A luxurious Christmas could be all wrapped up with a trip to Spirit of Christmas Fair, the most exclusive annual shopping experience. Those wanting to be well prepared and stylishly equipped for the festive season will revel in the Fair’s selection of fabulous gifts, exquisite decorations and gourmet food and wine.

The Fair is the ideal place to meet up with friends for lunch and the perfect retail experience for anyone looking for beautiful gifts but short on time. Boasting hundreds of unique carefully selected ideas for both friends and family from exclusive traditional to contemporary, you will find gifts you simply won’t find on the high street.

Get an early taste of seasonal trends with many unique new product ranges including; Christmas decorations, stylish home accessories, children’s and baby products, toys, jewellery, clothing, toiletries, tableware, pet accessories, art, gourmet food, fine wine and spirits.

Fair Features:

Spirit of Christmas Food Hall

International taste sensations for even the finest appetite including a selection of cheeses, meat delicacies, chocolate, wine, Champagne, port and more gourmet produce from some of the finest producers are available in the Food Hall.

New to Spirit! Producers Market

The Fair organisers are delighted to introduce a dedicated area offering the best of British produce, supporting artisan producers from local farms and rural communities all selected for their quality ingredients and originality. Including; Mahorall Farm Cider made from 100% pure apple, simple authentic quality Leaf teas and infusions, bespoke designer chocolates and chocolate cakes enabling you to choose how you want them whether it’s nutty or fruity from Ooh La La Chocolaterie.

Chocolate Week

Chocolatiers and chocolate shops compete for coveted awards during the UK’s annual celebration of chocolate and this is a chance to indulge in some of the winning chocolate, some of which has been created exclusively for Chocolate Week. Four of the award winners from Chocolate Week will be at the Fair showcasing the country’s finest chocolate.

House & Garden Theatre

Find seasonal inspiration at The House & Garden Theatre from top cooking tips, to decorating and wrapping demonstrations as well as champagne tasting. A variety of speakers will present talks and demonstrations on topics including beautifully wrapped presents, making your own wreaths, Christmas decorating, dining, cooking tips, wine, Champagne and cheese and port tasting.

New to Spirit 2008! British Designers Gallery

Talented designers from associations including Cockpit Arts and Hidden Arts present contemporary new products in an area not to be missed by those looking for something truly unique. Designers include woven textile designer Alpa Mistry, Acuascutum jewellery designer Emma Levinson and Raw Exclusive bespoke interior accessories.

Catered by a celebrity chef, relax at the Fair restaurant with the knowledge Christmas is taken care of. A wide range of exhibitors this year, means a trip to the Fair with the fabulous choice of gifts and Christmas ideas makes Christmas shopping easier, faster and more enjoyable than ever before.  



N.B. Free entry into the adjoining Condé Nast Traveller presents The Luxury Travel Fair with British Airways is ideal for those also looking to tie up holiday plans.



WIN Tickets to Spirit of Christmas Fair 5th-9th November 2008 at Olympia, London. Interested? Then go to our extra mix quiz and take part for your chance to win tickets, to get you in the mood for Christmas!

Get Christmas all wrapped up early this year with a trip to Spirit of Christmas Fair, the ultimate Christmas shopping experience at Olympia 5th-9th November. You’ll find Christmas decorations, toys, jewellery, clothing, home accessories and gourmet food and wine. It’s sure to make Christmas shopping easier faster and more enjoyable than ever before. Find seasonal inspiration in The House & Garden Theatre from top cooking tips to wrapping demonstrations, and Champagne tasting and indulge in award winning chocolate from winners of Chocolate Week! Relax at the Fair restaurant catered by a celeb chef in the knowledge Christmas is all taken care of. 

Tickets are available for £15 each when booking in advance (£17 on the door) Call 0871 230 1089* or visit www.spiritofchristmasfair.com

* Calls charged at national rate. Booking fee applies.

Saturday 22nd November 2008 to Sunday 4th January 2009

''Winter Wonderland is a little bit of festive fairytale magic in the heart of London'', The Guardian

On 22nd November, an even more dazzling WINTER WONDERLAND will return to HYDE PARK, following a phenomenal first year which saw in excess of HALF MILLION visitors to the festive attraction.  Set in the world famous HYDE PARK, this spectacular landmark will return for a massive six weeks until 4th January 2009.

