Held at South Beach Tower on 11 & 12 November 2023, the Sustainable Christmas Market was bustling with a hive of activity.
Presented by the Peace of Art and spearheaded by Mrs Eunice Yeo, the Sustainable Christmas Market raised over $270,000 for the children and youth of the Singapore Red Cross Young Hearts programme. Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry, graced the Sustainable Christmas Market as the Guest of Honour.
Photo by Lai Wei Song, volunteer photographer
Some highlights of the Sustainable Christmas Market included the signature pre-loved bazaar, sustainable craft workshops, and fitness workshops. Besides lining up hours of performances by talented volunteers, the Sustainable Christmas Market also had 60 sustainable stall vendors selling their wares at stalls nestled in elegant white tentages. There was also a showcase of an electric vehicle and a complimentary test drive.
Photo by Gin Tay, Sustainable Christmas Market Photographer
Seated near a Christmas tree with several large, shimmering, silver spherical ornaments, Santa posed for photos with the young and old alike at a Christmas photo booth. Young Hearts children also posed for photos with Santa.
Sustainable Activities and Craft Workshops
Patrons and supporters were engaging in an exciting lineup of 70 carefully curated sustainable activities and craft workshops for their eco-conscious engagement over the weekend. Sponsored sustainable activities and workshops such as the craft of pressed flowers, upcycled bottled planter, patchworking (trinket tray and key fob), pressed floral jewellery, holiday door decor, heartfelt notes brush lettering, Busyboard Builders, Terrazzo tray, botanical/sustainable Christmas wreaths, and conscious caviar and champagne tasting, made the patrons' weekend more interesting and enriching. Young Hearts children also engaged in some paper-making activities.
Photos by Lai Wei Song, volunteer photographer
Photo by Tania Gan, Sustainable Christmas Market Photographer
Sustainable Home
From upcycled vintage tiered platters to art masterpieces, every item showcased exemplified a celebration of elegance and uniqueness, functionality and sustainability. Patrons browsed exquisitely crafted products that had interwoven refinement with conscious values. People keen to beautify their homes explored sustainable renewable products such as vintage crockery, coasters, trays, upcycled bags, plantable greeting cards, handicrafts, intricately woven beads made into Christmas ornaments, art masterpieces, coasters, clay bear figurines, flowers, vases, and jewellery boxes. Apart from fragrances, there were also handbags and pouches at the bazaar.
Photo by Phua Chong Tian, Sustainable Christmas Market Photographer
Photo by Tania Gan, Sustainable Christmas Market Photographer
Children and students were spoilt for choice given the kaleidoscope of stationery and books at the Sustainable Christmas Market. Beautifully hand-painted greeting cards, notebooks, postcards, bookmarks, stickers with uplifting words and quotes, and intricately woven beads made into decorations, badges and books captivated their attention. Young Hearts children also picked a gift from a section of the bazaar.
Photo by Lai Wei Song, volunteer photographer
Sustainable Generation
At the pre-loved bazaar, parents explored products (clothes, bags, toys, shoes, and books) for women and children, specially curated by our very own volunteers, at attractive prices. This may inculcate mindfulness in the young ones, to make the right choices as they learn to manifest the art of sustainable living from a young age. It was a wonderful shopping experience for patrons to get their early Christmas presents for their loved ones while shopping for a good cause!
Photo by David JK Tan, Sustainable Christmas Market Photographer
Sustainable Body and Mind
Patrons were treated to a delectable palette of gourmet cuisines and desserts that whetted their appetites. There were dairy-free ice creams, salted caramel served waffles and brownies made from scratch from superlative ingredients, wholesome food for the immune system and gut health, plant-based burgers, and delicious and nutritious plant-based dairy products, oat milk beverages that tantalised the taste buds, culinary delights with Italian and American traditions, and cookies, finest gourmet dips and sauces sourced from Italy's Umbrian countryside, and spicy, flavourful and aromatic chilli was sustainably farmed and harvested in Kunak, Sabah.
Photo by Gin Tay, Sustainable Christmas Market Photographer
Patrons browsed sustainable skin care products such as vegan local soap, and skin care products which were certified microbiome-friendly for eczema and sensitive skin. Other skin care products blended the efficacy of clean clinical skin care and the superiority of natural ingredients through intensive research and advanced technology.
Photo by David JK Tan, Sustainable Christmas Market Photographer
Sustainable Luxuries
The well-heeled explored a world of opulence, tastefully curated brands that epitomised the art of sustainable living. From the most coveted pre-loved designer pieces of high couture and bespoke curated jewellery to exquisite upcycled creations, each item tells a tale of mindful elegance and eco-responsibility, true to the artistry of ethical craftsmanship.
Performances
Over the weekend, performances by various groups enthralled the audience. They included Barreworks, Caprice Duo, Christ Church Secondary School, Distinct Creative Arts, Etonhouse, Jitterbugs, Mandeville Conservatory of Music, MayjayMusicTang Dance Academy, Methodist Girls' School, Singapore Polytechnic, Staccato, Step Up Learning and Dance, St Joseph's Institution Junior, and Zheng Professionals. Young Hearts children also watched a segment of the performances.
Photo by Lai Wei Song, volunteer photographer
Uplifting the Lives of Children
Sustainable Christmas Market exemplified the power of humanity. Corporates and individuals banded together for the common cause of sustainable living and uplifting the lives of the children and young persons whom the Singapore Red Cross' Young Hearts programme serves.
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The Young Hearts Programme The Young Hearts programme fosters self-reliance and empowers Children and Young Persons (CYPs) living in public rental housing by providing them with access to out-of-reach opportunities. The programme plays a vital role in nurturing the holistic development of these young individuals through the creation of resources and opportunities, as well as guidance from positive role models. In the long run, the Young Hearts programme is aimed at strengthening their cognitive abilities and self-awareness while instilling an intrinsic motivation to do better in life. Additionally, the children and youth are encouraged to give back to the community by engaging in meaningful volunteer work. The dedicated team of employees and volunteers builds trust and forges meaningful relationships with every CYP in the programme. This cultivates a positive perspective while dispelling notions that their potential may be hindered due to their circumstances. By instilling confidence in their abilities and highlighting the range of opportunities available to them, we work towards staving off limited mindsets, and pave the way for them to become dynamic and socially conscious members of the community. The Young Hearts programme embraces a multi-pronged strategy: Education, Enrichment, and Excursions, provided within a safe and supportive Environment. |