Valentino Exhibition Pop Up Shop at Somerset House. This is for the Mums and ladies out there who absolutely love fashion, new trends and most of all Valentino. Somerset House in conjunction with the Valentino company have created a pop up exhibition shop featuring designer accessories and vintage books. Click here for more information.

February half term at the Museum of London. London’s parks are just one of the things that make the capital a special city. Discover the archaeology hidden underneath some of our parks, hear the stories that create magic around them, make a statue fit for a London park or visit our splendid 18th century Pleasure Gardens and meet one of its famous entertainers. Click here for full list of activities.

Head to Kensington Central Library this half term for their new story and craft events, starting 16th February, also available at North Kensington library starting 14th February 2013. Please click here for more information. Also don’t miss their exciting Pattern and Play children’s art workshops with See ‘n’ Make, hand Sewing Workshop (for older kids) and Half-term storytelling with Diana. Click here for more information on dates and times.

Ricardo Garcia’s Flamenco Flow for Kids at the Royal Albert Hall. Wednesday 20th February. Starting at 12noon and 2.30pm, Elgar Room. Stamp your feet, clap your hands and experience a taste of the Spanish sunshine on a chilly London day with Ricardo Garcia’s Flamenco Flow for Kids, who are inviting children to the Royal Albert Hall to get involved in their unique flamenco music classes. With costumes provided and dress up encouraged, this is the perfect opportunity for children to demonstrate their dance finesse and learn about the history of this popular dance whilst truly experiencing a taste of Spain. For more information, please click here.

A visit to Holland Park and playing in the Adventure playgroup makes a great family day out, and a lovely walk in Kyoto Garden.

Have you ever wanted to be a published author? Then this workshop is for you Creative Writing Workshop, starting Thursday 21 February 2013 at Kensington Central Library. FREE. Booking required. Please click here for more information.

Big and Small family day at Tate Britain. Friday 22 February 2013, 10.00 – 15.00. FREE. Come and get creative with artist-led activities all around the gallery. No booking necessary, free drop. Suitable for families with under 5s and siblings. Click here for more information.

Victoria and Albert Museum is holding a range of activities taking place this half term. The Imagination Station. Saturday 16 – Sunday 24 February, 10.30 – 17.00. Create mini furniture and add it to a fantasy room! Click here for more information. Also don’t miss V&A Screen: Beauty and the Beast (U). Saturday 16 – Sunday 24 February, 12.00 & 14.00. Free tickets available on a first come, first served basis. If that’s not enough there is also Gallery Play: The Boy Who Sat on the Dragon Throne. Saturdays & Sundays, 16, 17, 23 & 24 February, 11.00, 13.00 & 15.00. Free, drop-in. Make-it: Fancy Furniture, booking required.

Design Through the Decades at the Geffrye Museum. Tuesday 19th February- Friday 22nd February (various times). FREE. Explore homes from a different century every day from the Tudors and Stuarts, Georgians, Victorians and finally the 20th century. Make wacky wigs, stylish silhouettes and funky fifties artworks. Suitable for ages 5-16. Click here for more information.

Start planning for half term with plenty of ways to save at Vue. Kids AM every day during the school holidays for just £1.75. Check their website for more information.

Battersea Park Children’s Zoo. Half term activities including pig day and birds mask making day. Click here for more information.

Story time and make and take at the London Transport Museum from Saturday 16 – Sunday 24 February. Click here for more information.

Imaginary Worlds Family Festival at the National Gallery. Sunday 17 and Monday 18 February 2013. Loads of hands on activities in store, including pram tours, stay and play as well as puppet shows. Click here for more information.

Half-term activity, Amazing China at the British Museum. Come to the Museum for a week of activities celebrating the history and culture of China. Starting 18-22 February 2013. Free, just drop in. Click here for more information.

New Wave Kids at the V&A Museum of Childhood. Monday 18 – Friday 22 February, 10.30-16.00. FREE, drop-ins. Join Story Spinner for a creative re-telling of Shirley Hughes’s popular children’s book, “Alfie Gets in First”. Design an iconic Pac-Man Badge or a Care Bear greeting card. Have a go at a Rubik’s Cube and complete the Where’s Wally trail for your chance to win a prize. Suitable for all ages. Click here for more information.

February Half Term Holiday Activity Programme 2013 at Holland Park Ecology Centre. Monday 18 to Friday 22 February 2013. Sessions for 5 to 10 year olds. Time: 10am to 12 noon and 2 to 4pm. £4 per session for RBKC residents; £5 non-residents. These are great for little and big ones. Click here for more information.

What’s going on here? at Tate Modern. Every weekend, 11.00 – 15.00, and Thursday 21 and Friday 22 February 2013 during half term. Drop in to the Welcome Room to pick up free new activities, display your own creation, build a plinth for a very small sculpture. Click here for more information.

Wrap up warm and enjoy a walk in Kensington Gardens and a visit to Diana Memorial Playground. Little ones can play in ‘Peter Pan’ themed playground with a huge wooden pirate ship and teepees to explore and for the kids to run around and let some steam off!

La Boutique des Pandas at the Institut français. Saturday 16 February at 2pm Sunday 17 February 2013 at 11am. Discover some of the best Chinese animated films with this selection of three elegant and tasteful shorts. From the squirrel who likes unusual hairstyles to a shop owned by pandas, these original stories will enchant children of all ages. Suitable for ages 3+. Please note movie lasts 30min and is showing in French. Please click here for more information.

