For many people hip flasks are one of the more popular luxury corporate gifts, and certainly they’re a welcome change from watches, gift vouchers or clocks. Professional leather products today are manufactured from soft, high quality leather that’s not split, but sourced from lambs and goats, giving them a beautiful soft, supple and smooth feel that makes them every bit as inviting to touch and hold as to look at and admire.

Hip flasks may be a display item, but they’re also very handy when out and about on a hunt or a walk. Whether you enjoy a strong coffee, liquor or a little of Scotland’s finest oak matured water, hip flasks are available in a wide range of styles, sizes and appearances.

From 4oz hip flasks to 6oz and even 8oz hip flasks, the choice is often available to have a decanter, cup, or glass incorporated into the design, making them perfect for sharing. Of course, luxury leather goods are not the preserve of men, with hip flasks continuing to prove very popular with ladies too, and today there are several beautiful designs available, giving ladies the chance to warm their cockles on a cold winter’s hunt.

If you’re looking for luxury corporate gifts then you may be considering traditional items such as portfolios, desk blotters and travel bags, but hip flasks could prove to be a much appreciated alternative, and certainly one likely to receive good use.

But don’t assume that all hip flasks advertised as being ideal luxury leather goods are the same. Hip flasks made from soft, supple leather, especially kid, goat or sheep leather is likely to provide years of use without cracking or wearing, as well as being warm to the touch – useful on a typical British day. With soft, warm leather wrapped lovingly around a decanter of your favourite invigorating tipple, you’ll be ready for anything this green and pleasant land can throw at you!

The passion of football fans extends beyond just watching the game, its the passion and emotions that are experienced during a game, the chanting, songs, banner and flag waving and the feeling that as a supporter you have motivated the team, intimidated the opposition and even influenced the referee. Research has shown that fans truly believe they must attend the game to help the team to win, not just to observe the event, thus making them feel they are their teams 12^th man and an essential part of the club they support. Two thirds of fans have actually admitted to crying during a game.

For any supporter, football gifts make the prefect present for any occasion as the club they support is so close to their heart, and with so many football gifts available you will be spoilt for choice, no longer is it just the traditional hat, scarf and pin badge the order of the day, the gift range for most clubs now extends to computer products, car accessories, confectionary, home ware, golf products, baby accessories (yes that includes anything from feeding bottles, soothers and even baby clothing), inflatable’s, jewellery and team branded pet accessories.

Traditionally the most popular team products are Liverpool gifts and Manchester United souvenirs but with the enormous popularity of the premier league, these products are now available for most of the top flight teams, with each club now producing their own amazing range of merchandise and gifts .

Leather coats

You don’t need to spend a mint on a decent leather jacket – many quality stores often have sales, and not always on last season’s stock. Clearance lines may be the end of the run; stock that is still current but not being made again. An inexpensive coat could be yours, if you simply bide your time and are prepared to shop around. If you take the time to try on a few, you’ll find one to suit your unique shape and size.

The next thing to consider is whether you want a short, medium or full length jacket. All can be worn with practically any outfit, but all give quite different looks. For example, a long leather coat teamed with a short skirt and low cut blouse might not be appropriate for the theatre. However a short, classic, tailored jacket would look great with a straight skirt and dress blouse (or trousers and shirt) for a dinner date. A jacket that covers the bottom is better suited to cooler weather, while a short cropped jacket is ideal for summer evenings.

If budget is a constraint, you might need to think about whether or not you want something timeless or current. A classic leather jacket won’t date, and can be paired with many items in your wardrobe – and will last you many years. A fashionable, up-to-the-minute jacket will possibly date quickly, and perhaps necessitate a new jacket next season. They might be more pricey, too, although expensive doesn’t always mean trend-setting!

The kind of leather will also dictate the look, to a large extent. Soft, luxurious nappa will be more suited to a classic style jacket while a thicker, coarser leather might be more in keeping with a biker jacket or similar.

There are a multitude of places, even online, where you can source a decent leather jacket. Bearing in mind your requirements and budget, you’re sure to find one to suit you, as long as you are prepared to shop around and try some one – after all, that’s half the fun!

