Mother's Day Gift Guide

Flowers and chocolates are always gratefully received at Mother's Day but there are some lovely gift solutions available that make amazing alternatives to these traditional items. Here are a few of the ones we received recently that will certainly put a smile on mums face this Sunday!

Valentine's Day Treats from Mr Big Tops (Plus Your Chance To WIN)

I've teamed up with the fantastic folk over at Mr Big Tops to offer 5 lucky readers the chance to win a Valentine's Sweet Box for a loved one! Packed with lots of pink and red treats to match the occasion perfectly, these boxes fit right through the letterbox so the postman won't even need to knock. 

Each box contains:

Love hearts mini rolls x 4

Heart Jazzies  (50-60g)

Heart Throbs – (50-60g)

1 x Candy Necklace

1 x Candy Watch

Strawberry Bon Bons (50-60g)

Foam Strawberries (50-60g)

1 x Cherry Fizz Wiz

1 x Assorted Chupa Chup

Valentine's Day Gift Guide - For Him and Her

It's that time of year again; when the shops fill with confectionery and flowers, cupid seems to be firing arrows at everyone and love is in the air. That's right, Valentine's Day is upon us.

We have some great gift ideas to suit most budgets here for the him or her in your heart... 

I just hope my Mr is taking note too!

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Day 17

My Christmas Gift Giveaway is back! 30 days, 30+ fantastic prizes.

A little thank you from me to you.

WIN Guylian Chocolates

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Day 13

My Christmas Gift Giveaway is back! 30 days, 30+ fantastic prizes.

My way of saying thank you to my followers this year.

WIN a Mr Moose Grobag

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Day 10

My Christmas Gift Giveaway is back! 30 days, 30+ fantastic prizes.
A big thank you for your support this year.

WIN a Young Driver Lesson

Preparing For A Special Day

Is it too early to mention the C word? Some of you may think it is but how nice would it be to have everything purchased and ready weeks in advance; it would be amazing! You could sit back and enjoy the festivities without worrying about forgotten gifts or getting a turkey last minute. I'm going to be super organised this year when it comes to buying perfect presents for family and friends and having all the food and drink we require ready for an unforgettable feast. 

I'm also hoping that shopping early will save me money, which it most certainly can do when you know where to look.

Where Do You Hide The Presents?

When it comes to hiding Christmas presents it's probably easier to list where they aren't hidden rather than where they are. They are EVERYWHERE!! They arrive in dribs and drabs from around October and I tend to pop them away in one place, until it's filled, before moving on to the next location. This is the reason why I always find little extra gifts I had forgotten about when storing birthday presents away come March.... Ooops.

They are stacked top to bottom in my wardrobe so some of my clothes end up discreetly piled in the corner of my bedroom until January...

in my drawers...

on top of cupboards...

under the bed...

...and in the spider filled area under the stairs where the children definitely won't look - it's far too scary to even take a photo! 

When the Mini Mes were younger I even remember hiding boxes under their beds, somewhere they would never look as that would involve tidying their rooms! They are far to inquisitive for that these days though. Larger items go in the shed or attic and some boxes even remain in the open wrapped in layers of tape to keep prying eyes at bay. If things aren't hidden the kids are generally not even that bothered by them!

As yet nothing has been discovered... not that I know of anyway.

Where do you hide gifts?

This post is my entry into the Hudl Christmas cheer competition

Christmas Gift Buying

With Halloween at our backs, I can now devote 100 per cent of my attention on Christmas gift buying. I know it’s only just turned November, but every year I struggle to find the perfect gifts for my family. Their interests change so rapidly - it’s hard to keep up!

I’ve decided to put together this guide, so I can compile some ideas for when the kids get older. It should also be helpful if you have children that are between these ages.

Games

Children of all ages are usually ecstatic to unwrap video games. You won’t need to worry about which ones to get because they will usually tell you – just make sure you buy the right version! Two games that are particular popular at the moment are Skylanders and Pokémon. Both involve miniature monsters that the children have to battle and collect.

