Home & Interiors

Now that summer is ending, and autumn is most certainly on the way, when you look back at the past few months, did you really make the most use out of your back garden, or was it just there, a handy place to hang washing out to dry but otherwise barely used at all? 

If this is the case, you’re not alone; many people don’t make the most of their back gardens, and that’s a big shame since being outside in nature for at least a few minutes each day is good for our mental and physical health, not to mention the fact that if the children are playing outside, they are spending less time on their screens (and the same goes for you). 

Therefore, why not redesign your back garden so that, by the time spring comes around once more, you’ll be able to use it to its full potential? Read on for some inspiration on what you can do. 

Have Less Lawn

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Depending on how much you like gardening, your lawn can either be a blessing or a curse. It’s good to have grass for comfort, for the look, and for wildlife, but it does tend to need a lot of upkeep. You’ll need to mow it at least every two weeks in the summer, and you’ll need to ensure that any brambles and thistles are removed before children can go out to play.

One idea you can implement when it comes to redesigning your garden is to have less lawn overall. You don’t have to worry that this is a big job to do; you can either employ professionals, or you can buy the right equipment from arbourlandscapesolutions.co.uk and do it yourself. It simply means digging up any areas of grass you don’t want and disposing of it. Then, you can replace it with artificial grass, paving slabs, woodchip, or anything else that appeals. Now you have less lawn to have to maintain, making it much more pleasant in your garden. 

Make An Al Fresco Eating Space

Redesigning your back garden is all about ensuring that you can use it more, and what better way to do that than to install or create some kind of outdoor eating area. If you have a space to enjoy your meals al fresco, you’ll be out in the garden a lot more – possibly three times a day. Plus, you can invite friends and family over much more often to enjoy either a barbecue or food prepared indoors and eaten around a nice big patio table.  And don’t forget somewhere to chill out and wile away the hours with a coffee or your favourite wine, what about a hammock with stand for the ultimate in chill out luxury. 

The problem with eating outside if you don’t have a dedicated, planned-out space to do it is that you’ll have to rely on good weather. However, if you have created an alfresco eating area, complete with some kind of awning to keep you protected from sun and rain, then it won’t matter what the weather is doing; you can still enjoy your garden. 

Build a Garden Room

Credit provided by Scottish Garden Rooms company GardenRooms.scot

If you want to create the ultimate wow factor in your garden whilst giving yourself an additional space to use, consider building a garden room.

There’s kits you can buy online that are put together much like sheds but they’re generally not usable year round due to a lack of insulation. Alternatively, you can hire a company to build something that can be used year round for lounging, entertaining, exercising, working and more.

Not only will a garden room look amazing it will give you a space to use and possible add value to your home. The cost will vary depending on what you go for but a well built room will last the test of time. Image provided by Scottish Garden Rooms company GardenRooms.scot

Make It Wildlife Friendly 

If you don’t much like gardening, but you still want an enjoyable, interesting garden, you can take steps to make your outdoor space more wildlife-friendly. This will involve creating a wildflower area, which doesn’t need to be weeded very much and generally takes care of itself. However, even if this is only part of your back garden, you’ll still be cutting the work you need to do outside down by a good amount. 

As well as this, try adding a bee hotel, bird feeders, and even a pond. All of these will attract wildlife to your garden and make it a wonderful place to be for everyone. 

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Even with the utmost care, no food in the bedrooms and coasters for drinks on the coffee table, there’s still the chance of spills and stains wreaking havoc in your home. 

Those tough to clean areas, like upholstery, wallpaper and carpets, are the worst, too. After years of daily activity, it can be hard to feel proud of your home and its evident wear and tear. 

That’s why this guide should provide you with all the tips and tricks you need to create a stain-free home. 

Removing stubborn stains from carpet

Whether it’s a not-quite-potty-trained pooch or a paint splatter from the kids, getting stains out of the carpet can be a nightmare. Scrubbing and rubbing can sometimes just smudge it further into the fibres, leaving you frustrated and your carpets grubby. 

To remove stubborn stains from a carpet, ammonia and steam from the iron is a winning combination. 

