8 Great Halloween Drink and Treat Ideas

1 Bird & Blend’s Spiced Pumpkin Pie Tea 

Buy Online from Bird & Blend

From £6.10 for 50g of loose leaf tea.

If tea is your thing, you really should check out the fantastic array of flavours on offer at Bird & Blend. For Halloween, their clever mixologists have come up with a Spiced Pumpkin Pie version that can be enjoyed as a regular cup of tea or made into a milky chai latte. This particular tea has won a Great Taste Award and this year is available in a specially designed tin (150g).

2 M&S’s Colin the Caterpillar Halloween Spooky Festival Gift Bag

Buy Online from Marks and Spencer 

From £22.50. Party choice.

If you’re hosting a children’s party or want a bit of fun for the big kids in your office, look no further than Marks and Spencer’s Halloween Spooky Festival Gift Bag. Featuring the often imitated but never bettered Colin the Caterpillar, this is a feast of sweet treats and chocolate cakes. More cute than scary, but guaranteed to put smiles on faces.

3 Whittard’s Pumpkin Spice Ground Coffee

Buy Online from Whittard 

From £7 for 200g (approx. 13 cups).

More famous for its tea, Whittard has stepped up its coffee game in recent years and is now offering its own take on the pumpkin spice trend. Available in boxes that evoke Mexico’s “Day of the Dead”, celebrated on 1st and 2nd November, you’ll probably be drinking this long after Halloween has finished. The product uses ground Arabica beans and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.  

4 Hotel Chocolat’s Cryptopher the Vampire Caramel Milk Chocolate

Buy Online from Hotel Chocolat

£8 for a box of 16 chocolates; 2 boxes for £14.

If you like chocolate, you’ll love Hotel Chocolat and its Halloween offering made from caramel milk chocolate. The Cryptopher the Vampire collection includes sixteen individually-wrapped chocolates with six different designs – a bat, a cat, a skull, a ghost, a gravestone, and a witch’s finger. These are ideal to give to trick or treaters, or to gobble up all for yourself.

5 Slattery’s Halloween Hot Chocolate Bombs 

Buy Online from Slattery

£9.95 for a pack of 3 bombs.

Sticking with the chocolate theme, north Manchester-based baker and chocolatier Slattery has released a unique take on hot chocolate – the bomb. Don’t worry, it’s not as dangerous as it sounds. The only explosion will be in your mouth when you taste the winning combination of orange chocolate and marshmallows. Enjoy around a bonfire or in the comfort of your own home.

6 Haribo Trick or Treat 

Buy Online from Waitrose

£3 for 32 mini bags. Budget option.

It wouldn’t be Halloween without kids enjoying a few sugar highs and legendary confectioner Haribo is always prepared for the occasion. You could go for old favourite Tangfastics, with their frightening mix of sweet and sour flavours, but if you want to hand out a lot of treats without breaking the bank, plump for the Trick or Treat mini bags and you’ll never again fear the doorbell on the last day October.

7 Wrekin Spirit Pumpkin Spice Gin

Buy Online from Wrekin Spirit

£18 for 350ml, £35 for 700ml (+ £3.50 postage); 38% vol. Adults’ favourite.

Halloween isn’t just about the kids having fun. There are many complex cocktail recipes out there, but a quick and easy alcoholic drink can be made using this flavoured spirit featuring autumnal spices, pumpkin, cinnamon and cloves. Just add tonic and enjoy.   

8 Halloween Cupcakes from Rachael’s Kitchen

Buy Online from Rachael's Kitchen

From £22 for a box of 6, to £35 for a box of 12.

If you love cake (who doesn’t!) and have a bit more cash to spend, you might consider this gourmet option. Impress your friends with these Halloween-themed cupcakes, which come in three different designs (Ghosts, Bats and Pumpkins; Spooky Sprinkles; Halloween Eyes), two of which can be bought gluten-free. 

All prices and quantities are correct at the time of writing. Some products may incur additional delivery charges. You should always check product details and allergen information before purchasing. 

Happy Halloween!

Travel – A Grand Day Out in Preston

The city of Preston may not be the most famous or glamorous place in the north of England, or even in Lancashire, but there is plenty to keep visitors entertained for at least an enjoyable day trip, if not longer.

