EASTER GIFT GUIDE FOR KIDS

With Easter just around the corner you might be looking to buy the usual chocolate eggs for your family and friends. I can't resist an Easter egg so I admit I do buy a few extra at this time of year that invariably get munched way before Good Friday! I have bought Elliot and Erin a chocolate egg this year (well, a chocolate dinosaur in Elliot's case) but I have been on the look out for a few non-edible gifts too. They're bound to get a few more eggs so it's nice to have a couple of gifts that don't require eating!!

If you're after some ideas, here's some lovely things I found along the way:

Bunny Jump by University Games (RRP £19.99) - Kids will love the element of surprise with this one! Collect the carrots but careful not to frighten the bunny - stay focused and be ready to catch him when he jumps in the air. Suitable for age 5+
Squeeze Poppers (RRP £7.99) - Elliot got one of these for his birthday last year and it was an instant hit. Load the foam ball into the creature's mouth, squeeze and fire - hours of fun! We have the dinosaur popper but I think we might have to add to the collection and get the unicorn one too!
The Tiddlytubbies book (£4.99) - Perfect for the younger children, this lovely hardback book features the adorable Tiddlytubbies in their very own story. Erin loves the Teletubbies and I have a feeling she would love this book!

Bunny Scissors and Desk Organiser - Red Candy (£23.50) - This is the cutest desk organiser I've ever seen! The scissors make up the ears, whilst the green paperclips create the carrot stalks. This little bunny is going to make a perfect Easter gift for my rabbit-mad sister but I'm a sucker for lovely stationary and I'm not sure I can bring myself to part with him yet ;)
Hey Duggee Talking Betty Toy ( £6.99) - Both my children are a bit obsessed with Hey Duggee at the moment and I know they would love one of the talking Squirrel gang. This one is called Betty and she's an octopus but you can buy the whole gang!

Ruby Rides and Elephant Book (£6.99) - For something a little different, this beautiful book would make an unusual Easter gift. Written by Ruby Lovell, it is inspired by the bedtime stories of her childhood and her visits back home to Sri Lanka. A lovely way to teach children about different cultures...and who doesn't love elephants!
Colour Changing Dino Lights (£12) - Elliot always sleeps with a nightlight and I know he'd love these dinosaur lights. With three in a pack, they can be positioned around your child's room and gently glow through a variety of shades. They are battery operated too so no need to worry plugging into a socket near your child's bed.
Andy & The Odd Socks CD - Who Invited this Lot? - This has been on repeat since the moment we got it and has been a massive hit with the small ones in my family. Featuring Andy Day from CBeebies and his band the Odd Socks, you will be unable to resist tapping your feet to these songs and I guarantee you'll be humming the Alien song for days!!

Wishing you all a happy Easter!

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE FOR KIDS 2017

Now I have children of my own, I find present buying a lot easier. I know what my kids like to play with and what they really really want for Christmas.... a yellow power ranger apparently!

If you need some ideas for kids gifts, look no further....

Andy & The Odd Socks Album - Who Invited This Lot?
Andy Day (him off CBeebies!) has his own band, The Odd Socks and they have created this brilliant album for kids of all ages. Featuring songs about dinosaurs, robots and ninja pigs amongst other things, this would make a fantastic stocking filler. It has literally been on repeat in our car since we got it!

Exploding Kittens Game - £29.99
This game may sound a bit extreme but it is suitable for the whole family and promises lots of fun!

Personalised Thomas the Tank Engine Book - Not on the High Street £29.95
If you are looking for something a little bit special and unique, this personalised Thomas book certainly fits the bill. A beautiful reproduction of the original Thomas the Tank Engine story, your child's name will feature on header of each page plus the front cover. You can also include a personal message at the start of the book.

The Creakers - Tom Fletcher
This magical story tells the tale of those creatures who lurk under your bed, hiding in the shadows. We really enjoyed Tom's debut novel, The Christmasaurus and I'm sure this second book is going to be equally as popular.

Rubik's Junior Kitten Puzzle - £9.99
Aimed at children from 3-9, this cute little kitten can be twisted to create a crazy mixed up animal and then easily solved. I could never solve the original Rubik's cube so I reckon I'd have more luck with this!

Lego Disney Princess Ariel & the Magic Spell - £25.00
Part of the Princess range, this set features Ursula's Grotto where Ariel can swim up and be transformed to reveal her human legs. Also featured is Ariel's cave plus the all important buildable crystal glove that contains her voice!

