We have 4 White Chocolate Bunnies Large Jar Candles to give away in our Easter promo!

1. Terms and conditions for Yankee Candle Easter Giveaway: entering the draw through placing an order at TemptationGifts.com

 Terms and conditions apply -

• There are two Yankee Candle White Chocolate Bunnies Large Jar Candle to be won. Two winners will be selected at random and receive one candle each. 
• When you spend £20 or more on Yankee Candle at TemptationGifts.com you'll be automatically entered into a draw which runs from the 1st to 14th April
• The promoter is:Temptation Gifts Ltd (company no. 02294820)] whose registered office is at Temptation Gifts Ltd., Unit 2E, Woodlands Farm, The Vale, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 3NS, United Kingdom.
• Entrants must reside in the United Kingdom and have a UK based address.
• If the winner cannot be contacted or do not claim the prize within 14 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.
• No cash alternative to the prize will be offered. The prize is not transferable. 
• The lucky winners will be selected and notified by email. The winner will then be announced here on this page.
• It may take up to 2 working days for item to be dispatched.
• Employees of Temptation Gifts and its parent company and their families are not eligible to take part in the Giveaway.
• The names of winners may be used in promotional materials or marketing e.g. “Emma B. from Stoke-on-Trent”.  We may also request winners to allow their names and other information to be used in full, but this will only be done with written consent.
• Temptation Gifts reserves the right to cancel or amend the giveaway, and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the Temptation Gifts’s control. Any changes to the giveaway will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.
• By taking part in the Giveaway you are consenting to these terms and conditions.

2. Terms and conditions for Yankee Candle Easter Giveaway: entering the draw through our Facebook Page

 Terms and conditions apply -

• The Giveaway runs from Monday 1st April to Sunday 14th^th April 2019 inclusive.
• To be entered you must like the ‘Temptation Gifts’ Facebook page, comment on our linked Facebook post, and tag at least one friend.
• The promoter is: Temptation Gifts Ltd (company no. 02294820)] whose registered office is at Temptation Gifts Ltd., Unit 2E, Woodlands Farm, The Vale, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 3NS, United Kingdom.
• This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
• By entering the giveaway you fully release Facebook from any liability.
• Entrants must reside in the United Kingdom and have a UK based address.
• At the end of the offer, 1 person will be selected to win a single Yankee Candle White Chocolate Bunnies Large Jar Candle using the 'WooBox Pick a Winner' app.
• If the winner cannot be contacted or does not claim the prize within 14 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.
• There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
• No cash alternative to the prize will be offered. The prize is not transferable. 
• Temptation Gifts is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.
• The lucky winners will be selected and notified via Facebook.
• It may take up to 2 working days for item to be dispatched.
• Employees of Temptation Gifts and its parent company and their families are not eligible to take part in the Giveaway.
• The names of winners may be used in promotional materials or marketing e.g. “Emma B. from Stoke-on-Trent”.  We may also request winners to allow their names and other information to be used in full, but this will only be done with written consent.
• Temptation Gifts reserves the right to cancel or amend the giveaway, and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the Temptation Gifts’s control. Any changes to the giveaway will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.
• By taking part in the Giveaway you are consenting to these terms and conditions

3. Terms and conditions for Yankee Candle Easter Giveaway: entering the draw through our Instagram Page

Terms and conditions apply -

• The Giveaway runs from Monday 1^st April to Sunday 14^th April 2019 inclusive.
• The promoter is: Temptation Gifts Ltd (company no. 02294820)] whose registered office is at Temptation Gifts Ltd., Unit 2E, Woodlands Farm, The Vale, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 3NS, United Kingdom.
• This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram.
• By entering the giveaway, you fully release Instagram from any liability.
• Entrants must reside in the United Kingdom and have a UK based address.
• 1 winner will be randomly selected to receive 1 ‘White Chocolate Bunnies’ Yankee Candle  using the 'WooBox Pick a Winner' app. The winner will be announced on @temptationgifts Instagram page.
• To be entered you must comment using the hashtag ‘#TGYankee’ and tag 2 friends on the Instagram post on the Temptation Gifts Instagram page.
• If the winner cannot be contacted or does not claim the prize within 14 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.
• There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
• No cash alternative to the prizes will be offered. The prize is not transferable. 
• Temptation Gifts is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.
• The lucky winners will be selected and notified via Instagram.
• It may take up to 2 working days for item to be dispatched.
• Employees of Temptation Gifts and its parent company and their families are not eligible to take part in the Giveaway.
• The names of winners may be used in promotional materials or marketing e.g. “Emma B. from Stoke-on-Trent”.  We may also request winners to allow their names and other information to be used in full, but this will only be done with written consent.
• Temptation Gifts reserves the right to cancel or amend the giveaway, and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the Temptation Gifts’ control. Any changes to the giveaway will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.
• By taking part in the Giveaway you are consenting to these terms and conditions.

This week is ‘Thinking of You Week’.

Launched by the GCA (Greetings Card Association) it is a “special week to highlight the emotional power of sending and receiving greeting cards”

You may be cynical, but we really love this idea, not just for this week, but for any week of the year. When was the last time you send someone a written message just because? 

If the number of birthday cards you receive has decreased but the number of texts & emails risen… it is a sign of the changing times – but for the good or worse?

We love receiving mail, what’s better than seeing an envelope on your doormat that is not a bill or marketing flyer.

But why do we only send cards on a birthday or anniversary, why not just because you are thinking of someone, or missing them. Imagine the smile on their face when they see that you have taken the time to send something special just for them.

It’s been scientifically proven that receiving a handwritten card makes people feel much more special than receiving instant texts, emails or Facebook messages. And it feels really good to send them too!

We have a great range of cards that are perfect for any occasion, or why not make your own?!

Don’t let the art of greeting cards get lost in this electronic age.

References

Greeting Card Association

Plus you can always check out our Pinterest board for more 'Thinking of You' Inspiration

Rebecca

With the arrival of new Dunoon last week, the discussion of tea was ripe in the TG Offices.

The new Argyll shape has been described as; “a bucket for tea”, “a kitchen must-have” “a mug to be jealous of” and “the perfect mug for a perfect cup of tea” – but what is a perfect cup of tea?

The British Standard's Institution has officially released a guide called "Preparation of a Liquor of Tea for use in Sensory Tests". This basically means that professional organisations and experts collaborated to create a scientific formula for the perfect cup of tea.

 Aside from having a pot made of porcelain and sized between 74mm and 78mm wide! (yes really!) they claim the milk should be put in the cup first..... when a pot is being brewed.

"Tea tastes better if milk is added after boiling water when made in a mug, but if brewed in a pot it is acceptable to add the milk to the cup first, scientists said."

Now we know that not everyone will agree with these ‘official rules’ of ‘tea making’ and we can’t imagine you all stood there with your scales and thermometers at the ready.... just to make a cup of tea!?

The rest of you will argue that it is milk first all the time!

"A study at Loughborough University in 2003 discovered that adding milk after the boil meant that the milk would heat "unevenly" which in turn causes the milk's proteins to clump which affects the taste of the tea negatively."

I put the question out to the office to see how they make their tea;

Anne: Milk last otherwise you don't get the colour... & in a heart mug because I love tea!
AR: Milk last...  I didnt even know milk first was a thing?! 
Jamie: Milk first if you are making a pot, otherwise always last.
Becca: I don't really like tea, therefore milk first & with vanilla tea bags.. like a warm vanilla milkshake! 
Ola: Black tea, with slices of lemon!  
Alex: Milk last, always! 

A simple google of ‘the perfect cup of tea’ will give you a tonne of opinions

But what will it be... milk first... or after? 

References

The History of the Tea Bag

The Independent

The Telegraph

The Daily Mail

The Evening Standard 

Plus you can always check out our Pinterest board for more Tea Time Inspiration
& Why not let us know how you make your tea, or share your picture on our facebook post! 

Rebecca

It’s the worst part of summer, the clouds are drawing in, and August seems much shorter than last year?! And now it’s time we all return to normality with students returning back to school in September.

From uniform to books to stationery and shoes, you probably have a list almost a mile long of the stuff they need to go back fully equipped.

Here at Temptation Gifts we know of the struggles…. the tantrum down the stationery aisle because they want the pen with the bouncing dinosaur on top, or the careless grunts when you ask them where their stuff from last year has gone so we are here to help you from the comfort of your own home!

This year we launched our range of Personalised Gifts, including a fabulous collection of Children’s items which are perfect for school! Each item will be personalised with your child’s name meaning it is ‘almost’ guaranteed to return home with them each day!

Top up those stationery supplies with our range of pencil cases, pencils and pens – as well as the odd novelty highlighter! 

If their bag is looking a bit worse for wear… or was taken under the depths of the bed, never to be seen again – then we have some great back to school options to suit them nicely. 

And lastly, you need to make sure that perfect lunch you spend hours the night before prepping gets to school in one piece, with our selection of lunch bags, tins and boxes.

Plus - check out our list for some great lunch box ideas & recipes

Healthier Lunchboxes from Change4Life 

Packed Lunch Inspiration from BBC Good Food

Lunch Box Ideas from NetMums

Packed Lunch Recipes from Good to Know

Plus you can always check out our Pinterest board for more Back to School Inspiration

Rebecca

Summer is upon is and in less than a couple of weeks’ time children of the UK will be leaving through the school gates for the last time (until September of course!)

Whether you are moving on up to a new school or simply across the hall, it’s always nice to say a little thank you to that special teacher who has helped you memorise those times tables, or taught you all about the colourful character of the Tudor world.

So what do you get them? What makes the perfect gift?

We met up with a couple of local school teachers from the area to discuss some of their best (and worst!) teacher gifts!

What was your best gift?

Teacher 1: I was once given a bird table! – Slightly bizarre – and far too much for an End of Term gift certainly – but I loved it, it’s still in my garden today!
Teacher 2: A keg of larger was my best!
Teacher 3: I love giraffes, it is great when my students pick up on things I like! – A especially love my Laser Giraffe and bookmark.

And what about your worst?

Teacher 3: I’m not sure what happened but I was once given half a bottle of nail varnish…
Teacher 1 : A used beer mat!?
Teacher 2: I got given half a box of chocolates… I have a sneaky suspicion that this may have happened during the transportation from home to school!

Group: Matchmakers! – We get at least 10 boxes between us – I don’t even like them!

Of course it is all about the thought, the teachers discussed that some of their favourites have just been simple letters of thanks detailing exactly how they have helped. 

Teacher 1: These are what I treasure the most – I love the personal touch and I keep them all in a file to look back on - it really helps especially when you are having bad days!  We don't need extravant gifts! 

We’ve taken some time to do some research to find some gold star worthy gifts and we have come up with a selection of handmade ideas and shop brought gifts to put a smile on your teacher’s face – with no matchmakers to be seen!

1. 1. Bake some cookies, you can share them out between different teachers that your child has worked with – or just give a big batch for the staff room to share! – Plus your little one can help you make them
   

    

2. 2. Teacher Tin – The teacher tin is our best-selling teacher gift! – Gift it alone, or fill it with additional treats
   .
3. 3. Why not get the class to group together? Write out a series of kind messages and pictures that can be put together in a book. Definitely something money can’t buy! - Inspo Link 
    
4. 4. A mug. Every teacher loves a mug (Teacher 2: I am always losing mugs in the staff room, I can’t get enough!) you can either gift it how it comes, or why not fill it with some chocolate, pens, or even use it as a pot for a small plant!
     
5. 5. Notebooks/Notepaper – If you can write on it, a teacher will want it. From early meetings to drafting up a shopping list on their break – notepaper is always needed and appreciated.
    
6. 6. How about gifting something to the room, rather than the teacher. A book, perhaps with a plaque in it from your child. It's a great gift that the teacher can keep with them and also a gift for classes to come.
    
7. 7. Your gift can be very simple and basic, but with some clever wording it becomes super special;
   How about a doughnut with the message of ‘Doughnut I’d do without a teacher like you’
   Highlighters – ‘You’ve been the highlight of my year’
   Mints – ‘Having you as a teacher has mint so much to me’
   More ideas here
   
   
8. 8. Did the class have a portrait this year? (See if anyone has a copy of it, if you don’t) – Get it mounted, have the class sign their names around it and then frame it. A perfect inexpensive gift that all the class can pitch in for.
    
9. 9. East of India has a great range of little keepsake gifts for teachers, from little tags that you can attach to other products to simple keyrings and bookmarks  
    
10. 10. With the amount of marking that teachers take home, they need a trusty bag to help. Our Personalised Cotton Bag is perfect – personalise it to read something relevant and it will be a practical gift that they will be able to use for years to come!  

There we have it; teacher gifts don’t have to cost the earth!

Plus you can always check out our Pinterest board for more Sporting Inspiration

Rebecca

There are lots of things to love about summer, and right now we are just getting into a summer of Sport! – so there may be no World Cup to get excited about like last year, but there are still lots going on!  

6^th – 5^th July – Football - Woman’s World Cup!
Of course there is one big world cup this summer. We have got off to a flying start in the Woman’s World Cup in Canada, and with the Semi-Final this Sunday – we will be watching with everything crossed for them!

29^th – 12^th July – Tennis - Wimbledon!
The nation’s favourite is back, and everyone’s rooting on Andy to go for it for a second year in a row!
Even if you are not a tennis fan, you can’t help get caught up in the nation’s pride, and of course – strawberries, cream and champagne? Who can resist!?

4^th – 26^th July – Cycling - Tour de France!
Cyclists are a controversial subject at times but this is their real time to shine! With Chris Froome back on form this year is set to be an exciting one! – With the stunning backdrops and the fans enthusiasm it makes you just want to get out on your bike yourself!  

5^th July – F1 - British Grand Prix at Silverstone!
It has been running for a little while now already, but July 5^th sees the UK host F1 in the best way possible at Silverstone. The ultimate track for any motor sports fan, it is an unmissable event in the UK Sports calendar, after watching one race – you will never want to drive your car in the same way again! (Of course though public roads are not race tracks and should not be treated in that way – stay safe!)

8^th – 12^th July - Cricket - start of the Ashes - England v Australia first Test, Cardiff!
Probably one of the most famous rivalries in Sport, but what’s better than spending a day in the sun (hopefully!) and then of course they even stop play for tea, so you won’t miss a thing! Just don’t be too disappointed when you see the trophy!

16^th – 19^th July – Golf Open, St Andrews
If you are missing the US Open already, have no fear as they are on their way to the UK. The St Andrews Opens are in their 144^th year which is pretty impressive. Set in beautiful grounds you can watch all your favourites show off their skills.