The whole of WINTER WONDERLAND is open from 10am to 10pm every day, seven days a week across 3200”m of historic parkland. WINTER WONDERLAND will once again focus on the Ice Rink which London Lite called ''The biggest and the best''.  London''s largest Ice Rink presents a cool 45 days skating set against the City''s most stunning natural backdrop.  Back by popular demand, the iconic 50 metre Giant Observation Wheel will yet again offer magnificent views over the Capital.  This year''s toboggan slide promises to be even more thrilling than last year, and it doesn''t stop there: WINTER WONDERLAND will see the return of traditional and modern attractions & the introduction of many new ones, and there will be an even wider variety of themed rides for children.

WINTER WONDERLAND will see the return of the authentic German Market which will double in size, and offer a staggering variety of arts & crafts stalls, as well as Germanic food & beverages offering an atmospheric setting for Christmas shopping.  As well as perennial favourites such as German sausages, mulled

wine & hot chocolate, WINTER WONDERLAND 2008 will offer a vastly increased variety of festive catering from around the world: ranging from food stalls to heated cafes & fully seated diners: to beautifully presented indoor & outdoor bars offering food and drink to enjoy at the event, as well the opportunity to buy gourmet gifts to take home.

A visit to WINTER WONDERLAND wouldn''t be complete without meeting Santa (named ''Best Outdoor Experience'' by Time Out''s ''Good Santa Guide'') and once again this will be free, with each child being given a special gift!  Father Christmas will be at the Hyde Park bandstand along with his elves every day, right up until Christmas Eve.

The magical atmosphere of WINTER WONDERLAND comes alive in the evenings when choirs perform and the trees along the Serpentine Road sparkle with thousands of Christmas lights, highlighting the beauty of London''s best loved park. As the Daily Express wrote ''London''s Winter Wonderland is the perfect event for families, friends and colleagues to delight in the magical atmosphere of London this Christmas''.

WINTER WONDERLAND is free to enter with tokens for all rides and attractions available for purchase on the day, however advance booking is available and is strongly recommended for the ice rink and giant wheel. Prices for the ice rink been HELD this year, so a visit to WINTER WONDERLAND offers excellent value for money for all visitors.

Subject to Licence

For information and ticket details:

www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

Tel: 0844 847 1771 or 0871 231 0824

Tickets on sale now.

Australians Head for the American Dream, while Australia opens its doors to The Young Americans, says Globalvisas.com

Leading UK immigration and visa specialist, Globalvisas.com can reveal that increasing numbers of Australian working holidaymakers are shunning the traditional favourite of a UK excursion. Instead, opting to go Stateside is becoming the popular choice for energetic young antipodeans.

After monitoring this trend closely, Globalvisas.com has recorded a huge increase in the amount of enquiries from young Australians eager to accept the USA''s offer.

Liam Clifford, director of Globalvisas.com, explains: "The Australian government has made the working holiday agreement reciprocal and is welcoming young Americans who wish to spend one year ''down under''. As a result of this arrangement, successful US applicants can enjoy the wealth of culture and experiences on offer in Australia, with the opportunity to extend their stay after the one year working holiday is over."

He adds: "Thanks to its size and diversity, the United States can offer endless employment opportunities over a broad range of destinations between the Atlantic and Pacific. This, coupled with the USA''s agreement that Australian working holiday makers can stay on in the States if they have skills to offer, ensures that the American Dream is once again an incredibly attractive proposition. As a result, the UK may increasingly miss out on the opportunity to attract and retain young, hard working, highly skilled workers from Australia.

"However, the UK remains popular. Judging by the feedback we receive, the majority of our clients - many of whom have relatives here - love Great Britain and its people. In recent years, Australians have become a familiar sight in British towns and cities. Many are on working holiday visas and are earning money for a grand tour of Europe. Australians have entered the pint-pulling culture of Britain, and the UK has long been a favourite among young antipodeans preparing to see the world. However, with more choice, jobs, and a standard of living that is easier on the pocket, the attraction of the Star Spangled Banner is becoming harder to resist."

He concludes: "Times have changed in the UK; travel costs are no longer as affordable as they used to be, and high expenses further dissuade Australians from landing on British shores. In addition, the huge influx of Eastern European workers in the UK, who account for most of the available low skilled positions, means that the USA is an increasingly attractive alternative."