1. SEE what the season has to offer at a Christmas Food Festival at Waddesdon Manor plant centre. From Wednesday 12 to December 16 from 10.30am-4.30pm each day there will be stalls selling a range of goodies from fresh ducks and meats, home made Christmas cakes and chocolates, sweets and biscuits, specialist cheeses, fresh pies and puddings and much more. Normal Waddesdon Manor gardens admission charges apply. Please see www.waddesdon.org.uk for a full list of stallholders.

2. THERE are lots of Carol Services and Christingles taking place at South Bucks Churches this weekend. On Sunday at St Mary's in Princes Risborough there is a Christingle at 3pm and at 6pm there is a candlelit carol service in Ilmer. At Holy Trinity Church in Penn there is a Nine Lessons and Carols service at 6pm on Sunday. Also on Sunday at All Saints Church in High Wycombe at 4pm there is a Christingle service. See your local church noticeboard or website to see what services are on this weekend.

3. VISIT Father Christmas in his grotto at Hughenden Manor this weekend where he will be handing out presents. There is also the chance for children to join in with festive craft activities too. Normal admission charges apply to the manor, which is decked out in a Victorian Christmas, and there will be a small charge for entry to the grotto. For more details go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hughenden

4. Enjoy Christmas with Mr Toad and Friends at the River and Rowing Museum in Henley on Thames this Saturday from 10.30am–4pm. Join Mr Toad and his friends Ratty, Mole and Badger as they celebrate Christmas with crafts, activities, songs, dance... and presents. Find out what happens to wildlife in the winter. Most suitable for under 10s. Museum admission and £3 per child

5. A SPECIAL performance of Handel's Messiah will take place at Marlow's All Saints Church on Sunday from 7pm. A professional block chamber orchestra and a cantate chamber choir will be performing and the church's musical director Martin Seymour will be conducting. Tickets have been selling fast and can be purchased from the tourist information centre in the High Street.