SO…Children’s Presents!
Can I start by saying I have literally bought
ZERO Christmas presents yet.
I will probably do it online in the
next couple of days.
Nor have I put my tree up.
Probably at the weekend.
It will all get done,
it won’t be a rush –
so if you are panicking…
trust me.
No need.
S’all good.
These Santa notes made me laugh…
oh and I loved this one…
I just got off the phone from a conversation
with someone (who was booking FitCamp),
and we were comparing the relative expectations
of what we, as children, hoped for at Christmas
and what today’s children’s expectations are.
(she’s getting on a bit, like me, 😉 )
I just want to say today – that while the media is
so clever at persuading us all to spend a small
fortune at Christmas
and especially for our children…
Here’s 3 ideas that you might not have thought of
that will have brought so much more joy
than the Bratz doll whose head came off
by January 5th….
(And the Furby which WILL make you
sh*t yourself in the middle of the night at least twice
over the next couple of weeks.)
Or the phone they are just too young
to need.
Sorry.
I’ve said it.
#1 A Couple of Goldfish
PROMISE!
Bear with me.
If you can secretly set up the aquarium
in the playroom
or EVEN their bedroom
(tricky but it can be done)
For them to ‘open’ in the morning
with a note introducing them to their
new owner.
They will LOVE IT!!!!!
This is why Goldfish are a PARTICULARLY
cunning present for children:
* They are proven to CALM children and
reduce anxiety – and WEIRDLY
improves their appetite
Watching a goldfish swimming gently
actually can actually produce an almost
meditative effect on the brain.
AND a Purdue Uni study found that watching goldfish
improved appetite by 17%. Random but true.
* They are REALLY low maintenance
Change of water every now and then
and food really.
* They teach children RESPONSIBILITY
An easy job, little sprinkle of food
but EVERY DAY.
* They are a pretty nightlight
so really useful for reluctant sleepers
#2 A Dressing Up Chest/
Xmas Photo Booth
Ok this is cool – I did this.
So this is what you do:
You get a big, old chest –
I got one in TKMaxx inexpensively.
Think it was £8 in the sale – they always have
these in.
Or use a toy box.
2nd Hand actually adds to the charm.
Trawl the charity shops/shout out to FB friends/
search the loft,
and fill the box with hats, scarves, masks,
spectacles, crazy shoes, walking sticks,
wigs, snorkels, wedding dresses –
the madder, the better,
THEN
Find a corner of a room you are all going to be
in on Christmas Day.
The PHOTO BOOTH
Decorate it accordingly and get a BIG picture frame
(just the frame – no glass or backing)
And make a sign
“TANYA’S FANCY DRESS PHOTO BOOTH”
For Camp Drama, hide behind a curtain,
for a dramatic reveal
but whatever you can manage…
Place a disposable or
other camera in the wrapped dressing up box
and tell the kiddly they are in charge of the photos
for Christmas Day.
Of course they get to keep the dressing up box
afterwards and have fun adding to it throughout the year.
I started one YEARS ago
and still I know if someone is looking for a certain
fancy dress outfit. I will, in fact have it.
No end of FUN
Dress up
Stand behind the frame
And the photos are memories forever.
(especially if you print them out and
put them in the frame with the glass!)
I am slightly allergic to the bright pink
plastic wands and Frozen dresses…
but if you already have that stuff, whack it in.
#3 FART Machine (sorry)
Sorry to put a silly one in there,
but I have yet to meet a little boy
who is not ENCHANTED by this.
Or any one of my daughters…
Swiss finishing school for them, then.
He/she can get all the pricey presents under the sun
but THIS is what they will spend the day
playing with …
Sorry, Auntie Sandra.
So YAY! Happy hunting.
And don’t forget – they want YOU.
The presents are pretty quickly forgotten
but the memories of the games
and the fun
will stay with them forever!
Last thing….
Can I be a Nag?
Please don’t spend more than you have
February is miserable enough as it is.
Lots of Love
Tanya and Claire
xxxx
p.s. We already started our Christmas Celebrations
this week!
#partyfrocks
www.wiseandgorgeous.com
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p.p.s And if you want to feel WAY less miserable
by February.
And know you have a plan.
And that things are under control
And know we got your back??
There is so much new stuff
it is almost illegal!
Jan FitCamp starts January 5th
and Bookings are Open.
Find out more here: FITCAMP INFO
Or just bloody well book it
because you know you are going to
anyway and you’ll be gutted if it
fills – which it always does in January
Click HERE: FITCAMP BOOK NOW