Top Ten Christmas Markets

The Festive season is nearly upon us so why not experience one of the many Christmas Markets to be found around the country. To help you get into the Christmas spirit, we have selected 10 of the Best Christmas Markets in Britain and Ireland – all ideal for a mini-break.

If you’re not sure which of these selected festive markets to visit, take a look at the Christmasmarkets.com site for full information, reviews and view their Christmas Breaks section, to help you plan a festive mini-break.

Screen Shot 2014-12-02 at 20.30.50Leeds – Christkindelmarkt, running until 20th December in Leeds is one of the most established German Christmas Markets in the UK, with traditional wooden stalls, festive greenery, Christmas carousel ride and twinkling colourful lights all creating a unique continental festive atmosphere in the heart of Leeds city centre.

Set in the stylish civic setting of the award winning Millennium Square, Christkindelmarkt attracts many hundred thousands of visitors to Leeds each year and forms an integral part of the city’s annual events programme.

The market consists of over 40 wooden chalet stalls from authentic German traders providing a wide range of seasonal gift ideas.

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Manchester
-Running until 21st December. Don your Santa hat, dust off the mulled wine glass, and get into the festive spirit – it’s time to head down to Manchester’s world famous Christmas Market.

Attracting shoppers from all over the UK and beyond, the market has put Manchester city centre firmly on the Christmas map – the Christmas Market has become not just a fabulous place to shop but also a hugely popular leisure destination in its own right. No Mancunian winter is complete without a wander through the chalet-lined streets of the markets.

The Christmas Markets are located in different spaces around the city, each with its own distinct character and atmosphere:

Albert Square | Brazennose Street | St Ann’s Square | Exchange Street | New Cathedral Street | The Corn Exchange | Corporation Street

Screen Shot 2014-12-02 at 20.44.58The Tate Modern London – The Christmas Market at Tate Modern brings the real German Christmas feeling right up until 24th December 2014, to Tate Modern, Bankside London, transforming the northern landscape of Tate Modern in to a Christmassy attraction for the whole family.

After 6 successful years of at the Southbank Centre Christmas Market, this is now their new home.

Experience a taste of what a traditional, beautifully lit, German style Christmas Market has to offer at the Christmas Market at Tate Modern in London!

Over 70 authentically decorated wooden chalets will sell a wide range of unique hand-crafted gifts and unusual Christmas presents.

Screen Shot 2014-12-02 at 20.49.34Glasgow – This year the festivities continue until Sunday 21st December, and will be taking place along Argyle Street.

The market is once again being organised by Market Place who deliver the famous Christmas Markets in Belfast and Newcastle.

The market is a real Global affair with professional traders from as far afield as Ecuador, Russia and one special visitor all the way from Lapland well the Finnish part of Lapland. Mixed with a huge array of traders from around Europe the Glasgow Christmas market will be a real Global affair.

As well as a gourmets delight, customers can while away an hour or two at the wonderful Gluhwein House operated by Markus Kochems from the Mosel valley. Kochems are listed in the top 100 wine producers in the World. As well as the Gluhwein you can also sample some of bavarias favourite beers at the Bavarian bar. Add all the gifts crafts and very unusual presents to buy and you won’t forget your visit to the Glasgow Christmas Market.

Screen Shot 2014-12-02 at 21.27.51Belfast – One of Belfast landmark buildings, the famous City Hall with its beautiful gardens, provides a wonderful backdrop for the Belfast Christmas Market, situated right in the heart of the City Centre and its wider retail shopping areas. The Market is situated directly alongside the central Bus link and taxi station so transport and travel are never far away.

These fabulous City Hall gardens are transformed into a bustling Continental village providing a great shop around Europe opportunity in the heart of this famous City Centre.

The Belfast Christmas Market also guarantees a real Irish welcome for all its visitors up until 21st December.

Among the retail theatre taking place each day, visitors will be able to avail of the now infamous culinary delights including a range of products such as cheeses, olives, Italian nougat, Belgian chocolates, French tarts, (made on site by a fantastic Breton Patisserie) Mouthwatering foods will be available for customers to sample and buy as they wander around the Yuletide market.

