Celebrating Chinese New Year

Whether you have friends that are Chinese or simply enjoy getting involved in the customs of other cultures from around the world, Chinese New Year is becoming a popular celebration to get involved with.  Many cities around the world that have a Chinatown will have organised New Year celebrations but the essence of the holiday is getting together with friends and family so this can be done on a smaller level in your own home.

Basics

Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival and isn’t a single day as the New Year here is in the UK but a fifteen day long celebration that begins with the preparations in the old year and goes through for days afterwards.  The date is defined by a combination of the solar and lunar calendar and a series of complicated astronomical calculations – in 2016, the result is that it is on Monday 8^th February.  The occasion is also celebrated in parts of south-east Asia including Vietnam where is it called Tet, Malaysia and Taiwan. 

One of the big parts of celebrating Chinese New Year isn’t as much fun as the food and fireworks – the cleaning of the house.  Chinese believe it is important to give the house a good clean before the event, a little like our spring clean.  This cleans away any bad luck accumulated over the previous year.  Decorations are then put up with red being a central theme as it is considered lucky.  Paper cut decorations are popular as the tradition dates back to ancient Han times in China.

Food traditions

In northern China, dumplings are a central part of the New Year traditions.  A fish dish is also considered important to serve for the New Year’s Eve Dinner, where all the family and friends gather together.  Just like our New Year, every stays up until midnight for the fireworks.

New Year Cake is made from glutinous flour with sugar and is a popular dish to serve on the occasion for those from the east of China.  Tang Yuan is also made with glutinous rice flour, mixed with water and made into small balls.  These are served in boiling water and can be filled or left unfilled.  It is often associated with the Lantern Festival, on the 15^th of the first month of the New Year.

A Tray of Togetherness is another food tradition – it is an octagon shaped tray that has eight compartments and each is filled with symbolic foods.  These might be things like lotus seeds and lychee nuts that give a sweet start to the year.  Everyone takes a little from the compartments as part of the celebration.

Gift traditions

Red again features in traditional gifts to celebrate the occasion, with small red packets called leisee being given to children.  They have gold symbols on them and are filled with ‘lucky money’.  Of course if your guests aren’t Chinese, then you could opt for a personalised gift to celebrate the New Year, such as a glass with the event and year on it.

Why Valentine’s Isn’t Just About Roses

It can be easy to fall into the trap around Valentine’s Day to pay a fortune for some red roses or perhaps splash out on a big box of chocolates.  And there’s nothing wrong with either of these presents for the one you love but what about if they are on a diet and suffer with allergies?  Or if these traditional presents just don’t suit the person?  Then the good news is that Valentine’s Day is about more than just roses and chocolates.

Show your love

Modern Valentine’s Day is about showing your love for the one in your life and there are lots of ways to do this that will be with them for longer than traditional gifts such as flowers and chocolates.  Wall plaques are a popular way to show your love, with the ability to put a personalised message into them adding to the sentiment.  One example is the I Love You Valentine’s Teddy Bear Heart.  The recipient’s name can be added to the heart and the ceramic decoration hangs from the wall for a daily reminder of your love.

If the two of you live together, then the Love Tiles Personalised Cushion Cover is a great idea for your sofa or to sit on the bed.  Under the love tiles can be added up to 20 characters so both of your names is one idea or perhaps the date you moved in together or your anniversary.  Another reminder of your love that will last longer than a box of chocolates!

Fun presents

Valentine’s presents can also be the chance to give a fun present that tells someone you love them.  The I Love Personalised Sweet Jar is a great example.  With the I Love fixed text can be added two lines of up to 12 characters so you could add your name with the ‘& sweets’ for someone with a sweet tooth!

The Hearts and Buttons Mug is perfect for coffee fans and features a single area for a name then three lines on the reverse side of the mug with up to 25 characters per line to add a special message.  That way, every time the person has a mug of their favourite drink, they will remember your love.

Celebrating the day

If you want to do something special for Valentine’s Day, such as cook a meal or have an intimate cocktail party for two, then you can bring the present into the theme.  A bottle of prosecco with a personalised label may be an ideal way to celebrate the occasion and your love for each other.  Alternatively, if they are a fan of shot drinks, then a Be Mine Happy Valentine’s glass would be perfect to present to them on the night along with a bottle of their favourite spirit – Jägermeister or Tequila are two favourites for the short and sharp drink fan.

Whatever you choose to buy for your special person, being together is often the most important part of Valentine’s Day and whatever you get them, they are sure to love it like they do you.

Preparing for Your First Puppy

So the family has had a meeting and a decision has been made – you are going to get your first puppy.  Whether you are opting for a little ball of fluff or a big dog that will get bigger, there are some pieces of advice that remain the same.  Here we help you prepare for your first puppy.

