In With the New! A roundup of what's new at PhotoFairytales...

It's been all change on the PhotoFairytales site this week - the autumn colours have gone, making way for a festive Christmas feel (well, it is nearly Christmas)! So, I thought I'd take a few minutes to give you a brief glimpse of the new goodies that have recently arrived...

Personalised Handmade Christmas Gifts 2021
- new at PhotoFairytales

This fun personalised Christmas Countdown plaque is made from natural slate, and features flecks of fools gold. It comes complete with chalk too, so you can write down the number of sleeps left until the big day! Children (and excited adults) will love marking off the days, and this lovely sign will become a real family tradition every year. Only £15.99, including P&P. Click here for details

'Winter Wood' is one of three brand new Fantasy Portrait designs that I've introduced this season. A gorgeous wintery setting, I can recreate this artwork for you using your own photo. Perfect for babies and children. From £24.95, including P&P. Click here for details

Since introducing them earlier this year, my personalised Newspaper prints have become one of my most popular lines! So it seemed only right that I bring in one that's designed just for Christmas... this fun print is personalised throughout, from top to bottom. You can add your own photo too. There are lots of other designs available, so if you're looking for a special gift with a difference, take a look! Only £18.50 including P&P. Click here for details

My new wooden room signs look lovely on a bedroom door or wall. Available in a choice of colours and sizes, they're a stylish addition to a youngster's room. Made from real wood and super smooth, the signs are really light and easy to fix to a smooth surface (fix them temporarily with command strips or blue tack if you don't want a permanent fixture!). From £15.95 including P&P. Click here for details

Another new winter-season Fantasy Photo Portrait - 'Starlight' features soft gentle blues and silvery greys, and is a lovely design for younger children and babies. (If you wanted something less 'Christmassy' I can remove the Christmas tree too). From £24.95 including P&P. Click here for details

The wooden personalised Christmas Eve boxes are back this month - and prices have been held the same as last year! There's a range of truly lovely designs available, from flat topped boxes to gorgeous engraved heirloom chests. A delightful family tradition for Christmas eve. From £23.50 including P&P. Click here for details

The last of my new Fantasy Portraits for this season, 'Snowglobe' is undeniably festive! A charming design for Christmas, it's absolutely perfect for younger children and babies (a lovely idea to celebrate baby's first Christmas!). From £24.95 including P&P. Click here for details

My personalised wooden Christmas Family Signs are back again this year - and one of my favourite personalised decorations. Available in black, grey, white or red and a choice of sizes, there are three striking designs to choose from. Easily fixed temporarily onto any smooth surface using blue tack or command strips (or do what I do, and lean it on top of your cooker hood for a festive touch in the kitchen!). Featuring a lovely natural wood grain, you'll find lots of places in your home for this lasting personalised Christmas decoration. From £15.95 including P&P. Click here for details

And last but not least, my personalised wooden Christmas Star decorations are back this year too! Incredibly popular, this stylish natural wood stars are available in lots of different designs and colours. Strung with satin ribbon in a choice of colours, these gorgeous wooden stars will look fabulous hanging from your tree, a hook - or anywhere you fancy! Also available beautifully gift boxed, perfect for gifting. From £9.99 including P&P. Click here for details

Well, that's it for the new (for now)! Don't forget to sign up to my VIP list if you'd like to hear about exclusive offers and discounts - including a free welcome gift worth £10 when you place your first order worth £15 or more. Click here for more information or to sign up.

Sarah x

Last Orders for Christmas for these personalised prints

The order book will be closing on Sunday December 8th for these items - don't leave it too late if you want to order in time for Christmas!

Fantasy Photo Portraits - canvas prints in a choice of sizes

Have your own ordinary photo transformed into a magical fantasy portrait! There are dozens of designs to choose from, and prices start at just £24.95 for a unique artwork. There are various print options available, including these stunning handmade quality canvas prints, made from solid wood frames and using fade resistant pigment inks and heavyweight canvas. If you'd like your artwork printed as a canvas you only have until December 8th to place your order for delivery in time for Christmas. Click here for full details and to view the full Fantasy Portrait Gallery.

