Get that festive feeling
From the jingle of the door to the scent of cinnamon and oranges in the air, there’s something wonderful about stepping inside a Christmas shop. We have lots in the Midlands, some of which are actually open all year round, plus some lovely pop-up markets
THE NUTCRACKER CHRISTMAS SHOP IN STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
This is the place to go for a little festive cheer whatever time of year! Open all year round, you can buy everything from tree decorations and festive home scents to unusual Christmas gifts and personalised ornaments. There’s also a range of British gifts, such as Beefeater tree decorations, Scottish tartan baubles and Celtic knots.
CHRISTMAS BARN AT FRANKIE DOODLE IN LICHFIELD
The Christmas Barn has opened at Frankie Doodle at Heart of the Country in Lichfield. Head here for angels, baubles, felted festive creatures, gonks, nativity sets, personalised gifts and nutcrackers. The shop also has regular gifts and homeware too.
THE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS SHOP IN WORCESTER
Tollhouse Country Crafts is a family business which makes handmade Christmas wreaths, garlands and rings using dried fruit, orange, cinnamon and pine cones. All the decorations are scented with the family’s own cinnamon and orange essential oil. In the run-up to Christmas you can visit The Country Christmas Shop on Worcester High Street to have a look at all their decorations, fragrances and tree hangers.
CARIBOU CHRISTMAS BARN IN PERSHORE
Set in a purpose-built, converted barn surrounded by 20 acres of Christmas trees and a herd of reindeer, the Caribou Christmas Shopping Experience is a lovely place to spend a festive hour or two. It’s based at Smart Trees in Pershore. Here you can buy gifts, homeware and decorations plus there’s an indoor forest grotto where children can meet Santa and real reindeer (additional charges apply).
WEBBS OF WYCHBOLD
There’s a lovely Christmas section at Webbs of Wychbold, Worcestershire, in the run-up to the big day. Here you can pick up Lemax Christmas villages, scenes and figurines, wreaths and garlands, advent calendars, trees, lights and decorations. There are also lots of Christmas
gifts, festive fragrances, Christmassy home accessories, cards and wrapping. Webbs is holding an Enchanted Garden light trail this Christmas with giant lanterns, projections, sounds and lighting from Saturday, November 6 to Sunday, January 2.
MAGICAL STORY IN LICHFIELD
Here you’ll find wreaths, stars, decorations, candles, wooden animals and more. A local firm, there are also Magical Story shops in Redditch and Solihull.
GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET IN BIRMINGHAM CITY CENTRE
This is a great way to spend a festive afternoon as there’s no entrance fee and it’s lovely to wander around and soak up the atmosphere. As the largest German Christmas Market outside Germany, it’s packed with gift stalls, twinkling lights, music and more along New Street and Victoria Square from 10am to 9pm every day. The market is open now and runs right through to December 23.
CITY SOCIAL NEAR TO BIRMINGHAM’S MAILBOX
City Social is back for 2021 in the Suffolk Street Queensway underpass in front of The Mailbox. This festive market boasts live music and Christmas chalets selling independent gifts, food and drink including mulled gin, hot Pimms and Roastie Toasties, which is a roast dinner in a sandwich. Runs from Thursday, November 25 to Saturday, December 18.
IKEA CHRISTMAS SHOP
IKEA gets really Christmassy in December. The Wednesbury store often hosts festive events such as Breakfast with Santa, and the cafe tends to have some festive treats too. And, sometimes, the store offers real Christmas trees for just a fiver! It’s a good place to go for bargain candles, lights and decorations plus there are trees, cards, wrapping and gift ideas too.