Families Oxfordshire Magazine Nov-Christmas 2015

November/ December 2015 Oxfordshire Magazine

Oxfordshire

®

Issue 70 - November/ December 2015

Families Oxfordshire - useful information for parents of 0 - 12's in Oxon. Find us online at familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

In this issueConfident kids feature

What's new in education & parenting

40 top Christmas gifts

Firework events

Christmas fairs & shows

Christmas competions

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New classes opening soon in your local area!

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November/ December 2015 www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk2

“I don’t know where I would be without Katy!”

The words of Ruth Laing, 97, as she receives care in her Oxfordshire home.

Katy’s move from chef to carer was easier than you’d think.

“I was struggling with the working hours of being a chef. I applied to be a carer because the work was much more flexible.”

“I got free training.”“I had no experience”, says Katy. But she did have the values a carer needs:

• Compassion • Dedication • Reliability

These made the move from the kitchen to the homes of clients easy. Her lack of care training didn’t hold her back.

Why?

All carers in Oxfordshire receive the training they need from the day they start.

Five years later Katy, 24, is a mobile response carer. She works four days on with four days off; “It’s not a job you just do for the money.”

“Seeing the difference you can make makes it all worthwhile.”

“You have to be kind, caring, bubbly”The majority of carers in the county are between 45 and 60 years old. Their blend of life experience and sensitivity makes each of them invaluable to the people they help every day.

Oxfordshire needs more carers like Katy. People who want to improve lives in their area. If you think you have something to offer people in need of care, visit the OACP website for more information: oacp.org.uk/jobs

Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers

Adult Social Care Advert Oct15_v3.indd 1 21/10/2015 09:54


Editor: Ema Murphy01993 815966 - 07733 228 [email protected]

Next issue: January/ February 2016Booking deadline: 2 December 2015Copy deadline: 7 December 201536,000 readers per issue

Printed by WarnersDesign: RC Design & Marketing / 07789882467

Cover image (c) Shutterstock

In this issue...

Oxfordshire Magazine

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What's New? Local news, education & parenting

Local Charity Children Heard & Seen call for volunteers

Creating Confident Children

An Oxfordshire Christmas & Where's Santa?

Other faiths at Christmas: celebrating together

40 Top gift ideas for mum, dad and children!

Baking with children: cookie tree decorations

Feature: Crocodiles of the World

What's on pages

Disclaimer: Families Oxfordshire Magazine is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families ® is a registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Temple House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Oxfordshire Magazine are fully protected by copyright and non of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents.

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[email protected]: 01865 392303

ABINGDON PREP SCHOOL

abingdon.org.uk/prep

November/ December 2015 www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

Developments at RyeTriple Olympic medallist in Rowing and Chairman of Henley Women’s Regatta Miriam Luke, inspired pupils when she opened Rye St Antony’s new Henwood building and Reception recently. The event marked the completion of the first phase of

the school’s £2.5m development project, which includes the welcoming new reception area and the Henwood Building, which houses a new purpose-built Food Technology kitchen and IT suite.

Drinking in Pregnancy Still ControversialDecades after health professionals warned about the dangers of drinking alcohol in pregnancy, there is still controversy over whether it’s safe to drink during pregnancy, and if so, how much.

Current NHS guidelines say that women should avoid drinking in pregnancy. However, they also say “if you do opt to have a drink, you should stick to no more than one or two units of alcohol (equivalent to one or two small glasses of wine) once or twice a week to minimize the risk to your baby.”

There has been a new discussion in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), in which two experts say that avoiding alcohol altogether is the only advice that should be given to mums-to-be. Retired paediatrician Mary Mather and doctoral research fellow in obstetric medicine at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Trust, Kate Wiles, say that guidelines are inconsistent and that many countries in the world advise that pregnant women do not drink at all. They say in the BMJ that drinking can lead to serious health problems including foetal alcohol syndrome, mental retardation, delayed development and behaviour problems. It can also cause low birth weight, which in turn can lead to other health problems in babies.

However, consultant and senior lecturer Patrick O’Brien at University College London, says that while there is no guarantee that a lower limit is safe, there is also no evidence that drinking small amounts of alcohol after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is harmful to babies.

All Babies to be Protected Against MeningitisA new vaccine to protect babies against meningitis B has been introduced for all childhood vaccinations for babies aged two, four and 24 months.

Since September 2015, all babes will routinely be given the meningitis vaccine at their regular vaccination appointments. The scheme was delayed by cost disputes but is now the first national, publically funded programme against this deadly infection in the world. It should protect babies and children against 90% of meningococcal group B bacteria. This can affect babies under the age of one and can be caught up to around the age of five years. If left untreated, it can cause damage to the brain and cause blood poisoning. It can also kill. The Men ACWY vaccine will also be offered to all 17 and 18 year olds who are starting university this year.

Oxford Welcomed 20 Junior Sschools for Maths Bonanza Twenty junior schools from around the UK gathered at Oxford’s Maths Institute in October, to attend a special GDST Junior Maths Conference for girls who are

passionate about maths.

The event was launched by Dame Frances Kirwan, alumna of Oxford High and Professor in Mathematics at the Maths Institute, here in Oxford.

The day was fun and interactive and included group interation and an inter-school quiz, where the pupils were invited to think about Fermats' Last Theorem, the life and works of Andrew Wiles, the design of the Andrew Wiles Building. Head of Oxford High School Junior School, Ellie Stacey said: “Many girls take Maths to A Level at Oxford High School and we know their passion for puzzles and mathematical what-ifs begins from day one in the Junior School.”

Sculpture for allBeatrice Hoffman is offering sculpture for youngsters on Sunday mornings and in the school holidays and on Saturdays and Thursdays for adults. She is a professional sculptor and art therapist with over twenty years of teaching experience, who runs the classes from her studio in Garford, OX13

5PF. Near the A415 and Millets Farm. Visit her website for details: www.beatricehoffman.co.uk.

