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!

Today it all seems to be machine manufactured plastic built by robots in seconds and sold in supermarkets to provide everybody with identical goods. This is one of the main reasons why eco gifts have become so popular today, because more of us are realising that we’ve been very close to losing the opportunity to buy gifts which are special, unique, and which don’t simply use up more of the earth’s limited natural resources in order to punch out something bland, uniform and lacking soul or originality.

But eco gifts of course provide the opportunity to give much more than an original, beautiful item that’s been handcrafted, and very probably unique in many ways. Because eco gifts help support and sustain two important things which we should all have a keen interest in – people and the planet.

Poorer communities facing challenging situations have something we’ve largely lost – the commitment and ability to take natural materials and craft them by hand into beautiful eco gifts for decoration or everyday use.

But also by reusing or recycling items which might otherwise be discarded the impact on the environment is significantly reduced. From beautiful, decorative bowls made from half a coconut shell to stunning woven baskets made from bamboo, the natural world provides far more resources than we tend to give credit for, and often the eco gifts not only look much more attractive in our homes, but are valued much more than factory manufactured uniformly bland items.

Even taking items we normally discard, such as beer bottles, can provide opportunities to reduce the amount of waste by becoming a little more creative.

Every year 28 billion glass bottles and jars are discarded, but by purchasing eco gifts we can reduce that waste.

Quirky and attractive glasses and goblets made from recycled beer bottles seems like a bizarre idea at first, but they are very appealing and popular, and certainly a real talking point.

Eco gifts help you to give originality and beauty whilst giving poorer communities a chance to support themselves more productively, and cut down on the appalling waste we generate every year.

Say no to plastic punching robots and welcome in a world of eco gifts that give more than just a gift.

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.

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Ethical cooking and dining

Whether you’re cooking the family meal or you’re having a dinner party for friends, there are a few easy steps you can take to ensure a successful and ethical dinner:

Ingredients

We’ve already mentioned the popularity of free range eggs and sales are now hitting the £2 billion per year mark. Battery egg sales are plummeting and by 2012, eggs laid by caged hens will be a thing of the past as a ban is due to be implemented. All the major supermarkets are joining in to support free range produce because the demand from the public is stronger than ever.

Take an interest in where your ingredients come from and how they were grown or raised. Free range and organic produce is not only more ethically sound, it is also more nutritious which can only be a good thing for health.

Try to buy produce that is in season. We’ve become so used to having any type of fruit and vegetable at any time of the year but the fact remains that buying produce that is in season is more cost-effective, fresher and better for the environment.

Environmental impact

Actively seek out information about your food. ‘Food miles’ is an often used phrase and relates to the distance travelled from source to point of purchase. Be aware however that fuel consumption is not always judged on distance. A container ship full of apples travelling from another country can use less fuel than trucks driving hundreds of miles up and down this country. Buying locally is best to maintain freshness of food but don’t be over-enthusiastic as many poor countries rely on income from fruit and vegetable exports.

If you’re buying fish, find out how it has been caught and whether the stocks are sustainable. Fish is a rapidly depleting food source across the planet and some of the methods involved in fishing are detrimental to animal welfare and the environment.

Meat farming is having a major impact on the environment. While you don’t necessarily have to abstain from eating it, having a few meat free days every week can make a big difference. Did you know that a steak dinner for a family of four is roughly equivalent (energy wise) to driving around in 4×4 family car while leaving all your house lights on.

Grow your own

It is possible to become self-sufficient by growing your own vegetables and fruit. If you’ve a garden, patio or even just a window box, you’ll be amazed at how much you can actually grow yourself. Why not buy an organic garden gift voucher and grow your own tomatoes, peas, courgettes, runner beans and even strawberries.

Serving your food

You can even be ethical in the way you prepare and serve your food. Buy plates, utensils, chopping boards and bowls made from sustainable materials such as bamboo. Bamboo is a fast growing plant which is easily renewable therefore having very little impact on the environment. There are a number of stylish bamboo products for the kitchen and home.

Ethical thinking now radiates through every aspect of business practice from alternative energy sources to sustainable manufacturing materials to reducing pollution. Even corporate ethical gifts are replacing the usual offerings to incentivise or congratulate the workforce for a job well done.

