Choosing a Stationery Theme for your Event

Whether your event is a summer cocktail party, an anniversary or a grand wedding, choosing a stationery theme is meant to be fun and exciting. But as with most things, good planning is essential to getting the look and feel of your event right.

So, here are Ananya’s top tips for choosing the right theme for your event.

What’s the occasion?

Seems obvious but the type of event that you’re having and how you structure or design that event will have a big influence on choosing a stationery theme. The key is to know how formal the occasion will be. It will guide you with the structure of the design, typography, font and words.

 At Ananya we design stationery for all sorts of occasions, so here are a few of our ideas for different events:

Formal black tie event

We love to see stationery for formal events designed on crisp heavyweight paper, using classic colours and typography. It gives ‘gravitas’ and immediately let’s people know that this is a ‘grand event’. A great example is from Julie and Zak's wedding in Jersey.

Garden party

A garden party immediately conjures up summer days, green lawns and English flowers. At Ananya we have a range of floral stationery designs that embrace tea roses, cornflowers and everything in between!

Teenager birthday celebration/coming of age

In many cultures, this is a serious event. For example, a 1st birthday in Asian cultures or a bar mitzvah/bat mitzvah in Jewish cultures. But it’s definitely a time for celebration and lots of fun. Invitations that are light hearted and embrace the jubilant nature of the party are a great idea. Think bold designs that embrace fun.

Intimate elopement (and ‘after party’)

I guess you might be asking yourself why an elopement needs stationery. Good question! Well, there is still the matter of witnesses and maybe you want to invite them to run away too? And when you come home to face the music you might just want to appease everyone by throwing a grand party to celebrate. Wouldn’t you agree?

Pearl anniversary

A pearl anniversary is perhaps less well known than silver, ruby or golden. But, at Ananya we love anything to do with pearls! We think it’s the perfect opportunity to embrace the precious pearl in your designs.

Who’s invited?

How many people you invite will influence cost and thus your theme, to a certain extent. The age range of your guests can also influence your choice of theme. An invite to a party to celebrate a child’s 1st birthday will be quite different to an invite to an elopement ‘after party’. Or at least you would like to hope so!

Photgraph by Holly Clark Photography

Colour me impressed…

Is there a colour or cultural theme to the day? For example, is it a golden wedding anniversary or a multicultural wedding? With Indian, Asian or multicultural weddings there may be restrictions on certain colours due to cultural requirements. For more information on this aspect take a look at Ananya’s article on Multicultural Wedding Stationery. http://secretweddingblog.com/multicultural-wedding-stationery-by-ananya-cards/

Most importantly, what’s your personal style? Are you flamboyant and colourful or more reserved but with a love of colour.  How will that influence your theme choice? Maybe you are more comfortable with a simple monochrome palette?

What do you need to include?

For a wedding you may need the whole range of stationery. This will likely include invites, RSVP cards, thank you cards, and an order of service, menu, place cards and seating plans; whereas for an informal garden party you may just want to limit things to an invite, RSVP, menu and place cards.

All this will influence your choice of stationery theme.

And finally:

Where will your design inspiration come from?

Is your event in an iconic space or building? Do you want design inspiration to come from your life and the key events that have brought you to where you are now? Or maybe you want it to reflect who you are, where you’re from and where you want to be. When Ananya celebrated its 10th Anniversary in 2016 we celebrated with diamonds! After all a 10th anniversary is something to really celebrate and diamonds are still a girl’s best friend, we’ll have you know!

We hope that you have fun choosing your theme and have a great celebration!

Love what you see on Ananya? Drop the team a line at info@ananyacards.com  and let’s talk about the design vision that you have for your event!

Vaishali x

Trend Alert: The Monogram

The monogram it seems is the personal ‘logo’ of the moment. From handbags to shirt cuffs and shoes, and pretty much anything else, the monogram is ‘on trend’. Want to know more? Read on for our delightful details of how to embrace this discerning trend.

Monogram: The Art of a Personal Marque

Never had a monogram? Not sure what it is or what all the fuss is about? Or maybe like us, when you first think of a monogram you connect it with the ‘old world’? Or, in a contemporary setting as something that’s reserved for upmarket hotel towels. Where once a monogram would have adorned a ‘seal’ or signet ring in a contemporary world, a monogram is your personal marque. It’s your way of defining who you are and a way of standing out from the ‘digital crowd’.

Be big and bold or delicate and discreet, monograms are definitely having their moment. Not convinced? Well, take your cue from fashion trends.  How cool is Rae Feather’s monogrammed frayed Panama hat? Or maybe the stylish Monogram Stripe Fray Denim Slide is more your thing? It’s a personalised look from head to toe (but we would recommend that you don’t overdo it!).

When you choose to have a monogram, you’re making a bold personal statement. And, many of our clients at Ananya choose a monogram to mark a life event. Our monogrammed wedding stationery is a beautiful example of that. And, as with everything in this mad, wonderful world, we do get unusual requests from time to time. Intrigued? Well, just between you and us, it's a secret! After all, we do value our client’s confidentiality. 

Whatever the reason for a monogram, there's a plethora of design options to choose from. So, although initials or a family crest are popular, you can always choose a less formal design. It might be a favourite flower or discreet monogram of a favourite pet. How gorgeous would a tiny dog or a blousy rose look, embroidered onto a shirt cuff? Whatever design you choose, it can represent your entire lifestyle.

Here at Ananya HQ we’ve come up with a list of our favourite ways to apply a monogram:

Social stationery: every smart home should have a social stationery ‘wardrobe’. Naturally, it includes monogrammed writing paper and note cards. For social occasions, the fashion forward amongst us might swap their business card for a monogrammed calling card.  

Bath linen and robes: head for the beach with a stripy monogrammed beach towel. Come home to relax in a monogrammed bath robe. How indulgent!

Monogrammed luggage: this is the ultimate luxury, redolent of a golden age. We can almost imagine ourselves boarding the Queen Mary, bound for New York. Heading for the First Class lounge at Heathrow will just have to do.

Win a Custom-Designed Monogram from Ananya

We’re nothing if not generous here at Ananya, and we’d love for you to have your own monogram. So, we’re delighted to offer you the opportunity to win a custom-designed monogram. Created by our talented design team, it's worth £200. And, your monogram comes complete with digital artwork! Fabulous, don’t you think?

