Vintage caravan, Bertha, turns into giant canvas for children to colour-in!

Watch here on BBC national news

1. England – Bath Christmas Market The magical and award-winning Bath Christmas Market is back and it’s bigger and better than ever! There are over 200 twinkling chalets spread out across the picturesque Georgian streets of Bath selling handmade and local Christmas gifts.

   Soak up the sights, smells and festive ambience of Bath at Christmas and enjoy more than a market. There’s a packed calendar of family friendly events, top restaurants, beautiful architecture and the UK’s only natural thermal day spa, Thermae Bath Spa. There’s plenty for children to do – why not come and do some colouring in at Eggnogg’s chalet (only paper not the liquid sort!)

   Chalet Number: 42 Abbey Green   23 November – 10 December

2. Belgium – AntwerpTake in the light show at the Grote Markt which is fun for kids of all ages. There’s also the requisite ice skating rink that has special performances throughout the market season. In past years special sculptures and performances are also scheduled throughout the festivities.
3. Austria – ViennaAt the Vienna Christmas market  they’ve got a whole playground next to the Christkindl Markt and activities on the ground floor of the town hall. At the Karlsplatz Market there are loads of straw bales that kids can jump in and build forts with. Who knew just a little hay could go such a long way to make memories?
4. Czech Republic – PragueUnlike some European cities with dozens of Christmas markets, Prague has just four. The Old Square Christmas market is the largest and oldest with things like pony rides for children. The three others have a mixture of food stalls and shopping as well as various displays and activities. If you’re trying to decide where to go to a market and your money is a little tight, Prague will be less expensive than most other Euopean cities.
5. France – StrasbourgWith one of the oldest markets in Europe this one is sure to have something for everyone. While the markets may be contained Christmas is everywhere. There are ten diffeent markets in each square of the city. Place St. Thomas has hands -on activities for kids. At Place de la Cathedale is another great market to stop by with kids for the trains, santas, gingerbread and carousels.

    

    

    

 

Our colour-in caravan has been ‘admired’ in The Bristol Magazine and had a fabulous feature in Smallish Magazine this month. Bertha is available to hire for parties, weddings and other events. Go to www.eggnogg.co.uk/caravan

If you’re looking for a fun and easy children’s party idea, then Eggnogg has the answer.  Their all new Colour-in Caravan comes complete with loads of washable pens so everyone can go colour-in crazy inside and out.
The party caravan package includes a colour-in picnic blanket and paper tablecloths to keep, plus a little picnic table and chairs, bunting and other decorations.  There are also optional extras like Eggnogg colour-in party bags, fancy dress outfits and personalised tablecloths, placemats and wallpaper.
The cute vintage caravan was rescued by Eggnogg designer and founder Kate Edmunds, having been left, neglected and dilapidated, in a Brighton garden.  Lovingly restored, ‘Bertha’, as Kate fondly calls her, is now a children’s artistic extravaganza, featuring colour-in wallpaper, table top, seating and even curtains.

The caravan is small enough to be parked easily in most driveways, gardens and parks. It can be hired for the day or, for those who want the ultimate colour-in caravan sleep-over experience, there’s a two-day weekend package.

Prices and Details:

• The Eggnogg Colour-in Caravan package: complete with colour-in picnic blanket, tablecloths and loads of pens (worth over £60) – bunting, decorations, picnic table and seating also supplied
• One day hire: £300
• Two day (one night) weekend package price: £400
• Delivery and pick-up: charge dependent on location
• Eggnogg Colour-in Party Bags with gifts: from £10 each
• Personalised tablecloths and wallpaper also available

For more information or to book go to: https://www.eggnogg.co.uk
or phone 0117 9277747

Thanks to netmums we thought we’d share their top tips for back to school also one of our own!

“Sometimes it’s hard enough writing a list for your weekly shop, let alone working out all the back to school kit your kids will need.

And it’s even harder if they are starting school for the first time. Do they really need a pencil case? Or a PE kit? Help!

A new school year is stressful enough, so we’ve put together the ultimate checklist for getting your child ready for school.

