Warner Brothers Film Reviews: The Polar Express, New Years Eve, The Dark Knight Rises

Over Christmas, with the whole family together in the house for for ten days, it was a good opportunity to find some time to watch some great DVDs. Warner Brothers kindly provided us with some light entertainment by sending a bundle of films for us to review - The Polar Express for the little ones, New Years Eve for hubby and I to watch together, and The Dark Knight - which I *kindly let* hubby watch on his own as action films are not really my thing.

As the snow has been falling this week, it has almost felt like a second Christmas with all of us being together again and it has been the perfect time to re-watch and enjoy these films once again!

On Christmas Eve, the girls watched The Polar Express.  Now available in 3D (though we watched the 2d version), this classic film has been updated to join the digital age. Here is a blurb about the film: "It’s Christmas Eve, and you’re about to roller-coaster up and down mountains, slip-slide over ice fields, teeter across mile-high bridges and be served hot chocolate by singing waiter more astonishing than any you can ever imagine. You’re on The Polar Express!" . The girls loved the film and the thought of a magical train that takes you to see Santa!. With Tom Hanks as the main star, and Robert Zemeckis as director, this is a great film that is perfect for all year round. The girls have been watching it again whilst it's been snowing and have been loving every minute of it. 

I managed to find some time over Christmas to watch a film too - New Years Eve - a real feel good, classic "chick flick" movie. "Nothing Beats New York on New Years Eve" and this film certainly does not disappoint as it takes you on a journey emitting every emotion under the sun in the space of  New Year’s Eve” celebrates love, hope, forgiveness, second chances and fresh starts, with intertwining stories told amidst the pulse and promise of New York City on the most dazzling night of the year. This film felt to me like basically the American version of "Love Actually" - a huge ensemble cast with intertwining stories which all come together in the end. I really enjoyed watching this film, and it was made even more special watching it surrounded by twinkly lights and a box of chocs!!

Not to be left out, Hubby was thrilled to find "The Dark Knight Rises" in the Christmas stocking from Warner Brothers as it had been on his list of DVDs to see. Hubby is a die hard Batman film, and had seen the film at the cinema, but owning his own copy means that he can watch it whenever he wants! The Dark Knight is set eight years from when Batman turned from hero to fugitive by vanishing into the night. "Assuming the blame for the death of D.A. Harvey Dent, the Dark Knight sacrificed everything for what he and Commissioner Gordon both hoped was the greater good. For a time the lie worked, as criminal activity in Gotham City was crushed under the weight of the anti-crime Dent Act. However, everything changes with the arrival of a cunning cat burglar with a mysterious agenda. Far more dangerous, however, is the emergence of Bane, a masked terrorist whose ruthless plans for Gotham drive Bruce out of his self-imposed exile. But even if he dons the cape and cowl again, Batman may be no match for Bane..."

Hubby really enjoyed this film and rated it as good as the previous Batman films. With a slightly darker feel than previous films, this is an action packed, ultimate comic book hero movie not to be missed! 

Thanks to Warner Brothers for sending us such fantastic films to watch. As a family, we would recommend all of them!

Disclosure: Films offered in consideration for review

Snow - Remembering the Housebound in Cold Weather

This week the whole country has been swathed with a dumping of the white stuff, with some very heavy snow in some parts of the country. The kid's have been having a great time stomping about making footprints in the snow and building snowmen, and hubby and I have been enjoying taking some lovely scenic photos.

In our little corner of the world, the snow doesn't seemed to have affected us too much. Hubby has still managed to get into work, and we have still succeeded in getting to school and after school activities, and going about our daily lives. It seems (so far) that if you are driving, as soon as you get off of the local roads, the roads are clear and everyone is wondering what all of the fuss is about.