All you have to do to enter is like this blog and share it across your own social media space, using the social share icons. We will choose a winner at random on 31 August. We will announce the winner on Facebook and Instagram.

Our founder Vaishali Shah says: “In a world where everything seems defined by passwords, having a monogram is something that’s reassuringly personal and unique to you". 

We hope that you enjoyed this little foray into the world of monograms. Good luck with entering the competition!

The Art of Good Manners and the Essential Guide to using Etiquette Stationery

Manners and etiquette it seems are making a comeback.  Whilst they never disappeared in ‘polite society’, there is a quiet rebellion taking place. In this age of mindfulness, we are at last remembering to say ‘thank you’.

So, manners and etiquette are at the forefront of conversation in the office here at Ananya. The wedding season is starting up, and the great British ‘season’ is just around the corner. Not a day passes without someone receiving an invite to a big seasonal event. So, statement hats and striped blazers aside, it’s essential to respond to an invite in style. And, once you’re at your event, know what to expect. Be the perfect guest, from meeting and greeting, through to dining and dancing!

Photograph by Scott-Wood Photography

Making a distinction between manners and etiquette:

“…Manners as the principles, which are eternal and universal, etiquette as the particular rules which are arbitrary and different in different times, different situations, different cultures.”

  Judith Martin

Accepting the invite

It goes without saying that one should always RSVP to an invite of any kind. And, whilst it is tempting to reply by text or e-mail, don't do it! 

Elegant stationery goes a long way towards creating the right impression. And that's before you even arrive at your event. If you are lucky you will receive an RSVP card with your invite, with which to reply. If not, reply with a simple handwritten note on good quality notepaper.  In these days of e-mail and text, your writing skills may not be as good as you would like, but don't worry. At Ananya we love to receive handwritten cards and letters!

Saying thank you

Saying thank you for being entertained should be something that you do personally.  After all, your host has taken the time and effort to organise and invite you to special event. Taking ten minutes to write a thank you note yourself isn't a lot to ask. And it might just put you at the top of the invite list for the next event.

You don't have to write a small novel when you're saying thank you. Just express your gratitude, and how much you enjoyed meeting everyone. Perhaps mention what was most memorable for you about the event. A note card is perfect for saying thank you. And, a monogrammed set made just for you is incredibly chic. It will certainly make you stand out from the crowd.

Planning your own event

It may be that you’re lucky enough to be planning your own summer soirée or event. Perhaps you’re hosting guests at the opera with pre-opera champagne and canapés. Or, maybe you’re entertaining guests aboard a classic yacht at Cowes Week. Whatever the occasion, make your stationery something that guests will love to receive. 

Photograph by Holly Clark Photography

Bespoke stationery reflecting the nature of your event is perfect. Stuck for ideas? At Ananya we love to design something that’s truly unique to you. For example, if it is a Cowes week event, excitement, glamour and colour come to mind. For colour it could be hues of blue against a white background. The design could be something that brings to mind the elegance of sailing. Your guests will be clamouring to accept your invite. And of course, they’ll reply to you on one of your beautiful RSVP cards! Carry everything through with complementary place settings and menus for such a special event.

Photograph by Amanda Karen Photography

And finally, a few interesting points on perfecting good manners. They may make you smile, but do try them. We checked our knowledge with the masters of etiquette, Debrett’s. Meet, greet and eat with confidence!  

-                    When someone enters the room for the first time, do stand. It’s considered polite to do so. Traditionally, men stood when their ladies entered the room. At Ananya HQ, one of our team remembers almost swooning the first time someone stood for her. We think it helped that he was in army dress uniform, and very handsome. Ultimately though, it’s considerate to stand, regardless of age and gender.

-                    And if you are the host, you should always stand to greet your guests. It's considered impolite to offer your hand to someone whilst you are sitting down. 

-                    Don’t know how to eat certain foods? Here are our favourite ‘rules’:

o    Asparagus season is almost here. So, remember to eat asparagus with your fingers, darling! Dip the asparagus tip into the sauce accompaniment and enjoy. Leave the woody part of the stem neatly to one side of your plate when finished.

o    Eat soup by pushing the soup spoon away from you to collect it on the spoon. Use the side of spoon to funnel the soup into your mouth. No slurping, and use the right spoon! One of our team remembers a friend of hers getting quite vexed at being given a soup spoon in the wrong setting. Her calming skills resolved the issue before any ‘soup spoon rage’ incidents occurred.

o    Scones are not cut with a knife. Use your hands to break them. Use a spoon to put cream and jam onto the plate first before putting onto the scone. Taking afternoon tea in Devon? Apply the jam before the cream. But if you’re taking tea at the Tate in Cornwall, apply the cream first. Either way, enjoy this most delicious of summer treats!

So there you have it, our mini guide to modern manners and etiquette. For more information on personalised and bespoke stationery do contact the team at Ananya to discuss your ideas. We’d love to be part of your manners revolution. Contact us on +44 (0)20 7242 1877 or e-mail us on info@ananyacards.com  

How to Incorporate Watercolours into a Spring/Summer Wedding

Thoughts of a spring or summer wedding immediately conjure up dreamy scenes...........

Pretty spring colours are illuminated against a blue sky, enhanced by a fluffy white cloud or two. People drink pink champagne or sip summer cocktails on a terrace with a fantastic view. It’s a sense of warmth and joy that envelopes you. Even if the reality sometimes doesn’t match the dream!

What better way to evoke the sense of summer than with a beautiful watercolour theme for your wedding day. ‘Watercolours’ are pigments suspended in a water based solution, an ancient form of art that has existed for centuries. By their nature they are translucent, beautiful and luminous.  

So what do you need to think about when considering watercolours for your wedding?

First of all embrace the colours of nature! Think palettes of bold yellow, blue and lilac. Or, pretty colourwashes of the palest green, blue or pink. Watercolours create a celebration that feels like an endless summer, whatever the weather.

And, of course, this palette of colours evokes the Pantone Colour of the Year 2017, Greenery. Here’s what Pantone say about Greenery:

'Greenery is a fresh and zesty yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew......Greenery is nature’s neutral.'

So, without further ado here are our tips on how to have the perfect watercolour wedding.

Which weddings works best with a watercolour theme?

Pretty country, coastal or riverside weddings spring to mind. They’re chic, but with a bohemian edge. But, if you want watercolours for your wedding then have them, they are utterly gorgeous!

