Come together and save money this Christmas!

For many, the festive season is the most wonderful time of the year. It’s when we take a break from work, spend quality time with our family and friends and show them just how much we care.  Unfortunately, due to the economic climate we might not be able to spend as much as we’d like this Christmas, but fear not, we’ve put together this short guide on how to make the most out of this Christmas without breaking the bank…

Stay in touch

If you’re not able to visit certain family members this festive period make sure you stay in touch. A great way to do this is the humble greetings card. This simple, traditional gesture will let your loved ones know that you’re thinking about them this Christmas, even if you don’t get to see them. This Christmas you can save money on your greetings cards with this Hallmark.co.uk voucher code,which entitles you to 25% off personalised cards.

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Make your own…

Christmas is the perfect time to get creative. There are so many products that people buy over the Christmas period that you could make yourself for a fraction of the price. Advent calendars are a prime example- make your own with some card and some miniature chocolates (or without if you haven’t got a sweet tooth).

Another item that is on near enough everyone’s Christmas shopping list is chocolates. Why not make your own truffles? For basic truffles you only need two ingredients; chocolate and cream. It’s then up to you how you flavour them. All you need is some quality dark chocolate, some whipping cream and whichever other ingredients tickle your fancy for flavour and decoration. Pop them in some festive boxes and use as gifts, or keep them in the fridge for the family.

Another fun and frugal activity for Christmas is to make your own decorations. Don’t spend a fortune on Christmas decorations, make your own.  All you need is some coloured paper or card, glue, scissors and some creativity. You could also buy a pack of plain baubles and some glitter pens and decorate them yourself for fun, personalised Christmas tree decorations.

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Secret Santa

If you have a large family or a large group of friends, why not do Secret Santa? This means that you won’t have to pay out for individual gifts which will save you time and a substantial amount of money. Draw names out of a hat and choose a spend limit that ensures that you can buy a good gift which is affordable. You can then organise a time which is suitable for everyone to exchange gifts, which is a fantastic excuse to get together for a festive catch-up.

Shop online

Does the thought of queuing up in packed shops fill you with dread? It might be time to start shopping online. Not only will you be able to shop from the comfort of your own home, you’ll save hours of your time, meaning you can spend it with your family instead. You’re also less likely to impulse buy like you would at the shops; there are no glittery displays to attract your attention, so you’re more inclined to stick to your list and not overspend.

Shopping online has other advantages too, such as getting your shopping delivered straight to your front door. You won’t have to carry heavy shopping bags around busy high streets. You can usually pick a time that’s good for you to get your shopping delivered too, making online shopping even more convenient.

Another advantage of online shopping is that you can make some fantastic savings. Many online retailers offer discount codes to use at the checkout which can get you money off your purchase, free delivery or a 2 for 1 offer.

Stay in

Christmas nights out can be expensive; not only do taxi fares and entrance fees increase but it’s likely to be very busy and not to mention frosty outside. Staying in is certainly the new going out and can cost next to nothing. Invite your family and friends to your house to watch Christmas films, play board games and get into the spirit of Christmas. With the new wave of movement sensitive games consoles like the Nintendo Wii, PlayStation Move and the Xbox Kinect, there is hours of fun to be had by playing sing/dance-a-long, sports and puzzle games. These games are usually suitable for the whole family and can really give your big night in the edge.  Alternatively dig out the old family favourites like Monopoly, Cluedo or just a deck of playing cards and enjoy some traditional family-friendly entertainment.

Written by Rachael from the voucher codes team at MoneySupermarket.com.

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December
7

Our Art Stars winner revealed…..

Back in October we teamed up with ITV1’s Daybreak to give children across the UK a unique opportunity to have their card designs brought to life as a festive greeting.

The competition was launched by I’m a celebrity presenter, Joe Swash with support and tips from numerous TV personalities including Art Attack legend Neil Buchanan and the popular poet Giles Andrae who also created the cheeky chappy that we all know and love as Purple Ronnie. 

The response was phenomenal, with Santa sacks bulging to the brim with over 2,000 festive fancies! After a tough judging process, a Christmas card designed by Merseyside youngster Ella Wright, aged 10, was chosen and will hit shelves and our online shop today.

