Festive Kitchen Time Savers You'll Want To Try

Just in case, like me, you haven't really got yourself organised for cooking one of the most important meals of the year (no pressure!), here are 10 quick time-saving tips to try in the kitchen.

You can spend the time you save doing something more important - like drinking Prosecco or perfecting your Christmas 'look'.  My Christmas 'look' usually just involves taking my apron off as once the kids are up it's chaos.

Plan ahead

I very often make a list and stick it somewhere constantly in sight. You could have a timetable for cooking Christmas lunch or a meal planner for the whole festive period.

Make sure you note down timings, quantities and temperatures.

The Husband and I usually prep the veg whilst watching TV on Christmas Eve.

Buy the trimmings

You don't have to make everything yourself.  I've bought pre-made pork & sage stuffing balls and mini sausages wrapped in bacon which can be quickly put in the oven alongside the turkey.

Whilst you're at it, why not buy some cubed pancetta which goes lovely with brussel sprouts or some flaked almonds which jazz up broccoli.  A drizzle of honey and some orange zest brightens up carrots too.

Berries and sprigs of herbs like Rosemary can add some pizzazz to warming winter drinks.

Don't forget the essentials

You know, the dull but vital stuff like matches for candles and extra bin bags.  You can find my helpful list in this post.  You really don't want to be running out to your local corner shop to hunt for stock cubes or cream either.

Make the most of your gadgets

Christmas is the time lots of kitchen gadgets come into their own.  If you have a breadmaker you can wake up to fresh bread on Christmas morning. Some of these are quite sophisticated, for example the breadmakers by Panasonic have Artisan, Rustic Sourdough and Scone modes as well as fruit and nut dispensers and a gluten free programme.

We also use a Nutri Ninja bullet blender to blend vegetables to hide in sauces (for dishes like meatballs and spaghetti sauces).  Caitlin and Ieuan have no idea how many veg they have actually eaten this year!

Cheat with desserts!

As long as you hide the packaging you can easily get away with shop bought desserts.  Just add some freshly chopped strawberries or berries (keep a bag of frozen fruit in the freezer) to decorate a shop bought cheesecake.

And you can't go wrong with good quality shop bought ice cream which you can jazz up with some warmed dulce de leche and a few toffee cubes - or even M&Ms for the kids.

Make space in the freezer

We make sure we use up some of the stuff lurking in our freezer so that there's room for desserts etc over the Christmas period.  I usually find I've been bulk buying oven chips and fish fingers!  A good defrost a couple of weeks before Christmas is a good idea too - because it's colder the food will survive a bit longer outside the freezer.

Space in your freezer will also let you quickly chill bottles of wine and beer.  Just pop them in for 20 minutes or so.

And you'll need lots of ice cubes too!

Put Individual Portions In Freezer Bags

You could speed up food prep by pre-portioning veg, berries, chicken fillets, mince beef and the like in individual freezer bags so you can just pull out what you need without weighing and measuring.

There are some more great tips on easy festive food prep from Tesco here.

Whatever you do, don't forget to rope in the family to help out where you can.  There's no reason why little ones can't help set the table or lay the crackers out.

Do you have any time-saving festive kitchen tips?  I'd love to hear them.

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Woznow.co.uk - Shop The Sales From The Comfort Of Your Sofa

You may remember a while back I wrote about a great new online shopping mall, Octer.  It's an online portal which allows you to browse and shop your favourite retailers whilst being able to compare and contrast the things you want.

My physical shopping trips usually involve a hefty amount and to-ing and fro-ing the length and breadth of Cardiff's shopping centres which, if you have the time and energy, is a very pleasurable pursuit.

Usually though I've got the Husband and kids in tow and the boys do not do shopping.  In fact Ieuan's idea of pergutory is the Pandora shop (which Caitlin and I love) and he'll flounce out and sit like a grumpy pixie on the floor outside the display window.

You don't need that on a Saturday do you?  So, particularly where Christmas shopping is concerned, I, like many parents have been doing it mostly online.

Now I'm very fond of saving money and whilst most retailers have a 'sale section', wouldn't it be great to be able to compare those sale bargains side by side online too?

Good news.  There is now a new site very similar to Octer which does just that called WozNow (www.woznow.co.uk) and it's updated almost daily with the newest bargains.

WozNow guarantees that all its sale prices are real sale prices and that every product has been previously listed at a higher price on the retailer's website. They are setting themselves apart from "discount retailers" who have never-ending sale prices.

WozNow allows you to search by category (e.g. Women, Men, Kids), department or store and then to drill down further within each of these to find exactly what you're looking for.

You can check size and stock availability without running around from store to store.  (I've lost track of the times we've had to hike from one Clarks Shoe Shop to another in the quest for a particular shoe in the kids' size).

So for example, clicking on jeans gives you the choice of skinny fit, straight leg, wide leg, tailored etc.  Clicking on Shoes & Boots gives you a choice of Casual Flat, Smart Flat, Heels and so on.

Once you have found your item, clicking on the link takes you direct to the retailer's site which happily opens in a new window so that you can not clicking back and forth on your browser back button.

Then you simply check out via the retailer's site in the normal manner.



WozNow is incredibly easy to use, up-to-date and rather addictive.  If there is a downside to it I'd say that it becomes fiddly if you want to use cash back or voucher code sites to save more money.

You would have to make a note of the item and then enter the retailer's site via Topcashback (or whoever) instead.

That said, generally the cash back and voucher offers I have come across are not usually useable on sale stock so this may be a bit of a red herring.

