The sun is rising earlier, setting later, and slowly the temperature is starting to climb. But that also means that it’s time to get down and dirty with some spring cleaning. For some this can be daunting, and for others a cathartic experience to remove the clutter from their lives. We have some great tips to help make your spring cleaning an easy and simple process.

Before you even start cleaning, there are some steps you can follow to help you through the process:

1. Draw up a schedule and break up your cleaning into easy to manage portions – by breaking it up over several days you won’t tire yourself out and the process can become more enjoyable.
2. Tackle your cleaning one room at a time – by tackling one room at a time you can give it all your attention, for example, in your bedroom you can take the time to organise your closet and get rid of things you don’t wear or need.
3. Get everything you need before you start cleaning to avoid having to stop.
4. Create multiple piles of items as you go through your house, one for storage, one for charity and a rubbish pile for the things you want to throw out.

BE MASTERFUL WITH YOUR MUCK

The kitchen and bathroom are probably the worst places to clean as the steam from cooking and hot showers can make the dirt and grime more difficult to remove. There are plenty of tricks and clever products that will make this arduous task a lot easier.

• Lemon cleans stainless steel – Simply halve a lemon and use it to scrub away those annoying streaks and marks.
• Steam clean your microwave – Mix two tablespoons of white vinegar and a few drops of a scented essential oil of your choice with water and place this in the microwave on a high temperature for five minutes. Not only will it remove those tough stains and food build up, it will smell great too.
• Organise your refrigerator – Place a lazy Susan in your fridge for bottles, jars and containers, to make it easier to get to the items that you want, and keep your fridge organised. Plastic containers are also a great way to keep your food fresh, and make it easy to see what you have in stock.

HOME Clip Fresh Plastic Food Containers Pack of 10 £16.99 at Argos
Sistema Multi-Coloured Klip it Food Storer 5 Litres £7.00 at Asda
Wilko Food Container Square 2.3 Litre £2.50 at Wilko

BRIGHT AND BLISSFUL BATHROOMS

Steam marks and water stains can be laborious to clean, and with so many products required for daily grooming, your bathroom is bound to look untidy unless you create clever storage solutions. Look out for storage products to ensure everything is kept neat, while being easily accessible.

• Get rid of water stains and product build up – Tumble Dryer sheets are great for removing product build up on glass shower doors.
• Keep your bathroom smelling fresh – Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil inside your toilet paper roll for a constant, pleasant smell.
• Deep clean your shower head – Regularly fill a sandwich bag with baking soda and vinegar and tie this around your shower head. Let this soak overnight to loosen dirt and grime and use an old toothbrush to scrub it clean.

ODIN Bamboo and white lacquer 3 tier storage unit £80.00 and ODIN Bamboo and white 3 shelf corner unit £80.00 at Sainsbury’s
4 Tier Storage Unit White £18.00 and Pop up Laundry Bin £3.00 at Wilko

COLLIER Copper metal over door hooks £12.00 at Sainsbury’s
Wilko Over Door Rack £10.00 at Wilko
Croydex Hookover Steel Shower Caddy £11.99 and HOME 2 Tier Hookover Shower Caddy £6.99 at Argos

SOLVE YOUR STORAGE WOES

For most people, storage is an issue. Either there is not enough storage space at home, or drawers and cupboards are untidy, and things are difficult to find. But there are a few simple steps you can follow to make sure that your bedroom cupboards, laundry cupboard and even your sitting room are neat, and that everything has a proper place.

The great thing about storage, is you can choose whether you want to make it a feature of the room, or if you want it hidden. And when it comes to your wardrobe, vacuum packing the clothes is a great way to clear up some space.

HOME Single 2 Rail Wardrobe Frame £39.99, HOME 2 Tier Shoe Rack £19.99, Protect & Store Mixed Vacuum Storage Bags 6 Piece Set £11.99, and HOME 10 Pocket Hanging Canvas Shoe Storage £5.49 all at Argos

HOME Large Fabric Ottoman £32.99 at Argos
Habitat Jacobs Upholstered Storage Bench £250.00 at Argos
Really Useful Storage Box 9 Litre Pack of 2 £10.00 at Ryman
Floral Storage Suitcases Set Of 3 £7.00 at The Works

Don’t let the Easter Bunny get the better of you. Hop to the challenge of preparing the perfect Easter family gathering without falling victim to any unnecessary stress.