22nd-30^th August – Athletics, World Championships, Beijing
This will be the largest sporting event to take place at the stunning ‘Birds Nest’ stadium in Beijing since the 2008 Summer Olympics with some of the nation’s favourite sporting personalities including Mo Farrah and Greg Rutherford attending, it is set to be a big event, definitely one to watch. Just what we need to keep our Olympic blues at bay (roll on 2016!)!

Now of course there are many other events to suit everyone which I haven’t mentioned, keep up to date using the BBC Sport calendar here!

Know a Sports Enthusiast? Here's a pic of some of our favourite sports related gifts

Plus you can always check out our Pinterest board for more Sporting Inspiration

Summer has arrived! 

Rebecca

He’s your bedtime story reader, homework helper, taxi driver, money lender, sports coach and he will probably even put that shelf up for you if you ask nicely. Let’s face it, Dads are great – so don’t forget to remind him this Father’s Day on Sunday 21^st June.

Forget about the bad jokes, awful dancing and cringe moments, he’s the one that can turn your frown upside down, so treat him to a special day where it is all about him!

You’ve got your gift – we hope! – but what else?        

How about baking him up a treat, here are some of our favourite recipes; 

Breakfast:
Super Eggs Benedict – Jamie Oliver 

Lunch:
Paul’s sausage rolls – Paul Hollywood

Snack:
Cheddar-Jalapeno Cornbread – Martha Stewart 

Dinner:
Barbecued pork with sage, lemon & prosciutto – BBC Good Food

Dessert:
Rhubarb Crumble – House and Garden

Drink:
Old Fashioned Cocktail – imbibe Magazine

So that’s food sorted. But what about the rest of the day?

Why not share a hobby of your Father’s; Join him for a round of golf, visit a Car Show, or take to the lake for a spot of fishing.... 

Whatever you choose to do this Father’s Day, make sure it is time well spent.

Happy Father’s Day!

P.S Remember you can always check out our Pinterest board for more inspo

Rebecca

The What's in Your Man Tin

Is there a Man Tin in your home?
If so, we want to know what you keep in it!

Show us what's in your Man Tin between 12th June - 15th June
& You could win an XL Man Tin 

Terms and conditions. Terms and conditions apply -

• The Giveaway runs from Friday 12th June to Monday 15th June 2015 inclusive.
• The promoter is:Temptation Gifts Ltd (company no. 02294820)] whose registered office is at Temptation Gifts Ltd., Unit 2E, Woodlands Farm, The Vale, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 3NS, United Kingdom.
• This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
• By entering the giveaway you fully release Facebook from any liability.
• Entrants must reside in the United Kingdom and have a UK based address.
• 1 person will be randomly selected to receive 1 XL Man Tin/ Man Tin using the 'WooBox Pick a Winner' app.
• To be entered you must comment on the facebook post on the Temptation Gifts facebook page.
• If the winner cannot be contacted or do not claim the prize within 14 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.
• There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
• No cash alternative to the prizes will be offered. The prizes are not transferable. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice.
• Temptation Gifts is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.
• The lucky winners will be selected and notified via Facebook.
• It may take up to 7 working days for item to be dispatched.
• Employees of Temptation Gifts and its parent company and their families are not eligible to take part in the Giveaway.
• The names of winners may be used in promotional materials or marketing e.g. “Emma B. from Stoke-on-Trent”.  We may also request winners to allow their names and other information to be used in full, but this will only be done with written consent.
• Temptation Gifts reserves the right to cancel or amend the giveaway, and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the Temptation Gifts’s control. Any changes to the giveaway will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.
• By taking part in the Giveaway you are consenting to these terms and conditions.

It’s National Biscuit Day!

Yes a day devoted the wonderful things that are biscuits. What’s better than settling down with your afternoon cuppa and reaching into the biscuit tin to unearth your favourite biscuit ready for a dunking… or not!

We are a bunch of biscuit lovers here at Temptation Gifts HQ – you don’t dare leave a packet open in the kitchen – they will all be gone with not even a sign of a crumb by the end of the day!

“What’s your favourite biscuit and why?”

I asked the office; 

Ola – Ginger Snaps! – Why? Because they are the best biscuits ever (that’s non-negotiable!)! Especially when dunk in tea or left out to soften for a few days - heaven! Note to self: must buy a packet on the way back from work!

Anne – A chocolate digestive, plain or milk, doesn’t matter, the combination of delicious chocolate with a wholemeal base is the biscuit equivalent of cheesecake to me. I try to avoid them, but my daughter keeps them in the fridge, with one end always open, so it’s just a bit too easy to grab one!

Sara - Party Rings!!! - Who doesn’t like recapturing their childhood with multi-coloured biscuity naughtiness (even when you’re 30-something…..)

Lisa - Custard creams, Party Rings, Choc Chip Cookies, Shortbread…    all scrummy!

Becca – I like the old school favourites that remind me of my childhood, Bourbons… Custard Creams... but Malted Milks might just top it – When I was younger I used to eat around them so that just the big cow was left – they were my fave!

David - Hobnobs! - Because they’re hobbly and nobbly?

Bex - Chocolate digestive - You can’t go wrong, whether it is to dunk in a cheeky cuppa, or just for the Mid-day Munchies.

Mike - Chocolate fingers!  Utterly and totally mor-ish.  Can’t remember the last time I opened a box and didn’t finish it in one go

Christian - Bourbon all the way!!

Pam – Chocolate Digestive Biscuits because they have chocolate on them! And she likes dunking them in her coffee!

Chris - Custard Creams - Brings back childhood memories

Callum - Custard creams - Perfect for a cuppa

Gabby- Fox’s Crunch Creams- They are crunchy and creamy! - You couldn’t ask for more

Sharon - Lemon puff - Sweet and sharp just like me!

Gemma - Chocolate bourbon- Because they are chocolate….

Gary - Dark chocolate digestive (with peanut butter)- just amazing

Jamie - Well mines a bit posh - (M&S) Extremely Chocolatey Dark Chocolate Rounds - More Chocolate than biscuit & the fact it’s one of the few dark chocolate biscuits - What’s not to like?!

Rob - Rich Tea! They go perfectly with a cup of their namesake!

What's your favourite biscuit? 

A fun article from The Telegraph today - National biscuit day: what does your favourite biscuit say about you?

Remember to check out our Pinterest board for lots of biscuity goodness!

Rebecca

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is giving us serious Garden Envy!

If you are sitting there in the evening watching the highlights… your eyes drawn to the overgrown weedy mess that you like to call your garden then you can't help but cringe!

Instead of letting the misery take over, instead be overcome with inspiration and determination to make that space somewhere you are proud to bring your friends – summer is *slowly* coming anyway!

So you may not be able to recreate the serene ‘The Beauty of Islam Garden’ or the stunning The Laurent-Perrier Chatsworth Garden…

..And you probably can’t have synchronized swimmers in your pond like the M&G Garden…

…but you can create a space that is your own and is something that you created – so get out there and get your hands dirty!

The Bright Side make light of any product and scenario, and with their range of gardening essentials you certainly will be gardening on the brighter side of life!

Still not convinced? Happier to watch others do the hard work? Why not treat them to a gift once your green haven is complete with our pick of the top horticultural gifts!

Plus you can always check out our Pinterest board for gardening tips, tricks and must haves!

(Image Credit to RHS & InstallItDirect)

Rebecca

Last week Temptation Gifts visited The Greats Gift Retailers Awards held at the beautiful Savoy Hotel in London.

Arriving at the hotel, the tropical theme of the event was apparent with the mass of beautifully bright coloured outfits and table accessories amongst the subdued décor of the glamorous Savoy.

Greeted with a luxurious champagne reception where we were able to mingle in with others in the industry, we were then ushered into the grand dining room and presented with a delicious sit down meal before the award ceremony begun.

We were very proud finalists for two categories this year;

Best Specialist Multiple Retailer of Gifts & Best Online Retailer and/or Mail Order Gift Retailer

And we were so excited to pick up the title of Best Specialist Multiple Retailer of Gifts!

The Greats Awards recognise the best and the brightest in the industry, and have been important to us for many years now, so we were delighted to receive this award! A huge thank you to you, our customers, for helping us get to where we are today.

If you'd like to read more about these prestigious awards, click here

 Some photographs featured were taken by Eddie Macdonald

Rebecca

It’s National Stationery Week! 

This week is all about getting people talking about stationery and their favourite writing products and to encourage more people to write by hand – when was the last time you handwrote a letter?

I don’t know about you but I LOVE stationery. A trip to get new stationery for the first day back at school after summer was the best day ever as far as I was concerned! And I am sure that I’m not alone.

Now as a 25 year old, of course those days stopped a long time ago, but that doesn’t mean I still don’t have my enthusiasm for a great piece of stationery, which is why it was decided that I should pick out my favourite pieces to share with you!

My Top Stationery Picks!

Doughnotes – I don’t think these need any explaining as to why they are in here, its note paper... shaped as a donut, but wait it gets better, because you can even pick your favourite flavour!      Amazing. 

Happy Jackson’s Lovely Pencils Slim Pencil Case  – I may not be a regular user of pencil cases anymore – but if I was! This would be the one. All stationery that gets the luxury of living in this pencil case, is certainly very fancy!  

Pack of 5 High Stylers Highlighters  – 2 of my favourite things in life is painting my nails, and highlighting things… I never thought the 2 could be combined until now!

Wrendale’s The Country Set Pug Love Notecard Pack  – Now if you know me, you would know that after the introduction of my little pug Wilbur into my life, I have the tendency to be a full on ‘Crazy Pug Lady ’ - and what better way to let everyone know with these adorable notecards.

Madeleine Floyd’s Birdsong Notebook -  – I don’t normally like notebooks that are not wire bound, usually because I’m making notes using my knee as a desk and non-wire bound notebooks don’t usually perform very well under these pressures! – However! Who can resist these adorable little pastel bird eggs on the cover of this note book?! Perhaps it’s the fact that they remind me of chocolate mini eggs… but either way this notebook is a winner! 

Caroline Gardner’s Chroma Pen & Pouch Set  – I have a bit of a thing for colourful geometric patterns at the moment and I feel like I definitely need this pen in my life (if not all of the Chroma range) it even comes with a cute little pouch – my pens never usually get this luxury treatment!

Neon Rainbow Crayon  – 

1. Rainbows, Neon, Colours... It’s making me go a bit giddy just thinking about owning this glorious item. It’s one of those stationery pieces that you just want to own, not use... just admire it as it sits gracefully on your desk, shelf... floor?! 

Sketch and Sniff Pencils  – Nom nom nom is all I have to say. Who remembers scented gel pens? Those were like currency in the classroom... I wonder if these will work the same in the office – swapsie your croissant for this vanilla scented black pencil? 

Santoro’s Grumpy Owl Pen Holder   – What’s better than a little grumpy owl to look after your ever-growing pen collection? Not a lot I say.    Need!

Iwako Forest Animals pack of Seven Eraserz   – These remind me of my childhood, but these are at a whole new level than my flat penguin shaped eraser that no one was allowed to use. These guys are 3D! Granted you may not exactly find what looks like a hamster, a monkey... okay – none of these animals apart from the hedgehog would realistically be found in a forest, but who can resist this cute selection of critters! 

Enough about me now! You can find more stationery inspiration on our pinterest board, and why not go and check out The National Stationery Week website and get involved! 

Rebecca

Did you know that 4 babies are born every second, that’s 255 a minute and that is a lot of babies, and a lot of gifts to be purchased for them!

It has always been traditional for gifts to be bestowed upon the arrival of a new-born baby.

But where do you start? Do you go with practical gifts, or long-term keepsakes? Is it a boy or girl? And then what about the expected christening or naming ceremony after?

Newborn gift giving is common throughout the world, often associated with particular traditions and beliefs. We have taken a look at what baby gifts are given across globe.

In Brazil it is believed that knitted red shoes are to bring good luck to the new born. New mothers insist that their babies leave the hospital wearing the slipper style socks to protect them from ‘evil eyes’ at the start of life.

In Japan, physical gift giving is not as common, instead parents receive money when their baby is born.  Parents from China, similarly receive money-filled red envelopes which are inscribed with ‘luck’ or ‘fortune’ on them which is said to bring the babies happiness and prosperity.

Baby girls in particular are gifted with beautiful silver anklets known as payals in India, which celebrate their arrival into the world.

In the Andean plateau in South America it is said that father’s knit their son a hat from alpaca-wool. The hat is known as a chullo which has ear flaps and a tie under the chin.

If you are born in Russia then a traditional gift of silver is expected. There is hope that the precious metal will bring new babies wealth and luck for the future.

Silver has always been traditional gift here too, going back to the middle ages in Britain where friends and family would give a silver coin or spoon as an investment or ‘nest egg’ so that the little one would have the best start in life.

If you are still struggling we have some unique baby gift ideas of our own;

 Baby Shower Gifts

Newborn Baby Gifts

Christening & Naming Ceremony Gifts

For more Baby Gift inspiration check out our occasion category & pinterest board

Rebecca

Happy Easter everyone!

We hope you are starting to enjoy a relaxing bank holiday weekend, we know we sure are!

Easter is a very important festival in the Christian calendar celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

These days Easter is celebrated by all with a number of different customs that have become associated with Easter.

These days Easter Sunday is traditionally spent decorating Easter Eggs, carrying out Easter egg hunts and the giving of gifts (that of course were delivered by the Easter Bunny).

Families come together to have a traditional Sunday roast, often of either roast lamb or ham. Easter breads such as Simnel cake, or nut breads are also traditionally served. Hot cross buns are traditionally associated with Good Friday, but today are often eaten well before and after.

There are also traditions of rolling decorated eggs down steep hills and pace egg plays are carried out in the street.

This tends to be the same wherever you are in the world, but some countries have their own traditions;

Spain - ¡Feliz Pascua!
Many towns and cities in Spain celebrate Easter with processions through the streets at night. Floats are carried through the streets which are elaborately decorated with figures representing the traditional Easter Story.

A popular cake of celebration of Easter is called La Mona de Pascua. They are decorated ambitiously often with feathers and chocolate figurines, it is tradition for godparents to give these to their godchildren as gifts.

Italy - Buona Pasqua!
On Easter Day in Italy the pope holds a large mass service in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City. It is a pilgrimage to Catholics and the service is broadcasted on the radio and tv all over the world.

If a child is born around the time of Easter then it is common for the baby to be named Pasquale (male) or Pasqualina (female)

In the week leading up to Easter Sunday, processions take place with statues of figures from the Easter story leading the walk.

Italian Easter Eggs are artistically wrapped often with shiny foil paper and large bows.

Greece - Kalo Pashcha!
On the Thursday before Easter, special bread is baked and eggs are dyed red. Superstitions have grown into customs that the red eggs will ward off evil.

