Bonfire Night for the Family

I remember as a little girl, my gramps would set off fireworks in the back garden on Guy Fawkes (that is what it is called in South Africa). The highlight of the night for me was the Catherine Wheel - I know that it signified the end of the fireworks display, but it used to mesmerise me. I loved how crazy yet controlled it was.

Catherine Wheel - credit Unsplash

Over the years, the fireworks laws have changed due to people's concerns for animals and nature (I also often think of the poor War veterans too - it must be awful for them) - and so I grew to accept that that was life, and that fireworks displays were a thing of the past. Some happy memory from my childhood.

This was until we arrived on the beautiful island of Malta in 2010. I don't think I have ever seen so many fireworks displays in my life - each one better than the one before. They were a spectacle, beautifully in sync with music and more like a dance performance than a pyrotechnics display. Little did we know that in the 18 months that we lived in Malta, we would hear and see fireworks almost every weekend. What a treat! But at the end, I felt that what had once excited me had slowly lost it's allure a little.

When we moved to England in 2011, I was delighted to find out that Bonfire Night was a thing - a night of light and magic. To be honest, I was never a big fan of the bangs. We arrived in London in October, so were really treated on the 5th of November, when the sky was illuminated with various beautiful displays - we were staying in a hotel, on the 10th floor, so we were really lucky. D, who was 2 at the time, was in awe - I think he has come to love and feel comforted by fireworks.

Each year since, we have tried to ensure that we watch the fireworks - sometimes from the comfort and warmth of our home, we have also been to Legoland, watched the Hook Road fireworks in Epsom a few times, and last year we headed up to the Epsom Downs which was amazing - we got to watch the fireworks all over London (honestly all the way to London Eye!!!). This year, we will be grabbing some food and driving up to a 'lookout point' again to watch as a family; and then will be attending a fireworks display at D's school.

Fireworks - credit ericspaete

We are super lucky to have such amazing child-friendly displays around the Epsom area, that I thought it would be nice to consolidate them all (if anyone is looking for somewhere to go).

Tonight, 3rd November:

• Epsom Downs Fireworks. Family tickets £14. The display begins at 7pm.
• Wimbledon Park Musical Fireworks Display. Tickets from £6 for children and £8 for adults, if bought online. There are two themed performances at 6.45pm and 8.30pm. 

Friday 4th November:

• Green Lane Fireworks Spectacular. Children's tickets are £5 and adults tickets are £7 or £22 for a family ticket. Fireworks start at 7pm. 
• Chipstead Bonfire Night. Children's tickets are £3 and adults tickets are £6. Bonfire will be lit at about 7.30pm with fireworks starting at about 8pm.

Saturday, 5th November:

• Hook Road Fireworks and Funfair. Tickets are £7.50 on the gate or £5 if bought in advance. The display begins at approximately 7.30pm.
• Morden Park Musical Fireworks Display. Tickets from £6 for children and £8 for adults, if bought online. There are two themed performances at 6.45pm and 8.30pm. 
• Round Table Carshalton Fireworks. Tickets are £5, if purchased before 4/11, or £7.50 on the night. Children under 5 are free. Display will commence at 7pm, followed by a bonfire. 
• Banstead CC Fireworks Display. Entrance by donation. Display at approximately 7.30pm. 

**Buttershly Kisses cannot be held responsible for any changes or cancellations to these events**

I hope that whatever you decide to do for Bonfire Night, that you have a really wonderful, magical and safe time!

Please comment below if you know of any other fireworks displays in the area. I will also post photos of our fun on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter - follow me to keep in touch!

This is Halloween! Halloween! Halloween...

7 Day How-to-Guide for Celebrating Halloween - photo credit PublicDomainPictures

Halloween has always been one of my favourite times of the year -  I really do love any opportunity to celebrate! I remember my first Halloween like it was yesterday - my teenage aunt persuaded me into dressing up as a mummy for her school's annual Halloween parade. I was about 5 at the time and remember being devastated that I had to walk around in JUST bandages. I think I would be pretty gutted if anyone expected me to do that these days too.

Thankfully, I wasn't scared off after that; and I still love dressing up - albeit my costumes are a lot more 'conventional' and are generally shop bought now. And these days, this mummy likes being a witch (usually only for Halloween).

As it is only 7 days until Halloween - I thought it would be fun to do a little how-to-guide for celebrating a truly SPOOKY Halloween. 

The reason that our family loves Halloween is because it is a fun evening for us to dress up, have a party with some friends and it is the one day in the year that my children are allowed to go a little sugar crazy!

Did you know? Halloween is believed to have originated from British and Irish pagan Harvest Festivals. These festivals were then made Christian by dedicating the celebration to saints, martyrs and dearly beloved passed members of the community. Halloween is derived from the Holy Eve, the night that precedes All Saints Day. Saints are also often referred to as Hallows. The Scottish people refer to the night before All Saints Day as Allhallow-even (the Eve of All Saints) and this is believed to have been shortened to just Halloween.  

I hope that you will join me for the next 7 days of my Halloween preparations. 

See you tomorrow! 

Kalli x

Mayfield Lavender

Today, a friend and I had the pleasure of visiting the Mayfield Lavender in Surrey. If you haven't been, GO NOW, before the end of September! I had heard a lot about the fields, from friends, and I am so glad that we finally made a trip to go and see what the hype was all about. 

There is nothing more lovely than driving along, and smelling lavender a mile before arriving at the farm. And then driving through the gates and being welcomed by never-ending fields of purple. I couldn't help thinking how much my great-gran would have loved being there - she LOVED lavender.

After taking loads of photos, I had to buy some lavender products to take home with me... Ooooooh, and some delicious lavender short bread biscuits! I can still smell the lavender, and I'm pretty sure I will sleep very peacefully tonight! 

Goodnight! x