How often do you answer “busy”, when someone asks you how you are?
The problem with ‘busy’ is that it’s not always productive.
I mean, it can feel productive, but actually a lot of what we’re busy with doesn’t actually get us anywhere.
So here are seven ways you can stop being so busy all the time, while still getting things done, in both your family life and your work life.
1. Track how you spend your time.
Before you can make any changes to stop always just being ‘busy’, you need to know where your time is actually going.
So for a whole week make a note of how you spend your time.
Keep a notebook with you, or use the notes app on your phone, and jot down what you do each day and how long you actually spend doing it.
Then take a look at everything you do throughout the week and work out what things are actually important and which are just ‘busy work’. Anything that’s not actually important, and doesn’t really add anything to your life, just stop doing.
In your family life this might mean stopping:
Ironing everything (most things really don’t need it if you hang them to dry or fold them as soon as they come out of the dryer)
Fighting with your children over things that don’t really matter. Is it really worth spending half an hour trying to get your toddler to change out of their superhero costume and into ‘proper’ clothes to go to the library? Pick your battles!
Doing things for your children that they’re capable of doing themselves
In your work life this could be stopping:
Emails back and forth about an issue that could be resolved in one 5 minute phone call
Checking emails throughout the day so your focus is constantly switching between tasks
Organising your workspace instead of setting up a system once and for all
2. Simplify and streamline
Once you know the things you really do need to be doing regularly, start looking for ways you can simplify and streamline them.
For family life this could mean:
meal planning to save time wondering what you’re going to cook for dinner each night
using a slow cooker
setting up routines
For your work life this could mean:
letting go of tasks that don’t move your business forwards
analysing your workflow and taking out any unnecessary steps
If you need some help with getting yourself organised and setting up systems to simplify your life, then take a look at the course ‘Get Organised!’ from Leonie Dawson. She is an incredibly successful business woman who only works part time hours (while raising her family) so she knows what she’s talking about!
3. Batch everything
When we’re busy, especially juggling being a parent and working, we end up trying to multitask. And sometimes you don’t really have a choice.
The problem is that multitasking isn’t the most efficient way to work. When your focus is split between more than one task you don’t do either particularly well and everything ends up taking longer.
So whenever you can, try batching your tasks together.
For family life this could look like:
Batch cooking meals
Dealing with household paperwork and mail at one set time each week
Grouping errands together – if you’re going out to the shop for a pint of milk plan to also drop things at the charity shop and post that letter at the same time
For your work life you could:
Just check your emails at set times of the day instead of always dipping in and out of your inbox
Get all your admin done one day, creative tasks another, etc
Plan meetings for one day a week rather than spread throughout the week
4. Use other time-management techniques
Don’t just stop with batching your tasks, look to see what other time management techniques you can use.
In your family life you could use the pomodoro technique to get cleaning jobs done, or to tackle homework with the children.
And when you’re at work you could turn off notifications on your phone and PC so that you’re not always being interrupted.
5. Outsource
Look at all the things you do each week and see if you can outsource anything.
If you have the money then you pay for someone to help you out or pay for a service to save you time.
If you don’t have the money to spare then see where you can lean on your family or trade with friends.
Things you can outsource to help with family life:
Meals – order your food shop for delivery or use a service like Gousto
Cleaning – hire a cleaner to come once a week or create a cleaning schedule that the whole family can contribute to
Shopping – set up subscriptions on Amazon for things you use regularly as a family, like nappies and washing powder.
Things you can outsource to help with your work life:
If you’re self employed or run a small business then you can outsource pretty much everything from admin to marketing to a VA.
If you work for someone else you might not be able to outsource your tasks but you could delegate things to someone else or ask a colleague to swap tasks with you so you can each work to your strengths and save time.
6. Learn and use shortcuts
There are always shortcuts you can use to work more efficiently and once you learn about some of them you’ll be amazed at how much time you can save.
Some shortcuts to help with family life could be:
Using meal services or pre-prepped food to make cooking quicker and easier
Using tips like storing bedding inside one of the pillow cases so the whole set is easy to find when you change the beds, or using stickers to label your child’s belongings instead of iron-on or sew-on labels.
Shortcuts to help with work life:
Whatever software you use at work, see if there are keyboard shortcuts you can use, or methods that are more time-efficient than the way you currently do things
Set up email templates and instructions for where emails should be filed when they come into your in-box
7. Know what you’ll do when you’re not ‘busy’
It might sound a bit strange, but if you think about it and realise that you’re keeping busy because you don’t actually know what to do for fun, then make a point of changing that.
Make a list of things you could do if you had the time, so you have an incentive to streamline and cut out the busyness from your life.
Once you know why you want to stop being so busy and what you want to do instead it’s much easier to start using the suggestions in this post to free up your time.
