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Helping you through pregnancy, birth and beyond

Issue 22 | Christmas 2014

FEATURES Fabulous editorials, real life stories, recipes, health tips and competitions to see you through Christmas

FESTIVE FOOD Food & drink recipes and menus to see you through the Christmas holidays

PARENTS IN BUSINESS Helping with support, advice and knowledge

CHRISTMAS TIME! See our bumper Christmas Gift Guide for the whole family!

ADVENT CALENDAR GIVEAWAY 25 FABULOUS PRIZES TO BE GIVEN AWAY EVERY DAY UP TO CHRISTMAS! www.babybuzzmagazine.com | Twitter: BabyBuzz Mag

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www.babybuzzmagazine.com | Twitter: BabyBuzz Mag

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8 14 14 Yikes, can you believe it’s almost Christmas!

How prepared are you, have you started your Christmas shopping as yet? If not, don’t worry - we have an amazing gift guide for every member of the family from the grandparents to your pets! We’ve also made sure to cater for every budget, not all of us can afford the big expensive presents this year just remember it’s the thought that counts...

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We have a fabulous issue lined up for our readers this year which includes our spectacular Advent Calendar Bumper Giveaway - 25 days of 25 prizes that will be drawn every day in the run up to Christmas. We have toys, games, beauty products, vouchers and pushchairs as well as essential baby equipment to giveaway to lucky readers - all you have to do is enter via email for your chance to win. Each prize will be drawn in the evening of that respective day and winners will be notifed via email and social media. We have our fantastic stories, parents in business feature and health tips and advice from our many experts. Just remember if you would like me to feature a specific subject, just send me an email and I will do my best to research the information for you.

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All that is left to say is have Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and we’ll see you in 2015!

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Nickie xx

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Picture Credits:

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YOGA BELLIES Create a Whole New You...

JO CLIFF, PLATYPUS RESEARCH Keeping The Magic of Christmas Alive SLOW TOY AWARDS Slow Toy Awards Unveiled at John Lewis for 2014!

JM HERBALIST - Q&A Your ques ons answered!

MICHELLE ESHKERI - PARENT PARTNER Coping with Christmas & young babies/children...

THE NEW INTESTACY LAW Legal made simple - Rocket Lawyer BRAUN’S TOP TIPS On surviving colds and flu this season RUBEN TABARES The importance of healthy ea ng and exercise SUZANNE SHAW Bringing a ray of sunshine to Wembley KATY HILL AND ZAPF CREATIONS Prepare your child for the arrival of a newborn ..

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Front Page Photography Credits: Helen, Owner of Cuddledry

© Dolgachov | Dreamstime.com - Happy Family With Tablet Pc Computers Photo | © Martinmark | Dreamstime.com - Christmas Stress Shopping Woman Photo |© Paulmaguire | Dreamstime.com - Driving In Snow Photo | © Skypixel | Dreamstime.com - Human Egg Cell Photo © Warrengoldswain | Dreamstime.com - Healthy Balanced Lifestyle Photo | © Martindata | Dreamstime.com - Child With Grandparents Photo | © Lambroskazan | Dreamstime.com - Pregnant Smilling Woman With Laptop Photo

WELCOME TO THE WORLD A warm welcome to gorgeous li le ones ENTERPRISING MUMS Finance - Ge ng your accounts in order BABY BUZZ MEETS...

Billie Faiers for My Babiie’ PARENTS IN BUSINESS Meet the parents behind the brand ROCKET LAWYER Legal advice - Taking in a Lodger THE DADS NETWORK New Dad Books: Viral Blogger Al Ferguson, Releases a Paren ng eBook with a difference

FESTIVE FUN

By Elizabeth Hobson THE NOMAD CINEMA The roaming pop-up that gives back..

FESTIVE FOOD & BEVERAGES A me to overindulge FESTIVE FOOD AND NIBBLES For the fes ve period THE GREAT ADVENT CALENDAR GIVEAWAY 25 Days of Amazing Prizes to be won CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDES For all the Family

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FASHION FOCUS BABY BUZZ BOOK CLUB FAMILY TRAVEL GETAWAYS

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BABY BUZZ PRODUCT REVIEWS

www.babybuzzmagazine.com | Twitter: BabyBuzz Mag

The latest products for parents and children including the best in family cars, baby essentials, fashion & lifestyle and books for the family.

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Welcome to the World...

Gracie Alexandra Scott D.O.B: 01/07/2014 Weight: 8lbs 14oz Parents: Eleanor HartSpratt & Simon Scott.

Jaxson James Dennis D.O.B: 21/10/2014 Weight: 8lb 4oz Parents: Natalie Archibold & Anthony Phillips

Jesse Ann Prince D.O.B: 2/11/2014 Weight: 8 lb 81/2 Oz Parents: Lisa Hatch & Simon Prince

Elsa Jodie Fisher D.O.B: 29/09/2014 Weight: 6lbs 11oz Parents: Jodie & Karl Fisher

Matilda Edie Brunton D.O.B: 17/08/2014 Weight: 7lb 1oz Parents: Nicola & James Brunton

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Alice Jaros D.O.B:13/11/2014 Weight: 8lbs 6oz Parents: Milena & Tomasz

Elliot Ethan Hanna D.O.B: 24/09/2014 Weight: 9lb 3oz Parents: Anna Maria & Ramy Hanna

www.babybuzzmagazine.com | Twitter: BabyBuzz Mag

THE PERFECT BOTTLE TO HELP BREASTFEEDING MUMS!

Say hello to yoomi… the clever little bottle created by parents for parents to help breastfeeding mums and mums who express.

Voted best bottle by parents in the Loved by Parents Awards, yoomi’s award winning range of BPA-free bottles have just made switching between breast and bottle-feeding even easier. With a specially designed breast-like, super soft teat to promote easy latch-on and six anti-colic vents to reduce the likelihood of colic, yoomi is the most gentle way to introduce a first bottle to your baby.

Need to warm your baby’s feed on the go? Then team up your yoomi bottle with yoomi’s clever warmer & pod (RRP £16), half price with this offer, for the complete yoomi Feeding System! The ingenious yoomi warmer warms your baby’s feed to perfect breast milk temperature in just 60 seconds… at the touch of a button!

Get your FREE yoomi bottle and HALF PRICE warmer & pod today!

HOW TO CLAIM Visit yoomi.com and add the 5oz yoomi bottle to your basket, then enter BUZZ14 at the checkout.

You will just be charged £3.50 p&p In addition, you’ll receive a 50% off voucher against your first yoomi warmer & pod too!!

WHAT MUMS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT YOOMI… “yoomi made the transition from breast to bottle possible” Carys, mum to Isla “Not having to worry about the temperature makes things so much easier” Kelly, mum to Lily

Terms and conditions: *£3.50 postage required. Limited availability, one per customer, first 200 customers only.

UK customers only. Offer closes 11.59pm, 31st January 2015. Promoter yoomi, Unit 14, iO Centre, Seymour Street, London, SE18 6SX.

www.babybuzzmagazine.com | Twitter: BabyBuzz Mag

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Parents In Business

Parents & Business The Parents & Business section focuses on exactly that, being a parent and running a business! There are so many businesses that are run by people who juggle parenting with work every day and so each month we sing their praises and give them a great big mention.

If you’d like to be featured in this section and give your business a shout out, contact me today: nickie@babybuzzmagazine.co.uk

It’s a Rollercoaster but it doesn’t have to be the Big Dipper!!

At Enterprising Mums, we aim to support and inspire each other through our networking meetings.

Many of the women we meet tell us how difficult they found the transition of going back to work after maternity leave.

In this month’s advice column, we give you some tips on returning to work.

Returning to work after Maternity leave or a career break can be one of the biggest transitional roller coasters we take in life.

How to make this less ‘bumpy’ simply comes down to a number of key things which are underpinned by planning and organisation.

Time out of the workplace, whether it be 6 months or 6 years can also often impact your confidence and self belief. The important thing to remember is that you are not alone. It’s very normal to approach the countdown to that first day with a great deal of nerves and anxiety. How do I possibly juggle my life as a working parent? First things first. Breath! You are going to become an expert at juggling and multi-tasking...but you probably already are if you have been at home with the kids for any length of time!

Planning ahead will get you a long way.

Childcare If you are going to need childcare then make sure you give yourself enough time to look around and weigh up your options.

Getting this right will help you feel more relaxed and confident about going back to work.

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Try and plan to have your child settle in properly before you actually start back at work. This will also give you some space to deal with any emotional issues of leaving your child with someone else and before you have to present a ‘fresh face’ in the office. I remember crying my eyes out on the front steps of my office on my first day back after Maternity leave after an emotional Nursery drop off and a stressful commute into London. Make sure you have a back up plan for when the child or the childminder is sick....I guarantee this will happen, more than once, so you and especially your Manager need to be prepared for when it does! Do you have relatives or friends nearby who can stand in? Will you have the flexibility to work from home at times? These are all questions to make sure you have covered.

Domes c Rou ne This is the part where the juggling and planning ahead is essential! Get lunches, clothes, bags, homework, consent forms, library books, PE kits etc etc etc....ready the night before! Do everything online, keep lists, plan meals and delegate the chores at home. This is the time to ensure your Partner understands that, now you are a working parent, domestic chores are not your sole duty and that its time for them to ‘step up’! Most of all, don’t try and strive for 100% perfection at home (or at work for that matter), because with so much going on it is largely unattainable and you will only beat yourself up. Remember the 80:20Rule. e.g.don’t waste time on activities that aren’t essential to the overall equilibrium or benefit of the family. You will burn out otherwise and you don’t have time for that either!!

Number One This leads me to my final piece of advice. Don’t forget to take care of the most important person in this adventure...YOU! Returning to work, regardless of how experienced you are, is a major transition and you are likely to experience a whole range of emotions. The Change Curve is a tool often used to help people understand their reactions to a significant change or upheaval.

(Source Kubler Ross.)

www.babybuzzmagazine.com | Twitter: BabyBuzz Mag

Parents In Business

Transition begins with letting go of something. The change is the event and this can happen suddenly but the psychological transition happens more slowly for some people. Next comes the psychological no man’s land. It’s the space between old and new, old sense of identity and new, old way of doing things is gone but the new doesn’t feel comfortable yet. This is often the hardest time and we may feel like we can’t quite see the woods for the trees! But don’t give up because the final phase in this process is all about acceptance. Once we can start to identify with the new routine, it will feel more comfortable and before you know it, things will seem easier. A Positive mental attitude will carry you through many challenges and obstacles. You just need to believe that you can do it.

“Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re probably right” - Henry Ford Jaqueline Speight is a member of Enterprising Mums and runs her own coaching company 10Zero2, specialising in helping mums return to work. You can find out more about her work by calling her on 07850 077323 or contacting her through Enterprising Mums.

For more information on Enterprising Mums networking groups or to set up a networking group yourself, please visit:

Parents In Business

INSPIRE: Through our mee ngs and website, we meet like-minded mums who juggle busy lives, and we offer support to each other. We know it’s hard when you’re doing it all on your own and we understand that with the right support and encouragement you can make it.

KNOWLEDGE: We create an environment that is about sharing knowledge, experiences and enabling learning through our members and guest speakers. We provide business informa on and training to help you realise you dreams.

NETWORK: Meet others and market your own business in a friendly, informal, yet professional environment. Inspire each other with success stories and encouragement!

www.enterprising-mums.co.uk or tweet us @enterprisemums (Source Kubler Ross.)

www.babybuzzmagazine.com | Twitter: BabyBuzz Mag

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Parents In Business Parents In Business

Create a whole new you in 2015… These ladies did and haven’t looked back...

Whilst many women consider January to be a time to detox their bodies it can also be a time to detox their lives… Research from a leading recruitment website* showed that a whopping 70% of people hate their job and almost half (43%) of people go so far as saying they dread waking up in the morning. If you’re part of this percentage then use January as a time to give your job a shakeup and re-train in something that will get you leaping out of bed every morning! Developed by Glasgow-based yoga teacher, Cheryl MacDonald, YogaBellies (www.yogabellies.co.uk) now has 108 franchises across the UK, and beyond, and offers women the chance to join their community and train as a yoga teacher.

These three women took the leap as part of their ‘New Year, New You’ mantra and have never looked back: Nadya Walker, 35 from Virginia Water in Surrey, had the ultimate New Year’s resolution this year… to start up a new business! Whilst on maternity leave, Nadya was made redundant from her job as a product manager. Juggling a new-born son and a house move, timing could not have been worse, but now Nadya sees it as a blessing in disguise. She says: “Even before I was made redundant I knew something had to change in order to raise a family. My job needed to be flexible, enjoyable and provide the work-life balance I desired, and the fast-paced stressful corporate world just didn’t have that on offer. If I’d been able to stay at my job I would have learnt anyway; a full-time permanent job was just no longer feasible.”

After researching franchises Nadya came across YogaBellies and signed on the dotted line. With 10 years of yoga practise under her belt Nadya has started teaching classes once a week and is quickly building up her customer base and is about to start teaching Mum & Baby yoga. If that wasn’t enough Nadya also works as a management consultant in-between her classes!

“Yes it’s been a challenge,” Nadya says, “however I couldn’t be happier! The yoga training was intense but totally worth it. It has been a huge commitment and I’ve had no spare time, but I’m happy to be running my own businesses, as I can manage my own time, projects, and my yoga classes are at times that suit me and my family. It’s been a busy year and the best news is my husband and l are expecting baby number two in January! Looking back on this year I am so thankful of what I’ve achieved and to be doing a job I love. Being a yoga teacher is so refreshingly different to the office world of work that I used to be in, and it’s so rewarding to teach pregnancy yoga and be part of such a special time in women’s lives. I really feel like I’m giving something back to the community.”

Annie Perry, 32 from Glasgow, became a YogaBellies franchisee in January 2014 after realising the corporate world of marketing no longer suited her lifestyle and she needed a BIG change. Despite trying her hand at marketing for a spirits company, being a clothes buyer and dabbling in the food industry, Annie couldn’t find

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a job she loved. Whilst on maternity leave she bit the bullet and quit the corporate world in favour of becoming a yoga instructor.

Annie says: “I did enjoy my previous job but when I fell pregnant with my son I looked at things in a whole new light. With my husband away travelling for work there was no way I could give my child the attention he deserved whilst working a 9 to 5 job. On the other hand I could never imagine being a stay-at-home mum either! I’d always practised yoga and I’d recommend it to any of my friends going through pregnancy, so when I heard about YogaBellies I felt as if I’d found my true calling.”

After combining her two passions, yoga and pregnancy, Annie has never looked back. “I absolutely love it!” she exclaims, “I can spend quality time with my son and meet a whole network of women who I now consider friends. Everyone is really supportive and my partner has noticed a complete change in my persona.

Being a yoga teacher and practising it regularly really makes me feel like a better mum and a better partner. Although I fell into the job by chance I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Mandy Rees, 44 from Birmingham, signed up to the YogaBellies franchise in January 2014 in a bid to make her life more family-friendly.

Now Mandy could not be further away from her previous job as a lawyer! Despite reducing her working week to four days after the birth of her first daughter and then to three days after her second daughter was born, Mandy couldn’t achieve the ideal work/life balance and when she was made redundant she couldn’t have been more grateful! Mandy says: “Being a lawyer is tough and it’s even tougher when you have a family to look after as well. I was leaving the office, going home to see the girls, then heading back into the office. I was exhausted!

When I found YogaBellies online it ticked all the boxes. I’m fitness orientated anyway and the job satisfaction is amazing!”

Despite juggling two businesses – YogaBellies and her own maternity wear company (Bumpalicious Maternity) - Mandy’s family have seen a huge different in herself. “I’m so much calmer now,” explains Mandy, “My mood is more positive, the girls love having me around and I’m supporting other women everyday which is really rewarding. A support network was vital for me when finding a new job; women should support each other and in the corporate world that just doesn’t really happen.”

Now Mandy teaches pregnant ladies once a week and is trained in Baby Massage and Mum & Baby yoga. “It’s so easy to get caught up in a cycle of unhappy work, my advice is to take a deep breath and take the leap!”

For more information, please visit: www.yogabellies.co.uk

www.babybuzzmagazine.com | Twitter: BabyBuzz Mag

Parents In Business - Celebrity Interview

TOWIE’s Billie Faiers is renowned for her glamorous and contemporary style, remaining at the forefront of design with a down to earth, honest and approachable demeanor.

And since the birth of her daughter, Billie has become a style icon for mothers across the country with the co-ownership of Minnie’s Boutique, her store Jam Kidswear, becoming an ambassador for Fisher Price, and now her involvement with new baby brand My Babiie. Billie has worked tirelessly to create products that reflect her personality and her passion for cutting edge design. The My Babiie range created by Billie Faiers delivers products of the highest quality, being a new mum meant high focus on product standards as well as the aesthetics. The designs are simple but bold, stylish, luxurious, accessible and effortlessly cool.

We had the opportunity to interview Billie for our Parents & Business feature and are thrilled to share her views on being in business women but more importantly as a mum!

What do you hope to achieve?

I want mums and their little ones to enjoy the range as much as I do!

What has been the highlight of starting your own company?

I think the photocall I had last week to celebrate the Signature Range being stocked in Mothercare! It was such a lovely experience!

What has been the downside of starting your own company?

There hasn’t been any downsides at this moment!

What would your advice be to any parent wanting to start up their own business?

I would say don’t be scared of the unknown if you’re going into something new. It’s all about routine and have a good balance between your family and work life.

Who is behind the Product?

Myself and the design team at My Babiie, we wanted to make something that we could use and my daughter Nelly would enjoy.

How did this get started?

Well the people at My Babiie approached me to do my Signature Range with them and I jumped at the chance!

What is the company about?

We wanted to create something that was fun, affordable and has a luxurious design (without breaking the bank!)

www.babybuzzmagazine.com | Twitter: BabyBuzz Mag

For more information, please visit: Website: www.mybabiie.com Email: info@mybabiie.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/MyBabiie Twitter: @MyBabiie

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Parents In Business

For more information, please visit: Website: www.illuminatedcanvas.co.uk | Email: info@illuminatedcanvas.co.uk Facebook: IlluminatedCanvas | Twitter: @ illumcanvas

Who is behind the Product?

I set up the company with my husband three years ago after we were looking for a stylish and soothing nightlight. We couldn’t find anything we liked and I was looking at a canvas and it got me thinking, let’s combine the two and offer a beautiful and helpful home accessory. And so Illuminated Canvas was born.

How did the company get started?

We realised we had a completely unique idea and everyone we spoke to thought it was a great idea. So, we took the plunge and set up the company. After an overwhelmingly positive reaction from customers, we are now available in boutique shops up and down the country, as well as on Not On The Highstreet, John Lewis, and The Letter Room.

Celebrities have loved our range including Amanda Holden, Kirsty Allsopp, and Jools Oliver, as well as an army of thankful mothers whose babies are sleeping peacefully in the comforting glow of one of our canvases.

What is the company about?

Completely handmade in the studio at the bottom of our Oxfordshire garden, and with the combined experience of 15 years+ in design, photography and 4 years+ picture framing and canvas knowledge, we come up with all the designs ourselves and produce everything to the highest standard. Each canvas incorporates 20 battery operated

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LED lights to create a magical and warming 3D effect. Now, we have children’s, home, wedding and Christmas range and you can also have a bespoke design such as a child’s drawing up in lights! We have won multiple national awards such as Gift of the Year 2014, Best Nursery Accessory 2013, and Best Handmade Gift 2013, just to name a few.

What do you hope to achieve?

I hope that Illuminated Canvas will be a household name that families love to have in their home. It makes me feel so proud when I see someone has our canvas in their home, it’s lovely.

What has been the highlight of starting your own company?

Making my family proud. Running my own company has offered me the flexibility to see and have fun with my children but it also allows them to see me as a hard-working woman which I hope inspires them so they feel they can do what they dream of when they are older.

What has been the downside of starting your own company?

It has been a rollercoaster but such a fun one! I wouldn’t have changed the highs and lows for a second because I am following my dream and doing a ‘job’ if you can call it that, which I love. It’s like my fourth baby really, I’m trying to nurture it and let it blossom.

What would your advice be to any parent wanting to start up their own Think and dream big! Follow your dream and don’t give up.

www.babybuzzmagazine.com | Twitter: BabyBuzz Mag

Parents In Business Parents In Business Who is behind the Product?

I set up Baba + Boo in 2009 after having my two children. I decided to change careers and take up a new challenge; to create stylish and fashionable cloth nappies. I was frustrated by the lack of choice and the dull and uninspiring versions, so I decided to create some with real personality. From frogs to old school records and dots, there is something for every bum!

How did the company get started?

I have two children, Seth (my Baba) and Louisa (my Boo) and I found an unlikely cost saver…cloth nappies! I found them so much cheaper than conventional nappies. I’m not an ecowarrior but I was always pleased to be helping the environment in some way too. My children have great little personalities and I wanted to show this in the clothes they wear, which included their nappies so I decided to set up my company and use my children’s nicknames so I always remember that everything I create and bring to market has real character.

What is the company about?

We started off selling our cloth nappies which has been really successful and now we have branched out. We now sell swim nappies and training pants as well as accompanying accessories such as t-shirts, bibs and shoes. We take great pride in delivering excellent customer service and each item is beautifully gift wrapped so parents open these presents with a ‘wow’. Our range is sold across the UK and also through our website and I am just thrilled that our online boutique shop has had such a brilliant reaction. We now have over 5,000 Facebook fans and our cloth nappies won gold in this year’s Prima Baby Reader Awards.

What do you hope to achieve?

I want parents to see cloth nappies as a viable option to conventional nappies.

What has been the highlight of starting your own company?

Starting to change the perception of cloth nappies, seeing happy, comfortable babies and hearing parents lovely feedback. I’ve also met so many lovely people who I now consider friends. The support you get from people in business, never fails to amaze me.

What has been the downside of starting your own company?

Juggling. It’s rare that I ever get to switch off but then what mum does! I can’t complain and feel very lucky that I get to come to my office and do what I love every day.

What would your advice be to any parent wanting to start up their own Nurture your idea and be prepared to work really hard. Don’t be afraid of the word ‘no’ or rejection, it will only make you more determined.

For more information, please visit: Website: www.babaandboo.com | Email: hello@babaandboo.com | Facebook: babaandboo | Twitter: @babaandboo

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Parents In Business Who is behind the Product?

Graphic Designer and Illustrator, Sinéad Gray How did the company get started?

After the birth of my first child, I quickly realised that going back to work at my old design agency job would mean huge childcare bills and missing out on so much special time with my baby girl. I decided to use the skills I had to start a business that would fit better with family life.

What is the company about?

Initially, it was all about creating colourful, fun, intelligent and affordable artwork to decorate kids spaces. Over time, the brand has expanded - we now have a greeting card range that is sold in the Conran Shop, Paperchase and the Design Museum Shop and have a new range of stationery products planned for 2015.

What do you hope to achieve?

To maintain the Ruka-Ruka brand ethos, to keep making the things we love and for those to become more widely available in stores across the UK and then worldwide while also maintaining our web presence.

What has been the highlight of starting your own company?

Difficult to choose just one!

Due to high volume of customised products we sell, we have the joy of personal contact with most of our customers, making the sales end of things so much more fun and interesting.

We were thrilled when we were approached by the Design Museum Shop to stock our work and to be featured in the cult blog book ‘Print & Pattern Kids’ by Bowiestyle What has been the downside of starting your own company?

No matter how you decide to do it, juggling the start-up of a business with motherhood isn’t easy. School, nursery and weekends dictate my working hours so ideas don’t always get executed as quickly as they could which can be frustrating. It’s also very difficult to sound professional on the phone when there’s a toddler in the house...

What would your advice be to any parent wanting to start up their own business?

Try to set specific work hours and stick to them, forget about your parental duties and focus 100% on your business during this time. Set up your own dedicated work space where everything you need is to hand and you are free from distraction.

Accept that sometimes you will need to let household chores slide a bit in order to work on your business, you can fold the laundry later!

For more information, please visit: Website: www.rukaruka.co.uk Email: sinead@rukaruka.co.uk Facebook: rukaruka.co.uk Twitter: @ _rukaruka_ Instagram.com/_rukaruka_

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Family Focus

Keeping the magic of Christmas alive ...

By Jo Cliff, Managing Director, Platypus Research It’s that time of year again and the festive season of Christmas is upon us. It really does feel like a magical time. However, with technology moving faster than ever and kids becoming increasingly media savvy are we losing the mystery of Santa and the magic of Christmas altogether?

Casting our minds back to when we were kids the Platypus team certainly have fond memories of Christmas. We reminisce of the time when we hung our stockings above the fireplace, left milk and cookies out for Father Christmas (and carrots for the reindeer of course!) and looked forward to the delights that Christmas Day would bring. Now that the Platypus team are all grown up and have their very own Platypups they are reliving these traditions through their own children. Although the customs haven’t changed greatly, the role of media has had a big impact on children when it comes to the Christmas experience.

All of us, including myself, were desperate to catch a glimpse of Father Christmas when we were kids. However, I recall actually seeing him for the first time, when accompanied by my parents at my local shopping centre and was so overwhelmed and shocked that it resulted in uncontrollable sobbing. Supposedly, seeing is believing but there are ways in which parents are keeping the magic of Christmas alive without children coming face to face with the bearded Claus when least expected.

One way of doing this is through the use of website NORAD. This nifty site displays a countdown clock to build anticipation for sleigh lift off and also enables you to actually monitor Father Christmas as he flies around the world. From our experience of researching children we know that children have access to or own several devices to access the internet. We imagine children to be using a mixture of desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones to track Father Christmas and to see whether he is coming to a chimney near them soon.

Writing a wish list to Father Christmas is nothing new but over the last decade an array of websites have popped up, all offering to send your child a personalised reply for a small fee. Parents are able to tailor replies to make them plausible so your child realises that Father Christmas really does know that they were naughty for not tidying up their toys but nice for sharing their sweets with their sibling. Replies can be emailed back to parents, or for those really wanting to splash out, Father Christmas will send a reply on special paper with a North Pole post mark.

If that wasn’t enough Father Christmas is keeping up with the times and is using social media to engage with families and to spread good cheer. You can watch videos of him on YouTube as he prepares to set out and deliver presents. It doesn’t stop there, as he also Tweets. He doesn’t quite have as many followers as the likes of Taylor Swift or One Direction but with over 300,000 followers, and growing, he is a popular fella. With

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the ever growing obsession young people have with YouTube it is not surprising to see Father Christmas appearing in several YouTube videos. Although he isn’t as popular as icons such as Zoella or JacksGap he is becoming quite the vlogger in his own right and appears in several YouTube videos for those children who are curious in learning more about him.

Children are using such interactive ways to stay involved and engaged in events that are important to them. Media providers can learn from this by providing entertaining and imaginative ways to engage a child. It is important to not overlook this age group as they certainly are tech savvy. With kids as young as 3 using apps and child friendly E-tablets, media providers need delve into the world of play and cater to this age group by providing them with tailored services. So whilst we see that technology is changing the way we involve our children in the celebrations around Christmas, we still believe the magic of Christmas is alive and well, just on occasion in different forms than previously experienced! We’ve also pulled together a festive list of factoid treats to keep you entertained whilst eating your mince pies! * Savvy Shopping.

On average we spend £37 per person on each other at Christmas.

Despite the economy only 31% of Christmas shoppers have decreased the amount they will spend this year. * Christmas lunch cooked by........dad!

Whilst home made meals might be on the decline with only 1 in 4 meals made at home, it’s dads that lead the way when cooking Christmas lunch, followed closely behind with dad taking over the reins at summer barbeques! * Do you still believe?

On average children stop believing in Santa aged between 6 and 8 years old, with elder siblings cited as being the bearer of the bad news! But with 5.6 billion children in the world there are still a few out there who believe in the big guy! And at Platypus we feel you’re never too old to still believe!

For more information, please visit: www.platypusresearch.com

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Family Focus

Hi Joanne I am having some real trouble sleeping at the moment, I have told a few friends at work who suggested I make sure I stop drinking caffeine too close to bed and have a warm bath, but so far nothing is helping. It’s the getting to sleep I am struggling with, once I’m asleep I’m out for the count. Could you make any suggestions for me please?

Thanks Eliza Hi Eliza Losing sleep is no fun and lying awake is definitely not good. If you’re anything like me then the longer you’re lying there the worse it is, so I empathise massively. Your friends are right to suggest avoiding caffeine and stimulants before bedtime, this includes things like TV and using the computer too though! Sleep can be a complex thing, if you’re struggling to get to sleep it’s not only being over stimulated which can be a problem, but over worried too. Are you prone to lie in bed and think over the days events, worry, or think about the day to come? If so, then this is definitely a big part of the problem. There are many coping strategies such as keeping lists, calendars and a diary by your bed to write down ‘things to do’ the next day, or anything which is on your mind. Once this is written down it does help it to leave your mind as you can be sure it’s been recorded for you to follow up.

