MADE (Mums & Dads Edinburgh) Nov/Dec 2014

made

free Nov/Dec 2014

mums and dads edinburgh

4

things I wish I’d known…

when my kids were little

Christmas Gift Guide Top Festive Theatre

Thoughtful gift cards & experiences sourced from Edinburgh’s best independent businesses www.lovefromindiestreet.com

made

welcome Contributors We asked our contributors about their favourite childhood Christmas memory…

Heidi Scrimgeour (pages 17-20)

The ritual of hanging up my stocking, leaving a mince pie and a glass of whisky(!) for Santa plus a carrot for Rudolph, and then leaping out of bed at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning to see if he’d been.

Best feeling ever!

Dawn Geddes (pages 49-52)

Realising Santa had hidden one last present in our kitchen when I thought I’d opened everything. I was only 7 but I can still remember how giddy with excitement I was!

Marie Irvine

(MADE designer) My big brother wearing a Doctor Who scarf and snow boots coming into the living room with a bin bag full of presents – he’s still the biggest kid I know.

contact facebook.com/MADEmag

Hello! I’m standing in for Louise while she takes a break to look after her brand-new wee man.

I don’t know what you’re hoping to receive this Christmas. When I was 3 I asked Santa for a clockwork toilet, which baffled him and worried my parents. Mum and Dad could have done with Heidi Scrimgeour’s reassurance in “4 things I wish I’d known when my kids were little” (pages 17-20). Christmas itself, with a birth and a murderous King Herod, can inspire a few disquieting questions from children.

Thankfully, Dawn Geddes helps here. If I’d read her article (pages 49-52) I wouldn’t have dodged my daughter’s query about the fate of a shedful of turkeys we encountered recently.

For parents, sometimes the best gift is a few words of wisdom from someone who’s been there before. Have a happy festive season, and if you see a clockwork toilet while Christmas shopping, do send it my way.

Cathy x

Editor of Edinburgh for Under Fives

Guest Editor

Cathy Tingle

Editor/Publisher

Louise Wilson

Sales Executive

Caroline McClean

Writers

Heidi Scrimgeour, Susan Elliott, Dawn Geddes

Columnists

Triplet Dad, Under-Fives Mum

Agony Aunt

Jojo Sutherland

Designer

MAMi Designs

Cover

©valterdias - Fotolia.com

Printer

Stephens & George

MADE, PO BOX 28825, Edinburgh, EH14 9BA T: 07738 068022 • E: mademag@live.co.uk www.mademagazine.co.uk

twitter.com/MADE_magazine All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. While every care has been taken in compiling MADE magazine to ensure that it is correct at the time of going to press. MADE (Mums And Dads Edinburgh) assume no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions.

made NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014

3

Edinburgh Art Fair

EAF 2014 14th - 16th November

60 Galleries 500 Artists 3 Days Only!

Edinburgh Corn Exchange New Market Road : EH14 1RJ Doors Open 11am Daily : Admission £5/£3

www.artedinburgh.com

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Contents november / december

39

26 6

49

Family Focus

Dealing with the big stuff

25

News Competitions 4 things I wish I’d known…

Gift Guide for children Under-Fives Mum

Cooking for wee ones

Magic Moments

26

Shop Local

58

Lifestyle

Make-up tips

Shop Scotland

60

Wine

De-stress & Impress

14 17 22

32

Christmas Food & Drink 33 Trust Jojo!

If you need advice…

34

Dates for your Diary

Best events in Nov & Dec

41

54

Gift Guide for mums and dads 56 Food

62 Out & About 64

Directory Ads 66 Tried & Tested

Nightsky Cosmic Ceilings on trial…

39

Finishing Touches 41 Festive Theatre

Pick of the shows

47

Triplet Dad

Letting go

made NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014

22

5

news Monkey Music Christmas

Workshops

Joy Tots Shop & Café is a breath of fresh air for parents and carers of babies and toddlers to meet up and explore classes, crafts, personalised gifts and more. Located in North Edinburgh between Victoria Park and Leith Library on Ferry Road, it’s a local hotspot for meeting other parents, relaxing and discovering the free baby play space. Joy Tots also hosts a range of “one-off” taster-style baby (0-36m) classes ranging from Art Bugs and Music & Mischief to Messy Tot and Sensory Disco. Joy Tots is a buzzing community hub designed for you and your tot, so come explore today. www.joytots.com Monkey is thrilled to invite you to his much loved Christmas Workshops which will be held on Sat 13th Dec, Mon 15th Dec, Wed 17th Dec & Sat 20th Dec in the Main Hall at LifeCare, 2 Cheyne Street, Edinburgh, EH4 1JB. There will be three 45 minute workshops each morning: • Age 3-5 yrs 9.30am, • Age 2-3 yrs 10.30am, • Age 3 mths-2 yrs 11.30am For tickets contact Rachel Huggins comelybank.corstorphine @monkeymusic.co.uk

6

Are you A-Star?

A-Star Sports is a fun-filled multi-sports experience for children aged 2-10 years, providing a wide variety of age-appropriate extracurricular classes, holiday clubs, parties and events.

They are currently looking for part-time coaches. This is an exciting opportunity to coach ten core sports, promoting the benefits of sport and a lifelong commitment to being active.

Experience of coaching and especially of working with young children is preferred, including a current first aid certificate, but full training and support will be given.

Own transport is essential. For further details and an informal chat, please contact Brian on 07876 021073. www.a-starsports.co.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

news Casting for Christmas

The Edinburgh Casting Studio has arrived in the heart of New Town, making memories of tiny toes last forever, and proving very popular with mums and dads.

Co-owner, Poppy, tells us, “A life-casting makes a beautiful sculpture which captures the tiniest details. It brings a special memory to life and having a casting made is a really unique experience.”

With Christmas around the corner, lifecasting makes an original gift for a loved one. The Edinburgh Casting Studio offers gift vouchers and packages to celebrate all occasions – newborns, engagements, weddings, anniversaries, etc. www.edinburghcasting.com

Love from Indie Street Are you being asked ‘what can we get for the children this Christmas’? Would you like the gifts you give and receive to be from your favourite independent businesses instead of the ‘big brands’? If so, then shop at Love from Indie Street this Christmas and you and your loved ones will be able to enjoy gifts from across Edinburgh’s independent bookshops, toyshops, restaurants, florists and much more.

made NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014

Love from Indie Street provides thoughtful gift cards and experiences, sourced only from Edinburgh’s best independent businesses.

If you’re looking to receive or give something original, personal and different this Christmas; or you’re planning a baby shower or creating a wedding gift list, make sure to pay them a visit. www.lovefromindiestreet.com

7

news

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 – We have lift off!

Nairn’s has launched new intergalactic Berry Blast Astrobites, a fun and fruity snack packed full of the natural goodness of oats that give children the energy they need to get them through a busy day.

With 40% less sugar than other children’s biscuits, these bitesized wholegrain and wheat-free Astrobites are a delicious, healthy and convenient break-time snack.

Art for the whole family A fantastic selection of galleries and artists has been assembled from around the world for the delight of the thousands of art lovers and collectors who will descend upon the Corn Exchange this November (14th-16th) for the 10th anniversary Edinburgh Art Fair. The emphasis is on the original artworks that will be offered for sale. However, there is lots more to keep everyone interested and entertained at this annual event, including artist Leo du Feu who will be hosting daily drawing classes for our younger visitors, while still life painting lessons, artist demonstrations and printmaking workshops in screen and relief printing will be ongoing throughout the weekend. Admission £5 - children under 16 free. Complimentary crèche. www.artedinburgh.com

Bottoms Up Baby!

Blade & Rose, the new children’s fashion brand specialising in stylish leggings with fun designs on the bottom, has launched a brand new A/W range for children from 0-4 years. Babies and toddlers will look adorable in these cheeky new designs, perfect for little ones who spend a lot of time crawling and climbing with their bottoms in the air! The leggings are available in sizes 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 1-2 years and 3-4 years, £10.00. www.bladeandrose.co.uk

8

www.mademagazine.co.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

MADE Recommends…

Clear photography Leith-based Clear Photography has photographed thousands of babies swimming underwater and now they are capturing the experience on video too. Sam Heaton of Clear Photography says, “It’s amazing. Babies can hold their breath under water and swim unaided to the surface before their first birthday. Catching these images yourself can be difficult as many pools don’t allow the public to use cameras, but capturing that special moment is a challenge that we have become experts in.” For more info go to www.clearphotography.co.uk

Fit for Motherhood

6.30-8pm, Wednesday 12th November An evening of taster sessions and information to help you in your journey through pregnancy, birth and into motherhood. Experts will be giving short talks on topics such as: • Help and support during pregnancy, birth, and with your new baby • Being a confident new mother • The emotional benefits of having a record of your child’s development/milestones • Sleep! Benefits for you and your new baby • Gapping of the stomach muscles after birth.

To register for the event and for more info go to https://fitformotherhood.eventbrite.co.uk made NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014

Cake Lingerie When I gave birth to my first son I was so shell-shocked from the sudden change in lifestyle that buying nice nursing underwear was the last thing on my mind. I just needed something functional that did the job, so I bought the first thing in my new size and scuttled off home. I soon regretted my hasty purchases and their lack of style and comfort; so when son number two was born I decided mummy deserved a treat this time around. I was delighted to find the range from Cake Lingerie; super stylish in gorgeous materials and really comfortable to wear. Their range includes maternity and nursing bras in beautiful colours with floral linings and gorgeous detailing. They are a dream to wear with easy clasps and are made even more comfortable and practical with Cake Lingerie’s washable nursing pads – Cup Cakes, which are soft and extra absorbent. Cake Lingerie also specialise in sleepwear with a whole range of well-designed products offering comfort and functionality when you need it most. Now that I’ve found a nursing brand that I like it seems a shame there’s not going to be a baby number three! www.cakelingerie.com

9

© Tony Gorzkowski

news

WIN Q Pootle 5 “CBeebies” animated series Q Pootle 5 has landed on DVD! Join Pootle and his friends as they tackle the everyday problems of the final frontier in 13 fantastic adventures. Fans can also sing along with “Okidoki Karaoke” and discover how the series was created with interviews with cast and crew.

MADE has five copies of Q Pootle 5: The Great Space Race And Other Adventures to give away, courtesy of Proper Distribution.To be in with a chance of winning, tell us what type of karaoke you can sing along to on the DVD. Answers to competitions@ mademagazine.co.uk before Dec 12th.

10

Free play and innovative design Whether it is cooking in the toddler-friendly kitchen, going on a magical adventure in a treehouse or simply having an afternoon snooze, Edinburgh’s new nursery based at the University of Edinburgh’s Kings Buildings provides all this and more.

Designed by award-winning architect Malcolm Fraser and inspired by the concept of “free play”, Arcadia Nursery mixes indoor and outdoor play, with children able to move between the spacious, bright building and the specially landscaped garden with its grassy steps, sensory planting, mini-allotments and water play area. www.arcadianursery.co.uk

Parent Kind Sarah Wheatley developed the Parent Kind course in response to discussions with other mums about their experience of the transition to becoming parents. Many felt there were certain things it was taboo to discuss in case they looked like a “bad” parent. Anxiety about “not getting things right,” and emotional stresses caused by relationships changing as a result of their new parenthood, made it difficult for some parents to enjoy their baby.

Everyone interviewed would have liked more emotional support, so Sarah – a trained counsellor – devised the Parent Kind course to give first-time parents a safe, supportive environment to develop greater trust in their own abilities and enjoy this new phase of life. www.birthandbeyond.org.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

news Chance to win!

Lovingly recreated for audiences across Scotland, this winter Scottish Ballet proudly presents Peter Darrell’s The Nutcracker at Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, 13th Dec-3rd Jan. After a fun-filled Christmas party full of magic and celebrations, young Clara falls asleep and dreams that she helps the Nutcracker Prince to defeat an army of giant mice.

She is rewarded by a visit to the glittering Land of Ice and Snow where snowflakes come to life, and to the magical Kingdom of Sweets – the enchanted Realm of the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy.

