Bringing Up Brits » Christmas

Shameless Christmas gift plug

Meg — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 12:45:52 +0000

Ok so here’s my Christmas “Buy my book” blog post, I promise it will be the ONLY one until next year at the end of November. But as it’s coming up to Christmas time I thought I’d better make an effort because I seem to be better at promoting and selling other people’s things instead of my own! I’m also recommending a new book I’ve recently come across which I think is the perfect companion to Bringing Up Brits! It’s called The Expat Activity Book: 20 Personal Development Exercises for Gaining Insight and Maximizing Your Potential Wherever You Are.

I actually have a few copies of Bringing Up Brits that I’m happy to sell at the discounted price of £10 only plus P&P. A bargain at that price! UK delivery only.

Click the BUY NOW button below to order a copy for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member.

These copies have the new cover design and look like this:

You can also get it from Amazon UK and Amazon USA if you prefer and if you live outside the UK. And, it’s also on Kindle for only £1.59. It has 10 Five Star reviews on Amazon! So please check out the reviews for yourself.

If you’re interested in my business book Inspiring Global Entrepreneurs co-authored with Heidi Walker, please see www.expatsinbiz.com. This book is also available on Amazon UK and USA. I would offer a discount, but I’ve completely sold out of all my own copies! This again, would be a great Christmas gift for someone who’s in business already or who’s looking to start something up and I think Amazon UK have discounted it anyways.

Happy shopping and thanks for all your support

******************
Meghan Peterson Fenn is the author of Bringing Up Brits and co-author of Inspiring Global Entrepreneurs with Heidi Mulligan Walker. Meghan is also the Director and Chief Designer at her own design company, White Ochre Design Ltd. And, she is an award winning expat blogger.

Share this!

The post Shameless Christmas gift plug appeared first on Bringing Up Brits.

Shepherds, fayres and Christmas cakes – Oh my!

Meg — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 10:55:53 +0000

Good luck to those who have young children in UK schools! Christmas madness all starts this week and if you’re like me with three children in three different schools, then your calendar will be jam packed. My top tip for keeping track of where and when you’re supposed to be for each child at each school and when and where you’re supposed to be for helping out and volunteering at each school’s Christmas fayre and which days are mufti, which days are Xmas jumper days and which days are party days is to make use of your tech. Input all dates and descriptions into your phone. Set alerts so that when you’re working, you don’t have to clock watch.

A few other tips: Pre-bake cakes for fayres (or cheat and buy pre-made cupcakes) and stick them in the freezer, then decorate them the morning of or the evening before. Get tombola gifts, teacher gifts and cards all in one go and get them ready so there’s no last minute panic buy. My daughter is having a WWII dress up day and party which the parents are invited to. This past weekend we organised her costume so she’ll be ready on the day.

It’s crazy time for me with work so I have to stay on top of all the school stuff, otherwise I’ll just go into meltdown. This past weekend was spent inputting all dates into my iphone along with work deadlines, client meetings and work Christmas meals and meet-ups. We also started our Christmas shopping and got the cards for the kids to give to their friends. My eldest refuses to do Christmas cards for his teachers this year (I guess it’s uncool at his age?) so I’ve only got six teachers and 90 kids to buy for which makes it a little less manic. I also got my work Secret Santa gift sorted out for next week. I must admit, I had a tiny panic last night when I was looking at my fridge at all the school notices and slips of paper. I manage it much better when it’s all scheduled on my iphone calendar. Still, there’s no guarantee I won’t mess up!

Really looking forward to my youngest child’s nativity – he’s very excited and has told me he’s a shepherd. I think out of all my children, he’s been the one who is most excited about being in a nativity.

Hope these little hints and tips help to keep your school run-up-to Christmas madness in check! Any other hints and tips, please post in the comments below.

Share this!

The post Shepherds, fayres and Christmas cakes – Oh my! appeared first on Bringing Up Brits.

Different ways of celebrating the holidays

Meg — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 18:43:07 +0000

Today I had a really lovely discussion with a group of business women, over lunch, about different ways of celebrating the holidays. I discovered that my husband’s family traditions, while being very British, are not necessarily what all British people do and that the way people celebrate Christmas in Britain is actually quite similar to the way many people in the States celebrate it. I love hearing what other people do and I also love knowing that I’ve created my own family celebrations and traditions from a mixture of my background and from British traditions that I’ve learned about too. Just this morning, my five year old asked me if it was nearly time to make the Christmas cookies. He now knows and remembers that we make them each year the day after school finishes!

