Hands up if you’re already wrapping Christmas gifts and planning out the big day!
You’re the ones we love – bringing Christmas alive early by prepping and planning.
With IGA, getting ahead with your Christmas planning and early gifting is a snap. A gingerbread snap even, hee hee!
With an early IGA Christmas shop, some clever stacking in the pantry and some super fun baking, you’ll be feeling relaxed and in the Christmas mood way before everyone.
We’re looking for active Mouths of Mums members who love to plan, prep, pack and gift nice and early so that Christmas celebrations are filled with fun, love and laughter … and a whole lot less stress! You might be the Mum who bakes Christmas treats for the kids’ teachers and all your work friends or you prep and freeze early so you know it’s all ready to roll.
We’ll give you an IGA voucher and send you shopping to Get Ahead This Christmas. We’ll ask you to stock up and then Get Ahead for Christmas so that you can share your hints and tips on how to plan and prep for Christmas so it’s as stress free as it can be.
You might like to whip up a few batches of Spiced Reindeer Xmas Cookies, make and freeze Spiced Fruit Xmas Tarts or bake and gift Nutella Filled Gingerbread Men.
When it comes to getting ahead for Christmas, there are so many recipes that can be made in advance and either stored in the fridge or frozen. White Christmas, Rum Balls, Apricot Balls, Christmas Bark and all sorts of Gingerbread! No one is going to say no to a beautifully wrapped batch of homemade cookies, are they?
If you’ve already got your Christmas gifting sorted, why not cover off some of the cooking and preparations for the big day? Whip up a Festive Reindeer Tart, make a double batch of Creamy Brandy Butter or get your stuffings sorted and freeze. Anything you can do ahead of time means less stress as Christmas approaches and more time for family, fun and festivities.
I decided to make some Christmas treats with the kids for an early festive gathering at home, it was so easy to pop into our local IGA to grab everything we needed, IGA had a great range of ingredients from the essentials to the decorations. I love that the range is always a little different to what you'd find in the other supermarkets, and it's all priced well. In addition to our Reindeer treat ingredients I also picked up a few Black & Gold baking items, for other Christmas baking, it's such good value for money. Couldn't recommend IGA more, and while it's hard to squeeze baking time in with the kids during the silly season, it's worth trying to make the time for it - my kids loved it.
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
Absolutely thanking the universe that I decided to live within walking distance to an IGA! Mine has the best selection of great products. Especially when I needed so many baking supplies… not ashamed to admit I needed to make two trips as I forgot to buy butter! Stoked that my Christmas baking is well underway, handy hint make a double batch of cookie dough & freeze half! We had our work Christmas show today where we all bring a plate so I took the opportunity to make extras of everything & freeze so Santa has his cookies fresh for Christmas Eve! Tiny hands make more work, but it is more fun. I put my kids to the test with baking & helping me plate this delicious lot. Not sure whether more landed on the floor, in their mouths when I wasn’t looking, or on the plate!!
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
I love my local iga! It has everything I need to stock up for my baking needs ready for christmas time! I was able to easily pick up all that I need to bake some Christmas puff pastry snacks and some triple chocolate cookies today, in prep for Christmas. It’s great having an IGA so close!
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
This time of year is always a rush with end of year concerts, presentations and trying to fit in all the other things we need to do! Thankfully I was able to save time and get ahead on the dessert prep with IGA. My daughter and I whipped up a biscuit and berry ice cream cake that I can store in freezer until the big day. Time and money saved thanks to IGA!
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
With a short stroll away IGA provided our family with an abundance of great value to help us get ahead with our Christmas baking and end of year gifting. My children loved helping to grab all the essentials we needed to create some magical recipes that of course got tested tested before the big day.
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
My go to for the holiday season is Biscoff and Oreo truffles! Since they are cream cheese they are super easy to make ahead so if anyone pops over during the holidays you have some cute festive snacks ready to go! I managed to pick up everything from IGA super easily and was ready to get ahead.
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
Went to IGA and was very happy with the baking products that I purchased. They had everything I needed and upon all my baking I was very satisfied of the quality of the products. All turned out amazing.🤩. Cant wait to pack the Christmas baking items to gift away. Been a busy baking week indeed.
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
I really enjoyed the experience of shopping at my local IGA. It was convenient, staff were helpful and friendly and the produce was neatly presented and easy to find. I decided to try making a biscoff caramel slice to take to my annual friendmas dinner (early Christmas dinner with friends). As I was tasked with a dessert to bring. All ingredients were easily sourced, of high quality and it made the process super quick and easy. I would 100% shop at IGA again to avoid the busy carparks and long lines at my other local supermarkets.