The ethical business

With the general population organising their lives in a more ethical way and seeking eco-friendly alternatives in their lifestyles, so businesses are researching and initiating new environmentally ideas to help keep them ahead of the competition. From huge corporations to small start-ups, using green practices throughout day-to-day operations can provide huge gains.

The idea of a company towing the environmental line was once met with derision among the business community, but those who took the initiative earliest are now watching as the sceptics play catch up. The change in attitude among consumers and business alike has increased the interest in all things green.

While many corporations have a vast challenge ahead of them to convince the public that they are putting the environment first, there are definite changes being made. Office buildings are being constructed to maximise energy efficiency and occupying such a premises not only offers a better public image but also the potential for long-term savings. Even companies that are seen as traditionally eco-unfriendly are now committed to better environmental practices. What these businesses are seeing by going ‘green’ is better public relations and significant ways to improve their bottom line.

Most environmental initiatives stem from demand by clients and consumers. The pressure is on businesses to meet this demand because if given the choice between one product being environmentally friendly and the other not, the majority of consumers are choosing the greener option.

We’ve come a long way in the past twenty years – in the past consumers would struggle to name any green brands but now they have become the starting point when deciding on lifestyle choices. It is imperative for survival and growth that a business increases consumer and employee reaction by instigating wide-spread environmentally friendly practices.

Ethical gifts for the workforce

Anyone who has worked within a team of people will at some point have contributed to, or been a recipient of, a gift. A birthday, departing colleague, promotion or just a hearty well done are all reasons to show someone at work that you appreciate them.

For businesses to make a real effort in going ‘green’, a great show of intent is for everyone involved to buy gifts that are ethically sound. Whatever the reason, buying an ethical gift for employees or an ethical gift for the boss is a great way to increase awareness within your company about the importance of green issues as well as giving a present that has lasting impact on the recipient.

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!

How to be an ethical pet owner

As a pet owner you naturally want to keep your cat or dog in the best of health. Just as humans benefit from natural materials and ingredients, so do animals. When buying pet supplies, products and gifts, consider what they’re made from, how they’ve been manufactured and the impact that has on the planet. You’ll be doing your pet and the environment a big favour.

Consider these factors to determine whether your pet products are ‘green’:

What materials have been used?

The manufacturing process for any product takes a toll on the environment but that can be minimised by selecting goods produced using sustainable materials. Natural materials do not deplete the planet’s resources so rapidly and a good example of this is cat litter. You can buy litter made from corn, pine, cedar and wheat. These materials can be easily composted which means less waste going to landfill or incinerators.

Also consider buying organic dog collars and leashes made from natural materials. Hemp is an ideal material because it’s hard-wearing but soft so it doesn’t rub the skin. And for dogs with sensitive skin, hemp is great because it’s hypoallergenic.

Hemp Dog Collar Small – Lime	Hemp Dog Lead Small – Lime

Buy pet toys that are safe

Cats and dogs love to play with toys but they can quickly destroy them with their over-exuberance. Many toys have chemical residues within the material which is bad for the environment and bad for your pet. Buy toys that are made using natural materials – they are biodegradable but also should your pet bite a piece off and swallow it, it won’t do them any harm.

These dog and cat chew toys are perfect. Made from Loofah, a fast-growing renewable resource similar to pumpkin and cucumber, the toys are great for chewing and will also help to keep you pet’s teeth clean. Dogs and cats love the smell and texture too.

Loofah Cat Toy Set	Loofah Bone Dog Toy – Large

Buy natural pet food and treats

As humans we’re becoming more aware of what we’re putting into our bodies and so we avoid foods grown with pesticides or manufactured using artificial colours, flavour enhancers and preservatives. You should do the same for your pets by buying natural and organic pet food that is produced using free-range meat and poultry and includes whole grains and wheat. Also, with natural pet food, meat by-products such as fats are removed.

When it comes to pampering your pet, give them organic treats which have a good source of vitamins to keep their bones and coat healthy.

Sun-Dried Tomato, Spinach & Herb Mini Dog Treats	‘From the Ocean’ Mini Cat Treats

These products and more are easily available over the internet from online ethical websites such as www.greentulip.co.uk. Do something good for yourself, your pet and the environment by going green with your pet products.