Screen Shot 2014-12-02 at 21.36.09Winchester – Founded in 2006, the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is recognised as one of the best in Europe, renowned for its unique location, high quality exhibitors and bustling atmosphere. Wonderful Christmas gifts, decorations and festive foods can be found in abundance. The Christmas Market is inspired by traditional German Christmas markets and attracts more than 350,000 visitors each year. The pretty wooden chalets are situated in Winchester Cathedral’s historic Inner Close surrounding an large open-air real ice rink. All our exhibitors have been hand-picked for their interesting, high quality and unique products many of which can’t be bought on the high street up until 21st December.

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Bath
– Just a short stroll from Bath Spa Station, in the centre of the city, you will find Bath Christmas Market – one of the largest festive events in the UK and certainly the most beautiful.

For 18 days, more than 150 quaint wooden stalls line the squares and streets surrounding the impressive Bath Abbey, selling everything you could possibly need for your festive celebrations. Gift ideas abound, including clothing, accessories, crafts and toys as well as more unusual or one-off pieces of art and jewellery. Stock up on festive foods with cheeses, pickles and meats galore, and sample wines, liqueurs and local cider to compliment your choices. Treat yourself to luxurious chocolates and puddings – or why not put together a hamper as a wonderful gift?

Get well and truly into the Christmas spirit and enjoy the atmosphere of the market. The enchanting sound of carols and the tantalising aroma of sumptuous food on the air add to the ambience of the market, creating a magical experience. There is no need to rush – with the market open late most evenings, you can take your time and browse the stalls under twinkling lights, before perhaps retiring to a bar or restaurant.

Ideally located in the heart of Bath’s main shopping area, with well-loved high street brands and designer boutiques all around, you can’t fail to find everything you are looking for. Give yourself a treat this festive season and get your Christmas shopping ‘wrapped up’ in one magical day at Bath Christmas Market.

Screen Shot 2014-12-02 at 22.02.13Dublin – Dublin City Centre’s first ever Christmas Market will be held in St. Stephen’s Green this year. There will be more than 60 trade concessions located in traditional wooden chalets along the exterior of St Stephen’s Green Park between Grafton Street and Merrion Row, the Market will offer a unique selection of quality Irish made handcrafted gift items, including accessories, woodcrafts, jams and preserves and prints as well as seasonal food and drinks to include charcoal grills, crepes, bratwurst, chocolate fountain, Gluhwein as well as other seasonal non-alcoholic drinks.

Screen Shot 2014-12-02 at 21.48.03Belgravia Christmas Market, London – Santa and his Reindeer, Carol Singers, Christmas Lights and the best of Festive Shopping

Sparkling their way through two of Belgravia’s most beautiful streets, Father Christmas and his live reindeer will make Christmas come to life in one of London’s best loved villages.

On Sunday 7th December, Elizabeth Street and Pimlico Road will be transformed into a winter wonderland, thriving with festive handmade craft stalls and boutique markets, balloon modellers, choirs, brass bands and delicious festive food and drink.

A haven from the busy high street Belgravia is the ultimate Christmas destination for discerning shoppers and diners alike. Belgravia has an array of superb boutique retailers with bars and restaurants, designer and luxury fashion, delicious gourmet treats and beautiful homewares.

Throughout the festive season, this hidden corner of London really comes alive, offering everything from Daylesford Organic festive hampers and bespoke Les Senteurs fragrances, to charming Mungo & Maud accessories for the pampered pooch, bespoke Christmas cards from Grosvenor Stationary Company and the finest Cuban cigars from tomtom.

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Galway – Ireland’s longest running Christmas Market, the Galway Continental Christmas Market, returns to its home in Eyre Square, Galway City, until Monday 22nd December. Now running for its fifth consecutive year, the Galway Continental Christmas Market, will launch the festive season in Ireland as it is the earliest Christmas Market to open in the country.

Building on the successful format of previous years, the market will be a hive of activity with lots of entertainment promised. Over fifty traders from all over Ireland and Europe will be selling a host of crafts, festive food, treats and Christmas gift ideas, while the expected audience of up to 650,000 market-goers can also enjoy a live entertainment programme throughout the month-long event.

