John Lewis In-Store Hand Lettering

Over Christmas I was hired to work in-store at John Lewis to create customised gift tags, alongside The Gift Tag Poet (also known as Stu the Copywriter). Customers were invited to have a quick chat with Stu to give him a few clues about a gift they had bought and who it was for. Then, while the customers continued with their shopping, Stu had fifteen minutes to write the poem and I had around five minutes to hand-write the gift tag. The idea was to create something totally unique and personal for customers to give to their loved ones. John Lewis provided this service for customers free of charge.

Customers chatting to Stu about their loved ones so he could take notes and write a poem.

I wrote out Stu's poems on gift tags and hand lettered names on the reverse so they could be attached to gifts.

One of Stu's poems

Another poem for a greetings card with a bit more space for elaborate writing!

Young customers: here's one Stu wrote for a little boy to his sister.

Me and Stu the Copywriter.

The customers were over the moon with their poems, all of which were very personal and unique. It was great to hear the heartfelt stories and sentiments behind the poems - great to get me in the Christmas spirit!