Bradford nursery providing Christmas cheer for local care home with ‘gifting tree’

Workers and children at Partou Woodlands House Day Nursery and Pre-school in Bradford are again reaching out to the local community to support their efforts to provide Christmas presents for residents of Howgate House care home in Idle.

Over recent years, the nursery has erected a ‘gifting tree’ with families and friends invited to take a tag and purchase a present for local children in need or required to spend the festive season in hospital.

However, it’s all change for 2025.

Charlotte Hargreaves, Partou Woodlands House Nursery Manager, told That's Christmas 365: “Our gifting tree is up and looking marvellous, as ever.

"We're doing the tags again this year, but with a somewhat different spin as we are asking for donations for residents of our local care home who we often visit with the children.

“Also, unlike previous years, we are opening the venture up to the local community, too.

“Each tag contains a resident’s name and age.  We are asking anyone wishing to help to simply take a tag from the tree and buy a gift for the resident of their choice, but there is a £10 spending limit.

“We have put some tags on a mini tree in the front entrance to the nursery, just buzz at the door and let us know that you are taking a tag.

“These should be returned to us in a gift bag with the tag attached by Thursday 18 December.

The children will deliver their gifts during their carol visit during the week leading up to Christmas, where they’ll sing festive songs for everyone to enjoy.”

Charlotte added: “Our first batch of tags has already gone, and we are on to the second batch.

“Thank you to everyone for showing all the love and support so far.”

Situated next to the local park on Cross Road, Partou Woodlands House is a popular choice for families in Idle, Simpson Green and Thackley.  It was rated ‘Good’ in all areas of activity by Ofsted following an inspection earlier this year.

Already in the run up to Christmas, Partou Woodlands House team members, children and families have raised a remarkable £1,000 for three very special charities – Brake, Candlelighters and UNICEF – by taking part in a Santa Run around the local park.

Samantha Rhodes, Partou Managing Director, said:  “The ‘gifting tree’ is a novel and fun venture which has been a great success in previous years.

“Given the close relationship between the nursery and Howgate House care home, it is fitting that its residents have been chosen as the beneficiaries this year.

“I hope the local community will get behind the initiative and grab the remaining tags while they can.”

EDITORIAL NOTE:- As as personal aside I can well remember the joy we primary school children felt as we sang Christmas carols at local old folks homes as they were called back in the distant past!

https://partou.co.uk/nurseries/woodlands-house-day-nursery-pre-school

New Christmas Market at Clifton Nurseries

Christmas at Clifton Nurseries is an enchanting time, when this exquisite, central London plant nursery gets dressed up in all its sparkling finery – from the outdoor Christmas lights, to the fragrant Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes, to the most inspiring and beautiful plants of the season.

Adding to the enjoyment this year is a new Christmas market at Clifton, which will be held in the outdoor seating area of the cafe and comprises seven, independent and very stylish companies that will offer Christmas shoppers brilliant gift ideas and inspiration, in addition to those found at the nursery. These companies include (in alphabetical order):

Baruzzo Fine Italian Chocolates,
Emily Readett-Bayley: homes and gifts,
Prometheus Bound Books: hand bound books, and stationery products,
R & S Currie Toys: traditional toy shop and children’s party venue,
Runaway Coast: homes and gifts,
Tamara Fogle: bags and accessories and
Tom’s Deli: providing an old fashioned sweet stall.

The dates for the Christmas market are the first three weekends in December: 2nd, 3rd and 4th of December, 9th, 10th and 11th December and 16th, 17th and 18th December. The timings will be 12midday-5.30pm on a Friday, Saturday 10am-5.30, Sunday 11am-5pm. Entry is free of charge.

About their stall holders:

Clifton Nurseries, together with the leading online sourcebook for decoration, TheHouseDirectory.com, has invited seven dazzling, fun and highly original companies as part of the first ever Christmas market to be held here. Each will bring something new and stylish to the nursery and add to the very special atmosphere that pervades Clifton at Christmas time. They are:

Baruzzo Fine Italian Chocolates http://www.baruzzo.co.uk/,
Baruzzo was founded by experienced artisan chocolate specialist Raffaella Baruzzo, to bring to the UK an exclusive selection of the finest, exquisite Italian chocolates available. She uses only the purest high-quality ingredients including regional Italian food influences. The Christmas collection is an experience for any real chocolate enthusiast, full of tempting and magnificent edible gifts which will delight anyone fortunate enough to receive a gift of Baruzzo.

Emily Readett-Bayley: handmade wooden alphabets, furniture and gifts www.poshgraffiti.com
Emily’s ‘Eco-Luxe’ design combines her British heritage with the excellence of Asian craftsmanship. Collections include the original ‘POSH Graffiti’, hand carved wooden alphabets, numbers and symbols: some ‘POSH Decorations’ and some unusual ‘POSH Salvage’, wonderfully festive white-washed driftwood furniture. Everything is handmade, each piece is an original.

Prometheus Bound Books: hand bound books and stationery products www.prometheusboundbooks.com,
At Prometheus Bound Books they have brought the traditional craft of bookbinding into the 21st century. Contemporary, affordable and stylish, their hand made products and books are made in England and make the perfect gift for any person, event or occasion.
Their master craftsmen can bind any book in our vast range of colours and bindings, including leather, patent leather and other traditional binding materials.
A Prometheus Bound Book is a future heirloom.
Enquiries to info@prometheusboundbooks.com or telephone 0207 351 3070.

R S Currie & Co.: traditional toy shop and birthday party venue www.rscurrie.com.

Whether you are shopping for the latest craze or a classic gift R.S.Currie & Co holds a wide selection of traditional and modern toys in the heart of Notting Hill. Look a little further beyond the giant giraffe and shelves stacked with toys and you will find the secret house of R.S.Currie & Co. A magical land hidden behind a secret door where you can find a life sized house and enchanting garden perfect for hosting a marvellous children's party.

Runaway Coast: homes and gifts http://runawaycoast.com/,
Runaway to Clifton Nurseries this Christmas!

For exciting starry and stripy gifts all beautifully wrapped, Runaway Coast is coming to London. Launched in May 2009, this fresh lifestyle brand will pack up its trunks from its Suffolk headquarters, and a bring a selection of goodies you can’t resist from bed linen to smart shoppers, amongst others, plus their signature Union Jack giant cushions and cashmere blanket, which are fast becoming a ‘must-have’ accessory for every home.

This Year, Runaway Coast is delighted to be supporting Starlight Foundation’s “Christmas of Happiness”, donating 5% on every purchase made from their New England Star collection this Christmas.

Tamara Fogle: bags and accessories http://www.tamarafogle.com/
Inspired by heritage and quality, Tamara Fogle bags never shout but are always noticed.
Signature vintage and antique textiles provide a contemporary ethical twist to classic, functional bags, all trimmed with Italian leather, and all made in a small UK workshop.
In addition, Tamara has created the full leather range. Structured but slouchy, and always functional and desirable.

and

Tom’s Deli: sweets http://www.tomsdeli.co.uk/.
"Tom's Deli, the cornerstone of the community on Westbourne Grove for over 20 years is delighted to be participating in the first ever Clifton Christmas Market. We will be bringing oodles of Christmas treats (sweet and savoury), gift ideas for all ages, hampers and our selection of our favourite, unique confectionery available today. Do come and visit us!"

www.clifton.co.uk