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The origins of A Christmas Carol

Quiet Rebellion brings new and joyous life to socks at Christmas

Yes, Quiet Rebellion does bring new and joyous life to the idea of socks at Christmas.

There are some people, I am no exception, who rather likes the idea of getting a new packet of socks at Christmas. And on the odd occasions when I haven't had any socks as Christmas presents I have found myself joining the "happy" throngs of shoppers participating in that well-known blood sport, the Boxing Day Sales.

But sometimes it must be said that the socks one receives as a gift, no matter how well-intentioned, might not be the most imaginative of gifts and perhaps weren't the ones you would have chosen for yourself.

And, to be fair, it's also sometimes difficult when we are looking for socks to buy as Christmas gifts for other people.

The choice is seemingly limited to dull, plain designs or garish novelty socks that really do not belong on the feet of someone you love or, to be honest, are only someone you vaguely know!

But that's all over now! Because now there's a company which is producing socks with stunningly original designs that are bright and stand out from the crowd, yet are not hideous in any way.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please allow me to introduce you to Quiet Rebellion Socks.

They are designed for maximum comfort and wearability and are made from 80% combed cotton to provide strength and 18% nylon to provide strength. Wait! Isn't that only 98% So what's happened to other 2%? Glad you asked! The other 2% is taken up with that nifty and remarkably flexible material called elastane to provide a nice bit of stretch.

And there's an extra two inches of length, too. Also, sock wearers will be pleased to know that the toes are hand-linked to provide extra comfort and the heels are reinforced to offer extra wear.

My own personal favourite is the jigsaw-inspired John Spilsbury Sock, created in honour of John Spilsbury Socks, the father of modern jigsaws. They are £12.00 a pair, though half a dozen will only cost £7.83 a pair.

But there's more available, too! There's a fantastic array of boxer shorts in a wonderful selection of prestigious designs from Picasso to Roger Bacon Boxers to Agent Zigzag, all at £49 for three, as a mixed gift pack or as individual designs.

And there are also some particularly funky weekend bags in a range of prices from £199 up to £249. The bags are specially hand crafted in Hackney, in London.

And on orders of more than £50, you don't pay postage.

To learn more about Quiet Rebellion and their interesting and quirky story and to place orders please visit them at  https://www.quietrebellion.com.

To learn more about the names behind the designs (they are all named for famous rebels throughout recorded history) please visit https://www.quietrebellion.com/pages/rebels.

Wilkinson Sword gardening gifts for all pockets

From pruning knives to premium secateurs and loppers there is a Christmas gift to fit all pockets and purses from Wilkinson Sword. They are available from most leading garden centres, high street sheds and hardware stores all year round but make the perfect Christmas gift for all of your greenfingered friends and family.

Wilkinson Sword tools are firm favourites with British gardeners of all ages and experience and there is something for every gardener within the Wilkinson Sword range of garden tools this Christmas, along with the reassuring Wilkinson Sword 10 year guarantee.

UNDER £10
The stylish and practical Wilkinson Sword Pruning Knife makes a great stocking filler! It is suitable for all small pruning tasks and general garden use. The stainless steel blade folds away for safe storage and the curved handle provides better grip, even with wet hands and wintery fingers.

Looking for a gardening gift set? Every gardener needs a trowel and fork so why not couple together the Wilkinson Sword Stainless Steel Hand Trowel and Hand Fork? Both have ash handles with leather hanging straps and are ideal for transplanting and general border work. You can make the gift set even more special by adding in the Stainless Steel Patio Knife that is designed for removing moss and weeds from paved areas and patios. It also has an ash handle and a leather hanging strap so is stylish as well as practical!

UNDER £15
For the gardener with all the tools but who is always seemingly losing them, a high-quality leather tool pouch from Wilkinson Sword this Christmas could solve all their problems! It has belt clips and loops that can hold most secateurs designs and provides safe and easy storage on the move in the garden.

In need of a gift for the gardener with a whole host of tools that are perhaps in need of a revamp and some TLC? Then why not help them keep tools and blades sharp all year round with the ingenious Wilkinson Sword Garden Tool Sharpener. It offers seven sharpening edges that will keep knives, secateurs and many other items of garden equipment in perfect cutting condition. It comes complete with pouch.

