21 minute read
CHRISTMAS
Christmas in theCounty and beyond
Your 17 page guide to all things Christmas, packed with ideas, events, parties, fairs and places to shop in the run up to the big day.
26 CHRISTMAS EVENTS 27 OUTDOOR EVENTS 28 SANTA VISITS 30 FESTIVE PARTIES 32 WREATH MAKING 34 THRIFTY CHRISTMAS 36 CHRISTMAS GIFT FAIR 37 CHRISTMAS FAIRS 38 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 40 CHRISTMAS TREES 40 WILLEN HOSPICE
Georgian Christmas Display
Inhale the aromas of the festive season; smell the evergreen sprigs of greenery among the decorations and spices in the kitchen at The Cowper & Newton Museum in Olney, before enjoying the festive display which will be open between December 1 and 21.
Usual entrance fees apply, and a free children’s trail will keep them occupied.
Stony Stratford Farmers Market
Wrap up warm and peruse the stalls with their lovely produce in the Market Square on December 23 – perfect for last minute gifts and nice things. The event will be soundtracked by live music, and children can line-up for face painting, while parents enjoy a cup of mulled wine.
The man in red might be popping along too... If you want to skate your way to December 25, Daventry’s Whilton Locks Garden Village is the place to go to – with a real ice undercover rink back in play from November 18 (until January 3, 2023), and this year the village promises it will be ‘bigger, better and icy-er than ever before.’
Sessions last for 45 minutes, beginning on the hour, and advance bookings are advised.
Whilton delivers the skating experience to as many people as possible – it offers Super SEN Skating sessions for you and your children, so you can use traditional skates, or twin blades skates for added stability.
Penguin and polar bear skate aids are also available, and there are special Toddler Skate events too, for children aged four years and under.
Any ‘cheap skates’ among you? You’ll want to make full use of the half price sessions available, then. For full details visit whiltonlocksgardenvillage.com
A Dickens of a Christmas
It’s an Olney town tradition that attracts thousands of people every year and it returns in 2022 on December 4.
Enjoy the seasonal market with stallholders choosing to don Victorian costume, and enjoy a cup (or three) of mulled wine as you peruse the stalls selling gifts, food, Christmas trees and decorations, and much more. There are more than a few stalls to take attention too – with Market Place and the length of the High Street occupied by sellers.
Additionally, The Olney Centre and library and The Carlton House Club will host craft fairs.
An old fashioned fair, street organ entertainers and the Olney Brass Band will entertain you, and many of Olney’s independent retailers open their doors for this special event, offering still more giftbuying choices.
At The Cowper and Newton Museum, mulled wine and hot chocolate will be among the steaming drinks to warm you up between 10am and 4pm, and entertainment in the garden will be running at midday, 2pm and 3pm.
At 2.15pm, you are invited to the ‘24 Days of Advent’ carol singing in the Flower Garden, and a festive display, A Georgian Christmas, will run inside the Museum – usual entrance fees apply.
Parking can be a problem due to the popularity of this seasonal special, so make use of the park and ride services which make moving about easy – they will be running from Emberton Park and the Yardley Road Industrial Estate.
A Dickens of a Christmas is free to attend and runs between 10am and 4pm.
Get your skates on!
The whole family can take part in the skating with penguin and polar bear skate aids and special Toddler Skate events
In the bleak Midwinter
The Carol Service at The Tree Cathedral offers a unique festive experiemce for all of the family to enjoy on Sunday, December 11
Celebrate the winter solstice Time to get spooked
Stanwick Lakes in Wellingborough will observe the winter solstice with fire beacons around the lake on December 21. An archer will shoot a burning flame into the middle of the lake to celebrate the pagan festival. Tickets will soon go on sale for fiery display. Check back at stanwicklakes.org.uk There’s always a chill in the air in December, but on December 16, the chill will be somewhat different – with a Spooky History Walk booked in, courtesy of the Cowper & Newton Museum.
