Showing posts with label present. Show all posts
Showing posts with label present. Show all posts

Saturday 23 December 2023

Christmas gifting disaster? That's Christmas has it covered!

Sometimes Christmas gifting can go awry for a variety of reasons. And they're usually not your fault, either. 

A warehouse burns down, a delivery firms goes bankrupt, a Royal Mail Sorting Office goes on strike, a retailer promises to deliver but, in reality, they never had them in stock are only a short list of the problems that can result in a gift going AWOL.

No matter what the reason or excuse for you being let down, you will probably feel guilty, even though it's not your fault. You probably think "It's not my fault, but it is my responsibility."

So, what can you do to make sure that the person who should have been the recipient of your gift doesn't go without a present on Christmas Day?

Amazon Gift Vouchers which you can send electronically or print off, depending on how you want to deal with it.

Also, how about a Wetherspoon gift voucher which they can exchange for meals and/or drinks?

There are also other retailers who offer electronic gift vouchers and All4One (and similar companies) offer physical or electronic gift vouchers that can take the place of the missing gift. And after the New Year you can get on to the retailer or delivery company who let you down to see how they intend to make things right for you. 

(Image courtesy of Gerd Altmann and Pixabay)

Tuesday 19 December 2023

New Fever-Tree Cocktail Shaker: The Perfect Last Minute Christmas Gift!

Seeking out a last-minute Christmas gift for the drinks lovers in your life? Fever-Tree's new Cocktail Shaker looks fab and makes the perfect cocktail every time.

You could pick one up on the way to your next dinner party as a gift for the host or as a Secret Santa present? Available now at Waitrose with an introductory deal of £12 and Sainsbury's for £15. 

Pair the shaker with Fever-Tree's cocktail mixers, available in Espresso Martini, Margarita and Mojito, just add the alcohol to the mixer, shake and pour: 

Fill your Fever-Tree cocktail shaker half full of ice. 

Add 100ml of Fever-Tree cocktail mixer and 50ml spirit.  

Shake for 15 seconds and pour into your glass! 

Why the Fever-Tree Cocktail Shaker?

Style AND function: when creating drinks, Fever-Tree know their stuff,the screw cap mechanism makes the shaker easy to open and prevents the lid getting stuck. It's double walled, to prevent condensation and stop your hands getting cold, and there's even an integrated strainer so it's easier to pour, too!

Effortless Mixing: Turn anyone into a cocktail pro with just a few shakes. 

Stylish Design: Sleek and modern, it's a showstopper for any home bar. 

Compact and Portable: Ideal for those who love to mix drinks wherever they go. 

Saturday 16 December 2023

Make your loved ones feel safer this Christmas

60% of us feel unsafe when walking alone –a new app from Callie and ADT wants to change that.

Whether it’s exploring a new country, going for an evening jog or just walking to work or to the shops; Callie wants people to feel safer and more connected.

A new study by the ONS shows that most of us feel unsafe whilst walking alone. A pioneering new app by safety experts Callie and ADT wants to help us feel safer when we’re out and about.

Empowerment, quality, trust

“Empowerment, quality, trust” –that’s the ethos of the exciting, innovative new personal safety solution, Callie, which has already racked up millions of views on social media and thousands of downloads across iOS and Android.

Conceived as a way to help people feel more connected and confident when they’re alone, Callie consists of a completely free app and a premium safety monitoring service that’s powered by security experts, ADT.

Whether it’s exploring a new country, going for an evening jog or just walking to the shops; Callie wants people to feel safer, more connected and more empowered when they’re alone. But, with up to 80% of women and 40% of men feeling unsafe when walking alone, how can an app help?

How Callie Works

With the free Callie app, users create temporary ‘sessions’ that are shared with people they trust, usually friends, parents or partners. A typical session may look like “First date with John - 2 hours” or “Cycling to the gym - 20 minutes.”

While a session is live, the user’s trusted ‘guardians’ can see where the user is, what the session's for, and how long it's expected to take. They can even see the user’s battery and signal strength.

If the user fails to check in as safe before the session ends, an alert will be automatically sent to the user’s chosen guardians. The user can also manually trigger an alert at any time by pressing a button on the app.

Right now, thousands of people across the UK and further afield use Callie on dates, commutes and nights out. Callie is used on bikes, on foot, on public transport and in taxis. And best of all? –All these features are completely free.

Partnered with ADT for 24/7 Protection

As well as its “free forever” offering, Callie offers a premium safety monitoring service that’s powered by security giants, ADT.

“For 150 years, ADT has protected people, their businesses and their homes” explained Callie’s spokesperson. “With Callie, we wanted to expand that trusted protection to wherever people are, whatever they’re doing.”

A Callie user may trigger an alarm because they’ve been knocked off their bike, because they’re being followed, or because they’re being harassed on a night out, or waling to work or the shops.

Whatever the situation, ADT’s agents are trained to provide support, help the person find a safe route out of the situation and, if necessary, escalate the situation to the emergency services.

Beyond the expertise, one of the key benefits of CalliePlus is having someone available day or night to check in on the user should an alarm go off. This is particularly helpful for people who are working or socialising late into the night and don’t want to disturb those waiting at home.

Privacy and security

A comprehensive study by BMC Public Health has revealed that users of safety apps appreciate the peace of mind they can bring but they are concerned about reliability, price, and privacy.

As part of Callie’s focus on “trust”, they wanted to provide a solution that respected privacy at every level. For Callie, that meant no round-the-clock tracking, no ads, no creepy data mining and no back-door snooping. Whether you use Callie’s free plan or ADT-backed premium plan, your sessions and data will always be private.

A spokesperson for the brand said, “Callie is for those moments when you want someone watching over you –but it’s not a traditional tracking app. When your session is done; it’s done. No one can watch you without your consent, and that’s really important to us”.

