Our favourite Christmas treats come from Donna Hay! She is sharing her favourite tips and tricks for the ultimate festive celebration in her new four-part series, Donna Hay Christmas on Disney+. You can stream it or watch a trailer. Blanched Bean and Prosciutto Bundles Ingredients 800g green beans,...
Santa Claus is coming to town! Psychologist Professor Penny Van Bergen looks at how you can manage kids’ excitement in this last build-up to Christmas. School is out, and Santa is on his way, but there’s still a bit of a wait before he wriggles down...
20 people, 2.4 quintillion possibilities. Stephen Woodcock looks at the baffling statistics of Secret Santa Christmas, we’re told, is the most wonderful time of the year. For many of us, however, it is preceded by one of the least wonderful times: the awkward social spectacle of...
Halloween is an annual celebration on October 31. It originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honour all saints;...
Some children just aren’t that into parties, writes Clare Wishart. Why do we have parties? What are we celebrating in that nebulous notion of ‘turning’ a new age? When I was growing up, I wondered what all the fuss was about. Now, I am a mother myself,...
Jennifer Fergus reflects on her relationship with her grandchildren, who live overseas. As I was introducing myself to my granddaughter’s teacher, a voice yelled out from across the playground: “Her real name is Grandma!” The teacher and I paused, looked at each other, and smiled. She...
As Vicki Englund lurks in the shadows of parties past, she bows to peer pressure and procures a performer for the party present. Pre-birthday-party tension. Every year, a couple of months before my daughter’s birthday, it starts. Most mothers and some fathers are familiar with it,...
Olympians captivate us with their incredible performances, but their success isn't just about physical prowess—it's also about mental strength. Recent Olympics have shown that mindset is key to thriving under pressure, and the good news for parents is that the same traits that help athletes succeed...
It’s more diverse than you think, report researchers Yuvisthi Naidoo, Ilan Katz and Megan Blaxland When we think of the concept of the family, a specific version often springs to mind: a mother, a father and children, usually two or three. It’s the version of society...
Paula Maher tires of her daughter constantly coming to the party. “Look, Mummy! It’s an envelope, and it has my name on it! Open it, Mummy, open it!” My daughter, Kayla, stands before me, beaming excitedly, holding a pink, glittery envelope covered in fairies. Luckily, she...
