10 tips for a stress-free Christmas

November 28, 2016 · 2 Comments

10 Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas

The most common thing I hear about Christmas these days is how stressful it is!

It makes me a bit sad to hear this, because it’s supposed to be a fun celebration. Having a chat with some of you over at Facebook, I learnt that the major issues seem to be family dynamics, financial considerations, excessive consumerism, pressure for everything to be perfect and unrealistic expectations.

I reckon it’s time to reclaim the Christmas fun! Get rid of the stress and enjoy the celebrations. What do you think?

Here are my 10 tips for a stress-free Christmas.

♥ Get Clear

What sort of Christmas do you really want? Who do you want to spend it with? What do you want to do? How do you want to feel? How much do you want to spend? Are you doing things you hate just to please other people? Are you trying to live up to other people’s expectations or even your own about what makes a perfect Christmas?

Lots to think about! Although there is always room for compromise, your needs are important too.

♥ Get Simple

Unless you have the time, inclination and energy, you don’t have to have a designer tree, a gourmet banquet or a Pinterest-worthy selection of decorations. Scale it down, make it simple and fuss free. You don’t even have to cook – just make platters of cold meat, salads and fruit.

*HOT TIP: Buy or make some santa sacks and your Christmas wrapping will take approximately 30 seconds and you are being an eco-hero at the same time.

♥ Get Organised

Make up some lists – menu plans, food shopping lists, gift lists and start early. Lists can also help you get clear on what is important and what you can give the flick. Mark down on a calendar or diary everywhere you need to be so you don’t forget. Don’t leave everything until the last minute – pace yourself!

HOT TIP: Bake a few things early and pop them in the freezer. If your kids are old enough, get them onto the Christmas baking while they are on holidays!

♥ Get Online

One of the biggest stresses at this time of year is going shopping! It can be time-consuming and exhausting trying to find a park and battling the crowds. I swear by shopping online for gifts and food.

You can get it all done and all delivered to your door without getting out of your pyjamas. There are loads of discounts and free shipping deals around at the moment, so use them to your advantage.

HOT TIP: Check out my Christmas Gift Guides for some gorgeous online presents.

♥ Get Delegating

Don’t do everything yourself. Get the rest of the family pitching in with some of the jobs in advance and on the day. If you are entertaining at your house, get people to bring a plate and help with the clean up. For the perfectionists amongst us, learn to let go.

♥ Get Calm

Stay centred and take time out for yourself during the holiday season. You might want to schedule in a massage, pampering or some yoga classes. You can also use tools like meditation, essential oils and flower essences to help you feel zen. Keep up your sleep, healthy food and exercise so you can cope with the extra demands.

♥ Get Grateful

Whenever I get overwhelmed or stressed, practicing gratitude always works to calm me down. When so many people do not have a home or food or gifts for Christmas, it can make our worries and stress over little things seem inconsequential. Finding a little time to do some charity work over the festive season is also a great way to put things into perspective.

♥ Get Frugal

Nothing is more stressful than getting a massive credit card bill in January, right when school is going back!

There really is no need to spend a fortune on gifts and food, even though the media likes to tell us differently. Challenge yourself to spend as little as possible, put a dollar value on gifts and stick to it, make simple gifts, buy second-hand (vintage) things, do a family Secret Santa or print up some vouchers for things like babysitting.

Get back to basics and give from the heart.

♥ Get in the Habit of Saying No

You really don’t have to attend every function and gathering you are invited to – be selective and go to the ones you will enjoy. You don’t have to catch up with every person you know before Christmas – schedule them in for January. You also don’t have to visit every family member on Christmas Day – share the love and spread out the visits over a few days.

Set realistic expectations of what you can do and want to do and ditch the rest!

HOT TIP: Check out Kirri White’s tips on how to say no.

♥ Get in the Present Moment

If you are just struggling to get through the holiday season and looking forward to it all being over, you are doing it wrong! Focus on the present moment, enjoy it and have fun. Thinking about all the things you have to do just leads to anxiety and overwhelm. And if things don’t get done, will it really matter?

What are your tips?

Adult Colouring In: It’s a thing and it’s good for you!

September 10, 2015 · 5 Comments

Adult Colouring In: It’s a thing and it’s good for you!

