Getting ready for a Christmas market - the countdown

How to participate in a Christmas market?

The Christmas market is an opportunity for visitors to wander among the chalets and find unique Christmas gifts. Candles, soaps, costume jewelry, cookies and sweets, woolen scarves and hats, ceramics... You'll find a wide range of artisanal products.
For you designers, Christmas is the best time to boost your sales... and it's an experience you'd love to have this year. But you can't plan a Christmas market at the last minute. In fact, you need to start planning several months in advance to be ready and operational on D-day.

Here are a few tips for organizing a Christmas market with care. The countdown has already begun. Take heart, there's still a long way to go...

August-September: start creating DIY jewelry and accessories

Select the models (if you already have them) you want to sell, or imagine new ones. And order the products you'll need in sufficient quantities. You don't want to run out. Once you've got everything you need, you can start creating your DIY costume jewelry.

This year, charm jewelry, pieces with gemstones or lucky charms are all the rage! If you'd like to find out more about all the trends for winter 2025/2026, we suggest you take a look at our roundup of this winter's must-haves.

Don't forget to stock up!

October: register for Christmas markets

It seems obvious, but don't forget to register for the Christmas market you're interested in. Contact the town hall or the organizing association to find out how to register and to obtain all the necessary administrative documents.
This date may be premature for the craft Christmas market in the town or village next door, but for the most popular markets or those over 300 m², it's best to register several months before the event. For some markets, you even need to register 5 months in advance.
On the other hand, if you're not sure which market to attend, be sure to check the registration deadline.

To be sure, ask yourself: is the market you're interested in worth the risk? Is the financial risk not too high? To check this, think about making a small provisional budget before committing yourself.

November: taking stock

Take stock of what you're missing: do you have enough displays? Jewelry holders? Jewelry racks? You still have time to buy them.
Don't forget your gift wrapping, ribbons, labels, tissue paper...

D-30: communication

Via social networks, it's time to start communicating: tell your community that you're taking part in a Christmas market and invite them to come and see you. Do it little by little, then publish more and more often.
2-3 days before the market, launch a countdown and send out your newsletter.

Organize games, raffles and contests... You can also run creative workshops if the stand configuration allows (this will be more complicated in a wooden chalet).

On-site, you'll also need to take care of your visibility and create links. Get quotes to design and print flyers, business cards... Contact a printer near you who can meet your needs. Before embarking on the production of kakemonos and posters, check that they are authorized on the market.

You can also think of small personalized charms to hang on your jewelry.

D-25: Choose a payment method

Think about payment methods. More and more people are paying for their purchases by card, preferably contactless when the price allows. Don't neglect this method of payment - contact your bank! Eftpos terminals can be rented or purchased.
There are also fast, reliable solutions for accepting bankcards, such as Sumup, which can be used with a cell phone.
Make sure you have enough cash on hand to make change for those who prefer this method of payment.

D-20: organizing transport

If you've got a Smart or Mini, you might want to think about a slightly larger car. No, we weren't thinking of the family car either, but a much more practical vehicle.
Ask about transport: how much does it cost to hire a van or utility vehicle? There may be people around you who can lend you this kind of vehicle.

D-15: Plan stand decoration

Make a simulation by thinking about the scenography and decoration of your stand. Create an atmosphere that reflects your world, your values and your brand image.
Make sure you take care of the lighting too, with LED garlands, candles, photophores... It's all part of the scenography of your jewelry and accessories. What's more, it's Christmas, so it's got to shine.
Your stand has to be attractive to attract people.
Once you're satisfied, take a photo with your phone. It will allow you to redo exactly the decorations you approved when setting up on the big day.

And don't forget to bring along some Christmas treats or chocolates to display on your stand and offer to onlookers and potential buyers. It may seem superfluous, but it's always a pleasure for young and old alike.

D-10: label your products.

Label your products at the right price, so they're ready for the big day. You can also provide cards with information on the composition of your jewels, the gemstones...
Some customers don't dare ask the price of a creation, and will pass by if they don't have all the information in front of them.

D-3: Store your creations

Carefully store your creations in the drawers of your professional suitcase, or wrap them carefully in bubble wrap, foam, newspaper or Styrofoam pads. The key is to protect everything so that the jewelry doesn't get scratched or damaged in transit.

D-1: check everything before you leave

Before you leave, it's time to check everything: products, prices, gift wrapping, stand decoration, payment methods... Don't forget the business cards with your contact details and website address, so you can display them on your stand and slip them into the gift bags.
Bring a calculator so you don't miscalculate prices, and a small notebook to keep track of your sales.
If you're outside, bring warm clothes, a chair to sit on, something to snack on in case you get hungry, and something hot to drink like tea or coffee to warm you up.

D-Day: enjoy the Christmas market

Put on your best smile and enjoy your salon. Don't forget to let your community know you're there.

D+1: thank your community

Thank everyone who came to see you on your social networks: your customers and followers will be touched by this small gesture.
Send out a newsletter to thank your community once again, and let them know that you'll be seeing them at another trade show, if you've planned one, or in your online store.

D+2: taking stock

To find out whether the market has been profitable for you, you need to weigh up your expenses (i.e. what your participation in the market has cost you) against your revenues (i.e. the sum of the products you've sold). To be clear, draw up a table with an "expenses" column and a "revenue" column. At best, the two totals should be identical. But it's still better if the revenue line is higher than the expense line.

Don't forget to check your stock: what do you have left at the end of the Christmas market? Which product sold best? This will be a good indication if you need to repeat the experience.