Falkirk Festivities 2021

• Airth

Santa Claus is coming to Airth on Friday 17^th December! Due to COVID-19, his visit will be a little different than usual. Beginning at 7pm, he will go to various locations around the village at set times, and while he will remain in his sleigh, photo opportunities are allowed. Visitors are required to maintain a two-metre distance, and all helpers will be wearing masks. It is asked that visitors also wear masks if they can. Please see Rotary Larbert’s Facebook post for the full details and schedule.

• Avonbridge

Avonbridge Kids Club at Avonbridge Hall are holding a Christmas party on Sunday 19^th December from 6pm-8pm. Tickets are £2 and can be paid for at the door, but you must secure a space beforehand by commenting on their Facebook post. There will be music, games, and a very special guest in a big red suit…

Please note: the Avonbridge Kids Club Christmas Party has been cancelled; visit the Facebook announcement for further information.

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Avonbridge Hall are also holding an Over 60s Christmas Lunch on Tuesday 21^st December. Tickets are £5 and you can comment on their Facebook post to secure a spot.

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Braes Wee Choir are performing a Charity Christmas Concert in aid of Lyn’s Small Animal Rehoming (LSA), taking place on Sunday 12^th December from 3pm-5pm at Avonbridge Hall.

Tickets are £5 and include refreshments; they can be purchased from LSA Charity Shop in the Howgate Shopping Centre, or can be delivered. All profits go to LSA. For further information and booking tickets, please visit the Facebook event page, or our article on the event.

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A New Year Party will take place at Avonbridge Hall on Friday 31^st December at 9pm. Tickets are £5, children under 12 go free. Spaces are limited so book your place in advance by commenting on their Facebook post.

• Bainsford & Langlees

There will be a Christmas party at the Dawson Centre on Wednesday 15^th December from 6:30pm to 8pm for children of Primary 1-Primary 4 age. Tickets are free but spaces are limited. Join the Bainsford and Langlees Community Forum Facebook group and comment on the Christmas party post to find out more/book your space.

• Bonnybridge

Santa’s Mobile Grotto will be doing a free tour of Bonnybridge, Denny, and Banknock thanks to ROOTS HHFS Food Bank. Donation buckets will be available but are not required. Check out their Facebook post for locations, dates, and times.

• Camelon

Cyrenians are hosting a Syrian Supper Club at Arnotdale House on Friday 10^th December from 7pm. Award-winning Syrian chef, Noura Selibi, will bring the taste of Syria to Camelon for a unique Christmas meal. With COVID safety measures in place, tables are available for groups of 4-10 at £35 per person. See their website for more details.

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There’s a Charity Christmas Coffee Morning taking place at Camelon Community Hub on Saturday 11^th December from 10am-3pm for a small fee of £1.50, in aid of Dementia UK. There’s drinks and cake on offer, and even better, a present wrapping service! Sit back and relax with your refreshments while your presents are wrapped for you, only 50p per item.

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Camelon Arts will have a calendar stall touring around a few locations in Camelon and Tamfourhill on Saturday 11^th December. The community calendar will be £5 with all proceeds going towards community events in 2022. There’s also free hot chocolate on offer! See their Facebook post for more information.

• Denny & Dunipace

Christmas has come to Denny town centre! See the Facebook event details for upcoming festive fun in the town. Saturday 11^th December is Elf Day with visits from two of Santa’s elves and a Christmas workshop in Denny Library (booking required). Saturday 18^th December brings a visit from Santa himself.

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Santa’s Mobile Grotto will be doing a free tour of Bonnybridge, Denny, and Banknock thanks to ROOTS HHFS Food Bank. Donation buckets will be available but are not required. Check out their Facebook post for locations, dates, and times.

• Falkirk town / Falkirk-wide

Community Focus Scotland are holding a Community Kids Christmas Party with games, face-painting, building gingerbread houses, and a Santa surprise! It is completely free, taking place Saturday 11^th December from 11am to 1pm. The first 25 children to arrive will get a special surprise so don’t be late! See their Facebook post for more details.

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2021 Santa Sleigh Visits, thanks to Falkirk Round Table, will be touring around the Falkirk area throughout December. Some of the dates have already passed but many are still upcoming. They will have collection cans for Strathcarron Hospice and Live Life Give Life UK if you would like to donate. Exact routes for Santa’s tour will be available on their Instagram page. The schedule can also be seen on their Facebook page.

