Book a spa day – High on many a woman's list would be a day at the spa – manicure, pedicure, massage or facial – make it a date and come out feeling refreshed and ready to go.

Soak it up – It's amazing what a hot bath can do. Just light the candles, crack open a bottle of Shiraz, put on your favourite music and relax (cucumber slices and mud pack optional!).

Breakfast in bed – Eating in bed always feels remarkably decadent. If you can persuade your partner to do all the hard work, you'll get a wonderfully lazy hour to catch up on the day's news and enjoy a cuppa under the covers.

Peace and quiet – It's rare these days for any of us to enjoy doing nothing. But if you get five minutes to yourself, switch off the TV, close your eyes and forget the shopping list. Nothing can be surprisingly restorative.

Lunch with pals – If you're more likely to grab a sandwich and eat at work then a long lunch with pals is a simple way to indulge. Forget the time (when able) and put the world to rights – you'll be smiling in no time.

'Me time' – All too often, we're so busy dealing with the day-to-day chores that we forget the things we used to love. Revive an old interest, take time for something you miss or even take up a new hobby.

Spoil yourself – Splash out on an outfit or gadget that you've been after for a while. You don't have to go mad to enjoy a spot of retail therapy.

Dinner and a show – The perfect way to indulge yourself as a couple. Take a trip to the bright lights of the big city and treat yourself to a slap-up meal before taking in a show or a movie. For extra indulgence, book a hotel room for the night.

Go Nigella – Ditch the diet (just for a moment) and whip up something truly indulgent to eat. Cream, chocolate, wine... take a leaf out of Nigella Lawson's book and make food fun again.

Siesta – The Spanish have it down to a fine art, but we Brits rarely take an afternoon nap. Catch up on your sleep and you might just wake up feeling like a new person.

What are your tips for a little self indulgence?

These days the sales aren't just about the Boxing Day rush. And with retailers probably feeling the pinch as much as the rest of us, the chances are there are bargains to be had even before Christmas. But sale shopping can be a tricky business and it's important to make sure you know what you're doing if you're going to bag a real bargain.

Top sales and bargains searches:

1. Half price sales
2. Discount sale
3. Great bargains
4. Online clothes shopping
5. Money saving tips
6. Find bargains
7. Cheap brand name clothing
8. Fashion designer clothes
9. Discount cosmetics
10. Buy designer suits

If you know there's a sale coming up in one of your favourite shopping haunts, try and get in before it starts. Check out exactly what you want to grab in the sale and try each item on – that way you'll save valuable time by knowing what size you need when the rush begins.

For serious fashionistas, looking up next season's must-haves is a cunning way to ensure you're bang on trend, so check out designer shows in the likes of Vogue. But if there's a classic design that you've been after for a while you may find it's on sale – sometimes a timeless classic can be snapped up for a bargain price.

Go for non-seasonal buys. If you're in desperate need of some gorgeous underwear or some sexy nightwear, there are plenty of fabulous buys to be had that won't be out of fashion by January! Similarly, accessories such as gloves, boots and bags are often discounted, but be sure you avoid last season's 'in' look.

You might even find some summer pieces that the stores are dragging out in a last ditch attempt to sell them. Silly as it sounds in the middle of winter, neutral items can be layered throughout the season, and colourful summer jewellery can be bought for a snip.

But most importantly girls... set yourself a limit. It's all too easy to get carried away and then all of a sudden, the bargains turn into burdens.

If you've got any tips for grabbing the best of the sale bargains, why not let us know.

This year November 21 is World Hello Day and a chance for all to communicate peacefully with anyone and everyone. All it takes to participate in this annual event is a simple greeting to ten (or more) people. The idea is to demonstrate the importance of personal communication for preserving peace.

Top Hello Day searches:

1. Hello in different languages
2. Archbishop Desmond Tutu
3. Chinese hello
4. Hello in Japanese
5. Kofi Annan
6. Mother Theresa
7. Polish hello
8. Russian hello
9. His Holiness the Dalai Lama
10. Hello in Dutch

Launched in 1973, World Hello Day came as a response to the conflict between Egypt and Israel and since then, has been observed by people in 180 countries. Brian and Michael McCormack work together to promote the event, which is an opportunity for people around the world to express their concern for world peace.