1) Uniform checklist

Four shirts or polo shirts
Boys – two pairs of trousers, one pair of shorts
Belt if needed
Girls – two pinafores / skirts / trousers (depending on their preference)
Jumpers – one with a logo on and one plain for spare (if children are young, you might want an extra one in case one gets lost)
Shoes
Socks
Lightweight waterproof coat (foldable)
Coat
Summer hat
Woolly hat and gloves
For some schools you might also need …

Tie
Blazer
Fleece
Dinner tabard
Painting tabard

2) PE kit checklist

Kit bag – a colour-in Eggnogg back pack perhaps?
Plimsolls
Shorts
T-shirt (check your uniform guide for colours)
Pair of socks (especially for girls who might be wearing tights that day)
Swimming kit or other sports kit (in some schools)
Other back to school supplies

Read More+

Only half way through the Summer holidays and struggling to find things to do?

Here’s our 7 school holiday survival tips without spending a fortune:

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1. Take note of the community notice board:

Resources in the community, such as churches and libraries often have craft activity sessions or days during school holidays and, better still, they are likely to be inexpensive. You may even get a free cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit!

To find out more, look at ‘What’s On’ websites, or noticeboards at local community centres, libraries and churches, and ask other parents for ideas.

2. It’s more fun to do things together:

Doing things as a group is great ready-made entertainment for the children, and gives you a little bit of adult time. Meet up somewhere outside like a park, pack a picnic or go to a café with some outdoor play space.  The children can play together while you can have a cup of tea or coffee and a chat.

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3. Spot the sport camps:

Schools and sports centres are well aware that parents work, and that children need entertaining.

Most schools will run some kind of holiday clubs, many of which are open to the wider community and not just to children at the school. Some run very specific sports clubs, or coaching sessions, which can be good if your child is into sports.

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4. Fabulous freebies:

Many museums, particularly in bigger cities, are free making them great entertainment and a cheap activity!

5. Pack a picnic and go on an adventure:

Whether you live in a town or countryside, pack a bag with plenty of provisions and go out on an walking adventure and don’t return till teatime.

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6. Search out those special offers:

Because so many people go away in the summer holidays, local venues like leisure centres and swimming pools often have special offers, especially midweek. You can therefore do more with your children within budget.

Plenty of venues, including museums and art galleries, also have special family events during school holidays. In the UK National Trust properties are particularly good at this.

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7. Be creative with craft activities:

Make sure that you have plenty of indoor activities in hand, planned and ready to go, especially for wet days, or if you unexpectedly have to do some work for a few hours. If you need some pointers why not try out our Eggnogg colour-in craft products. If it’s sunny try our Colour-in Picnic Blankets for those meet ups in the park – what more could you want on a sunny afternoon? A picnic in the park or at the seaside and a colour-in picnic blanket to keep them quiet while you read your book or have a hard-earned snooze! The perfect way to keep the children and adults entertained colouring-in until the sandwiches are ready, it’s creative and practical. If it’s a rainy day indoors why not try our colouring in tablecloths. Eggnogg Colour-in tablecloths are a fun-filled colouring-in craft activity for all ages and all occasions. Packed full of quirky characters, interesting animals and iconic objects, they’re perfect for children’s parties, restaurant visits, weddings, holidays, rainy days and playtime anytime. The Colour-in Tablecloths work equally well as play mats and posters. They help bring a little calm into the day and provide the perfect antidote to all that screen time. And if the kids are kept busy colouring-in, the grown-ups can have some down time – and maybe enjoy some colouring-in therapy too!

Look out for shops having sales of craft activities or kits, and stock up for emergencies or shop at www.eggnogg.co.uk

Bertha, the Colour-in Caravan. From Rags to Riches!  She was found on Ebay, abandoned and rather tatty, looking decidedly sorry for herself – but within six weeks she was premiering on ITV’s This Morning!

