Meats - Hams have a longer shelflife consider purchasing a Parma or San Danielle ham or pancetta which are all cured to take on a richer flavour. Salamis, Chorizio and other sausages usually require more thought when eating so avoid unless receive has a love for them.

Fish - You can get tinned anchovies or sardines are loved by some but not all. Somked salmon is perfect since it has a good shelf life, consider purchasing some gravlax with it and some dark rye bread.

Pasta & Rice - There are great varieties of dried pasta and perfect as a gift. Rice is not such a good option unless you got for a flavoured risotto version

Vegetables - Unless you are purchasing a few days before you cannot purchase fresh. Consider some more unusual flavours like dried porchinni mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, olives, roasted peppers in a jar with oil a comination of all would work.

Fruits & Nuts - Dates are traditional at christmas, again avoid fresh fruit and go for dried or long lasting foods like dried apricots, mixed nuts, dried banana apricot & apple are tasty snacks

Oils - Olive Oil is a common kitchen cooking oil, however you can get flavoured oils such as rosemary, chilli & basil. You can make your own by purchasing a glass bottle with cork stopped fill with an extraq virgin olive oil and then simply drop flavours in such as garlic and rosemary or my favourite fresh sundried tomatoes. Balsamic olive oil is another great dipping oil and a perfect compliment to this dish.

Non Food - Brown earthware or Tapas dishes are great to include in a hamper, if you have followed above contents you might want to purchase 2 small dishes for oils and 1 larger dish for breads. You could always consider a small cookbook or food lover book which are available in good book stores.

Sweet Hamper

Biscuits - Your supermarket will have a range of biscuits but shortbread is an older favourite. Why not make some of your own for that extra special touch.

Fruits & Nuts - This is same suggestion as savoury hamper, but consider nuts which are chocolate dipped or perhaps suger coated almonds

Sweets & Chocolate - Consider a rich chocolate majority of people prefer milk chocolate but if you are not sure include a small plain and milk to be on safe side.

Jams & Preserves - You can now find speciality jams such as champagne & strawberry whic is a little different to basic jams. I love to give honey a local variety

Non Food - Perhaps a chocolate fondue set or recipe/cook book

You can always mix 2 hamper suggestions. With these simple suggestions you are sure to give someone a yummy festive feast! Enjoy!

Old and antique clocks and watches are true "heirloom" treasures. School clocks from bygone days make great accents to rooms and they are large enough for everyone to enjoy. There are engraved and pocket watches that tick with heartbeat of generations long ago, but still keep time to modern life we all lead. Clocks may change in their working parts because of new technology but their goal is still same - to tell you to minute what time it is. Alarm clocks have been bad boy for anyone who wants a couple extra minutes of sleep and they are champions for those whose big moment has arrived and their lives are changed forever.

Colors and casings are main choices so have fun and pick and choose or make your own. Yes, there are kits to build your own and personalize it as a gift or a reminder of how innovative and creative you are. This feat alone can spur you on to bigger and better projects and ideas will just begin to flow, but whatever time piece you choose, ENJOY! ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2005 January For more ideas and articles, please check Arleen's site at http://www.arleenssite.com