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We all know the story about going on a Bear Hunt but we didnt have to go through any woods, or mud or caves, we were simply invited to the Build-A-Bear Workshop in Solihull to enjoy the whole "Build-A-Bear" experience.

At Build-A-Bear Workshop^®, their mission is quite literally to bring the Teddy Bear to life and thats what we planned to do. I was originally taking my two daughters but my eldest (in her infinite wisdom) decided that the youngest was too little to enjoy it and could we take her best friend instead? How can you argue with that kind of reasoning from a 7 year old?

Both girls were beyond excited at going to the Build-A-Bear Workshop^® and even more so when they realised that we were going to have someone "helping" them to make the very best bears. We were introducted to Olga, who told us that Evie was going to be looking after us during our visit. Evie was just brilliant with the girls and they were totally captivated by her enthusiasm as she filled the bears with their stuffings ..... and with a specially selected heart too!

Once the bears were suitably cuddly enough, they had a wash in the bear wash ..... where else??

Now it appears that my daughter has inherited my desire for shopping, either that or the bear really is part of our family as it "needed" a dress, a cardigan, shoes and a bag. I actually saw that you can buy a bear wardrobe to keep all of those clothes in and I suspect that Father Christmas may need to be considering one of those!!

 So eventually the bears needed to be "officially" brought to life by creating their very own birth certificates and I therefore proudly introduce you to ......... Super Star and Twinkle Star!

The team at Build-A-Bear Workshop^® in Solihull were supportive and encouraging without being intrusive and the girls had a totally un"bear"liveable time! Its a great experience for any child and with some fantastic festive friends to be made, it would make a perfect Christmas treat for any little girl or boy!

 

Disclaimer: We were asked to attend the Build-A-Bear Workshop^® to carry out the review. All opinions and views are both honest and true and even if we hadn't been given the bears to take home, we would still have had a fabulous time!

Carrying on with our advent theme (we just can't get enough of it), we are delighted to share another Advent guest post from one of our Lilypad friends.

Advent calendars signal the beginning of Christmas festivities. It’s a sign to our children that they are merely days away from a shed load of presents. It’s difficult to pinpoint whether it’s the chocolates or the opening of the windows that triggers the most excitement.

What we do know, however, is that advent calendars are an integral part of every kid’s Christmas. Sometimes an adult’s as well *cough cough*  They’re not going anywhere anytime soon, so why not mix things up a little for the kids by creating their very own handmade advent calendars.

Below are 5 of the best handmade advent calendars that are sure to give a little inspiration to all who choose the crafty Christmas option. 

Once you’ve finished the hard work, simply sit back and enjoy watching the kids open their advents. Then demand a back massage from the husband for all your endeavours.

1. Blitzen’s Buckets

25 miniature buckets, a set of numbered stickers or stencils, 25 hooks and a large chalkboard or reinforced cardboard are all that’s needed to make advent a little unique.

 

It offers the option to fill the buckets with less than conventional goodies for the little ones.

Because chocolates are so 2011.

2. The Elf’s Envelopes

This one is simple but very different. 25 envelopes, 25 pegs and a piece of string are all that’s needed to create this.

You have the option to fill each envelope with something different. Perhaps one different figurine each day to complete a whole set by the 25^th day?

3. Merry Matchboxes

This one is pretty cool. To make it, all you’ll need is 25 matchboxes, some glue, a spare piece of wrapping paper cut to size and a pen. The rest is up to you. 

It’s definitely something different that Susan up the road wouldn’t have thought of. The matchboxes are just the right size to slip in a chocolate coin or a sweety.

4. Jingle Jars

What a neat idea this is – again using matchboxes. Each of the 25 matchboxes is decorated in wrapping paper, filled with a small gift, numbered then placed into any kind of glass jar. A big brandy glass would probably do the job as well. 

It’s almost like a lucky dip as the kids rummage around looking for the right numbered matchbox. Great fun to make and equally great fun for the kids.

