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Debenhams slashes ‘brilliant' £500 rattan furniture set by almost £300

Debenhams slashes ‘brilliant' £500 rattan furniture set by almost £300

Daily Mirror2 days ago
The rattan garden furniture set with corner sofa and coffee table is hailed as 'brilliant' and 'easy to put together', and Debenhams has now slashed the price from £500 to £219
There's nothing better than spending some time outdoors in the summer, especially when the sun is shining and the heatwave temperatures keep on coming. Making yourself a cosy, comfy nook to settle down in and read a book or enjoy a drink with family is the perfect way to make the most of your outdoor space, and this discounted furniture set is a great easy way to set up your space for less.
The 3 Seater Rattan Garden Corner Sofa Set with Coffee Table is usually priced at £499.99 at Debenhams, but the summer sale has seen it slashed by 56%, taking it down to £219.99 and saving you almost £300. The set gives you plenty of seating options for guests, not to mention a simple way to create a stylish and comfortable place to relax in your garden.
The 3 Seater Rattan Garden Corner Sofa Set with Coffee Table includes a three seater corner sofa with an L-shape that gives you plenty of room to sit or lie down, not to mention lots of places for your guests and family to sit. The set also gets you a coffee table with a tempered glass top which is handy for drinks, food or just keeping your books and suncream to hand.
It comes in a dark grey colourway with co-ordinating light grey cushions on the seat and back of the sofa. If you do want other colour options, this Rattan Sofa Lounger Set (£329) from Dunelm comes in a natural colour way with white cushions and also features a three seater sofa and coffee table.
We also spotted this brilliant bargain at Sports Direct, with the Studio Bali Rattan Corner Sofa Set down from £499.99 to £129.99. Not only does this have a similar three seater sofa and coffee table, but the coffee table can be converted into another seat with an additional cushion.
The 3 Seater Rattan Garden Corner Sofa Set with Coffee Table at Debenhams also comes with showerproof padded foam cushions which are washable and easy to clean down. The PVC rattan is also made from a waterproof, UV-resistant and corrosive-resistant material that covers the sturdy steel frame.
There are limited reviews on the set at the moment, with only two currently available. The positive review reads: 'Brilliant for the price, easy to put together, delivery was quick,all round good rattan furniture.'
The other review is more negative, saying: 'I received rattan chairs and cheaply made but no fittings or fixtures or manual unfortunately. I was constantly on the phone chasing these up. Never arrived!!'
If you want more peace of mind, Dunelm's Rattan Sofa Lounger Set may be £110 more expensive, but comes with plenty of glowing reviews praising its comfort and how easy it was to assemble, although others found the cushions slipped around too much and it was a little low for them. However if you want to get your hands on the Debenhams 3 Seater Rattan Garden Corner Sofa Set with Coffee Table, the summer sale is the perfect time to do it.
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The best garden furniture covers to protect your outdoor sofas, tables and chairs come rain or shine
The best garden furniture covers to protect your outdoor sofas, tables and chairs come rain or shine

Telegraph

time8 hours ago

  • Telegraph

The best garden furniture covers to protect your outdoor sofas, tables and chairs come rain or shine

