These days camping doesn’t have to be just about leaky tents and freeze dried meals. There’s no need to forgo life’s luxuries with ‘Glamping’ – a new take on camping that has recently taken off all over the world.

Looking to make your family camping trips more stylish, comfortable and fun? Fairy lights are becoming an essential part of any camping trip – what better way to decorate your campsite, tent or caravan?

Our Solar Chinese Lanterns are a colourful way to decorate your camping area during the day, whilst providing mellow lighting in the evening as the sun goes down. With no need for plugs, you can hang them pretty much anywhere to charge using the sun’s energy. They are also weatherproof, making them perfect in sunshine or showers. All our solar products are LED so they are very safe around fabrics and pets.

If you’re planning to go to a music festival this summer, even celebrities like Kate Moss and Sienna Miller are enjoying the new ‘glamping’ trend at Glastonbury and have managed to make camping look chic. Our glow sticks are the perfect accessory for any festival-goer so you won’t get lost in the crowd – see our range here.

So make your campsite look fabulous this summer – from solar candles to solar butterfly and dragonfly strings, we have lots of fun products to add a touch of glam to your camping trip. Sit back, relax and enjoy camping in style!

Here at Lights4fun we’ve run a ‘Book Swap’ for a few months now, and when she heard about World Book Night, one member of our team, Emma, applied to be a part of it.

World Book Night was launched last year as a celebration of reading and books. It is celebrated on 23rd April, marking the death of both Shakespeare and Cervantes (the Spanish novelist, poet and playwright). 1 million books have been distributed to book-loving members of the public to spread their love of reading. Half of these books are donated directly to hospitals, care homes and prisons, and the other half go to the chosen Givers to share amongst friends, family and individuals in their communities.

Out of over 20,000 applicants, Emma has been chosen to be one of the ‘Givers’ and she collected the 24 copies of her chosen book ‘Pride and Prejudice’ last night from Harrogate Library. The aim is for the books to be passed around many people, and each book has a unique tracking code so you can follow its journey until it’s literally worn out.

Have a look at the list of this year’s books. Have you been involved either as a book Giver or receiver? Send us your stories via Twitter @Lights4fun.

Lights4fun will be supporting the Harrogate-based charity ‘Acorn’ by sponsoring their annual 100k bike ride on May 12th. Acorn provides help for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia in our region, along with support for their carers. Funding also goes towards developing research into Scleroderma disease at Leeds General Infirmary.

Acorn holds various events throughout the year such as half marathons, coffee mornings, golf and tennis tournaments, and many more to raise money for the cause – this will be the 6th year the bike ride has taken place in Bishop Monkton and the surrounding areas. Last year, 500 cyclists joined in the ride and helped to raise a fantastic £29,000.

We’re hoping this year will be even more successful so we have made an offer to any Lights4fun customers in Yorkshire to add £20 to their sponsorship list if they enter and complete the Bike Ride!

It’s’ really easy to sign up – click here for the online entry form or download the PDF if you’re entering as a team.

Send us your sponsorship details to sales@lights4fun.co.uk to receive a donation. For more information or if you’d like to donate to this worthwhile cause, please visit the Acorn website - all donations are greatly appreciated.

You don’t have to be a serious cyclist to take part – enthusiastic amateurs are welcome and what better incentive than the much-needed tea and home-made cakes waiting for you on the finishing line!

One member of our team, Barbara has got creative with our Fabric Hearts at a Quiltworks retreat last week in Gamblesby, Penrith. Nicknamed ‘PP7’ by their American tutor, Susan Taylor-Propst, the group of women are part of the ‘Yorkshire Yanks Quilting Group’ based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. They draped our battery lights around their sewing machines and spent the afternoon decorating the hearts in their own individual ways.

Another customer used our battery lights in his photography project and he sent us some fabulous photos of his work. Geoff said, “The lights are being used to create light spheres and shapes in photography. These are a couple we have made up out of an old bike wheel and a couple of broom sticks, and we have been trying them out inside. The next step is to use them on location somewhere (perhaps in a grave yard or old buildings)”.

Here are a few other unusual ways our customers have used our lights:

Product: White Battery Operated Fairy Lights, 20 LEDs, Multi-Action

I used these for my daughters dressing up outfit for nursery rhyme day. They were light and durable.

Product: 20 Bulb Warm White Battery Operated LED Fairy Lights, Static

This product is used to provide lighting for the inside of my wardrobe. The lights are exactly what I needed and I am very happy with the quality of the lights!

Product: 10 Bulb White Heart Battery Operated LED Fairy Lights

I used them to go around the base of a cupcake stand at a wedding. They looked really effective!

Product: 40 Warm White LED Fairy Lights, Indoor Use Christmas Lights, Clear Cable

The lights are to be used on a model train set to light up model scenery.

