christmas

My Top 10 Decor & Gift Picks for the Holiday Season

I also love supporting small businesses and other creatives. Etsy allows me to shop for what I love, whilst also supporting other people. 

Sam – Founder of Mummy Conquering Anxiety blog

Yesterday was the first day I remembered how gloomy October can be in the UK. But it’s also my favourite time of year. Autumn, Halloween and the lead-up to Christmas have always excited me more than the summer months. 

I have storage boxes full of Halloween and Christmas decor. But it’s old & tired. We are in need of a fall refresh. 

Gift Picks for the Holiday Season

Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people.

Images courtesy of individual sellers on Etsy.

With only two paydays until the main event, it’s time for us all to start thinking about our Christmas Shopping.
And narrowing down what we want to buy our loved ones.
Personally, I love a unique and quirky gift. I am always on the lookout for something nobody else would buy.

Sam – Founder of Mummy Conquering Anxiety blog

I also love supporting small businesses and other creatives. Etsy allows me to shop for what I love, whilst also supporting other people. 

Let’s dive into my fall decor faves

Personalised Pumpkins

Gift Picks for the Holiday Season

These pumpkins are so cute! I’ve wanted to get some for a few years now.

My little one would absolutely love one with her name on it.

What a cute family decor idea to bring the spirit of fall into your home.

Personalised Pumpkin Family Print

Gift Picks for the Holiday Season

Another cute idea is to have a wall hanging you can bring our every fall season.

A really great way to include all the family, and bring in the new season.

Cinnamon Buns Wax Melt Snap Bars

wax melt snap bar

Do I really need to say anything, other than I have just purchased some?

Smells really do have the power to transport you to another place and transition into a change of season.

Autumn Cottage Scene Halloween

Autumn cottage

Another totally cute and unique home decor item,

You can bring this out every fall and really get into the spirit of the homely vibes.

Autumn Pumpkin Spice Crystal Candle

candle

Candles are definitely my favourite thing about the fall season.

With darker nights, you can light up the room and really create an ambience.

For any spiritual people amongst us, the crystal elements also make this the perfect gift for a loved one,

Don’t see anything you like?

Struggling for inspiration?

Why not check out the Editor’s picks for some inspiration…

With only two paydays until the main event, it’s time for us all to start thinking about our Christmas Shopping.

And narrowing down what we want to buy our loved ones.

Personally, I love a unique and quirky gift. I am always on the lookout for something nobody else would buy.

Let’s dive into my gift ideas for Christmas

Cornish Candle Gift Box

Gift set

The perfect, cute little gift set. For anyone who loves candles. or maybe you know someone who is in need of a self-care heart?

Personalised Coffee Cup with Name On

Gift Picks for the Holiday Season

As a busy mum, who literally NEEDS coffee every morning, I would love this as a gift.

Perfect to sit next to a coffee machine in your loved ones’ house.

Coffee Syrup Drink Stirrers

Gift Picks for the Holiday Season

Are there any coffee lovers out there?

Do you happen to know someone who absolutely loves creating coffee-shop-style coffees at home?

We all know how expensive it can be to visit Starbucks every day.

Christmas Coffee Sweatshirt

Gift Picks for the Holiday Season

This has got me excited about my Christmas Eve Box. I love making one for my little girl, but I want one for myself now.

Maybe you have family coming to stay with you? This would make the perfect gift to wear on Christmas Day or for your Boxing Day celebrations.

You’ll Always Be My Best-Tea

Gift Picks for the Holiday Season

The perfect gift for your best-tea to remember you by.

Maybe you have a friend you can’t be with over the festive period.

Or someone who needs a little reminder that you love them.

Final thoughts

I hope you enjoyed my rundown of fall decor for your home. And a list of great gifts so you can start thinking about your Christmas list.

Which item is your favourite?

Gift Picks for the Holiday Season

It’s the Season to Get Warm & Cosy With Candles

Check out my Guest Post from Jasmine Fitze. I am accepting guest posts on all of my blogs – you can find more details here.

Introduction

Hi, I’m Jas! I feel so grateful to be writing a guest post for Mummy Conquering Anxiety. Especially around this time of year. Autumn is my favourite season of all. And I enjoy writing plenty of blog posts around this season too. And candles are a great topic!

