This won’t be for everyone but some of you, for religious, spiritual, sentimental or traditional reasons (or even because of family pressure), will be holding and hosting one of these special days for your baby. Whole books can be written on the topic and such events can be as simple or as sophisticated as you like. Here are a few ideas to mark your babies birth, in style and on a budget:

1. Decide what you want

Christening and naming days are very important and are about welcoming your child to the world. Do it how you and your partner want to, this is your child and your chance to do it your way. Your parents all had their chance to celebrate your birth and now it’s your turn. Do not be bullied! People can have very grand ideas and your parents may have friends whose granddaughter wore silk and had a marquee. Forget it – if you want to be off work, keep it simple and avoid the big money. This is not about money, it’s about fun, and family and friends but mostly it’s about your baby being welcomed your way.

2. Invites

An invite can be a pretty, fonted email with perhaps a current photo attached. It could be a postcard with a little bit of pink and blue glitter writing out your baby’s name with details on the back…or you could ring round your invites and catch up on some gossip too. At least you know if people are definitely coming this way and won’t over cater. The fall back homemade invite has to be a little hand and footprint on white card with babies name and age underneath – these are easy, gorgeous and appreciated.

 Photo Credit: Marcleh

3. Party Venue

When my children were both christened I hired the church hall next door. It cost just  £20 for 3 hours. No one had to walk far- it was next to the church, which had a car park, so no problem there and it was ideal. It was a bit scruffy but we put out the long tables and filled them with food and we put out lots of little tables with plain white cloths and spread some balloons around. Once it was filled with our loved ones it didn’t look scruffy at all and there was plenty of room for the kids to run around too. We were especially lucky that there was a toy cupboard at the venue which a friend had the key too but you could always bring a selection of balls and balloons and a few trains and dolls…these will keep most kids happy for hours. The cheapest venue ever is to hold a party at your home (mine is just way too small to hold our family!) But if you can this is a great option. Other possibilities worth considering are friends or relatives homes. I once asked GG, my children’s great grandma, if she would like to host a family party for my son’s birthday and she was delighted. You can still do all the work, provide refreshments, etc. But it may just give you that bigger venue you need.

4. Food

If you are really struggling for cash don’t invite your guests to come at a meal time but state on the invite ‘Come for coffee and cake afterwards at…’ then no alcohol or feast is expected. Make such parties 2-3 pm or 10.30 am –12. This is perfectly acceptable and can be lovely as it is minimum fuss for everybody and the focus stays on the children rather than catering and the special meaning of the day is not lost for you in a blur of preparation.

I have catered both my children’s christenings (well I say I, but that is not strictly true.)  When my mum, aunty and mother-in-law asked what we wanted as christening gifts on both occasions we asked for help with the party food and between the three of them they provided a buffet to be proud of and on each occasion someone bought a christening cake as a gift. This saved us huge amounts of money. They were fine that they weren’t buying gifts that lasted for ever because I think they really understood how much their help meant to us all and because even though a silver tooth fairy box may last forever very few adults still keep theirs on display!

If you do decide to cater yourself, keep it simple and go for budget buys such as quiches, carrot sticks and some little sandwiches. Nothing huge is needed or expected. I have a friend who did chilli and rice after her son’s winter christening and it went down a treat.

5. Find great outfits

A christening or naming ceremony does demand something special and it is so important not to spend a fortune on a totally impractical white frothy thing that will never be worn again.  I was actually quoted £75 for a christening dress and that was after 50% had been knocked off. OMG! I did buy something new – a gorgeous, tiny, christening frock from Next for £18, which is so lovely I have wrapped it in tissue to hand down to my children. There is no need to break the bank. Asking around amongst the family can reveal hidden treasures and I ended up being donated two really lovely very old christening gowns (wrong size unfortunately) On my daughters christening I was given a lovely pink shirt for my son to wear and my husband wore a similar one too. My brood looked really smart and it cost very little. I was a proud mummy. I got a new cardi from a supermarket for £6 but it did the job!

Ebay sell tons of Christening gowns and accessories. Remember it’s an outfit for just a few hours and really try not to go OTT.

6. Gifts

As always with gifts, if you are asked SPEAK UP. You may need a new outfit for your baby or another rattle or you may want something specific such as a bible or a hairbrush set. Just say. If people don’t ask but you know them really, really well and know they will be buying you could always suggest something but don’t be presuming. Oh, and if you get a money box for your baby do look inside. We got three for Lisi’s christening and only when I neglected to thank the godparents for the cash but just mentioned the money box did they point me in the right direction. Always check inside!

I am a feminist

I used to be a social worker.

I am PC and

I abhor stereotyoes.

However….

I know from working with hundreds  of parents and foster carers that gender influences how a child plays

I know from my own experience that my daughter and her friends like realistic elemnets to their play and they like to be social in their play. I know my son likes wild, imaginary scenrios and is not overly bothered  by realism.

I know play theory accepts gender difference and child development studies openly acknowldges this fact: Children do play differently according to gender (mostly.)

