THE MOST WONDERFUL
TIME OF YEAR…
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas at Oswaldtwistle Mills, where the magical seasonal displays are attracting visitors from far and wide. Photography: Robin Lyndon
From eye-catching illuminated garden unicorns, sparkling lights and iridescent baubles to Christmas trees of all sizes, the festive season doesn’t get much better than at Oswaldtwistle Mills!
Year on year the display team come up with something new and exciting and this Christmas is no exception.
At the beginning of 2018 head buyer Rachel Hargreaves and visual merchandiser Sandra Gammons and the team started their festive journey, planning the Christmas themes for December and buying the latest on-trend accessories and decorations.
“We like to follow trends but also like to mix it up a bit and experiment with new colour combinations, so that we give our customers something exciting and fresh every year,” explains Sandra.
“This year features lots of fairy tale magic, themes that surprise, but really work, as well as the trend for natural wooden accessories. We know our customers will love them!”
This year the team have four themes:
Fairy Tale: A pink, white and platinum silver themed grotto featuring everything you can imagine from the most popular fairy tales. Large glittered unicorns have proven to be one of the ‘must-have’ Christmas accessories this year alongside fairy tale characters such as owls, birds and fairies. With silver sprayed twigs and unusual baubles, from cute little caravans to shiny silver stag heads, the Fairy Tale room is a dream come true for those who just love the magical time that is Christmas!
Silent Night: From midnight blue to iridescent soft baby blue, white and silver greys the Silent Night room reflects this year’s trend for natural wooden materials. Including wooden tree decorations, woodland animals and snowy accessories, the natural look works really well with any colour combination. One of the bestsellers of the season has been a cute ‘squirrel climbing a branch’ – don’t worry there are plenty in stock!
Enchanted Forest: Again reflecting the trend for naturals, the Enchanted Forest features shiny pine green baubles set alongside beautifully bright emerald green accessories. Green on green with accents of white really works here with everything from trailing ivy, glittery trees, holly and berries – these are classic Christmas colours that reflect the traditional but with a hint of contemporary chic.
Sugar Plum Dreams: A mix of purples, lilac and gold results in an opulent display that visitors will love. With iridescent baubles, feather boas, pole star lights and a family of illuminated unicorns, the Sugar Plum Dreams display is truly magical!
As well as the themed displays, there are lots of other popular products and a huge Christmas lights display including sparkly LEDs, fibre optic lights and a snowflake projector to light up the front of your home with snowflakes.
Last year’s sell-out product – the LED canvases – are once again proving hugely popular, along with illuminated glitter water spinners.
Artificial, fibre optic and LED-branch Christmas trees, as well as a range of outdoor Christmas accessories, are also available alongside 5ft-6ft Nordmann Fir Christmas trees – shop for your fresh tree from 25th November, priced from £20.
In the other departments, the seasonal theme continues with partywear and cocktail dresses that are perfect for the forthcoming celebrations. While in the delicatessen, the festive fayre is arriving on the shelves.
Orders for Christmas hampers and cheese boards are now being taken and tastings are starting for Christmas tiered cheese cakes! Watch out for Mrs Bridges’ Christmas chutneys and jams as well as special Christmas beers from Naylor’s Brewery and a huge selection of gins, including the bestseller sweet violet – a great Christmas gift!
In the butchers locally-sourced meat takes pride of place with the emphasis on traditional turkey, Christmas joints of best beef, pork and lamb as well as a festive wreath of traditional pork sausage. Award-winning butcher Jessica Leliuga, who has once again been selected to take part in the World Butchers’ Challenge to be held in California in 2020, is more than happy to offer her expert advice on what to choose and how to cook it for your Christmas table.
In the giftware department at Oswaldtwistle Mills you will find hand-painted money boxes from Pompidou and lots of gin, cocktail and Prosecco-related presents! From upside-down glasses to hand-painted gin glasses, there is something to suit everyone.
There are also lots of collectables that make great gifts too, and don’t forget Oswaldtwistle Mills’ renowned Santa’s Grotto that launches on 10th November. The Magical Elves Workshop will once again see real-life reindeer, Lightning, paying a visit – a family outing not to be missed!
So, visit Oswaldtwistle Mills soon and you can be sure to find everything you need for the festive season ahead, as well as enjoying an experience that is truly magical!
Oswaldtwistle Mills
Colliers Street, Oswaldtwistle BB5 3DE
www.o-mills.co.uk