Preston got a bad rap a few years ago when its high street was awarded the dubious honour of the Unhealthiest High Street in Britain owing to the number of businesses considered unsavoury by the public. These include establishments from tanning salons to bookmakers, loan shops to fast food outlets (presumably including bakeries).

Despite its unwanted reputation, the main high street (Fishergate and Church Street) does serve as a handy reference point for visitors, more or less connecting the main transport links to some key attractions. Indeed, public transport is a great way to arrive in Preston. The railway station named one of Britain’s 100 best by Simon Jenkins and the brutalist bus station featured in a book listing 1001 buildings to see before you die, which covers the whole world. In the latter case, I suspect the compilers were starting to run out of options.

If you arrive at the (genuinely good, though no Huddersfield) train station, turn right and you’re almost immediately into the action. You could hit the shops at Fishergate or St George’s Shopping Centre, but I’d recommend venturing as far as the market. When you reach Waterstones, turn left down Cheapside (no jokes please) and past the cenotaph onto Market Street. A short stroll will bring you to the city’s newest attraction, a bench and sculpture of Wallace and Gromit, two much-loved animated characters created by one of Preston’s most famous sons, Nick Park.

Wallace and Gromit Bench, Preston

The market itself is in a modest but pleasant hall now mostly selling food and drink, from fresh fruit and vegetables to baked goods, local meat, and craft beer. You can grab a bite to eat and a coffee here, although I recommend retreating down Cheapside to Cafuné for a delicious South American sandwich or arepa. The less adventurous can still purchase a toastie here. Another good and very reasonably priced lunch option is the quirky Clare’s Kitchen and Vintage Tea Room (see photo below), situated on Cannon Street, just off Fishergate.

Clare's Kitchen and Vintage Tea Room, Preston

If you’re prepared to venture a little out of the city centre, you can visit Deepdale football stadium, complete with its fountain statue of Preston North End and England legend Sir Tom Finney, or the Lancashire Infantry Museum (currently closed due to covid). Staying in the heart of things, when I visited a few years ago the Harris Museum and Art Gallery was a great way to spend an hour or so, but the Grade I listed building has just begun a £10M revamp and won’t be open again until 2024.

Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston

Also undergoing some improvements is the city’s Avenham Park, where the steps and balustrades are being renovated near the statue of the Earl of Derby. The park itself – along with adjacent Miller Park – is a hilly green space featuring a Japanese garden, water fountain, children’s play area and the Pavilion Café (see map above for location).

Japanese Garden at Avenham Park, Preston

Fountain at Avenham Park, Preston

Down by the River Ribble is a particularly nice (and relatively flat) place for an afternoon stroll, run or cycle. Beware though – very few cyclists when I visited were obeying the frequently signposted 5mph speed limit. The café marks the start and end point for Preston’s Guild Wheel, a walking, running or cycling route stretching for over 20 miles alongside the river, past the marina and around the outskirts of the city.

River Ribble, Preston

All in all, the city of Preston offers enough to keep one entertained for a day trip and I look forward to returning in a few years when the Harris Museum reopens to see how they’ve improved it. I also hope the city moves away from pawnbrokers and generic chain outlets (although Waterstones can stay) in favour of more independent traders, with their friendly staff and more creative menus and products.

Getting there: I travelled to Preston by rail, with an adult off-peak day return ticket from Manchester costing between £12-14 (October 2021). The journey takes around 35-50 minutes depending on the service you catch. To check train prices from other starting points, visit the National Rail website.

5 Mental Health Tips for World Mental Health Day

Today is World Mental Health Day. As someone who has struggled with my mental health since my teens – especially with depression and anxiety – I wanted to make a short list of the things I do to try to keep myself mentally healthy. Sometimes things beyond our control overwhelm us, but there are things within our control that we can do to sustain our emotional wellbeing.
 
Tip 1 – Take regular exercise
 
One of the best ways I’ve found to boost my mental health is through taking regular exercise. In my case, I took up running a few years ago and it has been a real help to me. I started off barely being able to run a kilometre without having to stop due to shortness of breath and aching legs. Now I’m able to run at a steady pace for over an hour. Yes, my legs still ache after such exertions, but the combination of getting the blood pumping and being out in the open air (see Tip 2) releases endorphins, which are natural chemicals that make you feel happier.
 