The month leading up to Christmas can be really stressful for busy parents. There’s always so much to do, so much to organise, so much to remember.
When you’re juggling nativity costumes and present buying and Christmas dinner planning, things like sorting the Christmas cards can quickly fall to the bottom of your to-do list.
This year though you can make life easier for yourself by choosing Christmas cards from Aura Print.
Finding the right Christmas cards to send to friends and family can be a surprisingly tricky job. Especially at the moment when you’re most likely trying to limit the amount of time you spend browsing in the shops.
There is a way you can get great cards from the comfort of your own home though. Order them from Aura Print.
Aura Print are a print company who offer a fab range of products from business cards to Christmas cards. They’ve been in business since 2007 and have worked really hard to build up their reputation for great quality products.
I was sent a pack of Christmas cards from Aura Print to review and have been really impressed with the quality. The card stock they use is nice and thick, and really lovely to write on too.
There was a great range of designs to choose from, and it took me a while to decide on this black and gold one which I think would be suitable for all my friends and relatives.
The overall quality of the card is great, with the printing being crisp and pretty much flawless.
I really love how this particular design looks sparkly, with the glitter design on some of the Christmas trees, but because it’s printed on there’s no actual loose glitter that’ll come off and fall everywhere at home.
The team of designers at Aura Print are always working away to come up with new designs, so there’s something to suit every taste.
If you can’t find a design you’re drawn to though, you can upload your own artwork and effectively print your own Christmas cards.
I really love the idea of getting your children to draw a festive picture and then having them made into cards to send to family and friends.
Or you could get them to do a handprint Santa, reindeer, or Christmas tree picture and then scan that to create your digital art.
There are so many different ideas you could come up with to design your own cards, and then have them printed and delivered straight to your door.
To really make life easier for yourself though, especially with Christmas coming faster than a fast thing, I would recommend picking out a design created by the team at Aura Print.
Or you could get your children to design their own thank you cards to send out in the New Year.
If you’re looking for other ways to take a bit of the stress away at Christmas, here are some ideas:
Give secret Santa a go – if you have a lot of family members (or a big group of friends) to buy for, have a chat with everyone and see if they’d be up for doing secret Santa. So instead of everyone buying presents for everyone else, you each just pick out one person to buy for. This can save everyone money and let you focus on finding that one perfect gift for someone.
Prepare what you can in advance – if you’re cooking the Christmas dinner this year, see how much you can get prepped and cooked ahead of the 25th. You can cook the turkey on Christmas eve and most of your vegetables can be prepared a day or two in advance too.
Take shortcuts – on the subject of the big Christmas dinner, think about where you can take shortcuts so you can enjoy the day a bit more. Will anyone really care if you use frozen roast potatoes or make gravy from granules?!
Go eco-friendly (and easy) with your wrapping – think about getting reusable gift bags to pop your gifts in, instead of using wrapping paper and Sellotape. It’ll make the wrapping process so much easier and, as the bags can then be used again, it’s much better for the environment.
Do a little bit each day – Instead of cramming all the wrapping and card writing and pre-Christmas cleaning into one big session, try doing a bit each day. When you buy a present for someone, try and get it wrapped and labelled that day. Write a few cards each day until they’re all ready to hand out. Spend ten minutes a day clearing up a different area of the house.
If you’ve been happily working from home during the last (almost) two years, you might be worrying a bit about how to cope with being back in the office as an introvert.
Whether you’ve already been asked to head back in or not, the idea of being back in a busy, open plan office can be hard to deal with when you’re an introvert. The constant noise and interruptions can make it really hard for introverts to get their work done, and leaves them completely drained by the end of the day.
So here are a few ideas for things you can do to make the transition back to being in the office again a bit easier to cope with.
Create your own space
When you’ve been happily working in your own space for months, going back to life in a busy open-plan office can be a really hard adjustment.
If having your own office isn’t an option, see what you can do to create a bit of privacy around your desk.
You could use screens or acoustic panels to create a quiet area to work in and help you feel that your little corner of the office is your space.
Adding a few home comforts like framed pictures or a favourite mug to drink from can help too.
Ask about flexible hours
If your company insists that you start working from the office again, see if you can discuss working flexible hours instead of a rigid 9-5.
If you can head into the office an hour earlier than everyone else then you can start the day in peace and get on with important tasks before the noise levels start to pick up.
Get away from your desk for lunch
Give yourself some room to breathe on your lunch break and head outside for a walk. Stepping away from the constant noise of the office can help you come back feeling a bit calmer and ready to tackle the afternoon.
If you can’t get out (or just don’t want to that day) then pop on a pair of headphones and do something non-work related while you eat.
Schedule meetings with yourself
If there are times that you really need to focus on a task and not be disturbed at all, then try scheduling a meeting with yourself in your calendar. If your manager and colleagues can view your calendar they’ll know not to bother you during that time.
