Category: Christmas

1. Countdown to Christmas : Top Tips for a Stress Free Shopping Trip

   Posted on 8:41pm Tuesday 28th Oct 2014

   Yes, I mentioned the C word. I heard Christmas songs in a shop this week so the countdown is officially on!

   I was talking to a friend about going Christmas shopping this week and whilst I much prefer to do my shopping online, there is something magical about going to the shops, listening to all the songs and getting into the Christmas spirit.

   Nearly a quarter of Britons view Christmas shopping as more stressful than rush hour traffic, filling in forms or flying, according to a survey by Ocado. With lots of people to buy for, having a plan is the best way to ensure it is most definitely a happy Christmas, so here are our top tips for stress free Christmas shopping.

   1. Make a list

   I have been the worlds worst for impulse shopping in the past so making a list (and checking it twice, just to find out who is naughty or nice) absolutely helps to have a definitive number of gifts to buy and who to buy for. 

   

   2. Start Early

   Its never too early to start and although it is October, I know people who started in early September. Not only does this give you more time to get everything sorted, it will help you spread the cost too.

   3. DIY Gifts

   Sometimes it is the handmade gifts that mean more than the expensive cashmere jumper, so if you are a nifty knitter or a crochet queen, then a handmade scarf or blanket could be the ideal and very personal gift for someone this Christmas.

   4. Create a budget

   Budget, budget, budget. Do not spend what you don't have.  If you have a set budget, don't deviate from it. It will make gift selection easier and results in more practical purchases, rather than emotional ones.

   5. Enjoy a little Christmas Spirit

   In Birmingham,  the German and Craft Markets span a mile of the city from Symphony Hall through hundreds of stalls leading down New Street to the Bull Ring Shopping Centre, which houses some fabulous shops, restaurants and bars. So why not treat yourself to a glass or two of wine and a stay at a hotel to make a weekend of it. You know we love a good deal, so we have found some great places to stay in Birmingham:

    

   Crowne Plaza

   Holiday Inn Coventry

   We actually have our Water Babies lessons at the Holiday Inn now, although I am more interested in splashing some festive cheer in a glass, than in the pool at the moment!

   I think I just need to get some friends together and see if they fancy joining in the Christmas spirit with me! Who fancies it?

   Tweet

   Disclosure :  This post is in collaboration with IHG but all stress free tips are our own.

2. My Reverse Resolutions : 2013

   Posted on 8:32pm Sunday 29th Dec 2013

   Tweet

   For the past two years I have not made any New Years Resolutions. This is partly due to the fact that I break them but mainly as I prefer to reflect on the past years achievements rather than set, sometimes unrealistic, goals for the next 12 months. (such as the ridiculous idea of giving up chocolate!!)

   Last year I started the post with my favourite quote of the year, so here is my favourite of 2013 : "If you expect the world to be fair with you because you are fair, you're fooling yourself. That's like expecting the lion not to eat you because you didn't eat him"

   So here are my Reverse Resolutions for 2013.

   1. I have forced encouraged my girls to continue with their swimming lessons this year. This may not sound like a spectacular achievement but trust me, on a Monday evening when a certain 8 year old does not want to go swimming and a 2 year old wants to get in the water instead, this is a particularly amazing achievement. Or when said 2 year old decides she no longer wants to go under the water, perserverance has definately paid off ...... and the daily bath time soaking session is testament to this. Although I have to give a nod to Water Babies for their amazing encouragement every step of the way.

   2. Helping my youngest daughter make the transition into nursery. This was always going to be emotional. She has always been at home with me, daddy, nanny or her god parents, so taking her into a new enviroment was as much difficult journey for me as for her. My baby is growing up, I had to allow her to do it.

   3. I stepped out from behind my laptop and went to three blogging conferences this year. So many people think I am a confident person but its all a facade and going and introducing myself to new people is totally out of my comfort zone but I did it, three times and guess what? I had a blast and met some amazing people.

   4. I write a reflection of the last 12 months on my blog without actually mentioning the blog. The Lilypad blog and social media presence continues to provide fantastic opportunities, great collaborations and the chance to meet truly inspirational people. How can I not be proud of that?