Alarms in the morning are good if you know that you need to be up

Tel: 07729 891 083 Email: info@jmherbalist.co.uk Website: www.jmherbalist.co.uk

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at a certain time and are worried you won’t wake. But other worries are not so easy to ignore. I’d always suggest tacking the problem, whether it be counselling or another talking therapy to try and get to the root of the problem and suggest ways of dealing with it for the longer term, but there are some great herbs which do help you to relax, unwind and switch off. Lavender is well known for its relaxing properties, so a bath with a few drops of lavender essential oil is a great idea.

Herbal teas of chamomile and lemon balm are also great, try and have a few over the course of the evening. Avoiding alcohol too is important, it really reduces sleep quality. Magnesium supplements help sleep too - and is an important mineral at times of stress, go for a really good supplement like magnesium citrate (avoid magnesium oxide, it’s really not very well absorbed).

Passionflower is one of my favourite herbs to help switch off in the evening, I use it in a tincture format with other herbs which would be relevant to your individual circumstances depending on you as a whole. I love valerian and ashwaghanda for sleep but it really depends on the rest of the picture of your health. I’d suggest drops or a small amount of herbs in the evening, which I’d be happy to discuss in more detail with you, so please do email me to book a full consultation so that we can discuss things further.

Speak soon and take care - do give the suggestions a try!

Joanne xxx

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Sudocrem’s Top-Tips for Beating Nappy Rash Nappy rash is a painful, bothersome condition that most babies will develop at some point in the first 18 months. Sudocrem in cooperation with an expert midwife has developed some easily adopted tips to ensure your bundle of joy is protected as much as possible: 5.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Changing nappies before and after a feed is crucial to help prevent the onset of nappy rash. Get in this routine and stick to it—you and your baby will be thankful you did.

Give your baby plenty of ‘nappy-free’ time. The circulation of air around your baby’s bum will give it the chance to breathe.

Watch out for lovely smelling soaps, detergents and wipes.

These may smell nice, but the ingredients may be harsh on your baby’s skin, causing irritation to delicate areas, accelerating the onset of nappy rash.

If you are lucky enough to have a baby that sleeps through the night, always put them down with a clean

6.

8.

nappy. This is a no-brainer really—the longer your baby sits in a dirty nappy, the more prone to nappy rash they will be. The chemicals in urine and poo irritate the skin… not to mention the fact that a full nappy is uncomfortable for you little one!

Use a barrier cream whenever possible. Sudocrem Care & Protect, for example offers a Triple Action Protection that not only creates a protective barrier, but also conditions the skin and guards against infection.

If using water to clean your baby’s nappy area, use a soft towel or cotton wool to dry and be sure not too rub too hard as this will irritate the skin.

Finally, avoid using talcum powder when changing your baby’s nappy as this can cause further irritation by blocking skin pores. It also does not protect against bacteria urine and poo as a barrier cream does.

For more information, please visit: www.sudocrem.co.uk

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Family Focus

Coping with Christmas & young babies/children...

By Michelle Eshkeri Getting your act together Budgeting - Christmas is a time when huge strain can be put on the family budget. For those without children, who may be used to spending a lot on presents for all the family members, it may come as a surprise to them that you are no longer in a position to buy them a lovely cashmere scarf or bottle of single malt. This can be a source of resentment for all concerned, so head off any problems early by suggesting a change in approach this year. Perhaps you will only buy for the children, or you could decide to do a Secret Santa arrangement where you just buy for one person. You can set a limit that everyone agrees to and this reduces the amount of time, energy and money you have to expend to get the present buying done.

Christmas is supposed to be for relaxing and enjoying family time. The traditional family Christmas has been lauded for centuries – carol singing, presents under a huge decorated tree, enough turkey to feed an army and lashings of mince pies and brandy. For mothers, though, Christmas can be a time of intense stress and pressure, much of which comes from their own desire to provide the best time for everyone else in the family. If you have the sort of partner (like mine) who wakes up one morning, only to realise it’s Christmas Day and miraculously everything that’s needed for the perfect Christmas has been provided, then you might be feeling what I call, Festive Fatigue. It starts with the first hint of Christmas, usually sometime in early September. The kids have gone back to school and the last few days of summer are drifting away. Those shops at the top of their game when it comes to Christmas marketing, put out the cards, wrapping and other accoutrements on the Tuesday after the late summer Bank Holiday. For me, that’s when the dread starts to creep in. Don’t get me wrong – it’s not that I don’t like Christmas. It’s always magical to see the looks of wonder on my sons’ faces on the morning itself and I enjoy a tipple and the Quality Street as much as the next person, but the thought of ALL THAT EXTRA WORK makes me want to go on a long cruise returning sometime in mid-February.

How can we make the whole time less fraught?

Customer service is all about managing expectations. Underpromise and over-deliver will generally result in a happy customer. This year, manage your family’s expectations – especially if you have recently had a new baby. Early on in the process, you may need to have a “difficult” conversation with your parents, your partner’s parents and any other relatives or friends who may be used to pitching up to your place and being waited on. If you have had a new baby in 2014 (or you are still awaiting the imminent arrival as you read this) then you should be the one being waited upon – at least this year anyway. And if you can’t have the tricky chat with your partner’s crowd, then make sure your partner does it well in advance so everyone knows where they stand.

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Present Shopping - Trooping around a hot, packed mall with a small baby or toddler in tow is most people’s idea of hell on earth. Why make things more difficult for yourself when you can shop from the comfort of your own armchair with a mince pie in one hand and your tablet in the other? Just don’t leave it too late to get started as many retailers with online shopping will have last delivery dates in the week leading up to Christmas and for some the dates are 2-3 weeks before, depending on what you are buying and where it is being shipped from. Don’t forget to factor in the last posting dates too if you are sending your presents by post. This year, UK post should be sent by 18 December (2nd class) and 20th December (1st class). For guaranteed delivery overseas, the latest posting dates start from 3rd December, so you really don’t have long.

Retailer

Last Order Date

Comments

(Guaranteed Delivery)

Amazon

18th December

23rd December

Argos

22nd December

Collect from Store on 24th December

John Lewis

21st December

M&S

19th December

Toys R Us

19th December

WH Smith

18th December

Food Shopping - This has to be one of the chores which can cause the most stress. Supermarket checkouts in the few days leading up to Christmas are like the queue for the ladies toilet at a One Direction gig – the last place you really want to be. Shops these days are barely closed for 24 hours over the festive period yet people seem to go mad, filling up multiple trollies as though they aren’t going to see the light of day until mid-January.

Of course, there’s always online shopping, which can take the pressure off. However, you have to be a smart cookie to be ahead of the game and bag yourself a delivery slot. If you are prepared to stay up until midnight, you can grab a slot for a day or two before

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Family Focus Christmas, but you need to know when the slots are released by each supermarket. All the major supermarkets (Asda, Ocado, Sainsburys & Tesco) have latest home delivery dates of 23rd December (except Tesco where selected stores are doing some deliveries on 24th). To book you need to get online as soon as the slots for your chosen date become available, which is generally just past midnight exactly 3 weeks before the delivery date. So if you want delivery on 23rd December, the slots will be released at 12.01am Wednesday 3rd December. Another way to avoid the crush is to send someone else to do the shopping for you!

Delegate or just Do Less - I refer you back to my earlier point which is that if you have had a baby in the last 6 months or are in late pregnancy, someone else should be taking the strain this year. However, if you aren’t able to offload responsibility completely, make sure you practise the fine art of delegation.

• •

•

•

•

Get your partner involved in identifying what must be done and what can be dispensed with.

Get your parents/in-laws/other relatives to help out by bringing the starter and dessert, leaving you with just the main to worry about.

Don’t leave all the present wrapping until the last minute – although it might seem like a good idea to have a mammoth session on Christmas Eve with a large glass of Baileys, having to stay up until the small hours is a recipe for disaster the following day.

Save the planet this year – go eco-friendly and don’t write out loads and loads of cards which will end up in the recycling units in supermarkets on 3rd January. Grans and Gramps will appreciate a handwritten card but most friends will be just as happy with a text or an e-card and you can save on the postage too.

Can’t face the mess of a real tree? Why not opt for a popup one complete with decorations. Lakeland sell a 6ft tree complete with lights, baubles and garlands for just £49.99.

Accept, accept, accept 1) Accept that you don’t have to be superwoman and that if you haven’t made the centrepieces, brandy butter or cranberry sauce yourself, you are probably the only one who a) knows or b)cares 2)

Accept any and all help whenever offered and don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you are the kind of person that gets a bit jumpy at relinquishing control, ask for help with jobs where it won’t matter much if it’s not done to your exacting standards, like peeling the spuds or wrapping presents.

3)

Accept that if you have your baby or child in a fairly predictable routine, Christmas is a key time when this can go out of the window. All the added excitement can leave young children overstimulated and affect their sleep patterns, not to mention, unfamiliar surroundings if you are staying with family or friends. Expect later bedtimes, more frequent night wakings and earlier risings but try not to stress about it as you can fix it all quite quickly again when you get back home and the festive period is over.

Christmas is supposed to be fun and a time for families and children, so make it easy as possible on yourself and enjoy.

If you would like to find out about options for antenatal education and support, please visit: info@parentpartner.co.uk www.parentpartner.co.uk Michelle: 07789 928530

Hauck fun for Kids Celebrating Right Start Best Baby Essentials ‘Best Investment’ Award 2014 Hauck were delighted to he honoured with the Right Start ‘Best Investment’ award for the London Set. The Right Start awards have been running for over 9 years now and they seek to reward the Best, highest quality, versatile products for babies and toddlers. Every item submitted each year is thoruoughly tested by a team of parents and children. Hauck were overjoyed to be presented with the prestigious Right Start ‘Best Investment’ and all winners will be featured in the Right Start Best Baby Essential Guide distributed nationwide and to all members of Tumble Tots.

The London Set - the lightest stroller set from Hauck, pure fun on every ride. Comes with Carcocoon and Car seat and both can be used in the car. Benefits from reversible seat unit and suitable from birth onwards. So we were not surprised it was a hit with testers and as one tester commented “All you need for going out and about in the first few years, this versatile travel system is versatile, hardwearing, compact, handles well and is easy to use and fold for storage”.

Sue Griffiths Marketing Director Hauck Fun For Kids commented “This is a wonderful achievement, and we faced stiff competition and we were delighted our innovative design for the London Set was a winner. We would like to thank all the team at Right Start for giving us the opportunity to enter these awards and enjoy the benefits of being a winner.

These awards make it much easier for parents to make that all important buying descion”. The London Set - the lightest stroller set from Hauck, pure fun on every ride. The London Set RRP £379.99 and available Argos, Tesco, Linens Ltd or click online www.hauckuk.com to find local stockist.

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Family Focus

Six-year-old inspires global Superhero Girl Doll

UK toymaker, Arklu, is helping to end the dearth of female superheroes available on toy shelves, with the introduction of a NEW superhero outfit, which has been designed by a child for the multi-award-winning Lottie™ doll. The ‘Super Lottie’ outfit is the inspiration of six year old Lily, from Ohio, USA, who created the winning design as part of a global competition, independently judged by the Brave Girls Alliance, earlier in the year. Uniquely, the set marks the first time that a crowd-sourced design by a child has gone into commercial production. As part of her entry, Lily was asked to define Super Lottie’s abilities. Lily’s response was one designed to inspire girls who play with Lottie dolls, to acknowledge and embrace

their potential, and accept who they are: ‘Super Lottie has the power to be anything, to do anything, and to make the world a better place. She is unique and special in her own way’. The competition was a result of a campaign launched to demonstrate that girls can be superheroes too. A poll¹ conducted among parents, demonstrated a severe lack of female representation in the world of super-powers, where, of the top female superhero characters popularised by comic creators and film-makers, not one could be identified by 100% of respondents. In stark contrast, four male superhero characters could be identified by 100% of respondents; Superman, Spiderman, Batman and Hulk.

Lottie dolls became the first fashion dolls to display childlike characteristics; a healthy childlike body shape, childlike clothing (no make-up, high heels, tattoos, etc) and wholesome activities. In 2014, Arklu took things a step further by introducing a range of dolls exploring gender empowering, adventurous themes.

Commenting on the winning design, Lucie Follett, Creative Director at Arklu, says: “It’s great to see how the Lottie™ message ‘Be Bold, Be Brave, Be You’ has been listened to and interpreted by kids all over the world. Girls

WILL be superheroes in 2014!” Nancy Gruver of Brave Girls Alliance says: “All of the entries showed the strong voices and powerful ambitions girls have, and we are very excited to see the awesome winning outfit available to purchase globally!”

Lily’s mother, Greta, continues: “Lily loves superheroes and art! She likes to play superheroes at recess… usually with the boys because the other girls won’t. We’re excited to see the reaction by other girls to Lily’s creation and hope that it brings great fun and enjoyment, as well as open their minds to the world of superpowers”.

The doll has also received support from within the comic community. Sue, who blogs about women in superhero comics at the incredibly popular DC Women Kicking Ass on Tumblr and also maintains Superheroes Are For Girls and This: Moments for Women, is a loud and nevertiring voice for feminism in the cape comics blogosphere, adds: “Superheroes are for girls, too. And now with the Lottie doll children can have a female superhero that has realistic body shape. What a wonderful toy.”

For more information, please visit:

www.lottie.com

In-car safety and security device for parents launched exclusively with Bounty In-car safety and security device for parents launched exclusively with Bounty A device dubbed ‘fred’, aimed at safeguarding children in the car and saving parents and mums-to-be money, has been launched by Zenith Insurance and is being offered exclusively through parenting brand, Bounty. fred has been devised and developed by Zenith Insurance and is fitted by the driver to the inside of their car windscreen.

In the event of an accident, it triggers automatic contact with a specially-trained team, who can talk to the driver, assess the situation and if required, put them through to the emergency services. For more minor incidents, parents can press the assistance button to connect to an advisor. If used to report an incident or accident at the scene, fred insurance

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offers a zero excess, regardless of fault.

Unlike telematics policies, fred does not monitor driving styles or behaviour and insurance premiums are a set price. The offering through Bounty also includes a breakdown service, covering the driver more than one than mile from home and for recovery to a garage up to 20 miles away. There’s also optional cover for prams or pushchairs with a replacement value of up to £1,000, rarely seen on standard car policies.

journey and immediate help should the worst happen. As well as the safety aspect, fred insurance policies are competitively priced and with the added benefit of free breakdown cover and zero excess, will also appeal to those looking for value for money. We think fred will prove to be very popular with many of our Bounty mums.”

For more information and to view the fred film, visit http://www.bounty.com/ family/money-and-finances/newton-carinsurance-solutions.

Natalie Johnson from Bounty said: “No one likes to think about having a car accident, least of all pregnant mums-tobe, or mums with travelling with young children. We know that for parents, safety is their key concern and this clever little device provides peace of mind on every

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Family Focus

TOP TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY Slow Toy Awards Unveiled at John Lewis for 2014!

WHEN SELLING A PROPERTY! Sarah Willingham, founder of letssavemoney.com, is the UK’s best known female money saving expert and consumer champion. Here she shares her top tips for saving money when selling a property.

Estate Agency Fees – Online Vs Traditional High Street estate agents charge an average of 1.8% of your property’s value to market your home. The average selling price for a property in the UK is £266,000, so that’s a £5,666 fee! Before you list with a high street agent ask yourself if you are happy paying them that much money! It is worth looking into hybrid estate agency models such as Purplebricks.com.

This agency combines the best elements of high street estate agencies (local property experts) with the convenience of operating online 24/7. You can save thousands of pounds using a service like this!

Appointing a Solicitor – Shop Around!

Ask your estate agents to recommend a solicitor but do shop around. Call for a consultation and get written confirmation of their charges. Also ask yourself - are they friendly, helpful, efficient and straight-talking? If you’re in talks with more than one solicitor, play one off against the other to get the best service at the lowest fee possible.

Move It, Don’t Lose It Save money on removal costs by doing it yourself. You can hire vans from as little as £19 and there is always the man with a van option if you need some extra support! If money is really tight, ask family and friends to help you move.

Box Clever These are heavily discounted, and if you don’t mind a few scuff marks and peeling off remnants of old tape, are just as strong as the unused versions. Better still – see if your local supermarket will let you have a load of used ones for free.

Time to Switch?

Shop around for the best utilities deals for your new home.

According to one comparison site, you can save up to £383 a year by switching energy plans alone. It’s also an ideal time to negotiate new phone and broadband contracts.

For more information, please visit: www.letssavemoney.com

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The results for the 2014 Slow Toy Awards were recently announced at John Lewis Oxford Street to reveal the winners – each one honoured because it captured the essence of the inspiring Slow Toy Movement.

This year’s final Slow Seven include; The Doctor’s Set and Fire Engine Set from Le Toy Van, The Plush Wheelybug from Hippychick, The 24-piece Magnetic Wooden block set from Tegu, The Shop Till with Scanner from Bigjigs, The Multimodels 10 Model set from Meccano and the Carry Case Finger Puppet Theatre from Fiesta Crafts. Taking the crown for the Slow Craft Toy is the Cardboard Land of Fantasies from CALAFANT. The Slow Toy Movement is the creation of Thierry Bourret, a man whose unfaltering passion to campaign for change has secured the success of this cultural movement, which began in 2011. Frustrated by the annual ‘Christmas wish lists’ which included countless battery operated plastic toys that distract children with noises and lights, Thierry decided to alter the mind-set of those in the toy industry. The concept was met with great interest and with winners from USA and Germany this year the movement has undoubtedly captured the world.

The disappearance of the more traditional, beautifully crafted wooden toys is at the heart of the movement and its award aim to highlight the ‘real’ toys on the market that inspire children, will stand the test of time and offer true play value. Brand new for 2014, the team introduced the Slow Craft Toy, a new category that recognised craft toys that inspire and allow children to use their own creativity, but may not last a lifetime. The response to the 2014 awards was overwhelming. Not only was there an unprecedented amount of entries, but with the support of John Lewis and the significant panel of judges, this year’s awards are sure to make their mark once again! Although there is a place for the technical and mass produced toys of today, the reaction to this movement shows there’s certainly a need for ‘real toys’ too!

Commenting on the exciting news announcement, Thierry Bourret said: “The success of the Slow Toy Movement has been one of my greatest achievements and each year it continues to amaze me how much support we receive. The Slow Toy Movement and it’s awards seemed to have taken on a life of their own, not only has it engaged industry experts, but our campaign has been mentioned in articles not only nationally but internationally too! It was my dream to have this level of appreciation for good quality, well-made toys that encourage traditional play and stimulate a child’s imagination and I am just overwhelmed that this is now a reality. Not only has the 2014 awards uncovered eight wonderful products, we have also managed to team up with one of the country’s loved department stores to help spread the word! I can only hope that the Slow Toy Awards has established its place firmly in the industry, so we can continue to bring the world’s best toys to the toy boxes of children in the UK!”

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Love Amber x is a small family business stocking the widest range of genuine Baltic Amber Jewellery in the UK. Marie & Simon sell everything on the site that they used with their son Eddie or gadgets they had wished they had known about sooner. You can buy the latest UK big brand baby products and inventions on the site. You can ďŹ nd Gumigem Teething jewellery, Gummee Gloves, Cheek rub for teething, Poddle and Toddle Pods among other things all in one place.

Use your discount code today to get 12% off your order before Christmas!

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Family Focus

Top Winter Driving Tips

By Kirsty Quartley, Garmin PND Product Manager One thing we can always rely on is for the weather in the UK to be unreliable but with that in mind, why do we always seem to be so ill-prepared? We know that we are often prone to sudden bouts of perilous weather – storms with gales of up to 70mph are already being forecasted but to avoid making a bad situation worse, here are our top tips for a safer season of driving this winter.

1.In the first instance, always ask ‘should you drive’?

Where possible the obvious decision, if the weather looks treacherous, is not to drive. Ask yourself whether you really need to make that trip to the cinema or supermarket. However, if you really are low on supplies and have to go out, ensure that you reduce your speed – rushing so that you get in and out in the fastest time possible is not a wise idea in adverse weather so take your time.

2.WARNING! Road sign ahead Road signs are often something we all snigger at but they are there for a reason so do take note, especially when driving in bad weather when you aren’t able to see road surfaces and pedestrians and other road users as clearly. Take note: road signs are your friends.

3.Keep your distance Rain doubles your braking distance; ice and snow can decrease your stopping distance by 10 times so when driving in poor conditions, leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front. When anticipating coming to a stop, start to do so as early as possible to bring you to a stop at a safe distance. Braking early will also alert the driver behind you to do the same.

4.Put it away Particularly during bad weather there is enough to contend with on the road without having your mobile phone ringing and beeping! Switch your mobile onto silent and place it out of hands reach and your eyes view. If you’re awaiting an urgent phone call ensure a hands-free device is fitted so you can concentrate on steering safely.

5.Save your emergency contacts Although use of a mobile phone when driving is illegal and dangerous, it is a good idea to keep one in the car in case of emergencies or a breakdown. Try to always let someone know when you’re travelling and when you should return in case of an emergency. Also, have other emergency contacts like a towtruck or insurance provider saved in your phone should you need help ASAP. 6.Stick to busy roads – yes, really It goes against all driving instincts (mostly avoiding traffic) but in poor weather, taking the main roads will be much safer to travel on for a multitude of reasons. If you were to break down on a single track road, in the countryside, with no mobile signal, you may be waiting for hours before someone else comes along to help you. In snowy conditions, the main roads are most likely to have been cleared of snow and been gritted so taking the busy route may prove the quicker route.

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7.Make sure you can see 360 degrees!

It may sound obvious but make sure you can see! It is always surprising to see how many people drive around with their windshields only partially cleared! Before any journey, clear your mirrors and windows (back window and the windshield on the passenger’s side) of ice, snow and mist so you can see all the way around. Always keep a scraper and de-icer in your car for this reason and change your wiper blades every 6-12 months as they do wear out. Before winter hits, make sure you put anti-freeze in your screen wash reservoir too. And for all those ‘short-cut’ people out there, please do not pour hot water onto your windshield as it will most likely crack the glass!

8.Update your sat nav You’ll be surprised at how outdated some nat navs can be and this can cause real issues in normal conditions let alone during more treacherous ones. Roads come and go, new paths are built, bridges are demolished so upgrade your sat nav or update your software before embarking on a new or lengthy route.

9.The ring of truth During the winter months and over the Christmas period, the crime rate increases as darkness sets in and provides cover for those out to see what they can get their hands on so don’t leave tell-tale signs in your car. Leave your possessions out of sight and even avoid unwanted attention by wiping clean any ring marks left on the windshield from attaching your sat nav to it, as it could otherwise alert a thief to the fact that you most likely have a device worth stealing in your glove box.

10. Pack it up When bad weather strikes or an emergency occurs, make sure you have a toolkit of winter essentials to help keep you safe and get your car back to life again, here are the items which most drivers forget: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Hazard warning triangle Spare tyre and tools to change a flat Ice-scraper Spare bulbs De-icing equipment (for glass and door locks) Appropriate footwear in case you need to leave the vehicle A torch and spare batteries Jumper cables (for those who are clever enough to do so) Blankets and additional clothing such as gloves or boots and some food and water 10. Consider carrying salt or sand to get out of an icy situation too

For more information, please visit: www.garmin.com

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Family Focus

The New Intestacy Law: Legal Made Simple!

Author: Mark Edwards, General Manager at www.rocketlawyer.co.uk, an online legal service providing businesses and families with easy-to-use, professional legal documents and affordable help from specialist lawyers.

The digital revolution has transformed the legal landscape so much so that nowadays, we really have no excuse for not creating a will any more. With online legal services like Rocket Lawyer, creating one is not only affordable (even free) but also far easier and much more convenient when we do come to draw one up. Citizens Advice recently revealed a 62% increase in people seeking online advice about help with legal costs so it is easy to understand the growing popularity of such online services. On the 1st October huge changes came into place, transforming the current intestate (dying without a will) law but common misconceptions that those you love automatically inherit your estate still exist. For example, if you are in a relationship but not married or in a civil partnership, your partner will not be entitled to your estate.

Remember your parents In the past, for those lucky enough to have an estate of over £450,000, if you didn’t have a will, your spouse and blood relatives such as your parents could have received some of your estate. However since the 1st October, a spouse receives the whole estate - a sad reality for someone who may have actually liked to also offer a widowed mother some security for her retirement. This is why it has never been more important to create a will, to ensure that those you leave behind are looked after the way you intended.

Nominate executors Once you have created your will, you need to appoint ‘executors’ – people you trust to be responsible for making sure your wishes are carried out. You can appoint up to four executors and they can also be beneficiaries in your will. The role of your executors include making sure your funeral arrangements are in accordance with your wishes. They work out what your estate is worth and decide whether or not there is any Inheritance Tax to pay on your estate. They apply to the Probate Registry for the Grant of Representation of your will. A Grant of Probate is a document from the Family Division of the High Court

which confirms that your will is valid and that your estate can be wound-up in accordance with the terms of your will.

The digital age of creating a will The rules of intestacy is not the only change surrounding the topic of wills.

The introduction of technology to the once traditional process of creating a will now means that more people than ever will have a say about what happens to their finances and assets at a time that is convenient and fitting for their budget. An increasing number of people looking to create a will now do so online as a simpler, more convenient and more affordable means. Ideal for parents on a budget or those that want to create the document at their own pace. Creating your will online enables you to save and return to it at your leisure. www.rocketlawyer.co.uk offers a free will service for everyone over 18, just sign up to the one-week free trial and cancel before the week is up.

For more information and to sign up for a one-week trial, please visit: www.rocketlawyer.co.uk

Become An Apprentice On Cutty Sark! Join The Crew Of The World-Famous Clipper With Gamar’s Stunning New Augmented Reality Game Cutty Sark is about to sail again – and you can join the crew! That’s the premise behind the latest launch from pioneering augmented reality technology company Gamar. In this interactive game, children become the apprentice of Captain Woodget, Cutty Sark’s most famous captain. The game enables people to become part of the crew; they can unfurl the sails, steer the ship, ring the bell and even catch mischievous monkeys! It’s an opportunity for today’s children to step back in time and experience what life was like for those who sailed on Cutty Sark over 100 years ago.

Suitable for children aged seven plus, simply hold a smart phone or tablet near an object on the main deck and watch the display as the two instantly interact and become a reality. The Gamar software, which is able to interact with real-life objects and environments, triggers interactive, augmented reality gaming experiences that are then played through smart phones and tablets. It has been developed to create a fun learning experience that helps people discover more about their surroundings.

About Captain Woodget’s Apprentice The world-famous Cutty Sark has set sail on yet another epic journey with you on board as an apprentice. But this is no cruise.

Your skills and effort will be put to the test. The crew needs you.

The Captain trusts you. The Captain has personally requested you, his apprentice, to complete important tasks throughout the ship that ensure life for all on board runs smoothly. But days are short and you need to be focused and smart to complete every task.

The Captain will then judge your efforts. But be warned – he’s a tough man to please! As you progress, you will gain valuable experience to master each task the Captain requests – proving you are indispensable to all on-board.

Lee Briggs, partner and creative director for Gamar, said:“We’re delighted to be partnering Cutty Sark to give visitors an educational and enjoyable experience. The ship is world-famous and has a place in the heart of the nation. We wanted to give people the incredible opportunity to become part of the crew and experience life on-board, all through the power of the Gamar app.”

The Gamar app is available through Google Play and App Store for FREE, with the game priced at £2.49. Visit www.gamar.com/app

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23

Health & Wellbeing

Braun and leading paediatrician Dr. Ranj share their top tips for surviving the cold and flu season this winter..

With the cold and flu season fast approaching, Braun has teamed up with leading paediatrician Dr. Ranj to advise parents on what extra measures they can take to limit the spread of common colds and flu amongst their family members this winter.

“There are precautions you can take to try and reduce the risk of your child suffering from cold or flu,” says Dr. Ranj. “Washing their hands is one of the best ways for you to limit your child’s exposure to cold and flu germs. Soap and water is as effective as any antibacterial agent out there. General health is also important to remaining fit and well through the cold and flu season. Eating a healthy diet, with plenty of naturally-present vitamins, fresh fruit and vegetables well help bolster a child’s immune system. Likewise, rest and getting enough sleep - children require between 9 to 14 hours sleep depending on their age - is essential as it helps a child’s immune system to fight infections. Preparation can also help, saving you time and worry if your child becomes sick. Stocking your medicine cabinet with cold and flu medication, such as pain relievers or decongestants means you can be prepared to relieve symptoms when a virus strikes. Also, make sure you have a reliable, accurate thermometer to hand. Being able to monitor and accurately interpret your child’s temperature can help you better understand your child’s fever and making sure the right treatment is administered. Braun, which is the number one trusted thermometer brand amongst doctors , has recently launched two new thermometers, each of which contains innovative new technology that will make a significant difference in managing a child’s fever.”

