I have a bit of a problem. My sons third birthday is coming up next week and he will be at daycare. Everyone always brings in a treat to celebrate their big day (It will also be his first full day in the preschool room). My problem is that we have a lot of food allergies in the room and I need to figure out something that is store bought. There are severe nut and egg allergies and my son is salicylate sensitive. He is new to the group, so I will be the first to attempt this. Before my son was there, most people brought in fruit snacks, but my son is unable to have these. Any ideas? I have been racking my brain for weeks, and the date is creeping up on me. The best I can come up with is to ditch the food idea and just give a little trinket to each child. But I do not have a lot of money to spend. Any suggestions are much appreciated! Thanks a bunch!
A little toy or something would probably be best. I have never heard of a salicylate sensitivity, I will have to look that one up, as I like to know stuff like this.
As a bit of a follow up - what is causing all of these dang food allergies in children. When I grew up, NOBODY had food allergies, the only thing you had to worry about was if a kid was diabetic. Now, as you mentioned, there are so many children with allergies to a variety of foods. Hopefully scientists and researchers can figure out what is going on and what we are doing to make our children have such allergies.
Best London Markets
Market shopping in London is part of its stylish culture. Whether you live in London or will soon be visiting for a holiday, going to one of London's great markets to pick up a bargain is a MUST. But as London has so many markets to choose from in many different areas of the Capital, Exclusivelondon.co.uk are giving you a comprehensive list of London's best markets known for their unique fashion items, delicious food and organic produce.
The Camden Markets (Camden High Street/Chalk Farm Road, Camden, London, NW1, Open: 7 days a week). The Camden Markets are an Exclusive London favourite! They full of weird and wonderful furniture and trinkets and funky-fresh fashion items and what’s best of all, everything is very affordable. As with most market places, you are able to negotiate quite a bit at some of the stalls, especially if you are buying a number of items.
Camden market is divided into several markets/streets: Camden Buck Street Market, Inverness Street, Camden Canal Market, Camden Lock Market, and Stables Market. The art of finding a real bargain is to investigate every nook and cranny of all of Camden’s markets and have a really good rummage. The markets are a real maze of treasures and just when you thought there was no more to see, you walk a little further and find another great shop or stall offering more great things! If you have a real eye for fashion and style, you should be able to visit a number of stalls and put together a really chic and original outfit.
Farmers' Market (Essex Road, Islington/opposite Islington Green, London, N1, Open: Sun 10am-2pm) A great little Sunday market with an assortment of organic and freshly grown produce, including fruit, vegetables, eggs, scrumptious cheeses and meats. If you live in North London and you need to stock up on homemade preserves, chutneys and wines, the Farmers’ Market is the perfect choice.
Wembley Stadium Market (Stadium Way, Wembley, London, HA9 0WS, Open: Sundays, 9am-3pm, Nearest tube station: Wembley Park) This market is held in the car park opposite Wembley Stadium and has rows and rows of market traders and sellers. There are over 500 stalls here at the weekend, selling everything from women’s wear, menswear, shoes, lingerie and all the accessories ever needed - belts, bags and tons of costume jewellery.
Brick Lane Market (Brick Lane, Cheshire Street and Sclater Street, London, E1, Open: Sun 8am-2pm) Sundays are the best days to visit this lively market, as this sees the arrival of hundreds of stalls selling clothing, fabrics, jewellery bric-a-brac and leather goods.
Leather Lane Market (Leather Lane, London, EC1N, Open: Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm, Nearest tube station: Chancery Lane/Farringdon) This market stretches all the way along Leather Lane (between Greville Street and the Clerkenwell Road) and it sells everything from clothes and shoes to jewellery and handbags.
Billingsgate Fish Market (Trafalgar Way, Isle of Dogs, London, E14 5ST, Open: Tue-Sat 5am-8:30am) As well as being London's most famous fish market, Billingsgate is the UKs largest market. Its open to members of the public, so set your alarm (as it’s only open from 5am – 8:30am) and head down there for the freshest fish and seafood in the country.
Covent Garden Market (The Piazza, Covent Garden, London, WC2E, Open: Mon-Fri, 10.30am-7.30pm, nearest underground station: Covent Garden) A variety of unique and handmade crafts, jewellery, clothing and antiques are sold in the colonnaded North Hall of Covent Garden. New to Covent Garden is the Food Lover's market held on the second Friday of each month with quality vetted producers selling a variety of fresh and seasonal British produce. Take time out to also explore the speciality shops, a welcome alternative to the high street, and watch some of London's best street entertainment in the Piazza.
