Christmas Charity, Gift and Craft Fairs - How to Enjoy Christmas Shopping!
Christmas is an expensive time of year anyway but with the credit crunch biting hard at the moment and in the wake of the Comprehensive Spending Review this year will be no exception. Indeed this Christmas is going to be tough, not that I want to worry you or anything ...
What better way, then, of doing your Christmas shopping than at a Christmas Gift Fair. There are many to choose from in and around the Maidstone area and all of them present the shopper with unique opportunities to buy innovative and special gifts. Much of what the hardworking stallholders have to offer cannot be bought on the high street and by not going to a Christmas Craft Fair or Charity Gift Fair you might very well be missing out on that perfect present! There is always a great atmosphere at these Charity Gift Fairs and it is enormously satisfying to leave at the end of the day laden down by parcels of goodies you know you would have missed out on if you hadn’t gone to the fair that day, not to mention that wonderful feeling of “getting a bargain”!
Shopping at a Christmas Fair is also a great way to meet up with people. Tell your friends you’re going and arrange to meet up for a coffee – refreshments are always available – or take someone with you. You can walk round together in comfort and warmth and if it’s hard to decide which of the gorgeous gifts to buy mull it over together over a sandwich or a snack.
It is worth pointing out that Christmas Gift and Charity Fairs don’t just happen over night! Many people will have spent many months carefully planning their seasonal festive event. Stallholders will have been contacted early in the year and the selection process begun! Stallholders themselves will be aware of which fairs are scheduled for when and will apply as soon as they can to reserve a pitch.
Below is a selection of Christmas Craft and Charity Gift Fairs in the Maidstone area (more or less!) over the next few weeks. If you know of another one that you think should be listed or if you have any comments to make on your own experiences at Christmas Gift Fairs then contact maidstone@thebestof.co.uk
Saturday 13th November
Charity Christmas Craft Fair
Brandshatch Place Spa
Brandshatch Road, Fawkham DA3 8NQ
Tel: 07973 146010
Website: www.shaws.co.uk
Lots of lovely craft stalls including handmade Christmas cards, Christmas wrapping paper, handmade wooden bowls, handmade perfumes and much, much more.
Friday 19th November
Shop ‘til You Drop Evening
Astor of Hever School
Oakwood Road
Maidstone ME16 8AE
Doors open from 7pm-9.30pm – admission 50p. Fun evening of Christmas shopping with jewellery, cards, books, candles, cosmetics, clothes and lots, lots more including the Kent Air Ambulance stall. Refreshments will be served.
Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st November
Festival Fair
Leeds Castle
Tel: 01622 880008 Website: www.leeds-castle.com
Over 150 stallholders will be in the grounds of Leeds Castle in their warm and dry marquee! There will be a whole host of ideas for Christmas presents ranging from stocking fillers to festive food – something for everyone!
Tickets: adults £17.50, children £10 – includes entry to Leeds Castle and tickets are valid for 12 months.
Sunday 21st November
Winter Craft and Gift Fair
Oakwood House
Oakwood Road, Maidstone ME16 8AE
Tel: 07773074010
Email: georginapickering33@hotmail.co.uk
Many original stalls, plus children’s activities and a raffle in aid of charity.
Tuesday 23rd November
Action for Children Charity Christmas Gift Fair
High Rocks
Tunbridge Wells TN3 9JJ
Tel: 01892 515532 Westsite: www.actionforchildren.org.uk
With a wide range and variety of stalls this is a well established Christmas Fair. The festive atmosphere of High Rocks gives the event a really Christmassy feel and is an ideal place to shop and meet friends for coffee. Lunch is also available and there is plenty of free parking. Doors open from 10am-3pm admission £3 – every penny of which goes straight to Action for Children.
Saturday 28th November
Special Event Christmas Fair
Yalding Gardens, Benover Road
Yalding ME18 6EX
Tel: 01622 814650 Website: www.yaldinggardens.org
Come along for Mince Pies and Lovely Gifts! Do your Christmas shopping in the relaxed rural atmosphere of Yalding Gardens. Lots of original craft stalls with coffee and snacks available in the Bushel Box Cafe. Workshops, such as wreath making, will also be taking place during the day. Doors open from 10am-6pm and admission is free as is the plentiful parking!