Watercolour Wedding Stationery

At Ananya we have designed a range of beautiful watercolour stationery for weddings. It's big on pretty and your guests will covet it, right from the moment they receive their save the date card.  

We love the design of bright green cacti against a yellow background for Aryan and Shivani. It's definitely fun! But perhaps you want something more romantic for your day? How about the turquoise colourwash that we designed for Richard and Julie? Oh, and we can’t forget our personal favourite. Fall in love with pretty poppies and lilacs painted against a simple white background. 

Do take a look at our collection; we know that you’ll love it as much as we do!

Photo by Kate Nielen Photography

Watercolour Wedding Flowers

We see watercolour weddings as having delicate flower arrangements and simple bouquets.  You don't need big bold statement flowers! Think instead about the flowers that represent spring and summer. Freesias, blowsy roses, poppies and lilac are perfect. And maybe even use a few pretty daisies. Bring it all together with simple greenery such as rosemary or eucalyptus.

Photo by Kate Nielen Photography

Watercolour Wedding Table Settings

When it comes to table settings, a beautifully presented table is an absolute must. For a watercolour theme wedding it's about simple and pretty. We imagine a table that nestles in its surroundings, perhaps even 'al fresco'! (Not for the faint hearted in the UK!).

Simple white or cream pretty china is a perfect backdrop for watercolours. The only embellishment perhaps is from ‘lace’ or ‘ribbon’ edge decoration. 

Glassware is simple but colours such as blush pink work well, whilst cutlery is simple silver or a soft gold. All are beautiful elements that work with the colours of nature. And of course even more so when lit up in the evening by soft candlelight.

Photo by Kate Nielen Photography

Love the idea of a watercolour theme for your wedding? At Ananya we love to work with couples who want something special and personal. Do give us a call today on +44 (0)20 7242 1877 or e-mail us on info@ananyacards.com

Launching the latest addition to our wedding range: The Mandala Love Collection

Ananya's alluring Mandala Love range featuring an eye-catching combination of intricate detail and rich, vibrant colours creates spectacular stationery to wow your wedding guests.

The word mandala literally means circle in the ancient Indian scripture, Sanskrit. It is a symbol of the universe derived from ancient Hindu and Buddhist culture. Mandalas represent harmony, peace and union, which is why they are perfectly suited to weddings - a joyful occasion when the ultimate union is formed.

The mandala pattern can be found in the natural world around us ­– in snowflakes, dandelions and sunflowers, spiders’ webs and the solar system itself; incorporating this iconic motif into your wedding day stationery, is a way of connecting with nature. The mandala motif is also found in Western architecture – most predominantly in stained glass windows.

The Mandala Love collection is at the forefront with the growing design trend for statement, geometric patterns. It bridges the gap between the old and the new, thereby appealing to both traditional and modern weddings. Whether you are a multicultural couple with a love for Asian design or you simply want a wedding invite that exudes charisma, the Mandala Love collection is the one for you.

The stunning design in blue is hand printed using a silk screen, which is a process of great technical precision. Ananya’s skilled craftsmen print each emblem four times, layering the colours as they go. The mandalas must be perfectly aligned to prevent any overlap or gaps and keep a clean, crisp edge. By using silk screen printing, the Ananya team can ensure the work they produce is of optimum vibrancy – creating incredible stationery with prints that pop from the paper. The bold colours not only provide the promise of summer, but also the promise of a fun-filled, lively wedding day.

Have you noticed any mandala patterns in nature? Which design from the collection is your favourite?

Ananya unveils the much-awaited sumptuous Trio of Life Collection

In celebration of our 10 year anniversary, Ananya have proudly launched our Trio of Life Collection of wedding stationery. A brand new addition to our already prolific and multicultural Ananya Global Traveller theme, the Trio of Life Collection is a unique tribute to much-loved members of the animal kingdom; a collection we have been working on for almost a year. 

With contemporary designs focusing on the parrot, the elephant and the fish, this lovingly handcrafted collection explores the role of these animals since ancient times, bringing their symbolism and enchantment into the 21st century. Each animal represents one of the three essential elements for all life forms: air, earth and water, and has a special significance in Indian and Buddhist scriptures, making them perfect for wedding invitation designs.

The Parrot: the air element

Our inspiration for this collection comes from India with its rich tapestry of life and with the special significance placed on various animals and birds as symbols of power, beauty, love and prosperity. References to them can be found in ancient scriptures and folk tales as well as being depicted in paintings and sculptures. They are often believed to be symbols associated with various deities. Animals and birds are considered as friends and partners with whom we share the planet.

The first written reference to parrots was found in Indian literature written more than 3,000 years ago. Parrots were considered birds of love in ancient India. In Hindu mythology, the parrot is associated with Kama, the God of love; he is often depicted riding on a parrot. It is thought that the red beak and green feathers connect it with fertility. The red beak symbolises the red earth before the rains, meaning unfulfilled desires, and the green feathers symbolise the green growth after the rains, meaning fulfilled desire and joy.

The Goddess Meenakshi is also depicted as holding a parrot in her hand. Parrots were often used as messengers of love between lovers, even Gods and Goddesses.

Parrots are also considered a sign of fertility. In some parts of India, married women draw paintings that often show parrots, hoping that the newly wed bride and groom would be blessed with many children.

Ananya specifically chose a parrot rather than a peacock because it is more unusual, whereas the peacock is very familiar.

The parrot motif would be ideal for a tropical destination wedding, or a summer wedding.

The Elephant: the earth element

Indians have worshipped elephants for many centuries. Ancient Indian and Buddhist scriptures are full of references to elephants. Sculptures in temples as well as in paintings and textiles feature elephant motifs. In Hinduism, the elephant is considered sacred and a representative of Ganesha the elephant headed God who removes obstacles and brings prosperity. According to Buddhist scriptures, a white elephant is associated with the birth of Buddha; his mother dreamt of a white elephant giving her a lotus flower as a symbol that she was going to give birth to a pure and enlightened being.

Kings and Queens have used elephants in their wedding processions. An elephant is a symbol of majesty, intelligence, power, wisdom, success and prosperity as well as grace. It makes a most suitable animal for a wedding invitation.

Every design in the collection is an original and has been hand drawn. Each illustration has taken traditional motifs and given them a contemporary interpretation to make them more personal and give them universal appeal. There are intricate patterns within the outline of each design with soft, muted colours for the background, in contrast to traditional Indian wedding stationery with its signature bright colours.