In the UK, over 40% of parents use some sort of location tracking on a daily basis. These apps can make parents feel more comfortable but they can be a cause of friction –particularly as kids grow up and want more freedom.

Callie users report finding this compromise more attractive to both parents and kids. With Callie, kids can create a session when they’re walking to school or when they’re cycling to a friend's house, but then check in as safe and leave it off.

For Gen-Z and younger Millenials, who grew up with smartphones and tracking apps, Callie can provide a sense of security and of freedom. For those going to university or moving out for the first time, Callie provides a perfect compromise.

Some of the most vocal support for the Callie app has come from students. At a recent freshers fair, where Callie had set up shop, students turned up in their hundreds to praise what the team were doing. In particular, the freshers liked that they could get benefit from the safety features they’d grown up with, but without feeling like they were being tracked by their parents.

Similarly, many modern couples may appreciate their partner watching over them when they’re walking home from a night out, or when they’re on a long drive, but won’t want to be tracked all day, every day. Callie fills this niche nicely.

Built by experts, backed by experts

As well as being backed by one of the oldest and most recognised security brands in the world, Callie was also built from the ground up by safety experts, Safepoint. This is where the “quality” of Callie’s three-part ethos comes in.

Safepoint protects thousands of workers for household brands such as the NHS, Brewdog, Michelin and Aldi through their dedicated apps and wearables. With Callie, they’ve brought all that experience and made it available to a much wider audience.

An app worth talking about

Despite only launching several months back, Callie has proved incredibly popular on social media –with millions of views and interactions across all channels.

A lot of this success comes from Callie’s community-first ethos. Most of their audience is made up of Gen-Z and Millennials who appreciate Callie’s down-to-earth videos on personal safety.

By talking about the issues and worries that young people (particularly women, girls and members of the LGBTQ+ community) face, Callie have built an incredibly engaged conversation with their audience. These conversations help the Callie team develop the app and provide features their audience genuinely appreciates.

One community-inspired addition is Callie’s “Fake Call” feature, where users can trigger a realistic-sounding, pre-recorded phone call on a timer. If Callie users are feeling uncomfortable, they can simply trigger the Fake Call, wait for their phone to start buzzing and politely make their excuses.

What the future holds

2024 is set to be a big year for Callie. Not only do the team expect to bring on thousands of new users across their free and premium plans, and to reach millions of new viewers across social media, but they will also launch their much-anticipated safety bracelet.

The Callie safety bracelet is a clever, yet easy-to-use, panic alarm that looks and feels like a premium piece of jewellery. With just a tap of this unique wearable device, users can surreptitiously trigger a ‘smart alarm’ and let their loved ones know they’re in trouble.

Commenting on the big year ahead of them, Callie’s spokesperson had this to say, “Our goal is to empower people. Whatever your goals are in 2024: taking up a new hobby, getting fit, going on that dream trip, or just wanting to meet new people… We hope that Callie can help you get there.”

Try Callie for free

Those interested in the Callie app can download it for free on iOS or Android.

Anyone interested in learning more about the ADT-powered CalliePlus package, buying a package as a Chirstmas gift or the upcoming safety bracelet can head over to getcallie.com.



Friday 15 December 2023

Get fruity with your loved one this Christmas!

Get fruity with your loved one this Christmas with the help of Sandford Orchards.

Treat them to award-winning Sandford Orchards' Fabulous Fruits Hamper, full of lovingly crafted cider and snacks from Devon.

 A treat for any cider-lover, it includes a bottle of Fanny's Bramble, Berry Lane, Old Blossom and Wilde Cherry. To enjoy with the artisan cider, there are two scrumptious bars of Willie's Cacao chocolate and, for the perfect pour, there's a Sandford Orchards branded glass too.

For further information on Sandford Orchards and to see their full range of gifts for Christmas and the rest if the year please visit www.sandfordorchards.co.uk, follow Sandford Orchards on X, Facebook and Instagram. 

Tuesday 12 December 2023

Death By Dandruff. Latest Sherlock Holmes novel ideal for Christmas gifting

EVA Books is proud to announce the release of Death by Dandruff, the sixteenth book in the Unexpurgated Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes series by writer and TV/film producer, NP Sercombe.

Priced at £9.99, Death by Dandruff is available to purchase directly via www.unexpurgatedsherlock.com, Amazon UK, and the prestigious Hatchards bookshop.

The dramatic adaptation of the well-known book series for TV has been underway for three years featuring top industry talent.

NP Sercombe’s Unexpurgated series explores the intimate relationships of the famous characters and delves into their inner humanity. The books provide full, uncensored, and humorous accounts of Sherlock Holmes cases in an accessible format, beautifully illustrated by Juliet Snape.

NP Sercombe commented: “I am excited Harry King Television is currently in discussion with broadcasters and streamers with the aim to produce features based on the Unexpurgated Sherlock series in 2024.  This is the first time the original Conan Doyle stories have been adapted for TV in forty years!”

About Death by Dandruff:

In Death by Dandruff, Watson’s house is up for sale. Miss Clytenmestra Fanning has made an appointment to view the property without realising she would be in competition with Professor Moriarity. She writes a cheque. But what was Moriarty doing there in the first place?

A puzzled Watson walks to Baker Street where Holmes has been engaged by Mr. Gemini Winters to investigate the mysterious job offer. They embark upon a train journey where they meet a man with the most dreadful dandruff. The man acts suspiciously, and it isn’t long before Holmes establishes his devious motivations. After a nasty medical mix-up, they return to London and are forced to intervene in a murderous hostage situation, the architect being James Moriarity.

