Long gone are the days when garden centres only sold plants. Now, you have Santa’s grottos, food sections selling luxury goods and whole areas devoted to festive tablescaping.
So, how do you navigate the horticultural havens that seem to have everything?
1. Budget-conscious buyers
Planning is key if the purse strings are tight this year, so make a list of what you need, from the tree to the decorations, tablescape additions and gifts this year. If you follow that lead, you’re less likely to put expensive and unnecessary trinkets in your basket.
“Come in with a list and a budget in mind so you don’t get swept up by all the Christmas magic, which is very easily done,” says Eve Kerrigan, content creator at British Garden Centres, the UK’s largest family-run garden centre group.
“Focus on a few key pieces to have the biggest impact, for example, a statement wreath, some really good quality lights and then pick a theme for your tree decoration.”
Look at own brand value ranges in garden centres which may be cheaper than more famous alternatives, she says.
2. Tree choice
Measure up carefully – you don’t want to end up with a tree which doesn’t fit your space.
If you get one slightly too large, clip it and use the cuttings to make indoor decorations or add to Christmas wreaths.
3. Experiences and events
Garden centres offer a host of events at Christmas, from wreath-making and breakfast with Santa to circus shows, Christmas dinners and ‘paws and claws’, where even your pet dog can get involved in meeting Father Christmas.
Check on your garden centre’s website or even make a visit to find out about forthcoming events, but book early to avoid disappointments, as events get sold out quickly, says Kerrigan.
People don’t have to go online – they can often book experiences at the point of sale.
4. Tablescape inspiration
Garden centres are often awash with inspirational ideas for tablescaping, featuring fully laid dinner tables with all the necessary sparkle.
“We don’t have outside agencies doing any of our visual merchandising. It’s all the teams in centres so they are the perfect people for customers to ask for advice on any decorating and they are the people who will see what’s really popular and the standout products,” says Kerrigan.
Many centres have dining mini-departments including festive crockery, table settings and big garlands.
“Our thing is to provide that over-the-top festive inspiration which people can dial down however much they need to in their own home,” she adds.
5. Festive food and drink
“Garden centres have really evolved into lifestyle destinations, so food is a big one for gifts and luxury food and drink.”
Many offer hampers, cheeseboards and other seasonal treats, even refillable gift bottles of different-flavoured olive oils.
Others can sort out Christmas Eve boxes – a collection of gifts or treats to open the night before Christmas, which might include everything from stuffing to fluffy socks, gingerbread and Christmas Eve crafts.
6. Thoughtful gifts
It’s a good idea to make a list of recipients, Kerrigan suggests.
“Writing the names of the people who you need to buy for is a good place to start because you often need that bit of inspiration and when you’re walking around you might see something you think is perfect for a particular person,” she suggests.
7. Themed decor
If you have a theme in mind, most garden centres will have that theme in one particular place – so red decorations will be together, silver- or gold-themed baubles will usually be in one place. When you know your theme, save time by heading to those sections.
In recent years many people have created a garden-inspired look with natural decorations.
“That trend has increased in the past few years to the point where we have a specific woodland theme inspired by nature in all of our centres,” says Kerrigan.
Simple nature-inspired additions include dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks and pine cones, which you can buy in bulk bags and then add to decorations or pot pourri as needed. Fresh mistletoe is a common buy as well, generally available in outdoor plant areas.
Those on a budget should avoid costly distractions by heading straight for the areas which match their chosen themes, she suggests.
8. Family fun
The whole family can get into the Christmas spirit with Santa experiences for the children, festive train rides or even choosing a Christmas houseplant.
The kids might want to choose one decoration for the tree, and get the grandparents involved, or even have an early Christmas dinner together.
“One of the things people say to us is, ‘Oh, my grandparents used to bring me and we’d buy a new decoration ever year’,” says Kerrigan.
“Christmas at the garden centre is much more now, less about shopping and more about creating those magical memories together.”
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