Why Locally Inspired Gifts Deserve a Place on Your Shop Shelves

Think about the last time you visited somewhere new. Perhaps it was a weekend away, a day out somewhere lovely, or a holiday to a place you’d never been before.

Did you bring anything home?

I’ve travelled to 57 countries over the years, and one thing I’ve always loved is finding something a little bit different to bring back. Not the usual keyrings or mugs you see everywhere, but something that really reminds me of the place I’ve visited.

Something with a bit of character. Something local.

And I think that’s what a lot of us are looking for when we visit somewhere new.

We want to take a little piece of that place home with us.

There’s Something Special About Buying Local

Walk into some souvenir shops and you’ll see pretty much the same things wherever you go. The same mugs, the same fridge magnets, the same products with a different place name printed on them.

There’s nothing particularly wrong with that, but I think we’re missing a trick.

Every place has its own stories, traditions, history and little quirks that make it special. Surely those are the things we should be celebrating?

When you find something that’s been created specifically around a place, it means a little bit more. It’s not just another souvenir. It’s something that reminds you of where you’ve been and what you’ve experienced.

And for independent shops, I think there’s a real opportunity here.

Different Customers, Different Reasons to Buy

Think about the people who walk through the doors of a Yorkshire gift shop, farm shop or visitor attraction.

You’ve got visitors who’ve come to explore our beautiful county. They might be spending a week in the Yorkshire Dales, enjoying a day out in York or visiting the coast. They’re looking for something to remind them of their time here.

Then there are grandparents who love picking up a little something for their grandchildren. Something a bit different, perhaps something that will keep them entertained and teach them something along the way.

You’ve also got parents who are always on the lookout for activities that don’t involve another screen. Something the children can enjoy in the car, on holiday, on a rainy afternoon or back at home.

And let’s not forget Yorkshire families themselves. We might live here, but that doesn’t mean we know everything about our county! There’s always something new to discover.

That’s what I love about locally themed products. They can appeal to people for completely different reasons.

And when a product is both a lovely reminder of a place and something children can actually use and enjoy, I think that’s a particularly nice combination.

That’s Exactly What I Wanted to Do With Colour the World

When I started creating my Colour the World children’s activity books, I wanted them to be much more than just colouring books.

I wanted children to discover what makes different places interesting.

The food people eat, the animals they might see, the places they can visit, the traditions, the language and all those little things that make one place different from another.

And I wanted them to have fun while learning, without being glued to a screen!

Each book is created around a specific destination, with colouring pages, activities and interesting facts to help children explore somewhere new, whether they’re actually visiting or discovering it from home.

It’s been lovely to see Colour the World getting some attention along the way, with features in Yorkshire Businesswoman magazine, the Harrogate Advertiser, the Yorkshire Evening Post, Growth Yorkshire, Family Friendly Working and BBC Radio Leeds.

And Now I’m Bringing It Home to Yorkshire!

Being a Yorkshire lass, this one has been particularly special to create.

Colour the World: Yorkshire is launching this month, and it’s packed with 116 pages celebrating our wonderful county.

From our famous landmarks and beautiful countryside to Yorkshire traditions, local sayings and some fascinating bits of history, there’s plenty for children to discover.

There’s even a ‘Say It Like a Local’ section where children can have a go at speaking Yorkshire!

I’ve also included a dedication connected to a part of Yorkshire’s history that’s particularly close to my heart.

I wanted to create something that Yorkshire children could feel proud of, but also something that families visiting our county could take home as a reminder of their time here.

A book that children can enjoy long after their holiday or day out has finished.

And hopefully, one that encourages them to get out and explore a little more of Yorkshire for themselves.

A Little Bit of Exciting News!

I’m also really pleased to share that Colour the World is now stocked at RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Harrogate!

It’s lovely to see my books on the shelves at such a well-known Yorkshire attraction, particularly somewhere that welcomes so many families.

When I first started creating these books, I hoped they might one day find their way into places where families go to explore and discover new things. So seeing them stocked at Harlow Carr is a really exciting step for my little business.

Could Colour the World Be a Good Fit for Your Shop?

I’m now looking for independent gift shops, farm shops, garden centres and visitor attractions across Yorkshire that might like to stock the book.

I think it would make a lovely addition to anywhere that welcomes families, particularly those looking for something a little different to take home.

And because I know that trying a new product can feel like a bit of a gamble for a small business, I’m offering Sale or Return on small first orders.

That way, you can see how the book sells without worrying about being left with stock you can’t shift.

If you think Colour the World: Yorkshire might be a good fit for your shop, I’d love to have a chat. I’m happy to pop in with a sample so you can have a proper look through it.

And if you know a lovely little shop or visitor attraction where you think the book would do well, please do point me in their direction!

After all, what better way to celebrate Yorkshire than helping the next generation discover what makes it so special?

Gemma
Creator of Colour the World
www.colourtheworld.co.uk