Just a few bargains
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ONLY 3 WEEKS FITTING LEFT FOR CHRISTMAS
Fires from £99 Marbles sets from £89 Hole in the wall £249 Plasma from £399
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27-29 ORMSKIRK RD, AINTREE (opposite racecourse) • TEL: 0151 523 6816 • OPEN 7 DAYS: Mon- Wed 10-6pm, Late night Thurs until 7pm, Fri-Sat 10-5pm, Sun 11-4pm
Solid fuel from £299 Baskets £199
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DAILY POST Thursday, November 20, 2008
2 Christmas Guide 2008
Discover some extra-special presents this year
PRICES FROM
Stay local to avoid the Christmas rush W
E ALL know the feeling – you’re searching for something extra-special this Christmas for your friends and family, you’ve spent the morning planning exactly what you want to buy for everyone, battled through nose-to-tail traffic to get to the city centre shops, only to find there’s bustling crowds at every turn and not a parking space to be had. So, if you’re keen to avoid the frantic crowds this Christmas or you’re looking for a shopping experience with the personal touch, why not give your local shops a try? Whoever you’re shopping for – whether you need a token gift for a colleague, stocking fillers for the kids or something to show just how much you care for that special person in your life – local stores can provide a real treasure trove of festive inspiration. Whether you’re looking to bag a bargain, get expert advice or a personalised service, your local shops are a great place to start your Christmas gift buying. From independent retailers, where you can haggle for a deal, to familyrun firms that take pride in
Shopping locally this Christmas will save you travelling time their service, there are many advantages to shopping locally. Local shops are also a great place to pick up unusual presents or gifts with a difference – from quirky gifts for your teenage niece to traditional crafts that will impress your mother-in-law, and much more besides. Don’t forget to give your local market a visit, too – whether you’re shopping for regionally produced food, a
one-of-a-kind gift or handmade decorations for your home, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. There’s also a tantalising array of independent retailers to choose from, ranging from family-run jewellers who can expertly guide you through the latest styles to small boutiques selling made-to-measure clothing, shoes and accessories, book stores where you can buy that elusive first edition for
Aunty Mary and vintage clothing stores where you can pick up a retro gift that your fashionista cousin is sure to love. If you’re looking for something to show you’ve put real thought and effort into your Christmas shopping, you can also find shops selling personalised gifts, photographers where you can have that treasured family photo restored and framed, and galleries where you can pick up a unique painting for your art-loving best friend – whatever you’re looking for, you’re sure to find something extraspecial to show how much you care. You’ve probably driven or walked past your local shops a million times, but never stopped to see the wide range of specialist services and goods on offer. So, this Christmas, why not show some support to this vital part of your local community and venture off the beaten path when you do your shopping. By shopping locally, you could save time, money and seasonal stress – leaving you free to get into the real spirit of Christmas, by spending more of your precious time with your friends and family.
3
DAILY POST Thursday, November 20, 2008
Christmas Guide 2008
How to branch out in style F ROM amazing artificial spruces to sweet-scented fir trees, Christmas just wouldn’t be complete without a sparkling, tinseladorned tree. Often the main focal point within the home during the festive season, trees are an essential requirement to create that magical Christmas atmosphere, and whether you’re a contemporary fashionista or staunch traditionalist, there are hundreds of varieties to choose between. For those who prefer to fake it (and avoid those often tiresome, everlasting
needles in the carpet) artificial trees can be an easy low-maintenance option, and there is now an excellent choice of convincing and stylish trees on the market. Ranging from contemporary slim-line varieties, fibre-optics, and inverted trees to more traditional 7ft spruces and classic prelit branches, you’re sure to find the perfect match. And, as you’ll be able to use them year after year, they can also work out as a more cost-effective option. Alternatively, Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas for some people without a real, sweet-smelling tree, and they make a stunning
addition to any home. Able to add that special festive something, there are many different varieties to choose from, and, whether you want to buy a fresh, pre-cut spruce or a stillalive, potted Christmas tree ready to transfer straight to the garden, post-Yuletide festivities, there's something to suit every family. Nordman firs and Scots pines are famed for their high needle retention, and both the Norway and Blue spruce are incredibly popular for giving off that magical fir tree scent of Christmas. And, as an added bonus, real trees can also be
environmentally-friendly – just don’t forget to get them recycled afterwards – so are a great option for the increasing band of ecoconscious shoppers. Ask at your local garden centre for their advice on which tree is best suited to your needs – and don’t forget to make sure it will fit in your house first! An eight-footer may just scrape the ceiling. Whatever you want, you're sure to find your dream tree, and there are a wide range of shops, as well as excellent local stores, nurseries, garden centres and suppliers, located right on your doorstep.