A service is held late on Easter Saturday evening where the priest gives out candles which are then lit at midnight. Special decorated candles made for Easter are called labatha they are usually given as gifts to children from their parents or God-parents. Often small displays of fireworks and noisemakers are set off.

A traditional lamb dinner is eaten for their main meal and a traditional Greek Easter cake is made with Oranges and Almonds in it, topped with a spicy orange sauce.

Germany - Frohe Ostern
There is a German tradition of decorating trees and bushes with Easter eggs which is known as the Ostereierbaum, or Easter egg tree.

A special easter treat would be a sweet cake in the shape of a lamb.

On Saturday evening, bonfires are often lit to chase away dark spirits and welcome in warm weather

France - Joyeuses Pâques
In France church bells do not ring on Good Friday or Easter Sunday. It is a childhood myth that the bells have gone off to see the pope. The bells of course return on Easter Morning to celebrate Jesus’s resurrection. Many people flock to the streets, sharing well wishes and embraces amoungst their community.  

Families all share a large meal together with a number of courses. 

Poland - Wesołych Świąt Wielkiej Nocy!
Baskets of food are taken into churches on Easter Saturday to be blessed ready for Easter Sunday meals.  
Pisanki are Easter Eggs from Poland which are handcrafted in traditional designs that recall symbols of Spring.
Easter Monday is known as Wet Monday, it originated from the act of men pouring water on women, in theory women are supposed to wait for the following day to get revenge but now this often happens on the same day.  

America
Although not a huge public holiday like it is in Europe, Easter is still across the United States.

Traditionally church goers bought new clothes for Easter, after church services they would all go for a walk around the town. This led to the tradition of Easter Parades across the country, the most famous is the Easter Bonnet parade held along Fifth Avenue in New York City where participants are dressed up in special costumes and colourful bonnets.

In New Orleans there is the trend of holding a ‘Mardi Gras’ carnival which is a huge celebration featuring various activities, parades, music and parties.

A special dish for Easter is baked ham, potatoes and vegetables.

We hope you have a lovely holiday whatever your traditions are, and you can check our our Easter Pinterest Board for more ideas on how to spend your day!

Rebecca

The Yankee Candle Company prides themselves on being ‘The worlds best loved candles’ and they have taken over the UK candle market by storm in recent years.

But where did it start?

The Yankee Candle Story

On a cold, December night in South Hadley, Massachusetts, a 16-year-old high school student sat at his family's kitchen table. Christmas was just around the corner and he didn't have any money to buy a gift for his mother. Fortunately, his desperation led to inspiration.

He decided to make a candle for his mom because it would be a completely unique and personal gift something she would really appreciate. He also knew she was a little nostalgic, too, and that memories and emotions were important to her. Best of all, she loved to celebrate the holidays.

So he created a simple candle from everyday materials he found there in the kitchen: household wax, a red crayon, some string for a wick and a milk carton for the mould. A neighbour happened to see the candle before he could give it to his mother and was so impressed, she convinced him to sell it to her. With his newfound wealth, the teenager bought enough materials to make two new candles one for his mother and another to sell. And that's how Yankee Candle was born.

Click here for more information about Yankee Candle's history. 

Here at Temptation Gifts we stock just over 80 fragrances which is constantly growing, but what’s your favourite?

Here are some of the Temptatino Gift's team favourites:

Our Favourites

AR : Moroccan Argan Oil because it reminds me of my holidays to Morocco!

Lisa: The scent I currently love is Sweet Strawberry because, well who doesn’t love the smell of fresh strawberries

Ola: I’ve always loved the scent of Jasmine flowers (I’ve even planted Jasmine in my garden hoping to enjoy the “real thing” in the spring and summer!) and have been buying different Jasmine candles for years to fill my living room with its gentle fragrance. Midnight Jasmine is amongst my very favourites – strong, fresh and not overly sweet. Perfect in the summer to bring home the scent of outdoors, and in the colder months to bring back the memory of the summer!

Becca: I am normally a sucker for a sweet smelling candle, often food based, but recently I have been loving the Soft Blanket fragrance, perfect for totally refreshing a room a clean fragrance  but with a hint of vanilla that keeps it sweet! 

Anne: I love Christmas memories, it evokes that happy time of year, but it’s not just for Christmas!

Gary: I like Cranberry Pear because it reminds me of sweets from my childhood

Kane: Garden Sweet Pea is my current favourite, it reminds me of watermelon!

Callum: I'm a Sweet Strawberry fan, i love the fruity sweetness

Sharon- You can't beat the Vanilla Cupcake fragrance because of it's subtle smell

Gabby- I love Summer Scoop because it smells like ice cream of course!

Warren- Fireside Treats reminds me of the smells from cooking marshmallows on a bonfire so that is absolutley one of my favourites!

Bex- I like Champaca Blossom because it reminds me of a summer evenings spent outside

Neil -I'm going to go with Red Raspberry as it makes me think of raspberry ripple ice-cream

Pam- Definitley Clean Cotton it smells like freshly washed clothes on the line 

So what’s to come from Yankee Candle?

SNEAK PEAK!

 The Cafe Cultures collection is Yankee Candles next collection, coming to shelves April 2015 

Remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and Sign up to our newsletter on our homepage for new fragrance releases and special offer announcements

Yankee Fact!
Did you know that Yankee have a committee dedicated to researching fragrances. Once the committee recommend a candle, a separate group of individuals from throughout the company test it for authenticity of fragrance and quality of burn! – Dream job anyone? 

Rebecca

Reading is a great way to escape the real world and delve into a creative realm of your choosing. Whether it’s a whimsical women’s fiction or an intense thriller that’s grabbing your attention, the art of getting lost in a book is often a forgotten pleasure.

With all the new technology, games and gripping TV series now available, the act of reading a book is not always seen as the most interesting of ways to spend your time.

A Dutch photographer ‘Reiner Gerritsen’ interestingly started a project photographing people in the New York subway in 2008. It wasn’t until 2011 that he began to notice that as each year passed, more and more people were abandoning printed books in the favour of smartphones and tablets.  See more

Reinier Gerritsen - Ayn Rand, Anthem (Reinier Gerritsen, courtesy Julie Saul Gallery,New York)

So how do you get back into reading?

We thought with World Book Day on the 5^th March that it was time we celebrated reading!

With over 16 million lapsed readers in the UK, according to new research, just 30 minutes of reading a week can improve your life – sounds promising?

Finding the time to read can understandably be a struggle, especially if you have a busy work and home life, so here are some suggestions that may help;

Join/Start a Book Club; A great way to stay committed, the group community will encourage you to stay focused and meeting up to discuss a book is perfect for exploring new genres and ideas.
Revisit an old favourite book: Reading a book you may have loved when you were young will allow you to travel back and remind yourself why you love reading in the first place.
Try audio-books; Perfect if you are on the go, put one on when you are busy cooking, traveling to work or even just laid in bed.

So why not put down your phone, turn the TV off, and make yourself a warm beverage before cosying up in your favourite spot with a book this weekend. 

**Prices displayed in images were correct at time of publishing, these are subject to change

Becca

You may or may not know that Friday 20th February is actually Love Your Pet Day.

Last week it was all about that significant other or secret crush, but this week it is time to show some affection to your furry babies!

The offices at Temptation HQ are full of animal lovers and they can’t wait to share with you, pictures of their fluffy critters.

• First up is Catly owned by Marketing Assistant AR – a temporary name that just stuck. Catly is a gorgeous Ragdoll Cat that doesn’t meow! 
• Raglan, Bear and Jimmy belong to Fulfilment & Distribution Manager Sara. Raglan and Bear love their country walks, sleeping and sniffing out chicken, whereas Jimmy can’t resist a roll around in the mud!  
• Gabby is owner to one of the more unique pets amongst us a Tarantula named Charlotte and the very handsome Bruno the horse.
• Pepper is the beloved cat of Senior Graphics Designer Ola. Pepper is a true hunter at heart, but that doesnt stop her cosying up with her owner in the evening!
• Biffa and Biscuit belong to Anne. Despite looking innocent they love to bring their owner lots of mousey presents!
• Wilbur and Bentley belong to Social Marketing Assistant Becca. Wilbur of course follows in the footsteps of his owner managing his own blog, twitter and pretty much taking over Becca’s Instagram account too!
• Matrix 'the cat with no teeth' belongs to Alex. Matrix's favourite things are chinese food and the ironing pile.
• Customer Service Assistant Gemma is the owner to the lovely Louis, his beautiful markings making him a much photographed cat.
• And last up is Mr Larry Lamb Chops owned by Warren in Customer Services. He loves cuddling up to his owner when he gets home from work. 

And of course we can’t end this blog without giving a special mention to everyone’s pets of the past.

We would like to dedicate this blog to the gorgeous Mr. Darcy who belonged to owners of Temptation Gifts, Mike and Sheena. 

Time to get pampering!

**Prices displayed in images were correct at time of publishing, these are subject to change

Becca

This week has been a busy week for Temptation Gifts. Spending 4 days at the Spring Fair trade show at the NEC, our buyers have been carefully picking out all the best new products and ranges, to bring to you in the upcoming months.

Whilst they were there our buying team, were fortunate enough to pick up a prestigious national award.

The Buyers Power List was set up by the organiser of Spring Fair, i2i Events Group sponsored by Light & Living. This year was the debut of the awards which were designed to recognise influential buying teams and individuals across all of the sectors represented at Spring Fair via 3 different categories;

• Power 30: This category consists of 30 buyers that industry peers voted for and ranked
• Best Independent Retail Buyer or Team: 20 independent retailers were listed in this category, and the industry voted for the retailer who is considered to have the best buyers.
• Best Multiple Retailer or Department Store Team: 20 teams from the major retailers were listed in this category, and the industry decided on the inspirational leader of the pack. 

We were very excited to even be nominated for ‘Best Independent Retail Buyer or Team’ and even more so when we were announced the winners at the award ceremony on Monday 2^nd February.

Commenting on being shortlisted for an award,  Managing Director of Temptation Gifts,  Mike Adams said, “We are honoured and flattered to have been nominated.  Temptation Gifts was established in 1983, so we have over 30 years’ buying experience in the gift industry.  We now buy for our seven town-centre stores and our two multi-award winning websites, and the range of products that we carry is both wide-ranging and increasingly diverse.”

We would like to say a big thanks to all of our suppliers and of course our customers, for your continued support and custom. 

See the 2015 winners list here 

Rebecca

The Secret to a Happy Relationship

It's nearly Valentine's Day! 

And we have decided to treat you with an exciting giveaway!

For 3 days from February 5th to February 7th,
1 bottle of Poo~Pourri will be given away every day!

Terms and conditions. Terms and conditions apply -

• The Giveaway runs from Thursday 5th February to Saturday 7th^th February 2015 inclusive.
• The promoter is:Temptation Gifts Ltd (company no. 02294820)] whose registered office is at Temptation Gifts Ltd., Unit 2E, Woodlands Farm, The Vale, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 3NS, United Kingdom.
• This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
• By entering the giveaway you fully release Facebook from any liability.
• Entrants must reside in the United Kingdom and have a UK based address.
• Each day 1 person will be randomly selected to receive 1 bottle of Poo~Pourri using the 'WooBox Pick a Winner' app.
• To be entered you must comment on the facebook post on the Temptation Gifts facebook page.
• If the winner cannot be contacted or do not claim the prize within 14 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.
• There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
• No cash alternative to the prizes will be offered. The prizes are not transferable. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice.
• Temptation Gifts is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.
• The lucky winners will be selected and notified via Facebook.
• It may take up to 7 working days for item to be dispatched.
• Employees of Temptation Gifts and its parent company and their families are not eligible to take part in the Giveaway.
• The names of winners may be used in promotional materials or marketing e.g. “Emma B. from Stoke-on-Trent”.  We may also request winners to allow their names and other information to be used in full, but this will only be done with written consent.
• Temptation Gifts reserves the right to cancel or amend the giveaway, and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the Temptation Gifts’s control. Any changes to the giveaway will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.
• By taking part in the Giveaway you are consenting to these terms and conditions.

It’s nearly here - the day that you either love, or hate, it’s Valentines Day!

Those in relationships will be feeling the pressure to produce something special for their other halves, whereas those who are not, will be smirking at the thought of those rushing around the shops for the perfect gift, whilst they sit back with their cup of tea.

But don’t fear! – We are here to help you with our top Valentines Day picks;

For Her

Jewellery – Always a fail-safe option, and lucky for you, we have lots to choose from. Carrie Elspeth jewellery is handmade in the UK. From the limited edition Opulent Collections, to the simpler Sentiment Bracelets, there will be something to suit everyone. The new Personalised Sentiment Bracelets mean you can add your own message to make it a really special gift.
We also have our very special Fiorelli collection, a mix of bold statement pieces, and subtle petite pieces make them a perfect choice for a luxurious gift.

Bag – Every woman loves a new bag, often it is quite a personal choice, but Disaster Designs have a range of different styles and shapes that would fit anyone's taste. We adore the ‘With Love’ and ‘Love Letters’ collections for the most practical of romantics.

Scarf – A simple, but often-treasured item, especially in these chilly months. We have a great selection of fashion scarves to warm the heart with, including heart patterns to fit in with the valentines theme, but also a beautiful range of soft and luxurious silk scarves by Quintessential. Perfect to take them through into the months of Spring.

Bath/Perfume – Smelling great is essential, and having your other half buy you something that they think will smell nice, is even better! Take your pick from a range of toiletries brands including Di Palomo and their popular Wild Fig & Grape collection. We also have a selection of fun bath bombs and tartlettes from Bomb Cosmetics and Rose & Co, which will make any bath time a lavish occasion.

For Him

Hobbies-  What’s better than a gift for something they love? The tool roll from Gentlemen’s Hardware is perfect for any DIY Handyman you have around the house. The fish flask is also great for keeping the keen fisherman hydrated or any one that loves the outdoors. 

Promises – Money may be tight this time of year, so getting the perfect gift may be just that bit out of question. So why not give the intention with a Terramundi Money Pot. From Ferrari's to Gig Tickets – vow to help them save up for what they really want.

Fashion Accessories – Not just for the ladies, treat your man to something special with our range of Fred Bennett mens’ fashion pieces, including cufflinks and leather bracelets. Off on a trip? Treat him to some travel accessories to stay organised and stylish, and of course.. a washbag to keep all of his beauty 'secrets' ! 

Drinking Gifts – From the finest wine connoisseur to the casual drinker, our range of drinking accessories make ideal gifts. Flame Homeware presents a fun range of bottle holders from a Double Decker Bus to our personal favourite – Leaf Blower Lance! Lolita glasses also have a range of beer glasses with designs titled ‘Pub Crawl’ and ‘Beautiful Game’. Packaged up in their special gift boxes and partnered up with their favourite tipple – gift sorted! 
 