Shortage of Teachers A “Crisis”A Head Teacher has warned that a shortage of teachers and a rising number of pupils will create “a perfect storm” for English schools.

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What's new? Local News, Education & Parenting

Win tickets to see The Snow Dragon this Christmas!Fans of the stage shows The Gruffalo and The Snail and the Whale will love Cornerstone’s Christmas show The Snow Dragon, from the same theatre company Tall Stories.

Adventure, mystery and magic await in this enchanting fairy-tale about Billy; a greedy little goat who meet some wolves in the wood on the night the legendary Snow Dragon is to bring more presents. The Snow Dragon runs in Didcot from 14-24 December. www.cornerstone-arts.org. What's more, Cornerstone are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a family ticket and a Snow Dragon goody bag! You just need to answer one simple question.

Who are the team behind The Snow Dragon?

Send in your answer via the Families Oxfordshire website at www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk with an email with your answer and contact details. Competition end date: 16 November. The winner will be notified at the end of November.

WINA family ticket


Allan Foulds of Cheltenham Bournside School has said at the Conservative Party conference that the schools system is near breaking point. Mr. Foulds is president of the Association of School and College Leaders, which says that there are too few teachers currently going through training to be able to meet the numbers needed. A fall in the birth rate back in the late 1990s led to fewer 21 year olds becoming graduates now and this is now being felt in the lack of graduates available and choosing to go into teaching. At the same time, the number of pupils is increasing, with the numbers of school children under 16 set to rise to a peak of 7.85 million by 2020.

Mr Foulds said: "There is a real danger that a system will reach breaking point and schools will be forced to drop more courses and increase class sizes further and this undermines the drive to further raise standards."

Education Secretary Calls For Schools To Provide ChildcareEducation Secretary Nicky Morgan has said that schools should take “reasonable steps”

to provide childcare for the whole length of the working day during term time and the school holidays. As part of this move, parents are to be given the right to request that their children’s schools put this care structure into place. However, the funding for this has not been agreed. Head teachers have said that this idea would have to be looked at “extremely carefully to ensure it is not just a popular gimmick.”

Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, has responded to say that while giving care for children while parents are working is a good idea, there are several reasons to be wary of the Government’s promise. Budget cuts and recruitment issues are just two of the reasons why schools might not be able to provide care from early in the day until after parents finish work.

"Extending provision beyond 38 weeks, providing care outside of term time, can also prove very difficult for schools because of staffing and a lack of private provision,” said Mr Hobby. He continued: "Parents can ask but the government must guarantee that a school's decision is respected. Otherwise, it is merely going to provoke conflict between schools and their communities and would undermine the decision-making of head teachers.

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By Liat Hughes-JoshiCreating Confident ChildrenConfidence is just as important in life – if not more so - than a brace of A grades or endless extra-curricular skills. It’s vital to emotional wellbeing and something most of us hope our children will develop.

Confidence is about being comfortable with who you are, willing to give things a go - even if you’re not sure you’ll succeed - and trusting your own abilities and judgement.

But how can we instil this feeling in our children, particularly if it doesn’t come naturally to them?

Accept your child’s starting pointNot all children – or adults - are confident by nature (wouldn’t life be boring if we were all the same?) and whilst we can encourage self-belief, transforming a shy or anxious child into a ‘life and soul of the party’ type, is probably an unrealistic aim.

Try to avoid making comments to your child such as how you wish they were more confident, or less shy because, in effect, you’re saying you don’t value them as they are - a real confidence crusher.

Accept your child’s personality and ‘starting point’; it might be different to yours, their sibling’s, friends’ or classmates’ and that’s absolutely fine.

Don’t force them into situations they aren’t comfortable withIn most scenarios, one of the worst things you can do for a young child who’s unsure is to push them in at the deep end with something when they aren’t ready. They need to trust you when taking on new experiences and doing this damages that trust.

Take small steps to encourage confidenceFind opportunities to stretch just a bit beyond what your son or daughter is comfortable with at a time. So that could be going to their friend’s house with them initially, then you just staying for a little while

at the start, then next time, they might be happy to go alone.

Work out what their fear isOften a child will have niggling worries holding them back in a specific situation. So perhaps “If I put my hand up in class, I might get the answer wrong and the other children will laugh at me”. Pin down their concern – although preschool children might struggle to articulate their fear.

Address their concern and provide plenty of reassurance that they will be okay, that what others think doesn’t really matter and that you’re there for them.

Talk about similar situations you experienced as a child, when you were afraid of something, and how it worked out for you.

Keep praise specialThese days, there’s a tendency to be super-positive and heap on the ‘fabulous, you’re the best child ever!’ comments every other second – sometimes it feels like we should be praising our kids simply for breathing. But if you tell them everything they do is wonderful all the time, positivity loses power. Keep praise for when it’s truly warranted and focus on effort rather than

just results. This way, when they do do something amazing, your comments will have more impact.

Find their forte and allow it to flourishIf your child doesn’t do so well in academic work, or the usual extra-curricular activities at school, this can make their self-esteem fragile. Seek opportunities for them to try other, more unusual activities out of school and highlight positive personality traits such as being especially kind or a good organiser.

Step back sometimes and let them ‘have a go’ – land that helicopter! Helicopter parenting – hovering over your child, stepping in to resolve the slightest issue or preventing them from failing – is a barrier to building confidence. Children need to find their own solutions, attempt things their way sometimes and take sensible risks. Sure, you can guide and advise but try not to jump in and take over too quickly.

Whether it’s allowing your three-year-old to choose her own outfit or your ten-year-old to walk to the post box alone, letting go is a crucial confidence builder.