I am a digital creator who loves creating content around architecture, travel, food and drink, coffee, and lifestyle. In addition, I love to see the little things every day. Learning to love my own company by venturing out of my comforts. And providing the life that I deserve. I hope you can feel inspired by the life I live. Realising life’s happiness starts off with small and simple joys.

candles

Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people

Candle Talk

I love it when autumn arrives, purely because of the overload of candles. Candles are up there as one of my favourite things to buy in shops. Especially when the seasons are changing and you get into the cold, crisp, autumnal weather. When it gets to that point, there’s nothing better than cosying up at home. Surrounding yourself with warm aromatic fragrances, and sipping on some luxurious hot chocolates.

I would say that my candle preferences are more towards scents that are rich, sweet, vibrant, and spiced. This is why I get excited when autumn comes around because I feel in my element. I could get lost for hours in the home fragrances selection trying to find the ones that I vibe with.

candles


A collection showing some of my favourite scents:

Pumpkin Spice: Takes me into a world of pumpkin patches, spiced lattes, pumpkin everything basically!

Cinnamon: Forever love the warm spices of cinnamon that remind me of autumnal bakes and hot
chocolates.

Coffee: With me being that much into coffee I just can’t get enough of the coffee scents, especially as each one has its own richness and character to the flavours with the creaminess bringing it all together.

Spiced apple: Sweet but juicy scents that I get from this fragrance. Definitely makes me think of toffee
apples or apple pie/ apple crumble, and even apple cider of many kinds.

Coconut: I’ve always been into coconut-scented things. I love the creaminess and subtlety of the scent, I
think it’s an ideal all-round candle, but especially ideal for having next to a box of chocolates, particularly
bounty’s to compliment the atmosphere.

candles

Honey & chocolate: This scent I’m particularly talking about is the Glade candle. When I came across it I
knew I had to pick it up. Smells Devine and I thought of it like a crunchie chocolate bar and this candle
delivered those sensational aromas.

Are any of these scents your favourite too? Comment below

There’s something quite magical about walking around the city in your warm and thick coat, with a coffee in one hand, and seasonal shopping bags in the other. What I love about this home decor piece is that they make for an ideal gift for someone or for even yourself. On any special or random occasion, there’s a candle for everyone at any time!

Shopping for Candles

A few shops that I recommend browsing for autumn candles & diffusers are TK MAXX, B&M, and Wilko.

candles


I am forever heading to TK MAXX for their library load of candles and diffusers of all different aesthetics, scents, and personalities. I highly recommend making a visit to have a smell through them. You’ll likely end up walking out with a great collection.

In Wilko, you will find plenty of autumn-scented fragrances such as pumpkin spice, apple cosy cider, and marshmallow Irish cream. Great prices if you are looking for a unique scent at a low price. And with the sizes, they have a good burning time. B&M have a selection of basic and characteristic candles. Ones that are ideal for repurposing other household decor pieces.

Sign up for my monthly newsletter, to gain access to exclusive offers & updates

Sign up for my freebie library. Each week there will be a new freebie added to help organise your life and take away some stress!

One shop that I haven’t mentioned yet but have to put out there is M&S with their distinctive candles. They are pricey but the jar has battery-operated lights, within the jar of the candle, so it serves multiple purposes. It would for sure make an excellent centrepiece to a dining table or coffee table. Bringing a glowing atmosphere to the room.

Alternatively, there are plenty of wonderful small businesses on Etsy, such as @dolewickscandleco (check her out on Instagram). DW Home is also a great place for endless seasonal scents with distinctive jars. Perfect for repurposing, check out their Instagram and website for more. On Instagram, there is @illumine_candle_co which is a small business in Exeter, with beautiful hand-poured vegan-friendly soy candles.

candles

Candles are up there as one of my favourite pieces of decor to buy purely because they light up the room so well and the stunning aromas each one has. I also love repurposing them, giving them an extra life through using them as drinking glasses or desk organisers, they come in handy for many things.

