Christmas 2013: Planning Ahead

Throughout the year, I am usually a calm and organised person, who plans everything well in advance. When it comes to Christmas, however, something mysterious happens. I don’t know whether it’s the mulled wine or maybe the sheer amount of chocolate in my system, but I lose all ability to organise. You can sometimes find me frantically searching my local supermarket for last minute gifts, batteries and wrapping paper with only a few days to go. My mind can be like a sieve!

This year, I have vowed to plan early to avoid the late night dashes and imperfect presents. I have already been looking online for some inspiration when it comes to gifts, so here are a couple of ideas I’ve had for the kids.

Every year, I like to get the kids something special with a personal touch. Your Design are a company that offer great personalised gifts. I really like the western style door plate, and with the Mini Mes enjoying role play games, it’ll really make them feel like cowboys and cowgirls, just like Jessie and Woody. 

If I was going to leave my shopping to the last minute, I’d really struggle when it comes to the kids. With every parent looking to secure their child’s perfect gift, popular toys sell out fast and it can be like entering a battlefield when you step into the toy shop. I mean, can you remember Jingle All the Way? (If you haven’t seen it, you need to)

Argos have released their list of the must-have toys for Christmas 2013, which you can read here. I had a quick look at it the other day, and there are a few things that I know Minxy and Jamster will love. 

Minxy loves animals, so I’m thinking about getting her the pink Teksta Dog. Another real puppy isn't on the agenda in the near future – plus I don’t think Spartan would like sharing the attention or the biscuits! However, this clever robotic dog will keep her happy as it responds to your voice and has over 100 interactive functions. 

I noticed that LEGO made two entries in the list. Jamster loves to build stuff and already has quite a collection of the bricks but I’ve recently found out that LEGO have combined his two loves in life by producing a Superheroes range. I may have to pick some up - I can’t wait to see his face on Christmas morning when he unwraps them!

What will you be buying the kids this year?

*Featured Post*

Meal Planning and Motivational Monday

Autumn is here, the heavy rain and wind are a sign of that, and the slow cooker will soon be making a regular appearance in my kitchen again. But for now we are still just selecting meals between the four of us that we fancy for the week ahead...

This weeks menu

Jacket potatoes with chilli chicken

Sweet and sour chicken with noodles
Meatball bolognese
Ham, chicken and leek pie with herb roasted potatoes and vegetables
Pizza with cheesy garlic bread

Wednesday the Mr and I are child free and planning on seeing Riddick at the cinema so we will select something or eat out on the day depending upon the screenings. We tend to go weekly as the Orange buy one get one free ticket deal is too good to miss (plus the fact there is Ben and Jerry's)!

The weight loss has now reached 17lb. I still have a long way to reach my target but I'm staying positive and the fact I won't be drinking until Christmas now, through choice, should help.
I've decided to participate with Sober October and helping to raise funds for MacMillan Cancer Support in the process.

My weight loss motivation for the week is...

Will your slow cooker be making an appearance again soon? What motivates you?

Have a great week!

Motivational and Meal Planning Monday

I've finally lost a stone! 14 whole pounds. I'm feeling quite proud of myself although the journey still continues. I feel a lot fitter already and my confidence has increased which is what I had hoped for.

Zumba and walking more regularly have really helped... and thinking about a bikini body that I long for!

My motivation for the week...

This weeks menu...

Quorn fajitas (with sweet chilli wraps)

Lasagne, salad and garlic ciabatta
Glazed Hoisin Duck with new potatoes and vegetables
Shepherds pie
Buffet night (hot nibbles including pizza, chicken, and chips) followed by fondue

I'm still eating the above despite trying to lose weight. I calorie count to 1300 a day and weigh/measure portions if necessary. 

What is your motivation this week?
What's on your menu?


Have a great week!

Motivational and Meal Planning Monday

My scales need new batteries so I couldn't weigh in as usual but I shall continue how I began with calorie counting and extra exercise. I'm feeling fitter and my clothing feels a little looser so I must be doing something right anyway!

My motivation for the week...

This weeks menu...

