If you truly want to make a difference this Christmas then look no further than the orphans and children of domestic violence on the Costa del Sol. There are far too many children in care and this time of year is an even more poignant reminder that their lives have changed and Christmas will not be celebrated in the traditional manner.  To help make Christmas a special time and bring a smile to a face, once again there will be a Christmas present collection for the orphanages in Alora Malaga and children in the Domestic Violence houses.

They need your help!

Instructions:

1. Buy and wrap a present for children between ages 1-19 years.
2. Tag it for boy or girl.
3. Tag it for the appropriate age.
4. Drop it off at one of the locations below.

Suggested list of presents:

• DVDs
• Books
• Fun toothbrushes, colors, themes, characters
• Toiletries (brushes, combs, shampoo, soap, fun toothbrushes – colors, themes or characters,
  shaving cream, perfume, etc.)
• Stationary type items, such as small pretty notepads, note cards, stickers, decorative pencils, cool pens, markers
• Small/Light toys, such as yo-yo’s, toy cars, small rubber balls, small action figures, small dolls,
• Packs of Trading Cards such as sports teams, popular characters
• School bags
• Fun girl makeup items such as flavored lip glosses
• Hair accessories for girls
• Candy
• Small, travel size board games or card games
• Inexpensive wristwatch – sometimes €5 at the market
• Slippers/House shoes, all sizes/styles
• Socks any color for boys, girls prefer fun characters or themes
• Sewing supplies
• Small Lego sets, small puzzles
• Fun key chains, especially key chain size flashlights

Last year was hugely successful and the children all had a lovely Christmas because of you!

Drop points in the Marbella area:

The Boardwalk Marbella

Slainte Banus

The Boardwalk Creperie in Ambrosia

Neli G’s Benavista

Funky Forest Estepona

Galaxia Playcentre Guadalmina

Wonderland Playschool San Pedro

Beckitts Marbella

The Barber Club Banus

Golden Tarts Banus

Christmas Tree Lighting ceremonies have become an annual holiday tradition for Costa del Sol families. These are free, family-friendly events, with live entertainment, music, singing of Christmas carols of course, and some with mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and Christmas cookies.

They are all for a good cause as well. Shop at the market stalls or make a donation to the various charities, which helps enrich the lives of children on the coast.

If you want to watch a beautiful Costa del Sol event with your loved ones, why not attend one of the Christmas Tree Lighting events. It is the perfect family-friendly activity to kick off the holiday season.

Malaga Christmas Lights

Where: Calle Larios

When: Friday, November 27th

Time: 18.00

Marbella Christmas Lights

Where: Ricardo Soriano

When: Friday, December 4th

Time: 18.00

Lighting of the Christmas Tree & Christmas Market

Where: Kempinski Hotel, Bahía, Estepona

When: December 5th

Time: 16.00

For a magical start to Christmas… the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree and boutique Christmas Market, roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and carols from ‘El Tenor’ at dusk. They will dim the lights and officially light the Christmas tree with Father Christmas. There will be a performance by the Choir Magnum Mysterium and much, much more!

Believe it or not it is that time of year again. Yes, Christmas has sneaked up on us yet again. There will be a number of Christmas markets happening along the coast from now until late December. I have included a few of the markets and as I receive more information  I will post updates. The first Christmas market is this weekend and is probably the largest of the markets.

Caritas Christmas Market

Over 120 stalls of food, crafts, decorations, antiques, homemade cakes & cookies, a restaurant, a cafeteria, a bodeguita (wine bar) and a bouncy castle & tombola for the children.

Date: November 12^th, 13^th, 14^th & 15^th

Time: 11:00 – 22.00

Location: Palacio de Congresos, Marbella

Aloha College Christmas Bazaar

International food fair, raffles, stalls, chocolate tombola, performances, Father Christmas

Date: November 28^th

Time: 11.00-16.00

Location: Aloha College, Nueva Andalucia

AAA – Christmas Bazaar

Date: December 13th

Time: 11.00 – 17.30

Location: Palacio de Congresos, Marbella

Registration: FREE if your 2 – legged, 8€ 4 – legged

La Virginia Christmas Market

Date: December 13^th

Time: 11 – 18.00

Location: Urb. La Virginia, Marbella

Christmas Market with the Lions Club of Marbella

Date: November 21^st & 22^nd

Time: 14.00-19.00

Location: Marbella Golf Country Club
Salida de los Monteros, Ctra. de Cádiz Km188

ADANA – Association for the Rights of Abandoned Animals

Date: Saturday, November 22nd

Time: 10:00 – 16:00

Location: Palaco de Congresos, Estepona

They will have a number of stalls and therefore, need the following items:
• Plants
• Good quality clothing for the ‘Posh Frocks’ stand
• Good quality second hand towels/doggie items (eg. beds, toys, collars etc.)
• Cakes for the café (a lot)
• Cava & tapas (for the cava and tapas bar)
• Prizes for the tombola (alcohol, chocolates, good quality beauty products etc.)
• Bran Tub prizes (sweets, dog treats, jewellery, cash and anything that fits inside a plastic ball measuring 3″ (7.62cm) across x 3.5″ (8.89cm)

They need the following volunteers:

• To set up tables and chairs

• To attend the stalls

• At 16.00 to clean the hall

• Face painters for children

If you are a lover of classical music then you will enjoy the upcoming concerts in Marbella this month.  Vestard Shimkus who is giving a piano recital as the Vasari Centre, has been described by the BBC as “inspired”; the German magazine, Piano News has called him “one of the most remarkable pianists of the young generation”. “Superb” and “a phenomenon” are two more superlatives that have described him.  The list goes on, as does his accomplishments. From winning 1^st prize at one of the most prestigious international piano competitions, Maria Canals Competition in Barcelona in 2009 and taking 1^st prize at the Bad Kissingen Klavierolympiade in 2007 he has been a busy young man enchanting audiences from Europe, U.S.A. and Asia. Vestard has also composed two piano concertos and works for chamber music.

Piano Recital – With Vestard Shimkus

Music by Mozart, Chopin, Scriabin and Shimkus

Date: Saturday, November 14^th

Time: 22.30

Location: Vasari Centre, The Alzambra, Puerto Banus, Marbella

Violoncello Recital – With Tilman Mahrenholz

Mozart and Friends – Teatime Sessions Concert

Date: Saturday, November 28^th

Time:  17:00

Event: Classical concert with works of Mozart

Location: Iglesia de la Virginia, Urb. La Virginia, Marbella