About NP Sercombe

NP Sercombe is creative producer of television & film in the UK and USA, a screenwriter and creator of The Unexpurgated Adventures of Sherlock. He is CEO of Harry King TV and Cheyne Walk in London and Dr Bink’s Films in Los Angeles.

This will make the perfect Christmas gift for the dedicated Sherlockian in your life. Or as an ideal example of self-gifting, perhaps? Go on! You know you deserve it!

 

Saturday 4 November 2023

Unwrapping Joy: Unique, Quirky Christmas Gifts for him and for her

Christmas is upon us, and what better way to spread some festive cheer than by surprising your loved ones with unique and quirky Christmas gifts? 

Instead of the usual run-of-the-mill presents, let's explore some out-of-the-box ideas that will put a smile on the faces of both men and women.

Whether you're shopping for your significant other, family members, or friends, these one-of-a-kind gifts are sure to make this Christmas extra special.

For the Men:

Personalised Whiskey Decanter Set: Elevate his spirits with a custom whiskey decanter set engraved with his name or a special message. Complete with glasses and a wooden display, this gift combines functionality and elegance.

Darth Vader Waffle Maker: If he's a Star Wars fan, this Darth Vader waffle maker will make breakfast times a galactic adventure. Who could resist the allure of a crispy waffle shaped like the Sith Lord's iconic helmet?

Virtual Reality Headset: Transport him to otherworldly realms with a high-quality virtual reality headset. It's an experience he won't soon forget, and it's perfect for gamers and tech enthusiasts.

Desktop Punching Bag: Help him relieve stress and have some fun with a desktop punching bag. This quirky gift will not only provide a laugh but also offer a healthy outlet for frustration.

Bonsai Tree Kit: For a more zen gift, consider a bonsai tree kit. It's a unique way for him to tap into his nurturing side and add a touch of nature to his living space.

For the Women:

Customised Star Map: Gift her a personalised star map that captures the night sky's appearance on a special date, like an anniversary or her birthday. It's a beautiful and sentimental reminder of a cherished moment.

Morse Code Jewellery: Morse code necklaces or bracelets are a clever way to convey a hidden message or a meaningful word. Choose something that's close to her heart, and she'll love the thoughtfulness behind it.

Aromatherapy Diffuser: Turn her home into a haven of relaxation with an aromatherapy diffuser. Paired with essential oils, it's a thoughtful and unique gift that promotes well-being.

Literary Candles: For the bookworm in your life, literary-themed candles with scents inspired by classic novels can transform her reading nook into a cosy, magical world.

DIY Embroidery Kit: If she enjoys crafting, an embroidery kit with a beautiful pattern can be a delightful and relaxing way for her to spend her free time. It's a perfect gift for those who appreciate the art of handcrafting.

Plant Parenthood Kit: Encourage her green thumb with a plant parenthood kit, complete with stylish pots, soil, and easy-to-care-for indoor plants. It's a great way to bring the outdoors inside.

These quirky Christmas gifts for men and women are sure to stand out amidst the sea of traditional presents. Remember, the most cherished gifts are often the ones that show thought, care, and a dash of creativity. So, this holiday season, think outside the gift-wrapped box and make your loved ones' Christmas extra special with these delightful surprises. After all, the best gifts come from the heart.

Tuesday 24 October 2023

Searching for a special Christmas gift for a special person in your life? Emilia Mala has them for you

Whether you're in seeking out a gift for an animal enthusiast, a spiritually inclined individual, or someone with a penchant for hedonistic living, Emilia Mala offers a diverse selection of printed silk scarves. 

Each piece of artwork is a vibrant narrative in itself, making it a unique and meaningful choice. Crafted in England from high-quality 100% silk twill, these scarves are available in two sizes: 60x60 cm and 130x130 cm, priced at £85 and £189, respectively. You can find them for purchase on emiliamala.com.

Founded in 2017 in London, Emilia Mala's core mission is to re-invent the timeless silk scarf by employing the art of visual storytelling. These prints are derived from hand-drawn illustrations and encompass themes from shamanistic wisdom to materialism. The creative force behind the brand is Anna Tuomaala, responsible for all design and artwork.

Unique Christmas gifts from Hannah B Pottery

Are you looking for gifts for the person or people in your life who have everything?

If so, you will need to take a look at what who Hannah B Pottery has to offer.

Hannah B Pottery has a wide range of absolutely gorgeous and beautiful, unique handmade ceramics. Made slowly and with lots of love in Cambridgeshire. 

From bowls and mugs, to Christmas decorations and coasters there's lots and lots to choose from!

You can visit Hannah at www.hannahbpottery.com.


Tuesday 3 October 2023

Timor Release a Modern Successor to the Legendary WWW (Dirty Dozen)

The Timor Watch Company is thrilled to unveil its latest masterpiece, the Modern Field 100M. Drawing inspiration from their iconic field watches, the Modern Field 100M is the pinnacle of utility; it's a blend of history and innovation, encapsulating the legacy of the revered Dirty Dozen while heralding a new era of watchmaking excellence. 

This watch represents the next step in our journey, seamlessly merging the past's robustness with today's elegance and functionality. And That' Christmas feels sure it will be the ideal Christmas gift for the watch enthusiast in your life.

Key Features:

Durability and Elegance: Crafted to endure the toughest of challenges, the Modern Field 100M embodies the strength and resilience required for today's battleground. Yet, its elegance and usability make it suitable for any adventure.

Specifications: With a diameter of 36.5mm, thickness of 12mm, and weight of 94g, this watch is designed for comfort. It boasts a water resistance of 10ATM (100M, 330ft), ensuring reliability in most water encounters. The watch features a domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal, Sellita Modified SW260 movements, and is made with 316L stainless steel with an anti-glint PVD finish.