Lego is traditionally a toy associated with boys (80% of Lego is bought for boys.) Lego saw a big gap in the market where they weren’t meeting (most) girls interests and needs. So they did 4 years reseacrh to define what they would need to do to Lego for girls to be more intereste… Lego friends is the result.

It is a lot more ‘realism ‘ based than previous Lego sets, the characters have REAL names and normal ‘not bizarre and yellow’ faces.  They have settings, interests and jobs that are wider and more community based e.g a cafe, a designer workshop and an inventors studio. There is lots of attention to detail and a more traditionally ‘feminine’ colour palette has been introduced. Playmobil cottoned on to this years ago I think Lego are just playing catch up really by widening their range.

Some girls will of course always prefer Harry Potter lego sets, some boys may be intereted in dog shows, but thats great we have more options now. At least there are now some real Lego choices for girls who play in a more traditionally ‘female’ way

.

I know when my daughter plays with my son’s lego she puts the little men to bed and puts scraps of fabric over them, she has them talking to each other and she brings her little teacups too them to drink from. It’s fab there are now sets that she can truly appreciate and that will help her play in the way she likes.

I know it has been controversial. I see it as an expansion and quite an enlightened one (I didn’t expect robots and an inventors studio and was pleasantly surprised by this!)

It’s certainly more lilac than pink but yes it’s great to see it less primary coloured.

I think most boys are unlikely to buy it (but would they buy a girls world head or a barbie campervan or  a pink tutu - are we going to complain such toys are sexist becuase mainly girls like them? My daughter was never going to ask for Lego ninjagos but no one ever  mentioned sexism boys colours and boys interests then!!

This stuff is just as complex to put together, just as intricate and just as fun. I think it’s rather fab. It acknowledges a difference that is there but still encourages girls to constuct and to work with thier hands which is always cool.

My daughetr loved building and playing with ‘her own’ sets.

What do you think?

Take a look at these absolute bargains:

Girls Reversible padded parka

Was £45 now £18

It’s not spring yet no matter what the shops would have you beleieve so I was delighted when we were sent these items form the Vertbaudet winter sale to review. Lost hats, missing gloves and grown out of coats have populated this winter at our house. Aren’t these good deals and they are of wonderful quality too. really comfy and cosy.

Boys jacquard hat £4.50 was £9

There are loads more winter sale items over at Vertbaudet well worth checking out.

• age 10 and under, and
• 11 and over.

In order to enter, kids need to write up to 300 words about a holiday they have been on saying where they went, what they did, and why it was great, and maybe send a picture or two along with the article. It doesn’t matter if they write about Skegness or Senegal,  Brighton or the Bahamas. This is a brilliant excuse to get kids working on their writing skills and being creative.

The winner will win a holiday for the whole family to a fun-packed Al Fresco holiday park oftheir choice plus up tp £500 in travel expenses. What a cool prize! Al Fresco Holidays  provide luxury mobile home holidays on gorgeous parcs all over Europe.

They have lots of activities to keep families entertained such as on-site water parks, children’s clubs and spa’s and there is bike riding, barbequeing and much more. If you go the Al Fresco site you can see videos of the park experiecne that look wonderful – so enticing.

To enter you simply need to go the entry page on the Al Fresco blog.

The competition began on Feb 1st and ends on March 1st so you will have to get your skates on. This really is a super prize! 

Please do pop back and tell me if you win!!

The T&Cs of the competition can be found on the Al Fresco website. Good Luck!

 This is a sponsored  post

Any kids? Yes one son (Joseph (aka Youngling) he’ll be 3 in March)

Do you work? FT/PT? I do occasional part time work at a tots group which I set up and run and working on the elections for the local council once a year etc. I sometimes get sponsored to write an article on my blog too: www.makeshiftmummy.com

Why do you work? To give me a little ‘pocket’ money and Independence.

What are your child care arrangements? Youngling goes to pre-school 2 mornings a week which I have to pay for until the term after his 3rd birthday.

How do you manage for money? I do have help from the government etc. after the separation between my sons father and I, 10 months ago. I try to save as much as I can.

Do you worry about money? Yes most of the time but I am much better at managing my money nowadays. Most days I have a good sense of value which has taken me years to appreciate.

What do you waste money on? Food!

Have you made any big financial changes since having kids? Yes I don’t just go out and buy something when I see it anymore. I generally only treat myself to clothes on special occasions, weddings and birthday’s etc. I learnt very early on not to buy everything ‘named’ for my son. Most of the supermarket own brand products worked out cheaper and better for me and my family and I am not ashamed to buy them. They saved me a great deal of money.

I am also trying to teach Youngling the importance of saving, something I wish I had learnt when I was younger. I am teaching him by giving him money boxes and encouraging him to put his pennies away. Then we take it to the bank it’s an exciting outing to a 2 year old

How do you make extra cash? Again from my tots group (though most of the ‘profit’ goes back into the group for the parties etc. and writing on my blog: www.makeshiftmummy.com I wish to write more sponsored posts in the near future. I also sell some of clothes and books etc on eBay.

Can you share 3 top budgeting tips for other parents?

1. Shop around. Look for the best deals, especially for food options. Don’t be a label lackey. Even with clothes, shoes and household products.

