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gift ideas

A 'Fund our Wedding Photography' patchwork wedding gift list in an iPad

Alternative Wedding Registry: Fund Your Wedding Photography

by Rosie Hurwitz September 8, 2020

We know planning a wedding can be stressful and expensive, and at the moment, while things remain so uncertain, there’s even more to think about. Most couples who use Patchwork choose to invite their friends and family to contribute towards an amazing honeymoon – and because we are THE flexible wedding registry – and all gift money is yours to spend how you wish – anything you plan with Patchwork is 100% safe and secure! However if the honeymoon is taken care of, you have all the household “stuff” you need and are looking for alternative gift options – why not think about asking guests to contribute towards your wedding photography?

Image credit: Andrew Heeley Photography

Why fund your Wedding Photography?

We asked wedding photographer Andrew Heeley what he thought of the idea: “Photography is one of the few elements from your wedding that you will return to year-after-year, not only that, but you’ll hand down your wedding photos to future generations – I have my parents and grandparents wedding albums and my children love the chance to have a peak back in time when we get them out. Good fine art albums and photo books are quality, hand-made products designed to last multiple lifetimes, but the cost can be a little daunting. Patchwork is an amazing way to get your family and friends to help with those additional costs, and they can get the joy of seeing the physical memory of your wedding too!”

Image of gay couple in matching mustard suits standing by two huge water tanks looking in to each others eyes — Image credit: Lisa Jane Photography

Your wedding photos are the gift you’ll treasure forever.

Rowan at Parrot and Pineapple agrees: “Including your wedding photography as part of an alternative gift registry is a fantastic idea. So many of my couples have said that they love their wedding photos so much because it’s pretty much the only thing you get to keep after your wedding. All your planning and hard work gets captured by your wedding photos, along with the emotions and sentiment of your guests enjoying your wedding. There’s literally no better present to treasure than photographs! And while I might be a bit biased given my job, I do truly believe that. I have my grandparents wedding album from when they married in 1945, and my great grandparents wedding portrait from when they married in 1920. If my house was burning down, it would be those items that I rescued first (along with my dog!)”

A gift that your guests will love giving.

Whatever your wedding plans are, you’ll want great photos to remember your special day. Plus, asking guests to “gift” this service is a really nice way for friends and family to be a part of your day even if they can’t attend on the day. Guests get that lovely feeling of knowing they are helping you to create amazing memories by contributing towards the cost of your wedding photography instead of physical gifts. They can be involved in your celebrations in a way that’s meaningful to you, and they get to see the gorgeous photos afterwards too! We asked wedding planner Cherelle Joseph Founder of Perfectly Planned 4 You for her thoughts. As a fellow wedding supplier who loves exploring concepts outside of convention, and making dreams a reality she says: “With many couples already living together, today’s lists are less about traditional, wedding gifts made up of items for a couple’s first home, and more about guests celebrating your marriage with a gift that you can keep forever. The best way to make sure your wedding memories are captured and recorded for a lifetime is through the photos that you take on the big day. Using Patchwork gift registry is a brilliant, stylish, and simple way to ask your guests to help you do this.”

Photo of couple on wedding day, from behind, walking through forest holding hands — Image credit: Craig Williams Photography

So how does Patchwork Gift Registry work?

With a Patchwork Gift Registry you show your friends and family via a ‘Pinterest’ style page, the things you’re dreaming of and they help to fund them – with cash direct to you. Everyone can contribute as much or as little as they like, and feel connected to you and involved in your plans.

Bride putting on a pale blue open toe show against an dusky oink patterned rug — Image credit: Babb Photo

You collect all gift money in to your PayPal or bank account. You can keep track of all cash contributions in your Patchwork account, read gift messages, send event updates and then afterwards send thanks to everyone who helped make it happen!

Setting up Your Wedding Photography Gift Registry

It’s super simple to set up a Wedding Photography Gift Registry and you don’t need to be techy or spend lots of time to create a really professional, fun and engaging page. Use our gorgeous readymade template and personalise it to suit your celebration. You can add your own event details, edit images and set gift amounts, letting everyone know the things they can choose to fund, make or do. For example, you could include a patch for people to pay for a shot of the two of you for £200, chip in towards a hand-made album for £100, or a shot of the cake for £50. If you don’t want to just ask for money, you can add make and do patches too if you wish – maybe you know someone creative who can turn a favourite wedding photo in to a work of art?

Image credit: Parrot & Pineapple Photography

How easy is it for guests to use?

