It is less than 2 weeks till Christmas folks and if you are in search of small Christmas presents or Christmas stocking fillers for relatives and friends, it's not always easy-going to get a moderately priced present that they will enjoy as well. When doing a physical stocking for the children, its good to get them loads of small gifts to open. In fact, a better part of the excitement is to get a pile of packets to unwrap on Christmas Day.

You can have a collection of classic budget presents that are either beneficial or those that will make them smile or tickle their interest as well. You can include some or all of the following: small teddies, pyjamas, stationery, chocolates, books, socks, underwear and hair accessories.

Solely because stock fillers should be low priced presents, it doesn't imply they shouldn't be lovely, all you need is to get creative. The following are several stock fillers plans for kids as well as adults of all ages. It is possible to please the beneficiary while you remain liberal to your bank balance as well.

Heatable Cuddly Playthings

These soft toys and clever teddies can get heated in the microwave for a few minutes. Their warmth makes them perfect to cuddle up while relaxing during chilly nights or in bed. Adults can also use these items to ease pains and aches. The prices of these toys are reasonable.

Small Toys

With Me to You you will get a wide range of collectable fuzzy playthings that will make fun little presents for children. The toys are also perfect if you intend to purchase low priced handouts for an enormous group of kids. You can likewise buy Ty Beanie Boos, an array of key-rings, colourful plush animals, and plush toys. Or Keel Toys Pippins' super pretty realistic plush animals.

Gruesome Chocolates

Ignore the conventional Christmas chocolates and give your loved ones a scare with some chocolate worms or chocolate spiders. They will help them overcome any phobias fast and eat happily.

Chocolate board sports

While panel games are definitive Christmas stocking fillers, chocolate board games offer a fascinating twist to conventional plays. They incorporate Chocolate Battleships, Chocolate Stacks, Chocolate Draughts and Chocolate Chess Set. All

these games are delivered alongside re-usable mouldings to enable you to create more chunks and play again. Mugs You can make your loved one’s favourite drinks more gratifying using a fun message mug. The cups highlight a variety of messages ranging from funny to affectionate.

A personal diary 

Stationery items always make great stocking fillers, especially if they have started school, getting them geared up for the next term of the year. If they are creative, then a paint set will always go down well and help encourage creativity. A really good low cost present are memo pads which can be used as a small drawing pad, a diary or a note taking book at school.

Lego

There is a huge array of small Lego sets perfect for stocking fillers. This is a great way to keep the children entertained throughout the day. If you feel your child is too small for Lego, then Duplo, the alternative for younger children is also a great option. There are many places online you can buy Lego such as Amazon and eBay in the attempt at finding a bargain.

We know that there are a million blogger gift guides online right now but sometimes the most traditional gifts are the best.

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The super lovely Becky from Baby Budgeting posted a Christmas Tag, sharing her most favourite things about the Christmas season and she has tagged me in. We put our Christmas tree up at the end of November this year, so we are in full Christmas spirit and I was delighted to be included.

Here are my favourite things about the festive season

What’s Your Favourite Christmas Movie?

We have been watching Christmas movies since the 1st December and there are so many that we love watching as a family and whilst my daughter and husband love Home Alone, I think that my favourite has to be ELF.

Have You Ever Had A White Christmas?

I honestly don't remember ever having a white Christmas. It is snowing this weekend but I can't imagine it will still be here on the 25th December ..... we can always hope though.

Where Do You Usually Spend Your Holiday?

Before I had my children, I was happy to go out visiting all day but since having my girls, we have always been at home for dinner. We see friends and family on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but Christmas Day is reserved for opening presents, eating food and just being together as a family. 

What Is Your Favourite Christmas Song?

There are so many Christmas songs that spark memories or excitement but I think my favourite is actually Leona Lewis, One More Sleep.

Can You Name All Of Santa’s Reindeer?

Rudolph (of course), Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Comet, Blitzen, Cupid and I couldn't forget Donner!! 

What Holiday Traditions Are You Looking Forward To This Year?

Christmas Eve is possibly more exciting in our house than the day itself. The build up, the magic and the anticipation, we do everything from baking, final wrapping, to putting the treats out for Santa. It is like a ritual that we go through and it has become part of our family traditions. 

What Is The Best Christmas Present You Ever Received?

Gifts are a funny thing, I love giving them probably more than actually receiving them and it feels a little ungrateful to say that I can't remember one specific thing. My husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year and I can honestly say that there is nothing I want. As you get older (eek), I think you place less importance on material things and want to enjoy experiences rather than "things".

Most Memorable Christmas Memory?

One of my favourite memories is when I still lived at home with my parents and a friend of mine had no where to go for Christmas dinner. My mom thought nothing of inviting her to our house and including her in all our festivities. I remember us all cramped round the dining table with mismatched chairs but no one cared, it was just about making sure that no one was on their own at Christmas. And that is what it is all about isn't it? (Still think mom was a legend for doing this)

What Made You Realise The Truth About Santa?

The truth? You mean that he is magical don't you? There is nothing else to know!!

What Makes The Holidays Special For You?

Having time to spend with friends and family. I feel really lucky that we are surrounded by a fantastic circle of friends and family and the holidays give us a chance to spend time with them and I love it.

 

If you’d like to share what makes Christmas special for you, please do leave me a comment below.

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You don't want to be late for a very important date, do you? That was the question on the White Rabbits lips in this modern adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale at the Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham.

The story follows Alice on her journey through the enchanted and extraordinary Wonderland, meeting many peculiar characters along the way. From intriguing white rabbits, bizarre riddles, mad tea parties and dangerous encounters with the Queen of Hearts, will Alice ever find her way home? 

This much loved tale has been transferred to the stage by Director Scott Le Crass and ensures that the frankly quite bonkers story is told well, without some of the more extreme craziness that could be a little frightening for small children.

The intimate setting of The Old Rep theatre is the perfect introduction to theatre for school children and we understand that it is regularly attended for school trips. Ticket prices are £13.80 for children, £16.50 for adults but there are discounted rates for families and groups. The performance lasts for approx. 115mins including a 20 minute interval. For this particular show, there are two performances from Monday to Friday with one show on Saturday.. We were also impressed to note that they also have British Sign Language days and relaxed performance days (suitable for autistic spectrum) on selected dates.

Grace Dean takes the lead role of Alice with Alec Fellows-Bennett playing the Mad Hatter. Katie Paine plays the Queen of Hearts, Ewan Goddard is the White Rabbit, with Mark Collier and Laura Curnick playing the dual roles of the Caterpillar and Tweedle-Dum and Tweedle-Dee and Dormouse. Those characters playing multiple roles demonstrated their versaility and we were able to easily distinguish between each character and get swept along with the story. 

Despite Alice being the much loved central character, with Grace Dean creating the right balance of cute and childlike behaviour, the Mad Hatter was crowned our favourite character of the show, with his tea party songs being stuck in our heads for the remainder of the day. 

We're all mad here ......

So if you enjoy a little dose of madness and would like to see the show for yourself, it is running at The Old Rep Theatre until Saturday 30th December, making it the perfect family Christmas outing. 

Disclosure: We were invited to attend the show for the purpose of the review.

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