Pizza and garlic bread
Sausage stuffed pasta with mascapone sauce
Chicken tikka masala with rice
Carbonara

We are away camping this week so all of the above will be cooked on the camping stove in the middle of a field! At the weekend we are child free and heading to Brighton so we will be eating out there.

What motivates you to exercise?
What's on your menu?


Have a great week!

Meal Planning Monday

Another beautiful weekend of sunshine! We enjoyed pulled pork, a hog roast and lots of salad at a local festival and sat in the garden. With more sun due I've opted for lighter meals this week - with the heat we all tend to lack an appetite!

 

This weeks menu

Pizza with salad
Chicken, new potatoes and salad
Jacket potatoes with tuna and salad
Spaghetti bolognese with garlic flat breads
Cheese and bacon kievs with chips and salad

...Did I mention salad?

I managed to lose 2lb this week which I'm really pleased with, especially as my week included my first ever Nando's and a sneaky Buddies dinner. I've done very well with exercise and was even working out last night on the cross trainer when it was about 25 degrees!

No pain, no gain....

 

 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

 

This weeks menu...

Chinese style slow cooked beef with cous cous
Mustard stuffed chicken with new potatoes and salad
Spaghetti bolognese with garlic flatbreads
BBQ pulled pork baguettes with salad
Quorn fajitas


We had a lovely weekend seeing World War Z, catching up with family and enjoying a buffet style dinner prepared by my sister. Chilli was on the menu with some great nibbles like spinach and ricotta parcels and samosas.

This weekend coming we will probably be out and about with the Mini Mes so I'll plan those dinners a little nearer the time.
 

 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

It's half term! No early starts and a week of having fun with the Mini Mes - woohoo!
We will be having some picnic lunches, weather permitting, and hopefully a BBQ at the weekend too. Although I tend not to plan dinners that frequently during the holidays, meal planning definitely saves pennies and time so I've decided to continue this week also.

What's on the menu...
Sausages, mash, carrots and onion gravy
Jacket potatoes with cheese and beans
Quorn curry with rice
Pizza, salad and garlic bread
Fish cakes, potatoes and peas

 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

A poorly me (another respiratory infection and flu!) has meant I've opted for reasonably quick meals this week so I can rest as much as possible.

This weeks menu...
Toad in the hole with mange tout, baby corn, broccoli and carrots.
Lasagne with salad and garlic ciabatta
Jacket potatoes with cheese, beans and salad
Pizzas

Friday we are heading to the seaside for a weekend glamping at a Feather Down Farm *squeal* so we will eat something on the way down there and cook on the wood burning stoves while away.

 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

So far I am in love with May! The sun has been shining and it has been a truly great week. The rain and snow seems like a distant memory all of a sudden!

This weeks menu...

Sweet and sour chicken with noodles
Haddock, mash and veg
Jacket potatoes with chilli and salad
Toad in the hole
BBQ

We haven't made plans for the weekend as yet but if the weather stays as beautiful the Mr and I shall go camping (the mini mes are with their dad) and enjoy our meals alfresco.
I'm very much looking forward to nights in the garden, sat on the patio with drinks and nibbles now that the better weather has finally arrived.
 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

 Meals for this week...

Chicken wrapped in bacon and smothered in BBQ sauce with chips and peas
Slow cooked Chinese style beef with rice
Toad in the hole
Carbonara

Midweek we are child free and off to the cinema, I love Orange Wednesdays, so we will probably eat out. Friday I'll let the Mini Mes decide (so that will more than likely be pizza) and at the weekend we will be packing to go on holiday so anything left in the fridge will be eaten.
 

 We made some delicious caramel brownies earlier this week too which are great for Easter.
We will do a bit more baking later this week too.

 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

I'm very much looking forward to summer; BBQ's, salad and pasta on the patio. However, with the return of the snow (where does it keep coming from?!) it's back to the slow cooker and filling, comfort foods. Something to warm me up in the evenings!

 Meals for this week...

Lasagne with garlic ciabatta
Slow cooked Chinese style beef with rice/cous cous
Sweet and sour chicken with noodles
Homemade fish fingers, mash and veg
Slow cooked sausage casserole with jacket potatoes
Salmon and smoked haddock fish pie

Sunday we are heading to Drayton Manor to celebrate the Mr turning 31 so we will probably eat out there or on the way home.