PJ Masks Headquarters - £44.99
One of the biggest sellers this Christmas, this is a must for any PJ Mask fans. Elliot LOVES PJ Masks and this was the top of his Christmas list!

Fisher Price Teach N Tag Movi - £39.99
With 360 degree mobility, Movi encourages children to get their minds and bodies moving while teaching them to follow directions and think about the world around them. We reviewed this great little toy a few months back and it has continued to be popular in our house!

How are you doing with your Christmas shopping?!

Christmas Gift Guide for Kids

Following on from my gift guide for babies, here's some ideas for the under 10's. I know this is an age group I've struggled to buy for previously!

Paint Your own Fairy Door, Irish Fairy Door Company - £20
These little fairy doors are so magical and I love that your child can paint it themselves, creating their own unique entrance for their fairy. Not only that, you can register your fairy's name and enjoy an interactive journey with exclusive stories.

My First Microscrope, Wicked Uncle - £19.95
We reviewed one of these over the Summer and Elliot absolutely loves it. I think it's so important for kids to learn while they are playing and he is fascinated by looking at things close up. This one is nice and chunky and perfect for inquisitive youngsters

Stikbot Zanimation Studio - £24.99
This cool little set is a great introduction to animation for kids. The easy to pose figures have suction-cup hands and feet allowing them to be posed in countless ways. You can then download a free app which lets you create your own videos using stop frame animation. Suitable for 4+

Haribo Festive Range, from 99p
If you fancy giving something sweet as a gift that isn't chocolate then Haribo have some fab things in their festive range. They have launched a brand new Mega Stars selection box featuring favourites such as Tangfastics and Jelly Babies. Even more exciting is the new Starmixmas - flavours include Gingerbread Bears, Eggnog Eggs and Apple Strudel Bottles. Yummy!

Dinosaur Discovery Jigsaw, Orchard Toys - £9.75
Orchard Toys have a brilliant range of puzzles including this fab dinosaur one. 150 pieces and suitable for 5-9 year olds, this is sure to keep the kids quiet on Boxing Day!

BuzzBee Nano Drone - £24.99
This little drone is actually the smallest nano drone in the world and will fit in the palm of your hand! Unlike standard drones, this can be used inside and is very safe and easy for kids to use. Perfect if you're looking for something a little different for your child!

Kitchen Science, Bright Minds, £12.99
Suitable for kids 8+. this fun science kit contains instructions for 6 different experiments you can do using everyday kitchen equipment. Experiments include fork electricity and a fruit powered clock!

Scooby-Doo 6 DVD Christmas Collection , Warner Bros. 
Some cartoons never go out of fashion and Scooby and the gang have been around since the 60s but are still as popular as ever now! Warner Bros. have released this ultimate selection of festive favourites featuring over 9 hours of episodes.

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?

Christmas Gift Guide for Babies

Maybe your Christmas shopping is done and dusted and your presents are wrapped and ready to go. Perhaps (if you're like me!) you've been making lists for the past month but not actually got going and are now feeling a little worried that Christmas is just around the corner....

Hopefully this gift guide will give you some ideas for the little people in your life! 

1 // Elf Sleepsuit, M & Co  - £12

I just cannot resist an Elf costume and I've already subjected poor Elliot to one since he was a baby! I love this cute little sleepsuit, festive enough to look the part but practical enough to snooze in. 

2 // Snowman Rattle, Toys R Us - £6.99

This cute toy is suitable from birth and makes a lovely keepsake gift of baby's first Christmas

3 // Chicco Baby Steps 2 in 1 Activity Walker* - £17.95

Perfect for those little ones who are about to take their first steps, this walker will play a fun melody when the baby starts walking. As soon as the baby stops walking, the music will stop and hopefully encourage a few more steps! The Online 4 Baby website is the UK's cheapest online baby megastore and definitely worth checking out for all the latest deals - my shopping list for the baby has grown substantially since finding this website! 

4 // Ella's Kitchen Jingle Belly Christmas Dinner pouch - Various

There's no reason that the babies should have to miss out on the all important Christmas dinner when Ella's Kitchen have produced this yummy creation. 30p from the sale of each pouch will be donated to Save the Children who are promoting the importance of family meal times and the positive impact it can have on a child's development. 

5 // Miffy in the Snow book - £3.75

Little children will love Miffy and these simple stories will be a big hit with parents who remember Miffy from their childhood!

