Tag: autumn

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5 Things to do with your kids this Halloween

With Halloween right around the corner, it’s a good time to start planning this year’s Halloween event for the kids! If you, like us, are Halloween crazy, then you’ll probably want to make it super special for your little ones. We’re here to give you some super simple ideas for the kids this Halloween.

Halloween Sleepover

This works no matter the age – it’s a tried and tested way to get the kids into the ghostly spirit. Arrange an old-fashioned sleepover with some of their friends, decorate the living room and leave a selection of spooky movies for them to watch. There are so many age-appropriate films for Halloween, so no matter their age, there’s a definite scary movie out there for them. We’re all about going all out so be sure to request a theme and get the kids to come in spooky, Halloween inspired PJ’s like the ones over at Lands’ End Kids – it’s sure to be a winner.

Have a pumpkin picking party

 

This will be a pre-Halloween party, but what’s not to love! Get a group of their friends together and take the kids to a local (there are plenty across the whole of the UK) pumpkin picking farm and watch them go wild. Nothing is more fun (apart from trick-or-treating of course) on Halloween than picking out your own pumpkin. Most counties have plenty of farms that cater to pumpkin picking – The Lake District has a beautiful selection!

Have a pumpkin carving party

Whether you’ve picked your own pumpkins or popped over to the nearest supermarket, pumpkin carving is a massive part of Halloween. Print out a bunch of stencils for the kids (and yourself of course), cover the table and decorate the kitchen with spooky lights and bats and watch your little ones release their creativity. Truth is, you’ll probably have to finish theirs off for them or worst of all, scrape the seeds out because it’s far too “yucky” for them to do, but they’ll still have a blast.

Make your decorations

Creativity is what kids’ do, it’s what they love and what they remind us about every day. So why not make your household Halloween decorations this year? Head over to Bureau Direct Stationery to stock up on the essentials for your DIY party. Go wild with bats, ghouls, ghosts and witches – the more the scarier – and don’t forget orange and black is a must and glitter just makes it more fun.

Bake spooktacular treats

No season is complete without some fun home baked goods. We’re talking spooky cupcakes, toffee covered apples, ghostly cookies, toasted marshmallows and tons of orange frosting! Stock up that baking cupboard, get yourself some spooky cookie cutters and spend a few hours in the kitchen with the kids. You could even make it a Halloween baking party and invite their friends. Choose simple cookies and perhaps even pre-make or buy the cupcakes and let the kids decorate them – that’s the fun part after all!

Don’t forget that kids love a good old fashioned trick-or-treat session – how else will they ever get so many sweets in one go? Whatever you’re planning to do this year for Halloween, these ideas are a great accompaniment. Let us know in the comments what your traditions are for Halloween or what your children love to do this time of the year.

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5 Autumn Essentials

It has arrived. The leaves are turning yellow and drifting to the floor, the evenings are drawing in, the mornings are cooler, and the coats are being dusted off. Yep, that’s right, Autumn is here. Here at Catalink, we’ve got the jumpers at the ready, blown the dust off our favourite pumpkin candles and pulled the tights out from the bottom drawer. We’re ready. That’s why we thought we’d help those of you that aren’t so ready, get ready.

Here are our 5 must have Autumn essentials:

CANDLES

We’re talking pumpkin spice, crushed leaves, woodland and fresh breeze type candles. No Autumn is complete without a new, delicious smelling candle – preferably in a beautiful jar, with those burnt woodland colours laced throughout. If you’re not a candle person, well, what is wrong with you. How can you not be a candle person?! Check out Garden Trading’s Orange & Cinnamon Candle for a little bit of something delicious.

SCARVES

Shall we call them scarves or little miniature blankets that wrap you in a feeling of warmth, comfort and happiness. You may think we’re being overdramatic, but we’re not. Come on in and join the world of pure happiness when you envelope yourself in an incredible scarf from Johnstons of Elgin. Their cashmere scarves are not only cosy and super soft, but they’re also elegant and incredibly beautiful – they are the perfect addition to a cosy Autumn outfit.

COSY THROWS

Picture this: you’ve arrived home from work, you’re tired and looking forward to a wind-down evening in front of the TV. You eat a deliciously warming bowl of chilli, get into your comfies and take off your makeup. You’ve already selected the viewing material for the night and the kettle has just been whacked on – the choccy digestives are at the ready. Everything is perfect, but you feel a slight chill! You’re not cold enough to grab the duvet from upstairs but you’re cold enough to need a little something over those legs. Yep! You guessed it; it’s throw time. Imagine a cosy, autumnal throw placed oh so beautifully over your lap whilst you sit and enjoy your relaxing, evening in front of the TV.

Have we sold it to you yet? If so, check out the beautiful range of throws AHF Furniture has to offer!

WARM DRINKS

If you’re a real Brit, we’re talking about a perfectly brewed cup of tea! If your perfect Autumnal evening in doesn’t include a cup of tea, coffee or a hot chocolate (what a naughty little treat) then are you even having a cosy night in? Whether you’re at work, back home for the evening or have just woken up with a sleepy head; Autumn is the perfect time to re-introduce your favourite winter drinks into your diet. Head over to Nothing But Tea to have a browse of a huge range of delicious teas!

THE COAT

Well, well, well, it’s that time of the year again. If you’re like us, we like to invest in a new coat every single year. We’re not saying it’s a necessity… oh okay, we are. It’s a necessity. There is nothing that can transition you more perfectly into Autumn than a shopping session for a new coat. Select Fashion have an incredible – and we mean it when we say incredible – range of coats for the AW18 season. Not only that, but their prices are super affordable!

So, there you have it – are you more excited for those leaves to fall than you were before you began reading this? If so, our job here is done. If not, well, we’re not sure anyone can help you, but the rest of our website may. Head over to Catalink.com to explore a whole bunch of free catalogues, brochure and newsletters – we’re sure you’ll find something to make you happy!