Christmas
Christmas is all the more magical since becoming a mother. Especially this year. Now that Little N is 3 years old he understands what Christmas is about and he recognises lots of things related to the festive season, like snow, Santa, reindeer, Christmas trees and, of course, presents! It makes the planning and preparation for Christmas so much more fun for me, knowing that my little boy is brimming with excitement. To get us in the festive spirit we have been playing the Orchard Toys Christmas Surprises game which was sent to us to review.
REVIEW: Orchard Toys Christmas Surprises
Christmas is all the more magical since becoming a mother. Especially this year. Now that Little N is 3 years old he understands what Christmas is about and he recognises lots of things related to the festive season, like snow, Santa, reindeer, Christmas trees and, of course, presents! It makes the planning and preparation for Christmas so much more fun for me, knowing that my little boy is brimming with excitement. To get us in the festive spirit we have been playing the Orchard Toys Christmas Surprises game which was sent to us to review.
November's Bostik Blogger craft box has a Christmas theme, hooray! I am so excited about Christmas. We were sent lots of fab craft materials to come up with a simple craft tutorial and I thought it would be lovely to make a Mini Christmas Wreath. If you want to see last month's Bonfire Night craft idea you can find it here.
Craft Idea: Mini Christmas Wreath
November's Bostik Blogger craft box has a Christmas theme, hooray! I am so excited about Christmas. We were sent lots of fab craft materials to come up with a simple craft tutorial and I thought it would be lovely to make a Mini Christmas Wreath. If you want to see last month's Bonfire Night craft idea you can find it here.
December's Bostik Blogger craft box has a snow theme, which is what Little N has been learning about this week at nursery school! We were sent lots of fab craft materials to come up with a simple craft tutorial and we made some cute rolled paper snowmen. If you want to see last month's Christmas craft idea you can find it here.
Craft Idea: Rolled Paper Snowman
December's Bostik Blogger craft box has a snow theme, which is what Little N has been learning about this week at nursery school! We were sent lots of fab craft materials to come up with a simple craft tutorial and we made some cute rolled paper snowmen. If you want to see last month's Christmas craft idea you can find it here.
As the festive season draws closer, I have a slightly different Christmas gift guide for you this year: this one is all about spoiling Bella, our pet cat! Now I know you're probably thinking, "it's a cat, cats haven't got a clue about Christmas!" However, since joining us last month Bella is very much a part of the family and deserves to be spoilt as much as the rest of us.
Bella Loves: Christmas Treats for Cats
As the festive season draws closer, I have a slightly different Christmas gift guide for you this year: this one is all about spoiling Bella, our pet cat! Now I know you're probably thinking, "it's a cat, cats haven't got a clue about Christmas!" However, since joining us last month Bella is very much a part of the family and deserves to be spoilt as much as the rest of us.
This year I have felt more excited about Christmas than ever before! I think it is because it is the first Christmas in our own home, so it feels really special. We're able to do things exactly the way we want, decorate how we want and put things wherever we please.
When Ian and I first moved in together back in 2011, we bought an artificial Christmas tree. We had the same tree and the same decorations every Christmas since then, with a few extra decorations made by the children added over the years, until Christmas 2017.
Decorating our Christmas Tree | The Christmas Forest Review
This year I have felt more excited about Christmas than ever before! I think it is because it is the first Christmas in our own home, so it feels really special. We're able to do things exactly the way we want, decorate how we want and put things wherever we please.
When Ian and I first moved in together back in 2011, we bought an artificial Christmas tree. We had the same tree and the same decorations every Christmas since then, with a few extra decorations made by the children added over the years, until Christmas 2017.
Friday December 14th 2018 is Christmas Jumper Day, when people up and down the country will be donning their favourite festive sweaters to help raise money for charity Save the Children. In schools, workplaces or just at home, by wearing your best Christmas knit and donating £2 you'll be helping to create a brighter future for children here in the UK and all over the world. But that's not the only way to get involved!
Save the Children's Christmas Jumper Day - more ways to get involved!