However, unlike us, some are not so lucky to come through the cold weather without being affected. Tonight, I was reminded by my mother about my eighty three year old Nan. After a fall in the town a few months ago, she now worries about going out in the bad weather. This is the first winter where she has taken the decision not to go out whilst there is ice or snow on the ground, and so she has effectively made herself a prisoner in her own home due to the weather. The Met Office has warned that this weather could last for up to three weeks. That's three weeks for my Nan in the house, worried about stepping outside for a pint of milk in case she takes a tumble, and being isolated and cut off from society. It's also three weeks of dealing with sub zero temperatures and trying to keep the house warm. I know that sometimes my Nan will only heat one room and then stay in that room all day as it's cheaper, and she doesn't see the sense in heating the whole house just for her.

Luckily, I have quite a big family and so I'm sure my Nan will have quite a few people checking up on her over the next few weeks, or taking her out to get some shopping or on an "outing". However, many older people do not have the privilege of having family or friends who live close by, or relatives who drive. Many older people feel extremely isolated at this time of year - especially if they rely on the bus or walking for transport. Even a short trip to the shops can seem like an obstacle course through the snow and the ice. Some people may choose to stay at home and not eat rather than venture out.

Therefore, I would ask you, if you know of someone who is living on their own and perhaps can't get out easily in the cold weather, please do check on them. They could be an elderly, disabled or vulnerable person. Perhaps they are ill or housebound, or maybe they are a parent of a baby or small child who cannot get the buggy through the snow and so cannot go about their normal daily life.

If you know someone who can't leave the house for whatever reason, please check to see whether they need a pint of milk, or a loaf of bread, or perhaps even consider taking them a hot meal round. Even more so, perhaps spend some time talking to them so that they hear a human voice during this cold snap.

If you have more time on your hands and want to make a difference, perhaps rally a few volunteers and approach a local church or charity who could point you in the direction of those who may need a little extra looking after this winter. I'm sure that your visits would be much appreciated by those who are unable to venture out in the cold snowy weather!

Kirsty Allsopp vs. NCT Twitter Storm - From My Own Personal Perspective

Please Note: All views are my own opinions and not those of any organisations I represent.

Over the last couple of days, those of you following my twitter feed may have seen me getting involved in the debate regarding Kirsty Allsopp and her comments regarding the NCT (National Childbirth Trust). 

Following a discussion on Radio 4, Kirsty Allsopp tweeted

"NCT (sic) is a very politicised, dogmatic, and in my experience scary organisation."

In my opinion, in a couple of unevidenced, judgemental tweets, Kirsty Allsopp has managed to belittle and dismiss the last six years of my life.

When my daughter was born six years ago, I joined the local NCT. At the time, I didn't know anyone else my age who had a baby. We did antenatal classes which were very informative. We formed an NCT group, and I volunteered for the local branch. The branch were a great supportive group of people who willingly accepted me without asking what kind of birth I had or how I was feeding my baby. The local Breast Feeding Counsellors spent time with me helping me to breastfeed my baby after she had been given bottles in special care, the local volunteers took me under their wing and made me feel like part of the group. The NCT enhanced my early parenting experiences, and even though our small NCT class group no longer meets, I have made some friends through volunteering for the branch who I'm sure will be friends for life, and have gained new skills which have enabled me to volunteer for and chair other local charity groups and organisations, and grow personally and professionally over the last six years. I would not be the person I am today without the local NCT.

For the last three years, I have been studying a University Diploma / Foundation Degree in Antenatal Education to become an NCT Antenatal Teacher. Under the guidance of my tutor I have had to attend monthly tutorials, and numerous internal study days. I have had to complete 120 credits at Level 4 and 120 credits at level 5 - made up of thousands of hours of distance learning self-directed study, practical assessments, numerous essays and written pieces of work, and formal exams. I have also had to teach three Antenatal courses (42 hours of teaching). I have had to play an active role within my branch as a branch volunteer, and on a professional level, keep up to speed with what is happening in maternity on a local and national level through attending local meetings and forums with hospital staff, sitting on my local MSLC, and commenting on local maternity policies and protocols. Additionally I have attended many external study days and conferences to further my own professional development. I am also currently studying a university level 4 certificate to become an NCT Birth Companion - in between caring for my children, working, blogging, volunteering in several roles and everything else I do!

