The online source for all things Christmas
Saturday, 10 December 2011
That's Books: Rockford's Rock Opera
That's Books: Rockford's Rock Opera: Rockford's Rock Opera, the best selling App story series for children, is now available on DVD. You may not have heard of Rockford's Rock ...
How To Survive Your First Christmas Alone
Your first Christmas alone doesn't have to be terrible. Make sure that you plan what you are going to do well in advance and that you arrange to keep busy over the holiday period.
Be organised and don't leave any spare time when you might brood. Don't worry about what your ex partner is doing or who they are spending it with; make sure that you are so busy having a good time that it doesn't matter what they are doing. Don't let any negative feelings (anger, jealousy) about your ex get in the way of enjoying yourself.
Prior to the Christmas break take advantage of all the parties you are invited to. If you haven't got a company party or a networking 'do' to go to then why not throw your own party? You can even throw themed parties - there are various pamper, chocolate and jewellery parties available. If everyone brings a bottle and a plate of food hosting a party doesn't have to be too expensive.
One of the options available is to go away on holiday. Why not fly to the Canary Islands with a friend. Have champagne by the swimming pool on Christmas Day and on New Years Eve thoroughly enjoy the party atmosphere. If you don't know anyone who is single why not try Buddies4Travel (www.buddies4travel.co.uk) who can help you find a suitable travelling companion.
Alternatively, if you lead a hectic life, you could decide to spend the time on your own and have some quiet 'me' time. Stock up on your favourite foods, a good book and some classic DVDs and relax.
Don't forget to buy yourself a self-indulgent present such as a beauty treatment, a massage or a new outfit.
If you have other single friends who are going to be on their own over Christmas you could get together and have a house party. Why not play some board games such as Scrabble, Scattergories, Trivial Pursuit or a Murder Mystery? You don't have to be a child to play games! If money is an issue make a pact not to buy each other presents or limit the cost of presents for each other and share the cost of the food and drink.
Another option is to volunteer to work for a charity over Christmas. Why not help provide lunch for the homeless or visit a lonely elderly person? These websites provide some ideas about how you can hel:-
www.timebank.org.uk/volunteer_christmas/
www.do-it.org.uk
If you have children you should communicate with your ex about the arrangements for the holiday well in advance. Reassure the children that you will be OK while they are spending time with your ex, that you have plans and will not be sad or upset. Ensure that they are happy with the arrangements that have been made for them.
Have a very Merry Christmas!
Sue Atkins is a Parenting Expert, Broadcaster, Speaker and Author of the Amazon best selling book "Raising Happy Children for Dummies" one of the famous black and yellow series and the highly acclaimed Parenting Made Easy CDs. She has also just launched her 1st Parenting Made Easy app for iPhones and iPads.
She is currently writing a new book for Random House called "Parenting Made Easy" which will be available in April 2012.
Sue offers practical guidance for bringing up happy, confident, well behaved children from toddler to teen.
She regularly appears on BBC Breakfast and The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2 and is the parenting expert for many BBC Radio Stations around the UK. She has a regular monthly parenting phone-in on BBC Radio Surrey & Sussex and her parenting articles are published all over the world.
To receive Sue's free ebook bursting with practical tips and helpful advice from toddler to teen log on to www.theSueAtkins.com and download it instantly today.
Be organised and don't leave any spare time when you might brood. Don't worry about what your ex partner is doing or who they are spending it with; make sure that you are so busy having a good time that it doesn't matter what they are doing. Don't let any negative feelings (anger, jealousy) about your ex get in the way of enjoying yourself.
Prior to the Christmas break take advantage of all the parties you are invited to. If you haven't got a company party or a networking 'do' to go to then why not throw your own party? You can even throw themed parties - there are various pamper, chocolate and jewellery parties available. If everyone brings a bottle and a plate of food hosting a party doesn't have to be too expensive.
One of the options available is to go away on holiday. Why not fly to the Canary Islands with a friend. Have champagne by the swimming pool on Christmas Day and on New Years Eve thoroughly enjoy the party atmosphere. If you don't know anyone who is single why not try Buddies4Travel (www.buddies4travel.co.uk) who can help you find a suitable travelling companion.
Alternatively, if you lead a hectic life, you could decide to spend the time on your own and have some quiet 'me' time. Stock up on your favourite foods, a good book and some classic DVDs and relax.
