You can’t escape the build-up to Christmas, and the rush to spend, spend, spend. However, how much of those beautifully wrapped Christmas boxes left under the tree last year have you enjoyed using, or remember where they even are?
So many items are bought for the sake of giving ‘something’ and quickly a gift becomes a burden for those you want to show kindness to.
There are only so many 3 for 2 toiletries you can fit into your bathroom cupboard, and once your children have left school and all the clubs and classes end, the outlet of re-gifting for a raffle has gone.
So this year, why not give a gift that helps the local economy, is kind to the environment and will bring real joy to the recipient. And the good thing is many of these items you can buy last minute.
1 . Buy local food, crafts and enjoy a day out at a local Christmas market
We all love the Glup and mulled wine at the big city Christmas Markets, however, you can find some beautiful local produce at the many smaller, more intimate events across Cumbria – and every penny spent here will stay in the local economy.
- Askham Hall’s Christmas Market 8 December, 11am – 4pm
Askham’s Medieval Hall and rustic courtyard will come alive with the sights and sounds of a traditional Christmas market with more than 50 local festive crafts and giftware stalls, live festive music and a variety of food and drink including traditional winter warmers! And Father Christmas will be on hand to meet the children in his special Christmas Grotto. Admission details
- Holker Food Market 8 December, 10.30am – 4pm
Holker are holding one of their popular Holker Food Markets in December (ready for Christmas!) Join them to savour and sample a variety of fresh, local and regional food and drink and meet the artisan producers and get some fabulous recipe ideas.
This coincides with one of Holker Hall’s Decorated For Christmas days. See the Hall beautifully decorated for the Festive Season. You can also Meet Father & Mrs Christmas -children will be taken on a journey meeting the Elves and Mr & Mrs Christmas along the way.
This is just a few of the many Christmas markets taking place across Cumbria – for a fuller list visit Cumbria Tourism’s official GoLakes What’s On
2. An annual pass to a local attraction
Blackwell Arts & Crafts House vouchers
- Admission vouchers Blackwell
- Vouchers for buying stuff in Blackwell’s Contemporary Craft Shop denominations of £10
- Vouchers to spend in the Tearoom at Blackwell in denominations of £10.
Levens Hall
- Friends of Levens Hall – season ticket allowing unlimited access to the gardens between 5 April and 1 October 2020 (on sale 3 December).
- £10 and £25 gift vouchers available via our website for use in Levens Kitchen.
- More details on their website.
Brantwood.
The Friends of Ruskin’s Brantwood was launched on April 12, 1990, by a group of dedicated supporters of the house, who met together with the aim of spreading the word of what was being achieved towards refurbishing and developing the house, to volunteer their time, and to help fund future projects. By joining The Friends you help to continue that support. In exchange, Friends receive complimentary admission to Brantwood during public opening hours, half-price admission for accompanying guests, discounts in the bookshop, The Terrace Coffee House, use of the Friends Library for study, as well as regular newsletters.
- Annual Single Membership £25.00
- Joint/Family Membership £35.00
- Life Membership £500
3. Afternoon tea
Followers of Cumbria24 will know just how much we love our afternoon teas out in Cumbria, and there are some great places to go with everything from savoury based teas through to vegetarian and vegan options. You can check out some of our favourites:
- Lakeside Hotel, Newby Bridge
- The Gaddum, Brockhole, Windermere
- The Belsfield, Laura Ashley Hotel, Bowness on Windermere. Here they have an even more special event with their ‘Afternoon Tea & Sail Package‘ around Windermere which we will be featuring in the New Year as a great Valentine’s Day treat.
Other gift vouchers for afternoon tea include:
- Granny Dowbekins, Pooley Bridge – where you can get a great view of the new Pooley bridge being constructed/
- Christmas in the Kitchen at Levens – Afternoon tea £19.95 per person, bookable in advance via their website:www.levenshall.co.uk, available Monday to Thursday 2.00- 3.15pm.