For some, Christmas wouldn't be complete without a real tree – such as this Norway spruce, from Homebase
Stunning Christmas
gift ideas
to suit every taste & pocket... ...call in & explore our best ever Christmas shop with something for everyone.
This slim-line tree will fit the most cramped of homes
Brighten up your Christmas with a colourful fibre optic pink feather tree, from Wilkinson, left.; and, above, why not start a new tradition and grow your own Christmas tree? This Grow It Christmas Tree is from getting personal.co.uk
l Reatmas is ChrTrees re to r in Sembe v No 28th
See our fabulous range of indoor & outdoor lights.
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Gateacre Garden Centre Acrefield Road Liverpool Merseyside L25 5JW Tel: 0151 428 6556 Opening times: Mon-Sat 9.00am-5.30pm Sun 10am-4.30pm
www.gateacregardencentre.co.uk
Picture: COURTESY OF B&Q
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DAILY POST Thursday, November 20, 2008
4 Christmas Guide 2008
Keep it casual for boys with a Cherokee jumper and jeans, left; for girls, purples and reds are the trend, as in these Cherokee dresses, far left Pictures: TESCO
DESIGNER BOUTIQUE, STOPGATE LANE, AINTREE L9 6AN T: 0151 523 3388 For full list of brands visit our website www.designerboutique-online.com
The Retreat Pamper Days
I
T’S not always easy dressing your little ones during the festive period, especially for those inevitable Christmas and New Year parties. Children want to run around, dance and play – and you want them pretty, tidy and yet still comfortable! There’s plenty of children’s clothing you can choose from, but, depending on your child's age, it can be a bit difficult to agree on what they’re going to wear, so try and find clothes they will like in a party style. Colours can vary but reds, pinks and purples are great party colours for the holiday season, especially for little girls. Plus, red jumpers or shirts look fab on boys, paired with either dark-coloured jeans or trousers. Most girls enjoy dressing up so a pretty dress is perfect, but, if they’re not “into” dresses, then maybe a skirt with either tights or leggings underneath could be the way to go. There are plenty of boys’ shirts around in a variety of patterns, so there is sure to be one they like. If not, then maybe they would be more comfortable in a modern-style jumper with jeans or trousers and a pair of boots.
With this shrug, left, your little girl can stay warm while in the party spirit in a deep red skirt Picture: NEXT
Advertising Feature
Relax, unwind and enjoy yourself with a sensational day of pampering at The Retreat
Pamper yourself or a loved one. Spend a day being pampered from start to finish
PARTIES WELCOME! START at 9.30am with Continental Breakfast SAUNA Relieve all your aches and pains STEAM Relax and unwind in our steam room MASSAGE Back, neck & shoulder massage to totally relax you FACIAL Luxury facial, cleanse, tone, exfoliate, treatment mask, massage and moisturise LUNCH 3-course and refreshments throughout the day PEDICURE Aromatherapy foot spa, exfoliation of hard skin, filing, cuticle contouring, finishing with a heavenly leg and foot massage. MANICURE Includes filing, contouring of cuticles, luxurious hand and arm massage
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Make your little one the belle of the ball in this roses party dress Picture: MATALAN Local shops have a wide range of clothing that is ideal for parties, so take a look around and you’re sure to find the perfect party wear for your children. Remember not to get too stressed about it, though – just relax and have fun and your children will, too. If it’s a child's party they’re attending, then girls may prefer to wear pants or skirts with leggings, especially if they’re going to be playing about. Boys are more likely to want Tshirts or jumpers, too, rather than a shirt and trousers – it’ll make them more relaxed and able to play with other children easily.