See our website for open daysand Afternoon Tea

Liat Hughes Joshi is a parenting journalist and the author of four books including 'New Old-fashioned Parenting' and '‎How to Unplug Your Child' (both published by Summersdale) and Raising Children: The Primary Years (Pearson).

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Oxford’s Christmas The Light Festival brings Oxford's communities together with an exciting cultural programme of art, music, dance and performance most of which are free! Many of the city's best-loved venues welcome you to start the festive season with inspiring events. Join the Lantern Procession on Friday evening ending with a spectacular finale in Broad Street. See more at: www.oxfordschristmas.com

Try Oxford’s favourite children’s entertainer!If you’re hosting any children’s parties this season, try Mr Boo Boo, as recommended by the Evening Standard. For lots of laughter, fun and games, mini disco, balloon modelling, silly juggling, magic tricks and puppet show! www.mr-booboo.co.uk

Wallingford’s creative café gets festive!

Christmas has officially arrived at Busy Brush Café, with fabulous new shapes to paint

and festive hot drinks such as salted caramel latte and black-forest gateau hot chocolate! They’re offering hand and foot print baubles for the tree which make ideal presents for baby's 1st Xmas! Prices start at as little as £4 for tree decorations. Pop in to Busy Brush at 11 St Mary’s St, OX10 0EL.

Children’s classical singing courses On 21-22 December The Oxford and

Cambridge Singing School is holding a singing course at Worcester College, for 7-13 year olds, for a chance to learn and perform classical music. Visit www.theoxfordandcambridgesingingschool.co.uk for more details!

BTR Xmas Gifts for CharityBrain Tumour Research’s Limited Edition brooches are the perfect stocking filler! Celebrated Milliners Rachel Trevor Morgan and Vivien Sheriff are among those who have collaborated with the charity to produce gorgeous brooches to raise funds for their annual Wear A Hat Day. Suggested donation £10. www.braintumourresearch.org Unique gift give-away!

Little Pickle Creations offers handmade items which make unique bespoke gifts, are offering one Families reader the chance to win a personalised

Santa sack! Simply email [email protected], providing your contact details and the name you’d like to be included, by 30 November. Visit www.littlepickle-creations.com for more super unique gift ideas for all occasions.

Monkey Music Christmas Parties Take place in the week commencing 14 December. Make sure you check online at www.monkeymusic.co.uk/area/oxford or for updated details, see Facebook/monkeymusicoxford and to book a place for your little ones!

BOSWELL’S LTD1-4 Broad Street, Oxford OX1 8RJ01865 241244 I www.boswells-online.co.uk

HOYLES - Traditional games & puzzles71 High Street, Oxford OX1 4BA01865 203244 I www.hoylesonline.com

THE NURSERY SHOP22 Stern Street, Abingdon OX14 3JP01235 520476 I www.thenurseryshop.com

BICESTER TOYS & THORNTONS66-68 Sheep Street, Bicester OX26 6JW01869 323946 I www.toymaster.co.uk

GILES TOYS AND CYCLES1 Alvescot Road, Carterton OX18 3JL01993 842396 I www.gilescycles.com

TOYS-UK162-164 Broadway, Didcot OX11 8RJ01235 759450 I www.toys-uk.co.uk

BAGATELLE TOYS63 Bell Street, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2BA01491 576559 I www.bagetelletoys.com

WIGGLER70 High Street, Banbury OX16 5JG01295 271329 I www.wiggler.co.uk

PETTITS OF WALLINGFORD46-50 St. Mary’s Street, OX10 0EY01491 835253 www.pettitsofwallingford.co.uk

DENTONS TOY & CYCLES1 High Street, Witney OX28 6HW01993 704979 I www.thecyclingexperts.co.uk

TEDDY BEARS99 High Street, Witney OX28 6HY01993 706616 I www.teddybears.co.uk

WALLYS TOY SHOP96-97 High Street, Thames OX9 3EH01844 261947 I www.wallystoys.co.uk

We have made every effort to ensure our listings are accurate. However we cannot be held responsible for any unintentional errors.

INDEPENDENT TOY & BIKE SHOPS

Christmas in Oxfordshire

Here are just a few places he’s likely to be this Christmas. Check out the websites for more details.

Nottcutts Garden Centrewww.notcutts.co.uk

Yarnton Nurserieswww.yarntonnurseries.co.uk

Hilltop Garden Centrewww.hilltopgc.co.uk

Oxford Bus Museumwww.oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk

Bicester Avenue Garden Centrewww.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk/bicester

Millets Farmwww.milletsfarmcentre.com

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In today’s society, our children grow up surrounded by other faiths and cultures, which is definitely a reason to celebrate. Together, they learn from one another about diversity and race. And together we can all unite for the good of the community and the wellbeing of all. But how do you hold a party at Christmas and remain sensitive to one another’s needs? How do you hold a multi faith celebration? We take a look at the best ways to have fun and include all the children in the class – not just the Christian ones.

Be InformedIt is not only the Christian faith that has a holiday at a similar season as Christmas: Hanukah and Divali are also celebrated, usually during December and there are several similarities that you can use for your party such as the tradition of lighting candles. Also, a growing number of non-Christian families have created unique ‘Christmas’ traditions, to ensure they celebrate the season for one reason or another, if only for the Bank Holidays. This makes it easier to encourage everyone to join in. And many non-Christians celebrate Christmas, with the presents and the food traditions upheld, too.

Learn From One AnotherBeing sensitive to all needs is important but so is avoiding segregation, which can be divisive. So don’t feel you can’t invite children of other faiths to your party and ask their parents if there are seasonal traditions or foods they enjoy – perhaps a mum may offer to bring some food they traditionally have to celebrate festivals. Ultimately as a parent, you want to teach respect. Children are accepting and good at embracing the multi faith experience – we can learn a lot from them.