Basics

The most important thing for any dog is their food and water so the first things you need to get are bowls for this.  There are some cute and funny shaped ones out there but most dog owners will tell you that a solid ceramic or stainless steel bowl are winners.  Plastic bowls are too easily chewed as those little teeth grow and these chew marks can actually harbour bacteria that can infect the food or cause teeth and gum infections.

A mat to stand these on is a good idea to help save the mess on the floor, though be prepared that the dishes don’t stay there all the time when the puppy is still in their exuberant and enthusiastic time!

Having mentioned chewing, this leads to another crucial element for a new puppy – toys.  If you don’t provide them with chewable (and destructible) toys, they will find items around the house to do the job.  Likely the thing you least want chewing or that could even be dangerous.  Chewable toys help them with their teeth and is enjoyable for them.  Make sure that the toys are specially designed for pets, non-toxic and don’t have any small parts that can be chewed off, swallowed and become a choking hazard.

Identification

There are several different ideas about identification for your puppy but it is important to choose an option as soon as you pick him up.  By law, all dogs need to wear a collar that has a tag on with your name and address, a phone number being a good idea too.  In addition to this, many owners choose to microchip the puppy too.  This is a quick and painless procedure carried out by your vet and isn’t as easy to shake loose as a collar can be.  Vets and shelters can scan the information on the chip if your puppy gets away from you and ensure you are reunited with them.

Other items

Grooming your puppy is important to help them keep their coat in good order but is also an important bonding experience between the two of you.  Pick them up a personalised dog brush that is only used for them and have a regular grooming session.  Dogs often need a bath too so best to get them used to this experience from a young age.

Before the puppy arrives, it is important to puppy-proof the house.  You might want to consider a stair gate if they are able to get to the stairs to stop accidents.  Also go around the house and think like a puppy – what can they chew?  How high will their reach be and what can they get at?  All of this can help avoid accidents and injuries once they have arrived, though your puppy should always be supervised when young.

How to Make New Year Resolutions that Stick

One constant of the New Year rituals for many people is making their New Year resolution.  We have grand ideas about changing ourselves, improving something about ourselves or doing something different and the new year seems the ideal time to put them into force.  Then by mid-January, the ideas have gone out of the window!  So how do you make New Year resolutions that stick?

Understand the mind

The first step to sticking to new year’s resolutions involves a little psychology.  Understanding why we give in can be a good way to try not to do this.  According to psychiatrists from Harvard medical school, self-restraint is a rational desire that is found in the front of the brain, the most recently evolved part.  This is often overridden by those old survival instincts that have been with us since cave man times.  Pleasure also lives in this instinctive area and when we do something pleasurable, the brain releases a chemical called dopamine.  In effect, we reward ourselves for doing something we enjoy, such as eating a particular food or drinking a certain drink.

Making and keeping new year’s resolutions, therefore, are about out-manoeuvring those instinctive urges and listening to the rational ones.  Sounds easy, right?

Making a resolution

Understanding how the brain works is only part of the process.  The actual resolution itself is a big factor in how successful you will be.  For instance, people make these big lists of things they want to change but the successful ones pick a single thing.  It could be stopping smoking, drinking less alcohol, eating better or even going for a walk every week.  Make sure it is something realistic and achievable with a bit of work.  Pick one thing and stick to it until it is achieved, then look at picking another.

Before you begin, do a little research into the subject to prepare yourself.  For instance, say you want to cut down on your intake of sugary drinks.  So look into what other drinks you can go for instead.  Smoothies are a popular option at this time of year for their detox properties and natural boosts.  So pick a favourite recipe then buy yourself a personalised high ball glass.  Instead of a birthday message, have a recipe printed on it or an inspiring quote.

Starting out

Choose a message about your resolution

New Year’s Day is a common start date for a resolution but it doesn’t have to be January 1^st when you start.  Pick a date when you are prepared for your resolution.  One suggestion is to write on a card what you are going to do and the start date or you can make it a bit fun and have a wooden plaque made that has the resolution and date on it.  Hang it somewhere relevant, such as the kitchen and glance as you are passing, reinforcing that it is a good thing and helping your brain stick with the rational side and ignore those pesky instincts.  Once you have completed the task, the plaque can act as a reminder of what you can do when you put your mind to it!

What is Dry January?

Let’s face it, many of us have too much to eat and drink over Christmas and New Year.  It’s a fun time and there’s lots of celebrating to do but come the first few days of the new year, we can feel a bit hideous.  A good detox works miracles but another idea that has come along is called Dry January.  But what is it and how can you take part?

Dry idea

The Dry January idea started in 2015 and saw over 2 million people cut down or cur out their drinking for the 31 days of the month.  Because we often manage to stick to a resolution if we have a little help, you can sign up on their website to take part.  The benefits include feeling better, potentially losing weight or sleeping better and even having a little more money in your pocket.  The campaign is run by Alcohol Concern who also work to raise money to dealing with the problems caused by alcohol on families and society as a whole.

