We sadly received news today that one of our trade customers - a small gift shop - had called in the receivers. After 15 years of trading they were finding times too tough to continue. There was a list of reasons why life was tough for them including internet shopping / low foot fall / high car-parking charges - the...

Thursday 9th October has been dubbed ‘super Thursday’ by bookshops as the big titles go on sale in the race for the Christmas bestseller … and bookshops are hoping to cash in as they try to fight back against the ever decreasing business most are seeing. At from you to me I also think it is a ‘super Thursday’ as...

Whilst September 11th is a poignant day for many people, for my family it is a day of love and hope for today we celebrated the arrival of the latest member of our family baby Jack. What makes this more special is that Jack arrived in our world on his Daddy's birthday and this time my nephew was able to...

National Writing Project Back at school this week, children are not only being asked to read lots of books, but to write their own too. Many teachers are asking children to write their own novel and – get this – to write it in one month! This is part of the USA’s National Writing Project and we could learn from this. This carefree...

For every joyous family moment there’s a pang of pain. This summer sees two big moments in our family. A house move from the home where my son was born, and the preparations for my daughter starting big school.   As with most house moves there have been several trips to the local recycling centre. Families with younger children have had the pleasure of several...

If you need a little 'Me' time this summer we thought we would offer all our friends, and friends of friends, a little incentive to give yourself an hour or so of peace whilst your kids are fully occupied with 'Rant & Rave about My Holiday'. See image for full offer to 'school's out for summer' - available until 23rd August or while...

As the end of the school year rushes towards us we thought we would offer all our friends, and friends of friends, a little incentive to become part of the national campaign to 'Get Kids Writing'. See image for full offer to 'celebrate your school year' - available until 23rd July or while stocks last!This fun journal / activity book is...

Tom Briggs, award-winning UK blogger Diary of the Dad, tells us how he deserves to be loved and pampered this Father's Day. My name’s Tom and I’m the proud dad of two little boys. I’ve been blogging about my adventures in parenting since shortly after my older son was born and haven’t looked back. Almost four years later, one thing...

Neil writes a regular feature in the UK's Gift Focus Trade Magazine answering people related questions.Here is the latest article and if you want to see the actual Gift Focus Magazine ... here is the link.GIFT FOCUS MAGAZINEQ.  Many people are talking about building their own Company brand these days … but how do I get my own people to...

To celebrate Get Kids Writing during National Stationery Week, children's author Alex Campbell tells us how, to her, writing is as much about exciting beginnings and ideas as 'finished' masterpieces.Oh how I do I love beginnings…..the beginnings of holidays, daydreams, of films and books, of a romance, of a tasty-looking meal, the first hints of Spring.As a writer, there’s nothing I cherish more...