Are you wanting to plan the Christmas holidays now it’s so close, and want to find some great events to attend over the festive season? Well, this business trio from Launceston’s Market House Arcade have just the answer!
Hey, Jess, Becki and Emily! Tell us a bit about yourselves and why have you teamed up this December?
Hey Rosie! We are Emily, Becki and Jess. Emily runs Once in a Blue Balloon, Becki runs Queen of bombs and Jess runs Maddielili Photography. For the last four years Maddielili Photography has been taking photos of local children with Santa at the Market House Arcade. This year, in an effort to bring some neighbouring businesses together and deliver a unique, magical experience, all three businesses decided to team up for the Magical Winter Experience.
Tell us about the Magical Winter Experience!
Families will arrive at the Market House Arcade which will have a lovely Christmas tree in the Entrance and lots of lovely sparkly lights throughout. First they’ll head to Maddielili Photography Studio which will for the month of December be transformed into Santa’s living room. Children will get to meet Santa and have a photo with him. They’ll get to help him switch the Christmas tree lights on with some magic and he may also check his magic book to see if they’ve made it on to the nice list!
After their visit with Santa, families will head down to Once in Blue Balloon - aka the Elves balloon workshop - and have fun with some balloon crafts (children under two don’t do this part). Once they’ve done their balloon crafts, children will be able to collect their gift from Santa’s gift station at Queen of Bombs. Children over three will receive a lovely handmade bath bomb in their gift pack. The print will also be ready to collect at this point. We are running special ‘quiet’ sessions for children with sensory differences too.
Why should people shop locally and support town events like this?
When you buy from or use a small local business you make a huge difference to that individual. You boost their business, their morale and they are so, so grateful. You’re also bringing much needed life and money into the local community.
Do people have to book to attend the Magical Winter Experience?
Tickets are £10 and include meeting Santa, balloon crafts, a gift and a print of the photo. Siblings are £7.50 and under 2s are £3. Booking is essential and can be done via: www.bookwhen.com/maddielili
Do you hope the town centre will be busier than last year, now restrictions have lifted?
We hope that people will choose to shop in the local businesses this Christmas and that residents will support the local events and charities. We are still in the middle of a global pandemic however, so advise people to stick to social distancing and mask wearing.