Friday December 14th 2018 is Christmas Jumper Day, when people up and down the country will be donning their favourite festive sweaters to help raise money for charity Save the Children. In schools, workplaces or just at home, by wearing your best Christmas knit and donating £2 you'll be helping to create a brighter future for children here in the UK and all over the world. But that's not the only way to get involved!
A few weeks ago I shared an amazing giveaway for the Santa Spectacular event at Willows Activity Farm in Hertfordshire, and last week we got to go ourselves! After the snowfall Noah's school announced it would be closed, so what better way to spend a snow day than with a magical visit to see Santa!
Days Out: Willows Activity Farm Santa Spectacular 2017
A few weeks ago I shared an amazing giveaway for the Santa Spectacular event at Willows Activity Farm in Hertfordshire, and last week we got to go ourselves! After the snowfall Noah's school announced it would be closed, so what better way to spend a snow day than with a magical visit to see Santa!
I am so excited to reveal that our favourite Christmas event, the Santa Spectacular event at Willows Activity Farm in Hertfordshire, is back next month! The boys always love this festive fun-filled event and I am so looking forward to taking Essie as well this year. Willows Activity Farm are kindly giving readers the chance to win up to four tickets so that you can go too!
Giveaway: Win tickets to Santa Spectacular at Willows Activity Farm
I am so excited to reveal that our favourite Christmas event, the Santa Spectacular event at Willows Activity Farm in Hertfordshire, is back next month! The boys always love this festive fun-filled event and I am so looking forward to taking Essie as well this year. Willows Activity Farm are kindly giving readers the chance to win up to four tickets so that you can go too!
Is there anything better than getting lost in a book? Getting completely wrapped up in the magic of a story? I have always had a love for books and it is something that I want my children to love as well. They love being read to, especially at bedtime, and we were sent these lovely three books from Penguin Random House and Britmums just in time for Christmas.
The magic of books for Christmas
Is there anything better than getting lost in a book? Getting completely wrapped up in the magic of a story? I have always had a love for books and it is something that I want my children to love as well. They love being read to, especially at bedtime, and we were sent these lovely three books from Penguin Random House and Britmums just in time for Christmas.
I've been vegan for almost a year now and it's always so surprising that people think I must miss out on all the good stuff, like cake. I don't! I just make it a little differently, and a lot of the time the recipes are even tastier than the non-vegan version I used to make. I Just Love It sent us a personalised baking kit so we could get busy in the kitchen creating a festive recipe. You can't beat a good brownie and these ones are super gooey, really chocolatey and have a hint of peppermint which makes them just perfect for Christmas!
Recipe: The Best Vegan Christmas Brownies | I Just Love It
I've been vegan for almost a year now and it's always so surprising that people think I must miss out on all the good stuff, like cake. I don't! I just make it a little differently, and a lot of the time the recipes are even tastier than the non-vegan version I used to make. I Just Love It sent us a personalised baking kit so we could get busy in the kitchen creating a festive recipe. You can't beat a good brownie and these ones are super gooey, really chocolatey and have a hint of peppermint which makes them just perfect for Christmas!
Do you have any family Christmas traditions? It's only since becoming a mama that Christmas has become an important time of year for me; I want to make it the most wonderful and magical day for the children and create special memories! Each year I have discovered something new that we enjoy doing and that adds a bit more magic to the festive season.
Our Family's Christmas Traditions
Do you have any family Christmas traditions? It's only since becoming a mama that Christmas has become an important time of year for me; I want to make it the most wonderful and magical day for the children and create special memories! Each year I have discovered something new that we enjoy doing and that adds a bit more magic to the festive season.
Santa Claus has arrived at Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne Woods, where he will be from now until Christmas Eve. Everyone is welcome to come and visit him as well as seeing the park's reindeer, including the herd's new addition, Aurora! As ambassadors for Paradise, we are really excited about visiting the Park this month and getting to see Santa!
Santa's Grotto at Paradise Wildlife Park!
Santa Claus has arrived at Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne Woods, where he will be from now until Christmas Eve. Everyone is welcome to come and visit him as well as seeing the park's reindeer, including the herd's new addition, Aurora! As ambassadors for Paradise, we are really excited about visiting the Park this month and getting to see Santa!
