Early Christmas shopping, and the money you spend going to a charity, how satisfying. And kids activities too.
One of the first local opportunities for this is described by Julie Murray, the Chair and Christmas Fair Co-ordinator for Southwark and Lambeth NCT.
Like most people, I joined the NCT (National Childbirth Trust) when I was expecting my first child as a way to meet people and learn about babies and what to do with them.
I became an active volunteer in 2006 when I volunteered to take on the overall coordination of the Christmas Craft Fair – the thoughts of creating mini project plans and lots of Excel spreadsheets was an offer I couldn’t refuse. I used to be a software consultant in a former life.
Four years on and I am still organising the fair. It is a lot of hard work and I couldn’t even think of doing it without a small army of volunteers, not to mention my mum who is the world’s greatest tidy-upper, but it is such fun and a lovely family atmosphere.
It is a great day with some absolutely fantastic stalls selling beautiful gifts such as toys, pictures, jewellery, ceramics, cards – an excellent opportunity to get all your Christmas shopping done under one roof and do your bit for charity at the same time. And once you have shopped till you’ve dropped, why not indulge in a cup of coffee and a homemade cake.
There are also plenty of activities to keep your children entertained too.
Monkey Music
Just before 3pm and then again at 3:30pm parents and children head to the rear of the hall for 30 minutes of total fun and energy. There is singing and instruments, dancing and actions – everyone gets involved and Tessa who runs the sessions is fantastic.
Parade Mews Pottery
Melissa Pritchard and her students run a children’s workshop throughout the day, where children can make Christmas decorations, etc. Melissa then takes everything back to Parade Mews Pottery for firing and then the items can be collected – the workshops are brilliantly run and feedback from last year was that the kids really enjoyed it.
St Barnabas Parish Hall, Dulwich Village, SE21
Saturday 7 November 10 am to 4:30 pm
Admission is £1.50 and children are free
We would love you to stop by!
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