Still struggling? It’s time to get creative;

-       Find out their favourite animal and buy them a soft toy token.

-       Flowers too boring? – Give a bouquet of flowers in the form of a long-lasting Yankee Candle!

-       Bake them something special using our range of baking accessories from Sweetly Does It and Emma Bridgewater

-       Breakfast in bed with your new matching mugs from Dunoon

For more ideas, check out our Valentines Pinterest Board

& Don’t forget your card! 
 

Rebecca

January 17th is officially known as ‘Ditch your new years resolution day’

I'm sure we all started the New Year off with good intentions but we know that once you get back into the busyness of life then they can just get forgotten about.

Now luckily for you, we are here to try and make this day not live up to its name! Whether you are still going strong, or have already given up… it’s not too late – start up new, we won’t tell!

We have had a look at some of the popular New Year resolutions;
Lose weight, quit smoking, learn something new, save money, get fit, eat healthy, manage stress, take a trip are amongst a few.

We are not here to give you step by step guides in how to achieve these but instead a couple of suggestions to perhaps make things a little easier.

Being Healthy –
Healthy doesn’t just mean signing up for that gym membership; it can be a lifestyle change too. Something as simple as swapping those tea & cake breaks to healthy snacks and a bottle of water. You will feel much better!

Breaking the Habit –
This can be a tricky one. Habits are hard to shake off and it will take a lot of time and patience as well as help and support from others around you. Don’t worry if you have a bad day; just start up fresh the next. If you want it bad enough, you can achieve anything.

Get organised –
A big part about achieving anything is getting organised, which can be a whole new resolution in itself. Get a calendar or diary and mark out goal days, make lists about what you wish to achieve and treat yourself to a planner to make it happen. The key to being less stressed is to be confident in what you are doing and sometimes-just sitting down with a pen and paper is the best way to do it.

Take a trip –
You’ve been speaking about for years and dreaming about it for centuries… instead of wishing about what could happen, make it happen. Use the organisation techniques mentioned above and plan to make that trip of a lifetime a reality. Work out what you need, and start saving, and of course, when the time finally comes – when you travel, travel happy!

Travel Wallet & Luggage Tag, Scrapbook

New Year New You & January Blues –
A new year isn’t all about resolutions, it is a great time to just try new things. Reinvent yourself with new looks, a new bag, new coat or even a new hairstyle – its enough to just give you that uplifting boost to start the new year on a positive foot.

Whatever your resolution is, we wish you the best, for the year ahead. Did you know that a habit can take 28 days to form, therefore if you stick to your new goals until the 28th January… then it should all be a downhill stroll from there.

Remember to check out our Pinterest page for more New Year New You inspiration. 

Rebecca

This Christmas at Temptation Gifts has been a busy one! (hence the lack of blog posts!) We apologise,but we would like to share a few moments with you to bring everyone up to speed!

We had our Christmas Party which meant all of the shops and head office got together to eat and celebrate.

Highlights included The Reindeer Marketing Team, The Henley Shop Rowing Club, amazing food and of course The Web winning branch of the year in the 2014 awards!

Back at HQ with the increase of orders at the start of December, we were all pitching in and helping in the warehouse to make sure all your orders got out in time for Christmas!

Highlights included Festive Dress Up, Singing and beating our record of number of parcels out in one day from last year

A number of us also took part in Christmas Jumper Day raising money for Save the Children.

It has been a great year here at Temptation Gifts and we are excited for what 2015 plans to bring us!

Happy New Year everyone!

Rebecca

The 12 Yay's of Christmas!

It's finally December! 

And we have teamed up with our friends at Happy Jackson on Facebook to bring you an exciting giveaway!

For 12 days from December 1st to December 12th,
1 set of Snack Boxes will be given away every day!

Terms and conditions. Terms and conditions apply -

• The 12 Yays of Christmas runs from Monday 1st December to Friday 12^th December 2014 inclusive.
• The promoter is:Temptation Gifts Ltd (company no. 02294820)] whose registered office is at Temptation Gifts Ltd., Unit 2E, Woodlands Farm, The Vale, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 3NS, United Kingdom.
• This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
• By entering the giveaway you fully release Facebook from any liability.
• Entrants must reside in the United Kingdom and have a UK based address.
• Each day 1 person will be randomly selected to receive 1 Happy Jackson Set of 4 Snack Boxes using the 'WooBox Pick a Winner' app.
• To be entered you must like the facebook post on the Temptation Gifts facebook page.
• If the winner cannot be contacted or do not claim the prize within 14 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.
• There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
• No cash alternative to the prizes will be offered. The prizes are not transferable. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice.
• Temptation Gifts is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.
• The lucky winners will be selected and notified via Facebook.
• It may take up to 7 working days for item to be dispatched.
• Employees of Temptation Gifts and its parent company and their families are not eligible to take part in the 12 Yays of Christmas.
• The names of winners may be used in promotional materials or marketing e.g. “Emma B. from Stoke-on-Trent”.  We may also request winners to allow their names and other information to be used in full, but this will only be done with written consent.
• Temptation Gifts reserves the right to cancel or amend the giveaway, and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the Temptation Gifts’s control. Any changes to the giveaway will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.
• By taking part in the 12 Yays of Christmas you are consenting to these terms and conditions.

We have been stocking Dunoon Mugs in our stores and online for 30 years and are very proud to be their recommended online retailer.
Established in the early 1970s, Dunoon Ceramics Ltd is a world-renowned British company with the very highest standards in quality and design. Their mugs are made from fine bone china clay, using the traditional "slip" making process. China clay is noted for its strength, its fineness and its whiteness, which allows it to take almost any style of decoration.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the start of Dunoon’s production, and to celebrate 40 years of British pottery making, we have worked with Dunoon to create a special mug! This mug is being offered as a limited edition run of only 1000, exclusive to Temptation Gifts in the UK! And at the time of typing – Number 1 is still available!

What we thought would be fun was to see how much you know about Dunoon
Take our test for fun here 
You may want to check out the story of dunoon here and my previous blog post here to give you a helping hand with any tricky questions!
Good luck everyone – let us know how well you do on our Facebook page!

Rebecca

It’s finally here, Christmas! – gone are the Halloween decs… the fireworks have stopped.. almost! And now we are surrounded by all things covered in glitter and penguins...

The John Lewis Penguin advert was released last week and here at Temptation HQ we cannot get enough of #montythepenguin !

The advert tells the wonderful story of a cute little boy called Sam, and his penguin friend Monty. However, the story starts to turn sad when you discover that poor Monty is feeling a little upset that he doesn’t have a special friend to love. The story ends with Sam gifting Monty with a new penguin friend called Mabel. All set to the tune of John Lennon’s ‘Real Love’ covered by the popular Tom Odell.

“Give someone the Christmas they have been dreaming of” is a great strapline finishing off the festive ad, and is a term that we like to replicate here at Temptation Gifts.

Now we don’t want anyone to go without a penguin friend this Christmas, so we have rounded up a great selection of Penguin gifts;

 1. Jellycat Medium Peanut Penguin – £14.95 £13.46, 2. Adopt a Penguin Gift Set - £19.99, 3. Penguin Solar Pal - £2.99, 4. Penguin Popper - £7.99, 5. Best Friends Hardback Book - £5.99, 6. Edward Monkton Penguin of Death Screencleaner – £10.99 £1.99

We have a selection of plush toys from Jellycat & TY, as well as a fun Penguin Popper, sweet gift books, and even a chance to adopt a penguin of your very own!

And for those more cynical, we have the humorous Penguin of Death accessories from Edward Monkton for a slightly sinister twist on the friendly penguin tale.  

There's a penguin for everyone here at Temptation Gifts!

Rebecca

Starting quietly in 2003 in Australia the term Movember has now grown to be a global movement with support from over 4 million people worldwide.
At the start of November guys take action by signing up with a clean shaven face and commit to growing a moustache for the entirety of November to raise money and awareness of prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health.

Since 2003 it is estimated that 4,027,688 people have taken part and a total £346m raised which now supports 770 men’s health projects*.

Movember Rules

• Each Mo Bro must begin on the 1st of Movember with a clean shaven face!
• For the entire month of Movember each Mo Bro must grow and groom a moustache.
• Don’t fake it, no beards, no goatees, no fake moustaches.
• Use the power of the moustache to create conversations about men’s health and to raise funds for prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health.
• Each Mo Bro must conduct himself like a true gentleman…

Here at Temptation Gifts we have rounded up the office lads and set them the challenge to grow their best moustaches for the month of November.

Setting up their 'Mo Spaces' on the Movember Foundation page on 31^st October the race is on to see how many funds they receive, and of course… who can grow the most impressive tash!

Now for those of us who are unable to grow a moustache or are looking to give a bit of support to the men in their lives, we have rounded up our favourite Moustache Gifts…

The Moustache Pacifier is perfect for giving ‘Daddy’ a mo-buddy in the form of his little one. As well as being super cute it will certainly get everyone talking. 

Support the men in your family or workplace with this Notable Moustaches Classic Edition Set which are perfect for giving a bit of friendly competition (and support) for those taking part in Movember around you. 

The Tache Tools Wash Bag from Happy Jackson is ideal for carrying around your moustache grooming items to keep that mo in tip-top condition. 

Our selection of moustache mugs including the Transformers Robots in Disguise mug, are perfect for any self-righteous gentlemen’s hot beverage of choice.

Find more moustache related gifts from Temptation Gifts here

But here are a few gifts from others which we love;

Toms
For the fifth year in a row Toms have teamed up with The Movember Foundation to raise funds and awareness for mens health through the power of the moustache… and shoes. Get your pair of limited edition shoes and not only will you be raising funds for Movemeber, but as always – with every pair your ourchase, TOMS will give a new pair of shoes to a child in need.  

Penhaligons
Get your Movember Mo Wax from Penhaligons and they will donate £2 for every tin sold in November. Perfect for keeping your mo well groomed and smelling as good as it looks. 

*From Movember.com

Rebecca

5-a-Day Giveaway!

To treat our customers, ROLL UP ROLL UP for our 5 Day Giveaway!

So, what’s the Big Deal I hear you ask? Well ……….

For 5 days from October 30th to November 3rd,
5 orders will be refunded in full each day!

Yes, that’s right! If you place an order with us with UK delivery, on any day between Thursday 30th October and Monday 3rd November you will be automatically entered into the daily prize draw, where each day 5 customers get a full refund for their whole order.

Yes! Each day for 5 days, 5 customers will get their whole order for FREE! Temptation Gifts will REFUND IN FULL the cost of all items bought and REFUND IN FULL the cost of postage!

The lucky winners from each day will be announced and contacted within 48 hours. Please make sure that your shipping details contain a telephone number so that we can get in touch with you during the day.

Good luck everyone! Could you be one of our five-a-day?

TemptationGifts team

And here are some of our lucky winners:

Thursday 30th October
Sarah. M from Lancashire
Yuko. S from London
Elizabeth. B from Shropshire
Lucy-Ellen. E from Devon
Nicola. C from Poole 

Friday 31st October
Isobel. B from Beaconsfield
Sophie. B from Lincolnshire
Kerstin. L from Lancashire
Lorraine. A from Manchester
Jess. C from Middlesex 

Saturday 1st November
Diana. C from Warwick
Mark. R from Norfolk
Helen. W from Somerset
Jemima. C from Suffolk
Katie. R from London 

Sunday 2nd November
Derek. F from Essex saved over £50
Susan. S from Amersham saved over £20
Sharon. L from Middlesex saved over £35
Tina. P from Leicestershire saved over £30
Emma. B from Worcester saved over £10

Monday 3rd November
Rachel. M from Hampshire saved over £40
Lesley. O from Edinburgh saved over £15
Elaine. M from Roxburghshire saved over £35
Georgia. S from Dorset saved over £5
Marie. T from Warwickshire saved over £60

We have had some great feedback from our winners over the past 5 days including;
"I am so pleased, I am not normally this lucky!" - Elizabeth. B - Day 1 Winner
"Thank you so much!, I am so excited as I never win anything!" - Katie. R - Day 3 Winner
"What a lovely surprise today when Temptation Gifts contacted me both by phone and email to let me know that I was a prize winner and that my order with them would be refunded. How lovely is that! Brilliant ..." - Lesley. O - Day 5 Winner 

Monday 3rd November was our final day and all winners have now been notified, so final congratulations to all our lucky 5-a-Day winners

We hope you enjoyed this great offer! Stay tuned for more exciticing future offers around the site!

Terms and conditions. Terms and conditions apply -

• The TemptationGifts 5-a-Day Giveaway runs from Thursday 30th October to Monday 3^rd November 2014 inclusive.
• All personal orders going to a UK destination will be included in the offer.  Overseas, trade, or corporate orders will not be eligible to take part in the TemptationGifts 5-a-Day Giveaway.
• Each day 5 orders will be randomly selected to be refunded in full, including postage charges.
• The lucky winners will be selected and notified by email within 48 hours of placing their order. We will also try to contact winners by phone.
• Refunds for winning orders will be actioned prior to winners being contacted. It may take up to 5 working days for refunds to be fully processed.
• Employees of Temptation Gifts and its parent company and their families are not eligible to take part in the 5-a-Day Giveaway.
• Winning orders are covered by our standard Returns policy. Participation in the 5-a-Day Giveaway does not affect your statutory rights
• Total refunded amount cannot exceed the amount originally charged.
• The names of winners may be used in promotional materials or marketing e.g. “Emma B. from Stoke-on-Trent”.  We may also request winners to allow their names and other information to be used in full, but this will only be done with written consent.
• By taking part in the 5-a-Day Giveaway you are consenting to these terms and conditions.

Last month MD Mike, Buyer Christian, Products Marketing AR and I went on a road-trip to Stoke-On-Trent to see how some of our favourite pottery pieces are made.

Leaving Buckinghamshire at 7.30 we set off on our 2 and half hour journey, with of course – a very important stop to get some much-needed snacks! – Malteser anyone?

So after a toll road experience and a few wrong turns later we finally reached our first destination – the wonderful Emma Bridgewater factory.

Located in a revamped Victorian building on the banks of the Caldon Canal we were invited in by the lovely Angela who firstly took us through to the café which houses the famous Polka Dot Aga – Oooh!

After a quick nosey around the gift shop we were whisked away onto one of the factory tours with our very knowledgeable tour guide, who took us on the full journey of how a piece is made and each process and step it has to go through from casting to decorating and glazing. Christian even tried his hand at moulding a plate! We were truly amazed how much work went into creating each and every piece of Emma Bridgewater pottery.

Coming to the end of our tour we met up with Angela again to have a wonderful lunch in the beautiful café which included a generous slice of Red Velvet cake for me at the end – yummy!

