Places that I'd like to visit for a cold winter getaway

I've been lucky enough to enjoy travel all around the world, but when it comes to planning a holiday we tend to prioritise places with a lovely, warm climate. In fact I can only think of two places that we've visited that have been unbearably cold - Iceland in April and Chicago in December. Most of my holiday memories involve warm seas, cooling towels and an appreciation for air conditioning!

But that doesn't mean that there aren't places I would like to visit that enjoy much colder temperatures.  One place in particular that I've always wanted to visit is Hammerfest in Norway, the world's northernmost town. This was inspired by Bill Bryson, writing in Neither Here Nor There, which I've read many times. When he visited in winter he had to take a thirty hour bus ride from Oslo although I think the transport may be easier now - I know that my parents stopped there on a cruise a few years ago. 

Of course the main reason that people are prepared to brace freezing conditions is in hope of seeing the Northern Lights, and that's definitely part of the appeal for me! I had a glimpse of them in Iceland, before we had fancy phones that let you photograph the lights when they aren't visible to the naked eye, but it was a little late in the year to see them properly. I'm realistic and I know that they aren't as spectacular in person, but I'd still love to spend some time gazing at the skies.

Ideally I would be watching them from something like this - a glass igloo. I think that they look amazing, imagine lying in bed and watching the Northern Lights above you!

Photo credit Vincent Guth via Unsplash

Another type of accommodation that I'd like to try is an Ice Hotel. They are a bit of a novelty and definitely not designed for a long stay - mostly people visit them in the day just to look around and marvel with no intention of staying to sleep - I've never heard of anyone that has actually spent a night in one! I've been doing some research and it looks as though the rooms don't have luggage storage, a bathroom or even a door, so you literally just wrap up warm before you lie down in a sleeping bag on the ice block and go to sleep! I found some interesting information here if it's something you also like the sound of - Ice Hotel Guide. I think it would be a really unique experience!

Photo credit William Warby via Unsplash

Alaska is another northern place that I'd like to visit, ideally as part of an Alaskan cruise. We came very close to booking one earlier this year, but because the cruise lines that do the best tours aren't the big family ships we decided it's probably best to do one in a few years without the children. It's a good idea to look for the cruise lines that can sail all the way into Glacier Bay - and only a few are allowed each year. I love the idea of sitting on a balcony, wrapped in blanket with a hot chocolate and watching the glaciers pass by.

A little easier and closer to home, for a winter getaway I think that a European city break at Christmas is perfect. I do love a Christmas market, and while they can be found all over the world, Germany will always hold a special place in my heart. I love wandering around clutching a sticky mug of mulled wine and nibbling a decorated gingerbread heart.

I spent a year living in Germany as part of my studies, and it was fantastic to see the little town I lived in decorated for Christmas. They went all out with the decorations, even all that time ago, but it was really tasteful and gorgeously festive. I still remember the bus ride back to the airport before I came home for Christmas - many of the houses had a realistic life-sized Father Christmas on the roof or climbing up the chimney!

Which colder destinations appeal to you for a winter holiday?

Craft activities that work well during long family journeys

This is a collaborative post

Long family journeys place specific demands on both adults and children. Confined seating, limited movement, and extended travel times often lead to restlessness if preparation is poor. Calm, structured activities help reduce tension and support a smoother journey for everyone involved.

They encourage focus, support creativity, and reduce reliance on screens. With the right planning, crafts fit easily into travel routines without creating mess or disruption.

Planning Craft Activities for Car Travel

Successful car-based crafts rely on preparation. Activities must suit confined spaces and remain manageable while the vehicle is in motion. Families benefit from selecting crafts that require minimal materials and simple steps.

Portable craft kits work best when materials are pre-sorted and secured. Small containers with tight lids keep supplies organised and prevent items from spilling. Each child should have their own kit to reduce distractions and maintain independence during the journey.

Families travelling in accessible vehicles often have more interior space, but compact activities still matter. Many parents who view quality used WAV vehicles consider interior layout when planning longer trips, as well-organised seating and storage make craft activities easier to manage.

Low-Mess Craft Options for All Ages

Mess control remains essential during car travel. No-glue and no-scissors crafts reduce risk and allow children to work independently. Pre-cut shapes, peel-and-stick materials, and dry formats support calm play without constant supervision.

Sticker-based crafts remain popular across age groups. Reusable sticker books allow children to build scenes, rearrange layouts, and stay engaged over longer periods. Thick stickers help younger children handle pieces without frustration.

Magnetic activity sets offer further control. Magnetic boards keep small components in place during movement and reduce the chance of items falling onto the floor. Some families use flat metal trays as lap surfaces, creating a stable base for both crafts and snacks.

Paper Crafts Suitable for Long Journeys

Paper crafts adapt well to travel when prepared in advance. Pre-cut origami paper removes the need for scissors and keeps tasks focused. Laminated folding instructions allow repeated use and help children work independently.

Photo credit Carolina Garcia Tavizon

Paper dolls and character sets encourage imaginative play, making them a strong choice for paper crafts for long journeys. Outfit changes and themed designs provide variety without additional materials. Storing pieces in labelled envelopes allows quick access and easy clean-up during stops.