Luckily, you can get around this, should it ever happen to you. If you’re shopping for leather jackets online, and find that what you want is no longer available, you can email us, and hand over your vital measurements. We’ll not only check that there’s really, truly no more in stock, we’ll check what we do have to make sure there’s nothing else that will suit your measurements.

The measurements needed have to be exact – no fudging to hide that Christmas pudding you’re carrying. Remember to measure wearing what you’ll normally wear under the leather jacket – a t-shirt or jumper etc. The chest should be measured around the widest part, as too, the waist. Throwing in your shoe size will give an indication of how tall you are, and your frame. However, telling us how tall you are will help, too! Let us know your build (don’t be shy) – are you large, small, thin? What size do you normally take? And lastly, tell us how you want the jacket to fit: fitted is 1" larger than your chest, semi-fitted is 2", comfort is 3 and loose is 4. Oh, don’t forget the actual jacket you saw – the name of the style, the colour and the kind of leather you’d like it in.

By sending in these details we can see if there’s something that you might like, if we don’t have the actual jacket in stock. Bear in mind, however, that with sale stock it’s generally what we have at the time. Usually, there’s no more and so once that particular style, colour or whatever is sold out, that’s it. Having said all that, clearance and sale items are a great way of picking up cheap leather jackets that will boost your wardrobe with a piece that can be worn anywhere, with anything, and by anyone. Whether timeless and classic or modern and hip, a decent leather coat is something that everybody should own.

Campingandcaravandirect

UK Suppliers of famous outdoor brands like Coleman, Campingaz, Sevylor and Royal all at great prices. They also have a camping & caravan site finder that holds the contact details of camping & caravan parks from all parts of the UK for you to choose from for your next holiday, you can even leave your own site review or photos of your holiday.

Some great bargain buys can be picked up in clearance sales. Cheap leather jackets are now being sported by the younger generation due to their versatility and low cost. They can be worn with anything, and their affordability makes them attractive to the younger crowd. They can be seen to and from work (and even some schools), in town with pals or out with families.

Leather blazers, on the other hand, scream expensive – but need not be. A well-cut leather coat can look like it cost a packet but actually cost very little; it all depends on where you source it. Of course, having one tailor-made might run up the price, but it’ll fit you like a glove and no doubt look like it cost far more than it actually did. And if you don’t put on too much weight as you get older, a leather jacket made to your measurements can be worn well into your twilight years!

Leather biker jackets are huge at the moment, especially with the current tattoo trend. It seems everyone these days is sporting ink somewhere on their bodies, and what better way to compliment the look than with chunky, belted, zippered, low-slung leather coats. Designed to be functional and practical, a biker jacket will ensure your back doesn’t get too cold while you’re motoring down the highway with your gal (or guy) riding shotgun. And slung over the bike when you pull up, you can still maintain the look as you show off your tatts.

Classic ladies’ leather jackets are indeed timeless. Whether made-to-measure or off-the-shelf, a women’s leather jacket can be teamed with jeans, a skirt, or trousers. In an emergency it can be worn over a formal outfit and not look too out of place. It is equally at home on a picnic or out at dinner.

Even the not-so-humble red leather jackets are still being seen (how can you miss them!). Can be worn to revive an old outfit or set alight a new one, a red coat can make you stand out in the crowd – it’s just up to you how much and how good you’ll look while doing it!

Europe leads the way in ethical skincare

In 2007, the UK, along with France, accounted for 74 per cent of all ethical beauty product launches proving that as a country, we are trying to align our environmental outlook with our shopping habits. Choosing to buy products that are produced using natural sustainable materials, that do not harm animals in the testing process, and are manufactured in a way that reduces the negative impact on the environment, shows the market is gradually being driven by the ‘green factor’ and not by profit margins alone.

What ethics do we look for in our beauty products?

The largest group of ethical beauty products bought in the UK is cruelty free goods i.e. not tested on animals. Over half of women in the UK say this is what they look for when buying skin and hair care products. That’s great progress given that within the space of twenty years, this has gone from being a niche market into a mainstream requirement.

