New Year Giveaway

As New Year is nearly here and we've said goodbye to the Christmas festivities, and are ready to pick out our New Years Resolutions before giving them up by the end of January, I thought I'd make someones slightly colder day a bit happier.

I'm giving away a £20 Amazon voucher to one lucky winner. I prefer to give away Amazon vouchers as you can by literally most things there. From gym gear and hot water bottles, to a tipple or two.

Femme Luxe - Back To Black Clothing

Colours can excite our mind in various ways, and how we react to some of them can tell a lot regarding our personality. Little black dresses have sparkled men's fantasies for countless decades, while some women find men in black suits simply stunning. 

But it doesn't just need to be a colour worn by people who are self-sufficient and confident. In fact, having this colour preference may hint at a sensitive and even vulnerable personality. Black is lazy and easy.  Also, The most common monastic colour is black, as a symbolic of repentance and simplicity.

I go through fazes in my wardrobe. Sometimes the colour can just pop all over the shop, and other times my wardrobe looks like the nights sky. At the moment it is showing a lot of black and dark colours. I think it may be Winter that has brought the darkness with it. 

Black Box Insurance and the Benefits

There’s no denying that in some instances insurance premiums for drivers can be high, especially for young drivers.

However, those were met with excessive premiums don’t always have to succumb to these hefty fees, as black box car insurance can offer a cheaper alternative. 

More and more insurers are using telematics to offer insurance premiums that are aligned with the way a person drives their vehicle.

Bralettes From Tutti Rouge

The bralette is something that I never thought I'd be able to wear as it never seemed to sit well with women with a bigger bust. There has been a strong lean towards bralettes this year though and it seems that now is the time to really get into wearing them as Tutti Rouge save the day with their bralettes for bigger busted women.  

What I love about the bralette, is that they are soft, comfortable and they are also not underwired which is a welcome change from my usual bras. And means you can wear them all day long without having that urge to remove it after a few hours.

Simple ways to increase natural light in your home

Photo by Mark McCammon from Pexels

Aldous Huxley famously envisaged how profoundly our perception of life would change, were the doors of perception cleansed. One thing he omitted, however, was how profound the impact of natural light could be on the ambience of any room.

Admittedly, he was searching far beyond the reaches of physical spaces, and into the soul – but natural light can be a great way to improve mood, regardless. Here are several simple ways to introduce more of it to your home.

Guide To Private Number Plates

For many of us our cars are more than just a way to get around. Our cars are an extension of us; they are a treasured possession, they are something that gives us joy. We may even have somewhat of an emotional connection to our cars, and there is no shame in this.

We take care of our cars, we keep them clean and we give them treats, just like a private number plate. 

But what are the costs associated with private number plates, how do they work and what do you need to know before you buy one for your car?

Festive Films To Watch Over The Christmas Period

Christmas is my favourite time of the year. I mean, what's not to love. We get mega food, mega drinks and plenty of fun. Watching the children open presents, eating a big feast with the family, and winding down to watch the Queen's Speech. It's such a beautiful time of year. 

And then there's the Christmas movies which are always shown, and loved, at this time of year. I love that Christmas movies are all centred around children and how they make Christmas extra special. Showing the miracle of Christmas, and usually with a bit of comedy thrown in. 

5 Early Signs Of Pregnancy

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Pregnancy can be a whirlwind, a shock and such an amazing time. But it can be hard too if, like me, you suffer with hyperemesis gravidarum. Those first few weeks of pregnancy can be gone in a flash, with many people not actually knowing they are pregnant till they are around 6 weeks gone, or even further. 

As a mother of 3 children, and having begin pregnancy 5 times, I know the signs of early pregnancy all too well. In fact, with my forth pregnancy, I knew I was pregnant just by the fact that I felt nauseous when walking down a certain aisle in the supermarket. There are many early signs though, and I thought I'd write about a few that are most common.

Choosing The Right College Course For You

I remember back when I was in my last year of school, thinking about what I wanted to be when I left school, and not having a clue. Choosing a course, or courses, to study can be tough, especially when there are so many on offer. Here are a few tips and some advice to help make this decision seem less daunting.