1. Fill a spray bottle with half ammonia, half hot water, and leave the iron to heat up.
   

   Pic Credit: Pixabay

2. Douse the stain with the cleaning solution and place a clean towel on top.
3. Iron over the towel, making sure not to singe the carpet (there’s no trick to removing iron burns!).
4. If you turn over the towel, you should see that a good amount of the stain has transferred onto the back. 
5. Keep repeating the process until the stain is gone. 

Removing stains from your mattress

Everything in the bedroom looks clean and pristine until you remove the bed sheets. 

Pillows, bedding and your mattress can collect sweat, skin particles and breakfast spills throughout the years, leaving behind a far from clean sleep space. 

You can easily clean your mattress with a vacuum – to get rid of dust, hair and other particles that irritate your breathing – and a few household products to get rid of the stains. Lemon juice, salt, even sparkling water can rid your bed of stains.

Removing marks and stains from upholstery

Of course, when it comes to the sofa cushions, you can usually remove the covers and throw them in the laundry, but for the actual upholstery, it’s not as easy. 

A few glasses of wine or a cup of coffee can easily find their way down the side of the sofa, and hiding the problem with a blanket is all well and good until the hot weather arrives. 

If you want to get rid of stains from your upholstery, combining water, dish soap and vinegar (2:1:1) may do just the trick. 

Dip a microfibre cloth into your cleaning solution and blot the stained areas. Don’t rub, as this could spread the stain or damage the fabric. 

Leave the solution to soak for a few minutes, then blot with a cloth that’s damp with plain water. This should help to remove any remaining solution. 

Finally, blot the area with a dry cloth. 

If the process seems to be working but hasn’t quite got rid of the stain entirely, repeat. 

So, with help from the kitchen cupboards and a little research, your home can be stain-free from top to bottom. 

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Purchasing an existing home is a perfectly acceptable option for most people who are looking for a home. And because there are so many possibilities available in most markets, you are almost certain to find one or two that meet your requirements perfectly.

But what if you have something in mind that is quite unique? Alternatively, what if you simply cannot locate anything in your local market that meets your requirements? Depending on your circumstances, you may find yourself in the position of having – or wanting – to construct your own home.

Of course, building your own home is a time-consuming process with a lot of opportunities for mistakes to happen. So, before you begin your own self-build journey, have a look at these pointers to help you avoid some of the more common pitfalls.

What do you want from your house?

To begin, you will want to develop a list of your goals and objectives. Do you have a certain location in mind for your home? Which design features are essential and which are optional, and which should be included in your budget if it is possible? Your architect will appreciate your ability to distinguish between needs and wants and prioritize the most critical features of your new home if you are clear about what you want and what you do not want in your new home.

Purchase a piece of land

You will need a site to put your home before you can start building it. Look through the real estate listings in your area for desirable lots that meet your requirements. If you reside in an urban region where usable land is difficult to come by, you may be able to purchase a decaying home that also happens to be on a decent lot for a reasonable price.

Pic Credit: Pexels

If you want to go this path, you will have to include in demolition and cleanup charges in your construction budget, but in the long run, it may be less expensive than purchasing a building site in an undesirable location.

You also need to make sure that you have got or can get, the relevant planning permissions for the plot of land.

Find a builder and an architect for your project

Considering that your architect and builder will be two of the most crucial members of your team, you will want to ensure that they are both respected and professional.

Your architect will work with you to improve your concept and turn it into a workable blueprint. Your builder will monitor the construction of your home, as well as handle the cost breakdown and deal with any subcontracting difficulties that may emerge during the construction process.

While hiring a builder will cost you money, it will make the process of creating your own home much easier to cope with in the long run. If you are feeling extremely ambitious, you can consider taking up the role of your own builder. In order to avoid dealing with dishonest contractors, you will need to control your costs wisely. There is always the possibility that you will have to deal with them.

Make sure you understand the terms of the contract you signed with your builder by carefully reading it through. Ascertain what the building costs cover and what they do not cover so that you are not taken by surprise when the time comes.

Make certain that it contains a cooling-off period and that it defines a construction timeline that is suitable for your requirements. See if the package has full plans, warranty, and insurance information before you buy it. Pay particular attention to the payment plan, as well as the due date.

Finally, it is a good idea to have a lawyer review the deal before you sign it. Fill in any blanks with a black marker, and make sure that any contract modifications are thoroughly documented and mutually agreed upon.