The older teens will appreciate a more mature game for Christmas. Just make sure it doesn’t contain content you find inappropriate. Younger children shouldn’t be exposed to something like Grand Theft Auto until you think they are ready.

Clothes

This is a gift idea that many children have to warm too. When they’re young, they usually hate the idea of unwrapping clothes on Christmas Day. If it’s not a toy or a new Xbox game, they’re not interested. That’s why I’d suggest only buying clothes for young teens and above.

By this point they should have started to develop their own sense of style, and will appreciate new items for their wardrobe. You have to be very careful when buying clothes for your children, but it’s hard to go wrong if you buy something that fits the urban fashion craze. Capology has an excellent selection of urban clothing and supply big name brands such as Rebel 8. There’s even a kids section if your children are already fashion savvy!

Board games

Who says board games are dead? What’s a better way to bond over Christmas than with a game of Twister or Guess Who? This is a present that can enjoyed by children (and adults) of all ages. The teenagers may need a little more persuading, but once they get involved, they’ll love it! Amazon sell all the classics: I’d recommend choosing one you know your family will get a kick out of. An intense game of Scrabble isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Have you started your Christmas shopping?

*Sponsored Post*

Christmas Gift Giveaway 2013

Wouldn't it be lovely to save a few pounds this December? 

After the success of our Christmas Gift Giveaway last year I thought it would be nice to arrange another for you, so once again I've teamed up with some great brands to offer some amazing prizes!!

Each day throughout November a new giveaway will begin with your chance to win a variety of products that would make perfect presents this year. There is something for mums, dads and the kids so no one is missed out. That's right, there will be 30 giveaways in total making the build up to Christmas even bigger and even better!

To make sure you don't forget to enter you can subscribe to the blog using the options on the right. 

Look out for the tweets and Facebook statuses each day ...and good luck!

What would be the perfect gift for you this Christmas?

View the competitions here when they are live

A short History of Christmas Stocking Fillers

Christmas stocking may look like a pretty weird tradition to anyone looking from the outside of Christianity,

and in truth there’s no definite proof of why they exist. One speculation is that St Nicholas (Santa) Left some gold in the drying stockings of three poor daughters so they could get married. This explains a few of the myths surrounding Santa and present giving on the Christmas Day.

Golden Balls - A variation of the coins being left in the stocking is that he left balls instead of coins. This explains why people get oranges. Perhaps this again explains coal, although that’s still considered to be pretty mean.

A chimney is a ventilation shaft, not an entrance – When St Nicholas heard about the father’s lack of wealth and desire to get his daughters married, he was aware that they probably wouldn’t take his charity. For this reason he decided to give them loads of money in secret. I’m not sure there were even locks in the time we’re talking about here, but anyway, he decided to break into their house via the chimney, hence the tale we’re all familiar with today. Using ventilation shafts as a mode of transports is one of the few things Santa has in common with Solid Snake.

This meant that children would regularly hang out their stockings in the hope that Santa would fill them full of gold and/or oranges in the night.

Present day Presents

Christmas stockings are still firmly part of our Christmas traditions, and like any predominantly capitalist holiday period there are people who are going to take it way too far.

The world’s biggest Christmas stocking is a matter of great contention, regularly receiving attempt to topple its predecessor. Currently the record holder is over fifty one metres in length, and as it had to be filled with presents, they filled it with sweet-filled balloons. This may seem stingy, but that’s thousands of sweets for one person, and this was done by a charity.

We’ve come a long way in Christmas Traditions

It’s fairly obvious that we’re a long way from oranges and coal. Christmas stockings are now simply used as a first port of call for kids’ presents, a kind of warm up for the big ones under the tree. If you look at the range of stocking fillers from gettingpersonal.co.uk you can see that there is now everything from books and mugs to gadgets and even toilet golf.

What do you put in your child's stocking?

*Sponsored Guest Post*

Father's Day - Gift Guide

With Father's Day fast approaching now is the ideal time to pick up the perfect pressies for Dad, but I'm sure with the same chocolates and novelty socks each year it can become a little bit boring!

Selecting something to suit dad's taste can be hard but working around their personality and hobbies can hopefully help you choose a gift that he will love....