When you publish your patchwork you’ll get a unique website address (URL) which you can then share with your guests on invites, your wedding website or via email. Everyone can then view your patchwork and choose how they’d like to contribute, and leave you a lovely congratulations message too. Payment is secure and simple, with a choice of PayPal, debit card or credit card. And because all gift money goes direct to you, you can start to book your photographer and put down deposits straight away!

It’s super easy to keep track of gifts and messages from guests. So after the wedding, you can upload photos to your account to send along with a thank you message to the friends who funded specific parts of your patchwork. Plus, you can also send printed thank you cards using our 30% discount with our friends at Moo.

All the need to knows…

It’s easy to sign up to Patchwork and you’ll be supporting vital work on climate action too. We offer a choice of a one-off fee of £50 or a monthly subscription of £6 to use Patchwork. With both options, 50% of the sign up fee goes direct to one of our three environmental charity partners: Friends of the Earth, Survival International or ClientEarth. Patchwork is not tied to any suppliers and we don’t hold your funds. Instead all gift money goes directly into your PayPal or bank account via Stripe so you can spend it when, where and how you like. We’re proud of the amazing feedback we receive every day from our couples, and hope you’ll join them. But don’t take our word for it! Read more from happy couples who’ve used Patchwork.

Ready to give it a try? Let’s go!

Our gorgeous readymade Wedding Photography template is easy to personalise so you can have a stylish and personal gift registry set up in a few minutes. If you enjoy being creative you can start your own page from scratch and upload your own images and write your own descriptions.

Photography credits:

Andrew Heeley Photography

Laura Babb at Babb Photo

Lisa Jane Photography

Rowan at Parrot & Pineapple

Craig Williams Photography

Laura Martha Photography

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Gift Ideas

Sunny Day Gifting: Digital Giving During Lockdown

by Rosie Hurwitz May 14, 2020

written by Rosie Hurwitz

We’ve certainly had a lot of grey and stormy days lately; but even on the bleakest days we can always look out for rainbows, and remind ourselves that storms don’t last forever. In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, babies are being born, birthdays are being celebrated, and important milestones and anniversaries will be marked. Whilst social distancing measures make it impossible to physically be together to celebrate, we can still show our love from a distance. In fact, now more than ever, it’s important to remind friends and loved ones that their special days are not forgotten! Digital giving, distance gifting, or ‘sunny day gifting’ are all on the rise, and Patchwork is perfect for them all!

What is sunny day gifting?

Sunny day gifting is simply sending someone a gift now, to be enjoyed when the clouds clear. So, you might want to treat your friend or loved one to a luxury spa day, a night at the theatre or a birthday sky dive. With Patchwork you can set up a group gift page in minutes, share the link with friends and collect cash contributions towards the big gift. Then on their (lockdown) birthday you can gift them their beautiful patchwork page, with all the messages from their friends and the money towards their ‘sunny day gift’ to be spent when they are ready. It’s a way of connecting with friends, and bringing some joy and excitement to their special day. When life returns to normal and this is a distant memory they can enjoy their gift and send thanks to all those who made it happen!

Patchwork rainbow fund

If you’re not sure what your friend might need or want – we’ve thought of that too. Have a look at our brand new Rainbow Fund template. It’s kind of like a rainy day fund but much more fun. It’s money towards whatever it is that will help keep them excited about the future. Allowing them to dream of freedom to come; something to plan for, when the clouds have finally lifted.

Ideas for new baby gifts while social distancing

A new arrival is always a sign of hope and new beginnings, and one of the happiest (and cutest) occasions to celebrate. Social distancing measures are especially important for pregnant women and no-one wants to spread germs to a brand new baby, so distance gifting is extra important. Whether you want to treat the new parents to a food delivery service, or contribute towards a big item like a new cot, Patchwork makes it easy with readymade templates that can be customised in minutes.

Say happy birthday with love, from a distance

There are going to be a lot of birthdays celebrated during lockdown, and whilst the parties might have to be put off, the birthday gifts don’t! You can use Patchwork to get together with friends and family and let loved ones know you are thinking of them on their special day. Collect birthday messages on the page to share with your birthday buddy and they can treat themselves to their gift whenever they like. Whether it’s a subscription of beers for a year, money towards a vegetable patch, or contributions towards a new sofa (for all that staying at home!) they’ll feel loved from a distance.

So if you know someone with a birthday or special occasion coming up (or if you have one coming up yourself!) check out our 100s of stylish templates and get some distance gift inspiration to bring some joy to someone you love!

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Patchwork honeymoon fund "A Year of Dates" in iPad

Gift Ideas Wedding Planning

Alternative Wedding Gift – A Year of Dates

by Rosie Hurwitz February 14, 2020

written by Rosie Hurwitz

Date nights shouldn’t just be reserved for Valentines Day. Keep them coming throughout the year with Patchwork. Ditch the traditional Wedding Gift List in favour of a Patchwork Year of Dates fund.