You do have to be quite quick off the mark too as lots of the bargains I had my eye on were already out of stock when I clicked through to the retailer.  Those bargains are vanishing as quickly as the site updates! For that reason, avid shoppers should visit the site often.

I'm afraid I did succumb and bought this fluffy faux fur coat from ASOS.  You can never have too much faux fur, can you?

Barney's Originals Ombre Faux Fur Coat From Asos £58 reduced from £95

I'll be checking back in the lull over Christmas to see what other bargains have appeared.  Just think - no endless queuing for the car park, no overheated shops and no stropping from Ieuan outside Pandora.

Much less "Oh what now!!!" and more "WozNow".

Bliss.

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Making The Most Of Christmas With Fun Family Festivities

Christmas can be one of the most joyful times of the year. However, it can also be one of the most stressful times. There’s so much pressure to buy the right gifts, cook the perfect meal and be the perfect hostess.

Image credit: Pexels

All of this is hard to live up to, so we go into overdrive and a frenzy of Christmas shopping and preparations. The flipside of this is that some of the magic of the season is lost.

Don’t spend the rest of the run-up and the holiday itself in a state of panic. Stop for a moment, take stock and remember the important things about this time of year.

If you’re still dashing around trying to find gifts, let the internet take some of the strain. Many online shops deliver right up to Christmas Eve. Shops like Who's It For? provide a range of gifts categorised into recipients, to make it even easier. This will free you up to make the most of the festivities before the New Year begins.

1. Visit The Christmas Markets

Take the whole family and visit the Christmas markets. Many large towns host these now, and stallholders from Europe travel miles to sell their wares. You don’t have to buy lots of stuff. It’s enough to soak up the sights, sounds, and wonderful smells. Try a cup of mulled wine, or hot chocolate if you’re driving. Sample some of the European delights.

2. Christmas Films

Make the wrapping a little less dull by watching a Christmas film. Pick up a copy of the Radio Times and take a look at what’s coming up. Or, find some festive films on Netflix.

Image credit: Unsplash

3. Carol Concert

Check your local newspaper listings for carol concerts in your area. It’s a heartwarming event for the whole family and if this doesn’t get you in the Christmas spirit, nothing will.

4. Give Something Back

Do you have any neighbours who you suspect may be spending Christmas alone? Make sure you call in and take them a little something. It needn’t be an expensive gift, just something to show you’re thinking of them. If you can, invite them to your home to spend some time with your family. Or, find community events that they can join.

If you have time, offer to volunteer with a local charity. Many of them need extra help at this time of year.

Image credit: Pexels

5. Bake Off

The Christmas Day meal can sometimes be a bit of a frantic affair. There’s so much to do, and everything has to be timed. But prior to this, a little seasonal baking can be fun and is something you can do with the kids. Plus, it provides you with something to offer visitors.

6. Christmas Crafting

When the kids have broken up from school, and you’re at a loss as to what to do with them, try an afternoon of crafting. Take out the glitter, glue, and paints and make some Christmas pictures or decorations. You can find lots of kid-friendly projects online.

In all the hurry and last minute preparations, it’s easy to lose sight of the meaning of Christmas. Recapture some of that childhood wonder and magic by setting time aside for some festive fun.

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7 Ways to Make Your Christmas Budget Go Further With Voucher Codes

Having saving diligently all year using the Skint Dad 52 Week Saving Challenge, it's with mild horror that we are finding our Christmas fund really hasn't gone very far at all.

It's difficult to know how much is enough and then we did not factor in the cost of late Autumn birthdays.  Caitlin is in November, my nieces in December and January and my nephew in December too!

This is without buying anything for the Husband or anything particularly luxurious for Christmas dinner.  I've made the cake this year (thank you Mary Berry) and will be making Jamie's Christmas Pudding next week.

So without going mad, it's time to look at ways to save on our Christmas shopping and voucher codes are a very good way of doing this.

Do you remember to check whether there is a live voucher code every time before you buy online? You should, not least because codes change so quickly and it's easy to miss a great offer.

Caitlin has had some new clothes for her birthday but now Ieuan has announced he wants to look 'cool' so project 'update Mr Ieuan' is in progress.  He did ask me for a tattoo yesterday at which I draw the line and I have explained that sunglasses at the school Christmas party might look a bit odd.

Both Caitlin and Ieuan are growing so fast that their wardrobes need a regular sort through. When they were babies I used to bid for clothing bundles on Ebay but now they are older (and more fashion conscious), I can't get away with it like I could.

So I tend to rely on merchant voucher codes for major high street retailers such as Gap at www.myfavouritevouchercodes.co.uk/gap-voucher-codes, making sure I use the link on the vouchercode website to enter the retailer's site.

Here are 7 other ways to maximise your Christmas budget with voucher codes.

* Visit your favourite retailer websites and compile a wish-list of items you would like - that way it's easier to check whether or not they are on sale.

* If possible, make a note of the starting dates of the sales in your diary or Google calendar. There is often plenty of notice.  

* If you don't mind filling up your in-box, signing up to newsletters will often give you advance warning of forthcoming sales.

* Have an up-to-date list of the kids' measurements - height, chest, waist, hip, leg length, shoe size etc.  I can never remember Caitlin and Ieuan's.  Come to that, I'm not entirely sure of the Husband's!

* Keep a list of the size your child takes in each retailer an whether that varies.  For example, Caitlin can be a 9-10 for tops and a 7-8 for bottoms in some stores.

* Make sure you've signed up for any loyalty schemes the retailer offers to make the most of any bonus points.  Generally you can't use any other discount when you use a voucher code but you could always use them later.

