by ·Comments Off on Online Fails To Equal Magnificance Independent Department Stores

I can well remember the happy days when my local county town had so much to offer in the way of independent department stores to add to the plethora of existing high street names.  In those days you could never imagine a high street without woolworths, debenhams, british home storers, timothy whites etc.   We had all of those plus the wholly private family owned stores from way back in the previous century.  I have dealings with many very old gentle folk who have known the town and its environs all their lives and the heartbreak involved when yet another favourite store closes its doors for the last time is palpable.   These are the very folk who want to shop and spend their ready money but because they are not so savvy when it comes to online purchases, they just muddle through.    The online stores are fantastic and you cvan get absolutely anything your heart desires, which is wonderful but it is pretty cold and not at all warm and personal.

by ·Comments Off on Reasons To Be Cheerful Jubilee Party Goers

We have had the most fantastic four day celebration of the most incredible achievement in the western world.  The Queen of England has made it to a fantastic 70 years on the throne.  She is now currently the 3rd longest in this civilised world.  They’re saying in the press that only the Japanese emporer system and King Louis 14th are longer.  What’s for absolutely certain is that no one witnessing the weekend’s fun activities and jubilee parties will ever be around for another Platinum one.  So everyone was out in force – from enjoying an additioning excuse to go gift buying with an exceptionally good range of gift choices – from mugs, porcelain keepsakes to items of exsquisite jewellery.  Florists too have had a field day – it’s been a very pleasing to see the various adverts for gorgeous bouquets with a jubilee theme and of course the pubs and restaurants have had a bumper time too.  It’s not only a chance to show the Queenm and Royal Family how we appreciate their existence, but it’s a chance to BIG up Great Britain.  Celebrations all round.

by ·Comments Off on A Cornucopia Of Colour & Chintzy Chinaware

When I was visiitng London at the weekend, a very rare treat these days, I was struck by the amazing number of gorgeous gift shops and home stores dotted along the various avenues and high streets we encountered on our coach trip to a music venue.   The route was traffic strewn which was a delight for us, not quite such a jape for our very patient driver.  Every few metres we were able to peer down into the shop fronts at fantastic arrays of middle eastern looking furnishings, gifts of all shapes and sizes.  I could see porcelain and pottery designs artfully arranged, gift choices of fantastic colours, groups of dinner and high tea sets in incredible jewel colours and hues.  These goods, I am sure, will be aimed at the more affluent family market – the sort of homes that have massive gatherings and need a huge range of eating and drinking ware, not necessary idential but showing that individual flare so beloved of the aspiring home stylist!

by ·Comments Off on Bouncing Along A Sphere Of Adventure

There are many different kinds of gifts these days – not just the same old flowers or boxes of chocolates.   Today the sophisticated gift buyer can choose from the most incredible selection of experience days – these can be balloon flights, formula racing car drives, off roading in small tanks or land rovers etc. etc.   Another fascinating idea I saw online – so unusual that I forgot to see what it’s actually called – is being allowed to roll around hilly areas in what is effectively a larg balloon type structure.   The pics shows guys strapped in and hanging on to a framework, so when the sphere travelled along, they were sent, spinning like a catherine wheel.  I must say that this last idea would be the last on my list of ‘must do before I die’ suggestions.  However, these seudo dangerous games do give some folk the rush to the head that seems to be needed for some of them to feel brave.   I’m wondering here whether personal liability insurance might be required, but it does sound fun for the right kind of adventurous spirit!

by ·Comments Off on Gift Choices For Young & Old Need Expert Suppliers

Ahhh …. December and the doom filled lead up to the festive season!  Oh how this used to fill me with dread and apprehension.   The thought of having to work out gift choices for young people and some not very young.  The possibilities for getting it all horribly wrong were endless and yet each year I’d have a go at it.  Admittedly I got immense praise for inventive ideas – especially if the younger sector had been purchased from the most fantastic toy shop outside London  We are lucky to have a family run emporium in this very town.  They don’t seem to have embraced the online business – shame as their sales would be stratospheric.  Mind you, it is lovely being able to go into the shop and be helped by one of the very experienced staff.  No question goes unanswered.  There is always a perfect gift on one of their shelves.  I may have gone in for a puzzle book but always come out with something much more fun and usually challenging.  Of course, pleasing the parents of the younger element is as critical too!

