Spanning across thousands of years, the humble dolls house has changed significantly in not only appearance, but also function. The earliest known examples of what we would now call dolls houses were miniature homes, discovered in Egyptian Tombs and thought to be created over 5,000 years ago. Built out of wood, it is believed the models, which included servants, furnishings and livestock, served religious purposes.

It was the 16th century however, which saw the introduction of dolls houses for entertainment purposes. Known as ‘baby houses’, the models were cabinet display cases made up of different rooms, which were decorated with such things as miniature household items. The design and architecture would have been painstakingly created and they were intended for the sole purpose of adults.

It was mainly the wealthy who owned them, since in those days, the building of a dolls house would have been commissioned by specialist craftsmen. Especially favoured by the mistresses of rich households, guests would bring small presents, such as dolls house dolls, wooden dolls house furniture or accessories, as a thank you for their hospitality.

As time passed, however, the function of the houses changed. Interestingly, they became educational aids for young girls, in order to teach them about the function of a household and to learn domestic skills.

By the mid 19th century, and helped along by the advent of mass production, the popularity of dolls houses soared, and due to their much lower cost, the majority of girls in the western world owned one.

Nowadays, dolls houses are a great gift for children and collectors alike. Their design has advanced a long way since their inception and it is possible to buy them in a range of different options, for example wooden dolls houses, and for a variety of purposes.

Many collectors relish the opportunity to recreate past eras or present events, often opting to build the dolls house themselves. There are also a large number of museums and shops dedicated to the art of dolls houses and their history, which just goes to prove the popularity among the older generations.

However, it is said that dolls houses are a great way to help children develop social skills and confidence at an early age, and it can be argued that the passion many collectors develop for dolls houses stems from early childhood memories of playing with them.

Indeed, dolls houses can be a great way for parents to bond with their offspring, since it is possible to build and decorate them together. What’s more, with a wealth of items available, such as dolls house furniture, accessories and dolls themselves, they make a great gift for children.

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

This is where making a list can really be a lot of help when you are planning what to buy for which child. First of all, gather together as many Christmas gift catalogues as you can from different shops, as these will help you to get a head start on your shopping. These will all be packed with Christmas gift ideas of all kinds and you can start making a shortlist of ideas from these, before you even hit the shops.

Toys for Christmas fall into two main groups – those which are part of a famous range (perhaps made by a famous toy maker or tied in with a film or television programme) and those which are traditional in nature and have been around for many years.

While many children undoubtedly like the modern toys that they see on the television, they will also appreciate receiving Christmas presents that are famous in their own right, simply for being great toys that we all remember playing with in our youth. Getting the mix right and making sure that every child receives some of each of these groups is the key to making sure the toys you choose will last long after the New Year has come.

Another good place to get plenty of Christmas toy ideas is of course from the children themselves. Start early by finding out what they would like for Christmas, and ask them every now and again to see which items still make their own list and which ones have fallen by the wayside. By doing this you are much more likely to buy the toys that will last and get played with over and over again.

Of course every year brings with it a list of the top Christmas toys for that season. While some children might show a lot of interest in some of the toys on that list, others may prefer something else entirely, so make sure you find out what will appeal to your own child before investing in any specific item.

Finding the right Christmas toys can be made a lot easier by paying attention to what your child wants – and taking note of whether it’s a five minute wonder or not. A little advance planning could mean you end up finishing your Christmas shopping even earlier than usual, so you’ll have more time to relax and can enjoy not being part of the last-minute stampede!

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Planning for the future is not about caution or making plans for whatever unknown adventures await us. It is more about placing value on what you have now and an inner knowing that what you have is important and worth protecting. Family comes first, even before you start your own.

It is a good sign when your thoughts shift from yourself and towards those you hold dear. You know you are thinking about the long term when you start a family and find that you can longer think of yourself in the singular anymore. It is a dramatic life shift that brings with it an entirely new set of challenges.

Starting a family changes your life because it changes they way you think. Possessions and accomplishments seem less important and your existence is no longer based on acquiring or achieving things. Now, you begin to think how best you can serve your family and your thoughts are governed by their welfare as opposed to your own. You become more a person who gives and less a person who wants.

The satisfying fulfillment of family life makes many wonder what they ever saw in the things they previously held dear. Family is a gift, and with appreciation comes a desire to protect this gift and know that it will flourish regardless of what may happen in the future. Looking into life insurance online is one way to ease any anxiety you may have about the uncertainties you face in this world and their potential effects on your family.

Life insurance provides peace of mind and allows you to put more energy into focusing on the kind of life you want for you and your family. It is not about addressing a somewhat morbid issue; rather it is an important accessory to the lighter side of life as it puts in place a platform from which that lighter side of life can continue, despite unforeseen troubles.

When you have a new family, life becomes less about pursuing things and more about enjoying the moment and the people that make those moments special. Life insurance allows you to place value upon and prioritise those moments, resulting in the comforting knowledge that you took nothing for granted and took measures to ensure your family will have many more moments to savour.

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

The primary concern of any life insurance is the consideration of those left behind following the death of an insured person. Certainly, anyone who owns a mortgaged property which houses their family and is a joint or main breadwinner to that family should take out life insurance or assurance to protect their family’s future.

On the other hand it may not be appropriate for everyone. For example a single person with no dependants and enough savings to cover the cost of their funeral may be ill-advised to take out a life insurance policy as they would be paying a premium in order to provide a cash sum merely to their estate.

While you cannot insure against death itself, you can insure against the potential financial misery that would ensue from an untimely death. Such life protection gives peace of mind to everyone involved; both the insured and their family know they are protected should the worst happen. Although the pain of losing a loved one takes time to get over, at least with the finances sorted there is one less thing to worry about.

