Certainly Mariah Carey was not in Castandet, this small town in the Landes with just over 400 inhabitants, this Sunday, November 17, but there was a sweet and comforting scent of Christmas. Slightly cool weather (without snow), garlands, gifts, children with beaming faces and Santa Claus for his first appearance of the year.
The small town hosted a Christmas market, the first in the Landes department (the same day as the Montgaillard Christmas fair and another market in Lourquen). A characteristic that is close to the heart of the Fée des dons association, which focused on the baptismal font for this event.
“We are a charitable association and we wanted not to be in competition with markets organized by towns like Aire-sur-l’Adour or Mont-de-Marsan,” explains Sonia Dugué, the president of Fée des dons. “Being first has some advantages. »
Other customers
Nearly thirty exhibitors participated in this first party. “We only have creators present,” insists Sonia. The village hall being too cramped, some had deployed their stalls outside. In the morning, visitors gathered in the room to discover the creations on offer.
It was also the first outing for these professionals, like Tinou and her wooden creations, coming from Saint-Perdon. “We’re taking our bearings before the next few weeks which will be busy.”
The Castandet village hall was full.
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The clientele of the first markets is different from the others. The exhibitors agree on this point. “They are not stressed, they take the time to ask, to find out,” explains a designer of decorative objects. A little further on, Marie offers natural stone jewelry: “They are there to get an idea. We can see some of them again in other markets. »
For Tinou, from Saint-Perdon, the clientele found in the markets around December 20 is “completely different”. “She’s in a hurry, she’s here to buy at the last minute. It doesn't matter the model or color. »
The famous letter
Even if the deadline is still far away, this trip to Castandet still allowed us to meet Santa Claus. “It’s a request from people. We didn’t have it last year,” smiles Sonia. In a cozy space, it has appeared to the delight of young and old. “We had set up a box so that the children could drop off their letters,” she adds.
“Some preferred to hand it over to me,” slips the old gentleman with the long beard. Way of insisting on their first choice. This presence also allowed some to see him for the first time. Like Paul, barely four months old, who was able to discover this world of Christmas with his parents.
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Jean, barely four months old, poses with his mother Gladys alongside Santa Claus.
Sweet treats and mulled wine, other essentials of this period, have satisfied the taste buds of many visitors. And happiness to the volunteers of the Fée des dons association, who will hand over a check to the Oses association, in Geaune, in mid-December. “Last year, we made a donation of 700 euros to the SPA. This is why we mobilize all year round and for this market,” concludes a delighted president.