To win one of two sets of family tickets for Sat 20th Dec, 2pm, just tell us who wrote the original score for the Nutcracker. Email your answers and contact details before Dec 8th to competitions@mademagazine.co.uk

School of Dance Now in its 12th year, the Angela Watson School of Dance is a well-established school with a reputation for high standards and impeccable results. It offers fun, creative classes in nursery ballet, jazz, modern, tap and RAD Ballet for children aged 3 years to adults.

Pupils have the opportunity to take RAD ballet exams, in-house tap and modern medal tests, participate in biannual shows at the Churchill Theatre as well as getting a fantastic chance to perform on the main stage and parade in Disneyland Paris!

Its well-qualified teachers provide the best possible training, which is evident through the exam results and pupils who have successfully auditioned for Scottish Ballet Junior Associates, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Dance School of Scotland and many more.

Classes are held in Colinton, Fairmilehead and Firrhill High School dance studio. angelawatsonschoolofdance.co.uk made NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014

5R\DO $FDGHP\ RI 'DQFH *UDGHG DQG 9RFDWLRQDO %DOOHW 7DS 0RGHUQ +LS +RS

&DOO RU YLVLW DQJHODZDWVRQVFKRRORIGDQFH FR XN 11

news

Boomer Bikes Teaching your child to ride a bike is like giving them their first rite of passage, so what better way to teach them than on a 2-in-1 Boomer balance bike – the smartest and most economical balance bike for ages 3-6.

With its attachable pedal and chain set, this balance bike becomes the child’s first 12” bike once they are ready to make the transition from

balance to cycling, giving the child confidence learning on a bike they are already comfortable with.

And no need to buy two bikes! Your child has a bike that can last them for up to three years, then the pedals and chain can be removed so younger siblings can have a Boomer balance bike to learn on. www.boomerbalancebikes.co.uk

Disco Duck Disco Duck Edinburgh is very excited to be starting a new class at Clown Around on Restalrig Road.

From 22nd October they will be dancing every Wednesday at 10am and you can play at the centre for half price afterwards.

For more information and to book your first class for just £2 email discoduckedinburgh @btinternet.com

12

Newborn Baby Home Sessions Vivvi Photography is delighted to introduce Newborn Home Sessions. They come to you to create special memories of your newborn baby in the comfort of your own home. Three FREE home Newborn Sessions are available now! Please send an email with the title “Newborn Home Session” and your due date to contact@vivviphotography.co.uk. Three lucky winners will get a free Taster Session for their baby. If you are looking for a great Christmas present they have Christmas Mini Sessions available.

Please check Facebook for information www.facebook.com/ vivviphotography, www.vivviphotography.co.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Eds.Open.Advert.69x101.5.pdf

1

10/10/2014

12:50 pm

RE-UNION

CANAL BOATS

RE-UNION

CANAL BOATS

Ed in es on the canal t of cruis r a a t christmas in the he san

burgh

C

Celebrate the festive season with a cruise along the canal and a special visit from Santa himself.

M

Y

CM

One hour cruise along the Union Canal with games, songs and craft activities.

Complimentary seasonal refreshments and a visit from Santa with a gift for every child.

MY

CY

CMY

ÂŁ10 per head.

NOV 29/30th, DEC 6,7,13,14,20,21,22.

Various times available.

Booking essential via the website.

K

information & bookings:

www.re-union.org.uk 0131 261 8529

G IN M ON COSO

Cameron Toll cares about

CHRISTMAS Come and meet Santa for Free

Santa will be in the centre every weekend from 29th November. Visit our website for times.

Christmas Charity Events Extended Shopping Hours See website for details.

30 YEARS

Over 40 Stores | Free parking | Places to eat AT THE HEART OF www.camerontoll.co.uk OUR COMMUNITY

30 YEARS

AT THE HEART OF OUR COMMUNITY

competition

WIN

competition •

a

competition •

The Knight Residence has been named the UK’s best hotel by the world’s largest online travel agency, Expedia, and we’re giving readers the opportunity to stay there for free!

Edinburgh’s leading apart-hotel has 28 five star serviced apartments which provide substantially more space and facilities than top-of-the-range rooms in conventional hotels. Amenities include a fully equipped kitchen, breakfast pack, lounge, free Wi-Fi, concierge service and secure parking.

The Knight Residence, situated in Lauriston Street near the Grassmarket, has cots, cot bedding and high chairs available on request, free of charge. Kids get a free “Knighty Night” bear and activity pack, and all apartments have multi-channel TV with a wide selection of kids’ entertainment.

What street is The Knight Residence situated on?

For more information go to www.theknightresidence.co.uk

•

b

competition

For active kids who just can’t help moving the minute they hear music, urban dance classes

by Step it Up Dance are guaranteed to hit the right note.

Step It Up Dance, founded in Edinburgh in January 2012, teaches kids everything from Breakdance to Street Dance, Hip Hop and Cheerleading. Their structured classes and award-winning parties provide a fun, active and exciting way for kids to exercise and simultaneously help to build their confidence.

The company runs over 100 classes and teaches over 1000 kids (tots to teens) every week in over 65 locations, including nurseries, schools, community and soft play centres, and is rapidly expanding as dance fever in kids of all ages continues to spread across the city.

• competition

To win a one-night stay in a two bedroom apartment just answer this question:

14

WIN FRE CLASSES A YEAR WIN FREE CLASSES FOR A YEAR!

URBAN DANCE CLASSES & sticker AWARD-WINNING PARTIES

URBAN DANCE CL AWARD-WINNING

To win a year’s worth of urban dance classes just answer this question: When was Step it Up Dance founded?

For more information go to www.stepitupdance.co.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

T&Cs: The Knight Residence prize must be taken by 30 May 2015. Accommodation subject to availability.

Step It Up Dance prize constitutes four 10-week blocks during one continuous 12-month period, is not refundable/transferable, is for one child aged 4+, missed sessions cannot be carried over, must be claimed before 15th Jan 2015 and is valid for one year from start date. Winner must, if required, be willing to take part in promotional activity relating to their win. Timetable is subject to change and the company reserves the right to change class time/venue if required.

competition

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question:

competition •

What era does Ed’s Easy Diner BBQ & Grill take inspiration from?

For more information go to www.edseasydiner.com

Ed’s Easy Diner Bar & Grill Fort Kinnaird Shopping Centre (next to Boots), Edinburgh, EH15 3RD

15

competition

TimeTwisters is the unique and award-winning, Ancient Egyptian themed indoor play centre for all children up to the age of 12 years. Offering a wide variety of play and exercise activities, with a separate area for toddlers and babies, a huge play structure for kids aged 4 and over, and a Sports Zone for football and basketball, TimeTwisters is “the Greatest Fun in History”.

And it’s not just great for kids… the awardwinning restaurant (UK Best Food & Beverage To win a 3-month membership of Offering 2009, 2012) offers a very wide range of freshly prepared healthy meals for all the TimeTwisters, answer the following question: family. The prize of a 3-month membership Which amazing period of history is brought to life in TimeTwisters? of TimeTwisters will give one lucky child free and unlimited entry to Edinburgh’s best play For more information go to centre! www.timetwisters.co.uk

competition •

d

made NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014

•

After a hard day hitting the stores, there’s nothing better than recharging those retail batteries by tucking in to a good meal. With its cool retro interior and unbelievably good food, Ed’s Easy Diner BBQ & Grill is the perfect place pre or post shopping spree. “Rock around the clock” at Ed’s all day, every day – open for breakfast, lunch and dinner plus everything in between with fantastic music courtesy of the genuine Dime Selector juke boxes. Take a look at the menu and you’ll be transported to 1950s America: hamburgers, hotdogs, loaded fries, desserts to die for, and of course, the famous shakes.

To celebrate the opening of Ed’s Easy Diner BBQ & Grill at the Fort Kinnaird Shopping Centre Edinburgh we’re giving readers the chance to win a family meal for four.

•

c

competition

To win any of these prizes simply email your name, address, phone number and answer to competitions@mademagazine.co.uk or enter via www.mademagazine.co.uk before December 17th Please mark your entry Competition A, B, C or D as the subject.

NEW Art & Music Classes 

  

  

  



 

Book your



 



 today!

Gymboree Edinburgh



07910 188 713

 

FREE Trial

edinburgh@gymboree-uk.com

 





4

Things I Wish I’d Known

When My Kids Were Little

© Monkey Business - Fotolia.com

By Heidi Scrimgeour

Oh, the joys of early motherhood.

Not only is your sleep stolen and your body snatched when you become a mum, but you’re also catapulted headlong into one long anxiety attack – or so it seemed to me when my first baby arrived almost ten years ago. made NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014

17

I WISH I’D KNOWN

From walking and talking to potty-training and mealtimes, it seems like parenthood is an exercise in angst. Why is your child the last among their peer group to walk? Why can’t your tot recite Flower of Scotland backwards like your best friend’s baby can? And what if they never crack toilet-training by the time big school looms?

The good news is that nearly ten years of parenting have taught me that the stuff we worry over endlessly when our kids are little rarely turns out to be anything of real consequence.

This too shall pass really is the perfect mantra for early parenthood. So while you’re reciting that and waiting for your child to grow out of whatever phase is most rattling your cage right now, here are four hard-won things I’ve learned which I wish someone had told me when my kids were younger…

They’ll walk when they’re good and ready

My first child didn’t take his first unaided steps until he was 18 months old which, at the time, seemed a fair way behind all the other children we knew of the same age. While friends were revelling in their children’s first steps and enjoying the relative freedom of finally letting them toddle around the play park on their own two feet, I was missing out on conversations with other mums as my son insisted on dragging me around beside him like a human comfort blanket.

But now that he’s almost a strapping 10 year old with more energy than one person could ever need, it seems laughable that I worried about whether he would ever walk. I wish I’d known that it really is true that most children will walk when they’re good and ready. There’s no point rushing kids to reach those milestones – you risk overwhelming them and actually making them feel more inhibited – so the best thing you can do is practise patience and work to reassure them that whenever they’re ready to take those first steps, it’ll be perfect timing in your eyes.

As my friend Natalie – whose second child had hip dysplasia and so was slower to walk than his peers – says: “Neither of my boys went to school crawling or wearing a nappy or without being able to chat, in the end.”

Food issues are normal, and they don’t last forever

You might as well conserve some energy and simply wait for them to outgrow it

18

”

© ilove - Fotolia.com

“

I have yet to meet another parent whose child hasn’t gone through some sort of fussy eating phase. (Never believe the parents who claim their kids don’t “do” such things – I am increasingly realising that those parents are either deluding themselves or simply struggling to accept the reality that their child isn’t perfect.)

But while it’s normal for kids to experiment with food and go through stages that could make you want to tear your hair out with frustration, I wish I had known back when my kids were at this stage that it really doesn’t last forever. And that actually whatever you try in a bid to “fix” the problem probably won’t make all that much difference, so you might as well conserve some energy and

www.mademagazine.co.uk

I WISH I’D KNOWN

photo: © Daniel Jedzura kontakt - Fotolia.com

simply wait for them to outgrow it.

“Each child is unique so treat them as such, was the advice of my fab Health Visitor,” agrees mum of three Kerrie Laverty. “All of my children turned into adventurous eaters in their own sweet time, albeit not until they were at University in some cases!”

Speech doesn’t have to be a drama Language delay isn’t something I encountered with my own children but I’ve seen the anxiety it can cause for many parents. And as with so many of the issues we lose sleep over when our children are little, it isn’t necessarily something that will require intervention to address. I’ve seen many children seemingly just “decide” to start talking after months of agonising worry for parents who have wondered why their tot isn’t made NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014

babbling away like all their friends’ children are.

“When my first child was little she was mute except at home and at her grandparents’ houses,” says my friend Pippa, a GP and mother of two. “She never said a single word anywhere else. It was very stressful because we thought she would be like that forever – and it was very embarrassing because of course she never said ‘thank you’ if anyone gave her anything when we were out. Her first nursery suggested we contact psychologists but her second nursery were very relaxed about it all and made us much more relaxed as a consequence.

