www.christmasmarkets.com

Now into its third year www.christmasmarkets.com is the only directory internet portal providing comprehensive information about Christmas Markets in the UK and Europe. Visitors to this site will obtain valuable advance information about the various markets in the UK, Germany, France, the rest of Europe and even the USA. 2007 saw a significant increase in visitors to the site with numbers peaking during the month of November when 99,788 unique visitors were attracted to the site.

This web site is extremely user-friendly and informative and even allows the visitor to safely and securely book competitively priced hotel accommodation on-line in the location of the Christmas Market they have chosen to visit. The browsing experience is further enriched by a press release information page. The information used on this page is done so entirely on editorial merit and the publication of the various news stories are not influenced by advertising activity

The browsing experience is further enriched by a news information page. The stories selected for this page are done so entirely on editorial merit and the publication of the various news items are not influenced by advertising activity.There are two styles of listing. The basic free entry lists the location and the dates of the market only. The enhanced full page feature listing gives opening times, transport information plus a detailed description of the market.

The website has been redesigned. The new version, has improved functionality and also includes the opportunity for visitors to share their experiences with other visitors and  review the Christmas markets they have visited. Publishers producing articles on Christmas Markets for 2008 are  requested to mention the web address www.christmasmarkets.com and suggest that their readers access the site so they can make an informed choice of the Christmas Market they intend to visit during 2008

www.christmasmarkets.com

Get Christmas All Wrapped Up with READY-TO-GO stockings from The Handpicked collection

Santa and Mrs. Claus can relax this year because the Handpicked Collection has come up with the solution to finding the perfect stockings with minimal effort – ready-to-go stockings For Him, For Her, For Gardeners and For Gourmets as well as Naughty But Nice add on gift ideas. Including one free gift, the fillers are both grouped and priced together to save you time and money

...the ideal stocking fillers can take hours and each individual gift can really add up in price but a Two Minute Gourmet Fondue, a Leather Heart Key-ring, a Spa Night-in Kit and the World’s Smallest Hairdryer are just a taster of the gifts in the For Her ready-made stocking at £75 only. If you are feeling generous add the Naughty But Nice (£50) selection which includes a Massage Candle, an embroidered Lingerie bag for weekends away and other goodies.

A useful Decanter Drainer which lets his crystal dry in one piece, a chic Gianni Rose Black Heart Soap, some unique Thornback & Peel Embroidered Hankies and Scented Shoe Trees are inspired treats included in the stocking For Him (£75) making a pleasant change from the usual socks and tangerines.

The Green fingered stocking (£50) For Gardeners includes The Paper Potter to make your very own biodegradable paper pots from recycled newspaper, a String in a Tin, the Love ‘Em and Leave ‘Em Leaf Sack to turn a potential chore into a moment of environmental smugness and there is a fabulous selection in the Gourmet stocking (£50) to cover every eventuality in the kitchen. A Coloured Pairing Knife, Mini Whisk and Chef’s Candle (to eliminate unwanted household odours) are each cute and handy and the Candy Coloured Espresso Maker is a fun but foolproof take on the classic stovetop maker.

... and catalogue is crammed full of hidden gems and classic gifts chosen by journalists and trend setters, ranging from these perfect stockings to individual gifts and more substantial presents to ensure that you will find something for everyone.

For orders: www.handpickedcollection.com; 0845 6023578

Photos: CARE International UK

Leading overseas development agency CARE International UK have some tough events in store for anyone brave enough to rise to the challenge! Through the 2009 CARE Challenge Series, the CARE Challenge Team aims to raise well over £1.1 million for the charity’s essential work overseas, helping 55 million people in 70 countries find a route out of poverty.

...the CARE Challenge Team will be running 12 outdoor fundraising events in the UK, France and Spain, aimed at individuals and corporate teams from a wide range of sectors. These include the classic 3 Peaks Challenge – a tough 24-hour event which will see participants climbing the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales: Ben Nevis (1334m), Scafell Pike (978m) and Snowdon (1,085m), all in the target time of 24 hours. Individual events include such adventures as cycling from London to Paris! Also on offer are the increasingly popular 3 Peaks Challenge in Spain and a Scottish 3 Peaks Challenge. If 3 mountains in one day aren’t enough, there is also the CARE 24 Peaks Challenge – a grueling 24 peaks in as many hours, taking in some of the most spectacular scenery in the UK, in the stunning Lake District.

