"Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, 'it will be happier'"...

This quote, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, will be in my thoughts as the clock strikes midnight tonight to usher in the beginning of a new year. I hope that 2021 has been a wonderful year for all Glamumous readers, but those of us who have suffered loss, sadness or disappointment during 2021 may well be glad that this year is coming to an end. 

At midnight, our family will raise a glass of good cheer to those who are no longer with us, and to all of you, I wish good health, happiness and many occasions to smile in the year ahead. 

Photo credit: PxHere

Santa/Father Christmas

Santa’s Grotto

Reindeerland

XM4 5HQ

More children than ever are turning their attention to digital literature than regular books. High street bookstores are on the decline, and while many of us may still be attached to our regular reading material, it makes sense to embrace our children's interests by seeking out eBooks to pique their interest in the written word.

There are many, many sites from which we can download children's eBooks, but as any parent understands certain books are just better than others. The quality of language, illustration and storytelling set some books apart from their competitors... and of course it's even better if those books can be found for free!

Here is a list of sites which provide eBooks for children of all ages which you can access for free on a tablet or PC. Many provide downloads (in PDF, ePub or MOBI format) while others must be accessed online. Wherever possible, I've tried to include links to "tablet-friendly" eBooks, though in some cases you may find it easier to download materials to your PC and transfer them to your preferred reading device.

With summer just around the corner, many of us are considering whether our children have a basic functioning wardrobe for the warmer months, or perhaps for a holiday in the sun.

This year, I've found myself having to buy a complete capsule wardrobe for two of my children as they've outgrown all of their previously purchased summer clothes! In an effort to ensure they can be adequately dressed on a minimal budget, I set about writing down the essential items they would need for the summer, which we can always add to later as necessity or finance see fit.

Here are my suggestions for capsule summer wardrobe items for both girls and boys, which should be suitable for children aged 2-12.

Snuggling up on the sofa to watch a DVD together is a wonderful experience, but there's only so many times a parent can watch Disney Princess films with their daughter!

Luckily Princess shares my love of film, and has learned to trust my judgement when I suggest we watch movies she may not have chosen for herself. The ideal recipe seems to include romance, drama, and of course a happy ending - preferably with a female lead and a touch of morality thrown in for good measure.

Here are our top ten favourite films for parents to watch with their daughters, all of which feature storylines and characters for you both to enjoy.

Preparing for the arrival of a new baby is a very exciting time, whether this is your first child or your fifth! Chances are you'll be bombarded with choices for baby products, clothes and toiletries, and can be left wondering what exactly you really need to be prepared for when your little one is born.

As many mothers will attest, it is way too easy to buy more than you need, and if you're working to a tight budget you'll probably want to stick with the essentials rather than spend on niceties you may never get around to using.

Here then is a list of the most essential items you will need to be prepared for the arrival of a new baby, with a few suggestions for additional items you might want. I've also created a printable PDF version of this list as a handy reference guide.