Highly Legible Dial: No more squinting or searching for the correct angle! The time is clear, day or night, ensuring that a rapid glance is all you need.

Anti-Glint Coating: The Modern Field 100M features a matte black anti-reflective PVD coating, ensuring discretion when it matters most, adding a touch of stealthy sophistication.

Water Resistance: Designed to be a trusty companion in rain, river, or during a rigorous workout. (Note: While robust, it's advised against using this watch for diving.)

For Everyone: While it's the successor to their esteemed military field watches, the Modern Field 100M is for everyone. Its simplicity, durability, and elegance make it the perfect accessory for adventurers, professionals, and everyday enthusiasts alike.

Pricing and Availability: The Modern Field 100M is priced at £990.00. Pre-orders opened today and will be shipping next Summer, 2024.

For more details and to be notified when the Modern Field 100M becomes available, visit Timor Watch Company.

Founded in 1923 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Timor Watch Company quickly gained a reputation for crafting durable Swiss watches. During World War II, Timor was among the legendary "Dirty Dozen" watchmakers that produced timepieces for the British Military. 

After navigating challenges like the quartz crisis, Timor made a resurgence by returning to its roots, focusing on iconic WWII designs. Now headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, Timor continues its legacy with modern interpretations of classic designs.

https://timorwatch.com.

Tuesday 5 September 2023

Wow! The perfect Christmas gift! Milky Plant

Milky Plant is a stunning and utterly brand new kitchen gadget. What does it do? It allows people to make plant based milk at home from nuts, seeds, cereals and just some water.

 It's an absolutely ideal gift for anyone who follows a plant based diet for allergy, health or lifestyle based reasons. And who wants a bit more out of life than mere shop-bought dairy alternatives.

The Milky Plant machine costs £290 (RRP) and it takes something like 180 uses to recoup the costs of the machine, depending which ingredients are used to make the milk. Making plant based milk at home saves approximately 30-90% per serving compared to buying it ready as made.

You can buy it at https://milkyplant.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/MilkyPlant/page/E09A263C-9DF6-4D3E-AD63-1C33C041AA6B?ref_=ast_bln

Selfridges London: https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/smartech-plant-milk-maker_R04161140/#colour=WHITE%20%26%20GREY

Users just add their chosen ingredients to the blender, fill the water tank and within three minutes a litre of plant based milk will be produced. 

It works by automatically grinding the raw ingredients super fine and then automatically blended with water. The mixture is then passed through a special filtration system which strains the milk and keeps the pulp in a separate compartment. 

But there's more! Because the pulp is nearly dry and the pulp can be used in recipes to make homemade granola or smoothie bowls, or even for composting.

As a result the lucky recipient of this machine has no more messy blenders or squeezing cheese cloths or nut bags, thus making it far simpler and easier to make your own plant based milk at home.

It's a fantastic and highly sustainable Christmas gift as making plant based milk at home also reduces the volume of Tetra Pak containers ending up in landfill (as these can't, as yet, be recyclable) nearly a300k per year. If placed end -to-end the line would stretch all the way from central London to Milton Keynes!

And what's even better, for every Milky Plant purchased, five tree are planted and 61kg of C02 is removed from the atmosphere annually.

Milky Plant milk is an even healthier alternative to supermarket bought non-dairy milks which contain preservatives, emulsifiers, seed oils and gums.

The machine achieves the exact right texture and consistency by automatically adjusting the water level by employing special in-built sensors. 

But the recipients can experiment with a thicker texture or different flavours by adding a teaspoon of coconut flakes, dates or rose water for a delicately sweet milk.

Tuesday 24 January 2012

Hunter Dunn, Hunter Dunn, best place for Valentine gifts under the sun!

Richard Weston Fluorite Scarf
It is a sad but true fact that Valentine’s Day can turn even the best gift-buyer in to a monster. Despite good intentions it’s easy to get bamboozled by the barrage of love hearts and cherubs tempting us to buy such horrors as novelty lingerie, service station flowers and oversized teddy bears!

However, with the return of the recession, retail studies are showing a clear shift in our gifting practices and it appears that more shoppers are shunning Valentine’s Day novelty presents and giving practical and stylish gifts that their significant other will not only like, but cherish.

So how to go about sifting through the plethora of Valentine-themed items in the shops to make sure that you find the perfect gift for that special someone?

Amanda Wright, founder of online clothing boutique Hunter Dunn, says: “With people tightening the purse strings they are far less likely to treat themselves, so gifts such as cashmere knitwear or silk scarves are a fantastic way to show you care on Valentines Day.”

Still unsure? Follow our guide to buying the perfect gift from www.hunterdunn.co.uk!

For Those with a Passion for Fashion
Combine romance and style with a ‘Botanical’ necklace from London-based jewellers Comfort Station. Each necklace contains laser cut slices from an antique botanical book, making this the perfect unique gift for your one-and-only! (http://www.hunterdunn.co.uk/botanical-book-pendant-p-156.htm...)
RRP £197.00

For the Classic and Cosy
Your special lady can channel Riviera Chic all year round with this classic nautical jumper from renowned knitwear designer John Smedley, made from beautiful extra-fine New Zealand Merino Wool, this ticks boxes for being both practical and luxurious. (Carey indigo/white stripe sweater pictured) (http://www.hunterdunn.co.uk/carey-indigowhite-stripe-sweater...)
RRP £130.00

For the Simply Stylish
The lady in your life can add a dash of classic style to any outfit with a Weston scarf.

