Posted on August 27, 2016June 21, 2023 by janet — 2 Comments

Things to put in a Christmas Eve Box

Ideas for a Christmas Eve Box

Thought I would ask my three older children (10, 7 and 5) what goodies they would like in a Christmas Eve Box and here’s what they suggested.

First find a box, add a few sweets and maybe some hot chocolate and you will keep the whole family entertained. Start the Christmas festivities off the night before. This one is ideal and not too pricey either.

1 Refill pack

Save yourself time and get the Christmas Eve Box Refill containing craft, colouring, decorations and games. Just add your own sweets and hot chocolate.

2 Snow

Even if it’s a beautiful sunny day outside, you can still have snow inside with this safe, non toxic instant snow – just add water. For a couple of quid you can’t go wrong with this in a Christmas Eve box.

3 Doodling

With 6 sheets in this Christmas Holiday Fun pack there are oodles of doodles to keep the whole family scribbling if necessary.

4 Colour in Ideas

This huge paper tablecloth will keep everyone busy at Christmas. Either use it just as something to do or for maximum value put it on the table for Christmas dinner with a few pens, crayons or coloured pencils and watch all ages get stuck in. Also makes a great poster.

Alternatively try the colour in Christmas Tree from Flamingo Paperie, or their colour in nativity bunting.

5 Christmas Cracker

It’s Christmas after all, there probably need to be some sweets and what better way to add to a Christmas Eve box than in a cracker. Cadbury have lots of Christmas confectionary ideas as you would imagine. If you don’t do chocolate, e.g. if you’re dairy free then Hampergifts have some fabulous retro sweet hampers and packs.

6 Craft Ideas

If your children love craft activities then check out Flamingo Paperie’s DIY gift tags. They have other craft packs too.

7 Books

If you need some ideas of books for Christmas Eve then we traditionally read Twas the Night Before Christmas before they go to bed on Christmas Eve but they also love Illustrated Stories for Christmas. A Christmas Carol is also a great read for older children. Christmas Day will be so busy that bedtime stories probably won’t happen. I believe no Christmas Eve Box is complete without a story. Settle them down for bed and take the chance to stop for a minute and remember what Christmas is all about amidst the preparations. If you are true bookworms then plan ahead with some Christmas advent books.

8 Jigsaws

All my family, from ages 1 to 80+ love jigsaws. So I always get a couple of Christmas jigsaws in for the holiday. It’s just perfect for those ‘I’m bored’ moments when the weather is too bad to send them outside. When I get a chance to sit down for 5 minutes it’s great relaxation for me too.

9 DVD

Of course there is always the option of a DVD. Why not schedule in an hour or two to put your feet up, get out the popcorn and watch a DVD together. Our Christmas favourites are Muppet Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street and Elf. What’s your favourite? Share with us in the comments below, it might give someone else who’s stuck an idea for their Christmas Eve box.

10 Chatterboxes

Remember these? We called them fortune tellers I think. This pack from Flamingo Paperie has 6 sheets, with jokes, forfeits, fortunes and more. Great fun for Christmas Eve and could be used for Christmas Dinner entertainments too. For just a couple of quid it provides lasting fun for all.

I haven’t tried myself but I did think if you are making your own Christmas crackers that you could include one of these in each cracker if you do some of the initial folding.

You can see a video I did of a Christmas Eve Box full of activities here.

Posted on August 14, 2016July 24, 2023 by janet — Leave a comment

Charity Christmas Cards Supporting Local Charity

The Nativity Stable Phoenix Trading Charity Christmas Cards

I am proud to make a donation each year from a proportion of all Christmas cards sold to Western Isles Cancer Care Initiative (WICCI). A minimum of 10% is donated each year. Throughout the year I also support WICCI supplying them with stickers, paper tape and stationery items for their fabulous rainbow care boxes.

I also attend local craft fairs in the run up to Christmas and there is usually a fee or percentage donation from these sale to local charities and organisations.

