Santa Claus Is Coming To Town And Visiting Care Home’s Christmas Fete
The residents and care team at The Lawn, the Alton-based residential care home run by charity Friends of the Elderly, are dreaming of a White Christmas and preparing to spread bags of festive cheer at the care home’s Christmas Fete on Friday 13th December.
The Lawn’s Yuletide community Christmas extravaganza will start at 3 p.m. and run until 6 p.m. and is open to all and free to attend. “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here,” said Emma Cranstone, The Lawn’s Activities Coordinator. “The Christmas Fete promises to be a real Winter Wonderland treat for everyone. Our residents are really looking forward to it and, just like an Advent Calendar, they are counting down the days until the Christmas fun begins.”
There will be something festive and fun for everyone to enjoy. “If you need to start your Christmas shopping, or just need to pick up a few Stocking Fillers, there will be a range of craft stalls selling unique gifts,” added Alina Gutu, the Registered Manager at The Lawn. “There will be a selection of community stalls including Hair by Freya and Cosy Feet Socks and Shoes; plus tasty treats such as Peppermint Creams, Hot Chocolate Bags and Fudge, a Tombola, a Guess the Weight of the Christmas Cake stand, Face Painting and much more.”
“I wanted to make sure that Santa could make it to the Christmas Fete, as I didn’t want to disappoint the residents and the visiting children,” continued Emma. “So, I sent him an Elf Telegram to the North Pole and he got back in touch straight away. Even though it’s his busiest time of the year, Santa has promised to transport his special Grotto to The Lawn where he’ll be able to meet everyone and see who is on the Naughty or Nice List.”
Santa will be accompanied to the Christmas Fete by Mrs Claus and his Elves, who will be in Santa’s Workshop where children – of any age, old or young or just young at heart – can get festively creative decorating biscuits and making bags of Reindeer food for Rudolph, Dancer, Prancer and the rest of the Christmas Eve Gang.
“Younger children will also be able to choose a present for someone special, perhaps their Mum, Dad, Carer or Grandparent then wrap it up and make a Christmas tag to go on top,” continued Emma. “We’ll have games to play too, including the fun soft snowball game, Knock Down Santa.”
The Christmas Fete will also have live entertainment performance courtesy of The Knickerbocker Glory Appalachian Dancers who will be accompanied by their live band and a Yuletide musical spectacular from the top-tapping trio, Cajun Boogaloo.
“Before the Christmas Fete officially opens, to get the Christmas Spirit started, the residents will be treated to a special Christmas Carol performance by children from Andrews Endowed School,” added Alina.
There will be a selection of delicious Christmas treats available too – traditional mince pies, yummy hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows, mulled wine and a selection of cakes and biscuits.
“We are looking forward to welcoming lots of our local community, friends – old and new – to our Christmas Fete on Friday 13th December. It will be a festive afternoon which we know everyone who comes along will thoroughly enjoy. It will be a magical way to start the Christmas festivities,” Emma concluded.
It’s £2 per child to visit Santa in his Christmas Grotto – No booking required. Everyone who visits Santa will get a Christmas Gift from his North Pole Workshop to take home to open on Christmas Day.
