Little Starts gearing up for busy Christmas

Derbyshire gift card company Little Starts Gift Cards is preparing for a busy Christmas as UK shoppers forego presents for experiences.

The firm offers customers the chance to buy either a personalised e-card or physical card, which can then be put towards a wide range of activities and experiences for children aged up to five years old.

They include art classes, swimming lessons, messy play sessions and coding clubs – that parents and parents-to-be can enjoy with their little ones.

A recent study by global marketing company Awin revealed that of the 2,000 people surveyed, more than two thirds planned to swap more traditional items with experience-based gifts.

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And after a rollercoaster of a year Katie Lavis, co-founder of Little Starts Gift Cards and winner of Marketing Derby’s Rising Star Award, has welcomed the surge in business.

Katie, who lives in Melbourne with husband Simon and sons Olly (four) and Jack (two), said: “This year has been challenging for everyone.

“I have had to juggle running the business with caring for my two small children and wider family as a result of Covid, due to lack of childcare.

“Our class providers had to move on and offline and we have gone in and out of lockdown.

“They have been totally inspirational in how they have adapted using technology to ensure families feel connected and children continue to have access to fun developmental activities throughout this time.

“Families need something to look forward to in 2021 and are keen to support small businesses, which is great for us and the class providers that our gift cards can be used with.

“We’re getting really busy now as Christmas approaches with customers looking to purchase experiences as gifts rather than materialistic presents.”

Katie came up with the idea of Little Starts Gift Cards just after son Olly was born in 2016 and worked hard on building up contacts across the UK before launching the business with partner Liam Usher, an old school friend, in November 2018.

Katie said: “Our cards, which can be purchased from just £10, can be used at 2,000 weekly classes nationwide suitable for youngsters from birth to age five.

“They are valid for 12 months, so there is plenty of time for people to use them next year and we have extended the term for people where they haven’t been able to use them with in-person classes due to lockdown as they would have hoped.

“We’re also regulated by the FCA, meaning that our gift card funds are ring-fenced and protected, which is different to high street retailers – we’re a safer purchase.”

Marketing Derby has launched a search for its Rising Star for 2021. Open to entrepreneurs and new businesses, the winner receives free Bondholder membership, which includes publicity and invites to must-attend events.

To find out more click here.