One thing that came out of the conversation and struck me was that not everyone celebrates Christmas with family or even with their own children. Of course I knew that before and I’m aware of that, but today was a good reminder for me.

Vivienne, one of the ladies I was talking with is, amongst many other things, an author whose book is called The Single Mum’s Survival Guide: How to Pick Up the Pieces and Build a Happy New Life. She was talking about how difficult Christmas can be for her and in the past some of them were actually quite horrible because of her family circumstances. And now, sometimes she doesn’t spend Christmas with her children or her husband’s children. It prompted me to share her book on my blog because there are sure to be many other parents out there who won’t be able to spend Christmas with their children for various reasons. One of those reasons might be because they are back in the States or living somewhere else either here in the UK or in another country, or simply living apart. I remember my Canadian friend told me she had to alternate having her children with her from year to year at Christmas time and when she was living here in the UK, her children were spending Christmas back in Canada with their father.

I read Vivienne’s book and wrote a review of it on Amazon – please take a look and pass it on to anyone you know who might find it helpful. Perhaps it could even be a gift for a friend or loved one. Or maybe it’s something for you. It’s also out on Kindle.

For many, the Christmas holiday period can be full of family and celebrations. For others, it might be a difficult or tricky time so I hope this post offers some support and reminds others to be supportive.

Share this!

The post Different ways of celebrating the holidays appeared first on Bringing Up Brits.

Christmas cookies

Meg — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 08:47:30 +0000

Ten years ago at Christmas, my mother gave all her children a recipe book that she made from all her most favorite recipes that she used when we were growing up. It is a wonderful present which I use on a regular basis. It contains recipes for casseroles, salads, cakes, pies and cookies and more, plus special breakfasts and things like granola. I just love it because I know I’m making something for my own children that came from my mother and some from her mother as well.

It contains a recipe for sugar cookies which I always use at Christmas to make Christmas cookies. It takes ages to decorate them because it makes 36! My ten year old daughter Anna Grace does an excellent job with the decorating part. Much much better than I – you can tell how much she enjoys it and her creativity really shows through. Mine are indicative of someone who is enjoying it but knows there is a lot of mess to clean up and there is also dinner to make and laundry to do! Each year I get messier and each year Anna Grace gets more clever with her decorations. Jonah, who is four, did an excellent job of eating his so I didn’t get a chance to photograph any! Samuel, who is twelve, declined this year, preferring his computer game to decorating (but not to eating!).

Merry Christmas mom and thanks so much for everything you cooked and baked for us when we were little, your British grandchildren are now eating and making what you made for us.

Share this!

The post Christmas cookies appeared first on Bringing Up Brits.

Christmas cheer on Pinterest

Meg — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 08:20:43 +0000

This time of year is often hectic, manic and slightly frightening. How on earth are we going to be ready in time for Christmas! Despite being a time full of joy and celebration it might also include (and if you’re like me, definitely includes) panic buying, even fewer hours for sleep, school fairs, nativities, carol concerts, dance shows, road trips to see ancient British relatives, and an obscene amount of work to get through before the kids break up!

This year, to cheer myself up and to keep me feeling more human and less robotic and neurotic, I’ve created a Christmas Pinterest board. I’ve pinned lots of pretty pics and images that represent what Christmas is for me and my family. I’ve pinned photos and images that are lovely and beautiful to look at and are very Christmassy. I’ve also included some amazing photos from cities around the world. There is some beautiful photography out there! Have a look at my Christmas board, I hope it cheers you up and gets you in the Christmas spirit. Every time I start to feel overwhelmed or am running around like a headless chicken, I grab my ipad and steal a few seconds to look at my Christmas board. It really makes me feel great! Take a look. If you’re on Pinterest, connect with me and I’ll follow you back. And, send in your Christmas photos or links to your Christmas photos and I’ll pin them on my board!

Merry Christmas to all my wonderful readers and all of you out there who are Bringing Up Brits in the UK or elsewhere in the world.

Share this!

The post Christmas cheer on Pinterest appeared first on Bringing Up Brits.

Santa lists already!?!

