CHRISTMAS: The Ultimate Gift Guide for Children 2020

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The gift options for children are vast and can be overwhelming at times. The television adverts, posters, endless toys in shops etc. all inspire the present possibilities for children. However, actually deciding which ones are worth the money and will be played with for longer than a couple of minutes can be the tricky part as a parent. In this gift guide I have put together a wide range of presents that would suit an array of ages, interests and price points. I do also have a £10 and under stocking fillers gift guide, if you're looking for slightly smaller gifts too. The excitement children have for Christmas is part of the reason it is such a magical time of year, so I always find it really special putting together my children's presents each year. Imaging their excited little faces as they open them is just the best feeling, isn't it?  

CHRISTMAS: Gift Guide for Toddlers 2020

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The world suddenly becomes so much bigger when our little ones become toddlers'; there's so much to explore and discover that it makes buying gifts for Christmas really exciting. Once babies become toddlers they are more aware, interested in 'playing' with toys and learn at such an impressive rate. I have to say that buying presents for toddlers has to be one of my favourite ages because there is just so much choice and you can start to appeal to their personal interests too. This year I have tried to include a whole range of gift ideas within this Gift Guide, so that it covers all price points and interests, while being mindful that the world we live in at the moment isn't what it used to be. 

CHRISTMAS: The Home of Gifts, Experiences and Hampers for the Whole Family

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It's so exciting that Christmas is coming! I think this year more than most we all need the magic of Christmas to lift spirits, be a welcome distraction and generally spread cheer, love and joy. When it comes to thinking of gift ideas for loved ones it can be a tricky process, especially if your family are like mine and they often want 'nothing'. Of course, if I did in fact get them nothing I'm sure they'd be sad, but luckily for them I absolutely love thinking of thoughtful, meaningful presents to give. The sheer joy of making someone else feel loved, thought of and important on the special day (whether that be Christmas, birthdays or other special occasions) is one of the best feelings.

CHRISTMAS: Gift Guide for Children £10 and Under

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If you're listening Father Christmas, this is the Gift Guide for you! It is filled with stocking filler ideas that will keep children entertained, excited and learning new skills over the festive season. From edible treats and stationary heaven to learning new magic tricks and imaginative play, there are affordable ideas for all interests. These presents would also be perfect for children to give their friends and I've tried to include gifts suitable for a range of ages too. 

CHRISTMAS: Gift Guide for Grown Ups 2020

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Thinking of gift ideas for grown ups can be such a challenge, but when you find that present you know they'll love it is just the best feeling. Gift guides for grown ups are also a source of inspiration for yourself too; maybe you stumble across something that will make life easier, encourage self-care or bring you joy. This guide is filled with the treats and slightly bigger gifts for giving this year. I have also put together a Gift Guide for Grown Ups £20 and under that is filled with loads more ideas. Hopefully between both of these you'll be left full of ideas for your loved ones and are then able to tick off a few more people from your present buying list. 

ADVENT CALENDARS: A Guide for the Whole Family 2020

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Well, what a year it has been. I don't think any of us were expecting a worldwide pandemic and the impact that had on every area of life when we were sitting around eating Christmas dinner last year. It's quite shocking to think back really, but we can't let the ever changing restrictions and regulations ruin the run up to Christmas. This year, more than ever before, we all need something positive and exciting to focus on. It is looking like Christmas won't be a 'normal' one, but something we can do is treat ourselves and/or loved ones to an advent calendar that will bring a smile to their face every day during December. Each year the world of advent calendars becomes even bigger, better and more exciting, as the offerings provide excellent value for money and the designs simply wow. 

CHRISTMAS: How to Transform your Family into Elves with The Little Picture Company

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Christmas is coming, which is beyond exciting and a welcome distraction from the world around us at the moment. An excuse to decorate our homes, find thoughtful gifts for loved ones, sing merry songs and generally have lots of fun! The Little Picture Company are the home of meaningful personalised gifts for the whole family, as well as an exciting range of Christmas decorations. They have an array of different personalised Christmas bauble designs to choose from; all of which either make a special gift for loved ones or a bespoke addition to your own Christmas tree.