The Retreat
Time for some pampering I
F YOU’RE looking for the ideal Christmas gift for your mum, sister, girlfriend or wife, what could be better than a revitalising pamper day in a luxury, ladies-only spa? Based in Crosby, The Retreat health and beauty spa specialises in ladies-only pamper days, something which has won the Coronation Road venue a loyal following, with customers coming from as far afield as Leeds and London. Established for 10 years, The Retreat prides itself on offering pampering treatments to help you forget the stresses and strains of everyday life – but at a price that won’t break the bank. Indeed, the spa’s signature pamper day, which starts at 9.30am and finishes at 4pm, is priced at just £69.95. Designed to help you truly escape it all, the pamper day includes a Continental breakfast, an invigorating sauna and steam, a relaxing back, neck and shoulder massage, and a facial customised to your skin’s specific needs. Following a healthy but delicious three-course lunch, the spa day finishes with a manicure and a pedicure to ensure you look your best from head to toe. Boasting three spacious treatment rooms, a dedicated pedicure room complete with
Enjoy a revitalising pamper at The Retreat, in Coronation Road, Crosby five foot spas, four manicure stations plus a sauna, steam room, showers, a chill-out area and a separate dining area, The Retreat is the ideal place to rejuvenate, refresh and relax mind, body and soul in comfortable, tranquil surroundings. You can book just yourself in for the pamper day, or a party of up to 20 ladies. Towels and robes are provided and all of the treatment rooms have multiple treatment beds, so mothers and daughters or groups of friends can enjoy treatments together. Owners Helen Thompson and Lindsay England, who head a team of 15 fully qualified and friendly beauticians, said: “We pride ourselves on taking care of your every need to ensure you truly can relax, unwind and
de-stress, and make your pamper day a day to remember.” The Retreat uses professional quality Skin Truth products in all its treatments, many of which are available to buy after your pamper day. What’s more, you can book extra treatments on the day if you would like to extend your experience. The Retreat also specialises in other beauty treatments, including luxury MD Formulations facials, antiwrinkle non-surgical treatments and semi-permanent make-up. ■ CALL the friendly and professional team today on 0151 931 1991, log onto www.pamper-day.co.uk, or visit The Retreat, 61, Coronation Road, Crosby, L23 5RQ.
5
DAILY POST Thursday, November 20, 2008
Christmas Guide 2008
Put your best face forward
C
HRISTMAS is the busiest party season of the year, and as your diary is probably bursting with assorted work dos, family parties and nights out, it’s only natural that you want to look your best. Unfortunately, the winter weather can play havoc with your beauty regime, and from frizzy hair and chapped lips to sallow skin and pasty arms, a girl needs all the tools she can to help fight her way through the pitfalls of the season. But don’t worry, there are a number of steps to help you look great. For skin, the mantra of cleanse, tone and moisturise is even more essential through winter, and products with an SPF15 or above are vital to protect skin from unseen damage. Illuminating foundations or moisturisers, together with subtle fake tans and soft pink cream blushers, are a great way to give dull winter skin a radiant glow, and remember to keep skin smooth and cellulite at bay with a daily
Keep skin looking bright and healthy this winter with a glowing primer underneath make-up. Pictured is Clarins’s beauty flash balm, from Feelunique.com
dose of sea salt scrubs and firming lotions. In addition, hair conditioning masks or hot oil products will help banish split ends, and an anti-frizz smoothing serum, together with a controlling balm, can tame fly-away ends, seal in moisture and protect your style from adverse weather effects. What’s more, every girl should be armed with a number of trusty handbag essentials, from a hand cream and nail file to lip balm. Beauty is now no longer dominated by the fairer sex, though, and men are quickly getting in on the act. For winter months, men, just like women, need to make sure their skin is hydrated and protected from the elements with a good moisturiser and after-shaving balm. Plus, for the more metro-sexual among us, specially formulated makeup, such as “manscara” and “guyliner” are also selling well. So, for glowing skin, glossy locks and infallible make-up, here are a couple of essential items for any beauty box.
Pictured, right: For Men Maca Root Energetic Face Protector, from The Body Shop; below: Aromachologie Repairing Mask from L'OCCITANE, for illustrious hair; left: Burt's Bees lip balm, from Feelunique.com
Curtain up on panto traditions ■ EVIL panto characters, such as the Rat King, still enter from stage left and good characters enter from stage right. This ancient tradition is believed
■ THE term “slapstick” is another legacy that originated from bygone forms of entertainment. It is thought to date back to a character called Harlequin who
to come from the times of the Commedia dell’Arte, which always placed the entrances to heaven and hell on these sides of the stage.
would carry around a wooden sword/wand which would be used for theatrical effect to make a slapping sound whenever he “hit” people. ■ THE tradition of the “principal boy” being played by a girl first started during the 19th century – an age when modesty ruled, and society deemed that women should be fully clothed at all times. To get around this, however, it was decided that “artistic licence” allowed ladies on stage to wear daring costumes that showed shapely legs, as long as they were playing a boy!