Keep warm this Christmas by throwing logs on the fire! The 40cm Wilkinson Sword Hatchet Axe makes chopping logs and making kindling simple. It has a high quality, and impact absorbing, fibreglass handle with a soft grip. The head is made of dropforged carbon steel and is ideal for in the wood shed in winter but also general garden work all year round.

UNDER £20
Gardeners with an abundance of festive holly will love a helping hand when it comes to pruning it. The Wilkinson Sword Deluxe Bypass Pruners offer just that! They have cast aluminium handles and are fitted with large rubber buffers to absorb shock when using them. They have an easy to open mechanism that is perfect for both left and right handed users.

A highlight under any Christmas tree this year will be the Wilkinson Sword MultiTool Garden. It has
14 functions, including three screwdriver fittings, three spanners, a can opener, a bottle opener, a saw, a knife and an all important pruner, so give as a gift for not just gardeners but anyone who loves the great outdoors!

The user-friendly design means accessing the tool heads is very quick and easy, as the ergonomic handle design provides comfort and control, combined with a smooth opening action for ease of use. Durable, sturdy and stylish, the Garden Multi-Tool is fabricated from black anodised aluminium and stainless steel and weighs a mere 250gm. When closed, it compacts down to just 13cm x 4.5cm x 2cm, a perfect fit for trouser and jacket pockets alike.

UNDER £30
If you know someone who is a keen gardener, but they perhaps find some of their tools are getting a bit too heavy and cumbersome then the Ultralight range from Wilkinson Sword may be exactly what you are looking for! Through the use of strong and lightweight materials the Ultralight Bypass Loppers provide the power, whilst weighing in at just 450 gm. The bypass, non-stick coated blade is perfect for young, green wood, with a 25mm cutting capacity.

Not sure what to get for the gardener who has everything? How about a Stainless Steel Digging Spade from Wilkinson Sword? A spade is an essential tool but this top-of-the-range one is specially designed to withstand usage on unprepared areas that can help to improve drainage and in preparing soil in readiness for planting shrubs, roses, vegetables and even seeds ready for 2018.

It is larger than the traditional border spade and has an attractive ash handle. Enhance the gift by partnering it with its sister - the Digging Fork. This is designed for use on heavily compacted areas of earth, for removing plants, use on compost heaps and general turning the soil.

THE ELITE CUTTING COLLECTION
(Retailing from £29.99 to £69.99)

 Everyone loves an upgrade at Christmas, but why stop at the latest digital technology? The Wilkinson Sword Elite Cutting Collection is ideal for those looking to upgrade their tired old tools with something a bit special.

The range is comprised of a refined selection of premium garden tools ready to provide cutting-edge performance, precision, and comfort. Individually crafted with superior Japanese SK3 steel blades, strong dual cast housing with integrated shock absorption system and lightweight extruded aluminium handles with plush contoured handles, these tools have been created for the gardener who is passionate about quality, durability, and design.

Within this beautifully designed collection are eight tools, to cover every cutting need you have in the garden, all benefiting from the use of top quality materials and craftsmanship.

https://wilkinsonsword-tools.co.uk/.

Vie Recovery Patches

Formulated with essential herbs, vitamins and minerals that will naturally help your body to break down alcohol, the Vie Recovery patch uses transdermal technology to deliver its active ingredients into the bloodstream through the skin.

These include vitamin C, green tea extract, globe artichoke extract, thiamine, taurine and chromium picolinate.

Simply apply the Vie Recovery patch to a clean, dry and hairless area of your skin before your first drink. Patches can be left on for up to 24 hours. For easy removal, wet patch and peel off.

Vie Recovery Patches use only 100% natural ingredients and can be purchased for £4.95 for six patches, online from www.vie-healthcare.com.

NOTE: The Vie Recovery patch is intended for adult use only. The patch will not prevent intoxication. Always drink responsibly and never drink and drive. The Vie Recovery patch should not be used if pregnant or nursing. Anyone taking medication should consult a doctor, prior to use.