Having put all of this work, time and effort into becoming an NCT Antenatal teacher, and having sacrificed so much to do it, personally, I am offended that Kirsty Allsopp has made such disparaging remarks about NCT Antenatal Teachers with such little research by suggesting that NCT Teachers:

1) Have a hidden agenda which includes being only pro natural birth and breastfeeding,
2) Do not meet the needs of their clients and do not cover all kinds of birth,
3) Do not support clients who have not had a 'natural' birth.

I am also surprised that she thinks the general public would be better off attending antenatal classes run by profit-making organisations who recruit unqualified teachers, or teachers who have to attend in-house "training" which in absolutely no way comes close to my university accredited, assessed and extremely comprehensive NCT training. (Click here for more information on Choosing Antenatal Classes)

As far as I'm aware, Kirsty has never been involved in the NCT in any capacity. She has never attended classes, and has never attended branch events - so I am not sure how she can feel qualified to make any comment on an organisation she has no personal experience of?

What I do know is that two years ago, when Kirsty had a new project to promote, she took to twitter to create a storm against the NCT claiming that the NCT did not support women who had Caesarean Births, interspersed with advertising her latest projects. President Sue Saxey sent her a personal letter inviting her to meet with Sue personally, and to feedback on how she felt that the NCT could support women who had experienced a Caesarean Birth. 

Kirsty Allsopp, NEVER REPLIED.

Once again, Kirsty's most recent storm of tweets against the NCT which has gained her more followers and press, is set against the background of her promoting her latest project.

Coincidence?? I think not......

Although Kirsty's special brand of misplaced fear and judgemental tweets have conveyed lots of negative remarks against the NCT, she has not retweeted any of the positive opinions which can be found if you read through the feed for NCT tweets.

Regarding supporting parents at Classes, this is what NCT CEO Belinda Phipps had to say:

"NCT Antenatal Courses cover all the topics that are relevant to expectant and new parents, including giving birth by caesarean section and pain management. One of the reasons our courses are attended by more than 160,000 parents each year is the content of the course is also influenced by the expressed needs and wants of the small groups attending. Results of extensive evaluation of our services shows that NCT courses dramatically increase both women's and men's confidence about birth and that the vast majority of first-time mothers and fathers felt that their course provided evidence-based information from a reliable source. Our research also showed that over 90% of first-time mothers and fathers felt their needs were met by the course and would recommend it to other parents."

From my own lengthy first-hand experiences of teaching and volunteering for the NCT, this is what I know to be true information about NCT teachers and classes, and NCT as an organisation:

• NCT Practitioners are well qualified to teach Antenatal, Postnatal, and Breastfeeding sessions. They train for around three years for their University accredited Diploma/Foundation Degree in Antenatal/Postnatal/Breastfeeding Education.

• NCT Practitioner's spend time debriefing their own births and agendas so that they can offer unbiased, evidenced-based information to clients.

• NCT Antenatal Courses should be covering all kinds of births - including Assisted and Caesarean births - My classes include possible birth interventions and information on all kinds of pain-relief and births. My classes also cover practical and emotional aspects of late pregnancy, labour, birth and early parenting.

• My qualification has ensured that all quotes/statistics/information I give in my classes are researched and evidence based. Health Professionals may present different evidence, but it's often assumed that as an NCT teacher, I am wrong, rather than entertaining the possibility that my research could be the most up-to-date and correct. 

• Not all NCT classes and teachers are the same. Just as within the education sector, all teacher's have different styles of teaching. Additionally, no two groups of course attendees are the same. Classes are tailored to the needs of each individual group and in most cases, it is the group who sets the agenda rather than the teacher and I give information on everything the group want to know either through class discussion, practical work, handouts, or links to Internet articles.

• Not all NCT course formats will produce the same results or equip parents as well. Parents may favour weekend formats as its more convenient to get their antenatal course done within two days and outside of work times, however research shows that groups bond better, and clients remember and retain more through attending either days or evenings once or twice a week for 6-8 weeks rather than cramming 14 hours of learning and knowledge into one weekend.