If you think running might be the exercise for you but don’t know where to begin, try the Couch to 5K programme, or just grab a pair of shoes (they don’t need to be fancy, as long as they fit) and give it a go. Run for as long as you can and/or walk between bursts of jogging. Even 15 minutes of combined walking and running is a start. At first, I’d recommend running maybe twice or three times a week, leaving recovery days between runs, then increasing the frequency, distance and speed (least important) as you feel able. Be careful not to overdo it.
 
Another great option is the weekly parkrun at various locations around the UK. This free event offers the opportunity to run with other people of all abilities and many people really benefit from the social aspect of it. Volunteering is also an option and giving our time to help others can make us feel good about ourselves. Some people like to go around the country exploring different parkrun courses and making new friends.
 
Running isn’t for everyone. Before the pandemic, I used to swim once a week. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise as it not only builds stamina but also suppleness and strength. It’s a great option for people who want something a little easier on the joints. Other people will prefer different types of exercise. Even walking counts as exercise. The trick is to find something that you enjoy. That way, you’re more likely to stick with it.
 
Tip 2 – Get out into nature
 
An underrated and often overlooked mental health aid is nature. Getting out into green spaces can have a profound and positive impact on the mind. Taking ourselves away from the hustle and bustle of urban life and into areas without concrete and vehicle fumes can have a soothing effect.
 
I realise that this is easier for some than others. However, if you take a little time to explore your local area, even the big cities have plenty of green and blue spaces to explore. I’ve highlighted some of my favourite nature areas in my city of Manchester on the map below.
 

 
There is a stretch of the River Mersey in the south of the city that runs for several miles and offers a great walking or running route. Plus, like London but on a smaller scale, the city is blessed with a number of attractive parks, including Heaton Park (north), Wythenshawe Park (southwest) and Platt Fields Park (south). Even a wander along the canal can bring you into contact with nature, which is brilliant as long as you don’t get too near the geese during breeding season!
 
Indeed, while bird spotting might sound like something for old men in anoraks, it’s actually an easy way to help us rediscover our connectedness to nature and remind us that we are just living creatures. Experiencing nature can be a form of mindfulness, or living in the moment, which helps us to focus without letting our worries overwhelm us.
 
Tip 3 – Limit alcohol intake
 
There’s a plethora of reasons to reduce alcohol, from saving money to keeping your liver and other internal organs healthy, as well as reducing your chances of doing or saying something stupid or dangerous. In terms of improving my mental health, lowering my alcohol intake has been one of the most positively impactful actions I’ve taken.
 
While one possible downside has been that I do now socialise less than I did previously (this was true even before the pandemic), reducing my alcohol intake means I’m more likely to choose social events that don’t just revolve around drinking. Undoubtedly one of the big plusses has been not waking up on a weekend morning hungover, which can be a contributor to depression as it leaves you tired and less motivated to be active. I would much rather be clear-headed and only aching from the gym or dancing than feeling like death.
 
Alcohol is also empty calories, with many alcoholic drinks either containing high amounts of sugar or mixed with sugary drinks. As well as feeling perkier, I’ve also lost my beer belly since I stopped drinking alcohol to excess (although running has helped too). For some people the best approach is to go teetotal, for others it’s to set a limit on how many units of alcohol they’ll consume in a day. I find that not drinking at all tends to be better as old habits die hard and once you’ve had two drinks you might “get the taste for it” and – thanks to the combination of peer pressure and lowered inhibitions – end up drinking more than you planned.
 
Sometimes I’ve seen advice for caffeine intake to be limited also. In my personal opinion, this is less important than reducing your alcohol consumption, as fewer health issues are linked to caffeine. If you have trouble sleeping, caffeine may be something to consider. But generally, as long as you’re not imbibing ridiculous amounts like a litre of Red Bull a day, you should be fine. I’ve found that drinking tea can have a calming effect, which is positive for my mental health. Plus, there are many low-caffeine and no-caffeine options such as decaf, rooibos, mint, chamomile or fruit teas to choose from.
 