Have you ever watched a child colouring-in?

They get completely absorbed in what they are doing and they aren’t worrying about anything else.

Well, that’s the goal of adult-colouring in. Just being focused on something in a mindful way, that is also relaxing can help your brain switch off and relax.

In our crazy, modern world it’s no wonder that colouring books are in the best-seller lists! Many people struggle with meditation so this quiet activity is a good way to start.

There is some debate on whether this is a serious ‘art therapy’ or not, but I think if it feels good, do it!

Neuropsychologist and neuroscientist Dr Stan Rodski says they started seeing changes in heart rates and brain waves of people colouring in. He believes three key elements —repetition, pattern and detail— are what is responsible for the positive neurological responses in participants.

Colouring in may also be of benefit to us because it’s fun and it reminds us of our childhood. There is no doubt that it’s a great way to unplug from the electronic world and just relax.

I asked my friend and amazing life coach, Kirri White from Kirri White Coaching what she thought of adult colouring in and she says:

“I’ve started recommending coloring in books for clients who appreciate the benefits of mindfulness, but are highly resistant to formal meditation practices. It’s all about sitting quietly and zoning out, plus – there’s something incredibly therapeutic about returning to one of our childhood domains.”

Monique at The Nourished Psychologist says:

“I think adult colouring books are a great tool. They can help to calm the mind and body and help you to be present in this moment. They are great for when you are feeling stressed, anxious or distressed. Pop on some calming music while you colour too.”

There are so many colouring books available now, but I have picked out five of the best for you:

♥ Secret Garden

For lovers of all things flora and fauna, check out this colouring book by ‘ink evangelist’ and Scottish artist, Joanna Basford. Ramble through the Secret Garden and find all sorts of things to colour and discover and to create yourself. This book has sold over a million copies!

Get it here.

♥The Mindfulness Colouring Book

A pocket-sized go anywhere colouring book by French illustrator, Emma Farrarons. Intricate and detailed for hours of peaceful colouring.

Get it here.

♥ Zentangle Drawing for a Calm and Focused Mind

Zentangle is a step up from colouring in that you draw doodles to make beautiful patterns. You can then colour them in or leave them black and white.

Get this one here.

My friend Tash from A Girl, A Guy, Fur Kids and Food is a huge fan of Zentangle and she says:

“I first looked into Zentangle for pain management and stress relief. Zentangle can be practiced in small doses which suited me as I can’t spend a great deal of time using my arm and shoulder due to injury. No artistic skills are required as the patterns are so simple to follow and the beauty is in the sense of Zen that you feel when you think of nothing but the page, the pen and the pattern. Colouring in was much the same. The mind stops wandering, stops being in the past and/or the future and stays in the present as you lay down colour on the page. Both are a lovely way to practice a more dynamic form of mindfulness”

♥ The Big Book of Mandalas

An ancient form of meditative art, mandalas are known for their restorative power as well as their ability to provide tranquility and a sense of self. There are 200 in this book to spark your creativity.

Get it here.

What to colour in with?

You are only limited to your imagination! Pens, pencils, gel pens, markers – whatever takes your fancy. Lyra colouring in pencils are top quality, non-toxic and forest friendly. Get them here.

Do you colour in? Tell us what you love about it.

5 Ways to Prevent Burn Out

September 7, 2015 · 7 Comments

Today I am welcoming Sam Cannell, nutrition and lifestyle coach to the website to share with us her tips for preventing burn out. As a mum with two kids, Sam has experienced this first hand and now helps women regain their wellness and zest for life.

5 Ways to Prevent Burn Out

Are you feeling flat and fatigued? Need a coffee first thing in the morning to get started? Can’t keep up with the kids like you used to? You could be on the brink of pushing yourself too far.

♥ Sort out your sleep

A healthy sleep routine balances the fat burning hormones, assists how we manage stress and also reduces the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. Another hormone impacted by sleep is leptin. This clever hormone tells our brain when our tummy is full and helps to regulate our appetite and metabolism. When we don’t sleep properly we disrupt this hormone and find ourselves eating more.

When we are sleep deprived we are more likely to make poor health choices, we exercise less and rely on caffeine and sugar for energy… it’s a vicious cycle! Most mums love to stay up late because the house is nice and quiet but breaking this habit is really important for preventing burn out.