Book a meeting room if you need to, so you have somewhere quiet you can go to for an hour or two to get your head down and work in peace.
Block out distractions
It can be so hard to focus in an open-plan office, with colleagues chatting, phones ringing, even the noise of the printer running all day.
So do what you can to block out these distractions.
Get some noise cancelling headphones, put up a do not disturb sign on your desk, or ask your colleagues not to talk to you for an hour so you can crack on with your work in peace.
Take regular breaks
When the chatter and noise of the office gets too much, do what you can to step away from it for five minutes.
Go and get yourself a drink of water, pop outside for a bit of fresh air, or take the long way round the office to the toilet.
Hopefully these tips will help you feel better if you’ve been wondering how you’ll cope with being back in the office as an introvert.
Leave me a comment to let me know what you’ve appreciated most about working from home, or what you’ve actually missed about being in the office!
If you’re wondering where you can watch your favourite Christmas films in the UK in 2021, then you’re in the right place.
I’ve searched Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ to find all their festive listings.
So, here are all the Christmas films you can watch in 2021 and where you can find them.
But first, where can you watch your favourite Christmas films in the UK (2021)?
Where can I watch Love Actually in 2021?
In the UK you stream Love Actually on Netflix and Amazon Prime. You can also find it on Sky Cinema and on demand through a Sky box or on Sky Go.
Where can I watch The Holiday in 2021?
In the UK you can stream The Holiday on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Where can I watch Elf in 2021?
In the UK you can only watch Elf on Sky this year. You can find it on Sky Cinema Christmas, Sky Go, and via Now TV. You can also rent it or buy it on Amazon Prime video.
Looking for another Christmas movie to watch?
Here’s what Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ have on offer this year in the UK.
Netflix
The Christmas films you can watch on Netflix in the UK in 2021
A California Christmas (12)
Film – 1h 47
With his carefree lifestyle on the line, a wealthy charmer poses as a ranch hand to get a hardworking farmer to sell her family’s land before Christmas.
A California Christmas: City Lights (12)
Film – 1h 30m
A year after their romance took root, Callie and Joseph are leaving the ranch for family business in San Francisco – with wedding bells on the horizon.
A Castle For Christmas (PG)
Film – 1h 38m
She’s been living through the characters in her books. He’s been living behind the walls of his Scottish castle. Do you believe in happy endings? Aye.
A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (PG)
Film – 1h 26m
Despite her vain stepmother and mean stepsisters, an aspiring singer works as an elf at a Christmas tree lot and finds her own holiday miracle.
A Christmas Prince (PG)
Film – 1h 32m
Christmas comes early for an aspiring young journalist when she’s sent abroad to get the scoop on a dashing prince who’s poised to be king.
A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding (PG)
Film – 1h 33m
A year after helping Richard secure the crown, Amber returns to Aldovia to plan their wedding. But her simple tastes clash with royal protocol.
A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby (U)
Film – 1h 25m
Christmas brings the ultimate gift to Aldovia: a royal baby. But first, Queen Amber must save her family and kingdom by unwrapping a monarchy mystery.
A Christmas Star (U)
Film – 1h 18m
Born under the Christmas star, Noelle says she can perform miracles. When trouble comes to town, it’s up to Noelle to prove herself and save the day.
A Giant Jack Christmas (U)
Short film – 28m
When Santa crash-lands in the junkyard on Christmas Eve, Hank, Trash Truck and their animal friends all have a hand in rescuing the holiday for everyone.
A Naija Christmas (12)
Film – 2h 1m
A mother’s Christmas wish – and the grand prize that comes with it – sets off a fierce competition between her sons.
A New York Christmas Wedding (12)
Film – 1h 29m
As her wedding nears, a bride-to-be is visited by an angel who reveals what could have been if she’d followed feelings for her childhood best friend.
Angela’s Christmas (U)
Short film – 30m
A trip to church with her family on Christmas Eve gives young Angela an extraordinary idea. A heartwarming tale based on a story by Frank McCourt.
Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure (U)
Film – 1h 29m
Lovable, oversized Saint Bernard Beethoven tries to save the holidays when a wayward elf crashes Santa’s sleight and loses his bag of toys to thieves.
Christmas Break-In (PG)
Film – 1h 26m
Stranded at school before holiday break, a precocious girl gets into the spirit of saving when a trio of robbers trespass and hold the janitor hostage.
Christmas Flow (18)
Netflix series (1 season available)
An unlikely Christmas romance blossoms between a famous rapper and a tenacious journalist. But can they make it work despite their difference?
Christmas Inheritance (PG)
Film – 1h 44m
To inherit her father’s company, socialite Ellen must first visit his small hometown, where she learns the value of hard work and helping others.
