The Christmas fair is a magical event on your PTA calendar. For this reason, it is important to create the right atmosphere. Here are our the top five ideas:
Winter wonderland
Why not hold your Christmas fair in the late afternoon, with all the stalls outside and fairy lights leading to Santa’s grotto. With everyone wrapped up in hats and scarves, it’s sure to have a wintery feel as the afternoon turns dark. Decorate stalls with paper snowflakes made by pupils and fairy lights or even fake snow if you want to push the boat out (and if your school caretaker agrees!). Sell mulled wine and hot chocolate to keep everyone warm whilst they browse.
A traditional Christmas market
Keep it traditional with delicious food on sale, children decorating gingerbread men and a range of shopping stalls for parents to wander around.
- Always-updated guide to Christmas fair games and stalls
- Ultimate Christmas fair food
- How to run Santa’s grotto
An expedition to the North Pole
Fancy going bigger and better for your Christmas fair this year? If you want to create an event to remember, why not try a North Pole theme? We’re talking fake snow EVERYWHERE. You could have a climbing wall, snow machine, snowboard simulator and even a ‘Welcome to the North Pole’ sign at the entrance! Have elves (PTA members) walking around in character, booking children a slot on the climbing wall or encouraging them to don their own elf hat for a stint of present wrapping in a secret gift room.
Carols by candlelight
Originally a tradition for an Australian Christmas, why not bring it to this side of the world? Not to be obvious, but carols by candlelight involves people gathering, usually outdoors, to sing carols by candlelight! Celebrate Christmas in an elegant way with seasonal classics. Why not have a carol-singing event during the fair, with some of the children getting up on stage to delight parents? Or have a festive choir greet people as they arrive? With health and safety in mind, you can always use LED candles!
Christmas tree festival
Are you willing to hold your Christmas fundraiser a bit earlier this year? Set the date around the time when parents will be looking to buy their Christmas trees and promote it well in advance. Have the ‘tree festival’ outside and buy your trees in bulk from a wholesaler so you can make a small profit selling them on. Each class could run their own stall selling different hand-made decorations. You can add more crafty stalls inside with festive foods and music to keep the Christmas cheer going!