Share ValuesWhatever their faith, parents share the same core values. We want our children to be good conversationalists, to learn to share, to engage well with family and friends and to be happy. At your party, keep the focus on what unites people: laughter, love and friendship.

Celebrate Coming together is a celebration whatever the occasion and it may well be that you choose to manage the ingredients of your party with individual ingredients of other faiths… with games, food and music to suit all.

If there is anything that you are not sure about, my advice would be to check with the parents of the children you’ve invited about your plans, just to make sure they are happy too. This can be especially true of the food you serve, as you’ll need to know if the children are unable to eat certain foods for religious, cultural or medical reasons. Chances are, if the children you have invited say yes, the party will be a success for all and who knows – perhaps you’ll all learn a little more about each other in the process!

Emma Oliver is a journalist who has worked for various magazines and websites, mainly covering travel and parenting. She is also a mum to two young girls. When she's not off gadding she can be found blogging - WritingLifeAsItIs.blogspot.co.uk

How to have a children’s Christmas party whilst being sensitive to other faiths.

A celebration for all


Ten Best Christmas Gifts For Babies

1. Glass Christmas Angel Bauble £10. My 1st Years

With a beautiful angel inside, this glass bauble is a great gift for baby’s first Christmas. Engraved

with a message over three lines with up to 20

characters on each line.

2. Christmas Pudding Leggings£11. Blade and RoseHow cute will your baby look crawling around on Christmas Day in these seasonal striped leggings with a cheeky Christmas pudding on the tush. They’re made from, soft fabric with a thick waistband for comfort and you can add matching socks, a bandana bib and a hat.

3. Pirate Ship Personalised illuminated Canvas from £55.95Illuminated Canvas

A picture for your baby’s nursery wall but with a

twist; not only can you have your child’s name on the canvas but it lights up, showing an illuminated window in the ship and on the masts.

4. Maya Organic Peppy Five Stackers £25.95Igloo KidsThese stacking toys are hand made from quality wood and finished with child-safe paint and lacquer. Sweet to look at, your baby will also enjoy taking the stacks apart and gradually learning to put them together again.

5. My Wondercube £17.99My Wondercube

This fabric cube toy was invented by a mum inspired by how

fascinated her baby was with a box of tissues. Inside the bright colourful organic cotton cube are soft squares that your child can pull out of the cube, pull apart, stick back together and push back inside. Each square has a squeak or a crinkle or a rustle and it’s machine washable too.

6. Apptivity iPad Case £32.99Fisher PriceThere are so many apps for babies now to educate, fascinate and soothe but the last thing you want is sticky fingers and drool all across your iPad. Step forward the Apptivity case, which covers your pad and offers chunky handles for your baby to hold, as well as three colourful rings.

7. Five Piece Bath Fun Toy £12.99Brother MaxBath time can

always be fun with this neat set of bath toys that not only amuse your baby but help to get her clean too. There’s a sprinkler scoop with a chunky colourful handle, a wash mit with a shaker in the middle, a brush to practice hair grooming, a rattle and a wearable wrist toy. They are all BPA, PVC and phthalate free.

8. Octotunes £17.99. LamazeNot just a colourful toy, this is also educational as every time your baby plays with one of the Octopus’ legs, it plays a different note. It’s designed to stimulate your baby’s imagination and to help with developing motor skills. It comes with a song book and it has a pleasant vanilla perfume.

9. Personalised Wooden Star £9.50Not On The High StreetA lovely keepsake, this wooden

star can be personalized with a baby’s name and birth date or any characters you like to celebrate his first Christmas. It is finished with beeswax and arrives in an organza bag.

10. Newborn Star Gift Set £24. JoJo Maman BébéFor any baby born in 2015, this is the perfect gift set and the stars are a nice nod to the Christmas season. The set comprises of an embroidered sleepsuit with matching star hat and a JoJo bunny that will be treasured all through childhood. It comes in a gift box and is suitable for babies from newborn to three months.

Ten Best Christmas Gifts For Children

1. Magic Elf Door £20. The Magic Door StoreCreating a

whole world of imagination and anticipation, these sweet doors can be put at the bottom of a wall or even on a tree in the garden. Your child will love leaving little gifts for the Elf or Fairy and who knows – they may even get a response!

2. Bon Bon Bear £30. HamleysEvery child needs a teddy as a best friend, so treat your little one to a bear from the World’s most famous toy shop. Bon Bon has glossy cream fur, a hand-embroidered face and the Hameys name embroidered on the sol of one foot. For Christmas, he also sports a fetching red bow tie.

3. Personalised Christmas Sack £22. Harrow and GreenFor when a

stocking just won’t do, these quality hessian sacks can be personalized with your child’s name and left under the tree on Christmas Eve. It has stenciled wording on it with “Delivery Date 25th December” as a reminder to Santa.

4. Sudokube £5.95. PrezzyboxIf you used to love the Rubik’s cube, this is a great new take on the classic game that’s good for maths-minded kids. The idea is to get all the numbers form one to nine on each and every side of the cube. If nothing else, it will keep the kids quiet until lunch is ready.

5. Constructive Eating Cutlery Set £14. The Great Gift Company

Fussy eater? You’ll soon find

your child likes to eat when you encourage them to play with their food! There’s a fork shaped like a forklift, a spoon that’s a front-loader truck and then there’s a bulldozer to help your child push food onto the fork or spoon.

6. Superman Cape Towel £15. DebenhamsBathtime refusals? With this clever super hero towel, your little one can ‘fly’ to the bathroom and then save the world once they’re clean again. This is a fluffy and soft towel with Velcro tabs that’s perfect for wrapping him up for cuddles after bath time is over.