Keep the romance alive and ask your friends and family to fund towards all the fun things you want to do together in your first year of marriage.

Whether you’d like funds towards a date kayaking down the Thames together, a restorative couples’ massage or fancy doing a cookery course together, you can customise the Year of Dates patchwork to bring your Year of Dates to life.

If you rate treasured experiences over pots and pans, then this is the alternative Gift List for you.

Why ‘A Year of Dates’ Is Great!

Gives you lots to look forward to
Helps cure any post wedding day blues
Keeps the romance alive!
Creates lots of lovely memories
Values experiences over yet more ‘stuff’
Totally customisable so you can share all the things you love doing together

#MoreLoveLessStuff. See our Year of Dates template for the wedding gift that’s high on fun and low on waste!

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Girl with brown hair wearing Christmas glasses, scarf and red bow

Patchwork Perspective

A waste-free joy-filled way to celebrate Christmas

by Ismay Ozga October 31, 2019

written by Ismay Ozga

’tis the season to be jolly – and therefore ’tis the season of gift-giving too. As a platform founded on the joy of giving gifts, you’d be absolutely right in thinking we bloomin’ love this time of year. More specifically, Patchwork’s mission is to encourage gift-giving that is creative, collective and resourceful. Therefore, we’re really excited to launch a revolutionised way of looking at gift-giving that ticks all those boxes. We present to you: The Give List! It’s a waste free and joy filled way to celebrate Christmas.

Give List – the gift of joy this Christmas

The Give List is something Rosie’s 8-year-old Bo created. We loved it so much we decided to make it a thing. The idea is that in lieu of a classic, bullet-pointed, straight-to-cart Christmas shopping list where people buy you physical gifts. Our users are instead creating a Give List. This allows friends and family to give the gift of kindness, connection, learning and love instead. Take a look at Bo’s for inspiration.

Bo’s Father Christmas Letter

Creating a Patchwork Give List allows you to invite family and friends to ‘Fund, Make and Do’ things that you (and the planet) will really appreciate. Including a ‘DO’ patch in your Patchwork Give List is a way to ask people to share an experience with you. For example, going on a coffee date or going to an exhibition you’ve wanted to go to for ages. Or you could invite family to DO something. For example, gifting you some cuttings from their house plants so you can grow your own in the new year.

Adding a ‘MAKE’ patch (you guessed it) encourages people to make you a present. You could ask for delicious eggnog brownies, knitted bed socks or a painting (from a famous family artist or a keen kid). You can also set up a few FUND patches. People can contribute towards a much wanted gift or help fund a personal project. The things you ask family to fund, make and do are totally up to you. Set up your Give List.

Waste-free Christmas gifts

Of course one of the brilliant things about setting up a Patchwork Give List is that it reduces unnecessary waste. No unwanted presents sitting sadly in a pile until January when, in a bid to start afresh, you give – or, worse, throw – them away. Gifting people things and experiences that can’t be discarded means they’re even more enjoyable. You are creating memories that last forever rather than stuff that ends up in landfill.

There could be a bigger, potentially more expensive gift or experience that you’d like to ask for for Christmas. However, you could never dream of asking someone to buy it on their own. This way your pals and family can collectively contribute towards it.

They can each fund a piece of it, with all these pieces building up (yep you guessed it, like a beautiful patchwork) to fund that one thing you really want. Imagine how lovely it would be to do that cooking, coding, circus training or wine tasting course you’ve always wanted to do. Or buy that brand new bike or the laptop you need. Knowing it’s been made possible by the love and support of all your nearest and dearest.

See all our Christmas gift Patchworks

Giving to good causes this Christmas

Another reason we love waste free Christmas Give Lists is because it helps you mobilise people towards a cause you really care about. If there’s something close to your heart that you’d like to support this Christmas, you can add a ‘fund’ patch to collect money from family that you can donate to a cause. This year Bo is asking for gift money so she can go to the shops and buy things for her local Food bank.

We love Give Lists for so many reasons; they’re an innovative, refreshed look at a tired old problem; they promote kindness and joy, which is what we’re all about at Patchwork; it can bring people together and foster a sense of community; and help people save money and they reduce waste. What’s not to love?

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Party Planning Patchwork Kids

Our Advice For a Feel-Good Eco-Christmas

by Ismay Ozga December 6, 2018

written by Ismay Ozga

Here are our top tips on how to celebrate a feel-good eco-Christmas and enjoy the festive season whilst reducing your plastic and carbon footprint at the same time.

