5 Things To See And Do In Canada

*Collaborative Post*

If you're seeking a holiday destination with breathtaking views composed of beautiful lakes and snow-capped mountains Canada is the place to go. There's plenty to explore and so much to keep you occupied during your visit that you will probably be booking your return trip before you've even left! 

Here are a few of our favourite things to see and do whilst there...

Banff National Park

There's no doubt you will enjoy a trip to Canada with so many uninhabited natural spaces to witness. Niagara Falls is one of the most popular attractions, with around 14 million visitors each year, and it's not surprising to see why. These 3 iconic waterfalls are based between the province of Ontario and the state of New York. There are boat tours to get up close to the water, the Rainbow Bridge to venture across and also exciting tunnel trips to view the Horseshoe Falls (the largest) from behind. You can even book a helicopter ride above for some amazing photography opportunities.

With over 50 acres of land, available to access all year round, Butchart Gardens is a great attraction in Central Saanich. The variety of colours and aromas will captivate your senses regardless of the season or weather - with winter having the addition of an ice rink for skating and a carousel to ride. This is an ideal place for festive family fun with the pretty lights and decorations at the moment.

Reindeer Food (with Edible Glitter Recipe)

The Mini Mes are already counting down the sleeps until Santa's arrival and it got me thinking about our Christmas Eve routine. Usually our Elf on the Shelf would bring a box of new PJ's festive movies, some delicious treats to devour and goodies to leave out for Rudolph, but as he won't be making an appearance this year (the kids are getting far too grown up unfortunately) I thought we could have some fun by making our own reindeer food again.

This is a very simple recipe to create at home, with items that are probably in your cupboards already. It's also very quick to make so if you've left it until the last minute never fear!

Ingredients

7 Top Tips for Spending Christmas Away from Home

*Collaborative Post*

Whether you're heading abroad, setting off for a getaway in the countryside or staying with relatives for the festive period these tips should make it a success - you can keep the spirit yet remove the stress from travel over Christmas.

• Before leaving home it's a good idea to ensure you have all the essentials to hand, just in case the weather causes any delays. Pop a box in the boot with some snacks, blankets, drinks and even pyjamas so if you're stuck at night you can transfer the little ones straight to bed with ease. You may also wish to take out one day insurance for your car if someone else wants to take the wheel for a change so you can make the most of your family break from the very start.

• If your little ones are believers allow them to write letters to Santa in advance so they don't worry that he wont know exactly where they are to deliver their gifts! It may sound simple but it will mean so much to them and remove any unnecessary upset. You can even receive a free letter back from Royal Mail if you post them to Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ before 6th December - something that will definitely put smiles on faces!

Winter Day Out Ideas for the Family

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Winter can be a tricky time to find things to do with the family. The weather gets colder, and often wetter, and you’re just not too keen on leaving the house. There are however some fun things you can do and I’m going to share a couple of them with you in this post...

Grab your bikes… or trikes

If you’re willing to brave the outdoors, there are some great places you can head to and take your bikes or trikes with you. Often bikes can be quite hard to transport but you should look at a folding tricycle. These are, as you’d expect, three wheeled so are sturdier on tough terrain. They also fold away nicely for easy storage, with adults and kids’ versions available. Heading to the countryside gets them out and about, burning off some energy and gets fresh air into their lungs. Taking bikes or trikes out is also seen as more fun than walking and you can cover longer distances. There’s some great locations across the UK, you just need to check the weather forecast and pack accordingly before you head out!

Visit your local museum

The weather is likely to be damp most of the time, so when time outdoors isn't very inviting why not head over to your local museum? There are loads all over the country and if you’re willing to go a bit further afield, you’ll find some real hidden gems. Kids absolutely love exploring museums and they can learn so much from a visit. You never know, you might learn something new along the way too! There’s everything from trains to local history to mines and electricity - do a bit of research to find out.

Planning the perfect sleepover for your kids

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We all remember back to the days when we used to have sleepovers as kids. It was one of the most exciting times of the year and was incredibly important for us to develop relationships with other people our age. For all the fun that kids have, for parents it can be very stressful. We’ve put together a post with some hints and tips you can put in place to make sure that your kid’s sleepover runs as smoothly and as stress free as possible.

Bedtime

Start at the end. Although the kids will be full of energy they’ll still need to sleep. You’ll need to make sure that their bedroom is prepared for more than just your child. There’s a great range of kids and guest beds from Bed Guru that have multiple functions, including a spare bed underneath! You might need somewhere that has additional storage so you can keep the bedroom clutter free so take a look at cabin beds, they’ll help to keep the floor clean and the clutter well out of the way.

Play Time

To the kids, this is the most important time of the sleepover. Whether you have a group that wants to play Fortnite until the sun comes up or have a tea party, the fun (for them) never ends! Make sure you have an activity lined up that will burn their energy out so when it comes to bedtime, they’re ready to crash out. Sit them down in front of the tele with a healthy snack to let them wind down.

Millennial Saving Habits And How To Improve Them

*A Collaborative Post with Shepherds Friendly*

Despite the bad press that millennials often receive for regularly spending money on dining out and entertainment, they are in fact some of the best savers within the country with 59% putting money away at least once a month. Admittedly funds are generally saved towards short term goals like a holiday in preference of a home or retirement, but it's possible that this is due to the general cost of living being higher and these longer term goals appearing less obtainable in today's society.

The above infographic shares some important stats about the saving habits of millennials (those aged 18-34) and Generation X (those aged 35-54). Although many are saving money frequently which is great to see there's still a big percentage that aren't regularly popping the pounds away, if at all, which of course is a little concerning.

There are a few tips included which can certainly help you to save but being someone who puts funds away every pay day, without fail, and sets yearly targets, I have a few suggestions of my own which should have a positive impact on your bank (or ISA) balance.

How To Make A Small Room Seem Bigger

Many of us have a small room, which is essentially a dumping ground for “stuff” so why not

transform your box room into a spare bedroom, office or snug? You just need to declutter and add a lick of paint to brighten up the space. You could also invest in a modern Scandi light for a touch of trendiness.

Paint the walls light colours

When painting a smaller room, you want to open up the space with light colours, such as whites and pastels. This will make the room feel more spacious and airier.

Darker colours will only make the room feel boxy and claustrophobic. You want to bring light into the room, not take it away.

Use hidden storage

It’s time to get crafty with your storage techniques. Floor to ceiling wardrobes are a great option for utilising space and hidden storage under the bed is a life saver.

Opt for furniture with multiple purposes. Invest in some wooden baskets to put under

the bed or your window seat. There is no need to take up extra space with large drawers when you can secretly tuck away items.