FROM hand-made chocolates to gourmet deli treats and inspired interiors, get ready for the festive season at the Country Living Christmas Fair at the SECC.

More than 300 of the country’s finest craftsmen and women will be gathered under one roof offering unique gift ideas, crafts and decorations.

“The fair gives a platform to small businesses, a way of reaching a larger audience and really growing their business,” says fair consultant Catherine Gee.

“In the last few years it has never ceased to amaze me how many people are brave enough to launch themselves in business, often literally from their kitchen table or garden shed.

“Last year in Glasgow I spoke to lots of exhibitors and some of the stories were just amazing, the lengths they had gone to to get themselves there with things like cases of home-made gin, borrowing their mother’s car and driving as far as Aberdeen to pick up a van because that was the nearest hire place. I just love that.

“Glasgow has a really exciting buzz about it, there’s a definite feeling of goodwill and excitement in the air. You sense the interaction between the makers and exhibitors and visitors.

“There is a conversation going on and people need to be interacting with their products and that is really wonderful to see, it feels really fresh.”

Nearly 20,000 people got in the mood for Christmas at last year’s fair and in 2015 there will be new exhibitors, many of them producing local specialities.

This is the place to find that elusive Christmas outfit with a collection of evening and designer daywear available, as well as accessories including bags, purses and jewellery.

There will be gifts galore for kids including handmade traditional wooden toys, soft toys, chunky knitwear, cosy pyjamas, pretty party dresses, bright wellies and hundreds of other items ready to be wrapped and placed under the tree.

If you’re looking for ideas for the Christmas table, chefs will demonstrate how to prepare seasonal dishes using delicious, fresh ingredients and offer tips to help them create the perfect festive feast.

Meanwhile the Christmas Theatre will offer advice on how to make the most of your home over the festive period, with talks and demonstrations including designing table settings and creating home-made goodies for a Christmas hamper. There will also be gift-wrapping demos tackling those awkward shaped gifts.

And the Craft and Create Room will offer hands-on workshops with expert knitters, stitchers and upcyclers.

Country Living Christmas Fair, November 19-22, SECC, Glasgow. For tickets call 0844 8480150 or visit www.countrylivingfair.com/glasgow/booktickets