Colouring activities remain reliable when chosen carefully. Thicker paper prevents tearing, while compact colouring books limit space use. Refillable water pens offer colour without ink spills, making them suitable for extended journeys.

Sensory Craft Activities for Different Needs

Sensory crafts support children who benefit from tactile engagement. These activities help manage restlessness and support concentration when movement is restricted.

Threading activities using large beads and cords suit younger children and help develop fine motor skills. Older children may prefer smaller beads or pattern-based threading challenges. Preparing strands in advance reduces frustration during the activity.

Sensory bottles provide visual engagement during quieter travel periods. Secure containers filled with water and floating elements offer calming movement without noise. These crafts require supervision only during preparation, not during use.

Texture boards offer another option. Cards with attached fabric samples allow children to explore different surfaces, aligning with common sensory play ideas that support focus and calm engagement. These crafts require no loose parts and remain contained throughout the journey.

Textile-Based Crafts for Car Travel

Textile crafts work well during longer journeys when activities must remain controlled. Finger knitting uses simple hand movements and pre-measured yarn lengths. Children can create bands or chains without tools or additional supplies.

Self-adhesive felt shapes allow children to build pictures without glue, making them a practical option within fabric crafts for children during longer car journeys. Felt adheres easily to backing cards and removes cleanly when play ends. Providing each child with a sealed set of shapes reduces sharing conflicts.

Fabric-based crafts remain quiet and structured, making them suitable during motorway travel or congested traffic conditions.

Travel-Themed Crafts That Connect to the Journey

Journey-linked crafts help children engage with the route itself. Travel journals encourage observation and reflection, with prompts such as drawing landmarks or noting favourite stops keeping attention focused on surroundings. Simple travel journals for children give structure to long journeys and help reduce repeated questions about arrival time by turning the route into part of the activity.

Map-based activities support geographical awareness. Laminated maps with dry wipe markers allow children to trace routes and mark progress. Visual tracking often reduces repeated questions about arrival time.

Postcard crafts offer another travel-based activity. Children can complete postcards during breaks and post them along the route. This adds purpose to rest stops and creates lasting keepsakes from the journey.

Nature-Based Crafts During Breaks

Craft activities do not need to remain inside the vehicle at all times. Nature collection during rest stops supports movement and sensory engagement. Leaves, flowers, and small natural items can later be used for pressing or collage work.

Waxed paper books or small presses help preserve collected items without damage. These materials take little space and support later craft sessions at the destination.

Children often remain more engaged during the drive when activities connect to what they have seen outside the vehicle.

Balancing Digital and Hands-On Activities

Digital entertainment plays a role during long journeys, but balance matters. Alternating screens with hands-on crafts reduces eye strain and supports focus. Structured routines help children know what to expect during travel periods.

Printable activity packs provide flexible options. Colouring sheets, puzzles, and drawing prompts related to the destination maintain interest and support learning. Binding pages into simple booklets gives children a sense of progress.

Audio-based prompts add another layer. Story-led drawing activities combine listening and creating, keeping children engaged without visual overload.

Practical Craft Preparation Tips for Families

Preparation determines success. Craft kits should be assembled before departure and stored within easy reach. Parents benefit from testing activities at home to confirm suitability, especially when applying family road trip planning tips that focus on structure and realistic pacing.

Each activity should meet three criteria. It must stay contained. It must suit the child’s age and ability. It must remain manageable during movement.

Clear expectations help children transition between activities and rest periods. Short craft sessions followed by breaks often work better than long uninterrupted play.

Long family journeys become easier when craft activities are planned with care and intention. The right mix of structured, low-mess projects supports focus, reduces tension, and creates a calmer travel environment for everyone. Good planning turns travel time into shared time, not something to manage or endure. When children stay engaged and settled, families arrive less stressed and more connected, ready to enjoy the destination together.

How can parents help teens manage screen time without constant conflict?

This is a collaborative post

Screens have become a huge part of everyday life for teenagers. Whether they are chatting with friends, exploring new hobbies, or watching the latest trends online, screens feel almost unavoidable. While technology offers incredible opportunities, it also brings new challenges for families trying to maintain balance at home. 

Many parents want to guide their teens without turning every conversation into an argument. That is the real goal: finding ways to support healthier screen habits without friction or constant policing. This guide explores the reasons behind teens' screen use, the role parents play in setting boundaries, and practical methods for creating healthier routines that work for everyone.

Why Do Teens Struggle With Screen Time?

Understanding why teens are so drawn to screens helps parents respond with empathy and create more effective solutions. Teenagers are naturally drawn to screens for many reasons, and understanding these motivations helps parents respond with empathy rather than frustration. 

Social media gives teens a place to connect, share their interests, and feel included. Gaming offers excitement, teamwork, and sometimes even a sense of achievement. Streaming platforms provide entertainment and escape, especially after long school days.

Screens also support their development. Teens often use online spaces to build friendships, discover new skills, and express themselves. These experiences matter, but they can become overwhelming when screen time starts pushing aside sleep, exercise, homework, or in-person interaction.