On Saturday it was time for us to put on our Christmas jumpers (well, just the boys as I can't find a maternity one!) and head over to Willows Activity Farm in London Colney, St Albans, for what is now becoming our annual visit to their Christmas event. Set in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, Willows Activity Farm offers a wonderful family day out with a fun packed programme whatever the weather, but their Santa Spectacular programme is just amazing.
Days Out: Santa Spectacular at Willows Farm, Hertfordshire
On Saturday it was time for us to put on our Christmas jumpers (well, just the boys as I can't find a maternity one!) and head over to Willows Activity Farm in London Colney, St Albans, for what is now becoming our annual visit to their Christmas event. Set in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, Willows Activity Farm offers a wonderful family day out with a fun packed programme whatever the weather, but their Santa Spectacular programme is just amazing.
This is a collaborative post.
Christmas is such an exciting time of year, especially for children. To make this festive period the best it can be, (while also taking care of a few rainy/snowy days stuck inside!) why not prepare some festive indoor activities that will help to shape your family Christmas.
Keep it simple with a selection of things to do for the whole family, including preparation for the big day itself…
Festive Indoor Activities for the Whole Family
This is a collaborative post.
Christmas is such an exciting time of year, especially for children. To make this festive period the best it can be, (while also taking care of a few rainy/snowy days stuck inside!) why not prepare some festive indoor activities that will help to shape your family Christmas.
Keep it simple with a selection of things to do for the whole family, including preparation for the big day itself…
For me, Christmas is all about making it a magical time for the children and I just love browsing for gift ideas for them. This year the children are all getting bicycles, but we have also been looking out for other gift suggestions for when relatives ask and, you know, Father Christmas needs some ideas, too!
Hallmark Itty Bittys - £6.00
How freaking awesome are these Star Wars Itty Bittys? There are several different characters in the Itty Bittys range and they'd make brilliant individual stocking filler gifts or you could get several from the same set for a larger gift idea. I've got my eye on the BB-8 and R2-D2 ones next!
Cuddledry Cuddledeer Toddler Towel - £34.99
I adore the towels from Cuddledry; not only are they ridiculously cute with lots of fun characters in their dress up towel collection, they are scrumptiously soft. Made with pure cotton and bamboo, they are the softest towel you'll ever find, and really absorbent too. I just wish they made them in my size!
Peppa Pig Magnetic Play Set - £12.00
When you have more than one child it can be hard to find fun gifts that older siblings don't already have. This Peppa Pig themed magnetic play set from Milly & Flynn is really fun and engaging. It is double sided and has 30 magnetic play pieces so children can create their own scenes and stories. Both of my boys love to play with it, coming up with their own imaginative Peppa Pig stories.
Peppa Pig Push-Along - £15.00
I have always had a love of wooden toys for my children and they are particularly big fans of the wooden push along toys like this Peppa Pig themed one from Milly & Flynn. Milly & Flynn also have other characters such as Dear Zoo and The Snowman in their range of wooden toys and books for hours of delightful fun and entertainment.
Sandy the Bear is a super-soft talking stuffed toy that combines education and innovation. It has five interactive buttons which when pressed makes the bear talk and guide children to learn about numbers, shapes, letters and colours. It also has lots of nursery rhymes and songs, and has a large interactive heart shaped button in the centre which lights up.
Clementoni Baby T-Rex - £17.99
Another great interactive toy from Clementoni, this baby t-rex is available in pink or green. It teaches numbers, letters, animal sounds and habitats, sings songs and nursery rhymes, and when the buttons are pressed the dinosaur can twirl and walk around. It also has a rattle which activates the sounds and movements!
Grimms Rainbow Circle - £65.00
This is one of the most sought after toys - by parents as much as children! Ten wooden pieces make up the set and there are so many ways it can be played with: as a puzzle, to make a bridge or making patterns are a few examples.
That's Not My Snowman Book & Toy - £10.95
The "That's not my..." series of books are much loved by all children and this lovely set features the book with five cheerful snowmen to meet, with squashy noses, fuzzy mittens and fluffy scarves, and a plush snowman for little ones to cuddle while they listen to the book read aloud.
