My Organised Christmas 2014

That's it, Christmas is over for another year.  But just for reference for next year (or if you need to start planning in July) here's the list of everything I did in the run up to the big day.

I loved sharing the excitement with Cate over at Me Add Three and her
Christmas Countdown.

Plus huge thank you's to Izabela Peters, Lapland Mailroom and the Portable North Pole for their gifts this year,

Follow the links as I post them below to keep up with my planning (where I will be following Organized Christmas as it applies to me, however I may throw in some extra things) and let me know how you are getting on with yours.  Are you super organised or a Christmas Eve shopper??

Meal Plan - 30/12/14 to 5/1/15

I really must meal plan as once again the freezer is full of bits that are never going to get eaten, we must waste so much money.

I'll be getting a few bits in for hubby to make his own meals from (and the kids Mon-Thurs) as he won't follow a meal plan, so will be planning for me all week and for the kids Friday - Sunday.

Thankfully I have about 10 frozen leftover meals in the freezer that I can eat up after this weekend as I also must re-start my diet I can hardly fit in my trousers.

Chickywiggle's guide to .... Christmas Party Food

This season we have mostly been eating and ... well yup that's pretty much it.  From roast dinners to party food to chocolate you name it, we've eaten it.  But that's what Christmas is all about right?  **tucks into another piece of shortbread**

I did a big online food shop that was delivered on Monday 22nd.  To be honest the experience I had using the app was far from perfect.  I booked the slot in good time and it was really convenient to open the app wherever I was to be able to add an item (or delete one if I got it cheaper somewhere else).  Every time I went in to add an item tho the chicken in the basket became unavailable and I had to replace it with another.  5 times this happened in the run up to the delivery and I was beginning to think I would have to go shopping somewhere else on Christmas eve.  Thankfully I was able to add the original chicken to my order the night before so Christmas was saved.

Tesco had kindly sent me some money off vouchers as part of the Orchard Programme for their Finest* Party Food.  It wasn't easy to find these online (as I've said before our online Finest* range is not brilliant) but with some googling and looking at what others had purchased I discovered there was more to the Party Food range then I first thought.... couldn't get the profiteroles tho :(

Our Tesco Finest* Party Food  range helped out in 3 meals over the festive period.

The Dinosaur that pooped.............

Nothing says Happy Christmas better then pooping dinosaurs does it?  So this year I won't be saying "Happy Christmas" to you, I will be sharing with you the fabulous creations of Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter (yup them guys from McFly) and "Poop, presents and prehistoric creatures".

We were really lucky to be asked to review that funny series and when the postie (eventually) decided to deliver it just before Christmas it was in great time for a 3h train ride to London.

I am sure the rest of the train enjoyed the hysterical laughter from our seats.  From mummy, who found it difficult to actually stop giggling long enough to read some of it, the boys who, well lets face it, it mentions the word poop - need I say more, and even Grandma managed a smile!

Snowman soup

You know Christmas is near when mums everywhere start referring to snowman soup.  It's become a tradition in our house and this year is no exception.

Unfortunately, being unworldly, my husband had not heard of it, and when the kids got up yesterday and declared that was what they wanted to drink we had a situation....and a frantic text at work, "wtf is snowman soup?".... I explained ... the next question "can I use mint herbs?".... some people just can't be helped :)

So, while the shops are still open and there's time to pick up any missing ingredient, let me introduce you to snowman soup.

Place marshmallows and a candy cane (or in this case a bit of candy tree) in a mug. 

Add your favourite hot chocolate mix.   

Add boiling water

Stir stir stir stir stir

Drink once cooled.

And it's that simple.  If you have any you can always decorate with whipped cream.

Enjoy.

Chickywiggle's Christmas guide to .......... essential TV viewing (part 1).

It's the 20th December tomorrow and do you know what that means???

OK, as it's Christmas I'll let you try again, .. here's another hint .... it's the last Saturday before Christmas.....

Got it??

YUP, It's Christmas TV guide day - the official day that the Double Christmas Guides Start and this year they run from the 20th December to the 2nd January.


Are you a circler or a highlighter???  when I was little we all had a different colour highlighter pen and went through the TV guide as soon as it arrived in the house marking out what it was we wanted to watch.... this year I couldn't find the highlighter pen so I had to draw rings around things.  It is most definitely not as easy to see what you have marked out so I shall be buying a new highlighter and amending it :)

In the first of a 2 parter, here is my Top 7 picks (1 a day) of what we shall be watching this holiday season, not including films (I'll cover them tomorrow).

Do you have Faith In Nature?

My names Laura, and I'm a bath addict.  There I admit it, I hold my hands up. In the last year I've gone from buying the cheapest shampoo, conditioner and bubble bath to treating myself to lush bath bombs and body shop sugar scrubs.