What to drink instead

So if you are laying off the alcohol this January or simply want to replace it with something a little softer on the body, what are the best alternatives?

One of the best drinks around is always said to be water but there’s something a little lacking in a plain glass of water.  Next on the list is green tea which has a range of health benefits that are particularly useful at this time of year.  For example, it is known for sorting out problems in the digestive system right through to helping protect the body against serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis.  There are no calories in a mug of green tea and it is simple to make.  Get yourself a teapot, add the hot water and wait until it is just past boiling then pop in a green tea bag.  There are also varieties including green tea and peppermint or green tea with citrus to help adapt to the flavour.

Another tea drink that helps the digestive system after all the excess of Christmas is mint tea.  It helps food process through the digestive tract so is a perfect drink for Boxing Day!  It also helps to relax muscles so after all those nights standing around at parties, it is great to relax the body and allow it to feel better.

Soy milk may be a love it or hate it drink but it can be used in smoothies or other shakes to add ingredients to disguise the taste.  Soy milk has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease as well as lowering the bad cholesterol in the system.  You can even buy soy milk fortified with vitamins A and D as well as calcium to sneak in some of the benefits of full fat milk.

Cranberry juice is a great one to combat all those sugary treats over Christmas as it has been shown to help combat gum disease.  It also has antibacterial properties that can work again urinary tract infections.

Top New Year Canapé Ideas

If you are having a few guests round to celebrate New Year or even hosting a full on party, making a few special canapés yourself always adds something special to the buffet table.  Okay, the bigger the party, the more you are going to buy in but there are plenty of great recipe ideas that can cater for different numbers and don’t require a degree in fine dining to produce!

Modern sausage rolls

Sausage rolls have been the staple of the buffet table for generations and are still a favourite for many guests.  The Sausage and Fennel Seed Slices bring a modern variation of the classic party food.  All you need are 400 grams of sausage, either skinless or skin removed and 375 grams of ready rolled puff pastry.  Put the sausages into a bowl, squash them around and form them into two balls.  Pop them into cling film and roll them into a cylinder around 30cm long.  Keep them in the fridge. 

Next, lay out the pastry and cut unto four strips that are 40cm long and 10cm wide.  Place the sausage meat in the middle and then sprinkle with some fennel seeds.  Drape the pastry over the meat then brush it with egg then take three thin strips of pastry, plait them and lay them on the top, again brushing with egg.  Bake at 200 degrees for around 40 minutes until golden.

Potato and smoked salmon

Putting together potato and smoked salmon may not sound like the most successful combination but you may be surprised.  The Potato Cakes with Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese are a great alternative to the usual blini used to serve the luxury salmon.  Take 1kg of baking potatoes and cook them around about 1 hour 20 minutes until cooked.  Put the potato into that personalised bowl that the kids got you for your birthday, discarding the skins and mix in around 75grams of butter, 100 grams of plain flour and one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda.

Line a baking tray with parchment and brush it with butter.  Roll out the potato dough and put it on the tray, it might break up a bit but don’t worry, just push it back together!  Brush it with butter and bake for around 45 minutes.

Once the potato cakes are cooled, you are ready to add the salmon.  Whisk up 280 grams of full fat cream cheese with the juice of a lemon and 100 ml of double cream.  Spread this on the potato cake and cut them into squares.  Top with strips of salmon, a little dill and the zest of the lemon then serve.

Corn cups

You can use pre-made corn cups or make your own from circles of tortilla heated in the microwave then pushed into muffin tins.  Brush them with oil and bake for 8-10 minutes then leave to cool.  Next, chop up 100 grams of prawns and marinade in lime juice for 5 minutes.  Add them to a bowl with mango, red onion, chili and coriander and mix together.  Add these to the corn cups to bring a little Mexican to your New Year celebration.

Best Last Minute Christmas Gifts

So there’s just over two weeks to go before the big day and many of us are down to those last few awkward gifts that we need to finish our Christmas shopping.  There’s always someone on the list that you just don’t know what to get them or who say they don’t need anything.  So here are a few unusual last minute gifts to help inspire you to finish your list.

Food and drink lovers

If you know what someone’s favourite drink is, then this is always a good starting point for a present.  For example, if they enjoy making themselves cocktails, then a Gold Bubbles Personalised Cocktail Glass is perfect.  You can add a message onto the glass up to 50 characters so you can make it seasonal or just a special hello so they can remember you whenever they have their favourite margarita.

One of the biggest Christmas presents for fans of everything from smoothies to homemade soups and other healthy eating options is the Nutribullet.  This blender-smoothie maker is a top gift that many kitchen fans will be receiving.  If you know someone who is getting one, or has something similar, then their companion is the chopping board.  While these seem functional items, you can get personalised ones that bring a bit of fun and individuality to this item.  The Chef of the Year personalised chopping board lets you add up to 20 characters for the name as well as the year and is perfect for those pre-blending preparations.

