It is tradition that the first year trainees at Michelmores organise the firm’s Christmas Bazaar. I have to say; when I first heard about this I was terrified. I thought that only months into my first seat I would still be grappling with the case management system and clumsily trying to work the photocopier (to say nothing of drafting commercial leases and figuring out the rules of SDLT) to have the time to organise a big event!
We sat nervously in the café whilst the second year trainees told us a little about the bazaar and what was expected of us. The plan was to turn the conservatory into a winter wonderland, with 18 stalls selling Christmas goods and to hold a raffle with prizes that we were to source. Not only this, we had to persuade one of the partners to play Father Christmas. I offered to arrange the stalls as I knew there was a local craft fair coming up which would offer a great opportunity to meet some local traders.
As 10% of the stallholders’ proceeds were going to our charity, Families for Children, it was easy to get some fantastic stallholders confirmed. We had handmade soaps, cupcakes, candles, crafts, a florist, glassware, woodwork and some gorgeous watercolour paintings created by one of the secretaries at Michelmores.
We also arranged for the Michelmores’ choir to sing which really got everyone in the Christmas’ mood (although the supplies of mulled wine and mince pies from the café helped). The event had a real buzz and raised over £1000 for Families for Children.
Having felt overwhelmed by the prospect of organising such an event, it has been the highlight of my time at Michelmores so far. In the midst of feeling like there is so much to learn as a first seater, it’s been a good feeling to have such control over a project. It’s nice to develop a working relationship with the other trainees as well as a social relationship, and it’s a great way to showcase to the firm what you are capable of. Judging from the congratulatory emails we received from lots of the staff, I think it’s fair to judge the Christmas Bazaar 2012 a success!