Get-ahead gift ideas – US edition

Hello,   Here in Western New York, as small businesses get back on their feet, we encourage everyone to support them by shopping locally when possible, whether in person or online. Wherever you may be, consider purchasing gift certificates for local restaurants, bakeries, galleries, massage therapists, pilates instructors, golf or tennis pros, florists, and farmers…

Get-ahead gift ideas for the festive season, UK edition

Hello,   Here on the blog we first posted our suggestions for 'Gifts that do Good' back in 2017. As it already seems to be the time of year when magazines and newspapers are publishing their lists of gift ideas for Christmas, we thought we'd bring you our updated collection, starting with some ideas from…

A Child’s Christmas in Wales – a book recommendation

Seasonal stories

The Staircase 9 17 Bookshelf choice for December is A Child's Christmas in Wales, by Dylan Thomas (1914 - 1953)     It's a nostalgic and funny account of Christmas time in Swansea, south Wales, during the years of Thomas's youth.  Here's the description of what happens when there is a fire at the Prothero household:…