OUR INSTAGRAM FESTIVE PHOTOS COMPETITION HAS NOW FINISHED BUT PLEASE DO READ ON TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT SOME OF THE WONDERFUL START-UPS AND FAMILY-RUN BUSINESSES THAT DONATED SUCH FANTASTIC PRIZES.
‘Tis the season to be jolly – of spending time with family, eating too much food, of new Christmas pyjamas and watching heart-warming Christmas films on television as you sip a lovely mulled wine.
It is also the season of giving so hot on the heels of our Facebook 12 Days of Christmas competition comes the Virgin Balloon Flights ‘Instagram Festive Photos Competition’, with great prizes from some of our favourite suppliers and start-up businesses.
Running from Wednesday 16th November until Tuesday 22nd December, each day we will be giving away a fantastic product from some of the UK’s newest and best local and artisan companies, from beautiful handmade glass to luxury skincare and the best chocolate drink you will ever taste.
To enter, each day we will ask you to post a different Christmas-themed photo on Instagram using a specific hashtag and to tag us in it – our Instagram profile is virginballoonflights.
You will have until 9 pm each day to post when we will pick the day’s winner and announce it that same night.
Only one entry per person is allowed each day but you can enter as many days as you like! Read the full terms and conditions here.
For our final and top prize on Tuesday 22nd December, we will be giving away a fantastic Virgin Balloon Flights hot air balloon ride for two.
That makes SEVEN PRIZES in total up for grabs.*
Read more about the six wonderful suppliers we teamed up with below, each of which has donated a brilliant prize.
SOAK Shakes & Co.
While on holiday in Thailand in February 2014, Roxanne Vickerman and Emma Knock were taught the art of making fresh coconut milk but realised on their return to London how hard it was to find fresh, dairy-free shakes made from natural ingredients.
Following lots of experimentation and a switch to fresh cashew milk from coconut, SOAK Shakes & Co. was born in the summer of 2014.
As a social enterprise, 10% of every single shake sold goes to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, which works to protect Kenya’s elephant and rhino population.
And the shakes themselves? With delicious combinations such as peanut butter and banana, cacao with chilli, cold brew coffee and strawberry and mint, there is a scrumptious shake for everyone to love.
On day four of our Instagram Festive Photos competition, use #VBFXmas4 for the chance to win a selection box of some of SOAK Shakes most popular flavours.
Instagram: SOAKSHAKES
From brightly coloured coasters and cufflinks to cheeseboards and pretty wall hangings, you are guaranteed a unique piece of homeware as no two of the beautiful handmade glass products from Fused Glass Art are ever the same.
Very keen on promoting 'local to you' businesses, Bronwen Jones hand makes all her fused glass products in a studio right here in beautiful Shropshire.
All of her work is made using kiln-formed glass techniques, which produce modern and fresh glass designs for the home.
Ideal for gifts or general homeware, Bronwen aims to produce glass pieces that elicit happiness and creativity!
Day six of our competition gives you the chance to feel some of that happiness for yourself by becoming the first person ever to own a gorgeous Star Dish from the brand new ‘Esk Glass’ range, which hasn’t even gone on general sale yet.
You’ll need hashtag #VBFXmas6 to enter this day of the competition.
Taking the British institution of a cuppa to a new level, TeaTime’s artisan teas are delivered right to your door every week or fortnight.
Low in caffeine but high in flavour and with a host of healthy benefits, TeaTime tea blends are made from whole leaves and buds, with flavours such as burdock, red dates, jasmine, rose buds and liquorice.
Whether delivered to home or office, each blend is a refreshing way to warm your cockles.
We have a year-long fortnightly subscription to TeaTime on day three of our Festive Photos competition, using #VBFXmas3.
Twitter: myteatimeuk
Choclatl
Choclatl is the UK’s first ever stoneground chocolate drink made from whole cacao beans and we challenge you to find a more ‘chocolaty’ tasting chocolate drink!
Inspired by the way the Mayans enjoyed pure chocolate drinks thousands of years ago, Choclatl founder Anjali Healy is on a mission to show us how wonderful this oldest and purest form of chocolate really is.
Enjoyed hot or cold, Choclatl is a dream for chocolate lovers and is the perfect winter warmer on a cold night.
We will be launching our Festive Photo competition (#VBFXmas1) with the chance to win a bottle of this wonderful new product before it even officially goes on sale!
Twitter: CHOCLATLBEANIES
Facebook: A&G Choclatl
SkinSincere
Sensitive skin can breathe a sigh of relief when you smooth on one of SkinSincere’s gorgeous products, packed with clean, natural organic ingredients such as aloe vera and coconut shea butter to soothe and hydrate.
Launched in 2014 by Gemma Allies, the SkinSincere ethos came from owner Gemma Allies' passion for natural beauty combined with her own struggles with eczema and sensitive skin.
Up for grabs on day two of our Instagram competition (#VBFXmas2) is Gemma’s luxurious Aloe Vera Gift Set – perfect for pampering your skin ready for 2016.
Instagram: SkinSincere
Pinterest: SkinSincere
From small beginnings back in 2000 when former lawyers turned chocolate makers Helen and Simon Pattinson launched Montezuma's, the company has grown to become one of the best-respected names in the British chocolate industry.
As the producers of Virgin Balloon Flights' own delicious branded chocolate hearts and champagne truffles, we know first-hand how scrumptious their chocolates are.
With their Robin Gift Hamper up for grabs on day five of our competition (#VBFXmas5), the day’s winner will be all set for a naughty festive feast.
Instagram: Montezumaschocs
Twitter: Montezumas
Facebook: Montezuma's Chocolates
So for the chance to win one of these fabulous prizes, head on over to Instagram and give Virgin Balloon Flights a follow as we continue to spread a bit of extra seasonal cheer.
*Please note that we are unable to guarantee delivery/provision of any of the prizes before Christmas and for many, it will be the New Year/January before they are sent out to the winners.