The ThermoScan® 7 ear thermometer with Age Precision®, is the first thermometer that allows parents to set the age of their child (0-3 months, 3-36 months and 36 months to adult) while a colour coded display (green for normal, yellow for elevated, red for high temperature) helps them to interpret the reading quickly and reliably.

Many parents are unaware that the definition of fever changes with age - what is acceptable in a four year old can be classed as a high fever in a new born. The Braun ThermoScan® 7 also includes other great features such as the pre-warmed tip, which ensures the reading is accurate by not cooling the inside of the ear where the temperature is taken. It also includes the ExacTemp® guidance system which uses a light and a beep to let the user know that it is in the correct position. The second thermometer, the No touch + forehead thermometer (NTF3000), offers two modes - ‘no touch’ and ‘touch’ – ‘No touch’ allows parents to take a temperature reading by holding the unit up to 5 cm away from the forehead, which is great for when a poorly child is asleep or to avoid cross-contamination between family members. Braun has added the second ‘touch’ mode so that parents can use the thermometer to take their own temperature reading. With superior accuracy, the Braun No touch + forehead features an innovative optical system which captures twice as much radiated heat than traditional forehead thermometers, giving precise readings every time in both ‘No touch’ and ‘touch’ modes. While preventative measures can decrease the risk of catching a cold or the flu, research has shown that most children will suffer from eight to ten colds a year . While fever is a very common symptom amongst children, it can be a cause for concern. For that

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reason, Dr. Ranj has offered his top tips on how to manage a child’s fever when it strikes.

Check 1) Make sure you know how to check temperature accurately and get your child used to it too. Making it into a fun game can make the process easier, especially if they’re not feeling well. It is also a good idea to know your child’s temperature when they are well so that you can interpret a temperature reading more accurately. Likewise, if your child gets upset when having their temperature checked, think about using a ‘no-touch’ thermometer.

Hydration 2) Babies will often feed more when they are hot, both for comfort and to stay hydrated. You may find that they take less feed, but more often.

3) For children that have been weaned, offer them cool drinks or icelollies when they are bothered by fever. This is a great way to help them feel more comfortable.

Keeping cool 4) Babies primarily lose heat through their head so when they are hot make sure their head is uncovered.

5) Older children will lose heat through sweating and so ensure they have regular drinks when they have a fever, to keep them hydrated.

6) Make sure that the room your child is in is a normal temperature (around 18 degrees centigrade), so turn down the heating or open some windows. However, it shouldn’t be so cold that it is uncomfortable.

7) Do not use tepid sponging to cool your child down. This isn’t very effective and may actually be counter-productive.

Medication 8) There are medicines that can help to reduce your child’s temperature, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Make sure you always follow the dosage instructions, or check with a healthcare professional if you are unsure.

Medical opinion 9) Know when to seek further help. You should keep a close eye on your child when the thermometer reads ‘elevated’ (yellow), and seek medical advice if it reads ‘high’ (red), or if they have any other worrying signs (such as a rash, floppiness, breathing difficulties, fits or signs of dehydration).

10) Any child with a fever that lasts more than 5 days should be checked by a healthcare professional.

ThermoScan® 7 ear thermometer with Age Precision® (IRT6520) is priced at £49.99 and is available from Boots. No touch + forehead thermometer (NTF3000) is priced at £52.99 and is available from Asda, Boots and all good baby specialist retailers.

For more information, please visit: www.brauntherms.com

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Health & Wellbeing

Facebook & Apple Offer to freeze staff’s eggs!

It was recently revealed that Facebook and Apple have offered to freeze the eggs of their female staff in an effort to retain talent and attract the best staff. While Facebook is offering female staff up to $20,000 to have their eggs frozen, Apple will pay for its female employees to go through the same process from January.

Oliver Black, founder of My Family Care (www. myfamilycare.co.uk), the company that helps companies such as IBM, KPMG and Shell, introduce family-friendly working practices says of the idea: “Companies that recognise and help mothers, families, parents and carers combine work and family are winning the war on talent. This looks like an amazing benefit from industry innovators BUT it’s only great if it’s matched by great working practices & benefits that support employees that decide to press ahead with families earlier in their careers. It needs to be an added benefit – not a demand.”

My Family Care is the leading provider of family friendly solutions to companies in the UK and internationally. Their vision is to prove that the employee who combines career and family successfully can be the most engaged and productive member of any team. My Family Care services include their award winning Emergency Childcare, Consultancy & Training, Care Search, Backup Care, and Life Transition Coaching.

For more information, please visit: www.myfamilycare.co.uk

GROUNDBREAKING UPDATE ABOUT THE FATE OF STEMS CELLS IN BREASTMILK STRENGTHENS BREAST IS BEST CAMPAIGN New research presented in London this November explored the fate of stem cells in breastmilk and confirmed the migration and functional integration of these cells in the offspring. Having discovered stem cells exist in breastmilk in 2007 (Cregan et al, 2007), the Hartmann Human Lactation Research Group, one of the world’s leading breastfeeding research teams, became committed to further understanding the significance of these cells, the role they play for the infant and the potential possibilities they offer. Dr Foteini Hassiotou who has been leading the study since 2010, unveiled her most recent findings. Hassiotou explored hundreds of breastmilk samples and found live stem cells in them all – it is thought these cells get there from mother’s mammary tissue and blood – but the big question is what happens to them once ingested? During studies with mice Hassiotou and her team were able to track the stem cells that enter the infant via the breastmilk and confirmed for the first time that these cells are transferred into different tissues via the blood circulation and go on to become functioning cells. The groundbreaking research found that the cells survive in the stomach and even appeared in the gastric lining, meaning they enter the blood. They were found to have integrated into the liver and pancreas creating functional cells.

They were also found in baby’s brain having developed into neurons. Taking into consideration breastmilk contains anything from 10,000 - 13 million cells (per ml) based on an average daily intake of approximately 450-1300 ml, a breastfed baby ingests between 5 and 17 billion cells a day. Of these cells, 1-30% appear to have stem cell properties.

Dr Hassiotou spoke about what this means to the breastfed baby: “The most important element of this work is that it reveals a completely unknown aspect of breastfeeding and breastmilk feeding, which is the transfer of cells and the function of these cells in the breastfed baby. Up until recently, breastmilk was considered to be mostly nutrition for the baby, but the most recent research on breastmilk cells provides strong evidence that breastmilk is much more than just nutrition and quite remarkably provides developmental support and protection. We are only just starting to grasp the importance of these cells for the baby and their capabilities. It is truly remarkable - they are transferred and survive the gut, they get into the blood and from there they are transferred to different organs where they integrate and become active cells, participating in the functions of the organs.”

Hassiotou has discovered in no uncertain terms that breastmilk does in some way impact on baby’s development, as well as their nutrition and protection, taking our understanding about the potency of breastmilk to a whole new level. Her discovery in terms of medicine is also truly exciting.

Millions of pounds is spent on stem cell research each year and up until now the only way to access them is via unethical means (embryonic stem cells) or invasive procedures. In contrast breastmilk stem cells do not generate tumors, they integrate and become functioning cells, they can be accessed ethically and non-invasively and their source is plentiful. The findings do not only strengthen the breast is best debate; the work has some fascinating potential applications. It could support research in lactation biology, lactation pathology, cancer biology, regenerative medicine and most importantly the role of breastmilk in the breastfed baby’s development. For more information, please visit: www.medela.com

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Health & Wellbeing

Expert Top Tips For Treating Cradle Cap

Milton Solo Travel Steriliser scoops TWO awards in ‘Best Baby & Toddler Gear 2014 Awards’

For most new mums, their baby’s skin is a thing of beauty. We love to smell it, touch it and keep it as soft as a newborn’s bottom! However in their first year many babies can develop cradle cap in the form of dry and flaky patches of skin on the crown of the head. Cradle cap is commonly thought to be caused by a temporary excess of oil production from your baby’s scalp, meaning dead skin cells are unable to shed naturally and instead cling to the skin. This can create what appears to be yellowish looking scales on your otherwise perfect baby. Dry and flaky scalps can be extremely common in babies, it is usually only temporary and does not cause discomfort or itching - however there are things you can do to help. Justine Hextall, consultant dermatologist gives us her top tips for treating cradle cap.

Become a massage master “Massaging natural oils, such as Colief® Baby Scalp Oil, into the skin can help to hydrate the skin and remove any excess flakes. Simply just pour a little oil into your hands or directly onto your baby’s scalp and apply gently in circular motions. Not only will this moisturise and soothe your baby’s one scalp but it will create a relaxing and indulgent bath time routine, giving you lots of precious bonding time with your child. If you find that your baby’s scalp is particularly dry you can try using the oil as an overnight treatment, giving it extra time to soften and loosen the skin.”

Colief® Baby Scalp Oil is suitable for use on babies aged from three months upwards, available at Boots, RRP: £5.99 for 30ml Brush it away “To help remove much of the excess skin and flakes you can try using a soft baby brush on the scalp. By using the brush in gently circular motions on your baby’s scalp you will loosen any flakes which will then shed naturally.

You can even try using the brushing technique alongside your chosen oil, this will make the routine even more gentle and the scents from the oil will help soothe your little one.”

Rub a dub dub with extra suds “As it is thought that excess oil can cause the scaly symptoms of cradle cap, you can try increasing the frequency that you shampoo your little one’s hair.

Many parents opt for a shampoo which treats cradle cap however any gentle baby shampoo will do. Note that soap’s can be drying on the skin so make sure that you rinse suds thoroughly to keep as much moisture in the skin as possible.”

Milton, the leading expert in sterilising, is delighted to announce that its Solo Travel Steriliser has won two Best Baby & Toddler Gear 2014 Awards. It won the ‘Travel Steriliser’ SILVER Award and also the CONSUMER CHOICE Award. Each product in the awards is also tested by a panel of real-life mums for genuine and unbiased results. This is the second award this month that the Milton Solo Travel Steriliser has won praising its portability and easy of use. The Solo is a single-bottle steriliser that can be used either in the microwave or with cold water. It can be used to clean and sterilise bottles, teethers, plastic toys, breastfeeding equipment and other small baby equipment from 2 minutes in the microwave and in 15 minutes for cold water. It is ideal when travelling or away from home.

Amanda from Norfolk who tested the Solo said “What a fabulous idea, no more big bulky sterilisers to take away on holiday, with little one the age he is, now I only need one bottle at a time, so this is perfect and so easy to just slip in a small bag. I love it!”

“Great product for travelling with. Ideal for using when a bottle is needed at short notice, 2 minutes is very fast for a microwave steriliser. I’d recommend this to my friends with babies” said tester, Gayle from Buckinghamshire.

The Solo is available at Amazon, John Lewis, Kiddicare, Ocado and Superdrug RRP £10.99.

Take a steam “There is a very simple way to combat dry skin and that is by adding as much moisture to your environment as possible. Try using a warm humidifier once a day, this will help to restore moisture to your baby’s skin and to reduce the dryness in the scalp.“

For more information, please visit: www.milton-tm.com

If at any time you feel concerned, your baby’s skin becomes inflamed or the dry skin spreads to other areas of the body, speak with your healthcare professional who will be able to help. For more information, please visit: www.coliefscalpoil.com

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Health & Wellbeing

The Importance of Healthy Eating and Exercise factors like smoking rates, sugar consumption, and exercise levels, and it left out important information from other countries that contradicted the conclusions. Governments followed by making the supposed saturated fat-heart disease connection a matter of public health policy an ideology which probably culminated with the abominable food pyramid of the 1990s — which recommended up to 11 servings of rice and pasta per day, and about as little fat as possible. The result is what we have today with more people here in the UK and worldwide over weight and suffering from ailments such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. When it comes to healthy eating, it is clear to see that most of us are getting it wrong by not consuming the right fats, salt (consume Himalayan rock salt) and sugar. Fruit sugar as long as it is eaten as part of the fruit is fine to consume and in fact I personally eat about 10 pieces of fruit per day.

Today more than ever before many of us in the developed world are in danger of being overweight. With obesity quadrupling to nearly one billion in the developing world and 64% of adults in the UK being obese it seems that now more than ever there is a need for clear and concise information when it comes to health and nutrition as the rise in obesity will see a huge increase in heart attacks, strokes and diabetes. In my opinion it is more important to eat healthy than to exercise if you had to pick one, but obviously we don’t and consistent exercise even if it is once a week is highly important too. The consumption of fat, salt and sugar, which has increased globally according to the United Nations, is a significant factor in cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers, but I feel it should be explained that it is the wrong kind of fat, salt and sugar.

Monounsaturated (omega 9) and Polyunsaturated (omega 3) fats are very good for you, most people now know that omega oils are good for us and that Trans fats which are artificially produced as a result of partial hydrogenation, which is a process used to convert liquid oil to a solid are bad for us. But there is a difference in opinion when it comes to Saturated fats. For over 40 years Saturated fat has been vilified, accused of clogging arteries and causing obesity. This has been so widely accepted that when I am giving nutrition consultations and I advise people that they should add saturated fat to their diets I get looks of disbelief.

It is clear to see that there is a big jigsaw puzzle when it comes to healthy eating so we can ill afford to receive wrong information.

We must consume the right fats (including coconut oil, olive oil, hemp seed oil, raw cream and butter), primarily have a diet of alkaline food which means a daily fresh supply of green leafy vegetables, berries and seasonal fruit, 3 L of water, a high intake of minerals which means super foods (especially Maca, Cacao and Bee Pollen). Once we address nutritional balance, the next thing to look at is exercise. There is obviously a boom when it comes to exercise trends such as high intensity workouts, circuit classes etc. My advice is to try to work out twice a week, consult an experienced trainer to set a safe exercise routine including a strength work out and another one tailored to your lifestyle needs which may need to be a high intensity workout. My personal favorite is going for walks. Walking is always overlooked as a workout but a 30 minute brisk walk on Sunday morning can keep you in shape along with your weekly workouts.

In conclusion, try to keep away from nutrition and workout fads and adopt more of a common sense approach, our parents generation had it right.

Please join me on Twitter and Facebook and kepe your questions coming in to myself and Peter Marcasciano, one of the worlds top experts in health, nutrition and physiotherapy.

To get the inside track to healthier lifestyle, please follow me on the following:

In fact when I ask new clients to keep a nutrition diary of everything they eat during the day, I see things like skimmed milk instead of full fat raw milk, no egg yolks and no steak, butter or cream.

We’ve Made a Huge Mistake!

This one started in 1970, with the first publication of “The Seven Countries Studies.” The research looked at the incidences of saturated fat intake and heart disease among 12,763 men from seven different countries, and showed a correlation between the two.

Twitter: @rubentabares | @petemfitness Facebook: www.facebook.com/RubenTabaresFitness Website: www.rubentabares.com

Unfortunately, the study was biased and it didn’t take important

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Health & Wellbeing

EXPERIENCED ELDERS ARE OUR CLOSEST CONFIDANTS

Internet Over In-Laws When It Comes To Parenting Advice New Live Chat Service Offers Toddler Nutrition Advice in RealTime

Despite many believing the younger generation are too busy to spend time with their families, new research has found that Britons today value their relationships with their grandparents above most other relatives. A study conducted by leading multi-store gift card company, One4all, found that time spent with grandparents is highly valued by British adults, with a third (36%) rating them their favourite immediate relative – above mothers (31%), fathers (24%) and siblings (7%). In fact, more than a half (54%) said they felt they could confide in an elderly relative more than their parents. Grandchildren reported that education and career paths were the subjects they were most likely to seek grandparents’ advice about, drawing on their vast life experience and wisdom for informed opinions. Other popular subjects discussed by grandparents and their grandchildren included family news and/or gossip (27%), reminiscing about family stories (24%), catching up on each other’s news (22%), stories from their grandparents’ lives (17%) and news and politics (10%). 32% said they felt seeing their grandparents gave them the chance to take part in activities or visit places they wouldn’t otherwise have done. However, despite grandparents being held dear in their hearts, grandchildren didn’t fare well when remembering their birthdays, with more than half (56%) admitting to not knowing when they are, a fifth (21%) saying they forget elderly relatives’ birthdays ‘quite often’, and only one in ten (13%) always remembering to give them presents. 78% admitted they felt bad about the fact they didn’t know when their grandparents’ birthdays are, and two thirds said they’d like to see their grandparents on a more regular basis.

Declan Byrne, UK Managing Director at One4all Gift Card said: “From this research, it is clear that grandparents share a special relationship with their children and grandchildren – and continue to do so later in their grandchildrens’ lives. However when it comes to special occasions they can be overlooked by the younger generation, so families need to do more to ensure they are included. Doing something small to commemorate special occasions can mean so much to the older generation.”

Findings from toddler information resource, GrowingUpMilkInfo. com, highlight that parents favour the Internet over their own mum or mother-in-law when searching for parenting advice. The poll of 1,000 parents found that almost three in five (57%) mums and dads turn to online resources before asking their own mum (51%) for parenting and toddler-specific nutritional advice. Places parents turn to online include parenting websites, interactive live chat services and forums as well as social media channels.

The survey marks the launch of GrowingUpMilkInfo.com’s new Live Chat service, which aims to tackle parents’ main frustrations when searching online for toddler-specific parenting and nutritional advice. These include being bombarded by too much information (20%), concerns that the advice isn’t suited to their child (18%), and a lack of speciality nutritional advice (16%). With Live Chat, parents can access advice that meets their toddler’s individual needs, in real-time. This means that they no longer have to wade through reams of information to find what they’re looking for. The poll also revealed that mums are more likely to seek parenting and nutritional guidance, with three in ten dads (30%) admitting they turn to their partner for guidance when it comes to the topic of their child’s wellbeing.

Child psychologist, Dr Richard Woolfson comments: “Opening up access to tailored and immediate nutritional advice via an online Live Chat service is good news for parents. It means that despite the overwhelming amount of information online, finding reliable, specific advice when you need is now only one click away. Ultimately parents want information they can trust, yet it can sometimes be difficult to verify the quality of advice on the web. With the new GrowingUpMilkInfo.com Live Chat service that is one less concern for parents to contend with.”

The GrowingUpMilkInfo.com Live Chat function offers reliable one-to-one advice and support from toddler nutrition advisors.

Providing a quick and easy way to get answers, the Live Chat team is supported by nutritionists and healthcare professionals.

For more information, please visit: www.GrowingUpMilkInfo.com/Contact

Once grown up, British grandchildren see their grandparents on average six times a year.

The One4all gift card is available from Post Offices nationwide and online: www.one4allgiftcarduk.co.uk

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News Features

Memory box service allows customers to protect their most treasured moments...

SpaceWays, the London based on-demand online storage service, has announced a unique concept offering memory boxes as part of a time capsule initiative to help store and protect people’s most cherished memories.

Customers will have the opportunity to purchase a single box for a flat fee of £180 per five year block in an alternate way to celebrate landmark occasions and help keep treasured memories safe.

Rob Rebholz, co-founder of SpaceWays.co.uk says, “Our time capsule service is extremely personal and allows people to safely protect the things they hold dearest. The idea behind the service is to bring people closer together and help celebrate special occasions in a unique way, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary or moving house.

For example, a group of London university graduates might choose to place their photographs, note books and sport kits in a box and book a 10-year period, so they can open their box on their 10th anniversary after graduating.

Parents might choose to put their children’s baby items in a box and book a 15-year period, so their son or daughter can open their memory box on their 18th birthday. We believe it’s a unique and thoughtful way of giving long term gifts. ”

The time capsule initiative will provide customers with a special memory box certificate with the dates the box was placed in storage. Anyone interested in the memory box service can select a regular box during checkout and upon payment enter one of the discount codes: “MEMORYI9V” for the five-year period, “MEMORY6SS” for a ten-year period, or “MEMORYYKF” for a 15-year rental period. They will then be e-mailed with a bill for the entire rental period chosen (180 pounds for 5 years, 360 pounds for 10 years, 540 for 15 years). In case of any questions, the SpaceWays customer service team is happy to help out.

Rebholz says, “Whilst it might seem like a high upfront cost, over the duration of the storage, customers can save hundreds of pounds for keeping their most prized items safe. A five year box works out at just £36 per year. We want to reward people for protecting their memories in the long term”.

For more information, please visit: www.spaceways.co.uk

SCHOOL OF WOK SHORTLISTED IN COOKERY SCHOOL AWARDS! and Martin Johns, Development Chef at Kenwood, the company which is also the headline sponsor for the awards, the 2014 entries were well up on past years, with finalists having to compete even harder.

Teaching the art of Oriental and Asian cuisine in the heart of London’s Covent Garden, School of Wok has been shortlisted in two categories in the forthcoming 2014 British Cookery School Awards, the prestigious awards first established in 2012. Founded and run by TV chef Jeremy Pang, School of Wok has made the finals into the ‘Best Specialist Cookery School’ and in the ‘Young Rising Star’ categories.

With the awards just weeks away, winners will be announced in London on 17 November. With a panel of judges which includes, among others, BBC Radio 2’s food and drink broadcaster Nigel Barden, Delicious magazine’s editor Karen Barnes

Jeremy Pang comments: ‘Being a finalist in not one, but two categories is a real accolade for the team at School of Wok, and we are both thrilled and honoured.

These nominations are a reflection of the dedication and unwavering passion that School of Wok pours into each class, each student, and each opportunity to teach’.

Courses at School of Wok start at £65 for a ‘Scoff & Quaff’ experience where participants learn to make a dish or two and then pair different wines with the complex Asian flavours. There are also three-hour cooking experiences at choice, ideal for complete beginners or aspiring wok stars, as well as full day and full weekend courses for those wanting to delve into the fascinating intricacies of Asian cuisine. All courses equip the participants with a set of skills, from basic to advanced, to impress friends and family.

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This shortlisting comes at a special time for School of Wok, as they are about to launch a sister company – The Oriental Culinary Institute which will train professional chefs in Oriental and Asian cuisine.

With more than 400 cookery schools now operating across the country, the British Cookery School Awards 2014 honour excellent cookery schools that go above and beyond to deliver a top-notch cookery school experience. Launched in 2012, the awards celebrate the important role that cookery schools play in driving Britain’s passion for cooking good, home-made food.

School of Wok is at 61 Chandos Place, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4HG For more information, please contact: Tel: 020 7240 8818 Email: info@schoolofwok.co.uk Website: www.schoolofwok.co.uk Twitter: @schoolofwok Facebook: schoolofwok

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News Features

New design for Snoozebox, the world’s leading portable hotel!

Snoozebox is a highly innovative concept which offers a unique experience, combining temporary hotel accommodation with all the mod cons and amenities of a hotel, from free wifi to air conditioning – not to mention comfortable beds and its own bathroom.

This portable hotel allows guests to be at the very heart of the action, whether that’s the Grand Prix or the Download Festival.

And now Snoozebox, conceived four years ago as an alternative to conventional accommodation for festivals, sports events and special occasions, has launched a new, vastly improved design which will start to be seen at events in 2015.

Small but perfectly formed, the new Snoozebox rooms offer everything a visitor needs for a short stay at any event or location. Expandable units, mounted on trailers, provide six Snoozebox rooms per trailer which are just over 7.5 square metres in size (3.6m x 2m x 2m). The new design delivers additional room space through expanding sides. Two upper level room units, each offering two bedrooms, can be placed on top of the lower level, providing additional rooms. Once in place, the two storeys of Snoozeboxes are each accessed by stairs with a walkway leading to each room. Each room has four bunk beds cleverly stowed within the interior space which can be converted to accommodate four singles, or a double and two singles or one kingsize bed. Each room has an en-suite bathroom with a toilet, basin and shower.

The bathroom space has been designed as a stylish wet room with a flared wall giving a sense of spaciousness and freedom of movement, but also ingeniously provides a dry hanging area for towels and clothes.

During the day, the Snoozebox hotel rooms convert to a living room with storage space, TV, free Wifi, air-conditioning, heating and a safe. When guests first enter the room, they are greeted with a finely upholstered sofa on one side and a contemporary desk on the other. The beds can be accessed with pull-down handles disguised as shadow lines –rooms will have been made up into

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the bedroom configuration of the guests’ choice before they arrive. Snoozebox has partnered with leaders in engineered mobile solutions and the award-winning design firm Tangerine together with logistic and deployment experts Procar International.

The new Snoozebox has been engineered and manufactured by A. Smith Great Bentley coachbuilders and John Dennis Coachbuilders. When travelling, the room compresses to fit a standard trailer. When the Snoozebox is set up at its destination, the rooms double in size as the sides are expanded; an integrated covered walkway is then set in place along both sides. The joy of Snoozebox accommodation is that it works perfectly for people who simply want a comfortable base but intend to be out all day at a sports event, festival or special occasion. Festival culture now appeals to such a wide range of people from teenagers to families, to festival veterans. The fact that tickets for many music festivals sell out on the first day bears testament to the enduring popularity of these events; each summer new festivals are added to the calendar. The lure of life under canvas or in a yurt appears to have waned, especially given the vagaries of the English weather, and the standard of shower and toilet blocks at many events. A poll by Festival Census* found that people don’t like to sacrifice comfort and would prefer accommodation which is safe, waterproof, with a flushing toilet, a warm shower, comfortable beds and a location close to the action.

The community of ‘Snoozeboxers’ has gathered momentum too. For example, like-minded visitors to Silverstone during the Formula 1 enjoy the opportunity to meet fellow petrolheads and enjoy the communal hotel bar areas. Likewise, music festival visitors take advantage of the Snoozebox social space for a breather from the main stages during the morning and early afternoon. In Edinburgh, visitors to the Festival appreciate an affordable base, close to the centre of the city. Visitors to a Snoozebox hotel will be greeted by friendly staff who will show them to their room, explain how everything works, will demonstrate how the beds become sofas in the day time and will provide details about the restaurant and the social areas, along with any entertainments and are well informed about the event itself and can help guests get the most out of it. Lorcán Ó Murchú, CEO of Snoozebox says: ‘Snoozebox is about bringing an innovative new concept

to the hotel market. We put our guests right at the heart of the action, making their event experience bigger, deeper and longer.

The Snoozebox Club is becoming quite the vibrant community of event enthusiasts.”

Since its launch in 2011, Snoozebox has been at the heart of major sporting and cultural events, taking in a range of fixtures within the UK such as motorsports, golf and rugby as well as major festivals such as Glastonbury, Edinburgh and Hay. In 2015, Snoozebox will be based at a host of UK events including the British Grand Prix, Isle of Man TT, Glastonbury, Edinburgh Festival, the Rugby World Cup. With the prototypes built, manufacturing plans are now underway and the first next generation Snoozebox portable hotel rooms will start to debut at 2015 events in the UK. The new designs sport an impressive new livery featuring the Snoozebox ‘ZZZ’ in strong black and silver on its fleet of sleek new trailers.

The existing fleet of Snoozebox hotels will continue to be deployed. There are currently permanent Snoozebox hotels at Silverstone and the Eden Project in Cornwall which opened in October 2014. There are plans for further long-term Snoozebox hotels at locations including Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

Snoozebox rooms can cost from as little as £99 per night to stay in Edinburgh during the Festival to £1599 for two people for four nights with breakfast and dinner each day for the British Grand Prix.

www.snoozebox.com

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News Features

SUZANNE SHAW BRINGS A RAY OF SUNSHINE TO WEMBLEY PARK AS SHE DANCES ON ICE ..

On Friday, Dancing on Ice star and actress, Suzanne Shaw, donned her skates at a brand new icerink at London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park, in aid of Rays of Sunshine, a children’s charity which grants wishes for seriously ill children across the UK. Not only did the star bring back memories of her former Dancing On Ice win, when she took to the ice she also brought back memories to one very special little girl, Hollie, who had her wish granted to meet Suzanne in 2008 by the children’s charity. At the age of six, Hollie, who is living with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), asked Rays of Sunshine to grant her greatest wish; to meet Suzanne Shaw. The star jumped at the chance to grant the wish and Hollie, who is a huge fan of Suzanne, got the chance to skate with her. This afternoon, now 12 years old, Hollie once again took to the ice with her idol. Suzanne also skated alongside some other special guests – all who are bravely fighting serious illnesses. Suzanne comments: “I’m delighted to open Ice Skating at Wembley Park in support of Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity. I’m thrilled to be able to share such an exciting moment with some very deserving children from Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity and loved seeing Hollie again. It was an amazing experience to grant Hollie’s wish and

bring a smile to her face, so I was thrilled to take another spin on the ice with her.”

Ice-skating at Wembley Park will be at London Designer Outlet until 4th January 2015. To celebrate its partnership with Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity, London Designer Outlet’s Ice-rink not only offers people the chance to skate right below the iconic Wembley arch, but also helps to raise funds for the children’s charity. Norman Black, Head of Marketing at London Designer Outlet, comments: “We’re very excited to have welcomed Suzanne to open our hotly anticipated ice-rink and to support our charity partner, Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity. With Ice Skating at Wembley Park we have created the perfect setting for winter fun and entertainment, alongside the opportunity to pick up some festive bargains - with up to 70% off favourite High Street brands. – And, uniquely in this part of London, our guests can dine and relax at our restaurants, coffee shops, and at our 9-screen cinema.” Tickets for Ice Skating at Wembley Park are on sale now at www.iceskatingatwembleypark.co.uk priced from £10.50 per adult and £7.50 per child.