Framed 10x10" Personalised Prints - wide range of designs

Brand new on the site this season, are these stunning framed prints - with a whole range of designs available, these beautiful square prints make a lovely gift or finishing touch for your home. There are various print options available, with prices starting at £17.50. The new framed option is perfect for Christmas - a customised bespoke print, framed and ready to give. There are 3 frame styles to choose from, and they're handmade to order by a small independent British frame-making business. The frames have acrylic glazing rather than glass, so they're much safer (especially in a child's room) and lighter. Suitable for standing on a shelf or they can be wall mounted (fixings supplied). Click here to see the full range of designs available. If you'd like your framed print order to arrive in time for Christmas, you need to order by December 8th. Framed personalised prints are £34.95 including UK delivery.

'Personality' Canvas Prints - any colour, two sizes to choose from

For a really unique Christmas gift this year, what about one of these bespoke 'Personality' canvas prints? Using your favourite photo and the special wording you choose, I'll create a custom design that's totally unique. The high quality canvas prints are made with fade resistant pigment inks on heavyweight canvas, handstretched onto solid wood frames. There are two canvas sizes to choose from, with prices starting at £30 including free UK delivery. Last orders in time for Christmas: December 8th.

If you'd like to check the full last order dates you can find them on the PhotoFairytales website by clicking here. 

Sarah :)

Brand New: 'Christmas Friends' personalised baby board book

Well, Halloween has been and gone, the fireworks from Bonfire Night are over for another year... and that can only mean CHRISTMAS IS NEXT ON THE CALENDAR!

I know it feels as though Christmas starts earlier and earlier every year, and I always try to keep the festiveness under control at PhotoFairytales until after November 5th. So now that we've reached that point I feel I can finally start to get my Christmas head on properly!

With this in mind, I wanted to introduce one of my latest new additions to PhotoFairytales: a new design added to my range of personalised baby board books. 'Christmas Friends' is unashamedly festive, with a lovely Scandi-style winter theme complete with woodland animals and cosy cottages. This means there are now three designs especially for Christmas, including 'Festive Bear' and 'Winter Wonder'.

 

 These personalised, handmade board books make a really unique stocking filler gift for your child...

Each of the 11 board book designs feature your own photos and text throughout. So whether you want to keep it simple with just names, or if you want to write your own full story, you can create a book that is totally unique for your little boy or girl. Packed full of gorgeous illustrations and your own photos, they will adore snuggling up with you to read their very own special book.

Customer feedback: "Just to let you know I received the book today. It is absolutely beautiful and I can’t wait to give it to my grandson... I will definitely be back to buy another one."

The books are available in standard or laminated finish, and prices start at just £25 including UK delivery. These lovely little keepsake books are a magical gift at any time of year, so if you're looking for something completely different for your toddler this Christmas one of these books will be perfect.

Visit the PhotoFairytales site now to view the full range of book designs available.

Sarah x

Christmas Eve Boxes - the 'must have' item this Christmas!

It is odd how a trend arrives with such certainty that it's hard to imagine how and why it's only just arrived... and one case in point is the Christmas Eve Box. These have become huge - and I mean, HUGE this year.

Everyone wants one this Christmas...
well, who wouldn't, they're a gorgeous idea?!

'Festive' design personalised wooden Christmas Eve Box - from PhotoFairytales

The personalised Christmas Eve Boxes you can find at PhotoFairytales are truly lovely - available in a range of designs and styles there's something for everyone: whether you're just looking for something to pop a couple of little trinkets in, or something bigger you can fill to the brim!

Visit PhotoFairytales now to see the full range of personalised boxes available

All the Christmas Eve Boxes are personalised to order and made from solid wood. They have attractive catches, and are lovely robust boxes that you'll be able to use year after year. A new family tradition!

