The days are getting shorter and the air is getting colder, Christmas is coming! I feel it gets earlier and earlier every year but there is nothing wrong with being prepared for the festive period, especially with children. This time of year can be slightly overwhelming with all the presents to buy, the food to cook and the millions of activities to take part in. My tip is to plan ahead and just pick a few good things to do rather than trying to do everything!

There are lots of free activities you can do at home such as writing to Father Chritsmas or making a ginger bread house with the children (although this is not for the faint hearted!) Even doing simple activities such as paper chain making or painting a Christmas scene, can be lots of fun. Tip: gets lot of cotton wool for the very effective snow!

If you do decide you want to venture out and do some festive things here are a few of my favourite. I love ice skating, so if you have slightly older children, I really recommend going to Somerset House rather than the Natural History Museum. There is more space and the whole area is so festive, it is very hard to not get into the Christmas spirit. www.somersethouse.org.uk
When I was a child I loved the book Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs and this year they are doing a performance of it at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith, a must see! It starts on the 21st November and tickets are on sale now. www.lyric.co.uk
I am not a big fan of Winter Wonderland as it has become a massive theme park and I think it has lost the spirit of Christmas a little bit. However, they do have a smaller market at Leicester Square and you can visit Father Christmas and they have a Christmas show but you do need to book for both. www.christmasinleicestersquare.com
I also really love South Bank at this time of year. The river looks so pretty and they have Christmas stalls all the way along the river. They have carols on the 8th December, which is lovely to go to. Check out www.southbankcentre.co.uk to see what else they have on at the Southbank centre.
There are lots of great pantomimes around this year, however, my favourite is always Richmond Theatre, I really love the theatre as it is so inclusive and it is so easy to get to with the train station right behind it. This year they have Sleeping Beauty starting on the 2nd December. www.atgtickets.com/richmond

I hope I have given you some fun ideas for the Christmas period, just remember it is meant to be fun so try to plan and not do too much!  Also, remember Christmas is not just for the children so if you need a great a babysitter for that much needed night out. Get in touch and Mimi’s Minis will be happy to help! In my next blog, I will have lots of yummy recipes you can cook with your children so watch this space. www.mimisminis.co.uk

Have fun planning all your festive fun!

Mimi