6 // Dr Brown's Special Edition Gift Set - £29.99

I have heard great things about Dr Brown's bottles and their ability to reduce wind related colic due to the unique internal green vent system. This cute little gift set comes with three bottles, a butterfly soother, bottle brush and a Flexees teether. I shall be testing these bottles out in the new year once our baby has arrived so look out for a review and a giveaway! 

7 // Penguin Stocking, John Lewis - £12

I love penguins and this grey fleecy stocking from John Lewis is perfect for baby's first Christmas

8 // New Baby 4 Piece Gift Set, Boden - £38.50

This 4 piece set would make a fab gift for new parents as it contains all the essentials - sleepsuit, bodysuits and a bib. I adore the bear print on this! 

Hopefully that has given you some inspiration - I certainly have a few more things to add to my list now! 

*Disclaimer - Sponsored post

Fathers Day 2016 - Bumper Gift Guide

If the men in your family are difficult to buy for (and let's face it, most of them are!) then you might be looking for some inspiration for Father's Day this year. 

I've put together a bumper gift guide, featuring some old faithful choices such as alcohol and toiletries but also some more different options that you might not have considered! 

1. Bomb Cosmetics - Superhero's Saviour Gift Pack - £17.99

2. Choconut Deluxe 12 Piece Assortment Spicy - £20.00

3. anCnoc Highland single malt Scotch - From £34

4. Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky - RRP £28

5. Sugru Home Hacks Starter Kit - £10

6. Skates Frenzy Recreational Scooter (adult sized!) - £69.95

7. Ordnance Survey Map of Mars - £24.99

8. Personalised Marmite - £4.99

9. TABAC Grooming Range - Starting from £4.60

10. Retro Games Controller from Joy - £10.00

11. Beanies Flavour Coffee - Various flavours

12. Coconut Grass - Personalised Pork Scratchings - £9.95

13. Gillette Fusion ProShield Chill - £10

14. Braun Body Groomer - RRP £39.99

15. Aldi Gaguedi South African Shiraz - Case of six £29.34 / single bottle £4.89

16. Vileda Windomatic - £39.99

Look out for a full review of the Scooter coming soon on here, my husband has been testing out it and has been racing with Elliot on his little scooter! 

Easter Gift Guide for Kids + Skateboard giveaway!

It doesn't seem 5 minutes since Mother's Day but Easter is just around the corner. Whether you're a fan of chocolate eggs, or prefer to give presents at Easter, read on for some fab gift ideas with all budgets covered. And if you fancy winning the skateboard that features in this gift guide, see below.

Top Row:
- Lego Painting Easter Eggs, exclusive to Tesco (£6.99) - You can pick up this limited edition Lego set from Tesco this Easter. It has been created by Lego as a healthy alternative to chocolate eggs and is bound to keep the children busy whilst stimulating their imagination.
- Little Helper 3 in 1 Table (£49.99 - This little table is actually 3 products in 1 which makes it a great buy. Perfect for pre-schoolers it is an art table, sandpit and reversible blackboard. On offer until 27th March!
- Born Gifted Personalised Eggcup (£8.99) - Kids of all ages love boiled eggs, so why not treat them to one of these gorgeous ceramic egg cups for Easter. The cups can be personalised with names up to 12 characters too.

Middle:
- Scandi Sweetie Eggs from Scandikitchen (£8.95) - For an alternative to chocolate Easter eggs, why not give one of these lovely eggs from Scandikitchen. The shells are made from pretty papier mache  and filled with yummy pick n mix sweets such as fruity fish and liquorice.
- Twirlywoos Chickedy & Chick Character Pack (£4.99) - These cute little figures will help children develop fine motor skills and encourage their imagination.
- Archeofun T-Rex & Triceratops Kit (£14.99) - One for the budding paleontologists, you can dig into the blocks of earth to discover the fossils which can then be put together to make dinosaur skeletons. They glow in the dark too!