Don't forget to buy yourself a self-indulgent present such as a beauty treatment, a massage or a new outfit.
If you have other single friends who are going to be on their own over Christmas you could get together and have a house party. Why not play some board games such as Scrabble, Scattergories, Trivial Pursuit or a Murder Mystery? You don't have to be a child to play games! If money is an issue make a pact not to buy each other presents or limit the cost of presents for each other and share the cost of the food and drink.
Another option is to volunteer to work for a charity over Christmas. Why not help provide lunch for the homeless or visit a lonely elderly person? These websites provide some ideas about how you can hel:-
www.timebank.org.uk/volunteer_christmas/
www.do-it.org.uk
If you have children you should communicate with your ex about the arrangements for the holiday well in advance. Reassure the children that you will be OK while they are spending time with your ex, that you have plans and will not be sad or upset. Ensure that they are happy with the arrangements that have been made for them.
Have a very Merry Christmas!
Sue Atkins is a Parenting Expert, Broadcaster, Speaker and Author of the Amazon best selling book "Raising Happy Children for Dummies" one of the famous black and yellow series and the highly acclaimed Parenting Made Easy CDs. She has also just launched her 1st Parenting Made Easy app for iPhones and iPads.
She is currently writing a new book for Random House called "Parenting Made Easy" which will be available in April 2012.
Sue offers practical guidance for bringing up happy, confident, well behaved children from toddler to teen.
She regularly appears on BBC Breakfast and The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2 and is the parenting expert for many BBC Radio Stations around the UK. She has a regular monthly parenting phone-in on BBC Radio Surrey & Sussex and her parenting articles are published all over the world.
To receive Sue's free ebook bursting with practical tips and helpful advice from toddler to teen log on to www.theSueAtkins.com and download it instantly today.
That's Christmas: Magic Memories Of Christmas
That's Christmas: Magic Memories Of Christmas: Sue Atkins gives half a dozen tips to make this year's family Christmas something to remember for all the right reasons. A friend of mine ...(Plus! Free ebook!)
Magic Memories Of Christmas
Sue Atkins gives half a dozen tips to make this year's family Christmas something to remember for all the right reasons.
A friend of mine is having trouble sorting out the arrangements over Christmas Dinner with her ex. I thought that maybe I should encourage her to refocus her priorities, by reminding her of something important. Right now she is creating a blueprint of how she handles this magical time for her kids - and she is in the process of making and creating memories for them that will last for their lifetimes.
So often people focus on the stress of Christmas but I like to focus on the positive things in life. You can leave creating a great time and wonderful memories to chance, or you can weave the magic tapestry of a wonderful experience of Christmas with your family through great design and planning.
Here are six ideas to conjure up that extra bit of magic in your Christmas, or holiday time:
IDEA 1: Imagine it
Just take a little time now to close your eyes, take in a couple of deep relaxing breaths and visualise in a perfect world how you'd like your Christmas to look... and sound.. and feel... make the picture really colourful, brighter and really up close to you... and perhaps you could imagine just stepping into the picture or film that you have running in your head and really imagine being in there. Imagine I have waved a magic wand and have made things just as you would really want... and do this over and over again until it feels real. You'll start to notice the difference in how much more relaxed you immediately feel and you'll start to notice what seems to unfold as if by magic from now on!
IDEA 2: Capture the Memories
Take lots of digital photos during family get-togethers. Upload the photos to a family photo-sharing site (I recommend: www.DropShots.com; it's safe and secure, and photos are not shared publicly or indexed by search engines) and send the link to everyone.
During your get-togethers have family pictures and albums available from previous holidays. They can stimulate conversations and warm memories of Christmases past and - of important people who might no longer be around anymore.
IDEA 3: The Sound of Music
Get the music cranked up and blaring in your house! From Christmas Carols to Slade or Leona Lewis! And ask everyone in your family what their favourite songs are and go online to i-tunes, find the songs, download them, make a copy for everyone to keep as a great memory and a personal little pressie to give to them. Everyone's favourite Christmas holiday music all captured on one CD - what a special gift and memory!
IDEA 4: Box O' Wishes
This idea comes from Oprah Winfrey... place a small box at everyone's place setting containing an index card for each person. Ask everyone to answer one or more of these questions about each person there and put the answers into their box.
Example questions are:
• What I love about you is...
• Thank you for...
