10 Tips for Safe Christmas Lighting

As Christmas approaches and the fairy lights are brought down from the loft, follow these tips from Giuliano Digilio, Head of Technical Services at the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), to ensure your Christmas sparkles – without any sparks!

1) Lights that have been stored away in the loft may have suffered damage. Make sure any frayed leads or broken connectors are replaced before use.

2) Tempting as it may be, never overload sockets with your Christmas lights as this could result in overheating, electric shocks, short-circuiting and potentially cause a fire.

3) To cope with winter weather, exterior Christmas lights should either be low voltage – 12V or 24V – or protected by a Residual Current Device (RCD) that will automatically kick into action and break the circuit in the event of an earth fault. Cables should never be fed through doors or windows, as this could cause damage.

4) Ensure that cables are fully unwound. They can overheat and potentially cause a fire if they are left coiled on a reel…

5) …But take care. Trailing wires and lighting leads are one of the most common causes of household trips and falls. Ensure that any cables or extension leads are not left across pathways, and cannot be easily grabbed by children and pets.

6) Never have any lighting equipment, decorative or otherwise, near a water source.

7) Turning off the Christmas lights before going to bed or when away from home will greatly reduce the risk of fire.

8) And if you need to buy new lights as last year’s ones really have seen better days, only buy from reputable outlets. There are lots of budget versions out there, especially at car boot sales, but these are often not up to the required safety standards.

9) Always check for the European Standard CE mark when buying new lights.

10) Make certain that lights you buy are suitable for the voltage they are being connected to. In the UK this should be 230 Volts.

To get more advice on safe Christmas lighting, contact a competent electrician. To find a local ECA member visit www.eca.co.uk.

Advent calendars with fresh chocolate & your own photo!

It’s time for Advent Calendars! Chocolate photo Advent calendars are sold each year only during the run-up to Christmas, which ensures that the chocolate is really fresh.

Those who want to make a truly unique Advent calendar with own pictures will find help at FotoInsight; freshly filled chocolate Advent calendars with custom photo-print will again be available online.

Anyone not wanting to serve their loved ones with an off the shelf Advent calendar, preferring to create their one design with their own graphic or picture, perhaps reviving the best moments of the year, will find this easy to do at FotoInsight. The online photo service offers to print a digital photograph onto a chocolate filled Advent calendar. The Advent calendars start on the first of December and its 24 little doors conceal tasty milk chocolate balls in festive wrapping. Those who have a nice picture to print can liven up a loved ones Advent with their very personal Advent calendar.

FotoInsight Limited was founded in Cambridge in 2003 and runs an easy to use digital photo processing service for Windows, Mac OS and Linux users. It offers an extensive array of award-winning photographic print and photo gifts as well as photobooks, photo posters and photo canvas print. Prints ordered through FotoInsight are developed at five state-of-the-art photo labs in four countries. The online photo service has grown year on year faster than the photo processing industry and has expanded its services in seven European languages in thirty-two countries.

Secret Santa? Sorted!

Last week we voted on where we want to have our Christmas bash (say the clever folk at GoneDigging) which means it’ll soon be time to draw Secret Santa names as well! At GoneDigging we really like to go in for it, but given we sell Secret Santa gifts, we’ve got little excuse not to! But we realise that for others, it can also be quite a tricky thing to sort out, given budget and time restrictions and whatnot. That’s why we’ve got a section on our website dedicated specifically to reasonably priced Secret Santa ideas. Below, we’ve included just a small taster of what we’ve got…

One particularly popular option is personalised chocolate. You get 100g of milk chocolate, along with a choice of wrappers, all of which can be personalised to feature your chosen name. Prices start at just £5.99, so they’re ideal for those wanted to leave their credit uncrunched.

Failing that, there are our personalised notebooks, journals and calendars. Given the time of year, a calendar seems a pretty obvious option and as well as being available in a number of rather nice designs, they can all be personalised with a chosen name and a message. Price-wise, they come in at £9.99, while the notebooks and journals are £7.50 and £9.99, respectively.

We’ve also solved the problem for those poor wotsits who draw the short straw and have to buy for the boss.

Our money clips can be engraved with a name or initials and are available from just £8.99. And if none of these fit the bill, there’s always the option of personalising a spoof magazine cover, which can be done from £9.99.

And of course, these ideas are merely the tip of GoneDigging’s Christmas iceberg. Or website is also crammed with other Christmas goodies, from calendars, diaries and journals, to engraved jewellery, personalised chocolate and mugs. To have a look, wiggle your mouse, click on the URL bar and type www.gonedigging.co.uk.

Have a Rockliffe Christmas and New Year

Whether it’s a luxury Christmas break in the North East, dining with friends and family or party nights and New Year celebrations, Rockliffe Hall’s world class facilities will really get you in the festive mood- a one-stop-shop for extravagance and indulgence.

Here are some of the highlights

1. Kenny Cooks Christmas
Let top chefs do the hard work this Christmas! Rockliffe Hall’s celebrated chef, Kenny Atkinson, will be at the helm on Christmas Day where you can celebrate in style whether you’re dining in The Orangery, the Brasserie or The Clubhouse.

