Santa Comes to Town on a Big Red Christmas Bus

Last year we were invited to see Santa on his Big Red Christmas Bus at the Giltbrook Retail Park in Nottingham.

This weekend he is back and one again, we were invited to see him.  Suspecting that this will most likely be the last year of believing for my son, I said yes.

I know it is a bit early too, but with the children only being with me every other weekend I took the opportunity to start the Christmas fun a bit earlier.

The great thing about Giltbrook is that it is out of town, meaning no parking fees, yet plenty of great places to get some shopping done too.

As we waited to board the bus I could sense the excitement in the children, as the sound of Michael Buble drifted through the air I could feel myself getting into the spirit too.

Once you step onto the bus, there is a crafting area where children can write a card to Santa with what they would like for Christmas.

Then you are invited up one family at a time to see Santa, in what can only be described as a magical wonderland. With it cold outside, it certainly did feel like we were edging closer to Christmas, apparently it's only six weeks away!

Once up stairs the Jolly Fellow welcomed us and announced he'd been waiting to see us.  He asked the children if they'd been good and what they'd like. He was a wonderfully kind Santa who listened intently to what they'd both like for Christmas.

Once they'd told him what they'd like (one thing each, bless them) Santa gave them each a little gingerbread snow globe, a lovely touch and something they can both treasure.

If you are around the Nottingham are this weekend, then I can highly recommend a trip to Giltbrook Retail Park.

The Big Red Bus is free to enter and is open on 11th and 12th November between 10am and 6pm (Saturday) and 11am and 5pm (Sunday).  If you get a bit peckish there is also the Crepe Cabin and Street Diner for some yummy food.

This is a collaborative post, all words and images are my own.

Santa Comes to Giltbrook Nottingham

I love Christmas and am always trying to find ways to make it special for the children, including finding new and interesting ways to get the Christmas spirit started.

So as you can imagine, I was rather excited to hear about the Christmas Bus that will be arriving at Giltbrook Retail Park in Nottingham this weekend, yep you heard that right a Christmas Bus.

This free pop-up family event, will give little ones the chance to meet Santa and get crafty with the help of his elves.

Taking place between 11am and 5pm on 19th and 20th November, families can take a selfie with Santa on the top deck of a double-decker bus turned winter wonderland.

Below deck, Santa’s elves will host special festive craft workshops giving kids the chance to make everything from tree decorations to magic reindeer food for Rudolph.

With plenty of shops and restaurants in the retail park, there is even an opportunity to get a bit of Christmas shopping done early and even a spot of lunch.

So if you are looking for something to do in Nottinghamshire this weekend and fancy getting festive then why not head to Giltbrook.

The event will run on a first come, first serve basis so families should arrive early to avoid disappointment

This is a collaborative post.

Christmas 2015 in Pictures

Christmas this year has been a bit of a whirlwind, well, when isn't Christmas like that? To make sure I don't forget those precious moments, I have put together a post of just some of the pictures I took of just some of the things we got up to over the past few weeks.

Yummy star mince pies, they made the perfect treat for Santa and our guests over Christmas.

Our visit to Santa was almost missed by my unobservant husband, but I managed to catch them talking to him in time, they were so excited and I just love the way my cheeky daughter is standing, talking to him and the casual stance of my son.

We took time out to visit our local church and sing some carols, it was a really lovely atmosphere and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. 

On Wednesday we received our Kelly Bronze turkey that we won from Jamie Oliver over on Instagram, it was super tasty and the centre piece of our Christmas dinner. Thank you Jamie :)

Once Santa had been our lounge looked like Christmas had sneezed all over it, in a good way though! Everyone had been truly spoilt and it makes you feel grateful for all that we have and all that we were given by our families and friends.

Christmas dinner was lovely and my rather retro trifle with swiss roll bottom went down well with hubby, what did you have for your Christmas pudding?

My daughter received a bike from Santa, it is her pride and joy and she has either been sat on it in the house or riding it outside every day. I remember my first bike, it too was my pride and joy and I hope she has as many great memories of her bike as I do of mine.

I will miss Christmas, I will miss the pretty decorations, the smell of the Christmas tree and the over inldugance of lots of lovely food. Days off with the family and watching films whilst snuggling together on the sofa.

I hope you have plenty of Christmas memories and here is to 2016, may it be everything you want and more.

Looking Back over 2012

So many things happened for me in 2012, it was indeed a busy year.

January saw my daughter turning one...

In March I got to meet the fabulous Theo Paphitis at the first Small Business Sunday meetup.

In June we went to see the Queen at the local park as well as seeing Prince William and Kate land on the playing fields across the road from us...

In July we were lucky enough to go to the rehearsal of the Olympic Opening Ceremony...

In September my son started school, it was a tough time and my little boy took a while to get used to it but he settled in and has come along great.

Finally an amazing magical Christmas with both children getting most excited about it for the first time.

I hope you have had a wonderful 2012 and I look forward to what 2013 will bring, I anticipate a few bumps in the road but will try my best to smooth them over.

Silent Sunday