Become Someone's Angel

BY SIMONE AT GREATFUN4KIDS

We have just returned from a photo-scavenger hunt around town to benefit Auckland City Mission.

Seeing as Christmas is the season of giving and there's nothing I hate more than spoilt selfish brats, I figured it would benefit us all to give some things to those less fortunate than us.

So I went online to Auckland City Mission to find out about donating stuff and came across this cool thing:

Become Someone's Angel

Take photos of yourself (and others) and upload onto the City Mission Facebook Page. Their Sponsor will donate $5 to them for each photo uploaded!

Fun in the City for free that benefits someone else... what more could you want?

So I printed out a list of where the Angel Wings are dotted around the place, packed up a bag of munchies, some silly hats and off we went.

First we called into the Mission to drop of some bags and boxes of things we no longer need, but that have plenty of life left in them. The kids helped sort the stuff out, take it in and hand it over. I wanted them to be part of the giving.

Then we tried to find some wings to pose in front of.

One grinchy store (Global Dive) had taken the wings down. Boo. It spoilt their Window Display.

There were six of us in the van, so a photo each in front of the Wings at Wellington St Dairy ($30 for the Mission) and another at TVNZ (right by the front entrance) - another $30 for them.

Scrag was starting to "lose it" then so we gave up after just two photo locations. But it was fun. And all for a good cause. And it helped focus the kids on Giving and those who don't have the luxuries we take for granted.

So If you're at a loose end in Auckland go looking for some Angel Wings and snap some pics, then upload them to the Mission's Facebook Page.

Merry Christmas!
xx

Motat Nights Christmas Lights

BY SIMONE FROM GREATFUN4KIDS

I love finding cool (inexpensive) things to do as a family around Christmas, and this year Motat is putting on something pretty cute.

Motat Nights, Christmas Lights is in Motat's Victorian Village (entry is a gold coin donation through the service gate on the Speedway side). Plenty of Free parking on that side street.

Every Saturday and Sunday night from now until Christmas, 8pm til late the Victorian Village is alive with twinkle lights and fun.



The Blacksmith is forging stuff in his smithy.

A sweetmaker is making his sweets. Giant lollipops, super candy canes. You can even have a go making them yourself. For $2 each. Oh and they are delicious.

There's mulled wine for sale. The spicey smell nearly knocks you over; it's so strong it will take you all night to drink it. If you're driving you'd better share it with a friend. Best not take the risk, that stuff is potent.

There are staff dressed up in Victorian garb wandering around striking up conversation, initiating old-fashioned games. Like stilt-walking, horseshoes, tug-o-war and sack races. Make sure you're there before the sun sets, it gets hard to see after dark.

 

The brass band plays on the green and the twinkle lights twinkle as your kid cries for another $2 hand-made lollipop and your baby begs for mulled wine... It's lots of fun and very sweet.

Just the thing for a Christmas family night out.

MOTAT

Great North Road, Western Springs Auckland

Website: http://www.motat.org.nz/

Christmas Shopping Guide for Those Who Can't Rely on Santa

BY SIMONE FROM GREATFUN4KIDS

In the land of Facebook there are Urban Legends... people telling of Christmas Shopping 70% complete. Others who have even wrapped 80% of their 70%... {ahem. Yes. That would be me}

If you haven't started yet, don't worry.
Those of us who have accomplished so much by the end of October... we are freaks of nature. Nerds. And Crowd-a-phobes.

I am a fan of online shopping. I love the one-day deal websites etc etc. So I thought I would start up a linky on a post so we can all share our fav Christmas Shopping sites with those who are a little... er... behind?

I'll link up my favourites and then you link up yours... and leave a comment telling us why you love that website, OK...

Just follow the instructions (it's easy, don't be shy now)...

Avoiding the Christmas Shopping Frenzy

STORY BY SIMONE AT GREATFUN4KIDS

Can you believe the shops have got their Christmas displays up already??? Ahhh who am I kidding??
Of course they've got their Christmas stuff out. It's October. Only sixty-six shopping days left did you know??!!

It's already time to buy buy buy. Spend spend spend.

I hate the Christmas shopping frenzy.
The crowded malls filled with stressed out people rushing from store to store looking for bargains while Jingle Bells plays to get us all in the mood.

A few years ago now I decided that if I wanted to actually enjoy Christmas, I'd have to plan ahead. And spread out the shopping. And grab bargains when I spotted them. Wrap presents and hide them as I go etc

I've been getting a lot of bargains on this online site, 1-Day (I get the emails straight to my inbox so I don't miss a good deal; I've gotten some great stuff for the kids already at some amazing prices).

And this site The Sniff, has a list of all the One Day deals (which is very handy and worth checking out).

Snapfish recently had a 40% off deal on their Calendars, so I've ordered those early for the grandparents etc. They are awesome, 12-pages spiral bound and printed on great quality card. They look amazing. I collect photos for the calendars all year. Their Photo books are amazing too. Gorgeous (if you sign up as a new customer you get 30 free prints - there's some free marketing for them!)

Then I spotted these My Story Boxes from Parents Inc. $39.90 instore or $49.90 incl p&p (down from $63). Today I picked up one each for the kids for Christmas. I plan to fill their boxes with little memory-treasures, photos & even print out some of my blog stories for their books. A worthwhile present, that. {You can get them online here}

And Omigosh I am LOVING Felt! The New Zealand crafters online store. Too lovely. So much to choose between. So many possibilities. Love that they are all unique handcrafted gifts made locally!

Someone said to me the other day they were sticking to the buying guide:

"Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read..."

I love that. Gives it all a structure and means we'll hopefully end up with less plastic fantastic throwaway rubbish.

I mean, Christmas has become all about the gifts and the shopping which is not what it's meant to be about.
Don't get me wrong - I love presents, I'm the biggest kid of all when it comes to Christmas surprises. Me and the hubby both are. I love Christmas Eve and seeing the piles of wrapped gifts under the tree. I love Christmas morning, ripping paper, happy shrieks, shining eyes and thankyou kisses.
But I hate the greed fest.

So my list will include for each one...

• The My Story Box & Book
• New swimming togs, Beach towel, Sunhat & Jandals
• Christmas Clothes
• 4-5 Books for Summer Reading
• A DVD or PS2 game
• Something for their Room
• Something to Play With
• Our traditional Christmas Eve PJs
• A stocking full of yummies & little bits

There. I think that's enough don't you? More than enough actually.

So what's your Christmas plan? Are you a last-minute rush kinda person or a planner-ahead?
Have you started thinking about gifts yet, or like me... even buying some??


Or right now are you wishing I would shut up and go away with all my Christmas talk??!!

Share with us your Christmas Shopping secrets and tell us about any bargains you've found...!