How To Get Your Home Ready For Christmas On A Budget

We all dream about having the perfect Christmas day. Snow falling outside, while all the family sits down in front of the fire, all toasty, happy and ready to finally get down to opening their presents! However, money can often feel like an obstacle when it comes to setting the scene for that idyllic Christmas day. How can you possibly create a Christmas scene to rival those in White Christmas when you are on such a tight budget? But not to worry! I'm on hand to give you some tips on how to get your home ready for the festive season without having to break the bank.

1. Plan in advance
Christmas can come early! In fact, the earlier you start planning for Christmas, the less stressful December will be for you and your family. Try to make a list of all of the tasks you need to complete in each room of the house and what items you will need for each one. By breaking the tasks down into an easy-to-read format, it should make decorating your home seem more manageable, and less like an impossible mountain that you must somehow overcome.

2. Set a budget
Make sure you actually have a budget when planning for Christmas! How many people do you have to buy for? How much will each of their presents cost? And after all the presents have been bought, how much will you have left over for decorations? Its very easy to get carried away with decorations at Christmas, so make sure you try to stick to your budget as best as you can.

3. Reuse your Christmas decorations
There’s no need to purchase a new set of Christmas decorations every year. If you have any decorations saved from previous years, ensure that you make the most of them! Also, when it comes to taking your decorations down again, make sure you store them safely and securely so that they can be reused for many years to come!

4. Make your own Christmas decorations
It’s sometimes easy to forget what Christmas is all about. Why not put your family in the Christmas spirit by getting everyone together to create your own Christmas decorations from scratch! This activity will encourage family bonding and foster your children’s creativity. It will also add a unique, personal touch that will warm your heart during the festive season.

5. Prepare and protect your home
Make sure that you properly safeguard your house from any problems that the harsh, cold weather might bring. The last surprise you want to wake up to on Christmas day is a leaky roof but no need to panic - there are many tile roof restoration solutions available.

There are roofing companies in the North East of England will be able to check your roof for any issues, so make sure you get in touch with a professional roofing contractor sooner rather than later.

- This is a collaborative post.

My Sunday Photo - 48/52

Christmas Gift Guide - For Children

Can you believe that there are just three weeks to go now until Christmas? Where did the year go? With Christmas creeping up on us fast I've started to publish my Christmas gift guides, something that I really enjoy doing every year because they always leave me feeling inspired. I think the Children's gift guide is always a favourite, it's so much fun to put together! 

Animagic Woofles My Playful Pup - £29.99

Woofles My Playful Pup is a great gift to go for if your children really want a pup, or is an animal lover like my children. He’s the most realistic pup toy that you’ve ever seen, and super cute too. Stroke his head and he'll make cute puppy sounds as he gets ready to play. You can even talk to him or use his squeaky bone toy and he'll react to you, moving around and barking along happily.

Classic Tiny Tears Doll - £25.00
This classic Tiny Tears Doll is just how I remember her, with moveable arms, legs, and lovely blonde hair. She comes with a bottle, potty, hairbrush, pull up knickers, a dress and headband. Children can feed her using her bottle, sit her up, and watch her cry real tears. When sitting her on the potty she will even do a wee! She also closes her eyes when she is led down in bed. Tiny Tears is bound to keep children entertained and engaged this Christmas.

Ready2Robot Bot Blaster - £14.99

Ready2Robot are the only collectible brand that lets you build, mix & match your own custom ‘bots, and battle your friends in a robot-brawl inside the Fightanium Arena. Unbox more bots, build your ultimate brawler and blast your way to becoming champion! Last bot standing gets the glory and the bragging rights. Each Bot Blaster pack includes extra weapons and accessories to build and customize your mechbots and Pilots Asst for battle. Includes 1 blind packed Ready2Robot pod and 5 accessories.

Paddington Bear Spot The Difference Game - £8.00

Follow the adventures of Paddington, the most loveable bear, in two seemingly identical images. But just like his adventures all is not what it seems. Can you find the 5 or 10 differences and beat your opponent to find the pot of marmalade! I can imagine so many children enjoying this Paddington Bear Spot The Difference game on Christmas day.

Spider-Man Marvel Illumi-Mate Colour Changing Light - £8.99
Bring a bit of superhero fun to bedtime with the colour-changing Spider-Man Illumi-Mate comfort light. When switched on, this brightly coloured character light will gently glow and change colour from red to blue to green, white and purple. The LED light inside stays cool to the touch, making the light ideal for night time trips to the bathroom or for use during sleepovers. In a handy portable size, the Spider-Man Illumi-Mate makes the perfect night-time companion for comic book fans. View more characters and styles on the Spearmark website.