The Fish: the water element

According to ancient Indian mythology, the fish symbolises creation, fertility, happiness and good fortune. It is also considered an avatar of the God Vishnu, one of the three most prominent Gods in Hinduism. 

Vishnu transformed himself into a fish in order to rescue man from a great deluge and guided him to safety. The fish is also associated with the sacred rivers of India, the Ganga (Ganges) and Yamuna. In Buddhism, the fish is one of the eight sacred symbols of the Buddha.

The fish motif would be an ideal choice for beach weddings.

Ananya has drawn on ancient symbols, often considered sacred, and deeply historically imbued in Indian culture, with each one having specific relevance and suitability for weddings. These motifs have been transformed and adapted for the modern world, retaining their traditional richness and elegance, but with a contemporary and multicultural twist.

Please contact us for more information on this gorgeous collection.

Photos by Fiona Kelly Photography.

Ananya Celebrates a Decade of Stylish Stationery 2006 - 2016

Exactly ten years ago, when songs like Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars”, Justin Timberlake’s “Sexy Back” and Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” were pulsating on the airwaves, Vaishali Shah's mind, Founder and Managing Director of Ananya, was pulsating with more serious thoughts...a business decision she had just made – to launch a luxury stationery design company which she named Ananya. 

To celebrate this milestone, Ananya hosted a private and intimate lunch at the Michelin starred Benares Restaurant in Mayfair, London last month. On the guest list were media contacts as well as wedding and event planners who have actively supported the Ananya brand over the years as well as new friends who Ananya had identified as individuals who potentially would relish in the Ananya world of luxury stationery.  

Having the celebration at Benares was very meaningful for Vaishali. Chef Atul Kochhar, the first Indian Michelin star chef in the UK, was the second client of Ananya's sister design and marketing agency Creative ID. They have been working together since July 2000. Atul is also a client of Ananya. Guests were treated to a sumptuous five course menu created exclusively for our ten year celebration.

A ten year anniversary is called a diamond anniversary, so the graphics we used for the event stationery represent the facets of a diamond, lit up in a beautiful spectrum of fiery colours. Traditionally, a ten year anniversary is associated with tin, which is why we included a couple of tins amongst the items in the goody bag.

Keeping up with the latest trends, over the ten years we at Ananya have designed a wide range of elegant greeting cards as well as corporate, personal and children’s stationery and bespoke wedding and event stationery.

Ananya has gone from strength to strength innovating, researching authentic techniques and representing cultures where appropriate, in a way that is genuine and relevant to today’s world. Our cards are eco-friendly with paper from sustainably managed forests.

We are delighted to have received praise not just from the couples we have designed wedding stationery for, but also from wedding and event planners. We have been published in leading wedding media in the UK and further afield, including Brides, Wedding Ideas and Asian Bride, Khush Magazine, Perfect Wedding and Hello.

Having established Ananya’s credibility, we were asked to contribute in various publications, including two books; Planning the Perfect Asian Wedding (by Venture Publishing International), where we devoted an entire chapter to our designs and gave advice and answers to a range of questions related to weddings that couples may not readily find answers to. The book Celebration Graphics Sourcebook (published by RotoVision) features a selection of Ananya’s wedding stationery and greeting cards.

We at Ananya have a clear vision driving us forward; we love what we do, and that keeps us dedicated and inspired to produce the best on trend stationery designs we can.

Please contact us for any of your or your wedding clients' stationery needs.

Photos by Fiona Kelly Photography.

Top Motifs in Indian Wedding Stationery

Ananya is delighted to have been asked by Khush Wedding for our top motifs used in Indian wedding stationery. Khush Magazine is a luxury bridal magazine for British Asian couples across the UK, celebrating love, marriage and happiness.

Have you ever wondered why the same symbols and patterns often appear on Indian wedding stationery? That's because some represent the physical and spiritual union of the couple while others are auspicious and considered to bring good luck. 

Read about our Top 6 Motifs including Lotus and Paisley here: The Top Motifs in Indian Wedding Stationery, Decoded.

We are delighted to offer Khush Wedding readers the opportunity to save 10% on their bespoke stationery orders as we are celebrating a decade of stylish stationery in 2016.

Ananya 2006 to 2016: Celebrating a decade of stylish stationery

Ananya is excited to be celebrating our tenth anniversary this year. Our award-winning stationery design business was established in 2006 by Vaishali Shah. The word Ananya comes from the ancient Indian language, Sanskrit, and means ‘without equal’ or ‘unparalleled’. It was the inspiration behind Vaishali’s vision to create stationery that was distinct, unique and a fusion of Asian and British styles that appeal to the modern British taste. The Ananya brand has always been synonymous with luxurious quality. 

Suite of wedding stationery

Keeping up with the latest trends, over the 10 years we have designed a wide range of elegant greeting cards as well as bespoke wedding and event stationery. Ananya has gone from strength to strength innovating, researching authentic techniques and representing cultures in a way that is genuine and relevant to today’s world. Our cards are eco-friendly, with paper from sustainably managed forests.

During the 10 years Ananya has received praise not just from the couples we have designed wedding stationery for, but also from wedding planners, and have been published in leading wedding media in the UK and further afield, including Brides, Hello, Wedding, Perfect Wedding, Wedding Ideas, Asiana Wedding, and Asian Bride.

Ananya has been the recipient of various awards, including Best Invitation UK, and Best Invitation Worldwide in the Wedding Industry Experts Awards.

Vaishali is considered an expert in the industry, having truly established Ananya’s credibility, and has been asked to contribute in two books. In the recently published book Planning the Perfect Asian Wedding (by Venture Publishing International), Vaishali has contributed designs and advice in an entire chapter where she answers a range of questions related to weddings that couples may not readily find answers to. The book Celebration Graphics Sourcebook (published by RotoVision) features a selection of Ananya’s wedding stationery and greeting cards.

Retailers who have stocked Ananya stationery have included Harrods, Cards Galore, Paperchase, The Jewish Museum, Waterstones and the Museum of Islamic Art. Clients have included Michelin star chef Atul Kochhar of restaurant Benares in Mayfair.

Logo celebrating 10 years of stylish stationery

Having reached this important milestone, we commissioned our sister design agency Creative ID to design a logo to reflect our ten successful years in the luxury stationery business. The new logo retains the lotus flower; its petals are now in a single burgundy colour, outlined in white, giving it a fresh and crisp look. The one colour logo is more contemporary and allows for brand evolution. In the centre of the flower, the number 10 stands proudly as a reminder of our achievements.

