Christmas season is just around the corner, as is the second half of the semester. With midterms and deadlines coming up, stress amongst students is rising and it can be hard to find any time to relax. But there’s an event coming up on campus that just may help with that.
Wednesday, November 26 will mark four years of the Camosun College Student Society (CCSS) Christmas Market at the Lansdowne Campus. This year, the event will have over 40 vendors selling their works, and it gives students something fun to do during the end of the semester.
This market was started back in 2022 by CCSS Indigenous director Katie Manomie. Every year since, a different member of the CCSS has taken up the task of organizing the event. This year it’s women’s director Madison Huynh.
As a student, Huynh understands how stressful this time of year can be.
“It’s going to be during the second wave of midterms and I’m hoping to bring a little joy on campus” she says. “Anecdotally, talking with teachers and just existing on campus, I think burnout has been a lot higher this semester and anything we can do to bring people back to the present to enjoy it is a worthy effort.”
Last year, the CCSS held a mini market at the Interurban campus, but that won’t be the case this year. Between a lack of space to set up the market and not enough people to run it on both campuses, it wasn’t very successful, so the Christmas Market will only be held at Lansdowne this year. The vendors are mainly comprised of students but will also include a few Camosun alumni as well as some staff.
West Westfall, a student vendor, is highly anticipating the event. They will be selling prints, stickers, beaded and handwoven bracelets, and embezzled lighters.
“I’m excited to be a part of it,” says Westfall. “This is my first time doing the market, but I know people who have done it in the past and they really enjoyed it and had a really good time. I’m excited to meet people on campus and show people what I make.”
Huynh says that there will be a large variety of items that vendors will be selling; they’ll be posting some of the vendors’ works on the CCSS Instagram page prior to the event for people to check out.
“There’s going to be handmade pottery and jewelry, crocheted keychains, hair accessories,” says Huynh. “A lot of little gifts you can get for people.”
Alongside vendors, there will be hot chocolate and photos with Santa. Huynh has also had some vendors donate items for door prizes. The prizes are by donation, and all the proceeds are being given to the campus daycares for new equipment. The CCSS has already raised $4,000 for the daycares through previous efforts.
“We’re fundraising for some more equipment, items that will hopefully last a long time,” says Huynh. “I think having a daycare on both campuses allows for more people to get an education and that’s so valuable. My mom was a stay-at-home mom for 20 years, and I imagine if she had more support she would have gotten an education sooner and I just think there’s so much value in that. It continues on; it’s generational. If a parent is educated, their child is more likely to be educated, and it’s something I’m passionate about.”
The Christmas Market will be a chance for students to get a little holiday shopping done and enjoy themselves in the tail end of the semester before exam season.
“I’m excited to see everyone,” says Huynh. “We’re going to have Christmas music playing, we’re going to be giving out free hot chocolate with little candy cane bits, and I’m excited to see people enjoying themselves.”
CCSS Christmas Market
2 pm to 5 pm Wednesday, November 26
Sherri Bell Hall, Wilna Thomas Building