   5. Getting Engaged! Now I accept that this would not necessarily count as an achievement but it is so darn exciting that I had to include it and if I have one goal for 2014, it is planning an awesome and very personal wedding!

   So going back to my favourite quote of the year, my mum always taught me to "play fair", so am just kind of hoping there are no lions out to eat me in 2014 as I am really looking forward to what it brings!

   

3. On the 23rd of Christmas my true love gave to me ...

   Posted on 12:27pm Monday 23rd Dec 2013

   Tweet

   ... a beautiful guest post from Jacinta 3.

    

   Christmas is all about giving

   And sharing the little you’ve got,

   And seeing the smile on a saddened face

   When you give to one who has not.

    

   Christmas is about forgiving

   The people who caused us harm;

   It’s the peace you feel deep within

   And keeps you feeling calm.

    

   Christmas is being with family

   Who love you in all you do.

   And being sorry for all the hurt

   You’ve caused the whole year through.

    

   Christmas is helping your elders,

   And visiting the sick.

   Giving up some time of your own

   To spend with a friend you didn’t pick.

    

   Christmas is all about loving

   And showing how much you care,

   It’s telling someone you’re there for them

   And that they are beyond compare.

    

   Christmas is not about presents

   Or finding the tallest tree;

   It’s a time for mending our ways

   And being the best we can be.

    

4. On the 22nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me ....

   Posted on 8:06am Sunday 22nd Dec 2013

   Tweet

   We're on the last stretch to the big day and chances are you're stressed out so I'm going to show you a couple of things I use to keep the kids amused and some fool proof tips to make sure you get to Christmas Day in one piece, looking your best and feeling like you own the world - it can be done just let me talk.

    

   Keeping the kids amused

   Ok, they are massively excited which is a good thing but they're bouncing off the walls and driving you nuts and school's only been shut one day. Even if you're not a huge craft enthusiast this worked for me.

   Christmas bunting

   Take out all of last years Christmas cards, if you don't have any then find some different coloured paper and cut out letters from each card. If you don't want letters use a template for a snowman, Christmas tree or stars.

    

   

   I chose 'Tis the season to be jolly" and with a piece of string, ribbon or wool tied from one wall to another you attach the letters and string them along a wall. Use the Christmas bunting to decorate your main room or the kids rooms. I had some miniature pegs but you could use a staple gun, paper clips or sticky tape to attache them to the cord.

   Christmas Fruit Tree

   It's December 24th and the day is really dragging out, the kids are under your feet and you need to keep them occupied THIS is your baby,   a Christmas Fruit Tree which they will then eat for tea and won't cause a sugar rush.

   The base is an apple and a carrot and you will need lots of toothpicks or kebab sticks and then let them pin the fruit into the apple and carrot to form a tree like shape, longer sticks at the bottom and smaller at the top. I used melon (and used a cookie cutter for the stars) strawberries, grapes and blueberries to fill the gaps. It took a long time but if you put on some Christmas music and let them loose they'll be fine PLUS they provided for the occasion

    

   

    

    

   Christmas biscuits

   Another great amusement for the kids is to prepare some Christmas biscuits, for this all you need is the basic biscuit ingredients and some sprinkles and writing icing to decorate. The dough takes minutes to prepare and they can roll and use cutters. The biscuits are cooked in minutes and cooled as quickly and then let them loose on the decorating after all they'll be the ones eating them right?

   

   My very last tip is something I started last year and I'm so pleased I found it I'm repeating it this year

   Let your imagination run wild. Your Christmas Eve parcel can contain letters from Santa with instructions and warnings or just a nice note to say he's thinking of your child. Use what's best for your situation. I always add new pyjamas, a family DVD with popcorn, and reindeer food plus other bits and pieces. I will put the parcels under the tree whilst the children are upstairs or out. The excitement of finding a parcel BEFORE Christmas under the tree is really quite something to behold, it works and helps set the way for a very enjoyable Christmas day.

   Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and thanking Donna for allowing me to have some space on her fabulous blog