Families Hertfordshire November/December 2022 Digital

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 gift-buying 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.

Dale

Redbourn Christmas Market

Kick off the festive season with a visit to the pretty, historic village of Redbourn which will, on Sunday 27th November (11am-5pm), be transformed into the annual Christmas Market.

Indulge in a wealth of local crafts, fabulous food and entertainment, and over 100 wonderful stalls. Wander along the High Street, outside the Village Hall and around Cumberland Gardens to find a huge range of quality products, beautiful crafts and gift ideas to get your Christmas shopping underway. There will be an array of food and drink available too.

Father Christmas will be making a visit and there will be entertainment from the very best local musical talent to get everyone in the Christmas mood. Plus activities for children to enjoy and FREE parking!

For more information visit website

Calling all Christmas

Elves!

The magical Christmas Grotto is returning to The Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, and this year it’s taking the form of a rustic and cosy North Pole Post Office!

Whilst tickets to the Grotto will be available to book for FREE, there will be collections for the local charity, DENS, who do fantastic work supporting the homeless population around Hemel Hempstead.

To book tickets for dates in November and December visit website

Herts Vision Loss Christmas competition

Local charity Herts Vision Loss continues to do great work in the county, assisting and empowering those with visual impairment.

The charity, with support from local patron and author Keith Timewell, is hosting a competition where you can win tickets to the Harry Potter Studio.

To be in with a chance of winning entrants should send a picture, photograph or artwork which encompasses what Christmas means to them.

For full details visit hertsvisionloss.org.uk

Reasons to teach black British history

By Ilhan Rayen Awed

The parents’ guide to primary school

By Gabrielle Nash

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.

READ MORE

Understanding subtle forms of bullying

Has your child just started school? Are you discovering all sorts 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.

READ MORE

Is your mental image of a bully someone who pushes your child over in the playground or steals their lunch? Or maybe you picture your child being pursued by bullies on their device? But what about more subtle types of bullying? How do you recognise these? And are they actually bullying?

READ MORE

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

Choosing the right primary school

By Gabrielle Nash

If your child turns four this academic year, they’ll be starting Reception next September and now’s the time to make their primary school applications. Exciting times!

Your child’s primary school and its community becomes a large part of your family’s life, so feeling happy about the choice is very important. Depending on where you live you might have just one, two or maybe three schools to apply to. Or there may be numerous schools if you live in a city. So how do you go about knowing which will be a good fit for you and your child?

The catchment area

School catchment area is a key admission criterion for schools. This is generally be based on the furthest distance that a pupil was admitted to the school the previous year but boundaries can be extended or shrink, according to the variables of each intake year. For example, one year there may be a larger cohort of siblings or looked-after children taking priority or it may be a year with a high birth rate, so the map alone does not guarantee your top choice.

You can check each school’s catchment area through your local authority to establish whether you’re likely to fall within it. Think carefully before aiming for a school for which

you’re not in the catchment area. You don’t want to waste one of your choices.

Practicalities are very important too. Is the location of the school convenient? READ MORE

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

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

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

Christmas leftovers

CHRISTMAS

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

Gifts for teachers for under a tenner

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!

Kidderminster 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!

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.

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.

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 MARKETS AND SANTA AT THE WOODMAN INN Visit Website

Nuthampstead, Royston

On the 17th and 18th of December The Woodman Inn is hosting its annual Christmas markets, showcasing the best the community has to offer, including a fun and festive dog show! On Friday December 23rd there will be a special visit from Father Christmas!

Why not have lunch with Santa, enjoy Christmas crafts, and story time with an elf! A delicious meal is included in the price too! Booking essential. £25 per child* (includes a 2 course lunch, crafts, and a gift) *see website for further information, email events@nutwoodpubs.com or call 01763 848328.

MARLOWES MAGICAL CHRISTMAS Visit Website

Head to the North Pole Post Office and meet Santa and his Elves. Arts and crafts, games, post your letter to Santa and take home a treat for Rudolph and the reindeers. Visit website for more details.

KMDT SELF DEFENCE CLASSES

St Albans, Hatfield: KMDT is an all-inclusive, friendly club, encouraging families, juniors and adults to train together. Learn and train in the skills to keep you safe, including techniques to deter bullies. Call 07824883853 or email info@kmdt.co.uk for more information or to book a free trial.

Many more listings in our print magazine

– email editor@familiesherts.co.uk for a copy

Lumagica at Willows

Activity Farm

Lumagica St Albans is a unique and exciting light and sound experience, packed with fabulous installations that will appeal to all ages.

Featuring oversized light sculptures of mythical and wild animals, as well as several interactive installations, Lumagica St Albans is a not to be missed fantastical immersive light and sound experience.

The trail is designed so that each element is hidden from the next, creating a journey of discovery. Each individual light piece has its

What’s On

CAMPUS WEST Visit Website

Welwyn Garden City, AL8 Treasure Island 8 Dec – 2 Jan

The highly acclaimed Campus West Panto returns with a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas not to be missed!

HERTFORD THEATRE Visit Website

Ware Drill Hall, Ware, SG12 9HP

The Snowsmith: A Wild and Frosty Christmas Show

10 Dec – 1 Jan

Half a String bring their signature style of breath-taking puppetry, folk music and captivating storytelling to Ware. Rediscover the joy of the most magical of weather in this action-packed original Christmas show for families. For ages 4+. Cost £16, which includes a meet and greet photo opportunity at the end of the show.

own music, which will tantalise your ears before you see it!

Having passed beneath the stunning entrance arch, guests will immediately meet the mythical Winter Unicorn for a photo, moving on to pass through a shimmering field of enchanted mushrooms. Discover the interactive oversized Giraffes, the spectacular animated Hummingbird, and the sparkling Crystal Tree.

For more information and to book tickets please visit website

We