Excessive use can create problems such as:

• Disrupted sleep due to late-night scrolling
• Increased anxiety or pressure from social comparison
• Eye strain and headaches
• Reduced physical activity

Recognising that screens are both useful and potentially problematic helps parents build a balanced approach rather than a restrictive one.

What Role Should Parents Play in Managing Screen Time?

Parents play a crucial guiding role, but balancing authority with understanding is what keeps the relationship strong.

Why Can Setting Boundaries Feel So Difficult?

Enforcing screen limits often leads to tension. Teens may feel controlled, misunderstood, or singled out. When rules feel unfair or sudden, it is easy for them to push back. This is where communication becomes essential.

How Can Understanding Improve Cooperation?

When parents take time to understand their teen’s favourite apps, games, or routines, it creates a shared language. Teens are more likely to respect rules when they feel heard. Simple conversations about how screens affect sleep, mood, or schoolwork can open the door to mutual respect.

How Do You Balance Rules With Trust?

Clear boundaries work best when paired with trust. Teens need to feel capable of making responsible decisions, and they often rise to the challenge when parents show confidence in them. Instead of constant surveillance, families can create systems based on honesty, gradual independence, and regular check-ins.

What Strategies Actually Help Reduce Screen Time Stress?

A few practical, consistent strategies can reduce tension and help families create healthier tech routines.

Why Do Clear Boundaries Make a Difference?

Teenagers need structure, but they also appreciate fairness. Establishing clear limits, such as no phones at dinner or placing devices outside the bedroom at night, gives the household predictable routines. The key is consistency. When parents follow the rules too, everyone wins.

How Can Parents Model Healthy Tech Habits?

Young adults notice everything. When parents scroll endlessly or keep their phones on the table during conversations, it sends a message. Demonstrating healthier habits makes the conversation about screen time feel balanced rather than hypocritical. Adjusting your own behaviour builds trust and shows that the goal is shared wellbeing.

How Can Screen Time Fit Into a Healthy Routine?

A balanced lifestyle makes screen time feel less overpowering. Encourage children to enjoy hobbies, join clubs, spend time outdoors, or participate in family activities. When their day includes a variety of experiences, screens naturally take a more reasonable place.

What Tech Tools Can Help?

Many families find success using apps that help monitor or limit usage. These tools can set timers, block certain apps at specific times, or highlight how much time is spent on each activity. Features like night mode can also reduce eye strain and help teens sleep better after evening device use.

Why Should Teens Be Included in the Decision-Making Process?

Involving teens in the conversation encourages cooperation and helps them build responsibility.

Why Is Giving Teens Some Control Important?

Teens respond better when they feel involved rather than controlled. Allowing them some say in their screen limits gives them ownership. They become active participants instead of reluctant followers.

How Do You Start Constructive Conversations?

Rather than listing the dangers of screen time, encourage a two-way conversation. Ask how they feel when they spend too much time online. Talk about energy levels, concentration, and sleep. These discussions help them recognise the impact of their habits without feeling judged.

How Can You Create Mutual Agreements?

Collaborative agreements are more effective than strict rules. Sit down together and discuss expectations. For example, your teen might agree to finish homework before using social media, and you might agree to allow extra time on weekends. These shared decisions build trust and reduce arguments.

Photo credit Vitaly Gariev via Unsplash

How Do You Handle Resistance Without Escalating Tension?

Handling pushback calmly can prevent arguments and build a more respectful relationship.

What Should You Do When Teens Push Back?

It is normal for teens to resist limits, especially when they feel overly restricted. Stay calm and avoid reacting emotionally. Listen to their concerns and look for the reason behind the frustration. Sometimes a simple adjustment can defuse the situation.

How Can You Stay Consistent and Still Be Understanding?

Adolescents respect boundaries more when parents stay consistent. If you change rules depending on your mood, it creates confusion. At the same time, acknowledging your teen’s feelings can strengthen your relationship. You can be firm and compassionate at the same time.

Can Compromises Help Reduce Arguments?

Compromises can work well. Many parents use simple reward systems such as extra screen time after chores or school tasks are completed. This approach keeps the relationship collaborative rather than confrontational.

What Habits Help Families Build a Healthy Screen-Time Routine?

Healthy routines make a big difference in how teens relate to their devices. When parents focus on practical, steady habits rather than strict rules, screen time naturally becomes easier to manage. The goal is not perfection. It is creating a rhythm that supports wellbeing, balance and focus throughout the day.

How Can Parents Build a Clear Daily Structure?

A predictable routine helps teenagers understand when screens fit into their day. Parents can guide this by setting gentle expectations around schoolwork, rest and leisure. For example, screens can be used after homework or chores are completed, or during specific hours in the evening. When the flow of the day feels organised, teens are less likely to fall into endless scrolling or late-night device use.

What Can Parents Do to Encourage Healthy Breaks?