Walk Olney’s mysterious byways by night, and learn some of its hair-raising history.
Meet outside the Museum ahead of the 7.30pm start. Adults pay £10, under 16s go for £2, payable on the night. Mulled wine and nibbles are included in the price.
At a traditional carol service, you should be able to see your breath in the chill of the winter air, you should hold a cup of steaming mulled wine in one hand, a song sheet in the other, and you should have a snuggly hat pulled down tight... You’ll need a nice setting too, and The Parks Trust have sorted that – they will once again be holding their annual festive sing-song at the Tree Cathedral.
But before the open air carolling, a procession will begin at Willen Lake car park.
You will follow a lantern trail along the redways to the cathedral itself. Bring a lantern or torch of your own and meet in the Peace Pagoda car park. Parking charges will apply, but the carol service is free.
When: Sunday, December 11, 3.00pm-5.30pm
Lights of Love
Christmas is a time for families and friends and this poignant event, organised by Willen Hospice, is the perfect opportunity to join a festive celebration of life to remember those who are no longer with us.
It’s a time to remember, and to reflect.
Lights of Love is being hosted at The Ridgeway Centre in Wolverton and anyone from the MK community is welcome, whether your loved one was cared for by Willen Hospice, or elsewhere.
Please remember your purses and wallets – donations will be appreciated.
Enjoy a vintage Christmas with Santa at Bletchley Park from November 26
Where to see Santa
You’ll see hundreds of Santas at the Willen Hospice Santa Dash
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and the most famous VIP of all is ready to set up his grotto to greet you all.
Father Christmas will be keeping an eye on his reindeer and helping the elves with the present making before heading out on his most special journey on Christmas Eve.
He’s very clever and will be showing up at several locations around and about. Here’s where to see the man with the red suit.
Milton Keynes Museum
Milton Keynes Museum is pleased to announce that it has secured another visit from the biggest star of the season!
He is currently very busy in Lapland, but Father Christmas will be taking time out to meet boys and girls in the new city of MK.
The man in red will be in situ at the Museum for the first three weekends in December.
When: December 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 & 18 Cost: £10.50 per child (Usual admission charges also apply) and all children will receive a present from Santa. Book: miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk
Delapré Abbey
The house will be dressed for Christmas, and Santa will move in temporarily, setting up his grotto on site – and he’ll bring his team of elves with him.
Little ‘uns will get to meet him, will receive a present lovingly wrapped by his team of helpers, and can be transported to a magical space with an original Christmas story.
When: December 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23, with timed entries daily between 9.30am and 3.30pm. Cost: £8 (£5 for those with an annual pass) Book: delapreabbey.org
Willen Hospice
For five-days only, Santa will be setting up his grotto in the gardens of the Milton Keynes Hospice, ably assisted by his ever so nice elves. Open to all ages and absolutely everyone who wants to meet the man with the best beard in show business...
When: December 16-20 Cost: £15 Book: willen-hospice.org.uk
Delapré Abbey will be hosting Santa from December 11
centre:mk
The city’s shopping centre has a new themed Santa’s Grotto for 2022. centre:mk has teamed up with Penguin books to deliver an immersive, wonderful adventure with The Snowman. Visitors will experience the story of how The Snowman comes to life and embarks on that magical adventure, which is an integral part of the perfect family Christmas for so many of us.
The experience will last for up to half an hour (and includes decorating a Christmas Elf biscuit) including that meeting with Santa – and he will have a quality gift for each child he meets.
When: November 18 – December 24 Cost: From £13.75 for children and £5.50 for adults. Book: centre:mk.com
The centre:mk has The Snowman as the theme for its Christmas display this year
Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre
Santa’s Grotto will be open to little visitors and their families and when you splash the cash to meet him, you’ll be doing a good thing to help others – all proceeds will be given to swell the coffers of the Mayor’s charity.