The products or services listed have been independently tested by our journalists. We will earn a commission from the affiliate links in this article. To keep your outdoor space in tip-top condition, come summer rain or heatwave, it pays to invest in the best garden furniture covers. While it's easy to delay considering furniture care and storage until autumn, covering it in between use protects from rain, UV sun damage, falling tree sap, leaves and animal mess. Many premium garden furniture stores produce bespoke fitted covers for everything from hanging egg chairs to rattan sofas. But universal designs are also available from retailers like Next, Argos and Dunelm, with prices ranging from just under £20 to £80. 'Protecting outdoor furniture properly is essential to maintain its condition and extend its lifespan,' says Ralph Aspin, Head of Product and Innovation for garden furniture brand, Kettler. 'A quality cover reduces the need for frequent cleaning and helps prevent long-term damage.' We tested 11 garden furniture covers to find the best for your favourite garden chairs, tables and sofas. Pair with an approved parasol, patio heater and garden solar lights to complete your outdoor living space. The best garden furniture covers: At a glance How to choose the best garden furniture cover Choose a design and size that suits the item of furniture you're looking to protect. Covers are available to for everything from dining tables to benches to barbecues. Ideally, the fit will be snug and secure. Aspin says: 'While universal covers are a cost-effective option that fit a range of sizes, they may not provide a close fit. Tailored covers designed for specific furniture types or sets offer better protection and a neater appearance. Modular options work well for flexible or corner seating layouts.' The material should be breathable and at least weatherproof, if not fully waterproof. 'The most effective waterproof covers are made from materials like PVC-backed polyester or ripstop fabric with a waterproof coating,' explains Aspin. 'These are both durable and resistant to tears. Features like taped seams and secure fastenings are also important to stop water from seeping through. Meanwhile, breathability also lets moisture escape, reducing condensation underneath.' Covers with a UV-resistant coating shelter furniture from direct sunlight, helping to prevent it from weakening, cracking or fading. A cover with 'high colour fastness' is more likely to maintain its appearance and resist discolouration, which can look shabby over time. How we test garden furniture covers I have reviewed a range of garden products, including hoses and solar garden lights. For this test, I tried furniture covers from a range of popular brands and retailers. I used them to cover my six-seat teak wooden dining set or a small modular sofa set, depending on the cover's size. Of course, your garden furniture may be a different size or shape, so while I considered the fit, I also looked for a wide range of sizes and a choice of colourways, so it's easy to find the right alternative for your garden. I assessed durability, weatherproofing and overall design. I noted how easy it was to drape each cover over my furniture, how easy it was to fold and handle and whether I felt the material would tear. To test how waterproof and effective each cover is at protecting furniture, I blasted each cover with a hose pipe (before any bans came into force) and monitored how well the water repelled or if it seeped through to the furniture underneath. I noted added extras, such as drawstring ties and Velcro fasteners to secure the base of the cover, which is important when the wind picks up. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best gardening product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All reviews are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. 1. Best Buy Garden Furniture Cover: Aerocover Rectangle Garden Set Cover This cover is designed for use with a rectangular garden set, but there are lots of shapes and sizes within the wider Aerocover range. There's a nifty storage bag attached, but you'll need to practise how to fold it as I found packing it away harder than unravelling it. It draped neatly over my dining table and chairs without making a crunchy noise like that of some of the cheaper covers. I also liked the pre-threaded drawstring tie, which meant I could simply pull it tightly to secure the whole cover without any fiddly set-up required beforehand. Made from pure polyester, there's a water-resistant lining which effectively held the water from my hose at bay. The furniture underneath remained dry and the cover itself dried reasonably quickly after being soaked, which meant I could pack it away in its bag soon after use. It boasts UV protection too, and it is designed to be breathable to prevent mould and mildew from finding a foothold. All told, I think this quality cover is reasonably priced with features that should suit any garden. Key specifications 2. Best Value Garden Furniture Cover: Charles Bentley Black Garden Premium Rectangular Cover Charles Bentley sells a substantial range of garden furniture covers (from parasols to barbecues) both directly on its website, and through retailers including Next and Amazon. I tested this larger design (215cm) as it's well suited to dining tables and modular sofas. Made from polyester, the cover feels heavy duty and durable. Like the Aerocover above, it draped effortlessly over my dining furniture set, with plenty of wiggle room left at the sides to adjust and fix it into place. There are holes for a drawstring at the base, but you have to thread it through yourself first. Then it pulls tight to ensure the base of the cover stays secured. While matte and smooth on the outside, the inside has a shiny coating which added to its durable finish. When I hosed down the cover, it repelled the water, which beaded on the surface making it easy to drain it away and shake it off. There's no UV protection or built in air vents, though. Key specifications 3. Best Water Repellent Garden Furniture Cover: GoodHome Hamilton Grey Rectangular Dining Set Cover Compatible with B&Q's range of Good Home Hamilton furniture, this sober grey cover comes in a range of sizes to suit various designs and sizes. I tried the Rectangular Dining Set Cover (now out of stock, but other sizes are available,) and found it to be a good size for a six-seater table and chairs. The generous dimensions would also work well for bulky rattan furniture. Impressively, water beaded and bounced off the cover when I hosed it down. It also didn't take too long to dry in the hot sun afterwards. Two panels on either side let air circulate, ensuring that the furniture can breathe while preventing mould and mildew from building up. There's a drawstring to tighten it securely at the base, but what I like most are the Velcro ties that fasten the cover to furniture legs. I didn't come across many others like this during my testing. Key specifications 4. Best Breathable Garden Furniture Cover: Enzeno Garden Covers For such a large furniture cover, this design arrives compactly folded into a small black carry pouch. Returning it back inside for storage takes time; there is a knack to folding it so neatly. While the black material feels thin and a little noisy when unravelling, it covered my dining furniture effectively. The waterproofing claim stood up to inspection too, withstanding a soaking from my hosepipe to keep the furniture underneath bone dry. I was also impressed at how securely this design fixed into place. Velcro fastenings attached to the chair legs, while two large straps on each side of the cover clicked into place to prevent it from flapping in the wind. Another practical design feature is the air vent at the side that is intended to actively improve the air circulation and limit condensation. I think this cover has a lot of useful features built in and there are some 35 different configurations to choose from. While I can't tell if it will stand the test of time after one month, I am surprised at its reasonable price given the initial quality. Key specifications 5. Best Fitted Furniture Cover: Kettler Palma Low Companion Set Protective Cover Kettler is a respected garden brand with a 35-year history selling a wide range of outdoor and conservatory furniture. All its garden furniture covers are tailored-made to fit specific pieces of furniture, although not every item has a specific cover to match. To assess whether its covers have the quality and craftsmanship it claims, I trialled the Palma Low Companion Set and its matching cover. It made a good impression, arriving neatly stored in its own bag. The cover felt strong yet lightweight and was a snug fit on the chairs. Drawstring pulls at each corner ensure it doesn't blow away. For added peace of mind (Kettler's furniture is expensive after all,) weights are available to secure the cover further. While this may be helpful on particularly blustery days, it's not entirely necessary as the fabric is long enough to fit underneath the furniture to secure it from below. When I hosed down the cover, the water ran off effectively, keeping the furniture dry underneath. Vents at the side to encourage breathability and limit the build up of condensation within. This material is also designed to protect from UV, frost, tree sap and bird droppings, and I found it wiped down neatly. Incidentally, the grey finish doesn't attract the heat as much as many of the standard black covers I've tried either. Key specifications 6. Best Heavy Duty Garden Furniture Cover: VonHaus Garden Furniture Cover This affordable garden furniture cover ticks a lot of boxes. It's easy to manoeuvre and position, due to two handles either side of the cover. Small touches like this make all the difference, especially given the one I tried was pretty large, at 250cm wide. There are also two strategically placed air vents on either side of the cover to encourage airflow making the cover breathable and less prone to condensation and the build up of mould. It's designed