Once we were re-fuelled and ready to go we were taken behind-the-scenes to the Emma Bridgewater on-site offices and got to have a sneak-peek at some of the new collections and stock on offer.

We finally left the factory late afternoon and started off on our next part of the journey which took us across to the other side of Stoke-on-Trent to Stone where on a small inconspicuous industrial estate lives our good friends at the Dunoon Factory.

Greeted warmly by the founders of Dunoon. The meeting room was like a glorious shrine to everything Dunoon with each and every mug proudly displayed in cabinets that surrounded the room.

After a quick catch-up chat we were taken for a factory tour by Paul who again showed us the full 27 step manufacture process for a Dunoon mug from start to finish.

Back to the meeting room for another chat, mainly about Stoke’s football team – (queue blank faces from us non-football fans!), but also talking plans about the possible manufacture of a very special 50 years Dunoon limited edition mug! - Watch this space!

So leaving Stoke-on-Trent that evening full of pottery knowledge (go on test me!) and cake! We were satisfied to know that 2 of our favourite brands are as passionate about their products as we are selling them.

Arriving back in Buckinghamshire late evening we were ready to rest our weary feet and probably dream about all things pottery related. We would like to send a huge thanks out to the Emma Bridgewater Factory and everyone at Dunoon Ceramics for making us feel so welcome.

And check out our website for Brand New Dunoon and Emma Bridgewater pieces launched this week!
If you fancy learning more about Emma Bridgewater – find out about the factory tour here – We can highly recommend it!

Rebecca

If you’re anything like us, you’ll have been keeping yourself busy this summer, only to look at the calendar and realise it’s already half past August!

That means a huge list of school supplies, and not much time left to spend traipsing round WHSmith, trying to find an overpriced pencil case that’s “cool”, but not “the one that everyone else had last term!”

That’s where we come in..

We’ve discovered the ultimate in back-to-school cool… MadPax. These totally unique backpacks are about to hit the UK with the full force of hurricane Bertha; we can guarantee that if you don’t buy one this September, the kids will be clamouring at your wallet and wearing down your patience before Christmas. Kids are always going to want the latest thing, and these bags are the tween equivalent of the latest sought-after iPhone – they’re all going to want one, and they’ll want it now.

Don’t believe us? Check out these Instagram snaps we found. Kids love MadPax!

Now that you’ve seen our secret weapon, here are some other back-to-school ideas to win you a “World’s Best Parent” award come September...

School Essentials...

Bright Side Pencil Tin - Pens, pencils, and something icky covered in fluff • Zoo Eraserz - The cutest way to take care of mistakes • Classic My Little Pony Lunch Tin - Pack this tin full of treats for a pony-crazy little one • Vitapen Highlighters - A little pen in a little pill • Pup Pencil Sharpener - A kid's desktop best friend • Happy Jackson Pencil Case - Lovely pencils, fancy pens... • Musical Ruler - Hone their musicality early on in life... • Little Book Of Awesome - A little book for little thoughts! •

Keep 'Em Occupied...

My Sister Is An Alien Storybook - When your patience is wearing thin... Aliens are here for you. • Gruffalo Snap Cards - For when the most unbreable boredom strikes! • Nuzzles Frog Hat & Mittens - Cute as a frog! (Wait, you mean button?) • Friendship Loom Set - Don't go back to class without a Loom Band! •

Obviously we'd recommend every single item here, but if you're not armed with at least 3 of these, you might not survive the first term... Don't say we didn't warn you!

Good Luck for September!

Alex

Image Credit: Header image: Ryan M. All Instagram images were found by searching the hastag "#madpax" and all images link back to the original image posted.

It’s our guilty pleasure and the nations best loved TV show is finally back – The Great British Bake Off started again last night and we couldn't resist!

This year another 12 contestants will be taking part to battle it out for the ultimate title of UK’s Best Amateur Baker – this year features the youngest contestant at 17 years old and the oldest at 69 it really shows that baking is for anyone! – no excuses now.

In the spirit of things we decided to host our very own Temptation’s Bake Off and here are our efforts – 

Now we don’t all need to be judged by Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood – as lovely as they are – you can be your own families’ best baker with our great selection of baking items –

Sweetly Does It is a great range of baking accessories from Kitchen Craft which will provide you with the tools to create beautiful cakes, cupcakes, cakepops and cookies!

Once you have baked all your treats you are going to need a way to serve and store them – we’ve picked our favourites from The Bright Side and Emma Bridgewater to inspire you.

And of course you can check out our Pinterest full of baking inspirations and recipes to get you started! 

Happy Baking! 

**Prices displayed in images were correct at time of publishing, these are subject to change

Rebecca

What Type of Traveller Are You?

The Stylish Traveller

Travelling is the perfect excuse to pick up a bunch of new accessories. First of all a large bag to fit all of your items (essential and non-essential), Disaster Designs have a great range of Overnight Bags we have picked out the gorgeous Dandy Overnight Bag which is plenty big enough and fully practical for travelling.

A wash bag and make-up bag are also a must for keeping all those beauty essentials in-check, the Lipstick Woman Washbag from Catseye and the Kiss & Make Up – Make Up Bag from Happy Jackson are both perfect with wipe-clean insides for any leakages that may occur in transit – and they look great too!

You’ve brought a great pair of shades, but you can’t just throw them in your bag and expect them to still be in once piece – the Hello Beautiful World Sunglasses Case from Happy Jackson is a practical – but yet stylish way to keep them looking perfect. Everyone’s worst nightmare is losing that all important suitcase that is full of those specially selected holiday outfits – not saying that we can prevent that- but we can offer this cute Paris. New York. Wardrobe Luggage Tag where you can put all your details if the worse was to happen.

Last of all is the In a Nutshell Travel Wallet by Disaster Designs – This handy wallet is perfect for storing all those essential travel items – passport, tickets, and any other travel details.

The Organised Traveller

You have been planning this trip before you even booked it, you know what you want to do, the best times to go, and all the insider knowledge before you’ve even left home. You probably already have everything sorted but here is our best pick of items perfect for those who like to be organised.

The Adventurer Travel Book from The Bright Side is perfect for creating packing check lists and handy bits of information for when you arrive. The Black Toast Travel Document Holder from Emma Bridgewater is ideal for keeping all those tickets and booking confirmations together in one place, you won’t be the one holding up the queue with this essential travel must-have.

The Set of Three Travel Bags from Happy Jackson are perfect for keeping your suitcase super organised. No point trying to fit those full-size bottles of shower gel into your bag – it’s taking up valuable clothing space don’t you know?! – This White Grape & Aloe Travel Essentials from Di Palomo is perfect – they already come in a cute wash bag, and being small in size there will still be plenty of room for that extra pair of shoes.

Next we have the Happy Days Shopper Bag from Happy Jackson which is great for use in the day, chuck all your essentials in and off you go – an important bag accessory is then the Tan Safe Valuables Protector – of course you had your travel insurance sorted out months ago, but just for that extra bit of security this item is perfect for concealing your valuables whilst on-the-go.

The Junior Travellers

If “Are we there yet?” is a well heard phrase for your travel journeys then this selection of travel items for kids is ideal. The 1000 Stickers for Girls/ Boys is perfect for keeping your little ones occupied in the car, on the plane or whatever your mode of transport may be. You’ve got to your destination and chants of “I’m bored!” are already starting to be heard. The Shark Popper and Friendship Loom Deluxe Set are fun activities to keep the peace.

If you are going to be near water then the Waboba Bouncing Ball is a must-have, this ball bounces on water, it is perfect for the beach and will provide hours of fun for kids and adults alike! The Bobble Sports Water Bottle is another item that is not just for kids but if perfect for travelling - keeping hydrated and fresh, the in-bottle carbon filter purifies any water so perfect for on-the-go top-ups.

Last of all to keep all these items together is the Anti-Boredom Toy Suitcase from The Bright Side, perfect for keeping in the car, or taking on as hand-luggage on the plane, it is ideal for keeping everything together plus who doesn’t love a tiny suitcase of their own to carry?!

The Manly Travellers

Don’t worry, we haven’t left you guys out, here is our pick of important manly travel bits. The Bike Print Cables and Clobber Bag from Ted Baker is perfect for keeping all those beauty essentials (we know you have them) hidden in this striking bike printed wash bag. Inside that bag we recommend the Poo-Tonium Spray from Poo~Pourri, just spritz the bowl before you go and no one else will ever know!

The Dad Nap Eye Mask is a must-have for any Dads out there looking for a bit of peace and quiet during their vacation time – remove yourself from the madness with this soft eye-mask from The Bright Side, also from The Bright Side is this handy Act Like a Rockstar Sunglasses Case, even though they will spend most of their time on your head – when the time does come for your sunglasses to be put away – store them in this hard case to ensure they are well looked after.

Next, from Waldo Pancake, we have the Lug Me or Leave Me Luggage Tag, we know how you like to be the first one at the airport luggage carousel and this bright tag will not only make your bag easy to spot, but it allows you to leave your information if it decides not to turn up. Last of all – we know you are super organised in your head but why not show everyone visually with this subtle* Man with a Plan Travel Wallet which is very useful for keeping all those essential travel bits together in one place.

Wherever you are off too, home or abroad we wish you well! – Or if you are still left to book a get-away trip let our Travel Inspiration Board Inspire you! 

**Prices displayed in images were correct at time of publishing, these are subject to change

Rebecca

Top 10 Gifts for Teachers

It’s nearly the end of the school year, which means it’s time to say thank-you to that special teacher for all the hard-work they have done throughout the year.

I got the chance to ask a group of children from a local school in Buckinghamshire what they would like to buy their teacher to say thank you. Their responses went from the do-able Teddy Bear and Chocolates to the more out-there; a Car, a Mansion and a Dog – this just shows how much kids really do appreciate their teachers, and we are here to help you find the perfect gift to truly say thank-you for educating and inspiring them.

We may not have the tallest giraffe or crowns that your little ones may have had in mind for their special teacher, but we do have a great selection of keepsake gifts from mugs to jewellery and bookmarks to chocolate, so we're certain you'll find something you like.

Maths Made Easy Mug - Dunoon
At number 2 we have the Maths made Easy from Dunoon. This mug is not only very informative but extremely practical in the Glencoe shape which holds 500ml of tea or coffee – perfect!

Teacher Bracelet – Carrie Elspeth
At number 3 it’s the Wonderful Teacher Bracelet from Carrie Elspeth. This adorable bracelet has a cute metallic owl pendant, and it comes on a piece of card with has the message "To a wonderful teacher, a big thank you". A perfect keepsake for any special teacher.

Teacher Metal Keyring – East of India
At number 4 is a keyring from East of India. Presented on a large gift tag, which is perfect for writing a message of your choice, is a silver keying which says “Special Teacher” and on the back is a trolley token! This is a useful gift that will be appreciated by any teacher.

White with Multi-coloured Vertical Stripes – Terramundi
At number 5 we have a stunning Terramundi pot with a colourful summer design perfect for any design scheme. Whether they keep it in the class room or take it home – it is a gift that keeps on giving once they save all those pennies up!

Important teacher notes notebook – The Bright Side
At number 6 it’s the Important Teacher Notes Notebook. It does what is says on the front, a notebook for all those vital teacher notes. With a mixture of lined and plain pages it is perfect for any teacher with lots of space for doodles and plans. 

Self Stirring Mug 
At number 7 is the Self Stirring Mug. A slightly silly gift but very useful, perfect for an on-the-go teacher to give them a helping hand. Simply make your tea or coffee and press the button, no time wasted searching for a spoon - more time for important teacher duties. 

First Class Teacher Picture – East of India
At number 8 we have East of India again with this great First Class Teacher Picture. This fab framed block image will take pride of place on any teacher’s desk on wall. A heart-warming present perfect for any teacher.

16 Assorted Belgian Chocolate Truffles
At number 9 we have the traditional fool-proof gift of chocolates, but why not add that little bit of something special with our great selection of 16 Belgian Chocolate Truffles, with a variety of scrumptious fillings all beautifully presented in a sleek gold box, wrapped up with a red ribbon making it a luxurious gift for any well-deserved teacher.

Happy Days Ballpoint Pen
And last but not least at number 10 we have the Happy Days Ballpoint Pen from Happy Jackson, presented in a gift box this quality pen will be a long-lasting gift. A practical and perfect present for any teacher.

Rebecca

Summer has now officially begun, and just in time for the start, of what I feel, is a British Summer icon event – Wimbledon!

Starting way back in 1877, Wimbledon is now one of the most prestigious international tennis tournaments, held every year between June and July at the All England’s Club in the London suburb of Wimbledon.

In order to provide the freshest strawberries around, they are picked the day before from the county of Kent, arriving at Wimbledon at 5.30am ready to be served that day.One of the long standing traditions of Wimbledon is the serving of Strawberries and Cream. Did you know that 8615 punnets are consumed daily with 28,000kg of strawberries and 7000 litres of fresh cream being consumed during the whole tournament?

Whoever you are backing, whether it is the defending champion Andy Murray, whose mum and former tennis coach is rumoured to be swapping her tennis pumps for dancing shoes in preparation for the next series of Strictly Come Dancing! – Fancy! Or maybe nice guy Novak Djokovic who famously shared a drink with one of the ball boys at the French Open in May, this year’s Wimbledon is sure to be a must-see event.

Now, not all of us are lucky enough to secure centre court seats, and I imagine like me, you will all be sat in front of the TV watching with cups of tea, so why not give a nod to the age-old Wimbledon traditions, and sit down and relax with a perfect cup of tea in this selection of strawberry themed mugs, maybe burning a Strawberry Buttercream Yankee Candle to really get in the spirit! – And if you are feeling inspired then we have the perfect mugs to help boost your tennis skills.

Or perhaps get in the party spirit with our great selection of GB themed items!

Good luck today, Andy!

Rebecca

Last week I was rooting through cupboards at my mum’s house (who can remember why now?) and I came across a little cup that I’ve seen many times before but which always sparks my imagination – it’s commemorative cup from Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, and every child in the country got one on June 2nd, 61 years ago this week.

We’ve had our fair share of Royal glamour in recent years, but it still strikes me that in this vastly republican age the pomp and splendour surrounding Royalty is such a relic from another time. As someone who usually has some ancient Penguin classic languishing in their handbag and wears a wind up watch which is rarely even right twice a day, I am fascinated by mid-20th Century history, design, and fashion. There’s something so within reach, but still so lost about an era which is within living memory for many, but completely alien to my generation.

