Category: Christmas

1. What is on your Christmas list?

   Posted on 9:51am Thursday 26th Nov 2015

   With Christmas on the horizon, we are frequently telling our girls to make sure that they are "good" as Santa is watching and they don't want to be on the naughty list this year. 

   

   Apparently my girls names are not top of the good list but children named Anna and Harry are most likely to be at the top of Santa’s ‘nice list’ this Christmas. Research by School Stickers, leaders in school rewards, has revealed that children with these names are the most likely to be well behaved. Whereas girls called Leah and boys called Joseph appear to be more prone to naughtiness, however as this is only the ‘draft’ list kids still have a month to improve their behaviour!

   It is funny how traditions like this go through the ages, as I can remember my parents using the same tactics on me for making sure that my behaviour was impeccable in the run up to Christmas but the list of "must have gifts" changes as you get older, although looking at what my husband wants, I am sure he is still a big kid! 

   I have obviously been a very good girl this year, although my name strangely doesn't appear on Santa's good list just yet, so here is my Christmas wish list for a 30 (ahem) something mum of two!

   1. A good book. As a child, I loved to read but I just don't seem to get the time these days. Unlike blog posts and news articles, sitting down with a book takes more focus and concentration and when I am fully engaged in a book I can close off the outside world and indulge myself completely in the story.

   

   2. To have control of the remote or music options for one WHOLE day. Get Well Soon or Paw Patrol can just get the tiniest bit repetitive.

   3. I know that in years gone by I would have asked for a spa day to help me unwind (although this was in days before children so not entirely sure what I was unwinding from back then) but now I would like a DIY day. Not necessarily for me to indulge in some painting or decorating but for someone to come in to my house, to build the loft extension that I crave, with a spiral staircase, quirky angled roof, soft furnishings, and my husbands request for black out VELUX window blinds to create a relaxing haven to sleep in (or a bat cave as he calls it .... I told you he was a big kid).

   

   4. I always tell my girls that Christmas is a time of giving and we shouldn't be so self indulgent as there are so many families that are not as lucky as them. I don't mean in terms of presents under the tree but there are those that don't have a proper roof over their head and so on my Christmas list this year, I would like to include a Good Gift to provide practical help, that goes directly to those in need and in some cases to help them take the first step out of poverty

   Oh and my final request ......

   5. An extra hour in the day please Santa!

   What is on your list?

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2. Festive giveaway with NV Candles

   Posted on 7:54pm Sunday 8th Nov 2015

   It's November now so I am officially allowed to mention Christmas and with Christmas come all the festive fragrances but in the words of NV Candles, a candle’s not just for winter, it’s for life! They have created a collection of candles to cater for all seasons and all tastes. So whether you choose Spiced Fruitcake, Sloe Berry, or Brandy Butter, NV Candles have got a candle for all occasions.

   

   All the candles in the NV Candles collections are individually hand made in the UK and contain only two ingredients: eco-soy wax sourced from sustainable supplies which is environmentally friendly with no additives, and the finest quality essential or fragrance oils from the UK’s leading perfumers, nothing else.

   So we teamed up with NV Candles earlier this year and are delighted to be able to offer you the chance to win this festive trio just in time for Christmas. All you have to do is enter below.

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

   Good luck! 

   Terms and Conditions;

   The Prize: Trio of Festive Candles from NV Candles

   UK Entrants Only
   The winner will be chosen at random by the random winner generator on Rafflecopter and notified within 7 working days by email
   NV Candles will make every effort to provide the candles detailed here but this cannot be guaranteed
   By entering this competition, you understand that your details may be retained for future mailings. You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time.
   There is no monetary equivalent.
   Little Lilypad Co take no /responsibility for loss or damage in the despatch of prizes
   If the prize is unclaimed within 7 days we reserve the right to redraw the winner.
   End Date 30/11/2015 at 12am

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3. My Reverse Resolutions : 2014

   Posted on 6:35am Tuesday 30th Dec 2014

   A few years back, I decided to give up making New Years Resolutions because no one really ends up sticking to them (unless of course you have amazing self control which unfortunately I do not), so my only resolve was to change my perspective. I chose to reflect rather than project and to dwell on the positives and the achievements we have made. 

   I have always started my post with my favourite quote of the year and so the quote for 2014 has to be:

   "We didn't realise we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun".

   So here are my Reverse Resolutions for 2014.

   1. I built a business. Not just a hobby or "something to keep me occupied", an actual business that is well regarded and respected. *sounds fanfare*. I realise I am polishing my own halo but it has taken a long time to build the business to something I can be proud of and well, I am proud.

   2. I have helped other small businesses grow too. I have worked with some fabulous companies and can actually say I love working in social media, despite our friends at Facebook and their "friendly" algorhythm changes.

   3. I lost half a stone. Post baby weight (and admitedly 3 years late) but with our wedding on the horizon, I was compelled to get into shape, thank goodness for juicing.

   

   4. We got married! After years of being together, a house, a baby and everything in between, we got married. This was a huge thing for me (and him obviously) and it was the best day of the year.

   5. I stopped worrying and started enjoying. That meant not taking photographs of every single moment for instagram or creating the perfect blog post image and if I don't write a blog post every day, every week or even for a month if I choose too, I am not going to worry about it.

   Because, I am having fun and making memories as I go .....

   

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4. Alternative Christmas gifts

   Posted on 4:11pm Wednesday 17th Dec 2014

   It's just a few days away now, but there's still time to spoil your loved ones this Christmas. If you don't want to resort to a boring old pair of socks for Dad or an impersonal bath set for mum, there are a few alternative Christmas gift ideas that you could consider this festive season. Here are some I've given and received over the years that have always been a hit.

   A personalised dinner set

   A new dining set is always a gift gratefully received, particularly for newlyweds – but you can deliver yours with a twist. Today you can now purchase dinner sets which come complete with names inscribed on plates, cutlery and more. These are perfect for couples, who will appreciate the 'his n hers' theme, or even better for families – consider putting nicknames on each plate to raise a few laughs.

   A new bed set

   It's one of those essentials that we often neglect, but there's no reason not to pamper ourselves with a new bed set if we're given one for Christmas! Again, the perfect gift for newlyweds, or perhaps even those with a new baby, a new bed set shows that you care about your loved ones' comfort – with so much to choose from online, such as those at bedstar.co.uk, this one will delight all audiences.

   A moon estate

   This one is perfect for all those weird and wacky friends you have. Did you know it's actually possible to purchase a piece of land on the moon? Thanks to the folks at Moon Estates, your loved one can receive the deeds to areas of land on the moon, and now, more recently, Mars and Venus. The recipient will be given an official deed to the land – it's the visiting their new home that's the hard part!

   

   A lesson in a new activity

   Has your loved one expressed an interest in learning to cook, play a musical instrument, or finally booking those driving lessons? Purchasing him or her lessons in their chosen field will give them the push they need to finally achieve their dream. There are countless musicians, for example, who say their career began when their parents bought them a new guitar – the same could happen for your significant other!

   A historical collectible

   Perhaps your loved one is something of a history buff – so why not get them something they'll really enjoy which is also highly valuable? NYT Store has a huge range of collectibles from vintage books to microphones, coins and even newspapers.

   So maybe if you have someone who hasn't written that all important list to Santa, these might be some alternative options for you!

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