• There have been comments on twitter saying that their NCT classes didn't cover x, y and z. Although I fully acknowledge that in some instances some teacher's may not have covered what clients had hoped for, I know in my courses that I have had clients come back to me at reunion's and say we didn't cover "x" when I know full well that we did. It just may be that clients do not attend a session and so miss information, or they may switch off during sessions as they think that a topic may not be relevant to them, and then wish that they had known about it during labour.

• NCT Teacher's don't typically cover bottle feeding and no - it's not because we are the Breastfeeding Gestapo or we wish to shun those who choose to bottle feed. NCT Practitioner's are asked to adhere to the World Health Organisation's Code on the Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes.  It's not that we don't want to cover Bottle Feeding in our classes, it's just that we are adhering to the code - just like formula companies who do not advertise formula for baby's under 6 months are, or as the supermarket's who do not offer discounts on Infant Formula pre 6 months are. 

• The NCT offers information on Bottle Feeding a Baby and Introducing Formula Milk on their website.

• Although most women and men who attend classes are white middle classes in their 30's and 40's, the NCT welcomes all parents and it's reach includes all ethnic groups and ages. Specialised courses supported by local funding have also provided NCT classes for young parents, men only classes, and classes for parents with distinct ethnic and socio-economic needs. Parents who are eligible for certain benefits can book NCT courses for just £10.

• Unlike other organisations, NCT are not a profit-making organisation. All membership fees go to cover the costs of running a charity and training volunteers and practitioners. All courses either run at a break-even or a loss.

• As an NCT Teacher, I promote straightforward birth for those who want it, not straightforward birth at any cost.

• It is often quite easy for parents to blame the NCT for their bad birth or loss of expectation, but as far as I'm aware, most NCT teacher's are not present during their client's births. Even though you can prepare and prepare parents with the best information, at the end of the day, the parent's are the ones making the choices, and I always give my clients the information to make the most informed choices. However, during reunions, often I hear..

•  "Well we wanted to (x/y/z) but then the doctor said (insert advice here) and so we agreed as he said not doing so may harm the baby" - Even though we had spent time discussing about finding out all of the information and repercussions about procedures before having them...

• "Well, we wanted to go to the birth centre, but then we just wanted the baby out and so we agreed to an induction as soon as possible and we somehow ended up with an assisted birth as we didn't know you had to be induced on the delivery suite". In my classes I share with clients how in many units, having an artificially induced labour means that you cannot go to the birth centre, and you are statistically more likely to have an epidural and an assisted birth. However, often pressure to get the baby out from family, friends, peers, and personal preference supercedes those conversations you had two weeks ago in antenatal classes - but clients may not see it that way.

• "Well we tried to stay at home as long as possible but my partner just wanted me at the hospital as he didn't like me making noise during contractions, and then I got scared in the hospital, and my labour wasn't progressing fast enough so I ended up on a drip, with an epidural, and then was monitored and so had to lie down, and then I had to have a Caesarean Birth to save the baby's life and you didn't tell me that this was what would happen". It must have slipped your mind - all that time I spent during the course talking about how staying at home in a relaxed place as long as possible will help during early labour, as will remaining upright, in open positions, and reminding you how recumbent positions affect your ability to push...

• Regarding all of the scenario's above, I am not saying that the Client's were in the wrong, or that I was in the wrong. However, some clients may wonder why they did not get the birth they had hoped for, but if they sat back and thought about it, they would probably discover it was down to the opinions of a staff member during labour, or a decision they themselves made during labour - despite me having plugged away at all of the information. It's very easy to take in information at a class when you are feeling relaxed and in a logical frame of mind, but during labour, all logic and sense can go out of the window and so people may end up making choices they would not typically make because they are not thinking rationally. They then spend time post-birth trying to rationalise their birth experiences when they are thinking logically again, and come to the conclusion that the only answer must be that they were set up for a bad birth experience by their NCT teacher who told them that straightforward birth is possible (and in 95% of cases it is - if women are able to labour using their own innate ability to birth their baby rather than relying on a machine to tell them when they are having a contraction or if/when they should push). Personally, I know that's what happened in my first birth. I was all set up for a natural, amazing birth, but down to decisions I consented to, I ended up with an assisted birth and a baby in special care. I couldn't make sense of my birth in the baby's first years, and I blamed people, but through doing my course, and learning a lot more about labour and birth, I know realise exactly where that first birth experience went wrong (isn't hindsight a wonderful thing!)