Pantone breaks with tradition; Rose Quartz and Serenity become Colour of the Year 2016

Breaking with tradition on more than one level, Pantone has decided on a blend of two colours for its Colour of the Year. From a psychological perspective, the two chosen contrasting colours represent the warmth of the Rose Quartz and the cool and calm feel of the Serenity blue. The colours are reflective of mindfulness and well-being, which are perfect to portray the soft ambiance of a romantic wedding. 

Blending of two soft hues; Rose Quartz and Serenity blue

Rose Quartz, also sometimes called the Heart Stone, with its gentle pink essence is said to represent unconditional love. It carries a soft feminine energy of compassion and peace, tenderness and healing, nourishment and comfort. All qualities that need to be brought to the fore in our world of growing turmoil.

Rose Quartz; the essence of femininity, peace and unconditional love

The colour Blue represents tranquillity, peace and harmony. It is also said to represent trust, honesty and a sense of security.

Pantone seems to be tapping into these colours to show what is missing and what is needed in today’s world.

Serenity blue conveys tranquility, harmony and security

On another level, the pink tone of Rose Quartz and the blue of the Serenity represent the growing ease with which we are relinquishing traditional attitudes towards gender fashion and colours, and moving towards gender equality. The traditional rules of pink for a girl and the blue for a boy are being transformed into a more blurred definition of colours to represent genders.

Rose Quartz and Serenity would be a perfect combination for a spring wedding; think of trees bursting with cherry blossoms against a blue sky. This exuberance can be beautifully conveyed through wedding stationery, giving it a romantic, fairy tale feeling throughout the whole suite of stationery, from invitations to thank you notes. From bridesmaids’ dresses to flowers, the pink and blue combination paired with white or other soft tones will look stunning. They would also be great colours for an outdoor summer wedding…think of lavender in bouquets or on the table at a wedding…calming and soothing and so summery!

Pink and blue are not colours usually associated with Asian weddings, where more vibrant, bold colours are used, but you never know, that might all start to change.

Rose Quartz and Serenity blue...perfect for a Spring Wedding

Pastels and soft hues have been on trend for a while, and the new Pantone colour blend will only add to their appeal. Fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton and Dior have already been enchanted by similar hues as seen in their shows. The Rose Quartz and Serenity Blue can be incorporated in a variety of ways, from interior design to clothing, to handbags and all sorts of personal accessories.

Fresh and soft...suitable for Spring and Summer Wedding

At Ananya, we notice emerging styles and trends and use them to inspire our stationery. Rose Quartz and Serenity capture the mood of our culture; our aspirations and hopes, and is sure to be embraced by those wanting to tie the knot in 2016.

‘Colour Me’ by Ananya

On 13 October, Ananya hosted a very special evening of calming, colouring and pampering at the House of Elemis in Mayfair, London. It was an opportunity for the guests to leave the cares of their busy day behind, to unwind with a complimentary 30 minute spa treatment, then take a seat in the Penthouse at their very own colouring station to relax and re-connect to their childhood and the sheer joy colouring with limited edition ‘Colour Me’ stationery designs by Ananya.

House of Elemis

Food, drinks and colourful displays of stationery

The adult colouring craze has been taking the world by storm in recent years, with adult colouring books shooting to the top of Amazon bestseller lists and sales soaring in bookstores by up to 300% year on year. Billed by The Guardian as ‘the new therapy’, filling in the intricate and beautiful designs can be a fun, creative way to de-stress and enjoy the nostalgia of cherished childhood memories. Clinical psychologists have noted that colouring can actually temporarily alter brain waves, giving busy minds a much-needed rest, and could even help to relieve symptoms of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

Creative juices flow as guests enter the world of colouring

At Ananya, we are constantly incorporating new trends into our stationery designs, and the idea of colouring therapy has truly captured our hearts. Based on our trend predictions for 2016, Ananya has designed what we think are stunning outlines, which were unveiled at the ‘Colour Me’ evening.

Hot trends for 2016

Colour palettes and trends for 2016

The limited edition ‘Colour Me’ collection is now available online at Ananya, including interactive wedding invitations that guests may colour and keep as memento, seasonal and thank you cards. Prices start from £3.50. 

Photography: Sanjay D Gohil Photography

5 Things You Need To Know About Wedding Etiquette

Good manners are what make life more pleasant.

And when you look at etiquette rules, a lot are really just based on good manners. Making people feel comfortable, accepted and welcomed.

When you're planning your wedding, you're going to be faced with a lot of etiquette. Ok, so you could just ditch the rules and do what you feel like but really, it's worth bearing in mind some of the tried and tested wedding 'manners' that have been around for a long while and will continue to be.

Here's our take on what's important for wedding etiquette today.

Wedding invitation, Ananya

1. Invitations. We're all leading increasingly busy lives these days and so in our view, sending out a save the date card ahead of your wedding invitations is key - particularly if you're planning on getting married abroad or on a weekday when people may have to take time off work. If you're planning on a destination wedding - whether it's Italy or the Caribbean, people are going to have to budget to get there and may want to make a bit of a holiday of it. So send out save the dates to help your guests plan their schedules.

2. Your wedding gift list. Gone are the days when you asked for toasters, towels, kettles and other household paraphernalia. These days most couples have lived together before marrying and may have a fully equipped home. However a wedding gift list is still a good idea for you to add items that you're missing. Maybe a top of the range coffee maker; new bed linen. Don't make every item on your list expensive - you need to have a range of prices from £25 up to even over £1000. Everybody needs to feel that they can get something from your list, no matter what their budget. And if people bring a gift they've chosen for themselves then it should be received gratefully - after all it's the thought that counts. If you've decided to ditch the gift list and ask for contributions towards your honeymoon or a deposit on a house, then be prepared for some people to still give you gifts. They may feel uncomfortable giving money, even if that's what you need. You also need to write your thank you letters promptly - within three months of the wedding at the latest - and thank everybody for their gifts, small or large.

3. Your bridesmaids. Even if you've always planned to dress the bridesmaids at your wedding in hot pink ruffles, be prepared to think again. Not everybody suits the same dress or the same colour and it's much more considerate to your friends if you offer them styles of dresses that really suit them. Mismatched bridesmaids dresses are right on trend and you can hang the theme together by using different shades of a similar colour for an ombré effect. Remember, one style does not suit all - let your maids wear dresses that flatter and you'll be rewarded with wonderful photographs and life long friendship.

