Christmas day is just 32 days away so it really is time to start getting in the Christmas mood.

There are a number of Christmas Markets and Fayres (when did we change the spelling of Fair?) around the area where it might be possible to find presents for those people who are difficult to buy for.

Wantage Town Football Club are holding a Christmas Market on Friday 25^th November from 5.30pm to 9pm at their club house in Alfredian Park off Manor Road.

The Spirit of the Vale Christmas Fayre in the Barn at Eastmanton House, Sparsholt takes place on Thursday, 24^th Nov, 10.30am-8pm. Proceeds go to The Little Ducks Nursery, The Ridgeway School and Sparsholt Church.

Brain Tumour Research have a Christmas Fayre next Sunday 27th November from 2pm to 6pm at the Old Mill Hall in Grove.

There is also a Christmas Market in Wantage Market Place on the 27^th November from 10am to 3pm.

St Nicolas C of E Primary School have a Christmas fair and Santa’s Grotto at the school on Saturday 3^rd December from 1pm to 4pm.

Millbrook School, Grove are holding a Magical Christmas Market on Friday 9^th December from 5pm to 9pm.

There is also the Dickensian Evening in Wantage on Friday 2^nd December but although there will be a number of stalls, they will mainly be food or drink so it’s unlikely to provide much opportunity to buy presents.

However the Mix on Mill Street in Wantage is experimenting with a gift swap whenever they are open at least until the Dickensian Evening. Bring any unused, unwanted gifts and you can swap it for something you do want (or can give to someone else) for zero cost. Just check with a staff member/ volunteer to make sure your item is suitable to donate. You can swap as many items as you like. Their opening times are 2pm to 6pm on Mondays, 10am to 3pm on Wednesdays and 10am to 1pm on Saturdays.

If you do resort to buying presents online then you could consider buying via https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/.

If you buy from any of your usual stores via the easyfundraising website or app, a commission is generated, and this becomes a donation to your favourite charity.

Many of the schools, clubs and charities in Wantage are already receiving donations in this way so it’s a way of increasing your giving without increasing your costs.