Relax, imperfect is perfect

Splodgy, glittery paper ones made by little ones, thoughtfully chosen gifts from friends, inherited antiques, some cheap and tacky and some quite special – the best bit about Christmas is getting the boxes of decorations out and re-using and re-discovering the random, familiar collection of pieces year after year. They might not be matchy-matchy but they all have a memory attached and give the tree a comforting, homely look. An eco-Christmas is about telling your own family story. So, enjoy growing your collection, but don’t feel you have to buy new ones each year or follow this year’s on-trend colour scheme. And don’t throw out the glittery pine cones yet.

Eco Christmas, green Christmas, Christmas decorations

Deck the halls … green

Collecting new and 100% natural decorations however is totally different. And really fun. Head out to find holly branches, long ivy tendrils and festive foliage from your local park to hang around window frames, drape over wall mirrors, wind around stair banisters or use as table decorations – even more lovely when wrapped with fairy lights. Then use scraps of ribbon or lace to tie rosemary and other herbs or twigs around old jars and put a candle inside for an easy decoration that doesn’t cost a penny. Pinterest has loads of homemade decoration inspo for your eco-Christmas.

Eco Christmas, Christmas disco, kids Christmas

Action packed Advent

The classic paper picture calendar is a lovely way to countdown the days till Christmas. As kids we used to use the same one for a few years in a row! But if you want a new one each year make sure it’s made from recycled paper. To avoid adding to plastic consumption invest in a re-useable calendar that you can bring out year after year. Choose from wooden houses or nativity sets, or fabric hanging calendars. Or make your own by using small bags tied or pegged up and fill them with sweets and treats. If you don’t want to encourage guzzling chocolate every morning, talk to your family about doing a month of advent activities like Christmas baking, a front room Christmas disco, or just a walk or drive around your local streets admiring the Christmas lights on the houses. The “reverse advent” is also lovely: each day instead of receiving a gift, make a box and place an item inside that will be needed and wanted by a local food bank or homeless shelter. An eco-Christmas allows kids to learn that to give to others as well as receive is a gift in itself.

Waste free wrapping

When wrapping presents try to avoid foil embossed paper that can’t be recycled and make sure you use plain or patterned paper. Even better use recycled craft wrap, or use old newspaper, magazines or last years calendars. Plain brown paper or newspaper can be dressed with foliage, lace or ribbon, (to keep and use again) or get creative with paints and stamps to add some colour.
If you keep old Christmas cards, cut them up and use them to make this years gift tags. It’s the sort of activity that will keep kids busy for an hour while you make dinner. Making up eco-Christmas hampers as gifts? Avoid covering in cellophane, and the same if you buy flowers from a florist, just ask them not to use plastic wrap – they usually have a paper option too.

Eat, drink and be merry

If you’re planning a big family Christmas it makes sense to ask people to pitch in to help with the festive food and drink and means people don’t feel compelled to buy grown up gifts. Someone can bring wine, another cheese and someone can peel the potatoes! Organise yours here for an easy, fun and stress free day.

Cut out the plastic

Zero waste, or even plastic-free food shopping is a real challenge, plastic IS everywhere, and some will find its way in to your trolley. We recently tried to go for just one week buying zero plastic. Even with amazing support from our four kids it was really difficult. Eye opening and educational. But tough! What it taught me was that it’s no good making zero plastic a start point for your eco-Christmas. Better you set your zero plastic ambition as a goal! Start small by swapping products in plastic for their cardboard or glass counterparts and aim to reduce as much as you can. Swap your plastic ketchup and mayo for glass bottles. Choose unwrapped fruit and veg if it’s an option. Take your own bags or containers and buy loose bakery items and meat from the counter. If you do buy plastic packaged items, buy in bulk if you can. And don’t forget the milkman! A proper old-fashioned bottle of milk delivered to your doorstep in re-useable glass bottles makes mornings happy. Find out more at milkandmore.

Eco shopping, shopping bag, no plastic, shop local

Celebrate your local shops

Where possible, buy locally produced goods in the run up to your eco-Christmas (seasonal veg, English wine and beer) and support your local independent shops and markets who will really value your custom. They are more likely to be open and adaptable to making changes to packaging if their customers ask too. Find your local market here.

Christmas gnomes, Christmas decorations, elves

Try something new

There’s been a huge rise in veganism in the last few years along with concerns about the impact on our environment. In 2018 every eco-Christmas table needs a non-meat alternative! Christmas isn’t a time to go without, so if you love your turkey or goose then go for it, but try some of the non-meat options if you get a chance – they’ve come a long way! See the latest on offer from your supermarket here or if you feel like trying some recipes yourself check out some delicious ideas from Viva and these from the Jamie Oliver.

