FamiliesBedfordshireNovDec22

Welcome

We have everything you’ll need for a perfect family Christmas in this issue, including the best Advent Calendars on offer, gifts for teachers for under £10, hacks to make everything go smoothly, green ideas and a green gift guide, DIY decorations for the kids to make and lots more. Plus if you fancy a festive UK family city break – which could double as a giftbuying opportunity – then investigate some of the cities that put on the best show in the lead up to the big day.

Meanwhile, life ticks on. If your child starts school in September 2023, it’s time to choose schools to put on your application and we have tips and advice for you.

Finally, in this issue, we have Christmas gifts and tonnes of Weebles to giveaway! Apply for these adorable wiggly, wobbly mini-toys at familiesmag. co.uk/go. By doing so, you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.

in touch

Competition winners from our

Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a

Don’t be an energy VAMPIRE!

Get

kids

in

from PlanBee. It

energy this winter

DON’T BE AN ENERGY VAMPIRE!

Switch o the following electrical devices at the socket when you have finished using them:

Some appliances should not be turned

Put these mini posters above any light switches in your classroom or home

DON’T WASTE ENERGY!

Turn o the light when there is no one in the room.

BE ENERGY AWARE!

Turn o the light when there is no one in the room.

BE ENERGY AWARE!

Turn o the light when there is no one in the room.

DON’T WASTE ENERGY!

Turn o the light when there is no one in the room.

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www.planbee.com

ENERGY SAVING IDEAS

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Have a

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Lamp TelevisionComputer Games console Phone charger

.

TURN OFF your fridge, freezer or boiler, for example. If you are

ask an adult.

Turn o the lights when you are not in the room and switch o unused devices at the socket.

Don’t leave the water running when you are brushing your teeth or washing your hands.

Instead of immediately putting the heating on, try wearing a jumper and thick socks

Take a short shower instead of a bath - you’ll

as the

needed

Make a ‘no-cook’ meal once a week -

that

no energy to produce.

energy’ family

-

board

Reasons to teach black British history

By Ilhan Rayen Awed

Black British history is British history and so the teaching of it in schools across the UK is imperative. Why? Only when this is the case can every student understand and acknowledge the contributions that Black Britons have made to this country.

The parents’ guide to primary school

By Gabrielle Nash

Has your child just started school? Are you discovering

of unfamiliar school practices and processes as well as strange new terminology and acronyms to understand and get used to? If so, our guide will help you get to grips with these.

Best board games for learning

It’s a great time to snuggle up inside with a board game. If you’re thinking of adding to your collection, here are some options that particularly enhance children’s learning.

Feed the Woozle Fosters self-regulation in a fun & silly way. Ages 3-6. £19.99

Life on Earth memory and matching game Great for encouraging focussed attention. Ages 3+. £17.99

Spot it Junior!

Children learn to suppress their first impulse. Ages 4. £14.39

Zingo Bingo Develops language skills & self-regulation. Ages 4+. £17

Melissa and Doug Suspend Junior

Encourages planning, decision making & fine motor skills. Ages 4+. £21.99

Sequence for Kids

Involves taking turns, planning & prioritising. Enhances short term memory. Ages 4-7. £30.25

Carcassone

Develops planning, working memory, taking turns & prioritising. Ages 7+. £36.99.

Kingdomino

Develops spatial awareness, decision making, executive functioning & gameplay. Ages 8+. £22.35

Rat-a-tat Cat

Practises maths, memory skills, risk-taking, taking turns, counting & critical thinking. Age 6+. £12.49

Gifts for teachers for under a tenner

Realised the kids break up soon and you haven’t chosen something for them to give as a gift? Here are some ideas that won’t break the budget.

