Christmassy Food for Toddlers & Babies

Christmas - 'Tis the season of chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. If you normally end up desperate for a nice crisp salad by Boxing Day or have little ones that won't need any additional help in the energy stakes, why not plan a few healthy snacks to go alongside the usual festive indulgence? They can still be Christmassy - it just takes a little bit of imagination!

We've gathered a few ideas to get you started...

(NB: Please be careful with some of the ingredients below - there can be a severe risk of choking especially with grapes, shallots and cherry tomatoes. Please chop in four lengthwise before giving to a baby or toddler)

Breakfast with Rudolph








We like things like this because it doesn't involve any specialist cooking - just a bit of 're-arranging'!

Santa Kebabs

   

These Santa Kebabs make the perfect mid-morning snack - just remember to be cautious of the cocktail sticks - we recommend removing them before your toddler starts to eat.

The Banana Santa uses a large marshmallow cut in half with a banana slice between them. (If you are not going to be eating these right away, dip the banana in lemon or orange juice to avoid browning). Top with a strawberry and small marshmallow. Use a couple of chocolate sprinkles for the eyes and a smartie or another piece of strawberry for the nose.

The Grape Santa's are similar, only with smaller marshmallows!

Vegetable "Gingerbread" House

How brave are you feeling??! If you've got the time (or the energy!), this vegetable snow lodge makes a fantastic impact and is a refreshing change from it's gingerbread counterpart. It looks like great fun to make and there's plenty of room for improvisation!

You'll need: 

Six 8" carrot logs (1 front, 5 back)

Eight 5" carrot logs (lodge sides)

Eight 3" carrot logs (front)

Eight 1 1/4" logs (by front door) 

Four 1 1/2" carrot logs (window opening)

Three 7" carrot log rafters

Sixteen 6" roof celery stalks

Foam core board gable measures 8"x 6" x 6"

Slice of turnip for window

Toothpicks & cream cheese mortar fasten cucumbers and celery 

Bamboo skewers to stack chimney mushroom "stones"

The Christmas Tree Centrepiece

Built from florists foam, some toothpicks and a selection of fresh vegetables, this Christmas Tree will be the talking point of the table - go on, give it a try - how hard can it be?!!

By this stage, you are either a complete expert at 'building with food' or you've given up and are busy ordering profiterole towers from M&S.  Either way, we hope you have a fantastic Christmas and are not too chocolated-out by New Year!

Recipes found on cleanandscentsible.com

Stuck for Gift Ideas? Discover Other Options at Born

Are you stuck for gift ideas for a friend or relative? Maybe they prefer to select their own present, or you'd like to get them something special but you're not sure about the specific items that they need?  We've put together a few ideas that take the stress out of searching for the perfect present!

Bristol Pounds: The Gift that Keeps on Giving

If your friend or relative lives in or near Bristol, why not present them with some Bristol Pounds? They can be spent in independent shops (including Born!!), cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants all over Bristol – and for Christmas they come in a limited edition Bristol Pound gift card.

When you spend Bristol Pounds, you’ll know that more of the money will stay in Bristol (up to four times more than pounds sterling). That’s a big boost for Bristol and makes your gift even more special!

Visit bristolpound.org to find out more.

Your Baby Your Way at Born

If you are buying for expectant parents, why not book them in for a one-to-one baby consultation service at Born, where they can receive expert advice on our carefully chosen parent and baby products and services. 

By booking a dedicated personal shopping slot with a senior sales person, you can guarantee a convenient and comprehensive experience.  We will go through the items they will need, and demonstrate the larger ones such as furniture and buggies. There will be time for a bra fitting, as well as the opportunity to make a 'baby list' for relatives and friends to purchase gifts, or contribute towards larger items. We charge a booking fee of fifty pounds, which is refundable at the end of the session or within 3 months, against any purchase made. A minimum spend of one hundred pounds is required.

Donation Packs for Baby Bank Network

The Baby Bank Network seeks to relieve poverty by providing good quality new and pre-owned baby items to families in need. Started and chaired by Born Founder Eva Fernandes, the Network strives to improve living environments for babies and children, reduce financial burden for families, improve mental health for vulnerable people and enable a focus on other aspects of home life rather than financial burden.

You can choose to donate a pack of essential items for a newborn (including nappies, wipes and cotton wool) or for a new mum (including breast pads, maternity pads and nipple cream). All donations go directly to the families referred by local social and health professionals.

Gift Vouchers

If you're still undecided about which gift would be best, or would like to give your friend or relative the chance to choose, you can't go wrong with a Born Gift Voucher, available to spend online at Borndirect or in our Bristol store.

Natural Christmas Crafts to do with Children

It's December 1st and time to get crafty! It's lovely to involve little ones in the preparations for Christmas, so we've scoured the internet for some great ideas of things to make with your toddler -  all using things that you can collect on a wintery walk through the woods...


1. Pine Cone Creatures

Pine cones look really effective covered in glitter and hanging from a Christmas Tree, but why not go further and create little animals, elves or snowmen? We love this reindeer, found at www.firefliesandmudpies.com - just add pipe-cleaners, a little pom pom and some googly eyes!



2. Mini Christmas Trees

These really effective mini Christmas Trees can be made using little sprigs of yew or off-cuts from Christmas Trees and a cork or two (great excuse to open a bottle!) - you will need to make a small hole in the cork, before giving it to your child to start creating! They can make whole forests which you could even cover with glitter if you're feeling brave!

Just remember not to leave your toddler alone with the corks or the sprigs - and when they're finished, put them on display somewhere where they can't be reached.



3.  Icy Candle Holders

These ice candle holders look beautiful and are simple to make:  

i. Find 2 freezable containers and put one inside the other so that there is a gap of about an inch all around.  

ii. Put leaves, twigs and anything else that you have collected into the gap before filling the gap with water. 

iii. Tape a stock across the top to keep the smaller container in place. Then place upright in a freezer to freeze! 

iv. When frozen, remove the containers (fill the inner one with hot water if you need to), and pop in a small candle or tea-light.

4. Twig Christmas Trees

What is it about toddlers and sticks?! If your back door constantly has a collection of favourite sticks that your little one has found, put them to good use and help them create their very own Christmas Tree! This is so easy to make and your child can choose to decorate them with leaves and moss, or things that they find in the house. 

If you're feeling really adventurous, why not have a go at this one...

5. Log Santas

Ok, so it's not often that you come back from a walk with 3 or 4 logs, but we couldn't resist including these sweet little log santas! If you have any cut logs, perch them up on end, paint the hats, beards and eyes, and glue on a round pom pom for the nose!

Send us images of any Christmas craft that you do with your children and we'll put it on our facebook  and pinterest pages!