With Love at Christmas

Sometimes a nice present from one family to another is something they can bring out each Christmas to remember the other.  Wooden plaques are a big trend, whether the shabby chic style or minimalist in style.  They can be used to send a variety of messages including for a Baby’s First Christmas, one for the kids and family versions.  The Merry Christmas Personalised Wooden Sign allows you to add up to 20 characters for the recipient’s name and comes with ribbon attached to mean it can be hung up straight away.

Kids often want to buy their friends special presents and it can be hard to pick something when kids are already getting their toys and clothes from family and friends.  One special idea that can be treasured for years to come is the snow globe.  Given as a child, it will still be a treasured seasonal memento when they are an adult.  With the Polar Bear Personalised Snow Globe you can add two lines worth of message onto the globe, wishing them love at Christmas and stating who it from to remember for all time.

Last post

Remember that most personalised items take seven to ten days to deliver so to ensure that you get the present through before the big day, don’t delay in ordering.  The last posting date for delivery by Christmas Eve is Saturday 19^th December for Second Class mail and Monday 21^st December for First Class post.  Merry Christmas!

Best Christmas Smoothies

There’s a lot that is great fun about Christmas and a bit of overindulgence is among them.  What with the chocolates, the wine, a few drinks after work, Christmas parties, big meals, party bits, the list just goes on.  Sometimes you end up feeling a bit yuck.  This is when a smoothie can be the perfect solution.  They don’t need to be ultra-healthy but can contain a few secret ingredients that make them both seasonal and helpful to your system.

Spices

Spices may be traditionally associated with Christmas cake or a good Indian meal but there are plenty of ways to include them in a smoothie and lots of benefits from doing so.  Take cinnamon, for example.  It is sweet flavoured and is known for its anti-oxidant benefits – it has the highest strength anti-oxidants of any food.  It also has anti-inflammatory properties to help with that sore knee when you walked into the table after a little too much mulled wine!

Another useful spice is cardamom, which comes in different colours from different parts of the world.  It too has anti-oxidant properties as well as helping the digestive system and the stomach as well as being a good source of minerals such as potassium that helps with body fluids.

The Gingerbread Smoothie is a great way to get these spices and more as well as having that Christmas cake vibe going.  Take one third of a cup of cashew nuts and soak them overnight.  Then pop them into the blender with:

• ½ banana
• ½ cup sweet potato puree
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger
• ½ tsp allspice
• ½ tsp cardamom
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 2 cups almond milk

Blend until all the ingredients are mixed and smooth then deposit into that personalise bistro cafélatte glass that the kids bought you for your birthday – it will do you much more good than that latte you normally use the glass for!

Detox

Sometimes, after the excess of Christmas Day, Boxing Day is a great time to start the detox process with a special smoothie for breakfast (or lunch if you were a little late in getting up!).  Spinach is known as a super food and for good reason.  They have very little calories but are packed with important nutrients.  They are good for skin and hair health after all that styling and makeup as well as giving you loads of vitamins and minerals.

To make the Detox Green Smoothie you need:

• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 cucumber
• ½ avocado
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1 lemon
• 1 handful mint leaves
• 1 tbsp. chia seeds

You can also add a scoop of vanilla protein if required and any other greens you have lying around if you want an extra boost.  Add everything to the blender and whizz until smooth, adding a little water if needed.

Conclusion

These are just a couple of ideas about Christmas smoothies but there are plenty of recipes available.  Whatever you do, enjoy Christmas and then have a bit of fun with the blender afterwards!

Why Hampers Make Great Christmas Presents

There are often people on our Christmas lists that we just aren’t sure what to buy for.  They are usually adults who are have very special interests or ones that don’t lead naturally to presents.  They may be older family members or friends who ‘have everything’ when asked what they want.  But one thing that can be a perfect Christmas present for these awkward customers is the hamper.

DIY hampers

Making a hamper is easier than it used to be and this can be a great option if you are dealing with someone who has specific dietary requirements.  They may be diabetic, need gluten free foods or other special diets that mean buying a hamper off the shelf is tricky.  By selecting the items to go into the basket yourself, you can ensure they fit in with their needs and requirements perfectly – after all, there’s nothing more depressing than a present you can’t use through no fault of your own and people with diet issues will often get these.

You can even theme the basket towards something they love – this can be anything from wine to coffee, chocolate to cheese.  Buy a selection of smaller items that fit neatly into the basket and carry a theme for a perfect treat.

Wicker baskets are easy to pick up with garden centres often stocking them as well as plenty of online places.  Some of the big department stores even offer a service to make your own hamper such as John Lewis.  Shredded paper is a good base to lay the items in or even crepe paper from the local art shop while you can let the kids at it with some glitter and sequins to give it a Christmas feel.