Small breaks reduce eye fatigue and help teens stay aware of how long they have been online. Parents can encourage short pauses every hour to stretch, hydrate or simply rest their eyes. Techniques like the 20-20-20 rule allow the eyes to relax and reduce strain. Many families also find it helpful to establish “device-free moments” during meals or family conversations.

What Can Support Better Wellness?

Simple things can make routines smoother. Features that manage notifications, limit nighttime brightness or remind teens to take breaks work well when used consistently. Accessories such as blue light glasses can also support comfort by reducing eye strain during long study sessions or evening device use. These small adjustments help teens stay comfortable without feeling heavily restricted.

How Can Parents Support a Balanced Lifestyle?

Screen time becomes healthier when teens enjoy a variety of activities. Parents can encourage hobbies, outdoor play, creative interests and in-person friendships. When teens have fulfilling alternatives, screens lose their hold and become one part of a wider, more rewarding routine.

Conclusion

Managing screen time does not have to be a source of daily conflict. When families communicate openly, set fair boundaries, and involve teens in decisions, the process becomes smoother and more respectful. Every teen is different, so ongoing adjustments and honest conversations will always be part of the journey. With patience and collaboration, parents and teens can create healthier digital habits that support wellbeing, balance, and a stronger relationship.

This year's Gingerbread Houses!

Last year we were coming to the end of a long home renovation project, and although our kitchen was slowly taking shape I didn't feel that I could manage our full yearly gingerbread house tradition. We went with some pre-made gingerbread houses from Ikea, but even though it takes ages I do quite enjoy making our gingerbread houses from scratch, so I was glad to revive them this year!

I've been making a yearly gingerbread house for years - my very first gingerbread house was back in 2012. I'm still using an original Tesco recipe, although luckily I printed it out because their website now links to instructions which use a pre-made dough mix. I also bought a set of gingerbread house cutters a few years ago which are brilliant, and I've worked out the recipe quantities so that I can make up the exact amount of dough for two houses. It's a process that has taken years to perfect!

This year was a bit of a struggle though. Most the family have been suffering with a nasty cold, and I wasn't feeling at my best. I couldn't find my usual powdered Royal Icing sugar so I tried some readymade icing in a tub and it didn't really do the job - it took a long time to set and so the houses kept slowly sliding apart if you didn't watch them carefully.

However the good thing about a gingerbread house is that as long as you can achieve some basic semblance of rigidity, any minor structural inconsistencies can just be covered with lots of sweets.

Our gingerbread houses are made to eat, usually making a start on the same day that they are finished, so the taste is the main thing and these were delicious!

Our year of concerts

This year truly was a year of concerts. Many of our favourite groups and singers were touring this year, and we were lucky enough to secure tickets to some great shows.

It all kicked off with Jason Donovan at Worthing Assembly Hall just down the road. This was such a fun concert, we were only a few rows back so we had a great view, and I had a fantastic time singing along and waving my arms. It was such a good atmosphere!

We followed that with a trip to see his contemporary Kylie Minogue at the O2 in London. Quite a contrast! The audience for Kylie was fantastic, really well-mannered and there was lots of effort put in to outfits. Kylie has a great back catalogue from over the years so there were plenty of songs to sing and dance along to, with some fantastic backup singers and dancers.

Then it was back to the O2 for my favourite group of all - Pulp and the You Deserve More tour. I've seen them several times over the years and they always put on a great show. We had really good seats and I loved the structure of the show - two neat halves with an interval in the middle. Pulp showcased songs from their brilliant new album More, and I'm sure that Jarvis Cocker looked directly at me and asked me to meet him by the fountain down the road.

Over the summer we found ourselves at Wembley several times. Getting tickets for most of our concerts was not in any way easy, and tickets for Oasis were the most difficult. We spent a whole morning queueing and the whole experience was stressful, but worth it. We were seated right up at the back and the audience was a little rowdy but it was an amazing night. An intimate venue can be nice to feel a connection with the group, but nothing beats being part of an enormous crowd all singing along together to a classic song like Wonderwall. 

You may be unfamiliar with Blackpink as a group but I'm sure that you will have heard of the very popular song Apt. performed by Rosé, one of their members. My daughter is a huge fan of Blackpink, and so when the tickets went on sale we rushed to buy decent tickets for her, me and my husband. Then they announced another date for the following evening, and just before the concerts we discovered that we could buy tickets for all four of us for the same price as just one of our original tickets! So we went along for a second night running, this time with my son in tow.

I made a big effort before these concerts. I downloaded the setlist and made sure that I knew at least the chorus to all the songs. One of their songs, Shutdown, was my second most played song of the year on Spotify because I had it on repeat while learning the rap. We made bracelets and took along Blackpink light sticks. 

The first night we had great seats down the front to one side and had a fantastic view. The second night we were in the cheaper seats at the top, but we had a great view of the stadium as a whole and could really appreciate the way that it lit up with all the pink light sticks. I had a great time dancing and singing along, and I hope that my daughter enjoyed the concerts too much to be embarrassed!

Our final trip to Wembley this year saw Chris Martin thanking us all for coming out on a Wednesday night to see Coldplay - as if we'd had any choice on the day in another mad rush for tickets! When we booked the tickets early in the year this was intended to be our first concert with both teenagers, as having seen them live a few times we knew that it would be a fun, colourful show. We weren't wrong, they loved the light up wristbands and confetti, bouncy balls and special glasses.