 

Joe Swash with PR & CSR manager at Hallmark Cards, Tamsyn Johnston-Hughes

 

Ella’s winning watercolour design shows Santa and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer about to take flight in a camper van full of brightly coloured gifts. It also features snow, Christmas lights and the greeting ‘Have a Cool Yule’ giving it heaps of festive feeling. It was this combination of creativity, visual appeal and imagination that rated extremely highly with the judges.

Ella was crowned as the winner live on ITV1’s Daybreak this morning and, as a result, her design will now be available nationwide in over 250 Hallmark stores, as well as the in our online store. And you will be able to pick up a pack of six for just £1.99.

 

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November
15

How to: throw a spooktacular Halloween party!

Kids go wild for Halloween and jump at the chance to dress up, eat sweets and frighten the life out of aunties, friends and neighbours – which is why 31st October is a great opportunity to throw a petrifying party! Here are our top tips for creating the perfect eerie atmosphere and showing your guests a ghoulishly good time.

1.       Send out some spooky invitations.

First thing’s first, it’s important your guests know about the party in advance so they have time to prepare. Hallmark.co.uk has a superb selection of Halloween invitations that you can edit and personalise. Tell your friends all about your party by changing the text on the cover or the inside. There’s even the option to upload a picture of your face and transform yourself into a witch or a vampire!

 

 

2.       Devilishly daunting decorations.

Transform your home into a haunted house. Keep the kids occupied this half term and get them to help you carve the pumpkins, make paper spiders, ghosts and all manner of spooky trimmings. Dim the lights using coloured sheets, or special Halloween lamp shades and remember to decorate the entrance to your house too so that your hair-raising guests don’t miss the party! Check out this link for some great Halloween craft ideas.

3.       Start the costumes early.

The best Halloween costumes require care and attention, so make sure you start yours early. Search for images of your frightful fiend of choice, and recreate the look using old clothes, spare fabric, bin-liners, toilet roll and anything else you can get your hands on! A great way of achieving that loathsome look is by using face-paint, fake blood and lots of black eyeliner. Most face paint sets come with a how-to booklet with images and easy to follow instructions.

4.       Shocking snacks and terrible treats.

Put on a frightful feast for your ghouls and goblins. Eyeball pasta, vampire blood punch and monster cupcakes are all possible ideas for your Halloween buffet. They’re fun to make with the kids as well. Encourage them to write a menu and supervise the little chefs while they whip up a storm.

5.       Set the mood.

Create the perfect playlist for your party. Make sure you include classic spooky tracks like Michael Jackson’s Thriller to lure in the zombies. The Addams Family and Ghostbusters theme tunes, and I Put A Spell On You are also frightful favourites. You can also purchase creepy sound effects now on iTunes so you can frighten your guests on arrival.

6.       Ghoulish games

 Classic Halloween games such as Apple Bobbing never get old and are a fun, cheap way to entertain the kids at your party. Simply fill the bath with apples and let the kids take it in turns to try and lift them out with their teeth. Make sure you have some spooky treats on hand for the winners! You could also do a witch hunt by making mini cut-out witches, hiding them all over the house and giving prizes to the ones who capture the most.

Visit Hallmark Cards now to browse our petrifying party invitations and creepy cards…

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October
25

Our new arrivals! Say hello to our very special story buddies….

Making story time all the more fun, we are very proud to introduce, Story Buddies!

Cute, cuddly and clever, each Story Buddy comes with its own story book and is not only adorable but interactive too. Watch your little one’s face light up when their Story Buddy speaks and joins in with the story when a trigger passage is read aloud. With every turn of the page your Buddy will reveal even more, truly bringing the story to life!

What’s more, there’s a choice of three cheeky characters to fall in love with. Watson the mischievous Racoon, Cooper the fun-loving Bear and one for Christmas, Jingle the playful Husky. Each buddy has a lovable personality that’s bound to make story time a captivating and magical experience for your tiny tot.

Watson and Cooper can share many adventures with your loved-ones, as a selection of stories are available to collect, promising to entertain and develop your child’s journey with their Story Buddy.

