Stocking fillers for boys

When it comes to stuffing a Christmas stocking you would expect the contents to have changed a great deal since the 1950s. This comparison of stocking fillers for boys over the last 60 years might surprise you.

1950s
In the 50s and 60s a little boy's Christmas stocking might contain: a Matchbox car, action figures or toy soldiers, Silly Putty, Hornby or Scalectrix accessories, Lego, Mr Potato Head, a card game or top trumps, a bag of marbles, a Slinky, a yo yo, crayons or pencils, a magic trick, a comic book, a selection box, an orange and a sixpence.

2013
These days the sixpence has been replaced by mobile phone credit top up cards, computer games have replaced Scalectrix and trainsets, and the orange is only included by the more nostalgic stocking stuffers, but many of the gifts have stood the test of time.

Action figure : Tintin Figure
Silly putty : Planet Putty
Lego : Lego Storage
Card game : Gruffalo Pairs Game
Marbles : Kaleidoscope Bag of Marbles
Slinky : Ridley's Springy Toy
Yo yo : Ridley's Yo Yo
Crayons : Octonauts Set of 24 Crayons
Magic Trick : Magic Linking Rings
Comic book : The Complete Tove Jannson Comic Strip Book

For more boys' stocking fillers, have a look at our Pinterest board.

A book festival for food lovers

As well as selling unique gifts and accessories, Bloomsbury stocks an eclectic selection of books. It is only fitting that we should, inspired by the style and wit of the Bloomsbury set and the impressive literary heritage of Bath.

  

With independent book shops, literary events and festivals throughout the year, there is always something to excite book lovers in the city.  Topping and Company Booksellers  recently launched The Autumn Book Festival which runs until the end of November. As well as an array of novelists, biographers, humorists and nonfiction writers they have arranged some fantastic events in association with The Great BathFeast, inviting celebrity chefs and food writers to talk about their books. Guest speakers include novelist Joanna Trollope, crime writer Ian Rankin, rocker Brian May, the Great British Bake Off’s own Mary Berry and travel writer Bill Bryson.

Bloomsbury Store might not be able to compete with Topping and Company or Mr B’s Emporium but it is the place to find all the classic Tintin books  and is renowned for its selection of art and design titles. Lovers of the Great Bath Feast will also find some gems on our shelves.

Have a look at our Pinterest board for some recommendations.

A brief history of cufflinks for dapper gents

According to the International Cufflink Association decorative cuff fastenings have been around since the time of King Tut with hieroglyphs depicting chain and stud type fastenings on the cuffs of well-dressed ancient Egyptians. Cuff links were introduced in Europe in the 17^th century when slits were first cut into sleeves but the term cufflinks did not appear in writing until 1788.

Cufflinks as we know them were made popular by regency dandy, Beau Brummell who insisted that they were the only piece of jewellery a gentleman needed. The fashion soon spread throughout society along with the shirt and tie. The cufflink used to be a necessity but in the 1930s sewn on buttons became the fastener of choice.

Modern dressing could have meant the end of the cufflink but there are so few opportunities for masculine adornment that the cufflink has survived. No longer a necessity, they are now treasured items able to inject wit and style into any gentleman’s outfit.

There is a cufflink for everyone and every budget. The wearer can hint at interests and passions with novelty cufflinks or demonstrate style and discrimination with their choice of quality cufflinks made from precious metals and jewels.

For wit, we recommend Tatty Devine’s Swallow Tatoo Cufflinks which reveal your inner biker, even when you are dressed in a suit and tie.

Simon Carter’s stylish Silver Knot Cufflinks,  hark back to the silk know fastenings of 19^th century France 

and for high fashion you need look no further than Paul Smith’s Ministripe design from his Autumn and Winter 2013 collection.

For more cufflink inspiration along with a selection of accessories for dapper gents, have a look at our Pinterest board.