CHRISTMAS: Gift Guide for Grown Ups £20 and Under 2020

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Grown ups can be a challenge to buy for at the best of times, let along when you have the task of buying for all of your family and friends on the run up to Christmas. Whether you're on more of a budget or are looking for a smaller gift to pair with the main event, then this is the gift guide for you. Non-intentionally this has ended up being a gift guide mainly filled with edible options that will be sure to bring smiles to faces, introduce new exciting brands to loved ones and provide a variety of taste explosions at perhaps one of the most indulgent times of year. 

PARENTHOOD: 10 Ways to Reduce Stress and Get Prepared for Christmas

There is no doubt that Christmas is a stressful time of year, perhaps even more so when you become a parent. Creating the magic of Christmas for children is both incredibly special, as well as being a lot of pressure, so how can we reduce the stress and get prepared? Being a parent is busy at the best of times and this is our first Christmas as a relatively new family of five. Time is a luxury when you have children, so multi-tasking, being productive and preparing well in advance are all essential. This time of year is my favourite and it brings out the organiser in me; any excuse for a list, making people happy and adding that all important sprinkle of magic. But it doesn't just happen, so I've shared my top ten tips for getting prepared during the festive season...

CHRISTMAS GIFTS: Creating the Perfect Festive Organic Food Hamper with Abel & Cole

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Giving the gift of delicious food at Christmas couldn't be more perfect, whether it be for your friends, family, work colleagues or neighbour. Everyone loves a treat over the festive period, so taking the time to put together a hamper filled with everything the lucky recipient loves makes for such a special gift. Abel & Cole are the home of all things organic and have been for the past thirty years; their passion for organic produce, commitment to the environment and support of smaller producers makes shopping on their website an absolute joy. 

CHRISTMAS: Gift Guide for Him & Her £20 and Under 2019

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When it comes to shopping for family and friends it can be a challenge to think of gift ideas, especially for those who always ask for nothing. My husband is one of those people who consistently asks for nothing, but I'm sure if I actually didn't get him anything he'd feel slightly disappointed! Do you have anyone like that in your life? In this Gift Guide I've tried to include something for everyone and all of the presents are £20 and under, so purse-friendly too.

CHRISTMAS: Gift Guide for Him & Her 2019

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Grown ups are often tricky people to buy for in one sense, as they'll often ask for 'nothing', but at the same time the reward when they open a present perfectly suited to them is just the best. I try to keep a list throughout the year of things my loved ones have said they like, which makes Christmas shopping a bit easier but there are always more ideas needed. Focusing on someone's interests is a good way to ensure that the gift will be used, enjoyed and cherished. Giving the gift of an experience is another fun way to not only help make more happy memories, but also they bring people together in a time when life is busy. I've tried to include gifts that will suit a range of ages and interests here, so hopefully you find something perfect for your loved ones. 

CHRISTMAS: Gift Guide for Children 2019

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When it comes to present shopping for children I always find it exciting yet overwhelming. The choices out there are vast, not to mention the adverts on television/ billboards/ magazines showing children the latest toys on the market and then there's all of the beautifully crafted gifts smaller businesses have to offer too. Christmas is all about the magic for children, them excitedly writing their wishlists, sending them off to Father Christmas, then counting down to the big day with so much anticipation. This is the second year Isabella has been able to express what she's hoping for at Christmas, which really does add to the magic when dreams come true on Christmas morning. If you're also shopping for children this year then I hope that this Gift Guide will help and inspire your present shopping, as I've put together some of my favourite gift ideas for children this year. There is a mixture from high street stores, online websites and small businesses, so however you like to shop for Christmas hopefully there's something that catches your eye. 

CHRISTMAS: Gift Guide for Parents 2019

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Parents in our lives hold such an important role, whether it be your own parents, your parent friends or yourself as a parent. It's a role that is relentless, hard work at times, yet the most rewarding too. A pamper, treat, 'me time', practical gift that makes life easier, something you can enjoy with your children or a way of capturing a special moment are all perfect focuses when it comes to gift shopping for parents. I have tried to cover all of these areas within this Gift Guide, so without further ado... 

