Of course you don’t go to Spain to wear your woolly jumpers and thick coats but presently the cloud over southern Spain represents a delayed ‘Easter’ dullness. With an unusually warm Easter behind us, we have had a temporary blip in the weather………but thankfully, it won’t last! Next week the sun is back!

For many expats, and some locals, that means just one thing, ‘al fresco dining’. Thousands of people across the country will soon be taking to the sun, wiping down the garden table, plumping up the outdoor cushions, and starting to think about barbeque recipes and eating outdoors.

If you enjoy taking time in the sun and are considering the outdoor life, why not spruce up your table with a fresh al fresco dining set. With a vast range of garden and picnic-ware our UK Shopping in Spain site gives you access directly to a wide range of shops offering a huge collection of outdoor crockery, cutlery and other outdoor eating accessories.

Look into UK Shopping in Spain and see what bright and fresh al fresco dining goods we have available for your table this summer, and enjoy your expat living.

Easter is here and the summer season is now upon us for those living in sunny Spain. And you know what that means! The beachbars are opening, the tourists are starting to flock to our roads and shores, and more importantly, it’s time to kick off the winter blues, and stock up with your sun-tan lotion, beachwear and accessories, or get out into the garden to tend to those plants you’ve covered to avoid the winter frosts.

And, as usual UK Shopping in Spain, is here to take the strain out of trying to find those items you previously would have needed to buy in the UK to help you with your chores.  Yes, you still can get hold of all those items you’ve mislaid during the winter hibernation, from trowels, to wheelbarrows, from garden forks to compost collecting bins. UK Shopping in Spain makes shopping in Spain so much easier and you’ll never be without your branded goods.

The when the gardening gets too much it’s time to head to the beach! With hours of lying on sun-drenched beaches before you, why not treat yourself to a new summer wardrobe?  That new bikini, or swimsuit, fresh new towels and of course you’ll want something to carry it all in so why not indulge yourself in a new rucksack or beach-bag.  Oh, and if you are taking the baby, then your want safe children’s toys to amuse them too…all available at our online store, UK Shopping in Spain.

You no longer need to head off the shopping centre and wrestle with the crowds in order to get your Christmas shopping done, I mean, who needs the stress right?

Now you can get all your Christmas shopping done easily from the comfort of your own home because online shopping has never been easier and so much fun. Plus you can find a whole range of unique and interesting gifts that you’d struggle to find in any Spanish shopping centre.

So if you’d like to get the best from buying your gifts online, here are 3 Tips for Stress-Free Christmas Shopping…

1. Make a Plan

It’s really easy to get carried away with online shopping and before you know it you’ve bought a load of stuff you didn’t really want and blown you Christmas budget! So before you whip out the credit card and start clicking away, create a plan that outlines:

• who you’re buying for
• what gift you want to buy for them
• your total budget for all your Christmas gifts

By preparing a plan and sticking to it, you’ll be able to stay focused on buying exactly what you want and need and avoid overspending and making impulse purchases. Believe me, in the New Year when your credit card bill arrives, you’ll be glad you stuck to your plan

2. Shop Online

Armed with your credit/debit card it’s time to head off to your favourite online stores or a couple of hours of shopping, all from the comfort of your sofa. The joy of shopping online is that you can find read reviews of any item you’re considering buying to find out what other think, then with one click you can head over to the store and get one for yourself.  If you’re looking for larger, more expensive Christmas gifts such as HD TVs or the latest laptop, we can help you with getting those delivered to Spain.

However, if you’re looking for stocking fillers such as CDs, DVDs and books, then you can get some fantastic deals at online stores such as Amazon.co.uk.

Once you’ve ordered your gifts, you can simply sit back, relax and wait for them to be delivered to you…now isn’t that better than getting crushed in the crowds?

3. Order Early

With more and more people doing their Christmas shopping online, it makes sense to order your gifts as early as possible to ensure they arrive in time. While many online retailers will ship out your goods within 24 hours of you making a purchase, save yourself the heartache of wondering where your gifts and order well in advance of Christmas. And with the constant threat of postal strikes in the UK, it’s even more important that you order early, especially if you want those larger items such as TVs. Remember, there’s nothing worse than getting into a panic a few days before Christmas because the special present you bought for little Tommy hasn’t arrived yet!

