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Spread the Love – not Covid – with the 2020 Charity Gifting Appeal
2020 is definitely the year which made us realise how important it is to think of others and those less well off.
While many of us now have the choice to spend Christmas with our loved ones, feasting on turkey and opening multiple gifts around the tree – many people will not have that option.
And so it was great to hear that leading gift retailer Thumbs Up has partnered with Great Ormond Street Hospital and The Salvation Army to create the 2020 Charity Gifting Appeal and donate a massive 2,000 presents to those who might not otherwise receive anything for Christmas.
To help them carry out their target Thumbs Up are asking people to contribute just £5 for postage and packaging.
The donation will see each individual receive a package full of presents worth £30.
You read that right people! All they’re asking is for £5 towards postage and packaging!
Times are hard, but if you feel you can help please visit thumbsup.com to choose from four different packs (Teen Girls 12-17, Teen Boys 12-17, Male or Female 18+).
Spread the love this Christmas (not Covid!).
Working mums deserve to be a bit selfish, says Sophie Ellis-Bextor
The celebrities were out in force on Monday night for the launch of Audi City in Mayfair and I’m sure the sound of those jangling car keys to the free cars they’d [allegedly] be picking up helped with their attendance…
Glamorous mums Thandie Newton and Sophie Ellis-Bextor were joined by the likes of David Gandy, Brian Ferry and Clive Owen at the launch of the car manufacturer’s first digital showroom.
After a quick chat with the dashing Rupert Penry-Jones about the Chris Cunningham art/light installation, I grabbed Sophie for an update on how life as a working mum has been treating her – the singer gave birth to her third son in April.
‘What are my tips to being a successful working mum? Winging it! I’m quite lucky as I can take my children to work with me – even when I DJ. I’ve just been to Ukraine and Moscow and took Ray with me and he was fine. He’s only 10 weeks old, so I’m still at the stage where I don’t really like to leave him.’
Going on to praise my blog (yes – I had to get that in somewhere!), she added, ‘I think there should be more support for working mums and I have the utmost respect for them and of course, full-time mothers – what you’re doing is fantastic.
‘My one piece of advice would probably be – don’t be afraid of being selfish – I couldn’t give up what I do and I think that’s important.’
Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and me…
No parent with a child under five can say they know nothing of the magic that is In the Night Garden. When I first encountered the programme I can honestly say it freaked the hell out of me, especially the hypnotic effect it seemed to have on any child plonked in front if it. But as my sweet baby turned into a very ‘vocal’ toddler, I’m sure I’m not the first parent to take advantage of its calming effect!
So with the news that a stage version of the BBC programme was coming to The O2, I jumped at the chance to gain some brownie points with my little one – and between the two of us, I’m not sure who was more excited at the thought of seeing the show! Although I wasn’t quite sure how she (or I!) was going to react to seeing larger than life-sized versions of her television favourites….
Performed in The O2’s Live Quarter, the excitement starts as you approach to see huge inflatable Haahoos outside the entrance. My two year old fluctuated between silent awe and astonishment, to being one of the most vocal in joining in with the songs and pointing out the characters on stage – loud enough for those in the very back rows to hear. A mixture of puppetry and costumed characters, I can’t say there was a particular moment when she became bored or tired of the action on stage. Of course, it’s not perfect viewing for adults, but seeing the pleasure experienced by younger members of the audience definitely makes it worthwhile.
The day was topped off with a meet and greet with Igglepiggle (you can also chose to meet Upsy Daisy), and despite her initial reservations about the lifesize blue character, my daughter ended up giving him a hug and smiling for a family snap. Although my own reservations weren’t helped by having Igglepiggle rest his arm on my shoulder, while he gave me a glass-eyed stare…!
It’s not a cheap day out, but if your child is a fan it’s a treat they”ll definitely appreciate.
Media Mummy rating? 4 out of 5 stars.
In the Night Garden Live is at The O2 until June 9 before continuing on its UK tour.
www.nightgardenlive.com
Baking Made Easy with Carr’s Flour for Kids Mixes
CAN I claim to be a seasoned baker now?
Because thanks to Carr’s Flour and their new kids range, I am feeling like a pro in the kitchen!
With the kids getting stuck in we made some delicious rolls with their Really Easy Bread Mix – and it was exactly that.
We literally just added water and some butter – although my boy did do a runner as soon as his hands got a little sticky, before my tweenager also disappeared when it came to using some muscle to knead the dough…
They did return however to split the mixture into smaller balls and demolished them once they came out of the oven – they were perfect for afternoon bacon butties.
And it was the same when it came to the Really Easy Biscuit Mix – everything is ready to pour into a bowl and then you add water and butter – job done.
We opted for some chocolate chips as a little extra and you could even get your little ones to decorate with icing – whatever takes your fancy.
Boring parent bonus points for the flour in both the bread and biscuits being a mix of white and wholemeal flour.
We were also gifted the handy baking set which is the perfect size for mini bakers and we used the heat-shaped cookie cutters for the biscuits.
I would definitely recommend the mixes if you’re like me and not that keen on baking (lockdown made me do it!)
It was a lifesaver having these to make during the half term and as lockdown life is set to continue for a while yet, they’re a great addition to the list of indoor activities to help keep both adults and children sane.