The day she started primary school she started talking and she hasn’t stopped since. She’s just started secondary school and I worried – a bit – that she might regress, but actually she sounds as though she’s talking as much as ever at school.”

19

I WISH I’D KNOWN

It’s OK for your baby to hate baby groups

It’s amazing how many challenging elements of parenting boil down to this: they will grow out of it. Eventually! n

photo: © AVAVA - Fotolia.com

This one’s especially pertinent for me right now.

My youngest child has just had her first birthday and I’ve yet to take her to a single playgroup, except for the short-term classes that my local baby clinic put on for new mums in their first few weeks of motherhood. It’s just not really practical to drag her out to Rhyme Time or whatever else we “should” be going to together - she naps at almost exactly the time of day that all the local baby groups are on, and as a freelance writer who squeezes work around my kids’ crazy schedules, nap time is pretty much my best chance at getting any work done. So there’s just no way I’m going to throw a spanner in the works by giving in to my inner fear that my child will be unsociable and uncivilised if I don’t drag her to playgroups.

Heck, the truth is that some of my kids’ earliest bad habits were picked up from other kids at baby

groups, and I’m not even convinced they’re really for the babies – it’s the mums who benefit from having somewhere to hang out together. That’s well and good if you’re a first time mum adjusting to your new life, or if your lifestyle affords you the chance to drink tea and chat to other mums while your baby bops others on the head with a plastic hammer. But I’m not going to feel guilty because I’m prioritising work and nap time over that.

“I persevered far too long with things like baby gymnastics and music classes – which Toby loathed – thinking those things were ‘good’ for him,” agrees my friend Catherine, mum of two. “I fretted that he was unsociable for not liking those kind of groups but in retrospect they just weren’t his thing. I wish I’d realised that 2 year olds can have valid likes and dislikes too.”

20

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Now at The

av Now aila ble !

Corn Exchange

FRESHLY BREWED

CHILD FRIENDLY WHEeLCHAIR ACcESsIBLE

FREe HOT DRINK

HOMEMADE SOUP BABY CHANGING

BERT’S COFFEE BAR

Local PatIsserie

EXPIRES 30th NOVember 14

COFFEE

Speciality

FREe MILK FOR KIDS

WINE, BEER & SPIRITS

HIGH CHAIR &

FRESH SANDWICHES

FACILITIES

/BertsCoffeeBar

@BertsCoffeeBar

With Any Cake PURCHASE

At Edinburgh Corn Exchange BRING THIS VOUCHER ALONG!

@BertsCoffeeBar

VALID FOR ONE HOT DRINK ONLY, exp: 30Nov14 Terms & conditions apply

Christmas

Little

Ones 3. Boomer Balance Bikes 2-in-1 balance bike with attachable pedals £99 (available in red, green, blue & pink) Boomer Bikes, East Lothian www.boomerbalance bikes.co.uk

3

1 1. Paddington Bear, £19.95 Bank House Living, Lauder www.bankhouseliving.co.uk 2. Robotic Dinosaur construction Sets £19.99 Gullivers Toys, Bruntsfield www.gullivers toys.co.uk

2 4

6 5

4. Magic School Invitation Become a graduate of Magic School at the 2015 Edinburgh International Magic Festival. Ages 7-10 £90 for 5-day course £18 for one-off workshop www.magicfest.co.uk

5. Mac and Bob, The Unexpected Visitor illustrated by Edinburgh artist Dave Sutton. Published by Little Door Books, Scottish Borders www.macandbob.co.uk

6. K’Nex Roller Coaster £29.99, Gullivers Toys, Bruntsfield www.gulliverstoys.co.uk

22

7 7. Bristle Blocks, £12.99-£28.99 Gullivers Toys, Bruntsfield www.gulliverstoys.co.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

8

10 9

8. My Secret Diary Rachel Ellen Secret Diary £7.95, Cloudberry Gifts, Barnton www.cloudberrygifts.co.uk

10. My Amazing Butterfly Playset £12.99, comes complete with Solar Powered Flower Pot

11

9. Lottie Doll, £15.99 Gullivers Toys, Bruntsfield www.gulliverstoys.co.uk

9 11. Personalised Apron £16, My Big Sister, Edinburgh www.mybigsister.org.uk

13. Mini-Me Dolly & Tutu Includes doll, mini tutu, rucksack, personalised certificate & tutu for the little girl, £49.95 Treacle Boutique, Edinburgh www.treacleboutique.co.uk

12 12. Story Cubes, £9.95 Bank House Living, Lauder www.bankhouseliving.co.uk

14. Micro Scooter £54.99-£99.99 Gullivers Toys, Bruntsfield www.gulliverstoys.co.uk

13 14

made NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014

23

R Y

ET N A PL

!

Exclusive use Bespoke and Themed parties like no other!

• ICE COOL FROZEN • MASQUERADE BALL • BALLOON MODELLING

Xmas Party with Jo Jingles Includes Yuletide feast with a visit from Santa!

Special Early Bird Discount for Xmas parties of 25 or more!

PLANET

CAFE

FREEPIK.COM

13th December, 2pmTickets £8.50

Take a look at our fun activities for this Winter!

Check Facebook for new activities!

Unlimited play £3!

Membership cards £9 per month

39 Baileyfield Road, Edinburgh EH15 1NA

0131 669 1231

www.planetcafeedin.co.uk

2 in 1 Boomer Balance Bikes The smartest, most economical first bike For children aged 3-6 AVAILABLE IN RED, GREEN, BLUE OR PINK

Boomer Balance Bikes include an attachable pedal and chain set, so the bike can adapt from ‘balance’ to ‘pedal’ when your child is ready.

This makes the transition quicker and safer, missing out the awkward stabiliser stage and giving your child confidence to learn to ride on a bike they are already comfortable with.

Boomer Balance Bikes is an independent family run company from North Berwick, East Lothian

www.boomerbalancebikes.co.uk • 07551 898981

FREE delivery

Magic moments

By Under-Fives Mum

Christmas − it’s for the kiddies, isn’t it?

Anna didn’t seem to mind.

Well, that’s fine to say (as people will), but We’d already had my blunder it’s a pressure. Of our four Christmases at the pre-school nativity play. as parents, we’ve never yet achieved Dizzy with sleep deprivation the perfect festive experience. after a year of broken nights, For our first, we had one 6 I’d somehow missed the month old. How we missed significance of this occasion, in dressing her as a cute which she was starring as Third Christmas pud and snapping Sheep. Arriving late, I sank some pics is beyond me, but into my seat, looked around for some reason it didn’t occur and thought, “Hang on, this to us. On the second one, isn’t right. I’m missing a video the Main Present – a shouty camera to capture the entire plastic tree with rolling balls proceedings, a paparazzothat I couldn’t wait to give our style SLR for the closedaughter (envisaging hours of ups – and about five family contented absorption) – didn’t members.” The place was work, despite the miracle of our packed with grandparents, remembering batteries. We’d uncles and aunts, next-door picked the only faulty one in neighbours, all armed with the shop. iPads and long lenses. I’d The next Christmas had the turned up alone with just my added interest of our daughter phone as a camera. Anna ILLUSTRATION: ©SAM MILLER www.sammiller.co.uk believing that I had just given wasn’t bothered. birth to the baby Jesus (her When children are little, brother’s actual name is James – easy to get is Christmas actually more for us than them? confused if you’re 2). Constantly starving from Maybe. My insistence that we all watch the breastfeeding, this time I looked forward to the Muppet Christmas Carol (which I regard as a Christmas dinner as the big family experience. work of festive genius) is only matched by their Anna’s auntie slaved away over the “big chicken” complete indifference to it. As with the rest of life, (we didn’t have the strength to introduce a new they have a completely different perspective on foodstuff to a toddler), all the trimmings and Christmas, and they’re probably appreciating the seven types of veg. Anna ate a sausage and half little things more. When I ask Anna “What was a carrot. your favourite thing about last Christmas?” she Last year we didn’t have a tree because I answers, “Decorating the tree at Granny and couldn’t guarantee close, unbroken supervision Grandad’s.” One bauble; big moment. Despite of our 1 year old over the entire Christmas period. our efforts, it seems, the Christmas magic will But we were going to Granny and Grandad’s, find a way. n they always had a lovely tree, and there would be ample guards. “Silent Night” would play as Anna was lifted, after hours of decorating fun, to Cathy Tingle is editor of Edinburgh place the star on the top … And then we were for Under Fives, the family-friendly massively late, and the tree was finished when guide to Edinburgh www.efuf.co.uk we got there. One bauble remained to hang.

“

Despite our efforts, it seems, the Christmas magic will find a way

”

made NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014

25

e in thi ng e r s f nbu fal la bri abe all in ith ss i edi hire rgh g irk gow ge of deen n be erne stirl ast lo liv an fi ston v k a e d r s u g i s ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith ness irlin loth iving fife n e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n er st ast l an sto v k s a e d r s u g i ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith ness irlin loth iving fife n e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n er st ast l an sto v k s a e d r s u g i ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith ness irlin loth iving fife n e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n er st ast l an sto v k s a e d r s u g i ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith ness irlin loth iving fife n e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n er st ast l an sto v k s a e d r s u g i ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith ness irlin loth iving fife n e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n er st ast l an sto v k s a e d r s u g i ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith ness irlin loth iving fife n e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n er st ast l an sto v k s a e d r s u g i ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith ness irlin loth iving fife n e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n er st ast l an sto v k s a e d r s u g i ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith ness irlin loth iving fife n e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n er st ast l an sto v k s a e d r s u g i ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith ness irlin loth iving fife n e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n er st ast l an sto s u alk Susan rid aber alla inv ith ss e ling thi ing las bElliott f ayr dinb eBy e hir rgh g irk gow ge of deen n be erne stir ast lo liv ife n v k s a e d r s u g f o ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith ness irlin ian ngst e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n er st oth ivi ife ife v k s a l l d r s u f f ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith east ing ian ian gston e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n ess irl oth oth in ife k s a l v f d r t s u l ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all nvern ith s east east g li ian gston e hir rgh ir gow ge n e i s s i b es es rl loth vin fife k s d s u ayr dinb e fal gla k bri erdeen allan nvern nvern h sti east g li ian gst e hir rgh ir ab of n h n t i I spend my days viewing amazing creations e een een i bei rness stirli st lot livi f w g 1.

Personal ya rs inbu falkConnection o d n e d from artists and designers around Scotland and ed hire glasg k bri aber aberd f alla inv eith ess ea ling an fi r o n n b shop, n ir hi i w w h am in constant wonderment at the imagination Whetherayrsyou’re shopping at a local rg alk sgo asgo idge berdee llgift a inver th st st lot liv lg fairbr it’sa always a g i ni bu ire f orglacraft and capabilities of others. From paintings, farmers dmarket great e rsh rgh rgh irk gow ge of deen n be ess ea irlin ot k a d t textiles and ceramics to jewellery, food, to speak to people and learn the story behind ay inbu nbu fal glas bri aber all ern h s ast l f nv it e e gh irkwhoowhase ocreated ed meet soaps and more, our little country exceeds the product or edi the hir bperson g ridg n i n be rness ness ur falktheir yrs inenter ee lg as shop a expectations every time. A quick pop into it. The next time ayou or see e b d er ed ire rgh irk aber of all inv inv eit Cloudberry in Barnton, Pippin in Haymarket or them at an event it’ll bersheven better when they u falk ow dge een een n b ay dinb you the Marchmont Gallery gives you hundreds of remember your face and greet bri aberd aberd alla in asg ak friend. e hire glas f s r choices for great gifts and home decoration, ayr urgh falki sgow sgow idge o erdeen b a a l l br ab all n all the while supporting local businesses and edi rshire rgh g rgh g irk gow ge of 2. Local Products keeping a creative Scotland revolving. ay inbu nbu falk glas brid aber d edi themed k w re h Local businesses often create elocally shi burg alkir lasgo rid ni e f g k b ayr dwhich With over 5000 creative small businesses goods, and gift shops stock products e hir rgh ir k s u in Scotland, not to mention around 3500 have an affinity to their area. A quick browse ayr dinb e fal sgow a r independent food and drink producers, there has through Shop Scotland shows a hand drawing eof shi gl rk never been a better time to support your local Edinburgh Castle, a glass hanging of the Forthayr urgh alki f b businesses, and never has the selection and the Rail Bridge and the landscape of Arthur’s Seatedin hire h g s g r choice of product been so great. Don’t let your captured on silver cufflinks. None of your mass ay nbur n i d e edi local shops and businesses go under, support produced tartan tat here! a independent and keep your communities thriving.