Easter is meant to be about new life and regeneration, so let this shine through in your décor and food choices. There are a few simple steps to follow to help you pull of the perfect Easter gathering with as little stress and fuss as possible.

1. Choose a theme – Pick a colour palette, flower or ornament that you want to make the hero of your day.
2. Decide on the menu – Planning your menu early can help reduce the stress of preparing all the food at the last minute. Select foods and dishes that won’t require you to spend the day in the kitchen.
3. Organise your shopping list early and buy as much as possible in advance, making the most of seasonal offers in supermarkets and department stores.

FOOD FAYRE

For any gathering, the meal is usually the main focus, and all other aspects should complement this. As a fun way to play on the idea of new life and renewal that accompanies Easter, why not incorporate baby vegetables, like baby carrots and baby asparagus as your side dishes or look for seasonal produce new to the market? When it comes to the main dish, choose recipes that won’t have you slaving away in the kitchen for hours and missing out on the family fun. Dishes that can be prepared the day before are ideal for entertaining the masses and maxing out on family time.

EGG-CITING ALTERNATIVES

Even though Easter will have the kids hunting for chocolate Easter eggs, why not look at an alternative this year and let them hunt for something a bit more egg-citing that will last longer than a quick scoff?

The Hatchimals CollEGGtibles egg cartons are a fun way to keep the kids surprised and entertained. And they aren’t just for the kids. Buy a box and hide them for the adults too. They will make cute desk ornaments at the office.

Hatchimals CollEGGtibles Egg Carton – 12 Pack £24.99 and 2 Pack Egg Carton £4.99 at Argos

You can also share the love this Easter with a fun card or other adorable Easter inspired keepsakes that will bring a smile to people’s faces. Find healthy Easter treat options available from health shops.

Easter Bunny Felt Keepsake Gift Bag £5.00 at Clintons
Easter inspired mugs £7.99 and Easter cards from 99 pence at Card Factory

Freedom Mallows Vegetarian Mini Pink & White Vanilla Marshmallows 75g £2.49, Vego Organic Hazelnut Chocolate Bar 65g £1.99, and Raw Health Organic Blissed Chocada Truffles 65g £2.49 all Holland & Barrett

PAINT YOURSELF PRETTY

As the hostess with the mostess you’ll need to look the part. Spring is a great time to have fun with your look and experiment with make-up in new colour palettes. Whether you paint your nails a delicious candyfloss pink, or you add ribbons and bows to your hair, paint yourself pretty in pastels.

Barry M Scented Candy Culture Nail Paint £3.99 at Boots
Essie Matte Leather Effect Pastel Nail Polish Rebecca Minkoff Collection Trio Mini £12.99 at Boots
Maybelline Color Show Glitter Nail Polish 232 Rose Chic 7ml £3.99 and Maybelline Forever Strong Gel 130 Rose Poudre Nail Polish £4.49 at Superdrug

Mini silver glitter bow hair barrette £3.00, Jumbo coral chiffon bow hair clip £6.00 and Baby pink lace hair bow £4.50 all at Claire’s

Ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday 11 March we look at some glorious gifts for even the most discerning of Mums. Besides the customary chocolates and flowers, it can sometimes be challenging to know what to choose to be your gift to her. She has done so much for you, the least you can do is show your appreciation and love with a well-thought-out gift she will love that she may not splurge on for herself.

MAKE MEMORIES

If your mother is notorious for her love of photos, then buying her a camera to capture special (and even mundane) family moments may be just the right gift for her. Why not help her access these memories in an instant with the HP Sprocket Printer or an instax camera? – and if she isn’t so hot to embrace new technology, then don’t worry! An alternative for your photo loving mum is to get a special family photograph framed for her, or get a photo printed onto a bag, cushion or mug, or something else she will use and cherish.

HP Sprocket Photo Printer £119.99, HP Sprocket Zink Photo Paper 20 Sheets £9.99, and HP Sprocket Mobile Printer White Accessory Bundle £129.99 all at Argos & selected retailers

instax Mini 9 Camera with 10 shots in Smoky White £74.99, and instax Mini 70 camera with 10 shots in White £99.99 both at Argos & selected retailers

White Natasha 6×4 inch Photo Frame £7.00 (plus cost of printing the photo), ‘Love You Mum’ Make Up Bag Large from £30.00, and Square Plastic Photo Keyring from £4.45 all Max Spielmann

SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND

While diamonds may be beyond your Mother’s Day budget, jewellery is a great way to show her how much you love her, and it’s a gift that she will treasure for years to come. Keep your eyes peeled for bargains ahead of Mother’s Day, as many jewellers have special offers ahead of the day.