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
Was totally impressed with my IGA haul and shopping experience. I even made a boo-boo with the voucher as I was a few dollars over & it got stuck in the system but a quick call to the card hotline & help from the assistant meant I was able to walk away with good quality & brands we love goodies to create some Christmas magic in the form of biscuit reindeers, plum puddings & gingerbread houses all covered with melted chocolate & adorned with lollies, ready for end of year class parties.
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
I had the best time creating a Gingerbread House with help from my family in creating this little masterpiece. My local IGA is close by and it was easy to call in and pick up all the ingredients I needed. I mostly purchased Black & Gold branded baking supplies with some extra supplies to assist with baking over the Christmas season. This was an enjoyable, fun activity to share with the family, loved it!
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
I decided to make some Christmas treats with the kids for an early festive gathering at home, it was so easy to pop into our local IGA to grab everything we needed, IGA had a great range of ingredients from the essentials to the decorations. I love that the range is always a little different to what you'd find in the other supermarkets, and it's all priced well. In addition to our Reindeer treat ingredients I also picked up a few Black & Gold baking items, for other Christmas baking, it's such good value for money. Couldn't recommend IGA more, and while it's hard to squeeze baking time in with the kids during the silly season, it's worth trying to make the time for it - my kids loved it.
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
I am loving having my local iga within walking distance! It makes such a difference when I need to just quickly duck to the shops for a couple of items, like I did yesterday to get some ingredients for Christmas baking. They are stocked very well, and have everything I need to get ahead for Christmas! Thanks iga ❤️
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
Absolutely thanking the universe that I decided to live within walking distance to an IGA! Mine has the best selection of great products. Especially when I needed so many baking supplies… not ashamed to admit I needed to make two trips as I forgot to buy butter! Stoked that my Christmas baking is well underway, handy hint make a double batch of cookie dough & freeze half! We had our work Christmas show today where we all bring a plate so I took the opportunity to make extras of everything & freeze so Santa has his cookies fresh for Christmas Eve! Tiny hands make more work, but it is more fun. I put my kids to the test with baking & helping me plate this delicious lot. Not sure whether more landed on the floor, in their mouths when I wasn’t looking, or on the plate!!
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
I really enjoyed shopping at the local IGA and was surprised by the range and great specials available. I was able to get ahead this year by making some yummy treats for gifts and stocking up on some chips, drinks, and lollies ready for Christmas Day. Great to be organised ahead of time.
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
With the ease of having IGA so close, makes last minute shops so much easier and convenient. My boys and I were able to grab the ingredients to make a trifle to bring to a Christmas party, and found cookie dough in the cold section to put away and make cookies for Santa. The ingredients were fresh and availability was plenty. Will definitely be back for Christmas stock ups due to the ease in shopping and large variety to choose from.
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
I was so happy with my shop at Romeo’s IGA at South Eveleigh in Sydney last week. I spent just over the $30 and was able to make individual tiramisus as well as a traditional passionfruit custard sao slice for a Christmas party I was attending. I thought the value I got at IGA was great and the range and layout of the store were lovely - it was very large and new and actually felt nice to shop there. I’ll definitely be back!
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
Walked into my local IGA and was actually excited to see products that aren't stocked in other major supermarkets. It was super easy to find all my ingredients for my traditional 'lazy cake' that the women in my family have made for decades. There was such a good variety of biscuits, melting chocolate, good quality cocoa. Definetly surprised. This chocolate biscuit cake was prepared using my IGA haul, and is covered in the freezer ready for Christmas eve.
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
Getting ready for Christmas has never been easier thanks to IGA. The ease of shopping, ability to get fresh products and friendliness pf staff makes shopping and getting ahead of the big day so smooth. Everything we needed to bake up a storm with the kids this Christmas
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
I love my local iga! It has everything I need to stock up for my baking needs ready for christmas time! I was able to easily pick up all that I need to bake some Christmas puff pastry snacks and some triple chocolate cookies today, in prep for Christmas. It’s great having an IGA so close!
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
December is so busy with Christmas gatherings. I was so excited to be part of this trial and IGA really helped me “get ahead for Christmas” I managed to find everything I needed to make my chocolate slice and Christmas brownies. I was able to purchase the black and gold range for the basic products which enabled me to get so much great value! I am shopping more and more at IGA due to the convenience of an independent store and there’s no hustle and bustle!
