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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!

 

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On the 12^th day of Christmas … we have a somewhat poignant post from It started with a squish.

Well, I know at Christmas I should be talking about all the merriment and delightful goings on which happen around this time of year. But, for many it’s also a time which reminds us of those who aren’t here to share these special holidays.

As some of you know, this year I lost my dear nanna and this will be our first Christmas without her. It’s so true that you don’t know what you have until they are gone and it’s sad you can’t genuinely convey how true this is unless you have lost someone yourself. So for me, this Christmas I can’t help think about the silly presents I won’t receive from her that I know she so lovingly and thoughtfully bought every year from the local markets. I can’t help think about not ever seeing my mums face when she gets given a dancing reindeer/Santa/snowman from her. I can’t help but stare at the chair at my parents she would always sit in doing her crosswords whilst smiling at Squish who would usually be running about like a mental case. I can’t help but feel like a piece of the magic is missing.

Although I am going to be very sad about all the things I will miss about my nanna, I’m also very thankful about the times we shared. I know a lot of people this time of year are probably going through the same thing so this post goes out to everyone who has that empty spot at the table for Christmas dinner this year. I raise a glass you and those loved ones who are gone but not forgotten.

“Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart.”

(A quote from Washington Irving)

 

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No Piper Piping, no Lords a Leaping, no Ladies dancing, no Maids-a-Milking, no Swans a Swimming, no Geese a Laying, no Gold Rings, no Colly birds, no French Hens and not a partridge in a pear tree in sight.

Today we have no post but merely bring you a silent night.

Good night.