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DAILY POST Thursday, November 20, 2008
6 Christmas Guide 2008
Don’t make a meal out of festive dining
Grape escapes IF YOU don’t know your Chardonnay from your Cabernet Sauvignon or, like Basil Fawlty, your Bordeaux from your claret, choosing wine for Christmas can be a real task, particularly if you’re entertaining. The old “rule” of matching white wine with white meat or fish, and red wine with red meat seems too simplistic to be true, and, though this advice can help, the issue is slightly more complicated. Of course, if you’ve only got yourself to please, then it doesn’t really matter which wine you choose, as long as it’s of adequate quality not to spoil your wonderful meal. Vinegar should be saved for fish and chips. But, if you’ve got family and friends coming round to dine, you probably want to make the best impression possible. Ideal to toast the family with on Christmas morning, the Marques de Monistrol Vintage 2005 Cava Brut (£8.99 from Asda) is a fruity sparkling wine from Spain, whereas, for the turkey Christmas dinner itself, you can’t go far wrong with a bottle of the rich, vanillaflavoured McGuigan Grey Label Chardonnay 2007 from Australia (£5.99 from Tesco). If you’re looking for something a bit different, why not try the 2005 Rimon Dessert Wine (£13.99 from Waitrose or www.rimonwinery.co.uk)? Part of a series of new pomegranate wines from an orchard located on a mountain in Upper Galilee, it would make an ideal accompaniment to a rich dessert or soft, ripe cheese. After dinner, why not settle down in front of the telly with a fruity liqueur? The vodkabased Orchid Fresh Fruit Liqueurs (£14.99 from www.outindrinks.co.uk) are available in four flavours – mango, passion fruit, guava and lychee – contain around 30% real fruit, and can be added to sparkling wine or mixed with lemonade for a delicious fruity cocktail.
W
Dine out in style this Christmas
ITH the countdown to Christmas well under way, now is the time to make sure you have all your festive fun organised. You can never start planning too early, and this is certainly true when it comes to organising going out over the festive period. Whether you are planning a huge family reunion or an intimate gathering of close family and friends, it is best to start as soon as possible as all the good venues tend to get booked up early. First of all, have a think about what kind of event you are planning. Know your audience, and make sure that the party is appropriate to the people attending. Your idea of a great night out might be a wild night of clubbing, but, if you are meant to be catering for Great Aunt Maude, then something a little more sedate might be a better idea. Next, do your research. Check out as many potential venues as you can and, where possible, visit them in person to get a feel for the atmosphere and the service. If you
are wanting food to be provided, then make sure you do a taste test so you know the food is up to scratch and to your taste. Discuss party arrangements with the venue of your choice and make sure that it is clear what is being provided. Is the venue providing food? If so, for how many people? Is there any entertainment on offer? How should the evening be paid for? These are all important details you need to get ironed out so you can make an informed choice and make the right decision about the perfect venue for you. Having established where you are having your event, make sure you let everyone know in plenty of time where and when it is being held, and keep the venue informed about numbers as you go along. It is worth contacting the venue a few days before the party to confirm numbers and to make sure that everything is on track for the evening. Finally, having organised the party in plenty of time, you can sit back, relax and look forward to an evening to remember!