Many thanks to our Friends at ChristmasMarkets.com for their indispensable advice

Making sure you look Lux in your Tux

That tired old Tuxedo that gets dragged out of mothballs at this time, every year and you utter those same words every time, “I think I just might get another year out of this”. NO ! Step away from the wardrobe and drop that outdated look into the recycling. You’re a man of stature and style and worth so much more than that.

Tuxedos are no longer, just a suit that sits at the back of your wardrobe and gets an outing once, maybe twice a year if its lucky. The Dinner suit is a genuinely versatile piece of equipment that can be utilised in a number of ways for the modern man. Of course it can be worn in a traditional fashion with a dress shirt and a bow or straight tie. But, it’s so much more than this, wear the dinner jacket with a pair of black denim jeans to really contemporise this outfit. Invest in a different coloured tux like navy or grey or maybe a velvet dinner jacket to really give a festive lux feel to your style.

Lets give you some food for thought and a little inspiration for those formal outings over the Yuletide period, that will ensure your far more Lord of the Manor than inherited your Granddad’s Clothes.

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Ditch the Classic Black and go for something a touch more Statement, we’re not talking Elton John here, just a gentle nudge so you don’t get lost in that sea of Classic Black Tuxedos. The ladies won’t forget seeing you in this Ted Baker Dinner Suit.

FullSizeRender[1]Smart, refined, assured and elegant everything this Tuxedo will make you feel. It’s a three piece and from a leading light in the new generation of Great British Tailoring Thom Sweeney.

IMG_1898This offers real WOW Factor and the perfect look for seeing in 2015 and saying goodbye to 2014, this plaid number is from none other then, get ready for it, drum roll please…… Marks & Spencer !

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This is a great example of Black doesn’t have to be boring and classic with a twist, makes all the difference. This beautiful suit comes from the heart of the Tailoring world, London Savile Row from none other than Kilgour.


Screen Shot 2014-12-01 at 20.33.48This coat is amazing particularly if you’re going for the full on formal look from McQ Alexander McQueen.

Screen Shot 2014-12-01 at 20.36.32If suave and sophisticated is the look you’re going for, look no further this great Velvet Dinner Jacket from John Lewis.

 

Screen Shot 2014-12-01 at 20.37.53 Make a sartorial statement at your next event in this plush velvet Blazer from Richard James

The Big Bumper Men’s Grooming Gift Guide

Without wanting to sound as sentimental as a Supermarket Christmas TV Ad, where has the year gone ? Christmas Gift Guides are upon us and as always we take the stress out of the Yuletide so you can relax and enjoy yours. This year we are offering you the 12 posts of Christmas, the indispensable, one stop gifting extravaganza covering everything you could possibly need between now and the big day itself. The first stop on this festive journey, calling at such favourites as, “What the heck to buy the man who has everything”, “Gift Ideas for the Lady in your life” and “What do I want for Christmas”, is that always tricky one, Grooming.

This post is as much for us as it is for significant male in our lives, as we don’t want to end up with something that smells like a cross between wet dog, Hai Karate and a Turkish Kebab Shop on a Saturday night. So listen up, try and have a bit of empathy and start dropping hints like, well it’s going out of Fashion.

IMG_1864This brilliant Foreo toothbrush is amazing ! It’s 100% Silicone which means no bacteria can grow on it therefor they are so much better for your all important gums.

Screen Shot 2014-11-28 at 10.20.37No matter what man you’re buying for, including yourself, this is a classic of a Christmas Present. Fifty years after its original launch Aramis commemorates this landmark anniversary with Aramis anniversary Edition.

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For new or not so new Dad’s who are feeling the effects of sleep deprivation, this “Daddy Wake up Set” from Babes with Babies is Perfect. It includes An invigorating shower power melt packed full of essential oils. An all-natural pick-me-up. Gently exfoliating, with an amazing scent to revitalise and wake-up even the sleepiest daddy. A 50 ml bottle of Shaving Oil (made from 100% pure essential oils of Lavender, Chamomile and Peppermint). Rub two or three drops of the shaving oil straight into damp skin for an amazingly smooth and gentle shave and a Soothing Sandalwood, Cedarwood and Lime aftershave gel. (60g)

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If you’re after something a little more bespoke from your scents, look no further then Creed Fragrances. Its latest edition is Aventus. a blend of Blackcurrants, Bergamot, Birch, Oak moss and Ambergris. Ensuring you leave an impression for all the right reasons.

