Buy Local: Six top festive shopping events
Want to boost festive spirits while ticking off your Christmas list? From magical markets to a sparkling decor store, Velvet has found the places to go
Boule-in Fête de Noël: November 19-27
Bringing the antiques, accessories and atmosphere of a French brocante to Suffolk soil, a visit to Bildeston’s Boule-in is always a pleasure. But the seasonal pop-up is surely at its most splendid at Christmas: running for nine days this year, November 19 to 27, the Fête de Noël is a chance not only to invest in one-of-a-kind home decor and gifts, but also to lift festive spirits.
Alongside the impeccably styled home and giftwares - which span antique, vintage and contemporary pieces, selected for design and desirability and sourced directly from Provence - shoppers will find homemade Christmas cakes and hamper produce; fresh door wreaths, floral bouquets and potted plants; and a cafe area, serving finest coffee and cake.
Cathy and Peter Bullen, who host the Boule-in in their High Street home, garden and outbuildings, also display their 40-figured Provençale Crèche, a traditional French Christmas nativity scene, guaranteed to charm adults and children alike.
Dividing their year between Suffolk and France, where they have a second home and source their Boule-in stock, the Bullens are on a mission to share their love of sustainable, pre-loved pieces. Says Cathy: “Conscientious living is the future, so mix up styles and fill your home with what you love and don’t be afraid of antiques - after all they were new to someone once!”
The Boule-in supports Combat Stress, Macmillan Cancer Support, Bildeston Church Restoration Fund and Community Action Suffolk (Ukrainian Aid). Further details at boule-in.co.uk
Flourish Winter Market: December 4
A chance to buy bunches of fresh mistletoe and rustic handmade wreaths, pre-order hampers and produce boxes, and also cross off your gift list at an expected 30 food, drink, arts, crafts and plant stalls, Flourish Farm Shop is hosting its first Christmas Market on December 4.
Housed in a carefully restored building in Hildersham, where famously planet-friendly farmer Calixta Killander runs her fruit, veg and flower business Flourish Produce, the farm shop will welcome a wide range of fellow indie traders for the event, including Crossover Blendery, Small Town Bakery, Eco Japan, Small & Green, Kim Prints, The Bicycle Collective and Alba Jewellery.
Hoped to become an annual event, the market will “be a brilliant day,” says Calixta, “with some very special local businesses that we are thrilled will be joining us.”
Final stall list and timings are yet to be confirmed. For updates, sign up for the newsletter at flourishproduce.co.uk
Bury Lane Christmas Shop: Every day
Whatever your age, step inside Bury Lane’s Christmas Shop and you feel like a child on December 25: festooned with fairy lights and stocked floor to ceiling with sparkling decorations, it’s magical.
An annual pop-up, located beside Bury Lane’s Farm Shop and Fun Barn, it is open seven days a week from now until the big day, selling everything from artificial trees, lights and baubles to house ornaments in all shapes, sizes and designs, including the perennially popular Christmas gonks. Along with the classic palettes, such as red, white and gold, this year’s colour stories include fairytale pink and lilac.
With freshly cut and potted trees and handmade wreaths arriving towards the end of November, the team say there’s “so much choice, so much glitter, so much sparkle - maybe you should have two trees!”
Open seven days a week, Bury Lane is on the A10 at Melbourn, near Royston. For more information, including directions and opening times, see burylanefarmshop.co.uk
Presents Galore: November 25-27
Presents Galore, the famous East Anglian Christmas fair which raises cash for good causes, returns to Newmarket’s Rowley Mile this month.
Along with the usual expertly curated range of gift stalls, selling everything from clothes, jewellery and accessories to children’s toys, home decor, food and drink, this year will see the addition of a ‘liquid presents’ bar. For even more sparkle, visitors will also be greeted by outdoor illuminations and entertained by live music and magic as they shop.
Tickets - £8 booked in advance or £10 on the door - are valid for reentry across all the event’s three days (Friday, November 25, 4-8pm; Saturday, November 26, 10am-5pm; Sunday, November 27, 10am-4pm).
The holly on top of the pudding? Shop at Presents Galore and you’re not only giving a gift to your nearest and dearest, you’re supporting both Cambridge Children's Hospital and the National Horseracing Museum.
Velvet is media partner for this year’s Presents Galore event. To find out more and book go to presentsgalore.org
Christmas Fashion & Beauty Pop-up: November 30
A chance to kickstart your Christmas shopping in style, Boudoir Femme is taking part in a festive pop-up this month. The much-loved Cambridge boutique - which moved online early this year and has won numerous awards for its curation of labels, including American Vintage, Moliin, Bellerose and Rails, pictured - will be joined by Sweaty Betty, known for activewear which is on-trend as well as high-performance, and Molton Brown, the great British fragrance and pamper brand.
Taking place at 50/60 Station Road, Cambridge, where you’ll find plentiful on-road parking nearby, the Christmas Fashion & Beauty Pop-up runs from noon to 2pm on November 30. Sounds like a great way to spend a lunch break - see you there!
For more information and to shop online visit boudoirfemme.co.uk
Trumpington Eco Christmas Market: November 27
Championing a selection of our region's small, independent and eco-friendly business, the first Trumpington Eco Christmas Market promises a wide range of goodies, from plantable cards and natural soaps to recycled jewellery and upcycled homeware. Free to enter, it takes place at Clay Farm Centre, Hobson Square, in association with Be Social Cambridge.
For further details follow @trumpington.eco.christmas
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Alice Ryan