Christmas Gift Guide: For Your Mum

All Angels: 'Into Paradise' album
The album includes beautifully reworked covers of well known hits such as Coldplay’s ‘The Scientist’ and Prince’s ‘Nothing Compares to You’, as well as superb new takes on classical repertoire, ranging from Mozart's "Canzonetta Sull’Aria" (as heard in "The Shawshank Redemption") to a new version of Elgar's "Nimrod Variations / Sancte Deus" as well as the most popular and most commonly performed choral piece across the land , the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah ". Released 26th November 2007.

'Life On The Refrigerator Door' book by Alice Kuipers
‘Life on the Refrigerator Door’ is told exclusively through notes exchanged by Claire and her mother, Elizabeth, during the course of a life-altering year. Their story builds to an emotional crescendo when Elizabeth is diagnosed with breast cancer. Stunningly sad but ultimately uplifting, this is a clever, moving and original portrait of the relationship between a mother and daughter. It is about how we live our lives constantly rushing, and never making time for those we love. Out now, published by Macmillan, priced £7.99.

Seal: 'System' album
The latest instalment of Seal’s massively successful career will be launched when he releases his fifth album ‘System’ on November 12th on Warner Bros. Records. The album is his first since 2003’s ‘Seal IV’ and will be preceded by the single ‘Amazing’ on November 5th. ‘System’, with its shimmering melodies, glistening layers of synths and acoustic guitar, and supple, electronic beats, “is a return to my roots,” Seal says. “I wanted to go back to the guitar, to the very first instrument I wrote ‘Crazy’ and ‘Killer’ on, and get back to the fundamentals of what I really love to do.”
See what position the album is in our Top 100 Albums Of 2007.

'Christmas Houses' book
In households and neighbourhoods throughout the land, elaborate plans are already underway for winter wonderlands of multi-coloured light sequences, lit-from-within inflatable snowmen and a riot of Father Christmases and attendant reindeer. Around October time is when we see the beginnings of the of these vast light shows, most guaranteed to overshadow any stadium light show or firework display... Christmas Houses pays homage to the growing UK phenomenon of yuletide house-bling, capturing the best, the wildest, and the most sophisticated motion-sensitive Santas, light displays, and lit-up grottos from all over the country. Out now, published in hardback by Bantam Press, priced £9.99.

Cheggers' Party Quiz PS2 game
Party with Cheggers this Christmas, with the year’s most wonderfully wacky party quiz! Get it now, or he’ll be ‘round your house! Cheggers’ Party Quiz is out now to buy on Wii, Playstation 2 and PC by Oxygen Games.
Read more in our Gaming Preview.
Read our interview with Keith Chegwin.

Jamie Cullum: 'In The Mind Of Jamie Cullum' album
Compiled by Jamie Cullum, multi million selling internationally renowned jazz man, this is Jamie Cullum’s first ever compilation project. An exciting glimpse into the diverse musical mind of a modern day jazz genius. Includes two entirely exclusive new tracks from the man who single-handedly re-invented the jazz genre for the masses, a Jamie Cullum original composition plus a new classic jazz cover. Covering the diverse jazz spectrum from modern through dance to hip-hop, this is “jazz not jazz”. Out now.

Wet Wet Wet: 'Timeless' album
Wet Wet Wet release a brand new studio album on their own label, Dry Records, followed by a 9 date arena tour. Now, 20 years after their first album ‘Popped In Souled Out’ claimed the number 1 spot, the Scottish four-piece of Graeme Clark (bass), Tommy Cunningham (drums), Neil Mitchell (keyboards), and Marti Pellow (lead vocals) release ‘Timeless’, a sublime and polished presentation of pop rock at its best. Out now on Dry Records.

'A Slice of Organic Life' book
Bake bread. Start a wormery. Shop locally. Plant a tree. Find out how to get closer to the soil, without going the whole hog. Discover 80 simple, eco projects you can dip in and out of, from growing salad on your window-sill, to collecting rainwater. Pick up what you need using the directory of useful organic stockists and websites, then choose a project to suit your pocket and lifestyle. You don’t need a garden, special equipment, or even much time. Published by Dorling Kindersley, out now, priced £16.99.

Dame Shirley Bassey: 'Get The Party Started' album
The album Get The Party Started combines new recordings, new vocals and remixes of classic tracks including Big Spender, You Only Live Twice, I Will Survive, the brilliant new single The Living Tree and of course the brilliant title track. Due to massive public demand, this incredible new album features Dame Shirley Bassey’s absolutely fantastic newly recorded version of Pink’s Get The Party Started recently featured in Marks & Spencers spectacular pre-Christmas TV advertising campaign. Out now on Lock Stock and Barrel Records.

'Provence Cookery School' book
Forget expensive and difficult courses run by intimidating chefs. This one-on-one guide gives step-by-step advice on how to learn the key elements of Provençal cooking in only one week. Each day you’ll discover how to combine local ingredients and techniques to create authentic, delicious dishes, with three-course menu plans for making magnificent meals. Cook and enjoy over 100 wonderful dishes, using local ingredients from the best producers, from superb sauces to perfect pastries. Published by Dorling Kindersley, out now, priced £16.99.

'Michael Palin's New Europe' CD boxset
Michael Palin’s New Europe starts with a simple idea: that only a couple of hours from home is a half of Europe that is for him as unknown and unexplored as the plateau of Tibet or the vastnesses of the Sahara. Cut off for most of his life by Cold Wars and Iron Curtains, Europe’s eastern lands are now open for business. Published by BBC Audiobooks, out now.
Read more in our Preview.

Katherine Jenkins: 'Release The Diva'
Welsh starlet Katherine Jenkins releases her new album on 19th November 2007 through Universal Classics & Jazz. The songs explore universal themes of love and loss – and Katherine confesses that they contain a good deal of personal meaning for her. “Over the past year I have experienced a lot of change in my life,” she says. “A year ago I broke up with my boyfriend of a long time and I have found strength in the words of songs like ‘Rejoice’ and ‘How Do You Leave The One You Love’.

2008 Africa Grid calendar
Published by teNeues, priced £9.99.

2008 Sudoku Tear-A-Day calendar
Published by teNeues, priced £8.99.

'Warts And All: Straight-talking Advice on Life's Embarrassing Problems' book
In Warts and All, Dr Margaret Stearnblows the lid off the myth that there are some disorders that are simply unmentionable. Her no-nonsense, straight-talking approach to an A-Z of ‘embarrassing’conditions dispels anxiety in favour of reassurance, encourages action in place of apathy and combats ignorance with knowledge. Acne, bottoms, impotence, lumps, piles, sex... littleescapes her expert attention. Warts and Allis a book for us all. Out now, published by Murdoch Books, priced £12.99.

'Ready Steady Spaghetti' book
For anyone cooking for children, or any children wanting to havefun in the kitchen, Ready, Steady, Spaghetti is both practical and inspiring. Chapters range from ‘little food’(snacks for after school, breakfasts, soups and sandwiches), dinners for the family and a whole array of colourful party food –which is balanced by some great ideas to get the youngest members of the family eating their greens. Every recipe is beautifully and clearly photographed, with many including step-by-step photography for extra detail. The pages are fresh, clean and contemporary with delightful illustrations to excite young imaginations. Out now, published by Murdoch Books, priced £12.99.

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