• My Christmas wish for you is...
Everyone will leave with perhaps the most meaningful gift they have ever received—a box of love and good wishes from everyone at the party. This is really a lovely moment as it also sets the tone and frame of mind for your entire time together!
IDEA 5: Box O' Questions
Everyone thinks up and writes down 2 to 3 questions on topics they would like to know about each other or, as host, you can create a list of questions. The questions need to be general enough so they can be answered by anyone.
Put all the questions in a box and pass it around to each person to select and answer.
Example questions are:
• What is your favourite childhood memory?
• What is the most important life lesson you learned from your parents?
• Who was your childhood best friend and what made them so special?
• What was school like for you as a child? What were your best and worst subjects?
• Who were your childhood heroes and why?
• What accomplishments are you the most proud of?
• What is your most important goal for the next 3 to 5 years?
IDEA 6: Time Versus Trinket
For your close family and friends, instead of marching through the shopping centres to find the "perfect gift," the most meaningful gift you can give is your time. Along with a card filled with thoughtful sentiments, enclose half-a-dozen experiences you are giving for them for the coming year.
Examples are:
• A picnic at a special place.
• A trip to the beach or the snowy mountains or a lovely river.
• A football game, a local fair, a film, a special lunch outing at their favourite restaurant, etc.
• An entire day when you will do anything they want you to do or accompany them anywhere—without complaint!
Explore, get creative and relax and I really wish you and your family a warm, wonderful and especially meaningful Christmas holiday!
Have a magical time!
Sue Atkins is a Parenting Expert, Broadcaster, Speaker and Author of the Amazon best selling book "Raising Happy Children for Dummies" one of the famous black and yellow series and the highly acclaimed Parenting Made Easy CDs. She has also just launched her 1st Parenting Made Easy app for iPhones and iPads.
She is currently writing a new book for Random House called "Parenting Made Easy" which will be available in April 2012.
Sue offers practical guidance for bringing up happy, confident, well behaved children from toddler to teen.
She regularly appears on BBC Breakfast and The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2 and is the parenting expert for many BBC Radio Stations around the UK. She has a regular monthly parenting phone-in on BBC Radio Surrey & Sussex and her parenting articles are published all over the world.
To receive Sue's free ebook bursting with practical tips and helpful advice from toddler to teen log on to www.theSueAtkins.com and download it instantly today.
A friend of mine is having trouble sorting out the arrangements over Christmas Dinner with her ex. I thought that maybe I should encourage her to refocus her priorities, by reminding her of something important. Right now she is creating a blueprint of how she handles this magical time for her kids - and she is in the process of making and creating memories for them that will last for their lifetimes.
So often people focus on the stress of Christmas but I like to focus on the positive things in life. You can leave creating a great time and wonderful memories to chance, or you can weave the magic tapestry of a wonderful experience of Christmas with your family through great design and planning.
Here are six ideas to conjure up that extra bit of magic in your Christmas, or holiday time:
IDEA 1: Imagine it
Just take a little time now to close your eyes, take in a couple of deep relaxing breaths and visualise in a perfect world how you'd like your Christmas to look... and sound.. and feel... make the picture really colourful, brighter and really up close to you... and perhaps you could imagine just stepping into the picture or film that you have running in your head and really imagine being in there. Imagine I have waved a magic wand and have made things just as you would really want... and do this over and over again until it feels real. You'll start to notice the difference in how much more relaxed you immediately feel and you'll start to notice what seems to unfold as if by magic from now on!
IDEA 2: Capture the Memories
Take lots of digital photos during family get-togethers. Upload the photos to a family photo-sharing site (I recommend: www.DropShots.com; it's safe and secure, and photos are not shared publicly or indexed by search engines) and send the link to everyone.
During your get-togethers have family pictures and albums available from previous holidays. They can stimulate conversations and warm memories of Christmases past and - of important people who might no longer be around anymore.
IDEA 3: The Sound of Music
Get the music cranked up and blaring in your house! From Christmas Carols to Slade or Leona Lewis! And ask everyone in your family what their favourite songs are and go online to i-tunes, find the songs, download them, make a copy for everyone to keep as a great memory and a personal little pressie to give to them. Everyone's favourite Christmas holiday music all captured on one CD - what a special gift and memory!