• Parent's may blame their NCT teacher for scuppering their hopes and dreams for birth, when teacher's may just be trying to help them to be realistic about their expectations. Different units/hospitals excel in different things. Lets say for example a couple have their heart set on having a water birth at Unit "A". I have visited Unit "A" and know that the MLU has only just opened, the unit is not very pro normality, and many of the midwives are not trained in water birth or they do not feel confident attending a water birth. They have also told me that due to understaffing, only two couples have had water births in the two months since they have been open. The couple have visited Unit A, saw the pools there, and saw that they did water birth's on their website. They have then booked at their midwifery appointments to have their baby at Unit "A" as it is close to their house and close for all of the relatives to visit. They attend their NCT classes a few weeks later and I tell them that actually, the above is what I have heard about Unit "A".... I then tell them that the only way they could absolutely guarantee their waterbirth is by having a pool at home. I also tell them that Unit "B" on the other side of town deals with hundreds of water births each year, and has midwives who are all trained and confident in waterbirth. Therefore if they have their heart absolutely set on a waterbirth, Unit B may be a better option for them, although it will not necessarily guarantee them a pool if they are already busy. The couple have their baby at Unit A, and do not get their waterbirth. When they contact me, they accuse me of being biased towards homebirth and preferring hospital B over hospital A. They say that I did not support their choices, and so, that is why they didn't get the birth that they wanted. Perhaps, in an extreme case, they even lodge a complaint against me. All I would have been trying to do would show them the best, realistic options for the kind of birth they wanted, but they would say I did not get them the "perfect" birth they were hoping for, even though they made the choice to go to Unit A, despite my giving them other options and information. This situation is only theoretical, but from the teacher's perspective, this is the kind of rationale that teacher's are faced with.

• NCT Practitioners not only teach NCT classes. Many of them teach NHS classes and in children's centres. They sit on MSLC's, work alongside health professionals, help recruit midwifery students, attend meetings with hospital boards to comment on local policy and protocols, and in many cases, work closely with the hospitals and units in their area so that they have a good picture of what is happening on a local level. Although Practitioners are paid for classes, they do a lot more work in local maternity in their free time which is unpaid so that they can keep up to date with the latest local knowledge.

• All NCT Practitioner's are assessed and audited regularly by NCT Assessors and Tutors. 

 During this whole twitter storm, on twitter and through comments in articles on newspaper websites, many comments and tweets have started with the words " I have never done NCT classes but I have heard..." " I have no experience of NCT classes but...." "Although I have never attended NCT classes or branch events, a friend told me........" Unfortunately, it seems that these people are happy to share their opinions which are detrimental to the NCT based on hear-say and Chinese whispers.

If you have had a bad experience with NCT then I do not wish to make light of your bad experiences or suggest that your feelings of anger or resentment towards NCT are not valid. If you felt that your teacher did not cover birth adequately in classes then I completely recognise your experiences as not good enough. If you felt that the branch did not do enough to support you then I can completely sympathise that not all branch volunteers may be following the NCT "party" line of supporting parents to be the parent they want to be. I would suggest that you email ceo@nct.org.uk and share your bad experiences so that hopefully these negative things are not repeated in the future and NCT as an organisation or as individual branches or teachers can reflect on these bad experiences, and learn what can be done in the future to improve services. I always welcome feedback in my classes and feedback is how you learn and how you grow. 

However, please also consider that sometimes it could be that perceived "NCT opinions" could actually be individual opinions which have manifested and may have been interpreted as "NCT opinions". It's important to differentiate between the opinion and agenda's of individuals, vs the opinion's and policies of the NCT organisation as a whole. A branch volunteer who is pro homebirth and breastfeeding could be seen to suggest that NCT is anti Caesarean birth and bottle feeding, when rather, it is simply the opinion of that individual. If you think (as some on twitter have suggested) that NCT did not support you because your partner did not have the "right job" or your "house wasn't big enough" - well that may be more down to individual NCT class attendees or volunteers in the area you live in, rather than the NCT organisation as a whole. In all of your bad (and good) experiences, how many of you have actually heard the phrase "The NCT Says...." inferring that you are being given the opinion of an organisation, rather than "I think", or "In my opinion.." which is the opinion of an individual.