We’ve got Christmas wrapped up with some “Cracking Late Deals” Party in style at the Marriott Hotel City Centre. The Mersey Partnership Annual Tourism Awards 2008 Hotel of the Year
Disco Party Nights
Thursday 11th December – NOW £25.00 pp* Thursday 18th December – NOW £25.00 pp*
Includes four course dinner, disco and late bar
Disco Party Lunches
Friday 12th December – NOW £20.00 pp* Friday 19th December – NOW £20.00 pp*
Includes four course lunch and entertainment from our resident DJ
Call
0151 476 8000
to make your festive booking
*Late deal Does not apply to bookings already confirmed at venue
ONE QUEEN SQUARE, LIVERPOOL L1 1RH
7
DAILY POST Thursday, November 20, 2008
Christmas Guide 2008
Be a little creative with this bud vase inspired by Arabic calligraphy Picture: Courtesy of www.moresque.co.uk
Give your house that festive, homely touch
W
Keep it simplistic with a stylish glass table Picture: NEXT
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ITH Christmas approaching, we all want our homes to be in tip-top shape so we can celebrate in style – and for when those unexpected guests
turn up! If you’re planning on any big changes to your home, now’s the time to shop, as sofas, furniture, beds and flooring can sometimes take a few weeks to be delivered, so it’s best to make an order as soon as possible. If you want a complete change, sometimes it is difficult to know where to start. Wallpaper has made a big comeback this year, with bold patterns in various textures which add a touch of luxury to your room. If you decide this is for you, then one wallpapered wall in bold patterns is the way to go, then either paint or a neutral shade of wallpaper will be sufficient to bring out the walls. Purples and golds are the latest colour trends hitting our stores, so combining the warming tones of purple and the more vibrant gold shades will make a nice contrast. If you do opt for the deeper shades this season for your accessories and “finishing touches”, then remember to keep things light and simple with the flooring, or maybe get a fresh glass table to ensure your room doesn’t end up looking too dark. Carpets are also making more of an appearance in people’s homes, but if you have pets or children then maybe just a comforting – yet stylish – rug may be the best option to stop those chills coming through if you have laminate or wooden flooring. They may seem like such little things, but new cushion covers, curtains and vases can give your room a new lease of life. Even though many people opt for vertical blinds, it’s still best to have curtains to prevent draughts. So, if you’re thinking of redecorating before Christmas, don’t leave it too late, or you could well be getting your wall and wrapping paper confused!
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169 Linacre Road, Litherland, Liverpool, L21 8JS Tel: 0151 922 0555/0888 LADIES OCCASION WEAR SPECIALIST
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DAILY POST Thursday, November 20, 2008
8 Advertising Feature
Tracey Bell
A beautiful you for Christmas W HETHER you want to give your complexion a boost, relax with a massage, or have your makeup expertly applied, renowned beauty and aesthetic clinic Tracey Bell has the expertise to help you look your best this Christmas. With a clinic on Hanover Street, the company prides itself on taking a personalised approach to beauty, with all treatments customised to your needs. “Good skin is vital to making you look great on the outside and feel good on the inside, so we work with clients to treat their specific skin concerns and create tailor-made treatment programmes and skin care routines to correct their complexion problems,” said Emma Hendrix, one of a three-strong team of talented beauty therapists at the leading clinic. Highly skilled, Emma has more than 10 years’ experience in the beauty industry and offers a wide range of treatments, including, massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, micro-dermabrasion and facial peels. Emma said: “Micro-dermabrasion is a highly effective way to rejuvenate the skin. A fine flow of crystals is used to buff away the top layer of dead skin and a vacuum suction machine is used to encourage blood circulation and help cell renewal. The result is smooth, glowing skin with a youthful plumpness.”
Beauty therapist Genni McEnerney treats a client The Tracey Bell clinic also offers a range of facial peels, to treat minor and more severe skin problems. To add the finishing touches to your new look, the clinic has a brow bar. “Professionally-shaped eyebrows really frame your face and enhance your features. We always recommend clients complete their transformation with an eyebrow wax and an eyelash perm and tint, to give them a well-groomed, polished look,” said Emma. The Tracey Bell clinic prides itself on offering clients evidence-based results, with all treatments starting and ending with a detailed skin analysis. With its own cutting-edge range of mineral make-up, the clinic also offers professional make-up application – ideal for when you want to look your best for a special event or Christmas party.
Emma said: “Tracey Bell products are used in all of our treatments because they contain a high concentration of active ingredients. The make-up can also be worn straight after a treatment because it’s 100% natural minerals and very gentle.” A range of Tracey Bell mineral make-up is available to buy from the Hanover Street clinic, including gift packs. Everyone is busy in the run-up to Christmas, so, to help you fit in a little ”me time”, the leading clinic has extended its midweek hours to 8pm. Call now to receive an exclusive beauty pass and receive 40% off selected treatments until the New Year. ■ CALL 0151 707 0340, log onto www.traceybell.co.uk or visit Tracey Bell, 32-36 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 4LN.
Tracey Bell beauty experts Emma Hendrix, left, and Genni McEnerney
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