More good news is that the fastest growth group is for products packaged in an eco-friendly way. This demand has led to manufacturers focusing on packaging that is made from recycled materials and can be recycled after use. The next stage is to reduce packaging to an absolute minimum.

Skin and hair care products that are termed ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ are also a huge growth area for ethical beauty and in France this is the top priority for female consumers. The ‘organic’ label is an interesting topic as some manufacturers have strayed into the grey areas of the term. To be sure, you should buy products that are certified by independent bodies such as ECOCERT or the Soil Association and don’t just rely on the manufacturer labelling the bottle ‘organic’.

While organic beauty is proving popular, there has been even bigger interest in the use of fair trade ingredients. Ensuring the planet’s survival is imperative, but the rights and fair treatment of people in impoverished communities who are affected by the cosmetics industry is equally important. Given that Fair Trade skin care is such a big growth area, it shows that as consumers we care about the people within the environment as much as the environment itself.

Buying your ethical beauty products

It’s not difficult to find ethical skin and hair care products these days because supply is now meeting demand. What you must be mindful of is the tactics employed by some of the less credible manufacturers and suppliers who will bend the rules to suit their needs. A good way to ensure the products you buy have met the right ethical standards is to use an online retailer that specialises in eco-friendly goods. Websites such as www.greentulip.co.uk stock a wide range of ethical beauty gifts.

If you know someone who hasn’t yet altered their buying habits then a gift is a great way to get them started. How about some natural lotions and body creams, organic bath and shower products or natural soaps? Not only will they love receiving a gift, they’ll also see there are alternatives available which equal, if not better, what they already use, but with the minimum impact to people and the planet.

The ethical toy debate

The toy industry, which is said to worth around £8 billion, has long been criticised for its lack of environmental awareness. However, that hasn’t stopped adults from splashing the cash. By the time the average British child reaches the age of 16, they will have owned around £11,000 worth of toys. It’s impossible for all those toys to have been made from sustainable materials or be ethically sound, so what’s being done to improve the situation?

The answer has, until recently, been very little. The mass market for cut-price toys lends itself to huge industrialisation leading to outsourcing and then questionable labour rights for the workforce who produce the products. Then there’s the materials used in manufacture.

The idea of the ‘toxic toybox’ has been in evidence for decades. A 1997 study into 71 toys from 17 countries found that they contained between 10 and 40 per cent of a plasticiser that is connected to childhood asthma and reproductive disorders. And the problems still exist today. As recently as 2007, around 21 million toys were recalled for posing hazards such as excessive levels of lead paint.

So, the manufacturing process is damaging to health, natural resources are being depleted and the recycling of toys that are no longer wanted is near on impossible because the materials simply can’t be reused. Will parents refuse to buy their child the latest Dalek or Transformer toy based on these revelations?

Eco-friendly toys

There’s a long way to go until the mainstream toy industry ensures all materials are sustainable and all factory workers are given fair wages and basic human rights. However, this will be the decade of the environment and consumers are waking up to the fact that things have to change.

The majority of ethical toys made from sustainable materials are wooden and while this may not appeal to the ipod generation of kids, it makes sense for the tiny tots. Sustainable toys made from sustainable hale wood or rubberwood and coloured with vegetable dyes remove the danger of potential toxic poisoning and reduce the devastation of natural resources.

Fairtrade toys produced by workers in impoverished areas give communities the chance to work for a decent wage and the profits are utilised to improve health and education.

Recycled toys manufactured from materials that have been recycled (and are recyclable when the toy is no longer wanted) reduces waste going to landfill.

These options are available to us as consumers and the more we demand them, the quicker the toy industry will change its practices.

All of these appliances drain electric, gas and water which ultimately costs money and has a major impact on the environment. Here are some tips to make your kitchen more ‘green’ plus some Ethical and fair trade kitchen products for cooking and serving your food.

Ethical cooking tips

• Cook several dishes in one go – If cooking vegetables on the hob, use a tiered steamer rather than lots of pans. If using the oven, use all the shelves.
• When using the oven, try to avoid opening the door too often as the temperature drops by 15°C each time making your oven work harder.
• If cooking with pans, keep the lids on as this will use less gas. When bringing the pan to the boil, adjust the flame to the pan’s diameter to avoid heat wastage.
• Use a microwave to save time and energy.
• Don’t buy too many gadgets – Labour saving devices may look like a good idea but six million end up in landfill each year. If you don’t really need it, don’t buy it.