* Lots of retailers allow you to specify a safe place for delivery in case you are not at home when the courier or postman arrives.  Make sure you've filled this in and perhaps agree to help out a neighbour on a reciprocal basis.

With a bit of careful research and keeping your eye on those bargains, it's possible to make your Christmas budget go a lot further.

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Review: Lumio Intensity Laser Lights Projector From Idealworld.tv

If you want something a little different from the traditional Christmas lights, the Lumio Intensity Laser Lights Projector from Idealworld.tv will meet the bill.

Laser Christmas lights seem to be the new big thing and I have been nagging the Husband (or Mr Grinch as we like to call him at Christmas) to invest in these.

The Lumio is incredibly easy to set up and use and offers a variety of coloured lights and effects. You can even alter the speed of the display.

Note that the wall bracket and extension cable are packed separately

The kit contains:-

* The Lumio Intensity RGB Laser Projetor
* 2 prong power lead
* Remote control
* 2 x AAA Batteries
* Allen key for assembly
* Power supply transformer
* Ground stake
* Wall bracket
* Extension cable

Wall bracket and extension cable packed separately

To assemble it you simply attach the projector unit to the ground stake and plug in.  The unit is operated via remote control which allows you to select colour (red, blue and green), has a flash and speed control and a timer for 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours of use.

You do need to sync the remote control to the unit but this is simple enough to do by holding the on/off button on the remote down for 5 seconds.

You need to give the unit 10 minutes to warm up and reach full projection and it's best in temperatures of -15C to 40C.

Please note though that  this is a Class II Laser Product and laser radiation can damage your eyes so you should avoid direct eye exposure.

We tested the projector both indoors and out and it certainly has the 'ah' factory.  (I'm such a kid when it comes to Christmas lights).  Obviously it tends to work better on white walls.

Outside, we tested with the unit on the ground rather than on the wall bracket.

Even though it works a treat indoors, I would not recommend it if you have kids or pets milling about.

The Lumio Intensity Laser Lights Projector is £89.99 and compares favourable in price with other laser lights on the market.  You can also buy in three instalments of £30.01 to spread the cost.

This one is very well made and the instruction manual is, happily, well written and easy to understand.

The light show is very pretty indeed.

You can find out more at www.idealworld.tv.

*We received a projector unit for the purpose of this post.

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Kids Big And Small Will Want To Join David Walliams' "The Midnight Gang".

Santa always includes a book or two in Caitlin and Ieuan's Christmas presents and I suspect that this one will find its way into many a child's stocking - and a great read it is too.

David Walliams has followed up the biggest selling children's book of 2015 - his "Grandpa's Great Escape" with his ninth fiction novel, The Midnight Gang.

David Walliams

This is the story of five children in a wonderfully inventive and eccentric hospital whose midnight adventures combine friendship, theatre and magic in the face of adversity.

Tom has been brought disoriented into Lord Funt Hospital after being hit on the head by a cricket ball at his posh boarding school. He ends up on the children's ward with a collection of long-term residents, some in plaster, some very ill.

Soon Tom notices that there is something very strange going on. The children sneak out from the ward at night, past the controlling Matron. But where are they going? And what is the Midnight Gang??

We discover that, as well as 12 year old Tom, there's the unofficial leader of the group, Amber, Robin, also 12 who wants to be a famous composer, 11 year old George who wants to fly like a superhero and terminally ill 10 year old Sally.

There's a matron who doesn't like children, the mysterious and ever-present porter, 99 year old Nelly, the hospital's oldest patient and the strange old chemist, Mr Cod, who runs the pharmacy.

Caitlin loved "The Midnight Gang"

Caitlin (9) read "The Midnight Gang" at speed and devoured the story.  Here are some of her highlights.

Favourite Character

Amber because she was a bit bossy and she ruled the midnight gang.

I also liked Robin and George.

Robin keeps banging into stuff and George can't pronounce his words very well.

Funniest moment

When Amber said "it's a good job my legs and arms are already broken or they would be broken"

Happiest moment

The happiest moment was when Tom was taken home by his family at the end of the story.

Caitlin would love to have her own midnight gang.

It's great to find inventive, engaging stories which capture kids' imaginations and keep them reading. The text is broken up with quirky illustrations so that the reader isn't faced with a wall of words.  This is important for younger ones because "The Midnight Gang" is quite a big book!

Published by HarperCollins Children's Books, The Midnight Gang is available in Hardback (currently just £5!), ebook and audiobook format.

You can find out more at www.harpercollins.co.uk or www.worldofdavidwalliams.com.

*I received a complimentary copy of the book courtesy of HarperCollins Children's Books through the BritMums Book Club. This post contains some affiliate links.

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Win 5 Great Movies For His Christmas Stocking

It's always difficult to know what to buy the men in your life, isn't it?  But you can go far wrong with some great DVDs and here are 5 suggestions that are sure to prove popular.

Plus I have the chance to win them - just read on.

So grab the mistletoe and get ready to find the perfect gift for that special someone this Christmas. Warner Bros. has the ultimate selection, whether you’re looking for him, for her, or for festive favourites to get the whole family in the Christmas spirit.

For Him they have a great selection of festive thrillseekers, including Batman Vs. Superman, Creed, Black Mass, Point Break and Mad Max Fury Road.

Batman Vs. Superman





Directed by Zack Snyder and starring Ben Affleck as Batman/Bruce Wayne and Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent comes "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," in the characters' first big-screen pairing.

Fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City's own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis's most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it's ever known before.

Creed

This is a new chapter in the Rocky story from acclaimed director Ryan Coogler.

