Sunday 10 December 2017

12 Great Books for Children 0-11 this Christmas plus Giveaway!

Harper Collins have sent us 12 of their favourite books for children aged 0-11 this Christmas and asked my boys to take a look and see what they think of the selection. You shouldn't try to judge a book by it's cover, so I encouraged them to at least read the blurb and the first page too!


The 12 books we've been sent are all in the Harper Collins Gift Guide, and are a mix of fiction written by some of the most popular children's authors of recent times and with pictures from a host of excellent illustrators. Here's what my 7 and 9 year old boys thought...


Bing's Christmas Wish (Birth+)
The boys' first impression: "I don't plan on reading this but it looks like a good book for babies and toddlers".
A brightly coloured shaped board book featuring Bing and Flop from children's TV as they prepare for Christmas. A lovely stockingfiller for a little one, and very sweet to read with them.
Board book, 10 pages, £5.99 rrp (currently £4 on Amazon).

Here We Are (Notes For Living On planet Earth) by Oliver Jeffers (Birth+)
The boys' first impression: I struggled to get words for this review as my sons were too busy reading this book.
Written by Mr Jeffers after the birth of his son, this incredibly beautiful book is an amazing welcome to the world for a newborn, but also just a gorgeous showcase of life at it's most amazing. #1 New York Times Bestseller and #1 TIME Best Book of the Year for 2017.
48 pages. Paperback, £7.99rrp, Hardback £14.99rrp (currently £10.99 on Amazon).


Sunk! by Rob Biddulph
The boys' first impression: "it looks very interesting and funny. I'm DEFINITELY going to read this". 
A large scale hardback featuring Penguin Blue and his band of pirates as they search for treasure. A nice rhyming book with a lovely flow and a definite innocence. My boys both read this independently and really enjoyed it.
Hardback, 32 pages, £12.99rrp (currently £7.95 on Amazon).

Boogie Bear by David Williams
The boys' first impression: " I like the name, it sounds funny and I think its probably going to be very good".
A large scale hardback for reading together. A funny tale of a poor polar bear who ends up in the wrong place and is then confused for the Boogie Monster. Lovely illustrations by Tony Ross. I read this with my boys at bedtime and they both laughed aloud.
Hardbacked, 40 pages, £12.99rrp, currently £6.00 on Amazon.


Kevin by Rob Biddulph
The boys' first impression: "looks like a  good book, I've read half already and it has a good story". 
The second from this author and illustrator and another large scale hardback. A really sweet tale about Sid and Kevin with gorgeous illustrations. You are never alone with an imaginary friend. Hardback, 32 pages, rrp £12.99, currently £9.44 on Amazon.

The Grotlyn by Benji Davies
The boys' first impression: "looks a bit spooky"... tailed off because he was reading... "I'm DEFINITELY going to read it". 
A book for reading together age 4+ or for older children to read alone. The story of the creature under the bed, the monster out of the corner of your eye and the scuttling animal who ran across the floor. Could it be The Grotlyn? A beautifully illustrated rhyming story which takes you from mild peril to random amusement in the most bewitching of ways.
A4 Hardback, 32 pages, rrp £12.99,currently £8.38 on Amazon.


Paddington 2 The Book Of The Movie by Anna Wilson
The boys' first impression: "I like the sound of the movie and I think this book would be as good as the movie".
We've seen this one before when we looked at a range of Paddington Bear books. A paperback novel for independent reading aged around 6+, which retells the story of the movie Paddington 2. Paperback, 208 pages, rrp £5.99.

TOTO by Michael Morpurgo
The boys' first impression: "looks good and I like the Wizard if Oz - I'm gonna read it".
The Dog-Gone Amazing Story Of The Wizard Of Oz is a retelling of L Frank Baum's classic through the eyes of Dorothy's dog Toto, with gorgeous bright illustrations from Emma Chichester Clark. Humorous and exciting, it puts a really different slant on a story we all thought we knew. Suitable for young independent readers 7+.
Hardback, 284 pages, rrp £14.99, currently £10.19 on Amazon.