New Dad Books: Viral Blogger Al Ferguson, Releases a Parenting eBook with a difference When you’re expecting a baby all the advice in the world, doesn’t really count for that much, because until it actually happens to you, you’ve no idea what’s it like. That’s why Al has written New Dad Book of Secrets: Things you didn’t realise you needed to know.

New Dad Book of Secrets is unique in it’s approach. It’s filled with tiny, short chapters designed to be picked up at any moment for a quick blast of comfort, encouragement, humour and a little touch of wisdom thrown in for good measure. It’s cleverly written bitesize chunks of real life scenarios are poignantly aimed at the new or expectant dad.

Forget the longwinded, patronising and stereotypical dad help guides; New Dad Book of Secrets is quick and easy to read whilst giving genuine helpful hints and tips to get through the early stages of having a baby. And all from a dads perspective!

Foreward by Double BAFTA award winning directer and Dad, Declan Lowney: “Hands-on, Dad oriented advice – that’s what you’ll really need, and the New Dad Book Of Secrets manages to

give you all of that and more in bite size chunks…an easy to use book of tips and reminders to help you get through one of the most exciting and terrifying times of your life, Fatherhood. With this book by your side, you’ll be better equipped to meet the challenges and triumphs of being Dad.” Al says this book, “pinpoints key principles of dad-hood and refine them down to unforgettable sound bites of wisdom that can be called upon instantly to inform a critical decision. And, as we all know, being a dad is full of critical decisions!”

Since going viral in September and reaching hundreds of thousands of people world wide with his ‘Baby Poo Photo’ Al Ferguson’s blog, The Dad Network has grown significantly. With rapidly growing networks, The Dad Network is becoming one of the UK’s largest parent blogs reaching hundreds of people each day. The blog follows the journey of having a new born whilst featuring posts from guest dads, product reviews and giveaways.

New Dad Book of Secrets is being released for sale on Monday 24th November 2014 for just £2.56 available on Amazon. (Just in time for Christmas!)

For more information or to purchase your copy, please visit: www.thedadnetwork.co.uk

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Family Focus

Prepare your child for the arrival of a newborn ..

day when baby Akira arrived home, as we played at feeding, rocking and changing nappies. Baby Annabell’s features are fantastically realistic and it was lovely to watch Kaya cradle and feed her own baby as I took care of Akira.”

With a second royal baby due in April, Prince George will soon be sharing the limelight with a new baby brother or a sister. The introduction of a new sibling can be an unsettling time for an older child, regardless of their royal connections.

Indeed the creators of the UK’s most popular baby dolls, Zapf Creation, found that 1 in 5* children act dubiously about the arrival of their new family member. Similarly, Zapf Creation found that second time parents often feel guilty for not spending enough time preparing their child for the arrival of a newborn.

The Zapf Creation research found that a large proportion (82%) of parents agree that their child playing with toys such as dolls is the most effective way to help prepare children for the introduction of a newborn. Life-life baby dolls such as Baby Annabell are the perfect tools to use to introduce a child to the needs of a baby sibling as they take care of their own bundle of joy. Through nurturing their own realistic baby doll, mini mummies and daddies will learn about a baby’s needs through Baby Annabell’s realistic interactions that include crying, babbling, sleeping and drinking. The latest doll is now even more realistic than ever with a new rocking feature to soothe crying.

Katy is in good company, with 67% of parents saying they also included their first born in new baby tasks such as preparing for bedtime and changing nappies, all of which can be practiced with their own Baby Annabell doll.

Similarly, 31% of parents found that involving their first child in activities such as going to the doctor during their second pregnancy helped to prepare them for what was to come.

Zapf Creation also found that introducing a doll at the same time as a newborn, perhaps as a gift from the new baby, was viewed as great way to build a positive bond, with 45% of parents agreeing. Furthermore, over half of parents (53%) said that playing with traditional toys such as dolls also encouraged their children’s social skills and encouraged them to talk more – which is especially important as often older siblings become more withdrawn following the introduction of a newborn.

To find out more about the Zapf Creation® brand or the Baby Annabell® doll, please visit: www.facebook.com/ ZapfCreationUK or www.baby-annabell.co.uk.

This is something that celebrity blogger and Zapf Creation Mumbassador, Katy Hill knows well: “When I was pregnant with my second child, I was naturally worried about how my daughter Kaya would cope with the big family adjustment. I found that role-playing with toys helped her to understand how to treat Akira when he arrived - she unwrapped a new Baby Annabell doll as a present ‘from Akira’ when she visited me in the hospital! Playing with the doll helped Kaya to see what was going to happen day-to-

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Family Focus

‘SWIMMING WITH STYLE’ FOR LOCAL TOTS AS TWO FRIENDS MAKE THE DIVE FROM FASHION TO THE POOL Award-winning preschool swim programme Turtle Tots arrives in Enfield including the first aquanatal yoga classes in North London Two local women from Enfield have switched careers from the high-end world of fashion to teach preschool children in the local area to swim. Their newly launched swim classes will also encompass the first aqua-natal yoga classes to be made available in London for pregnant women. Having purchased a licence from award-winning preschool swim programme Turtle Tots, The two friends have launched Turtle Tots North London delivering classes across North London.

Until recently, local mum Caroline James and her friend Lisa Stopher have been business colleagues at a major fashion label for the last eight years, but have decided to leave it all behind and pursue their dream of providing a quality, inclusive swim programme in the local area for babies, toddlers and mums-to-be.

Caroline James talks about the new venture “Being a mother, for me this isn’t just about running swimming classes, it’s about everything else that goes with it. We are here as a service, to help both parent and child build confidence in the water. I’ve seen first-

hand how a parent who is afraid of getting into the water can have a detrimental effect on how the child feels about it. Being able to support them both as well as those mums who have yet to give birth, via our aqua-natal yoga sessions (which up until now, have been relatively scarce in the area) is both exciting and rewarding.”

Lisa Stopher agrees “We both have an extensive business background working for a major global fashion brand and we are looking forward to transferring these skills to the pool. It’s a complete career change but with a genuine love for swimming, it is one that we are both embracing with open arms. We are aiming to bring quality baby swim sessions to the local area and to help families develop a life-long skill that not only increases selfconfidence but also helps babies to relax and sleep well too, which can only be a good thing for parents!”

Turtle Tots North London swim sessions will be available at a variety of locations across Enfield as well as Tottenham, Barnet, Camden, Swiss Cottage, Hampstead, Islington and Stoke Newington.

For more information, please visit: www.turtletots.com

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Family Focus

Your essential guide to cutting the cost of Christmas ..

Christmas is a time of fun and festivities, but it can also be stressful, especially if you’re tight on pennies. More of us are finding Christmas an expensive time of year, which leaves many of us with overdrafts or debts to repay afterwards. Recent statistics suggest that 50 per cent of families will take until next June to clear their Christmas debts, with the average adult borrowing £685 over the festive period. With this in mind, it makes sense to find ways to cut the cost of Christmas so we don’t suffer a festive hangover. If you’re thinking of cutting back this festive season, Lynette Nigh from www.bemoneyready.co.uk specialises in Christmas money saving advice and can answer your questions.

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Spread the cost of Christmas Spread the cost of Christmas by purchasing food and gifts throughout the year – taking account of discounts and offers.

You can then avoid being hit in the pocket by making major purchases just before Christmas when prices are likely to be inflated.

Tip: buy food and gifts during the year to take advantage of discounts and sales and spread the cost Split the cost of food and drink You can make great savings by splitting food and drink costs with people you’re sharing Christmas with. Consider asking people to add to a Christmas pot or invite them to ‘bring a dish’ or drinks to add to the table. People won’t mind contributing and it can help people feel even more involved in the day’s festivities. Tip: split the cost of food and drink with the people you’re sharing Christmas with.

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Give something handmade A great way to save money and add meaning during the festive season is to make gifts yourself. Do-it-yourself Christmas gifts are proving increasingly popular and there are plenty of websites which provide ideas for inspiration.It might also be useful to get the kids involved in making decorations and cards, so you don’t need to hit the shops for them. Tip: give something handmade – it’ll cost less and mean more

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Give a Christmas IOU While Christmas is the year’s costliest shopping time, prices can plummet in the January sales. If you’re after a big-ticket purchase like a games console for the kids then it might make sense to wait. Give the kids a small gift and a Christmas IOU, telling them you’re waiting for the sales. Tip: give a small gift and a Christmas IOU so you can buy the bigger presents a few days after Christmas, in the sales

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Stick to a budget While it can be difficult to do – it’s really important to decide on a budget and then stick to it. Calculate your budget by being realistic on what you can afford to spend and remember Christmas is just one day. Don’t spend the majority of next year paying for it.

Tip: set a budget and stick to it. Come January, start saving a bit each week to avoid the postChristmas money blues.

Be Money Ready offers tips and advice for saving, managing finances and living well on a budget.

For more information, please visit: www.bemoneyready.co.uk

It’s official: the Shnuggle Moses basket is the best cot for newborn babies! indication of quality, style and innovation.

We’re thrilled that the Shnuggle basket has been officially recognised by Junior Design as a product that makes sleep time safer and cosier for newborn babies. The Shnuggle team are working on several exciting new products to be released at the start of 2015, so watch this space!”

We’re so excited to tell you that the Shnuggle basket has won the Best Cot Design category in this year’s hotly contested Junior Design Awards! The Junior Design Awards recognise excellence in design, style and functionality. The Shnuggle basket’s innovative design and range of safety features were noted by the judging panel of industry experts and celebrity parents, including Rachel Stevens.

Shnuggle co-founders, Adam and Sinead Murphy, said: “To win the Best Cot category is a fantastic way to finish off an amazing year for Shnuggle. As parents ourselves, we know that the Junior Design badge is an

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The Shnuggle Moses basket has been designed to ensure that baby gets the best sleep possible without being disturbed by the creaking that is a common feature of traditional wicker baskets. The material allows it to be rocked silently without the rustling and loss of shape that is common to other Moses baskets. A clever locking mechanism ensures the hood stays up. The hypoallergenic shell can be fully cleaned using warm soapy water, while the soft cotton dressings are machine washable so parents can be confident that the baby is in a clean safe environment. Those with a history of allergies in the family have

reported that having a newborn in such a hygienic space has significant benefits.

The base of the basket has been specially ventilated to ensure a constant airflow. The basket’s rigid material ensures that the shape is maintained. This makes it a safer sleeping place for babies, especially if there are already inquisitive pets or young children in the home. As it is 10% longer than standard Moses baskets, babies can stay in the Shnuggle basket for longer before they outgrow it and have to move into the cot. The Shnuggle basket is available in a range of vintage pastel shades, reflecting the desire of modern parents for beautiful baby furniture that complements the family home. More information on all the Shnuggle products is available at www. shnuggle.com.

For more information, please visit: www.shnuggle.com

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Family Focus

What is Tiny Diner?

Tiny Diner is a start-up with a social conscience, passionate about two things: fresh, organic baby food, and the social wellbeing and safety of women and girls.

Restaurant-class, age-appropriate versions of adult ready meals developed in conjunction with a nutritionist, baby food expert and professional chef. In a nutshell, it is a premium organic chilled baby food range for babies six months plus. The meals are chilled and organic which means that they retain the highest levels of nutrients as well as complex flavours.

We believe food should be nurturing and wanted to develop a range which would aid an infant’s development from weaning age. The women we had spoken to had expressed an authentic alternative to homecooking. And so this became our goal. An alternative to homecooking, it is designed for parents who want the best for their children and gives confidence and traceability where it is needed most. The convenient meals free up parents for family time at the same time as developing infants’ tastebuds. Once launched, every pound in profit from Tiny Diner will support the work of Eaves - a charity with a social mission to expose and address violence against women and girls. Tiny Diner will generate income and create training and employment opportunities for women who have faced domestic abuse, sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

Small beginnings, brighter tomorrow In keeping with all of Eaves projects, the women that the charity works with were their inspiration. Just over a year ago, some of these women mentioned how difficult it was to find baby food that they would be happy to give to their babies. They really emphasised fresh ingredients and meals that reflected the food that they would eat at home. At the same time Eaves as an organisation desperately needed a form of sustainable income. After much discussion and collaboration we decided to develop a social enterprise, making and selling baby food. We were clear that we wanted 100% of the profits to be ploughed back into Eaves and directly support the very women who had inspired the idea.

We plan to launch our first range of products before Spring next year. For further information and to keep updated with their launch please visit: tinydinerfood.com

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Christmas Focus I have struggled to varying degrees with a number of aspects of the Christmas holiday, in my life. I remember when I was five or so I went off roast dinners for a couple of yearsespecially carrots and that god awful stuff I only see once a year: stuffing (still bleurgh).

Christmas dinner is one meal you cannot hand back to someone. There’s a whole heap of emotions bled into the construction of a roast dinner. People would be less offended than if their marriage proposal was turned down- it’s the ultimate in rejection. Then there was me at maybe 10 when I was into Buffy the Vampire Slayer and became a Pagan. Seriously, tarot-reading, divining, spirit-sensing (belly dancing) pre-teen hippy sprite. Entirely uncomfortable with the religious content. Christians burnt witches.

That story about St Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland- the ‘snakes’ were ‘Goddess’.

I kid you not. Christmas was a time of great grave existential crisis for me during my New Age. As a teenager I had a double whammy- sheer horror at being cruelly separated from my friends. Unbearable.

You know when you’ve matured more than you’re willing to let on to your family so in their presence you sit in near silence trying to disappear? And if you just could see your friends your tongue would burst into the most humorous and insightful commentary in the neighbourhood? That could just be me- I don’t know. In addition to which- my blossoming social conscience was making the “commercialism” difficult to swallow.

It was with sheer horror I encountered the greed and the planned obsolescence of so much trash that would no longer be in people’s possession within months of the celebration. At no point in my life, however, have I ever entertained an ounce of cynicism for decorations. Any decorationsTraditional - Real tree, holly, mistletoe other bits of evergreen foliage (in wreaths, wound around banisters (god that is beautiful), Poinsettia, brown things- like pine cones and cinnamon. White lights- I’d love to see real candles on a tree like the Victorian’s used (but I’m not being the chump who tries that, as much as I love the fire service…).

Red, gold and green- lots of them. Ribbonespecially tartan- why is that anyway?

Maybe there was a mass seasonal migration of the wealthy to fabulous country estates in Scotland? Angels and cherubs (awww) portraying the beautiful innocence inherent in the joy of Christmas (and the virgin birth…). Tinsel in this scheme has to be fat and decadent, overstuffed like the banquet itself. Busy trees, baubles all over the placereal glass ones are just gorgeous, cold and fascinating and birds are lovely.

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DIY ones - Paper chains are just the best.

They are so freaking simple, two year olds can join in and create something so pretty, colourful and evocative.

Surely everybody has some potent memory involving paper chains? Another effective idea for little kids is to cover triangles of cardboard in tin foil then get them to sprinkle glitter and sequins on. They look great with so little skill- especially when you get lights reflected on them. Pine cones- of courseanother classic, so many ways to paint themdipped in bright colours or delicately edged with white (snow) or green (moss), glitter always an option… Hunting for pine cones is superfun too, fun and wholesome. Which is how I like Christmas. I also cut out pictures from magazines and cards and things, back them with card if necessary- and hang them from the tree. We have a HUGE collection of Father Christmases gathered as such, kittens in hats, The Beatles and a harem of pin ups. True. Debatably less wholesomebut at least in Christmas advertisements it’s more en vogue to see a touch more meat on the girls than the rest of the year. Or is that just my imagination?

Rubbish ones - Lights that are missing bulbs, signs falling down, dust… Tinsel and baubles that are in the process of or have shed their pretty colours. String-lights arranged meticulously into ambiguous shapes- they’re clearly something- but what? Spray snow that’s been applied amateurly. Adorable.

And anything involving lewd humour- like Father Christmas depicted on the toilet or sexy Santa negligees (I wear mine every year). I love it all! It’s about everybody joining in- and a lack of vanity (and possibly aesthetic awareness). A truly noble form of homage to the Season.

Gaudy - My favourite decorations of all time are the hanging foil machine-cut chandeliers. They take me straight back to my childhood in my Nan and Uncle Alan’s home - which is the ‘safest’ happiest place in my memory - obviously at Christmas which was still the best day ever at that point. They went through a couple of fake trees. I love

Festive Fun

By Elizabeth Hobson fake trees now. They had a little white one speckled with silver that got handed down to me. It is in photographs of me looking about two- so it’s twenty years old at least and reasonably bedraggled now but I find enormous well-being bringing that out into the light once a year. We have a purple tree too- so wrong, so right. The boys are all pushing for a real one this year which is fine, they’re lovely, they smell divinebut if anybody thinks we’re not having the fake ones too they’ve got another thing coming. I am so into making our home into a psychedelic festive forest-wonderland.

So into that. I remember very vividly Nan and Alan’s skinny silver tinsel with stars attached. There was something in the way the stars quivered in the air that resembled the feathery ferns I admire so much. Brightly coloured baubles covered in cotton, divinely soft to the touch- and coloured lights, they’re my favourite - but they have to be the right colours, they’re getting quite hard to find now, ones that are just right. L.E.D.’s just don’t have the warmth that I like.

Between me and you I simply cannot relate to the collective groans emitted as decorations go up in November. When they’re stocking Christmas crap in-store at the same time as Easter Eggs I feel irritated- but as for lights and Snow Men and baubles and tinsel- why not have them up all year? I hung some golden leaves around my garden in October.

It’s all so pretty and cheerful and… It’s generous- that’s the crux- people put it up with varying amounts of work then just leave their creations for everybody to see. Surely that is both beautiful and wondrous?

Happy Christmas and Peace on Earth x For more information, please visit: Twitter: ElizabethHobso6 Blog: http://elizabethkhobson,wordpress.com

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Christmas Focus

A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS IN BELGRAVE SQUARE GARDENS WITH 2 X SCREENINGS OF FROZEN, PETTING ZOO, DONKEY RIDES, MEET FATHER CHRISTMAS, MEET FROZEN CHARACTERS, CAROL SINGERS, CHRISTMAS CRAFTS AND MUCH MORE… BAD SANTA : EDWARD SCISSORHANDS : ELF : FROZEN + PIXAR SHORTS : GREMLINS : IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE : THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW : THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS To kick off The Nomad’s Christmas season The Nomad and Blue Bubble Events create a Magical Christmas in Belgrave Square. On Saturday 6th December, the Nomad returns to Belgrave Square, one of this summer’s popular new haunts, for a special Magical Christmas event. Located in the heart of Belgravia, the grand Belgrave Square Garden will become a wonderful Christmas kingdom for all the family to enjoy. With an array of fun and exciting family activities including sleigh rides, Christmas crafts, a fairy wish garden, face painting, a petting zoo, carol singing, winter refreshments and the chance to meet Father Christmas, with Pixar short animations and every child’s top film choice, Disney’s Frozen on the big screen, adding to the wintry atmosphere, plus a chance to meet one of the characters from Frozen... this not-to-be-missed Christmas extravaganza will be one the kids will cherish. This event will run in the gardens of Belgrave Square from 1pm to 6pm with 2 x screenings of Frozen. The first screening taking place inside the marquee at 1:45pm and then again outdoors at 4pm with Pixar short films screened in between. There will be hay bales to sit on but please wrap up warm.

While the screenings take place there are plenty of other magical Christmas activities to take part in….

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Meet and greet the Frozen characters , walk along the red carpet to be met by some paparazzi photographers and have your photo taken with the Frozen backdrop!

Little Donkey Rides – festive trips around the gardens on the Christmas sleigh pulled along by the Christmas donkeys plus get the chance to feed and pet the donkeys.

Petting Zoo with Tiny Tony the Pony, Meerkats, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Mini Chickens, Ducks, an Owl and a Goose.

Father Christmas in his Winter garden - an opportunity to meet Father Christmas and have your photo taken with him and receive a present – don’t forget your letters!

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Winter Garden Craft – be creative and make your own decorations, cards and festive masks in the arty craft area.

Festive Face Painting – become one of your favourite Christmas characters! – Frozen faces, reindeers, Princesses - lot’s of glitter, sparkle and fun.

Meet Queen Elsa and join in some frozen storytelling and musical entertainment throughout the day!

Winter Garden Refreshments – Gluvine, winter treats and sweets to enjoy!

Fun and festive Carol singing will bring an air of Christmas cheer to our Christmas garden!

Plus a few additional surprises on the day! All set within the spectacular, intimate Belgrave Square Garden. The Nomad Christmas season continues on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th December as The LookOut, Hyde Park will once again be transformed into an enchanting fairy-like Christmas cabin for four doses of Christmassy movie magic with Tim Burton’s gothic fairy tale, Edward Scissorhands on the Friday followed by Gremlins, the darkly humorous story of mayhem and destruction at Christmas time. The Saturday brings another Tim Burton great, The Nightmare Before Christmas, followed by one of the best-loved Christmas films ever made: It’s A Wonderful Life. So step into Hyde Park and be drawn into a yuletide haven like no other. The LookOut, nestled among winter trees in the heart of Hyde Park, will be transformed into a magical venue for these festive film screenings. Settle into the warm, tree house-inspired cocoon of The LookOut (with under floor heating!) to enjoy these Christmas treats, along with outdoor fire pits, delicious hot wintry food and a glass of mulled wine (or spiced apple) on arrival - all included in the price of the ticket. For more information on additional events taking place throughout December, please visit: whereisthenomad.com where full details on prices and times are available.

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Festive Food & Beverages I can’t wait for Christmas Day and all the yummy food that we will be tucking into! There are so many options to choose from whether it be turkey, goose, duck, three and five bird roasts (or even fish) that we thought we’d look around and see what speical offers were available! Of course we can’t forget the trimmings to go along with these wonderous meats so we’ve found some of the most scrummiest sauces, yummy side dishes and calorific puddings!

Whatever you decide to cook this Christmas, we hope you and your family truly enjoy it!

CHRISTMAS TIME - THE TASTIEST TIME OF YEAR, WHERE EVERYONE CAN OVER INDULGE !

Hand prepared roast of Turkey, Duck, Goose, Pheasant and Chicken layered with Pork, Clementine and Cranberry Stuffing. Topped with Bacon and a Port and Cranberry Glaze

Easy to carve, free range three bird roast, with hand-prepared goose, turkey and duck. Stuffed with orange and apricot sausagemeat and sage and onion sausagemeat, and decorated with a bacon lattice.

Deluxe Chicken, Turkey & Duck layered with a Pork, Apple and Cranberry Stuffing £9.99 (1.58kg)

£9.99 (1.58kg)

£19.99 (serves 12-15 people)

Tesco Finest British Lamb Crown With Spiced Apple & Courvoisier Brandy Stuffing £36.00 (serves 5- 7 people)

Aldi Specially Selected Roast Potatoes in Goose Fat £2.29 800g

Tesco 12 Cocktail Sausages In Bacon 252G - £2.00

Waitrose Mixed Vegetables (onions, parships, potato and carrots 2 x 850g - £5.00

Baby Buzz Review: The English Provender Co:

Aldi Christmas Pate Bowls £1.49 each (per 100g)

Waitrose smoked salmon and gravadlax platter 545g - £22.00

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The Three Wise Men Condiment Gift Bag (x3) £7.00

We had the opportunity of reviewing a selection of the chutneys recently and they are absolutely gorgeous! From the rich Mint Sauce to the Sweet Tomato and Chilli Chutney, there is something to suit every course from the sumptuous roast to the simple sandwich! Just in time for Christmas!

A luxurious, moist and rich fruit cake, laced with brandy, wrapped in almond marzipan and sweet icing - £6.49

Gooey chocolate brownie cake covered in chocolate ganache and finished with 5 sparkly chocolate rings £18.00

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Festive Food & Beverages

FESTIVE DRINKS AND NIBBLES FOR CHRISTMAS

For those that can’t partake in a little tipple, this is a delicious alternative!

RRP £2.99 | 75cl bottles www.shloer.com

I absolutely love Carluccio’s especially their Panettone, hmmmmm, this year they haven’t disappointed and have a fabulous range of yummy goodies perfect for Christmas!

Grappa e Bicchierini £19.95 Caffe Coffee Box £29.95 Biscotti £16.95 400g www.carluccios.com

The perfect after dinner treat!

Collection 36 Handcrafted Cranberry & Clementine Mini Mince Pie Selection £15.00 www. marksandspencer.com Schweppes have a fabulous arrange of mixers and juices which make great mocktails and cocktails! We’ve tried a selection of their newest range and they are great! We’ve been given some great recipes for you all to try let me know how you get on!

Tyrrell’s limited addition ‘Merry Crisp-mas’ pack crammed full of red and white crisps! £2.19 145g - seriously delicious! www.tyrrellscrisps.co.uk

VIN2O is a new online wine retailer with a mission; sell good wine and use the profits to raise money for Pump Aid – a charity working to supply clean water to rural communities in Africa. There’s no subscription fee and no annual membership, just cases of fine wines as and when you order them. Wine-lovers can enjoy the selections of wine delivered to them while raising money for a fantastic cause. For Christmas purchases and gifts, Vin2o has launched six- and a 12-bottle mixed cases containing a specially selected collection of sparkling wines, reds, whites and sherries – all handpicked with care from smaller producers and cooperatives, always with an eye on sustainable and ethical standards.

For more information, please visit: http://vin2o.co.uk

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Ingredients 75 ml Schweppes Ginger Beer10ml Cinnamon Syrup (1-1 sugar & water boiled with a cinnamon scroll) 2 cloves30ml Cloudy apple juice Half a lime, juiced For cocktail version add 25ml of aged rum, and 25ml of red wine Method Add all ingredients to a Highball Glass over ice/add all ingredients to a sauce pan and heat Garnish Lime wedge and cinnamon scroll

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The Baby Buzz Advent Calendar Great Christmas Giveaway 40

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WIN

...in our Advent Calendar Give Away

Enter the competitions from 1st December to be in our daily prize draw to win some amazing prizes. Enter each day to increase your chances of winning – but hurry as the winner will be drawn at midnight every evening.

What you win: 5 winners will receive a Dandy Kids Plate and a Shuffle Card Game Competition Question: On the First Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…?

A: a partridge in a pear tree B: two turtle doves C: five gold rings

Simply send the answer to the question, your name, address and telephone number to info@babybuzzmagazine.com Good Luck!

What you win: Disney Frozen Door Décor, Pop Up Storage, Flip Out Sofa and a selection of My Little Day Christmas decorations

What you win: CEWE Photobook (Value £50 Voucher), Mr Sites Website in a Box, Gambado Day Passes to 4 Events in December (Watford Location)

Competition Question: What is the name of the snowman in Frozen?

A: George B: Mark C: Olaf

Competition Question: What three gifts did the three wise men bring to Jesus?

A: Gold, Silver & Platinum B: Gold, Platinium & Bronze C: Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh

What you win: Asda Car Transporter and a Leapfrog My Pal Scout Competition Question: Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the...

A: Time B: Way C: Bells

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What you win: GALT TOYS Sequin Range (comprises of 3 designs) and a Leapfrog My Pal Violet Competition Question: What is the most famous reindeer called?

A: Tom B: Cliff C: Rudolph

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What you win: Inch Blue Shoes, an Aden + Anais Red Swaddle and a £50 Baby Friendly Boltholes Voucher

What you win: Muddy Puddles Wellies and Snowman & Snowdog Set of Prizes

Competition Question: Which Christmas condiment is made from fruit sometimes referred to as marshworts?

A: Tomato Sauce B: Raspberry Jam C: Cranberry Sauce

Competition Question: In 2004, the post office of which country (international dialling code 49) gave away twenty million free scented stickers, to make Christmas cards smell like fir trees, cinnamon, gingerbread or honey wax?

A: France B: Scotland C: Germany

What you win: Whimsy Woods Series (5 books) and Vertbaudet Vanity Case

What you win: Moba Blanket, Pabobo Little Miss Night Light and a BabyMoov CosyBag

Competition Question: On which date is Epiphany celebrated in the traditional Western calendar?

A: 1st January B: 6th January C: 12th January

Competition Question: The Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway) notably tend to celebrate Christmas chiefly on which date in December?

A: 24th B: 10th C: 1st

What you win: 2 winners will receive a Venture Photography Gift Package each, 2 x family passes to Willows Farm Santa’s Grotto

What you win: a selection of Tractor Ted goodies including the All About Tractors (Christmas Edition) DVD, Christmas Activity Book, Tractor Ted Farm Animal Crayons, Tractor Ted 3D Stickers and Tractor Ted Farm Lunchbag… perfect presents for Christmas!

Competition Question: What is the popular name for little baked sausages wrapped in rashers of streaky bacon?

A: Sausage Rolls B: Pigs in blankets C: Stuffing

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Competition Question: What is the chemical formula of snow?