In my classes I aim to empower my clients with the confidence to make informed decisions based on evidenced based research and information. Through all of this backlash against the NCT, I would ask you to do the same.

(and Kirsty, If you are reading this, please come to an NCT class, or attend a branch event and find out what the NCT is Really all about!)

How to Save £1000 for Christmas - and Other Savings Ideas

And so we have entered a new year and come to the close of the festive season. The presents have all been opened, the food has been eaten and most of the wine has been drunk. Across the land, many are wondering how soon they can take down the Christmas decorations and get their living rooms back to normal, and also are perhaps avoiding thinking about how soon the January credit card bills will be arriving through the letterbox....

With all of the expense of Christmas, we may at some point sit back and wonder why we stress ourselves out, over indulge, and spend money we don't have on presents and food for just a short period, especially if we then end up paying it back on credit cards!

Well, Christmas may be done and dusted for another year, but believe it or not, it is never to early to start thinking about saving for next Christmas so that you don't dread the arrival of the January bills. With a very large family of adults and kids to buy for, spreading the cost of Christmas over the year is the only way that Hubby and I are able to afford Christmas. I always breathe a sigh of relief in January that everything Christmas related has been paid for and we have no credit card debts hanging over us like others do.

So, saving for next Christmas is relatively easy. The most important thing to remember is:

START SAVING NOW!

If you add up the cost of  your last Christmas, and then divide it by 12. This is how much you should be aiming to save per month, or in total towards next Christmas. I am going to show you how you can save £1000 towards the cost of Christmas - feel free to adjust the amount to suit your own budget.

Save Money Each Week (without giving it to savings schemes)
Saving an amount of money each week will help you out hugely when December comes. You could save money in a pot, or give it to a trusted friend/family member to look after. Alternatively, you could open a savings account or access an existing one, and pay it into the account via direct debit each month.

This is our preferred method of saving, We set up a direct debit to transfer £10 per week into a savings account. You could also transfer a lump sum on pay day, rather than once a week - whatever works for you. Add extra cash to boost the pot/account if you find yourself with unexpected funds throughout the year.

Saving £10 per week, for 52 weeks equals £520 pounds - Total £520

Food Shopping

Many supermarkets offer Christmas Savings Cards which enable you to save throughout the year. Some supermarkets also offer an incentive and will add a bonus payment when you save a certain amount. I save with a couple of different supermarkets throughout the year. If you add £6 per week to your shopping bill for 52 weeks, you will typically save around £300 - which would need to be on two different savings cards as you can typically only save £150 per card. As well as the food shopping, you can also get some great gifts at the supermarket. You can register the cards so that you can still access the cash even if you lose the card.

£5 per week saved equals £240
£6 per week saved equals £312

We save £6 per week - Total £312

Gift Vouchers

Most of us will receive gift vouchers throughout the year, or refund vouchers when we return something in-store. Although you may feel obligated to purchase something just to use your gift or refund vouchers up, holding on to vouchers until Christmas time can be far more financially beneficial, as can buying something as a Christmas gift with vouchers/gift card during the year. Just make sure you check the expiry dates on vouchers and gift cards so that you don't lose out on spending the money altogether. 

On average, most people would have £20-£50 worth of vouchers throughout the year.

Total (averaged) £25 pounds

Buy Throughout The Year

You don't have to wait until Christmas to buy gifts. If you see something you think someone you know will like and it's a reasonable price, then buy it. If you aim to buy at least one gift a month, averaged out at £10 per gift, then by December you will have spent £120 towards the cost of Christmas and have £120 saved in products for Christmas. If you are going on holiday, especially somewhere abroad, then buying gifts and saving them for Christmas can be a great way to get someone something unique they would not ordinarily be able to get at home. Even a magnet, or tea towel can be an exciting present if it is from an exotic place, and a nice postcard, with a good frame can make a wonderful picture gift. 

