Spirit of Christmas

I am wondering how your shop did this year Pensionpat?
I hope it was as successful as last year.

It looked as if we would not be able to run ours this year as, for various reasons, many of the usual crew were unable to help and we could not secure any suitable premises. However, our good friends in the local 'not for profit' recycling business who have previously helped us with transport and shop furniture were very anxious to see the shop continue for its fourth year and they, together with the local third sector interface, stepped into the breach by offering part of their warehouse and the services of their volunteers.

I must admit that I was at first a bit aggrieved that someone else had, not exactly stolen but more adopted MY baby, but the new shop, run on the same principals that we established 4 years ago has been a great success, just as busy as usual at the new location, was inundated with donations from individuals and schools, community groups and even the private nursery who organised a fundraising event, bought brand new toys chosen by the wee ones and then brought them into the shop to hand them over. Best of all the new volunteers loved it and are determined to run it again next year. The left over stock has been donated to various local charities who work with children and a large sum of money raised again. Due to caring responsibilities, I was only able to do a couple of shifts in the Shop this year but that was enough to prove to me that the concept of giving families in need the means to ensure by their own efforts, that their children have a great Christmas is in safe hands for the future. I'm a very happy bunny at the moment

Indeed I did take inspiration from Granny23, and she has given great advice and moral support to Xmas4Kids. If anyone would like details I can give you more, but the highlights are as follows

We had a primary aim too of helping local families cope with the cost of Xmas. The money raised was a useful by-product.

The local community were right behind us and donated mountains of toys etc.

We were able to support other charities by passing on donated items not suitable to us

We had a magnificent donation of £500 of new toys. We passed these on to Social Services for them to distribute them to the neediest families.

We identified a homeless family and were able to give them significant and ongoing support through Foodbank and Church.

On Xmas Eve we gave away toys and people still insisted on making a donation. All the remaining stock was donated to charity shops.

We expected to raise a couple of hundred pounds for Food Bank. We raised £2300.

We had a small army of volunteers and the whole experience was a joy. I am planning the next one!

I know others were doing similar things and I would love to hear about them.

Just realised that I did not report back on the success of our Christmas Shop, now in its 3rd year. We had vastly more donations this year and far more customers but surprisingly made exactly the same amount of money (£1,600) as last year which we split between the two food banks in the County, However the main aims of the shop are to recycle toys, party clothes, etc which would otherwise go to the coup and to ensure that parents can provide a super Christmas for their children from their own, however limited, resources without resorting to debt or depending on Charity. We have certainly helped hundreds of families this year.

I will let Pensionpat tell her story of her Christmas Shop, which was, thanks to contact via Gransnet, modeled on our one. In their first year they outperformed us If any one else would like to have a go for Christmas 2017 both Pat and I would be happy to pass on information and advice on any aspect of the project.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxYHauyVdCw&feature=youtu.be

This is actualy the video from the previous year but I watch it frequently when I am a bit down - never fails to cheer me up.

Silent night, holy night!
Sleeps the world, hid from sight.
Homeless laid in alleyways bare
Rich men pass, full of Christmas fare
To sleep in uneasy peace,
Sleep in uneasy peace

Silent night, holy night!
Children cower, cold with fright
Scared of all that the darkness might bring
Bombs, or conflict, or beatings that sting
Where’s the heavenly peace?
Where is the heavenly peace?

Silent night, holy night!
Comes the morn, warming light
Rouse in us transformative zeal
With resolve to truly make real
Justice this Christmas time!
Peace at this Christmas time

Justice this Christmas time!
Peace at this Christmas time

Written by a consultant at a Liverpool hospital.

How about this? Even if it is not to the taste of the non believers I had to say I enjoyed it and it was very cleverly performed. Sit back and enjoy.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJxTdJh15Ws

I thought you meant he wore green before the 20th century when he changed to red; pictures of St Nicholas depict him wearing red as a bishop.
You suggested that he only wears red because he is a Socialist, the colour of revolutionaries.

Ah, it is a quote from somewhere!

ps no, I'm not sorry don't know why I said it

Sorry, I forgot to say that most of it was a quote from www.radicalteatowel.com

I don't understand, Jalima, it said he wears red, usually.
Before the 20th century he could be depicted in green, but usually wore red.
So what are you sorry about?

Sory djen but St Nicholas is usually depicted wearing red - he was a bishop and therefore a devout Christian.

www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/who-is-st-nicholas/
He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Swanny I am tearful
Sad but wonderful in a way too

Just read this on the bbc news website. Made me cry

Now there's evidence that the worst fears of the tabloid press may actually have come true: we believe that Santa Claus himself - the very personification of Christmas - has been a raving socialist all along.

Here's three reasons why we think Father Christmas can be outed as a massive leftie:

1. Red Christmas
You won't catch Santa in Conservative blue or UKIP purple. Red, the colour of the revolutionary flag and European political parties of the left, is his choice every time.

Actually before the 20th century Santa was often depicted in a green coat - further emphasisising his environmental credentials.

2. A Socialist Economy in Action
Santa is a benevolent central planner, whose happy elf workers produce gifts in the North Pole factory before they're distributed to the world's children free of charge and wrapped in a message of love and inclusion.

3. The Marx Connection
Santa Claus and political philosopher Karl Marx both rose to prominence in the 19th century, both have white beards, both share that paternal look... coincidence?

I don't think so.

Socialist Santa may well have magical powers, but these days he still needs a bit of help from workers at the Royal Mail.

