On December 1 our Christmas Market raised $48,304 pesos, or a few cents shy of US $2,374. This was a 17% increase over last year ($42,039) and a 21% increase over 2022, when we netted $39,880 pesos.
The huge variety of sweet and savory food items brought customers eager to enjoy homemade sweet and savory goodies not available elsewhere—such as traditional English fruitcakes, passion fruit curd bars, Eureka lemon-flavored cookies, almond polverones, gorgonzola walnut sherry spread, muhammara, artichoke mousse with goat cheese and lemon, mulligatawny soup, and chicken-liver terrine with homemade cranberry sauce on the side. We even served hot vegetarian black bean and corn chili. Many people purchased their items before December 1 by placing orders online.
All these delicious foods were prepared by a relay team of volunteers under the supervision of chef Susan Pataky, who provided the ingredients from money she had raised at her birthday party earlier this year. Thus, the proceeds from the food items were pure profit. Besides the food, we sold donated pet supplies, Christmas decorations, other donated gift items, and Amigos tee shirts.
We’d planned to hold the market in Plaza Allende, where it took place last year, but a bicycle event was scheduled to be held there. Instead, the city allowed us to use the little plaza in front of Bar Fly. This turned out to be a good choice for us in one sense, as it attracted more passersby and allowed our volunteers to be in the shade throughout the day.
However, it prevented Terri Rasmussen, who had planned to sell selected items from her Tiny Tiendita at the same location, from participating with us because the city’s permit limited us to two tables in that space. So, on December 2 a separate sale took place at Terri’s Tiny Tiendita, raising $12,000 pesos (US $600) for the benefit of Amigos. If you are unfamiliar with that amazing shop and are interested in buying unusual gifts, many of them with pet themes, you can call Terri at 473 731 0674 or text/call her cell, +1 510 520 6814, to learn the shop’s hours or make an appointment.
Congratulations and thanks to all those who made the Christmas Market a success—our volunteers, our avid shoppers, and most of all Susan Pataky. Heartfelt thanks to Terri Rasmussen for her generous support for Amigos during this holiday season and throughout the past year. Thanks also to Dyan Amirault and Margo Diosdado for their help at Terri’s sale.
We’ll apply the money raised by the two events this month toward the purchase of a much-needed van. Our 2000 Ford Windstar van needs to retire after a long life of valiant service.