So…don’t put off until tomorrow, what you can do today

Last week we shared the Top 10 Toys for Christmas and this week we´ve got something special for all you gadget-lovers and this week we´re taking a look at the best gadgets for all of you who can´t live without your electronic accessories.

5 Must-Have Gadget for Christmas

1. Sony PSP Go

The Sony PSP Go is a the latest offering from Sony. and if you´re a fan of the PSP console, you´ll definitely want this new additon to the family because it´s half the size and weight of the original PSP console and comes with 16GB of flash memory so  you can store thousands of songs, photos or games directly to the console. It also features a slide-out control pad, comes with Bluetooth integrated and offers a memory card slot, giving you additonal storage space.

2. Amazon Kindle

If you´re looking for a new way to read your books, then perhaps an e-reader might be just what you´re looking for and they don´t get any better than Amazon´s Kindle. It´s as thin as a magazine (just over 1/3 of an inch thick) and has the same weight as a typical paperback book. But that´s not all: with the Kindle you  can download digital books in just 60 using a wireless connection and even better, should you decide to takeyour Kindle on holiday with you, you´ll still be able to download books by taking advantage of a wirelesss 3G connection in more that 100 countries.

3. iPod Nano

A favourite at any time of the year, the iPod Nano takes the number three spot on our list. The 5th generation MP3 player comes in nine different colours and now features a video camera- handy for creating your YouTube videos.You can take your pick from 8GB or 16GB and tune into your favourite radio station with the newly-added built-in FM tuner or keep track of your fitness by using the integrated pedometer. Apple have increased the screen size on this model to 2.2inches but don´t worry, it won´t weigh you down because the new Nano is a wee bit lighter than its predecesor.

4. Wii Fit Plus

If you`re thinking of ways to get fit but hate going to the gym, Nintendpo´s Wii Fit Plus may be the perfect solution for all of the family. If you´ve already got a Wii Fit, you´ll definitely need this addition for Nintendo´s best-selling game. If you haven´t got one, don´t worry becasue now you can get your hands on the latest version of the game which comes complete with the balance board and take part in a variety of exercises including yoga, cycling, skateboarding and even juggling! Wii Fit Plus includes all the activities found in the original Wii Fit, so if Santa forget to send you one last year, now´s your chance to add it to your Christmas wishlist.

5. Lucky Voice Party Box

Have you been checking out the talent on X-Factor? Well now you can get in touch with your inner popstar with the Lucky Voice Party Box, which is a portable effects box that plugs into your computer to turn it into a karaoke machine. It even comes with a designer microphone, befitting of any pop diva or boy band. This gadget is great fun for all the family and gives new meaning to the Christmas singalong.

Remember, if you´d like us to help you order any of the items featured in this week´s newsletter, we´d be happy to give you a FREE delivery quote here…

Not sure how to use our service? Get all the details by using this link.

Over the next few weeks we´ll be reviewing the best Christmas gifts for the whole family and this week we begin with a look at the Top 10 Toys for Christmas…there are some interesting choices, with a mix of high-tech toys alongside traditional favourites.

1. Go Go Hamsters
Topping our list are the Go Go Hamsters, which are the latest smart pets to take the market by storm. Go Go Hamsters are set to climb to the top of the toy charts and will surely be one of the most sought after Christmas Toys this festive season.

2. Lulu My Cuddlin’ Kitten
At number two is Lulu My Cuddlin’ Kitten, another adorable cuddly pet that makes no mess! Lulu loves to sit in your lap for you to stroke and as you pet her, she will relax and roll over to look at you, allowing you to pet her tummy! She blinks her eyes and moves her head and ears, she even ‘licks’ her paw to clean her face – just like a real cat!

Lulu My Cuddlin’ Kitten is an excellent toy for children with an interest in animals and a great way to stimulate imaginative play.