So I started nosing around online at articles and photos from that day in 1953 and quickly my attention turned, like a magpie to a shiny object, to the robes and diamonds the Queen wore that day. Jewellery has been filling my head for weeks as I’ve been lovingly working on the launch on temptationgifts.com of Fiorelli Jewellery. When I close my eyes at night I see the glittery pendants and dangly earrings dancing on the backs of my eyelids, so engrossed have I been in their shapes, crystals, and silver forms. Putting thought into the launch of these pieces got me thinking about what jewellery means to its wearer; what makes them put it on in the morning? Is it because it reminds them of a special place or person? Or just because they feel good knowing the gemstones bring out the colour in their eyes? But also I realised how enduring styles have been since 1953 – from cool and classic silver to lovely natural fresh water pearls and glittering clear zubic zirconias (not quite diamonds, but still beautiful) a lot of the pieces available today wouldn’t look out of place in the 61-year-old iconic images of the young Queen in her regalia.

      Coronation Day 1953           Earrings by Fiorelli - £35.00     Necklace by Fiorelli - £149.95  Bracelet by Fiorelli - £85.00

As you’d expect, the crown she donned on June 2nd was as old as the hills, but other jewellery weighing down her petite frame were invaluable heirlooms too – her eyepopping diamond necklace and earrings were worn by Queen Victoria on her jubilee, and then by every subsequent Queen including her own mother in 1936, sitting alongside a King, on coronation days thereafter. They are not just heirlooms, they are batons passed down from monarch to monarch. Heavy is the head that wears the crown…

 
 
It’s items worn by women in power that inspire styles and fashions that filter down to us mere mortals – designer dresses worn by the Duchess of Cambridge sell out in hours, and copycat products appear within weeks for budding princesses all over the country. Royalty have a knack for playing it safe with their fashions, but this is how classics are born and classics are enduring. Pearl earrings worn by Princess Margaret in the 1960s would still be so easy to wear today, even minus tiara and mink fur…

Jewellery is such an emotional thing; not only does its durability make it a lasting memento, but you wear it close to your person and it becomes part of you – whether it remains there or gets passed on is up to you.
 

Ahh, Spring is in full bloom - isn’t it wonderful? But doesn’t time just fly… With Easter and a couple of bank holidays under our belts, it was Eurovision time before we knew it! With so much hoo-ha surrounding this year’s contest, we were eager to watch it, and we must admit that we felt somewhat inspired by this year’s winning song… So, after a long absence from your screens, we are delighted to let you know that our blog is rising up like a Phoenix, with even more tempting posts and updates, so watch this space!

Speaking of comebacks... The My Little Pony craze is well and truly BACK. You may have encountered different My Little Ponies when you were younger, but now they’re back and better than ever for the fourth generation reboot - and we've got a huge range of new plush toys to prove it!

These six beautiful ponies are the protagonists for the My Little Pony's Generation Four series, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. The show follows Twilight Sparkle, a studious pony, who moves from the Capital city, Canterlot, to the town of Ponyville in her quest to learn about friendship. She gains five new friends who each have their own unique personalities and traits, and the show continuously explores their adventures and their growing friendships.

The animated television show has gained huge interest in the United States since its first episode in 2010, and we’re delighted to be launching a range of detailed plush toys featuring the six pony protagonists. The show has become popular with children, teenagers and young adults alike due to its unique portrayal of friendships and interpersonal relationships, with a lesson to be learnt from each and every episode.

So, how much do you know about the My Little Pony universe?

Keywords every MLP fan should know:

• Pegasus – As you’d expect, this is a pony who possesses wings
• Unicorn – A pony with a horn and the ability to use magic
• Alicorn – A pony who possesses both a Unicorn horn and Pegasus wings
• Equestria – The world in which the ponies live
• Canterlot – Equestria’s Capital city
• Ponyville – The town in which our protagonists live

Twilight Sparkle

Twilight Sparkle is an Alicorn. She’s a studious pony, with an endless library of books and a neverending quest for knowledge. She uses her magical powers to help the other ponies while on adventures. She represents the element of Magic, and has an assistant; Spike, a dragon.
 

Applejack

Applejack is an Earth pony, which means she possesses neither a unicorn horn nor Pegasus wings. She works at Sweet Apple Acres, an orchard in which she and her family grow and sell their own apples. Applejack represents the element of Honesty.



 

Rainbow Dash

Rainbow Dash is a Pegasus pony. She’s in charge of the weather, and can often be seen shifting clouds to clear the skies in Ponyville. She’s the toughest and most boisterous of the six ponies, also known for her flying talent and her infamous stunt, the Sonic Rainboom. She would love to be part of the Wonderbolts, an elite flying team. Rainbow Dash represents the element of Loyalty.
 

Fluttershy

Fluttershy is a Pegasus pony. Fluttershy is by far the quietest of the six ponies, and often disapproves of loud arguments and violence. She is primarily an animal caretaker; her favourite of these animals is Angel the bunny, who is often grumpy. Fluttershy represents the element of Kindness.


 

Rarity

Rarity is a Unicorn pony. Rarity has an interest in fashion, and works as a fashion designer and a seamstress, often designing outfits for the other ponies for formal occasions. She mostly uses her magic for things related to her work. Rarity represents the element of Generosity.
 

Pinkie Pie

Pinkie Pie is an Earth pony. Pinkie Pie is a high-spirited and over-excitable pony, who takes great joy in pleasing others and always sees the positive side of every situation, though she is often portrayed as naïve. She works as a party planner in Ponyville, and is well known for planning surprise parties for the other ponies, as well as singing many musical numbers throughout the show. Pinkie Pie represents the element of Laughter.
 

Do you have a favourite pony?

University is - or at the very least has the potential to be - the very best years of your life. It's a time for making friends, learning things, not learning things because you overslept, and generally becoming a better, more rounded human being.

It's basically like school but without the parents and with the ability to spend lots of the government's money on alcohol. And you get to drop all the rubbish subjects like Chemistry and focus on something you're genuinely interested in. Even if that genuine interest is in nights out and waking up at midday.

In true student style, we've cobbled together a rag tag list of items that will improve your time at uni immeasurably - unless you have a ruler in which case they're definitely measureable. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it will hopefully set you off on the right path.

In the mean time, be sure to check out our Back to Uni section, which you can find by clicking here.

Something to write on

When you do decide to rock up to a lecture or two, it might be a good idea to make notes. There will probably be a test. If you like the colour blue and have a bit of self-confidence, this Thoughts & Doodles of an Undiscovered Genius notebook is the perfect choice. From the ever joyful Happy Jackson range, the softback notebook will signal your obvious intelligence to anyone sat next to you.

Or if you're a hardback, this droll notebook from Waldo Pancake is a good bet. The 1970s style laptop will see you through the year with plenty of smirks and wry smiles.
 

Something to carry things in

Once you've picked something to write on you'll need something to carry the something you're writing on. Simple. We're talking bags and satchels, and we've got quite a selection. For the ladies, how about this Love Lotters satchel from Disaster Designs? Its classic style features faded envelopes, which is much prettier than it sounds, and will be a loyal companion for years to come.

For the boys (lads) style is equally important. Musical taste is an important badge of honour, and it doesn't get much better than the Beatles. Carry John, Paul, George and Ringo with you wherever you go, and with a little help from your friends you can turn a hard day's night into yesterday. I'm sorry, let's just let it be.
 

Don't forget the kitchen!

Ah, the student kitchen. A minefield of mould, a residence for rats... However clean you like to keep things, the kitchen is somewhere you'll spend a lot of time, whether socialising, cooking or just making a cup of tea. Luckily we've got you covered. This colourful set of nested tins from Happy Jackson will add a splash of vibrancy to the kitchen, maybe even enough to distract you from the massive pile of dirty dishes.

Speaking of dishes, I have some pretty distressing news for you. Washing up is a part of your life from now on. Unless you have a dishwasher, in which case you're cheating. But there are small ways you can make the washing up more tolerable. Turn it into a drinking game is one obvious solution. Another is to spread some happiness and have a bloomin' Washing Up Disco! This Happy Jackson tea towel will help set the mood and get the party started: all you need are some dirty dishes and some tunes - and yes, you're allowed to sing them yourself.

Whether it's the difficult economic climate, a reaction against the prevalence of extreme consumer culture, or just the rediscovery of old-fashioned activities, crafts are on the up in the UK.

The trend started over a year ago and has steadily gained momentum ever since. Sewing, knitting, PVA glueing: Britain has rediscovered its love of the hand made, and why not? It's a stimulating creative endeavour with an ultimately rewarding outcome - unless you've got very high standards!

Here at Temptation we've got a wide range of crafts you can buy - either as gifts for arty friends or to help you make your own creations. 

We had a go at making our own pieces of art using the adorable arts and crafts range from Gorjuss, which you can find here. Three of our marketing and product team created masterpieces (their words) and let the rest of the office judge them. You can read more about the process and their creations here, but the undisputed winner (my words) was the piece below, created entirely from our Gorjuss range of items.

The great thing about craft making is that it doesn't matter how accomplished you are: you can take it as seriously or as playfully as you want. Some people have the patience to spend hours delicately tinkering with seams and creating things from scratch. On the other hand, sometimes all it takes is a bit of ribbon or a stamp to decorate a notebook, and you've created something unique and personal. 

East of India have a vast array of ribbons perfect for just that, and you can find more here than anywhere else online. You could use them to wrap presents, to decorate a room, or create something entirely from scratch. With literally over 100 to choose from, you've got no excuse not to begin your craft adventure.

If you fancy testing your skills a bit further, why not take on a little project? You could knit a new best friend for yourself or a little one with this Knitted Teddy Bear kit, or test your sewing nous with this vintage-inspired button heart set. There are more bits of knitting and sewing kit, including tape measures, buttons, and safety pins, which you can find by clicking here.

But it doesn't really matter what you decide to do. What's important is that you do something. Be creative, get crafty and make some art. Join us in the craft revolution!

When we got creative in our photo studio.

Anyone tuning into Newsnight on BBC 2 recently will have listened to a really interesting discussion about success and happiness. The super exciting part is that the debate featured our friend and long-time collaborator Giles Andreae, the creative mind behind Happy Jackson and Edward Monkton.

With Professor Robert Winston and Arianna Huffington, the discussion considers whether success can be measured beyond money and power - with a third metric: happiness. To watch the video and view some of the discussion, just click here.

And then remember to be relaxed and happy! 

Schools up and down the country are breaking up for the summer, which can only mean one thing: summer holiday stress!

Whether you have children or not, planning a holiday can become hugely time consuming. Sometimes it needs to be, as you want to ensure every little detail is right, from your hotel to your itinerary (hallelujah for TripAdvisor!). Now the British Summer seems to be over (it was a great two weeks while it lasted!) and the rain has returned, our thoughts inevitably turn to sunny beaches and sandy shores.

Once you've booked your trip and have the hard part out the way, it's vital you remember to actually enjoy your holiday! The newly formed Holiday Department here at Temptation has got a few ideas to make your break even better...

Time to look your best

If you can't look fabulous when on holiday, then when can you?! Why not treat yourself to a stunning necklace from Carrie Elspeth's dazzling range? If you're planning a romantic getaway, this Midnight Enchanted necklace from Carrie's limited edition Opulence range is sleek and elegant, perfect for a sophisticated dinner. If you'd just rather sparkle in the sunshine,  this Sorbet Links necklace from her brand new Autumn collection is full of twinkling colour and vibrant life. 

Make the best of the journey

Travelling can really take it out of you, and if possible it's a good idea to try and get some shut eye on the journey. The Bright Side have rather thoughtfully created some brilliant eye masks to help shut out the light and let you catch up on your forty winks. The backs are lined with a soft and comfortable padding (trust us!) and come in versions for both mum and dad. So if an important dad nap is needed or mum needs to be closed for a short while, these fun eye masks will help sooth you on the journey.

Make the memories last a lifetime

With any luck you'll come away from your holiday with plenty of lovely photos to help you remember the good times. Sometimes you need words to go with the photographs, and a notebook is exactly what's needed. We've got a huge selection of them on Temptation Gifts, which you can see here, but if you're making a trip abroad then this Bon Voyage notebook from Disaster Designs is the most appropriate choice! With 136 blank pages waiting for you, you can write down your fondest memories and stick in any accompanying tickets or photos. You could also use it to store any important information - such as flight details and addresses for friends back home - making this a valuable travelling item!

Keep hydrated

If you're lucky enough to be jetting off somewhere hot, it's important to keep well hydrated. In fact, it's pretty important to keep well hydrated wherever you go! Hands down the best way to achieve this is by using a Bobble Bottle. These are reusable water bottles that have an in-built carbon filter, removing any impurities and leaving you with a cleaner, more refreshing drink. The bottles come in six different colours, and we also have a brand new sports range. Whether you're heading down to the beach for the afternoon or are taking a day trip around a city, make sure you keep your Bobble handy!

Something to put it all in

It's all well and good making the best of your holiday with all of the above, but you've got to make sure you've got something stylish to carry them in! Disaster Designs have a wide range of overnight and weekend bags to keep you company for your trip. One of our favourites is the Paper Plane overnight bag, which, for a limited time only, is a massive 20% off! The bag features a travel map design and is large enough to fit everything we've suggested, and much more!

Wherever you're going this summer, we hope you have a truly memorable time. Bon voyage!

On the 22nd of July, 2013, Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, welcomed their first child into the world.

As soon as Kate went into labour, people all over the world were awaiting the news, hoping the baby and mother were healthy and, of course, whether it was a boy or a girl. People lined the streets outside Buckingham Palace, wanting to share the day with friends and strangers alike. Finally, a little after 4 in the afternoon, a healthy 8lbs 6oz baby boy, George Alexander Louis, was born.

Everyone here at Temptation is delighted with the news and for the new parents, and will be enjoying some cake today to celebrate! If you'd like something a little more permanent than cake to commemorate the important day, we have a small but high quality selection of gifts to celebrate the royal baby.

Dunoon, the foremost makers of fine bone china mugs in the UK, have created two brand new designs to celebrate the birth. The first, in the sleek Wessex shape, is timeless and elegant. It features golden wreathes and royal blue trim, and the front reads: "To celebrate the baby of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge". The back features the baby's name and date of birth, reading: "To celebrate the birth of George Alexander Louis, 22nd July 2013". 

The second design of mug is in the popular Cairngorm shape, and features charming illustrations of the royal baby's play things. There are, amongst other things, a cute yellow onesie, an adorable teddy bear with a crown, and a royal high chair and cot. "Royal Baby" is written around the inside of the rim in toy building blocks, and the front of the mug reads: "To celebrate the birth of George Alexander Louis, 22nd July 2013." Whichever mug you choose, each is a real collector's item, and something that will keep you smiling for years to come.