When: From November 26 with the chance to meet the man every Saturday and Sunday, 10.30am-4.30pm in the run-up to the festive season. There will be additional openings too; from Monday, December 19 to Thursday, December 22, again between 10.30am-4.30pm. Cost: £1 Book: northamptonbid.co.uk
Father Christmas will be settled in his Grotto at Whilton Locks from November 26
Bletchley Park
Step back in time and enjoy a vintage Christmas at the home of the Codebreakers. The mansion and Codebreaking Huts will be dressed in decorations and we have been advised there may be some cheeky elves about the place too!
Visitors will meet Father Christmas in his Vintage Christmas Grotto, and will return home with a special gift from him.
When: November 26, December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22 & 23 (Relaxed Grotto being held on November 27 and December 21). Cost: £10.50 per child Book: bletchleypark.org.uk
Stanwick Lakes
Father Christmas will be in his grotto over the weekend of November 19 & 20, meeting fans (and maybe using his spot in the tranquil place to do a little bird watching if time allows).
He will be busy in the week planning his annual trip, but will be back at the grotto every weekend until Christmas.
More details to be announced at stanwicklakes.org.uk
Santa Dash
Granted, this is slightly different from the aforementioned Santa appearances – you won’t be going to a Grotto, but the gift of seeing 100s of people dressed as Father Christmas is priceless. The annual fundraising event helps swell the coffers of Willen Hospice, and they need to raise a whopping £9 a minute (or £4.7 million a year) to deliver free care to the city.
Every participant in the Santa Dash is therefore asked to raise £50 to help support their remarkable efforts. Though it is called a dash, if you’d rather walk your way around, that’s cool too, and delightful doggies are welcome to attend with their owners.
The event – taking place at Willen Lake North – is the only place you’ll get to see a ‘sea of santas’ and fingers crossed the new extension will be complete and serving refreshments.
When: Sunday, December 18, 10am Cost: A minimum of £50 donation Register: willen-hospice.org.uk
Meet the jolly man in red at MK Museum from December 2
Whilton Locks Garden Village
Father Christmas will be settled in his grotto and ready to meet children of all ages in the lead up to the big day.
The meetings with Santa last for 10 minutes and children will be given a premium gift...so long as they are on the nice list!
When: The man in red will be resident from November 26 and through to Christmas Eve. Cost: £14.99 Book: whiltonlocksgardenvillage.com
Time to party!
Rushton Hall Hotel & Spa
Are you looking to celebrate Christmas with your work colleagues or need somewhere to host a big family get-together? Stadium MK can help you with that.
You want your festive party your way, and DoubleTree by Hilton will make it happen. Whether you are looking to bring together 100 or 600 of your nearest and dearest, Stadium MK has the right room and dates are available throughout November, December and January.
Your guests will receive a festive arrival drink, a three-course dinner or grazing menu, crackers and party novelties and a private bar.
For quotes and enquiries call the Festive events team on 01908 364170 or email through the website stadiummk.com
Rushton Hall Hotel & Spa in Kettering is hosting special Christmas Party Nights this December. The evenings will comprise a drinks reception in the ballroom, prior to dinner and festivities with a live swing singer and DJ and dancing, all hosted in the spectacular new Orangery within the history rich setting.
There are three party dates to choose from – on December 2, 16 & 17.
To take a peek at the menu and secure your seat for a special night visit rushtonhall.com
Kettering Park Hotel & Spa will host a luxurious Christmas Ball, a party evening delivering fabulous entertainment with disco and casino tables, and a three-course festive feast.
The hotel’s dedicated staff will be going all out to ensure that your evening is a night to remember. Make an exciting event even more special by staying at the hotel – no need to curtail the enjoyment by waiting for cabs to take you home. Instead, you can simply head to one of the rooms for a relaxed night’s sleep... followed by a filling breakfast.
Aside from the breakfast, your accommodation also allows use of the hotel spa. Bliss!
Christmas Ball events will run on November 19, 25 & 26, and December 2, 3, 10, 16 & 17.
