Today was the preview day for The Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia. The show started in 2001 and this year they’ve added an extra day, so it now runs for a full week. As always, it was fantastic and with so much to see, I’m pretty worn out!
Here’s my pick of some of the best items (relevant to parents) to help you with your visit and your Christmas shopping. If you can’t make it to the show I’ve included the web links to the companies I liked.
To start with I loved this reward box and I bought one for my daughter (3yrs) and even though she has only used it for a few hours she finished her dinner, went to the toilet when asked and put on her PJ’s without a fuss just so she could put a star in the box for each. Long may it continue! www.therewardbox.co.uk
As an ex Art Teacher the Jumping Clay really appeals, coloured air drying clay that comes in little kits to make specific designs or a mixed box so you can come up with your own designs. www.jumpingclay.co.uk
This stall had some lovely products but when I heard they’ve been designed by an 11 year old who started the company himself I was even more impressed. The apron in a jar was particularly cute – you colour it in and once ironed it’s permanent. www.notbeforetea.co.uk
Along the same lines, Pixie dixie (stand B8) do a paint your own pyjama set and some lovely baby grows and dressing gowns. www.pixiedixie.co.uk
Isla & Wilbur do incredibly soft giant muslins (see photo of them hanging up) and lovely bedding www.islaandwilbur.com
Every little girl likes a tutu and they don’t come better than Angel’s Face, they had some fabulous cardigans too – I just wish they did them in my size! www.angels-face.co.uk (SOC10 for 10% off online) 
Funky little tights and trousers to get you in the Xmas spirit from Souza – £10 each.
Personalised stamps from The English Stamp company. 
I’m thinking I could save myself a whole lot of writing on presents with one of these!
A genius idea for phones – a bungee cord that attaches to your bag or trousers to stop you dropping your phone, the other end just stretches around the handset. You’ll also stop losing it! This has appeared on dragons den, very clever and only £5 each.
This has been on my wish list for a few years now – a personalised swing with the kids’ names on. www.oakandrope.co.uk They also do a lovely wooden ruler to chart your children’s heights (and you don’t lose the measurements if you move house).
Personalised baby grows, aprons and lots more from A for Angel www.aforangels.co.uk
Little Lulubel have everything you need to throw a party www.littlelulubel.com
Cookie Crumbles (you may have been to a kids party or class by them – we have) do little baking kits for kids – very sweet. www.cookiecrumbles.co.uk
In the food hall there was some amazing treats including the incredible fudge by Fudge Kitchen but more importantly they do a fudge making experience in their shops – sign me up! www.fudgeblog.co.uk
Not child related but lovely all the same, Bushbells do very cool Kikoy towels which I’ve been on the look out for. Plus proceeds from their sales go to help a school in Kenya and so far they’ve built 8 classrooms and a dining hall! www.bushbells.com
The makers of the Reward Box also make a very cool compartmented lunch box and have just launched a table tray so you don’t need a high chair and can attach it to most tables. www.eatwell-uk.co.uk
To finish, this was my favourite stall as they had so many quirky little gifts – Catherine Colebrook with their personalised santa sacks, notices, mugs and more. Their ‘The thought of a Pie & Lattes class was so much more appealing’ bag is brilliant.
Enjoy your visit!