Best Mother Charm £25.00 and Love for Mother Charm £35.00at Pandora
Three Silver Floating Hearts Necklace £19.95 at F. Hinds

A BAG FOR EVERY OCCASION

Whether your marvellous mum is a fashionista, or more of a practical lady, a handbag as a gift could be ideal. Whether you opt for a luxurious evening bag or a handy daytime tote, this is a gift she can use and enjoy. Visit her favourite fashion or department store to find the perfect arm candy in a hue she will adore.

Black Metallic Trim Structured Tote Bag £27.99 at New Look
Women’s Grey Bar Bag £25.00 at Peacocks
Rose Pink Mini Bow Tote Bag £20.00 at Dorothy Perkins

PAMPER HER PRETTY

What woman doesn’t love to be pampered? There are some great at-home pamper products on the market at a range of prices. Look in department stores, specialist beauty & bath products stores, bargain shops, and of course high-street chemists for luscious bath bombs, delectable body lotions and potions, fabulous facial products and sensational fragrances. Giving her some “me-time” and the gift of indulgence and relaxation is priceless.

Clinique Smart Indulgence Gift Set £42.00 at Boots
Ted Baker Blush Bouquet Cosmetic Bag Gift £24.00 at Boots
Strawberry Heart Gift Set £10.00 at The Body Shop
British Rose Head-to-Toe Collection £25.00 at The Body Shop

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Eau De Toilette 50ml Spray £22.80 at Boots
Calvin Klein CK One Eau De Toilette 200ml Spray £32.00 at The Fragrance Shop
Lancôme Miracle Eau de Parfum for her £62.99 at The Perfume Shop

THE WRITTEN WORD

No gift can convey to your wonderful mum how you feel about her more than the written word. When it comes to choosing a card, choose wisely. Whether you choose one that comes with a message, or you get a blank card to write your own personal and special message, there are lovely Mother’s Day cards available to tell her just how much you love her.

Special Mum Bouquet Mother’s Day Card £3.50 at Clintons
Mother’s Day Card Mum Large Letters Floral £2.50 at Clintons
Mother’s Day Card – Butterflies £1.99 at Card Factory
Mother’s Day Card – Mummy No One Is Half As Funny £0.99 at Card Factory

Valentine’s Day is the day that many couples look forward to, to show each other how much they love one another. While dining out can be a wonderful treat, it can also be expensive. So why not do something special at home instead? You will certainly have the place to yourselves, be able to indulge in your favourite foods, and take your time over your meal. Valentine’s Day at home doesn’t have to be boring or drab. With the right table décor and music, you can create a magical night.

SET THE SCENE

For any special meal at home your table décor is important, this includes any cutlery and crockery that you use. As it will most likely just be two of you on the night, you can always go out and buy special tableware, and keep it to use again next Valentine’s Day or for your anniversary meal. There are a number of retailers that sell loose plates, bowls and cutlery, or you can splurge on a dining set and ensure you have spares if something breaks.

Luminarc Trianon dinner plate (28cm), side plate (20cm), and bowl (12cm) £2.99 each at Tesco

Home Hearts 12 piece porcelain dinner set £22.99 at Argos
12 piece Cross Stitch heart dinner set £15.00 at Asda
16 piece heart cutlery set £8.00 at Asda

FINISHING TOUCHES

Once you have all your crockery and cutlery sorted, it’s time to create the right atmosphere with candles, flowers, and any other special mementos that mean something to you and your Valentine. The soft glow of candle light will help enhance the romantic atmosphere that you are trying to create.

Scented love heart candles £3.00 at Primark
Flickering tealight candles (4 pack) £1.00 at Poundland
Sainsbury’s Home large candle (Wild cotton & Ylang) £6.50 at Argos
George Home taper candles (10 pack) £2.00 at Asda
Tesco Basic tealights (100 pack) £2.00 at Tesco

The final touch to any table is napkins. No one wants to be left stranded when they accidentally mess something at the table. And with so many great designs available, you can find something to match your colour scheme for the evening.

