< PreviousFill thosestockings!Here’s a host of ideas to make sure that as well as your mainpresent, you’ll have plenty to open on the big day!Remember, all of these are up for grabs!1 – This Chimp Harness Buddy (£18.95) is a great way of gettingyour rampant toddlers to wear reins, but can also be used as abackpack! www.prezzybox.com2 – It’s that time of year again, time to collect the Match Attax cards(£9.99 per album), try and fill the album by swapping with your mates.www.toppsfootball.co.uk3 – Peter Capaldi’s first series as the Doctor has come to an end, butthis sticker album (£2.99) is the perfect way to commemorate his reignso far! www.toppsdirect.com4 – This London address book (£5) is a great and stylish way to keep acarbon copy of people’s details. www.hallmark.co.uk5 – Need to hone your footy skills? This Wicked UKick (£7.99) is a greatway of improving accuracy and coordination, it can also be adjusted forspeed and weight! www.wickedvision.co.uk6 – This amazing London notebook (£5) is a must for all lovers of stationerywith cool. www.hallmark.co.uk 7 – This wonderful Floral Noted Neatly notebook (£4) is anothergreat option for those who love to keep immaculate notes!www.hallmark.co.uk8 – Egg and soldiers on Christmas morningsounds amazing to us! This egg cup and toastcutter (£6.95) is a fun way of having a festivebreakfast. www.prezzybox.comCHRISTMAS GIVEAWAYTTTTTT12345678055-064_Layout 1 17/11/2014 11:23 Page 69 – This knitted rattle (£12.99) is a gorgeous addition to a newborn’sfestive gift pile! www.justforbaby.co.uk10 – This Sew Lovely notebook (£6) is a wonderfully crafty take on thetraditional notebook, we just love it. www.hallmark.co.uk11 – Moshi Monsters are back, these card tins (£6.99) look amazing too!www.toppsdirect.com12 – Broom broom! Measuring just 4.5cm in length, these mighty, minimotorbikes (£3.99 each) whizz off at super scale speeds of up to 470mph!www.tesco.com13 – I moustache you a question! If Movember hasn’t put you off facial fuzz,this is the perfect mug (£6) for you! www.hallmark.co.uk14 – Sometimes a chintzy design just works on mugs (£6),especially when it looks this contemporary.www.hallmark.co.uk15 – An old favourite is back too, Thomas & Friends tell the‘Tale of the Brave’ (£12.99).16 – Fireman Sam is usually at home fighting fires on dry land,but here he is in Ocean Rescue (£12.99)!17 – Join Mike the Knight on his adventures to DragonMountain (£12.99) and get medieval!18 – Frozen is Disney’s biggest film in a long time,these activity cards (£6.99) are a great little addition toany child’s Christmas sack! www.toppsdirect.comTTT9101112131415161718CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY055-064_Layout 1 17/11/2014 11:23 Page 72CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAYTime to play!We’re confident that this year, these are toys all kids willlove. Who doesn’t want something extra to openalongside their main present? Here’s some fantastic ideas.We have Tomy’s top ten toys and a selection of some other amazing toys out thisChristmas! To be in with a chance of winning, we’d like those of you aged 12 and underto draw us a fantastic Christmas picture. It can be a drawing, a painting, somethingyou’ve created with a computer or tablet, anything that you like! The top prize is the topten Tomy toys, with a lucky second prize of our other toys in one big bundle! Sendentries to Lincolnshire Today’s Christmas Toy Competition, Armstrong House, ArmstrongStreet, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, LN8 3ES or email your pictures tocompetitions@lincolnshire-today.co.uk1 - What a way to display photos! This See Me, Hear Me photo album (£19.99) allowsyou to store photos and even to record voice messages for children. A great way tokeep loved ones close. www.uk.tomy.com2 - Chuggington is as popular as ever and this Brewster’s Big Build Adventure Set(£39.99) includes a crane to help trapped engines as they are caught in the trick bridge!www.uk.tomy.com3 - We’ll never understand why kids love seeing the bins emptied, but here’s the nextbest thing for your little rubbish-junkies! This Iveco Rubbish Collection Lorry (£39.99)has a working compactor to teach the little ones about recycling. www.uk.tomy.com4 - Perfect for Lincolnshire’s little farmers, this John Deere remote control tractor(£20.99) is sure to make Christmas