Prize-winning architect and landscape designer, Richard Weston creates unique pieces inspired by the forms, patterns and colours found in nature. This luxurious collection of silk satin scarves are digitally printed from his unique mineral, stone and fossil collection (Fluorite design pictured) (http://www.hunterdunn.co.uk/scarves-c-101_108.html)
RRP £147.50

For the Man in Your Life
Let’s hear it for the boys! Treat the man in your life to a luxurious 100% Merino Wool jumper from renowned knitwear designer John Smedley. (Beetroot Hunter Round Neck Sweater pictured) (http://www.hunterdunn.co.uk/beetroot-hunter-round-neck-sweat...)
RRP £95.00

For The Woman Who Has Everything
Treat her to a beautiful iPad sleeve from Vogue-featured designer Mimi Berry. Made from Raspberry Italian hard leather and designed to fit both iPad 1 and 2, this is the one item that the woman who has everything simply cannot live without. (http://www.hunterdunn.co.uk/raspberry-ipad-cover-p-291.html)
RRP £120.00

All items detailed above can be found at online boutique Hunter Dunn – visit www.hunterdunn.co.uk

(EDITOR: And, yes, we know it is early, but why not check out Hunter Dunn for some ideas for neat Chirstmas presents, too?)

Sunday 22 January 2012

Got presents you didn't want or can't use? Swap them!

Confused.com is celebrating its Nectar Points promotion by bringing back the spirit of nostalgic TV show 'Swap Shop' to central London for one day only.

New research carried out by Confused.com, amongst 2,000 people in the UK, shows saving money is one of the biggest motivators for swappers, with 31% of people saying that they preferred to swap to save money, whilst 36% admitted to swapping 'to get something I actually wanted rather than something I would never use'.

With 17% getting more satisfaction from swapping than shopping and 48% of people having already swapped an unwanted possession online, it’s clear that swapping is on the up.

Confused.com 'Swap Store', which will take place at London's Victoria Station from 1-3pm on January 25th, is part of the give-away which sees 1,000 Nectar points given to every customer who buys a car insurance policy through Confused.com between now and the end of March 2012.

Swap Shop presenter, Keith Chegwin, will be compering the swap, said: "It's great to see that swapping is back in fashion, and I'm really looking forward to running Confused.com's Swap Store. Saving money is one benefit of swapping things you no longer need and it can be really entertaining too."

Mike Hoban, Chief Marketing Officer at car insurance comparison expert Confused.com added: "The popularity of swapping unwanted gifts has encouraged us to have some fun this January by arranging our very own 'Swap Store'. Those old enough to remember the children’s TV show 'Multi-coloured Swap Shop' will not be disappointed."

Friday 23 December 2011

Over one in ten sales shoppers set to avoid the crowds this year by shopping on their mobiles

• 14 percent will be using their mobile phone to either purchase sales items online or find discounts from their favourite brands

Research by mBlox, the mobile consumer interaction and payment specialist, reveals that one in ten UK consumers are planning to avoid the High Street this sales season and are shopping from their mobile while they are on the go.

The research, commissioned by Opinion Matters, unveils how in the upcoming post-Christmas sales, nearly 10 percent of UK consumers would opt to use their mobile phone or smartphone to purchase items online, rather than shop in-store for bargains. These consumers indicated they would use the discounts and sales offers they receive on their mobile phone to purchase gifts in-store.

Michele Turner, Chief Marketing Officer of mBlox says: “We’re seeing more consumers who want to combine High Street shopping with mobile online purchasing while they are on the go.. The way in which shopping habits are evolving indicates that the way brands interact with their customers has never been so important. Our research demonstrates that 2012 is gearing up to be the year of mobile shopping, as more people choose this shopping and payment option as an alternative.”

The research also found that nearly 18% of those polled were happy to receive promotional offers on their mobile over the Christmas and New Year sales period. Of this figure, 12 percent preferred to receive offers that were relevant and personal to them.

Turner continues: “Customers still want to shop in-store for many purchases, which is good news for the High Street. However, with a growing proportion of consumers who are keen to engage with brands and shop on their mobile phones, there is now an opportunity for businesses to engage personally with these customers when they aren’t face-to-face in store. Yet, with mobile marketing being such a personal tool, consumers can be fickle if they find these promotions become a nuisance: brands may only have one opportunity to get it right. Businesses will need to market to its customers in the right way and be mindful that the consumer should have control over the messages they receive, whether that is through an opt-in service or through targeted and relevant content.”

FACTFILE:
mBlox is a mobile interaction and payment specialist that provides enterprises and solution providers with the fastest and most reliable way to engage with their customers on mobile devices without compromising on security. mBlox delivers a combination of software and services that allow businesses and solution providers to create mobile solutions with the greatest possible reach. Backed by leading venture capital firms, mBlox offers a network of more than 800 operators in over 180 countries, covering over 90% of the world’s population.

Notes to editors:

The research results from Opinion Matters can be found below. A further breakdown (gender/demographic etc.) is available on request.

The research was carried out between 5th December 2011 and 16th December 2011. A sample of 2002 UK mobile phone users and 2003 US UK mobile phone users was taken.

UK research results

Will you be using your mobile phone / smartphone to purchase items online in the post-Christmas sales, rather than shop for sales bargains in-store?

No, I will not be using my mobile phone / smartphone to shop online in the post-Christmas sales 88.3%
Yes to buy sales items online in the post-Christmas sales as I think there will be better bargains 5.2%
Yes to buy sales items online in the post-Christmas sales to avoid the crowds and the queues 4.5%
Yes but I won’t use it to purchase the items online. Instead, I will use it to find the discounts / sale offers of my favourite stores and then I will pay for these in-store 3.7%
Yes (other) 0.1%

Would you be happy for brands to send you promotional offers on your mobile about post-Christmas sales?