Perhaps you would prefer to welcome in the new year in style – and Kettering Park Hotel has that all wrapped-up for you too; You’ll enjoy afternoon tea in the restaurant, and use of the spa before getting ready to spend the evening in the beautifully dressed Rutland suite.
Champagne and canapés will be served, while a Scottish piper starts the evening, which will be followed by a five-course dinner, and then dancing to the resident DJ.
To book and for more details head to ketteringparkhotel.co.uk
Kettering Park Hotel & Spa offers a life of luxury at their Christmas Party Nights and the opportunity to stay and enjoy all of the facilities they have to offer guests
Hanging around for Christmas
We love seeing Christmas wreaths adorning doors – they look all smart and inviting in equal measure. But why spend lots of money on one from a store when you can sign up for a Christmas Wreath workshop organised by The Parks Trust and create your very own?
Better still, all the materials needed to make your wreath will be natural and harvested from the parks in Milton Keynes.
Your wreath will be made from hazel and dogwood, yew, ivy and other seasonal greenery.
No previous experience is necessary, and aside from taking home your festive ‘crown,’ you’ll also learn skills that you can take with you and use year in, year out.
Refreshments will be served in seasonal style; a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie will help the creative flow!
No need for booze? No worries – nonalcoholic alternatives will be available.
The two-hour sessions will be running on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 8, 9 & 10.
To book, visit theparkstrust.com
Over in Northampton, Delapré Abbey invites you to partake in its wreath making sessions using natural materials which will be foraged from the Abbey grounds.
Sessions run at 10am or 2pm on December 5, 6, 10, 11, 17 &18 at a cost of £20 per person – numbers are limited to a maximum of 14 for each session, so don’t ‘wreath’ it too late before booking!
Make your own Christmas Wreath at The Parks Trust organised workshops on December 8, 9 & 10
At Whilton Locks Garden Village in Daventry, you can book up for a wreath making workshop which will begin with a talk and demonstration from their horticultural experts to get you ready to let your inner florist flourish.
The gardening hub will provide everything you need to produce your own wreath to take home.
Energy levels will be kept up with homemade soup of the day and a warm baguette and tea and coffee included in the price. You are invited to get creative on December 1 or 2.
Stanwick Lakes Craft Fair
Wellingborough’s wildlife haven will welcome many artisan sellers and crafters selling a variety of products – from pet accessories to clothes and candles during the weekend of November 19 and 20.
The visitor centre will also be suitably festive and the café will be selling traditional Christmas gifts.
For more information visit stanwicklakes.org.uk
‘Tis the season to be thrifty!
The cost of living crisis has caused stress and anxiety for a great many people in 2022 and, sadly, Christmas looks set to exacerbate those worries still further. But it’s worth remembering that first and foremost, Christmas is a time for togetherness, not a time for increasing debt.
The joy you will feel by being too free with the plastic cash for a few days of fun simply isn’t worth the trauma that will follow in the new year.
Christmas can still be a success on a shoestring – and if you have children, they will never remember what they didn’t get for Christmas, but they will cherish those times of togetherness.
It’s important to set a budget, and then stick to it.
Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the season of goodwill for less.
Be realistic
If you can’t afford to buy this year’s must-have toys, paying for them on the ‘never-never’ isn’t ideal – because you will have to pay eventually, plus interest.
If your children are young enough to know that Santa is visiting, they are young enough to appreciate whatever he leaves for them.
Look online for bargain buys from the online auction sites, check the online sales of your preferred stores and stay tuned – many shops offer flash sales or special days with super reductions at short notice.
And how many extended family members and friends do you splash the cash on, but seldom see throughout the year?
With the constraints on our money, 2022 is the ideal year to have a conversation about cutting back – they will welcome your honesty and quite possibly be glad of it. Martin Lewis has been telling us to do this for years!