Bottom:
- Play-doh Cake Party (£13.97) - Play-doh is always a popular choice with little ones and this Cake Party set will keep them amused for ages! Use the cutters to make cakes, swirl Play-doh frosting on top and show off your creations...just don't eat them ;)
- Enuff Pow Complete Skateboard (£34.95) - Perfect for beginners or intermediate level riders, this is a great gift idea to get your kids out and enjoying the Easter holidays. For a chance to to win your very own skateboard, follow the Rafflecopter details further on down the page...
- Crackin' Egg Co Hard Boiled Eggs - For something a little healthier for your Easter egg hunt, why not include these hard boiled eggs from the Crackin' Egg co. Twinpacks come with a range of different flavour sachets to give extra flavour. I'm useless at cooking eggs so perfect for people like me ;)

Giveaway

If you fancy winning your very own Enuff Pow Complete Skateboard from Skates.co.uk then follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mother's Day Gift Guide

It's almost that time of year when you can spoil the most important lady in your life. Flowers are always a good choice but here's some other ideas you may not have thought of!

1. Backyard Cinema presents Romeo & Juliet (tickets from £20 29th March - 9th April) - imagine watching Baz Lurhman's Romeo & Juliet whilst sat in an atmospheric church complete with beautiful stained glass windows and candle lit aisles, with a live choir performing the soundtrack. Tickets for this are selling fast so don't miss out, what a unique gift this would be for your Mum! (I can't believe that it is the 20 year anniversary of Romeo & Juliet...that certainly makes me feel old!)
2. Belvoir Elderflower Presse (from £2.39)* - Say it with flowers, but with a difference! Belvoir Fruit Farms have produced a limited edition of their Elderflower drink, perfect for Mother's Day. The "You're Lovely" limited edition bottles are available in the shops from 29th February.
3. My-Wishbone Spinner Pendant (from £110) - Emma and Joanna are sisters from London who have created My-Wishbone, gorgeous jewellery with a humanitarian twist. A percentage of every sale will be going towards children's charities. This beautiful spinner pendant is available in gold, silver or rose-gold, all 9k plated.
4. Nelsons Arnicare Bath & Massage Balm and Calendula Cream (From £5.35)* - Nelsons have some lovely natural products that are perfect for pampering your Mum this Mother's Day.
5. Heart and Home Scented Candles (£13.99)* - I love having scented candles burning at home and these ones are beautiful. Not only do they look super stylish but they smell lovely. Why not spoil your Mum with one of these!
6. Cadburys Milk Tray* - Bound to put a smile on your Mum's face, you can't go wrong with chocolates! Milk Tray now include new flavours such as Salted Caramel Charm as well as the old favourites.
7. Scholl Velvet Smooth Nailcare set (RRP £70)* - Scholl have a great range of gifts perfect for Mother's Day including this cute nailcare set to keep your nails looking natural and shiny.
8. Kenwood Pastel Yellow Chef Sense (RRP £449.99) - For an extra special treat, why not spoil your Mum with a Kenwood Chef Sense - love these pastel ones!

Wishing you a lovely Mother's Day! :)

*Some items were sent to us for the purpose of this gift guide

Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2016

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, you might have started thinking about gifts and what you could buy for your other half. My husband and I have never really done Valentine's Day gifts, we get a card if the other remembers but that's about it! But if you need some ideas, take a look below...

1. Lush Love & Kisses Giftbox (£45.95) - Lush have some amazing quirky products, 8 of which are in this lovely giftbox. Everything you could possibly need for a Valentine's night pamper!
2. Hotel Chocolat Valentine's Goody Bag (£18) - Hotel Chocolat do the BEST chocolates and anyone would be a lucky bunny to receive this goody bag. The Salted Caramel Heart Truffles just make me want to order this online for myself right now ;)
3. Marks & Spencers A Touch of Romance Gift Bag (£35) - Nothing says romance more than a beautiful bouquet of flowers - these ones can be pre-ordered from M & S to beat the florist rush!
4. Paperchase Cupcakes journal ( £10) - Who doesn't love a pretty notebook! Perfect for penning your romantic poetry ;)
5. Panasonic Lumix Super Zoom Cameras* (from £249) - Maybe your partner is looking to buy you something a bit special for Valentine's Day, what better than a new Panasonic camera to capture all those Valentine's Day memories!
6. Yankee Candle Valentines 5 Votives Giftset (£8.99) - Featuring fragrances such as Red Raspberry and True Rose, these will help you set the mood if you're having a romantic evening at home!
7. Photobox Canvas Prints (prices vary) - I think having one of your favourite photos made into a canvas is a really romantic idea. Photobox have a great range of canvas prints and wall art.
8. Prezzy Box My Last Gold Rolo (£79) - Would you give away your last Rolo?! I'm not sure I could but if you really must, why not make it a gold one!