3. VTech Kidizoom Camera
The third spot goes to the VTech Kidizoom Camera, which comes in pink or blue. Now the budding young photographer in your family can take photos, make video and play games on this easy-to-use camera. It features a colour LCD screen, photo editing software and the option to edit images in the camera or on your computer or TV – simply attach the camera to your chosen device. It also comes with a range of built-in games that that can be played on the TV or while on the move..handy for those long car journyes.

4. Transformers MV2 Bumblebee Movie Helmet
At number four is the Transformers MV2 Bumblebee Movie Helmet. If the children in your family are fans of the Transformers movie, now they can transform themselves into the street-smart, warrior Bumblebee with this electronic, interactive helmet.

Styled on the helment worn by the character in the movie, it operates in three different modes and includes some fantastic electronic features such as a function to remix your voice and six different music styles to choose from. Now your little one can look and sound just like the Transformers character.

 5. Baby Annabell 2009
Dolls have always been a favourite toy for girls and over the years, manufacturers have workded hard to make them as realistic as possible. And they don´t get better than the Baby Annabell doll who looks and sounds just like a real baby. She gurgles, drinks real water from her bottle and even cries when she´s upset but soon calms down if you give her a cuddle.

6. Bounce ‘n Spin Zebra
If you´ve got babies or toddlers in the house then you´ll know just how energetic they can be. Now they can wear themselves out with the Bounce n Spin Zebra from Fisher Price. It features 5 songs and sounds that will have your baby happily bouncing and spinning around.

7. Lego Minotaurus
LEGO have taken the concept of a board game and turned it on its head. Their new range of games allow you to decide on how to build the board and dice as well as change or adapt the rules as you play.

The Minotaurus game is based on the mythical Greek monster and your kids will have hours of fun leading their men safely through the Minotaur´s labyrinth, eliminating all obstables along the way.

8. Bop It
This is a game that can be enjoyed by all the family. This super-fast reaction game will having your moving your whole body as you Bop It, Twist It, Pull It and Shout It. The better you get the faster it goes and your kids will have the choice to play on their own or compete with their friends. However, it´s played, you and your children will have hours of fun and get fit in the process.

9. Lego City Police Station
Lego is an old favourite…you may remember playing with it when you were young. Well Lego has come a long way from the simple coloured bricks of years ago and their range now includes the CITY collection. The Lego City Police Station is the latest addition to that range. Now your child can keep law and order in Lego City with this detailed police station building complete with policemen, police cars, bikes and dogs.

10. Waybuloo Peak & Pull Yo Jo Jo
The Waybuloo Peak & Pull Yo Jo Jo is another cuddly  toy with lovely, soft fur to snuggle into. If you squeeze his tummy he´ll play music, say phrases and even wiggle his ears. Dressed in a lovely little pair of blue shorts, this adorable toy is loved by children of all ages.

Remember, if you´d like us to help you order any of the items featured in this week´s newsletter, we´d be happy to give you a FREE delivery quote here…

Not sure how to use our service? Get all the details by using this link.

Summer´s over…boo hoo hoo  

And if you´re mourning the end of the holiday season, don´t worry because you can console yourself by taking advantage of some of the great deals available this Autumn.

Check out these Special Offers from some of the best UK shopping brands…

Protect Your Home This Winter…
 
We´ve been hearing a lot more reports of people having their homes burgled and with rising unemployment in this part of Spain, unfortunately some people will turn to crime  as a way to survive.

So if you´re concerned about the security of your home, here´s a deal that might be right up your street:

ScrewFix are giving you 50 off their security alarms and you can take advantage of this great offer here…
 
Capture Autumn with Jessops
 
Whether you´re a keen photographer or just love taking pictures of your kids, Jessops have got some great offers on the latest digital cameras…you may just bag yourself a bargain for Christmas…
 
Check out what´s on offer here…
 
Home Sweet Home
 
If you´re thinking of giving your home a bit of a makeover, Furniture Village are slashing the prices of their sofabeds by up to 50%. But it´s not just sofas…they´re having a massive seasonal sale on all types of furniture, so check out what´s in store by using this link…
 
Get Connected This Winter
 
Thinking about getting a new computer?