Tip 4 – Eat fresh fruit and vegetables
 
We all know that the recommendation for eating fresh fruit and vegetables is five portions a day, but how many of us actually make sure we get these every day? Part of the problem is that many people don’t like the taste. Another issue is that not everybody knows how to cook, and pre-prepared food is very often short of fruit and vegetables, and certainly lacks fresh ones.
 
However, while the 5-a-day target is probably too low and should be closer to 10, scientists say that even just 2.5 portions a day can make a difference. This refers to physical health, but the mind is part of the body and eating an unhealthy diet can have a negative impact on our moods.
 
In my experience, I tend to feel more energetic and happier on days when I eat more good foods than junk food. I do like fast food occasionally as a treat, but fatty and processed foods shouldn’t form the basis of your diet if you want to look after your physical and mental health.
 
For people who don’t particularly enjoy eating fruit and vegetables, there are a few tricks, such as drinking smoothies (make sure there’s no added sugar) or sneaking them into other foods. I like to start my day by mashing a banana in with my Weetabix (other cereal brands are available) and adding a sprinkling of blueberries or dried fruit (e.g. raisins, papaya). Unsure about carrots? Try root vegetable mash. Not keen on tomatoes? Try a tomato-based pasta sauce. Peas, beans or lentils can be mixed into curries or pies too.
 
Another tactic is to think about swapping items. For example, if you like a bag of crisps as a snack, switch to (unsalted) mixed nuts every so often. Choose a handful of grapes instead of a chocolate bar. Have a bowl of strawberries instead of a slice of cake. You don’t have to make those swaps every day or for every treat but changing a few can make a difference and you’ll feel better for it.
 
Tip 5 – Set yourself goals
 
Most of the above tips for mental health focus on physical or bodily things that can help boost the mood. These things only go so far. Feeling mentally well relies on being able to stay on top of your thoughts. It’s OK to have negative thoughts. We all have them, even the most positive people in the world. The difference often lies in how we process our thoughts.
 
I know from experience how difficult it can be to override negative thoughts, especially when you’re feeling low and lacking energy. Sometimes I just want to lie in bed all day and I’ve spent too many days doing this. Each of us has various reasons for why we feel down and not all of them can be fixed, just like not all physical health conditions have a cure. For conditions such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), we might need sunlight or other treatments such as talking therapies or antidepressants to help us to feel better. And that’s OK.
 
Many people feel more motivated when working towards set goals. The beauty of setting personal goals is that we can choose them ourselves. That means we can choose to discard any ambitions which become counterproductive. The goals we set can cover various timeframes and can be as grand or as simplistic as we desire.
 
For example, I could set myself a long-term goal of trying to run 1000Km in a year. I would then break this down into needing to run approximately 84Km per month, or around 20Km per week. Therefore, I know that if I do 3 x 7K runs, or 4 x 5K runs per week, I will be on track to achieve my overall goal.
 
Of course, your goals don’t have to apply to running or exercise. They could be professional goals, such as wanting to achieve a certain position in your company or to complete a project by a particular date, or personal goals, like saving enough money to buy a new pair of shoes, holiday or even a house. Sometimes it helps to set a deadline, although if you shouldn’t beat yourself up about it if you don’t meet this, as you can always adjust it depending on your circumstances.
 
As someone with depression, I believe that even setting little goals each day can be helpful. Getting out of bed is a goal. Reading a chapter of a book, watching one more TV show in the series, and going outside for a 30-minute stroll are all goals. Sometimes those things are all we feel able to manage. But setting ourselves realistic goals can give our minds something to focus on and help us to overcome the darker days.
 
Most of all, we don’t have to suffer alone. It helps to talk and share things with friends. You don’t have to tell them everything. A good friend will respect how much you wish to disclose. A better friend will help you not only to make goals but to achieve them too. Even if all that means is accompanying you on that half-hour walk that makes you feel that little bit brighter.

___

 
 
Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional or expert. All advice in this blog is based on my personal experience of suffering from mental health difficulties. My suggestions are intended to help others going through similar difficulties, but unfortunately the advice may not work for everyone.
 
For the Mental Health Foundation’s guide to mental health click here.
 
