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Category: Lifestyle

Paper Pen Pals

Summer may be over for another year but writing to new friends made at home or abroad during the long summer holiday has been a rite of passage for children and young people for generations. These days, however, correspondence is more likely to be an exchange of messages on social media than time spent chewing...Read More

Trading Card Games: From Tantalising Origins to Modern Appeal

Trading card games (TCGs) have a rich history that spans multiple decades and have captivated audiences of diverse ages, backgrounds, and interests. The engaging mix of strategy, collection, artistry, and social interaction that TCGs offer has established their appeal across a variety of demographics. Origins Before there were trading cards, there were “trade cards”. These...Read More

The Future Of Festivals: Sustainable Paper Products Are Taking Centre Stage

It’s festival season! As thousands of people head out on long weekends of music, dancing and mosh-pits, this year’s headliner is sustainability. You might be curious about how sustainable large-scale events like this can be. Research body, Think Tank estimates that each year, there are around 23,500 tonnes of waste from festivals alone. Sustainability has...Read More

Travel Journalling: A Paper Passport to Your Past Adventures

Holidays are a great way to escape the everyday grind and create memories that will last a lifetime. But how can you make sure that your holiday memories stand the test of time? A travel journal is a great way to document your holidays, from both the big and the small moments. You can write...Read More

Books Offer Best Form Of Escapism

A survey by the Publishers Association found reading to be more popular than going to the cinema or browsing social media, coming second only to watching TV. It has been revealed that more people plan to escape into books than go to the cinema this summer. This has been due to a new polling survey...Read More

5 Ways You Can Spread Kindness Using Paper

This month marks Mental Health Awareness Week and Mental Health Awareness Month, set up by the Mental Health Foundation to raise awareness and drive conversations relating to mental health. This year, the theme is ‘Anxiety’ and you are encouraged to be kind to yourself and each other, especially during a time when the world and...Read More

World Environment Day 2023

"This World Environment Day join us in the global effort to #BeatPlasticPollution" “Only one Earth” was the slogan for the 1972 Stockholm Conference. Though 50 years have passed, this message still holds relevance and importance. The #OnlyOneEarth campaign for World Environment Day 2023 aims to celebrate the planet through collective environmental action. The objective is...Read More

Why Generation Z Prefers Print Books

Young People Are Reading More And More Books In Print, Driving Sales And Shaping The Industry In the continued tussle between print books and e-readers, it seems print books are winning, especially in the eyes of the young. A new report by Pew Research has shown that Generation Z (Gen Z) – those born between...Read More

What Tree Are You? Celtic Astrology

You have probably heard of Star Signs and Astrology, but have you heard of Celtic Tree Astrology? Find out what tree you are and what that means to you, below! What Is Celtic Astrology Celtic Tree Astrology originates from the beliefs of the ancient Druids. Druids were Celtic priests who believed that forests were of...Read More

Penguin’s Book Vending Machine

When Did You Last Read A Book On The Train? Imagine sitting in a hushed train carriage where all that can be heard is the sound of the train on the tracks and the occasional rustle of paper as pages are turned. If you have been on a train lately, you will be aware of...Read More

Japan, The High-Tech Country Where Paper Is Revered

It’s curious to think that the country that has long been associated with technology has never lost touch with one of the world’s oldest manmade materials. Paper. While much of the world is embracing all things digital, in Japan, paper continues to be used in abundance. From its use in age-old rituals to its still-current...Read More

Library Initiatives Around The World

Have you ever spotted a little swap and shop library on a walk? From mobile libraries to books hidden in giant mushrooms, we’ve found some great reading initiatives from around the world. The Mobile Library, Stockholm Since 2016, the mobile library in Stockholm City has been popping up all over the city to meet people...Read More

Where Would We Be Without Paper?