Imagine Family Workshops at Southbank Centre. Monday 11 February 2013 – Sunday 24 February 2013. This year’s Imagine Children’s Festival is all about the kids taking over! Southbank Centre will be transformed BY children FOR children, as well as hosting the top names in children’s literature, dance, theatre and art. Enjoy free activities throughout the festival or just take in the atmosphere as children run the show! Click here for more information.

The musical park at the Museum of London. Wednesday 20th February 2013 (various times). Come and play in our musical park! If you listen carefully, who knows what you will find… A musical session for under 5s and their carers – older siblings welcome. Click here for more information.

Kids’ Zone at the National Army Museum. Kids Zone is great for children aged 0-8 with forest and arctic themed climbing frames for kids to scale, slide and run through. There is also a soft play area for babies, toys, and arts and crafts. It is open daily from 10.10am to 5.15pm. For only £2.50 per child this is a great way for little ones to let off some steam. Tickets for all day sessions tend to sell out before 11.00am during school holidays, so it is always best to book online to avoid disappointment. Adults go FREE.

Discover Circus at the Royal Albert Hall. Tuesday 19th February. Starting at 10.30am and 1pm, Education Room. Come and join the circus for a day for a hands-on experience exploring the history of circus at the venue. From clowns to tightrope walkers this will take the whole family on a fascinating journey through 140 years of performance history and a collection of images and artefacts from the Hall’s archives will be showcased to bring the experience alive! Children will also get the chance to get creative as they design their very own retro circus poster and create their own photographic collage for their very own circus. Suitable for children aged 5-11. For more information, please click here.

Rain Room at the Barbican (until 3rd March 2013). FREE. Rain Room is a 100 square metre field of falling water for visitors to walk through and experience how it might feel to control the rain. On entering The Curve the visitor hears the sound of water and feels moisture in the air before discovering the thousands of falling droplets that respond to their presence and movement. Sounds interesting! Click here for more information.

Curious Collectors at the Natural History Museum. FREE. From 18 – 22 February, in the school half-term holidays, some unusual researchers will try to gather everything there is to know about the Museum, in just 5 days! Come and help them at our fun interactive event as you become Curious Collectors. Click here for more information.

The View from The Shard. London’s newest and most eagerly awaited attraction opens to the public on 1st February 2013. The Shard is an iconic, landmark building on the London skyline, designed by Master Architect Renzo Piano. At a height of 1,016ft (310m), the tallest building in Western Europe, the Shard redefines London’s skyline and will be a dynamic symbol of London, recognisable throughout the world. Sounds like the perfect date night. Click here for more information, booking required.

Ladybird Storytelling at Southbank Centre. Friday 22 February 2013 at 2pm. Enjoy the excitement of a much-loved, interactive, classic story, which parents will love as much as their children! The performance lasts 30 minutes. Suitable for ages 3 – 7. Click here for more information.

Family Ignite: Albert’s Band- The Animal Kingdom. Tuesday 19th February. Starting at 12noon and 2.30pm. The Hall’s resident band Albert’s Band, will be doing a special show this half-term, The Animal Kingdom. The 15-piece orchestra will take children on a musical safari concentrating on the theme of the animal kingdom, producing music that is both exhilarating and exciting, as well as answering questions and revealing interesting facts to stimulate interest for the whole family. For more family events at the Royal Albert Hall, please click here.

3D Printing Workshop at the Design Museum. Sunday 17 February. 11am – 12.15pm and 2pm – 3.15pm. £5 per child. Suitable for ages 5 – 11. Discover innovative 3D printing techniques with in this workshop led by Black Country Atelier. Participants will be able to design and print their own badge or brooch to wear home. Click here for more information.

Plan a culture day out this Half term break. Manet Family Workshop at the Royal Academy of Arts. Tuesday 19 February 2013. Starting at 10.15am–1pm. Explore the art of portraiture, as seen in the Manet: Portraying Life exhibition, in a workshop comprising an interactive slide talk, a visit to the exhibition and a practical hands-on session. Suitable for ages 6+. Pre-booking essential. Price £3 per person plus exhibition entry. Click here for more information.

Family events at the Royal Albert Hall this Half term. Family Ignite: Albert’s Band- The Animal Kingdom. Tuesday 19th February. Starting at 12noon and 2.30pm. The Hall’s resident band Albert’s Band, will be doing a special show this half-term, The Animal Kingdom. The 15-piece orchestra will take children on a musical safari concentrating on the theme of the animal kingdom, producing music that is both exhilarating and exciting, as well as answering questions and revealing interesting facts to stimulate interest for the whole family. For more family events at the Royal Albert Hall, please click here.

February Half Term Holiday Activity Programme 2013 at Holland Park Ecology Centre. Monday 18 to Friday 22 February 2013. Sessions for 5 to 10 year olds. Time: 10am to 12 noon and 2 to 4pm. £4 per session for RBKC residents; £5 non-residents. These are great for little and big ones. Click here for more information.

Wordburst: The Paper Bag Princess. Monday 18 – Friday 22 February. Starting at 11.00-15.00.Step inside the world of the Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch – she’s no ordinary damsel in distress! Create costumes and a set for a fiery performance at the end of the day. This four hour family drama, art and literacy workshop is led by Artburst. At 14.30, family and friends are invited to watch the group performance. Dress for mess! Bring a packed lunch. Free/ Age 5-11 (with a parent/carer) / Bookings taken from Monday 4 February. Please call 020 8983 5205. For more information, please click here.

