Big Value Christmas is Priceless

By Beth Stitely | Posted: Sunday November 15, 2015

Anglican Family Care was one of several organisations who participated in the Big Value Christmas. In its second year, the event proved successful once again as families and children gathered to make crafts, exchange gifts and spend some fun time together.

Dunedin families flocked to the Big Value Christmas event held in the Octagon the second weekend in November. They were happy to learn about alternatives to big spending. Chris Watkins, event organiser, says it was an opportunity for families to create their own traditions at Christmas time.

Anglican Family Care helped children make their own holiday cards with stamps, stickers and felt-tip pens. Families could also take away free play dough, hand-print moulds and a ‘How To’ booklet of creative and inexpensive ideas for homemade gifts and crafts.

“This event is about challenging the retail definition of Christmas,” says Chris Watkins. “The height of consumption happens at Christmas time and families can get into financial trouble with overspending.”

Magdalen, mother of 6 year-old Annabelle, found there were lots of things to do and many activities. She was pleased to see an alternative to the commercialism that can be prevalent this time of year and noted that some people can lose sight of what the holiday really means.

“It takes confidence for a family to say we’re going to do our own thing at Christmas,” says Chris. The Big Value Christmas event encouraged families to gain this confidence, break away from excessive spending and create a holiday full of cherished memories.

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