The Granny Awards

I'm lucky to still have a grandparent in my life, and the fact that she lives nearby so I can visit regularly is even better. Once a week, after dinner, the Mini Mes and I drive to her home along with my mum, sister, aunt and cousins for a good natter and plenty of treats. Grans are always great at providing sweets and biscuits aren't they!?

Some of my fondest childhood memories involve my Grandma.

Her and my grandad used to visit at weekends and while they sat watching the football results after lunch my brother and I would sit on the floor with trays, the ones with the fold out legs, filled with cakes like a little shop. Jam tarts, Viennese whirls and donuts. Mmm.

Photo bombing my mum and gran 

I remember our trips swimming, to Cadbury's World and to feed the fish in a nearby village.

Girl's Night In

There is deep snow here and lots more on the way so rather than a night on the tiles slipping over in heels like Bambi or travelling far when the roads aren't safe, a night in the warm with the girls is the most sensible way to have fun!

Popping a pizza in the oven or sorting a small buffet with scrummy nibbles is always appreciated by my friends and having a bottle or two chilling to share always gets the giggles going. Usually we have a nice catch up on the gossip first, have you read about the dress malfunctions at The Globes, before settling down with a movie (usually a box of tissues) and some chocolate too! We may play a few drinking games and get out the Apple Sourz or vodka to enjoy, pop on a face mask and relax with eachother's company.

Since playing poker at Christmas with my family and having such a great time doing so, I've been having a look online for fun games to play from the comfort of my home, both alone and when the girls are over, and I came across online bingo. Ladbrokes currently have an offer too; if you can complete the 3 levels of speed bingo then you receive £5 free to play with.

It's really simple to play and similar to normal bingo in the way a number is called and you have to match it. You need to react quickly when the number is called though and click the responding ball before the next is called to complete the level. I'm quite competitive so this was ideal for me and the chance to win some money too in the bingo games is an added bonus!

If you fancy a game of bingo at home from under your warm duvet, during a girls night in or sat snug next to the fire, you can head over to Ladbrokes for a game today.

Halloween games

We were lucky enough to win a competition last year to spend a day with Jeff Brazier at Liverpool's Ghoul School (Speke Hall) and a huge sack packed with Halloween gifts and games. But what games will you be playing at your party this year? Here are some of our recommendations!

Pin the smile on the Skeleton.
Similar to pin the tail on the donkey this game involves lots of giggles as the little ones are blindfolded and spun before placing their sticker on the hanging figure.










Pumpkin carving competition
Pick up a few small, cheap pumpkins and some cutters and let the kids decorate them. You can make hats and add glitter to them too!

Pinata
Take it in turns to pull the string and see what sweet treats you can reveal! Adding packs of raisins and small toys reduces the E number intake!

Apple bobbing
A traditional game that is always a lot of fun even if you get a bit damp in the process. You fill a bowl with water (have a towel handy too) and get the guests to pick an apple out with only their mouth.

Pass the parcel
This classic game can be made perfect for Halloween by having scary sweets between the paper layers and a Halloween toy in the centre as a prize.

Colouring and cake decorating competition
You can find and print off some spooky pictures and get everyone to colour one in or provide some cupcakes and have fun decorating them before scoffing!

Halloween Bingo
A great value game (or free if you print them from online) that will keep everyone entertained from toddlers up. Each player is provided with a board and at random cards are drawn. If you cover all of your board first you win - simple but a great success.

What games do you play at your party?