie is super cute and rather lovely.

Lottie’s body is ‘childlike’ – as you might expect as she is aged nine; her dimensions (with the exception of her head) are based upon those devised by leading British academics, Professor David McCarthy (Professor of Nutrition and Health at the Institute for Health Research & Policy, London Metropolitan University) and Dr Margaret Ashwell OBE (formerly Science Director of the British Nutrition Foundation).

Her distinctive height of 7” (18cm) sets her apart from other fashion dolls; she’s super cute and easy to pack and carry around.

Lottie™ is designed for maximum creative play value. She has high-quality, strokable hair that doesn’t tangle easily and her premium quality clothes and accessories are detailed and lifelike, with lots of tactile elements. Super cute, fun details such as detachable velcro patches on the clothing make for added appeal and “swapability”. Accessory packs include a picnic set, dressable Biscuit the Beagle dog as well as detachable velcro pony race winner rosettes. A background story is included on each doll box to encourage imaginative roleplay.

Lottie™ has a quintessentially British feel to her, with an emphasis on seasonality, quirky attention to detail as well as ‘Back to Basics’ play values. Lottie™ is about celebrating childhood in all its many facets; imagination, creativity and pretty clothes, as well as being bold, brave and active in the Great Outdoors. She is flexible, poseable and can stand on her own two feet….a life-skill that is important for girls both big and small. The brand’s (and Lottie’s) approach to life is summed up in the tagline: “Be bold, be brave, be you”.

The bright and colourful packaging has been specifically designed with an eye to lessening use of excessive plastic blister packaging. Each doll box is themed and designed with a cute handle to encourage reuse and doll portability.

The complete range of Lottie™ dolls and accessories are available now at leading retailers and specialty stores, and online at www.lottie.com and Amazon. Like Lottie Dolls on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/lottiedolls
and on Twitter @Lottie_dolls
Dolls retail at £16.99 ($19.99 in USA); accessory packs at £7.99 ($12.99 in USA).

DOLLS
Pony Flag Race (£16.99 /$19.99)
Lottie loves to be out in the countryside riding her pony, Black Beauty. Lottie enjoys taking part in gymkhana competitions and games on horseback. It’s fun to take part and try your best. The Pony Flag Race is Lottie’s favourite; she loves the challenge of trying to pick up, carry and put down a flag while riding Black Beauty. Who will win the race?

Spring Celebration Ballet (£16.99 / $19.99)
Lottie loves to dance and is really excited to be performing in the Spring Celebration Ballet at Lottieville Theatre. Lottie works hard to prepare and practices for hours on end to perfect her dance steps, including pirouettes and arabesques. Will the performance be a success? Will Lottie remember all her dance steps?

English Country Garden (£16.99 / $19.99)
Spring has sprung and Lottieville is full of bright, colourful flowers, the smell of freshly cut grass, the distant hum of bees buzzing and the gentle flitter of butterflies across the meadows. Lottie loves to be outside and to enjoy a picnic in the garden, especially with her favourite strawberry fairy cakes.

Lottieville Festival (£16.99 / $19.99)
Summer has arrived at last! The sun is shining and the sky is blue as Lottieville prepares for its annual Festival. Lottie is excited and is looking forward to live music, face painting, storytelling, and arts and crafts. Will the good weather continue or will the celebrations be spoiled by rain?

Autumn Leaves (£16.99 / $19.99)
Lottie loves Autumn and especially the changing colours of the leaves on the trees. Wrapped up warm in her coat, hat, scarf and boots, Lottie explores Lottieville Forest with her dog, Biscuit the Beagle, kicking her way through all the crisp, colourful leaves. Getting muddy, kicking leaves and building dens is just so much fun!

Snow Queen (£16.99 / $19.99)
Lottie is thrilled to receive a party invitation to the Lottieville Masked Ball. Inspired by one of her favourite stories, Lottie decides to dress as a Snow Queen. Wearing a silver, sparkly mask and a magnificent ice blue and frosty white gown studded with silver snowflakes – will any of her friends recognise her?

ACCESSORY PACKS
Pony Flag Race Accessory Pack (£7.99 / $12.99)
Fleece jumper, riding hat cover, trophy and 3 velcro rosettes.

Biscuit the Beagle Accessory Pack (£7.99 / $12.99)
Biscuit the Beagle dog figure, dog coat, leash, dog bed, bone and drinking bowl.

English Country Garden Accessory Pack (£7.99 / $12.99)
Picnic rug, picnic basket, 2 cups, 2 plates, 2 strawberry fairy cakes.

FACTFILE:
Arklu is a toy development company based in London, UK. Creators of the best selling Royal Wedding Dolls.
For more information please visit: www.lottie.com

Stone Rose Jewellery for unique Christmas presents

Stone Rose Jewellery sells stunning hand-crafted jewellery; with dazzling and sparkling designs, they are best described as an Aladdin's cave of treasures. They have a variety of incredible collections to suit different tastes and their gorgeous bespoke jewellery is perfect for your Christmas gift guide.

If you are searching for bold, statement jewellery, look no further than Stone Rose's 'Stardust' collection. Using rich, vibrant colours and crystals, these eye-catching designs twinkle like the lights on the Christmas tree.

Alternatively, their 'Elegance' collection has striking, yet understated, jewellery. Made with Swarovski crystals, pearls, silver and gold these designs are opulent and suited to those with sophisticated tastes.

Stone Rose Jewellery is fantastic. Sparkly and glamorous, their designs are perfect for this magical time of year. You can view these tantalising pieces at www.stonerosejewellery.com.

Harveys Bristol Cream and Christmas

Heralding the festive season as loudly as Christmas jumpers and carol singers, this seasonal favourite is loved by family and friends alike.

Whether you sneak a sip whilst basting the turkey, mix it in a fashionable cocktail or toast the Queen’s speech with an annual tipple, one taste of Harveys Bristol Cream will put everyone in an unfailingly jolly mood.  

Its  distinctive nutty, dried fruit flavours and softly spicy aromas make Harveys the perfect accompaniment to some of the season’s best-loved foods; buttery mince pies and indulgent luxury Christmas puddings. 

(EDITOR: Every year, my wife and I like to watch the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol whilst eating mince pies and sipping Harveys Bristol Cream!)

Harveys Bristol Cream (75cl RRP £9.22) is widely available in supermarkets across the UK.

Harveys over ice with a slice of orange

The simplest of serves, Harveys over ice with a slice of orange brings out the taste of candied orange and perfectly complements the dried fruit and toasted almond flavours of this delicious sherry.

Recipe:

•             Place two or three cubes of ice in a tumbler

•             Pour over 50ml Harveys Bristol Cream

•             Garnish with a slice of orange

Harveys mulled apple and winter spice

Recipe (serves six):

•             Slowly warm 200ml Harveys Bristol Cream with 500ml premium pressed apple juice, six cloves and 50g vanilla sugar in a pan for 10-15 minutes to release the incredible flavours

•             Strain the liquid into a warmed 2 pint/ 1 litre punch bowl

•             Garnish with apple slices and serve in glass mugs decorated with star anise