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
I was really impressed by range available at my local IGA, the experience was really pleasant. The staff were helpful with locating products and the prices were great! I loved the christmas ranges including the tub of christmas coloured m&ms which make christmas baking really easy! I will be shopping at my local iga again!
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
I’ve been wanting to make a Nutella Ice-Cream Cake from my favourite cookbook for ages now but haven’t had the right occasion. We are hosting Christmas this year, so it seemed like the perfect dessert to do now and help get ahead with our Christmas preparations. I had to drive about 15 mins to the nearest IGA store that accepts e-vouchers. The store is small, so easy to get around and find the ingredients I needed, unfortunately one of the key ingredients (hazelnuts) was not available in store. What stood out to me was how friendly the staff were, ready to answer questions, have a conversation and point me in the right direction of my ingredients.
I’ve had a misconception that IGA prices are much more expensive than my local supermarkets, however after doing a quick price comparison on the branded ingredients, IGA came in 12% higher (which was less than I was expecting). Each time I go into IGA, I do manage to find an ingredient or two which is a lot cheaper than other major chains, so for the savvy shopper who shops around, there are bargains to be had.
Overall whilst the prices are higher and the location isn’t that convenient for me personally, it was a good shopping experience, they sell quality ingredients, and I love IGA’s core value that they are supporting local communities and farmers.
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
IGA shop made my Christmas prep easy, convient store layout with all the ingredients I needed, many with weekly specials, great quality of ingredients and value for money helping me to create some beautiful shortbread cookies for Christmas Day
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
This time of year is always a rush with end of year concerts, presentations and trying to fit in all the other things we need to do! Thankfully I was able to save time and get ahead on the dessert prep with IGA. My daughter and I whipped up a biscuit and berry ice cream cake that I can store in freezer until the big day. Time and money saved thanks to IGA!
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
With a short stroll away IGA provided our family with an abundance of great value to help us get ahead with our Christmas baking and end of year gifting. My children loved helping to grab all the essentials we needed to create some magical recipes that of course got tested tested before the big day.
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
I really enjoyed shopping at IGA this festive season. It was super easy to find what I was looking for and made me feel prepared for Christmas. I found it to be good value for money and I was less overwhelming than going to a large supermarket. There was so much choice of festive treats to include within my Christmas baking. I made Christmas bark and it went down an absolute treat at a recent Christmas party that I went to!
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
My go to for the holiday season is Biscoff and Oreo truffles! Since they are cream cheese they are super easy to make ahead so if anyone pops over during the holidays you have some cute festive snacks ready to go! I managed to pick up everything from IGA super easily and was ready to get ahead.
Now that you've shopped at IGA, how would you rate the value and experience?
This reviewer received a voucher to purchase their products for this review.
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Article
‘Trust Your Intuition’: How To Advocate For Your Child In Hospital
Mother’s instinct is a funny thing. At home, we trust it without question. But put us in a hospital setting with an unwell child, surrounded by doctors, nurses and monitors, and suddenly we start doubting ourselves.
What if I’m overreacting? What if I’ve got it wrong?
So we stay quiet, even when we know something just isn’t right with our child. I’ve been there myself – when my usually ‘tough’ son was doubled over with stomach pain. I was told in the emergency department that it probably wasn’t his appendix. But I knew he wouldn’t have begged me to take him to hospital unless it was serious. Because I know him better than anyone. Turns out, it was appendicitis.
It’s a really common place for parents to land. You’re grateful for the care your child is getting, but at the same time, you feel this huge responsibility to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.
Here’s the thing though: that instinct you’re feeling? It matters more than you might think.
Why your gut feeling matters more than you realise
According to Paediatric Nurse Unit Manager, Canterbury Hospital, Leticia Jackson, parents bring something to the hospital that no test or machine ever could.
“Parents often say they ‘just know’ when something isn’t quite right with their child, and in a hospital, that gut feeling is incredibly valuable,” she explains.
Leticia Jackson, Paediatric Nurse Unit Manager, Canterbury Hospital
While medical teams rely on observations, tests and equipment, parents know the little details. The way your child usually smiles. How they react when they’re tired. What’s normal for them.
So when something feels “off”, even if everything looks okay on paper, it can actually be an early warning sign.
“When parents trust those instincts and speak up, this creates a powerful partnership that can sometimes catch a problem before it becomes an emergency,” Leticia says.
Worried about speaking up? You’re not alone
A lot of parents hesitate about advocating for their child.
