Occasions done differently

FUN WAYS TO CELEBRATE THE JUBILEE

I’m here waving my little flag because in 2022, Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service. Forget anything royalist for a moment. In many ways, what an icon of female power Queen Elizabeth has been; resilient, hard working and committed to the core. It’s hard to imagine doing anything for seven whole decades, let alone to have managed it with the whole world watching. Through many periods in time where women were supposed to have been seen but not heard, she always took control, and did so with grace. 

Even if the royals don’t float your flotilla, I think the Jubilee gives us a chance to celebrate and take pride in the originality and joy of British craftsmanship and design. This nation has so many wonderful small businesses making the most of the occasion and it’s a brilliant opportunity to support them, mark a positive moment in the news for once and to treat the ones you love. Here are some of my favourite finds…

Want something truly original to take to your local street tea party? These jelly moulds make quite the centrepiece and are all hand finished and made in the UK. And to be fair, it might well be the only time you see our matriarch wobble, too…

How about a royal breakfast? Of course, you’ll need something fitting to donk your royal soldiers into… Each egg cup takes a week to make and when they’re not being employed in royal ‘dippy egg’ duties, they make rather fetching trinket pots. 

These will also make you an undeniably welcome guest at any party — a jammie biscuit scone baking kit, and the clincher? They are so easy to make, there are just five short steps between you and a show-stopping afternoon tea.

Speaking of jam, here’s a gift that’s likely to get you the royal seal of approval. A perfect pot by the brilliant Word Play Clay. You’ll need to hold tight till there’s been a batch freshly made though as they’re crafted by hand so as rare as a well-behaved Corgi.

How about making something special to mark the occasion? This cross stitch kit will be a cracking piece of memorabilia (or a rather lovely treat for the wall).

Or how about some hand-crafted heaven in cake form to treat your friends or colleagues? These delicious numbers are made by St Margarets’ very own star baker, Mrs P.

Hand crocheted and perfect for little queens and kings — this crown is just the thing to keep in the family, wrap in a story and hand down to mini generations to come.

The design on this pure cotton tea towel is so regal, it would be just as lovely framed as it would be to dry your china on, or even for your descandants to discover in the loft in decades to come.

It’s not just Jubilees that our UK independents do well. If you’re planning we wedding or are off to one any time soon, take a look at my post on why small businesses make a wedding truly yours.