The Body Shop

‘Create your Own’ gift pouch

Fill the pouch with a selection of Body Shop goodies. £3

‘Epic things to teach’ personalised notebook

Add photos and teacher’s name for personalisation. £4.99

Personalised ‘Thank you’ bracelet

Apple-shaped bracelet with personalised message. £1.99

Terrific Teacher glasses case

Stylish gift for a teacher who wears glasses. £2.99

Jamie Oliver’s DIY Christmas pudding gift jar

Just buy the ingredients and the kids can make this themselves.

Milk chocolate trophy

Award your teacher with a chocolate trophy. £10.

One4all gift card

Can be used with 130+ brands in store and online. £10

Personalised resin coaster

Handmade resin teacher coaster with a name of your choice. £8.99

Personalised mug

Remind them they’re the best teacher on the planet! £9.99

Eco Christmas gift guide

Spread a bit of festive joy by being good to your family and the planet. These gifts for kids and adults will make everyone’s day without costing the earth.

Nature Curious subscription boxes

Explore British wildlife with eco-packaged worksheets & nature prints. £20 per month.

Barekind bamboo socks

Bright and colourful stocking filler helps save the endangered animal on them! £7.50

Kabode Alphabet children’s bedding

Fun collection of 100% certified organic cotton bedding makes learning fun. £44.95

Play Kits subscription boxes

Sustainable & organic kits support pre-school brain development. From £80

Bake at Home gingerbread people kit

Home-delivered. Delicious ready-made dough, cutter & recipe. £15

DIY lip tint or cheek balm kit

Design all-natural lip tints or cheek balms with gorgeous ingredients. Plastic-free. £19.99

Tartan wool blanket

Made from at least 70% recycled wool plus preloved, recycled fibres. £32

Halo water bottle

Insulated, compact, lightweight, handbag & pocket-friendly. Hydration on the move. From £22

Cashmere fingerless gloves

Super-cosy, one-size, made from discarded cashmere jumpers. £24

Get greener this Christmas

Christmas trees

Don’t use artificial trees – they aren’t recyclable and will end up in landfill.

Hire a Christmas tree from a garden centre or plant nursery. Buy a pot grown tree and plant it in the garden in January. Use it next year!

Recycle real trees. Check arrangements with your council.

Eco alternatives

Use reusable, fabric crackers. Wrap gifts with recycled paper or fabric.

Go for a real, fresh wreath made with seasonal, natural foliage.

Buy a reusable Advent Calendar. Fill with your own gifts. Make your own decorations.

Pot grown tree care

Christmas dinner

Plan meals in advance, taking account of visitors, so you don’t buy more food than you need. Seal and freeze all the leftovers that you can.

Give unused food away to friends, family or neighbours.

Eat less meat and try vegan versions of Christmas classics.

Christmas gifts

Consider second hand or refurbished items eg bikes, tech. Try giving experiences such as theatre tickets or days out instead of gifts.

Buy reusable items like refillable water bottles and beeswax wraps.

Buy consumables like food and toiletries as gifts.

Christmas leftovers

Learn the difference between potted trees and container grown trees, which ones have the best chance of survival and how to care for them.

Four of Jamie’s tasty leftover recipes including turkey stew with leek & smoky bacon biscuit dumplings, bubble & squeak, smoky veggie chilli & hodgepodge pie.

Festive family city breaks

Our friends at Tested by Tots have identified some of the best family friendly cities to explore with your little ones this Christmas.

Durham

A beautiful, picturesque city & a great Christmas Festival from 2-4 December.

Winchester Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market is inspired by German Christmas markets further afield.

Norwich Home to the most anticipated Christmas attraction in the UK - The Tunnel of Light!

Nottingham Festive markets from retro style to a sparkling Winter Wonderland!

Exeter

Ice rink, Winter Wonderland, carol concerts, pantomimes. Exeter truly embraces Christmas!

Santa Trains to Arley take families to see their favourite characters in pantomime.

Glasgow Festivals, pantos and children’s classic concerts such as The Night Before Christmas.

Cardiff Fantastic Christmas festival with incredible shows at Cardiff Castle.

Belfast Light shows, displays, markets and a Georgian experience. This city goes big!