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Take The Right Route has launched their Christmas Countdown, offering prizes to local people through the free BetterPoints app for choosing to travel by foot, bike, or public transport. Participants earn points that can be exchanged for giftcards and vouchers. See our article on the Countdown to learn more and take part!

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Falkirk Community Trust’s We Love Christmas page is filled to the brim with festive activities! From pantomimes and cinema to afternoon teas and library events, you don’t want to miss them.

• Grangemouth

Santa’s coming to Kersiebank Community Project on Saturday 11^th December, 11am-1pm. There is no need to book and it’s completely free. Children will receive a personal photo, goodie bag, and a box of Maltesers for parents. There’s also a letterbox, with paper and envelopes supplied, for children to post their letter to Santa.

There will also be various Santa visits thanks to Rotary Club of Grangemouth throughout the month of December. These visits will take place in different locations from Thursday 16^th – Monday 20^th December. See their Facebook post for locations and further details. Locals are encouraged to wave and jingle a bell for Santa and his elves!

• Larbert & Stenhousemuir

There will be events taking place in Stenhousemuir Town Centre, thanks to Falkirk Delivers, in the weeks leading up to Christmas. On Saturday 11^th December, a large snowglobe will be available up until Christmas, and the public are encouraged to use it for photographs. There will also be children’s fairground rides.

Saturday 18^th December will bring a street entertainer and other fun family games such as Hoopla!

• Tamfourhill

Tamfourhill Community Hub are holding a pantomime this year on Saturday 18^th December at 4pm. Tickets are on sale now.

• Tamfourhill

Blank decorations are available at Tamfourhill Community Hub to be personalised by members of the public and placed on the Hub’s Christmas tree.

• General

Strathcarron Hospice are encouraging families to hold a service of remembrance for those who have lost a loved one this year, or to reflect on the losses experienced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, through Light Up A Life. Their Facebook post holds some touching ideas to perform in memory of those lost.

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Reindeer Cam is a website where Santa can be seen feeding and caring for his reindeer, reading stories, and other ‘sneak peeks’ into life around Santa’s barn.

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Festive Studios on YouTube air a 24/7 ‘Santa cam’ so you can watch Santa, his elves, and Mrs. Claus busy in their Grotto at the North Pole.

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Falkirk Community Trust have posted a Stories with Santa video, where Santa reads Stick Man by Julia Donaldson. This can also be found on their YouTube channel, along with BSL, Makaton, and Singalong versions.

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Do you like baking? Cyrenians are holding a free virtual Christmas Cookie Swap event on Saturday 18^th December from 11am-1pm. Gather the ingredients for your favourite cookie recipe and get ready to bake! Please head to their website to read more and register your interest.

Alternatively, they are holding an in-person Christmas Cookie Swap in Edinburgh at their cook school for the cost of £10 taking place at the same date and time. If you’d prefer to bake in person with others, you can buy tickets at their website.

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See the image below for a creative Christmas gift idea! Wrap up chocolate bars in white paper and draw a face to give the illusion of a snowman, with a colourful pair of gloves tied on top to act as a hat. (Click the image for bigger size.)

• Bonnybridge

ROOTS HHFS Food Bank are looking for donations of sweets and selection boxes for children.

• Bo’ness

Bo’ness Food Pantry need donations to ensure the local community all get a Christmas dinner this year. They ask that anyone kindly donating items to please give them to Bo’ness Old Kirk on Mondays between 1pm-3pm. If that time is unsuitable, a collection can be arranged. See their Facebook post for more details, and a list of items they need.

If you’d prefer to donate money instead, Bo’ness Food Pantry are doing a ‘feed a household’ initiative. They are suggesting £5 to feed a single person, £10 to feed a couple, and £20 to feed a family. There is more information on how to donate on their Facebook post.

They also have a Christmas Hamper Referral page where you may refer yourself or someone you know who needs a food hamper for Christmas. The deadline for referrals is Saturday 18^th December at 5pm. You can also share Bo’ness Food Pantry’s Facebook post about it.

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Bo’ness Storehouse Foodbank are looking for donations of food and toys (for both younger and older children). Toys in particular can be handed in to the Bo’ness Salvation Army on Monday-Wednesday, 9:30am-3pm. There is also a donation bin for food in Tesco. Check out their Facebook post for further details.