 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

I'm rather glad to see the back of last week; one broken mobile, one broken laptop and two poorly children with flu and tonsillitis. March has arrived and I'm hoping that means warmer weather and the end of illness.

This weeks meals were all chosen by the Mini Mes. As they were poorly last week and barely ate I thought it would be nice to let them pick and choose what they fancied. I think they did a good job with some nice variety!

This weeks planner...
Pasta bake with chorizo and bacon
Lamb stew and dumplings (slow cooked)
Sausage casserole (slow cooked) with jacket potatoes
Pizza, chicken wings and garlic bread
Curry, poppadoms and naan bread

At the weekend I think we will probably head out for a meal, possibly Red Hot buffet, and then have a roast on the Sunday as I've not had one in a while.
 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

5 Ways To Get Your Kids Involved To Organise Their Birthday Parties

Organising a child’s birthday party can be quite complex. That’s why it can be useful to get your children involved, after all it is their party. Rather than trying to find time to get things organised and prepared by yourself you can do it with them. The following article lists five easy ways that you can include your children; all of them are great ways to keep them entertained, occupied and receive a helping hand. It almost sounds good to be true.

Designing Invites

Kids birthday invites can be expensive but there are methods to save you money. Why not pull your resources and hand-make them, your resources being your children. They are full of creativity and also require amusement. Help yourself by helping them. Arts and crafts are a great way to not only amuse them but also provide them with a creative outlet. The only supplies you will really need is coloured paper or card, glitter and stickers. Here is a handy tip; print the invites out on the coloured paper and then let your children decorate. This will save you time and insure the invites are all legible.

Guest List

This one is quite obvious; of course your child will want to tell which friends to invite. Take this opportunity to get them to practise their hand writing and spelling. This is a great way for them to get the practice they desperately need without it being viewed as homework. You may have to check over the list and confirm the names of some of the guests but this should only take a few minutes rather than hours of guess work. Make sure to show your child any corrections, how else will they learn?

Preparing Food

Most party foods are simple and don’t demand much cooking time. What and excellent way to expose your child to cooking skills and gain an apprentice. Obviously they won’t be able to do everything so you will need to supervise. If you don’t feel comfortable giving them too much responsibility then they can plate the food, making funny faces and other odd shapes.

Planning Games

They can be your own critique, telling you what games will pop and which will flop. You can also ask them how long they would like to spend playing each game. For pass the parcel and the piñata you can make them yourself. More arts and craft and more activities to keep your children occupied.

Cleaning up

A mother can dream. If you can come up with some kind of compensation or turn it into a game you should be able to receive some kind of help. All you can do is ask.

Meal Planning Monday

It would appear that spring has arrived with the daffodils blooming along the pathway and sunshine glaring through the windows warming up the lounge this morning. With this comes fresh salad and pasta, my favourites, for lunch and hopefully some weight loss in the process.

We have quite a few celebrations this week and we will therefore be eating out tonight and Wednesday so that's another 2 evenings I won't need to cook.... yes!

This weeks planner...
Eating out for my dad's birthday
Sweet and sour chicken with noodles
Eating out for my brother leaving (Italian)
Chicken and ham pie with veg
Pizza and garlic bread


Saturday Jamster is going to a party which involves eating out too so I'm not sure what the rest of us will have that evening, possibly jacket potatoes. Sunday we will probably be out for the day but I still plan on doing a roast in the evening.

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

The Mr did the food shop alone this week and selected the meals himself while I enjoyed a lovely lay in Saturday morning! 

This weeks planner...

Slow cooked lamb stew and dumplings

Sausage pasta bake

Toad in the hole

Fish, jacket potatoes and veg

Pizza, salad and garlic bread

I'm going to make next weeks planner a little more exciting with some new meals to try!

Last week I didn't get round to making any soup but there will be some simmering away later today in the slow cooker to go along with some thick, crusty bread - mmm!

I did however make Whoopie Pies which survived for around 12 hours before they had all magically disappeared!

