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Handmade & heartfelt gifts are the best choice to spread the love. Here’s our Bucks gift guide including markets, fairs & fun, offering hidden gems & lots of sparkle
Joy is the fuel that fires up the festive sparkle, and nothing stokes that joy like a thoughtful, handmade gift.
From Marlow to Stokenchurch and beyond, Buckinghamshire’s talented makers will shine at fairs and markets between now and Christmas. A group of local crafters and creatives including illustrator Nicola Metcalfe (nicolametcalfe.com) will offer a warm welcome at their third craft fair at Marlow’s All Saints’ Church Hall, 10am-3pm on Saturday 8th November, offering everything from hand-painted glassware, locally themed pieces and fused art to pottery, jewellery, crochet items, memory bears, and handmade decorations.
“Why buy from a huge retailer when you can meet the maker, see the care that goes into a gift, and find something truly one-of-a-kind?” A good question from textile artist Marie Jones who finds inspiration here in the Chiltern Hills. You can browse her fibre art and embroidery kits, which invite each recipient to take a piece of nature-inspired creativity home, thanks to Sally Evans whose craft fairs in Princes Risborough, 10am–4pm on Saturday, 15th November, and Thame Town Hall on 6th & 20th December will offer art, jewellery, ceramics, textiles & bespoke items. Also starring at Sally’s fair is Longwick pen-and-ink artist Mia Babb who blends fine line drawing with metal leaf to create striking pieces and homewares. “Shopping locally is a way to give something beautiful and original while backing the community,” she says. You can also shop at jealouschild.co.uk
Magical Missenden favourite & foodie hub Peterley Manor Farm will welcome you for the Christmas fair, 13th-16th November. Among the local creatives starring is Vicki Scoble who creates personalised pottery and painting kits for families, and baby keepsakes. “People love the chance to create memories as well as gifts,” she says; visit pot-tastic.co.uk. Also at Peterley’s Christmas market is artist
Debbie Shrimpton (our cover star last year) who depicts Chesham, Missenden & other local scenes in her beautiful artworks; visit debbieshrimptonillustrates.co.uk
E.J. Churchill in Lane End offers the perfect festive escape in the Chilterns. From shooting experiences for all abilities to seasonal dining, gin tasting & parties in the Pavilion, every celebration feels unique. Don’t miss the late-night shopping special on Thursday, 4th December! Visit ejchurchill.com
Supporting local charities, South Oxfordshire Christmas Fair at The Oxfordshire Golf Club near Thame on 18th November, features almost 60 local stalls. Enjoy lots of sparkle in Marlow on 20th November, plus Carols on the Causeway on 16th December. And Christmas at Waddesdon Manor, 22nd November to 4th January, invites you to meet makers, shop small, and soak up the festive atmosphere; waddesdon.org.uk
Copas Farm Shop near Cookham offers award-winning turkeys (whole or in boxes for pick-up or delivery); copasfarmshop.co.uk
“Christmas is when our work really comes alive,” says Haddenham jeweller Liz Dee of The Silver Workshop. “Each piece is unique; you’ll never find someone else with the same gift!” Liz opens her studio for commissions and workshops. Find her at the Elgiva Artisans Craft Fair in Chesham, 11am–4pm on Sunday, 23rd November (£2.50pp entry). Visit elgiva.com/craft-fair-exhibitors-2025 for all the makers!
Amanda Thomas, founder of Chapel House Fragrances, brings extra sparkle with her new Christmas bauble candle workshops. Her unit at Lay-by Farm “is where all the magic happens! Participants create three full-size candles in stunning electroplated bauble jars – one red, one green, one gold. They’re bigger than people expect, and make a beautiful handmade gift, and once they’re finished, can be used as ornaments or elegant trinket jars.” chapelhousefragrances.co.uk
Amersham artist Ali Mackie explores the bright side of life in her & workshops and gifts, cards & more (as mentioned last month, she’s at @amershamartunlocked on 1st & 2nd November). More next month! Visit alimackie.art
Also shop for lovely heartfelt goodies at Teenie Craft Collective in Great Missenden and check out the shiny, sweary goodies from Katrin Gaska (AKA Colourful Kat) on Etsy & more @chicsign.studio. Another golden example of Bucks creativity is Kate Wilkinson whose jewellery is inspired by nature. Follow her @katewilkinsonjewellery & find her at Yattendon Winter Market, 29th & 30th November; modernmakerscollective.co.uk
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