Festive foodie fun

Celebrating with food is all part of the tradition during the

Christmas season WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

ADecember spent prepping for the most amazing feast of the year and dining out to socialise with friends and family feels all the more important this year, doesn’t it? The festive spell goes hand in hand with amazing food, and who doesn’t look forward to the indulgence of delicious dinners, spreads, buffets, and nibbles during the Christmas period?

Yet with many supermarkets already facing shortages and rumours it may well carry on through to the big day itself, we are heralding a return to shopping locally to support independent businesses as well as ensuring your table is full of the delights you deserve this Christmas Day.

Of course, there are many benefits to shopping locally. It’s better for the environment and the local economy, and your goods are often fresher and tastier for their locality too.

Added to that the enjoyable experience of shopping in Leicester’s villages and high streets lined with decorative shops, late night openings, Christmas fairs with cosy hot chocolates and mulled wine; the benefits of shopping locally are endless.

With an emphasis on the social factor, many locations are hosting party menus for fun, and often inexpensive, friendly and family gatherings. For anyone who prefers to sit back and enjoy the main meal prepared for them, there are plenty of venues hosting traditional Christmas dinners to take the stress out of the day, no prep or clean up required!

Look out for listings in your local Leicester town for street markets and late-night shopping opportunities from your local pub to city centre restaurants for party nights and Christmas Day feasts. You can spot the team in Niche with our Christmas fair finds and seasonal foodie adventures too!

This Christmas season

Why not give the supermarkets a miss and support your local independent traders? Buy local produce, support local traders and buy handmade items that often can’t be found on the high street.

So can it be done? Can you buy all of your festive shopping from Harborough Market?

Well, we think you can get pretty much everything you need from here, from fresh food, to cakes to fashion, jewellery, home gifts and more!