7. Bath Bomb Factory £12.99ArgosThere are several

Wild Science kits and this one will create a beautiful bathtime. With all the ingredients to make scented, fizzing bath bombs, it sparks your child’s interest in science too. In fact, it support Key Stage Two and there aren’t many bath products that can make that claim.

8. Style One Direction £5.95PrezzyboxIf your child is a huge Directioneer, he or she can dress up the boys from the band with this tongue-in-cheek set. Whoever is their favourite , they’re all here just waiting for you to style them. There’s also an activity book packed with band facts and stickers.

9. Rainbow In My Room Nightlight £25. DebenhamsThis colored projector sends

a rainbow onto the wall or ceiling of your child’s room and is great if your child is a little scared of the dark. It has two modes, a fully beamed rainbow or a more soothing glow that fades in and out. It has an auto shut off feature and is battery powered.

10. Colour Your Own Palace £13.99. CalafantIf you child would love to live in a palace and princes costumes litter her floor, this is a great way for her to play at make believe. The large and strong cardboard palace is assembled without glue or scissors and can be decorated with coloured pens, pencils, glitter – anything they like.

Ten Best Christmas Gifts for babies & children


Ten Best Christmas Gifts For Mums

1. Mini Biscuit Selection £30BiscuiteersWith colourful snowmen, a tree and reindeer, this is

a sweet and thoughtful gift for a busy mum who may not have much time to give herself a treat.

2. Luxury Mummy Spa Kit £39.99Love BooA great gift for mums, this is the ultimate home pampering kit. With three products inside – Bosom Buddy, Body Wash and Miracle Oil, they will leave skin glowing and firmed and they can help prevent stretch marks. They are safe for use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

3. Mini Indoor Herb Garden £24.95Gifts DirectWith the increase

in popularity of gardening and cookery programmes on the television, this sweet little garden will help you create your very own tiny allotment. It comes with three tiny plant pots with drainage holes that fit neatly in the fence. Inside the shed are tiny snippers, soil pellets and a packet of three kinds of seeds; coriander, basil and oregano. The shed can be used to store more seeds for next time.

4. Fail-Safe Fondant Dessert Kit £19.99 LakelandMake up to six individual puddings with light, fluffy chocolate sponge on the outside and a gooey, melting chocolate middle. With clear instructions and easy-release silicone moulds, it’s easy to make a decadent dessert just like Nigella.

5. The Giant Stocking £15. PrestatThis is packed with 12 delicious hand made truffle chocolates,

one for each of the twelve days of Christmas. There are three velvety chocolate truffles, three rich, dark truffles, three snowy white truffles and three of the luxury brand’s award winning sea salt caramel truffles, all wrapped in rich chocolate.

6. Classic Coffret of Diptyque Candles £60Space NKThis is a luxurious

set of candles and though there are cheaper brands, the intense perfume of these lasts well and is good value for money. There’s Figuier, the scent of fig wood, Baies which has bouquets of roses and blackcurrant leaves and Roses, smelling like a freshly picked bouquet.

7. Handbag Organiser £12.99. PerieaSo you have more than one handbag and when you want to swap quickly from one to the other, it’s such a chore swapping over all the things you just can’t do without. But no more! This handy organiser has 11 pockets to keep everything in just the right place and it’s black, so will suit the inside of any bag. There’s even a clip for your keys and it’s machine washable.

8. Personalised Heart Bracelet £29Merci Maman

When you’re a mother, it’s lovely to

have reminders of your children and this bracelet keeps your little ones close at all times. With a quality leather wrist strap, you can add hearts or other charms with your children’s names on them, engraved in silver.

9. Miniature Bath Oil Collection £39. Aromatherapy Associates A great gift if you’re not sure if the woman in your life needs to relax or be invigorated, these tiny bath oil phials have a range of fragrances to promote good sleep, energise, relax or help you to de-stress!

10. Portable Phone Charger

£19.99. AnkerEasy to pop into a

pocket or bag, this tiny charger will hold a full phone’s worth of charge to use just when you need it. Then simply re-charge with a USB plugged into your computer. Comes in several colours.

Ten Best Christmas Gifts For Dads

1. Car Driving Day from £495Virgin Experience Days

If you have a special gift in mind and he’s

a car lover, what better way to say you love him than with a car driving experience that will blow his mind? He can take a Ferrari or Lamborghini around a race track with expert tuition for the right speed and turning point.

2. Haig Club Scotch Whisky £44.95. HaigIf he fancies himself as a David Beckham type, this will be his tipple of choice. From Scotland’s oldest whisky distillery, this is smooth and pleasing on the pallatte and looks great too.

3. Coffee Subscription £7.95 per monthKopiFor just £7.95

per month, your coffee lover can receive a little shot of caffeine kindness to your door. Sourcing only from small-scale farmers and including a tasting booklet, this is an education in coffee.

4. Laptop Bag £55. HerschelHe can look smart but still hip with this soft-sided messenger bag that’s just the right size for a laptop. It has the Herschel signature striped lining and has a padded section for any laptop up to 13 inches. The shoulder strap is padded for comfort and can be removed.

5. Leather And Brass Book Cover iPad Case £33.95ZazzleIf you love old leather

bound books and the look of PaperBlanks notebooks, this iPad case is great. In several different designs these are custom made with premium book cloth and finished with a glossy laminate. They hold the iPad securely and have rubberized edges so it doesn’t slip.

6. Fitbit Charge Large Activity Tracker £84.99FitbitIf he’s trying to get fit, this will

help keep track of activity and calories. On a chunky wristband this tracks steps taken, distance travelled, calories burned, floors climbed and active minutes. It even helps monitor your sleep patterns.

7. CoolTec Shaver £99.99. BraunWith an aluminium bar built into its head, this will not heat up as you shave, minimising redness and itching. Shaves closely and best of all it’s waterproof up to 5m – though why you’d shave under water is beyond us.