Do you celebrate Valentine's Day with your partner? 

* Disclosure - this is a collaborated post

Last Minute Stocking Fillers for Kids

If like me you will be braving the high street for those last minute items, here are some ideas for stocking fillers...

1. Disney Frozen Shimmer Shaker Bubble Bath - Wilko (£5) - This will make your bath bubbles shimmer! Aimed at kids but actually I'd quite like this in my stocking!
2. Gruffalo Magnetic Game - Waterstones (£8.99) - This cute little game features 27 bright and chunky magnetic pieces and encourages children to create new stories featuring their favourite characters;
3. Dress your own Astronaut - Wilko (£3.50) - This little outfit fits over most teddies (it gets put on a duck in our house!) and matching child costumes are available!
4. Deep Sea Fun Game - ELC (£8) -Perfect for honing those fine motor skills and learning colours
5. Little Chef Set - B&M (£3.99) - Good for when your little ones are "helping" out in the kitchen, this set comes with an apron, hat and tea towel.
6. Boys Novelty Christmas Socks - Next (£6) - A new pair of novelty socks is a Christmas tradition for me, I love these festive ones from Next
7. Balloon Modelling Kit - BHS (£4) - Kids might need a bit of help from an adult but this balloon modelling kit could keep them amused for ages!
8. ChocOnChoc Festive Reindeer & Penguin Box - Boots (£6) - These chocolates are almost too cute to eat!

Have you finished your Christmas Shopping yet?!

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE FOR MUMS

With Christmas only a month away (eeek, I'm so not organised!), you may be struggling with ideas for the important ladies in your life. I've put together a few things which I think any Mum would love...

1. Yankee Candle - Christmas Cookie (£11.99) - I LOVE Yankee Candles and there's nothing better than a home smelling of your favourite scents. The Christmas editions are all lovely but my current favourite is the Christmas Cookie one - husband if you're reading this, this is a hint!
2. AM/PM Yoga for Beginners; Roxy Shahidi (£12.99)* - You may recognise Roxy from Emmerdale but you may not know that she is a certified yoga instructor too! Beat the post-Christmas rush of fitness DVDs and pop one of these in your mum's stocking, she may thank you after over-indulging in mince pies ;)
3. 3D Polar Bear Mug - John Lewis (£5) - John Lewis always have a great selection of Christmas gifts and this cute little polar bear caught my eye. Just imagine him filled with steaming hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows ...mmmm!
4 & 5. Avon Body Butter and Lani Necklace (£5 & £15) * - Avon have some brilliant gifts this Christmas and you will be spoilt for choice for ideas for your Mum. I love this body butter, it feels really luxurious but you know with Avon that you are getting great value!
6. BIC® Conte Colouring Pencils (£5.99) *- Adult colouring seems to have taken the world by storm - apparently it can help destress you after a busy day! These colouring pencils from BIC® can help you colour your worries away. For more info, check out @mybicpen on Twitter
7. Accessorize Snowflake Scarf (£35) - You can't go wrong with a snuggly scarf as a gift and this one from Accessorize is perfect for the festive season!
8. Olverum Bath Oil (From £23.50) * - Olverum Bath Oil is a unique blend of 10 essential oils and has been described as "bath nirvana".  Not only does it sooth tired muscles, it relieves stress and helps you achieve a great night's sleep. I'm usually one for showers but I will definitely be making time for more baths after trying out the oil for myself - I went to bed feeling thorough de-stressed and relaxed!
9. Photobox Personalised Calender (From £22) * - A personalised calender makes such a great gift and it's something I've given to my Mum for the past few Christmas'. Photobox have some brilliant gift ideas and the photobooks would also make a great Christmas present for Mum. The mobile version of the website and the apps are really handy for creating personalised gifts, I'm guessing most of us have lots of photos on our phones! (App available from App Store, Google Play and Amazon)
10. Bakedin Baking Club (From £4.99) * - For something a bit different, Bakedin have launched the Baking Club which is a monthly subscription service supplying everything you need to bake delicious cakes from scratch at home. I love eating cake but my baking skills aren't amazing so this kit is perfect for someone like me! The Baking Club costs £4.99 for the first month and £9.99 per month thereafter but gift packages are available starting at £29.99 which makes it an idea Christmas present.

I hope that's given you some good ideas. 

Are you organised with your Christmas shopping this year?!