Shop Local

Yes, you could nip to the supermarket and buy some non-descript, over-sized flower canvases for your living room wall; but really, when we are lucky enough to have such a plethora of talent and creative people among us why would anybody choose to do that?

Here are Shop Scotland’s top ten reasons why it’s important to buy local and shop independent this Christmas.

26

3. Better Service

Local business owners really know their stuff and are passionate about the products they make and sell. They cater to demand and will often go that extra mile to ensure complete customer satisfaction. Remember most independent businesses survive on reputation, repeat business and word of mouth, so shopping locally means that you will nearly always receive a higher standard of service.

www.mademagazine.co.uk

SHOP LOCAL

2

ton fe on gst vin fife fife n an an sto thi lothi ving fife n t li eas ing thian ngsto e i if rl lo v sti east g li ian f gston th ess lin oth in r l v ern sti st li fe nv eith ss ea li1ng an fi gston e r i b n n ern sti th vi fe fe lla inv eith ast lo g li an fi an fi ston e lin hi hi g b n rdee allan rness stir st lot st lot livin fife on of nve eith ea ea ng hian gst dge een i an b rness rness tirli st lot livin e s ea g fif n rd ll ve nve thCheck i ess rlin ian ngsto abe e of a n in 1. n iHeather e b n sti oth ivi ife dg ee ee Harris ve–r £60“Linton” an iTweed bri aberd aberd allHandbag n th east l ng l an f k w w f Pauline bei Designs, o n Lothian li hi e ee o o g rd Lothian g g an rness stir st lot ll lg as glas brid abeEast f a ve th ea www.paulinelothian gh lkirk sgow idesigns.com ge o n in n bei ness r d u nb e fa gla k br erdee alla nver r h –i £18 ab Gnomes shi urg kir2. Felted e of eeKilmacolm n gEagle, d ayr dinb e fal sgowKatrin d i br er e hir gla www.katrineagle.com/ k w ab ya rs rgh 3. alkirWoollen o Hottie – £59 bu e f Lucy asg Donnell, l n Glasgow g i ed rshir rgh www.lucydonnell.co.uk ya bu n edi 4. Personalised Jewellery

3

Box – £18 Daisy Belle Designs, Edinburgh www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ DaisyBelleShop

4 made NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014

27

SHOP LOCAL

s i u ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith ness irlin loth e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n er st ast v k s a e d r s u g ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith ness irlin e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n er st as v k s a e d r s u ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith ness e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n er st v k s a d r s u ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n er v k s a d r s u ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n k s a d r s u ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n e hir rgh ir gow ge dee k s d r s u ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe o e hir rgh ir gow ge k s d s u ayr dinb e fal gla k bri e hir rgh ir gow k s s u ayr dinb e fal gla k e hir rgh ir k s u ayr dinb e fal e hir rgh s u ayr dinb e e hir s ayr di e

fe n sto ng fife n ton ht ia ings ife liv n f ton ng othia ings ife t l liv f n eas ing thian ngsto e a rl lo vi if sti east g li ian f gston h ss h n e n t i e rl lo vi fif ern sti st li n ton nv eith ss ea ling othia ings ife e r l v f b n ern sti st li n ton lla inv eith ss ea ling othia ings ife b ne tir t l liv f n n rdee allan inver th s s eas ing thian ngsto e of n 5 bei nes tirl t lo livi fif n dge berdee llan inver th s s eas ing thian ngsto e a of a n bei nes irl lo ivi fif n gow ridge berdee llan nver th st east ng l hian gsto e i bei ess rli lot vin fif b a fa ik rk sgow idge o erdeen an vern h sti east g li ian gston ll handmade n h in beit candle gla br 5. ab30 hour f a burn ess –ti£10 rli st lot livin fife on o n n Melt Pool, Glasgow, www.themeltpool.com e r ee s n gr h lkirk sgow The e idg aberd allan inv ith ss ea ling thia ingst fe a gla 6. brEdinburgh f e o f e Slate Coasters – £5.99 b e n ir l iv fi n ow dge o Edinburgh dee llan nvern h st east ng l hian gsto hir burgh lkirk aLayoutlines, g r s e i i it ss t in fe i br ab a n fa l www.etsy.com/shop/shopLAYOUTLINES edi hire rgh g irk gow ge of deen n be erne stirl ast lo liv an fi ston k v a e d s r u l lasdropper i andamini be glass all – £40in beith ess rling lothi ving fife brGlass, ayr dinb 7. e faWhisky g f o Angels Share Bridge k e hir rgh ir gow ge ofdAllan rn ti st li on een u falk las brid aber allan inve ith s s ea ing thian ingst fe ya rs inbwww.angelsshareglass.co.uk s ed hire rgh g irk gow ge of deen n be erne stirl ast lo liv an fi ston k v a e d s r g i s u l e i r n ll b a ay din e fa gl k br ab of a n i beith ness irlin loth iving e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n er st ast l ife n k s v a e d r s u g f o ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith ness irlin ian ngst e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n er st oth ivi ife ife v k s a l l d r s u f f ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith east ing ian ian gston e hir rgh ir gow ge dee n ess irl oth oth in ife k s a l v f d r t s u l ayr dinb e fal gla k bri abe of all nvern 6ith s east east g li ian gston e hir rgh ir gow ge i be ess ess rlin loth vin ife k s d s u f ayr dinb e fal gla k bri erdeen allan nvern nvern h sti east g li ian gston e hir rgh ir ab of h n t i i k s u bei ess rli lot vin e ayr dinb e fal sgow bridg erdeen erdeen an nvern h sti east g li fife on e hir gla k ab ab f all i beit ess rlin ian ngst s r ayr urgh falki sgow sgow idge o erdeen an nvern h sti loth livi fife fife n la la br ab all i it st g n n to nb edi rshire rgh g rgh g irk gow ge of deen n be ess ea irlin othia othia ings ife ya bu bu falk las rid ber alla rn st st l st l liv f on e n t b n n a edi edi hire rgh g irk gow ge of inv beith ess ea ss ea ling othia ings ife e k r v f d s l s u l n i i n r n n ay dinb e fa gla k br erdee alla nver nver h st east g li ian gston e hir rgh ir ab of h n t i i s i i k s u be es rl lot vin e ayr dinb e fal sgow bridg erdeen erdeen an nvern h sti east g li fife on e hir gla k ab ab all i eit ss lin an gst 7 ya rs rgh alkir gow gow dge of rdeen an b verne stir lothi livin ife ife s nf nf nbu f la las bri abe all in ith st g edi rshire rgh g rgh g irk gow ge of deen n be ess ea irlin othia othia ings ay inbu nbu falk glas brid aber alla ern h st ast l ast l liv f v t e e g ia 28 ed edi hire rgh www. ow ge o in bei .co.uk irk mademagazine ss ss lin oth ya rs inbu falk glasg brid rdeen llan verne verne stir east l

ing fe liv an fi ston i g oth in ife SHOP LOCAL st l g liv ian f ston in loth ving fife l r ti ast li an ston e g i ss lin oth ving fife n rne stir east l 4.g liDiscovery o ian gst h eb it ness irlin t loth ivin fife n er st eas g l ian gsto n afife craft event or popping into inv beith esGoing s rlin along oth ivito n n ern a gift st l g lmeans sti eshop ton never know who you’ll a v a ian ngsyou h ss ll in eisee h n t e t i a i l o and what amazing unique products of een n b erne stir st l liv n fif toand n d a s a v a e r g i g you might discover.

Your purchase of a lifetime abe all in beith ess irlin loth ivin fife n n t w ge of deen could l t r o be waiting for you right behind those d r llan inve th s s eas ing thian ngst e i f bri abe of adoors i s l and unless you take a step through you’ll be rne tir st lo liv fi on een anfind s ea g ian gst ow dge never e d g v r s it. h e i gla k br w ab of all n in beit ness irlin t loth ivin r e ee o i n g d g d r ver st eas g l fife n k a fal glas bri abe of all n in beith ess rlin ian ngsto k 5. Feel Good Factor n i rgh kir sgow dge rdee an ver st loth livi fife fife ni bu e fal gla k bri abe of all n in beith east ing ian ian gston wgoode indee yourself e r oth t loth ivin an irl t lsupporting hir gh Feel ess stfor fif on lki lasgo bridg abbusiness er allan ernand l you’re ya rs inbur faindependent s s that knowing n t a h a g a f v e e t g ed hire rgh irk gow ge o in bei ess ess lin othi ings ife helping someone make a living out of what they k 8 r v d s l s u l n i i i n r n n b a t fa gl br erdee alla ver ver h st eas g l ian f gston ay din love Obviously bagging yourself a superb k n n e hire doing. h n b h t r i n i f s t i i a g i o ki w ge o een n s bur of alart, be rnes tiritl may jewellery, soap ee or whatever st l liv e ayrpiece din ire f lasgo brid aberd aberd allan inve ith s ss ea ing n fif 8. stonSingle shot espresso cup – £10 e g way is be along a huge plus f too! be e rl ia ng Moka Pottery, Stirling, www.etsy.com/shop/MoKaPottery sh the rk ayr urgh falki sgow sgow idge o erdeen an nvern h sti loth livi fife fife n la la br ab all i it st g n n to nb edi rshire rgh g rgh g irk gow ge of deen n be ess ea irlin othia othia ings ife 6. Environmental f on ay inbu nbu falk gImpact liv perfect las brid aber alla ern st st l east lbeg the out for many. Local shops ian ngst fday ed edi hire rgh irk gow ge of inv beith ess ea scan h n e s t i i l o i e k r v d s l really help benefit the whole community.

Stocking products from f u local smakers means the ayr dinb e fal gla k bri erdeen allan nvern nvern h sti east g li ian gston e hir of rgetting h n environmental impact goods to a gift b h t s bu g alkir ow a ge of een i een i bei rness tirli st lot livin e d f e h s ea g fif on shop is significantly the customer, n n ayr reduced. For d d i g i a r r r s nv Employment ed hire gla k b abe abe f all 9. i eit ss lin an gst walking to your local shop or craft fair a few times yrs rgh alkir gow gow dge o rdeen an b verne stir lothi livin ife ife a f makers s f n and the gift s bri be aSupporting f an a year, as opposed to driving t nbu to a of ll n in beith independent gla outgla ofk town eas ling thian hian ngsto e edi rshiredown w h h r e s ee t r shopping centre, will bring your global shops selling creations from helps i fif makers rg burg alki asgo idg berd llan nes sti t lo t lo livthese n ay inbuthe r r o s l s a f e n b a n t a h a g s footprint dramatically. Think edof money you’ll to keep numerous lines of employment and selfedi hire rgh irk gow ge of inv beit ess e ess e ling othia ing r v di een an running. sr bu alk las remployment l save in petrol and parking charges ytoo.