And in the run up to Christmas, there’s the chance to try an exclusive seven course prestige festive tasting menu, cooked by Kenny himself.

2. Stay the night…or maybe more….
This Christmas, indulge in the delights of 2 or 3 night full-board residential Christmas Breaks, complete with an entertainment programme for all the family and a very special visit on the big day itself…….

Or how about celebrating Christmas in your own 4-bedroom house within Rockliffe Hall’s 375-acre estate, ideal for families and groups of 4 to 7 guests?

For the more adventurous there’ll be treasure tails in and around the grounds, a full size croquet lawn and fun-filled activity packs to entertain younger explorers – and of course the most important guests come to visit on Christmas Day morning…..

3. Christmas gifts galore- for family and friends
The 5* gift for those hard-to-buy-for, Rockliffe Hall Gift Vouchers are the ideal present. Ditch the predictable stocking-fillers and treat your friends and family to a Rockliffe Hall experience. Whether it’s overnight stays, spa and golf days or dining in the choice of restaurants, a wide range of gift vouchers offers something for even the most difficult person to buy for this Christmas.

All of our Gift Vouchers are presented in a luxurious black gift box, and throughout the festive season there’s complimentary gift wrapping too.

4. Let Christmas begin- with our special Anniversary Ball
Rockliffe Hall’s celebratory 3rd Anniversary Ball is in aid of the resorts’ nominated charity for 2012- the Great North Air Ambulance. It’s a glamorous black tie celebration and the perfect launch to the festive season.

5. Festive afternoon teas
Live Christmas music, homemade mulled wine, mince pies, cakes, pastries and traditional sandwiches- the perfect ingredients for a Festive Afternoon Tea in the stunning surroundings of The Orangery.

6. Something special- private dining
To add intimacy to your celebrations, choose a private dining experience. Whether it’s festive Afternoon Tea with friends or a private Christmas dinner, private dining rooms can seat 6 to 60 guests, or up to 200 in a larger function room. Choose from a wide range of menus or let the team headed by Kenny Atkinson create a bespoke package to provide your perfect festive get-together.

7. Walking in a winter wonderland
Dress to impress as the magnificent Rockliffe Suite becomes a ‘Winter Wonderland’. Enjoy Winter Wonderland Cocktails on arrival, a locally-sourced three course winter banquet designed by Kenny Atkinson, prizes, games and party favours, live entertainment throughout the evening and dancing ‘til the early hours. Selected dates throughout December.

8. Party Nights- Grassholme Suite
Looking for a relaxed party atmosphere with a banquet designed by Kenny Atkinson, dancing and a variety of party games? The Grassholme Suite offers the perfect venue to celebrate Christmas. Selected dates throughout December.

9. Boxing Day Live in the Clubhouse
Why not do something different this Boxing Day? Spend a relaxing lunch in The Clubhouse with live music and a three course meal to keep the celebrations going.

10. NYE Mistletoe Ball
How about something different to see out 2012? The Rockliffe Hall Mistletoe Ball is an invitation to enjoy a residential New Year's break accompanied by gourmet food, a live piper and the chance to relax before the celebrations get under way in the award-winning spa.

11. NYE The Orangery
End 2012 in real style by booking a residential break with New Year’s Eve spent enjoying a gourmet experience in The Orangery with all the trimmings. No expense spared!

12. NYE Clubhouse
New Year’s Eve in The Clubhouse is always a party night to remember with a three course meal, a disco until the early hours and bacon rolls after midnight. The perfect start to 2013!

Rockliffe Hall is the newest and most exciting hotel resort to open in the North of England. Set on a magnificent restored 18th century estate on the banks of the River Tees. It is a destination in itself and a five star home-from-home.

For details or to book reservations, call Rockliffe Hall’s Events Team on 01325 729999 or e-mail them at events@rockliffehall.com.

Ragdale Hall's Christmas Gift Guide

With Christmas approaching, it's time to start thinking about present buying (if you haven't already). With a wide range of gifts for everyone from girlfriends to husbands to mothers, they are yere to do what they do best and take the stress out of your Christmas shopping.

What better way to spoil the one you love than giving them some time to themselves?

Treat that someone special to a truly relaxing and pampering experience at Leicestershire multi-award winning luxury spa, Ragdale Hall.

With vouchers starting from £25, you can purchase a spa day, spa break or monetary amount - the choice is yours. But the pleasure will be all theirs!

Most of the gifts listed in their Christmas Gift Guide are available to purchase from their online shop and therefore only a few clicks away for you!

Or call their Voucher Sales Hotline on 01664 433030

Top Ten Foods to Help You Get In Shape For Christmas

It’s the time of year when thoughts start to turn towards Christmas and planning those all-important party outfits.

So here’s the Ripped To Shreds top ten list of foods you should be looking to include in your diet if you’re looking to boost fat-burning and show off a leaner profile.

Ripped To Shreds is a groundbreaking report co-authored by Shaun Petafi and Dean Connor, a respected pair of personal trainers. It dispels some of the established myths around eating habits and is a must-read for anyone serious about shedding fat and improving their body shape.