Family Workshops at the Saatchi Gallery this Half term. Saturday 16 and 23rd February 2013. Time: 1-2.30pm. Come along for a series of workshops exploring the current exhibition of Russian art. We will explore the work of a different artist each week. Sessions will involve an interactive tour of the exhibition followed by a fun, creative workshop in response to the artist of the week. Booking required. Click here for more information.

Launchpad Science Shows at the Science Museum. FREE. Find out more about the exciting principles of science in these interactive, Explainer-led Science Shows. Be a volunteer on stage, answer questions and find out more about the world of Explosions, Rockets, Bubbles or Forces. Available throughout half term (various times). Please click here for more information.

Family Studio: Head in the Clouds at the Royal Academy of Arts. Thursday 17 February 2013. Get inspired by John Constable’s beautiful cloud studies and capture the London sky on paper. From 11am–2pm. Free; no booking required. Click here for more information.

To be kept in the loop with the local scoop with the latest in children activities, playgroup and family outings, join Kensington Mums where you get free updates with what’s on for you and your little one(s). You are welcome to connect with other Mums to share your tips and recommendation and capture all those invaluable word of mouth recommendations. It’s a fantastic support network! Kensington Mums also organises Mummy and baby outings as well as Mums Night out and pamper events! Visit www.kensingtonmums.co.uk You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter @KensingtonMums. Enjoy your time with your little ones, as they are only little for a short while!

Follow @MumsandMe

Christmas Storytelling at Fortnum and Mason (every weekend, until Christmas). Please click here for more information.

Designers Christmas Market 14 – 16 December 2012.This fantastic market showcases 50 UK design and craft practitioners. Enjoy browsing and shopping for great original gifts, including ceramics, jewellery, textiles, homewares and print. Click here for more information.

Family Event: Horrible Histories Christmas Special at the National Portrait Gallery. Come and celebrate the festive season in Tudor style… Pop into the theatre to meet cast members from Horrible Histories – Barmy Britain and find out all about Tudor life. Take your pick from a range of free activities including making royal crowns, designing a festive wreath and making a pomander to ward off bad smells! Some activities require a ticket available on the day, please click here for more information.

Christmas festive fun at Battersea Park Children’s Zoo. Click here for more information.

Christmas workshops at Lauderdale House. Saturdays 15, 18 20 and 21. Booking essential. Click here for more information.

Ice Rink Canary Wharf, is already open and is a lot of fun! Head to Canary Wharf during the festive season for the children to enjoy a range of free festive activities during all weekends in December and Christmas Eve throughout Canary Wharf’s malls including art and craft workshops, festive face painting and a magical treasure hunt. These are all FREE. Also, don’t forget to visit Santa’s Grotto (from 1-24 December 2012).

Winter Wonderland workshops at the National Gallery. Friday 14 December. Various times. FREE. Click here for more information.

Mirror Mirror’s Christmas Magic Lantern Show at the Museum of Childhood. Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 December 2012. Join Victorian sisters Anna and Bea for their annual family magic lantern show – an atmospheric tale of mystery and adventure! Suitable for ages 3+. Click here for more information.

Jigsaw Japes at Bank of England Museum. During the Christmas and New Year break (17 – 21, 24, 27, 28 and 31 December and 2 – 4 January), the Museum presents Jigsaw Japes, a special event to entertain the whole family. Children of all ages can draw their favourite Museum object on a pre-cut jigsaw to take home. Click here for more information.

Enjoy a day at the Science Museum this festive season, with museum tours, storytelling and a visit to the Garden is a must (suitable for under 5s). Click here for more information. Also don’t miss your chance to watch Santa vs. the Snowman 3D (U) at the IMAX, Science Museum. Showing every weekend in December. For only £5 your little one will enjoy watching duck snowballs, elves and jet-propelled reindeers as Santa takes on a lonely snowman who wants nothing more than to take over Christmas and become the world’s most beloved festive character. Click here for more information.

Westfield London Ice Rink and Santa’s Grotto. This Christmas, Westfield London will be cooler than ever as an indoor Ice Rink takes over the Atrium, it’s the perfect place to go ice skating in London with your little ones. Westfield London’s Grotto will have a 5D film that each child’s name and picture will feature in the film, as Elbow the Elf saves Christmas. Click here for more information.

RBKC Library. Make a Christmas decoration 10 Dec, 3.30 to 5.30pm Kensington Central Library. Winter Storytelling 2 Jan,2 to 3pm Kensington Central Library.

London New Year’s Day Parade will be taking place on the 1st January 2013. The Parade starts at 11.45am on Piccadilly at the junction with Berkeley Street outside the Ritz Hotel and finishes around 3pm at Parliament Street. Click here for more information.

Christmas Grotto at Whiteleys. Click here for more information.

Kids’ Zone at the National Army Museum. Kids Zone is great for children aged 0-8 with forest and arctic themed climbing frames for kids to scale, slide and run through. There is also a soft play area for babies, toys, and arts and crafts. It is open daily from 10.10am to 5.15pm. For only £2.50 per child this is a great way for little ones to let off some steam. Tickets for all day sessions tend to sell out before 11.00am during school holidays, so it is always best to book online to avoid disappointment. Please note the Museum is not open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Adults are FREE.
Meet Santa at Whole Foods Kensington! Grotto is open Saturdays 11am-7pm and Sundays 10am-6pm. There are only six family slots per hour so book early to avoid disappointment. The Room with a View. Email kensington@wholefoods.com for more information.