Baby Secrets Series 2 Activity Packs - £12.99
Baby Secrets are the cutest collectable on the market, fact! Each baby has its own character, theme, name, birth certificate and they all have a secret. To discover the secret you simply place them in water and watch their nappies change colour! Blue for a boy, pink for a girl and this can be done over and over again. Baby Secrets are back, with series 2 which means there are another 50 babies to collect! These activity packs would make a great gift this Christmas.

Num Noms Starter Pack - £6.99

Num Noms have been ever so popular since their launch in 2016. Two years later and they are such as fantastic as ever, and they are back with series 5. Included in the Num Noms Starter Pack are 3 scented Nums and 1 flavoured lip gloss Nom. Mix and match Num Noms to create sweet, scented recipes! Scented Nums are adorable, squishy characters with tons of personality. Noms are flavored glitter lip gloss! Stack the Nums on top of the Noms to make 3,000+ sweet-scented combinations.

Poopsie Slime Surprise - £9.99

The world is currently going mad for slime, the kids can’t get enough of the stuff. Poopsie Slime Surprise allows children to create their own magical unicorn slime. With a little unicorn magic and sparkle, they can customize unicorn poop and transform it multiple times! Ten magical surprises included! There are 18 Poopsie’s to collect!

L.O.L Surprise! Eye Spy Under Wraps - £14.99

L.O.L. Surprise! Eye Spy Series Under Wraps packs have 15 new surprises inside, ready and waiting to be discovered! Unbox the spy glass to find codes and unlock all the different surprises and find a L.O.L doll is dressed in a mystery disguise! Once the L.O.L has been discovered beneath the disguise, it then becomes multiple fashion accessories which you can and match outfits for tons of new looks.

Orchard Toys What A Performance - £16.50
Games are fun for all the family, especially at Christmas time! What A Performance from Orchard Toys allows kids and grown-ups to be a star and rise to the challenge! Race your way around the performance board to be the first player or team to reach the finish, with lots of fun noises, actions, and activities along the way! Can you pretend to be a monkey, make a noise like a firework or wiggle your ears? If you can't, use the magic decoder and reveal your hidden forfeit on the back of the cards!

Adventures in Petlandia - from £17.99

This Christmas, give pet lovers a paw-fect present with Adventures in Petlandia and PetlandiaRoadtrip, hand illustrated storybooks featuring impossibly cute caricatures of their pets. Set in the wonderful world of Petlandia, dog, cat and rabbit fans can see their furry friends in beautifully written and illustrated tails of friendship, fame, loneliness and love, all fully personalised.

Playfoam Pals Snowy Friends - £6.00

I think Playfoam Pals Snowy Friends will make the perfect stocking filler this year, kids are bound to love them. Each pod is filled with Playfoam and inside the Playfoam is an animal toy just waiting to be discovered. The Playfoam itself is non-toxic and reusable, so it’s ideal for sensory play and for encouraging children to be creative, and imaginative. There are 13 Playfoam Pals Snowy friends to collect, including a rare snowman.

Haribo Fairyland Sweets - £3.99

Delivering a sprinkling of magic this Christmas, the Haribo Fairyland gift box includes an enchanting mix of unicorns and fairies in strawberries & cream and strawberry candy floss flavours. Making the perfect stocking-filler or surprise from Santa, this fairy-tale treat is for believers only.

Tangle Cherub - £9.95
Tangle Cherub is a detangling brush which is designed for children. It’s great for use on both wet and dry hair, but also great for in handbags, sports bags, travel and on-the-go detangling. It’s suitable for all hair types and an everyday essential which would make a great stocking filler.

Moj Moj - £3.99 each

Moj Moj Squishy's are perfect for those avid collections out there, especially those who like things which are squishy! These blind bags feature an assortment of soft and squishy, rare and ultra-rare characters with fun, collectible themes. There are currently 95+ to collect and trade.

Buff Wear Lasse Knitted Hats - £24.00 each

I like to buy Noah and Ava a couple of new winter hats every year, they can never have too many hats in Winter. I also think they make excellent Christmas gifts. These Lasse Knitted children's hats are from Buff Wear and are our new favourite. As you can see come in two different colour ways, a blue mix, and a pink mix. They are made from a 100% acrylic material and have a super snuggly fleece lining, perfect for the freezing cold weather that we have on the way. They fit children from 4 years old, through to 12 years of age so the kids will hopefully get lots of wear out of them. 