Day one spent on the farm. www.uk.tomy.com5 - Have Pikachu (£29.99) sit on your shoulder just like Ash in Pokemon! This amazingbattle ready beast shoots the ‘electric’ discs from its tail too. www.uk.tomy.com 3415TTT055-064_Layout 1 17/11/2014 11:23 Page 8PIC: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/KOSTENYUKOVA NATALIYA6 - Bath time can really be fun when you havesomething as colourful as this to play with.This Stack n’ Play Lighthouse (£16.99)lights up when you’ve finished stacking andalso plays a lively seaside song!www.uk.tomy.com7 - Winnie the Pooh has a hankering forhoney, and so will your little ones withthis set of Hide n’ Shake Honey Pots(£12.99), match the pairs to win!Comes with a fetching carry case too!www.uk.tomy.com8 - These critters in this Sing to Learn Bunny Bus (£19.99)will teach little ones about numbers, letters and colours.www.uk.tomy.com9 - Watch out! InterAction Alvin is on the loose! UsingSmartTalk technology, Alvin (£24.99) can make over fiftydino noises and can also jump, talk and sing.www.uk.tomy.com10 – This is a battle you’ll want to be part of this Christmas! With motionsensor controllers, these Battroborg Warriors (£59.99) respond to the wayyou move and we have the Samurai vs Ninja set toensure a futuristic festive period!www.uk.tomy.com810TTTTTT679055-064_Layout 1 17/11/2014 11:23 Page 9CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY1 - 58 magic tricks and all of them amazing! Ifyou’re kids love Harry Potter, this Miss Magic set(£15) could be perfect! www.tobar.co.uk2 - Who doesn’t love chocolate? This ChocolartSweet Creatures set (£20) makes those sweettreats creative! www.tobar.co.uk3 – This Snow White mosaic kit (£14.99) is agreat way to keep little princesses quiet thisChristmas! Stick the mosaic pieces carefullyto create some gorgeous, sparklymasterpieces! www.toysrus.co.uk4 - How about a marble run this Christmas?This Quercetti Super marble run (£49.99) is anamazing feat of fun! Endless possibilities forsome rolling fun. www.argos.co.uk 5 - Hours of fun! This build-your-own-den kit fromPL-UG (£14.99) is perfect for kids who want a secretplace to hide away from adults!www.facebook.com/plugdens6 - Russel the Dream Sheepdog (£34.99) is a perfectbed time companion for toddlers. It features a voicerecorder and a light show to lull kids to sleep easily.www.sweetdreamers.co.uk123456055-064_Layout 1 17/11/2014 11:23 Page 10LINCOLNSHIRETODAY65CHRISTMAS SHOPPINGLincolnshire’s retailerswelcome visitors from farand wide during the festiveseasonThere are those who will tell you thatthanks to the rise of online shopping,you can get all your Christmasshopping done in a matter of minutesfrom the comfort of your own armchair– but is this really what the season ofgoodwill is about? Making a couple ofclicks on a website and watchingmoney disappear from your credit cardoffers all the fun and excitement ofrenewing your car tax.While it may be true that some of thenation’s High Streets are best avoidedany weekend and Thursday eveningbetween October and December, inLincolnshire Christmas shopping canactually be – deep breath – good fun.That’s because we’re fortunate to behome to so many fantastic independenttraders and specialist shops that canoffer a host of items you won’t findanywhere else – and you’re guaranteeda warm welcome no matter how busythey are.A shopping excursion to Lincolnshireduring the festive season is usuallybased around Lincoln’s ChristmasMarket – and rightly so, as its quality isrenowned throughout the UK andfurther afield with around a quarter of amillion people descending on the cityeach year. Despite its classic air, theMarket’s history in fact only dates backto the early eighties, but over the pastThe spiritof Christmas66 Á065-067_Layout 1 17/11/2014 14:23 Page 166 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCHRISTMAS SHOPPINGFor Quality Flooring and Window BlindsCall Graham Gill Carpets TodayDomestic & ContractFree Estimates &evening callsTel/Fax: 01205 365350Mobile: 07557 434775 24 West Street, Boston PE21 8QH Email: info@grahamgillcarpets.comwww.grahamgillcarpets.comMerry Christmas& aHappy NewYearfromGrahamGillCarpetsWishing our customers a Merry Christmas andHappy New Year•Memory foam •3⁄4beds •Super kingsize bedsemail: briggbeds@hotmail.co.ukTel: 01652 651828Princes Street, Brigg DN20 8HGwww.briggbedslincolnshire.co uk32 years it has become a real countytradition and for many people marks thestart of the festive season. That’ll be thecase again this year as it takes placebetween Thursday 4th and Sunday 7thDecember.Organised by City of Lincoln Council,from bands and theatre groups. Followinga successful trial last year, we’ve going tohave more seasonal chalets in the castlegrounds, Castle Square and Minster Yard,providing a really authentic feel.