IDEA 4: Box O' Wishes
This idea comes from Oprah Winfrey... place a small box at everyone's place setting containing an index card for each person. Ask everyone to answer one or more of these questions about each person there and put the answers into their box.
Example questions are:
• What I love about you is...
• Thank you for...
• My Christmas wish for you is...
Everyone will leave with perhaps the most meaningful gift they have ever received—a box of love and good wishes from everyone at the party. This is really a lovely moment as it also sets the tone and frame of mind for your entire time together!
IDEA 5: Box O' Questions
Everyone thinks up and writes down 2 to 3 questions on topics they would like to know about each other or, as host, you can create a list of questions. The questions need to be general enough so they can be answered by anyone.
Put all the questions in a box and pass it around to each person to select and answer.
Example questions are:
• What is your favourite childhood memory?
• What is the most important life lesson you learned from your parents?
• Who was your childhood best friend and what made them so special?
• What was school like for you as a child? What were your best and worst subjects?
• Who were your childhood heroes and why?
• What accomplishments are you the most proud of?
• What is your most important goal for the next 3 to 5 years?
IDEA 6: Time Versus Trinket
For your close family and friends, instead of marching through the shopping centres to find the "perfect gift," the most meaningful gift you can give is your time. Along with a card filled with thoughtful sentiments, enclose half-a-dozen experiences you are giving for them for the coming year.
Examples are:
• A picnic at a special place.
• A trip to the beach or the snowy mountains or a lovely river.
• A football game, a local fair, a film, a special lunch outing at their favourite restaurant, etc.
• An entire day when you will do anything they want you to do or accompany them anywhere—without complaint!
Explore, get creative and relax and I really wish you and your family a warm, wonderful and especially meaningful Christmas holiday!
Have a magical time!
Sue Atkins is a Parenting Expert, Broadcaster, Speaker and Author of the Amazon best selling book "Raising Happy Children for Dummies" one of the famous black and yellow series and the highly acclaimed Parenting Made Easy CDs. She has also just launched her 1st Parenting Made Easy app for iPhones and iPads.
She is currently writing a new book for Random House called "Parenting Made Easy" which will be available in April 2012.
Sue offers practical guidance for bringing up happy, confident, well behaved children from toddler to teen.
She regularly appears on BBC Breakfast and The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2 and is the parenting expert for many BBC Radio Stations around the UK. She has a regular monthly parenting phone-in on BBC Radio Surrey & Sussex and her parenting articles are published all over the world.
To receive Sue's free ebook bursting with practical tips and helpful advice from toddler to teen log on to www.theSueAtkins.com and download it instantly today.
Friday, 9 December 2011
That's Food and Drink: Morrisons To Stock Monastery Cheese From Shepherds...
That's Food and Drink: Morrisons To Stock Monastery Cheese From Shepherds...: A traditional mould rinded, soft cow's milk cheese originating from Middle Age monks has been reproduced by artisan Yorkshire cheese makers ...
That's Food and Drink: Need a dairy free Christmas? Then indulge yoursel...
That's Food and Drink: Need a dairy free Christmas? Then indulge yoursel...: As the festive season fast approaches, households across the UK will be stocking up on seasonal treats to indulge in over the Christmas ho...
Aldi for Christmas
Over the next several days, That's Christmas and sister site That's Food and Drink will be writing articles about the special seasonal foods and drinks (including speciality spirits, liquors, wines and beers) that are available from Aldi.
The quality is far higher than some 'nationally known' food brands and all at far keener prices, too.
Please keep an eye out for these articles. Because they'll tell you how with Aldi you will be able to host the perfect Chirstmas and New year and all at prices that you might think went out of fashion, years ago!
The quality is far higher than some 'nationally known' food brands and all at far keener prices, too.
Please keep an eye out for these articles. Because they'll tell you how with Aldi you will be able to host the perfect Chirstmas and New year and all at prices that you might think went out of fashion, years ago!
Thursday, 8 December 2011
That's Food and Drink: Take a Butchers this Christmas!
That's Food and Drink: Take a Butchers this Christmas!: Research published today reveals that three quarters of the great British public suffer stress as a result of buying and preparing Christm...
That's Business: UK small businesses party on this Christmas
That's Business: UK small businesses party on this Christmas: Eight out of ten micro businesses maintain Christmas party despite economic slow-down Res...
Are YOU Sudocrem’s 2011 Christmas Superchef?