Our amazing year of concerts came to an end right where it began, at Worthing Assembly Hall, with The Lightning Seeds. We were standing for this one, but because it's a small venue we were still close to the front. Maybe a bit of a comedown from the last time I saw them back at Glastonbury as a teenager, but I do love their music. It's so boppy, and some of their lyrics really resonate with me. And so nice to be safely back home just twenty minutes after the concert finished!

Finally there's the one that got away. We would have loved to have seen Radiohead this autumn as we've never seen them live, but despite our best efforts we weren't able to secure tickets. 

Never mind, even though next year doesn't look to be quite as busy we did manage to get tickets to see Take That (or I think three of them at least) in Southampton next spring! I missed out on their last tour because I'd just had a baby, so I'm really looking forward to this one.

Did you get to any concerts this year?

My garden as winter kicks in

This year was the year that I finally began to take our garden seriously. We were lucky enough to have it redesigned in May, and so we spent the summer visiting garden centres and nurturing our new plants with the aim of filling the garden with colour. Here's what it looked like in the summer:

The bed at the front with the canna lilies was one of my favourite parts of the garden. They grew and grew, and more and more flower heads just kept coming. They were so beautiful! But they began to fade, and after the first couple of frosts they were looking very sad.

I took advice from various sources and decided that I would risk leaving them out over the winter. I cut them right down, and then tucked them up in some horticultural fleece. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they survive for another display next year!

Elsewhere I do still have some colour - my lovely purple salvias are still flowering! I'm really hoping that they last the winter as they did incredibly well, they grew from one stem to nearly filling the large borders. I'm definitely going to buy some more next year for the empty patches along our back fence. 

Our garden designer gave us some tips for planting, and one was to include evergreen plants and shrubs in a range of different shades so that the garden will still look colourful in the winter. These purple Heuchera are a gorgeous colour, and at the moment they contrast really well with the fallen leaves. The lighter green shrub is Choisya Sundance and it has grown up really fast. I love the different colours on this section of the border.

I'm still spending quite a lot of time in the garden picking up the fallen leaves, or at least whenever I can get out between the rain showers. We no longer have a front hedge which means that they get caught up among the plants and I don't like having them on the paths or lying on the lawn.

Over the winter I'm going to be popping out from time to time to keep things tidy, and also reading up on pruning techniques for when all these plants get bigger. I'm also going to be buying seeds ready to plant indoors in early spring. 

I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens to the garden next spring, I'm hoping that it will all start to fill out a bit and look less sparse!

My Advent calendars this year

Advent calendars seem to be a bigger deal every year. I always tell the children that I'll buy them a simple chocolate one and if they want something fancier they have to buy it themselves!

But I'm a grown up, and this year I've indulged myself with two Advent calendars! My main one is a  jigsaw Advent calendar, something that I've wanted for years. I asked for it as a birthday gift, and after some pondering I selected this one - Puzzle Advent Calendar (affiliate link). I like that each day is a smaller image which builds up into a festive collage. The daily boxes contain about 40 pieces which is the perfect size - it's still a challenge but not too difficult! 

The box is really sturdy, and so it will definitely be coming out again next year, and the pieces are numbered on the back for easy re-packing. The only difficulty is finding space to lay it out as my large jigsaw board is always in use! I will probably be completing it in parts and then putting it all together on Christmas Eve.

To go with my daily jigsaw I am enjoying a cup of tea from my tea Advent calendar. I bought this in  Søstrene Grene which is a lovely shop, at the moment it's filled with all sorts of Christmas goodies. I love the look of all the teas, some are festive, some are fruit or herbal teas. It could also be refillable if you buy some individually packaged tea bags, so again I'll be holding on to it for next year!

Finally we have an Advent candle which I like to burn in the evening while we are eating dinner. The candle and holder were also from Søstrene Grene and I decorated them both with some candle transfers that I bought at the same time, I think it worked really well.

Do you have an Advent calendar this year?

Simple Hama bead snowflakes for Christmas

I know it's been ages since I shared a new Hama bead craft on my blog, so this week I've been working on some Hama bead snowflakes! They are a great way to add a bit of homemade craftiness to your Christmas decor.

The designs for these snowflakes are mainly based on the snowflake pattern that I came up with for my Hama bead snowflake bunting many years ago. I used designs which are created on the hexagon shaped pegboard. I also experimented with some smaller designs. The hexagon pegboard works really well as it easily divides into six sections, so you can just start by placing beads in the centre, head out towards the corners, and see what you end up with! 

When it comes to ironing the Hama beads, for this particular craft it is especially important to make sure that you iron the beads until they are well fused, and to iron them on both sides. Even though some areas are only one bead wide, as long as they have been well ironed then they will be sturdy enough to stand up to being used in your Christmas decor.

If you are new to crafting with Hama beads then you might find this post helpful - Ironing tips for Hama beads. 