Hatchimals - £59.99
Hatchimals are THE must-have toy for this Christmas and kids are going crazy for them! Shops are selling out left, right and centre, but keep checking as they are coming back into stock all the time. You just have to be quick!
Get cooking in the Chef Club Kitchen! The Shopkins are ready to make and bake. Take the Shopkins for a spin in the microwave. Cook up a treat in the oven. Pop down the surprise breadboard for a slice of the good life! Store your recipe books on the shelf and Shopkins in the cupboards and drawers. Display your Shopkins on the two stools and the cake stand! The kitchen playset comes with 2 Exclusive Shopkins and 2 recipe books.
Shopkins Chef Club Kitchen Playset - £24.99
What are your children wishing for this Christmas?
This is a promotional post and contains some affiliate links.
Quite Frankly She Said is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk
Quite Frankly She Said is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk
Christmas Gift Guide for Children
For me, Christmas is all about making it a magical time for the children and I just love browsing for gift ideas for them. This year the children are all getting bicycles, but we have also been looking out for other gift suggestions for when relatives ask and, you know, Father Christmas needs some ideas, too!
Hallmark Itty Bittys - £6.00
How freaking awesome are these Star Wars Itty Bittys? There are several different characters in the Itty Bittys range and they'd make brilliant individual stocking filler gifts or you could get several from the same set for a larger gift idea. I've got my eye on the BB-8 and R2-D2 ones next!
Cuddledry Cuddledeer Toddler Towel - £34.99
I adore the towels from Cuddledry; not only are they ridiculously cute with lots of fun characters in their dress up towel collection, they are scrumptiously soft. Made with pure cotton and bamboo, they are the softest towel you'll ever find, and really absorbent too. I just wish they made them in my size!
Peppa Pig Magnetic Play Set - £12.00
When you have more than one child it can be hard to find fun gifts that older siblings don't already have. This Peppa Pig themed magnetic play set from Milly & Flynn is really fun and engaging. It is double sided and has 30 magnetic play pieces so children can create their own scenes and stories. Both of my boys love to play with it, coming up with their own imaginative Peppa Pig stories.
Peppa Pig Push-Along - £15.00
I have always had a love of wooden toys for my children and they are particularly big fans of the wooden push along toys like this Peppa Pig themed one from Milly & Flynn. Milly & Flynn also have other characters such as Dear Zoo and The Snowman in their range of wooden toys and books for hours of delightful fun and entertainment.
Sandy the Bear is a super-soft talking stuffed toy that combines education and innovation. It has five interactive buttons which when pressed makes the bear talk and guide children to learn about numbers, shapes, letters and colours. It also has lots of nursery rhymes and songs, and has a large interactive heart shaped button in the centre which lights up.
Clementoni Baby T-Rex - £17.99
Another great interactive toy from Clementoni, this baby t-rex is available in pink or green. It teaches numbers, letters, animal sounds and habitats, sings songs and nursery rhymes, and when the buttons are pressed the dinosaur can twirl and walk around. It also has a rattle which activates the sounds and movements!
Grimms Rainbow Circle - £65.00
This is one of the most sought after toys - by parents as much as children! Ten wooden pieces make up the set and there are so many ways it can be played with: as a puzzle, to make a bridge or making patterns are a few examples.
That's Not My Snowman Book & Toy - £10.95
The "That's not my..." series of books are much loved by all children and this lovely set features the book with five cheerful snowmen to meet, with squashy noses, fuzzy mittens and fluffy scarves, and a plush snowman for little ones to cuddle while they listen to the book read aloud.
Hatchimals - £59.99
Hatchimals are THE must-have toy for this Christmas and kids are going crazy for them! Shops are selling out left, right and centre, but keep checking as they are coming back into stock all the time. You just have to be quick!
Get cooking in the Chef Club Kitchen! The Shopkins are ready to make and bake. Take the Shopkins for a spin in the microwave. Cook up a treat in the oven. Pop down the surprise breadboard for a slice of the good life! Store your recipe books on the shelf and Shopkins in the cupboards and drawers. Display your Shopkins on the two stools and the cake stand! The kitchen playset comes with 2 Exclusive Shopkins and 2 recipe books.