4 Things You Need To Think About When You're Self-Employed

One of the main benefits of becoming self-employed is the ease in which you can start up and run your own business. And sometimes from your own home, depending on what you're going to be doing, that is. To help you understand some of the most important issues that there might be, and things you'll need to do, here are 4 tips for going self-employed and things you need to think about when doing so.

Tips From My Time Spent In The Personal Injury Sector

Before I had children, became self-employed and starting working on various websites, my main job was in the personal injury sector. I start out as an office junior and ended doing various legal secretary roles, as well as admin duties too. So I've learnt a few things over the years of doing this and thought I'd give some tips on what to do, and how to proceed, when you need to claim for personal injury. 

You've got to remember that accidents can happen to anyone, at any time, and dealing with the consequences of one can be overwhelming. Especially when the law comes into it if you're claiming for personal injury, but it's important to stay calm and do what is right for you.

My Movie Travel Bucket List

Many of us watch movies and wish we could bring them to life, especially when they're set somewhere mesmerising, with all their beautiful scenery and iconic locations. I'm sure we can all look back at those blockbuster movies and remember not only the screenplay being played out, but the landscape always sticks in the mind too. 

From New Zealand in Lord of the Rings where you could visit Mount Earnslaw, on the south of the island, which provided the setting for the opening sequence of The Two Towers. Right back to that beautiful country on our left, Northern Ireland, where you can explore some of the scenes from Game of Thrones, such as Dunluce Castle which was the setting for Pyke Castle in the series.

Fabulous Bodycon Dresses For The Christmas Party Season

If there is a dress out there that is designed to flatter your frame, it's the classic bodycon. Made with those figure hugging fabrics to smooth your silhouette and flaunt your curves. But fabulous though they are, bodycon dresses aren't just for getting your glam on and can come in different styles to suit any event.

The Best Christmas Activities for the Whole Family

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas, and there is plenty to do, and it doesn't have to cost a fortune. Whether it’s from the comfort of your own home or if you prefer to get the kids waterproof jacket out and go outdoors, there are many Christmas crafts and activities at the moment...

Tips For Starting Your Own Online Business

With minimal start up costs and the potential to reach millions of customers, setting up an online business has never been more popular. And if you've thought about opening your own business, you might have begun to look for advice. There are so many tips for starting a new business out there that choosing which ones to follow can get confusing. 

But starting up an online business is a whole new ball game. I know, as my business has been running for over 7 years now, and it has been such hard work to learn how to successfully use the online scene to get my brand seen. So here are a few of my tips to starting up your own online business.

Spaghetti Bolognese That Even The Kids Will Eat

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You know what it's like, you plan a warm hearty meal for the whole family, salve over the stove for hours, and then the kids refuse to eat it because the veg doesn't look nice, or there's 'green bits' herbs in the sauce. Yeah, parenting is great guys, especially when you have to make 4 different sauces just to get the kids to eat the flaming thing.

The Ultimate Guide To Being Prepared For Life's Curveballs

Every now and then, life will throw you a curveball. These tend to be traumatic events that can send our otherwise normal and mundane, yet happy existence into a tailspin. It is how you deal with these situations that will dictate how they affect your mental health, your well being and your relationships. Many people seem to be constantly on edge, waiting for the next curveball to come along. However, living like this means that you never get to fully enjoy life’s offerings. Instead, you need to think positively and have a forward thinking frame of mind.

Four Children’s Books that Help Teach the Valuable Lessons of Inclusivity

By introducing inclusive children’s books into your selection of reading books at home, not only will they teach young people about kindness and acceptance, but they will help reflect the lives of underrepresented children.

Should You Go Home Or Away This Festive Season?

Christmas is probably the busiest time of year. Every company comes alive over the festive period and pumps out so many Christmas themed activities for both children and adults. Going abroad to experience the real thing in a Scandinavian country is usually what people try to do, but did you know that we have so many amazing experiences right here in the UK? Without the high costs of travelling abroad that is. 

The UK isn't exactly the most obvious choice for a winter break. I mean, many of us plan foreign holidays in an attempt to escape our unpredictable weather forecasts. But in Winter, the UK can be a beautiful place to explore.

Enter the Office Stationery Christmas Party Giveaway Worth Over £60!