If you are struggling right now or wish to find out more about mental health, you might consider using these organisations (UK):
 
NHS Mental Health  
Samaritans  Call free on 116 123
Mind
Anxiety UK
Sane
CALM
Young Minds

PR Tips – 5 Important Things to Check Before You Send a Press Release

There are countless articles about how to write an engaging press release and this is not one of those. Instead, this blog post focuses on the practical details and processes involved in distributing a press release. It’s the unglamorous stuff, but it matters.
 
You’ve got your headline with a juicy hook, your compelling and carefully written copy, and you’re eager to spread the word about your company or brand’s latest news. You’ve loaded up your press release into your distribution software and you’ve selected your list of relevant media contacts. Don’t press send just yet. There are a few things you need to check.
 
As much as time can be of the essence in public relations, it’s also important to make sure your press release is of a professional standard. It should not contain any mistakes. It should give journalists and editors everything they need. These factors can be the difference between getting easy media coverage and a journalist clicking the dreaded “Unsubscribe” button.
 
1 Contact Details
 
You should always check that the contact details you provide on a press release are:
 

a) Rendered correctly
b) Up-to-date
c) Easily visible

 
If a journalist is intrigued by your press release, one of the first things some do is reach for the phone to get in touch. This doesn’t happen every time, or even most of the time, but when it does you need to be ready.
 
Firstly, have you provided the correct phone number? There’s nothing worse than a digit missed off the start or end, or a mistyped 5 instead of a 6. Most journalists won’t try an alternative number. If the number doesn’t work, many will email, but it’s better to avoid the embarrassment of them telling you they couldn’t get through on the phone. It’s not a good initial impression.
 
Another thing to consider is that some businesses have offices in different locations across the world. You should provide the number that puts journalists through to the relevant press office or agency representative. They shouldn’t have to be put on hold or have their call re-directed; that wastes time and could mean you lose the enquiry and consequently any coverage.
 
If you’re sending press release to multiple countries, make sure it’s clear where your press office is located, and (if necessary) what the office hours are. You should not assume that journalists from outside your country of origin know when you will be available. Be sure to include country dialling codes if you are sending an international press release. The US is +1; the UK is +44.
 
Whenever your company’s or your client’s personnel change, update your press release templates accordingly. If an old colleague’s name and details remain on a press release, it may mean a media contact is unable to reach your company. Worse still, it could in some cases lead to them contact the former employee, which can be a problem if they’ve moved to a rival company, as often happens.
 
Finally, contact details need to be easy to find. Many companies use a clear Contact Us section on their press releases, normally at foot, although sometimes at the top. If you’re providing email addresses, check these are correct and that media contacts know who they are contacting – is it a specific individual or a PR team?
 
2 Links
 
If you’ve included hyperlinks in your press release, you should check that they work before sending. Not the most exciting task, especially if you’ve included several links, but few things look sloppier than an outdated link or being directed to the wrong website because you’ve not updated from a previous press release that you’re using as a template.
 
Personally, I prefer links to open in a new tab, especially if you publish your press releases on your website. This avoids anyone clicking on a link being directed away from the original material. Most content management software will allow you to check a box to open a link in a new tab. You may decide that only certain links should be opened in new tabs, but whatever you decide, everyone in your team should be aware of the approach and follow it consistently.
 
3 Social Media Information
 
Some PR professionals don’t believe that social media links are important in press releases, but I know from hours spent trawling through analytics stats that people do click on them. If you’re not including a platform on which media contacts might want to communicate with you (usually Twitter and LinkedIn), you may be missing a trick.
 
There are several things to consider when it comes to adding social media information. Firstly, are your links correct? It sounds so obvious, but if a company has gone through a re-brand or simply changed their address or handle, you need to be providing a link to the latest account.
 
Secondly, are you including all the relevant platforms for your industry? If you work in business-to-business (B2B) PR, you might only need LinkedIn and Twitter pages, but if your company or client operates in the business-to-consumer (B2C) space, you might also consider Facebook, Instagram, and possibly others. 
 
On the other hand, are you just including links for the sake of it? Do you (or your client) update your social media feeds regularly? If not, it might be counterproductive to include a link to an account that is inactive or used sparingly. You should always seek to direct your media contacts to the social streams which show your brand in its best light. So if you’re killing it with amazing content on Insta but only really posting job advertisements on LinkedIn, just include an Instagram link.
 