Make a budget for the construction of your home

You are aware of how much money you have available to spend or borrow. Now is the moment to determine whether or not the house you desire can be built with the funds you have available.  Once you and your architect have reached an agreement on a design, your builder will break down the plan into specific building phases and solicit bids from the contractors who will carry out the actual construction. Remember that you have to pay for materials and specialist equipment as well, such as crane hire.

The amount of money that your home will cost should now be able to be determined with reasonable certainty. When building a budget, It is important to account for all of the essential construction supplies and labor – including everything from Bulk water delivery should you be building on a rural plot that is not yet connected to the local water mains and wood for the frame of your property, to the day-rate for any contractors working on-site – as well as utility bills and permits, and the costs for designers, landscapers, and other specialists.

Do not forget to account for a contingency of at least 10% in your budget. The contingency fund is designed to cover the unforeseen costs that can occur during the construction of a home. If you do not need to use it, that is great.  Construction of your dream home should proceed as planned, but the last thing you want to happen is to have to stop because of unexpected costs.

Make sure that you communicate carefully with the people involved

Communicate frequently with your builder and craftsmen during the construction process. Receive regular updates on the status of the construction, and make sure you check in with the team. You should take images of the development on a regular basis so that you can capture any issue areas that may arise in the future.

Do not be scared to stick to your guns when it comes to your beliefs. Do not be afraid to challenge your builder, contractor, or tradespeople if they tell you something cannot be done. It may be more expensive, but the chances are good that you will be able to achieve your goals with the appropriate amount of effort. Putting up a battle for details that are essential to you is well worth the effort. After all, you will be the one who has to live in the house after it is finished.

You should, however, be able to prevent disagreements during the construction phase if you maintain effective communication. Construction will go much more smoothly if you have a clear vision of what you want and the details that are non-negotiable for you before starting.

Plan for things to go wrong

Something is bound to go wrong during the course of a project as complex as home construction – it is inevitable. The most important thing is to maintain your composure and stay calm and in control. As long as you have put together an excellent team, everything should turn out perfectly in the end.

Decisiveness is required

Once the construction process has begun, you may find yourself inclined to change your mind on a few important aspects of the project. If you can, resist the impulse to make changes unless you absolutely cannot live without making a few adjustments. Making adjustments in the middle of a project may be extremely expensive, time-consuming, and frustrating.

Pick out the finishing touches as early on in the process as possible

Choosing the finishing touches, such as home exterior materials or flooring early in the construction process will help to keep your project on schedule and running smoothly. You may discover that some finishes are out of stock or will take a long time to arrive. Alternatively, you may find that some finishes are no longer available, allowing you time to go back to the drawing board and make an alternative choice.

Early selection of products ensures that the products are in your builder’s possession as soon as the subcontractors are ready to begin working on the project. Believe us when we say that you want everything ready to go when your subcontractors arrive to work on your property. Aside from that, you could have to wait a long time while they finish another project.

When we purchased our house over 7 years ago now, as it was a very old house it did not have a down stairs toilet but it did have a good sized cloakroom.   One of the items top of my last was a downstairs toilet for many reason including future proofing for our needs as we get older, to enable the kids grandparents to visit and also for sheer handiness for young kids.

Pic Credit: Pixabay

I naively thought it was more straightforward than it would be. There is a lot to consider including the applicable rules and regulations pertaining to your local area. While I a no expert in this area when I can do is bring some tips and advise based on my own experience in this area.

Research

Doing adequate research before you begin cannot be underestimated.  For example check out local experts in your area, by way of reference shower remodel in Houston experts can be easily located.  Pay a visit to local display showroom, which admittedly can be a lot more difficult during the current pandemic. Another very useful piece of advice we got was to talk to our neighbours to see if any of them had completed a similar remodel. Those for us was so useful as we could go and see the size of the completed project and see the pitfalls from their perspective.

Cost 

This sounds a little cliched but it can cost as much or as little as you want depending on how much you know your specification and are willing to compromise often on functionality versus aesthetics. What shocked me most when we commenced our research was that the entire project could be brought in completed for approx $2,500.  I was genuinely shocked, my expectations were closer to $10,000. However what we did do was we increased the spend to increase the spec and hopefully prolong the bathroom functionality.

