Back to School Gift Ideas for Teens

If you are thinking about giving a back to school gift to your child or grandchildren, why not combine it with something that will be really useful for their next academic year.  We've put together a selection of great ideas for gifts to celebrate the start of a new year and encourage your teenage children to plan ahead.  Help them get organised with their home and course work and even making their own pack lunch - a new pencil case, lunch bag or beautiful retro satchel can really inspire a little boost in productivity! (in fact, a new leather satchel this gorgeous may be a great idea for the parents too!)













Perpetual Birthday Calendars and Clipboard Organisation


Get organised with Multiple Clipboards

Having a really well organised home office regardless of the space you have available can really help to keep you stress free! We love the idea of hanging multiple clipboards on the wall and using them to organise your to do list or larger projects.  This picture from Decor8 may be a little uber minimalist but as a bit of a clutterbug it's something to aspire to!

Take away the huge pile of paperwork to be sorted and clip it on the wall ready to be tackled bit by bit - it has a psychological effect, it makes the paperwork instantly seem more manageable.   If it's a letter from school it goes on one board, if it's a bill to be paid asap onto another.  The fact it's hanging up in your office or kitchen means you are more likely to get to it than if it's left to pile up into a disorganised heap.


Perpetual Birthday Calendar 

You could also clip a perpetual birthday calendar up somewhere to remind you to shop for gifts and cards.  If it's right in front of you it's easier to notice and keep it updated than a notebook that may end up in a drawer.  It's also more personal than having your smart phone or facebook bleep at you. 

A top tip for a birthday calendar is to write down what year the person was born so you can always work out their age.



As we were searching for perpetual calendars and clipboards for our Clipboard Pinterest board, we discovered that the Dutch are famous for hanging their birthday calendars on the toilet door! 

Do you have any tips for organising your home office and keeping on top of all your 'to-dos' week to week?

Gift Guide - 1st wedding Anniversary gifts

Traditionally in the United Kingdom first wedding gifts should be made from paper.  The symbolism of wedding anniversary gifts is a wonderful tradition and we think one that should be continued.  The materials from paper through to Diamonds for a 60th anniversary all have a set heirarchy and of course paper is at the bottom, a fragile one year of marriage meriting such a delicate material to honour it.

Paper gifts can in fact be astoundingly beautiful - while many of us would delight in receiving a book or journal, we wanted to see what else we could find.  These three independent designer makers are creating the most wonderful pieces of wall art which will make perfect 1st anniversary gifts.




Paper Cut art - Ant Design Gifts


We also love this beautiful paper based jewellery from Ellymental Designs, perfect for a 1st anniversary gift.

Paper jewellery - Ellymental Designs


And don't forget, whatever you decide to buy to celebrate this special first year of marriage, ensure that it is wrapped up beautifully - We love this hand printed paper!

Hand printed tag and paper - The Sussex Soap Company






Gift Wrapping Ideas - Hole Punch Confetti!



The joy of receiving a gift can be quadrupled when it's beautifully and thoughtfully wrapped.  Adding details like ribbons and bows can allow you to use simple and inexpensive wrapping paper and yet it can make the gift look stunning!  As you know we love brown paper packaging and this confetti ribbon really caught our eye and inspired us to search out more great hole punch confetti ideas.



You can buy punches in all sorts of shapes, hearts, trees - just take a browse on google for Craft Paper Punches for inspiration - so you needn't stick with the tradition office punch.

Hole punch confetti can be made of paper that's destined for the recycling bin, so it's a jolly ethical decoration too.  If you see some brightly coloured junk mail, why not turn it into confetti for use at a later date - you could even get the kids to do all the hard work!


You could use this simple idea to create any shape or design on your wrapped gifts, just be sure to use plenty of glue!

If your mind is now buzzing with creative ideas for wrapping presents, take a look at our recent post with a selection of environmentally friendly gift wrapping ideas - beautiful gift wrap that's also made from sustainable materials.

Win £150 worth of Bespoke Handmade Jewellery!


Would you like to win a piece of Jewellery made just for you up to the value of £150?

 UK Handmade are running a fantastic competition to help raise awareness of their 'Buy handmade' campaign. 6 amazingly talented UK jewellers have offered to create the 2 winners a piece of jewellery worth up to £150.  Just look at the differing styles of craftsmanship you could choose from if you were to win!

We are really proud to be sponsoring this fantastic prize! Entry is easy - you just need an image of yourself or one of your family / friends holding (kissing / hugging / using ) something handmade.  

It could be something you have made, your kids have made or even something bought as long as it's Not Mass Produced!  The competition entries will be shortlisted and you can then vote for a winner!  Every one who votes will also be entered into a draw to win!




Brown paper packages wrapped up with string...

These are a few of my favourite things!

Mary Poppins clearly had the same gift wrapping obsession as we do here at Not Mass Produced!  If you have ever grinned from ear to ear when wrapping or receiving a brown paper parcel all wrapped up with string you will most definitely enjoy our latest Pinterest board! "Brown Paper Packages"  Sometimes keeping it simple works really well!

Here's a selection of our favourite brown paper parcel gift wrap ideas and just some gorgeous images -!

Untitled
Brown Paper Packages' by Evie Marie

tied up with string
Brown paper parcels tied with string and colourful buttons - SuperDewa

"Finished orders, wrapped in vintage paper patterns and tied with string are ready to be posted, with love." from two and six


Christmas Wrapping Ideas from Home Life 

Regalos decorativos bajo el Ă¡rbol
Simple little details added, butterflies, letters or mini pegs  - Facily Sencillo



Gift Guide - Quality Craft Kits

A few weeks ago we posted a guide to crafty activities to keep the kids amused over the summer holidays.  During our hunt for crafty and creative project ideas we came across lots creative people who have put together craft kits to buy.

These quality kits contain everything you need to make up a simple craft project, supplies, tools, instructions and some useful tips.

We have created a gift guide with our favourite quality craft kits - they are from small independent companies and designer-makers and will make wonderful gifts for creative freinds and family.

Needle felt kit
This kit from www.artfelt.co.uk contains everything you need to make this amazingly cute and colourful needle felted elephant.

Knit a cottage kit

From www.thelittleknitkitcompany.co.uk - Knit and create your own seaside cottage

Eco Jewellery making kit from www.notmassproduced.com

Make a PE Shoe Bag Kit
Make a little pe kit or shoe bag for a pre-schooler or for a child starting nursery - everything is included and it's simple to sew up. Pump Bag Kit from www.kotorikits.com

www.handprinted.co.uk has everything you need to start lino cutting in this lino cutting starter set.  Lino Cuts are great for printing your own greetings cards - it could save you a fortune at Christmas!


We hope you agree these kits look fantastic - have you ever bought or received a craft kit as a gift?  We'd love to hear about what you created...