Well it's started already, the dreaded Christmas shopping! I've spent the last three Sunday's traipsing around West Quay in Southampton, looking for inspiration. It seems Lush is a hit with my 12 year old daughter this year! On entering the shop there is an overwhelming scent that fills the air, she loved it, my son however, was reaching for his inhaler and left the building in a flash!
Now that I have braved the business of a shopping centre it's time to go back to shopping locally for those more unique gifts. We are lucky in this neck of the woods to have some local high streets nearby that offer a different shopping experience. Hythe is fab, obviously as it is the home of Toys Ahoy! I also like to venture into Lymington (my home town) and browse the high street and Beaulieu has some lovely gift shops if you're looking for something original.
So, our top tips for this Christmas....
Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty!
CrazSlimy Creations!
Sticky Mosaics!
Our Top Model Secret Diary and Ylvi and the Minimoomis Diary have been an absolute best seller! Over the last few weeks we have had many enquires as to how to reset the code. Unfortunately the instructions to do this are on the inside cover of the diary! So we thought we would help out any desperate children and parents to reset their codes!
1. In case you don't remember your code: press 1, 3 and 0 together at the same time and hold this combination for 4 seconds.
2. To reset your password press and hold the * button for 3 seconds immediately after the lock is opened.
3. You will have 10 seconds to enter your new four-digit code. Press the hash tag sign to confirm the new password and save it!
Well what a cracking Christmas here at Toys Ahoy! Now that January is upon us our sale has begun! Pop along to or website and check out our clearance section! All reduced items are from our current stock so grab yourself a bargain! http://www.toysahoyshop.co.uk/shop/category/14/clearance 
Was £12.99 now £9.99!
Was £9.99 now £6.99!
Yikes, I have literally just been to the wardrobe and had a count up of stocking fillers! I thought all was good and everything was even! Nope, not a chance, I'm eleven out! How did that happen? So tomorrow will bring a mad dash down to the shop (Toys Ahoy!) to stock up on what can only be described as Panic Buys! Happy Crimbo folks!
Some of our best buys this jolly season!
Room Lights Origami £13.99
Bubble Science £14.99
Emoji Sound Machine! £5.99
Does anyone else have a Strictly routine or is it just us? Everyone has a certain seat in our house in order to get the best view, Ruby and Patrick are armed with a notepad and pencil to write down everyone's scores! Ruby gives us all a running commentary of who scored what in earlier weeks, and sometimes previous years, (not at all tedious)! Husband mutters occasionally from a comfy chair, angled slightly away from the television! There's nibbles, wine and lots of laughing especially when Patrick attempts some of the moves! Love Saturday night telly all over again!
Something Sparkly! Top Model Dance - Costume Design £8.99
Well, it was all tears last night in our house! What a fantastic final of the Great British Bake Off! Nadiya was wonderful and the runners up made the final worth watching! Myself and the children have made a few cakes ourselves over the years (nothing to Bake Off standards obviously) but worthy of a mention! A pirate ship, a carousel, a hidden sweetie cake to name but a few, all went smoothly however, I do find slightly overcooking the sponge makes construction a little easier and eliminates the dreaded soggy bottom!
To practice your Bake Off skills from an early age, try our cooking play set a bargain at £12.99!
It's all go in our house this week! Number two child (Patrick) has just turned 7 and number one child (Ruby) is just about to turn 10! She still finds it hard to comprehend that Patrick is younger but his birthday comes first! We have never gone down the road of buying the other child a present when it's not their birthday just to keep them happy, but this year on Patrick's birthday, I did cave in and I bought them both something to play together (what have I started?)!
Well it was only £5.99 and it appealed to their sense of humour! Happpy Birthday Dunlop Kids!
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Children learn a lot of things in their preschool days that they will use for the rest of their lives. In preschool, boys and girls learn common communication skills, important motor skills, and the basics of reading, writing, and maths. Here at Toys Ahoy in Hythe, Southampton, we have compiled five of our top selling preschool toys!
1. A great lacing activity by Bigjigs Toys, to increase dexterity and concentration!
2. A fun colour matching game that helps to teach number sequencing.
3. Help out around the house with this great role play toy!
4. This lovely games promotes, observation, social skills and links with early learning goals.
5. Attach this friendly penguin to the fridge with the magnetic strip provided. A great way to start telling the time!
If you've ever tried persuading your child that you don't want them to do something, try persuading them that they don't want to go into a fun brightly coloured toy shop! We've seen all kinds of techniques through our window at Toys Ahoy! My absolute favourite.... on approaching the shop Dad says, "Let's see who can run the fastest!" Success, children distracted and go flying past the shop! However, Dad forgets on the return, too late they're in!
If you do happen to stumble across us in sunny Hythe, either in person or online, we absolutely don't mind you popping in with your children (or without) for a play and a chat!
At Toys Ahoy in Hythe we have a variety of pocket money toys for under £5! When I'm searching for stocking fillers my motto is always 'high impact, low price'!
Toys Ahoy have put together a selection of pocket money toys that any child would be happy to receive on the big day!
This Rubber Band Plane is a great price at £4.50!
Try making your own snow! £3.99
These Meerkat Pens are so cool! £3.99
A Christmas stocking would not be complete without a Wooly Willy! £2.50
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