A: H2O B: 02 C: c02

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What you win: Whitestep Create A World Activity and Mr Dog Pull Along Toy courtesy of Ashton & Parsons

What you win: Rukaruka Circus Print and Baby Go Go Bib and Multiplus

Competition Question: Who is the narrator in the 2000 film The Grinch Who Stole Christmas?

A: Anthony Hopkins B: Anthony Shaw C: Anthony Johnson

Competition Question: What is the birth sign of people born on 25th December?

What you win: Angels Face Lilac Tutu with matching tutu for teddy and The Royal Mint Gift Set Competition Question: American cartoonist Thomas Nast is credited with creating the traditional image of which popular Christmas character?

A: Rudolf The Red Nose Reindeer B: Santa Claus (Father Christmas) C: The Elves

What you win: Young Driver Gift Voucher and 2 VIZ Annuals (adults only) Competition Question: In the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, how many pipers are there?

A: 10 B: 11 C: 3

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A: Pisces B: Capricorn C: Leo

What you win: Steffi Love and Matt Hatter Simba Toys Competition Question: What Christmas item takes its name from the old French word estincelle, meaning spark?

A: Baubles B: Lights C: Tinsel

What you win: Blooming Lovely Jewellery Pendant and Snugglebundl (Spot colour) Competition Question: John Callcott Horsley designed what first commercial Christmas item in 1843?

A: Card B: Menu C: Fancy Dress Outfit

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What you win: Graco – Ready to Grow Stroller and Junior Car seat and Cuddledry Reindeer Towel Competition Question: Traditional in Germany at Christmas, what sort of food is stollen?

A: Cake B: Sausages C: Fruit

Competition Question: Peter Auty sang Walking In The Air in what film?

A: A Christmas Carol B: The Snowman C: The Grinch

What you win: Joovy Caboose Two (Triple), Milton Combi Steriliser and Tomee Tippee Breastfeeding Starter Set Competition Question: The surname Chandler derives from the making or selling of what?

A: Cakes B: Candles C: Glassware

What you win: Graco Little Lounger and Rocker, Tommee Tippee Limited Edition Bottles and Angel Rattle (Burblebaby) Competition Question: In the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, how many pipers are there?

A: 10 B: 11 C: 3

What you win: Shnuggle Baby Bath & Organic Sea Sponge. £50 prize package of Puffin, Warne and Ladybird books

What you win: Hauck Torro Duo Pushchair, Cuddledry Reindeer Towel and Wild Medicines Gift Basket Competition Question: In Victorian England what people were popularly called robins because of their red uniforms?

A: Postmen B: Policemen C: Teachers

What you win: 2 winners will receive a Leapfrog Leapband, a University Game and a Lottie Doll (1 for boys, 1 for girls) Competition Question: Marzipan is made (conventionally in the western world) mainly from sugar and the flour or meal of which nut?

A: Brazil nuts B: Almond C: Hazelnuts

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What you win: Babybjorn We Dots Carrier, Little Tikes Door Bouncer, Raspberry Bloom Support Pillow and Babybjorn Bib and Cutlery Set Competition Question: Which token vegetable is often included in the ingredients of a Christmas pudding?

A: Potatoes B: Cauliower C: Carrots

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What you win: Spark SmarTrike, a gorgeous Joie Chrome Plus Pushchair and small baby hamper with goodies Competition Question: Charles Dickens is said to have considered the names Little Larry and Puny Pete for which character?

A: Tiny Tim - A Christmas Carol B: The Christmas Carol C: The Wizard of Oz

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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2014

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Stocking Fillers – Babies & Toddler Boys

2

1

4

6 3 5

8

7

9

10

WHERE TO BUY: 1. RNLI – Jack Christmas Bear - £5.95 www.rnlishop.org.uk 2. Tractor Ted - The Bath Squirters (£8.99) www.tractorted.co.uk 3. Stretchkins - £19.99 www.argos.co.uk and www.smythstoys.com 4. Tractor Ted Stickers (Ages 2-6) www.tractorted.co.uk 5. Personalised Personalised Wooden Name Train – from £3.50 per letter www.wheniwasakid.co.uk

6. PLAYMOhair By PLAYMOBIL & Electronic Sheep – from £20 www.playmobil.co.uk/playmohair 7. Mountain Warehouse – Panda Hat £14.99 www.mountainwarehouse.com/kids 8. GALT Toys 6 Magic Bath Puzzles - £4.99 (2 upwards) www.galttoys.com 9. Pabobo – Mister Men Night Light £30 (0+) | www.pabobo.com 10. Hop Like A Bunny – Racoon Mask & Tail Dress Up - £44 www.hoplikeabunny.co.uk

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Stocking Fillers – Babies & Toddler Girls 5

2

3 4 1 6 8

10

7 9 11

WHERE TO BUY: 1. Blade & Rose Christmas Pudding Leggings - £10.00 www.bladeandrose.co.uk 2. Vintage Toys - Bell Stick £5.95 (6 months+) www.vintage-toys.co.uk 3. Jellycat - Fuddlewuddle Polar Bear - £17 www.jellycat.com 4. Aden & Anais - Vintage circus classic burpy bibs - £17.95 www.adenandanais.com 5. Hop Like A Bunny - Kidsonroof Mobile Home £18.00 www.hoplikeabunny.co.uk

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6. Pabobo – Little Miss Night Light £30 (0+) | www.pabobo.com 7. Baby Anabell from £42.99, Cradle £39.99 & Changing Bag £16.99 (from all good retailers) 8. Inch Blue – Bow Red Shoes - from £19 www.inch-blue.com 9. Jumbo Games Peppa Pig Dominoes (also available as Fireman Sam) – from £7.99 www.amazon.co.uk 10. Leapfrog My Pal Violet (also available for boys My Pal Scout) £19.99 (from 6 – 36 months) www.leapfrog.com 11. GALT TOYS - Baby Puzzles – Pets - £4.99 www.galttoys.com

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Stocking Fillers – Boys 5+ 3

2

1

4

6

5

7 8

10 9

WHERE TO BUY: 1. Desktop Drum Kit - £7.95 www.prezzybox.com 2. Make your own wind up car - £5.00 www.tch.net 3. WATCHSHOP – Cannibal Time Watch - £14.99 www.watchshop.com 4. Undercover Fun Sky Kit - £9.95 www.notonthehighstreet.com 5. PLAYMOBIL Carrying Case Soccer - £9.99 www.playmobil.co.uk

6. Cadbury Snowbites sharing bag! RRP £1.15 Available in many retailers. www.cadbury.co.uk 7. Lottie Dolls – Kite Flyer Finn - £16.99 (Accessories from £6.99) www.lottie.com 8. GALT Toys Shocking Rocket - £5.99 www.galttoys.com 9. Marble Games Pack - £12.00 www.notonthehighstreet.com 10. Build Your Own Kaleidoscope £6.95 (5+) www.prezzybox.com

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Stocking Fillers – Girls 5+ 1

3 2

4

5

7 6

9

8 WHERE TO BUY: 1. WATCHSHOP – Tickers Watch - £14.99 www.watchshop.com 2. Fairy Tale Drawing Projector - £6.95 www.prezzybox.com 3. Fairy Wishing Jars - £3.95 - www.notonthehighstreet.com 4. Stompeez – Peppa Pig / Hello Kitty £14.99 (+P&P) www.highstreettv.com 5. Sock Creatures – Polar Bear Craft Kit £12.00 www.sock-creatures.co.uk

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6. Cadbury Dairy Milk Hollow Snowman and Santa - RRP £2.13 www.cadbury.co.uk 7. Lottie Dolls – Pandora’s Box Lottie - £16.99 (Accessories from £6.99) www.lottie.com 8. GALT Toys Nail Art Kit - £4.99 www.galttoys.com 9. PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar Unicorn Fairyland - £18.99 www.playmobil.co.uk

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Stocking Fillers – Pre/Early Teens - Boys 2

1

3

4

6 5

9 8 7

WHERE TO BUY: 1.Make Your Own London Landmark - £6.00 www.tch.net 2.World’s Smallest Walkie Talkies - £9.95 www.prezzybox.com 3.Boxing Pen - £2.95 - www.stocking-fillers.co.uk 4.Light Up Shoelaces - £6.95 www.handpickedcollection.com 5. Cadbury Selection Pack - Prices vary - www.cadbury.co.uk

6. Essential Survival Kit - £23.95 (Adult supervision needed as this is a real life survival kit, recommended from 8 years of age!) www.battleboxcompany.co.uk 7. Addictaball - £7.95 www.prezzybox.com 8. The Teenager Tray - £22.00 www.catherinecolebrook.com 9. Not Awake T-Shirt - £24.00 (Sarah J Miller) www.notonthehighstreet.com

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Stocking Fillers – Pre/Early Teens - Girls 1

3

2

5 4

8

6

9

7 10

11

WHERE TO BUY: 1.Retro Owlet Shoulder Bag - £20.00 www.thelittlepicturecompany.co.uk/

5. Russian Doll Lip Balm - £2.99 - www.stocking-fillers.co.uk

2.GLO-MINERALS cream colour for cheeks and lips £11.50 www.glo-minerals.com

7. Chocolate Pizza - £12.95 www.prezzybox.com

6. Noteletts Fashion A5 Owls Notebook - £6.99 www.letts.co.uk

3.Foldable Headphones in Pink – £29.95 www.handpickedcollection.com

8. Mums House Rules - £9.95 www.thelittlepicturecompany.co.uk 9. Prestat – Pink Heart Bauble £6.95 www.prestat.co.uk

4.Mini Bags – Alphabet Bags - £8.00 www.alphabetbags.com

10. So...? Kiss Me Perfume £4.15 www.boots.com 11. The Wet Brush Selfie Brush £27.00 www.amazon.co.uk

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Stocking Fillers for Dad’s & Dad’s To Be

2

1

5 3

4

6 8

8 7

9 WHERE TO BUY: 1.Miracle Hair Growth Novelty Soap - £2.99 www.findmeagift.co.uk 2.PicooZ Sky Warrior - Air Buzzard - £19.95 www.prezzybox.com

5. Prestat – Rocket Bauble - £6.95 www.prestat.co.uk

3.Garmin Vivofit Bundle (includes heart monitor – available in other colours) - £139.99 buy.garmin.com

8. World’s Hottest Chilli Powders In A Matchbox - £6.00 www.notonthehighstreet.com

4.Nivea Shave Gift Pack - £7.50 shop.nivea.co.uk

6. iPhone 5/5s Phone case – Nue Vue – from £17.99 www.nuevue.com/ 7. Amazon - Contradiction for Men - £33.00 www.amazon.com

9. Double Brick Lego Cufflinks, £15.00 by Charlie Boots www.notonthehighstreet.com

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Stocking Fillers for

2

1

4

3

6

7

5

9

8

WHERE TO BUY: 1.Seascape Island Apothecary – Unwind Festive Gift Set - £30.00 www.seascapeuk.com 2.Remescar - £24.99 (100ml) www.remescar.com/en 3.Glo-Minerals Blush Duo - £15.50 www.glo-minerals.com 4.Babes with Babies – Slippers of Joy - £39.50 www.babeswithbabies.com/ 5. Lexington Candle – Apple Pie - £35.00 www.lexingtoncompany.com

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6. Nivea – Luscious Beautiful Lips Gift Pack - £6.00 www.nivea.co.uk 7. Panettone Tradizionale 1kg - £16.95 www.carluccios.com 8. Innova Brighton II Multi Photo Frame - £7.00 www.redcandy.co.uk 9. Wild About Beauty – Nail Collection - £27.00 wildaboutbeauty.com/

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Mum’s & Mum’s To Be 10

11

12

15 13

16

14

17

18

WHERE TO BUY: 10.Reindeer Bauble – Prestat - £6.50 www.prestat.co.uk 11.Thalgo – Lagoon Water Bath Pebbles – £22.00 www.thalgo.co.uk

15. Beanies Coffee – from £22.00 www.beaniesflavourco.co.uk

12.Toast and jam Bath Gift Set - £6.95 www.prezzybox.com

17. Eos Organic Lip Balm Strawberry Sorbet - £5.99 (7g) www.naturisimo.com 18. Forsaken Perfume - £28.99 (50ml) www.hboshopeu.com

13.Unwind and Deeply Relax Bath Set - £20.00 wildmedicines.co.uk/

16. NYK1 100% PURE PRICKLY PEAR SEED OI - £44.95 (30ml) www.nyk1.com

14. Scribble A5 Day to Day Aztec Print Diary - £9.99 www.letts.co.uk/

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Christmas Gifts for Pets 2

1

4 3

5

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8 7

9

10

14

13 11

12

15

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17 18

19

20

21

Christmas Competition Time with PetsPyjamas We have a fabulous competitions prize to give away to all our pet lovers out there! For your chance to win either a Blue Welcome Home Kitten Hamper or a Pink Puppy Love Treat Box, simply answer the following question: What is the contact email address should you wish to contact PetsPyjamas?

Simply visit: www.petspyjamas.com for the answer and good luck!

All entries must be sent to: info@babybuzzmagazine.com. Competition closes on 15th December at midnight.

WHERE TO BUY: 1.Tunnel Run Cat Scratcher - £19.96 www.petspyjamas.com 2.Knitted Cat Spider Toy - £12.00 www.mungoandmaud.com 3.Cool Cat Jewel Leather Collar - £12.50 www.petspyjamas.com

12. Poop Pouch ‘leaf’ Stone - £45.00 www.mungoandmaud.com

4. Cat Bowl Slurp £28.00 www.mungoandmaud.com

14. Edible Rawhide Advent Calendar - £8.99 www.petspyjamas.com

5.Welcome Home Kitten Hamper - £29.99 www.petspyjamas.com

13. Cable Cashmere Dog Pullover Fossil 25cm – from £129.00 www.mungoandmaud.com

15. Organic Catnip - £9.00 www.mungoandmaud.com

6. Wild Wash Shampoo and Perfume Set - £29.90 www.petspyjamas.com 7. White Cat Cave with Animal Print Cushion £75.00 www.petspyjamas.com

16. Tetra Peppa Pig Aquarium 18L - £35.00 www.tetra.net/en/

8. Puppy Love Treat Box - £24.99 www.petspyjamas.com

19. Christmas Cottage Bird House - £34.50 www.petspyjamas.com

9. Cat Food Storage Container - £64.00 www.mungoandmaud.com

17. Rudolf Reindeer Bodywarmer - £19.50 www.petspyjamas.com 18. Dog House - £65.00 www.prezzybox.com

10. Dog Stocking, Dachshund £35.00 www.petspyjamas.com

20. Small Animal Advent Calendar - £2.00 www.petsathome.com

11. Bulldog Christmas Bauble - £8.99 www.petspyjamas.com

21. Baby Bones Dog Treats - £7.90 www.mungoandmaud.com

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Christmas Presents – Babies & Toddler Boys 1 2

3

4 6 5

7

8

WHERE TO BUY: 1. Swimfin – £21.99 – 18 months+ swimfin.co.uk 2. SmarTrike Spark - £79.99 - 10 to 36 months Available from Smyths (Star from Toys R Us) 3. Tree Fu Tom Squizzle Pitch Playset 3+ £12.99 www.flairplc.co.uk 4. Personalised Check Trim High Tops - £20.00

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5. Personalised Rudolf Taggy Baby Comforter - £15.00 www.my1styears.com/ 6. Noahs Wooden Ark - £40.00 12 months + www.jammtoys.com 7. Frog Bikes - Balance Bike – Tadpole - £100 - 2/3 years + www.frogbikes.com 8. Lost My Name – Personalised Story Book - £18.99 www.lostmy.name/

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Christmas Presents – Babies & Toddler Girls 1

3

2 5

6

4

8

12

9 7

10

13 11

WHERE TO BUY: 1.Little Girl Special Edition - Baby Pink - £45.00 www.keekodesigns.co.uk/ 2.Happy Hopperz – Playful Puppy – £21.99 (12 months to 2.5 yrs) www.happyhopperz.co.uk 3.Animal Door Hangers - £14.00 www.illustratemyname.com 4.Build-A-Bear ‘Frozen’ Elsa / Anna – from £19.00 (accessories sold separately) 3+ www.buildabear.co.uk 5.Vintage Wooden Letter Blocks - £5.50 www.illustratemyname.com 6. Personalised Letter & Heart Cotton Tutu Bodysuit £25.00 0-3 months to 12/18 months) www.milktwobunnies.com

7. Leapfrog My Pal Violet (also available for boys My Pal Scout) £19.99 (from 6 – 36 months) www.leapfrog.com 8. Russell The Sheepdog - £35.00 18 months+ www.sweetdreamers.co.uk/ 9. Personalised Silverplate Carousel Moneybox - £29.95 www.babyfish.co.uk/ 10. Sofia the First Magical Amulet - £19.99 www.flairplc.co.uk 11. Doc McStuffins Giant Floor Puzzle £16.99 www.amazon.co.uk 12. Happyland Cherry Land Cottage - £32.00 18 months+ www.elc.co.uk/ 13. djeco cat & mouse pull along toy - £11.95 18 months+ www.littlebabycompany.com/

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Christmas Presents – Boys 5+ 2

1

4

3

5

7 6

9

10

8

11 10

WHERE TO BUY: 1. K’NEX Small Ferris Wheel Building Set - £29.99 7+ www.knex.co.uk 2. Xeno Ultra Pacific Blue Electronic Toy – from £63.99 3+ www.flairplc.co.uk 3.An annual subscription to First News - £53.99 7+ www.firstnews.co.uk/subscribe/uk 4. Leapfrog Leapband – £29.99 4 – 7 yrs+ www.leapfrog.com 5.Marble Racer – RRP £24.99, suitable for children aged 4+ www.galttoys.com/

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6. Teksta T-Rex - £59.99 5+ www.character-online.com 7. Leapfrog LeapTV - £119.99 3+ leapfrogstore.co.uk 8. Wasgij Junior 1: Scrooge’s Surprise - 6+ £5.99 www.amazon.co.uk 9. K’NEX – Roller-coaster - £39.99 9+ www.knex.co.uk 10. Touch Sensitive Drum Mat - £24.95 3+ www.handpickedcollection.com/ 11. Bugs in The Kitchen Board Game - £19.99 www.amazon.co.uk

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Christmas Presents – Girls 5+ 2

1

4

3

5

7

6

9 8

10

11

12

WHERE TO BUY: 1. My Friend Cayla - £43.79 4+ vividtoysandgames.co.uk 2. Doh Vinci Style and Store Vanity allows children to become a 3D designer - £19.99 6+ www.toysrus.co.uk 3. Plum® Snowdrop Interactive Wooden Play Kitchen - £99.99 www.plumproducts.com 4. Nursery Chair £23 - www.vertbaudet.co.uk 5. My Very Own Fairy Tale Projector - £6.95 www.prezzybox.com 6. Plum - Plaza Children’s Wooden Dolls House with Accessories - £119.99 www.plumproducts.com 7. Happy Winter Snowy Owl Cushion £21.99 www.greatgizmos.co.uk

13

14

8. Cra-z-knitz Knitting Design Station - £29.99 6+ www.character-online.com 9. Micro Sprite & MX Trixx – from £87.95 6 – 12 years www.micro-scooters.co.uk 10. Vertbaudet – Children’s Vanity Case - £25.00 5+ www.vertbaudet.co.uk 11. Schleich Horse Stable with Accessories £99.99 www.amazon.co.uk 12. Doc McStuffins Doctor’s Bag Set £19.99 and Doc McStuffins Talking Mobile Clinic £59.99 - www.flairplc.co.uk 13. Magical Fairy Garden - £12.95 www.prezzybox.com 14. Muddy Puddles - £20 www.muddypuddles.com

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Christmas Presents – Boys Pre & Early Teens 1 2

3

4

5

7

6

9 8

10

WHERE TO BUY: 1. Saltwater Motorcycle Kit - £15.95 www.wickeduncle.co.uk 2.

www.paramountzone.com 10. Rovospy with Night Vision£59.99 www.ebuyer.com

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Christmas Presents – Girls Pre &Early Teens 1

3 2

5 6

4

7

8 9

WHERE TO BUY: 1.Design Your Own Perfume Set - £24.95 www.prezzybox.com 2.Dr Dre Beats Headphones – from £99.99 www.amazon.co.uk Large Embossed Leather Journal - £16.95 www.paperhigh.com Personalised Graffiti Heart - £59.99 www.illuminatedcanvas.co.uk

Vodafone Smart 4 Mini PAYG - £40.00 www.vodafone.co.uk Name A Star Gift Box - £16.99 www.gettingpersonal.co.uk Hunter Wellies - £49.00 (Sizes 12 – 5) www.hunterboots.com Name Necklace – Anna Lou of London – from £52.00 www.annalouoflondon.com 9. Nike Air Huarache - £84.99 Grey Pink Fuschia www.office.co.uk

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Christmas Presents – Dads & Dads To Be 3

1

2 4 5 6

7

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9 WHERE TO BUY: 1. Driving Experience Voucher – Hot Lap - £60 – The Top Gear Track Experience - topgeartrackexperience.com 2. Hotel Chocolat – The Christmas Collection - £35.00 www.hotelchocolat.com 3. Del Boy Robe - £39.95 www.red5.co.uk 4. Red Wine and Vine Crate - £50.00 www.glut.co.uk 5. Golf Slippers - £12.95 www.prezzybox.com 6. Binatone HomeSurf 844 8-inch Multi Touch Tablet £72.99 www.amazon.co.uk

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7. Men’s Engraved Message Bracelet - £49.00 www.betweenyouandi.co.uk 8. Virtually Indestructible – the ultimate professional clipper £59.99 - uk.remington-europe.com 9. Little Dad Kit - £12.00 www.fromlucy.com 10. Garmin Vivofit Red Bundle (includes heart monitor – available in other colours) - £139.99 - /buy.garmin.com

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Christmas Presents – Mums & Mums To Be 1

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10 WHERE TO BUY: 1. Seraphine – The Bump Kit – from £85.00 www.seraphine.com 2. Tresor Paris – Royale Ring - £47.00 www.tresorparis.co.uk 3. John Lewis Shimmer Fleece Robe, Silver Grey - £39.00 www.johnlewis.com/ 4. Faded Grey Swallow Print Scarf - £13.75 www.theforestandco.com 5. Mini Pamper Day At Bannatyne Spas £49.00 x 2 people (price when going to print) www.virginexperiencedays.co.uk

6. Leather Photo Album - £26.00 www.begolden.co.uk 7. Filofax – Cover Story Organiser A5 - £35.00 www.filofax.co.uk 8. Pebble Grey – Compact Mirror £19.99 www.pebblegrey.co.uk 9. Remington D3099GP Deluxe Hair Dryer Kit - £64.99 www.boots.com 10. Antique Pink Flower Bottles £30.00 www.flowerstudioshop.co.uk 11. Poppet in the Post Hampers - from £100 www.poppetinthepost.co.uk

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Christmas Presents – Grandparents 1

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WHERE TO BUY: 1. Roberts Radio Revival iStream2 DAB DAB+FM Internet Radio - Black, £200 www.amazon.co.uk 2. Mini Mince Pies x 12 – Prestat - £6.75 www.prestat.co.uk 3. Grandad is Brilliant Book - £15.95 www.loubrowndesigns.com 4. Personalised You’re the Best Apron - £28.00 www.notonthehighstreet.com/sparksclothing 5. Screen Printed Scarf - £32.00 www.stabo.co.uk 6. The Gardeners Tuck Tin – Real Ale - £35.00 www.whiskhampers.co.uk

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7. Noteletts Fashion A5 Birds Note Book - £6.99 www.letts.co.uk 8. Fentigans and Bloom Gin and Tonic / Gin and Rose Lemonade - from £3 per bottle and Bloom Gin £24.00 www.bloomgin.com / www.waitrose.com 9. Striped Wool Slippers White on Blue - £38.00 www.runawaycoast.com 10. Personalised Christmas Pudding - £12.95 www.prezzybox.com 11. Mini Allotment Starter Pack £28 - www.seedpantry.co.uk

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Christmas Presents – Home & Furnishings 1

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WHERE TO BUY: 1. Russell Hobbs Buckingham Kettle - £39.99 & Russell Hobbs Buckingham Toaster – from £29.99 www.russellhobbs.co.uk 2. CandyFloss Maker – £29.95 www.prezzybox.com 3. Pembridge Double Bell Alarm Clock - £12.15 www.roomtogrow.co.uk 4. George Foreman Removable Plate Grills (Compact Size, Family Size and Entertaining Size) From £49.99 www.georgeforeman.co.uk

5. SodaStream – Family Fun Bundle - £62.28 www.sodastream.co.uk/ 6. Nespresso Inissia £89.00 www.nespresso.com 7. Animals Rug - £51.75 www.vertbaudet.co.uk 8. Garden Flowers Blue Rectangular Cushion - £18.00 www.emmabridgewater.co.uk

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Christmas Tree’s, Wrapping & Decoration’s 1

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WHERE TO BUY: 1. The Christmas Tree Package from £99.00 (based on a

4ft tree with silver decorations) www.goodelf.co.uk 2. Our Story Glass Photo Bauble - £12.00 seahorseshop.co.uk 3. Silver Letter Hanging Decorations - £3.00 per letter www.lisaangel.co.uk 4. The Ultimate Christmas Crackers - £50 for 6 www.fortnumandmason.com

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5. My Little Day – Super Gold Box of decorations 37.95 en.mylittleday.fr 6. PAPER LUXE TISSUE SNOWFLAKE 30CM / 12” – Assorted Colours - £3.00 www.pearlandearl.co.uk 7. Great British Christmas Tree Decorations £6.00 (box not included) www.notonthehighstreet.com 8. Funky Animal Gift Wrap - £9.95 www.luckies.co.uk

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baby buzz the

winter & christmas fashion GUIDE 2014

If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas present for your Muddy Pups, you’ve come to the right place! Muddy Puddles have a fantastic selection of kids outdoor clothes and footwear that will keep Puddlestompers warm and dry this Winter. From colourful wellies to ski gear to padded jackets, why not have a look for yourself!

Tel: 01299 407150 / 0844 557 4950 / customerservices@muddypuddles.com www.babybuzzmagazine.com | Twitter: BabyBuzz Mag

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Fashion Focus

Mountain Warehouse has been offering quality outdoor clothing and equipment at the lowest prices since 1997. From hiking clothing and camping equipment to ski wear and running gear we stock everything you need for your outdoor activities.

Most of the products we sell are exclusive to Mountain Warehouse, unlike other outdoor clothing shops.

By cutting out the middleman we can produce the best quality products at the best prices. We pride ourselves on providing great value outdoor gear and at Mountain Warehouse you can be sure to receive honest advice from our knowledgeable staff.

For more information or to purchase online, please visit:

www.mountainwarehouse.com

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Fashion Focus

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Fashion Focus

www.cashmirino.com

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Fashion Focus

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Fashion Focus

Your pregnant!

Having a baby is a wonderful time of any woman’s life but it can also be a daunting time of what to wear for the last 6 months when the bump gets bigger. I absolutely understand that many of you don’t really want to spend a small fortune on specialised maternity clothes that only last for such a short time. I would recommend a selection of items that are your ‘must haves’ for this time which you can easily pick up from any of our great high street stores, all the garments I have selected will keep you looking modern and fresh during your pregnancy; Just remember one thing.....your body needs structure to give it shape, wearing baggy will only make the area appear larger than it is, it’s all about the shape & style.

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Don’t shy away from bold colours & print when you are pregnant Maxi dresses are super for any mum to be and will continue to work for you after the baby is born, use them for daytime and evening looks.

A longer length jacket will accommodate your bump. Any single breasted or boyfriend blazer jacket with a low cut neckline will give the illusion of a longer, slimmer body The empire line will work brilliantly both in tops and dresses. It will be tight under the bust then drapes over your tummy Waterfall cardigans are fab for pre, during & post pregnancy Do buy a couple of pieces with an elasticated waist, these will not only bring you comfort but will look super teamed with an empire line tunic Use Accessories such as jewellery & scarves to liven up any outfit Shoes are a great way to inject colour & textures to daily outfits

Award winning stylist, Lisa Talbot, is relishing her latest style challenge by helping dress beautiful bumps with the re-launch of boutique maternity hire company ‘Hire Expectations’.

Hire Expectations enables women to hire stylish maternity and breastfeeding occasion wear, the perfect alternative to purchasing a dress you may only need to wear once. Hire Expectations also offers a back up size for free, so women can order two different sizes to ensure they get the best fitting dress for their bump and body shape.

‘Looking Good, Feeling Great’ Lisa Talbot said, “First and foremost Hire Expectations is about offering good quality, stylish, great fitting garments for women throughout all stages of their pregnancy . My personal style experience will bring a new direction to the business and we will continue to strive to help pregnant women look fabulous and feel confident without the high price tag.”

The outfits available are ideal for special events such as Ascot, Regattas, Christmas parties and birthdays, weddings and christenings. The range also includes a collection of dresses perfect for pregnant businesswomen seeking a stylish and wellfitted outfit for a presentation, conference or meeting. Hire charges range from just £26.00 to a maximum of £55.00, making it the affordable way to dress that bump. We stock fabulous brands such as Isabella Oliver, Keungzai, Crave, Butter by Nadia, Sweet Belly Couture and Picchu.

