feature image repurpose toys

Kids grow up so fast. It’s only a matter of time before the toys you lovingly bought for them are left forgotten in dusty corners. 

But with lots of clever craft ideas floating around the internet, it is easy to create something new out of these memorable items, either for yourself or as a Christmas gift.

Not only will repurposing these toys give give your child more space for their upcoming Christmas loot, but if you're feeling sentimental about your children growing up, it's a nice way to keep their objects - and the memory of them being younger - close by.

A quick search on Instagram will bring up plenty of ideas for transforming toys, but these four are our favourite.

Dinosaur plant pots

Playing with dinosaurs may be extinct but they can still be useful and decorative! Give them a new lease of life as pint-sized, plant pots.

Plantosaurus anyone?


Stuffed toy or baby head pin cushion

Some of us may struggle to stitch a single button; nevertheless, these fun pincushions would make a great feature in any room.


Toy bookends

These bookends are a homage to simpler times. All you need is an old toy, some strong glue, and a lot of patience! 

Sweet animal ring dishes

What could be cuter than these little guys keeping your rings and other jewellery safe and sound?

 

Do you have any old toys lying around that you’ve been holding onto for sentimental reasons?

Main image: Instagram/chengdar, lnstagram/indas.craft.shack, Instagram/thingamajigies, Instagram/nickykow

Photo of pensioner old man grey beard hold wired telephone talk collegue elves find out good news wear x-mas santa costume gloves coat belt sunglass cap isolated red color background

Wouldn’t it be great if you could call Santa and check if you’re on the nice list this year? Maybe suggest a few gift ideas?

It would certainly save some disappointment on the big day, right?

Well good news, because you can now call Santa for free from any Telstra payphone.

According to the Telstra website, you can simply dial #HO HO HO (#46 46 46) right up until he jumps into the sleigh to deliver presents on Christmas Eve.

Not only will you be having some fun with Santa, but calling him will spread some Christmas cheer too - for every call that’s made, Telstra will donate money to the Salvation Army to help Australians stay connected and sheltered this Christmas.

To find where you nearest Telstra payphone is, head to the Telstra website

 

Image: Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock.com

 best 2021 christmas movies

When it comes to Christmas movies, you probably have a playlist of favourites that you faithfully rewatch each year.

Much-loved classics like Elf, The Santa Clause, Love Actually, Home Alone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life are on repeat for a reason.

But it’s good to keep an eye on the new Christmas releases to see if they can earn a place on next year’s watch list.

So we’ve rounded up the best of the new Christmas movies that have been released in 2021 for you to check out.

Plus we've included three surprise bonuses at the end that also bring the Christmas cheer even though they’re not movies: an insane documentary about taking Christmas celebrations too far, a Christmas take on a popular series, and a Christmas special from one of our biggest pop stars.

Happy watching!

Home Sweet Home Alone

A reimagining of the classic Home Alone, Max Mercer is a mischievous and resourceful young boy who has been left behind while his family is in Japan for the holidays. So when a married couple attempting to retrieve a priceless heirloom set their sights on the Mercer family's home, it is up to Max to protect it from the trespassers ... and he will do whatever it takes to keep them out. Hilarious hijinks of epic proportions ensue, but despite the absolute chaos, Max comes to realise that there really is no place like home sweet home.

How to watch: Disney Plus


A Boy Called Christmas

Based on the international best-seller by Matt Haig, A Boy Called Christmas is about an ordinary young boy called Nikolas who sets out on an extraordinary adventure into the snowy north in search of his father who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of the elves, Elfhelm. Taking with him a headstrong reindeer called Blitzen and a loyal pet mouse, Nikolas soon meets his destiny in this magical, comic and endearing story that proves nothing is impossible.

How to watch: In select cinemas


Love Hard

A romantic comedy about the lies we tell for love. An unlucky-in-love LA girl (Nina Dobrev) falls for a rugged East Coast guy (Darren Barnet) on a dating app and decides to surprise him for the holidays—only to discover that she’s been catfished by his childhood friend (Jimmy O. Yang).