Eggnogg had been toying with the idea of creating a life size Eggnogg Colour-in Caravan, both as our flagship and to hire out for children’s parties and other special events.  A casual browse on Ebay, followed by a flurry of last minute auction bids and Bertha was suddenly ours.

She needed a lot of work inside and out, as sadly years of neglect had taken their toll, but we could see her potential and so worked day and night to bring her back to her former glory. She was stripped, sanded, cleaned, scrubbed, reclad, painted, sealed and finally vinyl wrapped with our favourite Eggnogg colour-in designs.  Finally after much of blood, sweat and tears, Bertha was re-born as the beautiful, cute, Eggnogg Colour-in Caravan you see today.  Her interior walls are papered with our colour-in wallpaper, she has colour-in curtains hung at her windows, colour-in fabric upholstery and a colour-in paper tablecloth on the table. She can be hired complete with a picket fence, a really cute small picnic table, picnic blanket, replacement tablecloths and plenty of our special colour-in pens

Almost immediately, she was snapped up to feature in ITV’s This Morning with Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield. From rags to riches in only six weeks!  And now Bertha is being booked for everything from Trade and Retail Fairs to children’s’ parties and Summer festivals all over the country.

It just goes to show that if you’re passionate about something you must go for it, whether in your personal life or in business.  It can really can pay off. Do something you love, be determined and never give up!

Introducing Bertha the Colour-in Caravan.  This cute vintage caravan was rescued by Eggnogg designer and founder Kate Edmunds, having been left, neglected and dilapidated, in a Brighton garden.  Lovingly restored, ‘Bertha’, as Kate fondly calls her, is now available to hire for parties, a children’s artistic extravaganza, featuring colour-in wallpaper both inside and out and even colour-in seating and curtains.

It’s competition time!

To celebrate Bertha’s launch we are inviting children to conjure up an exciting and inventive story of Bertha before she became a ‘colouring in caravan‘. Was she ship wrecked and washed up on deserted beach or whisked off to join the circus? There’s no end of exciting and inventive stories to tell.  The winning story will win £50 of Eggnogg goodies and the chance to have their own Bertha story illustrated on a colour-in tablecloth (©copyright eggnogg). Sign up to our website and send your Bertha story to kate@eggnogg.co.uk. Good Luck!

Party hire

If you’re looking for a fun and easy children’s party idea, then Eggnogg has the answer. Their new Eggnogg Colour-in Caravan comes complete with loads of pens so everyone can go colour-in crazy inside and out.  The party package also includes a colour-in picnic blanket and colour-in tablecloth you can keep, plus a little picnic table, bunting and other decorations – and there are optional extras like colour-in party bags too.

Prices and Details:

• The Eggnogg Colour-in Caravan package: complete with colour-in picnic blanket, tablecloths and loads of pens (worth over £60) – bunting, decorations, picnic table and seating also supplied
• One day hire: £300
• Two day (one night) weekend package price: £400
• Delivery and pick-up: charge dependent on location
• Eggnogg Colour-in Party Bags with gifts: from £10 each

• Personalised tablecloths and wallpaper also available

For more information or to book go to: https://www.eggnogg.co.uk

or phone 0117 9277747

The Eggnogg Colour-in Caravan will be at lots of events this summer, including The Big Feastival, Alex James’ Farm, Cotswolds, 25^th to 27^th August and Kirstie Allsopp’s Handmade Fair, Hampton court, 15th-17th September so keep an eye out for her.

Eggnogg’s Top 5 Bristol Picnic Spots. With the Summer holidays fast approaching there really is nothing better than getting outdoors in the sun with the whole family and going on a picnic – it’s the perfect way to spend some quality time with your loved ones without breaking the bank. So, we’ve come up with a list of essentials that should help your family day run smoothly…well as smoothly as possible! We’ve also come up with the perfect picnic menu and some fun game ideas to keep the kids entertained.

We love where we live in Bristol so what where better to start, here are Eggnogg’s Top 5 Bristol Picnic Spots.

