Having a Christmas panic
Take a look on social media and it seems everyone is full steam ahead with the big countdown for Christmas. Trees have been bought and decorated, cards written and presents wrapped.
I’m usually one of those organised people but this year? Not so much. Don’t get me wrong I’ve been buying presents since October but I’ve not bought any cards yet let alone write them and I haven’t actually finished present buying.I need to buy gifts for teachers/teaching assistants at E’s school as well as the lovely nursery ladies who look after M which brings me onto another thing to panic about – they both finish up for Christmas NEXT WEEK!!! Arrrgghhh!

I have a huge to-do list between then and now and I’m a bit worried it’s not going to get done in time…..
Thankfully, one saving grace has been online shopping as I’ve managed to buy over 70% of my Christmas shop over the Internet.
Talking of online shopping – did you know that Thornton’s website have a Christmas Gift Finder? If you are wanting a chocolate based gift for family or friends this is ideal. You answer a few questions about your recipient and the gift finder comes up with the perfect chocolate combination. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t like chocolate for Christmas!
Amazon Prime has also been my saviour this year I don’t think I could live without it now. There have been so many occasions where I’ve forgotten about a birthday party and needed a last minute present or card and have not been able to get to the shops. Next day delivery is just ace and on certain items that have even started offering certain areas same day delivery for Prime members – how awesome is that? Just earlier today I ordered a birthday card for a party E has been invited to this weekend as I had forgotten to pick one up.
We are going to buy and decorate our tree this weekend – maybe that will get me into the festive spirit and make me want to start making a big dent in this to do list of mine?
*Collaborative post

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To get ready, M tried out the official FREE Activity Pack — and it’s brilliant! 🙌
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We enjoyed the glorious sunshine this weekend with a trip to Brighton. We went on the @brightoni360official which is right by the sea front.
The i360 pod take a slow journey up, allowing you to take in views across Brighton and the South Downs 450ft above ground. There’s a bar inside with drinks and snacks available to purchase and the experience lasts 25 minutes.
Afterwards, we headed to the open air roller rink for a roller skating session!
The roller rink is:
⭐ Suitable for over 5s
⭐ £6.50 if you have your own skates or £9.50 if you need to hire them
⭐ 45 minutes per session
Full details to visit the i360 + skating
📍 Brighton i360, Lower Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2LN
🚗 Parking nearby (we parked in the Regency Square Car park)
🎟️ Prices start from £25.40 for an adult and £16.90 for a child
🕐 Opening hours are currently Sun-Fri 10.30am-18.30pm and until 19.30pm on Saturdays
☕️ Bar inside the i360, cafe and gift shop
Book tickets here:
https://tickets.brightoni360.co.uk/tickets/?_ga=2.195305772.1869001490.1689671753-1757164059.1689671753/#events?eventid=157](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/417980235_313576471048632_3682382982231216432_n.jpg)

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We are really lucky that our local Laser Quest (@laserquestkingston) is just around the corner from us. It means we can pop in of a weekend or anytime during the school holidays, and with summer just around the corner, I know Laser Quest will be one of our go-to places for some family fun.
As well as games of Laser Quest, there are also VR experiences and arcade amusements too. To find out a bit more about how Laser Quest works, you can read my blog post: https://www.suburban-mum.com/laser-quest-kingston/ (clickable link in bio)
Don't forget to keep an eye out for our Laser Quest posts - I'm going to be giving away two family passes to use at Laserquest Kingston!
If you can't wait and want to head down to Laser Quest to try it out, use the code SUMMER30 for 30% off your booking. The code is valid from now until the end of August 2023 and can be used on Laser Quest games and birthday party bookings.
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They’re go-to is always football and they’ve been trying to improve their aim and accuracy with the new Messi Foldable Footlball goal from the #MessiTrainingSystem range.
I love the fact the goal is foldable, making it easy to store away when not in use. It is also lightweight so you can effortlessly pack it up and take it to the park or to a friend’s house.
The Messi Foldable Football Goal retails at £36 and can be purchased from @argos
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![[AD] We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we are Barracuda Ambassadors again this year.
With Easter just around the corner, the boys were sent the @barracudas_activity_day_camps new camp kit in preparation for the school holidays.
There’s a wide range of activities for kids aged 4.5 - 14 including Tennis, Archery, Basketball, Arts & Crafts and more.
If you like the sound of Barracudas, find out more over on their website. You can also save £20 a week or £4 a day, using my discount code: MARIA20](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/336812306_765234558514317_685553691647241974_n.jpg)


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Last weekend we were invited to try out @tsarettaspice’s new Bottomless Brunch menu and I can tell you it was thumbs up all round!
There’s a good choice tapas on offer from Punjabi fish fingers, Indo Chinese Chicken to Spiced Lamb Scotch Eggs and Manchurian Cauliflower (which was amazing!)
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55 Church Street
Twickenham
TW1 3NR
You can also read our full review over on the blog (link in bio)](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/334565436_5960402314015030_663031098700829518_n.jpg)
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9 thoughts on “Having a Christmas panic”
Hmmm I might be a bit scrooge here but I don’t buy Christmas gifts for teachers or nursery. The girls write them a card. But I save the gift for the end of the academic year to say thank you for all they have done. My mum used to be a teaching assistant. The teachers and assistants at her school never expected Christmas gifts. Obviously it was lovely when they did receive them, but they didn’t think any less of children who didn’t! xxx
We do cards but in the past I have made cupcakes for them and then a small gift for the teacher/key workers. We then usually do a collection at the end of the year…. There will be no cupcake making this year as I have no time! lol
Lukily since writing this both school and nursery mums are organising a little collection which I am just going to put towards and we will then just write cards! x
Ah that makes it easier and much less stressful for you. x It is such a busy time. x
A whole new world for me this year! First Xmas my son has been at nursery and I was wondering about presents! I’ve bought his key worker and the other girl he is looked after by a lot some smellies and then getting the whole nursery a tub of chocs! I’m not sure what is the norm TBH!
Amazon has been great for me to send my nephew and niece presents in New Zealand #KCACOLS
Like you we are yet to put our tree up and are hoping to do it today.Christmas cards aren’t something I need to worry about luckily as I never send any out. Ella on the other hand sends out Christmas cards to all her classmates and they are all ready to be handed out tomorrow. Aaack gifts for the teachers I never thought about that and Ella has five teachers! Here’s hoping you manage to get the rest of your list done on time! Xx #KCACOLS
I am kind of halfish organised, as in my tree is up, most of presents bought, cards bought but not written and nothing wrapped.December gets quicker and quicker each year doesn’t it! Don’t even start me on presents for teachers, teaching assistants, head teacher, caretaker, cleaners, lunch ladies, playground assistants grrr where does it stop! #KCACOLS
I hope you manage to get organised on time – I am sure you will. Perhaps you are like me and get everything done at the last minute under pressure! Amazon is great for finding the tricky gifts – which I usually find is any adult male! #KCACOLS
I can’t believe how quickly December is flying by! I’m pretty much done now, just need to get all the little extras now… (so I’m sure I’ll end up spending a fortune!) #KCACOLS
I’m supposed to finish all my Xmas shopping and anything related to Xmas this weekend but so far I’m here still commenting for the linky!! LOL I hope to do that in the afternoon!! I hope you have all organised by now!! Thanks so much for sharing this at #KCACOLS! I hope you join me again tomorrow for the last #KCACOLS of 2015!!! 🙂 xx