Shopkins Chef Club Kitchen Playset - £24.99
What are your children wishing for this Christmas?
This is a promotional post and contains some affiliate links.
Quite Frankly She Said is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk
Quite Frankly She Said is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk
This is a collaborative post with Panasonic.
With Halloween out of the way as far as I am concerned it's time to start thinking about the C-word! John Lewis et al have brought out their Christmas adverts for this year and I am wearing my festive socks! I won't put my tree up until December, I don't go that crazy, but I am tempted to get the Christmas DVDs out. I've teamed up with Panasonic to bring you a list of the ten best Christmas movies, which would be perfect to watch on their new Panasonic HDR 4K TV. Are any of these your favourites?
The Ten Best Christmas Movies
This is a collaborative post with Panasonic.
With Halloween out of the way as far as I am concerned it's time to start thinking about the C-word! John Lewis et al have brought out their Christmas adverts for this year and I am wearing my festive socks! I won't put my tree up until December, I don't go that crazy, but I am tempted to get the Christmas DVDs out. I've teamed up with Panasonic to bring you a list of the ten best Christmas movies, which would be perfect to watch on their new Panasonic HDR 4K TV. Are any of these your favourites?
Are you like me and have men in your life that you struggle to buy Christmas gifts for? Neither my Dad or my partner have any hobbies and they never seem to have any idea of what they would like, but they want something! Buying them a jumper or a pair of jeans every year at Christmas is getting a bit yawnsome, so I have been on the hunt to round up some unique and wonderful Christmas gift ideas! If you're Christmas shopping for the man who has everything, then take a look at this fabulous selection of gift ideas, with both big ideas and stocking fillers, too!
Christmas Gift Guide for Him
Are you like me and have men in your life that you struggle to buy Christmas gifts for? Neither my Dad or my partner have any hobbies and they never seem to have any idea of what they would like, but they want something! Buying them a jumper or a pair of jeans every year at Christmas is getting a bit yawnsome, so I have been on the hunt to round up some unique and wonderful Christmas gift ideas! If you're Christmas shopping for the man who has everything, then take a look at this fabulous selection of gift ideas, with both big ideas and stocking fillers, too!
"The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it"
Welcome to Happy Days! Katy has been running this linky for a long while now and I am thrilled to be co-hosting with her. This linky is to inspire you to make the most of each day, no matter what you've been up to, and find happiness in every day.
Happy Days: Quiet Winter & New Beginnings
"The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it"
Welcome to Happy Days! Katy has been running this linky for a long while now and I am thrilled to be co-hosting with her. This linky is to inspire you to make the most of each day, no matter what you've been up to, and find happiness in every day.
On Sunday night Baby J had me up half the night - I wish I was exaggerating - so yesterday we had a quiet day at home. When J went for his nap, Little N and I got the craft stuff out and had a go at some of the Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom Festive Fun activities. There are lots of fun things you can do, such as making Christmas cards and crackers, a letter to Santa, a Christmas hot chocolate recipe and a dot-to-dot Santa's sleigh activity.
Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom Festive Fun!
On Sunday night Baby J had me up half the night - I wish I was exaggerating - so yesterday we had a quiet day at home. When J went for his nap, Little N and I got the craft stuff out and had a go at some of the Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom Festive Fun activities. There are lots of fun things you can do, such as making Christmas cards and crackers, a letter to Santa, a Christmas hot chocolate recipe and a dot-to-dot Santa's sleigh activity.
Last week we donned our Christmas jumpers and took the boys to meet Santa for
the first time ever at Willows Activity Farm in London Colney, St Albans. Set in
the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, Willows Activity Farm offers a
wonderful family day out with a fun packed programme whatever the weather, and my
family and I were invited along to experience the Willows Santa Spectacular.
Days Out: Santa Spectacular at Willows Activity Farm
Last week we donned our Christmas jumpers and took the boys to meet Santa for
the first time ever at Willows Activity Farm in London Colney, St Albans. Set in
the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, Willows Activity Farm offers a
wonderful family day out with a fun packed programme whatever the weather, and my
family and I were invited along to experience the Willows Santa Spectacular.
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