It’s time. It’s finally almost here – the most wonderful day of the year. So it’s time to take off the planning and preparation hat, and just be. Be in the moment. Be with your children. Be in the Christmas Spirit. Be. I want to thank you for letting me be a tiny part of your life in 2012. Your emails, your stories, your questions, your...

On the whole, I tend to be pretty organised with my Christmas Shopping. I do most of it in October or November, but I always, ALWAYS, do a last minute marathon shopping trip to pick up all the final bits and pieces for the kids, as well as the presents for the “so hard to buy for that it takes me the whole year to think of something people” Now that...

Oh my gosh – I cannot believe I am writing this post because it means that Christmas isn’t just approaching…. it is IMMINENT! Imminent do you hear…. imminent!  It’s time to start making the final preparations for the big day and the first step is to think ahead to Christmas morning which is less than ONE week away! Ideally, we should...

With only just over a week until Christmas, I thought I would share with you what MIGHT be under the Smiles Family Christmas Tree next week. Below are some gifts that the kids have asked Santa for, as well as some others which I might have snuck in (but shhh, don’t tell anyone!) 1. Car iPod Docking Station and Speakers Fred had a CD player like this that...

I posted a picture of my Christmas Puddings on Facebook a couple of weeks ago, and was asked for the recipe, so here it is! There is really nothing to it – which is what I love. They are quick, easy and look very impressive, so they are fantastic for taking along to end of year celebrations and morning teas! This is all you need: a packet or two (or three?) or...

I have to admit something. As I was getting our Christmas Tree out of the cupboard last weekend, I pulled on one corner of the box and it disintegrated in my hands. For one second, I grumbled to myself  ”I think this year we might buy a new tree – this one is sooo old.” *Grumble*Grumble* It can be easy at this time of year to suffer from a little...

Sponsored Post by 3M *** This giveaway has now closed. Congratulations to the winners… Vicky F, Michelle R, Jody J, Michelle van S and Lidya Y *** Every Christmas I tend to get a little over-excited about decorating the house with beautiful festive colours and special pieces that have been lovingly collected over the years. I think any piece of blank wall (or...

Our little Elf on the Shelf arrived on Saturday. It was so exciting. We’re not following the Elf-rules to the letter so he just mysteriously appeared on our lounge with his book. As we read it, we soon learned just how special this little Elf will be over the next month. The kids had a lot of fun trying to work out a name – I liked Jinx, Daddy Smiles...

*** This giveaway has now closed. Congratulations to the lucky winner Kirsty Ross-Bell! *** One of the greatest joys of Christmas is the joy of giving. To be able to put a smile on someone’s face warms the heart and reminds us of the true spirit of Christmas. Ferrero Boutique helps to make the process of giving that much easier by offering a selection of...

*** This giveaway has now closed. Congratulations to the lucky winner Candice Ecclestone! *** There are some toys and activities that have successfully stood the test of time – simply because they are all about good old-fashioned fun! The Crazy Skates from Supercool Sales bring back so many wonderful memories of my own childhood and are sure to be a hit now...