Michael B. Jordan plays Adonis Johnson, the son of deceased world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, with boxing in his blood. Looking to win his own title, Adonis heads to Philadelphia and convinces his father's rival-turned-friend, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), to train him – even as Rocky battles his own deadly opponent outside the ring. Now Adonis has a shot, but first he must develop the heart of a true fighter.


Black Mass





Johnny Depp portrays real-life serial killer James 'Whitey' Bulger in this biographical crime drama set in 1975. Winter Hill Gang leader Whitey's hold over South Boston is threatened by the Angiulo Brothers of the Italian-American Mafia.

In order to bring down his opposition and protect himself and his family Whitey agrees to turn informant against the Angiulo Brothers at the request of FBI agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton), a friend of Whitey and his brother Billy (Benedict Cumberbatch), the President of the Massachusetts Senate.

When Whitey uses his connection with the agent as a cover for committing murder and Connolly's control over his informant is scrutinised by his boss Charles McGuire (Kevin Bacon) and prosecutor Fred Wyshak (Corey Stoll), he is left with no choice but to go on the run.

Point Break

A young FBI agent infiltrates an extraordinary team of extreme sports athletes he suspects of masterminding a string of unprecedented, sophisticated corporate heists. The film stars Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey and Ray Winstone and is a remake of the original Point Break film.

Mad Max Fury Road

Starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, the film finds Mad Max haunted by his turbulent past and convinced that the best way to survive is to wander alone.

Despite this, he becomes swept up with a group fleeing across the Wasteland in a War Rig driven by an elite Imperator, Furiosa. They are escaping a Citadel tyrannized by the Immortan Joe, from whom something irreplaceable has been taken. Enraged, the Warlord marshals all his gangs and pursues the rebels ruthlessly in the high-octane Road War that follows.

Now, if you would like a chance to win the lot, just enter via the rafflecopter below.  Extra terms and conditions apply which you can view on my competitions page.

UK entrants only and the giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday 18th December.

Please note that whilst every effort will be made for the winner to receive their prize before Christmas, this cannot be guaranteed.



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Good luck!

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Win A Haribo Christmas Selection

HARIBO are kindly giving one lucky winner the chance to leave some HARIBO goodies out for Santa this Christmas eve.

The prize includes HARIBO’s Starmix and Tangfastics Crackers, a Mega Stars Selection Box and new Starmixmas, along with a Christmas t-shirt.

All you have to do to be in with a chance is to enter via the Rafflecopter below.  UK entrants only. Terms and conditions apply (on my competitions page).  The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Monday 19th December.

Please note the winner must supply their details no later than 21st December in order to receive their prize before Christmas.



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Good luck!

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Win A Men's Fitness Bundle From Discount Supplements worth £40+

If you're struggling to come up with a Christmas present for the health enthusiasts in your family, Discount Supplements have come up with a range of great ideas that all offer something different. They also offer free UK delivery and same day despatch.

The Perfect Gifts for Vegans

If you are looking for a gift for a vegan or vegetarian it can be difficult to make the right choice. Look no further then Discount Supplements range of Faith in Nature products, all kind to nature and the environment.

There's Faith in Nature Pineapple and Lime Shampoo and Conditioner (£5.49 each), Faith in Nature Rejuvenating Facial Wash (£6.29), Faith in Nature Coconut Soap (£1.93) and Faith in Nature Restorative Hand Cream (£6.52).


The Perfect Gifts for Gym Bunnies 

40-50% of adults in the UK will make a new year’s resolution in 2017 and the most popular ones usually involve diet and fitness.

Why not get your friends and family off to a great start with some health and fitness related gifts. You could combine Yogi Women’s Tea, Yogi Detox Tea with Lemon (£, Yogi Women’s Balance Tea and Yogi Women’s Energy Tea (all £2.32 for 17 bags) with some Optimum Nutrition Vitamins for Women (£20.36 for 120 caps) and some Women’s Cross Training Gloves (£10.66).

The Perfect Gifts for Tea Lovers

The UK consume an amazing 165 million cups of tea a day! Why not spice up your tea lover's day with some different flavours from Yogi Organic teas. How about Yogi Choco Mint Tea, Yogi Orange and Vanilla Tea, Yogi Lime and Mint Tea, Yogi Detox Tea with Lemon or Yogi Liquorice and Mint Tea (all £2.32 for 17 bags).

The Perfect Gifts for Male Fitness Fans

If the man in your life loves the gym then how about this nifty little bundle? Yogi Detox Tea with Lemon (£2.32 as before),  Optimum Nutrition Mens Multi Vitamins (£5.81 for 90 tabs), Grenade Thermo Detonator Capsules (£17.45 for 44 caps) and some Schiek Cross Training Gloves (£29.10).

And I have a Male Fitness Fan bundle worth over £40 to give away to one lucky winner.  Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and the usual terms and conditions apply.  (Please see my competition prize).  UK entrants only.

The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 16th December.  

Please note that the contents of the bundle may vary slightly depending on stock availability.  Whilst every attempt will be made to deliver the prize in time for Christmas, this is not guaranteed.

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Good luck.

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Survey Reveals Selfie Stick Voted Worst Christmas Gift

I'm sure by now you are in the throes of Christmas shopping and experiencing that heady panic which demands a ridiculously named, highly calorific 'seasonal' coffee and a mince pie.

And, to compound the stress, a new survey conducted by gifting website www.ijustloveit.co.uk has found that, these days, it's less about the quality time and more about the quality present.

The survey was taken by 2,000 people in the UK - 1,020 women and 980 men. The age range was between 18 – 55+.