Screen Shot 2014-11-28 at 11.32.23Go on spoil yourself, or someone very lucky, with these sensational Bottega Veneta Art of Shaving products. An Exfoliating Wash to prepare the skin, Shaving Cream and an After Shave splash, will have you looking a million dollar over the Yuletide.

IMG_1886Continuing on the shaving vibe, who could resist this beautiful fusion of traditional and contemporary in the D R Harris four piece shaving set. Evening if you never use this, not only will it add a touch of class to any washroom but it borders on a piece of art in shaving form.

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Christmas can well and truly take its toll on you and the first place to show the tell tale signs of stress and over exertion is your skin. This wonderful Great Skin for Him gift set from Clinique includes a Face Scrub, 100ml, Aloe Shave Gel, 125ml and Post Shave Smoother Anti-Age Moisturizer, 30ml.

COMPETITION TIME – Banana Republic ensuring you have a Happy Holiday

Visiting Friends and Family, Christmas Parties, Drinks with Friends, this time of year seems to be an endless line of social events, when you’re constantly under pressure to look your best. Well, hey don’t stress Clothes-Make-the-Man have teamed up with Banana Republic to ensure you not only look your best but are the envy of your nearest and dearest in the style stakes. All you have to do is, take a look at a selection from their Menswear Collection for the Holidays and tell us which is your favourite. We will then select one of the best comments and not only will you WIN that entire look* but also a £300 Banana Republic Gift Card !!!!!! All in time for the Yuletide.

While your at it, why not leave a message on Banana Republic’s social media sites, letting them know which was your Favourite

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Banana Republic’s Menswear Holidays Collection

 

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* Please note that while everything in the above images are available at the time of going to press, we may have to substitute items for similar ones if they have sold out.

So remember just leave so a comment about which is your Favourite Outfit from now until midnight (GMT) on 1st December 2014 and you could win that said outfit and a £300 Banana Republic Gift Card all in time for Christmas. YES IT’S THAT EASY, I PROMISE !!!!

The Buyer’s Guide to Winter 2014 – Everton Campbell – The Hip Store

FullSizeRender IMG_1879To call The Hip Store, in Leeds an institution, is no understatement since it first opened its doors to the greater general public of Leeds and its surrounding areas back in 1987 it has built a reputation as a mecca for young, and the not so, cool males wanted to invest in the ‘it’ brands of the time. Hip has been selling great examples of old -school sportswear alongside labels as diverse as Comme des Garçons and  Norse Projects for nearly  30 years. Everton Campbell and his former business partner Umberto Annechini (above image), founded the store in the heart of the Yorkshire catering for the discerning tastes of the city’s cultured, informed and creative community.

Word soon spread and the pilgrimage to Leeds’ Victoria Quarter to the hallowed door of Hip became a regular occurrence to men wanting to satisfy their designer needs.Consistently pushing the boundaries of menswear, The Hip Store curates a unique stock of brands sometimes overlooked by others.

Campbell, has a keen eye for detail and construction, upholding to the principle that purpose and quality transcends trends. Ensuring thats every garment sold in his store is unique and expertly crafted.

So lets see his picks for Winter –

Our Legacy Perfect Tee Blue Grey Melange

Our Legacy Perfect Tee Blue Grey Melange

Oliver Spencer Grandad Shirt Ormesby Green

Oliver Spencer Grandad Shirt Ormesby Green

Engineered Garments Coverall Jacket Olive Nyco Reversed Sateen

Engineered Garments Coverall Jacket Olive Nyco Reversed Sateen

Levis Vintage 1954 501 Jeans

Levis Vintage 1954 501 Jeans

Nigel Cabourn Aircraft Jacket

Nigel Cabourn Aircraft Jacket

Parabotts Avoriaz Hiking Boots Ecorse

Parabotts Avoriaz Hiking Boots Ecorse

Filson Small carry on Bag

Filson Small carry on Bag

Olney Crushable Fur Felt Hat

Olney Crushable Fur Felt Hat

Sanders Belgrade Long Wing Brogue

Sanders Belgrade Long Wing Brogue

Polo Ralph Lauren Striped Wool Crewneck Sweater

Polo Ralph Lauren Striped Wool Crewneck Sweater