We started Handpicked to give people a trusted source of unusual and inspiring gift ideas. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a present well received and it’s our mission to make that simple. Our Expert Panel make sure we stay on track but we hope, with our blog, we’ll hear more from you too. Comment away!

Our buying team have trying to track down all the loveliest souvenirs with which to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. Our favourite so far is this gorgeous jug by Jan Constantine. See all our ideas here.

A Little Tub of Marbles

We’ve got a bit of guest blogging going on this week. First off is a lovely product review including a little tub of marbles and twenty-something-year-old kid at heart otherwise known as Handpicked customer service manager Victoria. Cheers Vic.

We recently had a tub of marbles make its way over to the Handpicked Office and I was first to put up my hand to test them out – for our customers benefit of course. Opening the lid I was taken back to my childhood days when collecting the prettiest or biggest marbles was high up there with being the coolest kid in the playground. All the different colours, patterns and sizes, I was amazed that not much has changed in the marble world, yet I am still just as excited as I was 20 years ago to start bagging the best marbles.

Needless to say I took them straight home to show my ever-excitable housemates who joined me for a few games while waiting for the dinner to cook. After getting the hang of a few of our old favourites we got well into the spirit of the game. It wasn’t until an hour or so later that we realized we had completely forgotten about dinner and our nightly glass of wine over Britain’s Got Talent. Who knew a small tub or marbles could provide a whole evening of old school entertainment – I should think it would work a treat on kids as well – just make sure they don’t go missing up children’s noses.