...teams are supported every step of the way from signup to completion, with on-hand training and fundraising support from the CARE Challenge Team.  Says CARE Challenge Manager Michele Evans, “We have over 14 years’ experience of organising outdoor fundraising events, so participants are in the best possible hands. This ranges from help with fundraising and advice on training to safety on the mountainside and a great party at the end of each event. With over 90 pence in every pound going to our poverty fighting programmes, teams know that their efforts are more than worthwhile- they’re essential.”

... are also conscientious about protecting the environment throughout the Challenge Series. Says Challenge Event Manager Neil Munro, “We specialise in UK events and minimise our impact on the environment, locally and globally. We have a strict code of conduct, developed alongside the Institute of Fundraising, including limiting participant numbers and using less popular routes to limit the effects of erosion. We donate 2 per cent of profits to maintain footpaths and run litter-picking contests! We limit teams to one vehicle each and offset any carbon emissions. So participants can enter knowing they’re working towards something truly remarkable.”

During the 2008 Challenge Series, a total of 180 teams across 12 events raised £1.1m for CARE, and the team hope to top this figure in 2009. Challenge poverty and challenge yourself- sign up today!

Find out more about the 2009 CARE Challenge Series by visiting www.carechallenge.org.uk

While you may not like to hear it, Christmas is just around the corner, bringing with it the annual headache of queues, crowds and the last minute panic to buy that elusive ‘must-have’ toy. Whether it’s a Rubik’s Cube or a Buzz Lightyear action figure, there’s always one ‘but-all-the-other-kids-have-one’ present that leaves parents in a frantic scramble. Christmas has always been an expensive season, but with the added weight of the credit crunch, this year is set to be harder than ever, putting a real strain on families. Now, innovative new money saving website, TipaTipa.co.uk, is helping shoppers have Christmas with all the trimmings, but at a fraction of the cost.

The site works by people listing an item they’re looking for such as a TV, computer console, or even a car or a holiday, and the price that they’re prepared to pay for it.  A community of savvy bargain hunters then use their skills and expertise to find the best deal. If the shopper is happy with the savings found, they can then leave a discretionary tip, thanking the ‘tipper’ for their services. Dave Dixon, TipaTipa Director said: “The website is all about the online community working together to find bargains.  If you want to buy a particular gift for someone but don’t know where to look for the best deals, then post it on TipaTipa with an ideal price, and the other members of the site will find it for you.

“We’re expecting the site to be extremely busy over the Christmas period, as the credit crunch continues to pile on the pressure.  This year more than ever, shoppers will need to show that bit of festive spirit and help each other out.”

The site is handy for hunting down those hard-to-find presents, such as the latest toys and gadgets that inevitably sell out just before you get to the shops.  Through TipaTipa, shoppers can find out where the last few are hiding, and snap them up for the best possible price. This year, retailers are predicting a return to the retro toys of the 1980s, with recent Hollywood films sparking a renewed interest in Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Transformers action figures.

Other hotly tipped toys for Christmas 2008 include: Sesame Street’s singing and talking doll, Elmo Live; the Teletubbies’ interactive dancing dolls, Dance With Me Teletubby; and the Doctor Who dalek voice changer helmet. However, for many households, the most popular present to be unwrapped on Christmas morning will be the ubiquitous games console.  Good choices this year include the Wii and Wii Fit, the Sony Xbox 360 and the Nintendo DS Lite, now available in a variety of colours.

As many of these fashionable toys are likely to sell out before the festive season, it makes sense to get online and start bagging those Christmas bargains as early as possible. It’s free to join TipaTipa and create listings, all users are asked in return is to rate bids and consider leaving a discretionary tip to fellow users that help save time or money. Tips are paid through Paypal but users can also use the messaging service to agree an alternative payment.

www.TipaTipa.co.uk