What do I need to do to join in?

Get in touch with us, and let us know what date you would like to “open” your Festive Alphabet Window and what letter you are planning your decorations around.. We’ll check that both the letter and date are free (this may need a little back and forward), and confirm.
 
advent@northstowe.church
 
Then it's time to start getting ready...
 

At the end of November:

Once all the days have been allocated, we’ll drop off a pack with a copy of these details, a poster, and a large number corresponding to your date ready for you to display.
 

All through Advent - show your "day"

On 28th or 29th November, please put the poster and large number (corresponding to your day) on your window facing outwards towards the street. You may want to cover up your window as well so it can be truly ‘unveiled’. This is up to you. We hope this will get people talking as they walk past!
 

How to unveil your window:

You can prepare your window any time before your window-opening date. You may want to make items/posters etc before the day and store them and then put them out on the day. 

Your window can be ‘unveiled’ anytime, ideally between 7am and 4pm on the specific date. You may want to invite your neighbours’ round for an ‘unveiling’ ceremony- that is up to you!!

Please do not tell anyone else what choice you have made! The idea is that visitors to the windows will try and guess what LETTER you  are displaying. So try and focus on what is UNIQUE about your choice.
 

Size and shape:

This will depend on your window! We encourage you to use as much of your window as possible. As most displays will be up for at least 2-3 weeks, we suggest that they are located inside rather than outside, and this will ensure the safety of your decorations and designs.

Some ideas:
• You could make your display 2D i.e. posters, or 3D.
• You might make figures out of clay, lego, play dough, plasticine.
• You might create a silhouette
• You might use lighting so that people can see the design in the evening
 

How will people find my window?

We will make a Google map showing (anonymously) where each day’s window will be unveiling, and share this on our social media and the webpage www.northstowe.church/advent
 
 

A note on Data Protection:

Addresses on our map will be published without names. The database linking names, addresses and contact details is kept in the secure cloud storage used by the Northstowe Church Network, and only accessed by those who need to use it to help run the event.  The advent mailbox is a shared mailbox monitored by Revd Beth and Revd Stephen, both DBS checked. They adhere to the Northstowe Church Network Data Privacy Policy. Read it here:  https://www.northstowe.church/about#policies
 
 

Sharing images on facebook and other social media

We encourage you to share that you are taking part in this, and pictures of behind the scenes as well as the final artwork, using the #NorthstoweAdventWindows. However, be aware of where and how you are posting photographs of your house. You might like to use the Anonymous Post setting - or email them through to us to share anonymously

We will try to get round and photograph all the windows anonymously, and share them on the social media channels associated with the Northstowe Church Network

https://www.facebook.com/groups/northstoweadventwindows is the Facebook community where you can also see previous years ideas
 

Then keep it up until Boxing Day (if possible)

If possible, we would like all displays to stay up at least until the end of Boxing Day. Last year several people visited the windows on Boxing Day for a walk.