From the other side of the counter

I haven’t written a blogpost in a while as I was extremely busy stocking up for Christmas, getting stocks organized in the shops and getting ready for the Christmas markets I am participating in this year.

It is the first year I am actually doing markets. It gives me a lot of local exposure and direct contact with my customers which I value a lot.

This weekend has been my first Christmas market weekend. Luckily temperatures have been quite mild, so I kept warm enough with a hot drink, winter trousers, woolen jumper over turtleneck shirt, winter jacket and fur lined boots, woolen hat and gloves.

The days on the market are long, as they start with the wrapping, organization, packing, loading, transfer to the location, setting up, put up lighting and end with the taking down of the booth, packing of the car and transportation back home. I must confess I leave everything in the car over night as I am generally floored at the end of the day and still need to tend to the kids, the dog and the house chores.

What I like about the markets though, besides the contact with my customers, is the team spirit between the traders. When you’re trading alone it is so good to know you can ask your neighbor to keep an eye on your stuff while grabbing something to drink or eat or have a necessary pit stop at the loo (not my favorite aspect of the markets by the way… but nevertheless necessary). Also the occasional chat keeps you company when things get a bit slow and extremely welcome is also the help of one of the other traders when you are setting up or dismantling everything on your own.

Another thing I like to do while sitting in my stall, is observing the people passing by. A lot of people say hello when passing by, which is lovely. They make eye contact and it is even better if they stop for a more thorough browse and maybe a short chat and possibly a sale.

On the other hand you have people who stop, don’t say anything and don’t make any eye contact. They are a bit tricky for me to read as I never know whether they are shy or not or just would do not like to be addressed or are reluctant to socialize. So in this case I generally observe but don’t talk and just mumble a ‘thank you’ under my breath when they pass on to the next stall.

Then you have other people who stop, tell you they love this and this and this other thing and ask you whether you are around the next day or, even better, the week after and then you see them never again. On the other hand others say the exact same thing and effectively come back later to buy, which is obviously great.

Only a few people come in and tell you directly what they want to buy and have it wrapped up and are gone before you actually realize what has happened and would like to thank them for a second time 😁.

Just to say that all passengers and customers are greatly appreciated. I am well aware that not everyone has money to spend in these hard times, but a nice word and an acknowledgement of the traders’ presence or work is great and free for anyone to disseminate! We are all feeling a little bit better when acknowledged and appreciated. It is a feeling that warms better than mulled wine!

So happy many browsing visits and remember there is a person behind every creation and every creation carries a bit of that person in it❤️.