A healthy sleep habit isn’t just about getting 8 hours of shut eye a night, the quality of our sleep is so important and our modern day lifestyle isn’t helping. We should be aiming for a 10pm bedtime but from 9pm we need to get off the tech gadgets and have zero screen time. Winding down for bed is one of the simplest ways you can improve your quality of sleep. You’ll go to bed with a calm mind and find that drifting off to sleep is much easier.

♥ Cut out caffeine

When our adrenal glands are under so much pressure caffeine can make it even worse and the road to recovery becomes slower. When you’re under extra stress it’s easy to reach for caffeine to help get you through but that morning latte could actually be pushing you closer to burn out. Cutting out caffeine (for a few months at least) is vital for healing the adrenal glands and for preventing full blown burn out.

If you’re worried about withdrawal headaches then ease out of your coffee addiction over a week, cutting back each day until you go completely without. You’ll be amazed that within a few days you don’t need that caffeine pick me up anymore!

♥ Avoid sugar and processed foods

If you’re body is already feeling fatigued then one of your highest priorities should be nourishing yourself with fresh, real whole foods. When your energy levels are low then it’s unlikely your going to be feeling like cooking up lavish meals so keep your cooking really simple and ensure you are getting quality protein at every meal. I

f you’re skipping meals then that also needs to stop so keep ingredients on hand for delicious smoothies for those times you can’t be bothered preparing breakfast or lunch.

♥ Ease up on the cardio exercise

If you’re a gym junkie struggling with low energy levels then the type of exercise you are doing could be contributing to your burn out. Excessive cardio will do more damage than good to an already stressed body.. sad but true! Stick to low impact and gentle exercise while your body is healing, now isn’t the time to run a marathon.

♥ Start saying ‘no’

Most mums on the brink of burnout have a lot of trouble saying ‘no’ to others… they are the ‘go to’ person for everything because they always say yes! As a result their own health suffers and they never have any time free for themselves. If you have all the warning signs of burn out then it’s so important you learn to say ‘no’ to the things you don’t want to be doing.

Healing from extreme fatigue takes time and your body needs a much slower pace to heal properly. That means you need time for naps, time to go slow and space to just be.

If you’ve been battling fatigue, I want you to know that it really is possible to prevent burnout but you need to take action now rather than waiting until it’s too late. It’s taken years for your body to get to this point so be gentle with yourself and let the healing begin.

About Sam:

Sam Cannell is a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach specialising in women’s health and is the creator of The Fabulous Woman Project.

Magnesium: This could be your new best friend!

July 14, 2014 · 131 Comments

I first came across Amazing Oils Magnesium several years ago at the Eumundi Markets.

The lovely stall holder sprayed a bit on my sore neck and rubbed it in. Wayhay… it felt better! So I bought a bottle and haven’t looked back. Since then, I have learnt more about magnesium and why it really is a wonder mineral. Magnesium deficiency seems to be very common today and just using some magnesium oil daily can make you feel so much better and help a wide variety of ailments.

I asked the Harold family from Amazing Oils some questions about magnesium and they are also kindly giving away some of their amazing product! Read on…..

What is Magnesium?

Magnesium is the 8th most common mineral in the Earth’s crust. It is important for humans but equally as important for animals and plants.

What does Magnesium do in the body?

The simple answer is – almost everything. Of the almost 1600 systems of the human body, 1200 require Magnesium in order to function. Systems such as the cardio-vascular system (heart health) and cognitive function (brain health) are particularly vulnerable to a lack of magnesium.

[box] It is estimated that over 90% of humans are magnesium deficient.[/box]

How can you tell if you are deficient in Magnesium?

There are numerous symptoms of magnesium deficiency. From a general lack of energy, through to aches and pains and tight or cramping muscles, many common symptoms of stress can be traced to a lack of this intrinsic mineral. Headaches, migraines, insomnia, joint pain, and even such things as depression and anxiety can respond very quickly to a raising of the body’s magnesium levels, often within a few seconds of application.

What are the benefits of using Magnesium daily?