2. Save a penny every day. If you can save more then go for it but put at least a penny away every day. You never know you may need it for a rainy day.

3. Sell, sell, sell. Don’t be wastefull with your old belongings. Sell them on ebay, gumtree, amazon, play and the like. Go to carboots and even if you make 20p for a jumper thats better than nothing.

My blog: www.makeshiftmummy.com Two Cats, Youngling and Me,

Hi everyone and welcome,

I am Makeshift Mummy (aka Kate) I am a twenty-seven year old Graduate of Drama (and Spanish). Since I was absolutely hopeless at acting I focussed on writing and after graduation completed a Journalism and Freelance Writing course from The London School Of Journalism and then I had a baby.

Youngling and I live in a three bed rented terraced house in Letchworth Garden City in Hertfordshire. Younglings daddy (Doo) and I separated in April 2011 so we have been learning to survive and thrive on our own, and the two cats of course. Polly (aka PolPol) is our five year old white and tortoise shell feline who licks your hand if she likes you. Charlie Cat (aka Larley) is our one year old Ginger Tom cat who we adopted from a friend at a lose end mid 2011. We couldn’t imagine our lives without him now as he really has become a part of the family.

So this blog (adequately named Two Cats, Youngling and Me) is an online journal of my life and examples of my writing. I am learning every day and hope to share my experiences with you all and make a living as a Stay At Home Mum (SAHM).

If you have any questions, feedback or would just like to be friends then please get in touch via my Email. Or if you would like to discuss any PR Pitches I would be happy to hear from you – please see my Contact Page for details.

I hope that gives you a little insight into me and mine. I look forward to getting to know you all and hope you enjoy my blog, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Weekends when I worked and had no kids…

Oh I loved weekends. I longed for them every weekday. I would go out for brunch every Saturday and spend hours reading the papers. During the week I would check out the cinema times and see if there were any new movies for me to see. Invariably I spent  a Saturday afternoon at the cinmea, watching one  (or perhaps  even 2!) new movies then this would be followed by dinner and drinks with friends. Sundays might be a gallery, shopping or going to the threatre. All about money and me me me!

How times change

Now money is tight and the kids are the main focus of my life, with their many activities, friends, wishlists of things to do and needs.

Still, I have just had a very lovely weekend. Here’s what I have been doing:

Lying in bed till 9 am ! Such an absolute treat largely because it is so rare!

Watching Come Dine with Me uninterrupted whilst the children quietly played upstairs.

Photo Credit: Eric May

Making a huge painting with my children of spring – it took hours!

Running my little toddler church group

Reading with my ‘baby’ and playing chess with my son.

Being at a park really early in the morning.

Baking our own bread, a big pile of cupcakes and a big lasagne out of all out fridge bits!

Pleasures are simpler, different now and not all about me and spending but they are sweet and special too.

 How weekends change.

This is a sponsored post

I chose the playmiobil school to review from the amazing price comparison site Idealo. What an absolute treasure Idealo is. basically it’s not a shop it’s a price comparison website. It price compares over 14000 shops. How brilliant is that! It directs you to the cheapest option. So handy for those of us on a budget.

Basically is you want cheap playmobil  or pretty much the cheapest anything, you will probably find it through searching through Idealo.  It really is that simple. No cost involved.

I have to tell you the playmobil school we were sent was an absolute delight. We are new to playmobil and were completely daunted initially by the billions of pieces that seemed to be contained within the box. However, despite taking several hours, we had lots of fun puting together this amazing school. It slotted together easily enough – there was just so much of it!  The kids stuck it out for an hour and it took the two of us at least another 2 1/2 hours after this to finsih!

The kid’s faces when they came downstairs this morning and realised it was done were an absolute picture. I am beyond proud of it.

I think it is simply fab and love all the details. Check out the classroom, there is even a pen to write on the chalk board with and a working abacus.

They have spent all day to day playing with it on and off. It’s big enough for them to both play without getting on each others nerves. It create lots of role play scenarios guaranteed to kick start the kids imagination too. And it encourages sharing. We have fallen in love with playmobil! This wil be played with a lot I am sure. What a great find! I am delighted we have found Idealo too! I will certainly be using it in future. What a simple way to save money.

 Idealo sentt us this product to review free of charge.

Pillow Pets are made from chenile and super soft. They have a strap  underneath that turns them from a cuddly toy  to a personal pillow which kids love.  They are available now exclusively from Mookie Toys. The range includes Billy Monkey,Playful Penguin, Comfy Panda, Snuggly Puppy, Magical Unicorn and Wiggly Pig, not forgetting Ms Ladybug and BumblyBe! And especially for Easter, Cuddly Bunny, Thumpy Bunny, Puffy Duck and Fluffy Bunny.

We had the bee and the unicorn sent to us for review. Both kids insited on sleeping with them right away. Uni (short for unicorn apparently)  came to breakfast.

Priced £19.99 RRP and available from Toys ‘R’ Us and Amazon.

Here’s bee!

Be aware there are quite a few copies of these. The ones by Mookie Toys are genuine and of a lovely quality and they are the ones I have reviewed