Treasured Memories: The Hunt for the UK’s Ultimate Keepsake is ON!

Be in with the chance of winning prizes worth over £350, including a fantastic Nikon-1 J1 camera!

We’re delighted to be launching a brand new competition this week that will see us search the country high and low for the UK’s Ultimate Treasured Memory. Letters, greetings cards, mix-tapes, your baby’s hospital bracelet or a warm knitted hat from Granny…we’re inviting families across the UK to share the objects that bring to mind their most treasured memories for a unique online gallery, which launches today, May 15th. Entrants will also have the chance to have the items brought to life in
National Media Museum (Bradford) later this year!
From the touching and traditional to the brilliantly bizarre, articles can be photographed and uploaded by anyone in the UK until 12th June, with written entries also accepted. Showcasing a treasure trove of meaningful mementos, the keepsake collection will be available to view on our Facebook page and will give an insight into what our nation holds most dear.
To enter a keepsake into the online gallery, simply submit a photograph or description of your most prized possession at Hallmark UK. All entries will then be added into our prize draw too!
Following this initial entry period, a panel of expert judges (including the Mummy Blogger behind Inside the Wendy House, Wendy McDonald and Exhibitions and Displays Manager for the National Media Museum Amanda Chinneck ) will select a shortlist of entries. Judges will use a number of criteria, from the keepsake’s ability to capture a unique memorable moment to the comments that they inspire within the gallery. The finalists will then be put to a public vote to name the UK’s Ultimate Treasured Memory and the shortlisted contender with the most votes by 1pm on 5th July will be announced as the winner. They will receive a fantastic Treasured Memories prize package, worth over £350, including a Nikon-1 J1 camera.
So what are you waiting for? Reveal your most treasured keepsakes for all to see!
For more information about the Treasured Memory gallery, the competition T&Cs or to enter a keepsake, please visit our Facebook page: Hallmark UK.

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May
15

Introducing Abigail…..The Perfect Easter Gift for Your Little Bunnies


When it comes to interactive storytelling, Abigail is the perfect gift for your little bunnies this Easter. Abigail the toy bunny is a real girls’ girl. She loves tea parties and playing dress up and through her adventures learns the vital life lesson that being herself is the absolute best she can be.

Abigail the bunny comes with her own story book, ‘Abigail and the Balance Beam’ which follows the chatty bunny trying to make her mum extra proud of her by performing gymnastics. As passages from the book are read aloud, Abigail springs to life and joins in the story!

For more exciting adventures with Abigail there are additional reading books available including, ‘Abigail and the Tea Party’; a tale of a special tea party hosted by Abigail’s mummy and ‘Abigail and the Lost Purse’ which follows the discovery of some dress up clothes that later turns into a fun girlie game.

Children will love listening to the adorable floppy-eared bunny join in with the new exciting narratives as, page by page, a new phrase is unlocked for Abigail to say. This interactive book, as well as the delightful toy bunny itself, makes the reading experience a magical one for the whole family to share!

There is even more story time fun to be had with Abigail, with a downloadable app suitable for use on iPhones and iPads, to accompany the playful bunny. The free app includes a short animated story that can be played aloud through the app’s internal narrator or recorded by a loved one to add a personal touch to the tale. The app also includes child-friendly puzzles and an interactive game that lets your child play dress-up with Abigail, just like in the book!

Priced at £19.99 Abigail is available from April 2012 in our stores and at www.Hallmark.co.uk. The additional interactive stories for Abigail are also available from the same outlets priced at £5.99 each.

Further cuddly characters are set to join Abigail and the rest of the Story Buddy crew later in 2012.

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March
23

Things to do for mum this Mother’s Day on a budget

Celebrating Mother’s Day can be a heart-warming experience for the whole family, not just the matriarchs. It’s a time to get together and appreciate our mother figures. Mothering Sunday usually sees most families making visits to each other’s homes, going for meals out and really spoiling all of the mums in the family. Money is still tight in many of Britain’s households but that doesn’t mean you have to scrimp on the celebrations. We take a look at how you and the family can enjoy Mother’s Day for less in 2012…

A meal

Getting the family together for a meal can be a rare occasion; busy lifestyles can mean that get-togethers are few and far between, so make this one count. Like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day is one of the restaurant industry’s busiest days of the year, so this could hike costs up considerably. Consider celebrating on the Saturday instead, the day before Mother’s Day. This will mean you’re not confined to set menus and inflated prices.

Even better, cook a meal at home. Ask each family member to bring a bottle or a small contribution to the overall meal and the celebration will cost a lot less. You can cook your mum’s favourite meal and won’t have to worry about booking a table, cost or transport.

Short break away

There are many families which would love to go on a short break together but never think it’s financially possible; however you can get some really fantastic deals if you shop around. Using vouchers and deals you can create your own low budget getaway and make some fantastic savings. You can also get big discounts if you book last minute, especially at this time of year when demand is low. You can get really cheap flights to European city destinations like Paris, Madrid or Berlin, or you could get a really good deal on a beach holiday to Spain or the Canary Islands.

Alternatively you can stay here in good old Blighty. You should be able to get good quality deals for quite cheap when booking last minute on hotels. A UK city break to cities like York, Edinburgh, London and Newcastle can be very diverse and would be suitable for the whole family. You can have a great time exploring museums and the history of each city. You could opt for the seaside break too, choosing destinations like Blackpool or Bristol.