* Increases the release of DHEA – our youth hormone

* Encourages healthy, glowing skin

* Supports the repair of damaged skin cells

* Helps to facilitate safe and effective detoxification

* Helps relieve muscular aches and pains, cramps and spasms

* Relieves sore throats

* Improves muscle function

* A natural cellular protectant

* Increases energy levels

* Elevates moods and helps to relieve stress

* Supports a healthy immune system

* Helps to calm overactive nerves

* Supports the balance of the hormonal system

* Improves insomnia and sleep quality

* Alleviates eye twitching

* Relieves growing pains

* Supplemented with calcium, may help reverse osteoporosis

* Helps regulate high blood pressure

* May help lower the risk of coronary heart diseases

* Helps decrease the risk of diabetes

* Treats migraines and headaches

* Helps calm the symptoms of depression, panic attacks and anxiety

* Relief from PMS and menopause symptoms

Why oil and flakes? What about food and tablets?

Using Magnesium Chloride transdermally (on the skin) is 100 times more effective than using oral supplementation. Unfortunately, food sources are quite low in magnesium due to depletion in our soils. So, for best results we recommend using magnesium oil on the body or soaking in magnesium chloride flakes.

Hang on, isn’t this the same as Epsom Salts?

No, epsom salts is magnesium sulphate. Our magnesium products are magnesium chloride and are 12 times stronger than your common epsom salts. This is due to the difference in the magnesium molecule (chloride is the way the body best absorbs the mineral), as opposed to sulfate, a larger, less concentrated molecule aka epsom salts. It’s fantastic in the bath for relaxing muscles and reducing tightness in the body.

(I can attest to this – an Amazing Oils bath reduces my body to jelly! Love it. Sonia)

How do you use it?

* Spray a little on feet and lower legs for a good night’s sleep

* Spray under armpits and knees for general health

* Rub into temples for headaches and migraines

* Rub straight into sore muscles for almost instant relief

* Gargle to fix colds and sore throats

* Rub on the chest to lower blood pressure

* Apply to the face to repair damaged skin

* Soak in a bath with the flakes

Be aware that if you have sensitive skin or are very deficient, the spray may tingle or sting a little. Use the oil after bathing for a week or so until your body becomes used to it. You can also use it on your feet, which are typically less sensitive.

Who are Amazing Oils and how did the business come about?

We are a family of yoga teachers, and have been teaching students and training teachers for 30 years. We discovered the Magnesium Oil by accident, looking for something to help my dad get through chemotherapy. Four years later with two years of research and testing, we are still as excited by this amazing natural product as ever.

We began offering the Magnesium Spray (which is from the deserts of WA) at our local markets in Eumundi. The results were so amazing that I took a few (shaky) videos with my iPhone. As you can see, this product actually provides effective pain-relief within 30 seconds of being applied – even pain that has persisted for decades.

Where do you get it from?

Check in your local health food store or pharmacy, but you can also buy direct from us online.

To get 20% off the range, just use the code: ao5625 online!

Contact:

Website: www.amazingoils.com.au

Facebook: Amazing Oils – Organic Magnesium Oil

Email: Website Form

Phone: 1800 339 169

Giveaway:

This giveaway is now closed. The lucky winner is Kirsten W.

The lovely Harold family from Amazing Oils are giving one of you the chance to try their magnesium products for nix! You can win an “Amazing Oils Works Pack” valued at over $160!

To enter:

♥ Like Amazing Oils on Facebook.

♥ Be a Natural New Age Mum subscriber (add your email on the right hand side)

♥ Comment on this blog post telling us why you want to win the Amazing Oils Works Pack

[box] Terms and conditions. This giveaway runs until 9am, 25th of July 2014. One winner will be chosen using a random number generator from those meeting the entry criteria. Australian residents only. Please make a note to check your emails! Good luck! [/box]

{this post is sponsored}

10 Quick Stress Busters

May 26, 2014 · 30 Comments

10 Quick Stress Busters

Stress! Everyone seems to be so stressed these days!

Stress is incredibly bad for your health and too much stress can lead to long term problems. I know, I am currently healing my body from the effects of stress and fatigued adrenals.

I am going to write more about my adrenal fatigue journey and what is working for me, later down the track, but today I wanted to give you a few, very simple things you can do to alleviate daily stress, instantly.