No, I do not want brands contacting me on my mobile with promotional offers 82.5%
Yes, I would like to receive promotional offers on sales items from brands on my mobile, providing they are relevant to me 12.1%
Yes, I would like to receive promotional offers on sales items from brands on my mobile 5.4%

US research results

Will you be using your mobile phone / smartphone to purchase items online in the post-Christmas sales, rather than shop for sales bargains in-store?

No, I will not be using my mobile phone / smartphone to shop online in the post-Christmas sales 85.3%
Yes to buy sales items online in the post-Christmas sales as I think there will be better bargains 7.2%
Yes to buy sales items online in the post-Christmas sales to avoid the crowds and the queues 6.7%
Yes but I won’t use it to purchase the items online. Instead, I will use it to find the discounts / sale offers of my favourite stores and then I will pay for these in-store 3.8%
Yes (other) 0.1%

Would you be happy for brands to send you promotional offers on your mobile about post-Christmas sales?

No, I do not want brands contacting me on my mobile with promotional offers 80.8%
Yes, I would like to receive promotional offers on sales items from brands on my mobile, providing they are relevant to me 11.7%
Yes, I would like to receive promotional offers on sales items from brands on my mobile 7.4%

Thursday 22 December 2011

Looking for a last minute Christmas present? See Britain’s Olympic hockey players in action at the Maxifuel Super Sixes Finals

The Olympic Games are just around the corner but as thousands missed out on London 2012 tickets, here is your chance to snap up a late Christmas present for all the family to enjoy. The ‘fastest show in town’ brings British Olympian hockey players to the capital this New Year, after the excitement of the Christmas festivities has gone for another year.

Breath taking speed and dazzling hockey skills await at the Maxifuel Super Sixes Finals, January 29 2012, Wembley Arena. Enjoy live entertainment, meet the players and have a fun, affordable day out with family and friends!

The Maxifuel Super Sixes Finals will see the UK’s top men's and women's hockey teams compete indoors at an end-of-season showdown.

Jonathan Cockcroft, Commercial and Membership Director from England Hockey Board, says: “The Maxifuel Super Sixes Finals event is the pinnacle of hockey’s indoor game and what better way to showcase our British Olympians. For many families it’s the affordability factor that deters them from live sporting events, but we have specifically designed these indoor Championships to be a fun, inexpensive day out for all ages.”

Lightning quick, 20 minute halves offer a snapshot of the adrenaline filled game of hockey. “For many, it will be the first time that they have witnessed elite sport stars in a live arena. With the London Olympics just months away, now is your chance to become part of the Hockey Nation. The Finals promise to be a real treat of non-stop action as the country’s best hockey players battle it out for the Championship trophy,” concludes Cockcroft.

Bowdon Hightown's women and East Grinstead's men lifted the inaugural Super Sixes trophies in the 2011 Championships. East Grinstead’s winning captain, Scott Ashdown said: “It’s an awesome feeling to win the Super Sixes Finals; we played well and it was a great result. Three times on the trot, we wanted to make that history for ourselves.”

Grab your family’s seats at the fastest show in town, the Maxifuel Super Sixes Finals, 29 January 2012. A family of four can enjoy this event for just £35, just call 0844 815 0815 or for more information visit www.englandhockey.co.uk/maxifuelsupersixes.

Ungrateful this Christmas?

Men are the most ungrateful gender at Christmas, according to statistics released today by www.musicMagpie.co.uk, the leading cash for CDs, DVDs and games website, who saw 1.45million entertainment gifts traded in the two weeks following Christmas last year from embarrassed sons, brothers and dads.

The research also shows age plays a factor in the rise of ungratefulness at Christmas across the country. Middle age is when unappreciative tendencies kick in, with over 850,000 entertainment gifts traded in post Christmas by those in their 30s. Plus, if you’ve ever wondered where the CD you bought your Gran has disappeared to, musicMagpie reports that over 400,000 items were traded in after 25 December by those aged over 50 with pensioners living in the South East the worst culprits.

Regional breakdown also shows that Londoners top the list as the most ungrateful, with the next four most ungrateful places being Birmingham, Brighton, Manchester and Leeds.

Eren Ozagir, Chief Marketing Officer of musicMagpie says: “People selling their items on Christmas Day and Boxing Day is our busiest time of the year, as people flock to sell their unwanted entertainment presents. Most people have experienced a time when they’ve opened an unwanted present, especially a CD or DVD that you’re just not into or already have. musicMagpie provides the solution without that awkward moment of asking your family member for the receipt.”

“We are expecting even more customers this year, as people not only trade in unwanted presents after Christmas, but also attempt to salvage some of their Christmas spending excesses in preparation for the tough January ahead.”

Just how ungrateful are we?

Males are more ungrateful than females, trading in 1.45million CDs, DVDs and games in the two weeks following Christmas 2010
30-39 is when our ruthless streak kicks in and we get rid of the most presents! Over 850,000 items traded came from this age group alone
People in London are far more likely to get rid of presents than any other region. Nearly 600,000 items came from the Big Smoke
Females over 50 in the South of England traded in over 400,000 items last Christmas. Maybe your Gran doesn’t like her gift after all!

musicMagpie customers can make anywhere from £10 to £1,000 just from selling unwanted entertainment items from around the home using the 100% free service (including postage). The website has also introduced a Smartphone app, enabling customers to scan in products to earn cash quicker than ever before.

musicMagpie has recently launched a new initiative which allows customers to choose to receive M&S vouchers instead of cash.

Wrong pong? Wrong size? Wrong colour? Recycle unwanted Christmas presents with Mencap!

Did Father Christmas bring you everything you wanted this year? Many of us are left with the usual unwanted soap sets, spare or unsuitable home gadgets and ill fitting clothes.

This year learning disability charity Mencap has come up with the perfect solution for those unwanted gifts. As part of their Make With Me initiative Mencap is calling on people to sell their unwanted items to raise vital funds for people with a learning disability.