to be fade resistant, anti-UV and waterproof. When testing the latter, the cover seemed to keep furniture nicely dry, even when I gave it a good drenching. It just took a while to dry afterwards as the heavy duty fabric is rather thick. Finally, it has fastening buckles, hook and loop tightening straps and a drawstring. Few covers seem to offer all three and these make it a secure buy, too. Key specifications 7. Best Rectangular Garden Furniture Cover: Sol 27 Outdoor Patio Dining Set Cover This design claims to have it all. It's made from a heavyweight polyester that is resistant to UV, water, weather, stain and heat. With a jet black finish, the fabric feels strong and well made. It's also smooth, which means minimal scrubbing is required to wipe away any marks. When I turned my hose to it, the water simply beaded away. The tarpaulin doesn't have any air vents. But if you tighten the drawstring at its base so that the cover is gathered above the ground, there should be enough air flow throughout to let your furniture breathe. It only comes in one large size (270cm) which would suit a table of up to six seats. The brand also sells a similar smaller cover that measures 84 by 104 cm and is similarly UV and water resistant. Key specifications 8. Best Patio Set Cover: Argos Home Deluxe Rectangular Cover This wide cover should suit a modular sofa set. Drawstrings secure it at the base, but set aside some time for the initial set-up as you need to feed them through yourself before use. A storage bag is included, making it simple to store away neatly, although I found it tricky to fold it up as tightly as it was when new. When I hosed it down, water sat on the surface of this cover rather than running off. But it still prevented any seeping through to the furniture beneath it. Note, it's not completely waterproof, instead described as weatherproof, so provided it isn't sat out all month in monsoon weather, it should do the job. At under £40 and considering its eye-catching grey finish and practical design, it feels reasonably priced for such a good quality product. Key specifications 9. Best Rattan Furniture Cover Set: Outsunny 600D Oxford Set Cover I tested this cover on a small modular corner sofa set in my garden and as it was so large it draped over easily. The fabric is quite heavy duty, making it one of the bulkiest designs I tested when folded away. However, it wasn't much of a bother to unravel it or to fold it back again after use. Plus, it's so robust it feels like it will stand the test of time. While it doesn't have an accompanying storage bag, it has a pull cord fastening at its base to fit it securely. A protective coating protects against UV and mild showers seeping through and causing damage. Water seemed to bounce off effectively when it faced the might of my hose. Key specifications 10. Best Weather Resistant Garden Furniture Cover: Garland 6 Seater Rectangular Furniture Set Cover This Garland cover is made from polyethylene, the same material found in many plastic bottles and bags, but it has a smooth, wipe-clean finish. A storage bag is included, as is a generous five-year guarantee which is unusual among the garden furniture covers I tested, and testament to the brand's belief in the product's longevity. There are various iterations available, although it may take some hunting and cross referencing to find the best option for your garden. While the one I tested is designed for a six seater table and chairs, it was way too large for my dining set. It is described as weather resistant, and this proved true on test; even when the water pooled on its top, none penetrated down to the furniture below. The material was a little noisy, but that's a small complaint. Perhaps more notable is the lack of loops or ties to secure it in place; you'd need a makeshift solution should the wind pick up. Key specifications 11. Best Budget Garden Furniture Cover: Funshot Garden Furniture Cover Much like the Garland cover, this green polyethylene cover feels like a camping ground sheet. But for under £20 (for the 170 metre-long version featured), it's a good budget solution. There are 14 sizes to choose from too, so it should be quick to find a size that will snugly fit your specific piece of furniture. The fabric is a little crunchy, so it didn't drape over my furniture as smoothly as some of the more premium designs. But there's a nylon drawstring at its base threaded through brass, allegedly rustproof rings, giving ample scope to fasten the cover tightly to prevent it being caught by wind. The anti-UV material is waterproof and protected the furniture beneath when I hosed it down. While the brand claims that its construction is stable and hard to tear, at first use, I'm not convinced that it will age as well as some others that I have tried. But given its wallet-friendly price, I wouldn't expect years of use and if you're bringing your furniture in during heavy rain or strong winds (as is recommended generally) it should still serve you well. Key specifications Garden furniture cover FAQs

