It's September and we've gone Christmas Crackers already. OK, so yes it is very early. We here your groans! But, the reason we're advertising Christmas in September is to ensure as many of our customers as possible get to save money this Christmas. How? By subscribing to our special "Christmas Crackers" email bulletins!

This Credit Crunch bummer has got everyone down and it looks like they'll be limits on most ordinary folks' finances this Christmas. Enter Christmas Crackers -- our money saving solution to gift buying. We're using email bulletins to lower our marketing costs, so we can pass generous savings on to you. You can pass them on to your friends too -- by telling them where to sign-up.

There will be five Christmas Crackers bulletins. If you sign-up (FREE!), that's all you'll ever receive. No spam and no emails from "selected third party companies". We don't abuse your privacy or trust.

Each Christmas Cracker bulletin will be packed with offers on our best gifts (the crackers!), not old stuff that hasn't sold.  And, to make it extra useful, we'll be including offers from other leading retailers too. Meaning you get more choice and the chance to save even more money!

These savings will not be advertised on the website. You need to sign-up (let us email you five times) to receive them. That's not a catch. We just want the opportunity to remind you to stop by over the Christmas period and give you a reason to listen. That's it.

Is it to early to say "Merry Christmas"... YES, probably. OK, so then, why not get signed-up. It takes one minute and we don't ask for any person information -- just your name and email.  Don't miss out -- register here now

If you watched the BBC's Primark Panorama, you may be wondering where your fashion items are being made. And, most worringly, whether impoverished workers or (worst of all) children are being exploited for your fashion.

Green Tweed Fair Trade Handbag

When it comes to giving fashion as a gift, surely nobody wants to think this funds misery and exploitation? We certainly don't. Which is why we've introduced this new range of Fair Trade handbags. Well, that and because they are lush!

Our new handbags are supplied by a registered BAFTS (British Association of Fair Trade Shops) Importer. There's more about the BAFTS, here. So you can love the new designs and love giving them to your girlfriends, guilt-free. You can rest assured that the hand-stitched detailing wasn't produced at the expense of an innocent child's childhood. And, that the environemnt isn't threatened by your generosity!

But, best of all, taking the moral high ground doesn't come at the expense of style and good taste. That comes as a bonus to the fabulous look and quality these new handbag designs offer. Result!

• Our Fair Trade gift range
• Our fashion handbags

Bright, sunny and with a captivating charm, Leo is the ruler or king who loves being in charge. She revels in affairs of the heart with passion and fire. Proud as a lion and as magnanimous as a great ruler, Leos are broad-minded and self-assured. Unfortunately, they can be precious and sulky too.

Does this sound like someone you know? Well, if her birthday is between 23 July and 22 August, her star sign is Leo. But, what an earth do you get a Leo for her birthday?! Well here's some gift ideas a Leo would surely love:-

• For Leo, love is all lust and fireworks
  • 
    Please, Please Me Massage Kit for you, her partner or any unsuspecting bloke to administer!
  • Naughty Games for Grown-ups hardback book for lovers
  • Love Bug Electric Massager - sharing the benefits of massage can be even more fun!...
• Born organisers, Leo's adore being in charge
  • 
    Juicy Lucy Organising Set for fun fairy organising
  • Uchi Cosmetics Organiser the uber cool way to rearrange her cosmetics
  • 
    A6 Fair Trade Sari Journal. She'll love jotting things down in this style statement
• Leo's like to be spoiled by those they love
  • 
    Heart Of Handmade Chocolates by Browne's - well, she deserves the best!
  • Roses Are Pink Bouquet - a real treat for her eyes and nose.
  • 
    "It's All About Me" Bathing Gift Set. Well, who else could it be for?

Hopefully that's given you enough gift inspiration to stop your lioness getting all sulky on her birthday!

Do you find people's wedding lists uninspiring? Doesn't it always seem that  the good stuff's already gone. Only hand-towels and saucers left. And, who's going to remember who bought them those in six months time? Besides, sundry homewares hardly describe your delight on such a momentous occasion.

Wedding lists are supposed to ensure the bride and groom get what they want. Understandably, they don't want to spend the first 3 months of married life together getting refunds on unwanted gifts. But, aren't they just a little too efficient? Surely many couples yearn for one or two interesting departures from their sterile list; a modicum of surprise.

If you want your wedding present to be representative and remembered, sometimes you need to dare to deviate. Be brave, but for goodness sake, do your homework. You're aiming for pleasant surprise, not utter bemusement! Here's a few interesting ideas from our range...

1. Heart Bowl and Serving Spoons. Al-fresco eating for lovers.
2. Personality Placecard Holders. Perfect for their first dinner party.
   
3. Personalised Wedding Memory Box. Personalised with their names and wedding date.
4. Fair Trade Wedding Album. Beautifully handmade and capable of holding 256 photographs!
   
5. Original Poem Plus Photos Framed. Beautifully presented alongside their framed wedding photos.
6. Bride and Groom Flutes. For toasting their big day and many an anniversary!
7. Handmade Wedding Scrapbook. For recording those out-takes and irreverent wedding day moments.
   
8. Fantastically Childish Table Mats. Ideal for a young couple starting out.
9. His and Her Coat Hooks. Just add wedding day snaps of her and him.
   
10. Spaceform Butterflies Photo Frame. Reminds her of the butterflies she had on her big day.

Got someone special's birthday coming up over the next month? The zodiac sign cancer (21 June to 22 July) began at the weekend. Does this sound like them:

A born parent, driven to nurture and protect, Cancerians are homemakers who are sensitive, sympathetic and kind. When necessary, they can be shrewd operators, but still fear being hurt by their ruling emotions?

If so, perhaps you can find a little gift inspiration in her stars?!

A list of Cancerian characteristics and gift ideas...

• Cancer is the protector, the parent. They have an overwhelming urge to nurture and protect. Has she got something to nuture?
  • A pet - how about something to help her spoil it even more?
  • A child - these my mummy camera packs will make her feel even closer to them
  • A garden - this pink garden kit adds glamour to her nuturing nature
• Emotions reign over Cancer so they fear being hurt, but still put their heart and soul into relationships. Why not give some emotional reassurance?
  • That special someone - send a statement of your emotional commitment. This tinned teddy is a great messenger
  • If she's a friend show you value her friendship by saying thanks
• Cancerians often withdraw into their comfort zone for emotional safety. Coax her out of hers!
  • Convince her to experience something new - buy her an experience gift
  • Get her out socialising on a girls' night out
  • Change her scenery with a romantic mini break

Hopefully you see some of your cancerian friend or companion in here and you got some useful gift inspiration....