5. Tiny Tim’s Tree

This is a little different. Using either a stripped back plant or one that’s already lost its leaves, simply hang decorative paper tags from the branches.

Instead of attaching chocolates or other gifts to the tags (because of the weight), write a note on the back of each one which contains a clue as to where they will find a treat in the house.

 

There are some brilliantly unique ideas there, but if you’ve got any other ideas we’d love you to share them in the comments box below.

Hopefully together we can come up with enough ideas for every advent until a time when our kids have outgrown them. If you’re anything like me though, that won’t be anytime soon!

 

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The first 12 days of Christmas have been filled with amazing guest posts from some truly fabulous women but its back to business as usual now, well almost because its nearly Christmas. Squeeeeeeal!

So we have celebrated Christmas on the Lilypad for the last 12 days and trust me we will continue to enjoy it way past the 25th but there are lots of competitions around to enter to keep you in the spirit of Christmas long after the decorations have been taken down.

We are not promoting a December Lilypad competition and although we do love a good giveaway, we run enough of them over the year but at this time of year there are competitions on every website and serial compers entering them all. So unless you are a serial competition entrant, how do you choose which ones to enter? There is a general consensous that you shouldn't enter competitions unless you really want the prize, we know many dissapointed websites who have run competitions only to find that the entrants think the prizes "will sell well on Ebay" which isnt really the point is it?

So you have more chances of winning the more you enter right? So what if you have the chance to win prizes every day until Christmas, now that sounds good to me. MyFamilyClub are presently running their Advent Competition which runs until the 24th December and they wanted me to share this with our fabulous Lilypad readers. There are genuinely some amazing gifts (although I think the years supply of Jelly Beans on the 10th December may have been my personal favourite) but with different prizes every day, there has to be something for everyone.

A competition prize is something that you may wish for but dont really ever anticipate getting. A little like an unexpected Gift this Christmas.

 

Regular blog readers know that I have two daughters and the little one is now toddling around and causing havoc as she goes. (my poor Christmas tree is testament to this), so thinking about holidays for next year is an interesting concept for us.

As children, my brother and I never went without a holiday but for the first 5 or 6 years of our lives we always holidayed in the UK and it was my grandparents who encouraged my folks to take us on an aeroplane to the exotic location of Jersey! We loved it but children love holidays wherever they are. I didnt take my eldest daughter to a hot country until she was 5 years old as I would fret about the water, the food, being too close to the pool ... you name it, I worried about it so now I am back to square one with my youngest daughter.

So what are my choices? A tent, a caravan or a UK holiday park? I have to admit that I am not a massive fan of camping as I always seem to sleep on the airbed that goes flat in the middle of the night, so a holiday park would be my definate location of choice. I vividly remember going to Butlins Holiday Park in Minehead with my best friend and her family when I was 12 and have the very best memories of us pretending to be so grown up and dancing the night away in the disco. Given that this was some 20 (ahem) years ago, Butlins has changed alot since then and they have the same quality entertainment and facilities as many of their continental counterparts. They have three main stages at every Resort, The Skyline Stage - where the daytime shows can be seen, Centre Stage - where you’ll see the big evening music and dance shows and Reds - where you’ll see live bands and some of the best tribute acts in the UK performing live. I love that Butlins offer family weekend breaks too because sometimes its nice to just pack the suitcases and the children into the car and get away for the weekend.

Given that I loved Butlins at age 12, I am quite sure that my girls will love it too. With my eldest being in Junior School we have to holiday around the school holidays, if we dont want to get a slap on the wrist, so with the first half term in February, its good to know that you can grab a cheap break in February half term and not have to worry about passports and changing currency!

So while it is cold outside, I dont think I can start dreaming of tropical holidays just yet but having spent far too much time looking round the Butlins website tonight ..... I think a little adventure to Minehead could be on the cards, even if it is to dance the night away again  pretending I am a grown up!