Personalised hampers

If you lack the time or the confidence to make up your own hamper then the other option is to buy a ready-made version.  One example is perfect for the coffee fan – the Coffee Mug Personalised Gift Hamper.  This hamper features ground coffee beans from Brazil and from Columbia as well as some chocolate to enjoy with it.  The stand out feature is the personalised mug which you can have up to 14 characters added to.  There are even three different designs to choose from to get the perfect match for the recipient.

Nor do hampers just need to be about food – beauty products, smellies and toiletries are popular choices, particularly for the ladies.  The Luxury Personalised Pamper Hamper is all about the smellies and will call out for a relaxing bath as soon as the recipient opens it.  Among the presents include are five hand cut soaps, a bath bomb, shower gel and hand cream.  The moisturizing bath butter is perfect for after the bath and the scented candle can be used anywhere around the house.  The finishing touch to the present is a bottle of sparkling rose wine with a personalised label on it.  She can lie back, sip her wine and enjoy the bath treats for a totally relaxing time – and will love you for giving the set to her! 

Top Natural Ways to Help Your Body Fight a Cold

While this year so far hasn’t been too cold, there’s little doubt that we are in the cold and flu time of the year.  Older people and those with health problems or vulnerabilities are all getting flu jabs and most of us are making sure there are cough medicines and other over the counter cures in the house, just in case.  But are there other, natural ways to help boost your body to assist in the fight against a cold?

Tasty and helpful

One of the best natural helpers is garlic.  Known for its anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, it is ideal for killing off the germs that cause the cold as well as giving the immune system a boost.  How often do you get a cold then straight away get another bug?  This is because your immune system has been hit by the cold and left vulnerable to other bacteria.  Giving it a boost can help combat this.  If you can manage it, mix together a clove of garlic, two teaspoons of lemon juice, one teaspoons of honey and a touch of either cayenne pepper or chili powder.  Take the mixture each day.  Alternatively, boil four or five cloves in water and add a teaspoon of honey.  Just remember, don’t use your favourite mug that the kids got for your birthday – garlic has a habit of making things stay garlic-flavoured!

Mentioned honey leads us to our next helpful ingredient.  Honey is known for its ability to soothe sore throats, which is why it is used in many medicines.  It also has a high number of nutrients and enzymes that are great at bacteria killing.  Add one teaspoon of lemon juice and two of honey in water then drink or even just take a spoonful of raw honey to ease a sore throat.

Spicy relief

Spice tea is an Ayurvedic remedy that is used to get rid of the common cold.  To make your own, take a quarter cup of coriander seeds, half a tablespoon of cumin and fennel seeds and a quarter teaspoon of fenugreek seeds then dry roast them as you would coffee.  Boil a cup of water and add one and a half table spoons of the mixture as well as half a teaspoon of rock candy.  Leave it for three of four minutes then add two tablespoons of milk.  Boil then strain it and sip while hot.

Ginger is another spice that has benefits when suffering with a cold.  It has anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties.  Ginger tea is a great option so get your teapot out.  Add a little lemon juice and honey to it for taste and extra benefits. 

Traditional ideas

Then there is good old chicken soup, still a great helper when you are feeling bad.  The reason the soup is so helpful is that it has lots of nutrients and vitamins that help fight the bacteria causing the cold as well as anti-oxidants to fight the symptoms.  So if all else fails, get yourself a bowl of this each day to help your body fight off that nasty bug.

What is Thanksgiving and Should We Celebrate it?

There are many traditions that our friends across in the USA celebrate that are making their way across the Atlantic to the UK.  Halloween is a prime example – while it originated here, it is the Americans who have made it the holiday it is today.  Thanksgiving is a very American holiday that is becoming popular to celebrate here in the UK, especially if you have friends who are from the US originally.  So what is it all about and how would we celebrate it?

Roots of Thanksgiving

The idea behind Thanksgiving is based in the traditions of the first Pilgrims and Puritans who travelled to the US back in the 1600s.  These settlers arrived in 1621 and were thankful when their first harvest produced crucial supplies for their new settlement so celebrated the event.  Therefore the root of Thanksgiving is similar to the harvest festivals celebrated around the world – celebrating a time of plenty when all the work of the year has produced the food needed to survive the winter.

Today, Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the US and is a secular holiday focused on spending time with family and friends as well as eating and drinking.  It is a time for larger gatherings that is typical at Christmas with ‘the more, the merrier’ being something of a saying for the occasion.  Americans also worry a lot about people being on their own at Thanksgiving and make a great effort to ensure no-one is by themselves.  The holiday is celebrated on the 4^th Thursday of November.

Thanksgiving traditions

One of the biggest traditions at Thanksgiving is football – not as we think of it, that’s soccer over in the US, but American Football.  There are usually at least three games on during the big day with around twelve hours of televised sports for fans.  The ThanksgivingDay Parade at Macy’s in New York has also become a huge tradition, for those visiting the city or just to watch on TV. 

