Competition: win a limited edition lava lamp in time for Christmas

While we're on the Christmas present tip (I've been posting a different, affordable gift idea a day all month in case you've missed them), this could be the solution for that teenage niece, just-out-of-home-er, or godson on the list. 

A lava lamp: what do you think?

While I probably wouldn't have a lava lamp at home myself these days, I do have a very soft spot for the things, as illustrated in my scary student bedroom photos posted earlier this year. And the 1960s-designed lamps are a bit of a design classic – they certainly have a colourful back-story, one that takes in nudist camps, Barbarella and egg-timers. You can read all about it here.

One of these limited edition lamps – released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Mathmos, the company behind them and worth one hundred pounds! – could be yours, for absolutely nada, by next week. It comes with a numbered, signed certificate from Christine Craven-Walker, wife of the lava lamp's late inventor (he of the nudist camps) and a "made in Britain since 1963" stamp. So quite the collector's item, really.

The company have offered one to us to give away because, no doubt, they were so dazzled by my younger self's Fresh Meat-esque interiors.


HOW TO WIN
If you want win one, just go to the Facebook page and post a photo of the most kitsch thing you have in your own home (just look for the post about this competition and post it underneath).

Failing that, if you are more stylish than I am and gave all your kitsch things to charity shops when you were still a student, you can just drop me a line with 'I want a lava lamp' in the subject, at: kate@yourhomeislovely.com

I'll pick the winner at random on Wednesday 20th December at midday.  So email or Facebook before that. Your lamp will be dispatched pronto, with guaranteed delivery in time for Christmas.

UPDATE
And we have a winner! Well done to everyone who showed off a bit of kitschery from their homes. I shall compile a gallery to do them full justice - marvellous stuff! The winner, picked at random from photo posters, private messengers and emailers alike has been announced. Is it you? Find out here.

Post by Kate