Christmas Crafts and Seasonal Stories at Museum of Childhood. FREE, drop in. Saturdays 15, 22 December Sundays 16, 23 December. Thursday 27 December – Sunday 6 January Excluding New Years Day 10.30-16.00. Find out how families celebrated Christmas 100 years ago! Enjoy a creative re-telling of The Nutcracker and create seasonal crackers, baubles, retro decorations and cards with help from the Retired and Senior Service Volunteers. Click here for more information.

Christmas at Kensington Palace. 1 – 23 December 2012. Prepare to be spellbound as Kensington Palace is transformed into a unique palace-sized Advent Calendar this December. Click here for more information.

Hampton Court Palace ice rink opens Saturday 1 December 2012 – until Sunday 13 January 2013. Great for a festive family gathering. Click here for more information.

Christmas Party at Bramley’s Big Adventure.Thursday 20th December 2012. There will be disco, fancy dress, Santa and goody bag. £10 per child. Click here for more information.

Santa’s Grotto is coming to Kew Gardens. London’s Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew has loads of festive family events this Christmas. From 08 December 2012 – Sun 06 January 2013, excluding 24 and 25 December. Enjoy a magical visit to Santa’s Grotto in the Princess of Wales Conservatory and then continue the fun with a ride on the enchanting carousel. There will also be face painting during the whole of December. Parents and carers can enjoy this hands on session and discover and learn about Christmas plants.

Meet Santa and London’s reindeer herd at London Zoo. Running until 24 Dec 2012 – All Day. Come and visit Santa at his winter lodge, a custom-designed grotto built in the fairytale setting of ZSL London Zoo’s memorial gardens –and also visit London’s very own reindeer herd! Suitable for children 10 years and under. Click here for more information.

Skate at Somerset House. Celebrate the festive season in style at London’s most glamorous ice rink. Click here for more information. Also check out club nights, for your date night with your other half, it sounds great! They also have the penguin club where children under 8 years old can skate in a safe environment to take their first steps on the ice at the training rink, and those over 8 years old can take part in Skate Lessons.

Southbank Centre Christmas Market will be open from Friday 16 November 2012 – Monday 24 December 2012. FREE. Wooden chalets filled with festive food, drink, gifts and treats run along the twinkling riverside. Enjoy mulled wine, bratwurst and gingerbread while taking in the lights, sights and sounds of London at Christmas time. Come along and get in the Christmas mood! Click here for more information.

Outdoor Ice Skating at Westfield Stratford City. Skate under the stars in the awesome surroundings of Europe’s largest shopping centre at Westfield Stratford City’s Outdoor Ice Rink in Market Square. Also don’t miss Santa’s Grotto at Westfield Stratford City.

Natural History Museum Ice Rink is now open. Embrace winter in their 950-square-metre ice rink, London’s most spectacular winter attraction. Plan your visit and book your tickets online.

Santa’s Grotto at the Duke of York Square -23 December 2012. FREE

The Tower of London Ice Rink. London’s most dramatic open-air ice rink returns to the spectacular setting of the Tower of London. Located in the moat, the ice rink is set against the magnificent fortress battlements, providing a stunning setting for winter skating in the City. This makes the perfect winter treat for the whole family. Click here for more information.

Meet Father Christmas at Hamleys this Christmas! Click here for more information.

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. . This is probably one of my favourite winter events. It is absolutely wonderful, its got everything from roller coaster rides, circus, Santa’s land, Magical Ice Kingdom to name just a few and one of the best Christmas markets I have been to. This year’s ice ring is Ice Age 4. Just make sure you wrap up warm! Winter Wonderland is free to enter. However you will need to buy tickets for the attractions & rides.

Pop-Up Performances: Festive Performance at Victoria and Albert Museum. Sat 29 December 2012 –Sun 6 January 2013. Watch the dance of ‘The Nutcracker’ on weekends or see a fun gallery play during the week. Click here for more information. Also showing The Imagination Station – Christmas & New Year. Sat 29 December 2012 –Sun 6 January 2013. Create imaginative Victorian Christmas decorations. Suitable for ages 4+. Click here for more information.

LEGO’s countdown to Christmas with the LEGO advent calendar. This is really impressive work. Head to South Hall of Covent Garden at 4 pm every day until Christmas to witness a special guest opening a door of the giant LEGO advent calendar. While you are there, don’t forget to Meet a real-life Rudolf every Saturday at Covent Garden Piazza from 12pm to 4pm. Kids will love to hand-feed and pet them.

Christmas Storytime at the Museum of London Docklands. Thursday 27 Dec, 10.30-11am, 11.30am – 12pm & 2-2.30pm. FREE. Enjoy a festive story together, told using puppets, museum objects and music – then come and play in the Mudlarks children’s gallery if you have energy to spare! Suitable for 1year+. Click here for more information.

Winter Festival at Southbank Centre, is all about a season of magical encounters including magical Christmas shows, free music and events. Click here for more information.

To be kept in the loop with the local scoop with the latest in children activities, playgroup and family outings, join Kensington Mums where you get free updates with what’s on for you and your little one(s). You are welcome to connect with other Mums to share your tips and recommendation and capture all those invaluable word of mouth recommendations. It’s a fantastic support network! Kensington Mums also organises Mummy and baby outings as well as Mums Night out and pamper events! Visit www.kensingtonmums.co.uk You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter @KensingtonMums. Enjoy your time with your little ones, as they are only little for a short while!

Follow @MumsandMe

It doesn’t have to be stressful though. If you follow these brilliant pieces of advice from other mums, you’ll definitely take the headache out of the pre-Christmas period and, you never know, you may actually enjoy it!