- Christmas dinner menu £25.00 per person, bookable in advance via our website, available Monday to Thursday 12noon – 2.00 pm
- Festive Afternoon Tea at Brantwood – Try Brantwood’s new afternoon tea created by head chef, Joe Bragg on The Terrace, for a special afternoon tea of Christmas classics re-imagined. Enjoy in our cosy, warm and friendly café with an open fire and festive décor or sit outside with our snug blankets and spectacular views. To book call 015394 49025 or email theterrace@brantwood.org.uk
3. A local gin experience
The Lakes Distillery near Keswick not only creates Lakes gins and whisky, but they also offer vouchers for tasting events, meals in the beautiful restaurant and tours of the distillery.
Family business, Shed 1 Gin in South Lakes distil their own, award-winning Cumbrian gin which makes a great gift for the discerning gin drinker. You can visit their distillery with a Visitor Centre in Ulverston or shop online
4. The gift of making bread
If you give a man a fish, he can eat for a day, give him a net he can eat for a lifetime – and the same goes for bread! Why not give the gift of artisan bread making? Gift vouchers are available for classes in Kendal and also Altrincham, Cheshire with Aidan, a former chef turned artisan baker and his wife Catherine, a professional baker and award-winning food stylist.
We joined Lovingly artisan to take part in one of their Sunday Schools for sourdough bread making check out our great day of baking with Aiden.
Contact Lovingly Artisan for details of gift vouchers for their courses info@lovinglyartisan.com or aidan@lovinglyartisan.com
5. Membership of the National Trust
Whether your loved one enjoys exploring historic houses and castles, cycling through the countryside or walking along the coast, National Trust membership is a gift to be enjoyed all year round.
While they’re making the most of their membership, the money from your gift helps the National Trust care for the places they visit.
Membership includes:
- Free entry to over 500 National Trust places
- Free parking at most National Trust car parks (all of them in the Lakes)
- Handbook full of ideas to help plan a visit
- National Trust Magazine three times a year, packed with inspiration, interview and news
There are 28 countryside car parks in the Lake District (as well as those at National Trust properties) which members park in for free.
Check out our visits to Sizergh Castle and Fell Foot Park.
Cost Gift memberships
- Individual £72 Two Adults £120
- Family Two Adults £126
- Family One Adult £78
- Young Person 18-25 £36
- Junior 5-17 £10
Or if you’re feeling REALLY generous…
- Individual Life £1730 (includes guest)
- Joint Life £2160
- Family Joint Life £2265 (includes children and grandchildren)
Where to buy it
Drop in to Sizergh Castle to pick one up, or join online. You’ll need to have the recipient’s name, address and date of birth with you to complete the application.
6. Celebrate our natural fibres & traditional wool skills
Every July we make our pilgrimage to Woolfest at Cockermouth Auction Mark, organised by the members of Wool Clip. This amazing event brings together everything related to our great British natural fibres including stalls which offer packs that teach you how to make really useful items – socks, hats, jumpers.
However, you don’t have to wait until July to have a great choice of wools, kits and materials as Wool Clip have a shop all year round at Priest’s Mill, Caldbeck – the perfect place to buy local, sustainable, beautiful gifts. Or you could buy a ticket for Woolfest 2020.
7. Nights at the theatre
Why not give a gift that keeps on giving throughout 2020 – like a season ticket for Theatre by the Lake (tickets for 2020 go on sale 27 November) or membership of The Brewery Arts Centre
8. Family pass for days of fun at the Maise Maze
This summer we paid a visit to the Maise Maze near Kendal and discovered a great indoor and outdoor activity centre for the whole family to enjoy – and what better gift for the kids who have everything plastic and online than days out in the fresh air, exploring nature and getting muddy?
Check out our adventure at the Maise Maze and buy a family pass on their website.
Adults (16+) £30 Concessions £30 (2-15 years, students and carers with ID) Seniors £22.50 Family (2+2 or 1+3) £98.00
- If you have some local, sustainable gift ideas to share, please leave the details in the comments block below.