Christmas Land (PG)
Film – 1h 25m
When a busy New Yorker inherits her grandma’s land, she must choose between selling or reviving a Christmas tree farm and holiday-themed village.
Christmas Wedding Planner (U)
Film – 1h 26m
A wedding planner’s world is turned upside down when a handsome private investigator is hired to disrupt one of her biggest jobs.
Christmas With A View (U)
Film – 1h 31m
Still reeling from a business failure, the restaurant manager of a ski resort finds her world jolted by a new chef, who has his own hidden past.
Dash & Lily (12)
Series – 1 season available
Opposites attract at Christmas as cynical Dash and sunny Lily trade messages and dares in a red notebook they pass back and forth around New York City.
Deck The Halls (PG)
Film – 1h 32m
An optometrist’s Christmas celebration gets upstaged by a new neighbour who wants to create a holiday display bright enough to be seen from space.
Elf Pets: Santa’s Reindeer Rescue (U)
Film short – 26m
Determined to help Santa get ready for his merry rounds of gift-giving, a team to special elves wrangles in more reindeer and much-needed holiday magic.
Father Christmas Is Back (12)
Film – 1h 45m
Four feuding sisters get a crash course in family togetherness when their long-lost father shows up for Christmas at their posh ancestral manor.
Grumpy Christmas (15)
Film – 1h 27m
A family trip to the beach turns crazy when Servando and Alicia, Alma’s wilful aunt, start an over-the-top competition to control Christmas.
Holiday In The Wild (PG)
Film – 1h 26m
When her husband abruptly ends their marriage, empty nester Kate embarks on a solo second honeymoon in Africa, finding purpose – and potential romance.
Holiday Rush (PG)
Film – 1h 34m
A widowed radio DJ and his four spoiled kids need to tighten their belts and pull together when their life of luxury turns lean just before Christmas.
Home For Christmas (15)
Series – 2 seasons available
Tired of the constant comments on her relationship status, perpetually single Johanne starts a 24-day hunt for a boyfriend to bring home for Christmas.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (PG)
Film – 1h 59m
Decades after his trusted apprentice betrayed him, a once-joyful toymaker finds new hope when his kind and curious granddaughter comes into his life.
Just Another Christmas (12)
Film – 1h 41m
Stuck in a time loop where it’s forever Christmas, a family man who hates the holiday starts to learn valuable lessons about what’s important in life.
Klaus (PG)
Film – 1h 38m
A selfish postman and a reclusive toymaker form an unlikely friendship, delivering joy to a cold, dark town that desperately needs it.
Last Christmas (12)
Despite working as an elf, Kate doesn’t believe in the magic of Christmas. Everything changes when she meets Tom, who brings faith back into her life
Let It Snow (12)
Film – 1h 33m
A snowstorm hits a small town on a cold Christmas Eve, affecting the friendships, love lives and futures of several high school seniors.
Love Actually (15)
Film – 2h 14m
Love is all around – and so is heartbreak – as multiple couples navigate romance, family, weddings and airports at Christmastime.
Love Hard (15)
Film – 1h 46m
After meeting her perfect match on a dating app, an LA writer learns she’s been catfished when she flies 3,000 miles to surprise him for Christmas.
Midnight At The Magnolia (U)
Film – 1h 27m
Longtime friends and local radio hosts Maggie and Jack fake it as a couple for their families and listeners in hopes of getting their show syndicated.
Nativity! (U)
Film – 1h 46m
Paul, charged with directing his school’s Nativity play, falsely boasts that his ex-girlfriend plans to turn the production into a film.
Nativity 2: Danger In The Manger (U)
Film – 1h 49m
An anxious teacher at an underperforming school sets out on a road trip with some students to enter the kids in a Christmas song competition.
Office Christmas Party (15)
Film – 1h 45m
To stop the CEO, who’s also her sister, from shuttering his division, a branch manager hosts a wild holiday party in hopes of landing a big client.
Operation Christmas Drop (U)
Film – 1h 36m
A by-the-book political aide falls for a big-hearted Air Force pilot while looking to shut down his tropical base and its airborne Christmas tradition.
Santa Girl (PG)
Film – 1h 30m
Fleeing the family business and an arranged marriage, Santa’s daughter chooses a magical adventure of her own: college.
Single All The Way (PG)
Film – 1h 51m
Peter asks his best friend to pose as his boyfriend on a Christmas visit home, but their plan – and feelings – change when his family plays matchmaker.
The Christmas Chronicles (PG)
After accidentally crashing Santa’s sleigh, a brother and sister pull an all-nighter to save Christmas with a savvy, straight-talking St. Nick.