4. Food at your wedding. Some people are vegetarians, some are gluten intolerant. It's never a good idea to serve shellfish at your wedding (many people are allergic) so within reason allow for dietary choice. Perhaps most importantly, make sure that you don't skimp on food. If you're marrying at midday and then carrying on festivities until midnight, that means you are going to have to feed your guests twice - so allow for that in your budget. There's nothing worse than being expected to survive on crisps and nibbles all afternoon until an evening meal at 7pm. Far better to get married later in the day and just have a fabulous evening dinner rather than leave people feeling hungry.

5. A chill-out zone. If you're having dancing at your wedding you may need to move some guest tables aside to allow for the dance floor. Every guests needs to have a place to sit and not everybody will want to sit next to a noisy dance floor - they may prefer to chat quietly and catch up with wedding guests they haven't seen for a while. In this instance, it's polite and thoughtful to have a chill-out room - which could be an area outside the reception room with comfortable chairs, serving tea, coffee and wedding cake.

wedding invitation, wedding stationery

What do you think about wedding etiquette - are there any aspects you'd like to share with us? At Ananya we have wedding stationery, including thank you cards, which make writing to acknowledge gifts a pleasure.

A Wedding Planning Guide For The Fridge Door

When you're planning your wedding, it's easy sometimes to feel rather overwhelmed by the whole thing. You might even be waking up in the night thinking "have I told the florist exactly which roses I want" or "did I book the photographer".

Okay, so you might have checklists galore, special apps on your phone and a long-suffering chief bridesmaid/best friend/mother to let off steam to.

The thing is, you're probably doing just fine. And it's important that you enjoy the build-up to your wedding because it's actually a very special time. You've a wonderful day ahead to look forward to, you've found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with ... so don't spoil it by getting over-stressed.

That also means not taking on too much. For example, you may be dreaming of having a DIY wedding and planning to make wedding favours, cakes, decorations yourself. This isn't a great idea because you'll almost certainly underestimate the amount of time all this is going to take you. So work out what is genuinely do-able and outsource the rest.

If you really feel the need for a visual checklist, then we've created these handy two visuals which you can print out and stick on your fridge door so that you can assure yourself you're doing all the right things by the right time.

Look at it month by month and know that you're keeping up with everything (or there are a few things you still need to be thinking about).

For example, you don't really need to have sorted out a florist until about 9 months before the wedding - although if you're choosing one who is particularly popular it's best to sign them up as soon as possible.

Interestingly, one of the most important things to get sorted early isn't choosing your wedding dress, booking your venue or asking your friends to be your bridesmaids. It's actually setting a budget for your wedding day. It's key because it's actually going to affect many aspects of your big day - the sort of venue you can afford, whether you have a wedding breakfast and a dinner, how many guests you have, what wine you serve and of course, what you wear. So set a realistic wedding budget between the two of you and stick to it - you don't want to start off married life in debt.

Get everything sorted calmly and coolly before your big day and you'll see that on the day before your wedding you can actually have a bit of a relax. Help to decorate the venue and enjoy some beauty treatments (a mani-pedi - but don't have a facial the day before your wedding in case of breakouts).

We'd love to help you with your wedding stationery so if there is anything special you have in mind do get in touch.

In the meantime, cut out these two handy wedding planning guides and pin them to your noticeboard or fridge door!

Christmas Baubles - Stealing the Limelight

It is almost impossible to think of decorating Christmas trees without baubles – they are a must-have accessory in Christmas tree decorations. The variety of baubles available, and their elaborate interpretations is truly staggering!

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When did it begin?

It is believed that Prince Albert and Queen Victoria were influential in creating a fashion for glass baubles and other decorations for adorning Christmas trees. Originating in Germany, they soon became popular in England. The first Christmas tree was set up at Windsor Castle in 1841 and this soon became a much loved and fashionable custom.

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In celebration and appreciation of the Christmas bauble over more than a century, we at Ananya have created a range of beautiful, colourful bauble cards, ready to send to your friends and loved ones for Christmas. All cards can be embellished upon request.

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How will you be bringing the spirit of Christmas into your home?

A Garden Party Wedding Day

Planning to get married in summer? A garden wedding theme is timeless and traditional - and yet you can give it a contemporary feel as well.

You could go along the route of having a marquee outside on the lawns of a country house hotel. Don't feel you have to have individual tables - long, banquet style seating works well in this setting and if you want to be really rustic, then scatter haybales outside for guests to sit on and enjoy a summer evening.

That said, in the UK you'll also have to plan for wet weather. Think about umbrellas or a covered walkway to your marquee to allow guests to move between areas without getting wet.

You can set the mood for your garden wedding from the word go with your wedding stationery.

Flowers, pastels and motifs from nature will all set the scene.

Flowers are paramount at a country garden wedding. Think about decorating your tables with hand tied bouquets in jam jars. Maybe add a flower to the guest's individual napkin.

On the other hand, if you want to be more formal, think about tall arrangements in large candelabras or vases - remember to think about the guests' views across the tables and ensure that flowers don't block communication.

Work the country garden theme into your wedding dress, too. Find accessories - maybe your earrings - with flowers and perhaps give each bridesmaid a wrist corsage. And for the bridegroom and his groomsmen, consider cornflowers and buttonholes with one or two blooms, rather than a single rose (although that also looks stunning).

Large wafts of gypsophila in vases are an inexpensive way of decorating corners of the room and create a floral cloud.

If your wedding is moving into evening, create a welcoming atmosphere for your guests by lining the route to your venue with candles in lanterns for a soft glow.

And when it comes to food, the newest way to offer the wedding breakfast is at food stations offering different cuisine - maybe Thai, Indian, Italian, American - so guests can browse and suit their own tastes.

Don't forget to offer a chill-out area to guests - particularly if you are clearing tables for dancing. Everyone always needs somewhere to sit and chat - and some people might like to move away from the hustle and bustle of the dancefloor.

Remember at Ananya we can create bespoke wedding stationery for your country garden style wedding or pick one of our existing floral designs. We're always happy to chat your ideas through ...

 All invitations featured by Ananya. 