Spode Christmas Tree Mug Set - £56.00
This stoneware Christmas Tree Mug from Spode actually come as a set of 4 and is the perfect accompaniment to a warming cup of tea on Christmas morning, or for putting in children's Christmas Eve Boxes. Designed in 1938, Christmas Tree is a unique Christmas dinnerware pattern that's loved the world over. Taking centre stage is a beautiful Christmas tree with colourful baubles hanging from the branches and a mound of presents underneath. What could be more perfect for Christmas than a Christmas tree mug? Wooden Balance Hedgehog - £13.00

Wooden toys are a fantastic way to encourage imaginative, learning play, all while choosing something that's a little more eco-friendly! Teach little ones balancing skills with this fun and engaging balancing hedgehog game. Watch the hedgehog rock back and forth as you add weighted wooden shapes between his spikes. I think this is an activity that Noah and Ava will enjoy together, which is why I've added it to my Children's gift guide rather than the Toddler edition. You can purchase this and other inexpensive gifts online at Reroom.

Would you consider any of these gifts for Christmas?

- We were sent these products for the purpose of this gift guide, however, all opinions are my own.

Playmobil City Life Children's Playground Set - Review

I was a huge fan of Playmobil back when I was a little girl, so it delights me that it's still around all these years later because my children get to enjoy it too. When Smyths Toys got in touch, asking if we'd like to review one of their exclusive Playmobil sets I didn't hesitate in taking them up on the offer. I decided to go for the Playmobil City Life Children's Playground, but everything in the range looked fantastic.

It arrived a few days later, packaged nicely in the Playmobil packaging we are all familiar with. I like how the branding hasn't changed much over the years, it makes me feel nostalgic. Inside the box were multiple plastic bags, all filled to the brim with various bits and pieces.

I'm not going to lie, it took around half an hour to set the playset up because it's quite fiddly and there are lots of pieces. However, the instructions are easy to follow, and once I'd managed to get it all together I was very impressed! It's worth the time it took because the attention to detail is next to none, from the little squirrels and birds, through to the tiny little flowers and little water bottles. Everything is so lovely.

The Playmobil Children's Playground Set includes various play areas which can all be used together or separately. There's a park with a skateboard ramp, slide, and picnic area, a small sandpit park with a slide and a seesaw, a double swing set and a carousel swing. All the swings can move back and forth and the carousel spins around.

Not only does the set come with varies play areas, but it comes with 9 character figures and countless accessories which really add to the gameplay. The smaller accessories include; 1 x Bike, 1 x Pram, 1x Scooter, 1x Skateboard, 1 x Sieve, 1 x Bucket, 1 x Watering Can, 1 x Rake, 1 x Spade, 1 x Bench, 1 x Stool, 1 x Skate ramp ground, 1 x Crate, 6 x Bottles, 1 x Tongs, 1 x Barbecue, 1 x Barbecue cover, 1 x Barbecue griddle, 2 x Apples, 1 x Basket and 6 x Sausages. Basically, it contains everything you need on a children's playground and for a day out!

Playmobil is known for its quality, and attention to detail and this set is no exception. I know that these toys will stand the test of time, and think they'll enjoy these toys for years to come. I'd recommend this set for children who are new to Playmobil and for those who already collect it too. It's a great all-rounder. The Playmobil City Life Children's Playground Set is recommended for children from 3 years of age, retails at £39.99 and is available exclusively to Smyths Toys.

- We were sent this product for the purpose of this review, however, all opinions are my own.

Christmas Gift Guide - For Men

With Christmas just three weeks away, I'm now in the process publishing my annual Christmas gift guides. I really enjoy putting these together every year because they push me to think out of the box, to consider other options, and leave me feeling inspired. Earlier this week I published my Gift Guide for Women, which you can find here, but today's gift guide is focused on the men in our lives. I hope that my suggestions give you a little inspiration when it comes to gift-giving this Christmas.

Personalised Prosecco - from £16.99
I'm starting this gift guide with two products that are ideal for those who like to have a drink or two at Christmas time. It's Your Bottle offers a range of different wines, which can be personalised with your choice of label. Choose from red wines, white wines, prosecco or rose, and customise with a label suitable for the occasion that you are celebrating. I opted for a bottle of prosecco with a rather fitting, festive label, perfect for making a toast on Christmas day.

