A rare opportunity for the public to combine a tour of historic Huntley Manor with getting an early start on Christmas shopping takes place this week.

The Garden Club of Bermuda will host an open house and garden at the large Paget estate on Saturday. In addition to enjoying the interior of this grand Victorian home and its separate tree house, visitors will also be able to shop for homemade baked goods, plants, botanically themed Christmas cards and other handicrafts, and enjoy refreshments.

The baronial proportions of Huntley Manor include very high ceilings, hardwood floors, beautiful architectural details, an oak staircase, a grand salon, music and powder rooms, a separate bar, a large balcony overlooking the pool, and a lovely terrace facing the Great Sound. Guides will be available to recount the home's colourful history. The separate tree house will also be open to the public.

With a strong emphasis on horticultural elements, club members have worked working prodigiously to create a variety of handmade festive items, including dolls and angels, wreaths, and Christmas trees, using natural dried materials such as banana and bay grape leaves gathered mainly from their own gardens.

Preparations began in the summer with special workshops to acquire a variety of new creative skills, which they then had great fun putting into practice.

From Ronnie Chameau they learned how to craft banana dolls and angels, while Cindy Young taught them how to make eleagnus wreaths.

Deborah Burville instructed on making Christmas trees and wreaths from dried bay grape leaves and Felicite Davidson provided the know-how for making little angels from agapanthus.

A group also met at Ms Young's home over several months to make recycled wrapping paper and gift tags, which are hand-stamped with gold and silver horticultural elements, as well as place cards for the Christmas table.

"The place cards are perfect for the one time in the year when you treat your guests to the ultimate tablescape of your best china, centerpiece and name tag," Veronica Lowry, Garden Club PR for the event, said.

Before work could begin, the natural materials were properly dried and preserved, and once the decorations were made, the finishing touches of gold, silver, and copper spray paint added the requisite yuletide bling.

"Everyone thought the workshops were great fun, and it was a new experience for us all," Mrs Lowry said. "We are now able to pass on the skills to others."

Meanwhile, despite the dry summer, hurricanes and tropical storms which disrupted her schedule and created extra work, immediate past President Sally Godet and her gardening group spent months in her slat house propagating cuttings, planting seedlings, and generally preparing for 'Christmas in November'.

As a result, plant enthusiasts can expect to find poinsettias, Christmas cactus, and a wide array of perennials, annuals and endemics on sale. There will also be Bermuda cedars in decorated pots ideal as an alternative Christmas tree, Bermuda rose bushes, and a wonderful selection of potted herbs.

"This is the perfect time of the year to get these plants in the ground. No more hurricanes or storms, and cooler weather what more can you ask for?" Mrs Godet said.

In fact, the garden enthusiast is already preparing for next year's sale!

"The open house and garden will be a wonderful day," club President Liz Jones Ashurst assures. "Of special interest is the tree house, which is a must see."

• Huntley Manor is located on Tanglewood Lane, off Middle Road in Paget. The event is open from 10am to 4pm. The price of admission (adults $20, children $10) includes one soft drink. Parking is available.