Product: 10 LED Blue& White Battery Operated Fairy Lights, Static

I have used them on birthday cakes – as the night lights on a football pitch at the bottom of a cake, put into a board.

Product: Blue Rope Light 9m Multi Action, IP44 Rated

The rope light is going to be added to an old electric guitar to make a feature wall mounted light for my son’s room.

We love to see photos of our customers enjoying our products – send yours to sales@lights4fun.co.uk.

We also have a new range of Wedding Decorations to add the final touches to your wedding venue. From place name cards to delicate white bunting, we have a collection of beautiful decorations to complete your big day.  Planning your wedding should be fun, so we can give you both the product and the expert advice on lighting to make this most special of occasions truly unforgettable.

Our solar lighting range provides an energy-efficient way to bring life to your garden without costing you a fortune. They are very simple to install with no need for power sockets – perfect for trees and shrubbery away from the house. They charge throughout the day using energy from the sun and as dusk falls the solar lights come to life. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to our solar range, so you can achieve the look you desire with very little effort.

Here are a few of our favourites which have proven very popular – the reviews speak for themselves.

Colour Changing LED Dragonfly Solar Stake Light

Look lovely in my garden 14/02/2012

Our daughter was delighted with the dragonfly lights and spent many an hour staring out of the window into the garden watching the colours change. Lovely little present that would cheer up any garden or plant pot.

Reviewer: Jacqueline King

50 White LED Solar Fairy Garden Lights, 5 Metre String:

Cheap as Chips! 14/02/2012

Everyone should have these and the world would be a brighter place.

Reviewer: David Wood

Dusk, Decking, Lights, Relax! 20/06/2011

I strung my lovely new solar lights round a small conifer as a backdrop to our newly painted decking. What can I say? Now I look forward to dusk when my decking comes alive with twinkling lights! What better way to spend an evening than with a glass of wine, lit by beautiful starry lights!

Reviewer: Heather Rowe

Small Solar Garden Path Light, Glass Ice Brick, 1 x White LED

WOW! 05/08/2011

I love these lights, they look lovely and they stay bright well into the early hours of the morning.

Reviewer: Julie.scrivensc

Solar Glass Brick – AMAZING 09/05/2011

Arrived quickly, really simple to use and look amazing in the day and at night. I am really impressed with the product and they make my garden look so pretty with their clear bright light…definitely worth buying!

Reviewer: Nataliehajzyk

Donations, however small, really can make a difference. Sport Relief helps change lives here in the UK, as well as in some of the world’s poorest countries.

• £2 could provide two street children in India with the basic school materials they need to learn to read and write.
• £10 could give a person in the UK living with dementia, and their carer, expert advice on improving their quality of life
• £50 could feed 100 vulnerable children living on the streets of India for a day
• £500 could provide a young person who takes care of a sick relative in the UK with one-to-one support for a whole year
• £1000 could transform the lives of a whole community living in the slums of Kenya, by giving them access to clean water

Put the “fun” back into fundraising:

• Come to work dressed as your favourite sports star
• Host a bun & cake competition or sale
• Do a sponsored bungee jump or skydive
• Fancy dress Friday – give prizes for the best outfit
• Hold a sponsored wheelbarrow race

So whether you’re sporty or not, there will be events taking place all over the UK, so get your socks and sweat bands on and raise some cash! http://www.sportrelief.com/fundraise

St. Gemma’s is the largest hospice in Yorkshire and one of the largest in England. They provide palliative care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for terminally ill patients. Staff focus care around the needs of the individual with the aim of enhancing their quality of life, offering additional support for their families and carers.

‘By contributing to research, sharing knowledge and good practice our aim is to improve patient care in all settings.’

Donations, fundraising initiatives and proceeds from their charity shops go towards:

• Specialist nursing and medical care
• Funding visits for specialist nurses to visit patients in their own homes
• Therapy sessions
• Running costs of the Hospice
• Upkeep of the award winning grounds and facilities
• Many other worthwhile services

If you would like to donate go to http://www.st-gemma.co.uk/donateonline.html

54 countries came together to celebrate Commonwealth Day on March 12^th, kicking off celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games. We’re getting in the spirit and have some quirky new products perfect for these occasions.

Have the best dressed table at your garden and street parties – we have a sophisticated new range of platters and plates in various designs. Planning an afternoon tea party? Make your cupcakes look even more appealing with our Reversible 3-Tier Afternoon Tea Stand, and decorate your cakes with our regal Cake Toppers. If you’re looking for an unusual table centrepiece our Royal Carriage Teapot Vase is ideal – it has a waterproof inner and is very easy to assemble. We love these fun British designs that will make your Royal Jubilee party or Olympic celebrations unforgettable.

Make the most of the extended bank holiday in June – what better excuse for a party? Get involved in the celebrations and let us know your party plans on Twitter @Lights4fun.

