Are you giving in to kids' pestering this Christmas?
Every parent is acutely aware of their child’s ‘pester power’– a behaviour involving repeated requests, typically indulged …
Christmas
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
All the shops are adorned with decorations and sales and mailers are flooding our letterboxes and inboxes. We've compiled a bit of everything for you with gift ideas and inspiration that you can buy in the comfort of your own home so you don't have to brave the crowds in malls, Christmas traditions to create for your family, fun crafts you can do with the kids. Enjoy and have a very Merry Christmas!
Surviving the silly season
The silly season has finally arrived and the countdown to Christmas is on. From last-minute present shopping to decorating …
Keep them sweet: chocolatey gift ideas
Audrey Fitzjohn shares two sweet projects perfect for homemade (and kid-made) gift giving this Christmas. HOT CHOCOLATE SPOONS Makes 5 You will need:🎄 5 mini muffin cups🎄 5 wooden spoons🎄 200g dark chocolate🎄 5 cellophane bags🎄 String or …
Cut out & keep: easy Christmas decorations with air-drying clay
Create cute Christmas tree decorations using air drying white air-drying Jovi clay. What you'll need: ❄️ String ❄️ White air-drying Jovi clay ❄️ A rolling pin ❄️ A knife ❄️ A skewer for holes etc ❄️ A range of Christmas cookie cutters or …
Eco gift wrap ideas for a green Christmas
Ecostore co-founder, Melanie Rands shares her eco Christmas gift and wrap ideas: Did you know that the average person wraps 20 gifts at Christmas? If just three of those were wrapped in reused paper or a paper alternative, the paper saved would …
Christmas Traditions
Tradition is part of what makes Christmas special: the Christmas traditions you observe were most likely passed down from your parents, and you will in turn pass them on to your children. But all traditions start somewhere, and Christmas is a …
Christmas all wrapped up
Here's an idea that will have your gifts to family and friends standing out from the rest. The gifts are personalised to make the recipient feel special but you don't have to stick to words, there are some fabulous pictorial stamps that the kids …
12 eco-friendly days of Christmas
'Tis the season to be jolly! But can we do the ‘jolly’ without the waste, the plastic and the commercialism? 'Yes!' says Juliet Dale of the Great Eco Challenge. And not only that, but by following her 12 simple tips, you can have the most beautiful, …
Simplifying Christmas - make like Elsa and 'let it go'.
Writer Lisa-Jo Baker shares encouragement for sleep-deprived parents overwhelmed by the pressures of the season: Today I put together a family advent countdown calendar. For the FIRST TIME EVER IN NEARLY TEN YEARS OF PARENTING. Because that’s how …
Christmas presents of love
"Christmas is for kids" it is often said. I guess that idea comes from the enjoyment most parents feel watching the huge smiles and delighted squeals of young children as they open their presents on Christmas morning. It touches our hearts and stirs …
Reducing Christmas Friction
Parenting expert John Cowan shares some tips on easing the tension for a more harmonious Christmas: The first Christmas sounded very stressful: long journeys, dodgy stable accommodation and unexpected visitors (though I imagine chaps bringing gold …
Rules for regifting (to avoid pratfalls)
Recycling old Christmas presents is a longstanding tradition – some gifts even stay in permanent circulation! But you’ve got to follow the rules – otherwise you’ll feel deeply embarrassed by being exposed as cheap: Rule one: If you’re regifting …
8 ways to avoid pre-Christmas madness
Ah Christmas! That time of year when nerves get frayed and tempers sometimes flare. No surprise, really, when you remember that all of us – grown-ups and children - are tired and in need of a holiday. Yet for parents the pre-Christmas tasks are …
Salt dough Christmas tree decorations
Add some homemade sparkle to your Christmas tree with these salt dough ornaments - a really easy recipe that children will love to lend a hand with. You will need: 1 cup of salt 1 cup of flour 3/4 cup of water 1. Combine the flour and salt in a …
Make an heirloom advent calendar