For those tech-savvy parents we have created a free app for iPhones and iPads that follows the Story Buddy range. This includes short animated stories, about each Buddy, that can be read out loud or recorded by a loved one to add that personal touch! Also on the app are fun puzzles and games that continue the Story Buddy adventure.

Exciting still is the price. The Story Buddy only costs £19.99 making an adorable and affordable gift. Available from October in Hallmark Gold Crown Stores and online, these cuddly friends are perfect for Christmas! The additional adventure books for Watson and Cooper are priced at £5.99 each and will make great stocking fillers. Why not collect them all

Here at Hallmark, we’re besotted and just can’t wait to meet the new cuddly characters that are already set to join the gang in the New Year!

And Mum knows best! …..

Watson and Cooper have already had some glowing reviews online. Just check out these cute videos from Mummy bloggers, Inside the Wendy House and Blogby Baby where you can see great demonstrations of the two buddies in action!

If you have any questions or simply want to let us know who you’re favourite buddy is, comment here, on Facebook or Twitter.

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October
18

We give you another chance to win a fabulous prize…an Amazon Kindle

In honour of ITV1’s exciting Daybreak ‘Art Stars’ competition which gives young artists the chance to have their creations made in to a card by us -  we are offering you another chance to win a fabulous prize, an Amazon Kindle worth over £100 English pounds!

To win, all you need to do is share artwork that you or your kids have drawn and that you think is worthy of the Hallmark virtual Flickr fridge! Whether it’s a dainty doodle or a magnificent master piece we want you all to share your creativity with us.

So, have you’ve already entered ITV1’s Daybreak’s official Art Stars competition and want to send us a picture of your entry? Or if you didn’t fit into the age bracket, why not send us your creations and to be in with a chance to win this competition instead.

To enter, upload your artwork to Facebook and tag HallmarkUK, or send us a Twitpic @HallmarkUK. All of the photos will be uploaded to our special Flickr photo wall and our favourite piece will win the amazing Amazon Kindle!

The winner will be announced on the Hallmark Twitter and Facebook on Friday 14th of October at 5pm.  Keep reading for more chances to win incredible prizes!

 

A Note on ITV1’s Daybreak Art Stars

The official ITV1’s Daybreak ‘Art Stars’ competition is for young artists between 7-14 and offers the prize of the winners card being produced and sold nationwide in time for Christmas by us. Haven’t entered yet? Make sure you do on the ITV1 Daybreak website before the competition closes on Monday 17th October at 8pm. For more info and handy tips on how to enter click here

 

 

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October
14

Art Stars: Top tips for creating the perfect Christmas card…

 

 

Win the chance to get your designs printed and sold online and in stores in time for Christmas!

Have you heard about the launch of Art Stars – the brand new Daybreak competition? If you don’t know already, they are giving young art enthusiasts across the UK, the chance to turn their mantel masterpieces into a real Hallmark card sold through hallmark.co.uk and Hallmark stores this Christmas!

That’s right, ITV’s Daybreak are calling for talented young artists between the ages of 7-14 to get creative and design a Christmas card with a verse or greeting inside based on the theme ‘What Christmas means to me’.

But hurry, the competition closes this coming Monday, 17th of October at 8pm!

So, can’t wait to enter but looking for a bit of inspiration to kick start your creativity? Simply take a look at our top tips for helpful hints with your entry:-

1. Tell us a story! Sticking to the theme of the competition, Daybreak wants you to tell them what Christmas means to you.  Think about what makes your Christmases special and try to incorporate this into your designs.

2. Get inspired! Before you get started, be sure to check out our Christmas card section on the Hallmark website for festive ideas and inspiration for your designs. (Be careful though, no copying! We’re looking for the most inventive and original designs.)

3. Think Happy! Giles Andreae, the creator of Purple Ronnie says: “Make sure your cards are fun, bright and full of joy. Christmas is a happy time of year so we like to celebrate with lots of bright colours and cheerful words and illustrations!” To see Giles’s Purple Ronnie lesson, simply click here.

4. Keep it simple! Remember not to stick anything onto your card. Sequins and sparkles look pretty but unfortunately they can’t be printed! Stick to pens and pencils.