One product every kitchen needs is a chopping board to prevent damaging your kitchen surfaces when preparing food. The best boards are made from wood but as a natural resource, wood is depleting fast so buy fairtrade bamboo chopping boards. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world and therefore endlessly renewable.

Medium Bambu Cutting Board

For tasting, stirring, serving and eating, ethical kitchen utensils made from organic bamboo look great and will serve the amateur cook in your house for many years. Fairtrade serving bowls made from lacquered coiled bamboo are a stylish and colourful way to present salads and pasta dishes.

‘Give It A Rest’ Utensil Collection

Ethical washing tips

• Wash clothes on cooler settings – For most people that’s 40°C although newer machines will now wash at 15°C. A 40°C wash will use a third less power than one at 60°C.
• Prewash settings are not necessary so don’t use them.
• If you need to buy a new washing machine, choose the smallest one possible for your needs and make sure it has a hot water inlet.
• Dishwashers can be economical if used correctly. A full load on an economy setting can use less water than hand washing although bear in mind the electrical usage. If you’re considering buying dishwasher ask yourself if you really do need one.
• Rather than buying expensive and chemical-laden cleaning products to remove scale from your dishwasher or washing machine, use a cupful of vinegar on a full cycle (without any clothes or dishes inside though!).

Ethical appliance tips

• All new appliances by law must display an energy rating. This is displayed on a scale of A-G with A being the most energy efficient (an ‘energy plus’ model is even more efficient still). If you’re buying a new appliance, always make sure you’re aware of the rating and the materials used in the manufacturing process. Look for CFC and HFC free fridge/freezers and ones with an "R600a" hydrocarbon coolant label.
• When disposing of old appliances, check with your local council for a disposal depot which will reuse, recycle or recondition certain parts. This reduces the amount going to landfill.

Even in today’s economic climate, many women have enough disposable income to buy what they want and when they want it. That makes buying a gift even tougher unless you can persuade her not to go shopping for a few months. The key to buying a Christmas gift for the woman in your life is to find something unusual or unique so that means tracking down products she won’t have already seen.

Ethical and Fairtrade gifts Christmas gifts

Your first step to success is to steer clear of the high street. Firstly because as a shopper she’s bound to have seen everything, and secondly the high street stocks products that are mass-produced so you’re going to end up with a gift that somebody else may have already bought her.

The second step is to think about the ethics behind the manufacturing process of the goods you’re about to buy. Where were they made? Who made them? Did the worker get paid a fair price? What materials were used and are they sustainable? An ethical or Fairtrade product is a thoughtful gift idea, not just for the recipient but also for the people who made it and the planet’s resources that were used in the process.

Remember, you should try to buy something that is unusual or unique. Buying ethical Christmas gifts for a wife, girlfriend or mother will satisfy both those criteria because they’re often made in smaller quantities and many are handcrafted making each one individual. You also want to stay away from the crowded shopping centres and those endless shelves of mass produced goods, so go online for a wider range of ideas that can be delivered straight to your home.

Ethical Christmas gifts ideas for her

Ethical doesn’t mean expensive and there are some great stocking fillers for women that are under a tenner. Go for something that will improve wellbeing such as luxurious soaps, relaxing organic scented candles or sinful chocolates.

Bed of Roses	Relaxing Candle – Boxed	Marbled Milk & Dark Chocolate Bites

If you’re looking to spend a little more, how about some beautiful Fairtrade and handmade jewellery. Or, go for something that is practical and stylish like a set of recycled wine glasses or a selection of bamboo lacquered bowls.

Fairtrade Funky Acrylic Bracelet – Electric Blue	Chunky Recycled Wine Glass – Amethyst	Bambu Lacquered Mini Me – Kiwi

When looking for the ideal Christmas present you’re always going to have to get your thinking cap on, but if you stay off the beaten shopping track, get online and go ethical, you won’t go far wrong this year.