Firebox Blog

Today is Pancake Day and in these parts we have pancake races....

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:51:19 +0000

Today is Pancake Day and in these parts we have pancake races. Specifically the Great Spitalfields Pancake Race. We didn’t race (sorry) - but we did film! Have fun tonight if you’re staying in and cooking - or going out.

Economies of Scale

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:09:00 +0000

In times of such economic gloom, it is up to the world’s finest minds to come up with groundbreaking, bold solutions that may get us out of this predicament.

Fear not. The clever economics students in Lehigh University, Pennsyvania, US have answered the burning question that is on everyone’s lips: “How much would it cost to build the Death Star?”.

We won’t reveal the answer but let’s put this way: the Imperial Empire obviously wasn’t interested in cost cutting measures.

Chilli is hot. Yeah we get it

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:04:00 +0000

What is it with our fascination with chilli? Chilli is literally ‘so hot right now’ - and all over the news. “World’s hottest chilli leaves two in hospital” bleated the Telegraph last year. The ‘Infinity Chilli’, grown in Lincolnshire is reportedly even hotter than chilli used in hand grenades by the Indian military. (Did you even know hand grenades used chilli?). Oh wait - actually Gerald Fowler’s Naga Viper chilli is even hotter. “Hot enough to strip paint” boasts Fowler.

But today’s news reveals the hottest - and most dangerous - chilli yet. It’s called Scorpion, burns through latex gloves and is “making waves in the industry”. Whatever next? Chilli that instantaneously removes the enamel on your teeth? Chilli that causes systematic heart and kidney failure in less than five minutes?

That’s not to say that Firebox isn’t getting in on the chilli action - far from it. We’re selling chilli vodka. It’s REALLY damn hot. The bottle has got a skull and crossbones on it. You get the gist: it’s dangerous.

It’s the world’s hottest vodka! (Until a hotter one comes out, obviously)

Drive + Mario Kart + Mr Hipp = High Praise

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:42:15 +0000

We’re really loving illustrator Dan Hipp’s (AKA Mister Hipp) work who “maintains his zombie survival training by watching monster movies and coaching Water Polo in Southern California”. This Mario Kart / Drive combo is awesome.

The Westminster Kennel Club Annual Dog Show in New York is...

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:39:01 +0000

The Westminster Kennel Club Annual Dog Show in New York is basically ‘Fashion Week’ for dogs. Look at the little doggies in this video. Preening, pampered, prima donnas each and every one. If they could talk, they’d be asking, “Have you ever wondered if there was more to life, other than being really, really, ridiculously good looking?”.

Kanye West in Shoreditch???!!!

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:21:57 +0000

Wow. OMG. We’re all looking OUT OF OUR WINDOW….Is that Kanye West? Is that Jay Z? Is that Beyonce? Wooooo!! The kings of hop hop are apparently in Shoreditch RIGHT NOW. There are tonnes of hipsters mooching about so this must be true. This is why we love Shoreditch. [Via Londonist].

Shed Heaven

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:56:00 +0000

The Firebox team was at the annual Spring Fair in Birmingham this week searching for 2012’s most unique gifts. We bumped into our friend, author and genius product designer Sheridan Simove, aka Shed.

Shed has designed numerous fantastic Firebox products, including the hilarious ‘Sound Machine’ and the book, ‘What Every Man Thinks About Apart from Sex’ which contains 200 completely blank pages. So we thought we’d get a little more insight into what makes this guy tick. Ready Shed?

“I simply adore coming to these trade shows. They’re my spiritual mecca in a way. A ‘gift industry’ trade fair like this is packed full of creative minds and ideas; it’s like a million laser beams hitting your brain in a really short space of time. I believe in the power of human imagination to create ever more amazing ideas and products. Even things that might appear less exciting like a cushion or a picture frame can be transformed into something new and exciting, just with a little twist or an inspired addition. You see that at trade fairs a lot.

My life is about ideas. I’m constantly training myself to be much less afraid of failure, the fear of which is a natural trait in all of us. As a society, we need to redefine failure. We should actually embrace it. It’s really important to fail, because that’s the only way you learn and actually, the only way you know you’re trying something new. My next book (which has words in it!) is called ‘Success…Or Your Money Back’ and explores this theme. I ‘fail’ every day but every failure helps me get closer to succeeding. People like James Dyson think like this; he is a huge inspiration to me.

