With the festive season almost upon us, is there anything that gets us more in the mood for Christmas than putting the tree up, seeing the lights twinkling and hanging decs from our ceilings? At Potters that’s no small task, but there happens to be one special elf blessed with beautiful taste, a seasonal vision, and a very tall set of ladders.
Yes, Celia Potter will soon be putting the finishing touches on her Christmas To-Do-List, as she prepares to deck the halls ready for Fully Inclusive Festive Breaks to commence on Monday 11th November.
It’s a long list, and adding those final baubles is the culmination of a year’s worth of planning, shopping, organising, testing and finally, installing.
“Looking at the calendar year, the process starts in January. There’s no time for any New Year’s hangover, because that whole week is planned out. All of the trees and decorations at Hopton-on-Sea are stored in The International Arena. So once the Festive Breaks have finished, I’m racing against the guys that need to put the seating in for The World Indoor Bowls Championships. Then it’s straight down the A12 to Five Lakes!”
February Fairs
Taking down the decs for another year can feel a little sombre. But in Celia’s world, it’s a final chance to take stock of everything before it gets packed away. And just a few weeks later, the buying starts.
The reception area at Five Lakes looks even more stunning once the decorations are in place!“February is when the Christmas wholesalers are exhibiting at huge trade fairs. The benefit to being so early is that, having seen everything out in the weeks previous, it’s all fresh in my mind.
“The fairs are a great place to get ideas for additions to our existing collections. As I walk around, I’m always imagining the spaces at Five Lakes and Hopton-on-Sea and trying to picture what items would fit perfectly.”
While many of the shows Celia attends are here in the UK, there have, on occasion, been some glamorous perks to the job.
“Last year I was invited to Italy by one of the big suppliers. I spent a couple of days there, one of which was spent looking around their amazing warehouse. I came back with some beautiful pieces, including two lovely-looking gentlemen who you might recognise from Five Lakes.
From Italy to Essex!“So this year I did another whistle-stop day in Italy. It’s definitely worth the trip as the warehouse is full to the brim with every imaginable bauble and decoration. It’s all laid out in beautiful displays and there is so much inspiration under one roof!”
Summer Inspiration
By the middle of the year, Celia is working on her plans to create the perfect festive atmosphere across over 50,000 square metres at both resorts.
“Given the size of the job, I’d probably start planning earlier. But at Potters, the reality is nothing ever stands still! There are always areas being developed so a space I might’ve had plans for could look totally different by November.
You’ll get the festive feeling as soon as you step through the doors at Hopton-on-Sea“Initially, I’m looking at freshening things up, utilising our existing collection but with an eye on how to incorporate the new items I’ve purchased from trade fairs earlier in the year, all of which arrive in September.”
All systems go…
“Throughout October, I’m preparing decorations, testing lights, getting trees out of storage, putting ornaments together and planning the order in which they’ll go up. Storage space on the resorts is limited. That means my home during the autumn starts to resemble those trade fairs I’ve attended! But once October is done, it’s all systems go.
“I love those days when everything is going up. There’s such a nice buzz chatting to guests while we’re decorating. And most of them will mention that I’m covered from head to toe in glitter! I even enjoy the drive between the two locations. It gives me a chance to get some Christmas songs on the radio.”
With Fully Inclusive Festive Breaks commencing on Monday 11th November, Celia will begin her installations just 10 days beforehand.
And with everything done and dusted, the decorations will remain in place for around 8 weeks. That just leaves Celia to turn her attention to the family home. Surely John, Harry and Amelia would help with that though?
“They wouldn’t dare because they know I would move it all and change the lot! But cooking supper would be much appreciated!”
Nice one Celia, a well deserved mince pie and egg-nog awaits.
You can enjoy all the fruits of her labour when you visit Five Lakes or Hopton-on-Sea this festive season for a fun-filled Fully Inclusive Break. Just click here for more information.