It is possible to achieve press coverage via social media. Twitter is a particularly good stream for this, especially if you’re able to find the journalists relevant to your target industry and see who is talking about what via hashtags. If you’ve interacted with media contacts on social media and they recognise your social handles in your press releases, this could increase your chances of them contacting you. If not, it at least serves to remind them that you’re active, which could come in handy if they need a brand like yours on another occasion. 
 
4 Proofreading
 
Even the most talented and seemingly most diligent writer is not the best editor of their own work. We can often fail to spot basic errors (not just typos) or stylistic issues such as accidentally repeating the same phrase or accidentally repeating the same phrase or writing a really long and clunky sentence with no pause for breath… See what I did there?
 
In short, get a second set of eyes. They will see things your eyes have missed.
 
Ideally, get someone else from your PR team or agency, as they will be used to knowing what to look for. The obvious things are spelling and grammatical mistakes – such as apostrophes – but I would always encourage checking that figures make sense. In particular, check that any units of measurement are clearly explained – sometimes thousands and millions can get confused. Also, if you’re quoting values, be sure to outline which currency you’re referring to. Even “dollars” isn’t necessarily clear, as more than just Americans use them. Indicate that $ refers to USD if that’s the case, or an alternative if not.
 
5 Formatting
 
There’s no point sending out a press release with fantastic content if the formatting isn’t up to scratch. Journalists are too busy to spend time trying to decipher a poorly presented email and nobody will be impressed by something that looks unprofessional.
 
Your press release distribution software, such as Cision, Gorkana or Meltwater, will have a preview function, which you should always use to ensure everything is in order before you circulate your press release. What should you check?
 
Font size – Is the text in a sensible size? Is it consistently the same size throughout (with possible exceptions for titles)?
 
Paragraphing – Are your paragraphs separate and distinct? Are the spaces between them correct?
 
Alignment – Is the text aligned properly? Have you removed any unnecessary indentation?
 
Images – These can be tricky, depending on their size and the software you’re using. Consider an image’s importance depending on the press release’s desired impact. Is it better to include your image(s) within the press release, as an attachment, and/or to provide an external location from which journalists can download the image(s)? Have you correctly credited each image to its creator? Have you specified whether an image is for editorial use only? Have you provided a full description of the image? For example, if the image features people from your company, have you given their full names (spelled correctly) with their job titles? If it depicts a location or product, have you provided the relevant details (e.g. state and country; product size, release date and price)?
 
Brand logo – Has this been included? Does it look right (i.e. not blurry, not cut off, the correct shape, a sensible size)? Is it correctly aligned?
 
Generally, does it look like a professional document produced by a reputable company? If not, keep improving it until it does. And once again, get a second set of eyes to review your press release before you send it. Every detail should be checked, from the date and embargo time to everything listed above.
 
Conclusion

If you work in the communications industry and aren’t doing these things, you might be missing out on media coverage and/or doing damage to your or your client’s reputation. Some of the above items can be included in templates to save time and promote standardisation, which helps with brand recognition and familiarity. Building a checklist into your process will help minimise mishaps and increase the likelihood of your press release achieving better results.

6 of the Most Common English Grammar Mistakes with Apostrophes – Tips and Fixes

English is regarded as one of the more difficult languages with a single alphabet, largely due to its occasionally quirky spellings and often perplexing pronunciations. Even native English speakers make mistakes, especially in written English. When we understand the rules – or grammar – governing the language, we can limit our mistakes. This is important when you are producing written English for a variety of purposes, from business needs like professional emails and marketing copy to academic essays and job applications.
 
One particularly difficult aspect of English grammar is apostrophe usage. As an English graduate, I had classmates who still hadn’t mastered the apostrophe by the end of their studies. Apostrophes are not easy, but this article is here to help. Below I’ve picked out six of the most common English grammar errors involving apostrophes, with explanations for their correct usage and a few tips for how to remember the rules.
 
1) Apostrophe S
 
Jumping in at the deep end, arguably one of the hardest of all grammar rules to grasp is the dreaded apostrophe S. Breathe in. We can do this. The key distinction here is between plurals and ownership. All will become clear.
 
