Supermarket Sweep

After many extended shopping hours and lists that have gone the same way, the day before Christmas has finally arrived. You have crossed off decorations, cards, party-wear, painkillers and even started making a list for the January sales. Then the phone call comes, one that bears good tidings that Aunt Agatha is arriving and the next door neighbour has invited you for drinks. At this Christmas pressure point, you can either start wrapping presents given to you last year or take a deep breath and take one last trip to the supermarket. Inside sources assure us that towards the mid-afternoon the supermarkets revert to a pre-Christmas number of shoppers. It is also the time that many Christmas goodies become defunct and so will have the odd slashed prices bargain. Do you need any other reasons? Do you have a choice? We think not, which is why this page is dedicated to the swanky and swish on offer at your local supermarkets.

Happy Christmas!

Luxury gifts:

Mid Night Toiletries: bath grains, pounds 4.99; soap and hand loofah, pounds 4.49; foam bath, pounds 3.49 all from Waitrose.

Cordelia Gift Selection basket, pounds 7.99, Safeways

Crazy gifts:

Menzone sofa rover, pounds 8.99, Safeways.

Body Paint chocolate spread 400g, pounds 2.99, Safeways.

Glow in the dark body paint, pounds 3.50, Tesco

9-in-1 desk tool, pounds 8.50, Tesco

Mobile Phone Holder, pounds 3.50, Tesco

Party gifts:

Mulled wine basket, pounds 12.95, Waitrose.

1/2 Bottle Port and chocolates gift box, pounds 9.95;

1/2 bottle of champagne and chocolate gift box, pounds 14.95 both from Waitrose.

Stem ginger in whiskey, pounds 4.99, Tesco

Dining:

Eat, drink & be merry tableware - platter pounds 15, bowl pounds 12, mug pounds 5.

Brancusi triple-wick candles from pounds 45.

Boots music calligraphy coasters pounds 7.50, tablemats, pounds 18.50. All from Boots

Last minute:

Ono alarm clock, pounds 45.00, Bliss

Kids:

Jungle Fun Lion/Elephant/Monkey Mug, pounds 4.99, Safeways.

Christmas Tree People (contains chocolate), pounds 1.99, Waitrose.

Gobstopper sweets, pounds 2.95, Habitat.

Mr Bump slippers, pounds 12.00 per pair, Boots.

Dreams Cutesy bag, pounds 2.99; Dreams fragranced split oil 10ml, pounds 1.99; Dreams furry photo frame pounds 3.99, all from Safeways

Cat:

The Purrfect Christmas from Spillers, pounds 4.99, any supermarket.

Felix stocking fillers, pounds 2.99.

Dog:

Winalot Christmas selection Box, pounds 1.89. Any supermarket