We also have another selection of specially made fine bone china from Milly Green. The collection is dated 2013, and has a simple and elegant royal baby theme. Rocking horses, teddy bears, royal prams and crown-carrying storks all feature in beautifully crafted designs. You can buy a plate, an egg cup, two different mugs or even the whole tableware boxed set (including bowl) that makes for the perfect breakfast set. The items work brilliantly as a gift for a child, either to use in the day to day or to keep for years to come. They are equally suitable for those of us who love the Royal Family and want something to mark the special occasion. 

There is also a tea towel available to purchase from the same range, as well as another tea towel with a gorgeous design featuring the future king's name and date of birth. Both practical and commemorative, the tea towels are a great way to be reminded of the good news on a daily basis!

Be sure to visit our royal baby section here, and make sure you don't miss out!

Terramundi Money Pots are a brilliant way to save up some money. A full Terramundi can hold hundreds of pounds - depending on the colour of the coins you put in of course! 

If you're anything like us, though, you'll not want to get rid of your beautiful earthenware pot. The classic beauty of the design means the pots can still look fabulous around your home and garden, even once they've been broken.

Admittedly, there is a certain pleasure in smashing the pot on the ground and seeing all those coins scatter and sparkle in the light. (The sound, we're told, can be quite therapeutic!) However, the recommended way to break into a Terramundi is with a bit of care. Insert a claw hammer, chisel or similar object into the money slot at the top, and gently begin to apply pressure upwards. Once the pressure is enough the top will pop off, making a clean break. If it sounds dangerous or difficult, don't worry: we've tried it and emerged unscathed and triumphant!

Once we'd broken into our own savings, we decided to get creative with our pots. One of the most common uses for an opened Terramundi is that of a desk tidy. Depending on the pot's style, it could make a great addition to your office at work or your desk at home. A pot can hold more than its fair share of stationery and means you'll never misplace your favourite pen again!

There are a few other popular choices that people have told us about. Some common uses of a cracked Teramundi include a stylish candle holder, a vase, or the somewhat less imaginative but undoubtedly practical loose change holder. 

It was a particularly sunny day when we broke one of our pots open, and so we decided to make use of it outside. The money pots make brilliant garden ornaments, whether sat outside a window ledge or as part of a feature. You could even take a leaf from our book and use it as a plant pot! Drill some holes in the bottom for drainage if needs be, and you're soon left with a brilliant addition to your garden, adding a distinctive and stylish class to the surroundings.

So as you can see, there's no need to throw away your Terramundi pot as soon as you've cracked it open! But to be sure to head back to our smashing (get it?!) Terramundi section on our site to start filling up the next one! Get your next Etruscan money pot here!

How about you? If you've got any great uses for a smashed Terramundi that we havne't mentioned, then leave a comment below!

TemptationGifts has been trading with Dunoon Mugs for 30 years, and everyone involved is immensely proud of our longstanding collaboration.

One of the many things we love about Dunoon is their huge range and variety of mugs. Not only are there hundreds of designs in terms of image, but there are also multiple designs of actual mug shape, from the small and refined Jura mugs to the large and chunky Henley. It was only a matter of time until they brought out another new shape to expand their already impressive repertoire, and they have done so with their most contemporary creation yet.

Enter the Alto range. The Alto mug is exciting for many reasons, most of all because it is Dunoon’s first mug specifically designed with coffee drinkers in mind. Perfect for sipping on a tall, hot latte, the sleek mug is in keeping with today’s increasingly prevalent café culture.

Unlike all other Dunoon mugs it is made in three parts. Whereas other mugs have a separate handle but the body and the base are as one, this Alto mug has a distinctive base that forms a part of the mug’s modern style.

Certain mugs in the range also come with 22 carat gold embellishment, while each and every Alto mug comes with a stylish green gift box.

We think the Alto range is going to be a huge success; who wouldn’t want to enjoy a cup of fresh coffee from the comfort of your own home and via the contemporary elegance of the Alto range?!

Not only that, but temptationgifts.com is currently the only site online that are selling this fantastic new shape, a reflection of our Recommended Online Retailer status that we have in partnership with Dunoon.

Just click hereto browse all our fantastic new Alto mugs and join the coffee revolution!

TemptationGifts has recently launched over 100 new products from a fantastically exciting new brand called Happy Jackson. If you aren’t yet aware of who or what that is, chances are you will be soon. Launched for the first time this Spring, Happy Jackson is a brand new range of cards and giftware, formed from a creative partnership between bestselling poet and artist Giles Andreae, and designer Heather Flynn.

On lunch boxes and notebooks, make up bags and mugs, and on dozens of brilliant unusual greeting cards, Happy Jackson brings a bright, contemporary colour palette to life with uplifting sayings guaranteed to bring a touch of joy to your life.

And we are officially the best place in the world to buy it! The creative minds behind Happy Jackson came to speak to the directors of TemptationGifts last year, and asked us to be their recommended online retailer for all things Happy! Impressed by the storyboards and designs for the products which were in the works, we were thrilled to say yes, and to become the recommended retailer for yet another superb British brand.

Giles Andreae (far left) and Heather Flynn meet with Temptation Management.

This year, as stock was beginning to become available, we met with Giles and Heather at Temptation HQ. We had a fantastic day (driven by a pastry-fuelled sugar high!) and came up with some brilliant ideas for our partnership, which you’ll be able to see come to light over the coming months. 

So we’re proud to say that Temptation is simply the place to be if you’re looking to buy anything Happy Jackson. We use all our own photography, lovingly write about each product (resisting the temptation to keep a mug or two for ourselves) and offer the most competitive prices. We also endeavour to go the extra mile for anything Happy Jackson related, so keep your eyes peeled for an exclusive interview with co-creator Giles Andreae coming soon!

In these grey days of austerity, Happy Jackson offers a range of products that are competitively priced, but more importantly are full of the happiness of life's simple pleasures. So whether it’s a Coffee makes my day more beautiful mug, or a Yay! Biscuits! tin, why not let Happy Jackson make your world a little brighter?

Happy Jackson… it’s a beautiful thing!

To browse our wonderful range of Happy Jackson stationery, kitchenware, tins, greeting cards and more, click here.

TemptationGifts has a long, proud history of success. That we are in the midst of our 30th birthday celebrations is enough reason to be proud, but this morning we were greeted with the fantastic news that we are finalists in not one, but two categories in the annual Greats Retail Awards.

The awards are the highest accolade within the gift industry, and we are proud to have won the title of Best UK Online Gift Retailer in three of the last four years.  We are pleased to have made it to the shortlist of finalists once again this year, seeing as the huge competition in online retail and its ever-growing prevalence makes this an increasingly difficult and impressive achievement.

Those of you less familiar with TemptationGifts and our history may not know that as well as our online presence, we have 7 stores across the Home Counties. They are run with the same ethos and commitment to excellence with which the website operates, and we are equally proud to be nominated in the category Best UK Multiple Specialist Retailer of Gifts.

The Greats were launched by Progressive Gifts & Home magazine in 2003, in recognition of the tremendous contribution that retailers, both large and small, make to the success of the gift industry. Now in their eleventh year, The Greats are established as the premier awards event of the year, bringing together the entire industry for a celebration of the best. The awards take place at a ceremony in early May, so there is an anxious wait to reveal the winners.

Judged by a panel of industry experts, the awards provide welcome recognition from peers and from those within the business. It's all a bit like the Oscars really, except for the live orchestra!

Whether or not TemptationGifts is among the victorious names announced on the day, we will be enormously proud to be there as finalists. We don’t do this for awards, we do this for our customers; but these nominations are certainly a nice reminder that our peers in the industry consider us among the very best at what we do.

Further details about The Greats can be found at www.thegreatsawards.co.uk

Valentine's day is a wonderful opportunity to take a bit of time and show the object of your affection that you're truly grateful to have them in your life. It's the most romantic of calendar dates, and some relish the opportunity to show off their gift-buying prowess.

For others, present buying is less easy and a little more stressful; finding that perfect gift can seem like a daunting task. The other stumbling block can be what to in the evening. Restaurants hike up their prices and all the best ones are fully booked weeks in advance. As you'd expect, we've got some fantastic ideas for a romantic Valentine's evening in, with a couple of unique twists on some classics, meaning you can save the money you'd spend on an expensive meal and spend it on your lovely partner instead!

Firstly, just because you're not eating out, it doesn't mean you should go with some indulgent treats. If you'd like something already prepared, we've got a scrumptuous selection of chocolates, just waiting to be unwrapped and enjoyed. Whether you like Belgian truffles or chunky chocolate hearts, your sweet tooth is certain to be satisfied. And if you can't wait until after dinner to open them, well, we won't tell anyone...

Alternatively, if you or your partner has a penchant for the home-made, why not invest in a gorgeous Emma Bridgewater heart shaped baker? If you order in time you can bake your own special Valentine's cake and present it to your better half on the big day. On the other hand, the ceramic baking dish makes a wonderful present in its own right, and will allow for countless yummy and romantic creations during the years to come. There are three fantastic designs to choose from, from the outwardly romantic I Love Chocolate to the sophisticated Polka Dots or Pink Hearts.

It's all well and good having plenty of delicious chocolate and cake, but make sure you don't forget about the drink! A special bottle of wine is a classic choice and one we're in favour of; you can now find some really nice stuff in most supermarkets, but specialists are also always a good choice as they can help you pick out exactly what your partner likes.

Why simply give a bottle of wine, though, when you can give one with a Temptation twist? Make the wine even more special with the addition of one of our stylish bottle holders. We've got a whole range to choose from, from romantic lovers on a bench to a party girl ready for a night on the town. Whatever the personality of your loved one, you'll be able to match it up with a uniquely different gift, adding a thoughtful touch to a classic Valentine's treat.

The final classic gift that completes the set is, of course, a beautiful bunch of flowers. Roses are the obvious option, and of course there's nothing wrong with that! We've got both red and white artificial roses, as well as a sleek, love-themed vase to keep them in. The vase features a red ceramic heart and will act as a lasting reminder of your love. You can buy it on its own, or with a bunch of red or white roses.

Whether you decide to treat your partner to all three of these gifts or just one of them, they're all a great way to begin your Valentine's evening in style.

For all the thousands of products we have here at TemptationGifts, there are few ranges more appealing and life-affirming than the Bright Side.

We thought it would be a great idea to delve a little deeper into the Bright Side of life and talk to Rachel Bright, the - we'll say it - genius behind the brand. Have a read of her thoughts from everything to the creation of the brand to her questionable fashion choices as a young girl. Think of it as an little present from us....

Rachel Bright in her caravan studio.

1. How did the Bright Side begin life?
The Brightside began life in a wonderful, magical little room in a print studio in Bristol, filled floor-to-ceiling with dusty drawers of old wooden and lead letterpress type. I was playing around and printing some things – words and phrases that fell out of my head. One of them was ‘You make my heart go Boom’ and I thought: there’s a valentine’s card… and so the Brightside was born.

2. Why do you think the brand has become so popular?
Because people are generally very lovely to each other and hopefully because the Bright Side gets straight to the point, by talking straight from the heart. I am passionate about using a true, authentic voice. I get some of my best ideas when I’m actually saying something to one of my friends – thank you or well done or happy birthday – that’s when the words really flow. If you love what you do, it comes across in a way that speaks to other people – at least I hope so, because I certainly love what I do. The Brightside has made me realise just how many of us optimists there are out there.

3. Where does your endless well of optimism come from, and why is optimism so important?
I think I was lucky to have been born with a sunny disposition – but it’s also a conscious decision too. I’ve noticed that the happier I feel (even if I sometimes have to listen to music or call a friend or eat cake to find that happy place), the better life gets and it’s as simple as that.

Even when things aren’t going to plan in life, if you shift your perspective there is almost always a way to see how something good is coming of it all. The winds of change bring exciting opportunities and people your way – and ultimately it’s the unpredictability and bonkersness of life that also makes it so wonderful. If you can just shift your perspective even a tiny bit you can transform your life.

My motto is never to take life too seriously – if you can laugh everyday – you’ve got it made.

Printing her distinctive Bright Side font.

4. You’ve got a Masters Degree in printmaking: how easy was it to come up with The Bright Side’s distinctive font?
I had an amazing time doing my masters. There is a magic to printmaking and any old-fashioned crafts which is almost impossible to recreate on a computer (although they too are of course amazing tools which I use as well). The Brightside font came about very organically. It was really just me, trying things out in a room, with plenty of time to experiment. It felt right to have these higgledy-piggeldy letters where every letter position was a decision – and to make prints where little mistakes happened and things weren’t perfect. It’s the imperfections that make it interesting I think. A bit like life.

5. What aspect of your work with The Bright Side do you enjoy most?
Brainstorming the ideas. I usually have this huge list of ideas falling out of my brain I’ll scribble down a huge list of possibilities – then it’s a case of narrowing it down – which is where my art director comes in! It’s always nice to have another creative person to bounce ideas around with. I also love hearing from people who enjoy what I do – I get some amazing emails and letters from fellow Brightsiders.

6. Are there any exciting projects on the horizon you can tell us about?
Ooooh – it’s all top secret! But we do have LOTS of exciting new things coming out in 2013. I’m already working on more thoughts for Autumn too – and even the diaries for 2014! I’m forever pitching ideas for new gifts, cards and books (we’ve got some new ones of these coming in Spring too) so watch this space…. 

7. David Cameron was recently photographed on his birthday with a Bright Side card – who would you most like to be seen with one?
Good question! Hmmm… how about the Dalai Lama?

8. In your bio, you talk about the importance and freedom of childhood. If you could say anything to your childhood-self, what would it be?
‘Never forget what it feels like to be little. Remember that anything is possible. Don’t worry – everything is going to be wonderful. And, oh, DO NOT WEAR THAT REVERSIBLE MICKEY MOUSE TRACKSUIT TO MUFTI DAY c.1984.’

9. And what do you think your childhood-self would say back?
‘I won’t. I will. I know. I’m wearing the tracksuit – it rocks.’

10. Amongst other things, you write poems. Can we be cheeky and ask for a Haiku for TemptationGifts?
This was fun! I made up two. As a naturally verbose person – poetry in so few syllables was a good challenge.

1.

Bird about to fly
Shaft of light breaking the dark
All things possible

2.

The last chocolate
Momentary politeness
Trip to A and E

If you'd like to browse through all of our wonderful Bright Side products, simply click here.

Once the tinsel has settled and the mince pies have all been eaten, the world begins to return to some sort of normality. Perhaps the one exception to this is, of course, the post-Christmas sale. Come Boxing Day, we're all scrabbling through piles of clothing, through stacks of bargains, all to try and find a great discount or two.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could do this, but from the comfort of your home home? Well, (naturally) you can! Our 20/20 Winter sale is one of our biggest and best ever, and we're confident you'll be able to find more than your share of bargains.

It's pretty simple: all you need to do is spend more than £20, and you'll get 20% off absolutely everything in your cart. 

For example, spend £20 and you'll save £4.

