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Festive

How to make a funny stalk of sprouts Christmas decoration

Christmas trees? Nah! Santa? Who? We all know that the real star of Christmas is the sprout. Whether you love them or loathe them, they’re the most hotly anticipated visitors on the 25th December and I think they deserve to be celebrated. So I’ve DIYed my own stalk of sprouts, with fluffy green pom-poms and a big stick. Here’s how to make this most-festive-of-all-decorations for yourself…

Festive

How to DIY your own neon christmas lights

Here’s another DIY festive décor project for you – a glittery light-up neon snowflake. You can hang it on the wall to create a fabulously festive feature or use it as a lamp on your bedside table.

Festive

Unique Christmas card ideas to help you spread festive joy this December

Christmas is about so much more than materialism but it’s also nice to buy or create something that lets people know you are thinking about them at this time of year and that you enjoy having them in your friendship circle. Sometimes all it takes is a Christmas card so here are some ideas to give you a new take on this traditional festive greeting…

Festive

Shop handmade, local & independent this Christmas with Etsy

If you’re looking for a truly unique gift this Christmas, you’ve got to go handmade. Etsy is a great marketplace to find items that have been crafted by artisans and creatives so that’s where I’ve been shopping this year. Here are some festive gift ideas for all members of the family…

Festive

Planning a Christmas engagement? Things to consider when choosing a ring

Christmas is a popular time for proposals and I can’t think of anything more romantic than a snowy backdrop when you’re popping the question. An engagement ring is a Christmas gift she’ll never forget and I’ve come up with some top tips for buying the ideal jewellery that she’ll be overwhelmed to open on Christmas morning…

Festive

DIY Inspiration for decorating your dining table this Christmas

Have you given any thought to your table setting? Whether you’re someone that likes to keep the table set all year around or a procrastinator that only thinks about the number of place settings required on the day, I’ve got some festive inspiration to give your table settings the wow-factor this season…

Festive

How to use heat-transfer vinyl to DIY your own Christmas jumper

I’ve made my own Christmas jumpers this year! What do you think? After a quick rummage in my local charity shop I found three different types of jumpers just calling out to be upcycled, so I thought I’d share this heat-transfer vinyl project with you so that you too can make your own festive jumper this Christmas…

Festive

Low-cost art & craft ideas to create personalised Christmas decor

December is here and if you haven’t already jumped at the chance to put up your tree and make your home look as festive as possible, you might be looking for some more affordable and creative ways to decorate your space for the Christmas period. There are so many amazing ways to put your own creative spin on Christmas decorations and decor, but to give you a few ideas, here are a select few festive arts and crafts you should try this season… 

DIY furniture makeovers

How to DIY a retro cocktail cabinet for your festive parties

If you’re planning to entertain over Christmas and New Year, it’s a great idea to have a cocktail cabinet ass a place to serve delicious drinks to your guests. Here’s how to make your own DIY retro bar from an old display cabinet…

Days Out

4 Sustainable (& fun!) reasons why you should buy a local Christmas tree

If you’re planning to have a real Christmas tree in your home this year, why not choose the eco-friendly and sustainable option of buying local? I took a tour of a Suffolk tree plantation on Friday so here’s why you should consider getting your festive tree from a local producer…

Festive

Why you should get involved in a Christmas gift appeal this year…

Remember the shoebox appeal when you were younger? Packing up small gifts and essentials for someone who really needed it? I really wanted to get involved in a campaign like this in the run up to Christmas so I searched online to find a local charity. And I found a fantastic Christmas gift campaign… 

Festive

How to cut the cost of a Christmas stocking in half

Did you know that the average cost of a Christmas stocking adds up to over £70? Sounds like a lot doesn’t it? That’s why I jumped at the chance to cut this cost by half and share the results of my Christmas stocking haul with you today. Plus, you can win all the items in my retro stocking in my giveaway below so read on to enter the competition…

Anniversary parties

How to make the ultimate vegetarian mezze platter with 3 chickpea recipes

If you’re planning a party this autumn, constructing a platter is a great way to cater for your guests. There’s no need for you to be running back and forth from the kitchen and dishing up plates of food when you can lay out an enticing selection of snacks so that visitors can help themselves.

Birthdays

The frugal mum’s guide to party planning – for Halloween & beyond!