Photo credit: Jasleen Kaur

We’ll give the first word to Cat at Yellow Days, who recommends taking half an hour to sit down and write up the list to end all lists. “Writing a big list means you don’t have to try and keep all these jobs in your head. I split mine into sections; presents, food, school stuff (for parties, nativities etc) and ‘other’. I feel much better once I can see exactly what I’ve got left to do and cross it off as I go.”

Great advice! Now, for some more…

• Presents:

Emma at Emma and 3 – buy an extra present just in case.

“Have an extra wrapped box of chocoaltes, wine and a toy, ready for those unexpected visitors who turn up with presents. You just never know!”

Sophie at Super Amazing Mum – have a present cupboard with emergency supplies

“Have a few emergency supplies so you can upcycle presents that your kids get duplicates of – that way in an emergency you’ll have presents for Christmas or Kids parties! We’ve had guests downstairs before and I’ve been frantically rooting through the present cupboard – it works a treat.”

Aly at Plus 2.4 – save money and make homemade presents early

“I start making presents for close family in August as it gets too expensive buying everyone presents. I made piccalilli, chutney, jams, Christmas pudding, flavoured oils, preserved oranges, Limoncello, lemon curd, comfits and after eight mints this year.”

• Wrapping:

Helen at Actually Mummy – choose different wrapping for each child

“I use blue Santa paper for my son and red Santa paper for my daughter. It may be stereotyping but it saves me labelling everything and I can shove it all in the cupboard and forget about it until Christmas Eve.”

Kara at Chelsea Mamma – if you leave Santa a present make sure you use different wrapping

“Don’t wrap Santa’s presents in the same paper as the family ones – I made that mistake one year and got questioned by a three year old!”

Jen at Jenography – have a wrapping box with all your supplies to hand

“I create a wrapping box with several containers of tape, 3 or 4 rolls of paper, loads of ribbons and a couple of pairs of scissors. I can bring it out, do wrapping alone or with kids, then pop it all back in and don’t spend time running around looking for scissors. Also – save ribbons from this year for next!”

Penny at Being Mrs C – wrap a few presents every evening so they’re not all left until Christmas Eve

“I recommend wrapping a few presents every evening so there’s less of a job on Christmas Eve. Also, you’re less likely to run out of wrapping paper once all the shops are shut – guess who learnt from experience on that one!”

•  Food and the dreaded food shop:

Jayne at Mums The Word – shop online and use Excel spreadsheets to organise your lists

“I have a spreadsheet for presents, one column for names, one column for ideas and then I change the colour of the idea when I’ve actually bought it, it’s a really good way to see at a glance who you still have to buy for. I also have a spreadsheet for dinner because I’m cooking this year, so it’s a great way to keep track of ideas for side-dishes and what ingredients I need to buy. And I do at least 90% of my shopping online to save the stress of facing the busy shops at this time of year.”

Ruth at Dorky Mum – buy your groceries online to avoid forgetting things

“Using online delivery for all your food can help you avoid forgetting items from your list.  We’re getting our turkey and a box of Christmas dinner fruit & veggies from Abel & Cole, and they also do bits and pieces like chicken stock, herbs, duck fat etc.”

Emily at A Mummy Too – start preparing your food early to save time later

“Stick a load of roughly chopped veggies in a roasting tray, add a generous slug of olive oil and some sprigs of rosemary, then bake til soft through and crispy at the edges, stick in the blender with some stock, seasoning and paprika to taste, whiz until smooth, pour into a large tupperware container and freeze. Defrost on Xmas day and warm through – that’s your starter sorted without any faff.”

Tanya at Mummy Barrow – freeze ice cubes of milk so you don’t need to pop to the shop on Christmas Day

“My top tip is to pour a pint of milk into ice cube trays and freeze them. Then if you run out you can still have a cuppa before rushing to the shop. Drop the ice cube of milk into your tea and it just melts.”

Phew! We’re almost starting to relax as we realise we’re nearly there. Good luck surviving the busy few days and here’s to a fantastic Christmas – I think we’ll all have deserved a rest by the time the big day actually arrives.

If you have any tips we haven’t mentioned, feel free to share them with us in the comments section.

Follow @MumsandMe

I’m Molly and I write and edit the Mums and Me blog. As a busy working mum juggling motherhood to a two year old and working up to 70 hours a week, the concept of “me time” is scarce. But here at Mums and Me we know that carving a little slice for yourself is important – and we think it makes us better parents in the long run.

So, here’s what I’ve been up to this week. I can’t wait to hear what you’ve been doing too.

Being December, it’s now officially OK to talk about Christmas. I haven’t put my tree up yet but I’ve been enjoying readying the house in preparation for the main event next weekend. I love being at home and making the house warm and inviting at this time of year. When the nights are dark and cold it seems even more important to make the most of our little cottage, turning into a haven of domestic cosiness.

This week has been all about the table decorations for me. We took a family trip to the woods and collected pinecones, before covering them in glitter together. Then, after my toddler had gone to bed, I set about putting them in empty jars and lining them up on the mantelpiece for a thrifty and festive decoration.

I also mixed some of the glitter creations in with non-glittered pinecones and added some slices of oranges I’d dried out in the oven at a really low temperature. Add a few cinnamon sticks and a lovely church candle and hey presto! we have another table decoration.

It smells delicious – just like Christmas – and really adds a touch of festivity to the room, even though we haven’t yet put up our tree.

And you know the best thing about this little bit of “me time”? I get to enjoy it whenever I’m in the living room relaxing. Perfect.