From scrapbooks to garden games: 17 tips for keeping kids entertained over summer (some are even free)
From scrapbooks to garden games: 17 tips for keeping kids entertained over summer (some are even free)

The Guardian

time17 hours ago

  • The Guardian

From scrapbooks to garden games: 17 tips for keeping kids entertained over summer (some are even free)

It's coming – can you feel it? That looming dread: a whole summer during which you are expected to be Super Parent. Six weeks to fill with entertaining, educational activities for your children, while juggling work, not spending a fortune and trying to find a bit of time for yourself as well. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. While I can't promise to completely solve your summer holiday dilemmas, I can offer some advice and tips, as road-tested by real parents. So, dust off that bucket and spade, pull up a deckchair and dive in. Cooking with kids teaches them how food is made and helps them understand nutrition. It might even take the pressure off you, too. It can be messy, sure – but that's part of the fun. Start with easy tasks such as scones and cupcakes, and then move on to pizzas, sandwiches and pasta. Make meals where they have choices – jacket potatoes and wraps are ideal – so your child can choose their own fillings. Don't forget that they can be taught the importance of washing-up and tidying away, too, especially as they get older. There are some excellent kids' recipe ideas on Jamie Oliver's website and Good Food. Kids' apron £9.34 at Debenhams£10.99 at B&Q Kids' baking set £29.99 at Lakeland£29.99 at Amazon Most of us have a drawerful of art supplies, so tip them out and let kids get creative. A roll of wallpaper makes a great canvas for potato stencils, hand prints or finger painting. Collect toilet roll tubes and egg boxes for Blue Peter-style craft projects; there are lots of ideas at Hobbycraft. For messy or sensory play (on a wipe-clean surface of course!), use everyday ingredients such as sand, rice, homemade play dough and papier mache, water and even mud. You might want to invest in a garden mud kitchen, such as this one from Janod, complete with pots to inspire little chefs. Sensory play can be particularly important for children with additional needs and early years education, as it engages all the senses. Children's play sand, 15kg £4.50 at Argos Janod mud kitchen £117.99 at Hamleys Mud kitchen £45 at Argos Ideal for lazy and wet days, these can be enjoyed by all. Look for age-appropriate games and get stuck in – the noisier and more frenetic, the better. Bonus points for teaching skills such as counting and recognising shapes and colours, and for games that can be played without adult supervision. Blokus is a board game for ages seven and up where your child must get as many of their coloured blocks on to the board as possible, using their cunning to block other players. Combining building and gaming skills, Lego Monkey Palace can be played by children over 10, and it exercises their creativity, as they can build the set in different ways. Card games are fun too, and have the advantage of being small, so you can take them out with you. For four years and up, Remember, Remember is a matching game that encourages memory and observation. And for kids over seven, this Tom Gates card games set has two games that develop their counting and strategy skills – it can even be played in the car or on a train. If you're out of the house but have a tablet, the BBC has lots of free CBeebies games for children, and there are plenty of free games on Google Play for keeping kids entertained at the airport. Blokus £20 at Argos Lego Monkey Palace £35 at Argos£42.99 at Lego Remember, Remember £7.99 at Amazon Tom Gates card games set £4.99 at Zatu Games£7.99 at Stanfords Buy a cheap scrapbook and use it to record memories. Stick in souvenirs: we used to include bus and train tickets, sweet packets, museum leaflets, things we found, pressed flowers, postcards – anything to remind us of places we visited. The children can write their memories around the objects, and you can print and stick in photos, too. These are lovely to look back at in later years. Black spiral-bound scrapbook £6.50 at John Lewis DIY scrapbook kit £8 at Marks & Spencer£8 at the Entertainer Days out don't have to be expensive or require Nasa-level planning. Pack a picnic, a few toys and a blanket and head to a local forest. Take a long, slow ramble and allow your children to enjoy nature. Liat Hughes Joshi, author of 5-Minute Parenting Fixes, says: 'I am a huge fan of encouraging children to notice nature. Depending on where you live, just point out things around them.' Once you've had a walk, have a teddy bear's picnic. Picnic blanket £12 at John Lewis My First Steiff teddy bear £29.89 at Hamleys£29.90 at John Lewis The Filter's favourite cool bag: Quechua cooler backpack 100 £24.99 at Decathlon£25 at Argos For more, read our guide to the best cool boxes and bags Sign up the kids for a sports, dance or acting club – one or two mornings a week for younger children, a week-long course for older ones. Some are affordable or free – check Tennis for Free and Junior parkrun. Search your local council and 'free summer activities'; a quick look at mine shows swims for £1, football, tennis, acting, table tennis, badminton and cycling. Holiday activities and food is a scheme for those eligible for free school meals and has plenty to offer. Most councils also have activities for children aged 11-19 years. We all loved making dens when we were kids, and this can be done in the house or garden. Create one from blankets and sheets draped over tables or chairs, fill it with cushions and toys and let the kids hang out inside it. You can use a tent or a tipi too – solar fairy lights complete the cuteness – or invest in this Thule shade that attaches to the buggy. If you're brave, you could all sleep in the den overnight. Sun and wind tarp £114.99 at Thule Nobodinoz Arizona Vibes tipi £135.96 at Scandiborn£183.20 at Not on the High Street It looks as if we are in for a scorchio summer, so it might be time to get a paddling pool; there are lots of inexpensive ones. Once installed, your kids can cool down and play games in it. Babies and toddlers can use cups, buckets and colanders to learn how water flows; older children can use bath toys or go crazy with water pistols. Just make sure you never leave children unsupervised with a pool – and slather them in waterproof SPF. Swim Essentials inflatable rainbow paddling pool £24.99 at ScandiBugs Funsicle dinosaur pool play set with slide £50 at Argos Don't forget one of the best free resources for you and your kids – your local library. Not only can they borrow books, but also DVDs and