The Christmas Chronicles 2 (PG)
Film – 1h55m
Unhappy over her mom’s new relationship, a now-teenage Kate runs away and lands at the North Pole, where a naughty elf is plotting to cancel Christmas.
The Claus Family (PG)
Film – 1h 37m
When his grandfather suddenly falls ill, holiday-hating Jules learns of his family’s magical legacy and realises he’s the only hope to save Christmas.
The Holiday (12)
Film – 2h 15m
Stuck in a vicious cycle of dead-end relationships with two-timing men, Los Angeles resident Amanda and Londoner Iris decide to swap homes.
The Holiday Calendar (PG)
Film – 1h 35m
A talented photographer stuck in a dead-end job inherits an antique Advent calendar that may be predicting the future – and pointing her toward love.
The Knight Before Christmas (12)
Film – 1h 32m
Medieval magic sends a 14th-century knight to modern-day Ohio, where he falls for a high school science teacher who’s disillusioned by love.
The Princess Switch (PG)
Film – 1h 42m
When a down-to-earth Chicago baker and a soon-to-be princess discover they look like twins, they hatch a Christmastime plan to trade places.
The Princess Switch: Switched Again (PG)
Film – 1h 37m
When Margaret’s Christmas coronation complicates her love life, her double Stacy steps in to save the day. But will a third look-alike ruin their plan?
The Princess Switch 3: Romancing The Star (PG)
Film – 1h 46m
When a priceless Christmas relic is stolen, royal look-alikes Margaret and Stacy turn to audacious doppelganger Fiona – and her dashing ex – for help.
48 Christmas Wishes (PG)
Film – 1h 24m
When a small town’s letters to Santa accidentally go up in smoke, two elves venture out of the North Pole to retrieve every missing wish.
1000 Miles From Christmas (15)
Film – 1h 42m
An auditor who completely despises Christmas is sent to a small town for work, where he meets a woman determined to change his view about the holiday.
Amazon Prime
The Christmas films you can watch on Amazon Prime in the UK in 2021
A Very Merry Mix-Up (13+)
Film – 1h 27m
Alice is set to meet her future in-laws for the first time, but things don’t go according to plan.
(Alicia Witt, Mark Wiebe, Lawrence Dane)
A Very Nutty Christmas (13+)
Film – 1hr 25m
After getting dumped by her boyfriend, a bakery owner receives a special gift that turns her Christmas season around.
(Melissa Joan Hart, Barry Watson)
Bad Moms: A Bad Moms Christmas (15)
Film – 1h 44m
Three under-appreciated and over-burdened mums rebel against the challenges and expectations of Christmas in hopes of creating a more perfect holiday for their families.
Best Christmas Party Ever (13+)
Film – 1h 27m
With the holiday season at hand, young party planner Jennie Stanton learns that her boss, Petra, will be retiring after Christmas and hopes she will be left in charge of Petra s Parties, New York’s premiere event planning service. Jennie’s hopes fade when Petra’s charming and handsome nephew, Nick, arrives on the scene and Petra announces that he will take over the business.
Christmas at Pemberley Manor (PG)
Film – 1hr 26m
As Christmas approaches, an event planner is sent to a small town to organize a festival but finds a billionaire in the process of selling the estate she hoped to use as a venue. Before long, the unlikely pair begins falling for each other.
(Jessica Lowndes, Michael Rady, Cole Gleason)
Christmas List (7+)
Film – 1hr 25m
Isobel plans a storybook Christmas with her boyfriend, including a cottage in the Northwest and a bucket list of holiday traditions. But when he goes AWOL, the list proves challenging and a tempting new romance turns her life upside down.
(Alicia Witt, Gabriel Hogan, Peter Benson)
Christmas on the Carousel (13+)
Film – 1h 11m
When four lifelong friends convene in their hometown for their last college winter break, they learn one of their group is moving and plan a final Christmas send-off by way of a lock-in at the town’s vintage carousel museum.
(Erik Bloomquist, Madeleine Dauer, Taylor Turner)
Christmas Together (13+)
Film – 1h 26m
A woman leaves New York for LA after a break-up and falls in love while renting the guest house of a young father over the Christmas holidays.
(Vivica A. Fox, Anna Marie Dobbins, Marc Herrman)
Christmas With The Kranks (PG)
Film – 1h 38m
Tim Allen plays Luther Krank, a man who decides to skip Christmas and all the surrounding trappings and go on vacation with his wife Nora (Jamie Lee Curtis) instead. But when his daughter decides at the last minute to come home for the holidays, he is forced to put Christmas back together.
Love Actually (15)
Film – 2h 14m
Love is all around – and so is heartbreak – as multiple couples navigate romance, family, weddings and airports at Christmastime.