I’m really excited to announce that I’ve teamed up with Office Stationery to offer you a brilliant competition this Christmas! The prize: an awesome arty bundle worth over £60 which will allow you to throw an amazing arts and crafts Christmas party for your children and their friends, courtesy of Office Stationery! To be in with a shout of winning this prize, and to be VERY popular with your kids come the mid December, simply make sure you register below by the 15th December. Signing up to Office Stationery’s newsletter will give you one entry, but you can increase your chances of winning by following them across their social channels as well!

Christmas Gift Guide For Children

I adore Christmas and have done since I was a child. It's such an important day for children as they are on their best behaviour, waiting for the big man to come a deliver their presents, and as parents we actually get it best when we see their little faces light up. Opening presents to see what they've got and then spending the rest of the day waiting for parents to build the damn things, and sort out the millions of batteries needed.

Today I wanted to show what is on offer this year and so this is my 2019 Christmas Gift Guide For children...

Christmas Gift Guide For Men

Now I'm sure it's not just me that struggles when it comes to buying gifts for men. I mean, they're all so different and so when you could be buying smellies for one, others might prefer quirky gifts or hobby items. There's so much on the market too that trying to work out what men like is hard work.

Today I am showcasing what is on offer for the men in our lives this year and so, here is my 2019 Christmas Gift Guide For Men...

Christmas Gift Guide For Women

Every year, the last few weeks before Christmas are a bit fraught with anxiety and anguish as we all run out to the shops to find the perfect gifts for the loved ones in our lives. Searching high and low for those gifts that they'll love and that suit their personalities. And it can be hard. People are hard to buy for, and people are so different. 

Today I thought I'd show what's on offer for the women in your life. So here is my 2019 gift guide for women...

My Tips To Creating Your Own Blog

Creating a successful blog can take your readership to a new level. Most people don't have the first clue how an actual blog works in the back end. They think you just sign up to a platform, such as Blogger or Wordpress, and off you go on your way to becoming your own boss. 

But it isn't that easy... In fact, it can become quite hard as you learn new techniques to maximise your online presence. 

Although a successful website isn't built in a day, or even a week, with a little time and effort, you can create a website for your blog, that gets a good following from the get go. Start with the following tips for creating a blog in 10 easy steps.

5 fun cruise destinations for families

There can be a lot to think about when choosing your first family cruise – just one of which is the destination. All families are different, so to pick a great destination for your cruise, it’s important to think about what kinds of things you like to do on holiday. Do you like to relax on a nice beach, swim in the sea and hunt for shells? Or do you prefer adventure sports, hiking and cycling? Whatever you’re in to, there’s a cruise to suit every family. 

In this article, we discuss the most popular cruise destinations, and what you can expect from each one.

History of the Harry Potter films charted in new infographic by the Warner Bros. Studio Tour

A new infographic provides an at-a-glance overview of the entire Harry Potter series. The resource provides the date of every single film, as well as several of the key events that contributed to the creation of those films, and the creation of Warner Bros. Studio Tour itself. 

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour opened shortly after the conclusion of the films, in 2012, and has provided ardent Harry Potter fans with a place to continue the magic ever since. But the site actually has an interesting history that extends much further, to the late 1930s.

Essential guide: How to pack for your winter holidays

With the grey clouds now rolling back in and the colder mornings making your snuggly duvet ever more difficult to leave on a Monday morning, you might be pining for that sunshine once again. Or perhaps you love the cold weather, but proper cold weather; perhaps you want blankets of snow and picturesque Christmas scenes of warm havens tucked away in the frost. Not soggy trips to the bus shelter under grey clouds and drizzly rain… 

Whatever you’re pining for, it might be time to book yourself a winter holiday to look forward to as a break from the grey gloom of the British winter months. Check out our guide below for the best destinations for walking through the cities, lounging on the beach, or dashing through the snow!

What Makes Your Home, Your Home?

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All homes are different, both in their architectural design, the people who live within them, and the manner in which they are used. It can often feel quite odd moving into a new home and slowly designing the home to your own tastes over the years, as you remove, shift or adopt the additions made by the previous family into your own aesthetic.

