Wee Birdy

London's best Christmas crackers: the eco cracker

Cracker crib notes:
What? Green Ribbon crackers made from page of old glossy mags like Vogue and Bazaar.
From? Not on the High Street.
How much? £28 for a pack of six.
The booty? Environmentally-friendly gifts such as organic soaps, handcreams, chocolates, candles and games.

London's best Christmas crackers: the crafty cracker

Cracker crib notes:
What? Laura Laura handmade crackers.
From? Laura Laura.
How much? £5 each or a set for £25.
The booty? Each cracker contains a traditional paper hat, a motto and a pair of button earrings.

London's best Christmas crackers: the charitable cracker

This is my third annual round-up of the best Christmas crackers around - both in London and online. I admit that I have a bit of a thing about this very English tradition, from the silly hats and jokes to the surprise trinkets that come tumbling out. I'll be profiling a new cracker each day this week, so stay tuned...

Cracker crib notes:
What? Purple Peacock Feather Crackers
From? Liberty.
How much? £29.95
The booty? Each of the six handmade crackers include ‘gift’-donations to a Variety Club charity, such as helping to pay for a sports wheelchair or giving a gift to a child in need. And for every box Liberty will donate £10 to the Charities Advisory Trust.

Christmas shopping nights in London – part 3

Here's my final round-up of London's best Christmas shopping sales, markets and events. Get your diaries ready and dig in...

3 December: Late Night Exmouth Market Christmas Shopping Extravaganza
Indulge in some mulled wine and nibbles while you consider your purchases from independent boutiques like EC One Jewellery, Family Tree (pictured below) and Clerkenwell Tales Bookshop. 5-9pm.

5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 21, 22 and 23 December: Pop up Christmas
If you’re in the Stoke Newington area, you might like to check out this Christmas market, which features a variety of brands and designers including Joseph Joseph, Pantone and Rude. You can also make merry with the requisite mulled wine and mince pies, along with Christmas carols and Father Christmas. Click here for more details.

12 December: Bust Craftacular
The Bust girls are back with their festive spectacular, offering over 60 stalls of crafty, handmade goodness. Shop to the sounds of ‘60s girl-pop courtesy of Sheila B, and try your luck at Tatty Devine’s Christmas Tree Tombola (can’t wait to see that one!). Keep an eye out for Belgium Waffle’s Cruel Tea stall, although prudish types may wish to avert their eyes. Adm £2. Click here for more details.

12 and 19 December: Of Cabbages and Kings Christmas market
This Stoke Newington market will be offering a host of festive treats, with refreshments from the Of Cabbages and Kings café. Look out for handmade wares by the likes of Edwyn UK (see below), Strikk handknits and Helen Rawlinson. Click here for more details.

12 December: The Mangle Xmas Sale
Tatty Devine, Rob Ryan and Amanda Fatherazi are just some of the big names to feature in this festive Shoreditch sale. Entrance is free and there will also be tea, cake and music. 11am-6pm. Click here for more details.

18, 19-22 December: Somerset House Super Christmas Market
If you’ve left Christmas shopping ‘til the last minute, here’s your chance pick up some great gifts of the non-high street variety from designers including Michael Marriott, Carl Clerkin and students from the Royal College of Art and Camberwell. Adm £2. Click here for more details.

Wee find: Vintage Christmas decorations

There's been a real trend for nostalgic Christmas decorations this year, with all sorts of glitter-adorned glass reproduction baubles gleaming from department-store windows. But I quite fancy the real thing, like these vintage decorations from Primrose Hill shop Shikasuki.

The glass pine cones are Russian and date from the '40s and '50s, while the feather angels date from the '40s. There's also a great selection of '60s transparent baubles with miniature 3D scenes. Prices start at £3.50 for a bauble, with the larger angels priced at £35.

Shikasuki
67 Gloucester Avenue
Primrose Hill, London
NW1 8LD
Tel. 020 7722 4442
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday 11am-7pm
Sunday Noon-7pm.