4 Gift Ideas to Start Saving Up for Christmas

This isn’t exactly the time of year where you normally start planning for Christmas. However, it is never too early to do so – especially if you have the idea of gifting something particularly memorable to a loved one. 


After all, certain luxury gift ideas require months of budgeting for the regular person. While this will take its toll, and you might have to cut out a few daily treats to save up the money, it will be worth it when you see the recipient’s face on Christmas morning.

The only problem: what gift should you buy? For guidance and an easy way to answer that question, consider the following gift ideas:

1. New vehicle

A new car is certainly going above and beyond as far as Christmas gifts are concerned. Yet if you have, say, a son or daughter who will be passing their driving test this year, it is also a logical choice. They receive a practical gift, while you have a hand in ensuring the vehicle is safe. 


To avoid any possible disappointment, you should work with the giftee in advance to ensure they receive a vehicle they desire. Learn about their favorite car brand and color. Although if you purchase them a top-of-the-range luxury car, it could be a garish neon green color and they’d still be happy.

2. A statement ring

You want to make an impression on the gift receiver, right? Well you can do this, and also let them make an impression of their own, with a statement ring. 


A statement ring is, of course, a piece of jewelry that stands out from the ordinary. It’s bold in design and memorable for all the right reasons. One example would be the 18ct gold Crown Rings range from Annoushka. This type of ring will likely cost a little extra when compared to a standard ring, but the giftee will certainly appreciate the added effort.

3. Arcade coffee table

When you know the giftee wants to get their game on, why not go all-out and give them an arcade coffee table? It’s certainly the more extravagant option when compared to the current video game consoles on the market. 


It’s also immensely fun. Plus it’s a statement making piece without being obtrusive. In comparison to an arcade cabinet, a coffee table can also function as, well, a coffee table. This means one minute it will be used to rest drinks on, the next for a game of Pac-Man!

4. Front row seats and VIP access

If you have ever been to a concert, comedy show, or other event, you will likely have felt envious about those sitting front row. Yet with forward planning and a dash of luck, you have the chance of securing those prime seats. 


It also makes for a great present. If your giftee has a favorite band or theatrical production, try and secure a couple front row seats. Certain events also attach the luxury of VIP access, which will only make the gift all that more memorable.  

4 Tips To Help Your Child With Math

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For many of us, math can be a challenging subject. With so many topics, rules and methods, many children get confused early on and end up disliking math. The good news is, with a little bit of extra support you can ensure that your child gains confidence and learns how to tackle with those trickier problems. For a few simple tips on helping your kid master math, be sure to take a look at these five.

1 . Tutoring Apps

To give your child a little added support, a maths tutor is a worthwhile investment to boost their skills and confidence. It’s likely that you are already helping your child with maths yourself, and combining this support with a professional tutor, will really set your child up for success. For a great math tutor, take a look at My Tutor Lab. It’s an on-demand tutoring app, where you can find the best tutor to suit your needs and schedule. To access top support from the comfort of your own home, this app is well worth a go.

2 . Real-life situations

If you really want to help your child to understand math, ensure that you help them to use math in real-life situations. Let them help you pay for items when you go shopping, and count up the change. When you have a lesson or appointment- ask them to tell you what time it is. You could also bake some cakes together, and have them measure out the ingredients. When you help your child to grasp how maths is useful in everyday life, you’ll ensure that they truly understand the value of maths.

3. Maths games

Most parents know that when it comes to learning, if you make it fun- your kids are more likely to be engaged. There are plenty of fun math games online, and you can also make up your own at home. Whether it’s a math-themed treasure hunt, ball games, or jump rope; use what you have around the home, put on some music on and enjoy it! Use toy cars to practice learning about directions, or measure the height of teddies and make a height-chart. You could also practice some arts and crafts by making a giant multiplication table together. Whatever the game, the most important thing is that your child gains a positive experience of the maths learning process.

4. Daily practice 

To grasp new knowledge that sticks, the key is repetition. Practice math with your child a little bit each day, have set activities that you repeat, and keep a journal of your progress. Games are best played in groups so when your child has a playdate, take the opportunity to play a math game altogether.

As with any learning endeavour, remain positive and give your child lots of praise. Some children naturally struggle with maths and won’t take to it right away. Be patient with your child and help them to enjoy the subject as much as you can. In time, you’ll find the teaching methods that work best for you.

Three Things You Can Do to Make a Trip to the Groomer Less Stressful

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You know your dog will be in good hands when you drop them off at the groomer. When they’re finished, they will have been washed, trimmed and generally pampered, and are now looking their best. You may think your responsibility as a dog owner is just to take them to the groomer fairly regularly, but it actually goes further than that. There are steps you can take to better prepare your pup for their trip to the groomer. 



An unprepared pup can make the groomer visit a much more unpleasant experience than it needs to be. It can cause your dog to become anxious and scared, which can be traumatic for them and incredibly difficult for the groomer. Of course, ideally, you want your pet to be as relaxed and happy as possible so the groomer can get the job done quickly and easily.



Here are three things your groomer wished you knew so you can prepare your pup for their visit. 



1. Start grooming early



There are a few steps you should take to get your new puppy ready for their groomer visits. You can take your puppy to the groomer right away to get them used to the trip. You can also start with some basic grooming at home. If you have an older dog, it’s a bit late but it’s better to start with small steps than to not make any effort at all. 



If you’ve decided to start grooming at home, the best actions to do are brushing their fur, brushing their teeth, trimming their nails and cleaning their ears. The idea is to get your dog comfortable with having their paws, mouth and ears touched, and getting them used to being brushed early. That way, when they’re older, they won’t put up a fuss or get stressed out when their paws, mouth and ears are touched. During and after your home grooming session, remember to reward their calm demeanor and good behavior with treats. 



