🎅🏻🎄🎁 *St Stephen’s Christmas Fair, Saturday 2nd December, 12pm-3pm*🎅🏻🎄🎁  Don't miss this fabulous event. Something for all the family and you will be raising much needed funds to enhance our children's education at the same time!

*The 2023 Children’s Christmas Market* 🎄 🎁💖 🎅 

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 is a lovely event whereby we encourage 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 in the Winchester Hall and get shopping for their loved ones. A very sweet experience for them and parents!

 *How Does It Work?* 

We ask that each child to bring in six “gifts”* (*see below photo for ideas) from Monday 4th 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. On the day of the market each child brings in £3, which are then exchanged for shopping tokens.

*Remember re giving chocolates/sweets: No NUTS 🥜 No COCONUT🥥 No SESAME please!*

 *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, Waterproof canopy for the playground etc; last year we raised £1,400- we would love to get it to £2,000 this year ⚡

 *What Next?* 

Please start sourcing your 6 x “gifts” and send them in with your children from *Monday 4th December.* 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 etc have always been a bit low so please bear this in mind!

 *Deadline for Gifts: Friday 8th December* drop off (we can't accept gifts after drop that day)

 *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 😊. 

 *Got Questions?* 

If you have any questions, please direct them to your Class Rep – or see the *FAQs below*.👇 

*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!

*Remember re giving food gifts: No NUTS 🥜 No COCONUT🥥 No SESAME please!*

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

No, just whatever you can afford!

 *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 Hall from 3.30pm!) or donated to local communities e.g. Princess Alice Hospice etc.

 *What do I do if I can’t afford 6 x presents?* 

Please just give what you can (remember they can be unopened or as new preloved items).

 *When do I start bringing in the gifts?* 

From *Monday 4th December* please. Deadline *Friday 8th December* drop off.

 *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!

Thank you! The Children’s Christmas Market Team xx

CHECK OUT THE NATIONAL SAFETY ONLINE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON KEEPING OUR CHILDREN SAFE