Make With Me in aid of Mencap is a fun filled, homemade initiative that encourages people to get creative and start making & baking to raise much needed funds to support people with a learning disability, their families and carers.

This Christmas Make With Me is inviting people to organise fun gift swapping parties, where unwanted presents can be swapped in exchange for a donation to Mencap. Meaning not only can you end up with a present you like you’ll also be raising money for a great cause.

If however you’re one of the lucky ones and got everything you wanted this Christmas then why not embrace the spirit of make, do and mend and commit to learning a new skill as your New Year’s resolution. Start knitting, cross stitching or take up sugar or paper craft. All makers, beginners and veterans alike, swear by the sense of achievement that comes from making your own unique gifts for a loved one and items for the home or to wear. You can also get social and have fun by organising a Make With Me party.

Whatever you do, help Mencap raise their £25,000 target.

For full information on how to recycle your presents, recipes and tips and how to make a donation visit www.makewithme.org.uk

To stay up to date with all the Make With Me news, stop by and say hello on Twitter (@makewithme) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/makewithme). Got a crafty idea? Anyone can donate ideas to Make With Me via the website’s your projects section, just head to www.makewithme.org.uk.

Tuesday 6 December 2011

3 in 4 men can’t remember what gift they received last Christmas

Can you remember what presents you received last Christmas? A new survey has revealed 78% of men can’t remember what gift their partner bought them just one year ago.

Women fare slightly better, but 63% still struggle to recall what they received from their other half.

Over 500 people took part in the survey from experience day company Best Experience Days, and they were asked them what Christmas presents they received over the last two years. Even worse, only 7% of people could remember any presents they received two Christmases ago.

With an estimated £17 billion to be spent by Britons on Christmas presents this year, this means over £12 billion worth of gifts will be forgotten about in just 12 months.

Sarah Firmin from www.bestexperience.co.uk commissioned the survey: ‘Rather than spending money on gifts that no-one will remember, a real experience will live with people for ages. We’ve found unusual experience days ranging from fighting zombies to hovercraft racing. If you fight zombies for three hours and then can’t remember it, there’s something wrong with you!’

The survey also found that price didn’t directly affect how memorable a gift was. Of the people who could remember their gifts, almost a quarter received experience day gifts, but only 14% remembered an expensive or luxury gift such as jewellery.

“It just goes to show that you don’t need to fork out a fortune”, continues Sarah Firmin. “However there were some notable exceptions. One lady told us that her husband bought her a brand new Ferrari. That’s obviously better than an experience day, so if you can afford a Ferrari, just buy them a Ferrari!”

The team at www.bestexperience.co.uk compare and review the best experience days in the UK. The site is famous for impartial reviews and ratings, and information on all the UK’s biggest experience day providers.

Tuesday 29 November 2011

Toys place at the top of Christmas lists threatened by tech: What kids want for Christmas

Toy News Cover Image
What children really want for Christmas

Toy’s place at the top of children’s Christmas lists is being threatened by iPads and video games.

Those are the findings of research featured in the latest issue of toy industry publication Toy News. The research was carried out for the magazine by youth research specialists, Dubit to provide insight into what children across the UK will be asking Santa for this year.

Presents

Dubit asked the children to pick five types of presents to make up their imaginary Christmas list. The kids chose electronic devices the most (chosen by 59 per cent), followed by video games (53 per cent), money (44 per cent), and toys (39 per cent).

As the children get older, the most popular gifts change considerably. Those aged seven to eight favour toys (63 per cent), while nine to ten year-olds prefer electronic items (60 per cent). Gadgets are also top of 11-12 year-old’s lists but at that age girls favour clothes over any other present.

The least popular Christmas presents with children are novelty items, jewellery, and grooming. Unsurprisingly, 11-12 year-old girls buck this trend as they begin to take an interest in beauty products.

Toys

The children were also asked which types of toys they wanted to find beneath the tree – a toy was regarded as popular if it ranked in the top three.

For this, the toys were divided into nine categories, such as board games, action figures, and blocks.

Board games are the most popular toy - placing in the top three 124 times, followed by vehicles (105), pet animals (96), blocks (88) and puzzles (83).

Despite the prominence of video games in older children’s’ playtime, board games are popular with kids aged 9-10 and 11-12, as are puzzles such as jigsaws and Rubix Cubes.

Action figures and dolls only made the top three of 78 children’s lists, with just 14 boys putting them near the top compared to 64 girls.

Brands

Finally, the children were asked to pick three items for their Christmas list – three from the toys list and three for the sectors list (gadgets, money, toys, etc.)

The most popular words used were associated with technology brands, like Nintendo DS, Xbox, and iPhone.

Lego was the most popular toy brand to be mentioned by the children. This was helped by Lego’s move into video games and partnering with brands like Harry Potter and Star Wars. Other toy brands chosen by the children included Hello Kitty, Barbie and Harry Potter.

Samantha Loveday, editor of ToyNews magazine commented: “Although consumer electronics seem to be grabbing the attention of older kids, the more traditional toys are still firm favourites with younger children.

“It’s interesting to see that the toy suppliers that have made a move into video games – and video game suppliers which have launched into the toy space – seem to be higher on the agenda when talking to kids about brands. It appears that a mix of digital and traditional is a key combination for keeping kid’s interested as they grow up. However, it is nice to see that the good old board game is still top of the Christmas list where toys are concerned.”

Tuesday 22 November 2011

Findmypast.ie launches family tree builder

findmypast.ie has become the first Irish family history website to offer its users family tree builder software, greatly enhancing its offering to Irish family history enthusiasts.