Personalised Gift Vouchers for YOUR Company

How do you reward your staff? What’s your incentive scheme?

Does your HR department give birthday gift vouchers? Christmas gift vouchers?

The beauty of vouchers is that you can tailor them to the recipient. So perhaps a spa day for the women, a driving experience for the men.

You may decide to give vouchers to spend in a store – John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, ASOS, Amazon. But there’s no reason to use these companies’ branding if you’re the one giving the gift. You can have your own personalised envelopes created.

The trick with giving is to make sure that the recipient is happy with the present and by giving a voucher you can’t go far wrong. You can make it personal, tailored to an activity they enjoy or you can give cash vouchers.

One thing is for sure however, if you don’t brand your company vouchers then you’re missing an opportunity.

And that’s exactly where we can help you

personalised gift vouchers

We’ve designed voucher envelopes for various clients so that the recipient gets an attractively packaged gift that reflects the company values and identity.

You can theme your vouchers to the style of gift or to the occasion – a birthday, Christmas or the birth of a new baby. We’ll design something to your specification.

Christmas is approaching and we’d love to design something personal for your company. Get in touch and see how we can help you.

A Happy And A Sweet New Year - Rosh Hashanah Wishes

Jewish New Year falls on the 25th September 2014 this year. And what does it mean to the Jewish people?

Well Rosh Hashanah - Jewish New Year - is a time to remember the creation of the world and to reflect on one's priorities in life. A time to ask God's forgiveness and to think about how to live life over the forthcoming new year.

Observant Jews will attend synagogue in the morning and then return home to eat a special meal, which will probably include apples dipped in honey - symbolising the sweet new year that hopefully lies ahead.

Challah - the bread Jews eat on the Sabbath - is created in braided rounds for Jewish New Year to symbolise the never-ending circle of life.

Family and friends who have gathered together will wish one another "Shanah Tovah" - Hebrew for "A Happy New Year".

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A Happy And A Sweet New Year

Ways To make Rosh Hashanah Extra Special 

There is plenty of visual symbolism centred around the Jewish New Year - apples, honey, pomegranates ... Pomegranates are often put on the dining table as they contain many seeds - which show all the good deeds that should be carried out over the forthcoming year.

There are plenty of recipes about for special dishes for Rosh Hashanah. We like the idea of this Walnut Honey Cake and a Tsimmes by Evelyn Rose.

Or create these Pomegranate Coolers - which contain pomegranates and honey, so many of the flavours of Rosh Hashanah.

It's always wonderful when the family can get together and celebrate. But if you're not able to all be together, you can say L'Shanah Tovah to your loved ones with a beautiful greetings card from Ananya. Order your cards online now so you have plenty of time to send them out. You'll find all our Jewish New Year designs here - the difficulty will be choosing which to buy!

Delicious Recipes to Savour At Ramadan by Asma Khan of Darjeeling Express

 Asma Khan

Eid Mubarak card by Ananya

Greeting card by Ananya to send at Eid

During the holy month of Ramadan, fasting from dawn till sunset continues. Each evening the fast is broken at sunset with an ‘Iftar’, a meal shared with the family and often the community, with a sense of celebration.

We atAnanya, are delighted to share some delicious and easy to make recipes you may want to try during Ramadan, or in fact, at any time of the year. These recipes have been contributed by Asma Khan of Darjeeling Express. Asma, having mastered recipes that had been in her family for four generations, has been successfully running Supper Clubs from her home in Kensington. Her Supper Clubs create a unique dining experience  of authentic Indian food with spices made fresh at home and mouthwatering dishes cooked with love!

Paneer Korma

PANEER MALAI KORMA (serves 6)

Ingredients:

500 gms of Paneer cut into rectangle pieces (1 inch by ½ inch)

2 Medium onions thinly sliced

1 Tablespoon crushed ginger

½ Tablespoon crushed garlic

½ Teaspoon ground coriander seeds

½ Teaspoon red chillie powder (adjust that to your taste!)

2 Tablespoon concentrated tomato puree

1/2 glass of hot water

1 Tin thick coconut milk

1 Tablespoon ground almonds

Salt

Sugar

Flaked Almonds for garnishing (optional)

Chopped fresh coriander leaves for garnishing

Oil

Method

You can use any kind of pot to make it. I prefer a small wok or “karai". Fry the thinly sliced onions till they are caramelized. On medium high heat, add the garlic and ginger and stir in the oil for a minute. Then add the coriander powder and chilli powder, followed by the tomato puree and water. Wait till the oil comes to the top. Add the ground almonds with the salt and make sure the almonds do not form lumps. Then add the paneer and stir gently and lower the heat a bit so the paneer does not get burnt. After a few minutes add the coconut milk and a touch of sugar (adjust that to your taste!).

Mattar Pulao

MATTAR PULAO (serves 6)

Takes 30 min approximately to cook plus 2 hours rice soaking time

Ingredients

300 gms Basmati rice

Medium/Small white onion (around 100 gms unpeeled)

3 Tablespoons oil

21 fl oz or 600 gms water (boiled)

2 Whole cardamom pods

2 Whole cloves

1 Inch cinnamon stick

1 Large bay leaf

100 gms Peas (frozen peas)

Heaped teaspoon salt

 Method

Wash the rice in several changes of cold running water. Leave it to soak for 2 hours in a bowl with cold water. If time constraints do not allow you to soak the rice, even a brief amount of soaking will make a difference so do try to soak the rice.

Peel the onion and cut into half and slice into rings. The important thing is to try and make all the rings the same thickness so they all brown at the same time. Heat the oil on medium high heat in a thick bottomed pan with a lid. When the oil is hot, add the whole spices (cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and bay leaf) and remove with a slotted spoon after a few seconds (good sign is when you hear the spices pop - time to remove them from the heat). After that fry the sliced onions till they are brown and caramalised and remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a plate. Spread the onions out on the plate so they can become crisp as they cool. Drain the rice and add it to the pan. After 1 min of coating the rice with the remainder of the spice and onion infused oil, add the measured hot water. Add the salt. Let the rice absorb the water (usually takes 4 to 5 min) with the pan open and the heat on medium high. Once it looks like most of the water has absorbed, reduce the heat to simmer or low and cover the pan with the lid. Wash the frozen peas in water till they are no longer frozen. After 5 minutes open the lid and add the peas and gently turn the rice around with a fork. Cover and leave for a few minutes before serving.

