Get Christmas all wrapped up

Christmas is coming – so Tessa Gates has trawled the high street, the internet and a selection of country stores for gift ideas for farming families which are just a mouse-click or phone call away.

Horse play

For a once-in-a-lifetime present, a hand-made rocking horse is the ultimate family gift.

There’s just time to have a Legends rocking horse made to order for Christmas.

This can be customised with carved initials or a time capsule.

The horses come in a number of styles and sizes to suit everyone from toddlers to adults. If you’ve got lots of grandkids, you could keep it safe in the farmhouse and let them share it when they come to visit.

The traditional dapple grey carved in English oak costs around £2595 plus VAT on safety rockers; £3475 plus vat on bow rockers.

If only real livestock attracted these sorts of prices. Tel: 01494 452 496. For more information go to: http://www.legendsrockinghorses.co.uk/

Bear necessities

A teddy bear is a traditional present at Christmas and many an adult still keeps a favourite one in the bedroom.

Teddy Bears of Witney in Oxfordshire specialises in selling new and old bears.

In stock in its high street shop are limited editions by world-renowned manufacturers such as Steiff, Merrythought, Dean’s and many of the world’s finest bear artists. It’s just the place to find a special bear for a special person.

Tel: 01993 706 616 or go to http://www.teddybears.co.uk/

Getting ahead

A sheepskin hat to wear everywhere this winter, this ladies’ Carta nappa trim hat comes in medium, large and extra large, price £45 from Nursey of Bungay.

You might as well look stylish when you’re feeding the sheep.

Tel: 01986 892 821 or go to http://www.nurseysheepskin.co.uk/

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Soft shoe shuffle

Not one for the yard, but these beautiful soft pumps in silver or gold leather lined with contrasting velvet are slippers pretty enough to party in.

Find them at Toast, price £59.

Tel: 08445 575 200. http://www.toast.co.uk/index.aspx

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Get cosy

Farmhouses can be chilly at times so warm yourself – or, indeed, go a bit green and turn the heating down a notch – with this Slanket.

This lightweight “blanket with sleeves” is a sure way to stay cosy on the couch.

Actor Bruce Willis even turned up in one on the David Letterman Show in the USA. £24.99 at http://www.firebox.com/

 

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Put a spring in your step

Top of the list for trainer-loving teenagers is the Nike iD – footwear that can be customised to produce your own design and personalised with a name or logo. This can be done online or in selected Nike stores.

Each design takes four weeks to make and prices start from £65.

Gift vouchers are available, or call 020 7612 0990 if you’re heading to London and want to book a design session in the iD Studio. http://nikeid.nike.com/nikeid/index.jsp

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Going nuts

A great stocking filler for the man who enjoys his Christmas nuts is the Spencer Squirrel nutcracker by Jamie Oliver.

Just put the nut in his paws, press his tail down and the kernel is yours, price £18. http://www.jamieoliver.com/

 

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Best foot forward

Just the thing for anyone who likes alternative remedies – these socks show where to put the pressure on during a reflexology foot massage for ailments in other parts of the body.

Made from a moisturising Lycra/cotton blend, in one size only. £6.98. Tel: 08456 431082 or go to http://www.geniegadgets.com/

It’s a dog’s life

The perfect dogs to allow on the sofa… greyhound, Jack Russell terriers and other sporting breeds feature on smart cushions with removable covers made from flat weave Belgian tapestry.

Size 45x45cm, they cost £18.90 each from The Flying Fox. Tel: 01986 782 354 or go to www.theflyingfox.co.uk