Tag: Christmas

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Lilac Tree Designs

Lilac Tree Designs have a new range of Christmas cards out for 2025. Here’s all you need to know.

Lilac Tree Designs Christmas Brochure 2025

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for stationery lovers—and this year’s Lilac Tree Designs Christmas brochure is brimming with festive charm, fresh designs, and thoughtful details. Whether you’re searching for the perfect card, wrapping paper, or stocking filler, there’s something in this collection to make every celebration—and every gift—feel extra special.

💌Festive Card Ranges

This year’s Christmas card selection by Lilac Tree Designs is simply delightful! The brochure features a wide variety of beautifully illustrated cards, ranging from timeless Christmas motifs to nature-inspired and whimsical scenes. Each card is crafted to capture the warmth, nostalgia, and heartfelt sentiments of the season. You’ll also spot cards for winter birthdays, New Year greetings, and those special family moments that deserve their own holiday sparkle.

🎁 Coordinated Stationery & Gift Wrap

No festive package is complete without stunning gift wrap, and Lilac Tree Designs delivers. The brochure includes an array of coordinated wrapping paper and tags, much of it eco-friendly—so you can spread Christmas cheer sustainably. You’ll also find elegant notebooks, perfect for jotting down festive plans, and practical, giftable extras like magnetic shopping pads that add a little joy to everyday life.

✨ Signature Design & Quality

Every product in this year’s brochure showcases Lilac Tree’s trademark attention to detail and artistic flair. Look out for winter florals, woodland creatures, and cozy home scenes—each printed on premium card and paper stock for a luxurious feel. Many products are designed to be keepsakes, so your Christmas messages and packaging can become part of treasured memories.

🛍️ Versatile Gifting and Retail Options

One of the things I love most about this collection is how easy it is to mix and match. The cards, wrap, and stationery are designed to coordinate—making it effortless to create beautiful gift bundles or themed sets for loved ones. If you’re a shop owner, this range also promises to stand out on any display and offers excellent trade and bulk order options.

🌟 Standout Products to Look Out For

Christmas Cards: Nature, cosy homes, festive florals, and classic winter scenes.

Notebooks & Journals: Gorgeous covers make them fantastic gifts or personal planners.

Eco Gift Wrap: Stunning designs that are sustainable and perfectly match the card ranges.

Magnetic Shopping Pads: Festive, practical, and perfect for stocking fillers.

Want to stock Lilac Tree Designs yourself? Click here to register
(and tell them Janet Ross-Jordan agent #1/JRJ1030 sent you!)

If you have come here looking for information about how to stock Lilac Tree Designs range then I can help with that too. Head over to their website and you’ll find a link to register with them. Please be so kind as to mention my name and number (Janet Ross-Jordan 1/JRJ1030) and if you need any help getting started with them do just ask me, email me at janet@cardsandgiftwrap.co.uk.

🫶 Why You’ll Love This Christmas

Lilac Tree Designs’ Christmas 2025 collection brings together elegant artistry and mindful design. Many products are eco-friendly, exclusive, and vibrantly illustrated by independent talents—making them ideal for anyone who values beautiful, meaningful stationery and gifts.

Who Are Lilac Tree Designs?

Lilac Tree Designs is a UK-based publishing house passionate about helping small businesses thrive through high-quality, beautifully crafted products. Specialising in greeting cards and stationery created from original artwork, they work closely with a talented network of artists—including many of the illustrators and print houses beloved by Phoenix Trading and Flamingo Paperie fans, along with fresh new names to reflect current trends. Run by two experienced former Phoenix Trading and Flamingo Paperie agents, Lilac Tree Designs is dedicated to supporting independent retailers and boutiques across the UK. They never sell directly to customers—instead, their focus is on providing independent shops with regular, inspiring product releases throughout the year, ensuring you always have something new and exciting to offer your customers.

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My Christmas Etsy Guide from the Outer Hebrides

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.

I struggled to choose which one to share but then this black and gold hair bow stood out.

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

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Is gift wrapping paper recyclable?

is gift wrapping recyclable

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.

stamped brown kraft wrapping paperBrown 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.

Presents and balloons paper tape

For further information see Recycle Now

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.

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Flamingo Paperie

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?

Flamingo Paperie Christmas Cards 2018

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.

Keep me up to date

Click here to see the Christmas 2022 range.

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.

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5 Steps to Perfect Gift Wrapping

Phoenix Trading gift wrapping Flamingo Paperie

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 Papergift wrapping service

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