Now, what have you been up to? Remember – anything goes, as long as it’s something you’ve done for you and you alone.

Write about it, grab the badge on the sidebar and link up below. Happy Me Time Monday!

Follow @MumsandMe

From the big buys to the smaller, handmade ones, here’s what they told us.

Young kids love the little things

When it comes to presents, bigger isn’t necessarily best. Young kids especially can become fixated on the most random of gifts, that are often the cheapest.

“I’ve always found the stocking is the thing that goes down the best on Christmas Day,” says Vicky who blogs at A Cupcake Mum.

“I fill my son’s stocking with bits from the pound shop and home bargains. For some reason, he plays with these more than the big presents which seem to overwhelm him. Last year, he spent two hours playing with a snowman shaped balloon!”

Family games are always a winner

They don’t have to be the most pricey of games, as long as they encourage interaction
and give a great opportunity for family time. Children love playing as a family and with most of us on holiday over Christmas it seems like a great time to make the most of these types of games

“My daughter was five last year and absolutely loved her Top Trumps cards,” says Louise
who blogs at All The Camping Gear.

“They’re great for numeracy and a bit of literacy and you can get them in all kinds of versions, not just the Top Trumps brand. They’re also really easy to just drop in a handbag or glove box and literally give us hours of entertainment – perfect for a few quid!”

Buy things you can add to

Children are fickle. They can go off presents and toys faster than you can say “Boo!”
Buying gifts that you can add to later on is a great way to keep their attention.

“It’s handy and cost-effective to get things that can be developed as children grow older, to avoid them growing out of their present too soon,” says Cat who blogs at Cat’s Yellow Days. “For example, starting with basic lego and getting more complex sets over time that still work with the original stuff is a great way of making the sure the first gift is still used.”

“Also, don’t feel bad about giving hand-me-downs. You can easily give older toys a new lease of life with new stickers or paint and children are just as pleased with the gift which is new to them.”

If you go big, do your research

Larger presents like computer games can be received with huge excitement, but to make sure you’re not throwing your money away you need to do your research. What will your child really get out of such an expensive present and will they really play with it for longer than just Christmas Day?

“Last year my dad bought by daughter a Wii and we bought her a drawing tablet with a couple of games,” says Jayne who blogs at Mums The Word. “She suffered a bit with shaky hands and lacked fine motor skills because of her traumatic birth, but since she started using her tablet, her fine motor skills, reflexes, literacy and numeracy skills have all improved massively. It’s something that will grow with her too, because it can be used with newer games.”

Kids love giving – so teach them about charity

Children love the excitement of giving gifts on Christmas Day, so what better way to introduce ideas of charity and sharing? After all, it’s a great opportunity to help children learn some of the key messages behind the festival.

“The year after the Boxing Day Tsunami we decided to do a ‘giving something back’ Christmas,” says Mummy Barrow.

“We lost two friends in the Tsunami, so it was important to us. I got a lot of Oxfam
donation gifts where you see what your money has gone towards. For example, my father in law got a latrine in the Sudan, but the gift he actually opened was a small doll’s house toilet with straw on the ground! We made 12 boxes, with a different item in each one to symbolise what we’d bought with our donations. The kids loved putting them all together and buying the bits, like toy goats etc. It was great and the children have never forgotten it.”

Give a gift to inspire their imagination

Here at Mums and Me, we love presents that inspire children and encourage them to play in their own world. This is why we really love the wooden play kitchen set on offer here.

Any toys that encourage imaginative play are right up our street – it could be something
as simple as an empty cardboard box, if it encourages children to enter their own world
then we think it makes a brilliant gift!

Mary, who blogs at Keynko says a large cardboard box was one of her children’s favourite ever toys! “We’d had furniture delivered and we painted the box and decorated it to make it look like shop counter. Extra boxes and cardboard tubes were used for shelves. We’d collected empty packets and boxes, filled empty jars with lentils and beans and bought a cheap set of kitchen scales for measuring. It lasted about 10 years in the end and gave them hours of amusement.”

Photographs last a lifetime

Children love to look at photographs of themselves and familiar faces. This makes a photo album full of pictures of your kids with family and friends a really lovely idea.

“Photo books are always a huge hit here,” says Ruth from Dorky Mum. “We fill it with pics taken of our son throughout the year on days out, with family and friends and on holidays etc. He loves looking at them on Christmas morning and they last longer than most presents do. He still likes looking at the ones from 1,2 and 3 years ago!”

Have you got any suggestions to share? What presents have gone down well in your house over the years?

Follow @MumsandMe

But as a huge Christmas fan, I’m not going to let the busy pre-Christmas period become a chore. Instead, I’ve decided to try and use it as a way to enjoy a bit of time to myself. Let me explain.

For me, Christmas means family and food. I love to cook as much of the food as I can myself and look forward to bustling around the kitchen on cold winter days, preparing treats that we’ll all enjoy together as a family once the holiday season begins.

Actually having time to cook – and enjoy it – is a rarity these days. As soon as she sees me go into the kitchen my inquisitive two year old wants to help, which means if I actually want to get anything done I have to wait until she’s asleep. And toddler nap time often means mummy work time.

This weekend was a bit different. I spent a lovely relaxing Sunday morning in my pyjamas and dressing gown, cooking up a huge batch of chutney which I jarred up and squirrelled away in the cupboards ready to be served with cold meats and cheeses over Christmas. I’m also planning to decorate some of the jars and give them as gifts.