There are designs for children, couples, families - even ones for your pet (because they love Christmas too)!

'Mistletoe Wreath' wooden Christmas Eve chest, available in two sizes - order now at PhotoFairytales 

What to put in your Christmas Eve Box? Here's some ideas:

• Children will love little treats such as a DVD, a book, chocolate coins, reindeer food, stickers, Christmas crafty bits, a colouring book and pencils or crayons, a special decoration to hang on the tree, a little game, some new pyjamas or slippers, a little storybook, a small toy, jewellery or hair accessories.
• Teenagers will also love receiving chocolates and sweets, popcorn, pyjamas and slippers, hot chocolate (with a sachet of marshmallows perhaps), a CD or DVD, smellies, new undies or fun socks.
• Adults are usually ready for a little tipple by the time they sit down on Christmas eve, so perhaps a bottle of wine or beer, pyjamas, some cosy bed socks, candles, chocolates or liquors, smellies, new undies or silly socks, a microwaveable hottie or hot water bottle, perfume/aftershave, jewellery. Something romantic, something saucy, or just something to to enjoy together and toast one another as another year draws to an end...
• Pets are easy - food (of course): think yummy treats, chews, tasty bites and munchies, a new toy, perhaps a little cuddly to take to bed, a new collar or ID tag, perhaps even a new bowl or an outfit to wear for the big day?!

So, with Christmas fast creeping up on us, and now that Bonfire Night has been and gone, we can get down to some serious Christmas shopping. Don't leave it too late to order these massively popular Christmas Eve Boxes - visit the PhotoFairytales site today.

Sarah x

BRAND NEW: 'Sweet Dreams' personalised baby board book, handmade especially for your little one...

Looking for an unusual baby or toddler gift this Christmas? Something really special, personalised? Handmade? I think I have the perfect gift solution for you..!

I’m so excited to tell you about my new addition to the personalised board book range - a new design called ‘Sweet Dreams’ that will be perfect for cosy bedtime stories!

'Sweet Dreams' personalised, handmade baby board book

This brings the collection of designs to 10 now, with all the books handmade to order and featuring your own wording and favourite photos on every page. The books have solid board pages, and are now also available in a hard wearing laminated style which gives them added protection and a lovely shiny, glossy finish.

These personalised board books make a perfect gift for a baby or toddler, ideal for birthdays or Christmas. 

'Sweet Dreams' book, outside covers

The Sweet Dreams board book has lovely soft dark blue colours and the pages feature lovely illustrations of twinkly stars and sleepy sheep to count. All designed to hopefully prompt a good night of sleep for your little one!

Your baby or toddler will love looking at their book which has been designed especially for them. A truly unique and personal gift that will be a lovely keepsake.

All personalised board books are gift wrapped in pretty pale blue tissue paper

Visit the PhotoFairytales website now to view the full range of designs available.

Sarah x

Handmade personalised gifts for Grandparents: Christmas gift ideas

Grandparents are probably one of the trickiest to buy for at Christmas - but don't panic, I've got you covered!

1: 'Shipping Forecast' Word Theme print available in any colour, other designs available, £21.50 

2: Wooden Photo Blocks handmade featuring your photos, from £6.25 per block (min order 3) 

3: 'Everything Stops for Tea' personalised mug other designs available, £12.95

4: Personalised Hammer personalised with your message, £17.95 

5: Grandparent Print, other colours available, £14.50

6: Personalised Garden Fork & Trowel set, £17.95

Visit the PhotoFairytales website now for even more fabulous handmade and personalised gifts for grannies and grandads: there are some great gift ideas for you...

This Christmas be a #giftgivinggenius!

Sarah x

Handmade personalised gifts for Her: Christmas gift ideas

Stunning handmade and personalised Christmas gifts for her - truly thoughtful and unusual gifts to delight on Christmas morning!