Past Christmas donations

Every year Flamingo Paperie donated 1p for each of its charity Christmas cards it produced via the Phoenix International Charity. This in turn supported Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer Research, Together for Short Lives and lots of local charities that we Flamingo Paperie Partners got to nominate.

In 2016 my nominated charity Hebrides Alpha Project received £150 from the Phoenix International Charity. The Hebrides Alpha Houseing project provides supported accommodation for people recovering from alcohol, drug, mental health or crimal justice related issues.

Over the past few years Laxdale Cubs and Beavers invited me several times to help them raise money for their nominated charities. Because of this, I thought it was time to give them something in return. So I nominated them as my local charity for 2017. I’ve already donated £100 from your Christmas card orders this year.

I was also really privileged in early December 2017 to support a coffee afternoon in memory of a family friend. From Christmas card sales that afternoon I gave £50 towards Cancer Research UK.

Flamingo Paperie charity Christmas cards – look good, are good and do good!

Click here to buy your cards now and support some great causes.

The 1p donation by Flamingo Paperie was unusual for card publishers. This is not the same as the usual charity donation on Christmas cards that retailers give. Flamingo Paperie are effectively the wholesaler in this case. It’s unusual for a wholesaler to make a charity donation on cards.

If you’d like to know why sending Christmas cards is a good idea then you might like 10 Reasons to send an actual Christmas card

Are you a business owner? If so then you might be interested in how to Increase Your Business By Sending Business Greeting Cards

Posted on August 8, 2016July 20, 2023 by janet — 1 Comment

Traditional Advent Calendars

You know Christmas isn’t far away when it’s time to start opening your advent calendar. I remember every advent calendar I had when I was little. They were all traditional advent calendars with 24 little doors to open. Even if I got a new one the next year I would still reuse the old one pushing the doors shut as tightly as I could so I could reopen them again. My children love chocolate but when it comes to advent calendars the delight and wonder of the traditional advent calendar is what they ask for.

If you’re looking for something more traditional this Christmas season then here are some of the best traditional advent calendars you will find. Flamingo Paperie (from the people who brought you Phoenix Trading) have been producing well-known, beautifully illustrated, traditional advent calendars for over 20 years now. With either 24 doors to open or 24 pieces to press out and slot in or stand up, these calendars will stay in the memories for years to come. All printed in the UK and beautifully illustrated.

Whether you love Nativity themed, Santa or just Christmassy there are traditional advent calendars for everyone.

Flamingo Paperie Christmas cards Nativity stable advent calendar XADV01 — Nativity Stable

The Nativity Stable, with both slot in and stand up pieces, illustrated by Kate Garrett is our current bestseller. This is a perfect advent for classrooms, Sunday School or at home.

Ski Resort Advent Calendar Flamingo paperie XADV05 — Ski Resort

Tower of London advent calendar 3D with doors and windows to open every day. Code ADV37 traditional advent calendar xadv04 flamingo paperie — Tower of London

advent calendar winter village — Winter Village

Ski Resort, with slot in pieces and illustrated by Julia Rigby.
Christmas Ark, with 24 slot in pieces, illustrated by Julia Rigby.
Tower of London, with a mixture of slot in pieces and doors to open, illustrated by Amanda Loverseed.
Winter Village, with 24 slot in pieces, illustrated by Sue James.

Reindeer Stables Advent Calendar xadv03 — Reindeer Stables

The Reindeer Stables, with 24 slot in pieces and illustrated by Amanda Loverseed is our second bestselling advent calendar. Of course you’ll know all the reindeer names but in case you forget one, they’re on each of the stable doors!

If you’d like to see the Winter Village unfold day by day then take a look at my video of the advent calendar being built.