It is hoped that the actions of many will send a message to world leaders and encourage the use of communication rather than force to settle conflict. So far 31 Nobel Peace Prize winners have already recognised World Hello Day as a valuable instrument for preserving peace and the likes of Kofi Annan, Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama (not to mention our very own monarch, Queen Elizabeth II) are among the many to have written letters in support of the event.

And why stop at your native language. World Hello Day is a global event and as such, an 'hola', 'dobry den', or 'nei ho' will certainly not go amiss.

As Ronald Reagan wrote in his letter: "Peace begins in the human heart when selfishness and fear are replaced by charity and hope. In reaching out to others in friendship, you spread the spirit that is the foundation for peace within the home, the community, the nation and the world." Now that can surely only be a good thing.

Let us know what you think. Is World Hello Day a valuable instrument for expressing the need for peace throughout the world?

Yes, it's that time of year again... Pudsey Bear is back to help raise money for Children in Need's 2009 campaign. This year, the live show will take place on Friday 20 November and there will be the usual fun and games courtesy of Terry Wogan and friends along with the serious message behind the appeal.

Top Children in Need searches:

1. Children in need charity
2. Pudsey bear
3. Terry Wogan
4. Help children in need
5. Ideas for fundraising
6. BBC Children in Need
7. Schools fundraising ideas
8. Children's charity
9. Charities
10. Raise charity money

Last year, BBC Children in Need raised over £38 million to provide support to thousands of children and young people under the age of 18. Those with mental, physical or sensory disabilities, behavioural or psychological disorders, those who are suffering through distress, abuse or neglect and the many children living in poverty will all benefit from the pennies we donate and the live BBC show is essential in raising our awareness to the plight of the many disadvantaged children in the country.

But there are many ways to get involved in the charity; by organising your own events, gaining sponsorship or by simply donating to the cause. Fundraising packs with ideas and toolkits are available via the Children in Need website, as are ideas for activities and games for schools and, of course, plenty of Pudsey related goodies.

Of course, the celebrities will be out in force to show their support and no doubt the stars of a variety of BBC shows will be planning their own surprises. So whether you're at work or on a night out, at home or at school, Do Something Different as Pudsey suggests and help to make life just a little easier for the less fortunate children in the UK.

Have you got something special planned for Children in Need? If so, let us know.

Though most parents would consider their child's welfare a priority it seems children in England are all too often getting caught up in bitter legal actions by their divorcing parents. A new survey, carried out by law firm Mishcon de Reya, questioned 2,000 divorcees and a similar number of children who had experienced the break-up of the family home. Despite their best efforts, half of the parents surveyed admitted going to court over access or custody, while one in five wanted to damage their ex.

Top break-up searches:

1. Divorce and child custody
2. Divorce and children
3. Family break up
4. Child access rights
5. Child custody laws
6. Marriage separation
7. Relationship breakup
8. Marriage counselling uk
9. Child support divorce
10. Family counselling

The poll marks the 20th anniversary of the Children Act, designed to improve the welfare of children caught up in parental separation. But Mischon de Reya's report painted an unhappy picture. The results showed that two thirds confessed to indiscriminately using their children as "bargaining tools", while 20% admitted that they had actively designed the proceedings to make their partners experience "as unpleasant as possible", with little regard for their children's feelings.

Of the children surveyed, half said that their opinions had been disregarded by both parents and almost a quarter revealed that one parent had forced them to lie to the other. But the government insists that the 20-year scope of the survey meant that it was out of date.

England's Children's Minister Delyth Morgan told the BBC: "Divorce and separation can have a devastating impact on children caught in the middle. But this survey, looking as far back as 20 years ago, simply doesn't reflect what support is available for families now."

There are ways to make divorce less traumatic for your children. As hard as it may seem, avoid criticising your ex in front of the kids, while explaining the situation and what is going to happen may encourage children to be open about their own feelings – and, of course, taking the time to listen to their views is essential.

Do you have any suggestions on how to help children cope with a family break-up?