CHRISTMAS: Gift Guide for Children £10 and Under 2019

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This time of year can get very expensive with many loved ones to buy for, not to mention friends, stocking fillers and all those late in the year birthdays. Luckily, there are always so many different affordable gifts for children and this year is no exception. It may surprise you what you can get for £10 and under, so if you have a budget this is the Gift Guide for you. 

CHRISTMAS: Gift Guide for Babies 2019

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Babies are such a joy to buy for, aren't they? The clothing is so teeny, the prints are adorable and the range of gifts is always growing. This year we are back to the world of babies with Rory's arrival in October, which is incredibly precious. As babies don't really need that much, in terms of toys, I always think Christmas is the perfect opportunity to treat the babies in your life to extra luxurious versions of what would usually be considered as 'essentials', for example muslin cloths and clothes. There are lots of lovely smaller businesses to support when it comes to buying gifts for babies too, some of which I've included in this Gift Guide. I hope you feel inspired and come away with lots of gift ideas.

HANDMADE GIFTS: Felt Biscuit Play Gift Set for Children

Taking the time to make your own gifts, whether it be for Christmas, birthday or any other special occasion, is always such a thoughtful and appreciated thing to do. When it comes to gifts for children the options are endless, but why not take the time to make your own this year? Felt is the perfect material for making play sets for children because it is affordable, relatively hardwearing and is available in lots of different colours. I tend to buy a lot of the felt I use for crafting from Hobbycraft, but there are lots of options on places like eBay and amazon too. When it comes to making a felt play gift set you can really let your imagination run wild; this tutorial is for making a biscuit play kit, which can be made in a surprisingly short amount of time. Baking biscuits is a well loved activity for many children, so this mess-free version is the perfect addition to any play kitchen.

FESTIVE: Advent Calendar Guide for the Whole Family 2019

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The world of advent calendars has changed quite a lot since my childhood when there were two options...chocolate or pictures. Nowadays the number of different advent calendars increases each year with many getting all the more extravagant, creative and impressive. It's so exciting to see what the new releases will be; there really is something for the whole family, gone have the days when advent calendars were just for children. We can now join in on the magic as the countdown to Christmas begins on December 1st, so I thought I'd put together a guide to some of the best advent calendars available on the market this year. It doesn't matter whether you're shopping for your little ones, loved ones or treating a friend; there is the perfect advent calendar out there for them and hopefully these will inspire you.

TRAVEL: A Festive Family Weekend at Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market with Macdonald Hotels

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Christmas is well and truly coming and I for one am incredibly excited this year. Perhaps more so than previous years because it is our last Christmas that both Isabella and Poppy are at home on the run up to the big day. Next year Isabella will have started school, so our festivities will have to be kept to the weekend, but for now we are all about getting into the festive spirit every day of the week. Where better to do this than at a Christmas Market? There are many of them happening right now across the country with entertainment, stalls and an atmosphere filled with Christmas cheer. Our closest one is in Birmingham, which is exactly where we headed last weekend for a festive family getaway.

CRAFTS: 4 DIY Gifts for Children to Make for Loved Ones

DIY gifts are an easy, affordable and thoughtful gift to give on any occasion and as there are so many people to buy for at Christmas what better time to get creative? Now that Isabella is older it is even easier to turn a crafty afternoon into a special gift for a loved one. Isabella and Poppy both get to have fun with paint, stickers, glitter etc., as well as producing a beautiful present. I think it is really important to teach Isabella (and Poppy when she's older) all about the gift of giving and her not be a bit oblivious to it all as we buy all of the presents for everyone. When I was a child I loved nothing more than spending my pocked money on presents for others and that love for buying, making and creating gifts for others hasn't been lost into adulthood. I would like Isabella to grow up appreciating the gifts she receives and understanding what makes a thoughtful present for someone else.