Birthday Boy by David Baddiel
The boys' first impression: "it looks like a very interesting book. I'm DEFINITELY going to read it".
A story book for slightly older readers 9+. In the evening, after a day of birthday celebrations, Sam sees a shooting star and at the stroke of midnight makes a wish he very quickly regrets. Funny and thought-provoking.
Hardback. 416 pages, rrp £12.99, currently a bargain £5 on Amazon.

Bad Dad by David Walliams
The boys' first impression: "I enjoy David Walliams and this looks even better than some of his other books".
An illustration laden story book for readers aged 9+. Young Frank's single parent Dad is his hero - will he stay that way all through the book though? Very easy to read and ideal for reluctant readers or those still lacking confidence.
Hardback, 464 pages, rrp £12.99, currently another bargain £5 book on Amazon.


Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
The boys' first impression: "it looks very interesting. I'm going to read this one soon".
The first tale in a series of 10 books for age 9+, we reviewed the 8th Skulduggery Pleasant book 4 years ago. Stephanie's uncle Gordon dies and leaves her his estate, and she realises his horror fiction books weren't fiction at all. She finds an unlikely ally against the enemies unleashed - a sarcastic and witty skeleton... Paperback, 384 pages, rrp £5.99. currently £2.79 on Amazon.

Geek Girl: All Wrapped Up by Holly Smale
The boys' first impression: "I don't plan on reading because in am a boy, but if I was a girl I think I would want to read this".
The Geek Girl series has been popular in our house for several years now. We reviewed the 3rd book, Picture Perfect 3 years ago. Recommended for age 11+, this is the story of 'geek girl' Harriet and how she fits into the world - with a Christmas setting and a bit of teenage romance. Paperback, 224 pages, rrp £5.99.


Harper Collins have kindly offered the entire bundle of all 12 books for one of my readers. This prize will not arrive before Christmas - it'll be a new year bonus for someone!

Entry to the giveaway is by Gleam form below. Open to UK entrants only, it will end at midnight Sunday 7th January 2018. Full terms and conditions are at the bottom of the giveaway form. 

To see my other giveaways or for help if you are new to Gleam forms, please see my giveaways page...

Harper Collins 12 Books of Christmas Giveaway


We were sent our books for review and paid for some of the time it'll take to administrate this giveaway. Links may be affiliate links, which means I earn a few pence for referring you to Amazon, but you don't pay any extra - and I won't knowingly overlook a bargain elsewhere.

161 comments:

  1. 12 pampering gifts to help me recover from the festive madness, including gifts such as facemask, relaxing bath oils, candles, a back and shoulder massager and a bunch of flowers!

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  2. Six competition prizes,So I could give all the family a new year treat.

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  3. 12 rolls of wallpaper. I'm determined to sort the house out next year!

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  4. 12 tubs of roses, because I love chocolate.

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  5. 12 boxes of teabags because I love my tea x

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  6. 12 bars of chocolate. Cam never have too much

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  7. 12 Lush bath bombs because they're amazing.

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  8. 12 thousand pound to put towards IVF!
    Kelly L

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  9. 12 years of life without too much cr...p happening x

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  10. 12 meals out, so that we could have a family monthly night out for the next twelve months

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  11. 12 wishes, should be enough to sort out everything I want!

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  12. 12 boxes of chocolate - one for each of my family members!

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  13. 12 maids would have a could sparkling clean around the house top to bottoms

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  14. 12 vouchers for a day off from work!!

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  15. 12 bicycles, number 1 grandson has 3 but often has all 3 in pieces at the same time. Surely he couldn't ruin 12 at once.

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  16. Id like 12 painters and decorators and help bring our house into the current decade.

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  17. I'd like 12 meals so I don't have to cook but mostly Because I love food!

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  18. 12 return safari package holidays to South Africa, that could be used at any time! I went last year on Safari and it was the best time of my life!

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  19. 12 mince pies 😂😂

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  20. I would love 12 spa gifts so I can treat myself to some pampering in the new year

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  21. 12 helpings of turkey with extra stuffing and pigs in blankets with leftover gravy

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  22. 12 months that im not waiting for my partner to come back from tour x

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  23. 12 red roses to remember a SPECIAL person who is SMILING down in us ALL
    Her favourite

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  24. 12 air tickets to Italy to take the family on holiday. I would buy the thirteenth, as there are 13 of us!

