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How did curry become such a part of our national cuisine and what does it mean to you?

For me, a curry is a staple part of our diet.  Family meals both at home and in a restaurant.  It’s making them at home but never quite being able to do it as well as a takeout.  Read our blog for a brief history of the British Curry!

Summer is upon us, the sun’s out, schools are closed soon and the nights are lighter and warmer.  And nothing says Summer like a beach holiday.

But if you simply don’t fancy going abroad this year, check out our top ten tips for a Staycation.

Nothing says Summer quite like the start of Wimbledon.  In fact, it was such a staple in my house that I used it as a countdown timer to the Summer Holidays!

The first Wimbledon Championship match was played in 1877, and to me it really has managed to hold on to the nostalgia of Victorian or Edwardian Britain. 

When I imagine Wimbledon I think of it with a definite ‘Downton Abbey’ vibe, with all the hoi polloi milling about with their champagne flutes and punnets of strawberries.  The amount of celebrities you see on the centre court still puts me in mind of the other sporting events in the UK, like Ascot or the Regatta!

You may not have been able to bag a ticket this year, but don’t worry, we’re here to help you bring the centre court into your home!  Here are a few tips you’ll absolutely "love" (pun 100% intended).

Pick your match carefully

The first thing you’ll probably be thinking about is who you’re going to have on your "centre court"? 

Friends, family, perhaps making it a neighbourhood thing? 

Depending on who you’re inviting, you’re going to want to arrange it with a certain match in mind. 

If you’re using Wimbledon as a good excuse for a party, and you’re not too bothered about watching the match, it might be worth having a look at matches you don’t mind missing, so there’s more time for socialising. 

If you throw your party on the day of the Final, however, you might get some people who are very keen on paying attention and won’t want to be interrupted. 

"QUIET PLEASE"!

Have designated party areas

At the end of the day, you’re throwing a Wimbledon party, so it would be a bit weird to not have Wimbledon on in one of the rooms! 

Depending on whether you need the roof on the day of your planned get together, you could have the TV on in the living room for people who want to watch, and then have Radio Wimbledon on in the garden for people who would prefer to chat in the sunshine? 

Get the BBQ going!

Speaking of the garden, what better excuse for a barbecue?!  A buffet is a great option for a Wimbledon party as people can drift from watching to talking, grabbing food as they go.  Setting up a table with the cooked stuff off the Barbie, along with a few condiments and some cutlery, is an easy peasy way of letting people get on with it without you needing to be on hand all the time. We have a great BBQ gift set at Ooh with a quirky apron, meat rubs, beer and the all important BBQ multi tool!  I bet Roger Federer would love one!

Anyone for a top-up?

If you’re going to have a food table, a booze table is certainly needed!  The drink of choice at Wimbledon is a Pimm’s, but you can stock your table up with whatever you like!  We have some beautiful glassware for these swanky gatherings, from champagne flutes to whisky tumblers.  All our glassware gift sets are just a little bit different, lets say "Wild Cards", hand-painted, hand-made take a look, they really are the perfect gift.

Go for a theme

I would imagine the theme would be Wimbledon, right?  There’s loads of ways to keep your party in line with the topic at hand.  Why not have a baking day and bake some Scones?  Along with strawberries and cream. "Ace"!  Our Baking Day gift set has all you need for the home baker.

How about getting a little game of Tennis going, or badminton depending on the size of your garden.  Or even make it a little more upmarket and ask for your guests to arrive in their best outfits?  Maybe all white is a bit too far? The photos will be fabulous.

We at OohBox hope the sun shines for you as Wimbledon gets underway.  Who knows, maybe the temperatures will hit…forty?

Yes I know that was awful.  I can only apologise.