5. Find your inner artist! Budding artist and One Direction member Zayn can show you how to improve your drawing skills and who knows, you could turn in to a future Picasso!

6. Bust a rhyme! We’d love to read some creative verses inside our Christmas cards. It doesn’t have to rhyme just let us know what Christmas means to you in your own words.

7. If you’re still struggling for inspiration, watch out for tips from celebrities and artists alike all this week, including those from Art Attack’s Neil Buchanan!

8. Finally, to make sure your entry is included, don’t forget to check the entry requirements and terms and conditions, on the Daybreak website.

 We look forward to seeing all your Art Stars entries!

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October
12

Daybreak and Hallmark Cards call out for young ‘Art Stars’

Win the chance to get your designs printed and sold online and in stores!

 

Are you a budding artist between the ages of 7 and 14? Have you got a young son, daughter or relative who loves to get creative? If so, then this is the competition you’ve all been waiting for!

In association with Hallmark Cards, ITV’s  Daybreak are calling for talented young artists to get creative and design a Christmas card with a verse or greeting inside based on the theme, “What Christmas means to me”. Children across the UK are being given a unique opportunity to have their festive designs turned into a real card then sold nationwide through Hallmark.co.uk and Hallmark stores.

TV star Joe Swash launched the competition on this morning’s Daybreak, and with great clips and tips from celebrities, and artists alike, the search is on to find Britain’s best Christmas card designs. Check out budding artist and One Direction member, Zayn with his Art Stars master class!

Still stuck for inspiration? Why not take a look at our  Christmas cards on sale now? And don’t forget to keep checking back to our blog as we’ll be sharing our tips on how to create the perfect greeting card with a little help from our friend, Purple Ronnie!

The Art Stars competition opens today and will close for judging at 8pm on the 17th October. The winning design will be announced on Daybreak in November and will be printed by Hallmark Cards then sold nationwide in time for Christmas. So, with one week to make a mantle masterpiece, don’t waste any time, simply visit Daybreak and follow the instructions to enter.

For entry conditions and T&C’s click here

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October
10

“Never Forget”! the new Hallmark.co.uk Competition

The reminder service at Hallmark.co.uk means we can send you free reminders for all those important dates in your calendar.  But at Hallmark we are also keen to hear about those special unplanned moments that you ‘ll never forget!

It may be a surprise birthday party, a family tradition, or a long running joke shared amongst best friends,  but we all have special times in life that bring us closer to our loved-ones and that will forever stick out in our minds as unforgettable moments.

So, we are launching a fantastic competition designed to share all those moments that you will never forget!

Send us a picture and a short caption of your #neverforget moment on Facebook, by tagging us at HallmarkUK or send us a Twitpic@HallmarkUK.  All of the photos will be uploaded to our special Flickr photo wall and our favourite unforgettable moment will win a lovely £50 treat in Amazon vouchers!

To share your perfect moment with the one’s you love, why not personalise a card at hallmark.co.uk?! And for all of the other occasions that you might struggle to remember, why not use the free reminder service at Hallmark.co.uk?! There are thousands of great personalized greetings cards online to choose from and it couldn’t be easier to make your own!

What’s more, we now have an amazing 25% of all cards when you enter REMEMBER at the checkout!

What are you waiting for?! Share the moments you’ll never forget at hallmark.co.uk…

 

 

 

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September
8

Never Forget, Remember Hallmark.co.uk……

Have you ever had that horrible feeling when you’ve forgotten a special date?! If the answer is yes, then you’re just like Janice and Sandra, the pair of real-life chatty and chirpy elephants that star in our brand new TV advert!

They do say elephants never forget, but maybe Janice and Sandra get a bit of help from the free reminder service at Hallmark.co.uk.  So, whether it’s your granny’s birthday or you best friend’s wedding, here at Hallmark.co.uk, we are here to help!

With our brand new reminder service, we will send you reminders for all the  important celebrations in your diaries, absolutely FREE! What’s more, there are thousands of great personalised greetings cards to choose from on our website and it couldn’t be easier to personalise your own!

If you’re still wondering how quick and easy it really could be, then don’t be afraid of the mouse! Click hereto see how it works!

