The Art & Craft Christmas Fair at Dimbola Museum & Galleries gives you a November weekend to look for gifts made close to home. More than 30 stalls bring local makers into the Freshwater Bay museum, with artwork and handmade objects to browse together. It is an appealing plan for the friend who would rather choose something from a maker than order another present from a screen.
The stalls cover jewellery, pottery, glasswork, woodwork and embroidery, alongside artwork and Christmas decorations. You can compare materials, look at the finish and choose something that suits the person you have in mind. Christian Beasley offers festive portrait sessions for children or four-legged friends, while the tearoom serves seasonal food, treats and drinks. A fundraising raffle supports the museum’s work, so a visit also connects your Christmas shopping with an Island cultural venue.
Entry to the fair is free, with stalls open from morning until late afternoon on both days. Bring a gift list if it helps, or leave space to find something you had not thought of. The galleries will be in use by stallholders, and normal museum and exhibition access will be restricted: make this your arts and crafts outing and save the regular exhibitions for another visit. Portraits, refreshments and purchases are separate choices, so you can decide how much of the day and your budget to spend here.