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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

In our family we have a small gaggle of teens dispursed throughout the country.  Two of the cousins have reached 18 this year and my goodness, how hard they’re taking the virus related curbs to their partying fun and frolics!   No reminders of their incredible gift buying choices for person or home has salved their annoyance!  As usual I sent money, but a one off higher donation to their lifestyle funds.  When I reached 18,  no-one in my social sphere ever held mad parties or balls.  True, family gifts were more exciting than the average birthday – I received a signet ring from my parents – we’d been out some weeks before to choose it.  I startled them by not selecting one of the dainty but frankly cheap looking ladies’ rings, and not thinking of prices, I plumped for a plain but more substantial gent’s style. Being very tall for a female, it felt ‘right’ and I’ve loved that ring so much that no present has ever eclipsed it!  Surely the mark of a truly special 18th birthday present that could suit today’s teens!

Whilst restrictions were in force, hardly any shops were open for several weeks – just essential suppliers like supermarkets and pharmacies.  Now though the world of commerce is embracing post lock down operation and many little gift and homeware shops that did manage to survive are begging for customers to flock in, down the high street.  Unfortunately many customers have got used to the ease and convenience of shopping online for everything.  Tis is something that has made many people swap to online for everything.  Small shops may have an uphill battle to win back the footfall – the business of only having one or two folk in a store at once and each in a mask has caused many impulse shoppers to put off their meanderings.  It’s such a shame because after being denied this little pleasure, there is nothing nicer than being able to pop down to a favourite little store for a good old mooch about for the perfect gift and gossip with the storekeeper!