1. Brandon Hill

Just a stone’s throw away from our Park Street café, Brandon Hill park is one of our favourite Bristol picnic spots. It may be hilly, but the uphill climb is worth it for the amazing views. Reach the top of Cabot Tower, and you can look out over the whole of Bristol. It’s also a bit of a sun trap, making it the perfect place to stretch out and relax.

2. The Downs

As you emerge from the jostling streets of Whiteladies Road, the sight of Durdham Downs stretching out before you is a breath of fresh air. With 400 acres of green grass and trees as far as the eye can see, there’s plenty of space to find your perfect picnic spot.

3. Clifton Observatory

If you’re feeling adventurous, a short walk from the downs will lead you to this spectacular view. Enjoying some of your favourite food, while looking out over Bristol’s iconic suspension bridge, what could be better? The observatory itself is an experience not to be missed, the camera obscurer gives you a unique view over Bristol and its scenery.

4. Ashton Court Estate

If it’s sophistication you’re looking for, you can’t beat a bit of wining and dining in the grounds of Ashton Court Estate. They also host Bristol’s international balloon fiesta here, which we look forward to every year.

5. University of Bristol Botanic Garden

Nestled away in the realms of Stoke Bishop, lies the tranquil University of Bristol botanic garden. For a small fee (unless you’re a student), you can wander around the garden and marvel at their collection of tropical and exotic plants. This one’s a bit of a hidden gem and well worth a visit.

Picnic Basket Relay

Split your family into two teams, the aim of the game is to race in pairs towards the basket and unpack the items. Once they have unpacked all items and are given the nod from the judge they must re-pack the basket and run back to their team, tagging the next person in. The first team to have all players complete the relay wins!

Water Balloon Race

Don’t mind getting a little wet? Give this fun game a go. You will require water balloons for this one. Split into two teams and set a chair up for each team with a water balloon placed on it. The aim of the game is to run to the chair and pop the water balloon by sitting on it. The team that pops the most balloons in the time wins. A great way to cool down in the sunshine!

With all that running around and playing in the sun you don’t want to have your day spoiled by forgetting a crucial item. So, to ensure your family day runs smoothly here are the must pack items.

•  A colour-in Picnic Blanket

What more could you want on a sunny afternoon? A picnic in the park or at the seaside and a colour-in picnic blanket to keep them quiet while you read your book or have a hard-earned snooze! The perfect way to keep the children and adults entertained colouring-in until the sandwiches are ready, it’s creative and practical.

•  Sun cream

Make sure the whole family is safe in the sun by packing the high factor cream

•  A Sun Hat

Keep the little ones cool and safe in a big hat.

•  An Umbrella and Rain Coat

We all know what the British weather can be like. Pop them in your bag just in case.

•  Baby Basics

Remember to pack nappies, wipes and other handy essentials like insect repellent, plasters and hand sanitisers.

•  Great picnic snacks

A picnic isn’t complete without some delicious picnic foods.

Here are our top, delicious, but very simple picnic ideas that can be packed the night before and are completely fuss-free.

Sandwiches – a must for any picnic, they’re easy and you can fill them with whatever you like.

Pasta – quick and easy and can be made the night before.

Vegetable sticks – a healthy little snack that your little ones will love. Put together a little Tupperware box of carrots, celery, peppers and cucumber. Bring along some dips too.

Fruit – just like the vegetables cut up a mixture of your favorite fruits and put together a delicious fruit salad.

Mini quiches – the prefect size for outdoor munching and you can add whatever filling you like.

Chicken drumsticks – mix it up and add lemon and garlic or glaze with honey. Easy to make and a perfect picnic snack.

Cold sausages – cook them up the night before, simple yet delicious!

Cake/muffins – we’re all allowed a little treat so why not take some cakes along.

So, there you have it. Our top tips on how to make the most of your family picnic. Do you have any tips to add? We would love to see your family picnic photos so please send them to kate@eggnogg.co.uk

*Photo courtesy of Natalie at www.mummygorgeous.com

We’ll be wallpapering the press tent again with Kirstie Allsopp for The Handmade Fair in May 2017 at Ragley Hall Warwickshire. See you there!