Secret Santa
It doesn’t just have to be a bit of fun in the office – it can be a great way to ‘do’ Christmas at home too. Everyone agrees on a spending amount, pops their name into a hat and takes the name of another. You then purchase an item for your recipient. You might choose to keep the cost low, or maybe you’ll spend a larger amount, but only buy a gift for that one person – everyone will still receive, but the piggy bank won’t be broken in the process.
Let’s be honest, the boxes often prove just as popular with young children as the contents!
Real tree, or not real tree, that is the question...
If you have a plastic tree, make it work for you. When you throw your tree out for the dustmen it’s destined for landfill which is terrible, so keep your ‘fake’ trees and love them – after all, they are only used for a couple of weeks annually!
If you really must have a newbie this year, please consider donating your pre-loved one to a charity for resale – or offer it free online. People will be only too pleased to come and collect from you.
And what of real trees? In December they are paraded in windows looking spectacular, and yet come January, the sad piles of dumped trees are a depressing vision.
If you have a real spruce in the house during the festive period, you have a responsibility to dispose of it properly – and if you live in Milton Keynes, for a suggested donation, Willen Hospice will take it off your hands.
Every year they increase the postcodes they collect from – keep an eye on their website (willen-hospice.org.uk) to see if they will be collecting in your area – they’ll be out and about between January 6 and 8.
Make your own decorations out of things you can find
Compare prices of supermarkets to get the best deal on your Christmas food Nothing beats the excitement of going to choose a Christmas tree but make sure you recycle real trees in the new year
Decorations
The price of some baubles these days can be as much as buying someone a gift. It’s enough to make you choke on your advent calendar choccie!
A tip for next year – buy decorations in the January sales. They are slashed in price in time for the Boxing Day sales, and if you don’t mind waiting longer you can pick up fabulous adornments for pennies. Some of the biggest savings can be found in the biggest stores.
But what about this year? Make do with those you already have languishing in the loft or at the back of the cupboard, and encourage the kids to get creative.
And start saving those empty toilet roll tubes right now; a little bit of sticky paper and some felt tip pens can transform the tubes into ace Christmas decorations, or you could use them to make crackers. Much cheaper than buying in the shops, recycled and you choose what goes inside, meaning no terribly cheap plastic trash!
Paper snowflakes are another easy to do craft activity and the kids will love seeing their creations hanging at home – perfect decorations for minimum expenditure.
Food
Food prices have risen enormously and the nation’s collective purse has felt the pinch, but it is still possible to shop for a food bargain this Christmas.
Here are some ways to make the cash go further:
Pick up the in-store magazines They often have money off vouchers for new products, and some even offer free items within their pages.
Cash in those store cards! We all swipe when we shop, but do you know how much you’ve got on your cards? It’s free cash, so use it to purchase any treats – and always look out for special offers rather than popping the first things you see into the shopping basket. It’s an easy way to make the money work even better for you. Buy own brands These are often made in the same factory as those premium brands, and it’s impossible to taste the difference. In fact, the only difference you’ll notice is that your wallet isn’t quite so light.
Compare prices online By doing a quick sweep of supermarkets online, you’ll be able to see where the best special offers are from the comfort of your sofa.
Lots of stores offer big discounts on wine and champagne if you buy in bulk. Why not split the cost and the fizz between yourself, families and friends? You’ll all be quids in.
Check sell-by dates Confectionaries will often have long dates on - buy when they are on special offer and set aside for Christmas.
Seek help if you need it Christmas time can make things seem all the more difficult, but please reach out for help. Food close to and just past its sell-by date can be taken for free from the many Community Fridges that are in the area, which is a great way to prevent waste, and if you are struggling to feed your family, Food Banks are there to help. Please make the connection.
It’s simple, if you are fortunate to have enough food, consider giving a little, and if you need some help, take a little.
Bake some mince pies and share them with a neighbour
Be neighbourly
Fewer of us than ever know our neighbours today, but there really is nothing stopping you from offering a mince pie or sharing a glass of mulled wine across the fence.
Please make an effort to check on elderly or vulnerable people too – a small gesture could make all the difference, and it’ll make you feel good too.