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  25. 12 university course books to help me through the year.

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  26. 12 day beach holiday in South Africa so I can see my brothers again, not seen them in 25 years :/

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  27. 12 pizzas, is that really wrong? Nothing makes me happier than answering the door to a pizza being delivered!

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  28. 12 kitchen cupboards then we might actually get it finished after 7 years

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  29. 6 days in the sun for me, my partner and his 2 kids!

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  30. 12 Birthday presents, one to open each mpnth

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  31. 12 spa visits with different treatment each day 😍

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  32. 12 beautiful things to share with my beautiful family.

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  33. 12 pairs of jeans! I love my jeans but only have a couple of pairs at the moment x

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  34. 12 Rose trees, because they are my favourite flower and I love them

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  35. 12 days in disneyland 😀

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  36. I would love 12 books from my Amazon wishlist!

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  37. 12 books, 1 to read each month for the next year.

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  38. 12 great friends on their way to bingo - taking me, of course!!

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  39. 12 bottles of gin

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  40. 12 tubes of voltarol gel to help my sore knees ... God help me ... 41 and riddles with arthritis already xx

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  41. 12 tins of paint - my house needs a makeover

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  42. bottles of red wine as its my fav tipple

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  43. 12th night is 6th January and according to the song 12 Drummers Drumming were that day's gifts. If 12 of the same thing were delivered to you on 6th January, what would you like them to be - and why? . . . . .12 lottery tickets, so that if l were to win it would be Christmas all year

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  44. 12 kittens from my pregnant cat, that would be awesome!

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  45. Margaret Clarkson
    12 boxes of Lindt chocolates

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  46. I'd love 12 new dresses as I'm wearing the same few things all the time!

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  47. I would like 12 spare bathrooms as one day I would love to be able to go to the loo without waiting or scheduling in advance!

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  48. 12 hours of sleep would be wonderful

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  49. 12 days off work. I'm self employed so time off is very rare

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  50. The last 12 years of my life back, I would do things totally different

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  51. 12 days of sunshine - it rains too much here in north wales!

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  52. 12 baskets of fruit to share out with family and friends

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  53. 12 tins of paint as not long moved into our new house and would love to change some of the colour schemes in here as they're rather bland for my tastes.

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  54. 12 toys 6 girls 6 boys so I can spoil my niece and nephew

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  55. 12 Numbers - the winning lottery numbers for this week and next week

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  56. 12 days in the Maldives so soak up the sun, it's already been a long winter here and my body needs the sun.

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  57. 12 days of sleep would be nice but tbh if I had it I’d panic where the kids are!

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  58. I would like 12 spa day vouchers to be delivered!

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  59. 12 days of babysitting for the kids

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  60. i would love " 12 maids a cleaning" to get rid of all the christmas and new years mess :)

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  61. 12 tickets to random events throughout the year so I hvae lots to look forward to!

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  62. 12 hours with my late Dad so I could spend them with him - we all miss our loved ones especially at this time of year x

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  63. 12 bottles of luxurious bubble bath, my children are always pinching mine! (Alex Telford)

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  64. 12 thousand pounds towards a new house

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  65. 12 lots of chocolate cuz who doesn't love chocolate

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  66. 12 meals all planned out so I don't have to think!

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  67. 12 days of a housemaid, I hate cleaning

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  68. 12 Cups of coffee as it is always good when you get your first cup of coffee made for you when your half asleep in the morning.

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  69. 12 bedrooms haha so everyone could have their own room

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  70. meals so I don't have to think about cooking

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  71. Oooh I would say 12 days of new shoes! A night out, once a month with a new pair of shoes! Yes please!

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  72. 12 chocolate oranges as they are my favourite gift 😋

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  73. 12 Bins emptying! I hate it

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  74. I'd love to receive 12 bath bombs or 12 notebooks.

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  75. I would like 12 bottles of Chanel No 5 pure perfume, one for every month of the year. It is my favourite fragrance, always has been and always will be.

