On Essex Mums this month
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CHRISTMAS SHOPPING GUIDE  *  WHAT'S ON THIS CHRISTMAS
 EVENTS   *  COMPETITIONS

ALTERNATIVE SHOPPING GUIDE  *  PRODUCT REVIEWS  
 

 

Big apologies if you received this at the weekend but it seems there was a problem and a lot of people didn't get the newsletter. I hope you don't mind it being sent again so that it can be read by everyone!

Starting to feel festive? Well if not, it's time to start. Lots of lovely Christmas events happening this month across the county - the countdown to Christmas really has begun. Although, if you have young children, their countdown probably started on the 26th of December 2011! 

Christmas Shopping Guide
Over the last month I've been lucky enough to add some absolutely gorgous products and shops to the Christmas Gift Guide. Whether you still have all your pressies to buy or are just loking for a few last minute stocking fillers, take a look at our fantastic range of shops selling interesting, original and somewhat different ideas and save yourself a trip to the High Street! You can search by category or look through a full list of all our lovely shops here. If you want some product ideas then take a look at the Product Guide which has a range of gorgeous goodies for you to browse or search by category. Keep an eye on the homepage for some of my product picks for different ages which change every few days, or just click the catgeories below to get started:

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Music Bugs Calling Essex

Music Bugs provide play based, interactive music and singing classes throughout the UK for children aged newborn to 4 years and we are looking for people who would like to launch our classes and run their own business in Essex. Experience with children, (even just your own), a pleasant singing voice, a warm and friendly personality and the desire to work with local families are the main criteria we are looking for. If you are on the lookout for a ridiculously fun part-time job that will fit in around your existing commitments, we would love to hear from you. For further details, please visit our Franchise section at: www.musicbugs.co.uk or email us at info@musicbugs.co.uk

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What's On this Christmas
As always, we've been searching high and low for months now to bring you the widest range of Christmas events in Essex available on the internet, and I think I can safely say we're pretty much there! There is absolutely loads to do this December, whether you're looking for a place to meet Father Christmas (for the kids, obviously, I'm sure you don't make a habit of sitting on strange men's knees. Ahem.), some wintery outdoor fun or somewhere to shop, you can find it all here. We've made it even easier to find out what's on by listing all the events by type and by area in the following pages. On the off chance you know of an event that isn't here, please email me with details on louise@essexmums.org. Thank you! 

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Run your own children's party entertainer business

Bish Bash Birthdays has created the perfect party format and business is booming!  The North Essex franchise is already up and running and the South Essex branch is now up for grabs. If you love kids and have a natural sense of fun then this could be the ideal opportunity for the new year. Bish Bash Birthdays provide themed parties for children aged 3-8 years old. The franchise is designed to be run part-time from home with weekend party bookings in your local area. 

Contact Deborah to request a copy of the franchise brochure 
Telephone: 020 8346 5432       
E-mail: deborah@bishbashbirthdays.co.uk
www.bishbashbirthdays.co.uk 

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Events
As always there is lots more going on this month! Below is a selection of the fantastic festive things going on but you can find full listings on the Things to Do section.

Barking and Dagenham
All month: Cinderella, The Broadway
1^st: Christmas Craft Fair, Eastbury Manor House
2^nd: Santathon, Dagenham & Redbridge FC
7^th: Xmas Bazaar, William Bellamy Primary School
11^th: Santas' Visit, Valance Library
15^th: A 16^th Century Christmas, Eastbury Manor House
19^th – 21^st: The Jolly Jungle Christmas Party, Becontree Heath Leisure Centre
 
Basildon
All month: Santa’s Grotto, Eastgate
All month: Santa at Altons
Every weekend: Barleylands Christmas Experience
1^st: Celebrate a Family Christmas, Wat Tyler
2^nd: Charity Christmas Fayre, Pitsea
5^th onwards: Peter Pan, Towngate Theatre
6^th: Pamper/Xmas Shopping Evening, Laindon Park School
8^th & 9^th: Christmas Tree Festival, All Saints Church
9^th: Yummy Mummy’s World Disney Disco
10^th: The St. Luke’s Hospice Schools Christmas Carol Concerts, Eastgate Shopping Centre
11^th: Hilltop Infant School Christmas Fair
16^th: Buy Preloved Market, Hannakins Farm
17^th: Diddi Dance Christmas Party, Laindon
22^nd – 31^st: Christmas Crafts, Langdon Hills Visitor Centre
23^rd: Santa at the Haven, Langdon Hills Visitor Centre
24^th – 31^st: Basildon Sporting Village Holiday Camp
 
