Spirit of Christmas

Oh, thanks candlefran
I wasn't sure about texting - how do they get the money?

Naive with phones!
Will do it through the website now.

Done!
Thanks Candlefran
I don't want to seem mean, but I have already given the DGC a donation to take into school.

I don't know how it works with the phones, but it's how I did it! So long as they get the money, and I'm sure they will.

Off to see if the rest of the show's any good now.

You will find when your next month's bill is online it will be for the amount you donated plus your normal monthly charge. You will also find you get texts and calls asking for further donations or a commitment but you can just ignore it.

Granny23. I still can't post a PM. I have one last question before our opening day on Saturday. We have been very careful to ensure that CE labels are on all soft toys. However we have some lovely hand-,knitted dolls. After Googling the safety requirements, I think we cannot use them. What is your policy?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!).

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Here is something else to Celebrate.

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.

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

Swanny I am tearful
Sad but wonderful in a way too

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.

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?

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

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