February Issue

• A New Year, a new word
  - Editorial
• Shine a Light
  - Candle trends with
  extra glow factor
• Gadget Magic -
  - Must-have culinary picks
• Smart games for a new generation
  - Strategy and logic-based fun is topping the leader board
• Bringing Special Back
  - Mother's Day 2010
• Caught Red Handed
  - Taking Stock of Security

A New Year, a new word

Last year the ‘it' word was ‘recession'. Conversations I had, be they at a dinner party or rugby match, always included the word - you couldn't escape it. To the point where I felt many people wanted to clutch the word recession like it was some sort of life-saving device, ‘everything that's going wrong in my life is because of the recession', sort of reassurance.

The overuse of this word and the fact that it's been ringing in my ears for too long, has prompted me to jump onboard a new word trend for 2010 ‘recovery'. I'm sure many people will throw backlash statements at me such as, ‘My dear, the recession is still in full-swing, don't go kidding yourself'.

However, I intend to use ‘recovery' like a rain dance word – if I say it enough it might speed up the process. I plan to use my new ‘it' word wherever possible: “My bank balance is recovering somewhat; my pantry has recovered and is now stocking chocolate again; my favourite chair is recovering after a re-cover with some old fashioned fabric I found tucked away at Grandma's.”

I informed my husband that usage of this word would enhance positive thinking in our daily conversations. “Recovery huh, how am I meant to recover from a decrease in hunting trips and fewer barbeque utensils than I was expecting for Christmas?” he responded. Males – got to love them. However, let it be known that my conscientious usage of the word recovery is not to correct, fill-in, make up for or smooth over the trials and tribulations of 2009. I intend recovery to be a word that promotes forward thinking: ‘We made it through last year, we're all recovering from some ups and downs, and now it's time to move on, no
looking back.'

My hope for retailers, wholesalers, gift enthusiasts, is that this year's successes, low points, high points, mediocre months, aren't weighted with the same negative stigma as last, because, at the end of the day, no matter what the state of the economy - affl uent or not - we all experience hard times. It's those harder times that test our strength of character; they motivate and challenge us to think outside the square and delve a little bit deeper into the creativity jar. Harder times force us to become more resourceful, they can reveal new paths and opportunities we haven't seen before, and encourage us to build better working relationships for added support and guidance.

Whilst many of us will only live through one real ‘recession' in our lifetimes, the impact with which such a period of losses and gains, highs and lows affects us should be valued for the personal challenges and changes it necessitates.

I intend to kick start my recovery mode with positivity. 2009 taught me to utilise character building skills during a ‘leaner' time as I appreciated the importance of creativity and co-operation. I'm certain many readers felt the same way.

Until next time,
Dyani

Dyani Ellwood
dyani@astonpublishing.co.nz