This craft was a bit of a de-stashing exercise for me - I've been lucky enough to hoover up lots of Hama bead collections from friends and family which has left me with small numbers of beads across a huge range of colours. So I mixed in some of the pale blue, transparent and glitter blue beads to add some interest to my Hama bead snowflake collection!

I don't have a final home for these snowflakes yet, but it would be easy to add some festive cord or ribbon so that they can be used as ornaments on the Christmas tree.

I can also imagine them hanging from lengths of cotton in a window or over an unused fireplace. They could be attached to gifts, or enclosed with Christmas cards.

These Hama bead snowflakes were so fun and simple to make, and I loved coming up with different ways to place the beads in order to create new designs.

If you are looking for more snowflake crafts then you might also enjoy these:

Mini Hama bead snowflake embellishments

Free simple cross stitch snowflake designs

Snowflake cross stitch embroidery frame design

Cross stitch felt snowflake bunting

Lollipop stick and button snowflakes

You can also see some of my favourite Hama bead Christmas crafts.

All my free Christmas themed cross stitch designs

Over the last few years I've shared a few simple cross stitch Christmas themed designs, which can also be used for other pixel crafts like Hama beads or diamond painting. I thought I'd gather them all together in one post, along with links to some of the crafts that I've made using these designs!

Mini Christmas cross stitch motifs

These tiny Christmas cross stitch patterns are very simple and use just a few colours, meaning that they are very quick to stitch up. There are 24 designs which makes them perfect to use for an Advent calendar craft - maybe to decorate the front of small gift bags or as part of a larger cross stitch design. You can see the image below, and this pattern is also available as a .pdf to download - Free Mini Christmas Cross Stitch Designs.

My favourite craft using these designs is my cross stitch gift tags. They are a very sweet way to add a personal touch to your gifts.

I also came up with a red and white Scandi inspired version of these motifs, perfect for any Scandi themed Christmas crafts that you might be working on.

Mini cross stitch snowflake designs

I love these tiny snowflakes which are so quick and easy to sew. They work best for cross stitch as they aren't sturdy enough for Hama beads (if you want to use Hama beads then you can use transparent beads for the gaps as seen here Hama bead snowflake designs). They are perfect for cards, or you could use for gift tags or other Christmas embroidery projects. I used them to make some simple cross stitch snowflake bunting.

I combined some of these snowflakes to make a cross stitch snowflake embroidery hoop design which I really love. I've included the pattern below, or you can also download it as a printable .pdf file here Free Snowflake Embroidery Hoop Pattern.

Simple cross stitch bauble designs

Finally I have some little cross stitch Christmas bauble designs, which also work really well for Hama beads as seen in my Hama bead Christmas baubles. There are two shapes of bauble - a round one and an elongated one, and you can come up with lots of different ways to personalise them.

I hope that these come in handy for some festive crafting!

The most common household pests, and how to handle them safely

This is a collaborative post

We all love having guests over — but some creepy-crawly visitors definitely don’t make the list. From uninvited scuttlers to tiny nuisances that pop up when you least expect them, household pests can quickly turn your cosy home into a bit of a headache. The good news? With the right know-how, you can deal with them safely and send them packing in no time. Here’s how to spot the usual suspects and show them the door.

Rodents That Go ‘Bump’ In The Night 

Rodents account for a big chunk of the trouble we encounter with pests. Rats and mice, especially, can cause substantial damage to our homes. If you get this kind of infestation, the bad news is that they’re likely to keep coming back. Ideally, call in a professional to safely get rid of rodents and to find out what was attracting them, how they were getting in, and where they were nesting. This kind of comprehensive approach is much more likely to keep your home rodent-free for longer.

The Unwelcome Cockroach

Cockroaches are more common in warmer areas, like the Southern USA, but they’re not unheard of in the UK. If you see a cockroach in your home, it’s highly likely that there are a lot, lot more lurking in the crevices of your property. Cockroaches pose significant health risks through contamination and allergens, so if you find a roach, it’s imperative to do a deep clean of your home. Again, you might need professional pest control services for more severe infestations.

Wasp Nests: Small but Dangerous 

Wasps are known for being a nuisance at picnics, but if they take up residence around your home, they could put you at risk of painful stings. If you discover a nest, it's important to stay calm. Do not disturb the nest, as this will provoke a defensive swarm to zoom out and attack you. For safe removal, call in professional help. 

Photo credit Tom Sid via Unsplash

Relentless Ants

Ants can be a very determined nuisance, especially during the warmer months. They can invade your home in search of food and shelter, and once they’ve made themselves at home, it’s hard to persuade them to leave. The first course of action includes good hygiene practices like cleaning crumbs swiftly, washing carpets if they get something sugary spilt on them, and securely storing food items. Ant baits, available in most local stores, are an effective secondary measure. However, if the problem persists, consider pest control services. 

Bed Bugs: The Nocturnal Nightmare 

The incidences of bed bug infestations have been rising steeply across the world. They are notorious for their bite, which can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes, and sleep deprivation. Washing infested fabrics at high temperatures, vacuuming regularly, and utilising commercially available treatments can help control minor infestations. However, professional pest control services are often needed to eradicate these hard-to-kill pests fully. 