Total £120 (Saved in Product)

Re-Gifting

Many people may receive gifts from Christmas/birthdays/raffles/competitions through the year that they may not particularly want or need. These can be re-gifted at Christmas to save money on gifts. Re-gifting generic gifts like toiletries, stationary or wine can be a great gift for distant friends or family, or for teachers. The golden rule is to make sure you don't re-gift a gift to the same person who gave the gift to you!

Average Total £25

All Savings In Total
£520 Cash Saved
£312 Supermarket Savings Card
£25 Gift Vouchers
£120 Bought Products
£25 Regifting

Total: £1002 saved over the year for Christmas!

Here are some other ways you can also save for Next Christmas:

Buy Cards/Christmas Wrapping NOW

Buy your Christmas cards and wrapping paper for next year at the end of this year's season - whilst the sales are on in the shops. Many stores have cards and wrapping papers at least half price straight after Christmas. You may have gift vouchers you could spend on Cards and Christmas Wrapping or decorations for next year.

Make Your Own Cards/Labels for Next Year

When you take down your cards, have a craft day and cut out the pictures on the cards to make labels, or Using some coloured card, stick the cut-out Christmas pictures onto new Cards for next year. Store them in a safe place for the following year.

Browse Charity Shops

Although many would baulk at the idea of receiving gifts from a charity shop, there may be those in your life who you know are self-confessed thrifters and who would happily receive a gift from a charity shop. Be on the look out throughout the year as sometimes, you might just find that thing which you think could be perfect for someone you know. Buy a pretty box to give your gift in and your gift will look as good as new. Charity shops also often contain new, unused gifts which may be perfect for friends and family.

Buy Toys at Nearly New Sales

Since my kids have been young, we have bought the majority of their toys for Christmas from our local NCT Nearly New Sales. Toys sold at NCT sales and other similar sales are often good quality toys, hardly used and sold as seen, for between one third and half of the price you would expect to pay in the shops. My kids have received some fantastic stuff over the years, and their pile on Christmas morning has been huge, whilst the financial outlay has been very reasonable. They still always receive a couple of 'main' presents which are brand new, but nearly new toys have helped to bulk out their piles on Christmas morning considerably, and have saved time on removing the packaging. I would typically only buy nearly new sale toys for my own children, or perhaps for a child whose parent I knew well and who had similar thinking to me, but buying their toys second hand has saved me hundreds of pounds over the last few years, and they are always impressed with their stash on Christmas morning,. 

As an example, amongst other things, this Christmas youngest received:

Mini Micro Scooter RRP £49. NNS Price - £8. 

Fur Real Cat RRP 15. NNS Price - £2.50.

Disney Jasmine Outfit RRP £15. NNS Price £3.50.

Eldest Received:
Barbie Camper Van RRP £50. NNS Price £9.
Polly Pocket Ski Resort RRP £30. NNS Price £3.

Sell Old Items Online or at Nearly New Sales/Car Boot Sales
Great for making space for new Christmas gifts, and raising money for Christmas at the same time. 

Make Your Own Gifts

If the thought of traipsing through the shops for gifts leaves your stomach churning, or if you want to save money, or you are extremely talented in one way or another, then why not consider making your own gifts? A late autumn windfall of apples or berries can often be foraged for free and turned into delicious jams or chutneys. You could start saving jars now so that you have enough to give as gifts. A child's picture lovingly created at nursery or school can be framed as a great gift for grandparents.

Other Gift Ideas:

Chocolate Truffles, Hand Sewn Items, Knitted Items, Jewellery, Soap, Gift Hampers, Sketches, Layered Ingredient Jars, Create a CD, Calendars, Teacup Candles, Memory Jar, Plants, Me Vouchers.

So, there you have it - £1000 saved for Christmas, plus lots of other savings and Christmas gift ideas!

If you have found these tips helpful, please leave me a comment to say so. If you have any other tips, please let me know, or leave a comment, and I will add them to the post.

Happy Saving!!