Lots of love Lisa Talbot

For more information, please visit: www.hireexpectations.co.uk | info@hireexpectations.co.uk

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Product Features & Reviews

JOIE DOES IT AGAIN WITH THE GORGEOUS CHROME PLUS! We have been very lucky over the last two years to have reviewed a selection of the Joie Car Seats and Pushchairs and it comes as no surprise that the Joie Chrome Plus would be high amongst our favourites!

The fantastic Joie Chrome Plus is a truly versatile pushchair. Suitable from birth, it can be used with the carrycot (available separately) to create a cosy, comfy pram allowing your newborn to travel in a lieflat position. The Joie Chrome Plus has a modern, floating chassis with clean, tailored lines creating a sophisticated and streamlined ride. It can be attached to the pushchair chassis in two different positions – facing towards mum or dad to allow important eye-contact and interaction or turned to face forwards for older babies who want to explore the world around them. The seat unit can also be fully reclined to a lie flat position for

newborns as well as other positions for older babies – more upright when awake and into a reclined position when it’s time for a nap. The Joie Chrome Plus pushchair is also compatible with a Joie Gemm infant carseat (sold separately) allowing you to also use your pushchair as a travel system.

The Gemm carseat effortlessly attaches to the Joie Chrome Plus chassis using the adaptors, making it easy to transfer your baby from car to pushchair without having to disturb them. The Joie Chrome Plus is built with a lightweight aluminium chassis and comes complete with quick release wheels, a height adjustable handle which makes is perfect for parents of different height to push with ease, a large shopping basket and a footmuff. When not in use the pushchair folds easily in a unique way where the wheels touch the floor and the seat remains within the chassis size helping to make it easy to store when not in use.

We have been extremely fortunate to have been given one to give away to one lucky reader as part of our Great Advent Calendar Giveaway - please enter the competition for Day 25 for your chance to win (see page 45 for details).

For more information, please visit: www.joie.com

Introducing the New BABYZEN ZEN We had the opportunity of reviewing the incredible predecessor to the BABYZEN ZEN last year, the BABYZEN YOYO (the only pushchair that we’ve seen that collapses small enough to store in the overhead compartment on a plane - I kid you not!) I was very much looking forward to seeing the new ZEN travel system and wasn’t disappointed at all!

The new ZEN is the updated version of the famous all-terrain stroller with a unique design, based on the same revolutionary flat-fold concept. Unfolding takes just 5 seconds, and folding is just as easy! The new ZEN stroller will accommodate a newborn with best-in-class comfort, thanks to its exclusive multi-position carry-cot (the only stroller bassinet also certified as a seat, a travel crib and a bouncer!). When your child can sit up on his own, it converts into a chic road-facing stroller.

New ZEN features • Increased basket size, +50% • Extending canopy with UPF50+ protection • New high quality fabrics • Ultra-flat folding (25 cm thin) and lightweight frame (9,5 kg) • 3-wheel suspension • Exclusive «soft-drive» system: no need to lock the front swivel wheel • Exclusive solar-powered warning light ZEN Parent-facing, from birth • 3-position carry-cot on stroller, or crib/bouncer on the ground • Flat folding (15 cm thin), weight 3.6 kg • Removable and washable fabrics • Thick mattress and 5-point harness

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ZEN Road-facing, from 6 months up to 20kg • 3-position backrest and spacious canopy • Seat unit and canopy fold together with stroller frame • Removable and washable fabrics • Comfortable seat pads and 5-point harness What really impressed me was the fact that the ZEN retained it’s lightweight manoeuvrability and you could open and close this within seconds! The ease in which the carrycot coverted to seat unit was impressive and more importantly easy with no fiddly bits to play with and the fact that you could take the carrycot off and flip out the stand to create an instant bouncer was brilliant. All-in-all I loved this and can’t wait to feature a more indepth review early next year.

For more information, please visit: www.babyzen.com

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Product Features & Reviews

Solution M and Solution M-FIX A new generation of car seat safety from CYBEX

Cybex Solution M £135.00

Cybex Solution M-FIX £160.00

One of our most highly rated brands of car seats have just launched their latest styles!

The NEW Solution M and Solution M-FIX car seats have a patented reclining headrest which keeps a child’s head in the seat’s protective safety zone by preventing it from tipping forward while sleeping. The new car seats also have individually adjustable Side-impact Protection function (L.S.P. System Plus) and an air circulation system adding to children’s comfort. Both seats are ISOFIX compatible while the Solution M-FIX can also be used in cars which do not have ISOFIX. Both car seats incorporate the enhanced and individually adjustable CYBEX side-impact protection system featuring telescopic technology. With brand new seat geometry, incorporating side protectors and a strong shell - both of which have been designed to absorb high levels of energy the Solution M and Solution M-FIX offer the ultimate in protection from a side-impact collision. The ISOFIX Connect System built into the Solution M-Fix increases safety and stability throughout the whole lifespan of the seat. To use the seat in cars without ISOFIX the connectors can simply be retracted.

With a 12-position height-adjustable headrest and an extra-wide and deep seat cushion, both the Solution M and Solution M-Fix provide the greatest possible comfort. Suitable for children weighing 15-36kg (approximately 3 -12 years), the Solution M and Solution M-FIX are also available in ten contemporary colourways.

The gingerbread collection by tommee tippee is a limited edition range of essential baby products decorated so that they bring to life a magical fairy tale world where the gingerbread people live.

The designs feature wonderful scenes of seasonal festivities, gorgeous gingerbread houses, delicate snowflakes and stockings brimming with presents, ready for Christmas morning.

The gingerbread collection features two brightly coloured closer to nature® easi-vent feeding bottles in pink & blue. The closer to nature bottle comes with all the revolutionary features you would expect from tommee tippee, a unique, easy-latch-on nipple shaped teat, designed with breastfeeding experts to mimic the natural flex, stretch and movement of breastfeeding. The limited edition gingerbread soother is decorated with festive designs to celebrate Christmas. The designs feature brightly coloured stockings, cute gingerbread houses and delicate little snowflakes. All the designs have been placed on tommee tippee’s new collection of soothers that are approved by babies. The symmetrical orthodontic teat has been specially designed to help optimise baby acceptance and in independent tests more babies accepted these new soothers first time.

Let the fairy tale magic into your baby’s Christmas with this wonderfully festive collection from tommee tippee.

For more information, please visit: www.tommeetippee.co.uk

For more information, please visit: www.cybex-online.com

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Product Features & Reviews

Winter is just around the corner, but The Little Green Sheep are set for the season with the perfect solution for little ones who will be out and about over the cooler months. Their lovely lambskin liner is beautifully soft and has naturally insulating properties to keep your little lamb snug and £39.95 cosy in their pushchair or car seat! Lamb’s wool is much finer and softer than a sheep’s, making this lambskin liner extra special. The fleece holds in fibres, and retains its softness even after being washed. It also stays nice and bouncy as it has not been brushed like a sheep’s has. You can guarantee this is one liner that will last for years and years – perfect to pass down to a younger sibling.

For more information, please visit: www.thelittlegreensheep.co.uk

We attended a recent launch for Babybjorn to see their new collection which included the gorgeous limited edition design ‘Dots’. I know so many readers depend on their baby carriers and this is by far one of our favourites! The carrier is so easy to put on and you can be sure that your baby will be comfortable, safe and secure. We also saw the new bouncer in the same limited edition design (admittedly there was also an ‘adult’ sized version which I would buy in an instant!). Babybjorn are renowned for their design and practicality when it comes to baby essentials and they certainly haven’t disappointed with the range of travel cots, bouncers, carriers and eating utensils! We have been given a selection of products to give away from Babybjorn as part of our Advent Calendar Great Giveaway (see Day 24 on page 45) so enter for your chance to win.

For more information, please visit: www.babybjorn.co.uk

With so many different baby monitors available on the market today, it can get quite daunting as to which one is the best. We’ve reviewed more than our share over the last year and the latest to be tested was BT’s Video Baby Monitor 7500 Lightshow. The monitor was extremely wasy to set up and the clarity was crystal clear. I loved the little added bonus of the light show as it provided a welcoming distraction to my little one as she was dozing off. Whilst my little girl is 3 years old, she has a little habit of climbing out of bed and exploring (for want of a better word!) and this allowed me to keep an eye on her until she finally fell asleep. Whilst it is a little pricier than some of the others, you certainly pay for what you get and the product certainly lives up to the BT standard. A great option for those who want to purchase from a recognised brand.

For more information, please visit: www.shop.bt.com

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Somebody clearly had a eureka moment when they thought of the Perfect Prep! This machine is the answer to most parents prayers, especially when it comes to the night feeds and your baby is in no mood to wait for their milk to cool down! The Perfect Prep is just so fantastically easy to use. The closer to nature perfect prep machine makes a fresh bottle at just the right serving temperature in less than 2 minutes. When baby arrives there’s so much to do and to think about, so many things to juggle, so much that’s new and challenging. Specially designed to make preparing bottles quicker and more accurate, Perfect Prep™ gives you the extra peace of mind that comes from knowing your baby’s bottle will be perfect every time. Breast milk is best for your new baby, but if you are making the move to formula milk, Perfect Prep™ is everything.

We’ve been working with Hippychick on a few great products recently and with the freezing weather now firmly in place, this couldn’t have come in more useful! We gave the footmuff to one lucky reader to try out with her little boy and she couldn’t sing it’s praises highly enough. Her little boy was snug and warm and she loved how easy it was to clean. The brand new, ultra-stylish, Hippychick Footmuff, available in a choice of four colours offers a supremely cosy, padded liner which is easily affixed to any type of buggy as well as a choice of 2 detachable, zip-on covers with reflective piping for added safety. You have the option of using the lighter cover for milder days and the padded winter cover for colder ones. Both Outers are made from waterproof, windproof and breathable outer fabric used for the Hippychick Waterproof All-in-Ones. The footmuffs are available in baby and toddler size.

For more information, please visit: www.hippychick.com

If you would like to have your product reviewed in a future issue of Baby Buzz Magazine, please contact us at the following: info@babybuzzmagazine.com Tel: 07957 731 617

For more information, please visit: www.tommeetippee.co.uk

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Product Features & Reviews

Nourkrin® Post Pregnancy is drug free, natural, safe, effective and developed to help normalise the Hair Growth Cycle and encourage normal hair growth.

Marilex® - The exclusive proprietary ingredient found only in Nourkrin® is scientifically proven to help normalise and maintain the Hair Growth Cycle and encourage normal healthy hair growth Iron- Low levels of iron can affect the health of the hair resulting in it becoming thin, dry, and dull. Iron is a key ingredient that provides oxygenation to the hair root to encourage healthy follicle function.

D-Biotin- Contributes to the overall maintenance of healthy hair.

Most mums will experience some form of hair loss or loss of conditioning with their hair whether it be pre or post pregnancy and this is a great option for those who don’t want to take products containing drugs. It is an easy course to follow and the results can be seen at the end of the course. This has been great for me as I have been also suffering with low iron levels and whilst on it’s own this won’t increase it, it certainly helped.

Natalie Balmond developed her first range, Skin Salvation, from her Brighton kitchen when her two year old daughter Lula was suffering from chronic eczema and she could find no other remedies that worked. The super salve, as it’s been nick-named, is made with oils, herbs and essential oils and became an overnight sensation with people in the UK and around the world inundating her with emails and letters about its effectiveness. Such is the success of the original formula, she’s been inspired to create a range of natural adult and baby skincare products that use the same base formulations.

We’ve been using the various products for some time now and can’t value them highly enough! The nappy rash salve is a god-send and whilst I now use it as a preventative measure, I know that it’s kind to my littlest ones bottom and prevents the reoccurence of redness and early onset of nappy rash. Whilst I’ve also not been a fan of oil based bubble baths I’ve been regularly using the Skin Salvation Bath and Body Oil and this leaves my skin super soft and feeling so hydrated. The products are all really well priced and you can guarantee that your skin is getting the best care.

For more information, please visit: www.purepotions.co.uk

I am one of those people who are prone to bugs and cold viruses, that’s just the way it goes!

For more information, please visit: www.nourkrin.co.uk

Remescar is an affordable, noninvasive and clinically proven treatment that uniquely bridges the gap between expensive professional silicone therapy (widely regarded by doctors as the first-line and most effective treatment for scars including stretch marks) and the majority of cosmetic brands that sell cheaper products but whose effectiveness are substantially lower.

Containing powerful SPF15 UVA and UVB protection to shield delicate scarred skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, Remescar Silicone Scar Stick creates a thin, transparent silicone film over the scarred skin to hydrate, protect and stimulate collagen production. Overall, natural moisture balance is kept under control to soften and flatten scar tissue, This has to be one of the nicest and easiest creams to apply to scars and works on old scars too which is great. I apply it to a c-section scar and the area, which had healed realy well any way, still had a degree of redness to it. With this the redness has disappeared to almost nothing and I’ve started using it on scars that my children have acrrued over the years! A real godsend!

For more information, please visit: www.remescar.com

Pouty Lipzz is the revolutionary new lip maximizer for lip lovers everywhere, made in England. Pouty Lipzz has been rigorously tested and is EU compliant creating the perfect formula for dazzling lips for ANYONE. Our mission is to revive those thin lips eveywhere, into the lips of Venus. The kiss of life just became so much more powerful, plump up the volume with Pouty Lipzz!

I look forward to giving you our full results on this in the new year! It certainly looks good and the reviews are phenomenal so far!

For more information, please visit: www.poutylipzz.co.uk

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For the last month I have been taking Coldzyme to either prevent a full on cold setting in or taking a preventative spray when the children have picked up a cold (for the 100th time). This is such a fantastic product that actually works and has stopped a good few colds dead in their tracks that I now recommend it to everyone and anyone who will listen! ColdZyme Mouth Spray contains a unique marine enzyme that helps build a protective barrier on the mucous membranes in your throat and makes it harder for the cold virus to cause illness.

ColdZyme Mouth Spray, may help to reduce the risk of catching cold and may help to shorten the duration of illness if initiated at an early stage of the infection. This is an absolute essential for every household!

For more information, please visit: coldzyme.co.uk

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Product Features & Reviews

With a little monster who doesn’t sit still for longer than five minutes, I am always keen to try out different footwear to see not only what fits her the best, but also what will withstand the amount of constant usage she will put a product through. We were sent a pair of gorgeous little sneakers by GEOX (as seen in the picture above) and my little girls reaction to these was simply priceless! She absolutely loved the design and I absolutely loved that even though there are laces on these, you could simply put these on by un-doing the zip on the inside. Very practical! These sneakers have been the absolute favourite for a long time now and she insists on wearing them wherever we go, which at times can be a little problematic! Nevertheless we have worn these to nursery, where they withstand the ultimate in rough and tumble to wearing them for a day out to the farm! They have withstood a considerable amount of rough play and wet weather and they still look in excellent condition. Whilst the sneakers themselves aren’t the cheapest on the market, the quality far outweighs the price. GEOX shoes have a wide range of styles for the whole family from casual to smart and all of the styles are in keeping with current trends found with other brands. I dread the day she outgrows these as they have been a real stylish blessing!

Blade & Rose, the new children’s fashion brand specialising in stylish leggings with fun designs on the bottom, have launched a brand new Autumn/Winter range for children from 0-4 years. The comfortable and durable leggings are made from a top-quality yarn mix which is machine-washable and remains soft and stretchy for little explorers.

Perfect for boys and girls evverywhere! I have loved these since they first came out and we have reviewed two of their latest designs for Halloween and Christmas.

My little girl has worn hers on numerous occasions whether under a pretty dress or with a jumper and even under jeans and leggings to keep her extra warm. Every comments on them at how cute they are and also at how reasonably priced they are! The quality is outstanding and the cute factor is simply off the chart!

I definitely see us investing in a few more pairs to keep us covered over the colder months.

For more information, please visit: www.bladeandrose.co.uk

For more information, please visit: www.geox.com Poppet In The Post are a new company specialising exclusively in baby hampers for new mums. The luxury hampers are designed to offer a contemporary gift presented in the finest quality sustainably sourced willow that can be re used to store keepsakes in the nursery or home. Poppet’s new hamper range offers special surprises for expectant parents and little ones alike by delivering unique, organic, handmade and natural baby products, selected for their sensory and developmental qualities. Products include teethers, teddies, blankets and stacking hoops; providing the ideal solution for collective gifting!

We were sent a basket to see what it was like and I have to say I was blown away. The hampers are absolutely beautiful and the contents likewise. The quality and thought that has been put into each hamper clearly shows, with an array of beautiful items. Our hamper (bottom left) contained an elegant handmade rattle, unique knitted comforter, natural rubber teether, 100% cotton knitted blanket, organic crochet toy monkey and a small award winning multi-sensory Pistachio stacking hoop toy. Everybody who saw the hamper loved it with most of the adults wanting to steal the little crochet monkey, which I finally had to hide to ensure he stayed at home with me! The prices are a little on the higher side, but the contents, love and devotion that have gone into creating each hamper make it very much worth while. This would be the most incredible gift you could give to an expecting mummy and would certainly make her day!

For more information, please visit: www.poppetinthepost.co.uk

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Product Features & Reviews

4 Cup Gravy / Fat Separator

Make OXO top of your wish list this Christmas. Whether it’s tools that help with the food prepara on for your family feast or gadgets that wll make a welcome addi on under the tree, trust in OXO to see you through the fes ve season.

Angled Turkey Baster - New

With all those mince pies, chocolates and turkey sandwiches waiting to be eaten, watching your wasitlines isn’t an easy option, but you can still cut some of the fats with OXO’s gravy/fat separator.

Featuring its own strainer and stopper, just pour your gravy into the separator and watch the fat rise to the top while lean gravy settles to the bottom. £15

A top tool for Christmas, this angled turkey baster will keep your bird basted to perfection, easily gathering juices from around the roasting tin. The round, silicone bulb is comfortable to hold and the baster body is heat resistant, ensuring it won’t crack or warp. Also comes with a wire brush for easy cleaning. £10

Digital Thermometer Be sure not to under or over cook your turkey this year with a helping hand from OXO’s digital instand read thermometer. Simply turn the thermometer on and insert the probe into your turkey or Christmas ham. The probe has a thin tip to quickly read the internal cooking temperature, while the display features large, easy to read numbers. £15.50

Three Ring Trivet Set - New Available in a festive shade of red, why not try OXO’s three ring trivet set on for size this Christmas. A versatile solution to protect tabletops when serving dishes straight from the oven, you can keep the set all together for single pots, unsnap to form three individual trivets, or place them side by side for large, family sized dishes. £12

Silicone Spatulas OXO’s silicone spatulas are a real essential in the kitchen whether stirring up the Christmas pudding or sauteing your sprouts and chestnuts. The silicone head is safe to use with non-stick cookware, while the partially covered silicone handle is ideal for resting on saucepan rims. Heat resistant to 600f / 315c, you can rest assured it won’t discolour, warp or melt. Available in small, medium, medium spoon in white, red, raspberry, blue and green. £5 - £7.

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You may not realise it but over the years, your classic digestive biscuit has changed. Important ingredients have steadily been removed, usually to meet cost limits, and this has resulted in a clear taste deterioration.

I sampled these with both my 3 year old and 13 year old and whilst my 3 year old didn’t know the difference between these and more well known brands, she certainly enjoyed them.

My oldest daughter and I, however, could taste that these were much nicer and almost had more substance than other types of digestive biscuits we tasted. Great value - which goes to show that you don’t need to sacrifice good wholesome ingredients for a price!

For more information, please visit: www.tuckeys.com

Nākd are joining in the festive fun this year with the release of a new Christmas Pud flavour bar! ‘Tis the season for delicious, delectable food so enjoy guilt-free indulgence with the warm spices, winter fruits and crunchy, nutty taste of Nākd’s Christmas Pud. Nākd’s Christmas Pud bar is all-natural, veganfriendly, one of your five-a-day and gluten, wheat and dairy free – a great guilt-free alternative to Christmas junk food! Containing no added, refined sugars and syrups, the new Christmas Pud bar is made of just raw fruit, nuts and natural flavours all smooshed together.

Surprise your friends and family with Nākd’s Christmas Pud bar as a stocking filler or by hanging them on the Christmas tree! Make sure you stock up so you can savour the festive flavours into the New Year, as Christmas Pud bars will only be available to buy during the seasonal period. These are a real taste sensation and a great way to get your children to eat healthily.

For more information, please visit: www.naturalbalancefoods.co.uk

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I would just like to thank Walker Books, Orion Books, Penguin, Ladybird, Puffin Books, Scholastic, Random House, Ebury Publishing, Harper Collins and independent authors for sending us all the fantastic books this year. With so many wonderful books being released each month, there is no excuse not to encourage our children (and us adults) to read more. This month we are also reviewing a DVD of Q Pootle 5, which was recently released and also a great game option that if you struggle to create stories for your child then these dice are a perfect way for you to get more creative as well as allowing your child to use their imagination.

For more details please visit: www.babybuzzmagazine.com/news/book-reviews/ In this fabulously festive story, Angelina and her cousin Henry visit lonely old Mr Bell, the retired village postman. They invite him to Angelina’s Christmas show to cheer him up and he appears dressed as Father Christmas, handing out presents to everyone.This wonderful Christmas classic has been upsized and has a brand new cover for Christmas 2014! A great story that every little girl will love.

Author: Ages: Price: From:

Katharine Holabird 3 - 5 years £6.99 www.penguin.co.uk

Join Ben and Holly and their friends on an exciting visit to the North Pole, and find out whether they get to meet a rather famous bearded gentleman in a red outfit ... Father Christmas! Enjoy an avalanche of Little Kingdom Christmas fun in this magical book - and sing along with the umpah-umpah song at the end! We have been reading this book every night as my little girl loves it to pieces! After I’ve read it to my little girl, she often reinterprets it to me and it’s because the pictures are big and clear and help tell the story.

Author: Ages: Price: From:

Ladybird 2 - 4 years £6.99 www.ladybird.co.uk

Peppa and George are going ice-skating but they have never been ice-skating before and Peppa keeps falling over. Mummy Pig teaches Peppa to skate and soon she has lots of fun. But when Peppa tries to teach George it turns out he is better then everyone! Very nicely written storyline and another absolute favourite with my little girl.

Author: Ages: Price: From:

Ladybird 2 - 4 years £6.99 www.ladybird.co.uk

Get festive with Maisy in this delightful Christmas tree-shaped book of fun and learning! ‘Tis the season to be jolly... Follow Maisy and her friends as they prepare for the big day and decorate the tree! Cyril strings up the fairy lights, Tallulah adds the baubles, Charley hangs the sugar canes, and Eddie tops it all off with an angel. But the fun doesn’t stop there – there are presents to wrap and songs to be sung! Merry Christmas, everyone! A very easy book for little readers and the pictures will capture their attention.

Author: Ages: Price: From:

Lucy Cousins 0+ £2.99 www.walker.co.uk Being released on 5th December is this wonderfully wobbly cult-classic Roobarb and Custard. Rubarb and Custard recently turned 40 this November and what better way to celebrate than delivering the goofy green dog and his pink feline foe onto a digital platform! Acclaimed actress Tamsin Greig will provide the narrative and inject her unique tone to Box of Frogs’ interactive appbooks. A life-long fan of the cartoon Greig (Black Books, Green Wing and Episodes) will voice the 3 new appbooks – bringing together original script, animations and interactive stories with the new, unique digital format. Greig, who was thrilled to be approached by publishers and developers Box of Frogs Media said: “I am delighted to be re-voicing the Roobarb and Custard stories for the Box of Frogs app books. I was a fan of the cartoons as a child (particularly the music) and loved the madcap antics and innocent bravado of the Roobarb hero. I feel very flattered to be asked to step into the shoes of the late great Richard Briers, particularly as some of his original interpretations are also being used in each app book. I hope that I can do justice to his deft playfulness. Introducing Roobarb and Custard to a whole new generation of tech-savvy youngsters can only be a good idea.”

We had a sneak preview of the app and have to say it is really good! The story is a good length and I loved that you could either have the narrator read over the story whilst highlighting the words or you could read it yourself. Certainly takes me back to when this was on TV! Author: Grange Calvely | Ages:

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5 - 7 years+ | Download from:

iPhone AppStore (£2.49)

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Celebrate twenty years of sharing love to the moon and back with this special anniversary edition of one of the world’s bestselling picture books. Sometimes, when you love someone very, very much, you want to find a way of describing how much you treasure them. But, as Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare discover, love is not always an easy thing to measure. Now new and existing fans can relive this cherished classic with this lavish edition, celebrating two decades of delighting readers since its initial creation. One of most beautifully illustrated books we’ve read and one that everyone can relate to.

Author: Ages: Price: From:

Sam McBratney | Illustrator: Anita Jeram 2+ £12.99 www.walker.co.uk

Legend has it, that high in the Himalayas, lives a stinky, hairy, gruesome, child-eating ... ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN! But, actually, Milo (as his mother calls him) is the very opposite – he’s sweet, he’s lavenderscented and he loves making cupcakes. He’s definitely not abominable. If only everyone else could see that, too ... poor Milo is so lonely. He tries everything he can possibly think of to make a friend – he gets a makeover, he tries tweeting and he even tries putting his face in a book but ... to no avail. Until, he spots something perfect: a meet-up group for misunderstood creatures! Will Milo finally find a special someone to share his cupcakes with? Another very beautifully drawn story with a hidden story behind the main storyline. A great way to make children understand that everyone is different.

Author: Ages: Price: From:

Valentina Mendicino 3+ £5.99 www.walker.co.uk

Harina and the Doctor Bird. Harina, a beautiful little African girl with her hair in pigtails tied in orange bows, comes home from school to find Mummy poorly. Harina cuddled up to Mummy with her treasured blanket.

She often thinks about her last adventure with the crested guinea fowl Hanga, her favourite bird, where she saw the Doctor Bird and the Nurse Bird helping a poorly friend. ‘Could they help Mummy? If only I could talk to them . . . .’ she wondered and her next adventure begins . . . .

We loved the first instalment of Harina The Special Girl and eagerly awaited the next in the series. Harina and the Doctor Bird certainly follows the same gentle theme as the first book and creates an understanding that sometimes children don’t have. A beatifully written and drawn story that will be read for a long time to come. I look forward to reading the next book.

Author: Ages: Price: From:

Joy R Hartley 3 - 7 years £7.19 (online price) www.harina.co.uk

According to Santa’s elves, ‘Posie Pixie And The Christmas Tree’ is likely to be the most magical literary addition to a Christmas stocking this festive season!” In ‘Posie Pixie And The Christmas Tree’, book 5 from the delightful ‘Whimsy Wood’ series, we find loveable Posie Pixie and quirky Wibble Woodlouse, entertaining the Whimsy Wood carol-singers in Posie’s copper kettle home. They talk about the ‘fan-fizzle-tastic fireworks party’, which Posie had held outside her house the month before (see book 4, ‘Posie Pixie And The Fireworks Party’). Then the conversation turns towards Christmas . . . . suddenly, Posie realises that she’s forgotten something jolly important, in preparation for the festive season! What could this possibly be I wonder??!!

I have been very fortunate to review the series of books so far and as such have created an avid little fan in the shape of my 5 year old niece. She loves the little world that Posie Pixie lives in and the character herself. The stories flow very easily together and are easy to follow. I am thrilled to be giving away a set of the Whimsy Wood Series (5 books) in our Great Advent Calendar Giveaway - please see Day 8 and enter for your chance to win.

Author: Ages: Price: From:

Sarah Hill 4 - 12 years From £4.99 www.abelapublishing.com.co.uk

Parragon Books will be launching their brand new Glitterbelle range in January 2015, a series of glittery, sparkly, creative books with stories and activities for girls aged 6 and up. Glitterbelle is a fun and friendly, shimmery and glittery, modern day princess. Glitterbelle is a glittery, sparkly, extraordinary princess. But she has one not-so-sparkly very ordinary problem… she will not eat her peas! When the queen reminds her that every princess in the family should love peas because of that famous one that was hidden under the mattresses. Glitterbelle worries that she isn’t a true princess at all. How can her friends and family convince her that she really is the sparkliest princess ever? A beautiful picture book with gorgeous collage-style art to admire. We had the opportunity of reviewing the pre-press copy and can tell that this will be an instant success with little girls everywhere!

Ages: Price: From:

6+ years £5.99 www.parragon.com

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Christmas spice and all things nice. Oops: did we really say that? We meant yucky Yule customs, bad jokes and all things EVIL and DOOOM. What do you do when you’re sick of nice, fluffy festive fun? When soppy angels and carols have you gritting your teeth? Or you want a funny Christmas break from the norm? You turn to Horrible Histories, of course. So here it is. The Big Fat Christmas Book. All the foul festive facts you always wanted to know, but were too stuffed with mince pies to find out. Plus: spooky festive stories. Rude pantomime songs. Revolting recipes. Awful jokes. Big laughs. We wish you a very happy – um, horrible – Christmas!