Outdoors and Adventure Dad
This is definitely the Mr. He has driven tanks, bungee jumped and loves paintballing so a gift experience day is always a hit. With indoor skydiving, hot air-ballooning and so much more there is something new for him to try each year - something he will never forget.

Sports Mad Dad
If dad is a sports fan you can purchase some great themed photo upload cards and if your budget doesn't stretch to match tickets, some memorabilia of his favourite team will go down well. For something more fun and hands on a remote control car or bath basketball might be the answer.

Foodie Father
My dad loves his beer and chocolate but giving those as a gift can be a little predictable. Last year I sent him on a brewery tour where he was able to try different products and he really enjoyed it - perhaps a cooking lesson, a meal out or a hamper of goodies will be this years option!

Gadget and Gizmo Dad
The Mr loves the latest technology whether it's for the desk or his pocket so quirky toys are ideal for him like a movie maker set, a parking timer or Robo Fish, which you can get from Hawkin’s Bazaar. They have lots of bizarre gifts and gadgets for men.

Fashionable Father
Whether he likes his Converse or designer shirts a personalised gift can go well with his stylish dress sense. Fingerprint cuff links, footprint dog tags and the children's artwork put onto chains add a special touch to a present he can wear.

 

What will you be getting dad this Father's Day?

Silent Sunday

My Mother's Day that was... crafts, shopping and pizza

I'd hoped for a bit of a lay in but the excited Mini Mes first burst into my bedroom at 7.59 on Sunday with lovely homemade goodies and then again a few minutes later with gifts they had purchased with the help of the Mr. I really like the things they make for me, they are from the heart, and I like to pop them away in their memory boxes for them to see when they are older. It's nice to look back in years to come and see how their skills have developed and remember good times.

 

 

 

The Mini Mes had taken our Yellow Moon delivery to their rooms the day previous to make me some gifts secretly, I was told to stay downstairs, and as only glue was required I didn't object to having some peace and quiet! Minxy coloured in 1 of 4 lovely mum pop up card for me which came complete with envelope and made a pretty pink best mum rosette style badge which she said she had found easy to do without my help. Both she and Jamster had a go at some scratch art hearts and wrote little messages to me with the wooden sticks supplied. This is a simple craft and as magnets can be attached to the back they will be popped on the fridge soon with some photos inside the centre - A lovely personalised keepsake. Jamster had also made a teapot trinket box and decorated it with foam stickers. He said it is to store all of my pens in and wedding rings when I get married!
 

 

 

 

Next we had a lovely breakfast at Wetherspoons and met up with my sister, her boyfriend and my parents, as a surprise for my mum, for a little retail therapy... although she ended up treating me to new lingerie and some nice bits from Lush too! In the evening we headed to Pizza Hut for dinner where the Mr and I shared a Meat Feast and the Mini Mes had pizza and unlimited access to the ice cream factory.

Smiles all round.

 

Did you enjoy Mother's Day?

Saying thanks

Now that Christmas is over and all the presents are stored away, it is time for us to thank those that have sent us gifts this year. Ever since I was small I remember sitting and writing cards of gratitude to those that had made my Christmas so special and it's something that I always get the Mini Mes to do too.

I think it is an important part of the festivities and good manners for little ones to get involved with - even if they are small they can doodle with some crayons on a piece of paper or you can write them on their behalf.

I think it's nice to show that you appreciate the time and expense that others have made for you. Not only does it confirm to those that have posted you presents that they have have arrived safely but that you are thankful also. 

We make our own cards usually but I've purchased some Usborne Thank You Cards to Colour this year.

Will you be sending thank you cards?
How important is it to you to say thanks?

Our Christmas That Was

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse... 

...well maybe a hidden baby hamster that was running in his squeaky wheel!

We spread the reindeer food outside and left some snacks for Rudolph and Santa to enjoy before popping on pjs and watching Arthur Christmas.

Santa left lots of lovely gifts for us all...

The Mini Mes were wide awake at 6.20am and we had a lovely time opening all the presents...

The Mini Mes went to their dad's house for a few hours which was the perfect opportunity for me to tidy up all the paper and boxes and then we went over to my parents for a delicious meal cooked by my mum...