It’s still an amazing feeling when one of my products strikes a chord with people - or gets accepted on Firebox! one of my recent successes was with a product calleded ‘The Sergeant Pepper Mill’ (I partnered with a great company called Paladone, which produced and launched it). Simple idea but the ideas that sell usually are. And this one is proving really popular.

Sometimes ideas don’t quite work out the way you think they might, I invented a product called ‘The Butt Plug’ (a plastic cover for an electrical plug that looks like someone’s backside - a ‘butt’) and I really thought people would find it funny. It turned out well when it got back from China but the problem was that the packaging made it appear to be a sex toy! That wasn’t what I had planned for! People shopping in gift stores wouldn’t buy it, we had to junk thousands of them.

My favourite Firebox product is The Slanket. This genius idea of combining a ‘dressing gown’ and a ‘blanket’ is inspired - and people have responded to it fantastically. I now constantly think about connecting two items together and fantasise about releasing a new item called ‘The Trumper’, which would be ‘trousers’ crossed with a ‘jumper’. What do you think? (ED: Yep, we’ll definitely take some of those).

I truly believe in the power of the human brain. Collectively, we can solve the world’s problems. Believe in yourself, don’t be afraid of failing and write every idea down”

Thanks so much for your thought’s Shed. We’re looking forward very much to seeing your latest product.

The Firebox Winter Instagram Competition

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:56:00 +0000

This week, we have launched our latest personalised product, the Instagram Poster. For those that haven’t heard of it, Instagram is an amazing way for iPhone users to take and share photos.

It’s so awesome we’ve decided to run an Instagram ‘winter’ competition. It’s brass monkies out there, but this can sometimes make the most beautiful photo. So, we want you to submit your best ‘winter’ photos via Instagram and be in with a chance of winning a £100 Firebox gift voucher.

Go wild! The photo can be anything you want, as long as it represents winter. Our internal judging panel will pick a winner and contact you via Instagram when the competition has closed.

How to enter:

Download the free Instagram app onto your iPhone and set up a free Instagram account.

Take a ‘Winter’ photo using your Instagram app.

Choose an optional filter and ‘tick’ once you’re happy with how the photo looks.

On the next screen in the ‘Caption’ box, type the following: My #Fireboxwinterinstagram @Firebox

Press ‘Done’.

It’s as simple as that. If you’re our winner, Firebox will get in touch with you via Instagram after the competition closes in one month.

Now for the boring stuff…

Terms and conditions

Only photos that contain the following tags @Firebox #Fireboxwinterinstagram will be accepted.

Closing date for entries is 12pm on Thursday 9 March 2012.

Winner will be announced the following working day.

No purchase is required.

Only one entry per person.

1 winner will be selected from the entrants and will win: 1x £100 Firebox gift voucher.

Any entry into the competition will be taken as acceptance of the terms and conditions.

The draw is not open to anyone associated with the promotion including employees, families or agents of Firebox.com.

Promoter: Firebox.com Ltd, Unit 6.10, The Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JJ.

Entries should not be sent to the promoters address.

The promoter’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Competition Prizes, Special Offers & Promotional Vouchers cannot be exchanged, extended or refunded.

This little fella has totally got the ping-pong moves down. At...

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:12:17 +0000

This little fella has totally got the ping-pong moves down. At just 18 months old he has already perfected his slam-downs better than most of us have in the office (and we’re top level. Seriously). We would usually suggest somebody his size starts out on our mini table tennis table, but he’s already too good for that. R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

Firebox Love

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:44:14 +0000

“You Sir, are a complete legend and I bow to your awesomeness bow bow bow”

Kelly Bradford - Feb ‘12

Social media for 'donuts'

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:31:16 +0000

Are you struggling to understand which social media platform does what? Thanks to whoever put this poster together. Does this clear up any questions? (ED: Sorry but ‘donut’ is actually spelt ‘doughnut’ on this side of the pond...)

Be My Valentine cos’ I’m a big spender

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:27:00 +0000

Asda is now selling fantastic Valentine’s cards for 7p (a red envelope is included too). We suggest splashing out on ten cards; nothing like spreading your bets and 70p shouldn’t break the bank. If all ten cards fail to impress, why not enjoy a night in on your own with some Omega 3 Bird’s Eye Fish Fingers or a tin of Branston Baked Beans - both available for less than a quid from the value chain.