We might live in the digital age, but there can be little doubt that paper is still one of the most important materials in the world. For most of us, it will be something we touch, see or use multiple times a day, probably without giving it a second thought. Paper is understated and versatile,...Read More

5 Creative Ways To Use Paper This Valentine’s Day

How do you usually celebrate Valentine’s Day? Whether it is a movie night, a party with friends or a romantic evening spent with your significant other, we have 5 paper-based crafts that you can use to impress this Valentine’s Day. Make Your Own Valentine’s Day Card February 14th is always a special day where you...Read More

6 Surprising Benefits Of Jigsaw Puzzles

Puzzles aren’t just a hobby or a good way to pass time and relax, they also have many health benefits. Here are 6 surprising advantages of jigsaws and instructions for how to make your own puzzle! 1. Mental Stimulation Putting the pieces of a puzzle together is a complete brain exercise that uses both sides...Read More

Chinese Lantern Festival

Traditionally to end the celebrations of Chinese New Year, also referred to as Lunar New Year, the Chinese Lantern Festival is celebrated. The Chinese Lantern Festival commences on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year and marks the first full moon in the lunar calendar and the start of the spring season. On the...Read More

Paper Traditions From Around The World

How Paper Plays A Role In Different Traditions From Around The World Writing on it, folding it, floating it or burning it... paper is central to some of the world’s oldest traditions that continue to be practiced today. Here, we explore 12 of the most fascinating traditions from around the globe, each of which has...Read More

Plogging: The New Sustainable Fitness Craze?

Are you a fitness fanatic? Are you also trying to be more sustainable? This may be a new hobby for you! What Is Plogging? Plogging is a global movement that originated in Sweden, and anyone can join. It is a term that was invented by Erik Ahlstöm that refers to ‘the act of picking up...Read More

Love Paper Sustainable Gift Guide

A round-up of the best presents for the environmentally conscious this Christmas. It’s the season for giving and what better way to give than to help the environment at the same time. This year, people are even more aware that the planet needs all the help it can get, and these gifts will not only...Read More

9 Last Minute Christmas Gifts Made From Paper

We’ve all been there. Christmas is suddenly right around the corner; you’re feeling like summer only ended three weeks ago and now you’re stuck for inspiration, time and/or pennies when it comes to what to get for your friends and family. We all know at least one person in our circle who is seemingly just...Read More

Sustainable Christmas Presents

What should you get your environmentally conscious family member this Christmas? We round up some of our favourite eco-friendly presents. How to Save Our Planet by Mark Maslin Described as a ‘handbook of how we together can save our precious planet’, the latest book by Two Sides Seminar speaker Mark Maslin has gained praise from everyone...Read More

Pretty Paper: Tips For A More Sustainable Christmas

Having a sustainable Christmas needn’t be a chore and through small changes and research, we can make a conscious decision to be greener in our festive celebrations. Paper and wood products from sustainable sources enable us to enjoy the creativity and magic of Christmas without a guilty conscience and ensure that some of our favourite Christmas traditions can continue and be kind to our planet.

5 Health Benefits Of Forests

When was the last time you went down to the woods? Forests are a fundamental part of our lives and vital to the health of the planet, so why aren’t we taking more time to be mindful of what is on our doorstep? It isn’t just the planet that is kept healthy and thriving by...Read More

National Novel Writing Month

This November, why not join hundreds of thousands of would-be, and actual, novelists around the world participating in National Novel Writing Month? If like many of us, you have always felt you’ve got a best-seller lurking somewhere inside, then this November could be the time to finally put pen to paper. The concept of National...Read More

6 Paper Crafts Designed To Boost Your Mental Health

Do you look after your mental health? Making time to look after yourself, both mentally and physically, is more important than ever at the moment. Having lived through a pandemic and the aftermath of several lockdowns, it is important that there are coping mechanisms or outlets available for when things get a bit tricky or...Read More

Study Reveals That People Prefer Paper Books Over E-Readers

A new report has confirmed the increasing popularity of physical books over e-readers – especially on holiday where paper is the ideal companion. So how was your holiday? Go anywhere nice? Lots of sun? Hopefully, you have managed to get a summer break and are now dealing with the barrage of questions about your holiday....Read More

Wondering What Book To Read Next?

Whether you’re an avid reader or someone who would like to read more, deciding what book to read next can be a challenge, particularly when you consider the overwhelming choice of titles available. Back in 2010, Google Books did a count of the number of books that had been published since the invention of the...Read More

3 Activities to Teach Children Recycling Habits

Now that 74% of paper[1] and 83% of paper-based packaging[2] in Europe is recycled into new products, how do we pass on our recycling routine to the next generation to help maintain and improve the current recycling rates? Recycling is becoming more essential in our daily lifestyle with councils changing bin collection routines, companies promoting...Read More

Celebrating A First Wedding Anniversary? It’s All About Paper!