How to watch: Netflix


Single All the Way

Desperate to avoid his family’s judgment about his perpetual single status, Peter (Michael Urie) convinces his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) to join him for the holidays and pretend that they're now in a relationship. But when Peter’s mother (Kathy Najimy) sets him up on a blind date with her handsome trainer James (Luke Macfarlane)— the plan goes awry.

How to watch: Netflix


8 Bit Christmas

This movie starring Neil Patrick Harris in set in 1980s Chicago and features a 10-year-old boy who sets out on a quest to get the Christmas gift of his generation: the latest and greatest video-game system. No it's not a PS5, we're going old school here!

How to watch: Netflix, AppleTV, Binge, Foxtel, Amazon, Fetch, Google Play, YouTube


Silent Night

This black comedy starring Keira Knightley is a nice change of pace from all the other Christmas fare. Nell, Simon, and their boy Art are ready to welcome friends and family for what promises to be a perfect Christmas gathering. Perfect except for one thing: everyone is going to die. 

How to watch: AppleTV


A Castle for Christmas

To escape a scandal, a bestselling author (Brooke Shields) journeys to Scotland, where she falls in love with a castle - and faces off with the grumpy duke (Cary Elwes) who owns it.

How to watch: Netflix


BONSUS! 3 more must-watches....

Okay, so these aren’t movies, but we had to include them as they look so good.

Blown Away: Christmas

Blown Away is cranking up the heat for a spectacular holiday showdown! ’Tis the season for redemption as five fan favorites return to the hot shop to compete in a series of Christmas-themed challenges in the quest to become The Best in Holiday Blow. In the spirit of giving, the winner will not only receive a $10,000 cash prize, but an additional $10,000 will also be donated to their charity of choice.

How to watch: Netflix


'Twas the Fight Before Christmas

For documentary lovers, watch the twisted but true story of a neighborhood’s war against "Mr. Christmas." This true-life twist on a holiday fable sees Jeremy Morris bringing a whole new meaning to Christmas spirit when his extravagant seasonal display sparks a dispute with his neighbours that lands them all in court.

How to watch: AppleTV


Mariah's Christmas: The Magic Continues

The Queen of Christmas returns with a blast of holiday cheer in this special. Mariah performs her enchanting original song “Fall in Love at Christmas” with Khalid and Kirk Franklin, chats with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, and signs off with a festive classic.

How to watch: AppleTV

 

Main image: IMDB

best fish and chips in australia 2021

The country’s best fish & chip shops have been announced with the Great Australian Fish & Chips Award winners revealed for 2021. Each state and territory has a winner with almost 300,000 votes from the public.

Organised by Seafood Industry Australia (SIA), CEO Veronica Papacosta said in a media release, â€śIn every town, across every state and territory, people spruik their fish & chips as number one. So, we’ve listened to the people, and crowned the best fish & chip shops around the country.”

Here are the winners of the Great Australian Fish & Chip Awards 2021 MasterFoods™ People’s Choice Awards:

 


Queensland
Costa’s Seafood Cafe, Capalaba 

According to the SIA, Queensland had the most votes cast which meant Costa’s received the most votes in the entire competition.

 


New South Wales
Something Seafood, Callala Bay 


Victoria
Trident Fish Bar, Queenscliff


Tasmania
Fraggles, Invermay 

 


South Australia
Fish Out of Water, Hyde Park


Western Australia
Pinjarra Fish & Chips, Pinjarra


Northern Territory
Frying Nemo Fish and Chippery, Stuart Park


Australian Capital Territory
The Fish Shack, Civic


The awards are a celebration of the amazing fishers and food service teams who catch and cook the seafood. This year with almost 300,000 votes was the most that has ever been counted.

“After a hard 18 months for Australia’s foodservice industry and our commercial fishers, we encourage everyone to take a night or two off from the kitchen, get together with your friends and family, and support your local takeaway store and your fishers, while you enjoy some Great Australian Fish & Chips,” says the SIA.

“The awards also highlight the importance of buying fresh, local, Australian seafood. It’s important to always ask for Aussie seafood; even why you’re buying fish & chips. Australian seafood is one of the most sustainable protein sources in the world and our fisheries management is world-class. However, close to 70 per cent of seafood eaten in Australia is imported so it’s important you chat to your server about where your seafood is from."

Image Credit: (Rutkowskii / Shutterstock.com)