by ·Comments Off on Spreading The Gifting Buying Diary A Little

I think of my family as having their collective birth dates later on in the second half of the year.  Maybe that’s because my own is.  But when I check now – into my now very busy yearly ‘birthday’ lists, I notice that the balance has shifted a little.  As younger ones have grown up and flown the nest, married and produced the next generation.   These have now happily spread the load throughout the twelve months.   With all gift buying and home gifting, I like to be organised about my card and gift sourcing – so that I can treat each purchase with care and attention to detail.  At one time I had three close in-laws with birthdays and wedding anniversaries all in one week in March . . . and each had to be treated completely separately to the others!  It was a case then of popping down one of two wonderful independant department stores in my local high street.   Those days sadly well gone – it’s been a case of looking on line for inspiration.  I look for this in the modern more offbeat outlets – individual ideas flood forth !

by ·Comments Off on Shopping Freedom Encourages Buying Locally

After so many months of not having the freedom to visit towns and shop till we drop, it’s been wonderful to regain this liberty.  On a recent trip to the East of England, on a last minute glamping escapade, I was able to look in all sorts of delightful little shops and local suppliers.  By totally avoiding the larger multi national outlets, we thoroughly enjoyed visiting museums and galleries – taking in the delightful little tea rooms and souvenir shops.  We had begun to take these sweet little places for granted over the years – not really appreciating their worth in the grander scheme of things.  However, since being let out of the hutch as it were, we as a family have embraced the opportunity to delve into local shops, boutiques and farm shops to buy truly locally supplied items as much as possible.  Our camping trip was enhanced by the huge range of local foods on offer from the butcher, baker and dairy to the artisan yarn supplier who helped us sort the perfect shade of wool for a forthcoming gift project!

by ·Comments Off on The Christmas Gift Search Receives Early Dedication

If you have never had children around you, you cannot appreciate the joy and fun that a busy Christmas with a toddler can bring.   Having been used to my own company for 90 percent of my time, additional adult company is sometimes a rare treat.  So with 8 or 9 adults of varying degree of agedness and one tiny toddler, the possibilities for noisy chaos increased by the minute.  Knowing I had the important task of getting a really impressive but totally suitable present for the little princess, I got all my other handful of adult giving bought, wrapped and right out of the way as early as I ever manage.   I then had weeks to quietly discover what Princess had already got and liked or didn’t like and of course, safety considerations are now critical.  I browsed this dedicated giftware site and memories of fantastic childhood christmas joy came flooding back – such fantastic inspiration and choice available.

by ·Comments Off on Checking Reviews & Being A Selective Purchaser

Hurrah – shops and busiesses are soon to reopen.  We have had local and national lockdowns with non essential shops having to close – that is open to interpretation of course, as is so much of life.  However we are now looking forward to the listing of lockdown 3 and the opening up of all the stores that still have staff, management and finance to pick up where they left off.  Gifts have been the one area I’ve really struggled with during the lockdowns.  I do like to be able to see and feel the items I plan to present.  However, this is not always possible in this day and age.  Many traders have now shut their stores and work only from online platforms.  Knowing which online businesses offer sensible prices and good service comes with practice and some disappointments along the way.  But when you do find exactly what you think you’re seeking, it is a good feeling and fills you with confidence that you’ve chosen well!

by ·Comments Off on Valentine Nightmare for The Non Romantics

Whenever a certain date in February comes around, I find myself getting extraordinarily crabby. It’s the saturation advertising and marketing that starts way back in January and gets really annoying after a little while.  Mind you ut propbably says much about my watching habits if the same ads appear over and again  I’m either watching too much or I need to vary the channel a bit!    Maybe I’m an old cynic but there was nothing wrong with the old fashioned valentine’s card and perhaps some flowers for the lady of choice.  Nowadays though every single marketing company finds it essential to jump on the Valentine’s band wagon.  From chocolates to flying on exotic holidays or hackneyed jewellery items.   Some of the gifts advertised are crazy – buy a car for the intended? I think not!  But there are some rputable gift sites that keep their sales ideas in check and contact only those who have requested this constant barrage of opportunist sales making!