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  76. 12 crime fiction novels on kindle please!

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  77. 12 love to shop vouchers so I could continue decorating my home.

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  78. 12 tins off roses left from Christmas! yummy x

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  79. i would like 12 holidays so i could have one a month for a year

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  80. 12 puzzles for me to complete, i am stuck in bed ill and this would pass the time!

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  81. 12 decorators to help me get my house finished would be amazing,working nights I just never seem to have the time or energy to finish a project i've started.

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  82. 12 bottles of wine! They would keep me going through the slump of Janurary!

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  83. 12 builders to help renovate my house

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  84. 12 balls of wool for my new projects

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  85. Love books, so it would have to be 12 books

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  86. Dean T (ribbons1978)5 January 2018 at 01:11

    I would say 12 juicy steaks, have a hankering for a steak for some reason..

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  87. 12 more days off work :-) Now that would be amazing

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  88. I'd like 12 tubes of liz earle cleanse and polish to see me through the year. I bloomin' love the stuff.

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  89. 12 yankee candles one for each month of the year

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  90. 12 bottles of molton brown deoderant :)

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  91. 12 full hours of sleep would be lovely!

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  92. 12 kilos of Saffron, my favourite spice but so expensive, this would last a long long time :-)

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  93. 12 bunches of flowers to brighten the dark days x

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  94. Well, I'd like 12 points for Boro...But for me then it would actually be books!

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  95. I would like 12 lucky dips on the lottery so I could share them with my family and friends and hope it brings them luck

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  96. 12 undisturbed hours of sleep!!!! i can dream!!

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  97. 12 meals out for 12 people, for once a month outing for the family

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  98. 12 days off work! Time to catch up on some sleep...

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  99. 12 twenty pound notes, to make up for the spending over Christmas!

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  100. 12 bottles of prosecco! Hic!

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  101. 13 pairs of hands to.help me with.the washing up laundry and general dogsbody duties lol

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  102. 12 gorgeous puppies for my children to play with. Theyd love it

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  103. 12 painters painting. We are redoing both children’s bedroom and then hall and lounge. Would love a team if painters to make it easier!!!

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  104. Cleaners! My house is still in Christmas disarray

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  105. 12 Thousand pounds, to help my Children and their families out

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  106. 12 different vegetable seed packets- going to try and grow all my own this year

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  107. 12 new items of clothes - starting with new trainers and a new coat :)

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  108. 12 more days off.

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  109. 12 days off work would be nice - they're running me into the ground!

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  110. Anything card or cooking related.Happy New Year.

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  111. Such good reads!

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  112. 12 facials would be amazing :-)

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  113. 12 family days out.

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  114. 12 christmas days . i love christmas

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  115. 12 tidy up fairies to deal with all the Xmas leftover Xmas tree prickles n bits of tinsel 😃

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  116. 12 spa breaks, wow just I need

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  117. I would love 12 fabulous new books to read, so I had a new and undiscovered book to read every month!

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  118. 12 cleaners cleaning would be good for my house x

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  119. 12 hours of peace!!! As a mum of 7 they would be greatly appreciated :D

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  120. 12 bikes, 1 for each of my boys and for my all nephews too

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  121. 12 amazing family holidays for each month of the year 2018 to make it a year to truly remember :)

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  122. 12 gardeners to help with the heavy digging in my garden

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  123. 12 boxes of chocolate because we all love chocolate

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  124. 12 massages sounds good to me. My shoulders and back would thank me!

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  125. 12 family members as I love spending quality time with my family

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  126. 12 ways to lose weight without even trying :)

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  127. 12 boxes of Lindt Lindor Chocolates, my absolute favourite! x

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  128. 12 storage boxes to put away all the Lego my children have acquired this Christmas!

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  129. 12 bars of galaxy because its my favourite chocolate

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  130. 12 friends or family I haven't seen for ages.

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  131. 12 good books to share out with the Family would be great!

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  132. I am very fortunate in that both my girls love books as do I! Thanks for the opportunity & ♡Happy New Year♡

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  133. 12 days off from the cooking would be much appreciated.

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I read every one and try my best to reply!