1: Personalised Cook's Conversion Chart available in a wide range of colours, from £14.50 

2: 'Spectacled Rabbit' design canvas print from £16.95, mug £12.95 - other designs available 

3: Personalised Family Prints available in a choice of designs and colours, £14.50

4: 'Kitchen' wall plaque available in a range of colours, other designs also available, £17.95 

5: 'Yellow Spot' design handmade photo album, other designs also available, £25

6: 'Mum is Never Wrong' personalised print available in a choice of colours, £14.50

7: 'Summer of Love' personalised mug other designs also available, £12.95

8: Blue Heritage Plaque personalised with your own wording, £17.95

Visit the PhotoFairytales website now for even more fabulous handmade and personalised gifts for her - mum, gran, auntie, sister, friend or colleague: there are some great gift ideas for you...

This Christmas be a #giftgivinggenius!

Sarah x

Brand New: personalised handmade Memory Pairs Card Game for children

New and exclusive to PhotoFairytales!

The Christmas present hunting is hotting up now, and I'm really pleased to let you know about my new personalised card game which will be a perfect gift for youngsters this Christmas!

Beautifully packaged, this handmade personalised Memory Card Game is the one we've all played as children, where you have pairs of cards that you turn over to match. It's a simple game, quick and easy for even young players to pick up, but one that they can play with adults and older children too. 

What makes this pairs game unique though is that it features all your own photos, so children will adore turning over the cards and seeing pictures of themselves, family members, pictures of their pets or favourite toys - anything you wish!

The game consists of 20 cards featuring your chosen photos - and the backs of the cards are also personalised with your child's name. The cards are a lovely big size, so easy for small hands to pick up, and they're made of chunky thick board too. The cards are packaged in a lovely linen-effect white gift box which is also personalised for them. It's all tied up with white ribbon and ready to pop under the Christmas tree or in their stocking!

Not just a great present for Christmas, this personalised card game will also make a lovely gift for a birthday too.

Visit the website now for full details - and if you'd like to order in time for Christmas, the deadline for orders is December 11th!

Sarah x

Brand New: Personalised Christmas Mugs, perfect stocking filler gift!

It's gradually getting more Christmassy here at PhotoFairytales - someone even referred to my office as a grotto this week! New items are arriving regularly on the website, and I'm busy putting the finishing touches to even more new goodies...

Amongst the latest new additions, are these Christmas themed personalised mugs - the perfect personalised Christmas gift stocking filler, or a great Secret Santa gift for a friend or work colleague

The mugs are part of a larger range of designs, all featuring gorgeous graphics and each is fully personalised. At just £12.75, including free UK delivery, these will be perfect to pop under the Christmas tree.

Little tip: if you follow PhotoFairytales on Facebook you might have spotted my secret discount page! If not, take a look now and grab a special voucher code. Be quick though, it's only valid until the end of October...

I really hope you like the new mug designs - have they put you into the Christmas spirit just a tiny bit yet?!!

Sarah x

Missing The British Bake Off?!

20 million people watched a woman baking a cake the other day... 20 MILLION! 

It seems that "The Great British Bake Off" triggers something in so many of us - even my OH sits there casting his opinion on whether they're doing it right (he's never baked a cake in his life).

So if you've got someone in your life who's a keen sifter of flour and whisker of eggs, treat them to something practical and personalised in the hope they bake you something lovely in return (lemon drizzle please):

• Personalised ceramic Mixing Bowl (2 designs available), £24.95
• Personalised Blue Heritage Plaque, £17.95
• Personalised Cooking Conversion chart print, from £14.50

- all with free UK delivery included

Sarah x

How to keep your child believing in Father Christmas: 10 tips

It’s a sad fact, but it does seem as though children are growing up far quicker than ever before. And a casualty of this is often that their belief in Santa disappears sooner than it did for you when you were a child. So I’m handing this blog over to a VIP guest who might be able to help a little….

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you: Santa Claus!:

Ho, ho, ho! Thank you for allowing me to write a little message on your blog. I won’t keep you long because I am rather busy. 