June is the beginning of the peak wedding period, so there will be a lot of wedding anniversaries being celebrated this month. Celebrations for gold and silver wedding anniversaries date back as early as the 1500s. However, it seems it’s only since the Victorian era, when the giving of gifts became more common, that other...Read More

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – The Gardening Edition

The age-old saying, “Waste not, want not.” carries more weight than ever before. Many nations and companies are pledging to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfills each year, meaning that recycling rates are going up in the right direction. 74% of paper and 83% of paper packaging is recycled into new products...Read More

Philately Anyone?

The idea of studying or collecting postage stamps – or philately, to use the official term – might be dismissed by the majority of us as being a bit stuffy, boring or old fashioned, but the truth is, stamp collecting is perhaps more interesting than many of us realise. Plus, postage stamps are another example...Read More

When Was The Last Time You Read A Printed Magazine?

It may come as a surprise in this digital age, but about 52% of British adults still read printed magazines. And it’s not a generational thing either as a reported 7 out of 10 millennials read printed magazines for leisure and entertainment. So, in an age when digital screens dominate, and we seemingly have all...Read More

LEGO – Building Bricks Towards Sustainability

Lego is building bricks towards sustainability with their initiative to change all internal packaging within their sets from plastic to paper. Following Lego’s 2021 financial results, their Ambassador Network has issued a brief update on LEGO’s transition away from single-use plastic in its packaging. In their statement, it was revealed that from March 2022, people...Read More

Morrisons Milk to Swap Plastic for Cartons

Supermarket giant Morrisons is making an innovative move to switch all its branded milk from plastic bottles to paper-based cartons. With sustainability at the forefront of everyone’s minds, larger companies are doing their bit in the bid towards a greener, more sustainable future. www.printweek.com A First For Supermarkets From mid-February, nine types of Morrisons fresh...Read More

Popular Book Genres Around The World

Books have been teaching and inspiring people for hundreds of years, so World Book Day is more than a well-deserved celebration. To honour the day, ‘Study in Switzerland' has done some in-depth research into the most popular book genres worldwide. In the world of literature, there are many different types of books. Diverse genres cater...Read More

WORLD BOOK DAY – 3rd March 2022

Created by UNESCO on 23 April 1995, World Book Day is a celebration of books, authors and illustrators. Its ultimate aim is to encourage children and young people to discover the pleasure of reading. Over 100 countries around the world mark World Book Day each year. Why Reading For Pleasure Is Important Numerous studies have...Read More

Postage Stamp Inspired Sustainable Packaging

The demand for sustainability has never been more prominent than it is currently. Sustainable clothing, furniture, and packaging are everywhere and are encouraging designers to think creatively and show initiative to do their bit for the planet. The Stamp Egg packaging is most notable as it can be detached and is made up entirely of...Read More

Love Notes – Saying it with paper

There are plenty of reasons to be feeling the love and if you have a special someone in your life it is likely you will be planning on giving them a card this Valentine’s Day. The tradition of giving these little paper tokens of love goes back many of years and such a simple gesture can bring so much pleasure.

Recycled Christmas Trees Helping To Reduce Flooding

If you have a real fern tree at Christmas, what do you do with it after it’s served its festive use and is looking a bit worse for wear? A Christmas tree recycling company has found a great way of aiding in the reduction of flooding in local areas. Based in Todmorden, Sara Tomkins and...Read More

The Return Of The Handwritten Letter

When was the last time you wrote or received a handwritten letter? It seems that in our tech-dominated world that many people are wanting to change how we communicate and are going about it in a more traditional way. Thus, the handwritten letter is making a comeback. Over the last year, Hobbycraft has seen a...Read More

5 Ways To Repurpose Your Used Paper Cups

How often do you find yourself grabbing a quick coffee to go for your morning commute, or even whilst out shopping as a treat? After you have consumed your beverage though, what do you do with the cup? In the UK we use 7 million disposable coffee cups every day and less than 1% of...Read More

How To Become A Recycling Pro At Home

Rising consumerism, an increasing population – it is well-documented that humanity is generating more waste than the planet can handle. Fortunately, as we become more conscious of the need to protect our environment and live sustainably, many of us are also realising that responsibility begins at home. One really easy contribution we can all make...Read More

Paper Packaging Goes Travelling ‘Dan Dan Style’

Paper packaging is typically used for protecting goods whilst in transit or storage and for holding various objects and materials. Polar architect Yusuke Murakami has been exploring the unlimited potentials that paper and cardboard have to offer. Picture the scene; you’re walking through a forest and come across a clearing in the trees. Something catches...Read More

