Are you going away this Christmas? We’ve just had a three night break at Butlins and have tried out all their Christmas activities. It was great to have a short break to look forward to once term ended. We’ve visited Butlins before, last Easter, and to review the new Ocean Hotel when it opened 18 months ago. Overall, I’d say that the Easter break was the best, perhaps because the weather was outstanding. It is always a little harder on mum when it is cold: more coats to be done up, …

What have you got planned for the holidays? We’re action packed from Friday onwards, starting the holidays with 4 days at Butlins, courtesy of the Butlins Mum Ambassador programme.
I first went to Butlins a couple of years ago when K was a baby. It was so much better than we anticipated: a really easy holiday where we could entertain the older two and still be close enough to base to deal with a new baby. And we’ve been back once or twice a year since then. It is within a …

It’s that time of year again when you (and your bank manager) start to panic about the impact of Christmas. I’ve been trying out some toys and over the next few weeks will give our verdict on which ones are great value. D, 8, has been pestering us for a Harry Potter Hogwarts Lego game so we’ve been checking it out.

Are you looking at the winter holidays with dismay? If you’re not sure what to do with the kids, especially when faced with bad weather, check out Whattodowiththekids.co.uk . The site’s days out search facility lets you to search within over 4,700 activities and attractions around the UK to find something to do that will keep YOUR family happy and busy, whatever the weather.

If the kids have broken up already or you’re planning ways to entertain them in the next few weeks, why not get them to Put on a Panto. Robinsons have set up www.putonapanto.com  which takes your kids through planning, practising and performing a panto. It’s a fun site that helps the kids with everything from props to scripts and costumes. Younger kids might need lots of help but if you have kids age 8 and over plus a few friends to entertain it would be a great way to fill a winter’s …

Still shopping frantically for Christmas gifts? The Eden Project has just launched a brand new website; www.edenprojectshop.com. Everything on the site is made using recycled and refused materials and many are sourced locally to reduce the overall carbon footprint. I like the organic coffee gift bag which comes with your own coffee tree! It helps:
• Support the local farmers and their traditional forested farms
• Provide a haven for threatened wildlife
• Reduce the need for sprays
• Reduce problems with soil erosion
• Raise the quality of life for the growers
It contains a bag of …