Saint Valentine's Day, yes is on us again, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day,is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius 1 in 500 AD. Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid.    (From Wikipedia.)

That's the easy bit.The hard bit is

1) Don't forget

2) Find an appropriate present.

If we can help you with that see our online site here

http://www.celt.co.nz/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=heart.

 Some items still in stock.

You can phone us free now on

0800 424447- HAGGIS

Hope you can remember that for the future.

Paeroa tattoo

http://www.paeroahighlandgames.co.nz/

is on Saturday week, the 12th February. Please  try if you can to attend this great event.The organisers work harder that any other Highland Games group I know to make this a real special event, and one that is different.The Skiwis (me included) are performing in the evening tattoo. A taster here, a very unsteady u tube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NiTYR03yCg

And of course new stock items, great value low cost Ghillie`s Made in Scotland, and a cheaper range of Kilt hose, as requested. We also have a super range of tenor, bass and drum sticks from David Farquar, Scotland.

all on our front page here

http://www.celt.co.nz/catalog/index.php

all the best

if you are at Paeroa please give our stall a nod

Bob and Heidi

Aye I came back to this e mail from STV Scotland on all the ways to transform yourself for 2011. Please have a look if you feel up to it  here

But if ye cant then go to our front page and cheer yourself (or your significant other) up with our new jewellery range.some really nice new designs.

http://www.celt.co.nz/catalog/index.php

The oldest bagpipe chanter returns to Scotland

The oldest bagpipe chanter has returned to Scotland after being kept in a family for eight generations. The chanter belonged to Iain Dall MacKay, one of Scotland’s finest 17th Century composers.

Now the chanter – an heirloom of the MacKay Sinclair family – has been donated to National Museums Scotland to go on display in the National Piping Centre in Glasgow.

The instrument is one of the oldest dateable relics of the Highland bagpipe tradition so is key to understanding what was known as the golden age of Gaelic piping.

read the full story here

and speaking of chanters our supplier `Wallace bagpipes` have just launched a new website.Please have a look  here

We have specials on our Classic 1 range,details also on our front page.

Next stop Turakina and then Paeroa.if we can help any of you Pipe Band people or Clansmen by taking goods for you to have a look at please let us know

Slainte

Bob and Heidi

Season’s greetings  and I hope that you
have enjoyed another year of our news and offers.

It has been a bit of a very strange year in retail here but nothing compared to Ireland`s woes and worries. And if thats not enough the deluge of snow and ice that has hit the UK and Ireland seems has made life just a bit tougher at this time.

Nevertheless, does the thaw not
always follow....?

The Gaelic greeting for 'Merry Christmas' is:
'Nollaig Shona Duit'
......which is pronounced as 'null-ig hun-a dwit'.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

And then onto New year. All who are making the pilgrimage to Waipu we will see you around the monument at

`The Bells`

Noel and I are ready to make sure we swing into the New Year.

It’s not too late if you want to come and camp and go to Waipu Games. Let me know if you are interested.

Our website has been completely revamped so please bookmark us and have a look from time to time.

www.celt.co.nz

1000 day old castle- to something a little older

Our tour planning for 2011 tours of Ireland and Scotland is well underway and is all a changing and available online at

www.celticconnexionstours.com

We also are building up a Musical tour and this will be an interesting change and will centre around the Edinburgh festival, piping Live in Glasgow, concerts and music workshops.

Let me know if you are interested in any info these and I will send more info.

All the best for Christmas, and the New Year

Dinna overdo it

Bob and Heidi

 May I present to you some of our most beautiful pendants with matching earrings, made by St Justin, and Sea Gems. Purchase any of the stunning sets you see here before Christmas 2010 and get 20% off!

$75 Bronze pendant with cold enamel on gold-plated chain. Design inspired by a gold sword fitting inlaid with garnet found amongst the Staffordshire Hoard

$75

$65 The Celts used knotwork to decorate many of their artifacts. To them, the intricate patterns woven into spirals and knots symbolise the continuity of life.

$65

$65 The Lindisfarne design on this item comes from the famous Lindisfarne Gospels. An opulent and richly decorated Gospel book, the Lindisfarne Gospels was created in the early eighth century CE for ceremonial use at the monastery of Lindisfarne in the northeast of England. The manuscript's main text, which was written out by a single scribe, is a Latin version of the Four Gospels known as Saint Jerome's Vulgate. This is a revision of the Latin Bible made in the late fourth century CE and widely used throughout the western world.

$65

$75 Silver Scottish Thistle pendant with amethyst stone (20 mm).

$75

$65

$65 Hearts represent love in all its many aspects and they are also seen as symbolising having heart, the power of courage and will. To the ancient Egyptians it was the heart, rather than the brain, which was seen as the organ that held the person's mind and soul.

All the best from the team here at Celtic Connexions.

By combining classy pewter Celtic knots with eye-catching gemstones, St Justin has created a stunning range of pendants and earrings which are proving to be extremely popular here at Celtic Connexions. At only $60 a piece (or $110 set) they make fabulous Christmas gifts. Don't miss out on our last order for 2010 in-store now!

Note from Bob:

Hi to all you kilt wearers out there - be sure to check out Celtic Connexions' trademe for great deals on ghillie brogues from Pakistan (discontinuing line).

Cheers!

The team at Celtic Connexions.

Celebrate Hamilton East now by remembering Hamilton East then...

Ever rode a penny farthing? Fan of vintage cars? Enjoy re-enactment plays? Love live music?

Come join the fun! Try your hand at coconut shy, buy unique gifts at the stalls, let the kids experience a piece of their local history while having fun on the merry go round and pony rides. Did I mention food?

The annual Hamilton East Heritage Day Festival is happening this Sunday (Dec 5th) at Steele Park, Grey St, Ham East from 11am-3pm.

As you all know Celtic Connexions is passionate about connecting people with their heritage as well as uniting the Hamilton East community. You will spot us in the shop and around the festival.

For more info. visit the What's HamiltON website:

  http://www.whatsonhamilton.co.nz/eventlisting.aspx?id=345

See you there!

Bob, Sharyn, and Heidi.

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 VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE ITEM AND YOU COULD WIN A CELTIC GIFT!

There are 31 days left until Christmas, and you have 31 fabulous St Justin designs to vote on in Celtic Connexions' St Justin Christmas Countdown. Simply message Celtic Connexions on facebook with the number of your favourite item (located under each picture) and you could receive an extra gift this Christmas.

After Celtic gifts? Check out our website and get 10% off online purchases before the end of November! 

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Thank you for voting! Remember, we are here to help with your Celtic needs, so don't be shy - come into the shop 394 Grey St, Hamilton East, or give us a ring 07 856 9501.

Cheers

Bob, Sharyn, Heidi and Eb

We always try our best for you ,you know that.

Browse our new website,it has almost the same front

but with a brand new shopping cart and added features

http://www.celt.co.nz/catalog/index.php

I am still up there on the left in the hills above Killiekrankie

If you buy online you can take 10% off anything in-store

cool deal

Our Celtic Connexions Tours are hotting up so we made a new website

http://www.celticconnexionstours.com/

all the info, still creating coz i need to know where you want to go

please see i have added a musical tour

this will be a cracker.if you have done the Castle and heritage thing and fancy 2 weeks music,dance ,ceilidhs,concerts

in Scotland

come wi me

Dont forget Waipu gathering

we look for more people wround the monument at the bells in Waipu

ask me for more info

all the best

bob