And That’s a Wrap…

We have now come to the end of this blog post. I hope you have enjoyed reading through my candle preferences and suggestions. Here’s to many more cosy days at home as well as shopping adventures.

If you would like to learn more about me and my content, see the details below.

I’ll leave some links below, I hope to connect with some of you!

Jas Fitze Blogs: https://www.jasminefitzephotography.com/jasfitzeblogs
Instagram:
Twitter/ Tik Tok: @jasminefitze

Stay Cosy & Warm with Seasonal Aromatic Fragrances!
Jas ☕️

Final thoughts

I would like to thank Jasmine for this amazing blog post – it makes me feel all cosy & warm. I hope you have the same feeling.

signature

My Latest Finds From The Body Shop & Why I Love Them

With Christmas coming up, I had to ensure The Body Shop made it onto my Christmas present spreadsheet. I know my family and friends love some of their trusted favourites. Check out my latest finds.

I will also be reviewing an amazing gift set recently sent to me by The Body Shop.

Quick note: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links; if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for you.

Let’s dive into the gifted items I was sent and why I love them so much

Mango

If you like the soft-squidgy-ness of juicy mango and its sweet luscious scent, you’re in for a treat with the Mango fragrance and body care range.

Sweetness & Sunshine Mango Essentials Gift

This Christmas gift is the next best thing to a tropical paradise! The set includes:

My thoughts on the gift set

This set is fantastic. Such a luxurious scent and some of the items are only available in the set. It also comes in a cute gift package and has everything you need to provide your loved ones with the self-care they need!

Read to the bottom for a discount code!

Let’s dive into the trusted favourites I buy every year

Strawberry Beauty & Skincare Range

The strawberry range takes me back to my younger days. The fruity smell is so luxurious and I have just the person in mind for this cute little gift set.

Whipping up memories of summer sports and sweet treats, the heart-shaped strawberry could be said to be the most symbolic of berries, but it’s all the more lovable as our splendidly scented Strawberry fragrance and body care range. Each of our strawberry beauty products contains real strawberry seed oil, bringing the plump, juicy fruit to your bathroom and on-the-go bag.

Jolly & Juicy Strawberry Essentials Gift

This is a juicy Christmas gift they’ll love to unwrap.

Strawberry Body Butter

I love the fruity body butter from The Body Shop, but I think strawberry has to be my fave.

The Edelweiss range

You may remember me writing an entire blog post on the Edelweiss range. And why I love it so much. It was only right to buy this item for someone I love.

Edelweiss Cleansing Concentrate

  • Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin
  • Leave skin feeling purified and renewed
  • Made with 95% ingredients of natural origin
  • Enriched with edelweiss
  • Certified by The Vegan Society
  • Dermatologically tested

Dry Hair & Scalp Products

Let’s talk about dry hair – straight or curly, thick or thin, it can affect any hair type. We are introducing our range of hair shampoo, conditioner and hair care products formulated with dry hair and scalps in mind. Think shampoo for dry hair, hydrating conditioners and nourishing masks.

My hubby loves both of these products. They make your hair feel clean and refreshed. Something we both require as tired parents.

Ginger Anti-dandruff Shampoo

What does it do for you?

  • Anti-dandruff shampoo
  • Perfect for dry, flaky scalps
  • Help clear flakes
  • Leave dry, itchy scalps feeling soothed
  • Made with 90% ingredients of natural origin
  • Certified by The Vegan Society

Ginger Scalp Care Conditioner

What does it do for you?

  • Scalp care conditioner
  • Perfect for dry scalps and weak hair
  • Leave dry scalps feeling soothed*
  • Leave hair feeling stronger, softer and more resilient*
  • Made with 97% ingredients of natural origin
  • Certified by The Vegan Society

Satsuma

A ball of pure orange energy as vibrant as the sun, is there anything better than a satsuma to help put a zing in your step and a wiggle in your walk? We love those bursting citrus notes so much that we’ve captured this juicy fruit in our Satsuma body care products.

Satsuma Shower Gel

  • Perfect for all skin types
  • Leave skin feeling soft, cleansed and refreshed
  • Juicy and refreshing
  • 92% of ingredients of natural origin
  • Certified by The Vegan Society
  • Dermatologically tested

A firm fave within my family. I grew up with this scent and my brother absolutely loves it.

