Christmas Bargains in Melksham

Hate to point this out but Christmas is definitely sneaking up on us again; lots of shops around Melksham are already selling decorations, trees and cards. More will probably start introducing Christmas stock tomorrow after the purple and orange garish Halloween stock has been removed from displays!

As befts a country in the depths of recession, there are some very good deals to be had in Melksham on cards and decorations so far this year.

Leekes have got a dedicated Christmas shop, selling plastic Christmas trees, great reams of gold, red and silver tinsel (£2.75) and a cool blow-up plastc Christmas tree, complete with stuck-on penguins, that is retailing for £65. Wreathes (£30) and fairy lights are also on sale in this department. They also have a great deal on at the moment, in which you buy two gifts and get a third free – worth a look before stocks of bath bombs, comfy slippers, toiletry-filled crackers from Heathcote & Ivory (£6)  and Baylis & Harding gift sets run out.

Sainsbury's hasn't really got into the swing of the festive season yet, with a few cards and decorations hidden away behind the fruit and veg aisle; and bargain Lindt chocolate at two for £5 for Santas, reindeer or teddy beers.

Countrywide has also put up a couple of Christmas trees, one with red decorations, another with gold, but at the moment they look a bit lost in the middle of the store. Doubtless there are more to come, and there are some great comic cards featuring bunny rabbits and dogs wearing Santa hats.

The Poundshop has got some great deals on family-orientated greetings cards, individually priced at 79 pence, all with festive bright-red envelopes, as well as lots of gloriously pink plastic present ideas; let's look at those next week.

The National Trust shop in Lacock is leading the way at the moment, with gorgeous scarlet reindeer table decorations and pretty wooden tree decorations in the shape of stars and trees, adorned with red gingham and ribbons, selling at £2.50 each. They also have a great selection of Christmas cards, again three for the price of two, ranging in price from £3.50-£4.75.