January really isn’t the best of months for a lot of people. After the Christmas & New Year festivities have finished it is back to the daily grindstone, with what seems like nothing to look forward to. I've recently noticed a lot of friends & colleagues starting to book holidays or trips away. This winter also lead to a lot of flu going around. Almost everyone seemed to be inflicted with some strain of sickness or the cold. Pay Day has also been a long time coming, but we are almost there now! At least the snow & ice have stayed away for a while.

January is so bad in fact that ‘Blue Monday’ occurs! Blue Monday is meant to be the most depressing day of the year according to psychologists. This date allegedly falls on the Monday of the last full week of January. So it was the 19th January in 2000 & the 18th January in 2010. There has been some confusion over the date in 2011 with some claiming it was on 17th January 2011, while others say Blue Monday was on 24th January 2011.

According to Cliff Arnall (former University tutor) the date was calculated by using many factors, including: weather conditions, debt level, time since Christmas, time since failing our new year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling of a need to take action. (Wikipedia)

According to a press release by a mental health charity, the formula is:



Here weather=W, debt=d, time since Christmas=T, time since failing our new year’s resolutions=Q, low motivational levels=M and the feeling of a need to take action=Na. 'D' is not defined in the release, nor are units.

So what can we do to cheer someone up who might have the January blues? Well everyone loves a little pampering & chocolate! Our pamper gift baskets could be just the thing to bring a little cheer to a friend, family member of colleague.

Our pamper gifts are not just a few lotions & potions though; they have real thought behind them & are full of things a person would really want. Sure there are some smellies included, such as creamy body butter, moisturising bath milk & hand creams. These products are from expert producers such as Scottish Fine Soaps who describe themselves as ‘luxury bath & body specialists’. To compliment these pamper products we like to include something a little different. A choice of popular magazines and reading novels has been a big hit, as have chick flick DVD’s & puzzle books. Hot chocolates & marshmallows (we even include a hand-painted gift boxed mug in some!), chocolates truffles, cupcakes & fruity tea are also popular inclusions. Fun items such as candles, pedicure sets, facemasks, reflexology socks and cuddly teddy bears also add a little more personality to the gift.

Not to forget the boys with man-flu out there, we thought they might prefer comfort food & just a little pampering! Healthy (and not-so-healthy) snacks such as fruit, nuts & cheese, men’s lifestyle magazines & novels, games & puzzles and some soothing body wash.

We also have a brilliant range of get will gifts for children & teenagers, containing products. Get Well & Character balloons decorated the colourful gift bags and boxes full of toys, books, board games, sweeties & teddies especially for sick kids.

And remember if you don’t see a get-well gift basket that is quite right, you can create your very own on www.createyourowngiftbasket.co.uk

The BG Team