audiobooks. Some offer holiday activities and, as a bonus, they're great for meeting other families. Plan 'proper' days out, but keep them to once a week at most. Any more than that will get expensive and won't feel as special. If you're going away for a week or two, that leaves just four or five to plan. Pick a destination that has plenty for kids and that is a manageable distance from you – you don't want to spend the day travelling. Here are a few ideas: Visit a farm, petting zoo or animal sanctuary to help your children learn about the animals, what they eat and how they're cared for. Museums are mostly free and have activities for kids. Don't neglect small, specialist museums – some of the best are those with a tight focus, such as packaging, medicine or musical instruments. Search for those near you on this museums website. For a special outing, visit a theme park, amusement park or stately home and get special offers from Kids Pass, which offers deals on activities, meals, cinema tickets and more. Take in a stately home or garden with English Heritage or the National Trust and see what fun they put on for children. Annual memberships can mean you save in the long run. Swingball £20 at Argos£25 at John Lewis The OG of garden games, Swingball has been around since the late 1960s. Some have water-filled bases, but we prefer the old-fashioned type with a spike to keep it in the ground. No lost balls, and your kids can even play it alone. Giant tumble tower £46.99 at Amazon Children just love building things and knocking them down. This set of giant wooden blocks can be used by very young children to learn balancing and building skills. As they grow, they can start to play Jenga, pulling out one block at a time from the tower. Janod egg and spoon set £13.99 at Amazon Encouraging the kids to run around is the ideal way to ensure they're tired at bedtime. This cute, retro egg-and-spoon race set is for four players and helps your child develop their hand-eye coordination, balance skills – and a competitive streak! Use it as part of a retro sports day, with three-legged races and wheelbarrows. Target game £26.99 at Amazon This colourful garden game is made from weatherproof materials and is quick and easy to set up and use. It's suitable for kids aged three and up and will help them learn throwing skills, along with discovering how to judge distance. Petanque set £25.99 at Robert Dyas£30.99 at John Lewis You can play this in the garden or your local park (some have boules and petanque areas) or even take it with you on holiday. Comprising six metal balls, a measuring tape and a jack, it comes in a neat storage bag. Carnival games set £15.99 at Amazon This set offers lots of possibilities and can be used in different and creative ways. Toss the rings over the colourful cones; play hopscotch with the beanbags; make an obstacle course; play a throwing game. Great for hand-eye coordination, motor skills and creative play. Giant four in a row £24 at Argos One of the favourite kids' games has gone large and can be played in the garden. This set comes with 42 large counters and a giant frame. Slot them in one at a time, and the winner is the one who gets four in a row. It can be used indoors, too, if you have the space. Ring toss game £8.99 at Amazon This flamingo-themed game helps kids learn how to throw and catch – with their head! Toss the coloured rings on to the pink birds' beaks and see who can get the most. You can also place all the flamingos into your paddling pool and help your little one throw from the side. Let them get bored. Kids like having some downtime, as school days are long and busy. Joshi agrees: 'Boredom is rare in modern childhood, because it's easy to shove a device into a child's hand – as if we're afraid of letting them be bored. Research suggests that boredom could lead to creative thinking. Make sure they have toys that can be used in lots of creative ways and are not finite; my favourite is a big tub of Lego bricks.' Divide up their day. There's a reason why school days are divided into times for learning, eating and play – it helps to structure the day, and kids get a rounded day of education and physical exercise, as well as some time off. Try to mimic these parts of the school day, as kids love routine and feel calmer when they know what to expect. Make sure they're well rested. While it's tempting to allow your kids to sleep late in the morning and go to bed late, routine is still important. Certified baby, child and autism sleep coach Kirsty Dawson of the Child Sleep Therapist says: 'While it's normal for routines to shift slightly during the summer, maintaining a consistent bedtime and wake-up time helps your child stay well rested, regulates their mood and prevents bedtime struggles or disturbed nights. A predictable sleep schedule supports their natural body clock, making it easier for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.' She continues: 'A regular bedtime ensures you get your evenings back, too. In the last two weeks of the holidays, gradually shift back to school-time sleep routines.' Avoid meltdowns. You've booked a big day out and, in the middle of it all, your two-year-old throws a tantrum in the cafeteria queue. 'Look out for basic needs; they may be hungry, tired or thirsty, so make sure you've packed snacks and water,' says Joshi. 'Take a break and have some quiet time. Get down to your child's level and be a calming influence. If they're really disturbing people, such as in a packed restaurant, take them outside.' Plan mutual play dates. Don't forget most parents at your kids' school are in the same position, so set up some swaps. This can help you get on with work, and you'll find they might play better with friends. Sidestep sibling rivalry. It's easy for one child to feel left out, especially if they have a sibling who appears to be getting more attention. Joshi suggests: 'Try not to compare your kids overtly; don't allow one to be labelled as 'the naughty one' or 'the good one'. It helps to allow your child time alone with you and your co-parent, if you have one. Set ground rules when they're old enough to understand them, such as not being allowed to take the other's toy and no hitting.' Sally J Hall is a parenting and health journalist, writing about everything from pregnancy and childbirth to babies' development and the UK toy and nursery industry. She's also brought up two children, now in their 20s, and entertained them during the holidays while working from home (yes, even back then). A former editor of two of the UK's biggest parenting websites and a contributor to many more, she is passionate about helping parents avoid expensive mistakes and has reviewed everything from cribs and pushchairs to nappies