Ventilation 

Pic Credit: Pixabay

You will thank me later!! Good ventilation when retro fitting a bathroom cannot be underestimated. If you think when your main bathroom was fitted this was considered from the outset however for retrofit this is most certainly the after thought.  Poor ventilation can lead to the presence of mould which can prove hugely detrimental to health.  From our experience and talking to our contractor we erred on the side of more ventilation, not just for the obvious and essential health reason but because with a hallway toilet no guest wants to be greeted with lingering odours from your downstairs toilet.

Statement room

What we decided to do with our downstairs bathroom is make it a feature! The rest of our house is quite minimalist and neutral, except the downstairs toilet!! We went for totally out there wall paper and finishes and it really has had the desired impact and really becomes a talking point.  Can highly recommend, especially at the moment you can source really cool wallpapers and paints with most shops allowing you to take samples to try in your own space. I would really recommend using this room to let your personality shine!!!

Note: This is a collaborative post.

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Finding out you are expecting a baby is such an exciting time. Whether it is the first or your fifth, making plans and getting excited about your new bundle is what it is all about. One of the things to consider with your baby is what you are going to have the baby nursery look like. You might want to go for a classic look, a more modern style, or perhaps something unique and more vintage or boho. Here are some ideas and tips to help you to decorate the baby’s nursery, so that it is not only a practical space, but a space that is happy and safe for your little one.

Use primary colours

No matter the gender of your baby, primary colours work well. You can choose bright and bold options, as well as pastel versions of the primary colours in order to make the room look cosy and friendly. If your little one will be sharing a room with a sibling, then this can also be a good option for all.

If you are looking for a colour scheme that will work as your baby becomes a toddler and then becomes a tween, then choosing a monochromatic look could work well. You can accessorize with prints and wall stickers adding pops of colour, but keeping the base the same will help the room last and last and mean that you don’t have to redecorate every couple of years. 

Practical storage

There is no getting away from it that babies and children need a lot of stuff. So to make the nursery a great space to be, adding in some practical storage is a must, unless you want clutter and toys everywhere. Some great ideas for storage, that aren’t just typical toy boxes or shelving units, can be things like an Ottoman-style stool or a window seat with storage underneath. Sometimes you just need some items to be out of sight and out of mind!

Add personality with framed art

Instead of getting the walls in a bright colour or getting bright bedspreads, you could choose to add personality with framed art. If you’re not keen on big and bright Thomas the Tank Engine bedding, then go for framed prints of the engines, so that your little one still gets to see their favourite things, just in a more classic way. These can then be easily changed as the child gets older, adding in some Pro Hart art or perhaps artwork that they themselves have created. It will also help when they’re a teenager to use frames for their displays, rather than sticking bluetack all over the walls.

The key thing with a nursery is that you want to create it to last. Babies grow quickly, and before you know it, they’ll be a toddler, and you don’t want to keep having to redecorate. Thnk comfort and think longevity, and that will help as you create a bedroom space that will work well and that will grow with your little one. 

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It could not be a more perfect time of year to turn your attention to some garden improvements such as the addition of an outdoor canopy. I have been lusting after a pop up canopy for a long time and the recent good weather spell has made us see how useful one would be for shelter in the really warm weather and the converse is also true if the weather is really bad it means the kids are sheltered and don’t have to come in out of the rain.  One huge plus for us is that it effectively increases the footprint of the house extending out into the garden.

So you have decided to invest in an outdoor canopy, what are some of the key considerations you need to keep in mind when making that decision. Below I have set out some useful advise.

• Something portable 

Pic Credit Costoffs

Speaking from experience, if like us you have a young family and pets you will want something portable.  Something that can be put up in seconds and put away then if needs be.  Following our own research it was clear what we needed was a pop up canopy. A pop up canopy as its name suggest literally pops up and you have it set up in mere minutes making it extremely handy.  It can provide shelter for pets, a safe play area for kids or a sun/ rain shelter for adults.

• Reputable supplier 

When you have decided a pop up canopy is for you,  you need to consider your supplier carefully.   If you are spending the money on garden improvements, you will want to get good value and best functionality for your money.  We stumbled across Costoffs which which are an e furniture brand founded in 2020 which specialise in home and office furniture.  They also impressively offer free shipping & delivery and 24 hours after sales service….now that is impressive.

