Braintree Village has marked the start of the festive season with the arrival of new Christmas lights and interactive features for guests to enjoy. This year, the Village is home to an all-new set-up, including a 12-metre-high walkthrough Christmas tree, giant bauble and Christmas present, providing the perfect backdrop for pictures with loved ones.
The Village has also welcomed a new Christmas pop-up shop offering the perfect gifts for loved ones. English Spirit – distillers of the world’s finest spirits and liqueurs – will be selling a range of products from a converted horsebox from Thursday to Saturday, including personalised gift boxes and The Christmas Spirit rum which guests can taste-test at the pop-up store’s very own bar.
For those looking to get creative this Christmas, Braintree Village is also hosting a series of wreath making workshops for the first time. Partnering with Essex-based Little Tin Shed Flowers, the Village is offering guests the chance to get green-fingered and build their own personalised Christmas wreaths during the two-hour sessions. Workshops are being held on Friday 6th December at 11am, 2pm and 6pm and cost £60 per person. Wreath makers will receive a £10 Braintree Village Gift Card valid for one year and special treats and offers from stores.
Guests visiting the Village for a spot of Christmas shopping will also be treated to a variety of live performances throughout the festive season. On Saturday 7th December, from 4pm members of Essex Rock Choir will perform rock interpretations of Christmas chart songs. On Saturday 14th December local barbershop chorus, Essex Chordsmen, will be performing a variety of acapella songs from the 1930s through to present day and on Saturday 21st December, Braintree Village’s Helpful Elves will be on hand to help guests with all their Christmas shopping needs.
Josef O’Sullivan, Centre Manager at Braintree Village, said: “We’ve a range of thrilling performances, beautiful light displays and festive touches to give our guests the wow-factor this season. Christmas shopping is all about the experience, so we’ve been busy little elves making sure that every member of the family will enjoy their day out with us over the coming weeks.”
The Village’s charitable Christmas cause, The Giving Tree, in partnership with local charity First Stop, is also back. Running until Sunday 15th December, guests can help give back to those in need this festive season by taking a tag off the tree located in the North Mall and buying an age appropriate gift for someone less fortunate.
