A Last Minute Christmas Can Still Be A Cracking One

Christmas has a habit of sneaking up every year. If you’re a little behind on the Christmas band wagon this year, you’ve come to the right place. It can be scary if you haven’t considered preparations or presents at this stage, but you still have time. The trick is to stay calm and think through what you need to do. Make a list and get going as soon as possible! No one ever needs to know you left things to the last minute. These pointers should help set you off in the right direction.

Last minute christmas shopping

Image from Flickr

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Your last minute Christmas shopping behaviour will be slightly different to your usual. At this late notice, it’s risky to order online. Some sites provide last delivery dates before Christmas. If you’re feeling brave, order from these. Though, bear in mind that items sometimes take longer than expected to arrive! If you can’t find dates on a site at all, it’s safest to assume that they won’t come in time. The only thing for it is to hit the shops! Plan your shopping carefully, to ensure you get it done as fast as possible. Plan where you need to go. Bear in mind that those shops are bound to be full now. Most towns have late opening hours over the two weeks before Christmas. Check if your chosen town does this, and take advantage. It may still be busier than you expect, but you won’t have to fight the crowds quite so much as you would during the day.

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Digital Marketing Strategies that can Help your Business Grow

Today I’m sharing with you some digital marketing strategies that can help your business or in my case helped me to grow my blog. It takes time and lots of effort to build up a blog/business and it certainly won’t happen overnight.

Here is my little story of how I’m growing my blog.

I started my blog over 21 months ago. At first I was a complete novice in anything to do with the digital online world. For months I didn’t even know how to track my page views. I suppose I was just plodding along and used my blog as a space to write my thoughts down.

It was a hobby. Nothing more.

Fast forward to April this year and I was on maternity leave, eager to start learning how far I could push my blog. After all I had time while baby girl napped and when she bed to bed in the evenings. Now here I am in December and this blog is now my business. I’m astounded how quickly it has grown. I’m not talking hundred’s of thousands of page views each month and definitely not earning £1000’s of pounds each month either. But I’m truly happy with where it’s heading. As they say hard work does pay off in the end.

Digital marketing strategies

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The Ultimate Christmas Cake Recipe

Over the past few years I have gotten into making my very own Christmas cakes. Last year I made one. This year I’m attempting two! I always use the same easy Christmas cake recipe. I’m not sure how I came about it. I think over the years I have added my own bits to it. Now it really is the ultimate easy cake recipe. I think the most effort needed is to weigh out all the ingredients.

The Ultimate Christmas cake recipe

Easy Christmas Cake Recipe

Ingredients for your Ultimate Christmas Cake

  • 525g Currents
  • 225g Sultanas
  • 225g Raisins
  • 110g Mixed Candied peel finely chopped
  • 165g Glace Cherries halved
  • 300g Plain Flour
  • Pinch of Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Mixed Spice
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg
  • 300g Butter
  • 300g Soft Brown Sugar
  • Zest of half a lemon
  • 6 Large eggs
  • 3 tbsp Brandy

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Shopping for Wide Fit Shoes

I have always had large wide feet. When I left Primary School my feet were a size 6. It wasn’t much fun. All my friends had cool shoes but mine were just big and clumpy.

Now I’m a size 9. It’s not much fun as an adult trying to find shoes that fit either.  Most high street shops stop at size 8. At work I have to wear safety boots and mine are the men’s ones. I couldn’t squeeze my wide and rather long feet into the women’s safety boots.

I know there are women out there like me who dread the high street shopping for wide fit shoes. But lucky nowadays with online shopping, it’s opened up a whole new world that is so much closer to home. With just a few clicks you can find the perfect pair of wide fit shoes in an instant, and have them delivered straight to your door.

Shopping for Wide Fit Shoes

I always look for comfort when buying shoes, more than what they look like.

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The Perfect Lazy Night in with Soreen

I love this time of year. A Lazy night in is exactly what you need after a busy day at work. With the dark evenings and cold weather, tucked up in front of the TV is just perfect.

Now if you are like me I must have snacks while I’m watching TV especially if it’s a great film!

The perfect little snack around at the moment is these little squidgy cake bites from Soreen. They are extremely moreish and trust me one is not enough!

Lazy night in with Soreen Squidgy cake bites
The Squidgy Cake Bites Come in this cute little sharing tub, which I did share with my husband. Although I could have eaten the lot!

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Things To Consider Before Buying A Pet

Christmas is coming and we’re all racking our brains about what we can get our children, partner and family. Pets always prove popular gifts, especially to the children. But there are many things we need to consider before parting with cash.

Space

If you’re buying a dog it needs to have a good amount of space. Of course, it depends what type of dog you’re buying, but still it needs to have a good space in your house, preferably a space for its own bed, and a decent sized garden to explore. You need to consider how far away parks are too, if they’re miles away are you prepared to travel everyday to give your pet a runout? If you don’t have hardly any space then perhaps you can consider buying a cat, who can go out on their own. Or if you don’t fancy that something tank based like fish or a hamster. These can be placed in an almost decorative fashion and will delight the children too.

Money

Pets are like humans, they get ill, they need food, and they need equipment. You might be able to afford the initial outlay for the pet but can you afford the monthly outgoings for food and healthcare. You may need to buy medication like trifexis tablets or even fork out for operations. You’ll need to pay someone to look after your pet when you go on holiday. The costs are less with other animals, but they should still all be considered before purchasing an animal of any kind.

Things to consider when buying a pet

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Time

If you’re an incredibly busy person with little time for hobbies and relaxation then you should really reconsider buying a pet. Primarily because they will take time out of your day. If you enjoy going for walks then a dog could be for you, because it’s something you need to do every single day. Of course other family members can help, but depending on how old your children are, they may not be able to take your pet for a walk themselves. You need to consider you time constraints, particularly if you’re thinking of buying a dog.

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