From the locally employed a din e f g k b erd all nvern nvern h sti east g li fife on e hir rgh ir Saturday i st to the i at tyours local in giftn shop, ab e of nperson k s u n n bei ernes stirl thia ving fe g ee ee d ayr dinb e fal sgowsmall d o d business owner up til the small i 7. Local Community e hir gla k bri aber aber f alla inv eith ast l g l an fi hours n toi life. Not to e s b designs r designing and then bringing ayr urgh falki sgow sgow idge o erdeen an ness stirli loth b a ll a b mention the small businesses who Local traders and small businesses tend l gl br a f a ver th east offer support n i ss fair organisers, edi rshire rghtog rall w e o as inthe becraft gh ofirkus osuch to support local charities and community projects. ay inbu nbu falk glasg bridg deen an erne i re h accountants, v llbusiness r advice teams That might be from a charity box on the countered edprinters, g lkirk abe e of a n in hi the r s u r w and local coffee shop. Evidence has shown and displaying posters to donating products ay inb e fa sgo bridg erdee b ir gla £10 thatedforshevery spent in an independent shop to raffles or fundraising days. Without local a h lkirk gow g ayr £25 r a huge is generated for the local economy. businesses a lot of local support, exposure and a s nbu ire f gla This isedi compared community spirit would be gone. h s gh to £14 generated when the ayr inburis spent in a multinational. same amount ed

8. Accessibility

For the elderly, the vulnerable, parents with young children, those without private transport and others, having access to local shops and events is of great importance. Not everyone relishes the thought of a long journey to a busy shopping centre or out of town outlet, and a visit to a local shop or event combined with lunch at a local café

n sto e fif n an gsto made NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014 in liv ife n

10. Future Growth Shopping locally is a great way to show a pride in your town or city and to support artisans for years to come. Every penny spent helps pave the way for the future of independent business in your area. Don’t let your local area become a clone town!

29

SHOP LOCAL

9 9. Handmade Silver Pendant – £40 Aileen Keys, Beith www.etsy.com/uk/shop/AileenKeysJewellery 10. Hand dyed silk red scarf – £36 Mechelina Studios, Glasgow www.etsy.com/shop/MechelinaStudios

We asked on social media the reasons why you shop with and support independent businesses. There were replies from all around the world, here are just a few: “I like knowing my purchase is making someone feel happy/proud and the money is directly benefiting the person who put the effort in. I have a sentimental preference for things made by one person's hands, not an assembly line. I also like buying something fresh and unusual – too much high street stuff is just a rehash of last season's craft fair trends.” Sarah McGarva, Aberdeen “If you want interesting shops in your area then support the local ones already there otherwise you then can't complain if they turn into a Tesco Express, Sainsbury's Local or bookies” Nicole Roberts, Edinburgh “I love to buy a good quality product I know I'll have for a long time. Buying local usually means my gift or purchase will have been made to a high quality with a nice story behind the production.

I constantly feel guilt over clothes I've bought that come from exploitative supply chains.”

Lucy Donnell, Glasgow n

30

Go shopping…

To discover a huge selection of unique businesses and beautiful products from around the country visit award-winning directory website showcasing Scotland’s top creative talent www.shop-scotland.com.

Shop Scotland also offers gift vouchers, which can be redeemed with an incredible choice of products from over 60 creative businesses.

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Bank House LIVING

Your first stop for Children’s Toys and Furniture Why not try our "to order" service - you get a great low price while still supporting local business.

Just Google Gullivers Toys and Gifts

INSPIRATIONAL GIFTS & INTERIORS Bank House Living, 1 East High Street, Lauder TD2 6SS 01578 722877 • tania@bankhouseliving.co.uk

www.bankhouseliving.co.uk

Christmas

Food &

Drink

1

8 8. Hopetoun Hampers www.hopetoun.co.uk 7. Craft a Beer Brew your own beer with Stewart Brewing. Choose a recipe, brew the beer, design a label and take it home. www.stewartbrewing.co.uk

1. Selection of Sweet Fruit & Herb Vinegars £3.75-£7.50, Little Herb Farm, Fife www.thelittleherbfarm.co.uk 2. Borders Biscuits From £3.99 www.borderbiscuits.co.uk 3. Chocolate Tree Artisan chocolates made with bean to bar single estate chocolate and fresh natural ingredients. www.the-chocolate-tree.co.uk 4. Big Cheese Making Kit - Halloumi £22.50 (incl P&P) www.bigcheesemakingkit.com

2

7

3

4

6 6. Rock & Roast Hand-picked artisan coffee and hand-crafted chocolates delivered straight to your door. £19.99 (plus postage) www.rockandroast.co.uk

32

5 5. Scottish Rapeseed Oil Prices from £10 www.scotrapeseedoil.co.uk

agony aunt

Jojo!

Trust

Got a child related problem and need some advice? Look no further! Comedian, JoJo Sutherland, is on hand to help. Send your problems to info@mademagazine.co.uk

@jojosutherland www.jojosutherland.co.uk

I think I’m losing the plot! Either that or my kids have gotten really smart! I know I’m at a certain age and I sometimes forget things, but my children would have me believe that I have advanced stages of dementia! Once, OK maybe twice, my youngest has told me something and I have genuinely forgotten.

But her latest assertion that I agreed she could have £60 to go shopping is pushing it! There is no way in a million years that I have agreed to that; not even after a drink!

But she is adamant, and went as far as to describe what else we were talking about, where we were etc. etc. to the point that I nearly gave her the benefit of the doubt.

Instead I just told her to ask her father in future. He remembers everything! Go on kid, good luck asking him for £60!

made NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014

Dear Jojo My husband says I shouldn’t drink wine when putting the kids to bed, he says it sets a bad example. Have you ever felt the need for alcohol at bedtime?

Jeannie – Edinburgh Jeannie, I’ve felt the need for alcohol at breakfast! But seriously, it really depends on whether you’re putting them to bed so drunk that you drop them on their heads or it’s just a nice glass of wine while everyone winds down is what’s happening. There is little point in pretending to your own children that alcohol doesn’t exist, just to learn that sometimes mummy needs a little helper!

Jojo

33

Dates for your diary Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

©Freepik.com

3

4 5pm-9pm Botanic Lights: “Night in the Garden” at Royal Botanic Gardens. A magical outdoor experience featuring light and nature. (Until Nov 23rd, excluding Mons, pre-booked tickets only)

10

11

© Scottish Book Trust - Rob McDougall

24 Start of Book Week Scotland www.scottishbooktrust.com

6

Fireworks with a movie twist @ Meadowbank. Dress up as your favourite movie character!

Doors open 6pm

12

13

6.30pm-8pm. Fit for Motherhood @ Sweaty Betty.

An evening of taster sessions and information to help you through pregnancy, birth and into motherhood. www. fitformotherhood.eventbrite.co.uk

Start of World Nursery Rhyme Week

17

5

18

19

20

Barnton Christmas Shopping Evening. Nibbles, festive cheer and great gift ideas.

7pm Edinburgh Gang Show 2014 @ King’s Theatre.

Over 250 young people on the stage smiling and singing their hearts out! (Nov 18th - 22nd)

Country Living Christmas Fair @ SECC, Glasgow

25

26

27

Jack and the Beanstalk @ The Brunton Theatre. Panto full of fun, laughter, oodles of gags, local references, chart hits, singing, dancing and shouting out! (Until Jan 3rd)

Barnton Retailers Christmas Shopping Evening – festive fun, cheer and carol singing along with the Christmas tree light switch on!

Keep up to date with all the latest events by logging onto 34

www.mademagazine.co.uk

november 2014 Spotlight on...

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

1

2

Cockenzie Book Festival @ Cockenzie House, East Lothian. Authors from sport, history and children’s books.

Call 01875 819456 to book (Also on 2nd)

7

8

3pm The Monsters’ Ball @ Usher Hall. From Children’s Classic Concerts & RSNO. Owen and Olly will be dusting off their dancing shoes at this strictly spooktacular concert.

9 Special Christmas inspired underwater photo shoot with Clear Photography. Includes 25 free Christmas cards! www.clearphotography.co.uk

School Tours of Edinburgh Steiner School. Book with the school office on 0131 337 3410 www.edinburghsteiner school.org.uk

14

15

16

Edinburgh Art Fair at Corn Exchange (until 16th)

Special Christmas inspired studio photo shoot with Clear Photography. Includes 25 free Christmas cards! www.clearphotography.co.uk

10.30am-1pm Jack & Jill Market @ Meadowbank Stadium

21

22

23 See Edinburgh Dance Academy perform at Edinburgh Christmas Light Night

12pm-7pm Cargilfield Christmas Fair

RE-UNION

CANAL BOATS

RE-UNION

CANAL BOATS

29

28

inburgh on the canal f Ed isesLyceum uThe o1.30pm The BFG c@ 10.30am, 12pm, & r t r a ta e he along the union san Roald Dahl’schristma3pm. s in th Theatre.

Cruise classic story of The Big Friendly Giant.

Celebrate the (Until Jan 3rd)

canal with Santa! Songs, games, crafts, refreshments and a gift festive season with for every child. £10, booking along the canal and a essential www.re-union.org.uk

30 11am-4pm Sick Kids Christmas Fair @ Meadowbank

Sick Kids Christmas Fair 11am - 4pm, Sunday 30th November Meadowbank Sports Centre www.edinburgh sickkids.org Admission £2 per adult, children free The popular Christmas Fair offers a fantastic blend of early Christmas shopping opportunities with a great family day out. With a huge variety of stalls offering quality gifts to suit all pockets, this year, which marks the 10th anniversary of this special Christmas Fair, will be the biggest and best event yet.

There’s something for all ages with shopping, refreshments, festive activities, arts and crafts and festive entertainment. Don’t miss Santa in his Magical Grotto!

a cruise special visit from Santa himself.

www.mademagazine.co.uk/whats-on.html

One hour cruise along the Union Canal with games, songs and craft activities.

Complimentary seasonal refreshments and a made NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014 visit from Santa with a gift for every child.

35

Dates for your diary Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

1

2

3

4

Scottish grown Christmas trees will be sold at Summerhall (from £35) by “Woodland of Trees by Nic Houldsworth Landscaping”

8

Slava’s Snow Show @ Festival Theatre. Experience the joyous dream-like world, unlike anything you have seen before. (Until Dec 6th)

9

10

11

Mulled Wine & Mince Pie Gift Making Night @ Doodles!

Call 0131 229 1399 to book you or your group in. Every Wed evening in Nov & Dec.

15

16

17

18

1.30pm Cloud Man @ The Studio at Festival Theatre. Follow the clues to the very top of Cloud Mountain where the views are always surprising. For ages 4-7.

9.30am – 11.30am Breakfast with Santa @ Gambado! Story time, photos, balloon modelling, magic tricks, Santa parade, games & presents.

Santa is also visiting on Dec 17, 22 & 23.

23

24

25

1pm & 4pm The Singing Kettle @ Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh (until 24th)

Merry s Christmnae Everyo

30

31

Monkey Music Christmas Workshop @ LifeCare, 2 Cheyne St. For tickets contact Rachel Huggins comelybank.

corstorphine@monkeymusic.co.uk

22

ILLUSTRATION: ©ComoYoDsg

29

Black Bun Specials @ Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway.

Complimentary Scottish Hogmanay Black Bun & hot drink, (Also on 31st) www.bkrailway.co.uk

Hogmanay in the Honest Toun @ The Brunton. Family day with puppetry, lantern making, samba dancing, panto, ceilidh, lantern procession and fireworks! www.thebrunton.co.uk

Keep up to date with all the latest events by logging onto 36

www.mademagazine.co.uk

december 2014 Spotlight on...

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

5

6

7

Christmas Charity Festival @ Inverleith Park. The Edinburgh Christmas Run & Walk, The Santa Toddle, Santa’s Reindeer, Toddle Tent, Santa’s Grotto. On 7th too. www.christmascharityfestival.com

3pm Deck the Halls with Owen & Olly @ Usher Hall by Children’s Classic Concerts.

Family tickets available.

12

13

14

Cinderella @ Howden Park Theatre.

A classic we know off by heart... or do we?