Whether the kids want to do their homework or you just want to access your favourite social networking sites to stay in touch with friends and family, getting a new PC doesn´t have to cost the earth.

In fact PC World have got a range of netbooks (mini laptops) to suit your needs…and they won´t cost you an arm or a leg either…take a look here…

It´s September already and memories of summer are fast becoming a distant dream. However if you live in Mojacar or the surrounding areas, then I´m sure you remember hearing about the fires that raged through this part of Spain. 
 
For us here at UK Shopping in Spain, the memories of the fires in Mojacar are still very vivid…indeed some of us nearly lost our homes. Luckily we were spared any serious damage however we know that there are people who weren´t so fortunate that´s why we set up the ´Just €1 Appeal´ to raise money to help people who were affected by the fire…
 
The Appeal is over now and sadly things didn´t work out the way we intended; we didn´t raise much money and got called all the names under the suun for even trying to do someting positive…
 
I guess we should stick to what we´re good at, and that´s Shopping!

Well it´s been a while now since we launched our €1 Appeal and on the whole the response we´ve received has been very positive and donations are starting to trickle in. However, some of the comments we´ve had have not been so positive…in fact some of them have been downright nasty, suggesting we´re on a personal crusade to line our own pockets. So we´d like to put the record straight…

We came up with the idea for the Appeal as a way to help others NOT ourselves. And by ´others´ we mean people of all nationalities - Spanish, English, you name it – who were affected by the fire in Mojacar. When we got started we weren´t sure exactly how we could help, we just knew that we had to do something. But if we´re asking you to contribute to the Appeal it´s only fair that you´d be skeptical and want to know what the money is going to be used for.

So what will we do with the money that´s donated?

The truth is, we don´t how much money this Appeal will raise…it might be €50, €500, €5000  or more! At this point we just don´t know. What we DO know is that we want this money to go to those who need it most yet we´re not in a position to decide if one person is more deserving than another.

So we´ve decided to support the efforts being made by the Town Hall in Mojacar (Ayuntamiento de Mojacar). They´ve currently got a registration scheme in place for people affected by the fire and we´ve decided to donate the proceeds of the Appeal to support their work. In that way we can be sure that the money is going directly to supporting the very people this Appeal was set up to help.

Now, we know some of you may not think this is the right decision, however it´s the one we think is fairest and most transparent…but we´re open to suggestions so we´re giving you the opportunity to share your thoughts on how we should use the money we raise.

Simply use the comments box below to share your suggestions and we´ll review them. At the end of September, we´ll choose the 3 most popular suggestions and let you vote for the best one. Your vote will determine how we use the money raised from the Appeal.  All we ask is that you keep your comments constructive and civil

If you´ve got any questions about the Appeal, you can use the space below to ask OR you can give us a call…better still, if you´re in Mojacar, pop into our office and we´d be happy to answer your questions face to face.

Thanks for your support and interest in our appeal.

We´ll keep you updated as the Appeal fund grows, so be sure to pop back here to see how it´s going.

Finally, it’ summer once again! And I for one intend to spend as much time chillin’ on Mojacar beach as I possibly can…just don’t tell The Boss!

Seriously though, it’s that time of the year when I start thinking about how many bikinis I can get through between now and September…or if I’m really lucky, October

With an increasing number of Italian and Brazilian visitors to Mojacar this year, no doubt there’ll be some serious competition in the Bikini Wars on the beach this year. But am I worried? No way Jose! You see, the Brasileras and Italianas may be stylish but they don’t know how to spot a bargain – unlike us Brits – and will happily spend way over the odds for cute bikini. In fact I have an Italian friend who sells beach wear in Northern Italy…she gave me one of her creations last year and aside from it being so itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny that it didn’t fit me (I’m a UK size 8!) the price tag of 80 Euros left me speechless! Luckily for me it was a gift…not that I’m a skinflint or anything, it’s just I can’t justify paying such a ridiculous price for a bikini.

No we Brits really know how to make our pennies stretch and we’ve got a nose for finding great bargains.