*Disclaimer - some of the items were provided to me for the purpose of this gift guide

Halloween Party Essentials and Giveaway!

The leaves are falling, there's a chill in the air, the evenings are drawing in....it can mean only one thing, Halloween is just around the corner! If you're planning to throw a Halloween party for your little ones, take a look at my party essentials for some ideas....

1. Chewits Chewmix and Vampire Fangs* - You can't have a Halloween party without sweets and these spooky Chewits are perfect for little ghouls with a sweet tooth!
2. Wizard Finger Wraps with Grunge Dip* - These gruesome 'wizard fingers' can be made using Mission Deli Wraps and are a great way to get the kids involved in the party preparations. See here for the full recipe
3. Halloween Costumes by Tu @ Sainsburys - When I was a kid, our costumes were made using black binliners and a cheap witches hat but these days, children are spoilt for choice with ready made costumes! Sainsburys have the best outfits for a range of ages and we always buy Elliot's costume here. They are great value, especially when the 25% offer is on!
4. Fiendish Fancies by Mr Kipling - These spooky orange fancies are a great take on one of my favourite cakes and would look frightfully good at any Halloween party
5. Giant Spider - Poundland £1 - I've got a bit of an obsession with Poundland, I love it! I went in to check out their Halloween section last week and I was absolutely blown away by their range. They have literally everything you could need to throw a Halloween party, and all for a pound obviously! I stocked up for Elliot's forthcoming spooky birthday party but I'm going to pop back this week and pick up a couple of these giant spiders, you can't go wrong for the price!
6. Zippo Candy Apple Red Candle Lighter* £13.75 - I don't like using matches around Elliot and keep them on a high shelf but this candle lighter is a great alternative for lighting your pumpkins. Love the colour of this and also love that is has a child-resistant safety button!
7. Kids Halloween Party Music £5.99 - To really set the scene at your party you need one of these spooky CDs! Featuring songs such as Ghostbusters, Monster Mash and I Put a Spell on You this is bound to get your little monsters dancing.
8. Tobar Clockwork Zombies* - For a fun alternative to sweets, Tobar has a great selection of Halloween toys featuring items like the clockwork zombies, jumping spiders, bouncing eyeballs and my personal favourite...Spew Balls! Tobar have given me a bundle of these to give away so see below for details on how to win!
9. Huggies Style on The Go Wipes* - You're going to need something to clean the sticky fingers and faces of your Halloweenies after all the treats so this is a must for any party!

I love Halloween and whilst Elliot is too young for trick or treating, we always get together with our friends for a little party for the kids. And in fact, this year Elliot has requested a spooky birthday party so I get to re-use all my Halloween decorations a month later to celebrate his 3rd birthday!

To win a selection of Halloween toys from Tobar (as seen here) , please follow the Rafflecopter details below - UK Residents only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclaimer - Some of the items were provided to me for the purpose of this blog post

Father's Day Gift Guide

My Dad is quite easy to buy for - there's always a book, or a cd that he wants so when it comes to birthdays, Christmas or Fathers Day we just ask him what he wants and he tells us! My husband on the other hand is really tricky. Well unless it's whisky....that is my go-to present option for him ;)

Father's Day is a few weeks away and I've got my thinking cap on and put together a gift guide incase any of you are scratching your heads and wondering what on earth to buy the men in your life. (Like I usually am!)

1. Braun Electric Shaver - The perfect gift for Father's Day, Braun come highly recommended by my husband! He has been testing out the Braun Cooltec Shaver for the past 3 weeks and he has very kindly taken over the blogging reins for one night only to bring you this review!
2. Tech 21 Evo Range featuring Flexshock - For the dads who love their smart phones, this innovative phone case is 30% thinner than other cases yet offers advanced impact protection. Sounds like a good choice if your little person likes to use their dad's phone to go on the CBeebies app ;)
3. Guinness Sauce - a good substitute for brown sauce, you could serve this up with a cooked brekkie on Father's Day morning gaining a few extra brownie points!
4. SteelSeries Stratus XL Wireless Gaming Controller - perfect if your Dad or husband is into his gaming. This is a full sized, console-style gaming controller designed for the iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. Elliot's Daddy can't wait to try this out!
5. Accentuate - If you fancy having a giggle with your family on Father's Day then this might be the one for you. Featuring 30 different accents from around the globe...do you know your Geordie from your German?!
6. Happy Socks from Fat Buddha Store - Socks are always a great present to give Dad (they can never have enough!) and this bright and colourful selection will be sure to brighten up anyone's day. My husband normally wears boring black so these ones brightened up his sock drawer nicely!
7. Kumala Wine - Most Dads like a tipple and this Chenin Blanc would be perfect served up chilled on Father's Day..or any day really!
8. Tala Thali Hot Curry Measure - this genius piece of kit comes in a lovely decorative tin and is perfect for the Dad who loves to cook. Using the curry measure you can whip up an Indian banquet with the help of the recipe booklet provided
9. Dad & Me and Dear Dad journal - Dad & Me is an interactive journal with spaces to draw and fun activity prompts to help a child and their Dad to share memories and experiences. Dear Dad is a beautifully designed journal which gives Dad the chance to tell his story and fill it with memories, hopes and dreams. Both books would make lovely keepsakes and Elliot's Dad can't wait to start filling his story in!