Discount code

As promised, let’s reveal the discount code

Visit The Body Shop – 20% off discount code MCA20 until the end of the year (Including Advent Calendars)

Check out all my blog posts… for The Body Shop

signature

10 Unique Menkind Gifts For The Special Man In Your Life

#AD #AFF

Originally posted in November 2021 & updated in November 2022

OK, forget about buying the man-in-your-life socks again. If you’ve already bought them, send them back. Check out my list of unique MenKind gifts.

Just for you, I have a rundown of some very quirky gifts you can buy for the special man in your life instead. 

I don’t know about you, but I find men more difficult to buy for than the ladies in my life. My dad is especially difficult to buy unless he wants something specific at the time. 

When I know there is an occasion coming up, I check out Menkind for a quirky gift for my hubby, and therefore, I’m thrilled to be recommending them to you today. 

Unique MenKind gifts always make an appearance in my Christmas shopping each year

Menkind gifts

Quick note: Mummy Conquering Anxiety is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links; if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for you.

Images courtesy of the MenKind website.

Let’s dive into my list of unique MenKind gifts

1. Fizzics DraftPour Beer Dispenser

I love the look of this beer dispenser. How amazing.

2. BrewDog Punk IPA Beer-Making Kit

This beer-making kit is the perfect gift for a man who loves to be creative and feels better knowing he contributed to the creation stage.

Sign up for my monthly newsletter below

Subscribe to receive my monthly newsletter

    We won’t send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

    3. Lazy Man Frying Pan

    My hubby has wanted one of these frying pans for a while. I think it ties into the thing of BBQs and men wanting to make an epic feast for everyone. There is no denying I am not the best cook in our house. My hubby definitely is and he requires tools to cook us a lovely meal.

    4. Marvel Logo Light – Only At Menkind!

    As a lover of the Universe, my hubby would appreciate this lightbox gift. We have a few quirky lights like this dotted around the house, including a Tetris light.

    Menkind also has a few other cool lights, including the Minecraft creeper.

    I am adding at least one of these to the Christmas list for him now.

    Menkind gifts

    5. Star Wars Ultimate Movie Challenge

    • How well do you know Star Wars? Find out!
    • Test your knowledge of all the movies
    • Not a simple quiz – there are 5 challenge types
    • Mime, draw, describe, link, and trivia
    • For 4+ players aged 8+

    6. Chess For Three

    How cool is the Chess for Three? I love how quirky it is. Having never seen a product like this before, it was so unique nobody else would think to purchase it.

    Check out my other gift guides

    I have also written a No7 gift guide and you can find my online last-minute gifts guide here.

    Are you struggling to select an alternative advent calendar? Or do you need a special toddler gift?

    7. Escape Room: The Game

    Having visited an escape room as a family, how amazing you can bring it home and still enjoy the fun and thrill of escaping.

    Another totally unique gift and I love it.

    8. Magnetic Wristband

    For the DIY fan, this wristband is so cool. How practical for fixing things in the house or tackling flat packs?

    9. Bearded Man 24 Beard Oils Sampler Box Set

    • It’s a gift box of 24 beard oil samplers!
    • Contains each of Bearded Man Co’s 24 different scents
    • Each bottle is good for about 6 to 8 uses
    • Comes presented in a wooden gift box
    • Each glass bottle contains 2 ml
    Menkind gifts

    And finally…

    If you are insistent on buying socks, let’s at least make them fun…

    10. United Oddsocks Sock Invaders Socks

    How cool are these? I don’t know what happens in your house, but in ours, we have a huge Ikea bag full of socks we still need to pair up. We also have lost socks, the ones that will never be a pair because one is gone forever.

    Bearing this in mind, I LOVE the fact odd socks are becoming fashionable.

    Other sections on the MenKind website

    I am pleased to report there is a section on the website for ladies and kids. Check out the full website below.

    Final thoughts 

    I hope you enjoyed reading this gift guide.

    Unique MenKind gifts always make an appearance in my Christmas shopping each year and therefore I am so happy to be sharing this list with you.