(Until Dec 28th)

The Nutcracker starts @ Festival Theatre (until jan 3rd)

Santa Cruise! 12pm, 1.30pm & 3pm. Cruise along Union Canal and enjoy songs, games, crafts, refreshments and a gift from Santa. £10. Booking essential. www.re-union.org.uk (also on Dec 6, 7, 13, 20, 21 & 22)

19

20

21

Messy Munchkins Christmas Party for under 5s. Messy play, crafts, snack bag, visit & present from Santa. Booking essential. www.messymunchkins.co.uk

Santa Train! Santa travels by steam train, giving a gift to each young passenger. Pre-booking essential www.bkrailway.co.uk (Also on Nov 29 & 30, Dec 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21)

27

28

26 Boxing Day

Aladdin King’s Theatre www.edtheatres. com/aladdin

Nov 29th-Jan 18th Box Office: 0131 529 6000 Join the magical carpet ride as panto legends Allan Stewart, Andy Gray and Grant Stott return to the King’s for another unmissable pantomime adventure! With sensational special effects, this year’s King’s Panto will make all your wishes come true.

www.mademagazine.co.uk/whats-on.html made NOVEMBER MARCH / APRIL / DECEMBER 2014 2014

37

WHERE DO CLEVER MUMMIES TAKE THEIR KIDS FOR ALL THE FUN OF THE PHARAOHS?

AWARD WINNING PLAY AND PARTY CENTRE

PLAY

To Keep Your Kids Happy & Healthy

FOOD

Healthy Meals For ALL The Family

PARTY

Because Every Birthday is a Celebration

20% Off

ALL Entry Prices Until 23/12/14

only with this Ad

UNIT 5, 2B BANKHEAD DRIVE SIGHTHILL, EDINBURGH, EH11 4EJ

0131 308 2464

WWW.TIMETWISTERS.CO.UK

Christmas

Finishing

Touches

Christmas Red Lace Bunting £28, Etsy

Felted Penguin Decoration £15, The White Company

Christmas Cards Pink Pig Cards, Edinburgh www.pinkpigcards.co.uk

Robin Fabric Doorstop £9.95, Cloudberry Gifts, Barnton www.cloudberrygifts.co.uk

Red Berry Wreath £22.95 (from a selection starting at £16.95) Cloudberry Gifts, Barnton www.cloudberrygifts.co.uk

Personlised Christmas Plaque *Order before Nov 21st* £14.90 (plus P&P) Made With Love Keepsakes, Edinburgh www.facebook.com/madewith lovepersonalisedkeepsakes

Personalised Santa Sacks £14.95 (small) £19.95 (large) Treacle Boutique, Edinburgh www.treacleboutique.co.uk made november / december 2014

Magic Doors Give fairy and elf visitors their very own entry point into your home.

Magic Doors £20.00 (20cm x 12.5cm x 2cm) Christmas Wreath £2.00 Presents, stocking & snowman £14.00 www.themagicdoorstore.com

www.mademagazine.co.uk 39

Birth and Beyond provides emotional support to parents in the period from pregnancy into early parenthood and beyond.

Services include: ●

Parent Kind®, an evidence-based course which helps first-time mothers enjoy the experience of becoming a parent more, by creating a supportive space to talk about the emotional changes the mother is going through and by helping develop the parent-infant bond. ●

Transition work with couples, exploring their expectations and experiences both before and after birth. ●

Individual support during pregnancy and after birth, including relationships, birth stories and bonding.

www.birthandbeyond.org.uk find us on facebook and twitter

Entomologist?

Beekeeper?

Ballerina?

At Sparkle Arts we encourage children aged 1-5 to develop and learn through a fun mix of music, dance and drama. Our classes bring subjects to life to accelerate learning, whilst building confidence and improving social skills. It’s a creative education that will make little minds sparkle and teach children skills that will last a lifetime.

Go online to find out more and book a class.

sparklearts.co.uk

make learning fun.

u e p c o n n a time O

In the magical land of Edinburgh, all the children were offered the chance to go on an extra special adventure!

They could join Jack and climb up a huge Beanstalk; they could fly on a magic carpet with Aladdin; or they could join the BFG to help save the children of Edinburgh from giants! Which adventure would you choose…

Aladdin

King’s Theatre www.edtheatres.com/aladdin Dates: Nov 29th-Jan 18th Tickets: From £14 Box Office: 0131 529 6000

e!

Join the magical carpet ride as panto legends Allan Stewart, Andy Gray and Grant Stott return to the King’s for another unmissable pantomime adventure! With sensational special effects, this year’s King’s Panto will make all your wishes come true.

14 -

The BFG

Royal Lyceum Theatre is a Registered Company No. SC062065 Scottish Charity Registered No. SC010509

By Roald Dahl

TOP ILLUSTRATION: ©Lovelymaa Avian’s Creation

Adapted by David Wood The Lyceum www.lyceum.org.uk Dates: Nov 28th-Jan 3rd Tickets: £14-£27.50 Box Office: 0131 248 4848 The Big Friendly Giant captures dreams and keeps them in bottles for children to enjoy whilst they sleep. He is unlike other giants. For a start, he doesn’t like to eat people! Join the BFG and his new best friend – little orphan Sophie – and help them save the children of Britain from the child-eating giants, Bloodbottler, Fleshlumpeater, Bonecruncher, Meatdripper, Childchewer, and Gizzardgulper. made november / december 2014

41

Slava’s Snow Show

Cinderella

Dates: Dec 3rd-Dec 6th Tickets: From £16.50 Box Office: 0131 529 6000

Dates: Dec 12th-Dec 28th Tickets: £13, £50 family saver (4 seats) Box Office: 01506 777666

Experience a joyous dream-like world, unlike anything you have seen before. A world in which a cobweb envelops the audience and one tiny piece of paper begins a heart-stopping blizzard of snow. Combining hilarity and poignancy with stunning, breathtaking spectacle, this classic show is full of joy for all the family from 8 to 88!

Cinderella is surely one of the greatest fairy tales of all time! A classic we know off by heart... or do we? Did you know that wee Cinders lived in Livy, and her ugly sisters were really trolls who came up from the shale mines? Discover how Buttons got his name and whether the Fairy Godmother can really make a stagecoach from a pumpkin or just a bowl of hearty soup!

Festival Theatre www.edtheatres.com/slava

Howden Park Centre www.howdenparkcentre.co.uk

Cloud Man

The Studio at Festival Theatre www.edtheatres.com/cloudman Dates: Dec 17th, 1.30pm Tickets: From £7.50. For 4-7 year olds Box Office: 0131 529 6000 Cloudia has always had her head in the clouds.

She is a cloud expert and all of her life she has dreamt of seeing a Cloud Man – an extremely rare creature who lives a quiet life high up in the sky. Follow the clues to the very top of Cloud Mountain where the views are always surprising.

If you are lucky, you may see something very special indeed. Set and Puppets by Ailie Cohen.

42

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Peter Darrell’s

The Nutcracker Festival Theatre www.edtheatres.com/sbnutcracker Dates: Dec 13th-Jan 3rd Tickets: From £13 Box Office: 0131 529 6000 Let Scottish Ballet take you on journey into Clara’s magical dream world; to the Land of Ice and Snow, where snowflakes come to life, and to the magical Kingdom of Sweets – the enchanted Realm of the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy.

Jack and the Beanstalk The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh www.thebrunton.co.uk Dates: Nov 25th-Jan 3rd Tickets: Peak – £17 (£14), family £60 Off-Peak – £14.75 (£11.75), family £51 Box Office: 0131 665 2240 Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a trip to The Brunton’s panto! Their panto this year is full of fun and laughter with oodles of gags, local references, chart hits, outrageous costumes and lots of singing, dancing and shouting out. The fabulous cast of professional actors is supported by a chorus of talented, local, young performers from across East Lothian. made november / december 2014

Stick Man

By Julia Donaldson St Andrews Square www.edinburghchristmas.com Dates: Nov 22nd-Jan 4th Tickets: £13-£18.50 (Family tickets £56) Box Office: 0844 545 8252 The world outside the family tree is a dangerous place for Stick Man. A dog wants to play fetch with him, a swan builds a nest with him and he even ends up on a fire! How will Stick Man ever get back to the family tree? Passing through the seasons and culminating in a joyful Christmas celebration, Stick Man is a fantastick show which will delight all branches of the family tree!

Touching, funny and utterly original.

43

The Singing Kettle: “Big Christmas Party”

Owen and Olly’s pre-Christmas party! With the Manor School of Ballet and Area Choirs from the National Youth Choir of Scotland.

Festival Theatre Edinburgh www.edtheatres.com/singingkettle Dates: Nov 30th Box Office: 0131 529 6000

Edinburgh Gang Show

Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh www.thebrunton.co.uk Dates: Dec 22nd – 24th Box Office: 0131 665 2240

Dates: Nov 18th-Nov 22nd Tickets: From £14 Box Office: 0131 529 6000

The Howden Park Centre, Livingston www.howdenparkcentre.co.uk Dates: Jan 4th – 6th Box Office: 01506 777666

The Edinburgh Gang Show returns to the King’s Theatre for another fabulous show week. With over 250 young people on the stage smiling and singing their hearts out the Gang Show is an amazing experience to be part of.

C CC C C C

The Singing Kettle are having a party and you are invited! Anya, Kevin and Gary will be at their breathtaking best for their spectacular ‘Big Christmas Party’ Show. Superb audience participation, amazing costumes and lots and lots of Christmassy fun – the perfect treat to get everyone in the festive spirit. The Singing Kettle are retiring in early 2015, so catch them while you can!

King’s Theatre www.edtheatres.com/gangshow

hildren's

with

c

on erts c

lass i

Deck the Halls with Owen & Olly

Usher Hall www.childrensclassicconcerts.co.uk Dates: Dec 7th Tickets: £15-£10, Children £9-£6, Family ticket £43-£29 For ages 4-12 ‘Tis the season to be jolly so don’t stay Home Alone – fa la la along with the Sugar Plum Fairy and Frosty the Snowman to help Santa get unstuck from that chimney!

Join CCC and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra for classical music with a difference!

From timeless Christmassy compositions with beautiful ballet dancers to all your funky festive favourites fun is guaranteed for all the family at

44

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall 1pm & 3pm Saturday 6th December 2014 Usher Hall, Edinburgh 3pm Sunday 7th December 2014 Tic k from ets £6

www.childrensclassicconcerts.co.uk

Children’s Music Foundation in Scotland, Registered Scottish Charity SC022841

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Children’s tickets ½ price!

by Roald Dahl adapted by David Wood

28 November 2014 3 January 2015 Tickets: 0131 248 4848 lyceum.org.uk

Royal Lyceum Theatre is a Registered Company No. SC062065 Scottish Charity Registered No. SC010509

Letting Go

By the Triplet Dad

Triplets – “Daddy, can we go to the park?”

Me – “I’m not sure yet. Who are you going with?

Who’s going to be there? How long for? If you’re going you need to take a phone, and a watch, and bandages in case you fall over, and an extra jacket and...”

By this time they are so loaded down they can barely get out the door but they don’t care, it’s time away on their own playing with friends without parental control. When you’re 9, life doesn’t get much better. They shout goodbye, and run off to the park together, laughing, without even a single backwards glance.

I spend the whole time they are away staring out the upstairs window from where I can see the park, making sure they are OK without them seeing me, and resisting the urge to go and check on them. In my head I know they are safe but my heart needs me to keep watch just to make certain. Only when I see them running back to the house an hour later do I go back downstairs and nonchalantly pretend that I wasn’t worried in the slightest.

They then proceed to gather around me, and all three excitedly tell me at the same time everything that happened at the park and they are so open and honest I feel terrible for having kept an eye on them. Their reaction when they come back shows me that as exciting as it is for them to get their independence for a while, it’s just as exciting for them to come back and tell me all about it.

The problem for me is that this is just the beginning. They’ve already told me that they are walking the half a mile to school on their own next year as they will be 10 and that’s what 10 year olds do.

ILLUSTRATION: SAM MILLER www.sammiller.co.uk

“

They are so open and honest I feel terrible for having kept an eye on them

made november / december 2014

”

After that they will do what 15 year olds do and then what 20 year olds do and I’ll have to adjust to allow them the freedom they need while making sure they know they can always tell me all about it if they want to. The important thing for me now is embedding that trust between us so they always want to come back home to share

their experiences.

As they grow up and move away and have families of their own this will be more difficult, but the welcome homes will just be that bit more special the longer they are away, and the stories will be that much better for having to wait longer to hear them.

