by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
This year sees the first ever Christmas edition of the now over 100 year old Ideal Home Show, which will also retain its normal slot in Spring.
I attended at the Press Day, which was also the official opening day and the first day of the show, on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 where the tree was officially “lit” by three of the Ambassadors of the Show.
By midday the show was getting very busy, especially on the upper level where the gifts, toys and food could be found. It was a shoulder-on-shoulder sand pushing through task up there.
I came across a number of interesting companies that fall into the sustainability and ethnic category. Urban Allotments is one of those, Vertigro another, and Lotes Toys, with wooden toys and other treen goods from Latvia, yet another.
I hope to be featuring all of those – and maybe some others – at some stage in the future here in those pages.
The Little Tree Company, one of the main exhibitors, in a way, who set up the “Christmas tree maze”, is another rather green – pardon the pun – idea.
Here people can hire a potted Christmas tree rather than buying a cut one and that at about the same cost as buying a cut tree. Difference... no waste at the end. Thus a total win-win situation for all concerned including the tree, the Planet and local authorities.
Worth the trip and ticket cost? A definite and resounding yes!
© 2011