However the biggest part of the traditions associated with Thanksgiving are around the food.  It isn’t the best time to be a turkey in the US, as this is the main meat for the day, though the President does traditionally pardon one each year at a fun ceremony at the White House.  Classic turkey served with stuffing is usually the centrepiece of the table.  Mash potatoes, glazed carrots and cranberry sauce are also found on most American tables while a green bean casserole is a side dish made with green beans and crusty Italian bread.  Cornbread is another dish we in the UK aren’t too familiar with that plays a big part.

For dessert, pumpkins are the top ingredient, a link to the harvest season origins of the holiday.  Pumpkin pie is one dish that is easy to make at home and is a great excuse to get out the personalised baking setthe kids got you for your birthday to put them to good use.  If you aren’t keen on pie, then pumpkin cheesecake or pumpkin bread pudding make themed alternatives.

Decorating Your Home for Christmas

There’s a lot going on a Christmas what with shopping, visiting friends and family and seasonal parties.  Decorating the house tends to be focused around the Christmas tree and we all put a lot of effort into decorating it.  But should we be considering more than just popping up the Christmas tree?

Seasonal candles

One of the best ways to enjoy the scents of winter and the Christmas season is through a candle and most companies have their own Christmas ranges.  These are often big on woody scents and seasonal smells as well as spices from the Christmas pudding.  But not everyone likes these strong and sometimes masculine smells so the option to stick with something that is a favourite all year round also works, such as vanilla.  Candles are also a great present, particularly personalised ones that allow you to add a special message to the candle jar including a name or a message that means something to you and the recipient.

If you have kids and don’t like the idea of real flames then the other option are diffusers.  These are usually jars or bottles filled with a scented liquid that come with sticks.  Insert the sticks into the jar and they absorb the liquid then evaporate into the room to create a gentle smell.  There are no flames involved and they have an equally long life span.

Fireplace decoration

If you have a fireplace or other feature in your living room, this often cries out for some seasonal decoration.  Whether you opt for the simple tinsel wreath or want to go for something more comprehensive, it isn’t an opportunity to be missed.  Wooden signs are a popular choice to hang above the fireplace and offer an instant Christmasmessage to anyone that enters the house when they are personalised.  Again, they make a great gift, particularly if a year is the first in their new home for a family.  It also makes for an ideal decoration for a baby’s bedroom, remembering their first Christmas that can be brought out each year.

If you don’t want too much clutter on the fireplace or are worried that you have a real fire and waving decorations could be a hazard, then a simple centrepiece could work well.  Candles are one choice and if you have kids or are young at heart, a snow globe is a great idea.  As well as traditional ones with village scenes and Santa Claus, modern versions often include cute teddies and fairies for those modern tastes.

Dining table decoration

Many people lay the table with special settings for Christmas including tableware for the occasion, candles and special serving dishes.  Special glasses can be added for each person with their own message added or otherwise, a Christmas personalised label on a bottle of Prosecco makes for a great Christmas present for someone who loves a glass of bubbly stuff with their Christmas lunch.  Wines and spirits can also have their own special bottle messages so place them on the table at the last moment for an extra surprise for someone special.

Christmas Traditions – The Snow Globe

From Santa Claus to reindeer, trees to baubles, there are many traditions we have associated with Christmas.  One of the most heart-warming and varied is the snow globe, that tiny world within a globe that instantly has a perfect snow covering with just the shake of a hand.  Yet compared to other traditions, the snow globe is a relative newcomer to the Christmas list.

History of the snow globe

The man credited with coming up with the idea of a snow globe was an Austrian man named Erwin Perzy.  Back in 1900 he lived in Vienna and came up with the concept with production starting five years later.  His company was called the Original Vienna Snow Globes and over a century later, the company still produces snow globes and is run by the grandson of the man, also called Erwin.

The idea for the snow globe came about in a total unexpected way – Perzy was trying to improve the brightness of the newly invented light bulb.  Looking to shoemakers of the time, who used a candle mounted inside a glass globe and got more light that way, his idea was to make a light bulb in the same way.  Unfortunately the idea wasn’t successful but he took his globe and one day added some semolina powder into it.  When he turned it around, the movement of the powder reminded him of snow falling.

After this, a miniature scene was added and for the first four decades of production, these were always including a tiny church.  After the Second World War, Perzy II took over production and widened the range.  Along came Christmas trees, Father Christmas and snowmen inside the tiny globes.  He also created a new material for their artificial snow – a family secret to this day!

Modern globes

Erwin Perzy III has been running his company since the 1980s and produces some 200,000 snow globes a year – though it only employs 30 people and half of these work from their own homes.  These snow globes are still made from glass as was the original design back in the 1900s and has produced globes for some of the most notable figures in the world, most recently for the children of US President Barack Obama.  Other famous snow globes that the company have made include the one used (and smashed) at the beginning of the film Citizen Kane in 1941. 

