I’ve just about finished. The presents are wrapped, the turkey is defrosting, the jelly for the trifle is setting and everything is calm. Quiet even. No more deadlines, no more schedules and no more emails.

Thank you for reading this year. Have a very merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful 2010.

I’ll leave you with one of my favourite Christmas songs.

With all good wishes

Jenny

These made me smile today. They’re so pretty and colourful and the detail is so intricate. There’s a lovely sense of texture too.

They’re by Jackie Cardy and available to buy on Folksy at http://folksy.com/shops/dogdaisy.

Hi everyone. I’m sorry I’ve not been around for a few days. Lots going on here and a few changes afoot. All of them good. More on that in the New Year. I’m back now and with added festive fervour. I hope you’re all well and looking forward to the holiday.

My sister is coming to stay today. Yay. She lives in Scotland and so I don’t get to see her very often. We’re all in a state of excitement, including the cats. There’s always lots of travelling over Christmas - staying with family, weekend city breaks (oh please Santa, Europe), New Year’s Eve bashes etc. An overnight bag is therefore de rigueur.

Check these out. They’re made from organic hemp canvas and Fair Trade burlap coffee sacks. The burlap and hemp canvas has been fused with a natural cotton fabric for extra strength. The inside is lined with a olive medium weight cotton. There are two large open pockets which are perfect to help organise your bag contents. There is also a 25cm waterproof zip pocket because we all know how frustrating it is when your shampoo leaks in your bag.

You can buy them from The Wren.

Quite liking the Vesper too!

All set for Christmas? Made your lists yet? Last year Locher launched a competition called Bad Santa. It was so successful that they’re running it for a second year. Here’s how it works. Instead of writing about how good you were this year, Evil Santa (aka Locher) wants to know how bad you’ve been. That’s right. He wants to know about all your naughty deeds and dirty dealings.

Email your letters to badsanta@lochers.com to be in with a chance of winning. The best letters will be posted anonymously on the Locher Facebook fan page and the letters to get the most “Facebook likes” will be the winners. Ten lucky people will have the opportunity to receive anything they want from the Locher store (with the exception of the new limited edition iPhone cases).

Letters can be emailed up to 20th December. Winners will be announced on 22nd December.

Here’s a little taster of what’s up for grabs.

We bought our Christmas tree over the weekend and it’s a beauty. It’s a bit of tradition in the Hudson household to buy a new tree ornament each year. We have ornaments from the year we moved in together, a beautiful glass star from the Ice Hotel where we were married and very special ornaments that have been passed down through our families.

I came across these lovely handmade baubles from Chester-based lighting and homeware designer Jenny Bland. Created by spinning thread and resin, they’re as light and airy as snowflakes and look so pretty with the fairy lights shining through them. The little felt tops are inspired by elves’ hats.

Check them out at www.etsy.com/shop/JennyBland. They cost under £6 each, including UK delivery.

I’ve mentioned before how much I admire Sara Norris’ work. These photographs are beautiful. The colours are truer than real life and evoke a sense of nostalgia. They would make lovely gifts.

Sara is having a sale this week. Get 30% off all mini print sets and big print sets or buy any two 8 x 8 or 8 x 12 fine art prints and get one free. The offer only lasts until Sunday and so don’t leave it too late. Find more information at www.saranorris.etsy.com.

This made me smile today. A calendar is always a good bet for Christmas and I’m sure you’ll find something here to suit most women. It’s based on the Keep Calm and Carry On poster and is the work of Nichole and Evan Robertson of Little Brown Pen. This UK version has been made exclusively for Plaisir in Scotland.

I love the slogans, bright colours and clean design. The pages are attached with a clip instead of a ribbon, which means they can be detached easily, cut out and framed when each month has passed.

You can order from www.plaisirshop.co.uk. Just send them an email or give them a call and they will process the order for you. The calendar is £15 plus postage - £1.65 for recorded first class delivery in the UK. Ooh and they also offer a free gift wrapping service. So you don’t have to lift a finger. Just pop it under the tree.