All advent calendars are available here or click on an image to go straight to that calendar. Alternatively keep reading to see some well loved old favourites, available while stocks last here, at Cards and Gift Wrap.

snowy village advent calendar phoenix trading — Snowy Village

'Traditional Christmas Tree advent calendar with pop out pieces to insert each day. Code ADV33 traditional advent calendar — Christmas Tree

Snowy Village, 24 houses to build and place round the village. Elegantly illustrated by Sally Swannell.
Christmas Tree, 24 slot in decorations, Illustrated by Amanda Loverseed.

Bethlehem advent calendar traditional German style advent calendar Phoenix Trading cards traditional advent calendar — Bethlehem

Nativity advent calendar fold out calendar with 24 doors. Code ADV26 traditional advent calendar — Nativity

Bethlehem, with 24 slot in pieces and illustrated by Sarah Summers and Nativity with 24 doors to open in a 3D display, illustrated by Anna Cattermole are both exquisitely illustrated advent calendars depicting the story of Jesus’ birth.

Santas House advent calendar with pop out pieces to insert each day. Code ADV34traditional advent calendar — Santa’s House

If you want something with a Santa theme then the following advent calendars all have some aspect of Santa’s part in the big day.

santas room advent calendar — Santas Room

Santas workshop advent calendar — Santa’s Workshop

Map of the North Lands advent calendar with pop out pieces to insert each day. Code ADV35traditional advent calendar — Map of the North Lands

It's Christmas advent calendar — It’s Christmas

Santa’s House, 24 pieces to slot in, illustrated by Karen Tye Bentley.
It’s Christmas, with 24 slot in pieces and illustrated by Karen Tye Bentley.
Santa’s Workshop, 24 slot in pieces and illustrated by Laura Stone.
Map of the North Lands, 24 slot in pieces, and illustrated by Amanda Loverseed.
Santa’s Room, 24 pieces to slot in, illustrated by Amanda Loverseed.

No Christmas would be complete without a Gingerbread House or a Pantomime (Oh no it wouldn’t!).

Christmas Pantomime advent calendar with stand up pieces and a door to open every day. Code ADV36 traditional advent calendar — Christmas Pantomime

Gingerbread House advent calendar with stand up pieces and a door to open every day. Code ADV30 traditional advent calendar — Gingerbread House

Gingerbread House, 24 doors to open in a 3D scene, illustrated by Louise Angelicas.
Christmas Pantomime, 24 doors to open in a 3D scene, illustrated by Kate Gunn.

If you love the vintage Christmas look then the 3D advent calendars with 24 windows to open each day will give an almost Victorian style to your decor.

'Department Store advent calendar' 3D advent calendar with doors and windows to open every day. Code ADV27 traditional advent calendar — Department Store

Christmas Bakery and Tea shop advent calendar — Christmas Bakery

Department Store and Christmas Bakery both illustrated by Amanda Loverseed.

If you like these then you’ll also love our traditional advent calendar cards. Perfect for popping in the post and like all our Christmas cards they are charity cards too.

Join my customer club to keep up to date with new releases and special offers.

Posted on August 1, 2016September 17, 2017 by janet — Leave a comment

Do you send 250?

Christmas Bauble XC002 corporate Christmas cards

Does your company send corporate Christmas cards?

Of course I’m talking about the giant, stiff, corporate cards that seem to come wearing a suit and tie – yep that’s them. Well – fear not there is an alternative because…

Your company can now send exclusive, charity Christmas cards, all printed in the UK, all from ethical sources. You can choose the card, whether you want it glittery, embossed.

Send corporate Christmas cards this year that look good, do good and are good.

Look good because our artists are some of the top illustrators in the UK.

Do good because all our Christmas cards are charity cards.

Are good because they are made in the UK

3 great messages for your UK business to promote through their Christmas cards.

Ask me for a sample pack or take a look at this year’s brochure to get started and order before October 10th for a 10% discount. Place your order directly through my shop or contact me and I can help find the right card for your business. A handwritten card is a powerful tool for your business.

Make an impact this year with Christmas cards that look good, do good and are good.

Increase Your Business By Sending Business Greeting Cards

Why send Christmas cards at all?