• Denny & Dunipace

Denny & Dunipace Toy Appeal Facebook group is set up to allow locals to offer or request pre-loved toys (and occasionally other items) for Christmas. However the cut-off for donation is Friday 10^th December. 🪀🪁🧸

• Falkirk

The Provost’s annual Christmas appeal is looking for donations to make Christmas special for children and young people across Falkirk. Over £2,000 has been raised so far by generous donators. You can add your donation at their JustGiving page.

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In partnership with Falkirk Delivers, Howgate Shopping Centre are doing a Christmas gift appeal. Shoppers are kindly asked to donate a gift or purchase a town centre giftcard to support local families. The last day to donate is Sunday 19^th December. Their Facebook post holds further information.

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Dunelm Falkirk have a campaign in-store to gather presents for children at a local primary school. There are still 40 tags in-store – you can pop into the shop or just comment on the Facebook post to claim a tag.

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From Me To You are doing an annual Christmas appeal, and ask that people please get in touch to either donate, or to let From Me To You know that they need assistance. Please see their Facebook post for details. They can be reached at: frommetoyou.team@gmail.com

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Warm clothing donations for children are being sought after by Under The Trees. They are asking for gloves, hats, scarves, and socks, either new or used. They can be dropped off to Under The Trees or collection can be arranged. Please contact them to arrange donation: jess@underthetrees.co.uk

• Grangemouth

Kersiebank Community Project need strong cardboard boxes in order to safely deliver their Christmas food parcels. They are kindly asking that a local business donate around 300 boxes to them, but any help would be appreciated. They have asked that local businesses be tagged on their Facebook post, and you can share it too.

KCP also have a Christmas Appeal, and are looking to give food parcels and gifts to those in need this festive season. For donations or referrals, they ask that you please contact: kcpchristmas@outlook.com

• Larbert & Stenhousemuir

KLSB Community Group are hoping to provide 7-day food packages, including a full Christmas dinner, to families in need this year to ease the stress that can come with the festive season. The pantry is open to take donations at set times. Please visit their Facebook post to see the times and a list of items they need more of. They are also hoping to receive donations of new toys for children.

You can view an example of the food packages they want to send out this year, all thanks to the generosity of locals donating.

• Tamfourhill

Tamfourhill Community Hub are doing a Christmas Toy Appeal 2021 for under-18s, and ask that new or nearly-new toys are dropped off at the Hub. Recently, the Hub stated in a Facebook post that items for girls around the age of 10, as well as art supplies would be appreciated.

• General

Strathcarron Compassionate Communities have posted a Facebook image encouraging people to check on their loved ones. Not everyone finds Christmas a time of joy so having someone connect with them can be of huge help.

They have also suggested a Compassion In A Card activity for neighbours to get to know one another and combat loneliness this Christmas. See their Facebook post for more information.

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RNIB have a very special Christmas Appeal this year. You can donate so that a child with blindness or partial sightedness can have an accessible letter from Santa to read, and remain included in the Christmas fun. Read more about the appeal and how to donate via their website.

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BookTrust are kindly asking for donations so that a surprise book gift can be sent to a child through a foodbank. You can donate via their Facebook post.

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What better Christmas purchase than a unique bauble that supports a charity? British Red Cross have beautifully hand-crafted baubles by refugees who have used their services. The full range of gifts supporting refugees is on their website.

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Falkirk Sewing Studio have some excellent pieces on offer including bags for life made from upcycled donated jeans, tartan rosettes, and home décor items. Visit their full online shop here.

These bags for life will also be available at Christmas Markets held by Falkirk Sewing Studio on Saturday 11^th and Sunday 12^th December from 10am-5pm at Callendar Square Shopping Centre. Free refreshments are provided. Visit our website article for more information.

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Forth Valley Social Enterprise Network (FVSEN) Online Directory is an ethical gift directory full of social enterprises who give back to communities in Scotland.

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Let’s Get Grangemouth Clean: gLitter Campaign have planters and beautiful Flower Bike Calendars available for sale now. Check out their Facebook to order.

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NU2U Furniture & Food Project have various items available. There are £5 Christmas gift packs, ideal stocking fillers or teacher presents, as well as Christmas décor, new toys, and new books.

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Social Enterprise Scotland posted about Buy Social Scotland, another ethical gift directory brimming with social enterprises.

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UNICEF UK have a Bake for Syria recipe book for sale, containing both sweet and savoury recipes.