Christmas present, Christmas gift, Christmas experience, buy less,

Give Group Love

Get together with friends and family to buy one big gift that’s really wanted.. It doesn’t have to be a material object. A massage, dancing lessons, or a special dinner date can all be gifted easily. Or club together for that really wanted new bike or watch that will make them happy. An eco-Christmas can and should be fun and joyful and gift giving is about showing love and thought and giving something that will be treasured and loved.

Green Christmas, coloured pens, stationery

Good green stocking fillers for under £5

It’s easy to find reasonably priced stocking fillers for an eco-Christmas. How about a bamboo toothbrush, some packaging free beauty products like these gorgeous ones from Lush or the latest novel from around £5.00 (even better if it’s second hand!). Support your local charity shops and bookshops or try Waterstones.

Pop some slave free chocolate in from Tony’s Chocolonely – they use uncoated, recycled FSC-certified paper for their wrapping or try this from Seed & Bean – the wrapping is non-plastic and fully compostable.

Then raid the charity shops for pre-loved toys and games and don’t forget the socks and satsumas!

To set up your own eco Christmas wish list check out our beautiful and easy to customise template here.

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Gift Ideas

Eco Christmas – Best Gift Ideas For All The Family

by Ismay Ozga November 21, 2018

written by Ismay Ozga

A truly feel good Christmas

A stress-free Christmas that’s joyful and extra special – it’s what we all want, right? Often though, it can feel like an endless to-do list. We feel guilty that we aren’t doing enough, or ironically, with awareness of the effects of mass consumerism, guilt that we’ve done too much. So here’s a common sense approach to eco Christmas gifts that’s good for the planet and our pockets, plus it makes everyone feel good too.

Love not money

Of course, to most families Christmas is about love but it’s also about giving and receiving. We are all conditioned to think a gift is box shaped and wrapped up in paper and a bow. But, there are other ways to show our love. Give great gifts for an eco Christmas without excessive waste, expense or guilt.

Experiences over stuff

Cinema trips, an hour of trampolining, ice skating, your favourite lunch place, or a Christmas Panto? A woodland bike ride, a blustery beach walk or inviting all your kids’ friends over for a festive sleepover. Some of these ideas cost money, some are free but all are fun. In addition, they will make memories that last longer than the five minute thrill of tearing the wrapping paper from another novelty gift or toy.

Set up your own eco Christmas wish list of experiences with Patchwork. You can explain to family and friends what you are trying to achieve. Then show them exciting experiences and thoughtful gifts that are really wanted and will be appreciated and treasured. It takes the pressure off them too. There’s no more scouring the high street in a last minute panic worrying if you’ll like what they’ve bought. Just a few clicks and the Christmas shopping is done, with no waste and no stress.

Giving your time and skills

People who use Patchwork demonstrate every day that gifts don’t have to have a price tag. Sometimes the best gift you can give is your time and your talent! Little children in particular often just want to spend time with the grown ups they love. Promise a trip to the park, give the treat of a hot chocolate and cake, offer to play a game or take time to read with them. For older kids, offer to help them make or bake something, teach them a skill, watch their favourite film with them or take them for an afternoon out doing their favourite thing.

Old is the new new

Lego sets, board games, dress-ups, dolls, Playmobil, train sets, scooters and bikes are durable and made to last. Why not try and find them second hand in great condition for a fraction of the price? It’s easy to explain that the gifts in their stocking don’t have packaging because Father Christmas is aiming for an eco Christmas too. “Well kids, this year I’ve heard Santa is on a plastic-reducing mission too and I have to say I’m with him.” If Father Christmas can’t do the right thing what hope is there for the rest of us?

Find vintage treasures

There are also so many things that can only be bought second hand and are valuable because they aren’t new. A football programme from your child’s team in the year they were born, a vintage dolls house or piece of furniture. Search on eBay or Gumtree and check out local charity shops too and help others whilst you shop.

Bake something

Gingerbread men, chocolate brownies, biscuits to hang on the tree. Whatever your kids’ favourites, you, or they, depending on their age, can make these as eco Christmas gifts for friends and family. Keep jars to gift them in or twist them up in some paper with a ribbon. If you want to give an edible gift but haven’t got time to make one, look for sweet treats in non-plastic wrappers. Mr Simms sweet shops sell old-fashioned loose sweets by weight in paper bags; stores are nationwide. Or give a Christmas Cookie mix in a jar so the recipient can get involved in the making bit.

Give one thing they really want

It makes sense to spend the money we have on the things we really want or need, to pool resources and invest in quality. To get together to chip in for gifts that are really wanted. An eco Christmas doesn’t have to mean they go without.