Just read that post office workers are going on strike next week. Get your cards posted this week.

Here is something else to Celebrate.

GrannyPiper Very happy to hear that your stall is doing so well and the rest of your Community are rallying round. There is so much goodwill about - all it takes is for someone like yourself to take the initiative and it snowballs from there.

I know what you mean about being there everyday. I am supposed to be taking a back seat this year, but I can't keep away. On a cold Winter's day the atmosphere in the shop is so warm and joyous that it 'warms the cockles of your heart' and is very energising.

Granny23. Oh dear. Can't find my reply. Sorry. I hope your project is as successful as it usually is. Ours is called Xmas 4 Kids. No shops available to us but the Council gave a very large indoor market stall rent-free. No heating bills, no cleaning required, no security issues, and a warm welcome from the market traders. In fact they have made a magnificent donation of more than £500 of new toys. I decided not to put them on our stall. I contacted Social Services, who agreed to distribute them to the neediest local children. So we were ahead immediately. We have been inundated with donations. The community in our small town have been very supportive. We opened on 26/11 and the market is open for 4 days a week. I find I am enjoying it so much that I am on duty all day, every day, and I have a small army of volunteers to cover 3 shifts. We have learned a lot from our experience this year so can improve for next year. We are not overwhelmed with customers. There are quiet parts of the day which we appreciate. There are no price tickets. We ask for a donation of whatever they can afford. A lot of people are unsure of what to offer so we quote a really low price because we have so much stock. After 5 trading days we gave raised more than £1000. I know! Incredible! And fundraising has never been our primary aim.

The best story I have is that on the day before we opened, at the end of the day a small family, Mum Dad, child came into the market. They were not riding a donkey, but there are parallels. It transpired that they were homeless the council had put them up in the Travelodge. Their belongings were in their car, which had broken down on the ferry from Ireland. So they had only what they stood up in. And it was 3.55 on a Friday. We swung into action and rang the foodbank and asked them to stay open for an emergency. They were given £5 from 2 volunteers and £20 from Foodbank funds. Then the food which they were entitled to. But they were in a hotel room with no cooking facilities. So they were taken to Argos and were bought a toaster and a microwave out of Foodbank funds. It's probably against H&S rules to cook in a hotel room, but I do nt want to think about that. We have met another family in the same circumstances and shall support them both for as long as they need.

So. What an adventure. Thank you so much Granny 23 and I wish all of you success in your Christmas charity work.

PM has arrived but all it says is Test in the strapline - otherwise blank.

Granny23. I have sent you a very long reply to your kind enquiry. I don't think it has been sent. When I get back home later I will attempt to copy and paste it on this thread. I think it will be interesting to the others who are doing similar things. X

Pensionpat I know you are having trouble sending PM's and are probably up to your eyes in working on your stall but I keep thinking of you and your team and wondering how you are getting on? All well I hope.

Our Wee County Children's Christmas Shop is 'going like the proverbial Fair' thanks to word of mouth and great publicity via our Local Paper. We have had some massive donations from schools and groups who have brought us the 'left overs' from their own fairs as well as customers who have shopped AND donated simultaneously. Some customers have even become helpers because they love the atmosphere in the shop, the blethering, the chance to spruce up the cuddly toys and clean (play?) with the mechanical ones - allegedly testing the batteries - Aye Right

The Christmas spirit is certainly flourishing here.

Pensionpat sending good vibes and Best Wishes for you opening day today. Hope all goes well and loads of people are helped to provide a happy Christmas for their wee ones.

Quite honestly, it's something I didn't really think of and, as you say, that 'caveat emptor' at somewhere like a church, school fete would be sufficient (or just good old commonsense!!).

At a charity that I am involved with we no longer stuff our knitted bears ( due to the regs.) so we now leave the bottom edge open and turn them into hand puppets. Hopefully they are still loved by the children who receive them.

I know it's a can of worms you just don't want to open! Think of how many people are knitting like mad, donating their time, skills and material. And probably breaking the law. We are in a council-run market so will continue to be scrupulous. Thanks for comments.

Jalima Pensionpat I have consulted with our 'regulation guru' - younger DD - who tells me that this year, because we are leasing premises from the Council, we have to be stricter about non labelled toys, baby equipment etc. She has prepared labels to go on any such items explaining that they have not been tested or 'filling unknown' etc. Also made arrangements to pass things like bikes to our friends at ACE recycling who are able to check them. Also a list of do's and don'ts for the volunteers who will be sorting the donations. I have been given a new job in that I have been volunteered to replace any button noses or eyes with stitching.

Although our first concern is always the safety of children, like many of these regulations it is only necessary to show that you have exercised due care and concern as best you can and buyer beware is the bottom line.

Don't know how we survived unscathed in the good old days of jumble sales.

pensionpat there could be more information on such sites as Etsy or Ravelry.

I have seen lots of knitted toys for sale at school fairs, church fetes etc, without the CE mark so I am not sure.

Anything with buttons, plastic eyes etc could be a problem, but as long as they have embroidered eyes, brand-new polyester filling etc I think they should be OK.

ooooH! You've got me stumped there Pension Pat It is something we have never even thought about. Each year we have offered hand knitted Santa's, stuffed animals and doll's clothes and they have always been snapped up quickly as have hand knitted baby clothes and blankets, scarves and beanie hats (I've knitted 15.5 hats so far).

Perhaps another crafting or fundraising Gransnetter could give some guidance. I have certainly seen plenty hand made toys & dolls for sale on craft stalls and even as raffle prizes.