Search Results for: Gift and Humour

From a sophisticated evening in to a fun night out, gin is the perfect go-to drink for every social occasion. This book will be your gin-cyclopedia, serving up new and classic cocktail recipes, including the Martini, Negroni and Monkey Gland (but only if you dare to try it!). With a dash of sparkling humour and a flourish of inspiration, this heady mixture will make gin o’clock your favourite time of day.


It’s time to let the fun beGIN!

You won’t find a more loyal and loveable friend than you will in your dog. But if you’re going to cope with its boundless energy, its insatiable appetite and its total disregard for social niceties, you’re going to need survival skills:
Think positively: You will get more exercise than ever before (whether you like it or not)
Reassure yourself: The ‘mad puppy’ behaviour should wear off after 15 years or so.
This mischievous little book will help guide you through your role as a dog owner with tongue-in-cheek advice and cheeky illustrations.

Whether you’re a qualified quaffer or an aspiring aficionado, raise a glass to the wonders of wine with this vintage blend of culture, history and trivia

Pinot, Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling… There are so many delicious varieties of wine to delight both the nose and palate – and no other beverage has ever created such excitement and emotion over its vast history. It’s also a subject whose complexities can be baffling and mysterious to the uninitiated. Luckily, this small but full-bodied pocket guide is here to unveil all the secrets of this most marvellous drink.

Packed with a wealth of information on the world of wine, this miscellany is the perfect gift for any wine fan, from the seasoned expert to the casual drinker. Whether you favour red or white, dry or sweet, sparkling or still, indulge your inner sommelier and celebrate the gift of the grape with The Little Book of Wine.

Time to down your trowel and pick up a pencil

This bountiful crop of 200 gardening-themed puzzles has something for anyone with green fingers and a love of a good brain-teaser

Gardeners are a naturally smart species. But you don’t need to be an expert to enjoy this book. When your hands deserve a rest after you’ve been out toiling in the garden, or when the weather has you cooped up inside, how about a puzzle or two to cultivate the mind? From quick quizzes and riddles to more leisurely crosswords and sudoku, whether you’re a gardening obsessive or just enjoy pottering around your plot, there’s plenty in these pages to tickle your fancy and keep your brain as sharp as a thorn and as strong as an oak.

Inside you will find a rich variety of puzzles, including these:

– Find the flowers, fruit and veg hiding within word searches
– Spot the differences between various idyllic views of a garden
– Shuffle the letters of anagrams to locate your trusty tools
– Wind your way through a series of intricate hedge mazes

Show nature the kindness it deserves

Whether you long to see butterflies flit across your flowerbeds or hear birdsong all year round, there’s something endlessly rewarding about playing host to wildlife. With practical projects and helpful tips for gardens big and small, this guide will help boost local biodiversity and benefit countless native species. Learn how to:

– Choose the best type of bird feeder and seed for your feathered friends
– Build natural habitats and provide shelter for all manner of insects
– Make sugaring recipes to attract butterflies and moths
– Select the right pollinator plants for bees in every season
Wherever you do it – on a balcony, in a garden or across acres of land – you too can create the perfect sanctuary for an abundance of creatures.

Get into the party spirit with a masterclass in mixology

Swap the drab for the dazzle with this concoction of moreish recipes and nifty tips that will equip you with everything you need to create a delicious array of incredible drinks.

This book is the perfect companion for every cocktail lover. Whether you’re a budding bartender or a maestro mixologist, this handy guide will teach you everything you need to know to host an unforgettable soirée.

In this book, you will find:

– Delicious and crowd-pleasing cocktail recipes, including the Margarita, Tom Collins, Piña Colada, Negroni and Mai Tai
– Expert tips, tricks and techniques on blending the perfect drink
– Essential equipment for stocking the ultimate home bar
– Ideas and instructions for creating your own party décor
– Insights into the history and origins of each cocktail
Shaken or stirred, flaming or fizzy, let these cocktails make any occasion all the more memorable and marvellous.

– Do you wake up in the morning and think, ‘I wish there was a quicker way to put on my make-up?’
– Do you find yourself getting so frustrated at nail varnish smudges that you’ve given up even trying?
– Do you hate spending your hard-earned money on hair and beauty products, but still enjoy expressing your style?
These and dozens of other hair, skincare, nail and make-up dilemmas are solved with this compendium of ingenious beauty hacks. This fully illustrated manual covers everything from DIY face masks and time-saving make-up cheats to quick and easy styling tips – everything you need to look good, feel good, and still have time for the other fun things in life!

Once you hack, you won’t look back!

The only gear you need is ‘go’.

Fixies and single-speeds take cycling back to square one. They’re the ride of choice for hipsters, tricksters and hardmen alike – bare-bones bikes that can be dressed up or stripped down; simple machines that have inspired a diverse, inventive culture and innovative designs in a host of industries. This book celebrates the art and craft of one-gear bikes with stunning photos of rides from around the world. Includes inspirational quotes.

Whether you are in need of some blossoming inspiration or your fingers are the colour of freshly mown grass, this compendium is overflowing with snippets of fascinating folklore and tips for making your garden grow.

Follow the garden path to horticultural heaven and learn about:
– Growing your own herbs to make therapeutic delights
– Banning bugs and slugs and attracting beneficial creatures
– Recycling old household items for gardening solutions
– Keeping bees and chickens
– Cooking up your produce, even the weeds
– Why you should always keep a leek in your attic and never kill a ladybird

This pocket-sized miscellany, packed with fascinating facts, handy hints and captivating stories and quotes from the world of bikes, is perfect for anyone who knows the incomparable joy of cycling.

