Christmas budget

Ayesha R. Rafiq and Faraza Farook go shopping for all those who are looking for something reasonable and nice this Christmas

Yippee!!! Less than two weeks for Christmas, and you can already hear the sleigh bells ringing. The rich cake is made and homes are being "spring cleaned". The shopping lists are being drawn up because Christmas is the season for giving.

Part of the fun of Christmas is shopping — picking out thoughtful gifts for your loved ones, carefully wrapping them up and thinking of the smiles and squeals of joy when they are opened, it up, leaving nothing but a warm glow in your heart.

But while Christmas is a real blast, the prices of gifts may give you something less than that feeling. And with inflation going only upwards, gift lists are being cut shorter and shorter.

So we've decided to help you by giving you a budget shopping list. All items you see in the pictures are less than Rs. 300, and what's more, what you see here is just a sample of what you can get. These shops are crammed full of gift ideas for the season for the whole family, and the best part is, it's not going to leave such a bad dent in your pocket either.

(1) You can bet kids won't be losing money with these nifty purses. The animal-shaped purses cost Rs. 115 each, and the more conventional purses that may be a better bet with the slightly older and more fashion conscious youngster, cost Rs. 225 to 250 each, and can be found at the Pottery Barn at School Lane, Kollupitiya.

(2) This stocking with a jolly snowman can be yours to give away for little under Rs. 300. And baby won't fuss to have her milk if she's got this cosy pink teddy, which is really a bottle warmer and costs Rs. 250. The blue carry bag costs Rs. 75, and the green one Rs. 275. The fancy mugs cost Rs. 274 each, while you can get friendly Goofy to give you a big hug for Rs. 225. The watercolours cost Rs. 250, the little animal stamps on top, Rs. 45 and the desk-kit Rs. 295. This and much more can be found at Child's Play on Thurstan Road.

(3) These colourful toys can cheer up a youngster's room and heart. The stuffed toys add to your Christmas decorations. The wooden cartoon characters are Rs. 150 each, while the stuffed toys are between Rs. 250 and Rs. 300 each. The ship costs Rs. 240, and can be found at Lanka Hands on Buller's Road

(4) One of these tortoise purses or a decorative notebook will cost you Rs. 110 and Rs. 225 respectively. The woven files are eco-friendly and cost Rs. 200, while free recycled paper comes with every one of those blue files for about Rs. 250 each. Fancy chains for a hip young daughter or niece will cost you Rs. 175 and Rs. 300 respectively, and can be found at De Fonseka Road.

(5) Cute baby posters to hang around on the wall for Rs. 120, and scrolls and fancy notepaper for your loved ones for Rs. 250 and Rs. 85 respectively, a penguin bottle-warmer for a little baby boy or girl for Rs. 200 and much more can be found at Archies on Duplication Road.

(6) Painted little clay pots with sunflowers and smart striped jars to add an ethnic flavour to a home, little jars that would come handy to put in knick-knacks, and even a bonsai cactus plant or two, all for between Rs. 100 to Rs. 300 each, can be found at the Pottery Barn.

(7) An eco-friendly photo frame for Rs. 265, a wall hanging for Rs. 70, a candle holder for that extra special occasion for Rs. 275, or a bowl to put floating candles in, for a romantic evening for Rs. 150 would be a sure hit with your mom, and can be found at Lanka Hands.

(8) You can practically furnish your youngster's room with this dream stuff. Mobiles for Rs. 250, or a clothes' hanger with fruits painted all over to make sure your kid hangs up his clothes for Rs. 225, cow and parrot book ends for Rs. 300, jungle and farm animals for Rs. 250- 300, or a fancy mug for Rs. 250 at Child's Play.

(9) Last but not least, are out of this world dried flower arrangements. Little teddy bears clutching baskets of flowers for your sweetheart to keep for always and forever for Rs. 200, bouquets for grandma for Rs. 275, or beautiful little arrangements in little pots for Rs. 250 to 300. Arrangements can also be done to your specifications at Gliss, Thimbirigasaya Road.

This isn't the end of it. There are loads more stuff at these places that are worth checking out if you're looking for some careful shopping. And don't worry if you think you're being cheap. This stuff is sure to make the receiver happy, cheap or not, and after all, it's the thought that counts.

Prenita Fashions, run by Priyanthi Fernando (left), well known for elegant Indian sarees is now at a new location at Thurstan Road, Colombo. Launched 28 years ago, taking the name of mother and daughter duo Nita and Priyanthi Fernando, the boutique has a new range from Delhi, Mumbai and other Indian cities.

Models: Rasika, Niluka, Aarthi and Ashwitha
Pix by Mettasena

Creams & lotions

Many cosmetic creams now list hyaluronic acid and mucopolysaccharides as ingredients.

Mucopolysaccharides are components of the dermis, the inner layer of the skin. The two primary components of the dermis are collagen and elastin, as discussed earlier. Mucopolys-accharides are gel-like substances that surround the collagen and elastin fibres. About 70% of the mucopolysaccharides in the skin are hyaluronic acid.

Just exactly what special benefits these ingredients are supposed to provide to the skin is not clear. They may act as moisture-binding agents to help attract and hold moisture. However, since they don't penetrate the skin, they have no effect on the mucopolysa-ccharides in the dermis.

One form of hyaluronic acid that is promoted by cosmetic manufacturers is supposed to be very hydrophylic (water-attracting) and therefore useful in moisturizers — but equally good moisturization can be obtained with less expensive ingredients.

You will probably pay a premium price for a cream that contains hyaluronic acid because it costs the manufacturer more.

But just because it costs more does not mean that it is better. (Hyaluronic acid has been used as an inert gel in eye surgery, but this use has nothing to do with its presumed benefit as a cosmetic ingredient. Any correlation is misleading)

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