Category: News from UK Christmas Store

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It was just too windy, and I feel like crying.

We tried.

We really tried.

But when a stall holder a few down from you gets hit by part of the tent structure, you have to put safety first.

We both have jobs, we have children who need us, it’s just not worth it.

I wouldn’t normally share this, but running a business this way is really tough.  Last year at Bowes we took £650 over the three days.  This year we’ve had sales of £170 (and a day that should’ve been cancelled before we drove 40 miles.)

Im trying to be positive, but it feels like that’s our Christmas down the toilet.  We both rely on our lovely business to pay for Christmas and I know it’s not about the presents etc, but even doing a food shop is a stretch now.  It’s been a very difficult and challenging season for us, an ‘annus horribilis’ business wise which then impacts us too.  There’s no events left, only my little website as an option.

Im trying.  If you can help us at all it would be appreciated more than you could ever know.  I’m going to unload and unpack, everything will be available online soon and I’m going to sell some unused display things too.

If you can, please share about our business.  If you can, find a treasure you will love and buy it.  If you can, order a box full of Christmas goodies and know that you have done all you can to help us and our little business keep going.

A heartfelt thank you in advance.

Cari xx

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Last day at Bowes Museum may be weather affected…..

Nothing official but we are holding onto our hats (and everything else) because strong winds are forecast so I may well be doing a Mary Poppins, at least holding onto the stock I can’t peg down.

So far the winter market has been a bit of a flop, despite all the fab stall holders and small businesses there.  We are next to the mouthwatering Hedgehog Bakery, and there are dog treats, jewellery stalls, artists and crafters alongside brewers and preserve makers too.  Lacey’s cheese are there too, we enjoyed some cheeses from them a couple of years ago.

It’s well worth a visit and we are all a little disappointed that it hasn’t been as busy as previous years – we are currently 2/3 down on takings.

THEREFORE…..

We have extended our online sale and increased the discount to 30% – that’s a huge saving off the normal retail price.  We are running very low on some decorations though so you need to be quick if you want it for Christmas!

Happy Shopping!

Cari

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New delivery option and our last event for 2023

I must say, so far I’m really impressed with how Royal Mail are handling the seasonal increase in workload.  I know they work their socks off at this time of year, and there has been no obvious delays in orders being received.  Despite that, I have added a new 24 hour delivery option.  This means that all orders received before 8pm Sunday to Friday will be collected next day, and should arrive 24 hours later (Friday orders should arrive Monday).  If you need to guarantee your order will arrive this 24 hour delivery option might be for you.

I’ve also been busy with our stationery website, adding the craft kits we have available.  I did consider adding these festive ones to this business but with limited stock available it didn’t make sense.  If you would like to know more visit https://www.cariscards.co.uk to shop the range.

We are almost at our last Christmas fair of 2023.  Back at the fabulous Bowes Museum, you will find us outside as usual with our 20% off sale on all our Christmas decorations.  If you can’t visit Bowes, then we will have the 20% off sale online over the weekend – but why wait?  You can shop today and save 20% on all our Christmas decor today!

The forecast is looking good for the weekend, here’s hoping we can finish 2023 in style!  Say hello if you decide to visit.

Cari

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Time to make some space!

If you didn’t know, we don’t have actual retail premises – it’s on the business plan.  This means we need to move the stock every year so we can have our dining room back for Christmas Day.  As the business grows, so does our stock area which is great news for our customers – SALE TIME!

From today until the 18th December we have 20% off everything online.  This means you can get our nativity or snowman nesting dolls for £20 plus postage, or a couple of sets of wooden decorations for £11.20 plus postage.

We’ve also noticed that our elves have decided to make the cut out tree decorations buy one get one free, giving you an even bigger saving on them!

Stock is very limited so don’t delay!

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Last posting dates before Christmas

I thought November disappeared quickly, but where is December going?  I’m already sharing our last posting date before Christmas (it’s 22nd December by the way).  I’m certain if you order on that date that your items will not arrive before Christmas (unless Santa has some space on his sleigh) so if you are shopping for stocking fillers or novelty gifts please order before then.  Royal Mail recommend posting by Monday 18th December and our cut off for ordering will be Sunday 17th before 8 pm.