“Of course Santa and his sleigh will beflying in for the duration, so there’s plentyfor the kids to do as well. This year we’realso encouraging our visitors to supportSmall Business Saturday on 6thDecember. Lincoln is fortunate to boast ahuge number of high quality,independent shops and small businessesand it would be a shame not to checkthem out while you’re visiting.” Indeedthere’s certainly more to the city than justthe Lincoln Christmas Market is estimatedto bring in more than £10 million to thecity every year, and a survey carried outby the University of Lincoln last yearshowed that visitors keep on coming back– most of the people they surveyed hadvisited before, the majority having visitedfour or five times.What’s new this year? ClaireThompson, Principal Events and CultureOfficer at the council, says, “Last yearpeople told us they wanted moreentertainment, so that’s something we’veworked hard to expand on this year.Buskers will be dotted around the wholemarket, along with more performancesPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/MONKEY BUSINESS IMAGESPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COMFor all of yourflooring and finishing touches5 - 6 High St, Lincoln(01522) 523004 or07944218982www.croftcarpets.co.ukWishingall a Merry Christmas16 High Street, Horncastle LN9 5BL Tel: 01507 5273712 Market Place, Wragby LN8 5QU Tel: 01673 858968R. Wisby (Family Butcher) LTDR. Wisby (Family Butcher) LTDWe are a traditional butchers doing things thetraditional way. Our meat is only of the best quality and we pride ourselves on our customer service.Wishing our customers a Merry Christmas and a happy new year065-067_Layout 1 17/11/2014 14:23 Page 2the Market and the other retailers –alongside numerous hotels andrestaurants – often host specialevents over the Market weekend tobenefit from the huge increase invisitors to the city.Claire sums up the Christmasshopping experience in Lincoln by saying,“Visitors can enjoy a wide range of deliciousfood from the local area and abroad, find that perfectpresent among the unique gifts and homemade crafts and enjoy all thesights and smells of a traditional Christmas market. We can’t wait towelcome all our visitors and stallholders who can help us to makeChristmas in Lincoln really magical.”While the Lincoln Christmas Market may be the most famous festiveshopping experience in the county, there’s something specialhappening in every town and village. Towns like Louth, and places suchas Cleethorpes’ Sea View Street, are a fantastic place to visit duringDecember as the mix of independent traders creates a real old-fashioned festive air – the kind of shops you can enjoy exploring andpick the brains of the owners who can help you find that extra specialsomething.If you’re intending to take charge of the catering this Christmas, theChristmas Food and Gift Fair, which takes place at the LincolnshireShowground on 29th and 30th November, should provide plenty ofinspiration – including demonstrations from top chefs like NancyBirtwhistle and Louise Jarvis and a display over two hundred craft stalls.To add to the appeal, local choirs will be singing traditional andmodern Christmas carols and you’ll undoubtedly be able to pick up atip of two – a secret ingredient to make this Christmas the mostmemorable yet.One event that has become a popular part of the festive build-up isStamford’s Christmas Festival, which has enjoyed five highly successfuloutings and this year’s promises to be the best yet. Stamford HighStreet, Ironmonger Street, Broad Street, Sheep Market and RedLion Square will be dedicated to the Festival on Sunday 30thNovember and there’ll be loads of entertainment. It’s hard toimagine a more appropriate place to recreate the magic ofChristmases past than the beautiful old town – not least as it hasappeared in umpteen period dramas over the years.It’s not just the markets and festivals