New card publisher, new Christmas range, all you need to know about the Lilac Tree Designs festive designs for 2024.
Cosy Christmas Cheer from Lilac Tree Designs for 2024
As the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, the creative team at Lilac Tree Designs has been hard at work unveiling their enchanting Christmas collection for 2024. Drawing inspiration from the serene beauty of nature, this year’s range promises to infuse your holiday celebrations with warmth, whimsy and a touch of magic.
Including many of your favourite artists, including Kate Garrett, Tim Mason, Gerry Murray, Sarah Summers and Kate Mawdsley.
Headlining the collection are four brand new Advent Calendar Cards, each one a delightful miniature work of art. From the charming Christmas House to the charming Reindeer Stack, these calendars offer a delightful way to countdown the days until Christmas. Beautifully illustrated in Lilac Tree’s signature style, each card features 24 perforated doors concealing festive images and holiday messages, perfect for displaying on a mantelpiece or tucked into an envelope.
In addition to the new Advent offerings, Lilac Tree is thrilled to be reprinting their beloved Reindeer Stables Advent Calendar. This fan-favourite design, depicting a cosy stable filled with cheerful reindeer, has been a holiday staple for years, and is sure to delight both new and returning customers.
Rounding out the 2024 collection are several brand new Christmas Card Packs, each containing a variety of designs that capture the essence of the season. From the enchanting Christmas Robins to the fun Dogs Under the Tree, these card sets provide an elegant and versatile selection for all your seasonal correspondence.
To explore the full range of Lilac Tree Designs’ enchanting 2024 Christmas offerings, be sure to check out the online brochure. Prepare to be swept away by the beautiful illustrations, heart warming sentiments and undeniable festive charm that make this collection a must-have for the holiday season.
While many of my Hebridean small business friends do have social media and their own websites, some of them use Etsy to sell you their stunning handmade wares. I thought I’d share a few of them here to give you some Christmas ideas. I’m always amazed by the level of talent available on our Hebrides islands. I hope this guide will help you support our local businesses and maybe you’ll discover some small business you didn’t know we had here.
My top 8 Christmas gift ideas from the Hebrides on Etsy
Lewisian Nice Harris Tweed Decor and Hair Accessories
Rainbows, hearts and Harris Tweed – the perfect combo
You can’t go wrong with rainbows, hearts or Harris Tweed and Sarah’s heart garlands always catch my eye. What a fabulous gift for someone who has everything, especially good taste.
Sollas Books – beautifully bound in Harris Tweed
Perfectly bound notebooks – in every way
I had the pleasure of visiting Corinna’s workshop in North Uist while on a family holiday some years ago. Seeing the whole hand-binding process was fascinating and the quality of her work will leave you speechless. And you can never have too many notebooks!
Coll Pottery – and so much more
Not just pots!
Coll Pottery used to be just that when I first came to Lewis but since Alan took over it is so much more.
You can’t go wrong with a new piece of jewellery for a gift and with each of these unique glass pendants your gift is going to stand out from the crowd.
Designs on Benbecula – inspired by our beautiful beaches
Jewellery befitting of our landscape
Handmade and unique from biwa pearls and silver…and adjustable too so it will fit anyone.
This stunning choker from Deborah from Designs on Benbecula is a gift to wow both when given and every time it’s worn.
Loch Sealg Designs, handmade for you
Made to order and worth it
Katie has several designs to choose from her own fashion collection and this green agate caught my eye (perhaps because I married an Irishman).
Hallmarked and handmade and if you’re not a green person then Katie will happily do the same design in your gem of choice.https://tidd.ly/3tciTra
EJay Design – when you’re not sure which island
Have them all!
You might not be able to have the whole world in your hands but you can hold the entire Scottish Hebrides in your hands with this gorgeous teatowel from Ejay Designs.
Eilidh does the most amazing watercolour illustrations of our islands and further afield. If teatowels aren’t your thing then check out her maps, they have gold highlights!
The Herring Girl Posters
Memories of Stornoway
If the whole Hebrides is too much, or you have fond memories of somewhere in particular then take a look at Lauren’s vintage posters.
This one of Stornoway with the famous Lews Castle is a favourite of mine with many a Sunday afternoon family walk taken round its grounds.
Hair Accessories for everyone
Strikingly Stunning
I can vouch for Catherine Anne’s hair accessories as my girls have been wearing these for years.
At Mamayana you’ll also find Mother and Daughter sets which would be a lovely idea at this Christmas time of sharing.
Our Scottish Hebrides are filled to the herring gills with talent and I’ve only shown a handful of Christmas ideas from Etsy here . I’d love to know what you choose please let me know in the comments below.
Looking for something last minute – you might want to check out Etsy’s top recommendations for last minute gifts
You’ve watched Blue Planet, you love turtles and you want to do your bit to be eco friendly. But you are a bit confused by mixed messages about whether you should be using gift wrap, brown paper, newspaper or even wrapping presents at all. Whether it’s for Christmas, a birthday or for any occasion you can gift wrap in style without costing the earth. I’ve put this little post together to help you answer the question; Is gift wrapping paper recyclable?
A really quick test is the Scrunch Test but it’s not quite as simple as that.
So which gift wrapping is recyclable?
Supermarket ‘cheap as chips’ wrapping paper
Probably not recyclable. Even if it doesn’t contain any glitter, foil or added extras, the thin wrapping paper that is often found at the checkout is unlikely to be accepted by paper mills for recycling as it contains few good quality fibres for recycling.
