Time to plan ahead for Christmas with these helpful tips

I've written two articles with tips for adding some easy home made, (homemade if you're in the USA), items to your Christmas 2012. I'm not suggesting you go to extremes, but a few hours spent making some home made sweets or candies, or making a lists of how you can organise easy home made decorations, will pay off, as you'll get a warm glow of satisfaction at a job well done, as well as praise from you guests. I've hosted our family Christmas for over 30 years- I've built up lots of tips.Click through here to find a collection of tried and tested tips for easy gifts to make this Christmas I've written another page here, that gives you some easy and inexpensive ideas about decorating your home and Christmas dinner table. Start planning now!53 days to go!

Turn your photos into gifts

These days, lost of us have lots of photos. We take them all the time, using our phones or easy digital cameras. I've got an idea - why not use these photos to make some unique home made Christmas presents. I've got some good ideas - even if I say so myself! Click through this link to find ways to turn your homemade photos into presents this year Here's one of my latest photos. I think it would look great as part of a series on the Lake District on a digital photo frame. I could give this to someone who love the Lakes, but doesn't live here- like my relatives in the USA.

Reflections in Grasmere Lake, taken just a few days ago.

Will someone please buy me a Diptyque candle?

Top of my wish list for Christmas would be Diptyque candles, but I know no one will ever give me a Diptyque candle as they don't really, truly believe that they're worth the price. Here's why I think Diptyque candles are worth it! Is there someone in your life who would be thrilled to receive something from Diptyque this Christmas? Readers in the UK can buy their wonderful Diptyque gifts here.

Time to start making those homemade goodies

If you're thinking of giving home made sweets or homemade candies for Christmas, you can make my delicious
homemade chocolate truffles now, and freeze them .
If you take a look at my guide on How to make home made chocolate truffles you'll see lots of variations on the basic recipe, so that you can personalise your homemade Christmas gift. For example, if you're making chocolate truffles for a man who loves brandy, use some brandy in the recipe- simple!
If  you're making my homemade chocolate truffles for someone who loves nuts, rolls the truffles in crushed pistachios.There are lots more ideas suggested.

I've also suggested ways of packaging your truffles to make the gift look really professional. Good presentation is important.

Now that clocks have gone back, and the days are shorter, spending time messing around in the kitchen is a pleasant way to pass a few house. Just make sure you don't eat all the truffles yourself right now! Obviously you'll need to try a few, to "test" them , but try to save some to freeze for Christmas gifts.