Author: Ages: Price: From:

Terry Deary | Illustrator: Martin Brown 7-9 years £6.49 clubs-kids.scholastic.co.uk/

This November, Scholastic Children’s Books are proud to publish Emer Stamp’s hilarious new book The Super Amazing Adventures of Me, Pig. In this delightful second story, Pig couldn’t be happier. His life with the vegetarian farmers is perfect, and he has a new friend, Kitty. Of course, Pig won’t believe this cunning cat is actually up to something until he’s eaten the entirety of the farmers’ prize crop… and is half way to the pie factory.

Growing up on a farm in Devon provided the inspiration for Emer’s debut novel The Unbelievable Top Secret Diary of Pig, which has already sold over 30,000 copies and is a massive hit with children and parents alike. The book has received rave reviews in national newspapers such as the Guardian and The Times, who called the book ‘Utterly original and very, very funny’. We’ve reviewed a few of the series now and they are brilliantly written and hilarious. A great book for children at any time of year!

Author: Ages: Price: From:

Emer Stamp 7 - 9 years £5.99 clubs-kids.scholastic.co.uk/

The perfect gift for a Doctor Who fan, this gorgeous, highly-collectible gift edition of 12 Doctors 12 Stories, features twelve beautifully designed mini paperbacks and twelve exclusive postcards in a TARDIS slipcase. Reflecting each Doctor’s unique style, the cover of each mini paperback is designed to look like the shirt, tie and jacket of each of the twelve Doctors. Fans of Dr Who will instantly be able to recognise the Doctor each story belongs to.

Author: Ages: Price: From:

Holly Black 7+ years £18.00 www.penguin.co.uk/

Marie Perkins started the Print & Pattern blog in her spare time whilst researching for mood boards in her job as a textile designer. Creating trend books for leading UK stores meant she needed images to demonstrate print trends, and after finding no dedicated blogs at that time decided to start one.

The blog soon became a must-read for those in the industry. Marie is herself a successful surface designer working under the name Inkjet Designs, her work has featured in numerous magazines and newspaper articles.

Transform your child’s room into a magical world of forest-dwellers with this book of pull-out prints.

With 20 different artworks included – all of which fit into a standard 11 x 14-inch picture frame – you can keep a few for yourself and have plenty left to give as gifts. From friendly foxes to brave little owls and brilliant badger adventures to hedgehog hunts, this selection of woodland friends is designed to fire the imagination of little people.

Author: Marie Perkins Price: £17.95 From: www.laurenceking.com (coming soon) Sew Fab is a style and sewing workbook for any girl aged 8 to 13 who loves fashion. It will teach you not just to sew, but how to wear your creations with flair. Start by finding your style tribe, learning to accessorize, identifying the best colours for you and more. Now get ready to sew. Make yourself a mini studio, stock your sewing basket and try out some hand stitching. Finally, make some art to wear.

There’s a mix of easy step-by-step projects to sew by hand or using simple machining, from a hair bow to a little black dress (but in the colour that suits you best!). Packed with gorgeous illustrations, step-by-step projects, tips and fun activities, you will be creating unique clothes and accessories in no time. This is a must have for all young fashionistas who want to learn how to get creative with fashion.

The steps are extremely easy to follow and the end results are actually achievable! Can’t wait for the book to be released!

Author: Ages: Price: From:

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Lesley Ware 8+ years £12.95 www.laurenceking.com (coming soon)

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Revive the art of storytelling using these nine beautifully illustrated wooden dice to create the most imaginative, funny and bizarre stories. Constru ct your own intergalactic adventure tale with flying saucers, cyborgs, mad scientists and aliens. Form an army with your space troopers to battle giant insects, dodge black holes and even gain superpowers like time travel and x-ray vision!

Alternatiely you can create your own pirate adventure tale with sea monsters, mermaids, parrots and messages in bottles, not forgetting the all-important map and buried treasure!

These are perfect family games that will stimulate the imaginations of children and adults alike. Ideal for playing by a log fire and perfect for holidays, rainy days and car journeys.

Creator: Ages: Price: From:

Hannah Waldron 5+ years £9.95 (each) www.laurenceking.com

The stars of hit CBeebies animated series Q Pootle 5 will celebrate Christmas with an exclusive, never before seen episode. The 27 minute Christmas special is released on DVD and digital platforms on 17 November 2014, courtesy of Proper Distribution. It’s Christmas time on Okidoki and all is calm as Q Pootle 5 and his friends prepare for the happiest time of the year. All is bright too, with the new festive lights festooned across the shack, ready for Groobie’s pantomime. But, when a mayday call interrupts the rehearsal, the friends suddenly find themselves in an epic adventure in which the very future of Christmas is at stake!

A really fun children’s DVD that certainly helped my little one get all excited to see Father Christmas!

Author: Ages: Price: Run Time: Where:

Nick Butterworth 3+ £5.99 Special length: 27 minutes (making of: 37 minutes approximately) www.amazon.co.uk

Renowned slogan t-shirt designer Katharine Hamnett is proud to launch a collection of t-shirts in support of children’s charity, Kids Company. Kids Company reach 36,000 and intensively support 18,000 children across London and Bristol by supporting children and young people who are not being cared for adequately.

The children’s range consists of two tees with carefully chosen slogans to depict key messages of Kids Company. Tees are available in two colourways; a hot pink with ‘GENIUS’ slogan sending the message that we are all born with the potential to be geniuses, or the bold blue option with ‘PEACE’ slogan to highlight domestic violence in the home.

Kids Company promotes and supports emotional wellbeing. Their approach is grounded in attachment theory and the understanding of the importance of consistent, long-term ‘loving care’. Experience has taught Kids Company that children who suffer trauma, abuse and neglect cope with their pain by shutting down their capacity to feel. Their staff facilitate the healing process through the development of sustained, caring relationships, where both practical and emotional needs are met.

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Family Focus

Dr Pixie gives her top tips on managing childhood fever!

While it’s not pleasant to witness your child struck down with fever, it’s important to remember that it is very common in young children, with 20 to 40 per cent of parents reporting feverish illness each year. Nurofen for Children starts to work in just 15 minutes to bring down a temperature, relieves fever for up to 8 hours and is clinically proven to last longer than paracetamol to relieve a fever.

3:46PM IS CHARADES O’CLOCK FOR UK FAMILIES ON CHRISTMAS DAY 90%* of Brits are set to come together this Christmas Day to enjoy a festive game of family charades, with 3:46PM cited as the most popular time to play. According to new research by Cadbury, the classic charades game is a household favourite, with Brits loving it’s fun, simplicity and the spontaneous laughs it provides. Never before has choosing a team for a game of charades been more significant either. Parents across the country should prepare to be challenged by their children as Cadbury reveals that kids are the best charades players in the family (30%) ahead of Mum and Dad (21%). Given the choice celebrities such as TV presenter Phillip Schofield (25%) and comedians Keith Lemon (20%) and Paddy McGuinness (16%) were also voted as the ideal partners and ones that would be selected to form a dream team. Reed Martin from the Reduced Shakespeare Company said “Charades is a competitive game and the best part is that some people take it really seriously and don’t care how silly they look. When it comes to playing with family and friends there are a number of top tips that can help even the most novice players get the best out of this household game.”

1.

Make sure each team is comprised of players of different ages. The young cousins will know all the latest boy bands and the grandparents will know all the silent movie comedians.

2.

If the phrase or name you have to act out is too long — reduce it! Break it down into its component syllables.

3.

Don’t get stuck if people don’t understand your clues. Move on. Try something different. Use sound-alike words, or act out the plot or iconic image of a movie rather than its title.

4.

Don’t get embarrassed. Embrace silliness and take risks.

To see some of these top tips put to good use check out the new Cadbury advert starring Keith Lemon, Fearne Cotton and a host of other ITV celebrities.

Benazir Barlet-Batada, Marketing Manager for Seasonal & Gifting at Cadbury said “Charades is a fun game that all the family can play at Christmas.

We wanted to bring some joy to the British public through our Christmas adverts and the charades one is a funny, quirky play on this brilliant game, brought to life through our six ITV celebrities.”

To view the ITV, Cadbury short films visit www. youtube.com/CadburyUK or go to www.facebook. com/cadburyUK. To tweet your reaction use @ CadburyUK with the hashtag #UnwrapJoy

Dr Pixie gives her top tips on managing childhood fever: 1.

If you suspect your baby/toddler has a fever what is the first thing you should do? It may seem like common sense but we often forget to do the simplest thing which is, take the temperature. If you haven’t got a thermometer and your baby feels hot to the touch it is highly likely your instinct is right and they are in fact feverish.

2.

Taking a baby’s temperature can be tricky, what tips can you advise? Explain to the toddler exactly what you are going to do otherwise you will instil fear in them which may make the whole exercise impossible. If you are dealing with a baby try to get help from a third party, then one can cuddle while the other checks.

I’m a fan of the ear thermometer, whilst I appreciate they are expensive they are invaluable and so easy to use. That said always ensure it is inserted into the ear fully and for the correct duration of time to get an accurate temperature reading.

Forehead thermometers are unreliable and should not be used.

3.

What temp is considered dangerous and requires immediate medical attention? This is very much dependant on the age of the child. Children under 3 months with a fever of 38 are deemed to be at risk of serious illness. Children aged between 3-6 months with a fever of 39 or greater are also deemed at risk.

Irrespective of fever levels any child who is pale or ashen, not responding to social cues, difficult to rouse, has difficulty breathing, is irritable and giving off a high pitched or continuous cry or displays a non-blanching rash warrants urgent review. Any child with a fever ongoing for longer than 5 days also needs to see a doctor. As a rule of thumb any child under 3 months with a temperature above 37.5 needs to be seen irrespective of how they seem.

4.

What steps should you take to naturally bring the temperature down? Whilst previous advice was to undress your child and consider tepid sponging them this is no longer the case. You should ensure they are comfortable and not underdressed or over-wrapped. Aim to keep the room temperature comfortable at around 18 degrees. Offering the child regular fluids is important, in a breast fed baby breast milk is the most appropriate option. You should also continue to observe your child for signs of dehydration and deterioration of symptoms even as they sleep overnight.

5.

What is your advice if your baby/toddler becomes very distressed from the temperature? We do not recommend treating fever if your child seems content and is taking fluids. If they are distressed by fever my first port of call would be Ibuprofen as it is pain killing, anti-inflammatory and whilst also working against fever. As it only needs to be taken every 8 hours and is fast acting it is the ideal choice for overnight. You should never double dose with paracetamol but can alternate between ibuprofen and paracetamol if the child seems irritable in between doses. It is important to keep them comfortable well hydrated and continually keep an eye on them. The key thing is to treat the child not the fever.

Rushing in with medicine in a well-child is ill advised. Many parents falsely believe that dosing a child up with drugs will prevent a fever fit, it doesn’t. What it does do is put your child at risk of overdose, so to prevent this make a note of the dose and time drugs have been given either by yourself a child-minder or another care giver.

6.

What other symptoms linked to a temperature could your baby/toddler experience? They can experience a whole host of symptoms ranging from general to specific. Irritability is not uncommon as is being off food. Rashes are not uncommon in viral illnesses so it is vital to know how to do the “glass test” to enable you to rule out meningitis. Runny nose aches and pains, headache, swollen glands and sickness may all occur. Fever due to specific issues like ear infections and tonsillitis will result in pain in these areas. Gastroenteritis resulting in diarrhoea and vomiting can occur with Gastec bugs. Respiratory conditions can result in associated cough and mucous production.

For more information, please visit: www.nurofen.co.uk Dr Pixie McKenna is working with Nurofen for Children on their Confidence Collective initiative.

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Family Focus

Gift a goldfish this Christmas Best for adults: Tetra AquaArt Explorer Line aquarium 30L The AquaArt Explorer line boasts a stunning, unique design whilst providing all the equipment need for a cold water aquarium. It is perfect for new fish keepers looking for a tank to display in pride of place in their home. Featuring a modern half-moon design with a 180° curved front pane, this aquarium oozes style. The powerful 8.5-watt LED light shows your aquarium in the best possible light and makes it a striking addition to any living space.

It is easy and convenient to maintain, allowing you to simply and efficiently create your own underwater world.

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year but for many of us the annual gift shopping mission can sap our time as well as our festive spirit. This year Tetra – the market leading fish product brand- is here to help with gift inspiration for even the impossible to buy for.

Say goodbye to hours and hours of shopping or trawling the internet. Take a different approach to your Christmas shopping and simply gift a goldfish to friends and family this Christmas.

Great for children and adults alike, the gift of a goldfish is sure to be a showstopper of a present and is guaranteed to get a better reaction that the usual socks and smellies.

Best for kids:

Studies have shown that aquariums can reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure so, you will have a safe home for your fish, a beautiful tank to look at and you can experience calm and tranquillity after that stressful day at work – a gift that lasts long after the Christmas season!

Key facts • RRP £90.00 • Aquarium set with a 180° curved front pane that forms an attractive half-moon design • Premium-quality aquarium with glass that is 6 mm thick • Long-lasting and powerful 8.5-watt LED lighting with low power consumption • High-quality, transparent cover made from acrylic resin with a built-in feeding hatch • Innovative EasyCrystal filter technology with one cartridge

Tetra Peppa Pig Aquarium

• Comes complete with feed and care products

The perfect starter kit for children with everything to discover the fun of fishkeeping. Not only will this provide fun for the family over the Christmas season, it will also teach children to look after the fish responsibly. The tank includes all of the essentials to keep your goldfish healthy and there are plenty of Peppa Pig decorations to make the set up lots of fun for the whole family.

Get creative with your Christmas presents this year and gift a goldfish!

A goldfish is a great first pet for children Low budget and low maintenance, it is the ideal experience to teach them the importance of caring for an animal. By looking after goldfish, children learn responsibility and discipline as they maintain the aquarium and keep up with feeding - it’s also fun that can involve the whole family. It’s a lovely way to encourage little ones to be get creative – no two tanks are ever the same so they will love choosing how to decorate the tank and make it unique.

Tetra is owned by Spectrum Brands (UK) Limited and is a global leader in fish food, treatments and equipment. As a market leader in the aquatic industry for 60 years, Tetra is renowned for its leading edge technology, with the largest research and development centre of its kind.

Baby Buzz Comments: We were sent the Tetra Peppa Pig Aquarium and it is the most incredible way to get your child to understand the importance of looking after a pet, especially when your child adores Peppa Pig! The tank sets up really easily and you can get your children involved with the whole process.

Key facts

It is important to teach our children from the outset the importance of looking after animals and this is certainly one of the best ways to start without spending a fortune in the process. If you want something that perhaps isn’t as themed as Peppa Pig, the adult option is a really good alternative and is sleek and compact and also a great price at just £90!

• RRP: £35 • 18L glass tank • Dimensions: 36x18x35 cm • With lid and feeding hatch • Comes with EasyCrystal Filter and one EasyCrystal Filter cartridge • Gravel (2 bags, each 400g) • Aquarium background (water resistant hard foil) • Fun Peppa Pig aquarium stickers • Tetra food and care samples: TetraMin and Aquasafe

For more information, please visit: www.tetra.net

• Fishkeeping information booklet for children with fun activities

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FamilyTravel Getaways

WE WISH YOU A SUNNY CHRISTMAS AND A FUN-FILLED NEW YEAR…

Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel near Sagres in the western Algarve, has put together some fabulous family packages that will make the festive season go with a bang and make staying at Europe’s finest family resort even more tempting this winter.

Christmas at Martinhal…

Families can enjoy a discount of up to 27% on a 7 night stay with Martinhal’s luxury family Christmas package. Meal times are arranged around the family and during the luxury Christmas Eve Dinner Party and Christmas Day Brunch children will be entertained by fully trained kid’s club staff, allowing mum and dad to enjoy some relaxing time this festive season. If a private party in a self-catering house is more tempting, guests can arrange a special hamper to be delivered on Christmas day with turkey and all the trimmings.

cocktails, wine, soft drinks and a separate children’s party in the Kids’ Entertainment area. The day after enjoy a delicious New Year’s Day lunch overlooking Martinhal Beach - could there be a better start to 2015? Martinhal makes every effort to make the holiday season enjoyable for every member of the family from tiny tots to devoted grandparents. During the festive season Martinhal is transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland with fairy lights, Santa Claus, yuletide food and overflowing festive cheer amongst the staff and guests. Throughout their stay guests can enjoy the endless activities on offer including full use of jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and heated indoor pool, as well as complimentary Kids’ Club and Crèche sessions. With the stunning backdrop of Martinhal Beach the cold UK winter will seem a very long way away!

About the resort Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel offers stylishly designed private villas and hotel rooms. Its modern, luxurious, and open spaces include an ocean side pool and four additional outdoor pools (all heated), as well as an open-air tennis court, al fresco restaurant, and extensive beaches. Local foods are expertly prepared by the hotel chef, and activities include hiking on deserted coastal paths, tennis, football, windsurfing, swimming, yoga and of course surfing, as well as absorbing the Algarve’s local culture.

For more information, please visit: www.martinhal.com

New Year at Martinhal…

Start 2015 in style, with New Year celebrations at Martinhal.

A wide range of Hotel room and private villa packages are available, with three-day/two-night packages starting at just dinner on the 30th December, and a luxury Gala Dinner & Party on New Year’s Eve with live music, canapés,

WELCOME TO LAPLAND’S MOST ENCHANTING HOLIDAY RESORT It was the glass igloos and log cabins that put us on the world map. Now, here in the middle of the wilderness, we have a lot more in store, including Santa’s entire world. Get to know the magic of the world’s best kept secret.

TEL. +358 166 671 00 | FAX. +358 166 671 68 | KAKSLAUTTANEN, FI-99830 SAARISELKÄ FINLAND HOTEL@KAKSLAUTTANEN.FI

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FamilyTravel Getaways

This winter our woodlands have come alive with the anticipation of Christmas. Four of our Villages, Whinfell Forest, Sherwood Forest, Elveden Forest and Longleat Forest, have fallen under a captivating spell and magically transformed into a Winter Wonderland. Adorned in a glittering array of twinkling lights and decorations, it will take your breath away.

Perfect family breaks Bring the whole family together and make Christmas extra special for your little ones. Decked out in glittering lights, the enchanting Village is host to a range of activities, including a chance to meet Santa, seasonal dining experiences and a wonderful atmosphere to get you all into the festive spirit.

Santa’s Woodland Workshop Bring your letters to Santa and get ready to meet the big man himself at his Woodland Workshop. While you are here you will meet his mischievous elves as well as some of Santa’s trusty reindeer. Why not linger for a while and enjoy a taste of Christmas with a warm drink while you soak up the festive atmosphere?

Seasonal activities Young and old can enjoy an array of seasonal activities, from traditional pursuits such as Willow Weaving – where you can make your own festive wreath – to Festive Cupcake Decorating and Design a Christmas Stocking. Why not bring the whole family along to The Pottery Painting Studio, where you can decorate your own Christmas bauble to take home and treasure.

Festive entertainment What better way to get into the festive spirit during your break than sit back and enjoy a traditional pantomime?

Cheer the hapless hero or boo the baddie at our family friendly festive pantomime, or gaze with awe and excitement at the spectacular fireworks display over the lake. It’s sure to get your festive season off with a bang!

For more information or to book your magical getaway, simply visit: www.centerparcs.co.uk/winter_wonderland

Memorable dining experiences Celebrate this wonderful time of year surrounded by family, savouring memorable dining experiences. Tis the season to be jolly, which means indulging in festive foods and enjoying precious time together. We have a wide range of restaurants available, each offering Christmas specials and seasonal events such as Breakfast with Santa or a Magical Festive Carvery.

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FamilyTravel Getaways

Shaun White to Rock the Piste at Portes du Soleil opening weekend!

This festive season, Willows Activity Farm in St. Albans, Hertfordshire will be providing magical moments as children are encouraged to become Willows’ Elves! Every day until the 24th December, Willows will be welcoming families with the little ones joining in the wholesome festive fun by collecting stamps in a special ‘Elf Passport’. Farmer Andrew said “We’re looking forward to our younger visitors entering Willows as children and leaving as certified elves! There are lots of festive activities to complete, so families can enjoy a whole day of joy, wonder and entertainment.”

To kick off the stamp collecting fun, elves must of course meet with Santa, who will be inviting children into his enchanted Grotto after journeying though spectacular festive scenes on the way. Santa will give every elf-in-training a golden key to his toy shop, which is stacked high with gifts for the boys and girls to pick any present they see to take home with them. The next elf task is to take a ride into the beautiful Festive Wood, which is perfect training for Santa’s Sleigh Ride. Any elf should know how to send a letter to Santa, so the next stop is the Elves’ House, where children can write or draw a picture of what they would like for Christmas. Those who include their address will receive a free letter back from the big man himself. Finally, all elves must know about Santa’s reindeer, so families should visit The Farmyard to see them up close and learn all about them. Whilst enjoying all the activities at Willows, visitors should look out for the reindeer cut outs. When all nine are found, children will receive a box of magic reindeer dust, which will help Santa find his way to their home on Christmas Eve. Once all the activities are complete and the stamps have been collected, children will be fully-fledged Willows’ Elves and can take an ‘elfie’ at Willows to stick into their Passport! Other special seasonal activities at Willows include the Nativity story and Mrs Claus story time in the under cover theatre, Willows Magical Ice Rink, with boots for adults and children all included in the entrance price, the Christmas Carousel and acres of under cover play too. Santa is at Willows every day right up to Christmas Eve. For tickets or more information about the festive family fun at Willows Activity Farm this Christmas, visit www.willowsactivityfarm.com, call 0870 129 9718 or follow @Willows_Farm on Twitter.

Check out Day 10 of our Great Giveaway for your chance to win tickets to visit Willows Farm for Christmas!

Legendary Snowboarder Shaun White is set to get the 2015 winter season off to a rock and roll start with his band, Bad Things, who are headlining the annual Rock on Snowboard Tour. The free concert will see the two time Olympic gold medallist and multiple X Games Champion, play guitar in a gig being held in the centre of Avoriaz - part of the 650km Portes du Soleil ski area in France. The gig will take place on Saturday 13th December, when first lift of the season open, in a weekend where visitors can also trial free demo equipment of this seasons must have ski and snowboard hardware.

Long established ski to the door chalet operators, Chilly Powder, are offering guests an extra night to take full advantage of the opening weekend festivities as part of a special eight night package, allowing visitors to catch the first lift of the new season on Saturday morning. Guests arriving on Friday 12th December will pay just €1918 for 8 nights for two adults in a double of twin room, with two adults and two children sharing a standard family room at just €2484. Costs include half board accommodation, afternoon tea and wine with the evening meal. With the pound/euro exchange rate currently better than October 2013, any holidays booked with Chilly Powder this month are nine percent cheaper than last year, if paid by card from a UK account. For a family of four, this could mean a saving of up to €450.

For more information and to take advantage of early season discounts contact: www.chillypowder.com | 020 7289 6958

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Advent Calendar Business Directory

Advent Calendar Business Directory Thank you to all the companies that took part in this years Advent Calendar Great Prize Giveaway. We have been able to offer all the Baby Buzz Readers fantastic chances to win some of the latest and most in demand products. We look forward to working with you all again in 2015!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Founded in Bristol in 2001, pod offers an innovative and appealing collection of home and lifestyle gifts with an emphasis on style and fun. Our thriving stores in Cheltenham, Bristol and Oxford are now favourite destinations in the search for the perfect present.

In 2006 we unveiled our website which aims to make gift shopping a relaxing and enjoyable experience from the comfort of your own home. With a choice of over 1000 products, sourced from all over the world you are sure to find something for everyone.

For more information, please visit www.thepodcompany.co.uk You can’t get a driving licence in the UK until you’re 17 but now, thanks to Young Driver, if you’re 11 or over, you can learn to drive at one of our UK centres. Research shows that it is a lack of driving experience - not a lack of years on the planet - that causes 1 in 5 newly qualified drivers to crash within 6 months of passing their test. Something had to be done to reduce this frightening statistic - and so we started Young Driver! Are you over 11 and 1.42M/4FT8+ tall? Then we will put you behind the wheel of a brand new dual control SKODA! Let one of our fully qualified ADI driving instructors teach you how to start, drive, brake, corner, change gear, stop and even reverse - all on your first lesson! Sponsored by Admiral and Goodyear. For more information, please visit: www.youngdriver.eu We are a Swedish family-owned business, started in 1961 by Björn Jakobson. Our business concept was at the time, and still is: “To make day-to-day life easier for parents of small children by developing safe and innovative products of the highest quality for children up to three years old.” At BabyBjörn, we strive to make day-to-day life easier for families with children around the world and make the most important years of life even more fun. We are curious, constantly see new opportunities and always work on the basis of our unique safety and quality philosophy. Our products are now found all over the world (in more than 50 countries) and our assortment consists of baby carriers, bouncers, travel cribs, cradles, potty chairs, high chairs and feeding products all of which have been recognized for their safety, quality and style with several international awards. Our attitude is that, instead of having to buy lots of products for their small children, parents should instead only really need to buy a small number, that really work and that will last a long time in good condition. For more information, please visit: www.babybjorn.co.uk Diono designs, manufactures and markets travel solutions for the children of today’s families on the go. With innovative product designs and unparalleled safety testing, Diono conveniently secures and protects children through every stage of their journey. Diono is recognized by consumer and trade organizations for its unique functionality and thoughtful design in 54 countries worldwide, while maintaining offices in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and France. The Little Tikes Company is one of the world’s leading creators of infant, toddler and preschool products that promote the mental, emotional and physical well being of kids everywhere.

For more than 40 years parents have trusted Little Tikes to create safe, durable and quality products from role play and sports toys to furniture and outdoor products as well as ride-ons, including one of the world’s best selling cars – the iconic Cozy Coupe®. For more information, please visit: uk.diono.com Kit for Kids is a British brand that offers a top quality range of pre-natal, nursery and educational products for babies and children all over the world. Kit for Kids is built on innovation, uncompromising quality with safety at the heart of everything they do. Kit for Kids help the parent fulfil their covenant with the Child; to care for it, to aid its development, and to nurture its growth. In all things that we do we apply a scientific and disciplined approach.

Our philosophy is not so much about what we do but about why. We help the parent fulfil their covenant with the child, to care for it, to aid its development and to nurture its growth. These words are woven into all that we do.

So whether it is cot mattresses, where safety in the sleeping environment is so important and where we can offer expertise to the retailer and peace of mind to the parent; or nursery accessories where convenience, quality, and child development are paramount; or in education where development of the child’s mind in its early years is so essential, Kit for Kids leads the way. Not because of what we do, but because of why. For more information, please visit: www.kitforkidsbaby.com James Galt & Co. Ltd. has been established for over 175 years. James Galt himself was born at Stewarton in Ayrshire and set up as an educational stockist in Manchester in 1836. In the 1850s the company expanded into printing and publishing and in 1957 the company moved from Manchester to Cheadle in Cheshire. In 1961 the Galt Toys division was formed. Galt produces and sells quality toys which meet the needs of all stages of child development from 0-10 years. Galt products are designed to be fun and to encourage learning through play. Traditionally the company is associated with art, craft and activity products. In more recent years Galt has established a name for itself in the First Years category with the innovative Playnest.

For more information, please visit: www.galttoys.com.

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Advent Calendar Business Directory The Dandy Kid (www.thedandykid.com) is a recently launched independent online boutique. We like Happy Kids with Style. We sell kids paraphernalia (clothes 0-8 years, toys, gifts and accessories) selected from cool independent brands, designers and nice creative people from around the globe including the UK, US, France, Denmark, Finland and Holland. The Dandy Kid’s aim is simple - to source goods with bold, fun, quality design that are a little bit quirky and different. Most of it is stuff that you won’t be able to find on the average high street, plus some bits you won’t find anywhere else. We’re not a big department store so we won’t have endless sizes and stock, so if you see something you like, get it while you can. We’ve spent lots of time pulling together our first collection and are very proud to be working with all of our brands, including the likes of Deuz, Helen Dardik, Hello Apparel, Papu Stories, and not forgetting some very lovely British designers including Sarah Elwick and Tootsa MacGinty. For more information, please contact: www.thedandykid.com The books in Sarah Hill’s series are based in a woodland setting called Whimsy Wood. The series is divided into five sets, each containing seven books, making a total of thirty-five books in the series. Each book is written for a specific month in the year, so the flora and fauna change accordingly as you read through the series. Finally, there is a proverb hidden within each story for the reader to find, giving the story a real meaning. The majority of characters within the series are woodland creatures, with the occasional pixie or fairy and a dollop of humour thrown in! For more information, please visit: abelapublishing.com At Worlds Apart, we help families make the most of growing up. By constantly discovering new ways to bring the best ideas together, we create children’s lifestyle products that give kids and parents more, so every day is full of wow. “The Worlds Apart way helps us see the world through parents’ eyes, find a fresh perspective at every turn and put kids first…” It’s all because…We listen and learn. And what we hear shapes our work. By putting the everflexing needs of today’s families first, we stay smart and make sure our products spread smiles. We’re in it together. Through collaborative thinking we connect with our team, our partners and our customers, so we can keep making products kids love. We think beyond the toybox. From products to processes, we draw inspiration from the wider world around us, injecting creative energy into everything we do. We search out new ideas. We thrive on curiosity and explore every opportunity, technology and experience with skill, sharing what we find to make family life even better. We want to help. Whether it’s the families who buy our products, the partners we’re working with or the bright talents who make up our team, we care about delivering great value, quality and support across the board. We love the difference play can make to daily life at home, so we use it wherever we can. Worlds Apart’s exciting new Disney Frozen range includes HelloHome® kids’ furniture, ReadyRoom® bedroom accessories, GoGlow® night-lights and Readybeds. The Disney Frozen Pop Up Storage is perfect for storing all of your little lady’s favourite wands and toys. Joined by Elsa and Anna, their room will be transformed into a tidy space fit for a princess in a flash! The Disney Frozen Door Décor is inspired by royalty, turning a simple doorway into a lavish room in Arendelle castle. These purple draped voile curtains can tie back, or drape, ensuring that every time they enter their bedroom, it is a grand entrance. The Disney Frozen Flip Out Sofa unfolds into a lounger in a flash, providing the perfect spot for your little princess to unwind. Taken from their ReadyRoom® Frozen range, these products update kids’ bedrooms in an instant, with characters they love.

