FOSS UPDATE

The 2024 Children’s Christmas Market - Monday 16th December 

For those to whom this is new, and to remind everyone of the details; please see below all the information about this year’s annual Children’s Christmas Market.

What Is It?

The Children’s Christmas Market wonderful annual event (& a favourite with the kids!), where the school encourages children to understand and appreciate the value of giving- in essence, they go Christmas shopping for their family with their friends! Each child is given some Christmas Shopping Tokens at our beautiful Xmas Market that we set up at The Turk’s Head, and get shopping for their loved ones. A very sweet experience for them and the present recipients on Xmas Day!

How Does It Work?

We ask that each child to bring in six “gifts”* (*see below photo for ideas) from Monday 2nd December: small stocking fillers, that will make up our ‘market’ on the day which the children will then go and browse with their tokens! These “gifts” can be anything from a bag of chocolate coins, to a perfect condition second hand book, or if you can – buying something new and small to add to the Market that ideally fit into the below categories*. On the day of the market each child brings in £3, which are then exchanged for shopping tokens.

Why?

When your children bring home your Christmas presents that they have carefully browsed and chosen, with their own “money” – and enjoyed the feeling of giving and spreading joy- it all is worth the prep! And of course to raise money for essential school items that we need e.g. ipads etc.

What Next?

Please start keeping an eye out/ collecting your 6 x “gifts” and send them in with your children from Monday 4th December. Your Class Reps will have arranged a box in your class room, and the team will start collecting and storing the items. On Monday 11th December, the day of the market, please send your child in with £3 which will be exchanged for Xmas Tokens.

The Present Categories!

To ensure your little ones can buy appropriate gifts for their loved ones, we do ask you to consider these categories as this is how we will be arranging the market: Children (Toys/ Games), Books (Kids), Adults (Male* and Female), Confectionary (Chocolates, Sweets etc). To note, in the past presents for Dads/ Brothers/ Uncles have always been a bit low so please bear the guys in mind!

Date of Christmas Market: 

Monday 16th December

Where: Winchester Room, The Turk’s Head

How Can I Be Involved?

This is one of the most popular events of the year, so if you want to be involved please sign up on the volunteer sheets that will be coming out asap. Christmas hats on the day mandatory 😊. If you have any questions, please direct them to your Class Rep – or see the FAQs below.

Thank you! The Children’s Christmas Market Team xx

FAQ:

Can I bring in second hand/ used toys/ gifts?

Second hand items are welcome, if they are in as new condition. Remember these are people’s Xmas gift!

Can I bring in food gifts eg boxes of chocolates, biscuits, coins? 

Yes as long as it is unopened and in date! NO NUTS / NUT ITEMS

If I am buying new, is there a minimum spend?

Absolutely not!

Can I send unopened alcohol?

No unfortunately not.

Is there anything not allowed?

Nuts, Perishable goods, alcohol, broken or open items.

What do you do with left over presents not bought at the market?

Every single item left over (there isn’t usually much!) is either sold at the end, (pop into The Winchester Room from 3.30pm!), donated to local communities e.g. Princess Alice Hospice etc (& books are reviewed by teachers and some make it into the library).

What do I do if I can’t cover 6 x presents?

Please just donate what you can, or speak to Mrs Mulholland.

When do I start bringing in the gifts?

From Monday 2nd December please.

Why 6 x gifts?

This is so we have plenty of gits so that we can cater to all the children and their family sizes.

Why £3?

This is a suggested donation in return for 4 x tokens, to cover the costs of Market and make our fundraising target. If you can bring in more to make our target, amazing thank you!