25 Nov 2023
Tanya Morgan, of pop-up shop Mish Mash, explains why she loves coming back every Christmas…
Looking for a gorgeous artsy boutique full of those perfect ‘wow’ gifts that scream thought and effort? Mish Mash might just be your favourite Christmas shopping go-to this year.
From the minute you step foot inside the pop-up shop in Christopher Place you will be inspired by special pressies that will make your favourite people smile when the wrapping paper comes off.
Whether they are into dinosaurs, elephants, knitted mice, scarves, bags, unusual jewellery, colourful puppets or quirky salt and pepper shakers there is something for everybody.
Founder and owner Tanya Morgan, who attended St Albans Arts College before studying fashion at Central St Martin’s London in 1981, is back for a third year and is enjoying seeing both regular faces and meeting new customers.
She is an extraordinarily talented woman and casually told me that she makes many of the fabulous things she sells – including the decorative wall animal heads and Christmas cards – throughout the year when she isn’t running the pop-up shop.
“I am so happy to be back – I get such a fantastic response and have been really busy so far.”
Tanya’s shop is the accumulation of a lot of passion and hard work. She has no online presence and relishes the face-to-face interactions Mish Mash has for a few months each year over the festive season.
She said: “I love being here. I love colourful and handmade items. I love the friendliness of being in Christopher Place. We have many lovely customers who come back time and time again.”
Everything has been carefully sourced and many have their own story such as the felt tree decorations made in Nepal and the recycled aluminium elephants from India, both fairly traded.
The heads she makes are wonderfully quirky and you can see the skill involved. I am loving the gold moose (note to husband) but you must pop in and see the full range, they are sure to become a talking point with visitors.
For those who want to get hands-on themselves, there is a wide range of craft-making gifts. Imagine making your own llama on Boxing Day!
What really strikes me is that there are gifts to suit every budget, from work’s Secret Santa to your mother-in-law who already has everything she could possibly ever want.
And for those parents sick of bright plastic items and toys that hurt when you tread on them after a few glasses of mulled wine, what could be better than a knitted rabbit or lion made by The Puppet Company?
(They do also have the ever-popular hand puppets – I adore the stripey legged one with the crazy hair – all made just down the road in Hitchin.)
Or you could encourage your little ones to save with the stunning giraffe money boxes.
Tanya said: “I will be here until January – so do come in and say hi and have a look at what is new! I can’t wait to see you!”
