Christmas Highlights!

My Christmas was very busy this year, full of all the things I love; work, sweet things, crafts, family, friends and glitter! Here are a few highlights from my festive season!

My Xmas Jumper

This year we spent even longer getting Hardwick Hall ready for Christmas opening, it was bigger, better and sparklier than ever!

Fetching in the trees

Candles to light the stairs

The Entrance Hall

Sledging reindeer

The restaurant’s tasty gingerbread creation

The theme this year took inspiration from the traditions of visitors, volunteers and staff to add an extra layer of Christmas magic to our rooms. Traditions that had been written on tags and hung on last years tree were printed onto big tags and displayed around the property. My family tradition (about eating, drinking and having fun together) was also chosen and had pride of place at the bottom of the Main Stairs.

My Tag

After I had recovered from decorating Hardwick it was time for me to carry out my personal tradition; drinking Baileys hot chocolate, watching Love Actually and putting up my tree.

My personal tradition

My Christmas tree

This year I had decided to make most of my presents for friends and family, which hit an unexpected bump when I found out my sewing had stopped working! Luckily Hobby Craft had this little beauty half price, and it is just perfect for little projects like the bunting I made for my friend’s little girl.

My diddy new sewing machine

Baby Bunting

Food is also a very important part of my Christmas. mum always really stocks up which is brilliant for me and Jake! I was also lucky enough to be invited to the volunteer Christmas meal for Droitwich Heritage Centre where I have been helping out. We had a particularly yummy pudding of cheesecake with mulled fruit sorbet!

Delish!

After I had finished work for the year I went on a really exciting road trip, down to Watford to got to the Harry Potter Studios! It was truly magical! I am a big fan of the series and so absolutely loved going behind the scenes and seeing all the secrets to how they brought the books to life! It was an amazing day out, and worth the stress of trying to drive through Watford!

Hogwarts in the snow

Mmmm, Butterbeer

I got very excited when I spotted a familiar but unexpected face with the Hogwarts portraits!

Bess of Hogwarts

Its our very own Bess as a witch! Hardwick was used as the exterior to Malfoy Manor in the 7th film but the producers seem to have been drawing inspiration from the Hall a lot earlier than that. You can spot Bess on the staircase in the first few films.

Then after all the excitement we headed to Marsden for a lovely relaxing Christmas full of food, family, laughter and snow!