8. A Gentleman’s Guide to Beard and Moustache Management £6.95. By Chris MartinIf he’s gone all trendy Hoxton

Man with a bushy beard and tufty moustache, make sure he knows how to groom with this tongue-in-cheek book. It does actually have some great tips on trimming, waxing and maintaining facial fuzz as well as a guide to famous hair celebrities from Marx to Des Lynam!

9. Self Stirring Mug £9.95PrezzyboxFor the man who has everything – or the lazy – this has a little switch that, when flipped, will stir the contents of this mug. Juts insert batteries. Just don’t put it in the microwave or dishwasher!

10. Personalised heart tray and Love Heart Sweets £14.95

The Gift ExperienceNothing says

I Love You quite like Love Heart sweets. Remember slipping them to your crush when you were at school? This tray has space for your personalised message that will be revealed as the sweets are eaten.

Ten Best Christmas Gifts for Mums & Dads


Christmas Cookie Tree DecorationsIngredients

Plain flour, 200g

Cool butter, 100g

Caster sugar, 50g

Writing icing (white, green, red)

You will need

A large bowl

Sieve

Flat baking trays

Clean pencil

Time needed: 30 minutes (including baking time)Oven 320F/ 160C/ Gas mark 6

Bake with the kids

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Step 5:

Step 6:

Step 7:

With your child, measure the flour and then let your little one spoon the flour into the sieve, held above the bowl. Sift the flour.

Bake at 320F/160C/Gas 6 for 12-15 minutes until golden. When cool, decorate with writing icing and any other decorations you like, such as sugar balls. Hang on the tree!

Add the sugar

Add the butter, cut into cubes

With clean hands, show your child how to rub the butter into the flour. Keep rubbing then kneading and it should come together into a ball

Without over-working the dough, roll it out on a flat surface, dusted with flour

Using the cookie cutters, help your child stamp out star shapes and place them on the baking tray. Use the blunt end of the clean pencil to make a hole at the top of one of the points for the ribbon.

Decorations in silver, red, green, gold or white

Star cookie cutters (or other festive shapes)

Silver, gold, white, green or red ribbon


Great Gift Ideas and Days Out at Crocodiles of the World!

This Autumn I had the pleasure of taking my nine year old daughter Darcy and her friend Ella to Crocodiles of the World, for a fantastic day out and a truly educational experience.

Located just off the A40, between Witney and Burford, Crocodiles of the World in Brize Norton is the UK’s ONLY crocodile zoo, currently boasting around 140 crocodiles, snakes, a Water Monitor, Tamarin Monkeys, otters and a cheeky, but very, very cute family of meerkats!

Crocodiles of the World offers a range of experiences, not just for children but for adults too, from all day and mini keeper experiences starting at just £35, involving

feeding and getting to know the meerkats, while being fully supervised by one of the zoo’s professional keepers. You can even spend your birthday feeding crocodiles with a birthday party, not just for kids but for adults as well!

With a café, an outdoor play and picnic area everyone is well catered for, with a jam packed itinery of activities and talks throughout the day. Feeding, touching and holding some unusual reptiles such as baby crocodiles and a Boa Constrictor were all part of our day. We were even lucky enough to witness a baby croc hatching from its egg in the incubator. It was AMAZING.

But what really struck me was how the staff, including Shaun Foggett, the zoo’s founder, and Jamie and Terry too, were so

passionate and knowledgeable about the animals, which made us feel privileged to be in such safe and expert hands.

There is so much to see and do at Crocodiles of the World, which has more plans for expansion in 2016. This means there’ll be even more amazing crocodiles and other charismatic animals, including critically endangered species, to see and explore!

For more information about Keeper Experiences and a whole lot more, visit www.crocodilesoftheworld.co.uk to make your child’s Christmas and birthday’s or even just an average day out - totally unique and special!

Natural Ways to Boost Your Immune SystemDo you feel like the whole family is constantly ill and as one illness goes, another one comes along? Try these natural methods to boost your family’s immune system:

Get enough sleepSound obvious but the body repairs itself while we sleep. So make sure kids get plenty of rest when they are ill.

No SmokingPassive smoking can make cough, asthma and chest infections worse. It makes

kids prone to bronchitis and pneumonia and they can also get middle ear infections.

Eat a rainbowDifferent coloured foods offer different vitamins and minerals, so try to make sure that you offer a rainbow of fruit and veg each day.

SupplementIf you find it difficult to get the kids to eat enough fruit and veg, make sure they get a good vitamin supplement that is appropriate to their age. Also

consider a pro-biotic, as a liquid or in yoghurt.

SunshineThe sun’s rays cause our bodies to make vitamin D, so get them out as much as possible.

Foods That Boost The SystemCertain foods are proven to help with immunity. Garlic is an antimicrobial product and some mushrooms like shiitake and maitake can give us a boost too. Ginseng is also good for fighting infections and Echinacea can help protect from colds.

13

By Ema Murphy

A Meerkat Keeper Experience


What's on November & December

Fireworks

6 NovBotley School FireworksElms Road, Botley, Oxford, OX2 9JZ botleyschool.org.ukFireworks display, food, drinks and glowsticks! Tickets available from the school office, Barclays Bank in Elms Parade, Elms Parade Library. £15 family ticket on the gate, £12 in advance.

6 NovSpectacular Musical FireworksHanborough Playing Fields, Roosevelt Road, Long Hanborough, OX29 8JG oxfordshirecotswolds.orgFantastic musical firework display, parking, BBQ, fairground, refreshments, food, mulled wine and more! Gates open 6pm, Display 7pm. £4 adults, £2 child

7 NovOxford Roundtable Firework DisplaySouth Park, 75 Hill Top Road, Oxford, OX4 oxfordfireworks.co.ukOpen at 4.30pm; funfair and food village, JackFM Soundstage and live music from 5.30pm. Fireworks from 6.45pm and bonfire lit afterwards. Purchase tickets online from www.oxfordfireworks.co.uk. Profits are donated to local charities. Over £800,000 was raised last year!

