Christmas playground in town

Sharron Pardoe Reporter from The Wellingtonian

A children's charity which provides free raincoats, food, shoes and socks along with health items to 44 schools in Wellington will benefit from a new Christmas event.
The Courtenay Central Courtyard Christmas Playground will give locals the opportunity to fully embrace the season with a winter wonderland-themed space, complete with Saturday Christmas markets, live music, pop-up sweet treats, Little Elves workshops at a custom-made Gingerbread House and free throwback Christmas movies every Friday.
A Courtyard Gift Wrapping station will also be available from 14 December, where gifts will be wrapped for a gold coin donation to local charity KidsCan.
Julie Chapman CEO and Co-founder of KidsCan says the charity is grateful to be involved and currently assists 44 schools in Wellington.
“We’re really thankful to be the recipient charity of this fantastically festive Christmas playground pop-up. Since 2005, KidsCan has been helping create brighter futures for Kiwi kids living in hardship by giving them food in school, clothing, health and hygiene items, so they can get into the classroom in a position to learn.
“We have a strong connection with Wellington as we proudly support 44 KidsCan schools in the Capital. Each gold coin given this December will go towards changing the lives of Kiwi kids who need a hand-up, what an incredible Christmas gift! A sincere thank you from the KidsCan team, our schools and the children we support.”
Courtenay Central’s Amy Boston says the Centre is proud to be bringing this initiative to Wellington especially as it will benefit more local children in low decile schools.
“It was really important to us that we were able to find a way to give back to the members of the local community who find it tough to get by throughout the year.
“As well as bringing families together, this event will see local children benefit through a charity network which helps feed and clothe them at a time when many of us are at our most generous,” she says.
As well as donating a coin for local children, families will also be able to celebrate the spirit of Christmas with a family photo. This year they’ll even be able to include the family pet with Pawtraits which will be part of the Awkward Christmas Portrait Station.
Other entertainment set to take place at The Courtyard Christmas Playground during December includes In-House Monogramming, a Flash Mob Choir, Snow Blower, and Winter Wonderland Styling Concept Installation with Light Project Installation and Workshops with well-known stylists demonstrating floral arranging, candle making, and table dressing.
Families will also be treated to some free movies with Christmas classics showing every Friday evening, Polar Express, Elf and Love Actually will screen on consecutive Friday evenings at 6pm from 8 December. Christmas-themed treats and popcorn will be available for purchase to fully embrace the festive season flicks.
The Courtyard Christmas Playground will run from 2 December until 24 December.

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