It’s not just the actual break away you can save money on; you can get great deals on family travel insurance if you use a comparison service. You can also get discounts off holiday accessories with voucher codes and deals, for things like clothing, food supplies and holiday extras.

Gifts
Don’t forget to buy your mum a little something to show you care. Never forget to buy her a Mother’s Day card. You can currently get 10% off Hallmark Mother’s Day cards with MoneySupermarket.com, so make sure you don’t pay over the odds.
Flowers are also a Mother’s Day staple and florists will be hectic at this time of year. To save some pennies why not buy her a nice plant for the garden instead? This should be a lot cheaper than a bouquet of flowers and can last a considerable amount longer. The plant will also remind your mum of the occasion every time she looks at it.

Things you can do for free

You don’t have to spend a penny to make your mum feel special. It’s the little touches you can do which really sets this day apart from the rest. Here are a few little ideas that will be sure to make her day wonderful:
- Do her chores; including running any errands she might need doing.
- Walk the dog.
- Do any odd jobs around the house that she needs doing, like mowing the lawn or putting up a shelf.
- Be her waiter; if she wants a cuppa be on hand with the teapot!
- Make sure she relaxes- ensure she puts her feet up and leave her with a good read.

All of these ideas are completely free and will help to make Mother’s Day very special.

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March
5

Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day for less (without scrimping!)

What better ways to let the apple of your eye know just how much you love them by spoiling them on Valentine’s Day? It’s the perfect day to take time out and concentrate on the person that makes you the happiest. One thing that is unfortunately associated with Valentine’s Day is the cost. Cards, presents and a meal out can be very expensive so we’ve put this guide together to help you beat the expensive nature of the day of love…

Gifts
It’s normal to want to shower your other half with gifts on Valentine’s Day, but the thought of splurging on the most luxurious items can be daunting, especially when our finances are getting back on track after Christmas. With the help of some great discounts and deals you can cut the price of your gift shopping dramatically. Here are a few tips on how to get the most of for your money on popular Valentine’s staples:

Cards
Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be complete without receiving a card from your partner. It’s a token of their love and is probably the most traditional Valentine’s pastime there is. You can currently get 10% off cards when you use this Hallmark voucher from MoneySupermarket.com, so make sure you order in plenty of time for delivery. Whats more, you can personalise them to make them even more special.

Flowers

Source

Most women (and some men) would love to receive a bunch of their favourite flowers this Valentine’s Day, but you don’t have to spend a fortune. Don’t be lured into buying red roses which are synonymous with Valentine’s Day. These can be expensive and prices can be hiked to go with the large demand in February. If your partner has mentioned they like a specific type of flower in the past buy them a bunch of those instead; tulips, lilies and carnations can look just as special and will probably be half the price. Alternatively buy a pretty pot plant, like an orchid which will last a lot longer.

Chocolates

Source

Chocolate is a popular gift choice for both sexes, but a box of the finest could cost you a packet. Many high street chocolate retailers are offering discount codes in time for Valentine’s Day which could save you a considerable amount. Have you ever thought about making your own? Making your own truffles is very easy and basic ones can be made with just a few ingredients. Present them in a homemade gift box and save yourself some pennies.

Eating Out

If you plan to book a table at a restaurant for the 14th Feb, be sure to be prepared for the cost. Valentine’s Day is one the restaurant industry’s busiest days so most restaurants will cope with demand by creating set menus at relatively high prices. If your other half is a fussy eater this could cause problems because the amount of choice at many restaurants is decreased. Why not celebrate Valentine’s Day a day or so early or late? This means that you can have a choice of whole menus instead of being restricted. You can also choose a time which suits you and pick a time when you could use a restaurant voucher to save some money on the total bill.
Alternatively, cook a meal at home. This gives you the chance to spend some quality time alone and to practice your culinary skills. You can create your own romantic setting and make your other half their favourite. This is bound to be cheaper than shelling out for a set menu at your favourite restaurant.

A break away
Fancy sweeping your loved one away for a romantic break? This can be expensive because of the time of year and like the restaurant industry this will be one of the busiest periods for hotels too. There are a few ways which you can book time away for Valentine’s Day that won’t cost the Earth. One way to save cash is to choose the beginning or end of February for your break away. As mentioned before the hotel industry is likely to be fully booked for the 14th and the days that surround it. Book for the first week or last week in February and enjoy lower prices and more availability.

When choosing your destination, don’t just think close to home. Due to the economic climate airline companies are offering flights at heavily discounted rates (especially if you book in advance). You can get flights to some fantastic European destinations like Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Rome for less than what you’d pay for train fair to a UK city destination. You can also use MoneySupermarket deals to find great discounts on hotels, which will again be cheaper if you book in advance. What better way to impress your partner by whisking them abroad? Trips to places in the UK can come at high costs, especially when factoring in petrol and train costs, so always explore your options before booking your trip.

Be romantic
Being romantic costs nothing and can overshadow the most expensive gift. The idea of romance is different for everyone, so take note of the little things your beau likes and pay attention to them. Lighting a few candles, baking a cake, going for a romantic walk or doing their share of daily chores are all either free or low cost ideas to really make the day special.

Written by the Deals and Vouchers team at MoneySupermarket.com

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February
7

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.

Alliecreative

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
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