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?  

CHILDREN: How to Make Aquabeads Bunting and a 'We Miss You' Rainbow Card

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Keeping children entertained during lockdown has needed some creativity and thinking outside of the box. The lack of freedom to visit places has meant that so many of us have to stay at home the vast majority of the time. Home learning has been keeping us busy for a lot of the day, but it gets to a point when Isabella needs some time to play and relax. This has been when we've been bringing out the Aquabeads and letting her imagination run wild! If you're not familiar with what Aquabeads are then they are small little beads that can be put together on a tray to create a design, sprayed with water, left to dry and they stick together. No need for irons and such a fun activity for children fours years+ to enjoy. The possibilities for lockdown crafts using Aquabeads really are endless and below I've included a long list of ideas to hopefully inspire you to get creative too.

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. 

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.

GIFT GUIDE: 15 Gift Ideas for Four Year Olds

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Turning four years old is a really big one, for both children and parents, as it is the age associated with starting school. At the beginning of April my first baby, Isabella, turned four and I honestly can't believe she'll be starting school this year. Her interests and abilities have excelled so much since turning three years old, which has been such a pleasure to witness. Isabella loves nothing more than writing, drawing, doing puzzles, being creative and entering worlds of her imagination. Although turning four has caused many confusions as to why she wasn't going to school straight away, Isabella has been so excited and proud about becoming four years old. When it comes to buying four year olds presents it can be tricky, as you already have four years of accumulated gifts and toys around your house and suddenly their interests and abilities excel into another world. They enjoying playing more complex and challenging games; testing themselves all of the time. Baring this in mind I've put together a Gift Guide for Four Year Olds, so that it will hopefully inspire you if you also have a (not so) little one turning four soon.