• Functionality

After undertaking much research we were most impressed with the Costoffs pop up canopy, size wise at 3m * 3m is a really good size for most back gardens.  The major selling point for us was that it is waterproof and UV proof making it importantly suitable for all seasons which is very important, as mentioned above especially with kids and pet. Also critically is is CPAI-84 fireproof.  Also at $146.99 with free delivery you really could not go wrong.

I simply will not compromise on safety features when it comes to my kids so this pop up canopy really ticked all the boxes for us.  I see from their website that orders are currently arriving in 10-15 working days.

Do take a look at the blog posts on the Costoffs webpage as there is a wealth of information on choosing your canopy.  As mentioned above they don’t just sell canopies they have a huge range of good quality indoor and outdoor furniture.  With so many of us now working from home they do stock a very wide range of office furniture and chairs, which is exactly what is next on my list….

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Creating a nursery that will eventually become a bedroom or renovating a bedroom in a new house for a young child comes with many challenges. One of these is choosing the right flooring. Choosing the flooring for anywhere in your home is challenging, but there are specific requirements for the flooring used in a nursery or young child’s bedroom that you need to think about. Changing the flooring in a room is not something many of us want to do very often, so making sure you get it right the first time is crucial. Because of this, below are a few helpful things you should consider when changing the floor in your kid’s bedroom. 

It needs to be practical 

While practicality may be something you’d associate more with kitchen or bathroom flooring, it’s also really important for children’s bedrooms. Choosing a flooring material that is both comfortable underfoot and easy to clean is vital for any child’s bedroom. The bedroom floor is often where young children will play with their toys, and no parent wants their child to play on a hard floor where they could get uncomfortable. While carpet may seem like the obvious solution to this problem, it is not as practical as other flooring options. Luxury vinyl flooring, for example, is far easier to clean while still being highly durable and comfortable underfoot, making it an excellent choice for a child’s bedroom. 

Underfloor heating can be a great addition 

Like flooring that is practical, you may not think of underfloor heating as something related to bedroom flooring. However, when changing the flooring in your children’s bedroom, considering adding underfloor heating is a great idea. There are several critical benefits to underfloor heating, but specifically, when you have a nursery or young child’s bedroom, this can really help keep their room warm during the winter months, which can help them sleep. There are two main types of underfloor heating, one using heated water in pipes under the floor an

Image credit – Amtico – Amtico Spacia Noble Oak SS5W3030

d the other using heated wires. There is lots of information online about underfloor heating, but when you’re taking up the floor and adding a new one, this provides an opportunity to add underfloor heating, which you may not get again for many years, so keep it in mind. 

Timeless and straightforward designs work well

Choosing colours for your child’s bedroom, especially when they are young and can’t have an input in the decisions, can be difficult. Something you should consider is keeping the flooring colour as simple as possible. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, as mentioned, changing the flooring can be time-consuming and not something you want to be doing regularly. So, choosing a bold flooring pattern for a child’s bedroom only to find they don’t like it in two years is not something you want to go through.

Secondly, with a neutral or simple flooring colour, it will allow you to change other aspects of the room without worrying that the flooring will look odd and out of place. Greys are a great colour option with any flooring material. Wood flooring styles, either with vinyl or traditional wood, can work well with almost any other design style. 

Getting the flooring right in your kid’s room is an important step and one that can help create a great environment they can enjoy for years to come if done correctly. When redecorating or renovating, try and keep the points raises above in mind, and hopefully, the finished floor will be something both you and your children will love. 

 Note: This is a collaborative post

When you’re enjoying a hot summer, your home’s heating may be the last thing on your mind, especially when it comes to home maintenance. You may be desperately trying to keep cool rather than thinking about checking on your boiler or servicing your heating. 

Nevertheless, here’s a guide as to why summer is actually the best time to be thinking about your heating. 

You’ll Want it Ready for Winter

The last thing you’d want is to have to try to fix or service your heating precisely when you need it. So if you end up leaving your heating servicing until the cold winter months hit, you’re making it more of a risk that something might go wrong when your home is suffering in the cold. 

