The Joy of Imperfection: Why Wonky Wednesday Was a Huge Success (And Why You Should Save the Date for October 1st)
Back in March, we tried something a little different at Avorium — and it turned into one of our most successful sales days to date.
We called it Wonky Wednesday.
As a family-run business specialising in personalised products, we pride ourselves on quality and attention to detail. But during our busier seasons, the nature of customisation means mistakes occasionally happen. Sometimes names are misspelt. Other times, customers change their minds after an item has been made. These products are perfectly functional — sometimes even beautiful — but not quite right. We affectionately refer to them as our wonky stock.
Rather than letting these items gather dust or worse, go to waste, we decided to give them a second life.
Wonky Wednesday was born.
For one day only, we opened up our treasure trove of damaged but beautiful products. All personalised, all one-of-a-kind, and sold each one for just £1.
The response was incredible.
Over 700 items found new homes in a single day. Our shop in York was buzzing with new faces, many of whom had never visited before. Online, we saw a huge spike in orders and engagement, not for wonky products but across our entire range. People loved the idea — the sustainable shopping, the chance to find something unique, and the joy of getting a deal you genuinely can’t find anywhere else.
Even better, it allowed us to connect with a whole new demographic of shoppers. From students on a budget to eco-conscious customers looking for ethical alternatives, Wonky Wednesday opened our doors wider — and that’s something we’re really proud of.
Good for the Planet, Great for You
One of the most rewarding parts of the event was the sustainability impact. Every product sold was one less item we needed to discard. It’s easy to forget that behind each personalised notebook, folio or phone stand is a material footprint. This initiative helped us reduce waste, without compromising on the joy our products bring.
And for customers, the thrill was in the surprise — some even found products with their own names already printed. It was like a lucky dip, but with the potential to find something truly personal.
Spreading the Word
We backed up the March event with a full campaign — online, across social media, and through the local press. The excitement was infectious, and the support from our community, both in York and beyond, was something we’ll never forget. The buzz around Wonky Wednesday helped boost brand awareness and reinforced what we’re all about at Avorium: thoughtful, creative, sustainable gifting - with sustainability at its heart.
The good news? We’re doing it again.
Wonky Wednesday returns on October 1st, and if March was anything to go by, you won’t want to miss it. We’ll once again be offering our wonky wonders for just £1 in-store with even more surprises in the mix.
So whether you're on the hunt for a bargain, love a bit of sustainable shopping, or are just curious to see what’s behind the ‘wonky’ label, pop it in your calendar.
At Avorium, we believe imperfect doesn’t mean unwanted. Sometimes, it just means unique.
See you on October 1st.
13 Colliergate, York, YO1 8BP.