Conclusion

Keeping household pests at bay is all about prevention — little habits go a long way. But even the best routines can’t stop every unwanted visitor, and sometimes you’ll need more than DIY tricks. If you’re dealing with a stubborn or growing infestation, don’t hesitate to call in a professional pest control service; they’ve got the tools and expertise to sort the problem safely. While pests are an unwelcome part of family life, a calm approach and the right strategies will help you keep your home exactly as it should be: cosy, comfortable, and pest-free.

Review - A jigsaw puzzle from Stay Weird Puzzle Company using AI generated artwork

I received this puzzle in exchange for a review

I was recently contacted by Stay Weird Puzzle Company and asked if I would like to review one of their jigsaw puzzles. They are a new puzzle company, founded by a couple who use AI generative art to bring their ideas to life. It's aimed at people looking for jigsaw puzzles that are perhaps a little bit strange and a little bit different.

Using AI in jigsaw puzzles is a very controversial topic among puzzlers, especially now some of the most well known puzzle brands covertly use AI in their puzzle designs. Stay Weird Puzzle Company are completely upfront about it, so there is no ambiguity. 

I'm personally not quite sure how I feel about it, but I am very interested in the idea of using AI for artistic purposes and thinking about how this might affect creative pursuits in the future. I definitely feel that there is creativity involved in producing the images. Firstly coming up with an initial idea, then refining the prompts to make it fit what you are after. AI is a great way to bring random ideas to life without any artistic skills.

After spending some time browsing I chose to try Canal at Dusk, Dutch Dreams, which is one of many puzzles in the collection that feature a stained glass effect. The puzzles are available in a range of different piece counts, and I went with 1014 pieces as this is the size of puzzle that I usually work on. I must admit that I did play it safe - it's definitely not as weird as some of the other puzzles on the site! 

The jigsaw artwork depicts twilight descending on an Amsterdam-like canal, featuring tall canal side houses warmly lit from inside, traditional boats, and is framed by trees and tulips. It has a really peaceful feel, and I liked it because it reminds me of my travels.

The puzzle is supplied in a light box with a picture of the design on the front. The picture wasn't huge, but I found that it worked well enough for completing the puzzle. 

I enjoyed working on this puzzle very much. The sturdy pieces fitted together really well, and I liked the stained glass aspect of the design. It was a challenging puzzle because the different lines that add interest to the picture could be quite tricky to work with at the level of individual pieces, and there were some quite dark or textured areas where I needed to shape sort the pieces.

Using AI to generate an image for a jigsaw puzzle does require some care. When you piece together a jigsaw you become very familiar with the image in extreme close up, so there can't be anything that doesn't look quite right, even down to the very small details. As well as needing to stand up to scrutiny, there also needs to be some thought given to make sure that the puzzle is challenging enough to hold interest without being impossible to complete. 

Large areas of one colour, or areas with similar textures, can be difficult to put together, and this is where the piece cut of a jigsaw is really important. I was very pleased to find that the grid piece cut for this puzzle had a range of different piece shapes which really helped on some of the more complicated areas. 

Is it possible to tell that the image is AI generated? 

Yes I think it is, especially if you are familiar with AI images. The reflections in the water aren't right, the texture of the foliage isn't quite what you would expect, and there is a shadowed area in the middle that is a bit too dark. But I think it's possible to overlook this, because it's not intended to be a photorealistic depiction. The art style reminds me very much of urban sketching, and I really like the way it becomes an interpretation of the scene rather than an accurate copy.

I found it interesting to speak with the founder of the company about his process for creating these images. The couple use their life experiences as a basis for their art - for example, Santa in July comes from pondering what Santa might be up to out of the Christmas season, and being stuck in gridlocked traffic led to My GPS Said 10 Minutes, Three Hours Ago. Most of the pictures have a story associated with them, and creating them has allowed them to unleash a creative side that they didn't know they had. 

In terms of the actual process, they start with a broad prompt, then use language descriptors to help narrow down the vision. There's no final image in mind from the beginning, instead they wait and see where they end up.

Stay Weird Puzzle Company designs

I had a lot of enjoyment putting this puzzle together, and I thoroughly enjoyed browsing through all the unusual and varied puzzle designs that Stay Weird Puzzle Company have produced. Although many of them are quite different from the sort of puzzle that I usually work on, I do think that if you hunt around there is something to suit most types of puzzler. 

I've enjoyed thinking about how I feel about using AI in jigsaw puzzles and it has led to some interesting discussions with others. One thing that I do feel certain of is that it's vital for companies to declare the use of AI art in puzzles, even if it's only used for part of the puzzle.

So thank you to Stay Weird Puzzles for both the opportunity to review the puzzle and also the chance to start a debate on how AI could be used for creative purposes.

What do you think of these puzzles? Would you work on a puzzle using completely artwork completely generated by AI?

What I look for when choosing a planner - and which one I ended up buying!