These beautiful little stockings are such a special heirloom to make for the kids for Christmas. We put one little treat in each stocking for each child and open them every morning leading up to Christmas (the tooth fairy would not be pleased!), …
Marshmallow Christmas Cakes
These cute little christmas cakes are so easy and quick to make and are a hit with the kids! The time it takes to prepare them is short enough to keep their attention and the reward at the end helps too! What You Need: MallowpuffsSpearmint …
Bible verse Advent calendar countdown - free printable
Click on the image below to open a PDF to print. Free Printable courtesy of happyhomefairy.com …
40 great ideas to fill up your advent calendar
Advent calendars are a wonderful way to count down to the upcoming celebration of Christmas. Whether you’ve crafted something special or have a family heirloom you pull out each year, it can be a struggle to find 25 items to fill the calendar …
Rethink your Christmas gift-giving
Perhaps you’re a minimalist and don’t want to give your kid a stockingful of junk. Or perhaps you celebrate Christmas for Christ, and are uneasy with the religious observance and crass consumerism combo. Or perhaps you’re just plain old – the …
All is calm: celebrating the simple beauty of Christmas
It’s the crazy time of year! Well, so everyone reminds you throughout the busy days of December. The malls all want your money and everyone else wants your time (and a plate of your best Christmas baking, while you’re at it). Stress and feelings of …
Cute & creative Christmas treats
We couldn't resist sharing these cute and creative Christmas treats with you! Bring out your inner artist and assemble some festive fun on a plate! …
Even Santa shouldn't wake a sleeping baby!
Even Santa knows not to wake a sleeping baby! The parents of six-month-old Zeke had been waiting in line to see Santa at the Eastland Mall in Evansville, Indiana, USA, when Zeke fell asleep. When their turn came, rather than wake him, Santa …
Christmas stocking stuffers for 0-5 year olds!
When it comes to stocking stuffers for kids, it's almost a case of quantity over quality. Kids just love seeing lots of little surprises waiting for them to unwrap. The main rule about a stocking stuffer is that it fit in your child's stocking, so …
10 Christmas traditions for families to enjoy
It's fun to do a few special Christmassy things with the family in the run-up to Christmas. Kids will love these ideas that help foster the seasonal spirit. …
Our pick of the best Christmas books for kids this year.
Our picks of the best Christmas books for kids this year. …
Quick and easy Christmas projects
Sweet treats and decorations for the tree: five quick and easy projects that little hands can help with this Christmas. …
Feel-good gift guide
‘Tis the season to be jolly. ‘Tis also the season to be stocking your Santa sack! Keep gift-giving simple and pleasurable, and restore the natural order this Christmas with these ideas from our feel-good gift guide. Not only will you experience the …
Well wrapped: 3 simple ways to present super cute gifts
Stuck in a gift-wrap rut? Got a tricky-shaped pressie to present? Watch us have some fun with paper, cellotape and string and be inspired to add some extra sparkle to your Christmas presents before you stash them under the tree. Snowflakes that …
Your favourite Christmas movies
Everyone has a favourite movie to watch at Christmas, whether it be festive-themed, or just one you really love. We asked for your favourite Christmas movies, so here they are in order of popularity! Love Actually (2003) Home Alone 1 (1990) Elf …
Great stocking stuffers
Too often parents find themselves stuffing Santa stockings while simultaneously stuffing the turkey. Before your Christmas multi-tasking goes a step too far (and you accidently load breadcrumbs, celery and onions into the Santa sacks) take a quick …
'Twas the night before Christmas - classic story
By Clement Moore'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the houseNot a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.The children were nestled all …
40 Christmas crafts you can make
Check out the how to on our pinterest board …
10 Creative Christmas trees
Get creative with your Christmas tree this year! We love these inspirational ideas from Pinterest. …
