Shopping local at the Fab Frost Fair

When it comes to Christmas shopping, I find it’s really handy if those I’m buying for give me a few hints as to what they want to find in their stocking. Having said that, sticking to the list is also a bit boring and can turn looking for the perfect gift for your family and friends into a bit of a tick list of things you feel you need to buy. It’s always nice to stumble upon something that you think would be a perfect pressie, or just browse the things that you’d like to receive yourself, if you had a gift giver with a sixth sense (or they were near enough for you to bat your eyelids and give them a nudge in the right direction).

It’s also nice to be able to support your local businesses, find out what’s on offer right on your doorstep and get to know these sellers a little bit more. We managed to do all of this at the Fabulous Frost Fair at the weekend, a Christmas event set up by my blogger friend Tanya aka Muma Leary, at the Hillbark Hotel in Wirral. Along with her sister and a friend, she designed the fair to raise money for the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, and by all accounts it was a great success. We went, mooched, tried and tasted and came away armed with some beautiful cards designed by local artists Jenny Dunlop and Almathea Rose; scrumptious salted caramel biscuits (these did not make it past the door) from Squidges; Elderflower gin (I LOVE gin) and cheese from Silcocks; and a gorgeous personalised and hand painted name picture for my daughter from Made by Nell. We were lucky enough to see our baby gal’s name already made, and fell for it straight away. Each letter is formed by an animal, which starts with the letter itself. So for instance, in this case with Florence, Nell has painted a flamingo, lilac-breasted roller (I know, but it’s so cute!), octopus, rat, eel, newt, clown fish and elephant. Beautiful!

There were so many more things that caught my eye, namely jewellery from LW Silver and Suite Hazen, but with two excitable children in tow – one of them itching to go and see Father Christmas – I didn’t manage to linger as long as I would have liked at those stalls. I’m certainly going to check them out online though.

When we did pop outside to see the man in red, he was in the most cool, tasteful hideaway I think I’ve ever seen! Santa was chilling with his chief elf in a tent compete with decking and red bunting! It was courtesy of Katie at the Celebration Tent, and even better news, she hires them out for parties. Hmmm, I wonder if my garden would be big enough for its own grotto next year?

Just so you know, I didn’t receive payment or free entry for this review, I just had a lovely day out!

X Julia

Photos: Name sign, Made by Nell. Christmas cards, Almathea Rose. Stall, Jenny Dunlop. Gin, Silcocks.