Sudocrem launch their Christmas Facebook competition – to crown their ‘2011 Christmas Superchef’ - the grand prize being a 3 day trip to one of France’s top cookery schools for two people.
Sudocrem are getting stuck into the Christmas spirit this year by asking the nation’s parents to grab their cooking utensils, chef’s hats and create and share their best Christmas themed recipes on their Facebook page. Entrants will be judged by Channel 4s ‘How Clean Is Your House’ hostess, Aggie Mackenzie (who has just released ‘Aggie’s Family Cookbook’), who will select three winners who will win (first prize) a 3 day cookery course in France for 2, (second prize) a £150 Selfridges Christmas hamper and (third prize) £75 Marks & Spencer’s vouchers.
How to enter:
Step 1 - Prepare, bake, fry, steam, boil or stew your own Christmas themed recipe then take a picture of your creation
Step 2 – Visit and ‘Like’ the Sudocrem Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Sudocrem)
Step 3 - Follow the competition page instructions: Enter your name, upload your picture and paste your recipe into the text box provided
Step 4 - Keep your fingers crossed that Aggie takes a shine to your creation!
Competition Start Date - 7.12.2011
Competition Finish Date – 4.1.2012
Competition winners announced – 5.1.2012
The Prizes:
1st Prize: 3 day cookery course for 2 in France and £200 contribution towards travel
2nd Prize: £150 Christmas Hamper from Selfridges
3rd Prize: £75 Marks & Spencer’s vouchers
FACTFILE:
Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream has been helping to soothe sore skin for almost 80 years. The market leader nappy rash cream, it’s used by mums, dads and healthcare professionals everywhere.
Unlike some nappy rash products on the market, Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream is a licensed medicine, which means we’ve had to submit clinical data proving that Sudocrem is an effective and safe treatment and of consistent high quality.
It has proved itself as a product that can be trusted to soothe, heal and protect a baby’s delicate skin and works in three ways:
• It contains an emollient that soothes sore or inflamed skin.
• It works as a mild local anaesthetic to help ease pain and irritation.
• A water-repellent base forms a protective barrier, helping to stop any irritants (urine and faeces) coming into contact with the skin.
Sudocrem asks that you always read the label. That's Christmas asks that you remember to have some in your Christmas first aid kit.
Sudocrem are getting stuck into the Christmas spirit this year by asking the nation’s parents to grab their cooking utensils, chef’s hats and create and share their best Christmas themed recipes on their Facebook page. Entrants will be judged by Channel 4s ‘How Clean Is Your House’ hostess, Aggie Mackenzie (who has just released ‘Aggie’s Family Cookbook’), who will select three winners who will win (first prize) a 3 day cookery course in France for 2, (second prize) a £150 Selfridges Christmas hamper and (third prize) £75 Marks & Spencer’s vouchers.
How to enter:
Step 1 - Prepare, bake, fry, steam, boil or stew your own Christmas themed recipe then take a picture of your creation
Step 2 – Visit and ‘Like’ the Sudocrem Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Sudocrem)
Step 3 - Follow the competition page instructions: Enter your name, upload your picture and paste your recipe into the text box provided
Step 4 - Keep your fingers crossed that Aggie takes a shine to your creation!
Competition Start Date - 7.12.2011
Competition Finish Date – 4.1.2012
Competition winners announced – 5.1.2012
The Prizes:
1st Prize: 3 day cookery course for 2 in France and £200 contribution towards travel
2nd Prize: £150 Christmas Hamper from Selfridges
3rd Prize: £75 Marks & Spencer’s vouchers
FACTFILE:
Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream has been helping to soothe sore skin for almost 80 years. The market leader nappy rash cream, it’s used by mums, dads and healthcare professionals everywhere.
Unlike some nappy rash products on the market, Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream is a licensed medicine, which means we’ve had to submit clinical data proving that Sudocrem is an effective and safe treatment and of consistent high quality.
It has proved itself as a product that can be trusted to soothe, heal and protect a baby’s delicate skin and works in three ways:
• It contains an emollient that soothes sore or inflamed skin.
• It works as a mild local anaesthetic to help ease pain and irritation.
• A water-repellent base forms a protective barrier, helping to stop any irritants (urine and faeces) coming into contact with the skin.
Sudocrem asks that you always read the label. That's Christmas asks that you remember to have some in your Christmas first aid kit.
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