Petticoat Lane Market (Middlesex Street and Wentworth Street, Aldgate, London, E1 Open: Mon-Fri 10am-2:30pm, Sun 9am-2pm) Petticoat Lane is one of the East End's most famous, oldest and biggest markets, comprising of well-over a thousand stalls. Taking up an area in and around Middlesex St/Wentworth St, Sunday is arguably the best day for bargains on fashions, Asian fabrics, textiles and jewellery. Roman Rd Market (Roman Road, London, E3, Open: Tue/Thu/Sat 9am-5.30pm, nearest tube station: Bow Road/Mile End) Roman Road market is a good ol’ traditional East End market with stalls selling all manner of goods, including beauty products, shoes, clothes and lots of accessories. There are some great food stalls too selling a range of fresh produce. Well worth a visit.
Spitalfield Market (Commercial Street, London, E1, Open: Mon-Fri 11am-5:00pm, Sun 10am-5pm) An Exclusive London favourite for fashion jewellery, clothing, homewares and organic food. Sunday is the best day to visit this fab market as you can also visit Brick Lane market too, which is not too far away. We suggest getting there nice and early as there’s loads to see.
Walthamstow Market (Walthamstow High Street, London, E17, Open: Mon-Sun 8am-6pm, nearest tube station: Walthamstow Central/St James's Central) With many stalls selling a large variety of clothing, shoes and costume jewellery, Walthamstow Market is Europe’s longest street market and very popular with Londoners. Sunday is the nicest day to go as there are fresh produce stalls and cute craft stalls which you just can’t help but buy something from!
Whitechapel Market (Whitechapel Rd, London, E1, Open: Mon-Sat, 8am-6pm, nearest tube station: Aldgate) This market is one of the best Asian markets in London, as it boasts a wide-range of Indian jewellery, clothing, fabrics and fine silk/cotton saris.
Portobello Road Market (Portobello Road, London, W11, Open: Sat 8am 3pm, nearest tube station: Ladbroke Grove/Notting Hill Gate) Portobello market is HUGE! It has more than one and a half thousand stall holders and some enclosed arcades too. Although the market is primarily associated with the antiques trade, it is also a great place to find great clothes and second-hand records.
Greenwich Market (Greenwich, London, SE10, Open: Thurs - Sun from 9:30am-5.30pm nearest station: Greenwich or Cutty Sark) In the heart of historic Greenwich, the arts and craft market in College Approach sells a range of traditional handmade craftwork and original artwork. While in Greenwich High Rd, there is an antiques market selling pre-1960 antiques on Thurs from 0900-1700. Have a good look around – Greenwich is a beautiful area and even if you don’t find anything you like in the markets, you’re bound to stubble upon a nice bar or restaurant that you can spend an hour or two in.
Brixton Market (Electric Avenue/Pope's Road/Station Road, London SW9, Open: Mon - Sat 9am to 6pm, except Wed when it's open 9am to 3pm) Mosey on down to Brixton Market if you are looking for Caribbean and African foods, fruits, vegetables and spices. It’s also a good spot for fresh and cooked fish, breads and arts and crafts.
Borough Market (8 Southwark Street, SE1 1TL, Tel: 020 7402 1002, Open: Saturday 9am-4pm) Borough Market is an utterly scrumptious market which offers amazing fresh and organic foods and produce. There is a plethora of meats, cheeses, sauces, breads, cakes and nibbles (including chutneys, olives, sun-dried tomatoes etc) and the air is filed with mouth-watering aromas. Head down there nice and early on a Saturday morning to stock up on these fresh foods. An ExclusiveLondon.co.uk favourite!
Bermondsey Market (New Caledonian Market - Bermondsey Square, SE1, Open: Friday 6am-2pm) If antiques are your thing, then this is the market for you. Bursting with antiques, furniture and knick-knacks, Bermondsey Market or New Caledonian Market is a bargain haven.
New Covent Garden Flower Market (Nine Elms Lane, London, SW8, Open: Mon-Fri 3am-11am, Sat 4am-10am, nearest tube: Vauxhall) New Covent Garden Flower Market is a sight for sore eyes. Your senses are filled with colours, textures and scents. You can buy every kind of flower and plant available. But you’ll have to wake up bright and early if you want to catch the opening hours of this market, but it really is worth it!
Maryse Mignott is a communication executive and features writer for http://www.exclusivelondon.co.uk, a luxury London entertainment and lifestyle booking guide.