Currently, the company produce around 350 designs with around 20% of their orders being made up from customised designs that people order specifically.  There are even four different sized globes and the factory has a museum within it that allows kids to visit and see the history of one of their Christmas favourites.

Christmas Present

The world quickly grabbed the idea of the snow globe and many more companies now produce variations.  As well as the Christmas traditional scenes and trees, there are also now many modern versions including fairies and teddy bears, often with the facility to have personalised messages added to them.  All have that magical floating snow effect that Mr Perzy would recognise over 100 years since he first came up with the idea.

Helping Pets Deal with Bonfire Night

Bonfire Night can be great fun with the fireworks, the bonfires, the food and parties.  But for our pets, it can be a time of complete terror as the noises and sights of the even scare them badly.  So what can we do to help our pets on Bonfire Night?

General advice

According to the RSPCA, the first step in helping them deal with Bonfire Night is to make sure they have somewhere to hide.  Most cats and dogs will have a hidey hole that they use if something spooks them, such as behind the sofa or under the bed.  On Bonfire Night, ensure they have easy access to it so if it gets too much, they can go somewhere that makes them feel safe.

Make sure you keep animals in the house on the night as they are more likely to panic and get injured if they are outside when fireworks go off.  If the dog needs to go outside to the toilet, keep them on a leash so if they do bolt, you can control them.  For cats, make sure there is a cat litter box ready for their use and keep them inside.

Ensure that microchip and collar information is up to date in case they do get out and run off.  That way when a vet or animal shelter find them, they can reunite you with them as quickly as possible.

Try to act normal and not make too big a fuss during the fireworks.  Give them their favourite treats in their special bowl or make some time to sit with them if they want to do this but don’t try to force anything on them.  Scared animals are more likely to lash out and this can lead to a nasty injury.  Only interfere with them if they are going to hurt themselves, such as trying to jam themselves into a space too small to hold them.

Other animals

Cats and dogs aren’t the only animals effected by fear of fireworks.  If you have small pets such as rabbits or guinea pigs who live in hutches outside, it is worth covering the hutches to help reduce the impact of the noise and lights.  Make sure they have plenty of bedding so they can dig under it and hide to feel safe.

For those who have birds outside, a bright light is a crucial measure.  This means that if they become frightened and leave their roost, or perch where they sleep, they are able to find their way back again.  Background music can also lessen the impact of the noise from the fireworks and help them remain calm.

Just for dogs

If a dog is particularly affected by fireworks, then it may be worth looking at an animal behaviourist for some help.  Therapies such as Sounds Scary are recommended to help dogs that are very severely frightened by the noise from fireworks but also from other loud sounds that occur during the year.  Therapy such as this can help them cope with the noises and make both yours and their lives less stressful.

Top Halloween Cocktail Recipes

Halloween is one of those events that seems to be a lot about the kids – what, with trick or treating and costumes, baking scary cupcakes and having their friends around for a party.  But if you don’t have kids or yours have gone to someone else’s party, then there’s no reason that a few Halloween cocktails can’t be made up to celebrate the event for the adults!

Simple combinations

Cocktails can be as complicated or as simple as you like – depends on how much you feel like imitating Tom Cruise!  For those who want simple options, the Black Devil Martini is a great starter.  All you need is two ounces of dark rum to half an ounce of dry vermouth for a deep red coloured martini that looks a lot like blood.  Frost the edge of the glass with orange sugar crystals and pop a black olive or two on a stick to garnish.

The Witches Brew is another must-have cocktail recipe for Halloween and makes a longer drink.  Take that personalised tumbler that the kids got you for your birthday and add in one ounce of pineapple juice and another of cranberry juice.  Add the same amount again of 7UP or another lemon and lime fizzy pop then put one and a quarter ounces of coconut rum, such as Malibu, by tipping along the side of the glass so it pools into the bottom.

Punch

An easy option for self-service drinks at a party is a punch and for Halloween, there has to be plenty of red involved.  Take your large punch bowl and put ice in the bottom.  Next up add ten ounces of vodka, five ounces of triple sec, two ounces of bitters and about ten ounces of freshly squeezed blood orange juice (or use the stuff from the carton if you prefer!) before finishing with around twenty ounces of black cherry soda.  Stir everything together.  Take the punch glasses and rim them with grenadine for that fresh blood look then use a ladle to add the punch.

Sangria is great drink to serve at parties in the same way as punch and with a little preparation, the Severed Hand Sangria will get a few shrieks as well as complements!  The night before the party, take a few latex gloves and fill them with filtered water.  Tie them up and pop them in the freezer overnight.  In the punch bowl, combine two bottles of red wine, around thirty ounces of sparking water and the same amount of freshly squeezed orange juice.  Also add three ounces of brandy or Cointreau depending on your preference and three tablespoons of brown sugar.  The fruit element comes from two thinly sliced oranges, two pink grapefruit cut similarly, two lemons and two limes, all thinly sliced and finally a cup full of natural sour cherries.  Once the ingredients are mixed, take out the latex gloves, remove it and pop the hand shaped ice cubes into the bowl – spooky!

