Going to the Fair
Helene Turnbull asked:
The Planning Stage: Before leaving home you need to be organized and a few minutes of planning will pay dividends when you get to the show. You need to pack to go to a show, especially a large show.
Shopping List: Before you go to any show or fair, sit down in the comfort of your own home and write out a shopping list. Gift for Auntie Dorothy, doggie booties for Toto … you get the idea. Add how much you want to spend for each gift.
Parking: What is the parking situation? Is it possible to take public transit? Maybe a commuter train into town? Is the parking close by the fair venue? Even after following all the advice here, you are going to be tired by the end of the day and you’ll be glad you’re just steps away from your mode of transportation.
Comfy Shoes and Socks: Wear your walking boots or shoes; especially for the large shows. There will be a lot of walking and the right footwear will make your more comfortable.
Also, make sure your socks fit: if they are too small they will bind up your toes and that will affect your back – want more pain? Wear tight socks.
Water: Freeze a bottle of water. Put in your lunch bucket as a cold pack to keep your other bottles cold. Take several bottles of water per person. It’s hot in those shows. And you become dehydrated quickly. Water will answer perfectly the need for fluids. I know they are heavy, but as you drink each bottle, the weight decreases.
Remember to recycle those tins and plastic bottles: the venues supply recycling bins so use them.
Lunch: In that cooler bag full of water, add something nourishing to eat. The venue offers food services but you can save yourself a LOT of money taking your own. Think of it as picnicking indoors. Include any cutlery you need and some pretty napkins, too.
Fan: Specifically, a battery operated hand held fan. Mine comes from the dollar store. This is especially important for menopausal ladies of all ages. Show your love for your mother and bring along a fan for her to use. Trust me on this one; you will need a fan.
Tote Bag: This holds all the paper and samples you are going to lay your hands on at the show. Depending on the show you are attending, plastic bags may be offered to do this job. Here is an opportunity to decrease the amount of plastic in our landfills. And your own tote bag will hold more than what those plastic bags hold. Do your bit for the environment.
Bundle Buggy: Along the same lines as a tote bag, if you are attending this fair during the fall and winter, even the spring, you will be wearing a coat. Make sure the weight of the coat is consistent with the weather: don’t sacrifice your comfort here.
But, do take a bundle buggy to put your coats into, along with your tote bag. After all, you are planning on shipping at the fair, aren’t you?! A buggy of some sort goes a long way to making your trip more comfortable.
Don’t bring your baby stroller, baby and all, and think of using the stroller as your bundle buggy: all you are doing is filling your hands with baby when the point is that you don’t carry anything. Including baby.
Baby Care: ** If you decide to bring along baby and/or children, think of their comfort, to. They get dehydrated, too. Their legs are shorter so they are taking more steps than you. They are surrounded by taller people and they can’t see very much at all.
They have very short spans of attention and get bored easily. Bored children will upset the people around them: anything to offer some diversion. And that is your fault for bringing them, not the child’s fault.
Take frequent sit down breaks. Bring things to amuse your children. Involve them in shopping for Grandmama, or teacher, or whatever.
The best thing you can do is get them a babysitter. Any child under 10 isn’t going to learn any lessons or become better socialized at a craft or trade fair.
The biggest favour you can give yourself at a large fair is to leave your children at home. They are exhausting and you will be tired enough without making it worse.
The Show Stage: You made it. And you are excited to see everything. Planning is needed at this stage, too. Add a little self discipline.
Amenities: Locate the washroom as soon as you enter the venue. If there is more than 1 location, keep it in mind. You will need one to freshen up. And it’s best to know where to go before you need to.
Assistive Devices: If you sometimes walk with a cane, take it with you. If it is a walker you use occasionally, take it and use it. And if you sometimes land yourself in a wheelchair, you’ll need it here. Use the wheelchair as a walker until you can walk no further. You wheelchair is there to help you because you had the foresight to bring it.
Sit Down: This is the all time hardest thing to do. Don’t think you can push through the whole show and go home with lots of energy left. Shows of all kinds and sizes are extremely draining and if you don’t carve out some time to relax, you will be in trouble later in your day.
Sit down before you fall down. You need real stamina to get through a large show and the best way to the end is by pacing yourself. Athletes know all about pacing and you, too, are an athlete. The difference is in the sport – yours is shopping.