You don’t want to come across as difficult. You don’t want to question the people caring for your child. And sometimes, you just don’t feel confident enough to push the issue.
Leticia gets it.
“It is completely understandable for parents to feel hesitant,” she says. “No one wants to be seen as difficult or to second-guess the hardworking people caring for their child.”
But here’s a helpful way to look at it: you’re not challenging the medical team, you’re helping them.
Parents are the constant. Staff change shifts, care for multiple patients, and rely on snapshots of information. You’re there the whole time, noticing the subtle changes.
“Our medical team doesn’t view a concerned parent as overreactive, but as a partner,” Leticia explains. “Your voice matters.”
Remember, we know our children better than anyone.
What to do if you’re worried: the Raise It process
If you’re in a NSW public hospital or health service and you’re worried about you or your child’s condition getting worse, there is a clear process you can follow called Raise It.
Raise It is designed to help patients, carers and family members get help fast if they’re worried about a change in their loved one’s condition.
Here’s how it works:
Talk: Start by speaking to a nurse, midwife, doctor or health worker about your concerns.
Ask: Still worried? Ask to speak to the nurse or midwife in charge and request a Clinical Review.
Call: If you’re still concerned, you can escalate further using the Raise It process to get urgent attention from a senior health worker.
You don’t need medical knowledge. You don’t need to be certain. If you feel something isn’t right, or your child is getting worse, Raise It. You just need to speak up.
What should you actually look out for?
Sometimes it’s not one big, obvious sign. It can be small, subtle changes that just don’t sit right.
Things like:
Changes in breathing (fast, laboured or noisy)
Skin looking pale, mottled, or developing unusual rashes
Your child being unusually drowsy, floppy, or hard to wake
Confusion or behaviour that’s out of character
Pain that isn’t improving with treatment
Or simply that feeling that your child is getting worse
And sometimes, it’s just that gut feeling you can’t explain.
That’s enough.
“You are helping us, not bothering us”
If there’s one message Leticia wants parents to take away, it’s that you aren’t bothering the medical team, you’re helping them.
“In my years as a Nurse Unit Manager, I can say with absolute certainty that many critical changes in a child’s condition have been identified first by a parent. While our clinical staff are highly skilled at performing regular observations and interpreting data, parents are the only constant presence who truly know their child’s baseline behaviour, personality, and what is normal for them.
“I have seen numerous instances where a parent’s insistence that their child is “just not themselves” – despite vital signs appearing relatively stable – has prompted a deeper clinical review that uncovered everything from early signs of sepsis to a life-threatening respiratory crisis.”
The Raise It process exists because healthcare teams know how important parents are in keeping children safe.
“Speaking up doesn’t mean you don’t trust the team,” she says. “It means you’re partnering with us to make sure nothing gets missed.”
And if you’re still worried about being judged?
“Whether your concern turns out to be something or nothing, your instinct to raise it is always valid.”
As a parent of a child with cystic fibrosis, I’ve learned to trust my gut when something doesn’t feel right. We’ve had a few experiences where we’ve needed to go through different channels to raise concerns or frustrations with the hospital system to make sure our daughter got the care she needed. It’s great to see programs like this encouraging families to speak up, because parents often know when something isn’t quite right.
As a parent of a child with cystic fibrosis, I’ve learned to trust my gut when something doesn’t feel right. We’ve had a few experiences where we’ve needed to go through different channels to raise concerns or frustrations with the hospital system to make sure our daughter got the care she needed. It’s great to see programs like this encouraging families to speak up, because parents often know when something isn’t quite right.
This is so true from my experience over the years.
No matter how wonderful the medical team is, if you have any doubts speak up as a mother knows her child better than anyone.
Yes and amen to this article ! I agree with always follow your gut, you know your child like no one else does. In fact you are your child’s expert and should never stop advocating for them or speaking up. Sometimes professionals are very good in waving concerns away, all it takes is a human who listens
Even as a healthcare professional, when I took my soon to the ED when I was concerned, I felt awkward about speaking up, worried I was making a big deal out of nothing (even though i would never tjink this about a patient’s family if the roles were reversed). The message in this article is so important. Always stick to your guns. Always speak up and advocate for your kids – they can’t do it for themselves.
And honestly, some medical staff are idiots. I vividly remember the night two doctors huddled over my son’s lung x-rays. I hadn’t been allowed to accompany him to have them taken as I was pregnant. They finally told me solemnly that they were preparing to do emergency surgery as there was something in his lungs – “we don’t know what it is, but it’s definitely man made”. I took one look at the x-rays and asked if they’d taken off the battery packs for his cochlear implants, which were pinned to the back of his shirt, before the x-ray. And of course they hadn’t, and of course that’s what appeared to be in his lungs. Honestly!