Gift wrap with foil or glitter effects
The paper might be recyclable but the glitter and foil effects make it difficult and too expensive (if it is even possible) to recycle. At least the paper will biodegrade if put in general household waste but the foil and glitter additives might not.
Recycled wrapping paper
Yes, most probably recyclable, providing no glitter, foil etc is added. You can get recycled wrapping paper. However, there is a debate as to whether it is better to produce recycled paper or use virgin pulp from FSC certified sources as the recycling process itself is expensive and energy consuming. Another alternative could be using paper from easily replenishable sources such as bamboo that grows quickly.
Brown paper
This shouldn’t be recycled but should go in the compostable bin along with brown cardboard but that’s ok. Good environmental option! Not so good if you want a pretty design as you’ll have to do one yourself and make sure any design you apply is also compostable! Check out my Pinterest board for some ideas. Use vegetable based inks to stamp the paper and add natural embellishments like twigs, flowers and berries that can also be composted.
Or you can buy coloured kraft wrap that is 100% recyclable.
Printed, quality wrapping paper
Yes, this wrapping paper is recyclable. One thing you might like to check is what inks are used in the print. Some companies use eco friendly vegetable based inks that do not harm the environment. Also check if the paper used is from FSC sources.
All of the gift wrap in my Flamingo shop is 100% recyclable, uses vegetable based inks and is from FSC sources.
We can confirm that all Flamingo Paperie gift wrap is recyclable. It is printed on Amber Graphic Material which is ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free). This is a technique which uses chlorine dioxide for the bleaching of wood pulp and does not use elemental chlorine gas during the bleaching process, so preventing the formation of dioxins, dioxin-like compounds and carcinogens. We also use vegetable inks with water rather than the alcohol damping process. Individual local authorities have their own rules on what they will and will not recycle, but we can confirm that our paper is fully recyclable. (statement from Flamingo HQ)
If you are a designer looking to print your own gift wrap then there are UK print companies that have a very high standard of eco friendly printing like Ashley House.
General tips on making gift wrapping paper recyclable
Before recycling or composting your gift wrap make sure you remove all sellotape, tags, ribbons, bows etc. Gift tags might be recyclable/compostable but the ribbon that they are attached often isn’t so make sure you remove it first. If in doubt, ask the company, they will know. Many gift wrap companies have an environmental policy like Flamingo Paperie. In fact all their gift tags, including the jute string, are 100% recyclable. Use washi tape or patterned kraft tape for a recyclable tape option.
Also wondering what Christmas cards to buy? You might be interested to know that all our Christmas cards are charity cards as well as being environmentally friendly.
Flamingo Paperie has now closed down but it’s fabulous range of cards, gift wrap, charity Christmas cards, traditional advent calendars and stationery were well known for their beautiful illustrations and great quality.
I was an Independent Executive Flamingo Partner. I still have much of the fabulous Flamingo range of cards, gift wrap and stationery and I also stock other non Flamingo items such as colour in tablecloths and other gift wrap on this website.
Be the first to know
If you want to receive exclusive special offers, sneak previews and information about new releases as they happen and/or the latest Flamingo brochure then click here.
If you really love Flamingo Paperie then you need to also join my Flamingo Customer Club and you’ll get a free gift with your first order in my Flamingo Shop.
What’s New?
The new Flamingo Paperie range is out now. We have an exciting Christmas range for 2022 including our traditional advent calendars and our well-known advent calendar cards.
New products come out about 5 times a year. If you’d like to be up to date with the latest just ask.
You can still get hold of a few Phoenix Trading products. Just ask me if there is something from the old range you want to get hold of. I may well have it in stock and if not I’ll do my best to find it!
If you have questions about becoming a Flamingo Partner then perhaps my FAQs will help. Get in touch and we can work out what’s best for you.
Sign up now to my Customer Club if you would like me to send you special offers, sneak previews. You can also be involved in the design of new products and more.
Here are a few simple steps to make sure your gift wrapping looks good and doesn’t take hours to do.
1 Buy Quality Gift Wrapping Paper
If you want your gift to look neat then you need wrapping paper that won’t crumple or rip when you start to cut it or fold it. A decent grade of paper (100gsm or more) will make your job easier and make the end result look better.
2 Use Matching or Complimenting Tag
I have 4 children so I’ve been to a few children’s parties and how often have I seen presents with no tag and no card attached. There probably was a card when it was handed over but in the excitement it’s all been put to one side and the card and gift have become separated. It’s really nice to say thank you afterwards but if you don’t know who the present is from then you can’t. A good idea is to stock up on plain tags that will go with anything, like manilla ones, or a multi pack.
3 Use Ribbon
It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to add ribbon to a present. The most elaborate is probably organza ribbon but for a special occasion it really does the business. However baker’s twine is a really good buy and has lots of other uses too, or raffia is very cheap and a multi-coloured one looks fab.
If using organza, try adding an extra complimentary colour to the bow.
4 Cut straight lines
This is very hard to do with poor grade wrapping paper (see point 1) as most likely the paper will rip as you cut. Especially that foil stuff that looked so good on the roll and seemed really good value but when you open it you realise why it was so cheap as it falls apart in your hands.
Buy wrapping paper that has gridlines on the back, it makes your job easier and we’re all for that.
5 Keep it Simple
Don’t try and overcomplicate things. Sure you can find some great ideas for Japanese wrapping with fancy folds and origami on Pinterest and maybe for the odd occasion it’s great to give that a go. But when it comes to children’s parties, or Christmas where there’s a lot to do, keep it simple and make your life easier.
You can find lots of other great ideas and inspiration on Youtube.
If you found this useful and want another simple wrapping idea try The Gift Bag
