Let's just get one thing straight – there is nothing wrong with giving someone a pair of mittens for Christmas. In fact, children are lucky in that they can still get away with that wonderful piece of ingenuity – the length of wool that holds the mittens through the coat sleeves – why don't they do that for adults? Perhaps that might seem a bit too naff for the kids of today but then that's hardly surprising when they have so many wonderful things available to them.

The ideal stocking fillers are those gifts that are small enough to fit into the Christmas stocking, don't necessarily have to be wrapped up, and will provide at least one hour's entertainment on Christmas day, if not more. Here are just a few ideas that might help…

Stocking Fillers for the Techno whiz
You'll know if you have a techno whiz on your hands as they're the type of child that likes their gadgets and gizmos as well as taking things apart for the sake of putting them back together again. The techno whiz is bound to appreciate any stocking fillers that bleep or lights up and there are plenty of possibilities including the 'Mo-Pod'. This special little device lights up and spins when a mobile phone receives an incoming call – it may sound like a redundant idea given that phones have ring tones anyway, but the kids will love them, particularly as the designs come with a variety of novelty figures including Santa Claus and Rudolph. For those budding scientists in the family who prefer something a little more hands on; then you could challenge them to build the 'Dino robot Making Kit' – officially endorsed by the London Science Museum – this monster-making kit is ideal for those little well, monsters!

Stocking Fillers for Creative Kiddies
For the more creative children, try looking for those gift ideas that will enhance their artist skills. For younger children, then 'the Very Hungry Caterpillar Colouring Book' should keep them busy – at least until you've got the Christmas dinner on the table by which time they'll no doubt be very hungry caterpillars themselves. For something a little more messy, then the 'Glow in the Dark – Mould and Paint Dinosaur Kit is sure to fill a gap – these stocking fillers are a great way of keeping the younger ones entertained for hours, and you'd be surprised at how addictive they can be for the grown-ups too!

Stocking Fillers for Baby Botanists
It's never too early to get the little ones interested in plants and organic products – not only is it educational, you might find that you'll have a little help in the garden too. Rather than handing them the keys to the garden shed, however, it might be better to start them on something a little bit smaller such as the 'Mr Grasshead - Grow your own'. With his big eyes and smiley face, it won't be long before his hair needs cutting, so these trendy little Stocking Fillers might just double up as a training ground for those budding hair stylists too. We all know that growing plants and flowers can be quite time consuming which is why it is important to ensure that the end results will be something worth waiting for. The 'Grow It-Gift Box' stocking fillers mean that you can choose from a variety of plants including daises, sunflowers, cacti and even next year's Christmas tree.

Stocking Fillers For The Juvenile Joker
Most young children will go through that phase at some point – where practical jokes and being mischievous become their biggest source of amusement – luckily most of us grow out of it though there are a few who would still claim that the 'Whoopi Cushion' was the best invention of all time. If you have any cheeky cherubs who like nothing more than a joke, then Christmas is probably the best time to indulge them. If the 'Jolly Roger Toilet Roll' doesn't appeal to their particular tastes, then perhaps the 'Skid marks loo roll will'. If they're more than likely to get over excited at the dinner table then it might be worth investing in a 'Splat Stan' – an unusual and utterly tasteless coaster and drinks holder – they'll love it! They may well be something that you'll wish you hadn't bothered with come Boxing Day, but the 'Flying Pig With an Oink' and 'Flying Monkey with Cape' make for some real entertaining treats and are perfectly sized for those Christmas stockings.

Stocking Fillers for A Bath time Baby
At the end of what always promises to be a very long day, ensure that the kids have a last bit of fun before bed time with a choice of amazing Rubber ducks. Whether it's a 'Ducktor Who', 'Space Duck', or 'Pink Duck', these unique bath time gifts are bound to put a smile on their little faces, make perfect stocking fillers, and are a sure way of encouraging them to have a bath a little more often too!

John Smith

Part 1. Classic Literature VideoBook with synchronized text, interactive transcript, and closed captions in multiple languages. Audio courtesy of Librivox. Read by Elizabeth Klett. Playlist for Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë: www.youtube.com

Arched windows, bay windows, bow windows – they look so beautiful in any interior. But when you need to choose window treatment for such windows, you may face a big dilemma: to cover, or not to cover. On one hand they add a unique charm to your room, but on the other hand they look bare without dressing. And besides, sometimes you want to keep your privacy and reduce light, coming outside, don’t you? If you are facing such problem, don’t worry - curved curtain rods can be a wonderful solution if you consider adding draperies, valances or window scarf to your non-standard windows.