We had a buffet style tea too before heading home around 7.30pm. Stuffed!

Boxing day was spent setting up and playing with new toys and then in the afternoon the Mini Mes went back to their dad's home for the night so my mum, sister and I went to see The Hobbit while the Mr, my dad and my sister's boyfriend went to the pub.

It all went by so quickly but we had an amazing time!

I'm really looking forward to New Years Eve with a fancy dress party at my parents with all the extended family too.

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Korres

Korres is a Greek skincare brand that provides a natural and organic range of products and they have some lovely gift sets available for Christmas. 

The Shower Gel Trio Gift Set contains Basil Lemon, Guava and Fig shower gels for a refreshing clean and with 90% Natural ingredients and Dermatologically tested (no animal testing) you can feel guilt free using it!

The Party Survival Kit contains all the essentials for the morning after the night before; Wild Rose 24 Hour Moisturiser, Evening Primrose Eye Cream, Guava Body butter, Guava Shower Gel, Milk Proteins Cleanser and Lemon Chewing Gums. Packaged beautifully in a gift box it would be the perfect gift for those who like to celebrate the festivities in style.

*** WIN ***

We have a Party Survival Kit and Shower Gel Trio to giveaway!

You can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below before 20th December 2012.

Good luck!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Both of these gift sets are available to purchase here: www.OliverBonas.com

Christmas Gift Giveaway - The Visionary Soap Company

Visionary Soap is the UK’s leading fair trade body care company whose whole range carries the FAIRTRADE Mark. Their company has been entirely dedicated to fair trade and their products consist of an organic body care range handcrafted in the UK using ingredients from producers in Palestine, India, Ghana, Nicaragua, The Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and South Africa.

Their Mini Soap Gift Box consists of 8 hand cut and wrapped soaps presented beautifully in a purple box.

The set includes fragrances of lavender, cinnamon orange glove and lemongrass.

We have one to giveaway!

*** WIN ***

The Visionary Soap Company has provided a gift box to giveaway and you can enter to win using the Rafflecopter entry form below.

The giveaway closes 20th December 2012.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas - The Gallery

The 1st December every year the tree and decorations go up. It's like a tradition and happens regardless of what day of the week it is. Before December begins I don't really acknowledge that Christmas is so close bar picking up the odd gift here and there when I see it, I always think that the longer the build up the more impatient the Mini Mes will become and the less special the event feels!

However, now it is December I'm starting to get quite excited! I always take great pride in wrapping and I adore these beautiful gift wrap sets I picked up - funky festive brights...

I actually enjoy wrapping items and trying to present them beautifully regardless of getting tape and bows stuck pretty much everywhere. It's the giving part I really like and seeing people smile when they open something special that I have selected for them. I try to alter the colour scheme each year and these years is teal and fuschia to match the tree with some cute owls too.

The theme this week is 'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.'

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Cocoon Collection

Looking for a special gift for a certain someone and not know what to buy? A hamper is the perfect solution and we have a stunning one up for grabs that is sure to please!

Beautifully packaged and filled with quality, luxury items the Christmas Crystal from Cocoon Collection is the ideal gift this December. The ribbon tied, white box oozes elegance and contains a varied selection of goodies to be enjoyed over the festive period....

A pair of Crystal Wine Glasses from Royal Brierley.

'Happy Christmas' Red Wine

Belgid’Or Belgian Chocolates

Taylors of Harrogate English Breakfast Tea

Mrs Bridges Cranberry Sauce with Port 

Mrs Bridges Celebration Marmalade & Champagne from Mrs Bridges 

A deliciously different jar of Banoffee Curd 

Reindeer Cookie 

Gingerbread Penguin

Worth £49.99 this wonderful hamper is going to put a smile on someones face this year! 

*** WIN ***

Cocoon Collection have kindly provided a Christmas Crystal hamper and you can enter to win using the Rafflecopter entry form below.

The giveaway closes on 20th December 2012.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cocoon Collection have a wide variety of gifts for all the family including beauty and pampering sets, food and drink hampers and children's presents....