Meg — Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:57:22 +0000

Can you believe my kids are already starting to put together their Santa wish lists? They are also doing ones for me and their father. It’s very cute, but slightly distressing. The beginning of October marks the start of ‘Christmas’ – scary but true. We still have Halloween and Thanksgiving to get through (although technically there is no Thanksgiving here in the UK). It’s such a fun time of year but busy – very busy. Especially for parents. We have parents evening next week and I have 3 different schools to remember to go to this year! Jonah is starting his reading at home as well and Sam’s homework has become very intense indeed. I think I may need to start a rota so that between us, Nick and I can cover all the homework and not forget anything. Wow, I don’t how how parents with more than 3 children do this!! I mean, they outnumber us now. No idea how my mother did it with 5!

At least we have half term break here and schools are off for a week at the end of October. That gives us a little breather to re-coup, catch up on homework and reading and start to make plans for the holiday season.

In a couple of weekends it’s the Lewes Bonfire night and we are looking forward to taking part for a second year along with my sister-in-law and her family. It is a much anticipated tradition which includes marching through the streets of Lewes and a huge bonfire. It’s a lot of fun – slightly spooky and a great thing to do with my kids and their cousins – hopefully this will be one of their cherished memories.

We are having a Halloween party this year, albeit a very low key one. Each child will invite one friend, we’ll do trick-or-treating with costumes, a special Halloween supper and then some scary movies (littlies first and then older ones after). I’m getting excited about it!

What’s on your Santa lists this year? Front runners for us are: Scooter, Xbox games, Lego – lots of Lego, long long book lists and iPod touch (really??). My list has 1 item – SLEEP.

Share this!

The post Santa lists already!?! appeared first on Bringing Up Brits.

Part 6 – the final Christmas blog of 2012

Meg — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 15:38:30 +0000

Being so far away from family is poignant at Christmas time. In a way it is sad, but being able to speak on the phone or Skype or Facebook makes it much easier and in a way helps to take away the sadness and feelings of longing to be with your loved ones at this time of year. I have been away for many many years so I am used to it, I always talk to my parents and Skype with them so it’s not sad, but joyous to be able to connect with them. And for them it is wonderful to talk to and see their British grandchildren on the other side of the world on Christmas day. For those who are experiencing life away from their families for the first time, perhaps with a newborn or with young children, I wish you all the best and hope you’ve been able to connect with your families this week.

The week between Christmas and New Year is usually pretty busy. In Britain, some people go back to work for a few days, others travel around visiting family, and some just stay put and spend the time together with their own families doing things they don’t have time to do during term time. It’s a great time to take stock, celebrate our lives and think about the future. Heidi Walker is a Life Coach and Parent Effectiveness Trainer who writes reflection activities for her clients and parents. They are really good activities which can help you to connect with yourself whilst preparing for 2013. I urge you to take a look.

Happy New Year.

If you like this blog, then buy Bringing Up Brits from AMAZON.

Share this!

The post Part 6 – the final Christmas blog of 2012 appeared first on Bringing Up Brits.

Christmas is coming…. are you ready?

Meg — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:30:13 +0000

I’m not! Not yet at least. I have done some of my shopping (still about half to finish) and most of my cards to American family and friends and also overseas friends. But no cards to UK yet. There is still a heck of a lot left to do before the 25th…. which is only 17 days away. We don’t even have a tree yet. Eeeek!

What are you making for dinner? I think we’re having turkey, stuffing, nut roast, green bean bake, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, sprouts, carrots, cheesecake, mince pies (funny story in my book about mince pies), and xmas pud. And of course Christmas crackers! (the best part according to my eldest).

I also have 8 design projects with pre-xmas deadlines, an article to write for an expat blog and various school and dance xmas shows and carol services to drop off, pick up and attend, food to prepare for kids’ xmas parties and lots of food shopping, food prep and baking to do. Please excuse me if I’m passed out from exhaustion Christmas day! I’m sure many other working mothers are in the same boat. Why is it that Christmas is always the mother’s domain? Let’s agree to take boxing day off completely!

3 fab reasons why Bringing Up Brits makes a great xmas present

1. It’s ONLY £10 if bought directly from me (email meg@www.bringingupbrits.co.uk)

2. It’s a wonderful read for parents who are foreign to Britain

3. It’s a thoughtful and supportive personal gift for your wife, husband or partner (or for yourself!) which will last forever and can be read again and again.

Have a listen: Podcast about Bringing Up Brits

Share this!

The post Christmas is coming…. are you ready? appeared first on Bringing Up Brits.