For more information,, please visit: www.worldsapart.com

smarTrike tricycles come equipped with the world’s most advanced trike technology making them extremely smooth to steer. Thanks to the brand’s innovative Touch Steering, it’s just as easy for parents to push around as a stroller is. smarTrike is also the only brand in the world to offer trikes with a patented Swivel Wheel, making twists and turns super easy to negotiate for parent or child. In the early stages, Mum or Dad can steer their tot about on their outdoor adventures, whilst little ones relax in the padded seat. As little ones grow up, and want to try their hand at steering, parents simply press the ‘Magic Button’ and the control switches in just a second. Families will just love how functional these trikes really are! In addition to plenty of clever features, both come with a host of accessories so families can make the most of their trips of their trikes. Each one comes with a handy storage bag, sun shade, zippered pouch, toy phone, cup holder and bucket!

For more information, please visit: smartrike.com The BABYZEN YOYO is a super lightweight stroller with a sleek chassis and compact fold making it small enough to take on board as cabin baggage when you’re on your travels – perfect for families on the go! Suitable from birth it weighs just 6kgs and can be flung open and folded using just one hand. It is ideal for homes where storage space is limited, families with small cars, and those who need to use public transport. It has also passed the IATA Standard for cabin luggage which means it can be taken on board a plane as hand luggage! The BABYZEN YOYO Newborn nest attaches to the stroller chassis, allowing young babies to travel facing their parents in the recommended lie-flat position. When your little one reaches 6 months you can remove the newborn nest and attach the 6 month+ seat base. This features a wide padded seat that can be reclined in several positions to suit your baby. The stroller has suspension on all four wheels and the special soft drive system means you can push the YOYO over both smooth and rough ground without having to lock the wheels in a fixed position first. This guarantees a really comfortable ride for your little one wherever you choose to go!

For more information, please visit: www.Babyzen.com From the breathability and natural give to the softness and durability, we aim to bring global awareness of cotton muslin and all of its benefits. The overwhelming response to our signature muslin products from parents, nurses, paediatricians, industry experts, lactation consultants, and even celebrities has been incredible. Influenced by stories we hear, scenes we see or just inspirational colours, there is a meaning behind each of our designs that create the patterns that complement your style and make your babies fall in love.

For more information, please visit: http://uk.adenandanais.com

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Advent Calendar Business Directory Moba, A safe and cosy place for your baby to sleep. The stylish moba makes a refreshing change from traditional Moses baskets for modern families. Available in an exciting range of colours, it’s easy to find a moba that’s exactly right for you and your little one! Moba is made from a material that has anti-microbial and hypoallergenic properties, so it is an ideal choice for babies with allergies, such as eczema or asthma. It is also very easy to clean, can be washed easily and has no places for dust to settle. It is silent too, no creaking! Specially designed air holes in the sides and base maximise airflow and ventilation. The unique synthetic material is tailor made for moba achieving a soft touch and flexibility.

Each moba comes with a liner made from 100% pure brushed cotton and a bespoke moba mattress. The liner has been specially designed to complement the ventilated sides of the moba and to maximise airflow making it really safe and cosy for your baby. Moba has ergonomically shaped handles that provide a soft grip for comfort. It is also strong and durable with a reinforced base for extra stability. Designed and made in the UK, moba is available from a number of leading stockists including John Lewis. RRP £99.00 For more information, please visit: www.mobauk.com Twitter @mobauk Facebook @moba New card game range Shuffle™ hits stores with a host of Hasbro brands, including TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAY-DOH, MONOPOLY, GUESS WHO?, TRIVIAL PURSUIT, CLUEDO, BATTLESHIP, BOGGLE SLAM and PICTUREKA. Produced by leading card games Company Cartamundi, the new range offers consumers fun and exciting, quick-play card games for all ages. An optional free app can be downloaded (from Apple iTunes and Google Play stores) with each game to offer digitally enhanced game play.

PLUS, innovative new packaging means Shuffle games are perfect for enjoying at home or on the move! Heaps of family fun for just £6.99p (RRP). For more information, please visit: www.shufflecardgames.com Ashton & Parsons’ Infants Powders wish you a very happy festive season with your baby! Known as “mum’s little secret” for generations, our infants’ powders have been soothing the pain of teething for nearly 150 years: a gentle, natural remedy for the pain and symptoms associated with teething. Made from tincture of Matricaria, which is extracted from German Chamomile flowers, generations of mums and dads have relied on us when cuddles aren’t enough. This is a traditional herbal medicinal product, used for relief of sore and tender gums, flushed cheeks and dribbling – available from independent pharmacies, high street retailers and online. Visit our website for sleep and teething advice from our team of guest bloggers who include sleep experts, GPs and real mums and dads – you may even find some wise words about how to enjoy a stress-free Christmas with a new baby. Good luck with the Baby Buzz Advent Calendar Competition!

For more information, please visit: www.ashtonandparsons.co.uk At Venture we capture your precious moments in time and beautifully present them in our stunning hand-crafted product. Our innovative photoshoots, exceptional photography quality and first class customer service continues to redefine family photography, creating lasting memories for generations to come. Our world class studios span three continents, with a network of 250 professional photographers so you’ll always know you’re in safe hands. These highly trained photographers take over seven million photographs each year. Then each chosen image is processed and combined with your hand-made frame by a team of dedicated specialists in our state-of-the-art UK based production facility. Over half a million families worldwide have enjoyed a Venture photoshoot experience they’ll never forget, so why don’t you join them and become a member of the Venture family. For more information, please visit: www.venturephotography.com Graco is one of the world’s best known and most trusted juvenile products companies. In 1942, Russell Gray and Robert Cone formed Graco Metal Products, in Philadelphia, PA. For 11 years, the firm fabricated machine and car parts for local manufacturers. In 1953, Gray left the firm, leaving Cone as sole owner.

Cone decided to manufacture his own line of products. But what? The answer appeared in the form of David Saint, an engineer, tinkerer, and stained glass artisan who worked for Graco. Saint, himself a father of 9, was inspired when an associate told him how his wife would soothe their tired and cranky baby while swinging in a backyard glider swing. Building from this idea, he went to the drawing board. 18 months of hard work later, the world’s first wind-up infant swing, the Graco Swyngomatic®, was born. Graco was in the baby-products business. Everyone knew they had a hit on their hands, and an enthusiastic Graco salesman predicted that 10,000 of the swings would sell. But no one predicted that Graco would sell not 10,000, but millions of Swyngomatics in the coming years, becoming one of the world’s leading manufacturers of juvenile products in the process.. Graco raised the bar further when it introduced the Travel System, the first product that allowed you to quickly click a car seat into and out of a stroller, making life easier for mom and dad by allowing them to move a sleeping infant from house to automobile to stroller without waking the little one up. For more information, please visit: www.gracobaby.com My Little Day is simply the desire to turn a special day into one of the prettiest days of the year.

One of the most relaxed too. It’s so that you can stop running around, so that parents lives are just a bit easier. It’s to show that you too can hold a birthday party without all that stress. It’s the desire to have stories to tell afterwards, from just a simple party. It’s the desire to create a pretty and easy website so that every parents can once again enjoy organizing their child’s birthday party and bringing it to life. It’s the desire to have your children look up at you, at some point in the afternoon, as if you are a Queen! For more information, please visit: http://en.mylittleday.fr

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Advent Calendar Business Directory Blooming Lovely Jewellery blossomed out of the beautiful story of the Mexican Bola – a chiming pendant traditionally worn by pregnant women to bond with their unborn babies. Worn low over Mummy’s growing bump, the soft tinkling chime of the pendant is said to gently serenade and soothe baby as Mum goes about her daily life. A simple idea really which goes back hundreds years, but one that’s still cherished by Mamas-to-Be today. Created by Laura and inspired by her two daughters, Blooming Lovely Jewellery is about celebrating pregnancy, birth and beyond. Our jewellery can be enjoyed as your bump blossoms and through to the arrival of baby, and in years to come it makes a very special keepsake. To make our jewellery an extra special gift for a Mama-to-be (or a well deserved treat for yourself and bump!) each piece is individually giftwrapped and presented with a special information card all about the traditions of the jewellery. Perfect for Baby Showers and special pregnancy gifts. For more information, please visit: www.blooming-lovely-jewellery.co.uk Play is a part of life. For everyone, irrespective of age or background. In one way or another everyone enjoys the benefits and opportunities that play opens up to them. Children learn to develop their social skills through play. Play stimulates their powers of concentration and develops their ability to work towards a goal. Young people hone their communicative skills through play: they benefit from group dynamics and develop social intelligence. Grown-ups find play a form of relaxation and entertainment and see it as a means to acquire new knowledge. The SIMBA DICKIE GROUP offers a comprehensive range of high-quality products. From cuddly toys to board games, from dolls to RC models, as well as a large choice for hobbyists and collectors. A range for young people and adults of any age. Classics like Eichhorn’s wooden railway, cult collector’s models from the long-established brand Schuco, and the famous BIG BOBBY CAR make the SIMBA DICKIE GROUP a key player in the premier toy sector. Today the group encompasses the brands Simba, Dickie, BIG, Smoby, Eichhorn, Noris, Tamiya, Carson, Nicotoy, Schuco, Schipper, Zoch and Majorette. With this high level of expertise in all areas of the toy market, the SIMBA DICKIE GROUP is one of the top five in the industry. For ore information, please visit: www.simba-dickie-group.de Raymond Briggs classic, The Snowman and the incredible sequel The Snowman and The Snowdog will grace our television screens once again this Christmas on Channel 4. We’d like to share the magic with your family this Christmas by giving a family the chance to win a fabulous selection of The Snowman and The Snowdog gifts, new for 2014. There are a range of gorgeous products from Thorntons with The Snowman and The Snowdog Bandstand £10, Cuddly Snowman £14.99 and Cuddly Snowdog £14.99 from Amazon and other retailers, The Snowman Pull-Out Pop-Up Book £5.99 and The Snowman and The Snowdog Finger Puppet Book £7.99 from www.Puffin.com Baby-Friendly Boltholes is my second baby. My first was born in July 2005 and opened my eyes to a whole new world of holidays. After a 12-year career spent in the luxury travel business, I’ll admit to being a little bit spoilt when it comes to the style, attention to detail and facilities I expect when I stay somewhere and this inspired me to launch Baby-Friendly Boltholes. Like most parents, I thought holidays and mini-breaks would never be the same again with a baby or toddler in tow. Thankfully I was wrong. Friends and colleagues in the tourism industry and the travel media came forward with recommendations that promised I wouldn’t have to sacrifice my tastes for my toddler or return needing another break to recover!

Before I knew it, I had a list of baby-friendly accommodation that I’d not just be happy to visit, but actually excited by the prospect and I decided to spread the word via Baby-Friendly Boltholes. So, if you’re looking for somewhere that combines taste with toddlers and most importantly is run by the kind of people who know that it takes far more than a travel cot and a highchair to make a familyfriendly holiday, look no further! For more information, please visit: www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk Baby Go Go is an exciting new brand launched by entrepreneur and mother of three Victoria Orlando. The Original Baby Muliplux could not have come soon enough for busy parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles with a hungry baby in tow and not enough hands or time! The innovative product cleverly transform feeding time when you are shopping, in the car, absolutely anywhere. With its practical Velcro straps the baby Multiplux will fit to most prams, car seats and chairs and will support the babie’s bottle. When your baby is at an age of weaning flip over the Multiplux and use as a handy lap tray, perfect for snacks on the go. Other products in the debut collection include beautiful and practical Oil Cloth Bibs in various styles offering full coverage for new-borns with toggles for texture.

For older children the bibs will continue to be loved on those days of spaghetti madness and they are perfect as an apron for arts and crafts. The range of Blankets are butter soft to the touch and finished with an oil cloth trim, complete with Baby Go Go’s signature toggles for reassurance and texture; mini is perfect as a comforter, medium provides full pram coverage and large suitable for cots.

Prices start from £11.99 for bibs and £19.99 for the original Multiplux both presented in a pretty organza bag. For more information, please visit: www.babygogo.co.uk A favourite with parents in France for over 40 years, VERTBAUDET was launched in the UK in 1997. In addition to the 234 page Fashion catalogue the website has become immensely popular with busy parents. Here at Vertbaudet, we make child safety our priority and that’s why our quality teams work closely with laboratories that are certified, accredited and recognized by the European Commission. Each production run is subject to strict quality controls by both our product teams and the manufacturers themselves. All of our products comply with European standards.

Each product meets specific requirements in terms of its nature, its function, its constituent materials and the age of the child for whom it is intended. Fore more information, please visit: www.vertbaudet.co.uk

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Advent Calendar Business Directory Gambado offers children the chance to play, learn, explore and party in some of the most exciting indoor play venues in the world. These venues have been superbly designed to cater for all families and are packed full of variety and innovation. Gambado is the place to allow children to play in a healthy, fun and above all safe environment whilst learning some of the most valuable development, social, risk taking, coordination, educational and creative skills all whilst exercising at the same time! Each site offers a fabulous main frame incorporating different aspects from slides and shoots to ball showers, imagination stations and music zones. The café bars offer delicious lattes and scrumptious snacks so parents can kick back whilst their energetic offspring enjoy exercise in disguise. For busy multi-tasking grown-up’s where there is never enough hours in the day take advantage of the complimentary Wi-Fi and bring the office to us or even do the weekly online shop! With their unsurpassable facilities and indoor space birthday parties are hassle free at Gambado. Magnificent party packages cater for all including Laser Tag, Nerf – Foam Dart Frenzy, Make A Bear, Tiger Tots and the popular Tiger Party; plus selected sites now offer a Starter Party Bag with our bestselling Tiger Party package. Gambado is the ideal destination for locals and a worthy destination for out of Towner’s ensuring the experience for children is super fun and educational whilst parents can rest assured it will be a pleasure not a chore. For more information, please visit: www.gambado.com The award-winning Shnuggle baby bath makes bath time easier and happier. The Shnuggle bath is suitable for babies from birth up to six months; thanks to the ‘Bum Bump’ even newborn babies can sit upright in the bath. There’s no need to hold onto a slippery baby while trying to wash them, removing the stress from bath time. Older siblings can also get involved, creating a bond between the children. We’ve been very aware when bathing our own children that the water can get cold very quickly, so we have designed a clever baby bath that overcomes this problem. The Shnuggle bath is made from an innovative popped foam material with special insulating properties. The water stays warmer for longer, meaning the fun can go on and on! The Shnuggle bath is softly textured to allow for easy grip and to ensure the baby is secure while bathing.

Integrated handles also make that heart-stopping moment when you think you’re going to drop the bath a thing of the past! It is extremely stable and light (about the same weight as a loaf of bread), which makes bath time possible for mums who have C-sections.

The Shnuggle bath comes in a range of beautiful vintage pastel colours. For more information and to purchase online, please visit: shop.shnuggle.co.uk/collections/all-products-shnuggle-cosy-baby-bath.

University Games Corporation was founded on April 1st 1985 by Bob Moog and Cris Lehman in the USA. Bob and Cris always loved playing games with their families and grew up thinking that fun and learning were a part of everyday life, as adults they recognized a developing niche in social interaction and learning games for adults and children, and that is how University Games began. University Games UK was formed in 2007, maintaining the philosophy and offering games that encourage interaction and imagination through gameplay, with learning and fun also an important factor. It is of great importance to the company that we are trusted by you, the consumer, to provide high quality products for all the family. Whether it’s the great BBC show ‘Pointless’ you wish to recreate in your own home or the sheer madness of ‘5 Second Rule’, at University Games we are committed to providing you with fun and learning through game play. For more information, please visit: www.university-games.co.uk Joie - a UK group of friends and parents with one simple mission: to share joy with new parents worldwide. Our commitment to the highest standards of design, engineering and safety means that we are accountable for everything we produce at Joie. We draw on decades of industry experience that stems from our devotion to do what is right for parents, children and the environment. As a result, each Joie product is created to make life with small children less work and more fun. The i-AnchorSafe™ System has also recently won the prestigious red dot award: product design 2014! The international red dot jury awards this title to products at the forefront of design excellence. So go ahead and bring the kids! For more information, please visit: www.joiebaby.com It all started when Olivier became a daddy. He was amazed to learn that there wasn’t really anything around to help his son Louis recognize surrounding dangers. What could he do? Olivier was joined by two friends: Philippe, a design and graphic arts enthusiast, and Sébastien, an expert in industrial safety. Together, the three of them patiently developed a solution in Sébastien’s garage. Their families even helped them ship packages all around France... that’s how their first creation was born, “Bébé Prudence” (meaning “careful baby” in French), a game designed to teach safety to young ones. The game met with immediate success. Our goal is still to make parents’ lives easier both day and night, as their loved ones grow up safely through the brightness of childhood. Pabobo kind of a funny name... Pah-bo-bow … wondering what it means? For more information, please visit: www.pabobo.com

The tommee tippee® brand was launched in America over 50 years ago. It came to the UK in 1965, and is now the brand leader in Baby Accessories in the British market. Traditionally known for tableware and cups, recent growth has been fuelled by the award-winning Closer to Nature range of newborn feeding equipment. tommee tippee’s goal is to offer innovative branded products that promote the progressive development of children whilst ensuring a joyful experience for parents worldwide. Our ultimate objective is to be the most mum recommended baby essentials brand globally. The tommee tippee® name comes from the Tippee cup with its rounded weight base which makes it impossible to tip over. For more information, please visit: www.tommeetippee.co.uk/

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Advent Calendar Business Directory hauck in Sonnefeld (Upper Franconia) was founded by Felix Hauck in 1927 as a company selling basketry with his daughter Paula supporting Felix in his business. They soon started developing and producing clothes for children with christening robes becoming popular very quickly and the area of children´s clothing and equipment growing rapidly. Klaus Feyler then took over the company from his mother together with his wife Anette and continued the company´s track record. Besides bassinets, the company was now selling travel beds and strollers which quickly gained popularity. hauck group with hauck GmbH + Co. KG, i´coo GmbH and hauck UK Ltd. is nowadays one of the market leaders in the area of strollers and baby accessories. Our aim is to create new ideas for products which satisfy parents and inspire children. Our experience and the quality of our products has made the Company popular all over the world. Besides our own product lines, we also offer licensed products with a range of designs from ESPRIT or Princess Lillifee and Disney. For more information, please visit: www.hauckuk.com Joovy is a family-run business and we consider our employees, customers and factory partners as members of our family. Joovy feels that our best product development comes from listening to our customers – parents and active families! Your comments are important to us! Our goal is to design and manufacture family gear products that are extremely useful, practical, good-looking and FUN. Joovy family gear products have premium features and use vibrant, high quality fabrics and materials. Joovy’s ‘signature’ features are extra-large canopies on all strollers; sealed, ball bearing wheels; bold fabrics; and swing away trays, to name a few. Extra features come as ‘standard equipment’ with Joovy gear, i.e. car seat adapters, trays, sheets, etc. We strive for high quality at a reasonable price for our customers. Our customers come first! As busy parents ourselves, we understand the importance of time and appreciate that you, too, are busy. Joovy prides itself in our double Os – Joovy, Caboose, Nook, Kooper, Groove, Room2, Cocoon, Spoon, Cocoon!!! It’s all for fun and fun for YOO. For more information, please visit: www.joovy.co.uk The Royal Mint is the world’s leading export mint, making coins and medals for an average of 60 countries every year. However, its first responsibility is to make and distribute United Kingdom coins as well as to supply blanks and official medals. Opened by the Queen in 1968 in readiness for the introduction of the decimal coinage, the Royal Mint’s headquarters in Llantrisant, South Wales, employs more than 900 people. Ministry of Defence Police oversee the security of the 35-acre site, which operates round-the-clock for 52 weeks a year. The Royal Mint can produce 90 million coins and blanks a week - almost five billion coins a year. The 2014 My First Coins Baby Journal is the perfect way to mark baby’s first Christmas and a gift that can be treasured forever. Lovely illustrations and poems guide the little one on a treasure hunt, helping to record special first milestones, until you reach the treasure: eight definitive United Kingdom brilliant uncirculated coins dated 2014, to mark the year of the baby’s birth. For more information, please visit: www.royalmint.com The Cuddledry concept was founded by Helen Wooldridge and Polly Marsh, two long term friends, now working mums. Their first product was the Cuddledry baby bath towel - now a multiple award-winner and a ‘must-have’ for all new mums and dads. Most baby towels are lightweight squares, which parents have to hold awkwardly under their chin or between teeth in order to have two hands free to lift baby. Helen and Polly came up with Cuddledry to make the bath exit a bonding time, not a stress! The Cuddledry baby towel attaches to the parent like an apron, so both hands are free. Lifting baby up out of the bath is easy and safe, and you cuddle and dry your baby in your arms naturally, strengthening the bond between you when baby feels most vulnerable. You don’t have to think about holding a towel at all. This is the major safety advantage of the Cuddledry, but there are plenty more features to its unique design. The towel is super soft - made with bamboo and cotton, so it stays soft even after washing. The towel ensures the parent stays nice and dry, and the towel is attached to you which prevents the risk of having to move away from your baby for even a second. The single-handed easy release poppers allow you to simply remove the towel from yourself and lay baby down on their changing mat still snugly wrapped. In addition, the towel is double-layered, not only giving it a luxurious thick texture, but absorbing water faster and keeping it away from baby’s skin. The Cuddledry baby bath towel is safer, more eco-friendly and luxurious than anything else you can buy for your baby. For more information, cuddledry.com/ LeapFrog creates award-winning educational solutions that delight, engage and inspire children to reach their potential. We know that children learn best when they’re having fun, and that every child learns differently. With solutions that are personalised to each child’s level, every day brings pure learning fun. Since our inception, we’ve been hard at work creating entirely new ways to learn—and inspiring millions of kids along the way. Take a peek at our best-selling products—and the awards they’ve earned year after year. At LeapFrog, we do our homework to ensure that everything we make is created for learning and designed for fun. Our in-house team of learning experts guides us every step of the way, with innovative and personalised solutions to help every child achieve their potential. For more information, please visit: www.leapfrog.com

CEWE Ltd produced over 2.64 million CEWE PHOTOBOOKS in 2008 and is the world’s leading photofinishing company. Founded by Senator H.C. Heinz Neumüller in 1961 in Oldenburg, Germany, CEWE Ltd has long left its humble roots as small photographic studio behind. CEWE Ltd UK is based in the heart of Warwickshire and is equipped with the latest photo book printing and binding technology. At CEWE Ltd we develop over 3 billion colour photos every year! If each of these prints were 6x4” in size and laid out in a single line, the result would be a strip of photos over 280,000 miles long! You could wrap it around the earth almost 10 times! For more informationn, please visit: www.cewe-photobook.co.uk

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Advent Calendar Business Directory The idea for the Snugglebundl baby lifting baby wrap came from necessity for David Solomons when his daughter was first born. His wife Suzi had some serious complications during the birth, which resulted in her being very limited in her movement and unable to bend or lift without extreme discomfort. At the same time David’s back problem meant that he struggled to bend and lift as well! Between the two of them they found lifting up, laying down and manoeuvring their new baby in and out of pushchairs and car seats extremely awkward. To help the problem David would lay his daughter on a blanket and gather it up in a bundle around her and then simply pick her up! That was for him the “Eureka” moment. And from that point he began to think about the concept of a safe lifting idea for babies. In the new year of 2011 he teamed up with Mike Edwards, his good friend, neighbour, fellow father and fellow designer and his lovely, ever-optimistic, enthusiastic and hard-working wife Heidi, Together they worked out the best way to fully support the baby’s head and neck and safely protect the crown. The strength of the handles was of course paramount, but it also had to look good and be functional and durable too. In the months that followed they made hundreds of prototypes in different sizes, lengths and materials. They gathered a team of new parents to trial these, and from those results the Snugglebundl baby-lifting baby wrap was finally born (Called the Bundl for short!). From this one idea they decided to start our own innovative baby product company, which was lovingly called Snugglebundl after their unique blanket. The aim of the company is to design and produce original and practical products for parents.

At Snugglebundl the aim is bring you beautiful products that will not only work well but also actually make life a little easier. For more information, please visit: www.snugglebundl.co.uk Angel’s Face is the UK’s No.1 designer brand of tutu pettiskirts created by mother of three, Keely Deininger, in 2007 as a kitchen table business. After graduating from college in Kent, she went on to work as a designer for suppliers to stores such as H&M & Top Shop, finally reaching the level of Design Director at the main fashion supplier to Marks & Spencer. After giving birth to her third child Keely decided to sacrifice her corporate career in order to concentrate more on her children and enjoy watching them grow up. This also allowed her to pursue a lifelong dream of hers of starting her own business. Angel’s Face was born from this dream, a business which allowed her to satisfy both her creative and maternal needs. The key product from Angel’s Face is the pettiskirt, a wonderfully full ruffle tutu skirt available in a multitude of colours. Following the initial success of the pettiskirts, a whole range of children’s clothing has developed. No longer solely a tutu pettiskirt company, Angel’s Face have developed an exclusive t-shirt range which is designed and made solely in the UK, flower girls dresses and many more items. Through a combination of creativity, passion and determination, Angel’s Face has evolved from the kitchen table and 1 staff member to a brand selling worldwide, which is carried in the finest department stores such as Selfridges & Harrods. Keely has managed to combine all of her vast experience and creativity to create a successful children’s clothing brand. For more information, please visit: www.angels-face.co.uk

Ruka-Ruka is a boutique print studio specialising in original, custom-made, graphic art prints and greeting cards. A small family business, we pride ourselves on our bold, honest and playful designs and our commitment to excellence in every detail. Opt for ready-toship designs or a custom made print; perfect to celebrate birthdays or new arrivals! Check out our Prints and Custom Prints sections - our personalised date prints make a unique and special wedding, birth or christening gift or decorate a nursery or play space with one of our colourful art prints for kids. We always email an artwork proof of personalised prints for approval before going to print. Your order will be packed in tissue with a hand written note, so if you’re sending a gift, just let us know what you’d like our note to say. For more information, please visit: www.rukaruka.co.uk ‘Stop the car, stop the car!’ is a chant which parents across the land recognize when their small children have spotted a tractor or digger working in the fields. I’m Alexandra Heard and for me, this was the seed of an idea, which has since become a growing addiction amongst small children across Britain – that of Tractor Ted and his real life farming films, books, toys and live experiences. In 2002, I was a new mum to two sons and a daughter and living in rural Wiltshire.

My children always wanted to watch the briefest few minutes at the end of a cartoon video that showed a real tractor pulling a plough in a field. Nothing with film like this seemed to be available in the shops and so an idea took hold, to make a video for young children, which showed real farm machinery working in the fields. Added to this would be all the answers to the many questions my children would always ask about ‘What’s this?’ and ‘Why is that happening?’. To make it fun we would add songs, reading and counting together with little mishaps that children find so funny! We wanted a ‘big brother’ character to present the real life adventures and interact with the children. And so the wonderfully cheerful and utterly trustworthy, Tractor Ted was born.

At Muddy Puddles we’re on a quest for all children to be fit for adventure, and to embrace the outdoors whatever the weather. We want to do this by clothing the world’s young adventurers one muddy pup at a time.

Muddy Puddles was started 20 years ago by a Mum called Susie who lived on a farm in Devon. Fed up with her young brood permanently getting so wet and muddy, she lay the smallest one on the kitchen table and drew round him to create the first little all-in-one waterproof. And so Muddy Puddles was born. For more information, please visit: www.muddypuddles.com

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