To avoid any risks of a freezing home, or boiler problems, servicing your system in the summer means it’s ready and working for when you need it the most. 

It Will Have Been Switched Off for a While 

Pic Credit: Pixabay

If the last time you used your boiler was last winter, and your heating system has remained unused up until the summer, your boiler will have been switched off after a period of hard work and high activity. It’s, therefore, the perfect time during the summer to have everything checked after its previous usage to make sure it’s all looking good for its next big switch on.

You Won’t Have to Contend with Long Wait Times 

Winter is naturally going to be synonymous with plenty of people making emergency calls for their heating systems or boiler replacements during the peak of winter. If you have your heating services completed in summer instead, it’s more likely you won’t have to wait long, and that services like gjsplumbingandheating.co.uk will have more flexibility in coming out for a callout.

You’ll Have More Time During the Summer

Most people will have time booked off during the summer and have more flexibility in terms of free days. This means it is the perfect time to book a heating service instead of the winter months when you might be back at work and busy after the summer holidays. 

You’ll Feel More at Ease

You don’t want to have to worry about the worst happening when you need to use your boiler again, and you certainly don’t want all your summer to be spent wondering whether your heating system will actually work when you next need it. 

Therefore, for peace of mind, you can arrange a simple heating service to have everything checked and be able to rest easily knowing it’s all going to be in working order when you next need it.

Key Takeaway 

There are many benefits to having your heating serviced in summer, even if you don’t need to use your heating during the hotter months. Take advantage of a more flexible schedule, peace of mind, and good preparation for the winter months by being proactive and having your heating serviced in the middle of summer instead.

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Covid has forced most of us to stay indoors within the confines of our homes. While the situation may be troubling, it is also a great time to start focusing on self-development or learn a new skill.

On a personal level, COVID has given me the perfect opportunity to upgrade my home. Growing up, I always bought stuff, filled my house with clothes and accessories, and loved to flaunt them. Having kids has greatly added to the clutter too. Today the family is embracing minimalism.

We decided to utilize our free time to do a complete home makeover. As a first step, we started by changing the walls using peel & stick removable wallpaper.

From there, there was no looking back. I am proud to say that I have an incredibly cozy home where we can work, rest, play, and relax. My children enjoyed picking and installing their kids’ peel and stick wallpapers too. This was a great learning experience for them.

How I used the COVID isolation period to upgrade my house:

My work never allowed me to do a major overhaul. With isolation, I got an opportunity to spend more time at home with my family. Since weekends meant more free time, we started planning the upgrade process.

This is how we approached the whole process of updating my home during these COVID times.

I started by decluttering.

Any cleaning expert will tell you that the first step towards upgrading your home is to declutter and downsize. Many of us tend to accumulate a lot of junk over the years and simply can’t let go. Upgrades are an excellent time to work on letting go of things we no longer use.

If you feel overwhelmed with this process, start with one room at a time. Have three boxes or garbage bags- one to keep, one to donate, and one for garbage. Make sure that all the items go into one of these categories. This process will help you declutter a lot of stuff and give a direction to go ahead with the update.

My kids followed the same process, and we could clear out tons of stuff from our home.

I gave my walls a fresh look with peel and stick removable wallpapers.

I was working under a tight budget and was looking for different ways to give a fresh new look to my walls. The paint was peeling off in many places, and the walls were screaming for a much-needed makeover. I realized peel and stick removable wallpapers are inexpensive and easy to install.

This also meant I needn’t call contractors or professional decorators to do the job in these Covid times. The process was so easy; my kids were able to finish installing their kids peel and stick wallpaper with a bit of help from my spouse and me.

We rearranged and repurposed all the furniture and accessories to suit the changing needs.

We also left out furniture we no longer use on the curbside so the needy can pick them up. This was a satisfying experience.

My Takeaways from the Covid Upgrade Process:

Peel and stick removable wallpaper are an excellent inexpensive way to give every room a complete upgrade. They are available in a wide range of patterns, colors, and designs.

If you have kids at home who want to change the look of their rooms, you can easily pick kids’ peel and stick wallpapers.

It is a beautiful experience that will bring the whole family together for great bonding. 

Note: This is a collaborative post