Christmas is coming - so present time again. Time to buy and time to be bought for. Also with a new baby due in the Spring I thought I should update my wish list and put down some ideas for the baby too.

I thought I would help by giving some hints about things I want (really, really want). So Martin (and anyone else who wants to buy me a present or two) - this is to help you plan for the following:

• Christmas
• February 14th - Valentine's Day
• March 16th - Birthday
• New baby - due Spring (ish)
• April 18th - Our 8th Wedding Anniversary (apparently that is bronze or pottery)

So some ideas for you. Keep checking back I will add to this list as I get time and as I find things I want.

I do have the usual Amazon wish list but I seem to have a backlog of DVDs to watch and books to read - so thought some other ideas would be helpful.

How about having a good look around Albany Hill. I love all the tapestry kits on there and have finally started sewing again - not sure how long it will last though. Kits I particularly like:

• Woodpecker kit I have already started this but am struggling - ideally I would like the canvas and instructions as I have the wool.
• Kate Hare kits I used to work with Kate's husband a long time ago and that is how I heard of her work - she runs Albany Hill and I love her stuff. Really like the red and blue sunflowers.
• How about this stunning Peacock
• I adore these Celtic tapestries too

Albany Hill's sister site is Serendip Beauty and has a great range of toiletries which I adore. I would list some suggestions here - but have fun looking through them - they all look delicious.

Talking of toiletries I have run out of my favourite moisturiser but it is pricey. I love the Hauschka stuff including the bath stuff which would be nice post-natally as I am not allowed to use any of them at the moment. The rose moisturiser is also lovely. Oh and Martin - you can get them in The Whole Body in town too!

I love the stuff at Joe Browns and have been trying to find some specific things I love - but I like lots of stuff. The jewellery is lovely as are the bags (especially the Victorian and Crumpler Bags.) There are a couple of tops I like too - but given that they are fitted there's no point in me listing them as they won't fit me for months yet.

Some new maternity stuff would be nice and mine have been to 9months and back twice now. How about this embroidered jumper from Blooming Marvellous. I quite like this cardigan and skirt combination although maybe not those colours - I like the chocolate colour for the cardigan.

Speaking of chocolate...

• Trufflehog
• Hotel Chocolat
• Terry's have a mint chocolate orange out this year!
• Thorntons

There are always the boring things - like all the stuff that needs doing in the house:

• Replace the carpets in the bathrooms
• Mend the radiators that aren't working
• Mend the oven
• Paint the walls in the hall, landing and stairs

Or howabout some wellies? By the way - my favourites are the Liquorice Wellie Boots! Oh and I'm a size 40!

Ooo - thinking about my feet reminds me of my new found passion for toe socks and a quick search on Google found this site. What else would it be called but toesocks? I like the stripey ones and if I knew how to put pictures in here I would - but top of my list would be multired, denim, earthy and black&purple. Boots had them last year so may be a good place to try this year.

Oh - and I'd love my subscription to my fab magazines renewing. The British one (which I love) is called The Mother Magazine. I think I may need a couple of back issues too - to get me up to date. The other one is an American which is good too called Mothering.

You could always feed my sling obsession and buy me a Cwtshi Mei Tai sling. A cunning sling based on an Asian style of sling but made in Wales. For information - yes I want side loops, back and strap fabric in navy or black and main fabric in wavy navy, green leaves, primary stripes or bright stripes. I am, of course looking at lots of other slings - like Hotslings - but may get something at cost from Bigmama sometime...

For the Baby

I love wool wraps and recently have been wooed by Flower Pot Tots who have the most gorgeous longies.

I'd love to get a decent nursing necklace for me and the baby. Basically it's a necklace that is tied very tightly so the baby can't pull the beads off. Little Gems do some gorgeous ones, I especially like their amber one as I love amber and amber os renowned for helping babies while teething.