Stratforward BID 2021 Gift Guide

There’s something rather special about
Stratford upon Avon
at Christmas...
And it’s been that way for as long as I can remember.
The beautiful timbered buildings and the historic ambience of the town just lends itself to the
excitement of Christmas, both past and present.
Today we have our enviable town lights, the allure of the RSC’s latest Christmas seasons
production, a real festive spirit in our award-winning restaurants and independent shops, our
increasingly popular Christmas markets tempting us out to enjoy the festive season in the weeks
leading up - and not forgetting our atmospheric taverns and hostelries in which we love to sit and
chat. And for those who prefer their drinks hot, those special coffees we all enjoy at this time of
year are such a treat.
Growing up in the town means childhood memories take me back to heading to Dudfields to
carefully choose just the right tree, to my Father buying our turkey at the annual auction on Guild
Street, to The Knights of the Round Tables Christmas Sleigh visiting our neighbourhood, with
carols peeling out through a tannoy, bringing us out from our homes for the once-a-year spectacle,
to stocking up on pic n mix at Woolies to sit enjoy whilst watching the Saturday night television
infront of the open fire. And last but not least, to the special and magical Midnight Mass at the
Holy Trinity.
For me, whilst lots of traditions have changed throughout the years, we all still love variations of
our childhood Christmases in our beautiful home town. And this year, there is certainly a feeling
that everyone is excited to enjoy it all, just that little bit more. And that goes for our homes too.
There has been such a shift toward making everything about them as welcoming and homely as
possible throughout this year and last. They have become our havens, our safe places, more than
ever. One of the most common things we hear in our industry is the classic “where are we going to
put the Christmas tree?” when buyers are choosing their new home.
Because our homes ARE Christmas aren’t they?
Whilst we may not be making paper chains for our ceilings anymore (or maybe we will?) we still
keep to some of the same traditions as old, whilst also filling them with new memories, for each
generation to look back on and cherish.
Our Christmases at home here in Stratford may have changed from my childhood memories but
the families that enjoy them still want the same things as my parents did and as their parents did at
Christmas -
Peace, Love & Joy
Written by Jeremy McGinn