Gifts for all the family - Viva Lewes

s h o p p i n g
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CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
I miss Elphicks at Christmas. Such a distinctive smell of bulbs when you walked in, and it was a
lovely place to buy decorations. Lots of baubles on our tree were bought there, one or so a year.
But my granddad, Vivien Sidney, was not a man given to buying anything if he could avoid it, so
he made his own eccentric Stig-of-the-Dump type Christmas decorations with various household
items, plus some red and green crepe paper. Then he’d adorn all the picture frames and mirrors with
bunches of holly and ivy transported from somewhere mysterious (best not to ask), in the back of
his Morris Traveller. Sometimes we’d attack random objects with a can of silver or gold spray paint.
For those who want to make their own paper chains or other festive creations, Tash tori, Sussex
Stationers, Woolworths, and WH Smiths all stock craft paraphernalia. And if you want to make your
own wreath – you can go along to workshops put on by Hilary Moore www.hilarymooreflowers.
co.uk They also sell ready-made wreaths, as do Flint, Riverside Flowers and Miss Bloomsbury. As
for buying decorations, lots of Lewes shops have smart ones. Room has dangling fairies, Flint have
delicate glass, Bright Ideas have jolly decorations, Wickle have Danish baubles. Then in Cliffe, lots
of goodies can be found in May’s, Oxfam and Simon David. Emma Chaplin
viva lewes 19/11/2008 22:15 Page 1
The Gift & Card Co
£5off
Gifts, Greeting Cards & Balloons
when you spend £30 or more*
In stock now:
Festive Tissue & Cellophane, Printed Ribbon &
Coloured Rafia, Baby’s First Christmas Gifts,
Tree Decorations, Stockings, Cake Sparklers,
Party Poppers & Festive Balloons
207 High Street/School Hill, Lewes
Telephone: 01273 487066
*validuntil31December2008-onpresentationofcoupon
Nottobeusedinconjuctionwithanyotheroffer
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