It's that time of year where we're all starting to plan for the Big Day.
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday firmly behind us, 25th December is fully within our sights and along with it, a whole raft of €˜yet to buy' items on that present list.
So where best to forage for those outstanding gifts and have some fun while you're at it?
Christmas Markets up and down the country might be a good place to start and for those who are keen not to be heading to the malls and crowded shopping centres this year, what could be better than an outdoor market, often in the most picturesque locations, with a chance of a glass of mulled wine and an opportunity to support local businesses in the process?
We've handpicked 5 festive locations here, all of them running events from November to January but take a look at Christmas Markets in your Area for further information.
1. Bristol
Over 50 stalls in Broadmead in the heart of the city centre selling seasonal gifts, crafts and trinkets along with a range of delicious treats on offer from traditional Bratwurst to crepes and churros. You can hire private igloo pods, enjoy live music from local musicians in the Jäger Barn Bar, and watch Santa and his reindeer as they make appearances throughout the festival.
2. Leeds
Numerous events are taking place in Leeds this year at its Winter Favourites festival. Enjoy local street food at the Chow Down Winter Village, visit the Corn Exchange for Christmas gifts or browse the speciality markets at Kirkgate and the Mini German Market at Sydney Street. There will even be weekend snow flurries at the Trinity Leeds Après Ski Bar where you can soak up the atmosphere over a hot chocolate and some gingerbread biscuits.
3. Birmingham
The city's Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria and attracts visitors from across the UK and Europe. Stalls on Victoria Square and New Street are offering traditional fare including Pretzels, schnitzels, bratwursts all of which can be washed down with gluhwein, weissbeer or a warming hot chocolate.
4. Edinburgh
From bumper cars to a carol concert, light installations to Lidl on Ice, Edinburgh's Christmas market located at East Princes Street Gardens and The Mound gets bigger each year. With 77 stalls to explore and Santa's Grotto to entertain the kids, you might find you never want to go home.
5. London
The Christmas market on the South Bank and Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park are well known fixtures in our capital city's calendar but at HBB HQ you'll mostly find us on December 4th stocking up on jams, chutneys, pickles and cakes and enjoying a chat with our neighbours at our De Beauvoir Christmas Fair and Trail. Based in our local church the fair extends to stalls in front gardens where our very own Santa(ess) Priscilla, accompanied by her faithful hound Lola, will be offering a selection of our Healthy Back Bags and maybe a mince pie or two.
Find your Christmas Market here
North East https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/christmas-fairs-north-east-november-22047004
North West https://www.visitnorthwest.com/
South East https://www.visitsoutheastengland.com/events/christmas/christmas-markets
South West https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/top-christmas-days-out-in-the-south-west
London https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/whats-on/christmas/best-christmas-markets-in-london
Scotland https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/events/christmas-winter-festivals/
Ireland https://www.ireland.com/en-gb/magazine/culture/christmas-in-ireland/
Wales https://www.visitwales.com/things-do/events/events-wales-during-december
Join the list
Get the VIP info on all things Healthy Back Bag, including our newest designs, special releases and monthly giveaways. Plus you'll get 10% off your first order!