7 NovStandlake & Cokethorpe Sea Scouts FireworksStandlake Village Hall, Rack End, Standlake, OX29 7SB group.rn98.co.ukEntrance from 6pm for fireworks at 7pm.BBQ from 6pm and bar serving beer and mulled wine plus Tombola stalls! 8 NovWitney Fireworks DisplayWitney Rugby Club, Hailey, OX29 9UH oxfordshirecotswolds.orgGreat fireworks event. Gates open 3pm, Best Dressed Guy Fawkes competition and bonfire from 3pm and lots more. One not to be missed in West Oxon!

14 NovYarnton Firework ShowThe Turnpike, 2 Woodstock Road, Yarnton, OX5 1PJ At Littlemarsh Sports Field (behind the Turnpike). Tickets in advance from Yarnton Post Office, Red Lion or Yarnton Blues FC. From 7.30pm

Christmas Events

20 NovLight NightPitt Rivers Museum, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW prm.ox.ac.ukThe legendary light night is back and for the first time, both the Pitt Rivers Museum and the Museum of Natural History will be plunged into darkness ready for you to explore by torchlight. 18.00-21.00 / £3

20-22 NovOxford’s Christmas Lights Festival Queen's Street, Oxford, OX1 1AB www.oxfordschristmas.com/ The Light Festival brings Oxford's communities together with an exciting cultural programme.

20 NovWinter Light NightAshmolean Museum, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2PHashmolean.org/eventsTake part in festive family activities, enjoy live music, indulge in Christmas treats in the café and start your Christmas shopping too! Free entry.

21 Nov – 3 Jan 2016Xmas Ice SkatingMillets Farm Centre, Frilford, Nr Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX13 5HB www.milletsfarmcentre.comWhy not experience the magic of ice skating outdoors with a real ice rink at Millets Farm Centre near Abingdon. Experience the thrill of skating outdoors on the real ice rink.

23 Nov – 11 DecSkate with a SnowmanMillets Farm Centre, Frilford, Nr Abingdon, OX13 5HB milletsfarmcentre.comGive your child the magical chance to skate with a fun and loveable Snowman. Have tea with him and receive a surprise gift too. Child £14.99, Adult £8.99.

26 NovDidcot Christmas Street FairTown Centre, Didcot, OX11 8LL toxfordandoxfordshire.com/whats-on/Didcot-Didcot-Christmas-Street-Fair/Didcot Christmas Street Fair this year will celebrate the Tudors. Visit the website for more details.

28 NovWoodstock Christmas Market & Lights St Mary Magdalen Church, Park Street, Woodstock, OX20 1UG familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

Opened by Mrs Moneypenny from the Financial Times and C4's SuperScrimpers. Over 40 stalls, with traditional hand-crafted gifts, food, entertainment plus the town lights switched on at 6.00pm. From 10.00am-7.30pm.

10 Dec – 20 DecOxford Christmas MarketQueen's Street, Oxford, OX1 1AB oxfordchristmasmarket.co.ukVisit Broad Street's annual Christmas market to get in to the festive mood. With the sound of choirs singing carols, unusual and handmade gifts, festive wooden stalls and the aroma of mulled wine and cinnamon - this is a truly magical experience.

17 DecThe Secret History of Oxford's ChristmasMuseum of Oxford, St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1BX oxford.gov.ukJoin local author Paul Sullivan for a festive look at Oxford’s Christmas past, for something a bit different for this time of year. 6pm-7.30pm.

5 DecChristmas Craft FairMuseum of Oxford, St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1BX oxford.gov.ukChristmas Craft fair in The Old Museum with artists and craft makers who frequently stock the Museum’s gift shop shelves. A great place to buy that special, Oxford Christmas present! 10am-5pm

5 DecSilver Star Children's Christmas PartyJohn Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DU silverstaroxford.org/Children's Christmas Party for all the family held in the Tingewick Hall at the JR. Raising funds for this

invaluable unit at the John Radcliffe hospital. 12noon to 3.00pm.

13 - 16 DecWitney Christmas MarketMarket Square, Witney, OX28 6AB marketsquaregroup.comExperience festive cheer with a mix of seasonally-decorated stalls and marquees, the Square will be transformed into a Christmas retail wonderland.

14 Nov – 4 Jan 2016Ice Skating ExperienceWyevale Garden Centre, Bicester Avenue, Bicester, OX25 2NY wyevalegardencentres.co.uk/ice-rinksGet your skates on and take to the real ice to spin, twirl and glide (or hold on tight to the side). Enjoy mulled wine, hot chocolate, festive snacks and lots of other treats!

Theatre & Music

15 NovPuss in BootsCornerstone, 25 Station Road, Didcot, OX11 7NEcornerstone-arts.orgWould you trust a talking cat? You

What's on

For a comprehensive list of what’s on at each venue please refer to the websites. We can only include a small number of events, space depending. Families cannot be responsible for any changes of dates or other details.

7 NovOnce Upon a SnowflakePegasus, Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1DYpegasustheatre.org.ukLiza has gone missing, and no-one knows where she can be. One thing’s for certain: those mysterious Winter Sprites have something to do with it. These tiny elf-like creatures can be found hiding in pockets, shoes and sock drawers, watching everything and hearing everyone. But how are they connected with Liza’s disappearance? Will they help to find her? 11am & 2pm £9 or £6


What's on

Call 01296 290204Email [email protected]

for boys and girls 18 months - 7 years

Classes being run on:

SaturdaysLord Williams Lower School

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For class times visit

midbucks.kiddikicks.co.uk /timetable

free trial sessions – get in touch for details

High quality used carsfamily friendly dealer

www.hopcroftsholtcars.co.uk

Call 07711 872 550

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AN OXFORD PLAYHOUSE PANTOMIMEFriday 27 November 2015 to Sunday 10 January 2016

Written and directed by Steve Marmion

Join us on the magic carpet for Aladdin – this year’s GENIE-us

Playhouse Panto.