I'm sure there's a hefty amount of buying for kids by parents who are dealing with guilt at their long working hours.  Or spending on relatives we've avoided visiting because Facebook is so much easier - and cheaper!

But the irony is that many of those gifts we are feverishly pursuing won't be wanted anyway.

A whopping 60% of those surveyed said that they had received an unwanted gift at Christmas.

Over 50% chose to give their unwanted gifts away and 25% chose to sell their gifts

Over 40% of those surveyed are currently buying for 6-10 people, so potentially at least half will give their gifts away.

It also showed that men are less concerned with the quality of their gifts than women, with more men choosing to keep hold of ‘unwanted’ gifts, whereas women wanted to get rid of them.

When it comes to receiving unwanted gifts, 50% of men would prefer to either keep them compared to 40% of women, with over 60% of women giving them away, compared to only 40% of men.

If you are thinking of gifts to buy this year, the survey also showed that the ‘popular’ Selfie Stick was voted one of the worst Christmas gifts to receive by both men and women, with 40% of the total vote.

Other survey results include:

The highest percentage of people, at almost 40% of the vote, prefer buying for children compared to any other relative or friend, and only 0.45% of people look forward to buying for their grandparents.

Over 10% of people enjoy buying for mothers; while only 1% of people enjoy buying for their fathers. People would rather buy for their pets at 1.40% than their dads! Over 35% of those asked most look forward to receiving gifts from their partners, with grandparents once again receiving one of the lowest votes of only 0.45%

Comparing mother to father again, over 10% look forward to receiving a gift from their mum, and a measly 2% from their dads.

In total, over 40% of those asked said they would spend between £100 - £300 on Christmas gifts. That’s nearly 50% less than data acquired in 2015.

Which rather begs the question - where are all these 'quality presents' going to come from?

Somehow stocking up in the January sales seems like a very good idea. And there's always Ebay.

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Win A Gorgeous Kate Spade Watch From Shade Station

Shade Station is the UK's largest independent designer sunglasses, glasses and watch online retailer with over 140 of the world’s leading brands - and a brilliant place to find Christmas presents for all the family.

I have spent quite some time browsing their ranges which include brands like Fossil, Guess, Emporio Armani, Calvin Klein and DKNY.  They even do prescription glasses - Chanel, Oliver Peoples and Rayban to name a few.

They offer 35 designer sunglasses brands so even the fussiest person should find something they love from Tom Ford, Chanel, Dior, Gucci and Prada to edgier brands including Ray Ban, Carrera, Police and Prada Sport and the sports focused brands including Oakley and Dragon.

They carry a huge range of watches - over 55 brands and I particularly love the Kate Spade Watches.

Kate Spade New York Gramercy Grand Watch

and then there is a great selection of unusual men's jewellery from brands like Storm, Calvin Klein and Emporio Armani.

The husband isn't a big jewellery fan but he will wear cufflinks.

Calvin Klein Cufflinks

Storm Kempa Pendant

although I might persuade him to wear one of these.

Shade Station also offer goggles for extreme sports enthusiasts and lifestyle accessories such as backpacks, luggage, belts, hats, key rings and belts by leading brands including Oakley, Nixon, Dragon and East Pak.

Shade Station also offer free next day UK delivery.

Now to the giveaway.

I have a fabulous Kate Spade New York Holland Watch worth £173 to give away to one lucky winner.

Kate Spade New York Holland Watch worth over £170

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and terms and conditions apply (see my competitions page).  The giveaway is open to UK entrants only and ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 16th December.

Entrants must complete all the mandatory questions on the Rafflecopter and leave the answer to the giveaway question in the comments below this post.

Please note that whilst every attempt will be made for the winner to receive their prize before Christmas, this is not guaranteed.   

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Good luck!

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What Are The Top Ten Most Requested Xmas Gifts By UK Kids This Year?

Royal Mail has revealed this year’s top ten most wanted presents asked for by children in their letters to Santa and, unlike most toy surveys in the run up to Christmas, these findings come directly from the children themselves.

Image credit:  Wikimedia Commons

Santa’s helpers at Royal Mail, who have been helping him with his mailbag for 53 years, analysed a number of children’s letters before sending them on to him at the North Pole.

The special letters also reveal the range of questions children ask Santa including; “how many mince pies do you eat around the world?” and “do you like being Santa?”

Traditional toys hold the top three spots for the second year in a row. The results show that the most popular toy is Lego, which has retained its top spot from last year.

It has also remained in the top three since 2013. Scooters have made a new entry as the second most popular Christmas wish in 2016. This is followed by bikes, which have dropped down into third position.

Mobile phones are still proving popular, with Paw Patrol as the fourth and fifth most popular request of Christmas 2016.

There were also a number of other new entries including Pie Face Showdown, Star Wars Spin Action Lightsabre and Barbie 3 Storey Townhouse making entries at number seven, eight, and nine respectively.

Furby Connect has made a comeback as a new entry at number 10 having last been seen in Royal Mail’s list as the most wanted toy in 2012.

The top ten most requested toys of 2016 are:

Lego
Scooter
Bike
Mobile phone
Paw Patrol
Air Patroller Nerf Gun
Pie Face Showdown
Star Wars Spin Action Lightsabre
Barbie 3 Storey Townhouse
Furby Connect

Questions for Santa

The special letters also show that many children like to ask Santa questions instead of just asking for the latest toy as a gift. Some of the questions that children have asked Santa this year are:

How do you deliver all the presents in one night?
How many mince pies do you eat around the world?
How old are you?
How many elves do you have working for you?
Do Rudolph and the reindeers like carrots?
How many children do you deliver presents to?
Do you like being Santa?

