Ballito Umhl - NOV 2020

Africans have in large doses and can best be described in the word ‘ubuntu’,
which means, ‘I am who I am because of who we all are’. This is the heartbeat
behind the Christmas Fair Fund – together making a difference in our North
Coast community in need.”
Michelle says the Christmas Fair team have been inundated with requests
for stalls by new creatives looking for a space to showcase their designs and
products. “If there is anything positive to take out of Covid-19, it’s this: lockdown
cleared space for creative thinking and follow through – the results of which we
are so looking forward to showcasing at this year’s fair.”
As always, the Christmas Fair ladies are hard at work creating a beautiful range of
Christmas accessories and gifting items, as well as baking up a storm to sell their
popular Christmas cakes and puddings – all of which will be available on the
Christmas Fair stand.
Christmas Country Fair
convenor Michelle Blake
It might be a few months late, but
one of the North Coast’s most
beloved traditions, the annual
Christmas Country Fair, is set to take
place at Collisheen Estate once more.
The fair is going to be held over three
days this year, from 2 to 4 December,
9am to 5.30pm daily.
Run by the dedicated team of
volunteers at the Christmas Fair Fund,
which has been going for more than
65 years, the fair is always a highlyanticipated
fixture on the calendar
and is known for its huge offering of
high quality, handcrafted gifts.
Convenor Michelle Blake says, “It was
touch-and-go at one stage and we all
thought Christmas would be a nonevent
this year, but this is certainly not
the case. It’s with huge excitement
that we confirm the dates for this
year’s fair.”
RESILIENCE AND CREATIVITY
This year the organisers have aptly
chosen ‘resilience’ as the theme for
the fair. “This is a quality we as South
ON TREND THIS CHRISTMAS
As they are Christmas ‘specialists’ and always keeping their eyes on local trends
and colour forecasts, we thought we’d ask the Christmas Fair Fund ladies to share
their thoughts on this year’s Christmas trends.
“We always keep an eye on global and local trends, focusing on colour pantones
and trends within design, homes, gifting and the fashion world – as well as
annual Christmas trends,” says Michelle.
“We usually visit fairs, markets and design shows around the country to keep
us up to date, but this year has been a little different with everything being
cancelled. What we have found though, is that a response to the effects of this
pandemic has been a desire not only for self-expression, but a strong need for
hope, stability and well-being in a world overflowing with turmoil.”
Because of this, Michelle says, the trend of recreating, recycling and upcycling
has exploded. “Our team have fully embraced the trend for handmade
repurposed and sustainable gifting and our Christmas Fair ladies are stitching,
preserving and baking up a storm!”
In terms of colour, Michelle says the team were gifted with off cuts of fabric
and natural fibres in hues like saffron, ‘lush lava’, white, blue and various shades
of green to work with – but they are still bringing in hints of the traditional red
associated with this time of year in their décor range. “We are making a range
of wreaths to compliment your Christmas Décor and Scandinavian-inspired
Christmas tree décor and accessories that can be added to traditional trees, or
used to create an elegant, contemporary tree from branches in your garden.”
BOOK YOUR TICKETS
Tickets for the fair are available online only and the price is R55 per person.
Numbers have been limited per day to abide by Covid-19 protocols (which is
why the fair is extending trading from two to three days). Vistors can look forward
to 100 stall holders and a bigger food and beverage set up! As per last year,
for everyone’s safety, this is a cashless event and only cards and Zapper will be
accepted.
Details: Buy your tickets at www.Quicket.co.za
Some of the hardworking volunteers at last year’s fair
Saffron is one of the
trending colours this year
November 2020 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga 51