Crafts and Christmas Markets... Yeah! (With some personal tips)

Crafts are having a moment as you undoubtedly noticed as well. Just have a look at those beautiful Pinterest boards of that name, or look at Etsy or other craft related websites. People are knitting, crafting, papier-maché-ing, glueing bits together, woodworking, tie-dyeing - you name it.

It seems we're all in need of reassurance that the tangible, the genuine, the stuff you can feel and touch really exists. And even more importantly: That it's made with love. (And not in some horrible Chinese sweatshop where safety nets prevent people from committing suicide because their working life is so horrendous.)

Homemade, handmade - crafted with love.
My prediction therefore is that.....

......Traditional Christmas Markets - not the kinds which look like a 1970s fun-fair! will be the places to be this year. What could be more reassuring than browse through lovely crafted things on a romantically lit market square, the air scented with spices and an aroma of mulled wine?

Bobble caps and quilted jackets to the ready -this winter we will all be in a great big comfort zone - the Traditional Christmas Market, with its lovely array of beautiful things and a wonderfully protective atmosphere where nothing bad can happen.
A few that fit that bill:

•  The most beautiful in my opinion:

 Munich
http://www.discover-munich.info/munich_christmas_markets.php

•  A really lovely one where you can learn to make candles:

Freiburg (an absolute gem of a town, well worth visiting, btw!)

http://www.fwtm.freiburg.de/servlet/PB/menu/1172668_l2/index.html

• A personal favourite: Christmas markets in Alsace, e.g. Strasbourg

http://noel.tourisme-alsace.com/de/weihnachtsm%C3%A4rkte

Hip and Cool It's Not...

... but oh so well-designed for its purpose! I'm talking about the new mobile phone just launched by Age UK - a phone targeted at the needs and abilities of older people.

No retina display here, or icecream sandwich technology. Just a plastic case with easy buttons and big labels that does the job of ringing your loved ones when you want or need to. I wish this type of of phone was avalailable in all countries, as my elderly relatives would certainly benefit.

I think we often overlook how confusing and bewildering mobile technology is to older people. My mother's mobile phone ended up in the kitchen drawer, as she just couldn't get comfortable with it. She missed the easy and familar features of a landline and was baffled by all the menu-driven options.

So this immensely practical and sturdy looking phone with a no-nonsense straight-forward application seems genius to me.

Might also be a great Xmas present for elderly loved ones!


http://www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-news/age-uk-launch-phone-for-older-people/

Well Done, Procter and Gamble!

Sandy has gone, but the problems are still there on the American East Coast, especially in New York City.
In true American fighting spirit though, brands, shops and manufacturers have been providing instant neighbourhood help. I'm always full of admiration for this kind of thing, and anybody who's ever worked for a big company will appreciate that any form of spontaneity is not at all easy to organise, let alone get it approved by various departments and cost-centres.

The one that impressed me the most was Duracell. (Made by manufacturing giant Procter & Gamble, no less!) They simply drove a truck through Lower Manhattan - a compact little thing called "The Rapid Responder". From this power station they distributed masses amounts of free batteries to power-starved people and provided charging stations for mobile phones  -1,000 hours for much needed mobile communication and internet access.

You can read a heart-warming report about how much all this was appreciated here:  (Quite funny that the Duracell truck was placed at Battery Park!)

http://architechnologist.com/duracell-rapid-responder-to-sandy/

I'd like to say "Well done, Procter & Gamble" showing true American spirit - providing fast and uncomplicated help - truly inspirational!