After quite a successful coffee morning despite the showers – covering stuff up with tarpaulins, uncovering again – you get the idea … my friend said “Why don’t we do a Christmas one?”.

So we did. Her husband put the marquee up in her garden, and we planned where everyone would go. We were both out on the Thursday before when her husband texted to say that, thanks to tempete whatever, the marquee was in the next field! But the Maire’s help was solicited, and he kindly offered a venue almost next door, free of charge.

We set up on Saturday as much as possible. I made the mulled wine on Saturday night to take the next morning, and we were still making mince pies!

Suffice to say, Sunday morning was a little hectic with all the stallholders arriving, but they were all so organised. We didn’t charge for space but asked that everyone make a donation to Les Amis at the end of the day.

Got through oodles of mince pies, sold all the jars of home-made mincemeat, most of the small Christmas puddings, all of the Tombola prizes and got through 6 litres of mulled wine (not us personally obviously).

A fabulous day with loads of love and support in the room, enabling us to donate 1000€ to the funds.

First time ever we have done a fayre like this and we will definitely do again next Christmas. Made lots of new friends, met some who already had Les Amis dogs or cats, and many who want to come to our next event. So PLEASE do think about organising an event of your own – people are so generous and kind – tiring it may be but it is huge fun too.