Kokova Magazine

The Spirit of Christmas Fair in association with House & Garden, the season's most exclusive Christmas shopping event, returns to London Olympia from 5th - 10th November 2013 for its thirteenth year.

As the first event of the festive season, the Fair includes a variety of House and Garden workshops for you to explore.

Spirit of Christmas Fair 2013 - the perfect place to shop, dine and socialise in style. www.spiritofchristmasfair.co.uk

House & Garden Workshops

How to Style your clothes with colour and accessories
13.30 - 5th November 2013
Famous English fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, will demonstrate how to style up different outfits using handbags, shoes, jewellery and other accessories. She will talk about how prints work and where she gets the inspiration for her designs. In addition, Zandra will discuss how she feels fashion has changed over the past few decades and her involvement in the industry.

Discover the champagnes and vineyards of Louis Roederer
12.30 - Daily
Mark Bingley, Master of Wine, will provide his expert guidance on the complexities and pleasures of champagne. Participants will have the opportunity to sample a selection of the finest Louis Roederer champagnes, including Brut Premier NV, Brut Vintage 2006 and Brut Rose 2008.

Food for thought - planning the perfect Christmas party with Rhubarb
18.00 - 7th November
Sarah Hammond, Director of the premium food experience brand “rhubarb”, will be giving advice on how to prepare the perfect party this Christmas - offering useful tips on the secret ingredients that make every event sparkle. Her team will deliver live cooking demonstrations and serve a variety of delicious festive foods sure to tantalise the taste buds.

Join Space NK's National Makeup Artist Graziella Vella for a Masterclass on Festive beauty
13.30 - 6th 9th & 10th November
Space NK's resident makeup expert Graziella Vella will demonstrate trendy party perfect looks that everyone can achieve and give her top make up tips for every festive occasion.

Natural and Abundant Festive Designs with Philippa Craddock
11.30 - 8th 9th & 10th November
Leading UK florist Philippa Craddock and her team will be demonstrating how to make two different Christmas designs - an oversized and fabulous door wreath festooned with seasonal foliage and natural decorations and a smaller festive arrangement.

Master the art of gift wrapping with Jane Means
14.30 - 5th 6th 7th & 9th November
Learn how to wrap every gift to perfection with Britain’s gift wrapping expert Jane Means. Jane Means has wrapped for everyone from prestigious fashion stores and celebrities to members of the royal family. Her workshops attract clients worldwide. At the Spirit of Christmas Fair, Jane will demonstrate how to give your gifts the wow factor with a few simple wrapping tips, suitable for all budgets.

Discover the Season of Magic with Jo Malone London
13.30 - 7th & 8th November
Join Debbie Wild, Lifestyle Director at Jo Malone London, in conversation with Laura Houldsworth, Retail Editor at House & Garden, and escape into Jo Malone London's magical wonderland of Christmas. Discover gifts to entice and enchant and adventurous scents that capture the imagination.

Create a timeless festive Christmas candle arrangement with The Dorchester’s designer florist
11.30 - 5th 6th & 7th November
The Dorchester’s designer florist Phil Hammond will demonstrate how to create exquisite but easy-to-make festive candle centrepieces. Designs will reflect The Dorchester’s seasonal decorations, allowing participants to take a little bit of The Dorchester home this Christmas.

Make chocolate with Hotel Chocolat
15.30 - 8th 9th &10th November
Join Hotel Chocolat for an exciting interactive experience of turning rare, raw cocoa into the world’s first single-côte chocolate. Watch as the chocolatiers will be roasting raw cocoa beans grown on the ‘Marcial’ slope of Hotel Chocolat’s Rabot Estate plantation in Saint Lucia. Participants will then take part in creating a unique, single-côte Saint Lucian chocolate and Piedmont hazelnut gianduja, hand-piped into moulds with freshly roasted, crunchy cocoa nibs.

Learn how to design the perfect Christmas table with Frou Frou & Thomas
19.00 - 7th November
Froufrou & Thomas designer, Clare Hutchinson, will talk about design themes for the Christmas table and will demonstrate how to make crackers and individualise them. Participants will have the opportunity to make their own cracker to take home, using a beautiful handmade paper chosen by Clare.

Christmas Chocolate Making with Paul A Young
5th November, 15.30 - Festive truffle rolling, demo of festive sugar and spice truffle with hands on rolling by participants
6th November, 15.30 - Demo port and stilton truffles with a truffle rolling by each participant
7th November, 15.30 - Demo of chocolate mulled wine with a small cup for each guest. Participants will learn how to make mulled wine truffles with a truffle for each participant