As the end of the year approaches it's time for me to start thinking about buying a planner for next year. I use my planner throughout the day to keep track of the things that I need to get done over a week - housework, keeping track of everyone's activities, planning my exercise, meal planning and so on. I use an online shared calendar for future dates, so I usually only plan week to week, with monthly goals in mind.

My current planner was bought in the US so there's no way that I can buy the same one again. I decided to make a list of the features that I would like before I searched around to see what was available.

Photo credit 2H Media via Unsplash

A whole year calendar page at the beginning - This is so useful to see birthdays and other important dates at a glance, as well as marking out school and family holidays.

Week to view pages - with plenty of space for writing out my daily tasks and goals.

Dated - I like to have the dates written out for me as I'm going to be using it every week.

Monthly dividers - I have found these really useful in my current planner.

Monthly page - This is a really great place to keep track of goals and tasks for the month. I have a monthly list of regular cleaning jobs, boring things like deep cleaning the dishwasher and descaling shower heads, and they all get listed here to complete at some point over the month.

Weekly task list - This is something that is missing from my current planner and something that I would really like. Sometimes there is something that needs to be done at some point during the week but I need to wait and see when I can fit it in.

Blank pages at the front and back - For extra notes like log in details (written in code!), gift ideas, long term projects.

Plenty of space for writing - I need nice large boxes for every day to fit in everything that I want to get done. 

Spiral bound - So that it can lay flat for easy writing. Also a pretty cover is nice to have, although I'm always happy to customise if I'm not 100% keen on it.

A5 size - The perfect size for me to keep out and take with me if I need to.

Not too expensive - Even though it is something that I use every day, I don't want to spend too much.

And some of the things that I don't need...

Inspirational quotes - I love a good quote, but sometimes they are so cheesy!

Daily timings - I need to keep things flexible, I can't commit to planning my day in hourly detail.

Drinking water trackers - These are very popular! But I'm pretty good at staying hydrated, and I can't see myself bothering to tick off each time I have a drink.

Individual tick boxes - Usually there aren't enough for all the things that I have to do!

Obviously it's going to be difficult to find the perfect planner, but I'm pretty happy with the one that I've chosen. After much consideration, this is the planner that I went with - 2026 Planner week to view (affiliate link).

I'll admit that it was the beautiful cover that jumped out at me, but after searching through pictures from the inside I was happy that it covers everything that I need. The monthly planning page is a bit hidden at the end of the month and the boxes don't have many lines for writing, but there is plenty of blank space for customising with stickers, loads of spare pages for notes at the front and back, and a handy pocket for storing any loose items.

Do you use a planner? I'd love to know what features you think are the most important when choosing one for the next year!

How to make your car more appealing to buyers

This is a collaborative post

Selling a vehicle is often a challenging affair. However, with a bit of effort and preparation, you can significantly raise your car's appeal, grab the attention of potential buyers, and fetch a great deal. Here, we will focus on several key steps to make your car more appealing to buyers. 

Improve the Physical Appearance

When selling a car, first impressions count. So, it’s important to get the car’s physical appearance as pristine as possible. A car with chipped paint, dents, rust, or dirty interiors is less likely to sell. Firstly, get your car professionally cleaned and waxed to bring out its original shine. Consider getting minor repairs done and fix obvious issues like broken lights or mirrors. Inside the car, remove personal items and unwanted rubbish, vacuum clean the seats and floor, wipe down surfaces, and consider a good quality air freshener.

Photo credit Francis Painchaud via Unsplash

Maintain your Car properly 

Maintenance history often plays a significant role in making a car appealing. Regular servicing not only enhances the longevity of the car but also cements the trust of prospective buyers. If you cannot provide evidence of regular services, people may think that you have failed to take adequate care of the car. So, make sure that you service your car regularly and keep all related documents handy. 

Highlight Features and Accessories

If your car has any additional features or accessories – such as an advanced navigation system, premium sound system, safety features, wheel covers, parking sensors – make sure that you highlight them to your prospective buyers. These additional aspects can enhance the appeal and perceived value of your car, making it stand out in a crowded market.

Create a detailed, honest ad 

When advertising your car, make sure you  detail all key information including the make, model, mileage, condition, service history, and price. Also, be genuine about any major repairs or incidents such as accidents. Honesty builds trust and potential buyers are more likely to consider a car where all facts are represented transparently, rather than being surprised by hidden flaws later on.

Capture High-Quality Images

High-quality images taken in good light can significantly increase your car's appeal. Take pictures from different angles highlighting the exterior, interior, and special features. Don’t forget to include a shot of the odometer to show the current mileage. Remember, a picture speaks a thousand words and is often the first thing people see when browsing for cars.

Offer a Fair and Competitive Price

Price your car competitively. If your asking price is too high, you will deter potential buyers. But if it’s too low, you risk losing out on potential profit. Research the market well, consider the age of your car, its condition, mileage, and any added features when fixing a price. It’s also advisable to leave a little room for negotiation.

In Conclusion

Making a car more appealing to prospective buyers doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive. Simple actions like maintaining cleanliness, capturing good quality images, pricing competitively and being honest can go a long way in making your car stand out from the crowd.