that sum up the Christmasspirit in the county but all the shopping centres and High Streets.If it all gets a bit too much for you, too, then why not pop intoone of the many pubs, restaurants, museums and churches toreflect and enjoy the festive experience.For the excitement and adventure of festive shopping, you can’tbeat festive Lincolnshire. Wrap up warm and the experience ofgiving should almost be as much fun as receiving!LINCOLNSHIRETODAY67CHRISTMAS SHOPPING“This yearwe’re encouragingour visitors tosupport SmallBusiness Saturday on6th December”Claire Thompson, PrincipalEvents and CultureOfficerTABLEWARE • GLASSWAREAchurch & SonsHARDWARE STORE16/17 Market Place, Horncastle. Tel: (01507) 523441B & D POWER TOOLS • STELLA/MEYER COOKWAREGARDENING•CAKE STORAGE TINS • BAKEWAREKITCHENWARE • LE CREUSET • LA CAFATIERE •HANDTOOLSAchurchthe Hardware Storefor Inspirational Christmas Gifts 065-067_Layout 1 17/11/2014 14:23 Page 3Help forAlder HeyThe Tait family organised a special Charity Ball at Hemswell Court Hotel toraise funds for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. One of the most famouschildren’s hospitals in the world, it’s acause close to the family’s heart asdaughter Francesca has been attendingthe hospital since the age of two for eyesurgery. Parents Helen and Stephenhosted the event to thank the hospitaland raise fundsLive music from Soul Solution, as well asa raffle, auction and casino ensured it wasa fantastic evening, which raised a grandtotal of £4800 to allow Alder Hey tocontinue its excellent work. Helen andStephen wish to thank everyone whohelped make it such a great night!68 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYSOCIAL SCENEPHOTOS BY RICHARD PICKSLEYMark andKaren SealDavid andSam ParkinThe Tait familyMike and Vanessa Tomlinson withMike and Sharon AlcockFrancesca and George Taitwith Mollie, Auntie Wendyand Uncle IanMartin andMonica CarterNigel andVictoria StaintonPaul and NicolaSawyerThe PagepartyCraig Holson andClaire Luck068_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:08 Page 1human interaction andwe’d say getting toknow people in thisway leads to betterbusiness relationshipsand more of a feel ofcommunity. Gettingthat balance between knowing acustomer in ‘real life’ and interactingwith them digitally is arguably essentialthese days.Behaviour change: Rather thanbeing stuck to your smartphone orlaptop, networking events give you thechance to, horror of horrors, talk topeople! It’s not just a case of filling timeby discussing the weather and otherniceties though, it’s about making theright impression. Not only are yourepresenting yourself, but yourcompany too.Introduce yourself: No waitingin the wings, please. Nobody strikesup conversation with wallflowersand if you’ve been sent there ordecided to attend, it’s not becauseyou’re shy and retiring. The oldtrick of elevator speech is a goodtrick to use here. Ten to fifteenLINCOLNSHIRETODAY69BUSINESS LINCSBe social: The advent of social mediahas meant that people are networkingat a rate that is unprecedented and ishaving tangible results in the world ofbusiness. For all the digital interactionthat is taking place however, physicallymeeting clients, potential customersand business leaders face to face is stillsomething we very much advocates of.That’s not to say social media isn’tunderpinning conferences andnetworking meetings, it’s a great wayof supporting what you aim to find outand achieve, but there is no certainway of trusting someone properly untilyou meet them face to face.Getting to know you: The humanelement of business is something thatis far from receding. This means peopleare purely talking to each other overnetworks, we have witnessed a rise inorganised networks meeting to get toknow each other on a personal as wellas business level. Attend any exhibitionas a delegate and you will find severalchances to network, both among peersin your chosen industry and withexperts that can provide opinion,advice and tips for bigger and betterbusiness.Nothing beats that personal, overallNetworkwith the best of them! More and more networking groups arecropping up around the county and bigbusiness is being done at each and everymeeting. If you want to start on this path, thenhere’s some things to remember.70 Á069-070_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:26 Page 1Next >