To celebrate Janice and Sandra’s special on screen appearance and the launch of our reminder service – we are giving you an elephant-size discount of 25% on ALL cards in your basket. Simply click hallmark.co.uk and enter REMEMBER at the checkout.

So make sure you never forget, remember Hallmark.co.uk for personalised cards

Tell us the occasions you’ve forgotten on Twitter #neverforget or Facebook us your forgetful stories!

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September
5

Top things for your kids to do this summer….

 

Here at Hallmark HQ, we love the summertime but understand its hard keeping the kids entertained, so we’ve put our heads together to come up with top things for kids to do this summer. With any luck these activities will keep your little monkeys out of mischief and keep you from checking the calendar to see when school begins!

1. Camping –The excitement of sleeping in a makeshift bed and eating beans from a can may not sound the most thrilling for some, but kids relish the opportunity to roast marshmallows on the fire, set up home somewhere new and go on a bear hunt. So why not pack up for the weekend and set up camp at one of the UK’s family friendly campsites, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/5323968/Ten-of-the-UKs-best-family-friendly-campsites.html . With beautiful views and cosy pubs camping can be fun for parents too, but if that still doesn’t sound tempting send dad and the kids packing while you enjoy the peace and quiet at home.

2. Make a time capsule – Entertaining the kids doesn’t have to be expensive, making a time capsule is both fun and free. Encourage your kids to dig around for souvenirs, keepsakes and funny photos to build their very own time capsule. Write down the unsealing date and who should be present when the capsule is unsealed. Use an old biscuit tin or plastic Tupperware box to store the memories and make the container airtight. Let the kids find a spot to hide or bury their capsule, just make sure they don’t ruin the lawn! Don’t forget to get your child to write down the location of the capsule and store it in a safe place. NB. This is a sneaky way to get the kids to tidy their rooms too whilst scavenging for mementos!

3.  Nature Trails – Kids tend to fancy themselves as secret agents, snooping in your handbag, listening in on phone calls, relieve them of their detective instincts by sending them on a nature trail or treasure hunt. The Woodland Trust provides a downloadable treasure hunt pack, with trails, scrapbook, scavenger hunts, certificate and even a cut out pirate hat! http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/packs/treasure.htm  To make a proper day of it bring a picnic, take a rest stop, admire the beautiful views and munch on a cucumber sandwich! http://www.treasuretrails.co.uk/walking-trails.html

 4. Make a herb garden – This may not sound particularly appealing for kids, but making a herb garden can be surprisingly fun and educational too. First get your kids to draw up a plan of the suggested herb garden, let them get creative with colouring pencils and paints. Take the kids to your supermarket and get them to choose their herbs. Remember to check the packet and note their eventual size, so you don’t end up with an overgrown, unruly garden. Mint recovers quickly if your children tend to run riot in the garden, as does thyme which also releases a lovely scent whenever toys are driven over it! Find a sunny spot in the garden and make sure the soil is neutral to alkaline with good drainage, and then get planting! Suggest planting herbs in patterns or so they spell out your child’s name and encourage your kids to take a taste and smell their choices. Remember this can be an on-going project, ask them to trim and water their herb garden and get them to pick herbs for tonight’s dinner. Not only are they helping you with the gardening, but the cooking too! http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pasta-with-five-fresh-herbs-10000001087106/

 5. Set up a lemonade stand – Bring out the entrepreneurial spirit in your kin and suggest they sell lemonade. Buy plenty of lemons and granulated sugar as well as disposable cups and locate several large pitchers. Help your kids to juice the lemons and combine with cold water, and then dissolve the sugar, adding according to taste. Stir briskly and drop in some ice cubes to keep it fresh. Lend your kids a table and chair and suggest setting up trade at the foot of your driveway or somewhere where lots of people or cars pass by. Make a large sign and price your lemonade and they’re ready to sell! This project will keep your children entertained for days if not the whole summer. Encourage them to go into business with brothers, sisters and friends and to replenish the lemonade supply as the traffic demands, to keep them on their toes!

Finally, if the summers drawing to an end and those last few days with the kids are proving difficult, get them to make a scrapbook of everything they’ve done and all the activities they’ve enjoyed this summer. This should keep them busy enough so you can have a few days to yourself!

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August
18
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