With plenty of jokes for adults and children, it’s the perfect festive treat

to share with friends and family.

As much a part of Christmas as mince pies and crackers.HHHHH Oxford Times on Beauty and the Beast 2014

Ticket Office

never know, he might turn you from a pauper to a prince just like the hero of this story. Using smoke and mirrors and hidden trapdoors you’ll see how this sure-footed feline fools both the King and the Ogre to put his master at the top. Ages 4+ 2.00pm / £8, £6

17 Nov – 10 Jan 2016Robin Hood Theatre Chipping Norton, 2 Sprint Street, Chipping Norton, OX7 5NL chippingnortontheatre.co.ukTime for yet another famous CN Pantomime! Deep in the heart of Sherwood Forest, a band of Merry Men live free, led by their dashing young hero – Robin Hood. Have lots of fun at the Panto!

22 Nov Cushion Concert: KotoJacqueline du Pré Music BuildingSt Hilda’s College, Cowley Place, Oxford, OX4 1DYsthildas.ox.ac.uk/jdp-music-building/familyedRegular Cushion Concerts on Sundays, for children aged from 0-5 and upwards with their families. Introducing an exciting range of different instruments. 10.00am.

29 NovUp in the AtticCornerstone, 25 Station Road,

Didcot, OX11 7NEcornerstone-arts.org/Join three children on an unforgettable bedtime adventure: a journey through the attic at the top of an old house. As they discover the delights and secrets hidden inside, they’re taken on a rollercoaster ride of story, song and surprise. Ages 3+ 2:00pm / £8, £6

4 Dec - 2 Jan 2016A Christmas CarolPegasus, Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1DYpegasustheatre.org.ukThe Pegasus festive season shows take a well-known, familiar story and adds a Pegasus ‘twist’ – funny, playful, with emotional clout and a hint of something darker. Ages 7+ the performance contains sound and visual effects that some young children may find unsettling. £7.50-£18.50

8 Dec – 2 Jan 2016Alice at ChristmasThe Mill Arts Centre, Spiceball Park, Banbury, OX16 5QEmillartscentre.co.ukThis winter Mill Arts will be returning to Wonderland for a second-helping of Alice, by giving the production a touch of the Creation Theatre’s festive magic as well as adding music, puppetry and acrobatics. For all ages 5+ £14-£18

10 Dec – 3 Jan 2016Dear Father ChristmasBurton Taylor Studio, Beaumont St, Oxford, OX1 2LWoxfordplayhouse.comThere’s trouble at the North Pole. Father Christmas needs your help... Suitable for ages 3-6.

13 DecOSJ Prom: Christmas CarolsAshmolean Museum, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2PH ashmolean.org/eventsFestive cheer with this evening concert, courtesy of the Ashmolean Voices choir in this seasonal edition of the OSJ Proms. Booking essential. 7.30–9.30pm. £25 chair, £10 cushion

13 DecFunday Sundays - Puppets Go WildPegasus, Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1DY pegasustheatre.org.ukThe latest addition to the Funday Sunday line-up is from Wild Boor Ideas. 11am & 2pm. £5

13 DecThe Abonminable SnowmanPegasus, Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1DY pegasustheatre.org.ukThis is the snowy tale of a lazy boy, a greedy woodcutter and a large and lonely snowman. Wave your wand and find out if friendship will conquer all

in this magical production. 11am & 2pm. £5

27 Nov – 10 Jan 2016AladdinOxford Playhouse, 11 Beaumont Street, OX1 2LW oxfordplayhouse.comJoin Widow Twankey, Aladdin, Princess Perfect Rose, Wishee Washee the Dog and Pee King the Duck on their adventures in the ancient city of Ox-A-For. *Gong!* Soar with us as we Reach for the Stars on a magic carpet ride of non-stop panto thrills, spills and downright silliness. Panto classics, Sing-a-long tunes, Hilarious for all ages, Slap-stick mess and sweeties. Lots of chances to get involved! Tickets from £15. Booking advised.

4 Dec - 9 Jan 2016Treasure IslandThe North Wall, South Parade, Oxford, OX2 7JN thenorthwall.comAnother wonderful production by The Creation Theatre. This time it's cutlasses and cannon fire on the high seas. Jim and Long John Silver are on the trail of pirate treasure. Leading a crew of the scurviest sea dogs you ever saw and following a battered old map they’ll find more than they bargained for. For ages 5+. £13.50-£32

6 DecCushion Concert: Festive FolkJacqueline du Pré Music BuildingSt Hilda’s College, Cowley Place, Oxford, OX4 1DYsthildas.ox.ac.uk/jdp-music-building/familyedRegular Cushion Concerts on Sundays, for children aged from 0-5 and upwards with their families. Introducing an exciting range of different instruments. 10.00am.

19 - 24 DecThe Snow DragonCornerstone, 25 Station Road, Didcot, OX11 7NE cornerstone-arts.org/Cornerstone's excited to announce their Christmas show; a Tall Stories’ magical tale, The Snow Dragon. Billy is a spoilt young goat whose parents give him everything he wants. The night the legendary Snow Dragon is meant to bring more goodies, Billy bumps into a pack of hungry wolves in the forest. How will he escape and has he been naughty or nice? Ages 3+. £7-£12.50, £38 (family)

November/ December 2015 www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk16 Call 01993 815 966 to advertise with us

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Families Oxfordshire Magazine Nov-Christmas 2015