Tag: 12

The 12 Apps of Christmas (for kids)

To help get me through the Christmas Season I’ve just loaded my phone up with some new apps to keep Madame entertained.  I can’t wait till she rings Santa!


  1. Christmas Advent Calendar 2010 (free)  If you’re like me and didn’t get one in time.  The next best thing. (Note:  I just played with this one and to collect gifts you have option of going on the net.  I have removed it just in case).
  2. Sleeps to Christmas App (free)  How many sleeps left in days, minutes and seconds.
  3. Christmas for Kids – Call Santa (.59p) Ring Santa in the North Pole.
  4. Snow Globe (.59p) It does what it says on the tin!
  5. iChristmas Tree (.59p) Decorate your own tree on your iphone without having to hoover the needles
  6. The Smelly Sprout Lite (Free) this is half of the full version of the best-selling book.  It ends on a cliff-hanger
  7. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (£1.79) Rudolph comes to the rescue.
  8. Dr. Seuss Camera – The Grinch Edition (£1.19) Turn yourself into the Grinch.
  9. Kids Can Count – Christmas Gifts (.59p)  Count the decorations on the tree.
  10. Talking Christmas Santa Kid Tickle his tummy, pull his beard and wiggle his hat!
  11. Kids Song Machine Lite (Free) Festive Christmas Tune to get you in the spirit.
  12. Christmas Card Match (Free)  How quickly can you find the pairs?

Once you’ve survived Christmas here are a few other recommended apps for pre-school.

Twelve Days of Christmas! Kiwi Style

Next contacted me to help promote their Twelve Days of Christmas, it immediately reminded me of New Zealand.  I originally trained as a teacher in Canada but there wasn’t a lot of work for teachers.  At the time, NZ had a shortage of teachers and were offering $3000 to relocate.  You didn’t have to ask me twice. So, I moved out there for 18 months before coming to the UK.  Originally, I was going to turn down the job as I skint but my mum and sister said ‘over their dead bodies’ as they knew it was an amazing opportunity so they persuaded me to go.

I had an amazing time, learning and experiencing loads.  One thing I vividly remember was their version of the 12 days of Christmas. It was hysterical.  I loved shouting 5-big-fat-pigs and 4 huhu grubs creased me up!

On the first day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A pukeko in a ponga tree

On the second day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
two kumera
And a pukeko in a ponga tree

On the third day of Christmas
….
and so on, until…

On the twelfth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Twelve piupius swinging
Eleven haka lessons
Ten juicy fish heads
Nine sacks of pipis
Eight plants of puha
Seven eels a swimming
Six pois a twirling
Five – big – fat – pigs !
Four huhu grubs
Three flax kits
Two kumera
And a pukeko in a ponga tree!

Disclosure: apparently I will receive £30 worth of Next vouchers for this post.