Visiting the Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair for Trade

This week, I attended the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair—a trade event steeped in tradition and renowned for its festive focus. This year’s edition marked the fair’s 75th anniversary and with such a milestone, I anticipated something truly special. With ticket in hand I cleared my diary and invited Kirsty, my fellow chandler and the creative genius behind the beautifully minimalist Rowbert fragrances, to join me for the day.

It’s a fair question. As a trade-only event, you might assume my goal was to source new suppliers. While that was part of the plan (I did spot some lovely wax warmers), my main purpose was more strategic. For a while, I’ve been considering exhibiting at a trade show like Top Drawer or the Harrogate Home & Gift Show. However, with booth fees often running into the thousands, it’s a hefty investment for a small business like Wild Venus.

Instead, I’ve been exploring smaller, more affordable trade fairs aimed at boutique and independent buyers. The Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair, with its lower fees (under £1,000 for a small booth over four days), seemed like a promising option. My visit was all about observing and learning: how exhibitors presented their booths, how they handled orders, and what strategies could work for me at the upcoming Artisan Made Trade Show in March for which I've booked a booth for under £500. As I have limited experience of generating leads for wholesale skincare products, I'm not the most forward or confident person at approaching businesses so a trade show is really the only way I can get my brand seen infront of potential buyers.

Having previously visited the Harrogate Convention Centre for the lively Home & Gift Fair, I expected a similar buzz. The summer event had been vibrant, with lanyard-wearing visitors spilling the streets, live music, food trucks, and an electric energy. The Christmas Fair, however, was markedly different. After navigating tricky parking situation and a slightly confusing venue layout, we collected our passes and complimentary tote bags, ready to explore.

The foyer immediately showcased two sizable stands—one with baubles and warmers, the other with glitzy keyrings popular in garden centres. Despite admitting that we weren’t buyers, the exhibitors were enthusiastic and happy to chat, setting a positive tone for the day in how open, friendly and ready to offer these two young (-ish) entrepreneurs their advice. 

Once inside, I noticed stark contrasts in booth sizes and visitor activity to the previous Home & Gift show I'd been to before. There were barely any visitors inside. There were a few large, visually impressive stands situated in a way that felt like a very big corridor. One colourful stand featured Indian-inspired pyjamas and trinkets, but beyond that, the exhibits felt impersonal, lacking the handmade charm I’d hoped to see.

The venue’s layout didn’t help (see the map below). The interconnected halls were like a maze, and it took us time to orient ourselves. Kirsty and I wandered through areas dominated by large-scale suppliers, including Premier, which showcased seasonal décor and outdoor illuminations and inflatables. We strolled through this enormous suppliers Summer collection, Halloween and Winter all within the same space. While these were undoubtedly eye-catching, they didn’t align with my niche.

Eventually, we stumbled upon a small stand run by a solo woman. She candidly shared her challenges of the event: low footfall, uninterested buyers, and an awkward booth location outside a main hall. Similar sentiments came from food exhibitors, including a chutney and jam company from Scotland, who believed attendance had been stronger in previous years. The timing clash with London’s Top Drawer may have played a role.

Despite the fair’s shortcomings, it was an invaluable experience. Talking to exhibitors highlighted the difficulties small businesses face in a trade show landscape dominated by large-scale buyers and mass-market suppliers. Kirsty and I also noticed a trend: the fair was heavily tailored to garden centre buyers, a detail not highlighted in its marketing.

We learned about booth placement—a critical factor for visibility and success. Established brands often secured prime spots, leaving newer exhibitors in less-trafficked areas. Additionally, we discovered that many buyers expect significant discounts and extended payment terms, which are unrealistic for handmade businesses.

This experience has shaped my plans for the Artisan Made Trade Show in March. Here are my key takeaways:

1. Payment Terms: While flexible terms can attract buyers, I’ll set clear limits to protect cash flow. For large orders, I’ll implement a deposit system.


2. Risk Management: Large credit-based orders are risky. I’ll outline clear terms to safeguard against cancellations or defaults.


3. Postage Costs: Offering free shipping isn’t feasible for me. I’ll calculate and communicate fair postage costs upfront.


4. Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ): I’ll establish MOQs that ensure profitability while remaining accessible to small retailers. Maximum order capacities will also reflect my production constraints.


5. Production Timelines: Handmade products, like soap, require time—soap alone needs a minimum curing period of four weeks. I’ll be transparent about lead times.


6. Product Range: For my first trade show, I’ll focus on high-margin, straightforward products. Time-intensive, low-margin items won’t make the cut.


7. Professional Presentation: I’ll invest time in developing in a polished online catalogue and detailed product descriptions.

One of the main reasons I’m preparing for trade shows like Artisan Made is to expand my reach and connect with new stockists. Wholesale skincare, beauty, and soap are growing categories, and I’m eager to partner with retailers who share my passion for high-quality, handmade products. Offering Wild Venus creations to boutique shops and independent businesses is a key goal as I refine my wholesale strategy.

While the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair wasn’t the perfect fit for Wild Venus, it wasn’t a wasted day. The insights I gained—from logistical challenges to buyer expectations—are invaluable as I gear up for Artisan Made.

Kirsty and I left the fair grateful for the lessons learned and the connections made. To round off the day, we treated ourselves to a delicious meal at a nearby family-run pizzeria. Thanks, Kirsty—next time, it’s my treat!

If you are interested in exhibiting at the Artisan Made Trade show or if you are a buyer searching for those handmade goods then you can visit the website here to learn more. 

The Artisan Made Show is located in Skipton and runs on the 22nd and 23rd of March 2025. 

If you are looking for small batch handmade skincare and like to chat with me then I'd love to hear from you, just email me at hellowildvenus@gmail.com