Anything urgent after that date we will need to upgrade your delivery, which may incur extra costs.  I will try to update the postage rates accordingly to make shopping with us as easy as possible.

No Christmas markets this weekend sadly, so I will spend my free time checking stock levels as I know some decorations are either sold through or low in stock now.  If there is anything you’ve had your eye on please don’t delay, we get orders every day and we don’t order a lot of each Christmas decoration.

As January starts to show over the horizon, what Christmas decorations would you like us to find for 2024?  We start looking mid January and aim to have orders placed soon after, so now is the time to send your requests through.

Cari

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How do you do yours?

We put our Christmas tree up yesterday.

We’ve had to get a smaller one this year because of our lovely Jack Russell.  This is the second Christmas with him in our family, and he was great with the tree last year, however he does love woofing at people walking along the path at the front of our house.  We bought a desk to try and block his access to the window, and his crate fits nicely underneath it.

Last year we simply moved his crate to make space for our floor standing tree, however this year with a desk to relocate too it was much easier to buy a smaller tree.

I’m still getting used to the new tree and our mismatch of decorations on it.  Scrolling through TikTok this morning, I came across a lovely lady discussing how a friend was having to replace all her tree decorations because they had redecorated their room and the colour scheme didn’t match.  This shocked her, she described her own tree decorations as a scrapbook for all the memories of children growing, holidays and trips where they had to collect a new decoration for the tree etc.  Very much like our own tree, we don’t have Instagram – worthy festive decor, more a collection of quirkiness.


For all those who like to mismatch their ornaments, telling a life story each Christmas, we have plenty of quirky in stock.  Brussels sprouts on your tree anyone?  Hamburger?  Tractor or festive cow?

 

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Advent Calendar Sale!

30% off selected advent calendars
It’s not often I authorise a sale, mainly because we keep our prices as low as possible anyway.  However, I have a plan to swap the office and the stock area round, so that the office becomes a stock room and our office sits in the dining room instead.  I think a desk will be much nicer than a stack of plastic tubs anyway.

This is great news for our customers who are still looking for long lasting, reusable advent calendars, as they now have 30% off!  This ends on 30TH November 2023 though, so head over and buy before they sell out.

Cari

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Christmas decorations for adults

If you don’t have young children to make Christmas special for, you can choose more delicate or ornamental pieces for your festive home.  We have some lovely wooden houses and churches, plus nutcrackers and glass decorations galore.

Tree decor ranges in glass, from mini baubles to our larger elipse bauble, really catch the twinkling tree lights, plus you can coordinate with our small glass angels and cupcake decorations.

How do you decorate your home?  Do you still go full on festive or opt for a more subtle, understated Christmas vibe?

Cari

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Christmas decorations for children

I know Christmas isn’t only for the children, but let’s face it, the excitement in the eyes of a child is what a lot of us think of at this time of year.

With that in mind, I thought I’d share some of our Christmas decor for kids, starting with our countdowns.

If you are awaiting a visit from an elf on the shelf, this sign is a perfect addition to your child’s room.

Of course, you don’t want Santa to miss your house, so we also have Santa stop here signs.

If your children have their own Christmas trees, or help to decorate the main tree, we have some fun decorations they will love.

Of course we also have some lovely mini snowglobes perfect for those more careful children.

Lastly, these nesting ‘dolls’ are great festive toys in either snowman or nativity theme.

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Wooden train scenes and glass baubles

Three Christmas Markets in and we have some clear best sellers.  In fact, the wooden train scenes have been so popular that we have ordered more and they are arriving soon.  They are back on the website so you can grab yours now and we will send them as soon as we can.

The range of glass baubles are selling well too so we have ordered more, including some new designs, I hope you like them.  The new drop style I think are lovely so I’m hoping our customers love them too.

We always listen to feedback and we recently had a request for a dinosaur bauble – what do you think?  If they will sell we will do our best to buy some.

Two more Christmas fairs next weekend, both first time events for us, so no idea how busy they will be.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Cari xx