The bauble that ticks all the boxes

The bauble that ticks all the boxes

‘We will whole-heartedly continue to support our Bethlehem families during these dark days.’

So declared Ros Pollock (pictured), founder of Bethlehem Baubles, exhibitors at CRE Midlands 23.

‘They need our help now more than ever and we will remain non-political and non-sectarian in our endeavours,’ she said.

Bethlehem Baubles is a social enterprise working with Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities to produce unique handmade Christmas decorations crafted by the people who live where the story of Christmas began. They are beautiful glass decorations (roughly 5cm in diameter) that arrive on a bed of recycled shredded paper in their own presentation box along with a certificate of origin, dated ribbon and a new gift card and envelope for you to write a personalise message on for your loved ones.

With a different design for the collection each year, Bethlehem Baubles are an ideal annual Christmas gift.

‘They are great for stocking fillers, God children – and that tricky relative who you never know what to get!’ says Ros. Reasonably priced at £18, they are 100 per cent plastic free using only recyclable materials – from production right through to shipment.

Ros started the business when living in Jerusalem. She was saddened by the lack of opportunities available to many local communities, particularly those in Hebron and Bethlehem.

‘They really struggle to make a living so the idea of making Christmas decorations seemed an obvious and simple way of starting a business,’ she explains. ‘It connects people in the UK with struggling communities in Palestine which desperately need regular income. It has the added bonus of tapping into an ancient glassblowing tradition in Hebron – using recycled glass from old Palestinian bottles and windowpanes. It ticks all the boxes!’

• Bethlehem Baubles are on stand A19 at CRE Midlands 23

Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3

Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)

Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands