COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 20...TOKENS

A garden gift token is a great gift to give at Christmas. St Bridget Nurseries sell their own tokens (which can be exchanged at either of their garden centres or used against mail orders) and HTA National Garden Gift Tokens (which can be exchanged at many garden centres across the UK). There is a choice of greeting card to go with the vouchers. If you would like to order some by post today is your last chance, so e-mail marketing@stbridgetnurseries.co.uk

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 19...TREES

If you still haven't got your Christmas tree, St Bridget Nurseries' Garden Centres in Exeter have a limited number of real and artificial trees left. Don't forget to buy some spray 'n' save to prevent needle loss and a tree stand. Each real tree is wrapped for free to make it easier for transport.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 18...FURNITURE

Garden furniture is a great gift. Chose from table sets, recliners, hammocks, armchairs, benches and loungers. Available in wood, aluminium, resin or stone, St Bridget Nurseries Garden Furniture in Old Rydon Lane, Exeter, EX2 7JY has them all.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 17...GET FRUITY!

This is the perfect time of year to plant fruit plants ready for a bumper crop next year. Fruit plants also make an alternative Christmas present - perhaps a Cranberry plant would be nice and then you could have home-made Cranberry sauce next year? St Bridget Nurseries have a huge selection in their garden centres including Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries plus currants, apples, apricots, figs and pears to name only a few. Visit www.stbridgetnurseries.co.uk/veitch_garden_centre_news.asp?PK_cats=7 for a full list and prices. Plants can be sent by mail so you don't have to live in Devon!

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 16...HOLLY

Holly has been know to be in short supply this year as all the birds ate the berries earlier in the year! St Bridget Nurseries' Garden Centres in Exeter have a supply though of beautiful holly branches ideal for decorating your home and use in floral arrangements. Branches start from £1 each and are available from both the Old Rydon Lane and Sidmouth Road Garden Centre.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 15...JIGSAWS

You wouldn't normally associate jigsaws with a garden centre but St Bridget Nurseries' Clyst St Mary garden centre is beginning to be known as one of the largest jigsaw stockists in the West Country. With lots of sizes, pictures and in fact shapes to choose from you're sure to find something to keep the family entertained for hours.

St Bridget Nurseries' Clyst garden centres is opposite Westpoint Exhibition Centre on Sidmouth Road, Clyst St Mary, Exeter (EX5 1AE). Tel: 01392 876281.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 14...FUN TO GROW

Many of us are looking for something different and educational for children's gifts and what could be better than the new Suttons Fun to Grow range. The range of seeds come in bright colourful packets and many come in super kits - an easy way to get children learning about nature and how plants grow. With exciting packs like Jack & the Beanstalk and Grow a Rainbow they are sure to capture children's imaginations. Prices start from just 99p at St Bridget Nurseries' Garden Centres Exeter.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 13..TINSEL

Whether it is to go on your Christmas Tree, make a fairy or angel costume, tie your hair or wrap Christmas presents tinsel will never go out of fashion! St Bridget Nurseries' Garden Centres have a wide selection of tinsel in different colours, thicknesses and styles. Add a bit of sparkle to your home this Christmas.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 12...WREATHS

St Bridget Nurseries may have stopped offering a full floristry service but their florist is still making beautiful traditional holly wreaths. There are two styles to choose from, one is simply holly using green and variegated leaves and the other is more decorative and incorporates artificial white Christmas Rose flowers. The quality and fullness of the wreaths makes them some of the best for sale in the region. Prices start at £8.99.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 11...CARDS

Don't forget to post your Christmas cards. Royal Mail say the last day for postal delivery in the UK and Channel Islands (by first class post) is Thursday 20th December. If you still haven't got your cards St Bridget Nurseries' Garden Centres have a beautiful selection of individual, boxed and charity Christmas cards plus the stamps to send them with.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 10...CANDLES

Whether they are real wax candles or battery operated St Bridget Nurseries' Garden Centres have them for sale. Choose from many beautiful colours, matching stands and accessories or gift packs and scented candles.

Light up your Christmas with St Bridget Nurseries, Garden Centres, Exeter.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 9...DECORATIONS

If you've just got last year's decorations down from the loft only to find that the lights don't work, the baubles have broken and mice have eaten your tinsel don't despair as St Bridget Nurseries have some stunning and affordable decorations in stock. Everything above plus novelty characters, fibre optics, table decorations and much much more! Visit St Bridget Nurseries Garden Centres at Old Rydon Lane and Sidmouth Road, Clyst St Mary, Exeter.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 8...SNOWDROPS

Snowdrops or Galanthus are so beautiful, who could not be addicted to their winter flowers. St Bridget Nurseries have some stunning double snowdrops for sale as plants in their garden centres and they'd make a lovely Christmas present.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 7...CYCLAMEN

St Bridget Nurseries have just put their home-grown houseplant Cyclamen on a BUY TWO GET A THIRD FREE deal. Each Cyclamen is £2.99 and can be placed in a Christmas sleeve for free making it an ideal gift! Hurry as they're likely to sell out fast.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 6...KISSES

Don't forget your mistletoe this Christmas. St Bridget Nurseries will be branches in this weekend.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 5...MAKE YOUR HOUSE A HOME...

Make your house feel homely and festive this Christmas by using houseplants. Particularly known for its festive cheer are Poinsettias. Poinsettias don't like sudden changes in heat, particularly drafts which is why buying from a market stall may not be the best idea. When you buy a Poinsettia make sure it is placed in a sleeve to ensure you get it home safely.

St Bridget Nurseries grow their Poinsettias in their nursery greenhouses in Exeter, Devon. This means that the plants are fresh, local and not been damaged in transportation. They’re available in a wide range of colours – such as red, salmon and cream. As an alternative to Poinsettias what about planted bowls of beautifully scented hyacinths? Both make great presents and can be gift wrapped by our staff.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 4...CHRISTMAS PLANTS

Helleborus niger is commonly known as 'The Christmas Rose' though it's actually a herbaceous perennial not a rose! It's a gorgeous relatively low growing perennial that flowers in late winter and is perfect for growing in a pot. This would make a lovely Christmas present. Helleborus and a range of stunning outdoor containers are available from both St Bridget Nurseries' Garden Centres in Exeter.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 3...HEALTHY GIFT
Sprouting seeds are newly germinated seeds and pulses; baby plants that are bursting with nutrition necessary to produce a fully grown plant. When eaten they are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

Eating sprouts regularly has been researched to result in an enormous improvement in general health, boosting the immune system, revitalizing and strengthening the body, improving digestion, combating tiredness and stress. They are a great addition to salads.

The Thompson and Morgan Seed Sprouter makes growing easy. Simply buy a packet of sprouting seeds (there's over 20 varieties to choose from) and follow the instructions. Each variety has different requirements but generally all you have to do is soak the seeds in water, then transfer to the sprouter trays. Put water in the bottom of the sprouter and then leave in a hot place like an airing cupboard. Rinse the seeds daily and you should have edible sprouting seeds between 3 and 10 days. The sprouts can then be kept in a fridge for 3-5 days. For more information or to buy your sprouter and seeds visit St Bridget Nurseries' Garden Centres in Exeter (www.stbridgetnurseries.co.uk) or call 01392 873672

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 2...ALTERNATIVE GIFT BAG..

Tubtrugs were designed as a way of carrying garden products like bulbs, plants, compost, water and garden debris. However, they're so useful that we think they also make great laundry baskets, toy trugs and an alternative Christmas hamper!
Tugtrugs are waterproof, strong, lightweight, flexible and come in a variety of bright colours.
A medium tub trug is 38cm (15") diameter x 30cm (12") deep with a capacity of 26 litres while a large tub trug is 45cm (18") diameter x 35cm (13") deep with a capacity of 42 litres.
Tubtrugs are available from St Bridget Nurseries' Garden Centres in Exeter, call 01392 873672 for further information.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS...DAY 1For Little Green Fingers...

Gardening is fun and a great activity to entertain children and get them out in the fresh air. Encourage little green fingers by giving them gardening tools that they can use. Childrens gardening tools are not only an original Christmas gift idea but they will last for years as the new range from Yeomans (called Yeominis) have telescopic handles that will grow up with them! The lightweight aluminium handles adjust from 78cm to 94cm, and the metal bladed heads are built to last.

There's a spade, broom, rake and how plus matching wheelbarrow to choose from. All available from St Bridget Nurseries' Clyst St Mary Garden Centre in Exeter. If you can't get there in person, e-mail marketing@stbridgetnurseries.co.uk and they will give you a price for the tools you are after plus postage and packing.