Shop for this Christmas with boon
Contactless payment is something I have been using for quick payment for as long as I’ve had the ability, however I had yet to try using it via Apple Pay. I had of course been asked by my phone to set up Apple Wallet and had seen the signs around, so when I was the challenge by boon to do some Christmas shopping, using their app, I couldn’t say no.
I wondered first off how easy it would be to pay using the boon app on my phone, I mean Lichfield is great, full of history, wonderful buildings BUT it is stuck in the past in many ways. After all it is only a city due to the cathedral and the challenge I was set by boon was to buy a number of items using the app and I’m going to start off by saying I failed. Now, this is by no fault of the boon app at all (the app is actually so simple to use, double tap the home button, pop your thumb on when asked and bingo), this is because many of the shops in Lichfield still haven’t upgraded to contactless.
One of the things I quickly found out about boon is they are all for charity shops, in fact they run a competition every month where you could win £100 credit for your boon app, by showing them your best charity shop find using #BoonForCharity via Facebook, Instagram or their website. So if you are good at finding bargains go enter!
Now since November I’ve had one disaster after another and we had finally into Lichfield on a Saturday afternoon around 4 to go hunting through the charity shops and I can easily say I found some great buys in many of them. However, none of them took contactless, I was just about to throw my hands in the air when my Dad who playing driver as the brakesf had gone on my car, said look the St Giles bookshops open let’s try there.
In we all trudged feeling a bit defeated and as though we would never find this perfect charity shop Christmas present idea. Before we started looking I quickly asked at the desk do you take contactless and with surprise; yes they replied.
At this point my Dad was rubbing his hands with glee; old books shops are his favourite so Ash and he jumped in with both feet to see what books they could find and with a limit of £30 I think they did quite well.
Next up on the list was some Christmas decorations to delight and I knew just the shop I wanted to check out; Bespoke Lichfield.
Bespoke Lichfield opened up August and I had been meaning to pop in for ages, but one thing after another means I only made it in for the first time this month, but oh it was worth the wait. They specialise in handmade beautiful gifts, many by people local to the city.
From their Christmas range I picked up Santa who is made by Dolly and Blanche’s Tea Time Adventures, isn’t it amazing!
As well as this fantastic glass Rudolph hanging ornament from Used and Fused.
Sadly I failed on the last two items a game and a Christmas hat; I had been counting on charity shops to pick up those as well. However, with that said, I did learn a few things about boon:
1) It is so easy to use, download the app, add some credit and pay.
2) As long as a shop has contactless payment systems in place, I can easily use it to help support charity and artisans.
3) I think I am definitely going to be using it more.
So if you are looking for a way to pay via your phone and fancy trying an app such as boon, download it I say!
What do you think of my buys, where would you have headed to try out boon?
*boon gave me some credit to try out the app – all my findings are honest.
This is such a great idea. I love that we will soon be totally contactless.
I love the sound of this app – I do prefer to use contactless where I can! I loved the santa in a jar…looks great x
Oh I love collecting old books, I would’ve snapped those editions up too!
This is new and certainly a must in seasons like this. I just went to our local grocery store and there’s just a long line in the cashier. Would check this out.
Boon is such a convenient app. If only there are more users that might promote more developer activities, the app can use some more enhancements and added features.
I really like the Santa you picked out! It’s super cute! I’m using and app my mobile service offers for paying with phone and love it! It makes paying so much easier.
I was surprised how easy to use it is – I thought it would be all sorts of fiddly as well. x
Yeah, I think I’ll try the app, the features all look familiar with me anyway. That jar with the little Santa is just adorable!
It is so cute isn’t it – love the little designs she has come up with.
This is my first time hearing boon. I think it’s awesome that you get to shop and help others in the process.
I need that app on my phone right now!! I love it!
I’m interested in trying this app. I’ve heard of god things about Boon from a friend, I think this post just gave me the push to do it.
I have never heard of this before. I do not generally pay by phone but perhaps I will look at doing it in the future.
These look like some very cute and unique items. I need to check this app.
The only Boon I have ever come across is that awful TV series ha! As an ap, this does sound quite convenient!
Never heard of Boon before but it does sound incredibly convenient! Those books are making me want to read full-time for the New Year!!