Dartington Crystal - Three Cheers for Beers Gift Set - £27.00
Give fellow beer lovers the chance to explore and indulge in different types of beer from around the world with the Dartington Three Cheers to Beers gift set. Included in the set are a classic pint glass, a stemmed Pilsner lager and a footed glass for strong, dark ales. I tend to reach for packs of beers for the blokes in my family, so this is a great alternative this year, one which I know my Father in law will really appreciate.

What's That Smell? - £24.99
As you can see by the front of the box it's described as "the party game that stinks" and just the tagline alone makes it appeal to so many blokes (and women) out there! It's dubbed as the first ever scent guessing party game that opens up a world of interesting smells! Guess the scent on the card correctly to win or you could be suffering the reeking ramifications of one of the deadly Stank Cards! Yuck! With over 50 smells from nice to downright nasty, What's That Smell? is a breath of fresh (and not-so-fresh) air in the party game category!

Levis Tshirt & Boxers Set - £30.00
This Levis set contains two essentials which always seem to make it under a blokes Christmas tree every year, but they are a little fancier! Inside the gift box is a cotton jersey t-shirt with a ribbed crew neck, short sleeves and a signature woven Levis logo pinch tag in the left side seam in red and white. There's also one pair of boxer briefs in black with an elasticated waistband featuring the signature Levis logo woven in white. You can purchase it online at Mainline Menswear.

Yankee Candle Amaretto Apple Elevation Candle - £23.99

Yankee Candle has just released a brand new collection of luxury candles, the Yankee Candle Elevation Collection with Platform Lid. All the candles in the feature a new versatile design with a tapered glass silhouette and dual-purpose lid which doubles up as a platform for the candle while it burns. As always there's an array of different fragrances and I chose Amaretto Apple because I think it sounds a little different from usual Christmas scents.

Joop! Homme - from £16.99

My partner and I always gift one another a new scent at Christmas and I think they make great gifts for fellow family members too. Sexy and confident, the popular Joop! Homme EDT is a classic scent for men and perfect for date nights or nights on the town. I'm thinking of purchasing Joop! Jump for my Dad next, which is available at Fresh Fragrance. Use the code CGD10 to receive 10% off all products on their website. Voucher code is valid until January 2019.

Go Ape Gift Voucher - from £10.00

Go Ape are firm believers that outdoor experiences make people happy. Whether it’s zipping through the treetops, whizzing along the forest floor, or bouncing on our super springy bounce nets, at Go Ape there’s an adventure for everyone. With 33 locations to choose from in the UK, your loved ones are in for one memorable experience. Gift vouchers start at just £10.00, meaning there's a price point for every wallet and for every occasion. Perfect for all those adrenaline junkies out there.

Manly Gift Hampers - from $19.95
You see so many hampers tailored at women, full of lotions and potions, scents and flowers - what about the blokes? Manly stock so many unique ideas, the promotion present ideas for men really stood out to me. Beef Jerky Rose Bouquet and Beer Mug - genius!

bakerday letterbox cake - from £14.99

Last, but not least how about a letterbox cake from bakerdays? You can't beat a nice cake at Christmas! It's so easy to use their website, you can literally have a personalised cake sent out in minutes, if not sooner! There are countless designs to choose from, a cake for every occasion, many of which can be personalised with names and photographs. Not only that but you can select what flavour cake you want. Traditional sponge, chocolate cake, lemon drizzle, fruit cake, gluten-free sponge or dairy free sponge? What will it be?

Swizzles Sweets - from £1.00

Swizzles are perfect for all those with a sweet tooth, who would perhaps like a trip down memory lane too! I have fond memories of nipping to the corner shop to buy a handful of double lollies and refreshers. The new range of Squashies are fantastic too, great for those who prefer softer, chewier sweets! I'm hoping Nick share's these! 

Do you like the look of any of these gifts? Which is your favourite?

- We were sent these products for the purpose of this gift guide, however, all opinions are my own.

Christmas Gift Guide - For Women

With Christmas only a matter of weeks away, it's time for my annual gift guides. I really enjoy putting these together every year because I end up feeling inspired by all the amazing suggestions that are sent my way. Though it's worth mentioning that I only include products in my guides that I would recommend and items that I genuinely think would make fantastic gifts. So, without further ado, here is my Christmas Gift Guide, for women.