If your child desperately wants the latest gadget/trainers/toy then don’t feel bad about treating them to the one thing they’re desperate for. If it’s a big ticket item like a new bike, or a laptop, ask family and friends to chip in to one thing that’s really wanted rather than showering them with 10 smaller gifts that will end up at the back of the cupboard before the New Year’s in. Check out some great examples – see our Christmas collection for inspiration.

So, if you want to have a really eco Christmas this year:

Remember it’s about love, not money
Give experiences instead of stuff
Make your presents
Give second-hand gifts
Find vintage treasures
Chip in for one big present

Our Christmas present to you all is a free code, so you can get busy making Christmas patchworks (whether you our new eco Christmas gift idea patchwork or make your own from scratch) just enter the code GIVEJOY when you publish and we will waive our fee.

Author: Rosie is head of customer experience at Patchwork. She has 4 children and this year she’s planning an eco Christmas.

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Patchwork Perspective

Why Old is the New New.

by Ismay Ozga October 30, 2018

written by Ismay Ozga

Team Patchwork love nothing more than a Sunday morning wander around a boot fair, a Saturday afternoon rummage through a charity, vintage or antique shop and a bit of late night (drunk) shopping on ebay. Finding second hand treasures is just so good for so many reasons. Here are our top seven reasons why old is the new new:

Old things are more original

Want to avoid turning up to a party, wedding or Bar Mitzvah in the same dress as someone else? Swap the high street and go vintage. If you want your living room to look less, well, MADE, go vintage. If you want to buy a really unique football shirt, handbag or kid’s bike, go vintage.

Old things are made better

If you want to buy affordable furniture, clothes or toys that are handmade using quality materials and real craftsmanship, opt for second hand products made before 1960 – when mass produced consumer goods really took off. The fact that mid-century fashion and furniture continue to be so desirable is not just because the design stands the test of time but because the quality of the product and manufacture do too – even 60 years later.

Old things are cheaper

It’s not that beautifully designed, handmade, quality products made by non-sweatshop labour aren’t made today. There are tons of brilliant craft brands making great products in Britain and beyond. But they are rightly an investment to make and therefore cost a lot. While beautifully made secondhand and vintage items (excluding serious antiques) are generally much cheaper.

Old things have history

We love buying a vintage dress and imagining the designer at Dior, the seamstress in Dagenham or the teenager who choose the pattern and the fabric and whipped it up for the weekend. We love feeling the grain on an antique sideboard, admiring the joinery on vintage dressing table or finding a forgotten note in an old chest of drawers. Old things have a real (or imagined) history. Handed down, swapped or sold, each new owner gives things new life and meaning. We become part of the story and that’s just nice somehow.

Old things are environmentally friendly

We’ve reached peak stuff. And when it’s the president of IKEA saying this we know it’s really serious. If you love shopping and want nice things that are new to you, the best way to consume with a conscience is to buy old things. That way you’re not contributing to consumer demand and you’re not using our precious planet’s finite resources to create new things, or the plastic packaging they invariably come in. You’re just getting joy from something that’s already in existence.

Old things contribute to the local economy

Whilst most new consumer goods are increasingly provided by a smaller number of dominant (and often dodgy) global corporations, when you buy something second hand, vintage or antique, you’re generally giving your money directly to a real person or small business. Whether via a virtual peer-to-peer marketplace like eBay or Gumtree, or a real world market, shop or auction house it’s a transaction that generally goes directly into a real person’s pocket. So buying second hand is often a nice way to shop local too.

Old things make you stop and chat

Although not always the case, the final thing we love about buying old things is that you so often get not just a sense of history but you get to meet new people and hear their stories too. Maybe we’re just nosy but we love that whether you’re picking up an old sink from ebay, buying a piece of art from a posh antique shop or a second hand toy from Deptford market, you get a chance to stop and chat to a stranger who will generally have something more interesting to say than the self-service machine in Sainsbury’s.

Have you got a special occasion coming up, but would rather friends choose second hand gifts, or even experiences instead of “stuff”? With Patchwork you invite friends and family to contribute towards gifts or experiences that are really wanted and are good for the planet too. Create your own zero waste gift list here.

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Patchwork Story

Patchwork Story: Lucy’s 40th Birthday Trip to Sweden

by Ismay Ozga August 24, 2017

written by Ismay Ozga

Lucy was about to celebrate her 40th birthday and wanted to mark the occasion by doing something super special. Her husband asked her about the one gift she would appreciate the most, and she decided it would be a trip to Sweden. So Simon set up a patchwork and asked her friends to crowdfund her adventure. We asked Lucy all about it.

So why did you decide on a trip to Sweden?