Packaging Innovations For The Disabled

We look at the latest packaging innovations designed for the disabled. Anyone who’s ever wrestled with a piece of packaging that seems to have been designed to be as difficult to open as possible should consider that no matter how tough the task, it’s a lot tougher if you’re disabled. From the simplest cardboard box...Read More

Settle Down With A Story This Book Lovers Day

Book Lovers Day, also referred to as National Book Lovers Day over in the U.S., is an unofficial holiday celebrated every year on August 9th. It’s a day for bibliophiles (book lovers) to celebrate reading and literature and encourages everyone to put down their smartphones or electronic devices and pick up a book instead. How...Read More

Sun, Sport And Sustainability – Tokyo 2020 Olympics Has It All!

Summer is here, and with the heat and sun comes sport, lots of it. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have officially begun. Hosted in Japan this year, the country is well known for its innovative and creatively ingenious ways of working with technology, but what about sustainability? It would seem that they have taken a...Read More

Consumers Want The Right To Choose How They Receive Their Bills And Statements

There is a worrying trend from organisations who increasingly want to move their customer communications online, particularly bills and statements. Typically, this decision is made for cost reasons, but misleading claims about the environment are being used all too often instead. This is commonly referred to as Greenwashing. A study, conducted by the not-for-profit organisation Two Sides and...Read More

How To Picnic With Paper

A snack-packed picnic is a staple of the British summer, but packaging the food safely usually involves plastic. Here’s our guide to the latest paper products for your outdoor food and drink. OK, so you may not be jetting off this summer without a series of expensive tests and four-hour airport queues when you get...Read More

Cotton Traders Promotes Sustainable Print Media With Love Paper

Cotton Traders, the well-known British Clothing Retailer, are committed to delivering their products and services in a way that does not compromise the preservation of our planet. This also translates to their marketing practices, and they have chosen to use Love Paper to highlight the sustainability of their print marketing. Love Paper was created by...Read More

The Rise of Greetings Cards

At the tap of a screen you can send a digital message to anyone around the world. But it could be argued that those messages lose a sense of personality and sentimentality. Printed greetings cards are used for several events throughout the year. From Valentine’s Day to Christmas, birthdays to anniversaries, there is a card...Read More

World Environment Day 2021

Celebrated every year on the 5th of June since 1974, World Environment Day is celebrated by governments, businesses and society to address serious environmental issues and presents a global platform for inspiring positive change. This year, the theme of World Environment Day is Ecosystem Restoration. Over the last century, half of the world’s wetlands have...Read More

Blind Date With A Book

The blind date with a book trend – also known as the don’t judge a book by its cover trend - has been a great source of fun and engagement for bookshops, libraries and even Etsy, for many years now. By helping people find their ideal book in this creative and mysterious manner, the trend...Read More

A Paper Powering Business: Papershades

Paper is quickly becoming a sustainable alternative in our homes. From paper flowers and cardboard plant pots, we are slowly changing for a more renewable, long lasting and eye-catching material source as part of our home décor. We recently spoke with Rosalind of Papershades, a fast-growing paper lamp shade business owner, who showed us just...Read More

Children’s Book Week Spring 2021

The 102nd annual Children’s Book Week takes place for two weeks of 2021. The first week takes place in Spring between May 3rd - 9th and the second in November, 8th - 14th. This year’s theme is Reading is a Superpower! Originating from the belief that children’s books and literacy are life changing, the Children’s...Read More

Morrisons Move to a More Sustainable Future with Paper Bags

Morrisons launched a “paper bag only” trial in eight of its stores in January 2021. Having proved popular with many customers, Morrisons are now removing plastic bags from all their UK stores in favour for paper bags. Their Welsh stores will be the first to move to paper carrier bags, before being rolled-out in the...Read More

5 Tips To Help You Recycle At Home

Whilst cleaning and getting organised can be great ways to brighten your mood and lift your spirits, it can also be beneficial to the environment if done correctly. A report from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), revealed that British households create over 26 million tonnes of waste each year. In the battle...Read More

Make Your Own Valentine’s Day Card This Year

February 14th is always a special day where you can show someone just how much you love and feel for them. Having had a few uncertain years, this year will certainly feel a lot different this year as we celebrate Valentine’s Day slowly emerging into a post-pandemic world. However you plan to celebrate this year,...Read More