Winter special buys from Aldi - from £3.99
The first products featured in my gift guide this year are these winter special buys from Aldi. I think this bundle would make a great collection of goodies for Christmas, suitable for mum's, grandmas, sisters, aunties, friends and so on. The Ladies Blanket Scarf retails at £8.49 and is available in four different designs; grey, teal, blue checked, and pink checked. It's the perfect way to stay warm, yet stylish this winter. The Ladies All Over Print Pyjamas and Ladies Smart Phone Gloves are also bargains, at just £8.99 and £3.99 each. I know that I'd be delighted if I found these under my Christmas tree.

Candles from Wax Lyrical - £18.99 each

Is it just me, or does everyone love candles? I have one lit all year round, but there's something about lighting candles in winter, especially at Christmas time. These two festive scented candles from Wax Lyrical again would make excellent gifts for most people out there, whether they are male or female. Wax Lyrical's Colony collection has added three new scents to their already impressive Christmas collection; Fireside, Alpine Retreat and Starry Night, alongside all-time favourites such as Vanilla & Cranberry, Cinnamon Spice and Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh. With such a variety of festive fragrances and scented products available, you can easily fill your home with gorgeous festive scents throughout winter.

Aqua Manda Bath Oil & Perfume - £7.49 & £27.50 
The iconic perfume from the 60s and 70s is back and guaranteed to take you on a trip down memory lane. Aqua Manda Perfume is made with the essential oils of mandarin, ginger, lavender, patchouli, cinnamon, and other aromatic herbs. The fragrance has a top note of Mandarin with an Oriental base notes. It's a fresh and longlasting scent which is suitable for both daytime and evening wear. The Bath Oil has the same fragrance as the classic Aqua Manda Perfume and is perfect for a pamper session. HoMedics Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser - £27.99 The HoMedics Dream Ultrasonic Diffuser is ideal for those who like to take care of themselves, or are in dire need of some TLC. It's a clever little light-up diffuser that uplifts aroma, to help you relax and to enhance your wellbeing, with up to five hours of continuous runtime. Included is a small starter kit, with orange and peppermint oils that provide a natural aroma to improve your mood.

Chase Pink Grapefruit & Pomelo Gin - £36.45
Gin is all the rage at the moment, whether it's regular gin or the flavoured variety. Made with Williams GB gin as the base spirit and infused with a delicate range of eight botanicals including; juniper, orange peel, licorice, elderflower, and bitter almond before distillation in a copper gin still with pink grapefruit and pomelo peel. I've tried a few different gin's lately, and this is a new found favourite. It's such a light and fresh spirit, with hints of citrus fruits. You can find this on offer at the moment at 31Dover.

Nina Ricci Nina Eau de Toilette Spray - £38.00
Now, who doesn't like to receive a bottle of perfume at Christmas time? Nina Ricci Nina Eau de Toilette tends to go down well with ladies of all ages with it's charming and seductive scent. There are lots of different scents available over on the Fresh Fragrance website, a couple of which have taken my fancy this year.

Champagne Afternoon for Two - £50.00
A luxurious afternoon tea for two at a hotel, restaurant, cocktail lounge or tea room? Where do I sign up? The Champagne afternoon for two experience from Red Letter Days is bound to put a smile on anyone's face, especially when the recipient realises that they can choose their own destination, time and date. This is a great option for when you are stuck for ideas and want to gift something a little different, something with a bit of pizzazz.
 

Flamigni Dark Chocolate & Amarena Cherry Panettone - £24.50
This luxurious panettone is ideal for foodies out there, or for anyone who loves a delicious treat at Christmas time. This version from Flamigni puts a twist on the classic Christmas bread that we all know and love by adding dark chocolate and cherries to the mix. It is presented in gorgeous gift wrap and tied up with string, ready to be gifted on Christmas day. I can imagine my whole family tucking into big slices, accompanied by mugs of hot chocolate with lashings of cream. This panettone and other varieties available online at Sous Chef.

Hallmark Itty Bitty's - £6.00 each

If you know someone who loves everything cute and cuddly, or who's a fan of Disney, Marvel, DC, then Itty Bitty's may be for them! There are so many different characters collect, with new ones released often. Cruella de Vil, Maleficent and Tigger are three of the latest Itty Bitty's and I think they are my favourite one's yet! Visit the website for more information, to purchase, or to see the other characters in the range.

Would you consider any of these gifts for Christmas?

- We were sent these products for the purpose of this gift guide, however, all opinions are my own.