Lots of inspiration in Retford shops this Christmas! - And lots of bargains too!

One of the best things about hitting the shops (especially for the ladies!) is just the browsing for ideas and there is certainly lots of inspiration on offer in Retford this year.

You can get a lot of ideas for presents, trimmings for the home and even some inspiration for your party night-out outfit just by seeing what's out on display in the shops.

Shop windows are a great place to start....what colour schemes are going well together this year, what patterns and textures are the experts combining and what are the best bargains?...you can find all this out with a quick waltz down the high street1

The other day I came across a gorgeous shop window in the market place and it gave me some great thoughts for what to do at home - went home and was doing my own DIY decor in no time (and it cost a lot less than buying fancy decorations). Wilkinsons is a great place to go this year if you want to make some decorations yourself - there is a massive choice, and with the same good value we have all come to know and love of that store. 

However for real thrift, and bags of ideas too, head for the town's charity shops - Whether it's a nice gift, something festive for the home or something new to wear you will definitely find it. 

Last week, I was after something red to wear, I didn't really know what but had in mind a jumper or something, I just wanted something to brighten up a pair of jeans or a plain skirt and add a bit of a festive touch while ideally keeping me warm too. And I found it - in a charity shop. A lovely warm red cardy, in this most gorgeous material, with big buttons, and quite short (ends above the waist, a bit like bolero-length) so it goes with literally anything - and it cost £3! I also found a blue and red dress (which matches perfectly) for £5.99. And a pair of red gloves for £1 which goes with a scarf I picked up at Lincoln Christmas Market for £1.50! So all in all I have a new outfit for about a tenner and am so pleased with it - the dress will go with heels, flats or boots depending on the weather/occasion/time of day and the cardy will keep me going all Christmas and beyond until Spring... You literally cannot beat this kind of value folks! Or how good you feel when you come out knowing you've bagged a great bargain! And there's the bonus of saving petrol by not having to drive out to big shopping centres to find what I was after. Once again Retford had just the thing!

I also went in Store Twenty One (in Retford market square) and found some good deals on footwear. I was after some wellies and got some for £7. Ok, so how long they will hold their own in the worst wet muddy-field conditions I don't know but, they should withstand any snowy slippery weather we get this winter....and for walking the dog in cold weather or messing about in the garden they are ideal. They are covered in butterflies so look really bright & sunny and will cheer up these dark December days...plus with the money I saved I bought red 'wellie socks' for £3 - from the same store - they are long and thick and fleecy and I can't wait to wear them!

Store Twenty One is a great shop generally - we were all wondering what gthe market square would get after Woolworths closed and the unit was left blank for a while but I think this store is a nice addition to the town? (let me know if you agree! - or not!). Some nice Christmas gifts in there as well - why not have a browse?! - plus lovely acessories for the home at great price

Well, i'm officially all shopped out now!, but it's good to know there are plenty of places in Retford for obtaining stacks of ideas & inspiration - and some genuinely good deals - ensuring we all find what we're looking for this Christmas but come home with some cash still in our pockets, too.

You can find out more about the shops and services available in Retford here. Then head into town and you might just discover more than you 'bargained' for??! - and pay a lot less for it than you thought! 

Wishing you all a merry, happy, thrifty Christmas and New Year -  :)