Tip: Plurals do not need an apostrophe
 
You may have heard of the so-called “greengrocer’s S” in reference to a way the rule was traditionally misapplied, as sellers of fruit and vegetables rendered their items in the plural using an apostrophe. For example:
 
Plum’s 6 for £1
 
Strawberry’s £2 per punnet
 
In each case, the apostrophe is not needed. In the latter case, the correct plural is Strawberries.
 
Tip: Ownership requires an apostrophe
 
This is possibly the trickiest bit. When somebody or something has possession of or “owns” another thing (whether a solid object or an abstract concept, such as an idea), an apostrophe is required. For example:
 
John’s bicycle is green.
 
Have you heard Fiona’s story about her sister’s cat?
 
The bicycle belongs to John, the story belongs to Fiona and the cat is owned by her sister, so in each case you need to use an apostrophe.
  
2) Your vs You’re
 
You’re going to like this one. Or, to put it another way, you are going to tell all your friends about how much fun grammar can be. OK, perhaps not. But in those first two sentences I’ve shown the difference between the two homophones, that is, two words that sound the same but are spelled differently.
 
Tip: “You’re” is short for “you are”; “Your” relates to something belonging to you
 
I think you’re ready for a slightly more complex version of the same issue. Hold on to your hats!
 
3) There vs Their vs They’re
 
The unholy trinity of grammar mistakes in English is the confusion between the three versions of the homophone there/their/they’re. If you’re following the gist so far, there’s a good chance you will already have guessed that “they’re” is short for “they are” and the apostrophe here denotes an omission (a letter being left out).
 
There vs Their is a little less straightforward, although “Their” is very much like “Your” in the previous example in that it relates to something belonging to them. “There” generally means “in that place”, often contrasting with “here” (in this place).
 
Tip: They’re (they are) there (in that place) with their (belonging to them) friends.
 
English also uses “There” in another sense, combined with the verb “to be” to connote something existing or happening. For example: There is (often shortened to “there’s”) a fly in my soup. There are (for plurals) flowers in the garden.
 
4) Could Of vs Could’ve
 
Undoubtedly, like many of the grammar mistakes on this list, the confusion here arises from how the words sound in spoken English. The solution here is simple – could of is incorrect. Could’ve (or should’ve, or would’ve, or other conditionals) is short for “could have”. Here, the apostrophe denotes omission (letters are missing) and contraction (two words being shortened to one).
 
Tip: “Could’ve” is short for “could have”; “Could of” is always wrong
 
5) Its vs It’s
 
Just to throw a spanner into the works, here’s an example of apostrophe usage where the general rule must be bent a little. Ordinarily, any instance of omission or possession would require an apostrophe. However, when using “it”, English only requires an apostrophe for the contraction of “it is”. Confused? Here are some examples:
 
It’s (it is) cold outside today.
 
The bird got its (belonging to it) wing trapped.
 
Disclaimer: no birds were harmed in the creation of this blog.
 
Tip: “It’s” is short for “it is”; “its” means belonging to it, a rare exception to the possession rule
 
6) Whose vs Who’s
 
You’ll (omission and contraction again – I’m sure you’re getting the hang of it now) be glad to know you’ve reached the last example of those pesky apostrophes. We’re back to homophones again. I bet you can guess now what the rule is for “who’s”. Go on, have a stab. That’s it – omission and contraction. “Who is” becomes “who’s”. Easy, right?
 
So what about “whose”? Where does that e on the end come from? It’s simply one of the wonderful quirks of English spellings. As you may have worked out, “whose” means “belonging to who” (some would argue it should be “whom” but for ease of explanation in this context I’m sticking with “who”), but like “it’s/its” above, English doesn’t allow the same rendering of the word when the meanings differ. Here are some examples:
 
Who’s that at the door? (Contraction of “Who is”)
 
Do you know whose painting this is? (Belonging to who)
 
I don’t know who’s coming to the party. (Contraction of “Who is”)
 
Whose wine is this? (Belonging to who)
 
Tip: “Who’s” is short for “Who is”; “Whose” means “belonging to who”
 
I hope these explanations and tips are helpful. May all your apostrophes be placed perfectly and remember to watch out for those rogue apostrophes that shouldn’t be there.
 
Happy writing!