Armed with your creepy cupcakes and spooky sandwiches, you will be ready for the perfect adults-only Halloween party!

Why Swimming is Good for Kids

As the weather turns more temperamental with cooler evenings and less sunshine, kids can spend less and less time outdoors.  But the need for exercise remains strong and one of the best ways to get this exercise and have great fun at the same time is in the swimming pool.  We all hear that swimming is one of the best forms of exercise for both kids and adults – but why?

Swimming benefits

According to Livestrong, swimming offers health benefits for all ages.  Primarily this is because it involves cardiovascular activity that strengthens both the heart and the lungs.  It also increases strength in the body, building muscle tone and endurance.  Swimming can lead to greater flexibility in the body and a better sense of balance, due to the actual motion of swimming.  While all these may sound more important to adults than to kids, it is important to start early to help stave off problems such as obesity and diabetes.

As well as the physical benefits of swimming, it is also a crucial life skill.  According to the CDC in the US, one out of every five people that die from drowning are under the age of 14.  By learning kids to swim from a young age, there is a far lower risk that they will be one of these kids.  It doesn’t guarantee that they wouldn’t run into trouble and should always be supervised in water no matter how proficient but does supply them with skills that may save their life.

If your kids enjoy swimming, then entering them into lessons and even swimming competitions or teams is a possible outcome.  Kids who take part in competitions learn about sportsmanship, team work and build their self-esteem.

Even mental health can be aided by time in the swimming pool.  The activity itself improves mood and decreases anxiety, an ever growing problem for modern children.  Swimming together with siblings and parents is a great way to spend time while getting exercise too.

The reluctant swimmer

Some kids take up swimming as if they were born in water but others aren’t so keen.  This is often the case when kids don’t get introduced to the swimming pool until they are of school age or older.  Lessons are a great way to encourage kids but even taking them to a quiet session in the pool to help them overcome their anxiety is a good starting point. 

Make the visit to the pool a big, fun event – get them their own personalised swimming bag and a new swimming costume, arrange to go for a pizza afterwards.  When you arrive at the pool, let them go into the water at their own pace and stay close so they don’t feel panicked.  Most pools have a shallow end or a learning pool that are ideal to try out the water and watch out for wave machines – those sudden waves can frighten the kids.  Alternatively, find a beginners swimming class and let a professional take on teaching them as they will have proven methods to help overcome their caution.

Baking with the Kids for Halloween

Halloween is fast becoming a major event in the UK as it has been for many years in the US and this means more and more kids wanting to host or attend a Halloween party.  But this also makes for a great reason to get that personalised baking set they bought you for your birthday out of the cupboard and enjoy some baking time with the kids.

Party treats

With ghosts, witches, pumpkins and other spooky elements, there are plenty of inspirations for Halloween and plenty of great ideas how to make something with the kids within the theme.  One really simple idea involves decorating biscuits to make Spider web biscuits to serve your guests.

All your need for this recipe is eight rich tea or other buttery biscuits, 100g of dark chocolate and 3 tablespoons of icing sugar as well as a few drops of lemon juice.  Melt the chocolate either on the stove or in the microwave until it is smooth and shiny then spread some on each biscuit.  Leave them for around ten minutes to set.  Meantime, mix the icing sugar with lemon juice to make an icing paste.  Use a pastry bag with a very fine nozzle and start in the centre, drawing three circles, each one a little bigger.  Then use a fine knife to drag the icing from one circle to another to create the web, or join them with more lines of icing if you prefer.  Let them set and you have perfect Spider web Biscuits.

Gruesome cakes

Graveyard cupcakes really look the part on the Halloween buffet table and by using a chocolate cake mixture from a box, the kids can really get involved with the job from the start.  As well as a 500g cake mix you will also need 800g of chocolate icing, 150g digestive biscuits and 24 oval or rectangular shaped biscuits such as Nice.

Make up the cakes as instructed on the box then add the chocolate icing, leaving one quarter of it for extra decoration.  Fill a pastry bag with the remaining icing and use a plain tip then write RIP on the rectangular biscuits at the top end.  Stand each decorated biscuit in the cupcake to resemble a gravestone coming out of the ground then sprinkle each cake the digestive biscuit crumbs to appear like dirt.

Traditional sweets

One of the most traditional sweet treats for Halloween has to be the toffee apple and these too can easily be made at home.  Use 100g pre-made toffee along with six Granny Smith apples and some wooden sticks like those found in ice lollies.  Insert a stick ¾ way into an apple then place them on a lined baking tray.  Mix up the toffee with two tablespoons of water and ½ teaspoon of vanilla essence on a low heat until melted and smooth.  Dip each apple into the toffee until each is covered then put back onto the tray until they set, pop them in fridge if you need them quicker than leaving them to air-dry.