Most insurers offer some form of life protection with benefits paid either as a lump sum or as a regular income to the beneficiaries. There will be considerations affecting the level of the premium paid for cover, such as whether the insured is a smoker or non-smoker, their age and medical history. But, once the risk is established most insurers offer a fixed premium and guaranteed payout for as long as the insured person requires the cover.

However, there are many different types of life insurance and the need for it varies according to individual circumstances, so anyone who may be thinking of taking out a policy to protect their family should get advice before they sign on any dotted line and commit themselves.

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Many will remember the moment in Star Trek when Captain Kirk stood on the Bridge of the Enterprise in front of a giant screen filled with the image of an alien on a nearby spaceship or planet, and spoke to them directly through the screen. Well, now you can do the same, simply using your computer and a webcam. Well, not exactly communicating with nearby extra-terrestrials, but at least you can talk to friends and family totally free of charge if you use the latest technology available on your PC.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology combined with fast broadband has enabled, not only an internet revolution, but also a communication one. Now, computers can be used for so many more things than merely processing information, playing music, DVDs, and acting as a TV; it is also an effective and cheap communication tool and fast replacing the telephone as the primary means of communication in many households.

Indeed, thanks to the widespread roll-out of mega-fast broadband, it is possible to place video calls to just about anywhere in the world while sitting in front of your computer. Anyone who has moved abroad can easily be contacted via instant messenger and VoIP software; very handy if you or your folks have upped sticks and moved overseas. Leaving your family behind no longer means losing touch, so there is absolutely no reason to miss birthdays, anniversaries or other special occasions. Although a few years ago this form of communication could have been frustrating due to the number of calls dropped or that suffered from delay, the technology is now so much better it is instant; just like talking to someone over the garden fence!

So, if you live a long way from your family and you want a cheaper option to expensive phone calls, or even if you tried using messenger communication a couple of years ago and thought it wasn’t worth the effort, give it another go. You’ll be surprised at the quality of the calls and the images, especially if you link up to a professional quality webcam.

Adam Singleton writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.

Do not forget to take in to consideration the fact that cycling (or indeed any exercise) burns more calories than resting. Pregnancy means that you will already need an extra 300 calories per day before adding on extra for exercising. Calorie counting computers are available, but your body should tell you when it is hungry, you may be surprised at how much extra you eat.

Recent research by Abbey Loans found that the majority of people who took out loans without informing their nearest and dearest did so to consolidate existing debt, with 56 per cent of people admitting to taking this action. The average size of their loan amounted to £5,720 but, as with all averages, that doesn’t present the total picture. Incredibly, five per cent of those polled managed to conceal sizeable debts of between £20k and £50k; the substantial remainder borrowed less than £3,000.

But, even though the majority of secret borrowers are consolidating debt, the remaining 46 per cent use their loans as a fresh line of credit. Almost two per cent of the respondents admitted to using the money to pay for cosmetic surgery. Hiding the loan may be relatively easy but quite how one keeps the effects of surgery from the family begs another question that sadly wasn’t answered by this survey! Seven per cent used their advance to pay medical bills, and 15 per cent used the cash for home improvements.

Why the borrower opted not to tell their partner or family about their loans stemmed mainly from embarrassment with 56 per cent of respondents quoting that as the primary reason for keeping the borrowing under wraps. A further 29 per cent insisted it was a private matter and was of no concern to their partner, while six per cent had to keep it secret as the purpose of the loan was to surprise their other half with a holiday treat or special purchase such as a wedding!

Other reasons for the loans included large purchases such as cars, or to lend money to friends in financial trouble. However, Director of Abbey Loans, Paul Morrish believes that the problem in taking out loans in secret is that generally people don’t shop around, let alone get impartial financial advice. By keeping it to themselves secret borrowers cannot be open and honest about the amount they can afford to pay back. He is also concerned that many people would not take out the most suitable loan for their secret purchase or debt consolidation as there are many different loans for different purposes.

Morrish’s advice to would-be secret borrowers is simple: don’t do it! For the benefit of your joint financial future, be open and honest about your finances with your partner.

A lover scorned by the forgetfulness of their partner often feels they are not an important part of their partners’ life. To rectify this, the guilty gift must show how much the forgetful party really does care for their mate, and as a result, the choice of present must be stepped up several notches to achieve the desired effect. A romantic dinner, for example, should not be at the local pub. Instead, a restaurant serving her favourite food in a dramatic setting could be the ticket back to smooth relationship sailing. Or better still; a meal prepared with your own loving hands could also be impressive if your culinary skills are up to par.

Surprise gifts could help banish the shadow of a forgotten Valentine’s Day. Presenting oneself at her place of work or home - replete with gifts, of course - and the promise more surprises to come could help take her mind off previous indiscretions. Whisk her off her feet on a day trip or weekend break, or indulge her in a favourite activity and the rocky road will soon be smooth again.

Thoughtfulness is another area that could be explored when seeking the forgiveness of a loved one. This tactic can not only gain you respite, but can also lead to the most perfect of presents. For example, have a think about your partners’ home. Is anything in need of replacing? Has there been talk of getting a new flat screen TV or a painting? Perhaps you have spotted something together in the shops that she took an instant shine to but wasn’t able to purchase? This is the ideal time to get out the plastic and splurge on the item that she has been craving.

Alternatively, creating a romantic setting at her home could be the answer. Spruce up her home with scented candles, soft music and flower petals. Fill up the bath with aromatic salts and oils for her to relax - she might even invite you in as well! Freshen up her bed with brand new silky sheets and pillows to curry her favour; paired with some romantic tunes this combo could prove quite fruitful if the cards are played right.

But even if all of these fail to get you back in the good books, there is one more thing you can try. After all, what girl can say no to diamonds?

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