Letters to Santa

If your children are going to write to Santa this year, make sure you get your letter to him by by no later than 9 December 2016.

Make sure you write to him using the correct address on a stamped envelope and send the letter to:-

Santa/Father Christmas Santa’s Grotto Reindeerland XM4 5HQ

Don’t forget that Santa needs to know the full name and address of your children to reply so please include this in the letter.

Christmas is a very busy time of year and Santa will respond to as many letters as possible, in between getting the sleigh ready for the long journey on Christmas Eve.

Visit Royal Mail’s special letters to Santa webpage at www.royalmail.com/letters-to-santa

Last Posting Dates

The last posting dates are;

Tuesday 20 December 2nd Class and Royal Mail Signed For®
Wednesday 21 December 1st Class and Royal Mail Signed For®
Thursday 22 December Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed®

Further information is available at www.royalmail.com/greetings

Get the kids writing now to avoid any disappointment.

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When Santa Gets It Wrong - Make Sure You Get It Right

We're all familiar with the moment when the wrapping paper is ripped off that enticing looking gift, only to reveal something that we immediately want to 'regift', donate to charity or have an 'honest' conversation with the hapless giver about what exactly they are trying to say.

My worst present was a bag of lentils from a friend who thought my diet needed improving.  He was correct but he gave everyone in our group the same thing.  I suppose we didn't lack ingredients for soup.

If you're in a relationship, gifts at Christmas can be loaded with expectation and the unspoken hope of some sort of commitment (an engagement ring or a similar piece of jewellery, for example).

Then Christmas is ruined if the proposal is not forthcoming or if a gift is not romantic enough. For some the gift is unwelcome if the giver hasn't spent the 'right' amount of money to express the 'right' level of love and / or rampant desire.

For this reason gifts like kettles, irons and vacuum cleaners are not generally well received!

We're all guilty of being rubbish gift givers though, aren't we?  When I was younger, my mum couldn't think of anything she particularly wanted for Christmas and came up with "rubber gloves" (which she used) and "toothpicks" which she didn't.  I can only assume she was planning to take up drinking cocktails and wanted them for glace cherries in her Babycham. That's what she got and I'm not sure she was all that thrilled!

If you think that's lame, here are some of the 'marvellous' gifts some of my fellow bloggers have received over the years.....

"I received some fragrant coat hangers from the Mother-in-law. They were no longer fragrant as it looked like she'd had them for about 20 years. Turns out someone else had bought them for her and she didn't like them so wrapped them up for me. Not entirely sure what she was trying to tell me!"

Laura - mummylala.co.uk.

"A whoopee cushion that had been wrapped up with a real house brick so as to disguise the shape and weight of it - I was soooooo disappointed. Oh and also from the same aunt a different year - the Kylie Minogue album on cassette.. great I hear you cry, only to save money she'd given me a cassette that she'd recorded from the original and then photocopied and stuck the album cover on the front!!"

Bex, Artofhealthyliving.com

"A Cliff Richard calendar.  I don't even like Cliff" - Georgia, Georgiarknight.com

"A Ricky Gervais stand up DVD from my ex. He'd already taken it to his friends place and watched it with them! I didn't even like Gervais at the time. I would say it was the worst present ever, but his Birthday gifts were worse ..."

Angela, Cosmickick.com

"Lavender bath cubes. You know the very old fashioned white square ones wrapped in foil, that come in a nasty ass cheap box. They were from my Fiance and they were a day late too and that was the ONLY thing he got me. Needless to say, he wasn't my fiance for much longer."

Sarah,  Boxnip.co.uk

"I was gifted car jump leads one year" - Hollie, Thriftymum.com

"A set of pyjamas in a size 20 when I was a size 12 and the top and bottom didn't even match. Guess that's one of the reasons he's my ex?"

Karen, Clapperboard

There are so many great internet stores these days that there's no excuse for making a festive faux pas.  And you can also find gifts from companies who have a firm ethical stance and believe in giving back - all year round.

Don't be in the doghouse with a rubbish gift

Uncommon Goods is one such company who offer handmade, recycled and organic products whilst supporting the emerging designers, artists or artisans who may be working in a low income country. The company is also a founding member of B Corporation, to help customers understand the social and environmental impact of their purchases.

I think this may have been what my friend was driving at when he bulk-gifted a job lot of lentils but there are far more attractive Christmas gifts to be found here.

And if you are struggling (as I am as usual) to find a Christmas gift for the man in your life,  you'll find a great selection of Christmas gifts for men too.

Most of us just want to be reassured that we mean enough to that special someone to merit at least 15 minutes of online shopping and the actual purchase of a card.  These days, most of us also want a gift that doesn't impact negatively on the planet or its communities.

So please avoid the lavender bath cubes and jump leads.  Especially if you're hoping for a proposal.

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A Better Way To Find Black Friday Weekend Bargains

Brace yourselves because Friday 25th November marks the start of Black Friday Weekend.

Ah, Black Friday.  Three words that conjure up visions of amazing deals, frequent confusion and occasional brawls in supermarkets.

No wonder then, that many of us would prefer to beat the battles in the stores this November, and find the best deals online with our feet up in the comfort of our own home.

This isn't without its frustrations either though because online home shopping often involves trudging through a thousand websites with fifty tabs open whilst you look through items you don’t want before you get any seriously good deals.

It's at this point that you find out your item has sold out in your size or your colour choice isn't available.

Or, even worse, the retailer's website crashes completely so you don't know if you have actually bought anything.