I haven’t tried Apple Pay yet as well, but it seems really good. It’s very typical that some places have contactless and others don’t for a fact it’s very few in Norway and my country has always been first with the modern technology. This app sounds interesting, I would of drfinetly used in a charity shop if they accepted it. Thanks for recommendation x
I;’ve never heard of anything like this before, but it does sound very useful.
havent heard of this app. sounds awesome. will def look into it.
Truly never heard about these sort of apps before. I’ll give a try and see what I’d been missing all along!
This is the first time I’ve heard of this app. It sounds very cool, and I like that it supports artists/charity. You’re gifts are so cute! Love the Santa and Rudolph hanging ornament.
I never heard of Boon but will definitely be checking it out now. All the gifts you picked out were fantastic!
I haven’t heard of them before but I am sure they will be popular as more and more shops now take contactless payment. Shame you didn’t manage to get the last few items.
Definitely – I saw some good games as well in the shops but ah well. Perhaps they will upgrade soon! x
The Santa in a Jar was darling. This could become a thing, like the Elf on a Shelf.
It is amazing isn’t it – she’s done a few different ones, I need one for all year round as well 😉 x
I have not heard of this company before!! These look like great Christmas gift options to give this year.
Sounds like an app that I need. I like the idea of shopping in charity stores
I havent come across the app but you did find some treasures. I love the Santa in a jar x
The santa is awesome isn’t it makes me smile each time I see it. x
I haven’t heard of this but apps are very easy to use generally so I will give this a go.
I have not heard of this app but it sounds useful as you don’t need to carry too much cash on you. I love finding blog props in charity shops.
Looks like you found a great please to give the app a try. Sure makes life easier not to carry around a giant purse when you can pay with an app.
Litchfield really needs to update to contactless! Still at least you managed to find some classics, I do like Charles Dickens!
Sounds like a great little app – I love any excuse to buy more books!
I use contact-less payments on my cards, but never on my phone – might have to give it a go x
I don’t have an iphone so don’t think I could make use of all of these fancy apps but I’m more than happy with a contactless card x
I love old books. What fantastic finds. Will definitely be checking this out! x
Wow! Such a cute Christmas stuff You’re so creative! This makes me intrigued! I’m going to try it.
You found such cute stuff for decorating! The Rudolph is super cute. I’ll have to check out this app and see how it works for me.
I’ve never heard of boon and haven’t even joined the Apple Pay bandwagon either. I guess I’m behind the times too!
This is a new one for me as well, but I’m not surprised – there’s so much to keep up with in the app world.
I haven’t heard of this app before. It sounds awesome. I love your choices!
great app great ideas ..all the awesome stuff..the old books…excellent choices and amazing ideas downloading for sure
I am totally going to download this app! How cool. My hubby would LOVE those old books.
With technology moving more and more toward these type of payments, I really need to start adapting. Love the shops you and your family chose!
I haven’t tried the Boon app yet. Might just have to give it a try. Loving your Christmas finds, btw.
Aww thank you – think I’ve found a new favourite shop – I can see them coming up on Lately I’m Loving a lot 😉 x
Not heard of Boon before but sounds just like a nice way to shop. You got some lovely items
I was so surprised on how easy to use it is I always thought it would be so hard.
Some fab items. Lovely to hear of people getting christmas gifts in charity shops x
I think you found some treasures on your shopping trip. Guess I will be looking into the Boon app to see how I like it.
It was so fun shopping! Love how simple boon is to use as well.
I’ve never heard of this app. It does sound very good x
I’m lucky and I’d say about 75% of shops in my town accept contactless payments now, so convenient. I love the santa in a jar decoration. Jo x
Hopefully ours will join soon haha! Perhaps if more people ask they will upgrade though. x
I’ve not heard of this app before it sounds interesting and worth trying. I use contact less all the time.
I hadn’t heard of the app but, I have downloaded it to give it a go because i hate carrying numerous cards and cash around with me and this seems prefect x
It’s awful isn’t it – I can never find the card I am after at the right time! x
I have not heard of this before, I don’t use contactless but my husband does and also apple pay, I have no idea why I don’t really, will be looking into this x
I was surprised by it all I’m obviously getting old as I’m not trying out the latest tech straight away anymore haha!