Right, so, it would seem that the subject of this message is: how to stay believing in me. Well, let me tell you something. There will come a time when your child does stop believing - it doesn't mean that I've gone away of course, it just means that they are growing up and looking at new things. One of the problems parents often ask me is: What happens when their friends stop believing, but my own child still does? I tell them that just because their friend no longer believes doesn't mean that they have to stop. All the while they believe, I will keep visiting. Every year, no matter what. And don’t worry about hurting my feelings if you don’t believe in me any more, I know its just a part of growing up. But it doesn't mean I don’t still expect you to be nice all year though - I don’t like naughty people, no matter what their age!

I often ask parents to help me keep the magic alive, and here are a few tips I like to share:

• Rule 1 is obvious and I'm sure you do it already: Christmas Eve is the time when you must get everything ready for my arrival. Put out your stocking (or whatever it is you like to use) and always leave me a drink and snack. I am partial to mince pies, but anything you can spare is gratefully accepted. Leaving a carrot or two for the reindeer is always a nice touch too (although they are messy eaters, so expect chomped carrot ends to be scattered around!).
  
• Rule 2 - everything I leave is always wrapped in different paper to the rest of your presents because I don’t buy wrapping paper from the shops that Mums & Dads go to. Mine comes from the North Pole and is very different.
  
• Rule 3 - many children worry about how I enter their home if they don’t have a chimney. Please tell them that this is not a problem, I have adapted my entries and exits over the years to accommodate this problem as many newer houses don’t have chimneys. If necessary, I am able to use a special magical key to enter a door - or if push comes to shove, I can sprinkle magic dust over myself and simply sparkle my way in. Don’t worry, it doesn't hurt and I quite enjoy it! I can also enter through cat flaps, lofts, windows and even letter boxes. No present goes undelivered because I can’t gain access, I know every trick in the book!
  
• Rule 4 - hiding presents before the big day is a very important task that parents must adhere to. Enough said.
  
• Rule 5 - I can sometimes forget to wipe my feet when I enter a house, and it has been known for me (and the reindeer) to leave footprints. Not always, but sometimes. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to parents for this - and for anything that I may knock over, inadvertently move, dislodge, or crease.
  
• Rule 6 - if you have been very good during the year (and I mean exceptional), I will write to you. My letters are very special, I only send 100 a year to the children who have shown the very best behaviour throughout the year. If you think that your child should be near the top of my Nice List, click here to let me know and I promise I’ll write to them (and send them some early presents too)!
  
• Rule 7 - the Santa’s that you see in shops, etc (eg, in a ‘Grotto’) are not always me. There, I've said it. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't  If you are in the least bit doubtful as to whether it is the real Santa that you are meeting in a shop, then the chances are it’s one of my helpers. But don’t worry, they are all fully authorised and everything you say to them is relayed directly through to me. Sometimes I wire Grotto’s up with CCTV so that I can listen in and find out exactly what you are hoping for. So don’t worry, I never miss a thing!
  
• Rule 8 - if you spot a helicopter or low flying plane in the sky between October and December, it is me. I’m just keeping tabs and updating my Naughty or Nice List.
  
• Rule 9 - whilst most of the gifts that I leave on Christmas Eve are made by the Elves, sometimes I do have to add things that have come from normal shops. I only ever use suppliers that have passed rigorous tests and have full Santa Approval however.
  
• Rule 10 - a wonderful way to experience my journey on Christmas Eve is by tracking me at http://www.noradsanta.org/. Norad is the North American Aerospace Defense Command. They are a proper military organisation, working to protect the air space over North America. Honestly, they’re real, check them out: http://www.norad.mil/Home.html. Every year they use their specialist equipment to track my movements as I travel around the world.