So if you meet me in the street in years to come and I look a bit distracted don’t worry, I’m not, it’s just that in my head I’m still looking out that upstairs window keeping an eye on my girls waiting for them to come home to tell me all about their latest adventures. n

Read more from Triplet Dad at tripletdadedinburgh.blogspot.co.uk @TripletDadMJ 47

Greenhill Montessori Nursery WEEKLY

Let your child’s adventure begin!

LOCAL

CLASSES

3 Children from 18 months to Primary Age 3 Hours from 9.00 to 16.00 (Care 8.15 to 17.30) 3 Billingual, with Native speaking teachers in both English and Spanish 3 Online progress tracking system for each child 3 We accept Childcare Vouchers 3 In Partnership with Edinburgh Council 3 Follows the Curriculum for Excellence Our Values Here at Greenhill Montessori Nursery we are committed to providing a safe, loving and nurturing environment for each child who joins us. We engage your child socially, emotionally and educationally to ensure their success in the future.

Their happiness, security and self confidence are our main goals.

sh ni S cien pa

S

Music

ce

C a

i at re

Dram

vi

ty

t m en

e Mov

Outdoors

with Water Babies, the UK’s leading baby swim school

classes held...

Fully qualified, world class instructors, teaching you to teach your baby to swim

in Edinburgh city centre, Newington, Hermiston Gate, Oxgangs, Crewe Toll, Dalmahoy, Dalkeith and more!

3 Greenhill Park, Morningside, Edinburgh EH10 4DW Tel: 01316290787 info@greenhillmontessori.co.uk www.greenhillmontessori.co.uk

To join in the fun call

0131 554 6682

waterbabies.co.uk

A��r� ��n���g ��s�� ��a��e� ��r ���i�� � ��u�� ��i��r�� EDINBURGH NORTH T: 0131 260 9667 E: comelybank.corstorphine@monkeymusic.co.uk EDINBURGH SOUTH T: 0131 441 4581 E: morningside.pentland@monkeymusic.co.uk

Group discounts for NCT members when 3+ people join together at the same time.

Dealing with the

big stuff

By Dawn Geddes

Children have a knack of asking big questions when you least expect it. One minute you’re having a conversation about how to make a daisy chain and the next you’re being asked about the meaning of life! As a mother of two girls, and a former childminder, I’ve been asked just about every question under the sun. But the questions that I’ve answered in the best way are always the ones I’ve had the chance to consider first.

They say honesty is always the best policy, but how do we go about having these difficult conversations in a gentle and loving way?

© nastia1983 - Fotolia.com

made november / december 2014

49

© Pavel Losevsky - Fotolia.com

THE BIG QUESTIONS

The truth about Old MacDonald Even if your child has been raised vegetarian or vegan, it can still be a shock for them to learn the brutal truth about the meat industry. When children are brought up to believe that Old MacDonald is a lovely man who looks after his animals out of love, it can be a bit upsetting for them to find out the real truth. They may feel guilty or find it difficult to understand why friends or relatives continue to eat animal meat, when they feel that it is wrong.

It’s best to be honest about what meat is and where it comes from, from the very beginning.

But if you haven’t done that, then maybe now is a good time to start. A good way to begin the conversation is by explaining the food chain or the circle of life to your child. Children can often be more receptive to ideas if they see it visually and there are many good diagrams and games on the internet that demonstrate this.

When you’re explaining what happens to the

50

animals, try not to go into too much of the gory details. Even if animal rights are something you feel very passionate about, you need to give your child time to process the information and form their own opinions without frightening them. If you don’t eat meat as a family, explain the reasons why, but let them know that when they are old enough, they can make their own decision about what they eat.

The birds and the bees When I was pregnant with my second child, I was asked all sorts of questions from the children I looked after. “Did you eat the baby?” was a popular one! But what shocked me the most was the way that some of the children described their own birth story. One child demonstrated to me how he was cut out of his mummy’s tummy – it was so gruesome it reminded me of a scene from the movie Sweeney Todd! Where we come from is such an important thing for children to know,

www.mademagazine.co.uk

© Petro Feketa - Fotolia.com

THE BIG QUESTIONS

“

Tell them the story of their birth day and how wonderful it was to welcome them into the world

that every baby has to make. Don’t let your child think of birth as a negative experience, it will scare them about the possibility of going through it themselves one day. Tell them the story of their birth day and how wonderful it was to welcome them into the world.

”

so it’s a good idea to think about how you want to describe the baby making process before the question comes up.

The level of detail to go into all depends on your child’s age. Some children will be happy with a simple explanation about Daddy’s seed being planted inside Mummy’s tummy, but be prepared to be pressed for more details!

Even if you experienced a difficult labour or birth, it’s important not to scare your child.

Painful or not, childbirth is an amazing journey made november / december 2014

Death Death is a scary subject, even for adults. From a young age, most children will understand the basic concept from stories they’ve read and TV programmes they have watched. However, the realisation that death isn’t something that only happens to the “baddies” in cartoons can be a frightening prospect. Whether your child initiates this difficult conversation or it is triggered by their first experience of death, it’s important to let them express their emotions, even if it is heartbreaking for you to watch. If they lose a pet, don’t rush to replace it. By letting them grieve, you are valuing their feelings and recognising that they have

51

photo: ©Ilike

THE BIG QUESTIONS

“

lost something that was important to them.

How we explain what happens after death really depends on our own beliefs and experiences. The idea that nothing happens, that death really is the very end, is very difficult for children to process. Talking through the different possibilities such as heaven or reincarnation, can provide some comfort even if it isn’t something you believe in yourself.

Reading a picture book, such as Goodbye Mog by Judith Kerr, is a lovely, gentle way to introduce the idea of death to small children or prepare them for an imminent death. If your family has suffered a bereavement, it is okay to show your children that you are upset too. If you feel that you are too emotional to discuss it properly, ask a relative or friend to talk to them.

This will give your children the opportunity to discuss about their feelings without worrying about upsetting you.

It’s important to let them express their emotions, even if it is heartbreaking for you to watch

52

Keeping the curiosity alive

Being curious is your child’s natural way of learning. It’s so important that we always encourage them to ask questions and wonder “what if…?”

Whatever the topic is, make sure that you are open to your children’s questions and if you don’t know the answer, find out. Whenever a new topic comes up that they are interested in, use it as an excuse to teach them something new. Tell them what you know, ask friends and relatives, explore the internet or take them to the library to find a good book on the subject. Explore their thoughts and feelings and share your own views – but don’t try and persuade them to think the same way as you do.

Encourage them to be individuals with their very own thoughts and feelings. And don’t forget to tell your children that they can always share anything with you, you’ll be very glad you did. n

”

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Specialising in all Trades

Main Contractor Specialist in: • Renovations • Extensions • Attic & garage conversions

We also cover: • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Wet rooms

FREE iPAD

For new clients who undertake Renovations, Extensions or Conversions from SBC (This will be upon contract agreement.

To get this offer, please quote SBCIPAD)

FREE iPHONE For new clients who undertake Kitchens, Bathrooms or Wet Rooms from SBC (This will be upon contract agreement.

To get this offer, please quote SBCIPHONE)

*Terms and conditions apply to the above offers.

Office: 0131 466 5364 • Mobile: 07813 073 960 Email: info@scottbuildingcontracts.com

www.scottbuildingcontracts.com

Christmas

His &

Hers 2

1 1. Pepe Moll Raspberry Handbag £52.95 Bank House Living, Lauder, www.bankhouseliving.co.uk 2. Younique 3D Fiber Lashes Mascara New to UK £23 (plus P&P) www.youniqueproducts.com/lashoutbylisa

3

5 4

3. Rosa Red “Phoebe” Vintage Style Necklace £35, www.cloudberrygifts.co.uk Cloudberry Gifts, Barnton 4. Ted Baker Coral Travel Document Holder £29.95 www.urbancuckoo.co.uk

6

5. Family Portraits by Sam Miller UK Unique illustrations & quirky portraits Prices from £40, www.sammiller.co.uk 6. Peony Scarves (selection of styles) From £14.95, www.cloudberrygifts.co.uk Cloudberry Gifts, Barnton

54

www.mademagazine mademagazine.co.uk .co.uk www.

7 7. Just Slate Company Stag Bottlestop £9.95, www.cloudberrygifts.co.uk Cloudberry Gifts, Barnton

8

8. Just Slate Company Antler Handle Small Serving Tray £31, www.cloudberrygifts.co.uk Cloudberry Gifts, Barnton

9

10 14 14. Urban Pirate “Whisky Words” T-shirt (navy) £20, www.cloudberrygifts.co.uk Cloudberry Gifts, Barnton

9. Ted Baker Brogue Travel Documents Holder £24.95, www.urbancuckoo.co.uk

10. Ted Baker Tweed Mini iPad/E-reader Cover £19.95, www. urbancuckoo.co.uk 11. Gentlemen’s Hardware Food Flask £19.95, www. urbancuckoo.co.uk 12. Gentlemen’s Hardware Aluminium Sandwich Tin £14.95, www.urbancuckoo. co.uk

13

11

12

13. Staggeringly Handsome Washbag £19.95, Bank House Living, Lauder, www.bankhouseliving.co.uk made NOVEMBER november//DECEMBER december2014 2014

55

food

•

make-up

food

•

wine

•

food

•

make-up

•

wine

By Annie & Charlotte, The Pantry, Stockbridge

g n i k o o C FOR YOUR wee one

H

aving small children means having your hands full. The idea of cooking a hundred different meals for the family after a full day of mummy or daddy duties is not something anyone looks forward to! While it’s ok to go shop-bought every now and then, it can be expensive. Often home-cooking might be a less than appealing option for dinner time – especially if your little one is about to start solids or is a picky eater – but it can be simple, plus it’s massively beneficial to both you and your bambini!

In addition to being surprisingly stress-free, there are so many positives to home-cooking baby and toddler food. Having complete control of what your child eats allows you to ensure a healthy and balanced diet. Plus it means no nasty stuff!

Furthermore, when you buy seasonally you can guarantee your food’s quality, freshness and price tag. Finally, and possibly most excitingly, cooking for (and with) your children can help banish the

56

dreaded picky toddler phase and can, instead, introduce little foodies! Eating similar food to the rest of the family prepares your wee one for more “grown up” meals in the future, and it means one less dish for you to cook at teatime!

We will help you in the quest to raise little foodies by taking you through three easy seasonal, costeffective and fun dishes that will be a sure-fire win at meal-times. Oh, and we know we’re not superheroes – so we’ve made sure they’re all freeze-able too!

1. Sneaky veg for just a few gnashers The best way to sneak veg into usual dinner winners is by grating the veg in! A favourite with my two is spag bol with grated carrot, courgette and onion. You can sneak in a bit of garlic too!

2. Picky eaters? Space rocket chicken!

My 21/2 year old will only eat things that are space

www.mademagazine.co.uk

food

•

make-up

•

wine

•

food

•

make-up

•

wine

ng Cooki ies b a B for ps

sho Work

We’ll help you raise adventurous little foodies with easy, seasonal, cost-effective and fun dishes! rockets! But this recipe could be adapted to whatever your little munchers favourite thing is. Bash out a chicken breast nice and flat then cut into the shape of a space rocket. flour... egg dunk… crushed up cornflakes then baked with a teeny bit of olive oil.

You can make flames with tomatoes and sweetcorn. We make moons and stars too!

3. Adventurous little foodies A great way to introduce adventurous little foodies to herbs and spices is with homemade lamb koftas. They’re really tactile and super easy for wee ones to help with. Serve them in pitas with a dollop of yoghurt and some secret grated cucumber! n

Find out more…

The Pantry will be hosting Cooking for Babies and Baking for Babies Workshops from November through to January.