Since the dreaded nits hit here a few months ago my hair was ruined. The lotion stripped it of everything good, there was no bounce, no shine and no life.  In fact I don't think it could have looked less greasy if I'd showered in vegetable oil.   I discovered argon oil and never looked back. Then faith in nature approached me.... where had I heard that name before?  I had a sense of coconut, and looking back through my posts realised I had used their gorgeous coconut shower gel and foam bath just a couple of months ago when it appeared in my goody bag from the Northern Bloggers Meet Up.

This time was to ask for my views on their extensive shampoo and conditioner range.  I was dubious, could I swap my argon oil for something else (especially at party season when it's all about the hair).  But after looking into it and discovering they did a chocolate range......well that's an offer I'd be mad to turn down!!  Then my husband told me I couldn't drink it :(.

Chickywiggles Christmas guide to...... Songs

One of the best bits about Christmas for me are the songs.  How can you not resist the urge to sing along to Frosty the Snowman as he bounds over the hills with a "Thumpety thump, thump, thumpety thump, thump"?


Admit it, we have all screamed along with Kirsty McColl and the Pogues during "Fairytale of New York" it's probably the most unseasonal Christmas song but ohh soo festive all the same.

This Christmas we will mostly be wearing.......

I love Christmas clothing, between Primark, Peacocks, Morrisons and TJ Huges me and the boys can get kitted out in long lasting clothes and at competitive prices.

Not including daddy, because he's a Grinch, me and the boys were all kitted out for Christmas jumper day, Christmas parties and of course the day itself.

Mummy

I bought a jumper from Primark last year, a gorgeous green comfy sweatshirt.  So to save the pennies I'll be wearing it again this year.      **sob sob** the husband just tumble dried it and now it doesn't fit..... what's a girl to do so close to the big day??

Christmas gift guide..... for kids

I have had so much fun Christmas shopping for the kids this year, however it was really hard to get something they wanted, needed and wasn't tat.  As much as I believe Christmas should be about getting presents they wouldn't normally get I don't believe in buying for the sake of buying. 

My mum, dad etc have been asking what they want....but what they want is very different to what they might get.
   For example give ben £20 and he'd probably want sweets and some bit of plastic that he'd play with for 2 days until he gets bored.

   I know both he and Noah would love a full set of teenage mutant ninja turtle figures and the shell raiser.  However I know that this would mean countless fighting, arguing and next month they'd want something else. With this setting you back the best part of £70 it's not something I'd consider a sensible present.  And while they are still at an age where I can have a say over their spending habits.....I will!

In The Picture

I was one of those mums, those who think I know best and that I can take great photo's of my boys.  But you know what the older they get the harder it is... I always end up with the back of a head or a silly face.  I love the natural look, don't get me wrong, but sometimes you want a really great photo for the grandparents and the wall.

I've had various professional photo's taken in the last 6 years and to be honest have been really disappointed in a lot of them.  The only ones that have ever made me go 'wow' are the ones from In The Picture, I'd not go any where else and recommend them to anyone who asks for suggestions .... but I'm rushing ahead.... let me fill you in....

It was a few years ago now, 2009 that I was first approached by In The Picture and offered a really fantastic offer that, as they say, I just couldn't refuse.  A 12x8 colour portrait for just 99p.  Well with Ben at only 7 months old how could I refuse this.

I headed to the studios on York Street, Sheffield and a week or so later collected this amazing picture of my little boy.

Christmas Planning Week 16: Maintenance Week

It's sooo close we can almost touch it and, if you're like me, no matter how organised you feel you're not. Yes my Christmas shopping can be ticked off, My vodka is on order for delivery on the 22nd and the ibuprofen is ready for the 26th.

I've wrapped most of the presents (and bought far too much as usual) and the chocolate tub is only half full  .... but the housework... well that's taken a bit of a back seat.

This week is all about Maintanance ......... making sure the rooms are organized, tidy and ready and finishing all the little jobs.

There are now 11 days left until the big day to get things done in .... here's how mine will plan out.  I am going to print this off and stick it up/ write it in my diary so I can check on my progress/ outstanding things.

Of course I also have a blogging schedule to add to this.....

Christmas is coming and the kids are getting excited, yet bored.....

Sounds like your house too?  

With only 11 days left until Christmas my boys are getting really excited and finding things to do to keep them entertained is never easy.  

We make a point of going on the train at least once every couple of months, with no car it is by far the quickest and easiest way to get to our destinations, see new places and make great memories.  We renew our family and friends railcard every year as it saves us so much money, especially when you consider the cost of fares at the moment.  We've just booked return day tickets to London for next weekend. Including a travel card it set us back £130 (2 adults and 2 children) (£238.50 without).  However when you compare that to the cost of petrol, the stress of driving and motorway traffic it's definitely worth it. 

