Tips for running stall at School Xmas Fayre

[Tillyboo]

I've committed to having a stall at dd's Xmas Fayre and will be selling homemade 'creations' ranging from cushions, felt mobiles, canvas designs for kids rooms etc. have I done the right thing ? I'm pretty scared that no-one wil like anything that I've made and I'll still have as much stuff at the end as I did at the beginning of the fayre.
Has anyone got any tips on utilising the table, or general do's and don'ts on achieving the best possible result. I've never done anything like this before so would be very grateful for any tips and advice.

[DastardlyDevilishDior]

Personally I would make things that can be sold at any time of the year, not too heavy an emphasis on Christmas only. Then, any stock you take home can be sold at a later date. I'm sure you will do well though as people love hand-made things for gifts from grand-child to grand-parent. When is the sale?

[Posey]

Our year group regularly does the craft stall at the fetes.
Best tip is to have things cheap and expensive. Kids don't have a lot of money but love to be able to buy things. But parents will spend quite a bit on homemade quality crafts.

[Tillyboo]

Great tips so far, thanks ! Sale is at the beginning of Dec.

[SpookyMadMummy]

Take lots of change and bags!!

[poppiesinaline]

Have a throw or something to put over the table to pretty it up and make it more appealing to the eye. People are more likely to wander over to see what its all about.

[Posey]

Decorate the stall with fairy lights. Display attractively.

[Tillyboo]

Love the fairy lights tip ! Will add an Xmasy feel.

[Marina]

Based on my massive experience of running the monthly Fair Trade stall at church -

Have a stocklist of what you have brought to sell with tickboxes to mark off each item as it goes. Then you can reconcile takings easily. (Not that one would think theft would be an issue at the Xmas Fair but you never know...

Have a pad and pen for commissions and comments

Tillyboo, have you made all the items yourself? Presumably you are giving a percentage to the school rather than passing on all the takings...or maybe you are a hugely generous person! Good luck!

[Tillyboo]

Marina, I've paid £20 for the table and I think some of this is donated to charity and some to the school fund, which is fair enough I think.
Everything is hand-made. Thanks for more practical tips !

[Marina]

Well, if you have something a little bit unusual you could try raffling it (data capture of potential clients she says ruthlessly)

[Tillyboo]

What a good idea, you must be well practised at this sort of thing. I'll certainly think about this one - maybe raffle one of my bigger canvases

[Whizzz]

Last year I had a stall with hand made cards & beaded jewellery. I found that smaller, cheaper items sold well (kids buying stuff) - I made little bags of gift tags which sold well too.

Tips : have lots of change - don't put too much out as kids mess with it all & don't put things near the edge of the table as they get knocked off !