Sometimes I don't want to share. Sometimes, I want to keep a special place to myself. However with the festive season approaching I'll get into the Christmas spirit.

LLANTRISANT IT’S MAGICAL

The reason I'm reluctant to share one of my favourite places is because, inevitably, if I tell people about it, they'll go there

"Don't be so mean!" I hear you say. "You should let people know. It's your job!" Well, I can't unless it's through gritted teeth. I could tell you that Llantrisant is relaxingly quiet and quaint.

I could tell you about the great selection of boutiques - beautiful shops like The Dairy with its beautiful Swarovski Crystal covered evening bags and jewellery to match. Or the striking Pink Zebra - packed to the rafters with the girliest gifts you can imagine.

I could wax lyrical about Model House with its gallery and superb shop full of gorgeous artisan jewellery, ceramics, prints, cards and gifts and if I did that, I'd have to mention the Traditional Toys shop across the cobbled square (yes cobbled!) with its huge range of traditional wooden toys.

There are some great places to eat here too. A restaurant that serves up exotic meats on its menu and a good selection of real ale pubs but my most favourite place to chill is The Butchers Arms Gallery & Coffee Shop. Downstairs The Butchers is a treasure trove of gifts, books, stylish ceramic ware and beautiful Stirling Silver jewellery.

I love the quality, and the care that owners Gill and Noel bestow on everything they sell. Upstairs, The Butchers has derailed many a diet (including a few of mine). With sensational sandwiches, great coffee and a mouth-watering array of homemade cakes it holds a special affection in the hearts of the Vale's professional ladies who lunch.

And if Llantrisant plays its trump card, history, then it beats most other towns and villages in Wales hands down (it even has its own castle!).

I could tell you that cremation was invented here by the charismatic Dr William Price - you'll see his statue in the town square. I could tell everyone that Christmas in Llantrisant is traditional, charming and, above all, magical, but I'd rather keep it to myself. Call me mean! Bah, humbug.

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The Dairy



The dairy is full of bling and costume jewellery for all occasions - tiaras for proms and weddings, jewellery for a night out, fabulous gifts and scarves. Upstairs is girl heaven in pink with fairy dresses and accessories - wings, wands and shoes!

No self-respecting girl or woman should be without a crystal bracelet or ring and there are plenty here to choose from to suit all budgets - a great pick me up! Christmas will be a very bling occasion this year with the trend for sparkle still around - vintage chic with a big bling brooch!

To complete your party outfit, The Dairy have beautiful evenings bags covered in Swarovski crystal and a fabulous range of evening jewellery to match.

With the cold weather and longer nights on the way, The Dairy is a must for winter warmers including a new range of scarves and accessories. This little shop is every woman and young girl's dream

The Dairy Llantrisant CF72 8DA 01443 238484 Open 7 days a week in Nov and Dec

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Pink Zebra



To say that Pink Zebra is a treasure trove of fabulosity is an understatement. Offering easy to wear clothing by Desigual and Charming, bags by Mischa Barton, Fiorelli, and Fuzzy Nation, and an ever changing collection of fashion accessories, this quaint pink shop makes shopping a pleasure from start to finish!

Whether shopping for yourself (and why not) or gift hunting, you'll be spoilt for choice. You will find the latest releases in Yankee Candles including Cherries On Snow and Christmas Rose, a great range of ever popular bath bombs and fizzers from Bomb Cosmetics to funky jewellery in silver and crystal.

There's even a great range of contemporary gifts for men including scarves, oddsocks and manbags. There are some fabulous ideas for stocking fillers too at reasonable prices. For an evening with a twist, you can even hostess a shopping party at the shop and earn 10% of sales in goods! Can't make it to the shop or making out a wish list for the man in your life to buy you, have a look at the new online shop at www.pinkzebrashop.co.uk.

Pink Zebra 7A Swan Street Llantrisant CF72 8ED 01443 449058 Open 7 days a week in Nov and Dec

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Butchers Arms Gallery & Coffee Shop



If you're looking for a one-stop shop for all things gift and home related, then The Butchers Arms Gallery is the place for you. This family run business is brimming with goodies including inexpensive yet desirable gifts for the home, lots of books and gadget style gifts for men and boys and home-ware items for both men and women

From glass vases, kitchen accessories, baking gifts and an impressive range of jewellery in sterling silver with semi precious stones - you will be spoilt for choice. If you're a fan of Emma Bridgewater Pottery, you'll find all her new popular designs here and, with a discount scheme in place at the moment, there's no better time to buy. They also sell the popular Pip Studio pottery and accessories - often described as 'Cath Kidston meets gypsy'. Speaking of this iconic brand, look out for a range mugs - a perfect stocking filler. Need a picture framed? With over 20 years experience, they can help you choose the right frame.

On the first floor is the popular Coffee Shop where you'll find freshly made sandwiches made to order using the finest ingredients, homemade cakes and Ferraris coffee. The cakes and sandwiches are so delicious, you'll want to take some home, which is exactly what you can do as a take away service is available.

Butcher's Arms Gallery Common Rd ( Heol-y-Sarn) Llantrisant CF72 8DA 01443 229285 www.butchersarmsgallery.co.uk Open 7 days a week in Nov and Dec

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Traditional Toys



If you can remember a time when things were much simpler, a time of rocking horses and table top spinners, then this is the shop for you.

From Steiff and Charlies Bears, dolls houses, gollies, noah's arks, marbles, farmyards, and a great range of pocket money toys, you will find the most lovely traditional toys in this tiny shop.

All ages and tastes are catered for from the very young to the young at heart as there are some collectable items there too. Papo figures are a popular range at the moment with lots of choice in figures from knights to dragons - a ten year old boys dream, according to the grandson of the owner who actually does the ordering with his grandad!

There's a huge range of traditional wooden toys and upstairs there's an all year round Christmas room full of gorgeous Christmas decorations. If you're looking for presents for boys and girls of all ages, with gifts starting from pennies upwards, then check out Traditional Toys. There'll be lots of smiley faces this Christmas.

Traditional Toys 6 Bull Ring Llantrisant CF72 8EB 01443 222693 Open 7 days a week in Nov and Dec