But what makes your home, your home? Past any grand ideals of the best architecture or investing thousands in renovating or extending the entire property, what is it that helps you curate a home perfect for you, your family, and your daily lived experience? While practical tips such as having enough room to park your car in the driveway are important to consider, they are often catered for, and so it’s also worth looking at this from the perspective of emotional truth that you may have.

Creating A Dreamy Bedroom Space

Even if no one but you and your partner see it, your bedroom should still symbolise your style and be a place where you want to unwind after a busy day. With that in mind, here are some bedroom ideas to help you build the perfect tranquil environment. No matter how daring your taste is, or how much space you have, there’s something for everyone.

Christmas Holiday Guide: The best getaways for new parents

As the holiday season is just around the corner, many new parents want to make the most of it. As many new parents know, it can be extremely difficult to enjoy time together as a family on top of work and busy schedules. But what are the best Christmas holiday destinations for babies and tots? In this article, we’ve discovered the top child-friendly Christmas destinations for you to choose from, as well as provided a selection of tips for travelling with youngsters.

Win a £20 Amazon Voucher

As Christmas is nearly here and we've said goodbye to the lovely light weather, I thought I'd make someones slightly colder day a bit happier, by giving away a £20 Amazon voucher to one lucky winner. I prefer to give away Amazon vouchers as you can by literally most things there. From throws and hot water bottles, to a tipple or two.

For your chance to win a £20 Amazon voucher, just enter via the Rafflecopter form below. And if you want to, let me know below, what you'd spend your voucher on, if you won!

How to make the most of your online dating profile

Creating an online dating profile can be scary. After all, it’s not always easy to talk about, and big yourself up, without sounding conceited or, even worse, desperate. But it’s important to note that one in three couples now find love online, so if you’re looking, it really is the way to go.

These days we rely on the Internet for everything. From keeping in touch with school friends and networking to ordering takeaways and scrolling stores. So I guess it only seems logical you would use the Internet for finding that special person too.

That said though, the online dating scene can be daunting if you’ve never tried it before. Learning how to write an online dating profile that attracts anyone isn’t all that hard. But that’s the thing, you aren’t trying to attract just anyone, you want to attract that person who is right for you. And this can be a bit trickier.

So here are my top tips for making the most of your dating profile...

Dealing With Male Hair Loss

Let’s face it, none of us want to age but it is inevitable and with that in mind, one of man's biggest fears comes flooding forward - or it does for my husband anyway - hair loss. A lot of men decide to bald in a graceful way, but if you're a man who has always had a head full of hair, and now it's thinning and you're starting to notice, it can knock the confidence a little. 

All men will progressively lose hair as they grow older, but for some it’s far more noticeable than others. So, with that in mind, and knowing just how hard it has been for my husband to deal with, here are five ways of dealing with hair loss gracefully, written in conjunction with Hairbro.

Great Hairstyle Ideas for Damaged Hair

Dealing with damaged hair can be frustrating. You want your hair to look nice, but the tools and products you use to create your hairdo are often the very things that caused your damaged hair in the first place. It's hard to strike a balance between having a nice hairstyle, but not using too many products that can damage your hair.

Quick tips to make your meals more exciting

Cooking and eating the same meals all the time gets boring very quickly, and kids aren’t afraid to tell you when they aren’t interested in something you’ve spent time making. Food waste is a big issue right now and I'm super conscious about what I’m feeding the family. So, it's important to try and balance the two by thinking of meals that everyone will enjoy, and that won’t grow our waistbands too much – and that’s where it gets tricky, or so I thought.

When I sat down and started thinking about ways to improve our eating experiences, I decided I’m going to make our meals more exciting. Sounds like a challenge, doesn’t it? But I've come up with a few easy ways to inject some wow factor into the food I’m serving – here they are.

What to do when you're going through a relationship breakdown

It’s a sad fact of life that some of us will go through the breakdown of a relationship at some point. You and your partner might have had children together, bought a house and even got married or been in a civil partnership. If you find yourself in that position, sorting out what happens can be a difficult process. So make sure you know what steps to take if your relationship breaks down.

What happens when we separate? One of the first things you should do is agree on separation arrangements between you and your ex-partner. This is crucial if you have children, as you will need to decide who will have custody of them. If you can’t reach an agreement, you may need to speak to a solicitor for family law advice to ensure that any differences you and your ex-partner may have on money, property or children are sorted quickly.