While I was busy enjoying myself in the kitchen, my toddler was playing with her daddy in the living room, meaning I had a good hour to myself chopping and stirring and jarring. Afterwards I felt relaxed and satisfied that I’d managed to cram in a bit of time on my own, doing something productive and enjoyable. This is rare on a Sunday morning!

So tell me, how have you enjoyed some “me time” this week. Link up and tell us all about it – and don’t forget to grab our badge on the sidebar to shout all about Me Time Monday.

We’ve decided to make this a fortnightly feature (it turns out “me time” for mums was even harder than we first thought) so you’ll have even more time to cram in some time to yourself. Your Me Time Monday post doesn’t have to be cooking related – it can be anything you’ve done just for you. Perhaps you’ve read a good book, enjoyed some pampering, had an early night or an evening out with your friends – whatever you’ve done I can’t wait to read all about it.

Molly x

Follow @MumsandMe

Featured in the picture above are an Easy Homemade Advent Calendar (to make with the kids) at Jennifer’s Little World, the Books for Advent idea at Here Come the Girls and a Cookie Advent Tradition at Life at the Zoo.

Read on for two very different DIY Advent Calendar ideas….

1)      Hard version: Sewn fabric pockets

This is the Advent Calendar to make if you’re looking for a bigger project to take on. It’s more of an adult craft project, as it involves slightly fiddly sewing and lots of cutting.

You can buy DIY kits to create the same effect – this is from Buttonbag.

1)      Cut a length of strong fabric – or buy some already cut to size. Choose the size you want, but you’ll need it around a metre wide and a metre and a half in length. If you go too small, it’ll make the next phase too fiddly. Pick a strong fabric that won’t fray and will be able to hold a certain amount of weight – a canvas is the best type of material.

2)      Fold over around 2 inches at the top of the canvas and sew along to create a small loop that you can insert a length of dowelling or bamboo into, to hang your Advent Calendar from the wall.

3)      Place your 24 gifts on to the fabric, so you can see how they need to be spaced out across the Calendar. When you’re choosing your gifts go for small, cheap and cheerful. We love chocolate coins, small pots of glitter, little pots of lip balm, lollipops, hair clips, small plastic figures etc.

4)      Then cut out 24 pockets of felt to sew onto your canvas, making sure each pocket is big enough to hold each gift. You will need to cut each pocket slightly bigger than the size of the pocket itself, to allow room for the seams at the side and bottom of the pocket.

5)      Before you sew each pocket onto the canvas, decorate it with either sewn on Christmas felt shapes (made from the left over felt), ribbons, or stick on glitter using fabric glue. Alternatively, create 24 small tags with a Christmas stamp design and peg these to the front of the pockets once they’re sewn onto the canvas.  Don’t forget to add a number to each pocket (1-24) either in sewn on felt, ribbon or embroidered thread.

6)      Attach your pockets to the canvas – this is the time consuming bit! We recommend sewing using a thick embroidery thread.

7)      Fill each pocket with your chosen treats.

8)      Hang using the ends of the dowelling or bamboo that poke out of the side of the loop at the top of the canvas, or sew a sturdy hook to the back of the canvas using left over canvas material.

 1)      Easy version: Ribbon Advent Calendar

This is a great design to make if you’re looking for something a bit easier to make, with minimal effort! We love the idea of turning it into a family activity and encouraging your kids to draw their own little Christmas themed drawings to add to the Calendar.

1)      String a length of ribbon along a wall, fireplace or down the stairs. Choose a strong, festive coloured ribbon.

2)      Buy 24 small envelopes (the ones you can get with small gift tags are perfect) that can be filled with tiny treats.

3)      Decorate each envelope with a number between 1 and 24. Use coloured pencils / paint / glitter.

4)      Fill each envelope with a Christmas themed picture that’s been drawn by your kids, or an image cut out from an old Christmas card, or a small chocolate coin etc.

5)      Peg each envelope to your length of ribbon and voila! You have an easy DIY Advent Calendar.

You can find lots of ideas for DIY Advent Calendars over at Rainy Day Mum who has put together a brilliant round-up from other crafty parents. Definitely worth a look!

Follow @MumsandMe

I’m Molly and I write and edit the Mums and Me blog. Like every mum I know, time is precious. I don’t have much of it and what I do have seems to be spent frantically putting a load of washing on or running a duster over neglected surfaces. So called “me time” is rare. Very rare. But that’s beginning to change as I take on the Me Time Monday challenge and try to carve a tiny bit of time for myself out of my never-ending schedule.

This week I followed Dorky Mum’s advice and took myself to bed early one evening with a book. I switched off my computer, ignored Twitter and Facebook, instead snuggling down with a Rose Tremain classic. I love reading and it’s an activity that – right up until this time last year – I did every day without fail.

My degree in English Literature meant I had to read five or six books every couple of weeks for three years, which is probably how I eventually ended up finding myself in my current state as a writer, journalist and lover of words. Things changed last year when I started taking on more work projects. Instead of looking forward to an hour in bed at the end of the day with a good book, I’d collapse into bed exhausted and be too tired to turn out the light, let alone pick up a book.

It’s a shame, because I really do love reading. Books feed your soul, give you a new slant on the world and make you enter places in your mind you never knew existed. I’m thankful that my gorgeous toddler has a huge appetite for books and we read three or four stories every night before bed. But as much as I love Peace at Last and The Gruffalo, they’re no replacement for my own novels.

So that was my “me time” last week. And I fully intend to replicate it again this week.