Tesco Red Napkins 33cm (50 Pack) £1.50 at Tesco
Bird Napkin 33cm (20 Pack) £1.50 at Tesco
Sainsbury’s Home Heart Repeat Lunch Napkin (20 Pack) £2.00 at Sainsbury’s

On the day, getting some fresh flowers to add to the table could be a nice touch. Roses can be pricey, so if your budget won’t stretch to roses, you can always get your Valentine’s favourite flowers. It will be more personal and mean so much more to them.

You can also have your favourite songs playing in the background, as well as having your favourite movie on stand-by if you want to cuddle up on the couch after your romantic meal.

A LOVE LETTER

With all the effort you’ve put into planning your Valentine’s Day meal, you might not need to get a gift for your Valentine, but a special card would not go amiss. Head into Card Factory to find a wonderful selection of cards, with messages targeted to husbands, wives, fiancées, boyfriends and girlfriends.

Valentine’s Day is often focused on women, enlisting men with gift ideas of what he could buy for the special lady in his life, with flowers, jewellery and chocolates being popular choices. But for a woman, Valentine’s Day is also a time to show her love and appreciation for her special man. Hearts and flowers are not something that most men will appreciate, so to make your Valentine’s Day gift shopping easier, we have found some great gift ideas for men in some of your favourite stores.

THE TECHY ADDICT

If you’re willing to spend a lot of money on his Valentine’s Day gift, new tech is a great way to go. He might have dropped some hints about the gadgets he wants, but if he hasn’t, we have some tech options you could consider.

A great pair of headphones are ideal for the man who loves music, gaming, or watching movies and box sets on his laptop. A new gaming console might be outside of your budget, but if gaming is his thing and your budget can stretch to it, there are some brilliant games consoles to consider.

Bose Quiet Comfort 25 Headphones £253.99 at Argos
Xbox One X 1TB Console £449.99 at Argos
Nintendo Switch Console £279.99 at Argos
PlayStation 4 500GB FIFA 18 with Second DualShock 4 Controller £279.99 at Game

A more affordable gaming option is to buy him a new game for the console he already has. There are a number of highly anticipated games for 2018, unfortunately most of them won’t be released in time for Valentine’s Day. But there are still a few new releases and soon to be released games that you can consider as potential gifts.

Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom for PS4 available 19 January £42.99 at Argos and Game
Dragon Ball FighterZ for Xbox One and PS4 available 26 January £43.99 at Argos and Game
Monster Hunter World for Xbox One and PS4 available 26 January £41.99 at Argos
Dissidia Final Fantasy NT for PS4 available 30 January £41.99 at Argos
Shadow of the Colossus for PS4 available 6 February £29.99 at Argos and Game

A SCENT SENSATION

Fragrances aren’t just for women. A designer fragrance could be a great gift option, especially if this is something he likes but wouldn’t normally purchase for himself. You can pick up some great deals and gift sets in the lead up to Valentine’s Day that the special man in your life will adore.

Gucci Guilty Pour Homme Eau De Toilette 50ml £48.50, Paco Rabanne Invictus Eau De Toilette 100ml £58.00, French Connection UK Friction Him Eau De Toilette 100ml Gift Set £20.00, David Beckham Intimately Eau De Toilette 75ml £12.00, and Versace Eros Eau De Toilette 100ml £69.50 all at The Fragrance Shop

Boss In Motion Eau De Toilette 90ml £34.56, Diesel Only The Brave Tattoo Eau De Toilette 125ml £37.00, James Bond 007 Eau De Toilette 75ml £16.00, and Givenchy Gentlemen Only Absolute Eau De Toilette 50ml Gift Set £35.32 all at Boots

SUPER STYLE HIM

Clothing may be considered a more intimate gift item, as fashion is a personal choice, but if you feel confident enough to choose something for him to wear, then shirts and jackets make great gifts. However, when it comes to shirts, avoid anything too flamboyant and rather stick to muted colours and simple patterns like check and stripe designs, as this is more likely to be well received by your Valentine than a bright pink floral shirt, unless that is something that they would usually wear.

Black Check Pocket Front Shirt £19.99 at New Look
Industrialize White and Navy Check Shirt and Tee Set £16.99 at Officers Club
Twisted Soul Black Long Sleeve Nep Shirt £10.00 at Blue Inc.

