Kirstie Allsopp of Location, Location, Location fame has a new television series called Kirstie’s Homemade Christmas. A 3-part special, the first highly entertaining and informative episode was screened last evening on Channel 4.

Episode 1, Decorations, saw Kirstie, with the help of her crafty friends, make a Christmas Wreath, make Linocut Christmas Cards, make Salt Dough Christmas Decorations, decorate a Christmas Cake, make Polar Bear Cake Decorations and blow her own Glass Tree Bauble.

Keen to show that unique, stylish Christmas decorations needn’t cost the earth, Kirstie certainly hit the spot with this one. If any Third Ager doubted that there is a move towards the return of a more traditional Christmas in austere 21st century Britain, this was it.

It certainly struck a chord with those of us at Third Age, and we recommend you check out Kirstie’s Homemade Christmas for a trip down memory lane!

Episode 2, Gifts, saw Kirstie practice soap making, make Christmas chutney, make a unique Christmas stocking, and practice the forgotten art of teddy bear making.

Episode 3, Food, also covered Candle Making and Embroidery.

To accompany her Homemade Home TV series, her forthcoming book Kirstie’s Homemade Home is about a journey she made into a world which she thought she knew, but didn’t. It’s a world full of dedicated and talented people in this country who make beautiful things, both traditional and modern that support the wonderful crafting heritage we have in the UK.

If, like Kirstie, you have ever been caught at a car boot sale or antiques market and can’t keep control of your purse, or if you’re curious and want to have a rummage for the first time, then this book is for you. It’s her take and experience of a world which is as vast and varied as you can possibly imagine. It’s about women and men who are ensuring that handmade British things are here to stay. And it’s packed with their expert advice on creating your own homemade home.

If you enjoyed the TV series, then the book takes it one step further with Kirstie’s tastes on interior décor, plus the shops and websites that have transformed her life. If you didn’t see the show, then welcome to her world. This is what she thinks is pretty, fun for the whole family and hugely informative.

It’s a book for mothers and daughters, and trust us, sons. If you’re looking for a new hobby, there is nothing more manly than blacksmithing or glassblowing, and few projects more satisfying than flower arranging or mini cake decoration. (You’ll soon discover that it’s just as much fun to decorate cakes as it is to eat them).

Or if you just want a moment to yourself and something lovely to look at, then this book will not disappoint. Try it – you have nothing to loose but your flatpack furniture!