Combined with the regular exercise Shaun and Dean endorse in the report, and sensible eating habits, you could be in great shape come Christmas.

The R2S Top 10 Best Fat-Burning Foods

1. Walnuts
All nuts do contain some amount of the Omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid, but most only contain trace amounts. The real fat hero in most nuts is mono-unsaturated fats. Walnuts are actually a rich source of omega-3s. One ounce provides almost 3g of alpha-linolenic acid.

2. Gluten free oatmeal
This very slow-digesting carb keeps blood sugar and insulin levels low, so fat burning can stay high. In fact, research has shown that athletes who consume slow-digesting carbs in the morning burn more fat throughout the entire day and during workouts than those consuming fast-digesting carbs.

3. Avocado
The mono-unsaturated fats found in avocados are burned readily for fuel during exercise and encourage fat burning. Avocados also contain a very interesting carb called mannoheptulose, a sugar that actually blunts insulin release and enhances calcium absorption, both of which are critical for encouraging fat loss. (EDITOR: Do NOT parrots to share avocado, as it is TOXIC to them)

4. Salmon
This fish is one of the richest sources of the Omega-3 essential fats EPA and DHA. Unlike flaxseeds, which provide a type of Omega-3 that has to be converted into EPA and DHA, salmon provides your body a direct supply of them with no conversion required. This way you know you’re getting a direct supply of the fats that turn on fat burning and block fat storage.

5. Grapefruit
A study from the Scripps Clinic (San Diego, California) reported that subjects eating half a grapefruit while maintaining their normal diet lost an average of 4 pounds over 12 weeks – and some lost more than 10 pounds without even dieting! Results were likely due to grapefruit’s ability to reduce insulin levels and to a chemical in grapefruit known as naringin, which prevents fat from being stored in the body. (EDITOR: If you are on heart, blood pressure or Statin medications, DO NOT EAT ANY GRAPEFRUIT until you have consulted with your doctor.)

6. Honey
Yes, it’s a sugar, but it’s fairly low on the glycemic index. Keeping insulin levels low and steady is critical for maintaining a fat-burning environment in your body. Honey is also a rich source of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites; ultimately, that means it actually encourages fat release from the body’s fat cells. (EDITOR: This is NOT something diabetics should do without checking with their doctor)

7. Peanut Butter
A source of helpful mono-unsaturated fat that can actually aid fat loss. What’s funny is that many food manufacturers make low-fat peanut butters!
Of course, they replace these healthy mono-unsaturated fats with carbs, namely sugar. Avoid these and stick with natural peanut butters that don’t add the type of fat you surely want to avoid – trans fats.

8. Chili Pepper Flakes
Hot peppers contain the active ingredient capsaicin, a chemical that can enhance calorie burning at rest as well as reduce hunger and food intake.
The boost in calorie burn is particularly enhanced when capsaicin is used with caffeine.

9. Broccoli
This fibrous vegetable doesn’t provide many net carbs or calories, but it can make you feel full – one reason why it’s a great food for getting lean. Broccoli also contains phytochemicals that can help enhance fat loss.

10. Extra virgin olive oil
Like avocados, olive oil is a great source of mono-unsaturated fats. Not only do they lower levels of the “bad” type of cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health, but they’re also more likely to be burned as fuel, which means they’re less likely to be sticking around your midsection.

Ripped To Shreds is available to download from: www.rippedtoshreds.co.uk, iTunes, Waterstones, Probook, and other online outlets.

Give a gift that’s out-of-the-ordinary this Christmas with Adopt a Word

 

Friends and family won’t be lost for words when they unwrap a unique gift from Adopt A Word this Christmas. A thoughtful gift that’s perfect for all ages, any special word, real or made-up, can be wrapped up and given to a loved one this Christmas for just £15.

Ideal for those avoiding the High Street this December, this truly personal gift is just a mouse-click away. Simply choose the word that fits your loved-one the best – perhaps you’ll pick a word they use in every other sentence, a slogan that best sums them up, or something unusual for them to slip into conversation. You can even create your own words, meaning that you can now adopt nicknames and miss-sayings which might mean something special. You can also adopt multiple words to create a special phrase.

As well as receiving an adoption pack in the post (or via email if it’s a last minute gift), there’s the added option of having the adopted word proudly emblazoned on a variety of merchandise, such as mugs, t-shirts, fridge magnets and keyrings. New merchandise for 2012 includes cotton bags, aprons and umbrellas and prices range from £5 to £18.

The best thing about this ethical Christmas gift, is that all the money raised goes to I CAN, the children’s communication charity. 1.2 million children in the UK have long term speech, language and communication needs and will struggle to express themselves this Christmas – or any other time of year. I CAN work to ensure these children get the help and support they need so they can live happy and successful lives.

Word adoptees will join other high-profile supporters who love words and want to help children communicate. These include Stephen “wordy” Fry, Henry “tenacious” Winkler, Miranda “clutch” Hart, Sara “blossom” Cox and many more.

To browse words from the Collins English Dictionary or create your own word for adoption, whilst helping children in the UK who’ll find it difficult to say ‘Merry Christmas’ this year, visit www.adoptaword.com today.