In the weeks before Christmas, people are looking for gifts. Everyone has close family to buy for, and very often we know quite well the sort of present they would like. But it is not always so straightforward choosing gifts for other relatives, friends or colleagues. So this is the ideal time to have a stall at Christmas craft fairs. At this season, buyers are more open to new ideas and suggestions for Christmas gifts. Something original, handmade and unique will catch their eye. As a craft fair is usually only open for one day, the customers often make a quick decision to buy while the opportunity is there.
Over several months, crafters and makers have been busy building up their stock ready for the Christmas craft fairs. The table spaces have been allocated and the publicity has been sent out. Two or three weeks before the big day, it is a good idea to plan the display for your table.
Table Coverings for Christmas Craft Fairs
Choose a plain table cloth in a block colour that suits your products. Try to gauge whether the articles you wish to sell are primarily dark or pale coloured. Dark objects exhibited on a black or navy tablecloth will not show up clearly. In general, white is the safest background colour because it does not falsify any other colours that are put next to it. Similarly, a red or green table cloth may compete with the colours of your artefacts, even though these are the classic Christmas colours. Any pattern on your table covering is likely to make the display look too busy.
Storing and Protecting Your Stock
It is very important to keep your sales items in a pristine condition, as when they were first made. If you have displayed them at other previous craft fairs, they may begin to lose their fresh, new appearance. For example, greeting cards may warp slightly, or their cello wrappers might crinkle a bit. Knitted or sewn objects could begin to look handled. Notebooks might appear slightly thumbed.
A key way to counteract any deterioration in the condition of your products is to store and transport them in very careful wrappings. Here, it is helpful to pack the items in several small containers, rather than one very large one. Cardboard boxes, well lined with tissue paper, can then be safely fitted into a much larger plastic storage crate. China, glass, cards and books are all less vulnerable to wear and tear if packed in this way. There is more protection from changes in temperature/humidity during storage, if your commodities are insulated in separate, small cardboard packaging.
Masking tape is invaluable when sealing up cartons for Christmas craft fairs. Unlike parcel tape, it is easy to tear off, and labels can be written on to it. When arriving at the fair, it is much easier to remove than parcel tape. Although it may seem to take a bit more time when setting up at the start, or packing away at the end, if you have products left over, they will probably still look beautiful and new next Christmas!