Of course, you want to throw your children an amazing party, but do you really need to spend an arm and a leg to make great memories? There are so many ways to save money without sacrificing fun at your child’s party. Here are a few things to consider when you’re planning for the big event.

Special Occasions

3 Things you really shouldn’t scrimp on for your thrifty Autumn wedding

Even though it may seem like your autumn wedding means endless spending, really there are only THREE wedding components that are worth investing money in. If you prioritise these three areas when setting your budget, everything else will naturally fall into place – without the need to spend a fortune on every little detail..!

Birthdays

How to bake the ultimate chocolate celebration cake

Can anything beat chocolate cake for dessert when you’re planning a celebration? Gooey, rich and sooo moist, this extreme chocolate cake recipe makes a fantastic birthday cake. The silky chocolate icing and the chocolate flakes on the top give it an irresistible appearance. Simply pop a few candles on the top and you’re ready to celebrate that special occasion. Here’s how to bake it…

Special Occasions

How to save money on your engagement ring

If you’re happily coupled up and are starting to look at engagement rings, this is the blog post for you! The trouble with engagement and wedding rings is that the price tag is often way beyond our reach. I mean, would you rather spend money on the ring, or the wedding itself, or your future together? There are many types of rings out there, all priced differently, so which is the right one for you – and for your budget too?

Festive

Making your money go further this Christmas

The decorations and mince pies are already on sale in many shops around the UK now and, with the nights starting to draw in, thoughts turn to Christmas. And also to the expense associated with the festive season, which for some is a stressful time of year. Here’s how to plan your budget ahead and keep yourself feeling happy about ‘the most wonderful time of the year’…

Autumn

4 Things you need to style your home for autumn

If you enjoy scrolling through Instagram or pinning inspirational interiors, you can’t have escaped the interiors trend for styling up your home for autumn. No sooner had September hit than my feed was filled with pumpkins and autumnal vibes – inspirational stuff. But those beautifully styled interiors had 4 things in common, so here’s my cheat-sheet of essential items you need to bring that autumnal feeling into your home…

Blogging

3 Festive photography essentials for content creators

If you’re a blogger, vlogger, photographer or independent business, you’ll no doubt already be planning for Christmas. I know – too soon, right? But we’ve already had plenty of ‘Christmas in July’ events and product previews and, in terms of content creation, it’s fast approaching! So, today I thought I’d help you be prepared and share some essential things you’re going to need in advance of the festive season…

Hen parties

Expert tips: How to save money on your hen weekend

A hen party is a once in a lifetime celebration – and you need to make sure that the hen do kitty stretches the entire weekend (those cocktails aren’t going to buy themselves, are they?). I spoke to stag and hen party planning experts, Last Night of Freedom, to get an insight into their top tips for saving money on your hen weekend. Here’s what they said:

HOME DIY

Traditional housewarming gifts to buy or make

Did you know that housewarming gifts have a meaning behind them? Just like anniversary gifts, the present wrap up to congratulate a friend on their new home can have a significant meaning. So here are some ideas for housewarming presents that combine those customs alongside a handy gift or tasty treat…

Pets

How to keep your pets safe & healthy during BBQ season

If you’re a pet owner, it’s likely that your dog or cat will be present at your summer BBQ. But is it safe for them to attend your event, or to nibble on something cooked on the BBQ? If you’re considering firing up the grill today to celebrate the World Cup, here’s how to look after your pets today and throughout BBQ season…

Sewing projects

Guest Post – How to make a personalised baby onesie

Want to put some love and effort into creating a ‘welcome to the world’ gift for the baby in your life? Today’s guest DIY project by Naomi shows you how to hand make a personalised onesie for the little one… 

Special Occasions

Valentines treats for all the family

Valentine’s day isn’t just about new couples or married folk; if you’ve got family and friends you want to celebrate with, go ahead and give

Festive

A Fool Proof Guide to Festive Entertaining

Today I’m sharing some expert advice from i heart Wines to get your guests ‘rioja-ing’ around the Christmas tree (excuse the awesome pun!) I’ve already shared my

Special Occasions

Affordable gift guide for husbands

Okay, I admit it. I’ve not bought a single Christmas gift for my husband yet. I’m guessing that next week will be a busy one

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