Christmas Celebrations at Warners (Alvaston) with Brigitte & Russell

Christmas Celebrations at Warners

The magic of Christmas is real, especially when you get to spend it with new friends! We woke to presents from JollyDays and to our utter joy were greeted by the main man himself on a motorbike! He certainly knew how to travel in style! 

There were so many great activities for us to get stuck in to and we wasted no time at all! From curling to showing off our best Robin Hood impressions down at the archery range. We tried a great new game called Cornhole where we had to throw a beanbag into a hole.....sounds simple, right? It was great to see everyone encouraging one another! 

We were spoilt with the incredible evening entertainment and we needed little persuasion to hit the dance floor and show off our disco dancing! 

                          

Carol singing was the perfect way to get in the festive mood before we joined in with Christmas Clangers- a fabulous bell ringing session where we learnt to play well know Christmas songs such as Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. There were lots of laughter.

              

Swimming was always a great way to unwind after our active day. The warm jacuzzi was so relaxing and we could have spent hours in there! 

                                                       

 With smiles on our faces, we made our way to the afternoon pantomime, “Jack and the Beanstalk.” The show was a riot of colour, laughter, and audience participation. From shouting “Oh no it isn’t” to “Oh yes, it is,” everyone got involved, with some of the funniest moments coming from Dame Trot’s eccentric costumes and crude jokes. We were all in fits of giggles throughout, and it was hard not to be caught up in the light-hearted fun.  A highlight was getting to meet the cast and have our photo taken with them too.                 

                                                      

Christmas Celebrations at Potters with Darren & Isobel

 Christmas Celebrations at Potters 

The magic of Christmas was in the air and we couldn't contain our excitement. We were greeted with mince pies and a warm cuppa....they certainly knew us all well! 

We kicked off Christmas morning by exchanging presents and cards from JollyDays as well as family and friends back home. Christmas lunch was the highlight of the day—a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. We pulled our crackers, raised our glasses, and dug into the delicious feast. The conversation flowed easily as we shared stories about past Christmases. 

We tapped into our artistic sides by taking part in a pottery-making activity. Sticking with the Christmas theme, most of us chose to create snowmen. As we worked on our pieces, it was amazing to see the creativity on display. Our finished snowmen were left to dry, and we looked forward to picking them up on our last day as keepsakes of the trip. 

Next we got to design our own canvas bags and mugs. Armed with bright colours, glitter pens, and plenty of imagination, we each crafted our own unique designs. Some went for flowers, others Disney characters, but all of us were thrilled with our creations. We looked forward to enjoying a arm cup of tea back at home with our new mugs!

   

We were always kept busy with all the great activities on offer. Everyone showed great sportsmanship and encouraged each other which was so lovely to see. From some great shots down at the archery range to some high scores  in the curling competition.

The evening entertainment never disappoints!  One of our favourite shows was Simply the Best, a celebration of West End showstoppers and songs from across the decades. The show was spectacular, and we couldn't resist hitting the dance floor for the Totally 80’s Extravaganza. Dancing and singing our way through hits from David Bowie, Wham!, Madonna, and many others, we created the ultimate party atmosphere and danced the night away. 

A dip in the indoor pool was always a good idea. The pool was perfect for a quick swim, and the sauna offered a moment of calm and relaxation. 

Christmas Celebrations at Warners (Lakeside) with Midi & Judy

 Christmas Celebrations at Warners

We wish you a Merry Christmas! After exchanging presents we headed outside to meet the main man himself who looked every so jolly driving by in his bright red 'Santa Mobil'!

We gathered for an exceptional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. The atmosphere was elevated by a harpist serenading us with famous Christmas songs, creating a magical and serene backdrop.

It was down to the archery range to show off our best Robin Hood impersonations. After a brief demo we were firing arrows all over the place! 

There were some hot shots down on the pool table and we participated in a game of Killer Darts. Table football was always a hit! 

We were dazzled by Queens of the Dancefloor, a fabulous tribute to ABBA and the 80s. The three performers wowed us with their renditions of classics like "Dancing Queen" and "Take a Chance on Me." We couldn't resist dancing along in our seats! The evening continued with The Rat Pack – Swinging at the Sands, a fantastic tribute act that transported us back to the golden age of swing. With smooth vocals, sharp suits, and timeless hits from Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., it was a classy and captivating performance that had us toe-tapping all the way through.

The anticipation grew as we took our seats for a spectacular performance of Jack and the Beanstalk. The panto had us laughing, shouting, and joining in with all the fun. We cheered for Jack, boo-ed the wicked giant, and giggled at every "It’s behind you!" moment. The energy in the room was infectious, with everyone swept up in the delightful silliness of the show. 

A highlight of our holiday was when we gathered outside for the Christmas Carol sing-along around the tree. The chilly air was softened by the warmth of mulled cider, and our voices blended in harmony with the music, creating a magical atmosphere. The evening continued with a walk to the nearby lake where we were treated to a spectacular fireworks display, accompanied by the orchestral sounds of carols. The fireworks reflected beautifully on the still waters, creating a serene and enchanting moment.