 There will eventually come a time when boys and girls reach an age where they question if I really exist. But even old, grown up people know that I do - but not always in the way that you think. The spirit of Santa changes as we get older - I can change from the lovely jolly man in my red suit into something that is even more magical: the spirit of Christmas. I may stop visiting after a while, but my spirit lives on. You know that magical feeling you have on Christmas morning that everyone feels no matter what their age? And that wonderful feeling when you give someone a gift? That’s the spirit of Christmas - and me!

Ho, ho, ho - Merry Christmas to you all!

Santa Claus

Letters from Santa - 'the best by far'

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why:

Santa Claus is coming to town!

- and he'll be writing to the very best behaved children again this year, so you better take a look at his fabulous personalised letters quick!

Once again this year, Father Christmas is going to be sending some truly magical letters to just a few lucky children - he only sends a limited number, so if you know a youngster who would love to receive one it's time to act! Head on over to PhotoFairytales and reserve one now - and for every one he writes, I will make a donation to a fabulous UK charity too!

As before, each letter is prepared individually and is packed with details that will help children to really understand the spirit of Christmas and the magic of Santa. He will sign each letter personally, and also sends a personalised quality card certificate awarded for excellent behaviour throughout 2012. Plus, he will be popping 4 fabulous little gifts in too which will keep little fingers busy during the exciting wait for Christmas Day. Everything is packaged up in a big jolly red envelope, and delivered to your little boy or girl during December.

If you would like Father Christmas to send letters to siblings each letter will be slightly different. And if he wrote to you last year don't worry - the letter this year will be different (Santa doesn't like to repeat himself!).

Every letter will raise money for Rainbow Trust - a UK charity providing emotional and practical support to families who have a child with life threatening or terminal illness. So when you reserve a letter I will make a 50p donation and you will be helping me to support a very worthwhile charity.

But hurry - as ever, there are only a limited number of letters available and every year they sell out. So don't be disappointed - click here now and reserve yours!

Praise for last years' letters:

My granddaughter, Lia, was very excited to receive not just a letter from Santa but a certificate and gifts too! Highly recommended and Lia's mum was even more delighted that Santa told Lia to go to bed early on Christmas Eve! ...you have made one little girl (and mum and granny) very happy!

Simply wonderful - the children adored them!

A HUGE thank you for Scarlett's letter from Santa! I have never seen her eyes so big and her smile so wide! She has told everyone about her certificate for being on the nice list!!!

I just wanted to thank you for my girls Letters from Santa - the look of awe on their faces was amazing, they couldn't believe that Santa actually knew what they wanted for Christmas and who their best friends were, they got to work instantly colouring in their cards and decorating the finger puppets and bookmarks - you definitely made their day...

Ho, ho, ho!
Sarah :)

Brand New: Hand Painted Personalised Plates!

Brand new today! These gorgeous plates are hand painted individually to order, and can be fully personalised with your chosen name, dates or message...

From Mince Pie plates and Baby's 1st Christmas plates, to weddings, anniversaries, christenings and special birthdays - there are 12 designs to choose from to suit many different occasions.

Now available at PhotoFairytales, these stunning 23cm plates are created individually to order by a family run UK business, and are truly unique keepsake gifts. Only £21.50 which includes UK delivery. Orders for delivery in time for Christmas need to be placed by 13th December.

These plates are absolutely adorable, and I hope you'll like them too!

Sarah x

Fabulous Gift Idea this Christmas: A Family Tree Print

I wanted to introduce my latest new gift for PhotoFairytales: personalised Family Tree Prints! These would make a fantastic present for Christmas this year, and are just £22 which includes UK delivery too...

A wonderful family keepsake, these prints will make a lasting and truly thoughtful gift. Available in a choice of frame styles, the Family Tree can feature up to 3 generations and 2 families.

Got a complicated family?! Don't worry, because each print is designed individually I can usually accommodate variations! For every order a proof of the artwork will be created and emailed to you to check before your print is made so that you can ensure everything is completely right.

Find out more by visiting the new Personalised Family Tree Prints page on the website.

Sarah x