I have learned many times to always listen to your gut and speak up when you don’t think something is right. This article was a great read, our kids are our world and if we don’t feel they are getting the right help, and we feel it, we need to speak up.
You should never second guess yourself when it comes to yours or your childs health- or anyones for that matter. Go with your thoughts. It is natural to want to protect a loved one especially when it comes to health situations, and the feeling you get when you think you didnt do enough to advocate or fight for them…it is not a kind or nice way to feel. Many people have ended up being heartbroken and picking up pieces for years because of feeling they didnt do enough.
A very good and informative article. I have read so many stories about mums just knowing when things are not right and demanding second and third opinions until they got the right answer. Sometimes mums just know. It is our job as care takers of our families. Listen to your gut!
Years ago, I spoke up for my 14-year-old daughter, but my concerns weren’t fully listened to. I’ve always wished I had pushed harder. She was sent home without much testing, and two days later, she passed away.
So, if you ever have concerns—no matter how minor—please speak up and keep advocating. Trust your instincts; they are there for a reason.
This is so important for parents to know how to raise it further if they don’t think their child is receiving the medical support they need! I know this article refers to the NSW system but other systems have similar procedures just with different names. I know in QLD it’s called Ryan’s Rule.
It’s so important to follow your gut instincts and express your concerns indeed. I have never hesitated to advocate for my children in various situations and I don’t care what other people think about it. Not all doctors and medical staff appreciate it when you question them, I’ve experienced that it may result in angry indignant responses.
How true this is! While nurses and doctors are the medical professionals doing their job on the daily, we know our children better than anyone and what is ‘normal’ for them. I would always speak up if I had noticed any changes in my child’s health and encourage other parents to do so too. No question is silly!
This really is such an important issue and a good topic to discuss with people, I am often surprised that people are worried about being judged. This is not something I care about; the priority is for the care and health of everyone is my family. Parents know their children and need to work with health professionals for the best outcomes for their children.
This is such an important issue to raise, and no one should ever feel ashamed, nervous or that they are being OTT for advocating for their kids, themselves or loves ones in hospital. In QLD we have Ryan’s Rule. A three step process where your concern will be escalated if they believe the patients condition isn’t improving or is worsening.
I have never been afraid to advocate for my children and partner and extended family and also friends. It is so important to listen and to trust intuition. When people have not listened, I have persevered and kept on with insisting on care and making sure they truly listened and took action.
6:28 am
IGA at Christmas
11:08 pm
Thank the lord for IGA
9:02 pm
I love iga!
12:57 pm
Convenience at the busiest time of year 🎅🎄
11:55 am
Grabbing those essentials
11:09 am
Ready to go!
5:44 am
Great haul for my christmas
9:04 pm
Support local
8:13 pm
Get Ahead This Xmas
2:39 pm
Best ingredients from IGA
I found the ingredients very easily and added all together and made the best salad for summer. It was great deal.
Love IGA.
12:19 am
Gingerbread house fun
6:28 am
IGA at Christmas
9:29 am
So good!
11:08 pm
Thank the lord for IGA
10:39 pm
Not bad but a bit chaotic
10:31 pm
Something special
10:08 pm
Easy and convenient for Christmas
9:58 pm
Got prepped for an early Christmas party at IGA!
9:56 pm
Pleasantly surprised
9:50 pm
Christmas made easy thanks to IGA
9:02 pm
I love iga!
6:21 pm
Great variety of products and so easy!
4:14 pm
Great range & Value
3:15 pm
Quality Ingredients and Friendly Staff
I’ve had a misconception that IGA prices are much more expensive than my local supermarkets, however after doing a quick price comparison on the branded ingredients, IGA came in 12% higher (which was less than I was expecting). Each time I go into IGA, I do manage to find an ingredient or two which is a lot cheaper than other major chains, so for the savvy shopper who shops around, there are bargains to be had.
Overall whilst the prices are higher and the location isn’t that convenient for me personally, it was a good shopping experience, they sell quality ingredients, and I love IGA’s core value that they are supporting local communities and farmers.
2:34 pm
Christmas shortbread
1:12 pm
Budget friendly rocky road
12:57 pm
Convenience at the busiest time of year 🎅🎄
11:55 am
Grabbing those essentials
11:19 am
Super easy for all my Christmas essentials
11:09 am
Ready to go!
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