Here at Watson Wolfe, we love the festive period! It’s the one collective time in the year when family and friends can see one another and truly rejoice in capturing the spirit of Christmas. So, if you’re reading this and are thinking about gifts for your loved ones or are busy wrapping them, we’ve compiled a list of interesting facts and stats that all relate to Christmas and will intrigue you!
- The first ever televised Christmas speech from the Queen was in 1957, and we’ve been glued to our TV screens ever since.
- 46% of Greetings Cards sent each year relate to Christmas.
- In 1647, Oliver Cromwell banned celebrating Christmas! He thought it was wrong to feast and drink on a holy day.
- £28,000,000 worth of Christmas puddings is consumed each year.
- Around 88 square kilometres of wrapping paper are sold annually in the UK around Christmas.
- £350 is the average amount an adult spends buying Christmas presents.
- 988 is the number of calories in your average Christmas lunch.
In 2019, it was said that the UK spent over £25 billion on Christmas gifts. This underpins just how big the tradition of Christmas gifts has become and how it's now such a crucial part of the UK’s economy. This doesn’t consider other countries and how much goes through their respective economies. But where did this all begin? And how has Xmas evolved into such a financial monster? We must look back to the ancient Romans, where this time-honoured tradition can be traced.
Festivals during this time took place from 17th – 23rd December to honour the celebration of Saturnalia. Gifts would be exchanged, and parties would run well into the night – which was the only time free speech would be embraced. Slaves were considered equals to their masters during this period, too. As Christianity evolved throughout the ages, the early values of Christmas gift-giving evolved and became a staple for all followers.
The turn of the 20th Century saw Christmas become a massive phenomenon in America. The economic increase after World War II was the fuel the Xmas industry needed for it to become a household spectacle. It even reached the point where people from all walks of life embraced this period – not just those of the Christian faith. Marketers and advertisers began to see the positive impact of commercialising this annual event. Schools and workplaces were increasingly shut during the celebrations, so it became an advertiser’s dream.
And as Xmas has evolved over the generations, one thing that has remained a constant is gift exchange. The Western world enjoys the Xmas period with probably little to no understanding of the religious principles behind it, but due to its commercialisation, it’s something that people have chosen to embrace more and more throughout the ages.
Ethical Christmas gifts can be defined as having a moral, social, and ethical standing. Essentially, these items are good for the planet and made from sustainable, eco-friendly materials. If you are given a gift that puts the well-being of the environment, animals, and people first, then this is an ethical gift. When you buy a product that is deemed to be unethical, you’re essentially supporting unethical practices such as animal cruelty, child poverty, pollution and much more. Currently, shopping for ethical Christmas gifts is becoming more and more commonplace, with even more people looking to find ways to decrease their carbon footprint.
And when it comes to the Christmas period, things tend to be rushed, and the pressure can be on to get everything done in time. Therefore, Xmas can be tricky to sustain our commitment to ethical values. Whether it’s looking for more handmade gifts, using recycled wrapping paper, consuming no animal products, or spending more to buy less, it can be a daunting thought to keep Xmas ethical and sustainable. That said, when it comes to ethical Xmas presents there are more options now than ever.
At Watson Wolfe, all our products are sustainable, animal cruelty-free and eco-friendly. So, if you are looking for ethical Christmas gifts, you have certainly arrived at the right place. Our wallets are made from materials that use fewer chemicals than animal leather and have a significantly lower environmental impact – an excellent choice for anybody who cares about the environment and understands the importance of gifting ethical gifts. Every wallet from our range is entirely handcrafted and finished to the highest standard, and we have a series of elegant styles in the collections. You can choose an ethical gift without compromising quality, functionality or style with cruelty-free bi-fold and tri-fold cardholders and wallets with coin pockets.
There are a few things you will need to avoid when choosing the perfect Christmas gift for someone who is vegan.
Items which have been tested on animals.
Animal testing is usually linked to beauty items and cosmetics. These items should be marked with the cruelty-free leaping bunny logo if they have not been tested on animals. It is also worth checking if they are vegan as well because some cosmetics can contain animal-derived ingredients.
Animal fibres and substances.
Items containing or made of materials such as leather, fur, wool, silk, feathers, or beeswax would not make a suitable gift. You can check labels or ask the retailer if the label is unclear.
If you’re struggling to think of ideal gifts for your family and friends for Xmas, then why not gift something that is a little more personal. At Watson Wolfe, we make giving a custom gift easy. A personalised wallet of card holder is an excellent Xmas gift that someone will cherish for a long time, all whilst being completely practical and ethical. Why not capture the essence of Xmas with a personalised gift?
All our card holders and wallets can be personalised with your chosen initials and the embossed lettering is added to the front, bottom right-hand corner.
The service takes between 3-5 days to fully complete, but if you require the item much faster and in time for Christmas, then please do contact us.
