7 Festive Things to do This Month

Christmas is a time for family and community and for sharing love and wellbeing. It's a time for fun as well as peace, love and understanding, Yes, December can get busy, sometimes too busy but I'm also very grateful for the amazing things we get to do, see, eat and discover in the festive season. And here are seven things we'll be doing this month, now that it is December.

Where to Go - Alice in Wonderland, The Snowman at Durham Cathedral, Enchanted Parks and Sleeping Beauty

We really are spoilt for choice with so many festive shows and events taking place right across North East England. We've already seen Alice in Wonderland at Northern Stage, we are heading to Enchanted Parks later this week and next week we'll be watching the Newcastle Panto, Sleeping Beauty, at Gateshead International Stadium. "On no we won't... oh yes we will". The between Christmas and New Year we'll be enjoying a very special performance of The Snowman and The Nut Cracker at Durham Cathedral. Durham is now sold out but there are still a few tickets remaining for Chesterfield, Derby, Coventry, Blackpool, Hanley and Hull.

What to Bake - Christmas Cake

Don't worry if you haven't made your Christmas cake yet you still with our quick and easy Christmas cake recipe. No overnight soaking is required and you can make it in a couple of hours. But best of not only is it really tasty, but it all costs less than a tenner too.

And if you are looking for presents for teachers, friends or colleagues that don't cost the earth but instead are simple handmade gifts that your children can help make then try our festive fudge! My boys love making it. Eating it, as well as giving as a gift.

What to Make ... Frugal and eco-friendly Christmas decorations for your Tree ...

Christmas can be difficult for anyone who considers themselves an environmentally conscious person. So much paper is thrown away from Christmas cards, gift wrappings and bags. Trees are cut down to use as living room decor for only a few weeks - if you have a real tree you can check if it's from a sustainable source - and so many cheap plastic ornaments fill shopping baskets. To counter some of this consumerism you can make your own baubles to help make your Christmas celebration greener. And they are so easy to make that your children can actually do it for you.

What to Buy for Presents ...

Looking for present ideas? We have 11 non-alcoholic ideas for gin lovers as well as 12 books that tweens will love as suggested by parnets of tweens in our gift guides. Watch out for top toys for tweens and don't forget your partners Gift Guides coming soon too.

Where to see ... Santa in North East England ...

We have already been to see Santa in his grotto at Fenwick Newcastle and we'll be heading to Hall Hill Farm, who are one of my PR clients, soon too. We go every year. Santa is included in the usual admission price which means if you have an annual tickets it's FREE! It's open every weekend in the festive season and some extra dates just before the big day too. There are also lots of FREE festive family events and activities across North East England happening this month too.

What to win ... for you and your school ...

If you like thing that makes your life easier in the kitchen then enter our giveaway this month to win a fabulous prize of Silicone Baking Cups & 3-in-1 Slicer Giveaway. Its free to enter and entries are open until 21 December 2017.

Your school can also enter a competition this month to win a visit to your school by a children’s author or poet to lead a poetry workshop, plus the Premier League Trophy in the Premier League Poetry Stars competition. The first 1000 schools to enter also win full to the brim book bags!

What to Stream ... Christmas Songs ...

At this time of year I am totally spoilt for choice. I love my Andy Williams Chrstmas CD, and a bit of Buble in the kitchen while I'm cooking on Christmas Day never goes a miss too. Of the classics its got to be Last Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town and So this is Christmas that I love listening too the most.