Homestyle Gossip

With Christmas fast approaching, a lot of us will be shopping online for gifts – and searching out voucher codes and discount codes to save money. The Airmiles eStore is a simple, one-stop shop where you can do all your Christmas shopping at a range of online stores, including many well-known high street names.

As well as collecting Airmiles each time you shop, the eStore has numerous special offers and promotion codes (exclusive to the eStore) to help you save money at participating stores. If you combine the Airmiles you collect and eStore discount codes together, you could save a fortune on gifts this Christmas.

The number of online stores you can now collect Airmiles with is enormous. As well as online chains like John Lewis and Currys, you have internet sites like eBay – already known for its bargains. With added incentives like eStore voucher codes and special offers, why shop anywhere else?

Through www.airmiles.co.uk/estore, you can search for products and compare prices – so you can see exactly which stores have the gifts you’re looking for, how many Airmiles you can get and which stores are offering special deals. This can range from eStore promotion codes on Christmas gift ranges, to double Airmiles deals.

This means you can use the Airmiles eStore to make savings in two ways: by collecting extra Airmiles to use for gifts like flights or days out from the Airmiles website, and by using the Airmiles eStore discount codes to save money at participating stores. The result will be stylish, original gifts bought at bargain prices – with none of the hassle of the high street.

Did you know, you could be using Airmiles to get a huge range of free treats – from free theatre tickets and wine cases to free days out for kids? For families, Airmiles is a brilliant way to enjoy free days out – saving you a fortune at weekends and in the holidays.

Airmiles is the most popular travel loyalty scheme in the UK. When you’re collecting Airmiles on your everyday shopping, you can use them for free treats.

Airmiles also offer unique gifts – that won’t cost you a penny. Ideas include lazy-day activities, like chocolate making workshops, and free days out that are totally action-packed, like Ferrari driving days. Many activities allow you to bring friends and family along to watch.

There are also lots of group activities – and this makes Airmiles tremendous fun for birthdays. What could be cooler for kids than trying Junior Quad Biking with friends or going to Kids’ Spy Camp? They’re great for parents stuck for party ideas.

For adults, you could turn your Airmiles into free theatre tickets – an imaginative choice for a wedding or engagement gift. While a spa pampering day makes a perfect gift for mum, at any time of year.
If you’re not sure what they’d like, you can always choose a Gift Pack, which can be used for a host of free activities and free days out across the country. And for a bit of indulgence, there are wine and champagne cases to choose from, starting from just 600 Airmiles.

It can come as a shock to see elderly relatives getting old, and needing nursing care. They may begin falling more often, or start wandering off unannounced. Maybe they used to love pottering in the garden, but now seem to have lost the energy, or seem to need a lot more hospital appointments.

Often, frail elderly people can continue living at home, especially if they have a partner. Home nursing care, with the odd respite care “holiday” may be enough. However, once an elderly person’s physical or mental health becomes a permanent concern it’s time to start thinking about care homes.

It’s important all decisions are talked over carefully, and made together. Of course, some nursing homes are more expensive than others, and some have specialised facilities – for example, dementia care. This is why it’s a good idea to book a few periods of respite care when you both find a home that’s suitable. Quite often, elderly people like the care homes so much, they don’t want to leave.

If your elderly loved one needs dementia care, it’s important you choose facilities where the staff are patient and well trained. There have been some horror stories regarding dementia care homes. Choose a nursing home near to where you live, so you can visit often, and check the quality carefully.

Admitting your loved ones need a care home can be a heartbreaking choice for all concerned. A respite care “holiday” is the perfect way to introduce them to their new home.

Sleep is a very important human function but getting enough of it isn’t always easy. Getting a good night’s sleep can seem impossible for some but there are some top tips to help you have peaceful nights.

• Make sure you’re getting enough exercise. If our bodies have not been properly exercised then we can often be not quite tired enough to fall asleep.

• Try and have a routine that you stick to. Once your body is in a routine where you go to bed and get up and the same time everyday, your body expects this to happen so will begin to get tired at this time.

• Try to avoid stimulants at least 3 hours before you go to bed. This includes alcohol, caffeine and sugary foods.

• Beds are important, make sure your bed is comfortable. It is important that you invest in a good quality mattress. Cheap mattresses are fine as long as they are good quality.

• Try and have a relaxing evening and in the hour before bed wind down by reading or having a relaxing bath.

• Make sure your bedroom is a peaceful environment, turn of electric items and your phone when you get into bed.

Your bedroom should be a relaxing space reflecting your personal style. With the huge range of DIY decorating available these days there’s no excuse to not have a stylish bedroom.

Firstly, get some inspiration by looking in interior design magazines and websites. These will give you idea of what’s possible and achievable.

Colour is an important part of your room and deciding on your colour scheme should be your next step. The colour on your walls is important and you should then choose other complimentary colours to use throughout the rest of the design.

Clearing clutter will make a huge difference. If you’re redesigning your bedroom you should have a big clear out at the same time and get rid of old clutter.

Lighting is also important, effective lighting can really impact on a room’s atmosphere. Some subtle mood lighting will really make a big difference.

Your bed is usually the focal point of your room and it is very important. If you are going to get a new bed make sure you do your research. It may also be time to invest in a new mattress. There are a wide range of mattresses on offer at the moment so take your time and test them out if possible. If you are keeping your existing bed then jazz it up with new bed clothes.

Happy decorating!