We’re 18 years old today

green iced 18th birthday cake with lit candles

Look at us… we’re all grown up!

As usual, each year on our birthday, we give our customers & subscribers a week-long discount on our online shop.

Use the code 18thBirthday at checkout to get 18% off your order (excludes postage & packing costs).

It can be used, as many times as you like, until 14th March 2025.

Share this post with your friends to spread the discount love!

Eco-friendly Halloween: Sustainable décor ideas for a green celebration

Eco-friendly Halloween: Sustainable décor ideas for a green celebration

Halloween is a time for spooky fun, costumes and candy, but it can also be a time for generating a lot of waste. Single-use plastic decorations, mass-produced costumes and excessive packaging can take a toll on the environment. But fear not, fellow spooky enthusiasts! You can still embrace the spirit of Halloween while keeping your celebration eco-friendly and sustainable.

This year, let’s ditch the disposable and embrace creativity with these sustainable, eco-friendly Halloween décor ideas.

1. Embrace the natural world

  • Autumn foliage: Leaves, branches and pumpkins are the perfect natural decorations for a spooky ambiance. Gather fallen leaves in vibrant hues and craft them into garlands or use them as table scatterings.
  • Pine cones and twigs: Create whimsical spider webs or miniature haunted forests using pine cones, twigs and branches.
  • Dried flowers and herbs: Dried herbs like lavender or rosemary can be incorporated into spooky wreaths or arrangements. Dried flowers in autumnal tones add a touch of ethereal beauty.

2. Repurpose and upcycle

  • DIY decorations: Get crafty and transform old jars, bottles and containers into spooky lanterns or candleholders. Paint them with eerie designs or fill them with fairy lights for a magical glow.
  • Fabric scraps and old clothes: Create ghostly figures, spiderwebs or Halloween banners using old fabric scraps and clothing. Sewing skills aren’t necessary – get creative with glue and scissors!
  • Cardboard and paper: Repurpose old cardboard boxes and paper into spooky decorations. Cut out silhouettes of bats, ghosts and pumpkins or create a haunted mansion backdrop.

3. Opt for sustainable materials

  • Reusable fabric bunting: Instead of flimsy plastic banners, opt for reusable fabric bunting that can be stored and used year after year.
  • Natural fibre decorations: Look for decorations made from natural fibres like jute, cotton or wood. These are biodegradable and more environmentally-friendly than plastic options.
  • LED lights: Swap traditional incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient LED lights. They use less energy and last longer, reducing your carbon footprint.

4. Get creative with food and treats

  • Homemade treats: Skip the mass-produced candy and bake your own spooky treats using organic and locally-sourced or foraged ingredients.
  • Reusable food containers: Encourage guests to bring their own reusable food containers for trick-or-treating or party snacks.
  • Compostable packaging: If you do use packaging for treats, choose compostable or biodegradable options.

5. Spread the word

  • Educate others: Talk to friends and family about the importance of eco-friendly Halloween. Encourage them to adopt sustainable practices for their celebrations too.
  • Support local businesses: Seek out local businesses that offer sustainable Halloween decorations and products.

By adopting these eco-friendly practices, you can enjoy a spooky and fun Halloween while minimising your environmental impact. Let’s make this Halloween a celebration of both fun and sustainability, ensuring a happy and healthy future for generations to come!

A picture is worth a thousand words

A picture is worth a thousand words

Personalised photographic gifts make timeless and cherished presents; presents that you give that will capture special moments forever and can be enjoyed year after year.

With the amazing advancements in digital imaging technology in recent times, it’s become easy to transform your favourite photos into perfect personalised gifts. With online printing services, it’s easy to get a high quality print of any photo you choose. You can turn precious memories into stunning, tangible items.

These make perfect presents for any number of special occasions; from birthdays and anniversaries, to weddings, newborn arrivals and Christmas.

When it comes to personalised photographic gifts, the sky is the limit! You can choose from beautiful frames, albums, photo-books or even jigsaws made from your own carefully chosen photos. With the range of professional products available, you can be sure to find the perfect gift to make the day special. You can even have a special occasion such as a wedding or birthday included on your item of choice to make it entirely personal. You can get more ideas on mixbook.com.

Personalised photographic gifts are a unique way of showing someone that you care. With a wide range of options, you can be sure to find something special for everyone on your list. Whether it’s a canvas print, photo mug, or memory album, a personalised photographic gift is sure to be appreciated.

Personalised wall art from Asda Photo

Wall art

Canvas prints – these can take the form of one large statement piece or a group of smaller pictures. They will be on permanent display in your home, cheering you up every time you pass by or get the chance to stop & stare. Landscapes or individual portraits work very well for the larger canvases. Perhaps you’ve captured a gorgeous image of a family member on your phone (or had it professionally done in a studio). It can be reproduced to whatever size you require to fill a specific space – perhaps above the sofa or fireplace. A selection of smaller canvases provides the perfect opportunity to get creative. You could arrange pictures on a gallery wall; in a long row, perhaps up the stairs or along a corridor – or juxtaposition different shapes & sizes. Perhaps there’s a theme to consider – children, pets, wildlife, garden shots, hobbies – the possibilities are endless!

Personalised greeting cards from Asda Photo

Greeting cards & invitations

Nothing beats getting a letter or card from someone special. It’s become even more significant these days, as much of our correspondence takes the virtual form of email and phone messaging. So a personalised card could be the perfect idea – whether it be to congratulate someone, invite friends & family to a wedding or house-warming, mark a special occasion or just to send your love!

Personalised calendar from Asda Photo

Calendars & diaries

Calendars and diaries are used and looked at every day of the week for the entire year. With personalised pages, each new month can begin with a different photo of family members, snaps of favourite holiday destinations, inspirational recipe ideas, maybe. You’ll look forward to each new image appearing when a page is turned!

Personalised mugs from Asda Photo

Tea & coffee mugs

If you’re looking for something usable and practical, custom photo mugs are a great option – especially if the recipient is a hot drink addict. Whether you opt for a ceramic mug or a travel mug, you can upload any photo for an eye-catching design that truly stands out. Photo mugs are a fun way to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while appreciating a meaningful image.

Personalised cushion from Asda Photo

Cushions & blankets

A double hit of positivity! The comfort of the cushion or blanket combined with the warm glow of a favourite picture – whether it be a favourite person or a memorable place. Perhaps they could reflect the landscape that surrounds your home – think beach huts or shells if you live by the sea, trees or wildlife if you live in the countryside – and perhaps cityscapes or favourite buildings if you live in a more urban setting. They could capture your favourite pets, both past & present. If they’re allowed on the furniture, we’re sure that a soft cushion will get the thumbs up (or paws up) from your treasured pooch too!

Whatever personalised photographic gift you choose, you can make it entirely yours and capture the moment forever.

disclosure*

We’re 15 years old today

We're 15 years old today

We’re 15 years old today – where have the last 12 months gone‽ As usual, each year on our birthday, we give our shop customers a discount for a week.

Use the code 15thbirthday at checkout to get 15% off your order (excludes postage & packing costs).

It can be used, as many times as you like, up until 14th March 2022.

And don’t forget, we’re also offering someone the chance to win a £15 One4all gift card too – a pound for every year we’ve been trading. The great thing about this voucher / gift card is that it can be spent in so many different online and bricks & mortar high street outlets.

USE DISCOUNT CODE HERE