Well, finally back from Autumn Fair at the NEC. It was a very busy five days, and my feet KILLED me throughout most of it (I have never stood on such a hard floor).

The launch of GIAT into the trade world was successfully completed, with buyers on the stand from many different sectors, and of all sizes from mutlinationals and even global chains, the independent gift shops, garden centres and other websites.

I was very happy to chat with them all and met some lovely people. We also had such positive feedback about the product and packaging, it was brilliant.

Our new Men's Gromming Tins are now also finalised, so we'll be getting them live in about fours weeks, ready for the Christmas rush and we're also looking into the CraftTins too.

So now it's back to dispatch the orders we took, and send invoices out, and email all those lovely folk who said they would like to buy from us and welcome them as new customers.

Well what an amazing day - a WHOLE day (yes a WHOLE day) off my day job. What a luxury to focus the mind on Giftinatin. There was the small matter of a job application for a new part time job....fingers crossed as it means I can have four days every week to focus on the business before launching myself completely into it 7 days a week.

So what have I done today....sounds like a line from Miranda...to make me feel good? I have written copy for a couple of ads; I've made a start on arranging my handheld terminal for October onwards; I've pid some money for my stand at Spirit of Christmas at Bluewater this year - very exciting.

I've also had conversations with NODA, a lovely association who we're putting together a great offer for their members and I've spoken to three new retailers of Giftinatin!

Busy busy...oh I almost forgot, I also hired a cleaner - the lovely Susan - she will be brilliant I am sure and make my life that little mush more ordered (she'd have to be a fairy to make it heaps more ordered!).

So now it must be knocking off time....I have a pile of papers to put in the lounge to work on this evening in front of the tv - lights to book for shows, plant kits to order, baby swaddles to order....we're almost ready for Christmas! Just need to get this brochure finalised and off to the wonderful Helen Mckenzie for a final tweak and print!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Geoff Ramm.com thanks very much for the inspiring presentation this morning. I now have some great new marketing ideas.

Taken delivery of our new vanilla and orange candles today - they smell AMAZING. So many people ask me for vanilla candles - and generally although I like vanilla, it often smells so synthetic...so our fantastic candle maker Helen at Northumbrian Candles has put together a vanilla and orange candle - first you get that sweet natural vanilla aroma and then the bright, fruity tones of range - beautiful. I am sure they will be really popular - just need to organise pics of these plus the other new Sandlewood fragrance soy candles too - quite popular with guys who like to freshen up their apartments, with a subtle, musky woody aroma, just so relaxing.

Delivered...thanks to my new Marketing Executive..260 table favours, colour co-ordinated, handwritten personal message, JesmonaBlack Bullets sweetie favours - they look great.

Hope Children North East's Sandcastle Ball is a great hit, I am sure it will be.

Anyone wanting table favours for weddings or parties, just let us know, we can provide anything for you - pick what you want in the bag, box or wrapped, we can add message on a tag, and colour co-ordinate ribbon or any other decorations.

They take a long time to do but they look brilliant on your tables, and they make lovely gifts to take away from an event - really popular for corporates too - treat your clients, or perhaps send them out as promotional gifts in small boxes.

Sandlewood candles being launched this weekend. Such a fantastic relaxing aroma, natural and woody - perfect for a man's gift too.

The we're on to looking at men's grooming kits because everyone keeps asking us about buying presents for men - yes I agree, it's really HARD...so we're going to have some new Tins with grooming kits, shaving kits etc - can't wait to launch them at Autumn Fair...so much to organise!

Exciting new, we have finally hit the high street, Whitley Bay High Street to be exact. A lovely shop Rosewill Cottage, sells beads and jewellery and other gifts, and now they sell our GiftTins with candles and bath bombs! The display looks great, let's hope they sell out fast!

We also now have our very fan page on Facebook, I've put some pics up of our latest products - garden pouches to grow hit chillis, mini gerberas and wild strawberries, I love these gifts they are so beautifully designed. It's at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Giftinatin/110480985710236 we have 38 people people liking us so far...we'll see how that goes!

So now we have a new Facebook fan page. We already had a website page, but now we have a fan page...I've invited all my friends, so let's hope they join!

PlantTins are now launched and the Hot Chillies are proving popular, especially for Fathers Day Gifts.

I've just started designing a new scarf pattern which I'm knitting up in the beautiful black Alpaca, it;s going to be popular for Christmas I think.

So anyone wanting to join my Facebook fan page, please do, and tell everyone else you know to do it too! Thanks http://www.facebook.com/pages/Giftinatin/110480985710236

Had some excellent training today on social media marketing - learnt much about how to take my old marketing skills online - thanks Pascal at www.centreforebusiness.com

However, have also realised to keep up with all this social media and viral marketing will take up all my time....once I finish my coaching job in September it will be full steam ahead to run Giftinatin full time with my full involvement which will make a fantastic difference!

www.giftinatin.com

@giftinatin is deciding which beautiful products to add to our spring range, baby gifts, mens gifts, and unusual craft kits

Spring is in the air here @giftinatin! we have new yarns coming our way, some beautiful new colours and shortly some linen for light, fresh spring and summer knitted accessories.

We're also looking into new CrochetTins for some pretty summer beanies and shawls!

Then there will be the baby selection, new men's SpaTins and grooming kits....it's all go here!

Echoes of Laughter: The Secret of Planning for Next Christmas...

I love your blog, I've just found it and seen how much stuff I've missed! It's firmly in regular favourites to visit now!

Well here it is, 2011. Last year was a great success for Giftinatin, winning awards and excellent growth in sales over the Christmas period.

So what's new this year? We're developing new ranges which is exciting - the new look website will continue to absorb the new ranges, but we'll also need some new areas for our wholesale pages and party planning!

So we have some beautiful new ranges in the KniTins, and there will also be CrocheTins too, with some pretty spring and summer patterns.

There'll be new ranges for children and men, so much to do...

Happy New Year to all our customers and suppliers - wishing you a prosperous 12 months!