“There is no such thing as a bad Christmas present” a person, who has never received a weathervane on Christmas Day, once famously said.

What the “It’s the Thought that Counts” fraternity fail to fully appreciate is that for a gift to achieve its maximum emotional impact, it must be at once practical and carefully tailored to the needs or interests of the intended recipient.

That last minute scratchie, the novelty Jar of Hugs or even a painstakingly choreographed Riverdance are destined to disappoint, no matter how good I looked in that spandex leotard.

They merely invoke a polite smile or, in the case of the Riverdance, a restraining order from my in-laws.

Please. Learn from my past folly and consider the gift of Notely.

A Notely journal, notebook or diary is an attractive, functional gift that comes perfectly wrapped in the peace of mind that comes with owning recycled and sustainably sourced stationery

The Christmas list maker in your life will thank you. Encourage your nearest and dearest to carefully gather and manicure their thoughts, properly consider their purchases and avoid the uncomfortable silence that follows a bad purchase like…for instance, a rotating, cast iron rooster.

“Well, I just figured…you know…you have a roof!”

True. An irrefutable fact I was forced to concede at the time, the logic of which was swiftly countered by pointing out that I also had in my possession…feet and yet felt no pressing desire to own a pair of clogs!

In fact, upon further reflection, NEVER was the exact number of times I’d ever found myself wondering which way the wind was blowing.

That said, should I ever find myself wishing to hang glide to work or launch a weather balloon, I am open to re-considering my position on this.

Though, to be honest, even if it were a consideration I need only observe which way my neighbour’s futile combover is fluttering, en route to the letterbox each morning, to harvest this information.

Anyway, the prevailing winds of Christmas sweep down upon us with gathering speed and looking skyward to a rusty cockerel I see that all things point towards a wonderful and joyous Festive Season.

From everybody at Notely, have a happy and sustainable Christmas.