Posted on December 1, 2015September 20, 2017 by janet — 2 Comments

The Gift Bag

I’ve seen lots of different ways to make a gift bag but this is the most simple but effective one I’ve found. Christmas gift bag wrapping craft

Making it also holds the basis for wrapping a standard gift parcel and making it look just that little bit neater than usual.

Gift Bag Guide

Lay out your gift wrap and box
Fold over the leading edge by 1cm
Fold the leading edge to align with the far corner of the box
Crease the fold along the near corner edge
Fold in the second side and crease
Apply double sided tape to the leading edge and seal
Fold down top edge and fold in the sides
Turn in the bottom edge to match the diagonal folds
Apply double sided tape and seal up
Press all edges along the box, to give firm creases
Gently remove the box
Carefully pinch the edges to form the sides of the bag
Fold over the top by 3cm and then fold again
Place the ribbon around the bag, keeping the ribbon straight
Tie a bow at the top, and rearrange the bow to the front

It does make a big difference if you use quality wrapping paper, please don’t buy the cheap stuff as it will just rip!

If you’d like to know more about wrapping ideas do get in touch. I do gift wrapping workshops all year round.

Download this gift bag guide now.

You might like these 5 steps to gift wrapping.

Follow my Youtube channel for more gift wrapping ideas.

Posted on November 30, 2015January 23, 2023 by janet — Leave a comment

Paper Chain Hearts

Remember making paper chains when you were little? Endless cutting up of newspaper, or old wrapping paper to make the strips, then glue or staples as you linked them together?

Want to do it again?!

I love making paper chains with my children but I confess I take the easy way out now and use pre-gummed paper chains.

However, recently I’ve been busy trying other ideas with the paper strips, like these heart decorations. Really simple to do and my 9 year old discovered if you turn them upside-down they look like Christmas trees.

I did make a video of how to make these hearts for Valentines Day.

Posted on November 24, 2015September 17, 2017 by janet — 5 Comments

10 Reasons to send Christmas cards

We keep hearing that no one does send Christmas cards anymore. Depending on which survey you read you might think sales of Christmas cards are on the increase or they’re doomed. Well I’m not sure what to believe there but I do believe that sending cards is a great thing to do at any time of the year and Christmas is a good time to do it.

Why send Christmas Cards?

A survey by Traidcraft found that people do still send Christmas cards and there are lots of good reasons why.

Traidcraft drew up the cartoon strip below after their survey in 2015. The 2016 showed that even more people (84% compared to 77%) in that year said they preferred to receive a hand written Christmas card.

What Traidcraft and Dr John Sentamu had to say about sending cards

“What is even better is that when you buy a charity Christmas card, the benefit is multiplied. You’re not only showing friends and family you care, but you’re also supporting organisations such as Traidcraft to continue their life-changing work. It’s heartening to see that even in this social media age, charity Christmas cards are a win-win way of spreading festive cheer.”

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, a keen social media user, is lending his support to the organisation’s call for people to put pen to paper and send personal, handwritten charity cards to their friends and family this Christmas, rather than relying on social media messaging.

Dr Sentamu said: “Perhaps more than any other time of the year, Christmas is a time when everyone should feel connected, loved and enjoy a sense of belonging.

“While social media and text messaging are great and convenient ways to stay in touch with friends and family, handwritten Christmas cards really are the best way to show someone that you’ve taken the time to think of them at this special time of year.

“Sending a Christmas card is a simple act, but it really shows you care, bringing a feeling of goodwill perfect for the season to all who receive them.”

What more do I need to say?!

Buy yours now! (and they’re all charity cards)

Increase Your Business By Sending Business Greeting Cards

Do you send 250?

Posted on April 29, 2015 by janet — Leave a comment

Did you know?

Who came up with Christmas cards?

Which country leads the way in greetings card design?

How much money goes to charity from Christmas cards?

What’s the average cost of a greetings card?

Answers to the above and more in my latest video – Did you know?