Shop Around: Get the business card of every vendor who is selling something you want: mark on the business card what grabbed your attention and where the booth is located (Aisle and Booth number). Don’t buy yet unless you know there are no other vendors selling a similar product. When you have finished visiting all the show has to offer, sit down and relax. Sort through all those business cards and decide where you will spend your money. Now go back and make your purchases in the knowledge that you got the best item for the best price.
Home Time Stage: Your day still isn’t over because you have so many demands for your time and attention. Your Home Time Stage will be easier on you if you took the time to plan and precautions against tiring yourself too much.
More to Do: If you have children of any age, their needs must be attended to. If you have a husband, the same attention must be given. There is dinner to prepare, baths and beds for the wee-uns. Finally, you can sit down. Do you ‘white knuckle’ it and just work through it? Do you seek the help of your partner? Do you get a take-away meal? Do whatever it takes to make this part of your day easier on you. Remind yourself you can’t help others if you can’t help yourself.
AHHH: Now just sit down and relax. If you have been to a large show, you ache. You ache even more if you ignored the planning stage, or took your baby/children along. Enjoy the silence.
Your Time: Have that bubble bath or steamy shower you promised yourself. Spray yourself with your favourite scent. Get into a clean nightie. And get into bed. You will rest well knowing you’ve got some lovely things to use and to give as gifts. Congratulate yourself for having survived your marathon shopping day.
**NOTES: Baby Care – really belongs in both the Planning Stage and the Show Stage. That’s just the joy of being a parent.
One Final Note: Take your sense of humour with you to the show: don’t leave home without it. There will be crowds where you are going. And, I’ve yet to learn why, they all want to look at the same thing you want to see and all of them are in your way. Talk to the people around you; it helps break the tension and you will enjoy the show more.
At the Easter shows my sister and I wear rabbit ears and carry a basket of individually wrapped chocolate Easter eggs. At Christmas we wear our antlers and we have a Canadian flag and maple leaf on springs that take the place of the ears and antlers. It lightens the mood of people who see us and is a great way to start conversations. Those who are young at heart are the people who stop us to chat. It does make the day more pleasant to get through and less stressful.
wheelchair tires
The Planning Stage: Before leaving home you need to be organized and a few minutes of planning will pay dividends when you get to the show. You need to pack to go to a show, especially a large show.
Shopping List: Before you go to any show or fair, sit down in the comfort of your own home and write out a shopping list. Gift for Auntie Dorothy, doggie booties for Toto … you get the idea. Add how much you want to spend for each gift.
Parking: What is the parking situation? Is it possible to take public transit? Maybe a commuter train into town? Is the parking close by the fair venue? Even after following all the advice here, you are going to be tired by the end of the day and you’ll be glad you’re just steps away from your mode of transportation.
Comfy Shoes and Socks: Wear your walking boots or shoes; especially for the large shows. There will be a lot of walking and the right footwear will make your more comfortable.
Also, make sure your socks fit: if they are too small they will bind up your toes and that will affect your back – want more pain? Wear tight socks.
Water: Freeze a bottle of water. Put in your lunch bucket as a cold pack to keep your other bottles cold. Take several bottles of water per person. It’s hot in those shows. And you become dehydrated quickly. Water will answer perfectly the need for fluids. I know they are heavy, but as you drink each bottle, the weight decreases.
Remember to recycle those tins and plastic bottles: the venues supply recycling bins so use them.
Lunch: In that cooler bag full of water, add something nourishing to eat. The venue offers food services but you can save yourself a LOT of money taking your own. Think of it as picnicking indoors. Include any cutlery you need and some pretty napkins, too.
Fan: Specifically, a battery operated hand held fan. Mine comes from the dollar store. This is especially important for menopausal ladies of all ages. Show your love for your mother and bring along a fan for her to use. Trust me on this one; you will need a fan.
Tote Bag: This holds all the paper and samples you are going to lay your hands on at the show. Depending on the show you are attending, plastic bags may be offered to do this job. Here is an opportunity to decrease the amount of plastic in our landfills. And your own tote bag will hold more than what those plastic bags hold. Do your bit for the environment.
Bundle Buggy: Along the same lines as a tote bag, if you are attending this fair during the fall and winter, even the spring, you will be wearing a coat. Make sure the weight of the coat is consistent with the weather: don’t sacrifice your comfort here.
