Although we don’t quite have the space for this fab hazel-branch Twigwam in our patch of London suburbia, I am trying to persuade Granny and Bumpa this might be a good addition to their garden up north.  Robust and hardwearing it would make an attractive yet subtle adornment for any garden.  For something a little less permanent and for those rainy days check out Cox and Cox’s fantastic ‘make your own cardboard castle’. Perfect any young knight or damsel in distress, these flat folding castles come replete with turrets, windows and a door.  Best of all decorate how you wish.

Not too late if you have forgotten the all important flower delivery for the grannie’s in the world.  For floral gifts I always turn to Jane Packer for her girlie hues and unusual arrangements.  Her Mother’s Day range is still available to deliver tomorrow – see gallery.

For other occasions be it a girlfriend’s 30th or baby shower, check out her Hat Box range (below). Beautiful roses arrive arranged in a woven hatbox – the perfect keepsake once the blooms have faded.

With all the hoohah in the press about the nasty chemicals found in plastic toys it seems that traditional wooden toys are still the best.  If it is wooden toys you are after, I always turn to US brand Melissa and Doug.  Little A very gratefully received their Fold & Go Barn complete with its own medley of farm animals from Father Christmas last year.  We keep this up in our bedroom so he has something to play with in the morning but it still tidies away neatly.  It comes ready assembled and opens out for creative farm play but then can be shut up and carried for easy transport – another great toy to bung in the car when visiting friends without kids and when its good to  bring some entertainment to keep your toddler busy.  Other Melissa & Doug favourites to have a look at include: Pull- along Zoo Animals, Cutting Fruit Set, Magnetic Fishing Puzzle and their Deluxe Art Easel for older toddlers.

Friends are always asking me for original newborn, Christening or Godchild birthday presents and when I laid my eyes on this duck chair I figured it ticks most boxes. Traditional in look, it can be personalised and even better comes in a variety of colours all painted with Farrow & Ball or Zoffany paint.

Little A seems to have amassed a lot of  Brio train track over Christmas and I have been looking for a stylish storage solution to keep it in.  Then I spied this beauty from Cath Kidston.  Perfect to hold train tracks, trains and carriages, this suitcase also means that for Sunday lunches at a friend’s house I can take the whole rail network with us to keep Little A entertained.  Brio storage aside, I think we might just have to use it as Little A’s proper suitcase next time we go on the train to Grannies.

Happy New Year!!!  Little A and I were spoilt rotten this Christmas and I thought I would share a couple of our faves with you.

First up is this beautiful wooden lift out puzzle by chic french toy company Djeco. About A3 in size, it’s really robust and each of the wooden pieces are solid enough to stand on their own which lends itself to a whole new direction of play.  Recommended for one year and up.

Next up is a gift from Little A’s uncle, who alongside a vintage Tonka truck, gifted him this beauty of a book.   Again it is oversized which Little A loves and portrays 30 different groups of animals in thematic groupings: Large and small, Hot weather, Feathered etc.  Little A is definitely a little bit too little and boisterous to be left on his own with this book but its the perfect read cuddled up on the sofa.

Wandering around the House & Garden Spirit of Christmas fair last week I discovered the world of Win Green.  Having been on the lookout to replace Little A’s now defunct playpen with a wendy house I could not have found a better stall.  Win Green’s whimsical designs make the perfect Christmas presents and I like the idea that they could be passed down the generations.  Made from 100% cotton, their children’s playhouses come with a range of coordinating accessories including toy bags, bean bags, aprons, decorative hangings and cushions – all fantastic suggestions for Grandparents at a loss with what to buy this Christmas.

The playhouses for boys include a Garage, Fire Station and Barn which are all bright and colourful, trimmed with bright ginghams and adorned with cars, fire engines and tractors. The girls’ collection is of a more delicate palate and includes a Fairy Cottage, Butterfly Cottage and Gingerbread Cottage; trimmed with pretty mini-ginghams and decorated with fairies, butterflies, flowers and cupcakes.

We opted for the Toy Shop playhouse as we thought it would be a winner for both boys and girls and I loved its old fashioned and traditional charm.  Honestly it is one of the best things we have ever bought and even though it is expensive it certainly beats the mountain of plastic toys that we have accumulated in the last year.  For those budding Cowboys and Indians there is also a rather fab wigwam.  I think it is about time to start writing that letter to Father C…

What is not to love about these personalised Christmas sacks.  Stockings always seem a little on the small side and with your child’s name emblazoned on the front there will be no present mixups come Christmas morning. A fun present for Godchildren.

I never win anything but it seems that Little A may not have inherited my bad luck as he has just received a fabulous Oskar and Ellen dressing up set.  Super cute and easy to put on each set comes with a head piece and a tail.  We won the grey Ellie.  It seems Little A’s second birthday might just have to be a fancy dress party after all.