How To Make The Perfect Dippy Eggs

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You can’t get much better than a well boiled egg accompanied by buttery soldiers for breakfast, or lunch. And they aren't just for kids either. Eggs are a good source of inexpensive, high quality protein and are rich sources of selenium, vitamin D, B6, B12 and minerals such as zinc, iron and copper. 

Whether you like them soft or hard boiled, I can understand how frustrating it can be to get them right every time. Leaving them for even a few seconds too long and they'll be hard instead of runny. But don't fret. It's easy to get them spot on with my handy guide on how to boil eggs.

Win 1 of 5 Virginia Hayward Christmas Hampers

It's not long till Christmas now. I cannot believe that we are into November already. Only a month until we get to start eating advent chocolate and getting all excited for the big day.

Christmas is a big affair for us. We open presents in the morning, just the five of us, and then spend most of the rest of the day at my parents house. We always go there for Christmas lunch. My family, my parents and my brother, all sitting around the table and filling up on turkey and all the trimmings. we then travel across the street back to our house to have a play with the kids toys. Later on we jaunt back to my parents for their annual Christmas party when the whole family comes. My sisters and their families, and a few friends of the family too. 

So as you can imagine, Christmas gets pretty hectic...

This Christmas, some of the UK Bloggers have come together to offer you the chance to win five Virginia Hayward The Magic of Christmas Hampers. Five lucky winners will win a Christmas hamper delivered before Christmas. Keep reading to find out how you can enter. 

Smart Small Business Ideas That Are Easier Than Ever

Nowadays, anyone can set up their own business. You don’t need massive office blocks and vast reserves of money to launch a new business idea, and you might already have the skills and the passion that you need. That means that you could be making money before you know it. There are so many avenues for business ideas that it can be hard to narrow down your options. If you’ve been a stay-at-home mum or dad for the last few years but the kids have started school and you’re not sure what to do with yourself, here are some great business ideas to consider that could be the only career move you ever have to make.

Learning To Love Your Body

Silver Metallic Plunge Wrap Bodysuit

My life has been one big hate-fest of my body. I don't remember how or when or it developed, but I have been comparing my body to other peoples for as long as I can remember. I was never happy, never seemed good enough. It was like, there was always work to be done, goals to achieve. Never actually happy as I passed targets, as there was still a way to go.

I was going through the motions of life, hating the way I looked because I only wanted to be perfect. And to be clear, perfection is subjective. It’s also pretty much nonexistent. I was also mentally beating myself up every step of the way.

Birthday Gift Guide - Alternative Gifts For Her

- gifted items

Struggling to find the perfect birthday present for the woman in your life? I get it. I can be hard. Especially when not everyone is the same. For me, I am totally in to spirituality, boho and probably those alternative things. So, if you're looking for those, then here are a few alternative gift ideas she'll be SO obsessed with...

Cooking Heartwarming Family Favourites With TJ Hughes

There's nothing better than a home cooked meal. Whether you're sitting down with family or expecting a few close friends, the uncomplicated family style dinners are sure to please everyone. From cosy casseroles to veggie soups, there are so many choices, and heartwarming ones are a winner when it come to Autumn and Winter dishes. 

This month I've been working with TJ Hughes to show how you can make some heartwarming meals with ease, thanks to some of the kitchen electricals they have on offer, and all the accessories that go with it.

3 Employment Rights Parents Might Not Know They Have

Juggling kids and your career isn’t easy, and if you have an employer who’s flexible and willing to accommodate parents, then that’s great. Unfortunately, too many employers expect you to always put work first, and simply aren’t understanding when you need time off or need a little flexibility.

That’s why it’s so important for parents to know their rights and what they’re entitled to under UK employment laws, so here are some you may not even know about.

Top Tips: How to stop forgetting your umbrella

We’ve all made the huge mistake of leaving an umbrella at home. It never gets any less irritating when you’re walking home caught in a blustery shower. Thanks to Fulton Umbrellas, a leading UK supplier of clear umbrellas, we’ve came up with some excellent ways to trick yourself into not forgetting your umbrella.