Eid Seviyan

And now for the dessert!

EID SEVIYAN (Sheer Korma)

Seviyan is the classic Eid dessert and my memories of Eid in India where I grew up was of visiting friends and families and being offered this traditional dessert at every home.  Every family had their own version of Seviyan - I prefer this version of Seviyan served warm - you can serve it at room temperature or chilled. It is delicious warm or cold!

Serves 6-8 (Cooking time 20 min- soaking time 1hr)

Ingredients

4 Whole almonds

4 Whole pistachio nuts

1 Tablespoon charoli seeds

1 Tablespoon Raisins or Fresh Coconut slivers (or both - I use both!)

6 Cups full fat milk

100 gms Seviyan or vermicelli

1 Cup sugar

2 Cloves

2 Cardamoms

40 gms Ghee or unsalted butter

Method

Soak the nuts (almonds, pistachio and charoli) in cold water for an hour. Take the skin off the almonds and pistachios and cut into slivers. The charoli goes into the sheer whole. If using the coconut, put them into small squares (thin even sized thin pieces of ½ inch squares) – not into slivers.

Boil the milk in a pan. In another pan flash fry the sevian in half the ghee or butter (the sevian have to be broken into very small pieces) with the cloves and cardamoms and add to the boiling milk. The sevian should cook very soon. Add the sugar and once the sugar has dissolved, take it off the flame. In a pan add the remaining ghee and fry the almonds, pistachio, charoli, coconut and raisins. Add the mixture to the sevian and serve the Sheer Korma warm.

Asma shares some thoughts and reminisces on her experience of Eid growing up.

"This is kind of our Christmas without a tree"- Eid according to my son, then aged 5 years and a bit.

Like a lot of festivals, Eid is mostly about celebrating with friends and family around a table - food is the heart of this celebration. When I was growing up in India, we always spent the day at my Maternal grandparents home in Calcutta. Eid breakfast was a grand affair as the day marked the end of the Holy month of Ramadan, the first breakfast after a month of fasting for many of the adults whose morning meal over the month of Ramadan had been the pre-dawn meal for Sehri. My favourite was warm Seviyan or Sheer Korma which was served to all the children in china cups. (The recipe for the Seviyan is given above).

The traditional Eid dishes of Biryani, Murgh Mussallam and Kababs was what was usually served at lunch. At night we would have something lighter after having feasted all day - my brother was not a meat eater and his favourite dish was Paneer Korma and Pulao (recipes above).

It has been more than 2 decades since I moved to England. I try to maintain my family tradition and cook a special meal for the family on Eid. When my children were very young and I struggled to find time to cook- I always made Seviyan on Eid....without it, the day would not be complete."

In addition to hosting Supper Clubs, Asma also caters for events. Please visit her website to learn more about Asma - why not attend one of her popular Supper Clubs?

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What are some of your favourite dishes for Iftar? Do you experiment with new recipes? We’d love you to share them with us.

10 Top Tips For Writing The Perfect Thank You Letter

The British ‘Season’ is in full swing with Wimbledon, Henley Royal Regatta, Royal Ascot, weddings and all types of invitations to parties being issued. Of course, when you accept an invitation then it’s considered polite to say thank you afterwards, especially if you want to be invited again. If you’re the sort of person who keeps putting off writing a thank you letter then read our top 10 tips for writing thank you letters below.

1. Write your thank you note immediately after the event and get it out of the way. Who you talked to, what you enjoyed and all the details will be fresher in your mind so the words will flow more easily.

2. Plan out what you’re going to say on a scrap piece of paper first – just jot down your thoughts and then put them into sentences.

3. Try not to start off with the words ‘Thank you for …” Instead think about a highlight, eg “How clever of you to organise such beautiful sunshine for our day at Henley …”

4. A thank you letter should contain three elements – saying thank you, complimenting your host on the event and the hope that you will talk/meet again soon.

5. Writing in fountain pen is considered smartest and if you’re saying thank you for corporate entertainment then a written note will impress and make you stand out from the crowd.

6. If you have a lot of thank you notes to write at once (for example if you’ve received many new baby gifts) and you’re really short on time, then it is acceptable to have pre-printed cards made with a generic message. For example “Jenny and James Ingram thank you for the lovely gift sent to their new baby son Tom and hope to introduce you soon.” Then just sign the card yourself by hand. Ananya can also create a personal monogram for the couple to decorate the card.

7. Unless it’s a very casual affair, e mailing and texting aren’t the right way to say thank you for gifts, parties, theatre trips, dinner, Wimbledon tickets etc.

8. Write, don’t type the outside envelope. A handwritten envelope with a proper stamp is a welcome arrival in a letterbox and makes a change from brown envelopes with windows. If the letter is being sent to somebody at work, mark it ‘Personal’ so that a secretary doesn’t open it.

9. The top line of an address should be written about two thirds of the way down and every line should be indented beneath.

10. Keep a drawer full of notecards and postcards handy and a book of stamps so that you’re always ready to write.

You might also enjoy reading How To Be Polite

How To Be Polite

We've been thinking a great deal about manners here at Ananya lately. It really started because we were talking about the time of year and how sociable it is. Wedding season is in full swing. There are invitations to parties. Corporate entertainment at events like Wimbledon, Ascot and Henley. Weekends away. It goes without saying that one should always say thank you for being entertained - preferably by a handwritten note in ink. A text or e mail just doesn't really cut it - it's a bit lazy and hurried and if somebody has taken the time to organise a party then taking ten minutes to write a thank you note yourself isn't a lot to ask. Here's a charming one sent by an American TV star to a young fan - which we are sure she kept! Elegant stationery goes a long way towards creating the right impression and remember you don't have to write a long epistle when you're saying thank you. Just express your gratitude, how much you enjoyed meeting people, who you talked to and what you will remember about the event. That's why a notecard is perfect - and if you have a monogrammed set made just for yourself then that's very chic indeed. Every country has its own take on what makes for good manners (although writing a thank you card is acceptable anywhere). We just came across this useful infographic from Zendesk which shows what you should do and what you should avoid in different countries around the world. For example, did you know that it's considered impolite in Brazil to eat with your bare hands (always use a knife and fork or a napkin).   Every week on Twitter we're going to be publishing a tip on etiquette and politeness. You can follow us at @ananyacards and see our etiquette tips with the hashtag #etiquette. If you've any to add, please let us know!

Image credit: Zendesk