2. Groom regularly



Relying only on your groomer visits and taking care of your dog’s grooming once every few weeks isn’t going to cut it. You should groom regularly, so that the next trip isn’t a nightmare for your pup. Keep your dog’s fur coat in check with regular brushings, and keep an eye on their feet and ears so you can trim their nails when they get too long or clean their ears when they’re dirty. 



If you want to keep your pup’s fur looking its best all the time, regular groomer visits are necessary. You could also take your pup to a groomer like heartandpaw.com, where they offer different grooming packages for different levels of pampering. Give your dog a full groom, a quick refresh, or anything in between. 



3. Remain calm



Your pet picks up on your mood and feelings, so if you’re feeling nervous or anxious when you drop your dog off at the groomer, they can feed off that negative energy. This will make your dog more likely to squirm and become scared. 



Similarly, if you drop in on the groomer before they’re finished, your dog can see you and get overly excited, making it harder to finish the job. It’s best if you wait until they’re finished grooming your dog before you drop by.

10 Reasons to Try Fishing

Some people went fishing with their parents or friends when they were kids. They begged to be taken along on fishing trips and loved more than learning the skills from their parents or grandparents. These fishing trips were a treat, a chance to hang out with the grownups. But, most of us never did. If your parents didn’t fish, it might not be something that you ever thought about. 

Unfortunately, fishing is one of those hobbies that often gets passed down through families. If you went fishing with your parents, you might now fish as a hobby or even take your own children out to catch fish. If not, it might not be something that you’ve ever done, or even thought about. You might have no desire to even try. You should rethink this, however. Fishing can be an enjoyable hobby which has many advantages. Here’s a look at ten of them. 

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It’s Relaxing

Modern life is so busy and stressful. Fishing is the opposite. Most hobby fishers will tell you that the fishing is more important than the catching as they enjoy relaxing time out on their own. 

Fishing is a Great Way to See More of the World

Once you’ve got necessary supplies from Tailored Tackle, you can fish anywhere. Anglers don’t tend to stick to one spot (although they might have favorites), instead, they move around. They fish rivers and lakes near home and travel further afield. They might even try ice and sea fishing, or take their hobby to different countries. Fishing is an excellent hobby if you are looking for an excuse to see more of the world. 

It Can Be Good Exercise

Fishing is probably more exercise than you’d imagine. Lifting heavy fish challenges your muscles, and even sitting holding a rod pushes your body in a way that it’s not used to. You’ll have to walk to get to your spot, and if you get a big bite, there might even be some cardio work bringing it in. 

You’ll Get More Fresh Air

Fresh air has so many health benefits and a days fishing is a great way to get more of it than you usually do. 

Fishing Can Be a Great Bonding Activity

Fishing can be solo, but it doesn’t have to be. Going out with a friend or family member is a great way to spend quality time together away from all other distractions. 

Increased Patience

If you are the kind of person that needs results quickly, fishing might be a challenge, but it can be good for you. Fishing forces you to be patient, which is a skill we could all use in day to day life. 

It Could Make You a Better Person

Spending time out in nature is good for you. It makes you realize how small you are and become more appreciative of the world around you. 

Increased Vitamin D

Being outside more doesn’t just give you access to unlimited fresh air; it can also increase your vitamin D intake. 

Fishing Boosts Your Concentration

Our concentration spans are worse than ever. We’re so used to the world moving quickly. Fishing is slow. It can improve your concentration and help you to focus in other areas of life. 

Time for a Digital Detox

Getting away from your phone for a few hours is never a bad thing and fishing forces you to do it. 

Taking Control Of Your Health For 2020

Often, when there are so many pressures around you competing for your attention, from work commitments to family responsibilities, your health and well-being tend to take the back seat and lurk somewhere in the back of your list of priorities. 

Taking control of your health may seem like a Herculean task if it's been some time since you sat down to address your diet and self-care regime; however, the benefits you will feel will ensure that the process is worth the effort you need to make. So, if you feel tired, both mentally and physically, and want some ideas that can help you get back on track and develop a new lease of life in 2020, then read on.

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Give your diet an overhaul

One of the best things that you can do to keep your mind and body working at it's very best is to consume a nutritious and balanced diet. When you've got a super busy day, it's too easy to grab a takeaway, heat a ready-to-eat meal in the microwave, or even skip a meal due to lack of time–but consuming unhealthy processed foods that are full of fat, sugar, and salt will have a massive impact on the way that you feel and the amount of energy that you have. However, with a bit of planning and preparation, it is more than possible to live a hectic lifestyle and eat well. Whenever you have a free time, an hour or two on the weekend, prepare some nutritious dishes in advance.

Ditch the bad habits

Many temptations in today's world can easily bring you out of balance and hurt both your mental and physical well-being. Avoiding such bad habits is often much easier said than done, but there are many organizations, such as an alcohol detox center and individuals who can provide you with the support you need to get through and get rid of any addictions you may experience to lead a more rewarding and fulfilling and positive life. These need not be an awkward or guilt-provoking experience, as you need to take steps to better yourself and move on.

Sleep

Sleep is such an important thing, but many of us get nowhere near the amount that we need. It is recommended to get eight hours or thereabout a night. Implement a good nighttime routine - a warm milky drink and a warm bath before bed, switch off the phones and other devices and snuggle up for a night of restful sleep. If you do struggle, go and talk to your doctor, as this is something that they may be able to help you with.

Taking back control of your health and wellbeing has never been so easy if you make the most of the top tips and tricks that we have listed above. Try to eat the healthiest diet possible, avoid junk food wherever possible, get some exercise and plenty of sleep, and seek support to conquer your bad habits and free yourself from the grasp of addictive behaviour.