Christmas Make Do and Mend
Platform, Glasgow
Chiming with the austerity vibe, Make Do and Mend offers a chance to stock up on home-made and hand-crafted gifts. Keep eyes peeled for a bargain among stalls selling arts, crafts, second-hand books, records and jewellery. Vintage-style afternoon tea will be served. If you can, stick around for the Shhh Festival from 3pm, a celebration of quiet music and art featuring Gravenhurst, Emma Pollock and Rick Redbeard.
When: 11am-3pm, Next Saturday, December 1.
Where: Platform, The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Glasgow.
Cost: Free. Shhh Festival, £15.
More info: Call 0141 276 9696.
Christmas Shopping Fayre
Stirling Castle
Swap the fluorescent glare of the shopping mall for the atmospheric grandeur of the castle's Great Hall. Wares include handmade chocolates by Fiona's Fayre, hand-made organic skin-care from Dermia, and hand-made glass from Dragonfly Dichroic. There will be carol-singing by school-children in renaissance costume, a cafe stocked with seasonal goodies, and free-flowing mulled wine.
When: 6pm-9pm, Tuesday, December 4.
Where: Great Hall, Stirling Castle.
Cost: Tickets £5 (Children under 16 free.)
More info: Book online at www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/festive
Clic Sargent Christmas Concert
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Enjoy a festival of classical music and raise money to combat cancer. Now in its 34th year, the Glasgow Hospitals Carol Concert is an established part of the city's calendar and is run by volunteers from the NHS. The evening will be headlined by special guest Yuanfan Yang, BBC Young Musician of The Year in the keyboard category, and charismatic conductor Ian McCrorie. The Glasgow Chamber Orchestra will also be performing.
When: 7.30pm, Friday, December 7.
Where: Main auditorium, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
Cost: £20, £17, £13 and £10.
More info: Call 0141 353 8000.
It's A Wonderful Life
Glasgow Film Theatre
We challenge you to take in a screening of Frank Capra's 1946 classic and not emerge feeling Christmassy. Starring James Stewart, Henry Travers and Donna Reed, the much-loved favourite looks at life's compromises as experienced by James Stewart's small-town everyman. Dreams slowly turn to despair – until an angel named Clarence intervenes with life-affirming results.
When: Various times, Friday, December 7 to Thursday December 27.
Where: Glasgow Film Theatre, Rose Street, Glasgow.
Cost: £7.50 (concessions available).
More info: Call the box office on 0141 332 6535.
Victorian Decoration-making
Museum of Edinburgh
Those Victorians knew how to deck the halls. Pick up some tips from the olden days at Victorian Christmas Fairies and Felt Robins, a workshop for adults creating delicate peg-doll fairies and cheery robins, with artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb.
When: 10.30am-3.30pm, Saturday, December 8.
Where: Museum of Edinburgh, Canongate, Royal Mile, Edinburgh.
Cost: £18.
More info: Advance booking essential. Call 0131 529 3963.
Al fresco Christmas carols
House of Dun, Montrose
Recreate the scene from the front of many a Christmas card with a spot of outdoor caroling. Pupils from Montrose Academy will be performing on the front steps at the House of Dun and visitors are encouraged to gather around the fire baskets and join in the singing. All the retail outlets will be open and selling gifts including wood carvings, holly wreaths and much more. There will be hot beverages and food including authentic Bavarian bratwurst sausages.
When: 6pm-7.30pm, Saturday, December 8.
Where: House of Dun, Montrose, Angus.
Cost: Free.
More info: Call 01674 810264.
Ethical Christmas Fair
Edinburgh
Experience the warm fuzzy glow of gift-giving coupled with the fact that the gift you have chosen has been ethically sourced. Pick up Fairtrade and sustainable gifts and gadgets, decorations, homewares and
jewellery along with food and drink including curries, honey and chocolate.
When: 10am- 6pm. Saturday, December 8 to Sunday, December 16.
Where: Castle Street, Edinburgh.
Cost: Free.
More info: www.edinburghchristmas.com
Mrs Reid's Magical Christmas
Lauriston Castle, Edinburgh
If the current vogue for period drama has you hankering for times past, don't miss one of these living history tours. Be transported back to the Edwardian period and meet Mr and Mrs Reid and their staff as the household prepares for Christmas 1910. Mr Reid has planned a special gift for his wife, a magic lantern show. Enjoy a secret preview with the castle servants as he gets to grips with how to use the new technology.
When: 2pm or 3pm, Saturday, December 15.
Where: Lauriston Castle, Cramond Road South, Edinburgh.
Cost: Adult £5; Child £3; Family £12.50 With refreshments: Adult £6.50; Child £4.50; Family £17
More info: Call 0131 336 2060 or e-mail lauristoncastle@edinburgh.gov.uk.
Festive wreath-making
Brodick Castle, Arran
Swap the hubbub of the mainland for a one-day wreath-making workshop at Brodick Castle. All materials and seasonal refreshments are provided. The nearby Duchess Court is a haven of island retailers including Arran Aromatics.
When: 9am- 5pm, Sunday, December 16.
Where: Brodick, Isle of Arran.
Cost: All tickets £10.
More info: Call 0844 493 2154.
Christmas Carol Service
Mount Stuart, Isle of Bute
Enjoy a memorable evening of music in Mount Stuart's stunning Marble Chapel with all proceeds going to charity. Dress warmly.
When: 7pm, Tuesday, December 18.
Where: Mount Stuart, Isle of Bute.
Cost: £6.
More info: 01700 502 881.
Christmas Festival: Carols by Candlelight
Usher Hall, Edinburgh
The First Noel, God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, O Come, All Ye Faithful. No favourite will be left unsung at this concert of carols and classics, staged in full 18th century costume, in an evocative candle-lit setting courtesy of Raymond Gubbay productions.
When: 7.30pm, Thursday, December 20.
Where: Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Edinburgh. [Also at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, December 21]
Cost: Tickets from £15.50 to £33.50.
More info: Call 0131 228 1155.
Christmas at the Movies
City Halls, Glasgow
Get the glad-rags on for a glitzy celebration of music from the masters of film scoring.
Join the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for its celebration of film music, with Academy Award-winning scores and songs.
When: 3pm, Saturday, December 23.
Where: City Halls, Candleriggs, Glasgow
Cost: £23.50, £19.50, £16.50, £10.50
More info: Call 0141 353 8000.
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