Spend £40 and you'll save £8.

Spend £60 and you'll save a hefty £12. 

But there's more. We've got a wide range of special sale products that have discounts all the way from 20% to better than half price. And the 20/20 discount still applies to these items as well. That means that if you buy something that's 50% off and also spend over £20, you'll get 20% off ON TOP OF the 50%! 

Just another festive thank you from everyone here at TemptationGifts.

Even though we’ve been talking about Christmas for quite some time here at TemptationGifts, it seems the rest of the world has finally caught up as the festive season gets into full swing.

As you can imagine, the few weeks leading up to the big day are the busiest and most important in our calendar. We have more products than the rest of the year, more of your orders to process and – it feels like – less time to do everything in! Nevertheless, having been in the gift-giving business for almost 30 years, we’re quite confident we know what we’re doing.

As such, we thought it would it would be good to give you an idea of the changes that go on at Temptation HQ when November rolls around. Although there are a few important dates in the gift industry calendar, none even come close to rivalling Christmas. Below is a graph of our takings, week by week, from a couple of years ago. As you can see, a week at the end of November or beginning of December can be more than 5 times as busy as any normal week.

Our weekly takings for the financial year, spiking massively for Christmas.

One thing we’re extremely proud of at Temptation is our work ethic. That said, we’d be pretty crazy (though it has been said!) to try and manage the extra workload with only our permanent staff. This means we go on a recruitment drive and take on dozens of temporary staff in order to deal with the order influx, including an expansion of the customer service team so we can deal with any queries you have as efficiently as possible. A trip from the web office to the warehouse will often result in an introduction or two, such are the number of new faces.

Our warehouse becomes a beehive of activity as rows of packers wrap up your gifts safe and sound. In fact, since the beginning of November, we’ve gone through 10km2 of bubble wrap. That’s enough to cover the entire Olympic Park… four times! We’ve used over 50,000 metres of tape, enough to stretch from our Chesham headquarters to the south of London. It’s these kind of figures that give our team (and you!) some perspective on the amount of hard work and effort that’s put in over the festive season.

That's a wrap!

So we’re massively thankful to our little elf army, who could surely (we feel) rival Santa’s own. So much so that we thought we’d immortalise them on this blog with only a mildly unflattering photo!

Our packing team, keeping up a rapid pace.

We’ve shown you a graph demonstrating our sales, we’ve shown you our packing team and the amount of wrap they get through… so it’s surely time to show you some orders! The end product of this whole process is the parcel that will find its way to you in the post, and, as you’d expect, we tend to find ourselves with a lot of these packages...

The pictures below show orders just from a single morning’s packing – and they’re all overflow from the usual storage area! So even though this is all you’ll usually ever see, hopefully you can now appreciate the manic but exciting scale to which we’re working. As long as the orders keep coming in, we’ll keep wrapping and packing and sending them out to you. There’s still time to place orders and receive them in time for Christmas day. And then after that we’ll have the post-Christmas sale where there'll be bargains galore again… But don’t worry about us – we can sleep in January!

'Boxing' day comes early!

It’s been a pretty crazy last month or so here at Temptation. Not only have we migrated to a shiny new website (which we hope you’ve grown to love as much as we do) but we’ve also been getting prepared for Christmas.

Christmas and the months leading up to it usually provide a boon to pretty much any company, but it’s difficult to think of a business it affects more than a gift company! We get rather excited about the festive season, but it can be difficult to judge when to start ‘promoting’ Christmas: too soon and people can become wary; too late and we could have missed out on potential business.

One of the great new features the new site allows us to do is have an easily accessible list of search terms that all you lovely people are using day to day on the website. For the last couple of weeks, the number one search term has been – you guessed it – Christmas. As such, we thought it would be silly of us not to act upon this information, and so we have been busy bees putting together a fully comprehensive Christmas section to help make seasonal shopping as easy as it can be.

For the majority of the last two weeks, Tom and Lisa have been positively surrounded by all things Christmas, from Santa hats and crackers to earmuffs and fluffy snowmen. They have been covered in glitter that has turned up in all sorts of strange places – something that has become a bit of an initiation! Their tireless work, only interrupted for important tasks such as trying on Father Christmas ties, has helped to create our fantastic new Christmas section, which you can find here.

Amongst the great number of products they’ve photographed and written about, some of their favourites have been the cute animals. Well, who can blame them? At one point, Tom’s desk began to resemble a menagerie of festive creatures, and we’ve tried our best to recreate the effect in the picture below!

Whatever date you choose to begin looking for Christmas presents, we’re confident we’ve got all the options covered at TemptationGifts. So please have a nose around our seasonal section and remember: Christmas shopping can be fun!

It is with a very warm welcome and more than a little excitement that we at TemptationGifts welcome you to our beautiful new website!

It has taken months of planning, hard work and late nights, but we’re delighted to finally share with you the new look site. The reason behind our evolution essentially stems from our core principle: to offer you, the customer, the best shopping experience we possibly can.

Don’t get us wrong, we thought our old website did a pretty great job too, but there is always room for improvement. That’s why we decided not to implement a radical overhaul of the site, but simply improve the shopping experience that was already in place, adding one or two new features that we think you’re going to love. Evolution rather than revolution, to coin a phrase.

As well as introducing you to some of the site’s new aspects, we hope this little blurb will reassure you that despite the changes, TemptationGifts is still very much the same site you know and (hopefully!) love. The products are still the same and you can still browse the site in the same way as before… We’ve simply had a bit of a face-lift and dusted off a few cogs and levers behind the scenes.

As well as browsing by brands, and departments, you can now explore products in our much improved occasion section. If you’re buying a present for a particular event, for example a gift for a Christening or a new home, but don’t have a clear idea of what you’re looking for, our clever new sections will be able to offer you some great ideas.

We’ve also got an amazing new feature whereby you can search for items via specific attributes. For example, if you’re looking for some hand and body lotion between a range of £10-£20, you can use the box on the left hand side of the page to search for exactly that. We know that sometimes the huge selection of products we have on here can be a little daunting, so we hope this will really help you out if you know what you’re after.

We’ve also tweaked the product layout of the site, meaning we can show you each item in more detail than ever before. This isn’t just because we’re proud and we like to show off our stock (although we do a little), but we also want to give you the most accurate representation possible of what you decide to purchase.

Not only do we have bigger pictures, but for certain items we now have fully rotational images. Those of you who keep up to date with Temptation goings on via our blog will know this already, but we’ve spent lots of time in our new photo studio photographing mugs and bags at every angle. This allows you to rotate the image a full 360 degrees, meaning nothing is left to the imagination and you can be supremely confident in the product you are buying.

Moreover, if you would like to know what someone else thought of a particular product, or leave your own comments, you can do so with our new product review feature. This allows for that extra certainty (if it was needed) that the item is what you expect it to be, and allows you to share your thoughts with us and the rest of our customers.

Whether you’re a long-standing customer or this is your first experience of TemptationGifts, we hope you have fun exploring the new-look site. We’re very proud of how everything’s turned out, and are confident that you’re going love it as much as we do!

The Temptation Team

*Although we've been working as hard as we possibly can to make sure everything is as perfect as can be, the sheer scale of the website means that we might have missed the odd sneaky gremlin here or there - we are only human after all!

If you spot anything that you think isn't working as it should be, or you feel as if your browsing experience isn't up to the high standards that TemptationGifts strive for, then please let us know right away and we can find a speedy solution. Email our customer service team at customerservice@temptationgifts.com if you have any queries. 

It’s that time of year already. It was only a couple of weeks ago that we were blogging about summer holidays and now it’s back to school time. The rising cost of school uniforms has been in the news, and at a time when money is tight, it does not make for particularly welcome reading!

Whether starting a whole new school or just another year, it’s inevitable that your little one(s) are going to need fresh supplies. As always, we at Temptation believe we’ve got plenty of great solutions to help your child go back to school with style, and at a great price.

We asked around the office to discover what everyone treasured most when at school, although for some of us it was a lot longer ago than we care to admit! For Tom, it was his satchel. “It was my first type of bag like that – just before going into sixth form,” he explained. “Obviously in a practical sense it was necessary to have a bag, but I felt like this satchel made me look A: grown up, and B: pretty cool!” Like many of our favourite childhood possessions, he still keeps the bag on a shelf somewhere, unused but waiting – just in case!

A good bag is both stylish and practical and, perhaps most importantly, should last a long time. We’ve got a selection at Temptation, but some of our particular favourites are the Paul Frank bags featuring our favourite monkey, Julius. There are a range of different shoulder bags to choose from in various colours, meaning your child can stand out from the crowd.

For another of our web marketing team, Lisa, it was all about a particular notebook. Whilst many of her classmates went for the bright pink and shimmering covers, Lisa (as you would expect of a member of Temptation) was all about understated style. We’ve pressed her for a picture (as of yet, there has been none forthcoming) so we can only really imagine what its “swirling pastel colours” look like.

As well as their obvious practical importance, notebooks can also show off a bit of your personality. We’ve got a whole range of styles at Temptation, from the humorous to the gorgeous. But if, like Lisa, you’re after something stylishly understated, you couldn’t do much better than taking a look at Orla Kiely’s range of stationary. With a classy acorn design and warm earthy colours, this notebook in particular would make a great first impression for any new classmates.

An Orla Kiley Acorn Cup Notebook

On days like today when the weather is so variable, it’s hard to know what to do with yourself. Weekends turn into a “shall we-shan’t we” discussion as to whether you leave the house; if you’ve got kids and it’s the summer holidays then it can be doubly as tricky.

Much of summer has been a washout this year, and unless you’re lucky enough to be heading elsewhere on holiday (in which case see last week’s blog post), you can bank on a fair few rainy days over the coming weeks.

Filling this time can be a bit of an art form, but fortunately at Temptation, we’ve got a great idea to keep you occupied.

With the emergence of the internet and social platforms, sharing photos and experiences has become easier than ever. But it also makes those memories a little less special. Nothing beats the feeling of flipping through the pages of a lovingly-filled scrapbook, and we’ve got plenty to choose from online including a great selection from East of India.

A selection of East of India Scrap Books.

If you’re anything like us and you’ve kept old concert tickets, souvenirs and other keepsakes, a scrap book is the perfect place to gather them all, writing little reminders and memories next to everything you stick in. This can be a brilliant way to keep your kids occupied (and it doesn’t involve a television!) as it encourages writing, memory, and a bit of arts and crafts. We’ve also got Mr & Mrs books that you can fill up with all the good times enjoyed with your other half. Have a look what Tom, a member of our web marketing team, has created:

Alternatively, if you like to cook, why not bring together all your favourite recipes in one place with a recipe book? It’s a great way to fill a rainy day, but will also save you a lot of time in the future: you’ll no longer have to search through printouts and cookbooks trying to remember where everything is!

Whatever your fancy, there’s more than enough choice to ensure the rain doesn’t leave you with nothing to do.

The summer brings with it a great many things, one of which is the Great British bastion of the Summer Holiday. These holidays are supposed to be relaxing, but before you can even think about sipping fruit juice by the pool, there’s the stress of packing to negotiate.

To try and relieve a little of that stress, we’ve come up with an Editor’s choice short list of holiday essentials. Remember these five important things and you’re sure to have an enjoyable trip.

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a week since our last (first) blog post, but time moves at quite a pace in the world of Temptation.

We have some exciting news from one of our leading brands and best partners, Dunoon. For those not in the know, Dunoon produce fine bone china mugs and we already have hundreds of stylish and beautiful examples on our website; in fact, we’re mightily proud to be their recommended online retailer.

Each year they produce a dated festive mug and plate, usually stocked by a nation-wide high street store. This year, however, the set is only going to be available online, meaning many more people (we believe) are going to flock to Temptation. It makes a great collector’s item and we think you’re going to love it!

This brings us neatly to our most exciting new addition here at headquarters: a new photo studio! We moved offices a few weeks ago and have been steadily getting to grips with our new equipment, and we’re delighted with the results.

Our shiny new photo studio.

We pride ourselves on quality: not just of the products we sell but in how we sell them. Our new photo studio allows us to take even more defined and accurate images of all our stock, as well as – and here’s the really exciting part – being able to do so in 360 degrees! Using a revolving turntable and some nifty software, we’re able to create images that allow you to rotate the product a full 360 degrees. The aim is to give you an even better view of what the item looks like; you can also zoom in to examine any part in meticulous detail. 

Much of our time at present is being spent photographing various Dunoon mugs with the new software, meaning that at some point in the near future we will have a whole range of beautiful, rotating mugs. We’re extremely proud of our new bit of kit and how things are looking, and we’ll be sure to tell you when we start getting many more of them online!

It is with a very warm welcome and more than a little excitement that we at Temptation Gifts welcome you to our website and this, our inaugural blog post!

When Temptation started in a leafy town in Hertfordshire some 29 years ago, no one knew for sure how successful it would be. But founders Mike and Sheena Adams believed that shopping should be fun and affordable - an actively enjoyable experience - and so it was inevitable that success was to follow. Cut to 2012 and Temptation Gifts has five (soon to be six) stores as well as a flourishing website; but you know that already, that's why you're here!

Mike and Sheena Adams, way back in 1983.

At TemptationGifts.com we're always looking at ways to improve your shopping experience, and this blog is aiming to do just that. Even though shopping online is bound to differ slightly from shopping in one of our stores (there's nothing quite like the personal touch), we believe the difference shouldn't really be that big. Every week we'll update the blog with any Temptation news we think you might be interested in, be it amazing offers on products, exciting new ranges, relevant news stories from around the world, or behind the scenes goings-on that (we hope) will give you some insight into the way we work.

We know there's a bafflingly huge selection of websites to buy from, but we pride ourselves on valuing your custom more than most. We have an eternally friendly customer service team working from 8:30 to 5:30 every day (apart from Sundays, when they get their well-earned rest) to take your calls. This is why more and more people keep turning, and returning, to us. And if you can't find anything you like, then you're simply not looking hard enough!

Our ever-friendly customer service team.

With that in mind, the timing of this maiden blog post coincides perfectly with a brand new range at Temptation Gifts that we're pretty certain you're going to love: the Connie Fisher Collection. If the name sounds familiar, it should do: she's the singing sensation that stormed to victory on the BBC's 'How do you Solve a Problem like Maria?', winning the title role in the West End play, The Sound of Music. What you may not know is that Connie has long held a passion for beads and jewellery, so when she got the opportunity to work in collaboration with Carrie Elspeth, she jumped at the chance - well, who wouldn't?!

The beautiful range of necklaces, earrings and bracelets is full of colour, class, and guaranteed to put you in the limelight. It's one of many amazing lines here at Temptation, and we look forward to sharing them all with you over the course of the foreseeable future. Happy shopping!