But, do take a bundle buggy to put your coats into, along with your tote bag. After all, you are planning on shipping at the fair, aren’t you?! A buggy of some sort goes a long way to making your trip more comfortable.
Don’t bring your baby stroller, baby and all, and think of using the stroller as your bundle buggy: all you are doing is filling your hands with baby when the point is that you don’t carry anything. Including baby.
Baby Care: ** If you decide to bring along baby and/or children, think of their comfort, to. They get dehydrated, too. Their legs are shorter so they are taking more steps than you. They are surrounded by taller people and they can’t see very much at all.
They have very short spans of attention and get bored easily. Bored children will upset the people around them: anything to offer some diversion. And that is your fault for bringing them, not the child’s fault.
Take frequent sit down breaks. Bring things to amuse your children. Involve them in shopping for Grandmama, or teacher, or whatever.
The best thing you can do is get them a babysitter. Any child under 10 isn’t going to learn any lessons or become better socialized at a craft or trade fair.
The biggest favour you can give yourself at a large fair is to leave your children at home. They are exhausting and you will be tired enough without making it worse.
The Show Stage: You made it. And you are excited to see everything. Planning is needed at this stage, too. Add a little self discipline.
Amenities: Locate the washroom as soon as you enter the venue. If there is more than 1 location, keep it in mind. You will need one to freshen up. And it’s best to know where to go before you need to.
Assistive Devices: If you sometimes walk with a cane, take it with you. If it is a walker you use occasionally, take it and use it. And if you sometimes land yourself in a wheelchair, you’ll need it here. Use the wheelchair as a walker until you can walk no further. You wheelchair is there to help you because you had the foresight to bring it.
Sit Down: This is the all time hardest thing to do. Don’t think you can push through the whole show and go home with lots of energy left. Shows of all kinds and sizes are extremely draining and if you don’t carve out some time to relax, you will be in trouble later in your day.
Sit down before you fall down. You need real stamina to get through a large show and the best way to the end is by pacing yourself. Athletes know all about pacing and you, too, are an athlete. The difference is in the sport – yours is shopping.
Shop Around: Get the business card of every vendor who is selling something you want: mark on the business card what grabbed your attention and where the booth is located (Aisle and Booth number). Don’t buy yet unless you know there are no other vendors selling a similar product. When you have finished visiting all the show has to offer, sit down and relax. Sort through all those business cards and decide where you will spend your money. Now go back and make your purchases in the knowledge that you got the best item for the best price.
Home Time Stage: Your day still isn’t over because you have so many demands for your time and attention. Your Home Time Stage will be easier on you if you took the time to plan and precautions against tiring yourself too much.
More to Do: If you have children of any age, their needs must be attended to. If you have a husband, the same attention must be given. There is dinner to prepare, baths and beds for the wee-uns. Finally, you can sit down. Do you ‘white knuckle’ it and just work through it? Do you seek the help of your partner? Do you get a take-away meal? Do whatever it takes to make this part of your day easier on you. Remind yourself you can’t help others if you can’t help yourself.
AHHH: Now just sit down and relax. If you have been to a large show, you ache. You ache even more if you ignored the planning stage, or took your baby/children along. Enjoy the silence.
Your Time: Have that bubble bath or steamy shower you promised yourself. Spray yourself with your favourite scent. Get into a clean nightie. And get into bed. You will rest well knowing you’ve got some lovely things to use and to give as gifts. Congratulate yourself for having survived your marathon shopping day.
**NOTES: Baby Care – really belongs in both the Planning Stage and the Show Stage. That’s just the joy of being a parent.
One Final Note: Take your sense of humour with you to the show: don’t leave home without it. There will be crowds where you are going. And, I’ve yet to learn why, they all want to look at the same thing you want to see and all of them are in your way. Talk to the people around you; it helps break the tension and you will enjoy the show more.
At the Easter shows my sister and I wear rabbit ears and carry a basket of individually wrapped chocolate Easter eggs. At Christmas we wear our antlers and we have a Canadian flag and maple leaf on springs that take the place of the ears and antlers. It lightens the mood of people who see us and is a great way to start conversations. Those who are young at heart are the people who stop us to chat. It does make the day more pleasant to get through and less stressful.
wheelchair tires