One of the most important elements in researching family history is the ability to form a visual representation of the years of hard work and research. Findmypast.ie's free online application allows users to easily create a family tree from scratch and add some of 10 million records now available on findmypast.ie to their existing research.

When compared to using traditional software, findmypast.ie's web-based program presents many advantages such as allowing users to access the latest version of their family tree from any computer and share their family tree with invited members of their family or fellow researchers. Some of the main features of the software include:

- Add, edit, update and delete relations
- Add partners, parents and children
- Members can view their immediate family, ancestors, descendants or whole family tree

This is merely the first step in findmypast.ie's development of a fully integrated family tree program on which users will be able to store photos and historical references, helping to preserve the story of their ancestors. Future features will also include greatly enhanced social functionality, such as the ability to search other users' trees and inviting other users to collaborate on a tree.

Cliona Weldon, General Manager of findmypast.ie, comments: "Our family tree building software is equally adept at helping the novice family historian and experienced genealogist alike to store all the names on their family tree in one place. We've made the web based program as easy to use as possible and most importantly it's free."


(EDITOR: This will make a great Chirstmas gift for anyone with Irish family or ancestors)

Friday 18 November 2011

Firebox announces its Top 10 ‘WTF?!’ Gifts: Pure opulence with a price tag to match for billionaires

Electric DeLorean DMCEV
Christmas gifts for the Glitterati?

Ever fantasised about what you’d buy if you won the lottery? Perhaps you need a bit of inspiration? Firebox, the world’s greatest retailer, has - for the first time ever - developed a Top 10 WTF?! (What The Firebox?!) gift list aimed at the mega-rich and the incredibly famous.

Curated by Firebox from its super high-end WTF?! range, this Top 10 gob-smacking list is the defining wish list of what to ask for this Christmas if money was no object.

Ben Fowler, WTF?! Curator at Firebox, said: “Firebox is well known for its crazy, fun and entertaining gifts and gadgets but we wanted to bring attention to our most ridiculous, fantastical products that would make your eyes pop. Earlier this year we launched the WTF?! range – a range of Firebox products but gonzo. More insane, more quirky, more expensive and more unique, they will make you to cry out WTF?!”

Continuing, Ben said: “If I were rich and famous these are the kind of products I’d want for Christmas – they’re amazing, astounding and brilliant fun.”

Surveying Firebox’s Facebook Fans it was discovered that if money was no object its customers would opt for an island, world peace or never ending happiness. But perhaps they’ll settle for one of these instead?

1 DeLorean DMCEV - £70,000
What do you mean we’re going Back to the Future? The DeLorean, made famous in “that” movie is back and this time it’s electric. Retaining the unique gull-wing design and silver exterior, the word ‘iconic’ doesn’t even do it justice.

2 Triumph Bonneville Steve McQueen Edition – £7,700
Based on the classic T100 and inspired by the Trophy TR6 McQueen rode during the stunt scene from The Great Escape, the Triumph Bonneville T100 is limited to just 1,100 bikes, and features a super cool matt khaki green paint job and the late actor's signature on the side covers – it also arrives individually numbered, with a plaque on the handlebar clamp and a certificate of authenticity. Now that’s cool!

3 Project Utopia - £100m+
You want a man-made island-like cruise liner? Done. How about one that is almost identical to Stromberg’s Atlantis hideout in the classic Bond film, The Spy Who Loved Me? Done. Spanning eleven decks yet still coming with full climate control, this is an architectural maritime masterpiece.

4 Caran D’Ache 1010 Diamonds Fountain Pen - £850,000
In white gold with more than 850 exceptionally pure diamonds (totalling approximately 24.61 carats) this dazzling writing instrument brings together the Swiss expertise of leading jewellers, goldsmiths and master craftsmen and is in fact the world’s most expensive pen, ever. This Pen is certainly mightier than the sword.

5 Blue Forest Tree House - from £20,000
If you want a tree house then why not go all out – Blue Forest will design amazing houses ranging from fantasy to functional just for you, high up in the canopy of your trees. Or, in your office; wherever you like really.

6 One Degree of Turntable - 1£00,000
It’s gold, it’s beautiful, it’s a record turntable and it is for the biggest audiophiles of audiophiles. NASA engineers designed it, Firebox loves it.

7 F5 Custom Luxury Golf Cart - £20,500
For the seasoned golfer, looking the part is as important as the playing handicap. You drove a Ferrari to the club, you wanna drive a Ferrari in ‘da club too. Behold the F5 Italian Sports Car Custom Golf Cart. Complete with headlights, turn signals, electric horn and 15” wheel rims this awe inspiring luxury vehicle looks every bit the real deal, albeit in miniature form. And with a top speed of almost 20mph, it is sure to burn off every other cart on the course.

8 Agility Saietta R Bike - £13,750
Designed for urban living, the Agility Saietta R Bike combines powerful performance with Hollywood looks. As the specs show, this isn’t simply an exercise in style. Thanks to the Saietta R’s electric motor, the engineers have stripped out all of the bulk that once dictated how a bike should look – letting the design evolve beyond the traditional petrol-driven motorbike shape.

9 JetLev Flyer - £115,000
Messing about on the water is great fun, but jetting about above the water is like, totally awesome, especially when you’re strapped to the jaw-droppingly impressive JetLev Flyer. The result of years of painstaking R&D, the precision-made design allows you to achieve stable, controlled flight as you soar 10 metres above the water at speeds of up to 30 mph.

10 Marchi Mobile EleMMent RV - £1.9 Million
Littlest Hobo syndrome? The EleMMent RV has its own roof terrace, expanding living space, a rainfall shower and of course a bar. This really is a mansion on wheels.

And, if all this looks a bit pricey for you, Firebox has created a budget Top 10 stocking filler gift list for those with smaller purses than the average billionnaire.