    Do you like any of the gifts on the list and will you purchase any? Let me know in the comments below.

     

    Menkind gifts

    Check out all my other gift guides here:

    12 BOOKS & COURSES FOR MANAGING ANXIETY

    14 AMAZING COSY WELLNESS GIFTS FOR WINTER & BEYOND

    SOME AMAZING WELLNESS PRODUCTS – FOR YOUR GIFTING & CHRISTMAS NEEDS

    MY GUIDE TO THE BEST APPAREL OUT THERE CONTRIBUTING TO GREAT CAUSES

    WHY GIFT GUIDES ARE AN AMAZING RESOURCE WHEN ONLINE SHOPPING

    Here are some of the previous gift guides I created:

    4 AMAZING GIFT IDEAS FOR THE SPECIAL MAN IN YOUR LIFE

    THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX FOR YOUR VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT

    THE BEST DISCOUNTS & DEALS ON THE INTERNET FOR MOTHER’S DAY

    THE REASONS I PURCHASE WITH ONE TRUSTED BRAND FOR GIFTS & SELF-CARE PURCHASES

    THE ULTIMATE LIST OF SELF-CARE PACKAGE GIFT IDEAS FOR EVERY OCCASION

    5 LAST-MINUTE ONLINE CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THE ONES YOU LOVE

    CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE MY TRUSTED NO7 ESSENTIALS

    I Have More Advent Calendars To Share From The Body Shop

    Because you all loved my last post featuring The Box Of Wonders Big Advent Calendar, I have TWO additional advent calendars to share with you today.

    20% off discount code MCA20 until the end of the year (Including Advent Calendars)

    LAUNCHING – 18 September 2022

    Advent Calendars

    Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people.

    Box of Wishes Advent Calendar

    Buy for £55 Worth £89.50

    Launching 18th September

    Small in size but packed full of treats – the Box of Wishes Advent Calendar contains skincare, face masks and beauty tools. Hydrate with our Shower Gel before nourishing your skin with our Body Butter infused with Community Fair Trade Mango Seed Oil from India.

    This calendar celebrates the women of Chhattisgarh, India, and through our Mango Seed Oil, we continue to support them with job prospects and opportunities for independence.

    Advent Calendars

    What’s included?

    STRAWBERRY SHOWER GEL 60ML
    BRITISH ROSE HAND CREAM 30ML
    RASPBERRY BORN LIPPY 10ML
    MINI RAMIE BATH LILY
    BRITISH ROSE SHOWER GEL 60ML
    TEA TREE FACE WASH 60ML
    SATSUMA SOAP 100G
    MANGO BODY BUTTER 50ML
    SHEA HAND BALM 10ML
    VITAMIN C SHEET MASK 18ML
    SHEA SHAMPOO 60ML
    SHEA CONDITIONER 60ML
    PINK GRAPEFRUIT SHOWER GEL 60ML
    STRAWBERRY LIP BUTTER 10ML
    MANGO SHOWER GEL 60ML
    HIMALAYAN CHARCOAL MASK 15ML
    HAIR CLAW
    ALMOND MILK SHOWER CREAM 60ML BRITISH ROSE SHOWER SCRUB 50ML
    VITAMIN E SHEET MASK 18ML
    SHEA SOAP 100G
    STRAWBERRY HAND CREAM 30ML
    AVOCADO SHOWER CREAM 60ML
    ALMOND MILK BODY BUTTER 50ML

    Box of Wishes & Wonders Ultimate Advent Calendar

    Buy for £145 Worth £219

    Launching 18th September

    Our Ultimate Advent Calendar is bursting with iconic full-sized bestsellers as well as exciting new products, beauty tools and everything you need to nourish your body and soul. Scrub, soften and slather your way to your most beautiful Christmas yet with our luxurious Sheet Masks, nourishing Body Butters, and rejuvenating Body Scrubs.

    What’s included?