(PS. Stamps will still set you back a hefty 42p, so we suggest hand delivering these if you’re really broke). [Via The Daily Mail].

Duh-duh, duh-duh, da-duh-duh-duh BOO!

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:13:18 +0000

We’re big fans of legendary Channel 4 quiz show, ‘Countdown’ and guess what: Firebox was featured on today’s show.

It was the winning seven letter word in the letters round and was beautifully described by Dictionary corners, Susie Dent: “In a steam engine, the firebox is the area where the fuel is burned, producing heat to boil the water in the boiler.” Well that may be, but…

We think it’s the first time EVER Firebox has been the winning word since the show started in 1982. Amazing!

I Spy

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:51:28 +0000

There have been whispers in the office that we’re being spied on by our jealous competitors for quite some time now. This photograph, taken today by one of our C.A.T (Covert Anti-Espionage Team) proves it. This guy was caught red handed, outside our window. Bear in mind that we’re on the sixth floor too, so this is impressive, daring stuff. We asked him to leave. He said he was cleaning the windows. Yeh right.

It's Snow Joke

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:12:00 +0000

It’s really snowy in the UK, it’s really snowy in many European ski resorts (best in 40 years apparently) and snowboard genius Shaun White has just scored the first ever ‘Perfect 100’ in the Winter X Games.

What better opportunity than to plug one of our favourite ‘snow products’. We love our products and sometimes have to go that extra mile in really understanding how they work. That’s why Buying Chief, Ryan Collins reluctantly agreed to spend a whole week in the French Alps, testing out the formidable Zeal Optics GPS Goggles. It’s a tough job but somebody had to do it.

Morzine was Ryan’s resort of choice; we suggested somewhere cheaper but Ryan needed ‘state-of-the-art lift systems’ and ‘extensive off-piste terrain’ as ‘essential’ criteria for his tests. It didn’t all go as planned. The last lift home was missed on day one (bus home – eek) and it appears Ryan bit off more than he could chew when attempting a summit run (he needed to sledge down). Plus, looking at the expense sheet, plenty of time seemed to be spent in Bar Robbos. We’ve heard of ‘Apres Ski’ but ‘Pre/During Ski’ too?

No matter. Ryan delivered his report on the goggles – and he was more than impressed.

“The lenses were great. The temperature gauge worked brilliantly; in one sun ridden spot it hit a barmy 15 degrees Celsius. The distance travelled was probably the most interesting; vertical distance and highest point was also great, and a scary stat sometimes. Really nice know you’ve reached 2000m+ and you know you can ski to the bottom of the mountain on a huge run. Probably the most surprisingly useful feature was the clock, so you could always see the time and plan not to miss the last lift.” (ED. But Ryan, you still managed to miss the last lift…)

“I was also pleasantly surprised when I got back to download the data, the free software was very easy to use and really detailed. It knows exactly where you are, the time you were out on the slopes and every single run you did, pinpointing what speed you were doing on the run, the distance you travelled, the temperature at every single point. Also the leader board is great, not only if you’re competitive but to see where the best terrains are to suit your style. People from all round the globe are using them.”

For all you stats fans, the results in full:

Fastest – 77 km/h

Highest Elevation – 2315m

Longest Vertical Run – 1092m

Longest Day – 60.91km

Min Temp – 5 degrees

Highest temperature – 30 degrees (probably in the bar….)

Average chair lift speed in Morzine – 16km/h

Most bizarre sight – Father Christmas on a Ski-Doo

Thanks Ryan!

Introducing our new employee

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:50:00 +0000

We read today that Uggie the dog, Hollywood star of Oscar nominated The Artist, is being retired citing ‘long hours and tiredness’ as reasons for his retreat from the silver screen.

We’re not impressed. We’d like to formally introduce Max, our new canine addition to the management team. He might look the same as Uggie but he is made of stronger stuff. Results focused? Check. Implementing long term growth strategies? Check. Likes to work hard – and play hard? You bet. Panic poos during meetings? Actually yes….(seriously).

Creative, fun to work with, super smart, sometimes unpredictable, Max is everything we could wish for in a Firebox colleague. Welcome to the team.

Lego Man in Space Canadian students send Lego Man into space....