Melanie is running her own bakery and dating a handsome CEO, Justin. Although things seem perfect when Justin asks Melanie to spend the holidays together at his beautiful lake house upstate-and meet his mother, Melanie finds herself spending more time with Justin’s best friend and loyal assistant, Dean, who just might be harboring a secret crush on her.
(Lacey Chabert, Florence Henderson, John Ratzenberger)
Merry Matrimony (13+)
Film – 1h 28m
An ad exec for a fashion magazine lands her dream assignment to organize the perfect Christmas wedding. Just one thing: The photographer she’s been partnered with is her ex-boyfriend. She’s got to bring her A-game, while working through unresolved feelings.
(Jessica Lowndes, Christopher Russell, Jennifer Gibson)
Nativity! (U)
Film – 1h 41m
This Christmas, primary school teacher Paul Maddens is being charged with the biggest challenge of his life – mounting the school’s musical version of the Nativity. Competing against the posh local school for the honor of best reviewed show in town, the stakes are raised when Paul idly boasts that his ex-girlfriend Jennifer, a Hollywood Producer, is coming to see his show.
(Ashley Jensen, Martin Freeman, Marc Wooton)
One Starry Christmas (13+)
Film – 1h 27m
Aspiring astronomy professor and Christmas enthusiast Holly, is crushed when her longtime boyfriend Adam schedules a business trip and leaves her alone over the holidays. When she decides to surprise both Adam and her parents with a Christmas visit, fate, or perhaps the Christmas spirit, intervenes.
The Holiday (12)
Film – 2h 15m
Stuck in a vicious cycle of dead-end relationships with two-timing men, Los Angeles resident Amanda and Londoner Iris decide to swap homes.
(Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Jack Black)
Disney+
The Christmas films you can watch on Disney+ in the UK in 2021
Angel Falls: A Novel Holiday (U)
Film – 1h 23m
When Hannah, editor at her family’s publishing house, finds that her parents have brought old rival Ryan in as a consultant right before Christmas, she’s furious. But after discovering famed novelist Tina Finnegan lives in town, she teams up with Ryan to sign her as a client. However, they quickly realise that Tina has lost her Christmas spirit and doesn’t want to write any more. With the help of a guardian angel, Hannah, Ryan and Tina are about to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.
(Jen Lilley, Carlo Marks, Eric Close, Rachel Crawford, Maria Syrgiannis, Rob Stewart)
Christmas…Again?! (U)
Film – 1h 33m
As Rowena experiences a lacklustre Christmas, she makes a wish to a neighbourhood Santa for a ‘do-over’, and unexpectedly finds herself reliving Christmas day over and over again.
A New York City cop faces overwhelming odds when his Christmas visit to California is interrupted by a terrorist invasion of his estranged wife’s office building.
(Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, Alan Rickman)
Godmothered (U)
Film – 1h 54m
Set at Christmas time, Godmothered is a comedy about Eleanor, a young fairy-godmother-in-training who tries to prove her worth by showing the world that people still need fairy godmothers.
(Jillian Bell, Isla Fisher, Jillian Spaeder, Willa Skye, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Santiago Cabrera)
Good Luck Charlie – It’s Christmas (U)
Film – 1h 22m
The Duncans get separated en route to visit Amy’s parents for Christmas. From hitchhiking and alien abductions to paintball and video games, the family will need a Christmas miracle to reunite in Palm Springs in time for the holiday.
(Bridgit Mendler, Leigh-Allyn Baker, Bradley Steven Perry, Mia Talerico, Debra Monk, Michael Kagan)
Home Alone (6+)
Film – 1h 43m
When Kevin McCallister is left behind while his family dashes off on a Christmas trip, he is left to defend his family’s home from two bumbling burglars until the relatives return.
(Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Roberts Blossom, Catherine O’Hara)
Home Alone 2 – Lost in New York (6+)
Film – 2h
Kevin McCallister is home along in New York City, but he won’t be alone for long because the notorious Wet Bandits, Harry and Marv, are also in town.
( Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Devin Ratray, Catherine O’Hara)
Home Alone 3 (6+)
Film – 1h 42m
When a gang of criminals steals a top-secret computer chip that they hide inside a toy car, they come up against eight year old Alex Pruitt, who is home alone with chicken pox
(Alex D. Linz, Olek Krupa, Haviland Morris, David Thornton, Scarlett Johansson, Lenny Von Dohlen)
Home Alone 4 (6+)
Film – 1h 24m
This Christmas, Kevin is really in hot water again, and so are Marv and his sidekick, who are trying to rob Natalie’s house!
(Mike Weinberg, French Stewart, Missi Pyle, Erick Avari, Barbara Babcock, Jason Beghe)
Home Sweet Home Alone (9+)
Film – 1h 35m
Ten year old Max Mercer has been accidentally left behind while his family is in Japan for the holidays. So when a married couple attempting to retrieve a priceless heirloom set their sights on his family’s home, it’s up to Max to protect it from the trespassers – and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep them out.