Besides, there are several variations of drapery hardware for curved windows. There are a number of companies that produce various types of curved, flexible and bendable drapery rods and tracks. They may vary by materials and price, so do your search and you will de
Part 3 - The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (Chs 10-12)

finitely find a solution for your curved windows.

Before looking for the drapery hardware, decide about window treatment style that you would like to add to your curved window. Do you want to hang draperies? If so, what kind of them? Will it be heavy weighted draperies or light sheers? Maybe you need a set of draperies? Are you going to add also valances, pelmet, or swags? Or, maybe you plan only to put decorative window scarf above the arched window to enhance its beauty? For every of these choices you may need a different type of curved window rods.

Options you may consider for your curved windows:

Custom curved rods – you can get traverse rods or wrought iron rods. Traverse rods are usually made of aluminum and may vary in how much weight you can hang on them. Iron rods are sturdier and look more attractive. It means that you can use them for heavy weighted draperies and can do without valances or pelmets – iron rod itself can be an eye-catching element of your window treatment, especially with decorative finials. White or colored draperies or window scarves will look very attractive with black or painted iron rod.

Bay window curtain rods – these curtain rods are designed especially for bay windows. They are usually made of metal with white finish. They come in variety of sizes and can be adjust to your specific bay window. Keep in mind that there is a limitation of how much weight they can support. Check it out when you shop for them. You have also an option to get double bay window curtain track if you need to hang a set of draperies or draperies with a valance.

Flexible traverse curtain tracks - a wonderful solution for many kinds of non-standard and curved windows such as corner, bay, bow and arched windows. Some companies sell them by foot, others – in rolls or as a single wide track that you can cut and bend for your specific window. A minimal radius is usually 12”. These metal tracks can be standard, medium duty and heavy duty – for light, medium weighted and heavy weighted draperies. 

Bendable curtain rods - are good for arched, oval and eyebrow windows. They become invisible under curtains because they are made of clear plastic. Like a flexible metal track, they can be easily cut and bend for your curved window. You can get a window hardware kit that includes the rod, parts and instructions for installation.

Curtains and drapes is not the only variation of window covering for curved windows. You have many other options - blinds, shades, shutters, stained glass.

Alina Belchikov

South Australia's most visited attraction, the Adelaide Botanic Garden is home to the internationally acclaimed Bicentennial Conservatory. The largest single span conservatory in the southern hemisphere and one of the largest in the world, it features plants from the tropical rainforests of northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the nearby Pacific Islands. Many of these plants are at risk in their natural habitats. Built to celebrate Australia's Bicentenary in 1988, the Conservatory enables visitors to experience a unique and visually stunning rainforest environment right here in the heart of Adelaide.

Located in the popular tourist village of Hahndorf in the beautiful Adelaide Hills, the Hahndorf Farm Barn is a unique tourism attraction that allows people of all ages to interact with
Chapter 01-4 - Walden by Henry David Thoreau

a variety of tame farm animals, from lambs and goats to alpacas and cows.

Our accomodation Norwood guests can join the Farm Barn just over four years ago and, each day, they offer tourists the opportunity to meet their stable of furry friends - Sam the Suffolk ram, Daisy the cow, Billy the alpaca and many others.

From our Self-Contained Adelaide cottages to the barn, visitors are treated to a one-hour interactive show where, from the comfort of hay bales, they are introduced to the Farmer’s friendly farm animals one by one.

Visitors learn all types of interesting facts and they also have the opportunity to count Sam's teeth and try milking Daisy. And if the season is right, visitors can watch a sheep be shorn.

Our accomodation Norwood guests are free to roam around the barn and are also welcome to jump in the pens to touch and feed the many animals.

Visit our Australian made items, reflecting an image of both high quality and individuality, including pottery, timber, metal and silver, opal and iron ore jewellery. The range of Aboriginal art and craft is very popular with tourists as is the extensive selection of T-shirts catering for both adults and children alike. Distinctive Australian animals are also a specialty. Once you’re here; you feel at home in our Self-Contained Adelaide cottages.

Kent Town Cottage