St. Patrick is known for bringing Christianity to Ireland, and the Irish celebrate a national festival to commemorate his death on the 17^th March. St. Patrick’s Day is now the most widely celebrated saint’s day in the UK – most people enjoy feasting, dancing and lots of drinking on this day. So join in the fun!

Decorate your house or party venue with ease – use our Green LED Connectable Fairy Lights to create the perfect atmosphere. Liven up your outdoor trees and fences with our Green Outdoor Fairy Lights, or perhaps use our LED Green Battery Operated Fairy Lights in glass vases to add a Celtic touch to your home or venue.

And don’t forget our Candle and Tea Light sale is still running until Wednesday 14^th March – so grab your green and gold lights at just £1 while you can!

Our battery and mains operated LED Sunflower Fairy Lights are ideal for anywhere in her home, available in both warm white and amber. Looking for something more unusual? Have a look at our LED Willow Wicker Rattan Balls - around a mirror, over a doorway, in a tall glass vase or across a mantelpiece, this garland is the perfect finishing touch.

We also have some lovely alternatives to our lighting range with some simple decorations for the home. These Pearl Hearts on Silver Ribbon and White Fabric Beaded Heart Hanging Decorations would be ideal for dotting around her kitchen or cupboard doors. Not to mention our gorgeous Wire Heart Photo Holder to display all your family memories.

Sign up to our newsletter at http://www.lights4fun.co.uk/ to receive our Mother’s Day email for more ideas and information on our best deals and offers.

Each year Cancer Research UK spends hundreds of millions of pounds on research into preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer. They are the biggest single independent funder of cancer research in Europe. We wanted to make a significant contribution to show our appreciation and support for all the work they do – the money raised from these solar jars being sold in Cancer Research shops across the country will contribute towards investing in research, raising awareness and making scientific progress in the fight to beat cancer.

If you would like to get involved and support Cancer Research UK with a donation or through fundraising events you can visit their website at http://supportus.cancerresearchuk.org/

What’s more, Spring is just around the corner and the days are getting longer – so with entertaining in mind why not brighten up your garden with our new connectable Solar Decking Lights in Blue and White to enhance your pathways, lawns, decking or borders at night. Fancy an early evening colour-changing light show? Check out our new Colour Changing Floating Solar Ball – a stunning way to light up your pond or water feature with no hassle of wires or batteries. At 2 for £10 it’s an offer not to miss.

Take advantage of our fantastic LED Candle and Tea Light sale with many items down to just £1!

Designed to give an authentic amber flicker with no worry of hot wax or naked flames, they provide a lovely warm ambience for your home. We have a range of colours, including red, gold, silver, green and pearl. You can leave them anywhere in the house with the confidence that they are 100% safe around your fabrics and furniture. Each style comes as a pair – also great for weddings and parties.

Simple style tip: LED tea lights look great in a glass votive holder, or paper lantern. An easy and effective way to decorate your party venue.

Hurry as stocks are running low – don’t miss out on these great bargains!

Over 90 Rotary Clubs worldwide are getting involved, including clubs in Australia, South Africa, Canada, and Egypt to name but a few. Paralympic swimmer Claire Cashmore will be attending the event, along with the President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland, Ray Burman. The current record stands at an impressive 2,533 swimmers who took the plunge in 2002.

The Rotary club members have volunteered a vast amount of time and personal resources to immunise more than two billion children in 122 countries with the oral polio vaccine. Donations go towards funding immunisations and supporting campaigns in developing countries to eradicate the disease – it’s a fantastic cause.

Get into the Olympic spirit – grab your goggles and get involved to support this worthy charity. You can find your nearest event at the official website and to donate simply visit the Rotary Club website.

Good luck to Sarah and Geoff who are taking part!

Ironically rather than using up ingredients such as milk and eggs before Lent, most will be stocking up on the essentials ready for Pancake Day. As you’ve probably guessed by now we’re all big food lovers here – those with a sweet tooth will be having the classic lemon and sugar; others are not so content with the ordinary British toppings and are trying something a bit different. Our German sales manager Katarina will be indulging in apple, cinnamon and maple syrup, and our French sales manager will be treating herself to Crêpe Suzette, after working hours of course.

Let us know your favourite pancake filling, just tweet @Lights4fun using #myfavouritepancake. We’ll RT our favourite!

Whatever the filling, everybody loves them. Get flipping!

With Valentine’s Day approaching, many of you will be planning a special evening. Whether you’re wining and dining out or having a quiet night in, we have some simple but very effective ideas to create that romantic atmosphere. And remember ladies, this is a leap year so don’t be afraid to pop the question!