Braintree
All month: Christmas at Baytree Garden Centre
1^st – 6^th: Cinderella, Dunmow Arts Centre
1^st: Halstead Christmas Fayre
2^nd: How to Catch at Star, Braintree Arts Centre
5^th: Halstead’s Torchlight Procession and Carol Service
7^th: Christmas Fair, Gosfield School
8^th & 15^th: Father Christmas at the Museum, Braintree Museum
8^th & 9^th: Cressing Unwrapped, Cressing Temple
9^th 15^th, 16^th, 22^nd, 23^rd: Steam with Santa, Colne Valley Railway
12^th: Traditional Carol Service, Witham
13^th: Santa’s Workshop, Great Notley
20^th – 26^th: Cinderella, Bocking Arts Theatre
20^th – 24^th: Aladdin and the Sultan of Inzybar, Witham
23^rd: Carols by Candlelight, Witham
29^th: Blow Away the Cobwebs, Marks Hall
 
Castle Point
1^st: Jack and the Beanstalk Charity Puppet Show, Thundersley
2^nd: Christmas Charity Bake-Off, Benfleet
5^th: Christmas Shopping and Pamper Evenings, Shipwrights Drive
6^th: Christmas Bazaar, Thundersley
7^th: Christmas Fair, The Appleton School
8^th: Christmas Winter Wonderland, The Paddocks
9^th: Little Havens Christmas Market and Santa Run, Thundersley
16^th: Santa’s Celebrations: Reindeer Games, Hadleigh Country Park
17^th: Diddi Dance Christmas Party, Benfleet
18^th: Diddi Dance Christmas Party, Canvey
 
Chelmsford
All month: Father Christmas and Snowman Story Experience, Just Imagine Story Centre
All month: Winter Santa Land, Marsh Farm
1^st & 2^nd: Children’s Magic of Christmas, RHS Hyde Hall
2^nd: Hylands Christmas Fair
4^th: Mog’s Christmas, Just Imagine Story Centre
5^th onwards: Dick Whittington, Civic and Cramphorn Theatres
8^th: Fairy School Workshops
9^th: Santa Fun Run for Farleigh Hospice, Central Park
12^th – 16^th: Aladdin on Ice, Riverside Ice and Leisure
14^th: Free Christmas Winter Wonderland, Kiddi Caru Nursery
15^th: Town Carol Service, South Woodham Ferrers
16^th: Christmas Magic Shows, Hylands House
18^{th & 19th}: Talking Tots Christmas Sessions
19^th: A Christmas Journey, Just Imagine Story Centre
22^nd: Crafty Christmas Creations, Hanningfield Reservoir
23^rd: Snow White, South Woodham Ferrers
28^th: Come and Try Ice Skating, Riverside Ice and Leisure
 
Colchester
Various Dates: The Magic of Christmas, Colchester Zoo
1^st: Coggeshall Christmas Fayre
2^nd, 8^th & 9^th: Mother Christmas Grotto Days, Colchester Zoo
3^rd: It’s Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas, Jungle Adventure
5^th – 8^th: A Christmas Cracker, Headgate Theatre
6^th,  12th: Santa’s Grotto, Jungle Adventure
7^th onwards: Jack and the Beanstalk, Mercury Theatre
8^th: A Celebration of Christmas, Wivenhoe
9^th: Tree Dressing and Winter Woodland Crafts, High Woods Country Park
10^th: A Christmas Carol, Headgate Theatre
11^th – 23^rd: Colchester’s Grand Christmas Fair
12^th: Christmas Opening Evening and Market, Colchester Castle Museum
15^th: Little Red Riding Hood, Colchester Arts Centre
24^th: Christmas Party! Leisure World Colchester
 