Dunelm slashes price of 5* garden furniture essential that will transform your garden
Dunelm slashes price of 5* garden furniture essential that will transform your garden

Scottish Sun

timea day ago

  • Scottish Sun

Dunelm slashes price of 5* garden furniture essential that will transform your garden

Plus a bargain recommendation to add a stylish Spanish twist to your garden GARDEN BARGAIN Dunelm slashes price of 5* garden furniture essential that will transform your garden Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SHOPPERS are rushing to get their hands on a cut-price piece of garden furniture at Dunelm. The essential feature is sure to transform your garden into a comfortable yet stylish hangout. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Dunelm is flogging garden furniture that will transform your garden Credit: Alamy 3 Hanging hammock chairs are selling for just £17.50 Credit: Dunelm Woven hammock chairs are being flogged at Dunelm for just £17.50. The hanging seats give you a practical perch spot, while adding a touch of charm to the aesthetic of your garden. They are handcrafted with elegant interlacing patterns, and decorated with rustic-chic dangling tassels. The macramé mesh is both soft and firm - perfect for supporting your weight for a prolonged period of time. A polyester fabric has been made with just the right feel to accommodate And it's also handcrafted - meaning every knot and weave has been carefully put together. It doesn't come with standing gear required to hang it - so you will need to find a structure capable of taking the weight. It does, however, come with the ropes and fixtures for hanging. And other than needing to be attached, the chair comes fully assembled - meaning you can screw in and sit with no hassle. Shoppers have on the whole been delighted with the chairs. Dunelm shoppers are scrambling to their local store and their 'massive sale' kicks off with posh glasses for 89p and £8 gadgets to keep the Spring chill out One review on the website read: "Great seats to chill on in the summer - good value too." Another said: "Bought two of these chairs for my children's outgrown, wooden swing set. They are fabulous! "Really good quality and take the weight of a grown man. You can attach the ropes together or separately." And a third wrote: "Looks great and stylish Highly recommended. Good value for money." To add another stylish dimension to your garden, you could check out Tesco's latest range. Their summer set will make your space feel like a sunny Spanish escape. The Classic Madrid Bistro Table can turn your garden, patio or balcony into your very own chic city-style coffee spot - and is going for just £13. The powder-coated metal frame offers solid strength and support all summer long, yet it's still lightweight enough to shift around with ease whenever you fancy a change of scene. It's topped with tempered, textured glass that catches the sunlight beautifully, casting dazzling reflections on the ground below.

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