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:13:00 +0000

Lego Man in Space

Canadian students send Lego Man into space. Why? Just to see if they could. Guys, Firebox salutes you.

Toy Story

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:17:00 +0000

It was the Toy Fair this week – the UK’s go to event for everyone who works with toys (obvs!). Starting way back in 1954 the show featured Sooty, arguably the UK’s most famous hand puppet, and Scrabble – an instant Christmas hit. And, since then the show has launched some of the world’s best toys including Hula Hoop, Lego, Monopoly, Sindy, Rubix Cube and Tamagotchi. They were all fairly popular you might recall.

Firebox is a big kid, and so naturally it loves toys - it gets giddy just hearing the words Toy Fair. We descended upon the show en masse (well not everyone, some of us had to answer the phones and do the photo copying back in the office).

Some loved the Salad Fingers figurine. Others loved the new Dr Who App game from WowWee. The arrival of The Hobbit: The Movie brings with it an entourage of toy merchandise – and some loved it. Everyone agreed that Moshi Monsters were everywhere (and everybody loved the Moshi stuff).

Oh, and there were some very exciting Lego Marvel characters too (we LOVED those) but I’m afraid we weren’t allowed to take any pictures (top secret!). But, if you’re desperate for some Marvel action check out these clunky Lego Marvel characters – pretty cool right?

Anyway, you get the gist – there was a LOT to see and do but thankfully there was a bit of down time. Even the toys got in on the relaxing action… (sorry Mario)

Want to see more? Course you do. Go check out the highlights crazy toy fans. Some of these products are brand spanking new so we hope you find them as exciting as we do.

And finally, big thanks to everyone that came to our after show drinks parrrty on Tuesday, especially Toyology who helped make it happen. Don’t worry though, we were in bed nice and early.

Firebox Love

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:47:00 +0000

I ordered a solar charger to be delivered to Afganistan; when my box arrived I was happy anyway but opened it to find a small packet of sweets. Its strange how much something so small can make you smile. Thanks a lot - great boost to my morale!”

C. Borrowdale - Jan ‘12

We love National Popcorn Day

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:41:00 +0000

Not a lot of people know this, but last Thursday was National Popcorn Day. Did you know that? We only found out last Wednesday. It’s a bit weird as National Popcorn Month is apparently in October. Are they connected? And when did it start? Why did it start? Is there any documentation that confirms it as being ‘officially’ a national day?

Enough with the trivial questions. Being popcorn fans, we thought we should celebrate it a little. We are quite new to the area so thought it would be nice to introduce ourselves to our work neighbours with a little popcorn gift. ‘Happy National Popcorn Day!’ we shouted to our new friends. ‘I didn’t know it was National Popcorn Day’ people mumbled back, or once, ‘Do I have to fill in a market research form if I take it from you?’.

Anyway, it’s a big deal in America. #HappyNationalPopcornDay was actually trending on Twitter at one point, which means that EVERYONE was talking about it (pretty much).

Lets hope National Popcorn Day becomes big in the UK one day. We had a lot of fun and lets face it, popcorn is lush, especially this new gourmet range from our friends at Joe and Seph’s. (Thanks for contributing guys). Join us again next year and who knows, we might get it trending in the UK too.

Firebox Blog

Today is Pancake Day and in these parts we have pancake races....

Economies of Scale

Chilli is hot. Yeah we get it

Drive + Mario Kart + Mr Hipp = High Praise

The Westminster Kennel Club Annual Dog Show in New York is...

Kanye West in Shoreditch???!!!

Shed Heaven

The Firebox Winter Instagram Competition

This little fella has totally got the ping-pong moves down. At...

Firebox Love

“You Sir, are a complete legend and I bow to your awesomeness *bow bow bow*”

Social media for 'donuts'

Be My Valentine cos’ I’m a big spender

Duh-duh, duh-duh, da-duh-duh-duh BOO!

I Spy

It's Snow Joke

Introducing our new employee

Lego Man in Space Canadian students send Lego Man into space....

Lego Man in Space

Toy Story

Firebox Love

I ordered a solar charger to be delivered to Afganistan; when my box arrived I was happy anyway but opened it to find a small packet of sweets. Its strange how much something so small can make you smile. Thanks a lot - great boost to my morale!”

We love National Popcorn Day

“You Sir, are a complete legend and I bow to your awesomeness bow bow bow”