Here are my 10 tips for you:

1. Breathe. Well yes, I know we breathe all the time, but deep, relaxing breaths? Make it a habit to have a breath break at work or at home. Sit or lie down and take ten very full breaths, right to the bottom of your lungs, hold it and then release.

2. The ‘Centering Button’. I recently came across this fabulous technique in a book called Your Personal Tuning Fork by Deborah K Bates. This very easy technique can be done anywhere, anytime and nobody will know you are doing it – very handy in meetings or when you are in a tight spot!

About 0.6cm (or quarter of an inch) behind your top teeth, place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth gently. This has the effect of being centred, strengthened and relaxed.

3. The ‘Stress Release Button.’ Also from Deborah’s book, this releases stress from the adrenal glands. Find the spot three finger widths below your navel and apply pressure. Hold for 30 seconds and then release on the outward breath.

4. Flower Essences. Australian Bushflower Essences work on the emotions and can quickly calm you down in a tense or upsetting situation. I don’t leave the house without a bottle of Help in my handbag.

5. Tense and Relax. This is a popular relaxation technique that I love doing. Most of us store a lot of tension in our bodies without realising it! You simply tense all your muscles that you can very tight, hold for a moment and then let everything go. Repeat as often as you like.

6. Essential Oils. I can’t live without my essential oils – many are wonderful stress relievers. A whiff of lavender can calm you down or go for a blend like Destress and Revive. It can change the way you feel within seconds!

7. Earthing. Get outside and take your shoes off, connect with the ground and soak up all the electrons. It will not only relieve stress, but it has a whole host of other benefits. Dr Mercola says “when you ground to the electron-enriched earth, an improved balance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system occurs.” I also use an earthing sheet and mat.

8. Smile. Even if you don’t want to or don’t feel like it, do it anyway. The very act of smiling creates a lowered heart rate and more relaxation. They have even done studies on it!

9. Herbal Tea. Don’t reach for a coffee or caffeinated drink, this will only exacerbate the stress. Have a calming cup of herbal tea and watch the tension melt. A great one to try is Calming by Love Tea Organic.

10. Hug. Hugging is a powerful anti-stress reliever! “Austrian scientists discovered that the important hormone, oxytocin, was secreted into the bloodstream when a person hugged, or was hugged by, a trusted person. Oxytocin is produced by the pituitary gland, and its release can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve our memory.” Natural News.

So that’s my 10 quick stress busters! What do you do to relieve stress??

12 Tips for a Stress-Free Back to School

January 13, 2014 · 14 Comments

12 Tips for a Stress-Free Back to School

Whether your kids are heading to school for the first time, starting high school or changing schools, it can often be accompanied by a little bit of stress and anxiety.

I am not just talking the kids here either – many of us mums feel very anxious and a bit teary about sending our precious bundles off the school!

I feel like a veteran school mum with one child heading to Year 12 and the other in his third year of uni. Where does the time go?

Here are my top tips to make back to school calm and stress-free!

1. Be positive

Whenever you are talking about school, keep a positive attitude. Kids will quickly pick up any anxiety or negativity you might be feeling about it. Talk about all the fun things you used to do at school and all the friends you made.

2. Pack a yummy lunch

Pack something your child loves to eat for the first day so they are looking forward to it.

3. Do a reccy (reconnaissance mission)

If you are able, get permission to visit the school in the holidays. Hang out on the swings, stroll around the buildings, find the toilets and get familiar with the layout before the big day. Most places will have an orientation day, but visiting when its quiet can make a difference.

4. Aromatherapy oils

Put a drop or two of essential oils on a hanky for your child to sniff if they are feeling a little anxious. Try 123 Nourish Me’s Calm Down and Confidence roll ons specifically designed for kids!

Mums, don’t forget to do the same for yourself!

5. Buddy up

See if you can find someone who will be in your child’s class. Have them over for a play date before-hand to get friendly and chat about school. Encourage them to look out for each other on the day.

6. Keep it simple

Make sure bags, bottles and lunch boxes are easy to access for little fingers. It’s not much fun struggling with layers of clingwrap to get to your lunch! Try these brilliant, reusable sandwich and snack pockets that have velcro closures.

