Happy Thursday, all! We hope you've had a good week, and that you are all enjoying the onset of the festive season. As promised, today we will be announcing the winners of Rose's Banjo Plushy Giveaway competition! To all of you who entered, you are still winners in life - but my little hand could only pull three names from the hat, so don't under any circumstances think that you are not a winner. Everyone is a winner, but at different things.

The winners are as follows:
1 - Banjo Plushy - John from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 
2 - Excited Banjo meets the Superhero Dentist (paperback) - Sue Ellen from Gauteng, South Africa.
3 - Excited Banjo meets the Superhero Dentist (eBook) - Mandy from London, United Kingdom.

Of course as the new year rolls in, 2020, we will hold more competitions where you could stand a chance to win some amazing prizes. For now, why not browse through Rose's website here to see all of the books she has written for kids. Books make amazing gifts at Christmas, and each of Rose's books are unique. All of them are available in both eBook and paperback formats. 

Well, before I go, I must let you know that there will be no blog from us next week.  Believe it or not, the fairy Godmother has given me some time to take a holiday of my own! Yes, for a whole week I get to visit my family in the forest, and I won't need to collect teeth from children around the world! Here are some pictures of where I'll be going. If you'd like me to tell you more about it, you can connect with me via my page here on Rose's website. I would love to tell you all about it in a letter to you when you become my penpal! 
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​I will write to you all again on December 19th. 
Until then, keep smiling,
stay magical,
Sasha ~
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Good day, all! Thursday is blog day, and today we are sharing some creative resources with you, so that you'll have some pretty cool additions to add to your digital or paper cards at Christmas. Being a fairy, I love using my own creativity everyday to make things appear that were not actually there before! Fairies are clever this way - hah! 

The images below, from a royalty-free website known as Pixabay, can be used to make your own Christmas cards, or you can use the transfer images to place over photographs of your family and friends on your computer, giving your photos a festive feel. The transfers are a little like the frames for photos found on Facebook. You may need someone to help you with this, but once you know how it is pretty easy. You can drop me a line if you need help - I can explain the process to you step by step. 

For now, though, simply hover over the image you'd like to use then download it, then use the image any way you like. 
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As spoken about in our last blog, making your own Christmas gifts and cards is a great way to help the planet  by simply reducing the need for the production of plastic toys and items that will eventually end up in landfills around the world. You can make use of already existing items, and this is called recycling! Once your cards are done, we would really love to see them. You can post them on Rose's Facebook or Twitter pages, or you can send them to me via my page here on Rose's website. 

In Rose's 'Life with Imani in Kenya' series, book three tells of just how creative Imani is. With her grandmother being there to help her with all of her creative endeavors, she brought to life many a new creation by simply using her imagination and will to create more beauty.  You can find the story on Amazon, in the link below.

Well, we certainly hope you're feeling the spirit as much as we are. Now is the time for family to come together.  And, hey, if you feel you need a friend, remember there are fairies like me everywhere, always willing to listen and make you smile.

Don't forget about Rose's Banjo Plushy Giveaway competition, either - there's only this week left to enter!

Until next week, remain creative,
keep smiling,
stay magical!
Sasha ~

​Happy Thursday, all! Today is blog day, and we’re going to give you some tips on how to prepare for the festive season. You have all worked really hard this year and deserve a good break, but remember to not go beyond your limits. This time of year is a marketer’s paradise, as people want to buy gifts and really get into the spirit of giving; they should do so without getting into debt, at least, and should keep their health and family in mind always. 

​1 – The planet needs trees more than your living-room does, so if you can avoid purchasing a live tree please do.  Here are some ideas on how to create your own tree without cutting one down.

​2 – Avoid purchasing plastic decorations, as they will likely end up in the landfill at some stage. There are many items you can use and recycle to make your own decorations. This is also a great way to get the family to be creative together.

​3 – Gifts are not more important when they cost more, don’t be fooled by that idea! A real gift, when made and given from the heart, is one that can be treasured for always. Think about the person you want to give a gift to, then consider what kind of gift would be nice for them. From there, simply Google ‘How to make a (add your gift idea)', and you’re sure to find ‘how to’ videos that will show you, step by step, how to create the gift you want to give.
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​4 – When it comes to stocking fillers, consider items that are really useful, not just plastic toys that, too, will end up in landfills. Add sweets that you have made yourself by finding videos with ‘how to’ instructions like this one in the link provided. 

​5 – Be sure to maintain a healthy diet through the festive season. I have heard a lot of jokes about humans becoming overweight this time of year, but it is not necessary. While sweet treats are nice, try to limit your sugar consumption to one (or two) items a day.

6 – Be sure to get as much exercise as you can. In the northern hemisphere where it will be cold and likely snowing, folks should consider aerobics in their own living-room. There are many videos for kids on the internet that show kids how to do simple exercises at home. Those in the southern hemisphere will surely go hiking, running, swimming or even just walk around their block with their dog for exercise – but wherever you are, please stay fit! 

​7 – Don’t forget to brush your teeth (this point was Rose’s idea, of course, and a very valid one)!

8 – Regardless of your faith or family culture, the end of every year is a reason to celebrate hard work and family; remember the good times and let go of the challenges that held you down throughout the year. Spend some time being thankful for everything that this year has brought and taught you.

9 – If you’re going to travel, travel safely – never drive tired, and always aim to be at your destination before the designated time. It is always better to be early than to rush and risk and accident.

​​10 – For kids who feel Santa is not real, you can tell them there certainly were men in the past, like Santa Claus, Odin, and Saint Nicholas, who were very real. They would travel to deliver gifts to families every year. So, yes, technically Santa did (and may still) exist! 

Well, as this work year winds down and you begin to prepare for the 2019 festive season, we hope these points above will help you to have the best Christmas possible. Please remember that love cannot be bought or proven with ridiculous amounts of money. All that matters is that your family connects in the spirit of giving and loving.

Imani sure can tell you a lot about the simple things! You can read this book on Amazon in eBook or paperback formats.  If you have any other ideas you think could help folks to enjoy the best Christmas possible, feel free to share them on Rose’s Facebook or Twitter pages.

​Until next week, keep smiling,
stay magical,
Sasha ~