Kidderminster

Christmas treats to make with the kids

Christmas gingerbread people

Christmas pudding Malteser cake

Have some fun in the kitchen with a classic gingerbread recipe your kids will love to make. Decorate your people using dried fruits, nuts and coconut for a healthier treat that tastes fantastic. The kids will particularly enjoy making their little people truly personal.

This sneaky cake is a bit of a trickster! It looks like a Christmas pudding but is, in fact, a delicious chocolate cake covered in Maltesers. Kids will love tricking others with this cake and, of course, they will also love the taste of this chocolate extravaganza!

Christmas cookie houses

Gingerbread houses are a Christmas tradition but these little cookie houses are so much easier to assemble and just as fun.

Use different biscuits and decorative items to give each cookie house a unique, fun look. The kids can even make a small Christmas town of their own.

Top Advent Calendar Picks

More Christmas gift ideas

Hot Wheels Car Plate by Munchy Play

My Self-Esteem Journal & My Worry Journal

Rev-up mealtimes with the official Hot Wheels™ Car Plate. Race cars around the Hot Wheels™ track, pull stunts and dodge obstacles past the finish line. Designed by a mum, the colourful blue and orange plate makes a fun gift for kids (ages 3+), fussy eaters, and car fans. £16.50.

Girls Support Girls

Girls Support Girls is a small but mighty book bursting with kick-ass quotes, uplifting statements and awesome affirmations – a celebration of female strength and solidarity. There’s nothing more powerful than a strong woman –except for two strong women supporting each other! £6.99.

Two new activity journals inspired by the numberone best-selling children’s mental health title You’re a Star by Poppy O’Neill. Books contain cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques to help children aged 7+ grow in confidence. £7.99 each.

The Book for Badass Women

The Book for Badass Women is a sassy little book filled with empowering tips and quotes. What is a badass woman? Whatever the heck she wants to be!

Dive head first into advice on strengthening your selfconfidence, going after your goals and empowering other women. £9.99

Christmas hacks for parents Keeping presents hidden

In the loft – assuming your child can’t access it or wouldn’t think to look there!

In the car boot – this is a winner if you can’t access it from the back seats.

Inside luggage – zip presents into a suitcase.

Another house – leaving with friends or family will thwart the most ardent snooper!

Laundry basket – kids are unlikely to go digging through dirty laundry so stash some wrapped presents at the bottom.

In the run up

Ignore the hype – don’t compare your family to every trend on social media. Love your lists – getting things down on paper definitely helps you stay sane.

Delegate – don’t do everything. Ask for help and get everyone involved.

Drop high stress rituals –families thrive on traditions but choose the ones most important to you. Stick to routines - your child will find it reassuring. Avoid back to back socialising and travel – try to arrange some visits after Christmas.

Choosing and caring for your Christmas tree

Measure the height of your room before you choose a tree. Nordmann Fir is a great choice as it does not drop its glossy dark needles and has a good shape.

Place in a stand with a well of water in the base.

Check daily and top up the water when the level drops.

Choose a cool place, away from radiators and fires.

Don’t let your tree dry out.

On the day

Not all at once - spread out gift-opening to keep Christmas morning manageable.

Turn present-giving into a game – everyone takes turns and must try to guess what it is before opening. Avoid present chaos - wrap everyone’s Christmas gifts in different paper so you can recognise them.

Prioritise presence over presents – remember Christmas is really about time with your family.

Avoid overload – kids can get over stimulated so give them time to play quietly or rest.

Do you fling a box

Let’s go crackers!

hand at

Racing

Joke, snap, hat & pullback racing pig + racetrack.

Make

DIY colour in cracker kit. £14.50

Nutcracker crackers

Joke, hat, snap & handpainted tree decoration. £19.99

Who

Giant popcorn

Giant cracker &

Xylophone musical

salted

Hat,

Bowling

6

Recycled origami

Everything

Bingo crackers

Family