7. After-school fun

Although they will most likely be exhausted, a small treat to look forward to after school can be something to get them through the day. A visit to the park or reading their favourite story perhaps?

8. Love note or magic banana

Write your kids a cute little love note, jokes or pop some stickers in their lunchbox for a nice surprise! For the ultimate in cool and eco-friendly, write a message on a banana with a skewer. By lunch time, it will have magically appeared.

9. Have a morning routine

A set time to get up and a routine to follow will keep that morning chaos to a minimum and keep everyone calm. Use checklists and have a central point for the all school stuff.

10. Play school

Have a fun day at home where you play ‘school’. Get up, get ready, get the uniform on and have brekky in real school time. Go outside for lunch and practice opening the new lunch boxes.

11. Crystals

Let your child choose a few crystals to carry in their pocket. Agate is calming and comforting. Calcite helps alleviate fear and can reduce stress. Aquamarine can calm nerves and help banish fear and phobias. My kids have always loved doing this!

12. Flower Essences

Alisha at Naughty Naturopath Mum has an amazing Back to School pack containing four flower essence blends for kids (and parents) to help with back to school emotions. Find them here.

What tips do you have for a stress free back to school?

Five Favourite Things – August

August 30, 2013 · 12 Comments

August has been a month of sunny winter days here – absolute bliss!

Here are some other things I have been loving and enjoying this month:

Gluten Free Grain Free cookbook. I am putting it out there – Tania Hubbard is Australia’s gluten free, grain free goddess! She was kind enough to post me a copy of her sensational cookbook and I am loving it so much. Tania is the brains behind that amazing almond and chia bread recipe and the chocolate chia cake. The recipes are quick and easy and they taste sensational. I am such a fan! You can get the book straight from Tania at her website.

Stress Away from Young Living. I don’t know if you have been feeling the energy shifts and changes this month, but I sure have! One thing that I always use to help me ride out the storm is the ‘Stress Away’ blend of essential oils. You can take two drops in water and ingest it as needed or diffuse it in a room, but I like to just dab it on my wrists and temples and inhale the beautiful oils. This special blend is designed to relieve daily stress, encourage relaxation, and reduce nervous tension. The roll on is really handy to keep in your handbag. You can get Stress Away from me at my new Young Living website page. ( you need to join as a new customer to order )

Changing Habits Probiotic. This month I have bought some of Cyndi O’Meara’s probiotic powder to test it out. I take a daily probiotic powder and so do my family. This one however is gluten-free so it will suit a lot of you who have been asking me about probiotic powders free of wheat. I think it’s a fabulous product and it works really well for us.

This one contains all organic ingredients – rice, spirulina, linseed, alfalfa, sweet potato, sunflower kernels, quinoa, alfalfa, amaranth, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, ginger, broccoli and molasses. These ingredients go through an organic fermentation process using natural, organic bacteria. Find out some more info in this video. You can get it from my affiliate shop link here.

Re-usable Teabag. I really am fussy about the teabags I buy. Some teabags are bleached or made of plastic (which is not so good when you hit it with boiling water!) I was really excited to come across these handmade reusable teabags from local lady, Jo who runs a cute little cafe at the markets. She makes them herself from muslin – you just insert your loose leaf tea and away you go! It is easier to wait for the teabag to dry before emptying it out. Find out more about Jo at her Facebook page, Cafe Calma. She might even post one to you!

Pomelo. Where have you been all my life? Fat, juicy and sweet, bursting with vitality. It doesn’t give you that sourpuss look like eating grapefruit does. It’s sweet and sort of lemonadey tasting. They are native to South East Asia but we have some lovely local farmers growing them here. I am hooked! Anyone else like pomelos? Have you got any recipes?

I would love to hear some things you have discovered or are loving this month! Talk to me!

This post contains affiliate links.

Tips for a Stress-Free Kid’s Party

March 5, 2013 · 19 Comments

Does the thought of hosting a kid’s birthday party at your house make you break out in a cold sweat?

No wonder so many people choose the option of birthday parties held at fast food places and play centres!

Personally, I have never done that because I am a cheap-skate and I think they are over-priced. 😉

Not to brag or anything, but I have hosted around 25 kid’s parties in some form or other, over the years.

