Let the children do the Christmas baking this year!

If you are struggling with ideas for Christmas presents this year, or want to start a family tradition of making decorations for the house and tree, a local children’s cookery school has the ideal solution with its new programme of Christmas workshops.

Handmade chocolates and dipped sweets, gingerbread decorations and a skiing santa Christmas cake are just some of the festive favourites Chorley-based Playchefs will be covering throughout December, when children and their parents, or carer, can enjoy mixing up their own Christmas magic.

“There’s nothing like a lovingly homemade present or decoration to capture the true spirit of Christmas, especially when made by little hands! Giving children the chance to get involved with and really feel a part of the Christmas preparations adds to the excitement for the whole family. Best of all, you end up with something really precious, that doesn’t cost a fortune and means you can avoid the nightmare of Christmas shopping on the high street,” says Chrissie Hirst, owner of Play Chefs.

Play Chefs’ Christmas workshops start on 5 December with ‘Handmade Christmas Chocolates and Sweets’ – the only problem with these tasty treats is that they are so good you won’t want to give them away! Sessions for the Over 5s will take place on Saturday 5 December, 10.30am - 12.30pm, and Sunday 6 December, 1.30pm - 3.30pm, and cost £15.00 per child (including gift wrapping).

Separate workshops for Toddlers will take place on Monday 7 December, 10.30am - 11.30am, Wednesday 9 December, 1.00pm - 2.00pm and Friday 11 December, 10.30am - 11.30am, and cost £8.50 per child (including gift wrapping).

Christmas Tree Biscuit Decoration Workshop (Over 5s) Gingerbread decorations make a wonderful Christmas gift or turn your Christmas tree into a very special one! These workshops will take place on Saturday 12 December, 10.30am -12.30pm, and Sunday 13 December, 1.30pm - 3.30pm, priced £15.00 per child.

Toddler Christmas Tree Biscuit Decoration Mini Sessions From Monday 14 to Friday 18 December, Play Chefs will be running Christmas tree biscuit decorating sessions at Playmates play centre. Just drop in any time from 10.45am to 2.45pm each day and decorate as many gingerbread decorations as you like for your Christmas tree or for gifts. Only 75p per biscuit. Gift wrapping available at an additional cost.

Christmas Gingerbread House Workshop Young and old alike will be captivated by this enchanting workshop to make a fantastic snow covered cottage complete with Santa stuck in the chimney, Rudolph with the sleigh waiting patiently on the roof, and gingerbread trees and rabbits in the garden! The team at Playchefs makes the gingerbread house, so all you need to do is the building and the decorating! The workshop will take place on Saturday 19 December, 1.30pm – 4.30pm, and Sunday 20 December, 1.30pm – 4.30pm. The total price for one child and one adult is £35, including materials and equipment. If you cannot make it to these workshops, the gingerbread house is available to buy in kit form. For details, please contact Playchefs on 01257 470288.

The Skiing Santa’s Christmas Cake Workshop (for over 5s) Let your child make the centre piece for your Christmas table with this fabulous snow covered mountain cake that has lots of Santas having a fun break from delivering presents! This workshop lasts 1½ hours and costs £15.00 per child, including all materials and equipment. It will take place on Monday 21 December, Tuesday 22 December and Wednesday 23 December, from 10.30am to 12.30pm each day. The price is £35 for one child and a parent or guardian and includes all ingredients and equipment.

All these Christmas workshops will take place in the Play Chefs Cookery Room at Coppull Enterprise Centre, Mill Lane, Coppull, Chorley, PR7 5BW. Playmates is also based in the Coppull Enterprise Centre.

To find out more, to discuss your requirements, or to make a booking, please call 01257 470288 or visit www.playchefs.co.uk

ENDS