Last year one of my best friends recently moved back home to Sweden to be nearer her family. We only met four years ago through work but we instantly got on and she became like a sister to me! We got really used to seeing each other regularly so it was weird and sad when she moved away. It was nice to have such a great pen pal (she sends the best parcels in the world) and I was glad she was nearer her family but I missed seeing her terribly. I don’t have a very big income and don’t often travel abroad so when my husband asked me what I really wanted, I dropped a very big hint that I’d love to go to Stockholm to have some proper time with her!

Did you peek at your patchwork before the trip?

I mentioned a few of the places Lina was planning to take me but my husband kept it all a surprise. Every so often in the lead up to my birthday I saw Simon check his emails and make the sort of noise that can only mean ‘wow your friends are being really generous!’ – but I was very disciplined and didn’t let him show me!

How did Simon show you your birthday patchwork?

On the morning of my actual birthday in cold rainy January we went for a bracing walk along my favourite pier. Afterwards we stopped in a cosy cafe for a hot chocolate and he presented the finished patchwork to me as we sat getting warm. I was absolutely overwhelmed with everyone’s generosity and lovely messages, plus the sweet activities and day trips my friends had chosen to treat me to. I just burst into tears, I was so touched! There’s no way I would be able to afford such a fun trip with proper spending money. I was so excited.

So how was the trip?

It was AMAZING! Five whole days with my lovely Lina in a beautiful city, loads of delicious food, museums, galleries and lovely sunny days out. It was such a treat to have money to spend without worrying if I could afford it. I really can’t think of a better 40th birthday present. The trouble is, now I am desperate to go back again!

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Patchwork Couples

Patchwork Couple: Winter Honeymoon Adventure

by Ismay Ozga August 2, 2017

written by Ismay Ozga

Ange and Steph met in 2011 at work in Birmingham, and Ange says it was ‘friendship at first sight’. They both needed flatmates so they moved in together with another work pal. They soon found out they had loads in common and shared a bond only Celts living away from home amongst the English can share! A year later, Ange got a promotion and moved to London, and it was then they realised their true feelings. After 9 months of living apart and getting trains up and down, Steph decided to move to London so they could be together. Fast forward five and a half years and the couple are joined at the hip, still working and living together, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. We asked Ange all about their beautiful wedding day and found out how Patchwork helped give them the honeymoon of their dreams.

How did you two get engaged?

Steph organised a wonderful day of treats to celebrate our anniversary, including a spa day, lunch in our fave cafe, a stroll via ‘Love Lane’ (in London) before heading to a rooftop overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral, where Steph popped the question under the stars. It was a very surreal moment and one we will never forget. We took the next hour to ourselves sipping on champagne before we called the family to tell them the good news.

What kind of wedding did you plan?

We were very much inspired by our family and friends.

We are both really close to our family and have a tight knit group of pals. We wanted it to be as much about them as it was us. That’s what inspired a lot of the personal touches and the location itself allowed for that, since the barn we chose pretty much comes as an empty shell with all the potential!

We wanted there to be music at all times and every song was chosen by us, from the pre-ceremony playlist right through to the party tunes. Music evokes memories and says a lot about a person. There were Irish jigs interwoven with Scottish tunes throughout the drinks reception and songs from the early days of us, giving our guests a little insight into our life through music.

Did you have a first dance? What was it?

The idea of a first dance had never really appealed to us. Our wedding weekend was very much about bringing our families together so we decided to share our first dance with the whole wedding party and cheekily selected to dance to ‘The Gay Gordons’ to kick off the ceilidh. I’m not sure anyone got the irony in the song choice, but we did so that’s all that mattered.

What was your favourite part of your wedding day?

It’s really hard to choose just one so we are going to be a bit greedy. We often recall when reminiscing about the day the moment we entered the barn together. We decided to walk each other down the aisle, to symbolise the fact that this marriage was equal and we were in it together. This was met with a thunderous round of applause from our guests which actually made us stop in our tracks. We were overwhelmed by this ‘wall’ of love greeting us and it really set the tone for the rest of the day and night.

We can’t not mention that our Our ‘Pals of Honour’ rewrote the lyrics to Beauty and The Beast ‘Something there that wasn’t there before’ as part of their speech and toast, which was incredibly personal, memorable, hilarious and special.

Why did you choose Patchwork for your wedding registry?

We knew we didn’t want a traditional gift list so went in search of something we could personalise. We had our dream honeymoon in mind, full of experiences and culinary adventures instead of material gifts. Patchwork made that so easy for us to do.