(Ellie Kemper, Rob Delaney, Archie Yates, Aisling Bea, Kenan Thompson, Tim Simons)
I’ll be home for Christmas (6+)
Film – 1h 26m
Self-centered college student Jake has one thing on his mind – get home for Christmas dinner or forfeit the vintage Porsche his father promised him.
(Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jessica Biel, Adam LaVorgna, Gary Cole, Eve Gordon, Lauren Maltby)
Noelle (U)
Film – 1h 45m
Kris Kringle’s daughter is full of Christmas spirit, but wishes she could do something important like her brother Nick, who will take over for their Father this Christmas. When Nick is about to crumble under all the pressure, Noelle suggests he take a break and get away… but when he doesn’t return Noelle must find her brother and bring him back in time to save Christmas.
(Anna Kendrick, Bill Hader, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Billy Eichner, Julie Hagerty, Shirley MacLaine)
Prep and Landing (U)
Film short – 22m
An elf from a high-tech team, tasked with preparing homes around the world for Santa’s visit, is upset when he is passed over for a promotion and partnered with an idealistic rookie.
(Features voices of Dave Foley, Sarah Chalke, Mason Vale Cotton, Lino DiSalvo, Derek Richardson, William Morgan Sheppard)
The Family Stone (12+)
Film – 1h 43m
A comic story about the annual holiday gathering of a New England family, the Stones. The eldest son brings his girlfriend home to meet his parents, brothers and sisters.
(Claire Danes, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Jessica Parker)
The Muppet Christmas Carol (U)
Film – 1h 26m
The Muppets’ rendition of Charles Dickens’ classic tale puts a unique twist on that fateful Christmas Eve, when Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
(Michael Caine, Steve Whitmire, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Jerry Nelson, David Rudman)
The Santa Clause (U)
Film – 1h 37m
On Christmas Eve, divorced dad Scott Calvin and his son discover Santa Clause has fallen off their roof. When Scott takes the reins of the magical sleigh he finds he is now the new Santa, and must convince a world of disbelievers, including himself.
(Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, Eric Lloyd, David Krumholtz)
One of the things that my children really enjoy doing together is playing card games. We have a nice little collection of different games that they can pick from depending on what mood they’re in.
Card games are fab because they’re easy to play anywhere, they’re loads of fun, and they get the children thinking strategically and using their brains a bit.
So when History heroes offered to send us some of their card games to try out and review we were all really excited.
Who are History Heroes?
History Heroes are a company on a mission to make learning about history fun and engaging.
They’re also big on sustainability, with all their packaging being 100% recyclable and made from sustainable card.
They have a range of history-themed card games that are designed to teach the whole family fascinating facts about different areas of history.
What are the History Heroes card games all about?
History Heroes games are packs of 40 cards, each with a set of 6 facts about an important historical figure.
You can play with the cards in all sorts of different ways, to make learning about history fun and engaging.
There are over 10 different packs to choose from, each featuring a particular time period or theme, including space, kings and queens, world war 1 and 2, and even children.
The cards are lovely quality, with fab illustrations making them colourful and engaging.
How do you play with the History Heroes cards?
There are loads of different ways you can play with the history heroes cards. But the original idea is sort of a twist on top trumps games.
The aim of the game when you play it this way, is to win as many of the cards as possibly by guessing who the historical figure is on the card from the facts that are read out from it.
There are 6 facts on each card, starting with facts that are easier to guess from and going on to harder, quirkier facts.
The cards are dealt out to all the players, and then you take it in turns to read facts out from one of your cards for your opponents to work out who you’re describing.
If you get the person right, you get to take that card and add it to your pile.
What age group are the History Heroes card games suitable for?
The age range on the box for the history heroes card games is 8 – 80+ and I think this is about right.
Nerys is 7 and has really been enjoying looking through the cards and finding out more about different people from history.
The cards are brightly coloured and attractive for younger children to look at and learn from, but they’re not in any way babyish so I think they would still really appeal to older children too.
One thing I also really love about these cards is how gender neutral they are. They’re designed to be appealing to all children, with the bright colours and fun designs. I’ve also had a good look through the packs we have and there’s a real mix of genders being represented which is great.
What did our family think of the History Heroes games?
We picked the inventors and explorers packs from the options available, mainly because I knew we would all learn a lot from these particular packs.
From the first flick through the packs I knew I was right and was suddenly very aware of how little I know about the great explorers and inventors who made great, world-changing discoveries.
So I’m looking forward to learning alongside the children, by dipping in to these packs of cards and finding out more about all these amazing people.
The children really like the colourful illustrations on the cards, and sometimes use these pictures to help them decide which card (and person) they want to look at and read from.