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

The Christmas celebrations which saw us indulge in some delicious festive meals are now over and after this evening we will be back to some form of normality when it comes to eating as a family.
I'm aiming to lose 3 stone by September so January is a detox for the Mr and I who are both avoiding alcohol, chocolate and take-away to kick start 2013!

This weeks planner...

NYE Party buffet
Carbonara
Chicken Tikka Masala
Fish, jacket potato and veg

We are child free Friday-Sunday as the Mini Mes will be with their dad but I'm thinking of steak with veg, a roast dinner and lasagne will be on the agenda over the weekend.

What's on your menu?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

Week 1 of Jenny Craig down and I'm 4lb lighter!! I also seem to have a lot more energy and feel a lot happier which could be a combination of losing weight and eating better. I have never dieted and eaten so much, it's great. I have no urge to eat junk at the moment as my meals are filling - I'm looking forward to week two already and I'm picturing my work party outfit.

At the weekend we baked this delicious Sticky Syrup Sponge pudding which went down a treat!

This week on the menu for the Mr and the Mini Mes is...

Spaghetti bolognese

Sweet and sour stir fry

Tuna pasta bake

Pizza

Toad in the hole

What's on your menu?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Christmas Preparations

With the year flying by it really is time to start thinking about Christmas and preparing for the big day, regardless of how much the Mr would like to leave it until 24th December to get organised.

Most years I find myself out and about Christmas eve fetching the last few bits in for dinner that I have forgotten and in a mad panic wrapping gifts I hadn't remembered were hidden under the bed/in the boot of the car/up the attic/under the stairs. I felt it wise to create a check list for to ensure nothing is missed out as I would love a completely stress free day and the chance to sit and drink wine for the majority of it.

Buy the most wanted and expensive gifts first. It helps to spread the cost a little so you only have the little bits and bobs left to purchase and prevents your child from missing out if things are sold out later on. Pick up your variety of toys and other goodies now!

Prepare your Christmas cards. You don't need to post them just yet but writing a list of who you are sending them to now, or even writing them, saves the time nearer the big day when things will be a little more hectic and the shops will be a lot busier.

Stock up on batteries. Not only will you need these for all of the toys but for the camera too. You don't want to miss out on those magical moments.

Sticky tape and gift tags are usually the two I run out of first so I will be having lots of these spare this year, colour coordinated of course!

We usually put the tree up on 1st December but it would look a little bare without lights and decorations so make sure all of yours are in working as soon as you can and pick up some more if you need to.

Get your advent calendars. I used to buy chocolate filled ones for a tasty treat each day but I often found doors hanging open earlier than they should be! I have therefore resorted to Advent Calendars with play sets that you build instead as they last a lot longer and save on the E numbers (and calories).

You may be preparing a huge family feast with all the trimmings this Christmas but don't forget your basics. You will need milk and bread and the shops wont be open so stock up. You can always freeze some if necessary. You can also make and bake bits now and freeze them for later too.

Make sure you have stamps, and plenty of them to get your parcels and cards out in plenty of time. 

Check out Royal Mail's last postage dates:

Thursday 13 December - Standard and Mail Order Return Parcels

Tuesday 18 December - Second Class and Recorded Signed For™

Thursday 20 December - First Class and Recorded Signed For™Special Delivery™

Friday 21 December - Special Delivery™ with Saturday Guaranteed 

Saturday 22 December - Special Delivery™

Discuss where you will be spending the day. If you are travelling to spend Christmas with friends and family get your tickets for trains, coaches or flights and hotel arranged well in advance. You don't want all the seats and rooms to be booked ruining your plans.

If family are coming to you make sure you have enough cups, plates and cutlery for everyone to enjoy their meal with. Think about sleeping arrangements and if you don't have spare duvets and air beds get them to bring them along with them.

Make a cooking schedule so you know what needs going in and out of the oven when and defrost your turkey in plenty of time. This saves a lot of time Christmas eve and day reading boxes and packets and faffing about in the kitchen when you could be downing sherry.

Are you looking forward to the big day? 

What preparations do you enjoy the most?

*This is a partnered post. As always, all my opinions are my own and not swayed by outside sources*