    AVOCADO SHOWER CREAM 250ML
    CAMOMILE CLEANSING BUTTER 20ML
    EDELWEISS LIQUID PEEL 100ML
    MANGO HAND BALM 30ML
    BOOST HAND WASH 250ML
    MORINGA SHAMPOO 250ML
    STRAWBERRY LIP BUTTER 10ML
    RAMIE BATH LILY
    MORINGA CONDITIONER 250ML
    VITAMIN E HYDRATING TONER 250ML
    VITAMIN E SHEET MASK 18ML
    MANGO BATH BLEND 250ML
    BRITISH ROSE BODY YOGURT 200ML
    ALMOND MILK LIP CARE STICK 4.2G
    PINK CLAY FACIAL KONJAC SPONGE
    HIMALAYAN CHARCOAL MASK 15ML
    PINK GRAPEFRUIT SHOWER GEL 250ML
    MANGO BODY SCRUB 50ML
    AVOCADO LOTION TO OIL 200ML
    BRITISH ROSE FACIAL MASK 15ML
    ALMOND MILK HAND BALM 30ML
    EDELWEISS SHEET MASK 21ML
    HIMALAYAN CHARCOAL NIGHT PEEL 30ML
    SHEA BODY BUTTER 200ML
    SLEEP PILLOW MIST 100ML

    Final Thoughts

    If you follow the blog, you will know I am a huge fan of The Body Shop. You can check out my other posts featuring their amazing products below:

    ADVENT CALENDAR OF TREATS FROM THE BODY SHOP

    MY FAVOURITE SELF-CARE PRODUCTS FROM THE BODY SHOP

    THE REASONS I PURCHASE WITH ONE TRUSTED BRAND FOR GIFTS & SELF-CARE PURCHASES

    Advent Calendars

    Ideas for Your Family Christmas Card

    Have you ever wondered what to write on your family Christmas card? If so, you’re not alone. Every year, millions of people struggle with what to say in their holiday greetings. Whether you want to be funny, sentimental, or somewhere in between, coming up with the perfect Christmas message can be challenging. 

    Family Christmas Card
    Via Pixabay

    But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. This blog post will share some of our favourite ideas for what to write on your family Christmas card. So grab a cup of eggnog and settle in—it’s time to get inspired!

    A Funny Family Story

    One great way to make your Christmas card stand out is to include a funny story about your family. Whether it’s a tale about last year’s holiday shenanigans or a hilarious memory from your childhood, a good story will surely get a laugh (and maybe even a few tears). Keep it appropriate for all audiences—you don’t want to offend your relatives!

    A Sentimental Quote

    If you’re looking for something a little more heartwarming, try including a sentimental quote in your family Christmas card. There are many great options, from classic poems to modern songs. Just choose something that resonates with you and your loved ones and add it to your holiday greeting. 

    A Holiday Joke

    Another great way to spread cheer is by adding a festive joke to your family Christmas card. Everyone loves a good laugh, especially during the holiday season, whether it’s a silly pun or an off-colour joke. Just make sure you keep it clean! 

    Family Christmas Card

    A Meaningful Scripture Verse

    For many families, faith is an integral part of the holiday season. If that’s true for you, consider adding a meaningful scripture verse to your family Christmas card. There are plenty of great options, so take some time to find one that perfectly captures the season’s spirit for you and your loved ones. 

    An Update on Your Year 

    One final idea is to use your family Christmas card as an opportunity to update your loved ones on what’s been going on in your life over the past year. Whether you’ve had a baby, gotten married, or bought a new house, this is a great way to let everyone know what’s been going on with you—and maybe even include some photos! 

    Fun Christmas Portrait

    If you want to make your family Christmas card stand out, try adding a fun and festive portrait. You can either have a professional photographer take your picture or get creative and do it yourself! Make sure everyone is smiling and having a good time—that’s what the holidays are all about. Ensure all the kids are dressed in a fun and festive Christmas outfit. You can even get a Baby Christmas outfit for your little one.

    We hope these ideas inspire you as you start working on your family Christmas cards! No matter what you decide to write, remember that the most important thing is that your holiday greetings come from the heart. Merry Christmas! And all the best for the new year.

    Family Christmas Card

    10 of the best chocolate-free advent calendars

    I’ve always wanted a decorative reusable Advent calendar. Something which looks epic on a fireplace and takes centre stage amongst your Christmas decorations. But I think my little one is still a bit too young. 