Epping Forest
1^st & 2^nd: Seasonal Celebration Drop-in at Epping Forest
2^nd: Wild in the Woods, Hainault Forest
5^th: Carol Singing at The Owl Pub
6^th: Christmas Shopping Evening, Buckhurst Hill
Weekends from the 8^th: Santa Specials, Epping Ongar Railway
9^th: Green Christmas Decorations, The Temple
12^th – 15^th: Boing! Stratford Circus
14^th: A Vintage Christmas Chilming Special, North Weald Airfield
15^th & 16^th: Father Christmas in the Forest, Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge
19^th: Follow the Star, Chigwell
21^st: Children’s Christmas Chilming Special
23^rd: Carols by Candlelight, Waltham Abbey
 
Harlow
All month: Jack and the Beanstalk, Harlow Playhouse
1^st: Christmas Mosaic, Harlow Museum
8^th: Hairy Harry Snowmen, Science Alive
13^{th & 20th}: Christmas Multi-Activities, Harlow Leisurezone
15^th: Peg Dolly Angels, Harlow Museum
21^st: Free Christmas Winter Wonderland at Kiddi Caru Day Nursery
22^nd: Christmas Disco Pool Party, Harlow Leisurezone
24^th: Aqua Jets, Harlow Leisurezone
 
Havering
All month: Jack and the Beanstalk, Queens Theatre
1^st: Tutus and Tiaras Winter Princess Ball, Romford
2^nd: Multi-Faith Light Up a Life Event, St Francis Hospice
6^th: Light Up Harold Hill
7^th: Messy Play, Gidea Park Library
8^{th & 9th} : Santa’s Grotto and Christmas Market, Wellgate Community Farm
8^th & 20^th: Mother Christmas and the Wishing Tree, Havering Museum
9^th: Christmas Celebration, Thames Chase
15^th: A Christmas Celebration – New and Traditional Carols, Lexden
17^th: Xmas Bazaar, St Laurence Church
22^nd: Christmas Craft, Bedfords Park
24^th: Christmas Eve Crafts, Bedfords Park
 
Maldon
All day: Maldon Santa on his Sleigh
1^st: Tolleshunt Darcy Xmas Fayre
4^th: Light up a Life, All Saints Church
7^th: Big Sing Christmas Concert, Maldon
8^th, 9^th, 15^th & 16^th: Santa Special at Mangapps Railway Museum
8^th: Queen’s Christmas Stocking Fayre, Maldon
9^th: Santa Special, Museum of Power
18^th: Songs for Christmas, Tollesbury
21^st: Talking Tots Christmas Sessions
 
Redbridge
Weekends in December: Santa’s Grotto, Valentine’s Mansion
1^st: Claybury Park Winter Walk
2^nd: Woodford Christmas Roller Disco
8^th: Joy to the World, Ilford
9^th: Christmas Decorations, The Temple
15^th onwards: Cinderella, Kenneth More Theatre
18^th: Scrumptious Pumpkin Children's Cookery School Christmas Classes for 3-11 year olds
21^st – 22^nd: Snowman Trail, Redbridge Museum
 
Rochford
All month: Dream Sweeties Santa’s Grotto, Rawreth
1^st: Christmas Bazaar & Decorating the Church, Hockley
5^th: Monkey Bizzness Christmas Shopping Event
6^th – 8^th: Red Riding Hood, The Mill Arts and Events Centre
8^{th &} 9th: A Christmas Night of Magic, Rochford
18^th - 21st: Diddi Dance Christmas Parties
22^nd: Visit Santa at Belchamps
31^st: Monkey Bizzness New Years Eve Party
 
Southend
All month: Adventure Wonderland, Adventure Island
Weekends in December: Santa on Southend Pier
Until 15^th: Christmas Cracker, Beecroft Gallery
1^st: Festive Fun Day, Southend High Street
3^rd: Top of the Tots and Tiny Talk Time Christmas Specials! Summercourt Children’s Centre
8^th: Kingsdown School Xmas Bazaar
9^th: White Christmas, Palace Theatre
15^th: Carols on Strand Wharf
16^th: Christmas Films at the Palace Theatre
17^th -21^st: Diddi Dance Christmas Parties
20^th onwards: Pinokeyo! Clifftown Theatre
21^st onwards: Cinderella, Cliffs Pavilion
21^st: Dragon Kids’ Club Christmas Disco with AJ
22^nd: Family Craft and Christingle, Crowstone Christian Centre
23^rd: Carol Service: A Star is Born, Salvation Army, Leigh
 
