It’s time to tackle that list so stock up on Kentish goodies at fairs and markets going on across the county.

TIMES GONE BY

Canterbury Tales will hold a Christmas experience on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18, where younger visitors start their adventure at the Tabard Inn, where Santa’s elf will be wrapping gifts in front of a roaring fire, before heading along the snow-filled streets of old London, to be entertained by carol singers and jolly pilgrims. Youngsters can write down their Christmas wishes and pop them in Santa’s special mail box. For details visit canterburytales.org.uk

ALL ABOUT THE PANTO

Hever Castle and Gardens marks its 10th year with festivities themed around the history of the pantomime. In its first year, some 5,626 visitors dropped in over the Christmas season, with that growing to 30,893 in 2015.

For Once Upon a Castle this year, the rooms will be adorned with decorations, welcoming log fires and twinkling Christmas trees. There will be a snowy trail in the grounds and the story of Jack and the Beanstalk is told through the illuminated gardens at dusk.
On weekends and select weekdays, young visitors can meet characters and collect fairytale objects and there will be a vintage fairground and carousel in the forecourt.

There will also be a craft workshop to grow your own beanstalk and visit the toy workshop.
For details, see hevercastle.co.uk.

HUG A HUSKY

You can hug a husky at Hever this Christmas – and when you do, you’ll be helping fund a charity which supports huskies, including rehomed orphaned dogs.

The partnership between the Siberian Husky Welfare Association (UK) and the castle raised more than £4,000 last year. This year, the huskies will be at Hever’s Christmas event each weekend until Sunday, December 18 and daily from Wednesday, December 21 to Christmas Eve.

When the huskies are at Hever, the public can “hug a husky” with Little Red Riding Hood and take their photo as a memento (suggested £2 donation).
Find out more at shwauk.org.uk and hevercastle.co.uk.

A FESTIVE FEAST

The ground floor of Ightham Mote will be dressed for two different Christmas eras – Victorian and 1950s America.

Enter via the grand West bridge to the ground floor of the house where you can see the servants prepare the feast for the guests in the Great Hall. For details go to nationaltrust.org.uk/ightham-mote

CABIN FEVER

There will be some 40 cabins filled with handmade and unusual gifts at this year’s Whitefriars Christmas Market in Canterbury. Decorations and food specialities plus stalls offering gift wrapping services to make your festive to-do list a bit easier.

The market will be open from 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sundays. There will be later opening hours closer to Christmas. For details go to whitefriars.eu

GIFT BUYING

There’s something festive in the air in Rochester. The Christmas market has more than 100 stalls selling decorations, handmade gifts, stocking fillers, foodie treats and mulled wine, plus live entertainment on the bandstand and a traditional funfair.

The market will also be held from Friday, December 2 to Sunday, December 4, coinciding with the popular Dickensian Christmas festival, and from Friday, December 9 to Sunday, December 11.

It’s free entry to the Christmas market, held in Rochester Castle Gardens. There are charges for the funfair rides.

SHOPPING TREATS

Santa Saturdays at the Forum Shopping Centre in Sittingbourne feature festive entertainment and activities for shoppers and families.

There will be giveaways, face painters, arts and crafts sessions, choir performances, and visits from Santa and his elves on the Saturdays, which run until Saturday, December 17.
The fun runs between 10am and 4pm.