So there you have my Father's Day gift guide, hopefully I have covered all bases and there is something for even the pickiest of Dad's. It has certainly given me lots of ideas for the men in my life!

Coming soon - Dom & Geri Father's Day Cards Review

*Disclaimer - some of the items were provided to me for the purpose of this gift guide

Alternative Easter Gifts for Kids

Easter is just around the corner and the shops are choc-full of eggs, bunnies and hot cross buns. All kids love a chocolate egg (who doesn't?!) but if you are looking for an Easter gift of the non-chocolate variety then look no further! 

1. Goody Good Stuff gummy sweets* - 'Giving Sweets a Good Name'. These yummy sweets make a great alternative to chocolate and they don't contain any nasty meat gelatine which is found in lots of other gummy based sweets. 12 different flavours to try and perfect for an Easter hunt! 
2. Personalised Bunny In A Box - I spotted this whilst browsing www.notonthehighstreet.com and I just thought it was so cute and would make a lovely present for a little bunny lover. 
3. Make Your Own Animal Masks - This crafty kit would make a great gift for a rainy day over the Easter Hols!
4. Minions Skittle Set - If your kid is as obsessed with minions as my son then you can't go wrong with this cool little set
5. Tatty Teddy Easter t-shirt* - Great quality t-shirt from George at Asda, perfect for Easter. Meant to be for girls but Elliot was eying up this t-shirt too! 
6. Itsyourstory personalised book* - if you are looking for something a bit special for Easter then I cannot recommend this book enough. As well as having your child's name in it, it is printed with their face in it too! I'll be doing a proper review of this book in the next week or so :)
7. Justin Fletcher, Just Party - I actually ordered this CD today, we love Justin Fletcher and his CDs have kept Elliot amused on many a long car journey! 
8. Yummy Dough* - You know how kids always want to eat play doh because it smells so nice? (.....just my kid?!) Well now they can! Yummy Dough can be shaped and played with, then baked in the oven to make tasty biscuits - yum yum!
9. Chad Valley PlaySmart range* - Chad Valley have launched a new range of toys that are both fun and educational, designed to stimulate a child's imagination while they develop key skills along the way, We recently reviewed the Reading, Writing and Spelling pack - see here. 

Do you buy your children a chocolate egg or do you prefer to get something a little different?

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Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Ideas

With Mother's Day nearly upon us, the shops are awash with flowers and chocolates. You may have had a gift picked out ages ago or you may be like me and planning on a trip to the supermarket tomorrow!

I've compiled a little list of last minute present ideas incase you're in need of some inspiration!

Flowers

I'm sure most mums love getting a nice bunch of flowers (I know I do!) and there are so many to choose from. The supermarkets always have a great range for all budgets but if you wanted something a little more special, then Interflora offer a Click & Collect service which means you can order something right now online and pick up from your local participating florist tomorrow.

Handbags

You can never have enough bags! These ones from Hotter would make any Mum smile. They come with a matching scarf to finish the look. Hotter have 70 stores nationwide so pop in and pick up something pretty for your Mum :)

Chocolate

So much to choose from at this time of year (especially with Easter around the corner) but these Booja-Booja Hazelnut Crunch Chocolate Truffles from Waitrose sound pretty immense!!

Spa Break

Maybe you want to get something that extra special for your mum. Spabreaks.com have a range of last minute offers and with Spas all around the UK, hopefully you can find something near you!

If you're still stuck for ideas, My Voucher Codes have created a fun little quiz that might help!