    As such, I’m on the hunt for an affordable but special chocolate-free advent calendar for each of us this year. Something to add a little cheer to each day, after the rubbish last few years we’ve all had. 

    December in our house is also a manic and stressful month, due to our jobs. Therefore any small touch we can add at the end of a busy day, to alleviate some stress is welcome. 

    A treat a day for a whole month definitely fits in with my new self-care regime. 

    It was lovely to light a different scented tea light each day throughout December. We love candles in our house. They add to the magic of this season and give my mental health a little, much-needed lift.

    chocolate-free advent calendars

    Quick note: Mummy Conquering Anxiety is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people.

    Check out my list of quirky but affordable calendars 

    For the Toddler in your life

    My little one loves her cars and would have so much fun playing with any of the below items.

    I don’t want the little one eating chocolate every day in December and therefore it has to be something creative or fun. 

    Any parent will know, this also means we can’t have chocolate. Because all toddlers seek out and steal your food. Hehe!

    For the lady in your life

    Wilko 24 Days of Gin Advent Calendar

    Perfect for gin lovers, this set includes 12 flavour mixers, two edible pearls, 6 glass rim sugars, and 4 cocktail shimmers. Just add the gin and make the perfect cocktail.

    Candle advent calendars

    I’ve purchased a Yankee candle advent calendar before and it was lovely to light a different scented tea light each day throughout December. We love candles in our house. They add to the magic of this season and give my mental health a little, much-needed lift.

    Make up advent calendar

    Who doesn’t love a make-up calendar? I talk all about the Boots No7 calendar in my recent Christmas gift guide. Here are some of the best alternatives I’ve found.

    Tea advent calendar

    I’ve ordered the Clipper advent calendar and I can’t wait to open it.

    For the man in your life

    My hubby is a coffee lover and therefore any of these would be the perfect fit. Given the opportunity, he would always want chocolate, but I am sticking to my guns on chocolate-free advent calendars for 2021.

    Cheese advent calendar

    Who doesn’t love a bit of cheese? Especially in the run-up to Christmas when the cheese board is on the menu.

    Pringles advent calendar

    How amazing. You can have your favourite snack in an advent calendar. I love the sound of this one.

    Alcohol advent calendar

    For the man in your life. Get in the festive spirit with a little tipple each day.

    Self-care advent calendars for men

    A great before Christmas treat, for those much-needed self-care moments.

    Menkind advent calendars

    Menkind has a range of fantastic calendars. Including these self-care beard oil and a male grooming one.

    Final thoughts 

    I hope this list of chocolate-free advent calendars has provided some inspiration for a calendar for you or a loved one.

    Let me know which advent calendars you will be buying this year.

    signature

    The Charm Of Handmade Gifts Whilst You’re On Holiday

    AD / PR samples

    Picture a British seaside town, with the seagulls making noise and the fresh sea air. The charm of the seaside!

    I don’t know why, but it’s such a British thing to buy gifts for other people whilst we are on holiday. I’ve purchased some of the best birthday and Christmas presents for people whilst on my holidays. Maybe I am more relaxed or have spending money. I really don’t know the reason behind it.

    Now picture a small boutique with handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts. Then imagine the shop is labelled as an art collective. It’s the type of place I could spend hours in. Therefore, I HAD to transport all my lovely readers to this shop for a little while.

    Come along and see what they have on offer

    Bring together handmade pieces from several different creators, it’s the kind of place we would visit whilst on holiday. Mainly because my hubby would stop just outside and say “this is your type of place, let’s go in”.

    If you follow this blog, you all know I love a unique and quirky gift for someone. I am so excited to share with you some of the unique and quirky pieces sent to me by Zebadiah’s. You can view a list of the artists featured on the website.

    charm

    Handmade earrings

    I love handmade earrings. Simply because you would be hard pushed to find someone else wearing the same pair.

    Hat

    How cute is this handmade hat? My little one looks cool in hats and she has a collection at home already. I just know this one will come to be one of her favourites. And we are heading for cooler weather in the UK, so she will get so much use out of it.

