PRESS RELEASE: Christmas Isn't Cancelled!

Christmas isn’t cancelled in Helmsley as window trail offers a tip a day to enjoy the festive season

It may not have been the year anyone expected, but one Yorkshire town is hoping to prove that despite restrictions, Christmas 2020 isn’t cancelled.

Helmsley businesses have come together to celebrate Christmas this year with a fun festive window trail, full of tips around how the festive season can still be enjoyed, despite Covid-19.

Starting on 3rd December people will be able to enjoy the creative ‘Christmas isn’t Cancelled’ themed window displays in businesses around town. Each of the participating windows will offer a top tip of something that can still be magical and enjoyed by lovers of the festive season, even if Christmas present isn’t quite the same as Christmas past. From tips around edible festive treats to old and new Christmas traditions, it’s hoped the windows will bring a smile to visitors – who will hopefully be able to return to do their Christmas shopping in person once lockdown ends.

As well as being seen around town, the tips will also be shared on social media via the @VisitHelmsley pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. People are then being asked to share photos of them enjoying one of the tips (or coming up with their own) on social media, tagging @VisitHelmsley or using the hashtag #ChristmasIsntCancelledinHelmsley for a chance to win some great festive prizes donated by local businesses.

Prizes include a hamper of festive treats and games from Hunters of Helmsley, Crema Coffee House, Helmsley Traditional Sweet Shop, Claridges and Helmsley Outdoors; a Craig Fellows small clutch bag from Saltbox Gallery; and home accessories from Holme Lea Country Interiors and The Ginger Bear.

Lynn Hempsall, owner of Helmsley Traditional Sweetshop and member of Helmsley in Business which is behind the trail, said: “Obviously it’s been a difficult year for us all and it’s not the festive season we’re used to. But we wanted to get the message out there that there are still safe ways to celebrate Christmas and have fun! It’s also been a very tough year for all the small independent businesses which make Helmsley the wonderful town it is – so it hopefully encourages people to come into town safely and do their Christmas shopping locally, grab a hot chocolate and some festive treats and support the business owners who rely on this as their most important time of the year. It may not be the large scale events we usually do in Helmsley at Christmas (we’ll have to get our thinking caps on for 2021) but hopefully we can still bring some smiles to faces and help everyone feeling festive. The lights and Town Christmas Tree are now up and Helmsley looks magical. We’d like to thank the Duncombe Park Estate for the magnificent tree they provided and thanks also to Hunters of Helmsley and Porters Coffee Shop for organising the lights.”

For more information go to www.visithelmsley.co.uk or follow @VisitHelmsley on social media to see the daily tips or to submit your own.