How about you? Link up and tell me how you’ll be spending a bit of time to yourself this week. Remember, anything goes – as long as it’s something you’ve done for you and no one else. The linky will be open for a week before the next Me Time Monday comes around. Don’t forget to grab the badge on the sidebar and tell the world we’re here. You never know, it might lead to a few more “me time” devotees.

Happy Me Time Monday. Now, I’m off to read a book.

Follow @MumsandMe

***

Choosing a babysitter is tough, but finding the right nanny is even harder. There are a lot of things to consider before you hire the right person for your family.  Follow these simple guidelines and you will find your very own personal Mary Poppins!

Make a list and stick with it: Before you start your hunt for the best nanny, know what you want first. Take the time to talk with your with your spouse and your children on what you expect from the nanny as far as personality, education, punishment practices, daily duties and other things that are important in your family and household. Write out all the things you are looking for and remind yourself through the hiring process what you need in a nanny and stick to your list.

Use an online agency to help: Once you have decided what kind of nanny you are looking for, there are plenty of online nanny agencies that can help you with your decision. Trust sites that have reputable backgrounds, good references and great reviews from other families and the nannies. Online agencies can put you in contact with nannies and are willing to answer and help you with all your questions.

Review the nanny: Once you have narrowed down your nanny options be sure to review your nanny. Go over their resume and past work history. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions. Always call their list of references and never forget to run that background check. Good nannies should have no problem giving you the ok to do so. They understand how serious hiring a nanny can be, so a nanny that is helpful during this process is a good one.

Meet the nanny: Once you have checked your nanny out, it’s best to introduce the kids to the nanny to see how they interact. Alwaysmeet with the nanny first before you introduce the kids. You do not have to hire the nanny based off of one interview. Feel free to invite the nanny over several times before making your decision, and then introduce the kids. Step out of the room for a bit and allow the kids and nanny to interact. After they have done so sit down with your kids ask them what they thought, as well as asking the nanny.

Go with your gut: Always trust your first instinct and your gut feeling. Typically that first feeling is a good indicator of good or bad in the nanny. If you feel something isn’t right, then don’t risk that feeling as ‘just a feeling’ and find a new nanny. When in doubt, find another nanny.

Follow @MumsandMe

But with the wealth of ideas around it can sometimes be daunting when making a final decision about furniture, colour schemes and textiles. There’s almost too much to choose from, meaning lots of us end up sticking with a fairly plain and neutral look just for an easy life.

So, to help you, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite ideas for cheap and easy ways to do up a child’s room without having to skimp on style.

Don’t put all your eggs in one (colour) basket

Unless you want to have to do a makeover every year or so, hedge your bets with the colour scheme and leave the walls fairly plain. Remember how different your child was this time last year? We all know how fickle kids can be and that holds true for decorations.

Keeping it plain on the big spaces will save you time in the long run, according to interiors journalist and blogger at the gorgeous Growing Spaces, Heather Young.”My top tip for kids’ rooms is to keep the walls and floors neutral and then add colour and pattern with soft furnishings like curtains and rugs plus colourful artwork and accessories. This’ll make it much easier to update the room when your child gets older and wants to put their own stamp on the space.”

There’s nothing wrong with second hand furniture

That old chest that your mum gave you? Those old bookcases in the attic? Drag them out and give them a new lease of life! Painting furniture, buying new handles and decoupage are all great ways to upcycle an old favourite and bring it bang up to date.

With bookcases, try painting the back of the shelves a striking colour to add a splash of life to a plain room. Use decoupage effects to give a personal touch to an old toy chest or a chest of drawers.

We absolutely love the tutorials and inspiration over at Mum of All Trades, which is packed full of ideas like personalising an old Ikea table with a child’s drawing of a map, sourcing bargains to do up from second hand sites and using decoupage to add something special to a piece of furniture that’s been overlooked before.

It’s all about the art

Investing in some fun art will really add some life and personality to a child’s room. It doesn’t have to be in the form of expensive prints or paintings from The Tate, it can simply be fun wall stickers like the ones on offer with FunToSee. These stickers are a fantastic way to immediately add a bit of zing to a tired room – plus they peel off so if you want to remove them at a later date it’s not an issue.

We also love the idea of framing your own child’s art to hang on their wall. If you’re going for a themed bedroom you could encourage them to draw some pictures that fit with the theme – a great piece of one off art plus a brilliant activity to do together. Or you could paper part of a wall with plain white wall paper, create a frame around it with a lick of paint and turn it into a huge blank canvas for your little one to fill.

Pick hardy items

OK, so you may have a hankering for frilly furniture that looks very pretty – lots of us do, right? But when it comes to a child’s room, hardiness is the key. Just think of all the playing and jumping that’s likely to go on in there!

Keep this in mind when you’re picking out new bits of furniture – and opt for wipe clean, strong and durable. You might not believe us but it IS possible to get all three of these things AS WELL as a gorgeous look. Just check out Growing Spaces for proof (and inspiration) of this.

Storage is the secret

Kids have stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. And to keep that stuff tidy takes quite a bit of clever storage. You don’t need to spend a fortune if you don’t want to. There are lots of great ideas out there for simple storage solutions on a budget.

For example, you could paint a wooden box with magnetic blackboard paint and turn it into a fun and quirky answer to your toy storage needs. Or you could create your own DIY fabric boxes like these ones we spotted on Pinterest.

Creating your own storage will add that extra unique quality to your child’s room and save you some cash to spend on other lovely things!

How did you choose to decorate or revamp your little one’s room? Any great tips to share?

cheap Diamox

Follow @MumsandMe