With most of the country being covered by snow recently many kids were getting very excited as they stood at their front or back windows thinking about being pulled down the street in a wooden or plastic sledge or being helped to build the biggest snowman in the street.

In reality it’s minus two outside and far too cold to let the kids venture into the garden and, even if they manage to get outside they are wrapped in that many clothes that it makes it impossible for them to move. However, there is a way round this the Ulan Charcoal Fleece from Molo Kids is the perfect clothing accessory to keep all your children nice and warm through the winter days.

If your house is like mine come Christmas day then you’ll understand when I talk about kids in a state of galvanised play. Pretty much DEFCON 4 as excitement levels go. Mum or Dad are being asked, constantly, to come and look at this; build this; and try that. While, all the time, Mum or Dad is trying to prepare the big dinner for the day. It can all get a bit much as tolerance levels melt away and the kitchen becomes a NO-GO zone.

As dinner time approaches, the little voices come through the door “is it ready yet, is it ready yet”, “how long will it be”, telling them to go and sit down and behave is useless.

One way to occupy their little minds is to let them think their helping you out. Get them at the dinner table and hand them a Hello Me Placemat from Hello Hanna. This ingenious kit will ensure that your kids are occupied and have plenty to do as you get some precious time to carry-on making dinner.

As the thermometer struggles to rise above zero, for many of us this will mean making the decision to stay in the house till the weather begins to heat up – which is never very healthy for the kids nor my sanity, having them cooped up indoors.

It’s fine telling the kids to “go out and play” when the weather is lousy outside, but we want them to stay nice and snug at the same time. Fully padded jackets, wellington boots and warm trousers are what’s needed. However, there is an area that some people forget to cover up – the neck and head.

Kids running around will be losing a lot of their body heat through their head so why not invest in a good quality hat and scarf which will ensure that your children will be playing outdoors, no matter how cold it gets.

After all the Christmas festivities, normally as a family we like to go out for a nice walk. It lets the kids have a chance to play on their new bikes or scooters and it also gives a break from all the chocolate and cheese crackers. However, there is nothing worse than being out with the kids in a cold winter’s day and them bemoaning it’s too cold to stay outside, this can make everyone miserable.

This winter keep your kids nice and warm whilst they play out with their new toys. There are many anoraks on the market that claim to keep your kids insulated and one of the best is the Red Anorak by Mini Rodini. This Deep shiny red Teflon protected polyester anorak will ensure that your kids play outside happily safe from the winter chills.

Not long now till ‘Old Father Christmas’ will be come calling with our presents, well that is if we have not forgotten to pass them on to him. Many people already have their main present bought and wrapped, for some it may already be laid under their tree.

There is one thing that people seem to forget : stocking fillers, those little presents that are passed around when family and friends come round. We at mashNgravy realise this and offer a great selection for this purpose, great stocking fillers just right for those winter days out ‘puddle jumping’.

Purchasing clothes for a baby can be tricky. What do we make our decicion on? Something that looks nice to us or a funky yet different design or is it just something that looks comfortable for the kid to wear. One company that we feel at mashNgravy HQ that has become synonymous with comfortable, appealing baby clothes is Urban Elk.

Started just in 2006, Urban Elk, has rapidly become one of the best known names within the industry for producing comfortable kid’s clothes that look quirky and fun.

With today’s online buying trend, we need to be careful that when we purchase our Christmas gifts we have checked out the last day for shipping. The last thing you want is to see the disappointment in a loved one’s face as their present is not there for them on Christmas morning.

Here are mashNgravy’s last posting days for Christmas shopping..

If this is your child’s first, second or even third Christmas you may still have Aunties, Uncles and neighbours asking to buy clothes for your little ones.

Now, as far as my own family goes, I know that they mean well but their taste in kids clothing leaves a lot to be desired. And, as usual, when you receive their lovely wrapped gifts, you smile, as always, and thank them while deep down your desperately thinking that this item of kids clothing will be hung in the wardrobe and be conveniently forgotten. (Harsh, I know, but think of the children )

If that’s YOU, then this year ask for something different – a present that will not only help your child’s hand to eye co-ordination through its contrasting colours but is safe, soft and easy to carry for small hands.

Anne-Claire Petit Products are the perfect stocking filler for all children and on Christmas night, you can watch your children fall asleep cuddling their new companion and toast a drink to yourself with a wry smile on your face to their favourite Auntie or Uncle for a fab christmas gift.

We love to support a great cause at mashNgravy which is why we will be supporting the Mummy Bloggers Launch Fundraising Auction for Cumbria Flood Victims.

The auction will run online at the Bambino Goodies website, which is hosting the auction for free. Bidding will open on Monday 30th November at 12pm, and run until Sunday 6th December at 6pm. Bidders are able to register on the auction site and bid for any item, and can also choose to remain anonymous. A raffle will also be added via Just Giving later in the week. Donations to the fund can also be made via Cumbria Community Foundation.

mashNgravy will be contributing towards the auction.

Please show your support by visiting : auction.bambinogoodies.co.uk