But I've discovered a website that brings all the sales across the internet in one convenient place with the aim of saving time and money, and keeping your stress levels manageable.

Lovethesales.com  brings together all the sales from over 500 of the top brands and retailers across the UK for you to choose from including fashion, homeware, electronics, outdoor and a kid’s section, making finding those hidden gems so much easier.

You can search the sales in your tailored sizes so you won’t be disappointed and can also sign up for sale alerts for your favourite brands so you never miss a sale again.

If you’re looking to find something a bit warmer over the Black Friday weekend, then the UGG sale  is a great place to start for warm, fashionable shoes and accessories from this world renowned brand.

These gorgeous gloves  feature a snug wool  lining and come in purple, grey, brown & black, a perfect Christmas present to tick off the list (and we bloggers do love a list, don't we?).

Classic 2point gloves, was £125 now £49. 61% off

Sticking with the warm theme, there’s nothing like updating old and tired coats for new and vibrant colours. In the coats & jackets sale you’ll find plenty of durable winter coats that will brighten up any outfit while keeping the chills at bay.

The Barbour sale mixes cool quilted jackets with waterproof winter coats, like this zip up waterproof parka.

Barbour waterproof parka, was £199 now £140, 30% off

Whether you’re getting your Christmas shopping done early, or stocking up for change of season clothing, this is a great way to shop the sales and avoid a shopping center meltdown!


*collaborative post

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Christmas Gift Ideas For 7 Year Old Ieuan - Ideas Please!

At the supermarket on Saturday I gave Ieuan my phone and instructed him to take pictures of the kind of thing that he might like Santa to bring him.

I was hoping that he would pick 'things to play with' rather than 'things to interact with'.  He spends far too much time in the world of Minecraft creating huge, palatial buildings which randomly burn down at regular intervals.

The wailing is enough to send you to the gin cupboard, but I console myself that he might become an architect and design me a nice maximum security home for my twilight years.

But lots of toys seem unsophisticated when compared to online games,  and unlikely to hold Ieuan's interest for more than two minutes.

I'm sure lots of parents are currently scratching their heads wondering how to get their offspring off the sofa and actually mobile in the fresh air - or at least away from a screen for a while.

Ieuan's list consisted of Star Wars and Minecraft figures but I am determined to broaden his interests and reduce his screen time!

So what to get?  Are you facing a similar quandry?

Here are some suggestions that might be suitable for Ieuan's age group 7+ - although heaven knows, they're all different!

- Tickets for something like Lego Land or the Harry Potter tour.  You may find online discounts or be able to use Clubcard vouchers.

- Music CDs - must confess I am unsure of the musical taste of 7 year old boys!

- Board games like Operation or Mousetrap

- Science kit toys

- Unusual outdoor toys like rockets, kites or giant flying discs etc

- Lego or Meccano

- Remote control car

- Metal detector

- Watch / stopwatch / pedometer

- Simple camera

- Accessories for a bicycle - bell / horn / new cycle helmet / lights

- Encyclopedia or a history book (Horrible Histories, books on Ancient Egypt)

- Set of classic boys' own stories

- Football / rugby / sports equipment

- Musical instrument such as a guitar or basic keyboard

(unfortunately Ieuan wants to be a rock drummer so I'll be stalling on that one for as long as possible).

We're at that awkward age where the existence of Santa is occasionally called into question (of course he exists!) so I don't want to let him choose his own presents.  We're still telling him he needs to get his skates on and write a list for Santa to work from.

What have you got on your boys' Christmas lists this year (for Santa to deliver obviously)?

I'd love to hear some inspiring ideas.

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Save 25% & Beat Rylan At Christmas Carol-oke To Win With Buyagift.com

Here's a great competition for all you budding X Factor stars out there and all you need is a smartphone and the ability to carry a Christmas tune - specifically "The Twelve Days Of Christmas".

Buyagift.com, the UK's leading gift experience provider, is looking for Christmas Carol-oke stars to create their own unforgettable moments, so they gave ITV’s Xtra Factor Presenter and previous X Factor contestant Rylan Clark-Neal a Christmas challenge he will never forget to see if he is up to the job!

Rylan’s task was to sing Christmas carols whilst being driven around the Brands Hatch race track by a professional racing driver at speeds of over 100 miles per hour, with plenty of hair raising moments along the way!

Watch Rylan’s hilarious attempt at Christmas Carol-oke!

I think it’s safe to say Rylan failed the challenge and apparently he is no longer friends with the driver Pete (!) but he was definitely a good sport.

Rylan said, “Singing Christmas carols whilst being driven around a race track at over 100mph was certainly an experience I won’t forget in a hurry! It was harder than I thought it would be to sing at those speeds and even though I was worried about getting helmet hair, it was definitely an adrenaline rush!”

So if you want to give your loved ones the gift of an unforgettable experience this Christmas, have a look at Buyagift.com’s extensive range.  They have over 4,500 gift experiences, with everything from adrenaline fuelled days including the longest zipwire in Europe, sky diving and car racing, to relaxing spa days and hotel breaks.  Personally an afternoon tea is about as racy as I'm prepared to go!

As Rylan says “Experiences are the perfect gift for Christmas as the sentiment lasts longer than other gifts and they create long-lasting memories. Its experiences like I had, speeding around a top race track in a supercar that you can give to your family and friends this Christmas, which are sure to be remembered for years!”

Buyagift.com and Rylan are making it easy for people to give their loved ones a Christmas they’ll never forget by offering a discount of 25% off the Buyagift.com website, just enter the code RYLAN25 at the checkout (expires midnight 7th December 2016. Exclusions apply).