We also all really love the fact that they’re the size of an average playing card, so they’re perfect for the children to hold easily in their cards.
It means they’re really easy to pop in a bag too, so we could take them out with us anytime we were going somewhere that we might need to keep the children entertained for a while.
What I particularly love about these cards is how much information is fitted onto each one, but in perfectly bite-sized nuggets.
So you’re not overwhelmed by tons of text, but still feel like you’re learning a good amount about each person.
The facts are colour coded which makes it so simple to pick out the easy facts from the harder ones. And I really love the quirky joker fact at the bottom of each card which brings a bit of humour to a lot of the cards.
I think these card games are a brilliant way to make learning fun for children, and I’m sure I’m not the only parent who would learn loads from them as well.
They would make a great game to play as a family, with younger children being able to learn in an engaging way and older family members’ knowledge being put to the test with the harder and more ‘out there’ facts about the different historical figures.
All in all I think these card games would make a great gift for any child who’s interested in learning about history.
They’re beautiful to look at, lovely to hold in your hands, and really engaging for children of all ages.
We all know that keeping active and exercising regularly is important to staying fit and well, but when you’re a busy parent it can be really hard to find the time to fit it all in.
One key factor in making sure you exercise regularly is to find something that you actually enjoy doing.
If you can’t stand running on a treadmill at the gym you’ll find it really hard to keep going every week. But if you find an activity you love and that makes you feel good, you’ll be far more likely to stick with it.
You might find that a particular class at the gym gets you fired up to workout. Or it could be that yoga suits you better.
One thing you might not have considered since you left school though, is team sports.
If you love watching the rugby at the weekends, can’t wait to check the football score and all the latest stats on your team, or have fond memories of hockey games at school, then joining a local sports team could be a great way for you to get active.
Here are 3 reasons why team sports can be a great way for busy parents to keep fit.
1. The accountability can help you commit
When you join a sports team you commit to attending regular practices and matches.
The whole point is that you’re part of a team, and will potentially be letting everyone else down if you just don’t show up.
So if you know you need a little extra incentive to actually get up and exercise, then this could really work for you.
You’ll also find that having teammates around to give you a boost and support you when you’re not really ‘feeling it’ can help you push through and get going.
2. You’ll make new friends
We all know how hard it can be to make new friends when you’re older. And being a parent can be really isolating at times if you don’t have many people in your life to lean on.
Joining a sports team can be a great way to meet new, like-minded people who may well become good friends.
Ben Kirk, PhD researcher in exercise and nutritional science at Liverpool Hope University has said, “Team sports allow you to make new friends – these psycho-social benefits can help sustain longevity and maximise quality of life.”
3. You’ll get fitter and happier
Training and exercising as part of a team can push you to really try your best and improve your stamina, strength, and cardio fitness over time.
Studies have also shown that athletes who are part of a team tend to be more satisfied with their lives.
The theory is that being part of a team gives us a real sense of belonging, and the social interactions we get from it gives us strong feelings of self-identity, which then helps boost our happiness.
Joining a team and playing a sport you enjoy can also help you handle stress better, boost your resilience, and improve your co-ordination and reaction times.
It might not be for everyone, but it could be the perfect way for you to keep fit if things like the gym or online fitness classes haven’t won you over yet.
What team sport did you enjoy most when you were younger? Do you still play in a team now?
Introducing Your child to other cultures from an early age will help them to celebrate diversity. Giving them an insight into the practices and customs of other people will encourage them to appreciate and respect how other people live their lives, it will ward off ignorance and generate empathy and understanding.
As a parent, you are your child’s greatest influence so it is important that you show them the importance of respecting other cultures. For some tips on how to get started, take a look at the following from an independent school in London.
Celebrate cultural holidays
Highlight cultural holidays on your calendar and as each celebration approaches, take the time to discuss the origins and customs of each event.
Then when the day arrives, have your own mini celebration. You could prepare traditional food and play music that would commonly be played by those celebrating.
You could even attend a celebration in your local community to really allow your child to embrace the festivities.
Talk about bigotry
Although this is a complex subject, it is important that children learn from a young age that prejudice and privilege does exist, and that some groups of people are treated differently based on their race, religion or cultural background.
Small children tend to have a basic understanding of fairness, and you can use this concept to explain that racism and prejudice is unfair, as some people are treated differently to others.
Older children will likely have some understanding of bigotry, so you can expand on this by discussing the importance of anti-racism, explaining that it is everyone’s responsibility to call out and condemn racism and bigotry.
Get reading
Introduce your children to literature that explores cultural diversity, particularly books which explore the lives of people from other cultures, written by authors who share that culture. This will give your child insight into the customs, thoughts and feelings of other people, generating empathy and awareness.
As they follow the story they will come to realise that although people have many differences, we have even more in common that unites us.