Tendring
All month: Christmas in Clacton Town Square
1^st, 8^th & 15^th: Santa’s Grotto, Clacton Town Square
2^nd: Meet Postman Pat and Jess the Cat, Clacton Factory Outlet
7^th: Christmas Craft Fair, Brightlingsea
8^th: Christmas Panto Cast Meet and Greet, Clacton Town Square
9^th: Winter Wonders, Fingringhoe Wick
13^th: Gymkins Christmas Fun, Clacton Leisure Centre
15^th onwards: Cinderella, Princes Theatre
16^{th & 19th}: Free entry to Robbie Rascal Party And Play Centre
17^th: Foundry Festive Fayre
30^th: Meet Mike the Knight, Clacton Factory Outlet
 
Thurrock
All month: Santa’s Grotto, Lakeside
Weekends: Visit Santa at IKEA
1^st: Buy Preloved Market, South Ockendon
8^th: Winter Wonderland, Purfleet
9^th: Cinderella, Thameside Theatre
14^th: Shaw Primary Christmas Bazaar!
15^th: CBA @ Christmas: A Christmas Carol, South Ockendon
16^th: Christmas Celebration Event, Chaffords Gorge
20^th: Christmas Party at Partyman World Lakeside
21^st: Christmas Concert, Grays
 
Uttlesford
Various Dates: Christmas Specials, Audley End Railway
1^st & 2^nd: A Victorian Christmas, Audley End
5^th: The Very Snowy Christmas at Felsted School's Hunt Theatre
9^th: In the Bleak Midwinter at St John's Church
15^th onwards: Cinderella, Rhodes
16^th: Carols by Candlelight at Thaxted Parish Church

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Competitions
Things to win! Check out the great competitions we currently have running - lots of goodies for kids and Mums alike!If you would like to run a competition yourself please let me know - it's a great way to advertise for free and also give something lovely to parents in Essex!


New in the Alternative Shopping Guide
Take a look at the lovely new shops that have joined us this last month!

• Luxury baby changing bags from Babybeau 
• The Beady Gecko: home of unusual, original and affordable jewellery and treasures
• Bramley by Mail: Traditional clothing, toys and gifts for little people 
• Burnt Rock: Not Perfect Just Different
• Content and Calm: Essential Children's Travel Solutions 
• Devon Daisy: Don't Get Lost in the Crowd 
• Edusentials: Focused on your classroom needs 
• Ella James Living: Gifts and Decorative Home Accessories 
• Fairy Bits: Creations for little tots 
• Fairy Dresses UK: a great range of Fairy Dresses, Wings, & Accessories for the little girl 
• Funky Monkeyz: Bespoke funky bandana bibs for babies, toddlers, individuals with special needs and pets
• Gracious Gifts: Beautiful Handmade Dried Fruit Wreaths, Decorations and Gifts 
• Grand Baby: Ethically made and top quality products, original designs, traditional materials, classic themes and vintage prints.  
• Handlebar Heroes: Fancy dress for your Bikes and Scooters 
• Happy Cactus : Fun unusual gifts for all ages
• Huddle and Bliss: premium British baby clothes, gifts and maternity essentials 
• Ingenious Designs: Make your space look great with high quality, easy-to-apply, removable art decal stickers
• Marmalade and Mash: Quintessential ‘Britishness’, comfort, nostalgia, quirkiness, fun and timelessness
• My Sister Mabel: Children's clothing and accessories 
• Oliver Hayden: Stylish and fabulous home and garden furnishings, accessories and giftware 

Product Reviews
Here's a list of what's been added this month! You can see a bit about each of our reviewers here, or can go straight to the reviews here.

• Baby Basics: Words
• Button Name Christmas Heart Decoration from Utterly PersonalPop Party 10 CD/DVD
• Splash About Float Jacket
• Spooky Trick or Treat Mix
• Touch and Feel Rainbow Friends
• Twinkle Tower

   

Everything else
As always, please send any events, feedback, ideas etc. to me at louise@essexmums.org. I love hearing how people use the site and ways I can improve it. 

I hope you have a lovely month and that I'll get to see you at a meet-up soon. Happy Christmas!

Kind regards
Louise





 

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