And if you think you can do better than Rylan at Christmas Carol-oke, send a video of you or your friends singing ‘The 12 days of Christmas’ carol and you will be entered into a competition to win £300 worth of Buyagift.com vouchers, just in time for Christmas to share an unforgettable moment with your loved ones. Not only that, but you will also be in with a chance of starring in the Christmas Carol-oke video edit made from the entries!

Just go to www.buyagift.co.uk/christmas-caroloke  to enter!

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Get Your Home Ship Shape And Ready For Guests

In just a few weeks winter will be back with us again, bringing Christmas and all of it’s fun festivities. Christmas is a magical time of year, but as a busy mum you’ll know there are a million and one things to think about! Seeing friends and family is one of the best things about the season, but if you’re house proud it means there’s probably a fair bit of work to be done. Plus with the change of weather, our homes are in need of some serious winter- proofing. Making sure all of this is done early will mean everything runs as smoothly as possible right through to the spring.

Clear The Garden

Most of us are done out in the garden for the year now the weather has taken a turn for the worst. If you’re lucky you might still have some flowers blooming and prettying up your garden, but before long most things will die back. Unless you’re a hardcore gardener, now is the time to tidy your tools away. Move your mower to the back of the shed, and bring your leaf blower, rake and snow shovel to the front. Clear the gutters on your house and any outbuildings which can become blocked with leaf litter and cause leaks. Turn the water supply off to your outdoor tap/ pipes, or at the very least cover them with insulation. This will prevent them from becoming damaged or bursting when the temperatures drop to freezing over winter. Having a clear and tidy garden makes a good first impression when guests arrive, as it’s the first thing they will see when coming to your home.

Picture source: Pixabay

Get Your Boiler Serviced

The last thing you want over the Christmas period is to be troubled by heating issues! If your boiler plays up, you can end up with no hot water or heating. If this happens to fall on one of the festive bank holidays, you’ll pay well over the odds to have someone come out and sort it. A boiler service should be done once a year and will cost you around £70. But it’s money well spent, and could potentially save you an awful lot more if it prevents anything major going wrong. To make sure you’re not getting ripped off by rogue traders, a site like TrustATrader will help you find reputable workmen.

Tackle Any Repairs

November is a great time to tackle any repairs and finish up any projects before the worst of the year’s weather hits. It could be a bit of painting, filling in cracks or holes in walls, finishing up some tiling or anything else that you’ve been putting off. Having the house in tip top condition means you’re ready for your Christmas guests and are free to hang your decorations and make your home look beautiful come December.

Clean and Declutter

When children are getting things like new toys, clothes and books for Christmas you could clear out the ones they’re no longer using. Put anything sentimental up in the attic, and donate the rest to charity. This could make a less fortunate child’s Christmas, so it’s a win-win. Finally, getting everywhere clean and tidy in anticipation of guests is a good idea. You could do the kinds of jobs that don’t usually get done on a regular cleaning day. Hire a Rug Doctor and clean all of your carpets. Wash curtains, clean windows and pull out large furniture items and vacuum behind them. That way, if you get a text or phone call from a visitor saying they’re popping over in ten minutes, you only need to do a spot of tidying before they arrive.

Picture source: Free Stock Photos

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Is Your Kitchen Ready For Entertaining

Is your kitchen ready for entertaining? Now that the festive season is almost upon us, you are probably thinking about hosting some of your friends and family for dinner parties. You may also be thinking of gathering everyone at yours for Christmas dinner!

Image credit: www.pexels.com

But before you send the invitations out, you need to make sure that your kitchen is all ready for entertaining and hosting guests. Do you think yours could do with a bit of improvement? Here are some useful tips that can help you get your kitchen up to scratch.

Image credt: www.pexels.com

Update Your Kitchenware

Cooking appliances and crockery can quickly become dated. Unless you are going for a vintage style in your kitchen, you should update any old-fashioned items in your kitchen. Not only will this do wonders for the look of your kitchen, but you will also find that they are a lot easier to use. And new cooking appliances will help you cut down the time you spend in your kitchen. Meaning you will have a lot more time to mingle with all your guests!

Get Rid Of Clutter

I’m sure most of us have a lot of clutter on our kitchen tops and dining table. It’s because it easily gathers on these surfaces! Especially the likes of letters, bills and important paperwork. So before you start cooking for your dinner party, make sure you quickly tidy up all of this clutter and remove it from your kitchen. It is also important to tidy your kitchen work surfaces once you have taken all the clutter away. Keep them neat, and you will have plenty of space to prepare your food. They will also look very tidy to your guests!

Image credit: www.pexels.com

Clean Your Fridge

Your fridge will be used a lot during the dinner party. Even by guests who could be going in there quite a lot to top up their glass of white wine. So it is very important that the inside of your refrigerator is looking clean and tidy. If you are placing a lot of dishes in the fridge ready for the meal, make sure that the door shuts tightly. It is also a good idea to check that none of the food is blocking any of the air vents. Otherwise, the refrigerator could quickly heat up.

Image credit: www.pexels.com

Take The Bin Out

You don’t want a nasty smell to put your diners off their meal, so remember to take the bin out before anyone arrives. It might also be worth cleaning out the bin itself with some strong disinfectant. After all, no matter how careful you are, there is always the chance that some food has escaped out the bin bag and made its way into the actual bin! Make sure you have plenty of extra bin bags as well. The rubbish will quickly pile up during a dinner party, and you might have to even take the bin out half-way through the meal!

Once you follow these tips, your kitchen will be all ready for you to entertain. And your guests will certainly be impressed!

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