What was I thinking?

No, really, we have such fond memories of all the crazy themes (Star Wars, Monsters, Bike, Garden, Fairy, Princess, Pirate, Gross, Disco to name a few), the great kids and the FUN! All on a budget and (mostly) healthy.

Well, you are in luck today. It’s Tip Tuesday and I am sharing my top tips on how to host a kid’s birthday party without the stress.

Ready?

* KISS. Keep it simple, sweetheart. Unless you are a party planning goddess and get off on this stuff, keep it really basic. The kids won’t notice. Promise.

* I like having the party on a different day to my child’s actual birthday. The times we have had it on the same day, I haven’t had time to properly enjoy the day and my child.

* Host a morning or afternoon tea. Less catering required.

* Serve finger food. No plates required and less washing up.

* Keep the food very simple. You don’t need to create gourmet masterpieces (it will be lost on a three-year old anyway). See how to make a simple, healthy birthday cake here. More food ideas in tomorrow’s blog post!

* Limit guests. You do not need to invite the whole class. Choose the number of guests to coincide with the child’s age as a rough guide.

* If you have family invited, get them to bring a plate.

* Always make it easy for guests to RSVP. Include mobile/phone/email or even a tear off slip on the invite. Chase them up if need be.

* Plan well ahead of time. Shop ahead for non-perishables – this makes it easy on the budget too.

* Don’t overcater. In my experience, younger kids will not eat loads. Four different items and cake is plenty. KISS remember?

* Set up a tea and coffee station so parents can help themselves.

* Don’t make special food for the adults. They will eat the kid’s food anyway. Many do not even eat anything.

* Keep the entertainment cheap and simple. You don’t need to hire a jumping castle or entertainers. Choose 3-4 old fashioned games to play. In fact one of the most popular games we had at a teddy bear’s picnic theme was all the kids holding onto the edges of a picnic rug and tossing teddies into the air! Another fun idea was our water fight party – everyone bought a water gun and that was the entertainment sorted!

* Put hubby or older child to work and make them in charge of games. You can even load them up with some organic lollipops and get the kids to give chase!

* Ask parents to stay if the kids are very young. Supervising toddlers en masse is not easy!

* Ask the parents staying to help you out. Usually at least one will ask what they can do. Don’t be a martyr – delegate!

* Set up bins and recycling bins close by so clean up is easy.

* Take the whole shebang to the park! If you have a fabulous local park with lots of good play equipment, you are set. One of the best parties we ever had was ‘pancakes in the park’. I just made up a big pancake mix at home and we cooked them on the bbqs. Put out lots of yummy toppings and fruit and get the kids to help themselves.

* Make food ahead of time and freeze. The birthday cake and muffins will freeze really well.

* For older kids, a home-made pizza night with movie and a sleepover is often more fun than a full-on party.

* A simple craft activity is fun for older kids and they can take home their masterpiece as the party favour. Check out the Veggie Smugglers ‘Craft for Non-Crafty Parents‘ for ideas.

* Don’t compare yourself to other mums, other parties or Pinterest. Do your own thing.

* Limit the party time to two hours. It will go fast, trust me.

* Remember the candles and matches and don’t forget to charge up the camera and video recorder. Ask a friend or family member to be in charge of the photography.

* Relax and don’t sweat the small stuff. Let go of your ideas of perfection and just enjoy the time with your child and their friends. They won’t notice that the cake is a little wonky or you forgot the balloons.

* If you are really pushed for time, consider purchasing the party bags ready-made from companies like Organic Party Bags. The amazing people at Organic Party Bags are offering all my readers a huge 25% discount! Just use the coupon code NNM13. Valid until the 30/6/13. I love the eco-party bag!

* Don’t forget your sense of humour!

* Put some Instant Calm Blend aromatherapy oil from Twenty 8 in the diffuser.

* Have your ABFE emergency essence or Puraforce Remedies stress drops on hand.

* Have some down time planned for after the party. You’ve earned some quiet time with a nice relaxing bath and a cup of chamomile tea.

* Enjoy the party and make precious memories. Kids grow up way too quick.

I would love to hear your ideas for making kid’s parties fun and stress free.

Leave me a comment or a link!