Black Shearling Aviator Jacket £59.99 at New Look
TS Heritage Blue Denim Sherpa Jacket £20.00 at Blue Inc.
Soul Star Navy Blue Quilted Bomber Jacket £19.99 at Officers Club

As the new school year approaches at a slightly alarming rate, uniform and backpack-buying duty looms. If your kids’ lunchboxes have seen better days, or you’re giving into their demands for new kit, read on to discover our new-term favourites. These boxes and bags are suitable for pre-school, primary and secondary school students, combine clever, leak-free compartments, wipe-clean interiors and some serious insulation.

BEST FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES

Sistema Triple Split Lunchbox £10.95 Tesco

This multi compartmental BPA-free plastic lunch box is simple, durable and comes in a range of bold and bright colours. Split into three compartments, a large section for a sandwich or roll and two smaller compartments for snack or fruit and a 150ml screw top yoghurt pot that fits neatly into one of the smaller compartment, it is sealed tight with sturdy clips.

Polar Gear Lunch Bag and Bottle £11.99 Argos

The Polar Gear lunch set comes complete with a spacious 2 compartment cool bag and 650ml tritan bottle. It is great for everyday use at work, school or just out for the day and can be wiped clean easily.

My Little Lunch Urban Camouflage Lunch Bag and Bottle £17.99 Argos
This urban style rucksack lunchbag comes complete with a water bottle. The My Little Lunch fun camouflage style lunch bag is fully insulated with an easy wipe, food safe lining, keeping food fresh and cool and has a matching sports bottle. Well worth the price tag!

Playpiece Lunch Bag £6.99 (reduced from £11.99) Trespass

The Playpiece kid’s lunch bag keeps food cool and safe. It’s also ideal for picnics at the park or a day out exploring. Designed with a clip on carry strap that can be easily removed and a carry handle on top, the Playpiece bag has a full zip and comes in a cool helicopter design or funky flower pattern to suit your kid’s tastes.

Smash Heart Bag & Bottle £7.00 George at Asda

Bring fashion and design to lunchtime with this bright and colourful heart bag from Smash! Smash Insulated Cases are made from durable Polyester with an extra thick foam insulation to keep contents colder longer. Food Safe and BPA, PVC with a lead free lining, the leak proof bottle is also included.

BEST FOR OLDER KIDS

Polar Gear Bento Lunchbox £6 Wilko

Available in pink or black this versatile bento style lunch chiller helps keep your lunch cool and fresh. It comes with a fill at home ice pack and a fork and spoon included, and boasts 3 separate food compartments ideal for storing salads, sandwiches, sushi as well as snacks.

Bergner Black Cube Lunch Bag £22.99 Argos

The stylish and most compact of all lunchbags, this set includes two lunch boxes of different sizes, one all-purpose tray, two cotton napkins and one cooler bag. It has a wide padded shoulder strap and carrying handle and the case features an aluminium and foam layer for heat insulation.

BEST FOR LITTLE ONES

Polar Gear Kids Insulated Lunch Bag 9.99 Shoe Zone

The fabulous Polar Gear Kids 3D Insulated Lunch Bags pack a healthy lunch. The 3D is insulated which will keep their food cool and fresh for longer and food safe, plus it also has a wipe clean PVC free lining, Choose from a colourful Owl, Cupcake or a Football design.

Disney Frozen Elsa Lunch Bag £12.00 Claire’s

We love this pretty Disney Frozen lunch bag. With glitter detailing, a zip fastening all the way around and 2 grab handles, your little girl’s friends could mistake it for a super trendy handbag. Currently when you buy one item at Claire’s you’ll get a second free.

Paw Patrol ‘Chase’ 3D Lunch Bag £9.99 Deichmann

Entice your active little boy to sit still long enough to eat lunch with this 3D insulated lunch bag that feature’s Paw Patrol’s Chase. It’s a must-have for Paw Patrol fans.

Sistema 1.5L Slimline Quaddie Pink £4.00 Asda

The Slimline Quaddie is part of the Sistema Lunch range and has been specifically designed for packed lunches – ideal for school, picnics and days out. There is a large lower section for sandwiches and other lunch items. In addition there are two smaller sections in the top for snacks and smaller items of fruit. A further top section contains a small water bottle.