I decided to set myself a challenge, a look this year to see just what was out there that we could get to on the train if we fancied it.

Homemade Garlic Bread

We were really excited to try Tesco Ingredients Garlic and Herb butter as part of the Tesco Orchard Programme the other week and decided this would be a great time to teach the boys how to make homemade garlic bread.
   It is soo easy to do and something we are sure to try again.

We went for the Tesco Crusty White Farmhouse Bread Mix at 80p for 500g. This mix will make 1 large loaf, 10 small rolls or 4 x 20cm (8 inch) thin pizza bases.  We went for rolls of various sizes.

The mix comes with instructions on for both oven bake and bread machine, and whilst I would love a bread machine we don't own one and had to go for the oven method.

The great thing about making bread is that the boys could be involved at every step, yes mummy had to step in and help to mix as it got thicker but they learnt loads not just about cooking processes but also about how bread rises.

Tesco Ingredients Dairy range - a review

Readers to my blog will know that I am part of the Tesco Orchard Programme which allows me to try their various services and foods for free or at a reduced price.  You will also know how picky my family are.

The Tesco Ingredients Dairy range is rather limiting at the moment.   It is designed to feature ingredients that will turn everyday cooking into something different, special.  They do this thanks to the special blend of flavours and ideas Tesco have obtained from around the world.

You should be able to buy items such as; “Spanish Chorizo and Smoked Paprika Cheesy Toppers”, “Parmesan and Tomato Butter” and “Stroganoff Cooking Sauce”,
  Tesco provide some amazing looking recipes:

Elf Escapades - Growing Magic Trees

The boys loved this one.

They woke the other morning to find a message from Santa with some green seeds (4 apple tic tacs).  Ben thought he could see through Santa's trick telling me  seeds were 'mints'. This led to a lesson in why you never eat anything you find laying around as you don't know what it is (but I'll not go into that).

Anyway along with the seeds Santa had left some magic snow (which i had purchased from B&M). If you've never had magic snow before nip out now and get some. .... its okay I'll wait till you get back to carry on .....

Bubble wrap calenders

I found some of those little calender tabs in Poundland the other day and in true Chickywiggle fashion my hand was buying them before my brain had decided what to make.

Then the other day when the boys were up to their elbows in paint I spotted some bubble wrap and came up with a great idea.... bubblewrap printing.

Christmas Planning Week 15: Finish-Up Week

It's now or never, there's only 2 more weekends to go before the big day.  I'm now in a proper sorting and organising mood as I only have 9 days of no work (ohhh on that note I only have 7 more days of work.... YAY)

I've wrapped the presents that need posting, just got to sort out all the cards this week and mail everything off.  

I love the idea of delegating chores to the kids, Ben seems to be in a very helpful mood at the moment (wonder why?!)

I'm flying on the organisation front.... but sadly lacking on the sorting and cleaning.  In fact I've wrapped almost everything and working on Christmas Eve hamper.... must add a box to my shopping list.

Our elf and his friends is here and having a great time (I'll try and pop a post up about it) and the 24 books of advent is going down a treat (again post to follow).

Christmas Season is well and truly in full swing with Ben's Christmas play at school tomorrow and Noah's next week.  Our trip to Santa is planned for the 21st and I'm super excited.

Let's take a look where I'm up to.....

Christmas guides - Tableware

This year we are really going for it in style, Ben is old enough to get into the spirit of it now and loves finding all things festive so I agreed we would have a proper crockery set for the Christmas Period.

We looked at a few and loved some from B&M but then we went to Morrisons and came home with this set.......

I also have placemats and coasters...... somewhere ;)

Video messages from Santa via Portable North Pole (PNP)

Another December, another trip to the Portable North Pole. Not only do we love PNP in this house but it has been the main topic of conversation for the past 2 weeks at work.

PNP is now in its 7th year and I've been using it for the last 6! Every year the videos get better and better.  A few years ago you'd have never caught me spending money on a message from Santa but this year was the first time I have paid for the PNP.

Christmas Gift Guide ...... for Her

I don't know about you but I am always stuck when it comes to the question "what do you want for Christmas" because I spend so much of my life trying to know what the kids and the husband would like that I never get time to think about me.  That and I am so money concious that I think "mmm I'd like that but do I really want them to spend £40 on something that I wouldn't pay that much for myself?

But this year I have really enjoyed looking at what there is on offer and creating my own Christmas List either of the top 5 things I would love or things I have enjoyed and think you might like, or to give you ideas for someone else.  Feel free to print it off and circle your favourites and leave for the loved ones in your life to find.