Christmas will be really different for many of us this year. To say that 2020 has been horrible would be a massive understatement. I feel particularly sorry for kids. While we’ve never known anything like it either, it’s harder for them to comprehend and they’ve missed out on so much too. So it’s vital that …
December is almost upon us so there’s no getting away from the countdown to Christmas. Like many people, I have really mixed feelings about it this year. 2020 has been truly awful so I want to give the kids a lovely Christmas. But, at the same time, I’m feeling so down about the threat of …
Disclosure: this is a paid collaboration with RCI Bank. Christmas is fast approaching and, as usual, we’ll be enjoying the big day with my parents. We spend a lot of time with them throughout the year and always look forward to seeing them. I know that this is true of so many families beyond my …
The Christmas holidays are here and, if you’re anything like me, you’re not quite ready. In our case, we’re largely sorted in terms of shopping and so on, but not mentally or emotionally prepared. This isn’t ideal as the break between terms two and three this year is the best part of three weeks. With …
I was going to write another of my ‘What I watched this week’ posts today. However, the main thing I was planning on covering – a family Christmas film – annoyed me so much in the first few minutes that I switched it off. I had to as it began to float the idea of …
As I’m endeavouring to be less of a Grinch this year, I’ve been thinking about the things I’ll enjoy this Christmas. The logic, of course, is that if I start thinking about them sooner, my festive spirit should be stronger. So here are five Christmas traditions I’m really looking forward to… Swearing Scots I first …
I pride myself on dealing with important questions on Diary of the Dad. So here’s one that has been troubling me for years. Why do people buy Panettone at Christmas? For ten months or so, it vanishes from our thoughts. But then, as December approaches, it suddenly appears again. People go mad for it, leaving me …
We love visiting Drusillas Park so it was great to visit at the weekend to see what it has to offer this Christmas. Especially as one of the challenges I’ve set myself on my 40 before 40 list is to be less of a Grinch! There are a fair few festive additions this Christmas at …
One of the best times to be self-employed is Christmas. I’ve written about the reasons for this before, so won’t repeat myself. Apart from saying that one of the things I really don’t miss about my old life is the office Christmas party. Particularly in the last job I had before becoming my own boss. …
I’ve been a parent for over seven years. I’ve also been blogging about it for the same amount of time. You’d think that writing about my experience of parenting would focus my thoughts and improve my approach as a result. Well if recent events are anything to go by, I’ve learned nothing. In my defence …