As the UK’s longest running Christmas fair, Spirit of Christmas welcomes over 50,000 Christmas enthusiasts, foodies, and gift buyers annually, all eager to shop from an unrivalled collection of over 600 small, vetted independent businesses. For 25 years, the Fair prides itself on offering shoppers’ true originality, featuring curated products and present ideas not seen anywhere else.
Fair Director, Mary Claire Boyd said, ‘Christmas represents varying joys and challenges to different people. For our 25th anniversary we are offering our visitors a workshop programme which will tap into as many of those as possible. So whether it is finding their inner creativity with tablescaping, flower arranging and cracker making or helping to find the confidence-boosting outfit and the best emotional readiness for the season ahead, there is plenty here, and all included in the ticket price’.
For the first time at the Fair, certified health coach, Tracy Davenport NBC-HWC will host a light, practical session which shares her insight into how to manage stress during the busy festive season, showing how understanding your body’s natural rhythm — rather than fighting it — is the real secret to feeling radiant, energised and completely in your element this Christmas. Tuesday 3 November, 2.30pm
Following this theme is professional organiser, Shannon Murphy who shares how to prepare your home for the festive season by creating clear, functional systems that reduce stress and make space for what matters most. Wednesday 4 November 2.30pm.
If preparation really is the key to success, then join Jane Lovett, author of The Get-Ahead Christmas Cook, for a festive Q&A packed with tips, tricks and make-ahead ideas to help you start planning your Christmas entertaining from now onwards. Wednesday 4 November, 3.30pm.
As the party season ramps up then what to wear shoots up the priority list. Experts, Red Leopard will share their expertise on colour, style and image to enable you to create your own unique looks. You will learn which styles, fabrics, patterns and lengths flatter your body shape and best express your personality. Wednesday 4 November, 12.30pm, Thursday 5 12.30pm.
Drawing on over 20 years of experience as a fashion buyer, Bridget Albano will share invaluable insights on fabrics, fits, and body-flattering silhouettes-helping finally ditch that “that’ll do” outfit scenario. Her warm, nurturing one-to-one service has empowered over 1,000 women to build incredible style confidence and feel more visible. Saturday 7 November, 12.30pm.
For tips and tricks to help with the visual element of entertaining which comes more naturally to some than others there is plenty of expertise. Rebecca de Boehmler, interior stylist with over a decade styling for the UK’s leading homes and interiors titles will be giving a Christmas tablescaping workshop. Rebecca will show you how to build a colourful, multi-layered festive table, from easy name place settings to a floral and fruit centrepiece, along with a look at this year’s Christmas trends and how to layer colour, texture and pattern with confidence. Thursday 5 November 2.30pm.
A southern European alternative to this is the hands-on, visual workshop where Maria Grazia, matriarch of a 16th-century farmhouse in Puglia, creates a beautiful Christmas table using handmade ceramics, vintage-inspired linens, artisanal glassware and unexpected festive decorations. Rather than a traditional “how to set a table” demonstration, Maria will show guests how to create a table that feels personal, abundant and a little imperfect — the way a real Italian Christmas gathering should feel. Sunday 8 November 2.30pm
For those keen to extend their creativity into crackers, they should head to the hands-on workshop on preparing beautiful, reusable Christmas crackers. Learn how to assemble and fill your crackers properly, discover creative ideas for what to pop inside, and pick up styling tips for presenting them on your festive table. Friday 6 November 2.30pm.
And never forgetting the time-honoured classics which are hugely popular every year such as wreath making, Champagne tasting, flower arranging, cocktail making and gift wrapping.
All workshops are free of charge, first-come-first-serve and held in a dedicated space just to the right of the main entrance inside the grand hall.