Set the scene with our flameless LED wax candles that gently flicker and have a lovely vanilla scent. Check out the video to see for yourselves how effective they look. Our indoor heart shaped fairy lights have been reduced from £14.95 to just £9.99 so take advantage of this great offer while you can. Alternatively if you prefer battery lights, we supply a range of colours including pink, red and white at very competitive prices. Also particularly popular is our tea light range – these provide a simple authentic flicker with no worry of hot wax, ideal to be placed on the table, mantelpiece or indeed anywhere in the home.

Stuck for a thoughtful Valentine’s gift for your other half? Our Wire heart photo holder is perfect for displaying photos or cards and we have some cute fabric heart decorations to add a touch of chic to your home. If you’ve left it to the last minute take advantage of our next day delivery service and get it just in time for tomorrow.

Make this Valentine’s different.

Suppliers from around the UK came to our local town in January for the Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair which we all had the opportunity to visit. Almost 80 exhibitors filled the 6 halls with innovative stalls and we believe it was better than ever this year.

We’re a big believer in spotting trends first and bringing them back to the UK for our fantastic customers. Late January saw our team of buyers head to Germany for the ChristmasWorld at Messe Frankfurt, see a huge variety of products and most importantly experience the world famous Frankfurter sausage in its home town!

On Monday this week the final leg of tradeshow triathlon began with the UK’s largest show of the year, the Spring Fair. With 17 miles of corridors to walk down and the largest variety of suppliers, from Christmas to home fragrance, it gave the
Lights4fun buying team some trend ideas and new suppliers for the future.

For the next few weeks you’ll find the Lights4fun buying gurus locked away in their hub of activity at HQ selecting their favourite new finds and exciting products for 2012. Keep an eye out on our website for the latest additions to the range in late Spring…

Being based in the Yorkshire town of Harrogate, we couldn’t let British Yorkshire Pudding Day pass without a mention here at Lights4Fun. The day was first launched in 2008 by Florence Sandernan of website Recipes4Us as homage to one of the most iconic British dishes. It is a recipe dating back to the 1700s which has certainly stood the test of time.

If Yorkshire pudding makes you think only of traditional Sunday roasts with beef and onion gravy, think again… many people, particularly in Yorkshire, enjoy it as a starter and even as a dessert. It is mentioned in Harry Potter books as the ‘traditional dessert of England’ – many serve it cold with jam, treacle, fruit or clotted cream.

Did you know…?

• According to the Guinness World Records, the biggest Yorkshire pudding measured a huge 46.46 square metres (500 sq ft) in 1996 in the town of Skipton, North Yorkshire.
• Harrods launched a range of ice creams in 2008 with ‘traditional’ British flavours including Yorkshire pudding flavour.
• The largest simultaneous roast dinner with Yorkshire Puddings was organised by the East England Agricultural Society in Peterborough on February 22nd 2009, with 1,632 participants.
• On 11th June 2000 the first Great Yorkshire Pudding Boat Race was held in Brawby, North Yorkshire. Six Yorkshire puddings 3ft in diameter were baked and coated with yacht varnish, each ‘boat’ using up 50 eggs.

Sweet or savoury, they’re definitely a favourite in our office. How do you eat yours?

We cooked our Yorkshire puddings using Delia’s recipe:

http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/type-of-dish/party-food/accompaniment/yorkshire-pudding.html

The Chinese New Year is the most important Chinese festival and is a time of celebration, feasting, street performances, fireworks and gift-giving. The Chinese calendar follows a 12 year cycle, with each year named after an animal; it is believed you have the character traits of the animal in whose year you were born. This year, we wave goodbye to the Rabbit and welcome in the year of the Dragon – the luckiest of all the animals. Those born in the year of the Dragon are considered to be confident, energetic, hard working, loyal, popular and fun loving. Here in the office we’ll be checking our Chinese year of birth to see how well we all fit the descriptions!

Customs vary in different parts of the world, but traditionally it is a time when families come together to celebrate a new start in peace and happiness. Interestingly, London hosts the largest celebrations for the Chinese New Year outside Asia. Similar to our Christmas traditions, families in China put up lights outside their home and create a festive ambience with gold and red scented candles. In Chinese culture the colour red is seen as a symbol of luck and prosperity, and is believed to fend off evil spirits; so families often give windows and doors a new coat of red paint in preparation for the start of the New Year.

Celebrations last for 15 days, ending on the date of the first full moon with the ‘Festival of Lanterns’ or ‘Yuan-Xiao’. Houses are decorated with paper lanterns and street performances and parades bring a cheerful atmosphere to end the Chinese New Year celebrations with music and dancing. The colourful lanterns are hung on local temples and in the evening people gather together holding up the lanterns to create a fantastic spectacle of light.

Have a look at our very own multi coloured LED Solar Chinese Lanterns which are ideal to light up your garden or patio. We have them in  purple, red, white and yellow .

‘Kung Hei Fat Choy’ – Happy New Year!