    Brooch

    Transport me back to the days of looking through my Grandma’s jewellery drawer. She had a lovely white dresser with a wide drawer. All the pieces were laid out on tissue paper, all sparkly and amazing. Since this moment, I’ve loved brooches and I try my best to pin them to going out jackets whenever I can. This one will be coming on my next outing with me! My little one has also shown an interest in it.

    Dress

    The dress is fantastic. You can tell it’s such good quality material and the colours are amazing.

    I honestly can’t wait to wear it. My little one commented that it looked like a rainbow. And we are kind of matching with the dress and the hat.

    Other items which stood out to me

    I’ve had a browse on the website and the ceramic bowls and bracelets really stood out to me. Everyone has a different preference for what they like and the reason why. You will find something amongst the collections for yourself. Or a great gift for someone else.

    Head over and order online today

    charm

    Final thoughts

    I hope you enjoyed reading about this amazing little find.

    Have you checked out the products? What are your favourites?

    charm

    How to feel amazing after decluttering and deep cleaning

    To coincide with the creation of our living room feature wall, I decided to have a full house makeover. Decluttering and deep cleaning had been on the list for too long and it was time to solve the problem.

    I couldn’t paint every wall, but I could use this as an opportunity to complete the household tasks which urgently needed doing. 

    decluttering and deep cleaning

    Here is a step by step of my decluttering and deep cleaning journey

    Moving furniture & rugs and doing a deep clean

    All the parents out there will be aware toddlers throw bits of food and any old item into the hardest to clean spaces. Therefore it’s always wise to see what’s lurking. It also feels great to know the house has had a spring clean and it won’t need doing for a while.

    It makes me feel better. I used to be fixated on cleaning and always having a show home, but living up to that standard just isn’t possible with a toddler running around.

    My mental health isn’t impacted by trying to live up to an impossible standard. Don’t get me wrong, I clean the house. But I usually just do the basics around other fun activities. The old me would try to tackle the whole house in one sitting and I wouldn’t stop cleaning until it was pristine. Who has time to be that person?

    Taking the curtains down to wash them 

    We had to paint anyway, so why not wash the curtains whilst we were at it. Mucky little toddler prints don’t help when you have floor-length patio curtains. Both the glass and the curtains need washing regularly.

    Getting them out of the washing machine, smelling fresh, made me feel like we’d bought a new item for the living room and brought a sense of calm.

    Putting up pictures our little one knocked down 

    I love how this post is turning into things going wrong due to little toddler hands, but this is our reality!

    She’s been curious about the pictures hanging on the walls and knocked a few down in the process. Little niggles like this bother me. The old me would have put them back straight away, but the new me just doesn’t have the time or energy to worry.

    That said, it felt good to set aside some toddler free time to restore the walls to their former glory.

    Putting the shower screen back up

    We are lucky enough to have two bathrooms, but one shower is out of action at the moment because the shower screen fell down. It’s a good job I was there to catch it because it’s made of glass. Anyway, it’s been stored behind our other shower cubicle for months and needed sorting out. 

    But we’ve been too busy going on holiday and enjoying ourselves. Autumn and winter are the months for DIY tasks in the home. It’s great we can now access the other shower, especially early in the morning when one of us has to be up for work and the other doesn’t.

    Throwing out the toddler toys

    With Christmas around the corner, it was time to finally get rid of the baby toys. As you can imagine, we have boxes and boxes overflowing with toys, some of which we haven’t seen for months because they are stuck at the bottom. (Anyone thinking of Woody telling everyone to rotate the toys).

    It cleared my mind to finally organise the toy boxes and move some toys back to the little one’s bedroom. She doesn’t need to be constantly watched now when playing and she can wander into her room unsupervised for a little while.

    Clearing out the rest of the house

    I went on a serious mission to throw out anything we dont use or take it to the charity shop. Along with the toys, there were household items, clothes, things we have all outgrown. I am happy we were able to contribute to charity.

    Clearing out always has a great impact on my mental health and doing this before Christmas and a drastic change of seasons had a bigger positive impact on me.

    Final thoughts

    Are you due to have a declutter? Have you recently had one and feel better for doing so?

    Do you love decluttering and deep cleaning?

    Let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.

    signature
decluttering and deep cleaning