STUCK for Christmas ideas?

I always find this a difficult time of year. I don't want to be caught up in the materialism of it all, but neither do I want to be an old Scrooge. I want to give presents to show I appreciate people and that they are loved. One solution to this difficulty for me is the Fairtrade shop in Shirley. It is an Aladdin'' cave of goodies for all ages and across all price ranges. This includes jewellery, clothes, foodstuffs, toys, craft goods and musical instruments. My favourite is the organic cotton baby wear. I am pleased to have a friend's newborn baby to buy for this year. After all it was the birth of a baby that started all this madness.

Thanks to all those volunteers that keep the shop going. It's a great place to shop all year round, but at Christmas I couldn't do without it.

MARY HAMILTON, Freemantle