THERE’S no getting away from it. The treats have been chomped, the pumpkins have been turned to soup, and the Guys have been frazzled on the bonfire – now it’s time to dust off those flashing jumpers and ready yourself for the festive period!

This weekend sees the first Christmas fayres, fairs and markets open their doors to festive folk, offering an array of handmade crafts, original gifts and cards, and seasonal refreshments – and in many cases raising vital funds for an array of charities and good causes.

Here we list five of the best events at which to grab a cup of festive cheer, some mulled wine, hear the jingling of bells and make an early start on your Christmas shopping over the coming days:

* Bells Piece Christmas market – Saturday, November 10, from 10am to 3pm at Bells Piece Leonard Cheshire Disability Service off Hale Road, Farnham GU9 9RL.

Bells Piece’s annual Christmas market, as always, will offer a wide range of interesting, unique and exciting stalls selling gifts for Christmas. Apart from the main marquee there will be stalls in the service’s arts and crafts studio and its horticulture shop will also be open. After visiting all the stalls, drop into the cafe where homemade soups and hot savouries will be served. Entry costs £1, children free.

* Christmas fair supporting Reach in Bentley – Saturday, November 10, from 10am to 3pm at Bentley Memorial Hall, Hole Lane. GU10 5NB.

Enjoy a variety of stalls providing great Christmas gift ideas and fabulous stocking fillers, as well as a fantastic raffle and tombola – with all proceeds going to Reach, the charity for children with upper limb differences. Refreshments including bacon rolls, hot dogs and homemade soup will also be available.

* A Vintage Christmas at the Rural Life Centre – Saturday, November 17, from 10.30am to 3.30pm at the Rural Life Centre, Reeds Road, Tilford GU10 2DL.

The museum’s first-ever Christmas-themed vintage and retro fair promises to be the perfect event to pick up a Christmas present for the vintage fan in your life, with entertainment from Amanda Jane and Steve Conway. Come and enjoy this seasonal market in the beautiful surroundings of the museum. Entry to market and museum £5 on the door. Proceeds from entry to the market will go toward the upkeep of the museum.

* Coxbridge Farm charity Christmas market – Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18, from 10am to 4pm at Coxbridge Farm, off West Street, Farnham. GU9 7AS.

Coxbridge Farm’s inaugural charity Christmas market promises to be very much a family-friendly, community-feel event with around 25 stallholders, a Santa’s grotto, face painting, sand-art activities for children, an under-fives indoor play area, raffle, lucky dip, and a live Christmas carol performance. All of this is being held to raise money for the Frimley Health Charity (specifically supporting the children and neonatal wards) and Challengers. Volunteers - and elves! - are also being sought to support the event.

* Frensham Christmas gift fair in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice – Tuesday, November 20, from 10am to 3pm at The Aldridge Theatre, Frensham Heights School.

With 45 stalls, offering everything from clothes, toys and books, to original art and jewellery, and a new stall with gifts for the home, as well as a raffle, tombola, name the teddy competition and refreshments, this year’s Frensham Christmas gift fair promises everything you need to get your Christmas shopping off to a great start.

There will also be refreshments supplied by Starbucks, live music from Rock Choir and craft sessions all day courtesy of Jo from Escape2Art, giving adults the chance to make Christmas crackers (£25 for six) or napkin rings (£20 for eight) for their Christmas dinner table, with all proceeds going to the hospice. To book, call 01252 729446 or e-mail [email protected]. Susan Griffiths Jewellery Designs will also be running drop-in workshops throughout the day. Entry costs £3.