For more information go to www.thepantryedinburgh.co.uk

made november / december 2014

November - January For information and dates of classes go to www.thepantry edinburgh.co.uk

1-2 NW Circus Place Edinburgh EH3 6ST

0131 629 0206 57

food

•

make-up

•

wine

•

food

•

make-up

•

wine

make-up

PHOTOGRAPH: © kevin kirk; make-up: colette casher; hair: tammie brodie; model: rachel king

s u o i c s u L Lashes s & Lip Make-Up Artist Colette Casher advises ‘Two key make-up trends for Autumn/Winter 2014 are luscious statement lashes and red lips.

Combining the two gives the perfect Christmas party look for busy mums, as this is a quick and easy look to achieve, whilst still being glamorous.’

Illamasqua Lip Colouring Pencil in Lust, £15.00

Colette explains how she achieved this on-trend look:

1. Prep skin with a moisturiser, followed by a

primer to both the face and eyelids.

2. Apply foundation to the face.

3. Then apply concealer (of a similar shade to the foundation) where required, such as on the undereye area and on any blemishes, blending well.

4. Using an angled blusher brush, apply blusher to the apple of the cheeks, sweeping lightly across the cheekbone to blend.

58

5. Set

by gently patting a little loose powder across the face.

6. Groom the brows by brushing. For any sparce areas, fill in as necessary with a brow pencil or powder, then brush through again to soften and blend.

7. Apply a creamy beige eyeshadow across the eyelids. Then apply a medium brown eyeshadow to the outer corner and crease of the eyes for definition, and blend well.

www.mademagazine.co.uk

food

•

make-up

•

8. Across

the top lash line, apply black eyeliner as close as possible to the lashes, finishing with a flick at the outer corners.

9. Curl the top lashes with an eyelash curler and apply a coat of black mascara to both the top and bottom lashes.

10. Place strip lashes as close as possible to the top lash line.

11. For a more natural look, blend the natural and false lashes together by applying a light coat of mascara, brushing it through gently.

12. To complete the look, line the lips with a red lip liner and apply a matching red lipstick to the lips.

For an even more vampy pout, use instead a darker berry red lipstick with a matching berry red lip liner. n For the lashes and lips, Colette suggests Illamasqua False Eye Lashes No.019, Illamasqua Lip Colouring Pencil in Lust and Illamasqua Lipstick in Sangers.

Illamasqua False Eye Lashes No.019, £12.00

wine

•

food

Illamasqua Lipstick in Sangers, £18.50

make-up

•

wine

Lash Out

by Lisa

Take your lashes from OK...

Pro Tip: When applying false lashes, check first that they are the correct length for the eyes, trimming as required.

Then once the glue has been applied to the lash seam, wave it in the air for a few seconds, allowing the glue to become more tacky for ease of application.

Find out more…

If you would like someone to teach you how to apply make-up, choose the correct shades for your colouring or even change the way you do your make-up after becoming a busy mum, Colette offers make-up lessons with helpful hints and tips of the trade. Colette also offers a make-up service for special occasions (including Christmas parties!), weddings, bridal tutorials and video & photo shoots (including maternity and family portraits). For more info, contact Colette: M: 07766 243 432, E: info@colettecasher.com, FB: colettecashermakeupartistry, W: www.colettecasher.com made november / december 2014

•

to Oh, Wow!

with from Younique

www.younique products.com/ lashoutbylisa Email: lisaromanis @hotmail.com

07817 248937 59

food

•

make-up

•

wine

•

food

•

make-up

•

wine

Wine:

de-stress, impress & present

ILLUSTRATIONS © FREEPIK.com

By wine expert, David Henderson of Henderson Wines

F

or me the term “wine expert” is loose terminology for someone who has haunted the wine trade for more than four decades. For 13 years I have plied my wares at Henderson Wines, Comiston Road. On day one I boasted 300 different wines, and after a decade the variety had risen to more than 1000. It is an amazing industry that rewards successful traders with opportunities to travel and expand their knowledge and gain more enthusiasm for the ever-changing product that they sell.

De-stress

I realised recently that many wines are purchased by mums and dads after a stressful day at home or work hence the ‘de-stressing’ category.

Great value and easy drinking wines in the £6-£8 price range: a range of Romanian wines offering Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Noir at £6.99.

60

Something to suit all palates: Chilean Porta Wines offer Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Sauvignon and un-oaked Chardonnay again at £6.99 so no shortage of wines at this level.

If you spend less than £5.00 on a bottle of wine, around £2.50 is revenue to the government by way of duty and VAT on duty.

So, as a rule of thumb you really have to go above £5 to get a bottle of reasonable quality.

Impress

Dinner party wines are often wines to impress guests and partner your special menu. I offer a lot of advice at this level as food and wine pairing are paramount to a successful event. This is where I start to think about wines in the £10-£20 range.

These wines are more distinctive, more complex and often made with a bit more passion than the bulk produced wines that need to meet certain

www.mademagazine.co.uk

food

•

make-up

•

wine

•

food

•

make-up

•

wine

© Dasha Petrenko - Fotolia.com

price points. The fine wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Loire and Rhone are a starting point, with Chablis around £15 or Sancerre at £17.50. Clarets from £11 to £25 are great wines for dinner parties but the new world always has very good alternatives.

Presents

With wines and ports being offered as very acceptable presents for birthdays and anniversaries, the sky is the limit to attain that very special bottle. I feel you get great wine in the £10-£20 range and very special wine up to £30 a bottle (champagne often kicks in at this price point but it is a very special product and there are no substitutes!).

When you go beyond the £30 price tag you start paying for rarity, vintage and top producers who demand high prices for a very limited availability of passionately made wines. Many are certainly worth the price tag but a few can disappoint as more money does not always equate to more flavour.

Tasting Notes…

My original tag line “wines from around the planet to suit all purses and palates” still describes my business model today.

“From the economical to the extravagant” is also relevant for customers seeking a wine at all levels. The list changes almost on a weekly basis but the core wines are around 800 in total so continuity is not an issue. n

on s a e S e v Festi sting Ta anza g Extrava 20th November, 7-9pm The Braid Hills Hotel Approx. 100 wines to tempt the taste buds

£10/person 0131 447 8580 www.hendersonwines.co.uk

Find out more…

Henderson Wines, 109 Comiston Road, EH10 6AQ, 0131 447 8580

made november / december 2014

61

out & about

Out A

Have you got great photos from an event you’d like to share with MADE readers?

If so, email them to us at info@mademagazine.co.uk

out & about

•

out & about

•

BO & UT

1 1. HRH Princess Beatrice at the Sick Kids Hospital met patients and opened the brand new Gamma Camera and CT Scanner.

2. Children at The Sick Kids Hospital couldn’t work out how Sid Sloane was at the hospital and not in the TV!

•

3. The Sick Kids Jelly Stop at the Scottish Half Marathon went down a treat and 1 year old Ronan won the best cheerer title!

2

out & about

•

out & about

4. Dunbar PS former pupil, Katie Donovan (11) won Start-rite Shoes’ ‘Design a Shoe’ competition.

4 62

3 www.mademagazine.co.uk

out & about

5. Katia Crolla Photography’s Beyond the Clouds photobooth was a showstopper at the Edinburgh Bump, Baby & Toddler Show.

6. Edinburgh’s under fives enjoying messy play with Messy Munchkins.

7. Yogabellies at the Edinburgh Bump, Baby & Toddler Show.

•

8. Lara Rivens, founder and organiser of the Edinburgh Bump, Baby & Toddler Show.

out & about

9. Congratulations to Karina from Turtle Tots and Nicole from Gymboree for raising £1,918 by hosting a Charity Fun Day in August.

6

•

5

•

© Wee Smile Photography

out & about out & about

7

9 63

out & about

© Wee Smile Photography

•

made november / december 2014

8

made

for

Allan

you

•

made

for

you

•

made

for

you

Telfer SPORTS COACHING

LETS. PLAY. SPORT.

Allan Telfer Sports Coaching is a multi-skills coaching company in Edinburgh that focuses on the development of children from ages 3-9yrs.

For further info tel: 07572 875789 Email: allantelfer1983@gmail.com

www.allantelfer.co.uk

BEDROOM CEILING now the

TWINKLING NIGHTSKY by EDINBURGH’S NIGHTSKY CEILING PAINTER

07738 299 947 NightskyCosmicCeilings.co.uk

64

Book your space in the Jan/Feb edition now. Promote your business to 35,000 Edinburgh parents.

Email info@mademagazine.co.uk for more info.

Quote ‘MJ’ for special a discount. www.mademagazine.co.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

made

for

you

•

made

for

you

•

made

for

you

!

Special Pre Christmas Photo Shoot Offer Natural, timeless photography, tailored especially for you in your favourite place perfect for a special Christmas present

1 HOUR SHOOT - 30 professionally edited photographs on a CD for ÂŁ60 facebook.com/GillianShawPhotography e: info@gillianshawphotography.co.uk www.gillianshawphotography.co.uk

Weddings – Portraits – Events

Edinburgh

The ultimate pre-school dance experience Funky dance classes specifically for young children to encourage movement, learning, confidence and f un!

For 18 months to 4 years old To find out about classes near you.

Visit www.facebook.com/discoduckedinb urgh or email discoduckedi nburg h@bti nternet.com And book your first class for j ust ÂŁ2

made november / december 2014

65

tried

and

Tested

on trial... Nightsky Cosmic Ceilings Busy parents don’t have time to research all the services available to them, so MADE does it for them. In this issue, first-time mum Fiona gives us the lowdown on Edinburgh’s nightsky ceiling painter…

Nightsky Cosmic Ceilings claims: He can transform your child’s bedroom ceiling into their very own personal twinkling, stargazing cosmos; while providing solutions to fear of the dark and reluctance to go to bed, sensory stimulation and love of the stars, moons and planets. His cosmic ceilings are invisible by day, but incredible at night!

Fiona says: Nothing could prepare me for how magical this would actually be. Mike is a friendly, charismatic, professional man whose reasonable prices and speedy work (2 hours) were an added bonus. From the initial glimpse of his leaflet in the maternity ward, until five months later when we now have our gorgeous baby Sean, both my husband and myself have spent many nights feeding lying under this calming sky full of stars, shooting stars, Milky Way, planets, meteor showers and also Sean’s name literally written in the stars, as well as his star-sign constellation. Our friends gasp in amazement when we show them our normal white ceiling has transformed into the cosmos just by turning the light off.

The verdict…

Mike brings joy to many children (and parents) around Edinburgh through his ceilings. If we move house in the future we will definitely ask him to paint us another one! You simply have to see a Nightsky Cosmic Ceiling to believe it…

Mike uses high-tech, child-safe glow-paints. For more info or a free estimate call 07738 299 947 or visit www.NightskyCosmicCeilings.co.uk

If you are a business owner and would like MADE to test your service/product get in touch at mademag@live.co.uk

66

www.mademagazine.co.uk

made for Christmas

the perfect present

for only £15

Wake up to made on your doorstep for a whole year!

That’s just £2.50 per issue!

News Events Interviews Competitions Reviews Family Finance Features Triplet Dad Prize Giveaways Fashion Recipes Advice And lots more coming soon...

TO SUBSCRIBE Go to facebook.com/MADEmag and click on ‘subscriptions’ to pay via Paypal or email mademag@live.co.uk and quote SUB13 to pay via BACS T&Cs: This offer is available for UK subscriptions only. Subscription starts on receipt of full £15 payment.

SHOWS FOR ALL THE FAMILY AT THE FESTIVAL AND KING’S THEATRES THIS CHRISTMAS Sat 29 November 2014 to Sun 18 January 2015

++++ “Unmissable” Sunday Mail

Quotes refer to Peter Pan 2013/14

+++++ “The best in years” Edinburgh Evening News

Sun 30 November KING’S THEATRE

FESTIVAL THEATRE

Wed 3 to Sat 6 December

Sat 13 Dec 2014 to Sat 3 Jan 2015 FESTIVAL THEATRE

FESTIVAL THEATRE

AND FOR A GREAT CHRISTMAS PRESENT… Live on stage!

Live on stage!

Sat 4 & Sun 5 April KING’S THEATRE

Sat 11 & Sun 12 July KING’S THEATRE

BOOK NOW AT edtheatres.com OR CALL 0131 529 6000 Registered Charity SCO18605