Have you ever wondered if there is a way to stop airport staff from flinging your luggage around like a Frisbee? Do you wish there was a way to relax on the beach without getting sandy? Are you keen to discover ingenious ways to make your trip unforgettable without it costing an arm and a leg? Travel Hacks is your handy guide to making your trips that little bit easier, whether you are jetting off for a week or a year. This fully illustrated manual covers everything from maximising space in your suitcase to keeping mosquitoes at bay, and much, much more.

Beer is the world’s most popular alcoholic drink – a joygiving, convivial, nutritious and delicious gift from nature and possibly the most diverse alcoholic libation with over 100 different styles and thousands of brands. This book, written by a leading beer sommelier, not only delves into the rich history of beer production and drinking but contains practical advice and explanations of beer styles, which ones to drink and why, food-matching suggestions, and the not-to-be-missed best beers in the world. There’s no better accompaniment to the perfect pint.

Do you spend hours on garden maintenance, leaving no time for the fun stuff? Would you like the chance to eat your produce before the pests get to them? Do you dream of an abundant garden that’s beautiful all year round? These and dozens of other gardening dilemmas are solved with this trusty guide filled with ingenious gardening hacks. Whether you’re a regular Best In Show looking for some time-saving tips or you’ve just planted your first seedlings and you want to learn more, Gardening Hacks is your fully illustrated manual to blossoming as a gardener.

The world is yours to explore

The great outdoors is the beating heart of our world, but modern life is pulling us ever further away from it. Spending our time shut away indoors and hunched over screens, we’ve lost touch with nature, and it’s harming our health and our happiness. But it’s never too late to find our way back.

This book will help you find a way of reconnecting with the great outdoors. Whether you like to walk, run or swim, admire the wildlife or forage for wild foods, within these pages there will be something to inspire you to get out into the fresh air and reignite your sense of wonder at the world around you. Nature is a balm for the body and soul, so escape the pace of the everyday and set yourself free: get out there, find adventure, and go wild!

A book for bike lovers.
Whether for transport, leisure or sporting endeavour, cycling supports and inspires millions across the globe. This fact-filled miscellany looks at biking from its origins through to its remarkable scope and status in the present day. Covering cycling’s great races, athletes and anecdotes, Ride also provides practical tips on how to maintain your bike and improve your riding.

This pocket-sized miscellany, packed with fascinating facts, handy hints and captivating stories and quotes from the world of walking, is perfect for anyone who knows the incomparable joy and freedom of lacing up your hiking boots and heading for the hills.

The magical realm of unicorns comes to life in this dazzling craft book, brimming with sparkles and rainbows. Let your imagination run wild in creating dozens of fun and entertaining projects to make for yourself or give as gifts, including an amazing unicorn soft toy, a glittering headband and a rainbow-coloured charm.

Each project comes with a list of all the items and templates that you will need to create your unicorn-fuelled fun, along with step-by-step instructions and clear photographs to help you create something really special. Get ready to spread the magic!

Have you ever been faced with the devastating situation of having a bottle of beer but no opener?
Have you ever wondered if there’s a better way to roll up your shirt sleeves?
Do you wish you could share pizza with friends and avoid the hassle of washing up altogether?
MAN HACKS is the ultimate guide to making essential guy stuff easier. This fully illustrated manual covers everything from culinary cheats, DIY secrets and tidying-up shortcuts to style tips and party tricks – everything you need to keep your man credentials fully in check.

A leisurely ramble through the woods, a meandering city stroll, a blustery seaside promenade or a vigorous mountain hike – all have their delights and incomparable joys. Whatever your walking style, you’ll be captivated and enthralled by the stories and excerpts of classic writing, trivia and practical tips in this book – perfect for anyone who loves the freedom of lacing up their hiking boots and heading for the hills.    

This charming and indispensable reference guide contains specific month-by-month ‘to do’ lists for ornamental gardens, edible crops and general maintenance, as well as tips on everything green-fingered, from protecting your plants from frost, pests and disease to making sure you get a bumper harvest to enjoy year-round. With diary pages for making your own notes each month, this pocket-sized yearbook is a must-have for every season. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this book will become an old and trusted friend.

Ever accidentally used your thumb as a hammer cushion while putting up a picture hook?

Do you become enraged at the uncontrollable bobbing of the straw in your drinks can?

Are you yearning to find a way to make your toilet roll tube enhance your music listening experience?

These and dozens of other everyday dilemmas are solved with Life Hacks, your handy guide to solving little annoyances before they turn into big problems. This fully illustrated manual covers everything from nifty electric cable management to ingenious cooking methods and much, much more.

Remember: if life throws you a curveball – HACK IT!

This charming and practical handbook is bursting with tips, facts and folklore to guide you through the birdwatching year. Find out how to identify birds by sight or song, everything you need to know about their behaviour, habitats and breeding and migration habits, and tips for encouraging birds into your garden. Also includes handy diary pages for making your own notes each month. A must-have for any eager birdwatcher.

Gin is classic, classy and quintessentially British. It can be enjoyed on picnic blankets in summer with a slice of cucumber, or in dimly lit bars in a martini, shaken, not stirred. Bringing together a heady cocktail of timeless recipes, clever statements, trivia and quips from the world’s wisest and wittiest gin lovers, this book celebrates the glory of gin!

Tips and ideas for wild nights in the woods


Whether you’re a seasoned camper or it’s your first time sleeping under the stars, this pocket-sized book, packed with tips and advice on what gear you need, where to pitch up, how to perform basic first aid and much, much more, will be your essential guide to surviving and having fun in the great outdoors.