Living Sustainably with Paper in 2021

After almost an entire year of dealing with the uncertainty brought on by Covid-19, we could all benefit from creating some self-motivating New Year’s Resolutions. However, with the UK now in its third national lockdown, it can be difficult to figure out what resolutions you should make while staying safe at home. Living sustainably with...Read More

Print Books Versus E-Books

In an online poll by The Guardian, 79% of people said they preferred to read books in a traditional print form instead of reading an e-book. Though e-books have become a convenient way of reading in recent years, printed book still remains to be the number one choice for most. But why is this? After...Read More

The World of Paper Flower Bouquets

The beautiful appeal of paper flower bouquets has become an increasingly popular choice in recent years. For weddings in particular, the idea of turning to paper on the big day creates a unique alternative to traditional flowers, which holds more colour variety and lasts a lot longer. We spoke with Rebecca of Paper Bouquets to...Read More

Tips on how to make time for reading

During the Coronavirus lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 in the UK, booksellers saw a staggering influx of sales. Puzzle books, true crime and children’s education all took a sharp rise, while paperback fiction novels rose by a third. UK book retailers, WHSmith and Waterstones also saw a huge 400% increase in their online book sales...Read More

Ways to use paper in the garden

Once you’ve picked up your favourite newspaper and given it a read or finished with those cardboard boxes, they don’t have to go straight into the recycling bin. Instead, using paper in the garden can be extremely versatile and useful. Here are a few ideas: Slow down moisture escaping from your flowerpots. Cut your newspaper...Read More

5 Reasons To Put Pen To Paper – The Written Letter Revival

From increasing wellbeing to decreasing stress, a written letter is one of the best ways to stay in contact with family and friends. Discover the benefits of putting pen to paper If there was a new activity that’s relaxing, proven to increase wellbeing, and brings guaranteed joy to people close to you, it’s likely hundreds...Read More

6 ways reading can improve your mental wellbeing

Reading can be an extremely beneficial hobby. Not only is it a great way to spend your free time, but reading has been proven to improve mental stability and general mental wellbeing. From enhancing your brain function to reducing stress, we have compiled this list to highlight the many mental benefits of reading just a…

“Love Paper Creations” to provide children with lock-down entertainment

We have launched “Love Paper Creations“, a new suite of home-printable resources to help entertain and engage households around Britain and beyond. Parents across the UK have taken on the new role of teacher in recent weeks. But the Easter holidays have begun meaning parents are looking for new ways to occupy and entertain their…

The Art of Paper Crafting

Interview with Rosie Thorns – Conducted by Lucy Appleyard. @Rosiethorns88 Paper crafting is the fast-growing art form that uses paper and card to create beautifully detailed 2-D and 3-D artwork. Rosie Thorns is a keen enthusiast of the craft, with an Instagram account @rosiethorns88 boasting over 16 thousand followers, all of whom share her love…

Paper Origami: It’s history & evolution

Love Paper gives you the facts about paper sustainability, and is here to inspire you to bring paper into your everyday lives. Paper origami demonstrates that you can create beautiful & exquisite creations from this extremely versatile product. Origami is the ancient and beautiful art of paper folding, creating varied designs such as animals and…

Get productive with paper and improve your performance at work

For increased productivity in the office, just put pen to paper.

How To Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions Using Paper

The start of a new year marks a perfect opportunity to begin improving areas of your life, whether that be quitting an old habit, fulfilling goals, or trying something new. With over a million posts carrying the hashtag NewYearNewMe on Instagram, New Year’s resolutions are a tradition for most at the end of the festive season.

5 Tips for a Digital Detox

Screen time has become so prevalent in the day to day of our lives, so much so that most of us keep our devices within arm’s reach most of the time. Through a few easy steps we can wean ourselves off from the habit and start to enjoy our lives away from the digital realms. Here are our top 5 tips for a digital detox.

Letters to Santa

December is now upon us and for many, that means it is time to start preparing for the Christmas festivities. This often entails a great deal of planning, shopping, cooking and usually a lot of stress to boot. But whilst we adults are busy with the organisation; the younger members of the family may be preoccupied with something a little more magical…

Lack of local newspapers hits hard

Closures of print editions of local newspapers are affecting some people so much they are ringing up their local MP for news. So why are local newspapers so important and what can be done to save them? Every month, a large number of elderly people ring their local MP. But while most of them call…