Bright ideas: big tips for lighting a small room

If space is at a premium in a particular room of your house, a certain something else - yes, light - is probably also in short supply. After all, less space as a whole means less space for windows, light fixtures or anything else that could alleviate your shortage of illumination. 

However, as leaving the room dim could risk making you moody and stressed, here are a few strategies you could follow to maximise the lighting.

Tips To Get The Best Out Of Disney World

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Planning a trip to Disney World with kids and want to know how to best go about it? At around the size of San Francisco, Disney World can be such an overwhelming place. This is unless you take advantage of advice from those who have already been there.

Holiday planning is always a challenge, but Disney World can be exceptionally complicated, especially for first timers, so here are a few tips...

A Beginners Guide to Building an Extension

This year we've been thinking about extended our house a little. I mean, our house is a good size already, but we've been wanting a little more space in the kitchen, to have a table in there, some room for more cupboards, and a utility, so that we have space for everything we try to do in there. 

If you need more space but you don’t want to move, then building an extension can be the answer, if you have the garden space to be able to do this, that is. But if you're planning on building an extension, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. So here is my beginner's guide on costs, planning permission and more before you start the build.

BDSM Dating Advice for Beginners

When it comes to sex, people can be into different things. One of them, is BDSM which can come with some nerve wracking feelings if you're trying for the first time. BDSM stands for bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism. It is a sex term that refers to power play in the bedroom. 

Acts of BDSM can be varied and include rope play, slave play, punishment, and more. As you can imagine, this can be a scary new world for beginners so here are a few bits of advice for beginners...

Ways To Help You Stay Safe When Dating

Photo credit: Mayberry Health and Home

When it comes to online safety and particularly when it comes to dating and companionship we like to think we know what we're talking about. But some simple things online can spiral and make the scene unsafe. I thought I'd write a few tips to help you stay safe when dating...

4 Ways To Boost Your Body Confidence

Yves Saint Love Graphic Print Slogan Tee

Poor body image can have such a great impact on your quality of life than you might realise. A few of those negative thoughts here and there can soon escalate to anxiety and depression. Negative body image isn't a subject that should be taken lightly, or just brushed off when someone is trying to talk to you about it.

The effects of negative body image can take a significant toll on the body, physically and emotionally, and mentally, and sufferers, like myself, often become so consumed by the idea of the ‘perfect body’ that they forget what is actually healthy and set unrealistic goals for themselves. This only leads to further emotional distress and disappointment when targets aren't met.

Kitchen Lighting Ideas

The kitchen is a part of the house that is used a lot of the time. From cooking and eating, to entertaining, and doing work at the table. So when it comes to lighting, first off, it should be practical. When you're in your kitchen, you don't want to be squinting over poorly lit pots and pans. 

Secondly, it should be welcoming and bright too. It needs to have a little warmth and appeal, allowing people to relax, especially if the kitchen is somewhere that you might settle down to work. And obviously, it must work with your current room design. The modern kitchen could do with fresh and crisp lighting, whereas vintage kitchens ideally suit warmer tones.

Laser Treatment, Permanent Hair Removal Choice

Self-care is worth considering.

Does the visibility of unwelcome hair force you to hide from proving who you are and what you are capable of? Then it is time to choose the best painless cosmetic procedure to regain your confidence and to prove your worth. Why die in pain for the traditional hair removal procedures when a pleasant and royal treatment is available around the corner? Just give a try to feel the change. 

Follow the new trend of laser hair removal treatment by giving up the painful plucking, shaving, waxing and tweezing methods, to look more confident in elegance. It is very common among women to feel insecure with the appearance of such unwanted growth of hair over their hands, legs, underarms, face and private parts too. But this laser hair removal treatment is a gift to those with excessive hair growth as it lets one be and look the best.

The ultimate guide to taking your kids to Lapland

A family trip to Lapland will get you much more than a few cool (or should that be cold?) parent points, if you do your research and enjoy more than just a visit to Santa. Obviously you’ll want to check in with the big guy in red, but there's so much more to do than just grabbing some presents and making sure you’re not on the naughty list.

Read on to see what you should include during a trip to Lapland with the kids, and make sure that they'll never forget their snowy adventure. You might be surprised at how much there is to see and do that doesn’t involve grottos and presents.