We wanted a winter honeymoon full of romance, fairy lights, mulled wine and christmas markets, as well as history and culture to fulfil our inner geeks. Since trains featured quite highly in the early days of our relationship and they’re just so old school and romantic, we decided to ‘winter-rail’ across Western Europe. We left on the 5th December from Edinburgh Airport and travelled across Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France and Belgium on first class trains before returning home to London just in time for the Fireworks of New Year.

We spent Christmas in Paris and visited fairytale castles in Bavaria, tasted numerous gluhwein the length and breadth of Western Europe, explored ancient Rome and got lost in the cobbled streets of Brugge.

How did you feel when you set off on your travels knowing all of your loved ones had chipped in?

So grateful! We wouldn’t have been able to do everything on our wish list if it hadn’t have been for our friends and family funding our trip. Things we could only dream of doing like travelling 1st class across Europe, our 7 course christmas dinner in the legendary Le Train Bleu in Paris, sipping coffee from the same cups as poets Keats and Shelley at Caffe Greco in Rome, champagne and macarons at Ladurée on the Champs-Élysées, geeking it up on the original Sound of Music tour in Salzburg and a night at the Moulin Rouge. And that’s just scratching the surface.

Would you recommend your winter adventure to other honeymooners?

Yes we would recommend our honeymoon, especially around Christmas time, just so magical. It was definitely just as much about the journey as it was the destinations and countries we went to. Some of our most treasured memories are whilst getting from one country to another, like the time we almost missed the train because of a very heavy overnight snowfall which meant we had to tobogan our way to the station on our cases. It was a true adventure and a way to discover hidden treasures in big cities and off the beaten track towns and villages.

What was the best bit about using Patchwork for your honeymoon fund?

Well firstly, it was just so much fun to create! It actually helped us to plan our honeymoon and was really great for us to refer to when planning what to fit in and when. Secondly, it looks really cool and is so user friendly, both to set up and to use even after the Patchwork goes live. There was a couple of times when some of our items sold out and we had to go back in and up the quantity. This was super easy to do.

Our patchwork became such a talking point at our hen dos and the wedding and some of our guests have since got in touch asking for the website, so they could use it too. They seemed just as excited about our honeymoon as we were!

Thank you Ange & Steph for sharing your patchwork story with us. And a huge congratulations from Team Patchwork!

If this has inspired you to make your own patchwork, just customise one of our readymade patchworks or create one from scratch.

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Gift Ideas

A Q&A with Bloom & Wild – Our Favourite Flower Delivery Service

by Ismay Ozga July 12, 2017

written by Ismay Ozga

We think Bloom & Wild’s flower deliveries make the best gifts, for any occasion. So we teamed up with them to create a Bloom & Wild patchwork that makes it super simple to share the cost of one of their subscriptions as a present for a loved one. It’s group gifting made easy. We wanted to know more from them about how they’re changing the flower delivery service and why they think flowers make such a wonderful gift, so we had a chat with Bloom & Wild’s Brand Director, Sara Gordon.

How has Bloom & Wild redefined the flower delivery service?

Bloom & Wild exists to make sending and receiving flowers the joy that it should be. We’ve all had bad flower delivery experiences in the past and our mission is to change that for good. We enable people to turn emotions into action from their phone or computer simply, and recipients to experience quality, fresh, creative flowers from bud to bloom.

What do you think makes receiving flowers so special?

Whether they’re sent as a thank you, an apology or simply just because, receiving flowers is a beautiful symbol that someone is thinking of you. Because our bouquets are sent in bud, the recipient sees their gift go from bud to bloom and enjoys the full life of the flower. We also make the process a true experience, so that our recipients get to become the florist themselves.

Who picks the flowers that go into the bouquets each month?

Our in-house flower team, including our Lead Floral Designers Rowan and Caroline, are the ones behind the designs. We’re always inspired by trends we see around us, whether it’s in the world of fashion, interiors or our own travels and we interpret these with in-season blooms to ensure that the recipient only gets the freshest flowers.

What’s your favourite ever Bloom & Wild bouquet and which flowers did it have in it?

I’ve had quite a few favourites, but currently it’s The Daisy. The blue delphinium flowers also add height and visual interest and are one of my favourite flowers at the moment.

What makes a Bloom & Wild flower delivery such a great group gift?

We often see families coming together to give their mums or grandmothers a year of blooms or friends coming together to gift a three month bundle for new homeowners or newlyweds. It’s great to be able to give someone something they might not necessarily treat themselves to, like a year of flower delivery, and coming together with a group makes it easy for everyone to pitch in on a gift that gives joy all year long.

Thank you Sara and Bloom & Wild! If you want to organise a flower delivery for someone you love, just customise our Bloom & Wild patchwork and send it to friends to fund, then your loved one can enjoy the gift of beautiful flowers through their door every month.

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